2015 2 26

GUYANA

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

No. 104112 THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Int’l electoral observer groups have been invited – Dr. Luncheon

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PRICE: $80

Dr Roger Luncheon

Dr Steve Surujbally

‘Valentine Union’ still to birth neutral custodian … AFC\APNU leadership rejects each other

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INCLUDING VAT

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'Shine goose' nabbed after ethnic fatigue 10 attack Page

Neesa Gopaul murder trial…

Former PNC Leader, Robert Corbin

Evicted from Parliament, PNC James McAllister

AFC General Secretary, David Patterson

APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon

AFC attempting to divert attention from ‘hemorrhaging’ support base – Rohee2 CRITICISM

OF HARPER…

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Police witness admits no evidence to charge accused at time of arrest Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

‘Valentine Union’ still to birth neutral custodian … AFC\APNU leadership rejects each other

Former PNC Leader, Robert Corbin

Evicted from Parliament, PNC James McAllister

AFC General Secretary, David Patterson

APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU), February 14, 2015, Cummingsburg Accord has been inked, but two weeks later the parties have still not identified and selected its Representative and Deputy of its candidates’ list.

This was confirmed yesterday by General Secretaries, David Patterson and Joseph Harmon, who during telephone interviews with the Guyana Chronicle gave the assurance that both teams are still working assiduously with sub-committees established as part of the operationalising of the Cummingsburg Accord.

The leader and deputy representative of the list how-

ever will not be chosen from either of the parties involved in the coalition, according to Patterson.

The AFC General Secretary told this publication that this provision for the representatives of the list be neutral, is embedded in the “Cummingsburg Accord,” which was inked following intense negotiations between the two opposition parties.

Under the Cummingsburg Accord, bringing together the two political opponents to contest the incumbent People’s Progressive Party (PPP), that top leadership post will not be coming from the APNU nor the AFC. In fact, the two sides are yet to finalise their selection process in order to find consensus on what he termed, a

“neutral” candidate for the position.

mentary seat vacant in accordance with Article 156(3) (c) of the Constitution the Constitutional Amendment Act of 2007.

The legislation enables the Representatives of parliamentary parties to direct the Speaker of the National Assembly to declare a seat vacant once a party expresses a loss of confidence in a member.

have its official launch next Wednesday, an announcement detailing specifics such as the Representative of the List will not be made until March 14.

According to Patterson, come Nomination Day the two political forces will submit a single list to the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Nominations Day is 32 days before elections, which means that the list of each party looking to contest the 2015 General and Regional Elections will have to be submitted on April 10, 2015.

Harmon, who also spoke to the Guyana Chronicle, addressed the fact that a great deal of the work currently engaged in by the two teams is focused on the operationalising of the provisions in the Cummingsburg Accord.

He suggested that this operationalising also encompasses the dual campaign strategy for the two political opposition forces, ahead of next week’s launch.

NEUTRAL Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle that the two sides are still to finalise the criteria to be used on shortlisting individuals, but emphasised that the Representative will not be fielded from the AFC or APNU. Asked for timelines, Patterson said that while the two parties will be looking to

PRE-ELECTION COALITION In January last, Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, announced that APNU and the AFC had entered into formal talks first hinted at by AFC, Leader Khemraj Ramjattan.

Ramjattan during that party’s conference in December last had announced

POWERS Under the existing laws of Guyana, the Representative of the Candidates List is also entrusted with significant powers under legislation such as the Constitutional Amendment Act of 2007— otherwise known as ‘Recall Legislation, the MP’s Sword of Damocles.

On December 3, 2008, then Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, had announced that Robert Corbin, the Representative of the List of Candidates for the People’s National Congress (PNC), officially notified him that James McAllister had been recalled.

Consequently, Ramkarran declared McAllister’s parlia-

that it would enter into a pre-electoral alliance with APNU, should the AFC be allowed to lead.

Following weeks of talks, the details of the Cummingsburg Accord were made public when the leadership of the two parties made the Valentine’s Day announcement that they had come to an agreement for a pre-election coalition.

Going into the coalition negotiation with APNU, the AFC controlled 21 per cent of the combined Opposition seats in Parliament, but came out with a guarantee of 40 per cent of the Cabinet, and at least 12 parliamentary seats, should they succeed at the May 11, 2015 General and Regional polls.

APNU held 79 per cent of the Opposition seats in the House going into the negotiation.

APNU consists of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); the National Front Alliance (NFA); the Guyana Action Party (GAP); and the Justice For All Party (JFAP) coming together to control a total of 26 seats, while the AFC controlled seven in the 10th Parliament.

The AFC has also secured, through the negotiations, the post of prime ministerial candidate for its front-runner, Moses Nagamootoo, along with two vice-presidential posts.

AFC attempting to divert attention from ‘hemorrhaging’ support base – Rohee

CRITICISM

OF HARPER…

THE Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) is “trying desperately to create diversions” from the fact that the smaller AFC has been hit by a number of resignations, since the two parties coalesced.

This is the view of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee who commented on the matter on Tuesday at the Party’s weekly press conference, which was held at Freedom House.

“The Opposition is trying desperately to create diversions from the series of high profile resignations that hit the AFC, as the hemorrhaging continues over the formalisation of its union with the PNC, as Guya-

nese far and wide are continuing to register their displeasure with the AFC’s betrayal of those who fell for its promise of change,” he said.

Rohee’s comments follow what he deemed a “harsh” statement over the announcement of Elisabeth Harper as the Party’s prime ministerial candidate.

According to him, the alliance is also attempting to divert attention from the fact that it has been saddled with allegations of financial impropriety.

“It also comes at a time when the AFC continues to be confronted with improper financial practices, more so, the misappropriation of millions of dollars in campaign donations, allegations of electoral rigging and cronyism raised publicly by

members and former members who, up until recently, held high profile positions within the AFC,” he said.

Recently, days after the former AFC General Secretary, Sixtus Edwards resigned from the party; another member publicly issued his resignation and has alleged that the recent decision to form a coalition with APNU was one made by a ‘gang of five’, without the authorisation of its membership. Attorney-at-Law Balwant Persaud, speaking at a press conference, vowed to do everything in his power to ensure the AFC does not come to power and has in fact now endorsed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic(PPP/C), the party, he said, for which he will now

campaign.

Prior to that the AFC was hit by the resignation of Sasenarine Singh, who was considered the party’s Finance Chief.

In August 2013, AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes had tendered his resignation, but it was not accepted. Hughes had offered his resignation after it was reported that he was the Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. However, Hughes in a release had said “the incorporation of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. and my appointment as secretary had been a matter of public record since the incorporation of the company in April 2009”.

Before that, in March 2013, AFC Councillor Charrandas Persaud decided to leave the

party over “recognition issues,” which were among a long list of his concerns that are yet to be addressed.

Several other members, including Dr Asquith Rose and Tarron Khemraj, had resigned from the party and joined A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), because of unresolved conflicts and differences on policy issues and decisions taken by the AFC’s current leadership.

The AFC representative on the Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Archie Cordis, has also parted ways with the party.

In early October this year, former AFC Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Councillor,

Haseef Yusuf, a very vocal critic of the party, was replaced by popular businessman, Devindra Sookraj.

All considered, Rohee made it clear that despite the criticisms levelled by the Opposition, the Party remains “strong and confident”, that come May 11, 2015, Guyanese will once again chose progress over promises and vote solidly for the PPP/Civic.

“As the largest and most experienced political party in Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party and by extension the PPP/Civic has a strong, unblemished record and therefore need not to descend into desperation, unlike the APNU-AFC, which is clutching at straws,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

Int’l electoral observer groups have been invited – Dr. Luncheon

By Vanessa Narine

AHEAD of the May 11 General and Regional elections, international electoral observers have been invited to field missions to Guyana.

The disclosure was made

by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, yesterday.

“We have sent out invitations to all of the conventional international agencies that have been invited historically,” he told the Guyana Chronicle, in an invited comment.

The traditional observer missions include the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

Dr. Luncheon stated that the invitations were sent out last week.

“I don’t believe we will get response immediately. It is our expectation that those who have fielded electoral observer missions before will do us the honour of doing the same thing, of responding similarly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

Dr. Roger Luncheon

Dr. Steve Surujbally

the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, told the Guyana Chronicle that the move is a welcome one.

“We are convinced of the rightness of our procedures and the directions we have taken and the observers who are coming in, we hope they will support and endorse the correct path and methodologies we have taken,” he told this newspaper yesterday.

Additionally, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has approached the Commission for accreditation as a local election observer. The Elector-

al Assistance Bureau (EAB) is also expected to revamp its operations and act as another local observer.

Dr. Surujbally added that all observers, local and foreign, will be required to sign on to certain protocols before they are accredited as observers.

PEAK AT GUIDELINES The Guyana Chronicle was able to get an exclusive look at these protocols, which outline the roles and functions of the observer groups.

Relative to foreign observers, the missions, according to the protocol, will be expected

Court told murder accused confessed to ‘jooking-up’ wife for giving him ‘blow’

By George Barclay WHEN the murder trial of Vinod Balgobin continued yesterday at the Demerara Assizes, Police Corporal Herbert Henry told the judge and jury that the murder accused had confessed to “jooking-up” his wife Maryann Sunita Nauth for giving him ‘blow’(infidelity).

Police investigations that followed the discovery of her body in Room 209 of the K&VC International Hotel on South Road, Georgetown, in 2013 led to the arrest of the accused who at the time was living separately from his wife.

And Corporal Henry, the man he told the story to in a Caution Statement related how Balgobin dramatised how he was drinking with friends at the Demico Roof Garden.

Balgobin told him that he phoned his wife and asked her to join him and after leaving there he went to another Bar and finally ended up at the hotel.

But according to Henry who was giving a blow by blow account of the occur-

rences, as told to him by the accused, Marryann had got no further than stripping, when he observed that she had a tattoo on her belly.

The sight of the tattoo sparked off a quarrel with claims by Balgobin that his wife was giving him ‘blow’.

Therefore he resorted to his knife and ‘jooked’ her several times.

The partly nude woman was found dead in bed with a knife blade in the chest.

In court Balgobin denied telling the police corporal that type of story which according to defence lawyer, Mr. Compton Richardson, was a fabrication, that led to the mother of the accused being arrested and detained in custody for sometime.

However, Justice Franklyn Holder decided to hold a voir dire to decide the admissibility of the statement and ruled that it was freely and voluntarily given by Balgobin. The statement was then admitted into evidence and Corporal Henry was able to tell the story.

In his statement to the police, Vinod Balgobin had

said that after being cautioned, he said “I call ma wife and tell she come and catch me at Demico. Maryann came and catch me at Demico. We went up at Roof Garden and we drank two, two beers each, reach ma old time girl friend.

Me and Maryann went at Seetar Bar, we drank four Stag and we decided to go to VC hotel.

I paid $3,000 for the room and we went into de room. When Maryann tek off she clothes I see a tattoo across she belly and we started to argue. Ah tell she that she giving me blow and she started to curse me up and I get vex. I pull out the knife from my haversack and I start to jook she up and I got cut upon my left hand. “ I left and went home and I tell ma mother what happen and I went upstairs in meh room. I left and went to Parika and the police catch me at Supenaam.”

When the trial resumes today Corporal Henry will be further cross-examined.

Miss Orinthia Schmidt is prosecuting in association with Mrs. Teshana Lake and Miss Shawnette Austin.

to adhere to more than 35 guidelines.

These include refraining from announcing election results without the authority of GECOM; respect for the domestic laws of Guyana; respect for Guyana’s people and culture; refraining from interfering in or impeding the normal course of the electoral process; informing GECOM of its objectives; respect for the role, status and authority of election officials and exhibiting a respectful and courteous attitude to election officials and voters; acting in a neutral and unbiased manner in relation to the GECOM, political parties, candidates, voters and the media; and refraining from accepting gifts from parties or persons involved in the elections process.

A major guideline urges missions to, “Exercise particular caution when issuing public statements reflecting upon the Guyana Elections Commission, preferably there should be no adverse statements made on Elections Day. All relevant statements should be docu-

mented in the final report.”

Another similar guideline of equal importance is that missions should, “refrain from attempting, without permission, to provide guidance or information to persons involved in the electoral process and from providing interpretations of applicable laws.”

Other guidelines relate to wide consultation with stakeholders in the electoral process and the deployment of observers in as many polling stations and counting centres as possible, in order to observe the compilation and communication of results.

In addition to the guidelines, the rights and privileges of accredited election observer groups were also outlined and include the right to access polling and counting stations, as well as GECOM offices; attend meetings convened for the briefing of election observers or for any other purpose; communicate with any person inside polling stations, other than a voter; and protection by political parties against any exposure to insult, hazard or

threat in the course of exercising their duties.

Similar rights and guidelines apply to local observer groups, which were detailed in a separate document the Guyana Chronicle has seen.

Also, under the Election Law (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2000, Section 20 states that: “The Commission may approve of local organisations observing the democratic process involved in any election provided such organisations fulfil such conditions as may be stipulated by the Commission.”

Both protocols, for foreign and local observer groups, stated clearly that if GECOM considers that an observer group as “willfully, without restraint, overtly and/or with malice aforethought breached the modus operandi and protocols” outlined by the Commission, GECOM has the authority to and may rescind/withdraw its accreditation from the individual errant observer or even from the entire Observer Mission.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Islamic State: Fears grow for abducted Syrian Christians

THERE are fears that more members of an Assyrian Christian community in north-eastern Syria were abducted by Islamic State militants than at first thought.

Initial reports had put the number of missing at 90, but one activist said as many as 285 people had been seized on Monday in Hassakeh province.

Efforts to try to negotiate their release are reported to be under way.

Some 1,000 local Assyrian families are believed to have fled their homes in the wake of the abductions.

Kurdish and Christian militia are battling IS in the area, amid reports of churches and homes having been set ablaze.

IS has forced Christians living in its territory to either convert to Islam, pay a religious levy or face death along the southern bank of KURDISH

Thousands of Christians in Syria have been forced from their homes by the threat from IS militants.

In areas under their control, Christians have been

ordered to convert to Islam, pay jizya (a religious levy), or face death. IS militants in Libya also recently beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians.

the Khabur river near the town of Tal Tamr before dawn on Monday.

The Syrian Observa-

OFFENSIVE The Assyrians were seized by the militants as they swept into 12 villages

Swine flu: India health minister urges calm (BBC News) INDIAN Health Minister JP Nadda has urged the public not to panic, as the number of deaths so far this year from swine flu passed 900 from 16,000 cases.

Rajasthan and Gujarat are amongst the worst affected states.

Officials in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, have announced restrictions on public gatherings as a precautionary measure.

Weddings and funerals may take place but participants have been told they must wear protective masks.

There have been 16,235 cases in the outbreak.

The H1N1 virus has killed nearly 4,000 people in India since 2009. The current outbreak is India’s deadliest since 2010.

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tory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said at least 90 people had been abducted, most of them women, children and the elderly.

However, the Syriac National Council of Syria put the figure as high as 150, while Afram Yakoub of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden said sources on the ground had told him that up to 285 people were missing, including 156 from the village of Tal Shamran and 90 from Tal al-Jazira.

“These were peaceful villages that had nothing to do with the battles,” Nasir Haj Mahmoud, a Kurdish official in the YPG militia in north-eastern Syria, told the Reuters news agency.

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The outbreak is India’s deadliest since 2010 The Gujarat state assembly’s speaker and health minister both have swine flu.

Some opposition politicians have criticised the government’s response, describing it as a public health crisis.

Workplaces and schools have been open as normal but a charity walk and concert are among several public events in Ahmedabad which have been put on hold.

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Organiser Kaushal Mehta said the walk was to have taken place on 1 March: “Around 5,000 [were to] walk for charity.

“However, due to swine flu and the prohibitionary order we have postponed the event. The experts have told us to wait.”

Doctors believe that as temperatures rise during the summer the effect of the virus will subside.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Bolivia flooding displaces thousands in Pando province (BBC News) FLOODING has forced more than 4,000 people from their homes in the town of Cobija in northern Bolivia after the river Acre burst its banks.

Heavy rains have also caused the nearby river Tahuamanu to burst its banks.

Vice-President Alvaro Garcia Linera travelled to Cobija on Tuesday to deliver aid to the town.

He said some of the neighbourhoods located closest to the river would have to be moved and promised government help to relocate their residents.

The mayor of San Pedro de Bolpebra, on the border with Peru and Brazil, said his town had been almost completely swept away by floodwaters.

“The river waters rose to 14m [46ft] above their normal level, so between the community and the authorities we have decided to rebuild a new town to avoid more damage,” Mayor Romulo Terrazas said.

Cobija resident Jhenny Huasimave told La Razon newspaper that she had lost “almost everything” and was staying in a shelter in a local

sports centre.

“We’re looking after the little we have left and are sleeping in the stands,” she said.

“But our situation is a sad one, it’s too crowded, we need help,” she added.

Vice-President Garcia said the government would send more help in the coming hours.

Bolivia’s Amazon lowland plains are subject to flooding every year during the January-March rainy season, but the flooding this year is some of the worst, meteorologists say.

Jamaica decriminalises marijuana use

Rastafarians revere marijuana, or ganja as they call it, and smoke it regularly.

(BBC News) JAMAICA has decriminalised the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

The country’s parliament passed a much-debated law allowing the possession of up to 2oz (57g) of marijuana.

It will also allow for a licensing authority to oversee the medical and scientific uses of the plant.

Marijuana is widely grown in Jamaica and has cultural roots there - but the decriminalisation drive ran into fears of possible sanction from the US. The island nation is thought to be the biggest Caribbean exporter of marijuana - also known as ganja and cannabis - to the US. Its decision to relax domestic restrictions against marijuana forms part of a broader global trend.

Several Latin American countries and US states - most recently Alaska - have decriminalised the drug in recent years.

The decriminalisation measures were approved by the Jamaican cabinet last month and by its Senate in early February.

Tuesday night’s vote in the upper house of parliament means the measures can now be passed into law.

The law will also allow Jamaica’s Rastafarians to use marijuana for religious purposes.

The plant is regarded as sacred by members of the faith, and has been celebrated in the island’s reggae music.

Jamaica’s national security minister, Peter Bunting, said the law does not represent any easing of Jamaica’s stance on the international drugs trade, or on the illegal cultivation of the plant.

Decriminalisation spreading South and Central America and the Caribbean countries have been battling the impact of drug trafficking and drug use for decades.

Cocaine and marijuana produced in the region is transported through many countries, their citizens turned into consumers by the trade.

But many governments have begun to recognise that heavy-handed tactics and the crackdown on drugs have failed, as trafficking and consumption continue to grow, correspondents say.

The streets of Cobija in northern Bolivia turned into canals after the river Acre burst its banks

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

EDITORIAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE THIS newspaper, many times in the past, had cause to highlight, in this very Editorial column, the sexual onslaught on Guyana’s young children. That this has been an on-going commentary is because we recognise that this brutal perversity is at the level of epidemic status, as borne out by the frequent cases of persons charged before the Courts for this abhorrent offence.

With every such case that is publicised, it only serves to underline the reality that the sexual monsters in all their deviant forms, are alive and well, while continuing to feast on the innocence of our young.

And again, we are cruelly reminded of this crime that places its growing

list of perpetrators outside the pale of humanity, by the recent media report of an elderly man, recently brought before the Court on an allegation of “sexually penetrating a nine-year-old girl.”

This particular felony, perhaps the darkest human perversity imaginable, definitely has no age barrier, since the ages of its felons have been recorded from young teens to even those who are octogenarians.

Sadly and disappointingly, it casts the eye on the male, and his given social role, which traditionally is about protecting his family, particularly nurturing his children with love, guiding them along life’s challenging pathways, while being a good provider. It is from

this male figure from which life values and moral principles are generally observed and replicated by the young brood, and become their beacon guide.

But is this still the case?

Is the male father figure still that embodiment of sternness, but who is still revered as loving? Of course there are many exemplary males and fathers who are unimpeachable in their impeccable morals, and to whom their daughters, female relatives and any female can admire and respect, and be assured of protection while in their presence. There are definite doubts as to this status quo, based on our local experience.

Referring to a period, say, as from the dawn of

Some strategies for water conservation in rainfed agriculture RAINFED agriculture is used synonymous with dryland farming, and deals with crop production under constraints typical of conditions in a semi-arid zone, with mainly inadequate and unpredictable precipitation.

The importance of optimising the utilisation of water resources in dryland farming is disputed by many. Unfortunately, our ability to achieve substantial increases in crop production under these conditions has not been as great as it has been in irrigated agriculture. However, over the next few decades agriculture will not be able to rely on vast increases in irrigated area to maintain the required growth in output necessary to match increases in population. This means that much of the world’s future food increase will have to come from the dryland Regions, where productivity is currently low.

In these areas, crop production often is directed toward the reliability of yields rather than their maximisation. Dryland farming can be highly productive even though the system is, by definition, extensive rather than intensive, and naturally a riskier undertaking for the farmers. Because the dominant feature of dryland agriculture is erratic and often scarce rainfall, it is implausible to expect any great degree of intensification in the dryland farming system. Successful rainfed farming systems require efficient, low-risk management of the soil water regime and improved water use efficiency by crops. Genetic engineering may provide great opportunities for adapting crops to these harsh environments, although this will not be in the near future. However, further development and improvement of current and new practises of soil and water conservation could offer greatly improved exploitation of dryland Regions, while reducing the risks of soil degradation and the costs and risks for the farmer.

BISSASAR CHINTAMANIE Water Management Specialist

GUYANA

the new Millennium, the numerous reported cases of sexual violence committed against daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and other female family relations have placed the male unequivocally in the category of sexual predator.

And this is supported by the high percentage of such charges against males, as per the High Court listings for trial.

It is said that what is being reported in the media is just the tip of the iceberg.

This is a perception that may be undisputed, because of two reasons; beginning with the fact that due to the beastly nature of the very offence, and the fact that it is often committed either within the domain of the family, or by relatives/

persons close to the family, and the well known decision of not wanting to publicise same, coupled with the fact that the ‘cheque book strategy’ of ‘silencing’ the victim is often employed.

It is the cardinal rule that a person is innocent until found guilty, and we are not here, in any way, suggesting or concluding that the septuagenarian now before the court is guilty as alleged. He will have his day in court, where his fate will be decided. However, it is a fact that senior aged males have been charged, found guilty and convicted for this dastardly act of child sexual abuse; while others are in the habit of committing such a crime, but are not exposed because of the reasons cited above.

We wonder what examples are such male elders leaving for their younger counterparts?

This criminality of sexual perversity is a most horrible self-degrading of man, determined by his own beastly, distorted and pervasive understanding of himself, descending into the pits of inhumanity.

This is man on par with, and even worse than, the beasts.

But, is this how man should be? This is an urgent question that ought to be addressed by all those within the male category that had once been accused of such an offence and convicted. In addition to those currently awaiting trial.

A woman of class

I CONGRATULATE you dear friend and former working colleague on your accession to the high office of prime ministerial candidate for the PPP/C Party in the upcoming general elections. Your selection as a running mate for President Ramotar is welcomed by yours truly and I hasten to say by all Guyanese. I wish you God’s blessings in all you say and do.

I met Mrs. Harper at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987. I was a Second Secretary in Political Division II while Mrs. Harper was a Senior Foreign Service Officer in Political Division I. We were a cadre of professionals that established a standard of cordiality and statesmanship that went way past my time at the ministry.

I know Mrs. Harper would be reading this, so, with nostalgia, I remind her of the days when we had to maintain professional outlook as befitting members of the diplomatic corp when all the prevailing circumstances militated against it. We had to showcase Guyana to the world; we were the public relations of a failed state called Guyana. Nevertheless, the foreign ministry officials rose to the challenges of the day and made the best of what there was in those troubled times.

Those were the days of other professional women such as Elma Langevine Daniels, Barbara Haley, Audrey Jardine-Waddell and of course, Elisabeth Harper. Mrs. Harper comes from a gene pool of dignified ladies.

So, it came as no surprise to me when Mrs. Harper was selected to be President Ramotar’s running mate.

Elisabeth, as she was fondly called by her working colleagues then, always carried a welcoming smile for all who knew her. She is affable, with a winsome personality. She brings to the political stage, a freshness as the morning dew on the grass.

I commend Mrs. Harper to the position she has aspired, knowing that she will do her work with due diligence.

I wish you all the best Elisabeth. God’s speed.

NEIL ADAMS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

I will not be intimidated by the scandalous Kaieteur News

OVER the last 24 hours, there have been accounts in select sections of the media implicating me in a manufactured controversy.

The Kaieteur News, in collaboration with Inews, is obviously trying to create a storm in a teacup because

what they have reported so far is mostly imaginary in the minds of those journalists who are bent on propagating lies, distortions and mischief. However, it must be known that I will not be intimidated by the scandalous and mischie-

vous Kaieteur News and its media provocateurs.

The intolerance often demonstrated by sections of the media to dissenting views, criticisms of their shortcomings, lies, distortions and mischievous reporting cannot be healthy

for our society, particularly as we consolidate our democracy.

As a citizen of this country, I have a democratic right, as equal as the free press, to object to the lies, distortions and misinformation of those in the media as is the case

in this particular instance, much to the annoyance of Kaieteur News. WHY does the Kaieteur News believe it has to have the upper hand always.

It comes as no surprise that during this season the Kaieteur News would

launch such a distasteful attack on me, as this has been the pattern during the last three election seasons. It begs the question for what purpose am I the envy of the Kaieteur News.

KWAME MC COY

Clearing Mash garbage should take some time - But dissatisfied persons should contact Mayor and Deputy Mayor -Carol Sooba

By Navendra Seoraj “CLEANING of after Mash garbage should take some time,” said acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba yesterday during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Sooba disclosed that there are several

teams working along the routes which the parades followed on Mash Day. “The teams that are active in the cleanup exercise are compliments of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Prison Services and the City Council,” she

Workers ridding the area of some after Mash garbage yesterday

This area is still to be cleaned as garbage can be seen lying around, over two days after Mash Day

said.

She added that the City Council has one truck which is being used in the exercise and this is thanks to the money collected from the sale of Mash Day vending spots.

According to Sooba, “Mayor Hamilton Green and Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green collected the people money illegally, by falsely selling

vending spot; they promised it would contribute to the cleanup and up to now they haven’t contributed even a cent towards the exercise.”

Therefore, she urged that impatient persons who are dissatisfied with the progress of the cleanup exercise should contact the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for an answer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

‘Rice crisis’ controversy boils

By Tajeram Mohabir

RICE Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj has differed from the view expressed by Rice Producers Association Action Committee and Rice Farmers Chair, Jinnah Rahman that the rice industry is in a crisis, pointing out that production has increased significantly in the past few years.

This, he said, is no indication that the blossoming industry is in limbo. The RPA is in no way connected to the Rice Producers Association Action Committee and rice farmers.

Rahman in a statement said the rice industry is in huge crisis – despite the massive ‘cover-up’ by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and officials of the Rice Producers Association and Guyana Rice Development Board.

Seeraj in an invited comment told the Guyana Chronicle that he is unaware of the crisis Rahman is referring to, pointing out that the rice industry is not free of challenges, but noted that efforts are being made to address them.

Rahman said more than 100,000 tonnes of paddy from the last crop is still at rice silos around the country with no market to dispose of this surplus.

“In the next three weeks, more than 400,000 tonnes of

- Seeraj accuses Rahman of misrepresentation

RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj paddy will be harvested and no arrangements have been made to find market for this new intake. This impending crisis has been created as a result of the unnecessary control of the industry by the Minister of Agriculture, Leslie Ramsammy,” he said, contending that it is being done through the RPA, and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

HOLDING FOR LUCRATIVE MARKETS But Seeraj pointed out that there is not so much an issue in finding markets for the spike in

rice production, but the problem has to do more with millers holding their produce for more lucrative markets such as the Venezuelan deal.

He also said that the value of crops in 2009 was estimated at $2.67 billion, but this has increased to $3.4 billion in 2014, as there are larger crops today. Understandably, he said, there would be a need for more money to pay farmers.

According to the Rice Producers Association Action Committee and Rice Farmers Chair, rice farmers and millers have little or no control over the marketing of their paddy or rice.

“Millers will not purchase farmers’ paddy this coming crop, if there is no immediate market for paddy or rice,” he warned.

But Seeraj said that though millers are holding stock for high-paying markets, there has been a gradual change in the position of some. He reported that in January, some 33,687 tonnes of rice was exported and efforts are being made to sell more to traditional markets.

Rahman also said that rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast

are still owed a huge sum of money from the previous crop, claiming that reputable millers are being sidelined in favour of “PPP crony-millers”.

The RPA General Secretary said that indeed some farmers on the Essequibo Coast are still owed by millers, but noted that about 95 per cent of farmers are paid, and work continues to ensure all of them are paid.

He reiterated that the rice industry is 100 per cent privately-owned, and as such, the Agriculture Minister has no control of the industry. Seeraj also contended he is unaware that any miller is being sidelined, and called on Rahman to name those whom he believes are being marginalised, if he is telling the truth.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy in a release said that the rice industry continues to re-write the record books and continue to create new success stories.

“In spite of the doomsayers, the industry has grown phenomenally. There are some simple truths about the Guyana rice industry that no one can dispute with any credibility,” he said.

Neesa Gopaul murder trial…

Police witness admits no evidence to charge accused at time of arrest THE trial of Jarvis “Barry” Small and his former lover Bibi Shareerma Gopaul, charged with the brutal murder of 16 year-old Queen’s College Student, Neesa Gopaul, continued yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh and a panel of mixed jurors.

Small and Gopaul are facing charges which state that between September 23 and October 2, 2010 they murdered Neesa Gopaul, the daughter of Bibi Gopaul; filed a false missing persons report; and disposed of the body by placing it in a suitcase and dumping it in a creek at Madewini on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, where it was found tied to a pair of dumbbells anchoring it.

The trial yesterday continued with the cross- examination of Superintendent of Police Hugh Jessemy by defence counsels Lyndon Amsterdam who is appearing along with Glen Hanoman, Bernard De Santos SC, and Zanna Frank for Small and George Thomas who is representing the number two accused, BibiGopaul.

Under cross-examination

by Amsterdam, Jessemy said that when he joined the investigating team he was briefed

by then Assistant Superintendent of Police Paul about the investigation, but was not told if there were any suspects. He confirmed that even with the absence of evidence the police still wanted to hold the two accused in custody as a result of information that was obtained.

Jessemy said that Small had admitted ownership of the dumbbells that were found tied around the suitcase containing the body of young Neesa Gopaul, but claimed that they had been left at the home of Bibi Gopaul. Led further by Amsterdam, Jessemy admitted that at the time (October 6, 2010) when he applied to the Chief Justice for additional time to hold the two accused in custody, there was no evidence that the two accused had caused the death of Neesa. However, Jessemy explained that they were held because of the information that had been obtained during the investigation, further, Small had admitted that he knew who killed the young Gopaul.

Jessemy under further cross-examination admitted that the police, up to the time charges had been instituted against the two accused, had not been able to ascertain when (date and time), where

or how Neesa was killed. He said that even though the police were certain that the body recovered was that of Neesa, they still exploited every avenue to have a positive identification. Questioned further on other possible suspects into the death that the police had arrested and/or questioned, Jessemy said that he was unaware that anyone else had been questioned or arrested.

Amsterdam, however, pointed to the wife of the number one accused Small as one of the persons arrested during the investigation. Jessemy under questioning from Amsterdam admitted that no investigation had been done to determine if Neesa Gopaul had visited the Soesdyke-Linden Highway with any person or persons during the period she went missing and when her body was found; neither did the police check with her friends and known associates nor with any of her electronic devices to determine whether they were used during that period.

Under examination by Thomas, Jessemy further admitted that the police did not seek to speak with the younger sister of the victim to determine if she knew any-

thing about the death of her sister. He admitted that CCTV footage from the Demerara Harbour Bridge was reviewed, but they were able to see only the car that it is suspected took the murdered teen to the Linden Highway and that car was subsequently processed by the Police Crime Scene Unit.

Jessemy further admitted that Bibi Gopaul had not been cautioned before giving her statement because she was not a suspect at that time. He could not say if the police had visited the home or the Gym owned by Small and conducted any investigation. Also, he could not say if the police had questioned Small about the items left at Gopaul’s house, or when he had last seen the dumbbells. Thomas concluded that the police to date were still unable to determine who had killed Neesa Gopaul, how, where and when she was killed. The defence is contending that the charges were laid against the two accused because they were pressured to do so by the media and the public who wanted someone charged for the gruesome murder. The trial continues today.

FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES He added that the facts speak for themselves. “In 2014, rice production was 635,000 tonnes and rice export was 501,000 tonnes. The self-styled experts repeat the false tale that there is no export market. But the rice export last year increased by more than 105,000 tonnes, or more than 25 per cent over 2013 export. The 2013 export itself was about 20 per cent larger than the 2012 export. Guyana has increased its export between 1990 to now by more than 1,000 per cent. The truth is that when the PNC was in control, supported by these same self-styled experts, Guyana could not produce enough rice to meet local demands and even if we did, we did not have sufficient markets.”

The Ministry said in 2015, Guyana will add sizable markets in other countries, partic-

ularly African countries.

“We are presently negotiating a supply of more than 70,000 tonnes to one African country. While we leave the private sector to service the market, the Government has been opening up these markets… in February we have shipped another 35,000 tonnes.

With shipment in March expected to be around 40,000 tonnes, the remaining amounts of rice and paddy from 2014 would be fully depleted meeting local demands,” Dr Ramsammy said.

Dr Ramsammy said that small groups of politically-motivated individuals continue to cast blame on Government for any and everything in the industry and they are fully aware of the situation and the role of the Ministry and GRDB. “The Ministry of Agriculture and its agency the Guyana Rice Development Board operates within the laws of Guyana,” he said.

Medical practitioner, mother slapped with firearm, ammo charges A MEDICAL practitioner and his mother, slapped with several firearm and ammunition charges were on Tuesday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Satyendra Kemraj and his mother Chandra Kemraj pleaded not guilty to all charges, one of which said on February 20 at Subryanville, Georgetown, they had in their possession 15 9mm rounds, when they were not holders of firearm licences.

It is also alleged on the same day, at Subryanville, Georgetown, they had in their possession one 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol.

Satyendra had two other charges which stated that on February 20 at Subryanville, he also had in his possesion five 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Also, he was found with 1371 rounds of 7.62*39 ammunition, 100 .233 rounds and two 9mm rounds.

According to the prosecution, the police acting on information went to Lot 12 Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, which Mr. Kemraj owns.

He was contacted by the police and a search was conducted in the house and the 1371 rounds of 7.62&39, 100.233 and two 9mm rounds of ammunition were found there.

He was then taken to his other residence which is situated at Fifth Avenue, Subryanville. As the police arrived, they saw his mother Chandra Kemraj throw something through the southern window.

Further checks were made in Satyendra’s room where more ammunition was unearthed.

The defendant was then searched and five 9mm rounds of ammunition were found on his person.

They were taken to the police station where they both allegedly confessed that they had knowledge of the gun and ammunition.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Nigel Hughes appeared for Chandra and informed the court that his client has an unblemished record and that she suffers from very low blood pressure. Counsel argued that the woman was not physically found with the ammunition in her possession; and there is nothing to link her to the allegations.

Hughes also stated that the woman is not a flight risk and she is willing to surrender her passport if necessary.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant successfully opposed bail after citing the nature and prevalence of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

The prosecutor further asked the court to have both defendants remanded, since the firearms that were found during the raid are currently being tested to investigate if they were used to commit any unlawful acts. Hence, the prosecution’s objections were upheld.

The duo will make their next court appearance before Magistrate Ann McLennan on March 3,2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Another 6,000 solar panels to be distributed and installed - beneficiaries are hinterland and riverine communities

– Dr. Luncheon

The HPS disclosed that 3,000 panels will go towards hinterland communities and the other 3,000 panels will go towards households in coastal riverine areas.

A MULTI-YEAR project that has seen the distribution of 13,000 solar panels to hinterland communities to date will end with the distribution and installation of an additional 6,000 65-watt home systems, at a cost of $166M. The disclosure was made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday during his post-Cabinet press briefing at Office of the President.

He added that this time around the distribution will target selected hinterland communities, as well as those in coastal riverine areas, which span Regions 1 (Barima/ Waini), 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro/ Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

“These will be done in off-grid areas…the expectation is that these systems would be installed and distributed at the soonest,” he said.

MANAGED BY HEU The project piloted by outgoing Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be managed by the Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU) and the HPS stated that locals will be engaged to assist in the installation of the system.

“The Hinterland Electrification Unit will be relying heavily on trained residents of these communities to assist in the installation of the panel systems in the selected households,” he said.

Dr. Luncheon pointed to the progressive nature of the support offered by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, considering the fact that the first solar panels that were distributed had a capacity of 15 watts, followed by 28-watt systems and now 65-watt panels.

“This distribution completes a project initiated by the PPP/C Administration,” he said.

Questioned about the view that the distribution of the panels could be seen as an incentive for eligible voters, Dr. Luncheon stated that the project is a multi-year programme that is now ending.

“We have been addressing power needs in hinterland communities for over a decade and if it were to be associated with a fitting response by the recipient, I think this is quite reasonable,” he said.

By Vanessa Narine

UNSERVED AREAS The HPS added that the initial focus of the initiative was to support households in Amerindian communities.

“Long before we were finished distributing the 13,000 it became clear that there was serious underestimation (of the need),” he said.

As such, Luncheon reasoned that coastal riverine communities were included in the list of recipients, after talks with the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), where the indication was that despite the company’s advances, these communities are not expected to be included under GPL’s grid with any haste.

“These areas are all unserved areas (areas not served

by GPL),” he said.

PART OF HOUSING DRIVE According to him, the use of solar panels is also expected to be introduced in selected communities, in housing schemes being developed by the Ministry of Housing.

Dr. Luncheon said, “Minister Irfaan Ali indicated

that in the wave of the expansion of the housing drive, co-installed with the GPL connectivity will also be, in selected circumstances, the solar panels. “…I could see the industry, solar panel installation, picking up and making a contribution to the off-grid and on-grid home, where a decision to move away from fossil fuels power to renewable energy can be made.”

GREEN ENERGY He stated too that the use of solar energy complements Guyana’s move to have green energy with the much-touted Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking ever, the hydropower project is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, much more reliable and sustainable source of electricity. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet.

Electricity produced there would be transmitted to Georgetown, and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden.

The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil.

President Donald Ramotar’s consistent position on the matter is that economies must serve the people, not vice versa, and with an expected saving of $9B in electricity subsidies, as well as savings on the $40B fuel bill, enormous investments can be made in other key areas, which will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for the average Guyanese man, woman and child.

The current Administration has highlighted the endless possibilities for advances on the economic front, once the Amaila project is completed, including the opportunities for a booming manufacturing sector.

Comments on Luncheon’s presidential aspirations deemed ‘idle speculation’ SERVING as President of Guyana was acknowledged by Dr. Roger Luncheon as an aspiration he held in the lead-up to the 1997 General and Regional elections.

However, the ‘speculation’ surrounding the circumstances as to why he was not endorsed by the party as its presidential candidate, remains that, speculation, according to him.

“There is much speculation, but it re-

Mrs. Janet Jagan

mains that, it remains in the realm of idle speculation,” the current Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) said yesterday, in an invited comment.

Former member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, Ralph Ramkarran, commented on Dr. Luncheon’s presidential bid, in a recent column.

Asked to respond to the charges made

by Ramkarran, he said, “I did want to run, but the decision of the

Central Committee is binding on all members. Mrs. Janet Jagan was the candidate who was endorsed. We have always had multiple candidates, this is nothing new. I think that year we had five candidates.”

He dismissed the assertion that there were sinister reasons for him not being endorsed by the leader on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) leadership ticket in 1997.

Following precedent

Dr. Roger Luncheon

from 1992, the PPP/C’s prime ministerial candidate is taken from the Civic component, while its presidential candidate is taken from the PPP. This year the trend is no different, with the incumbent Head of State, Donald Ramotar, as the presidential candidate, and former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, as its prime ministerial candidate.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Beharry Group and Habitat ink six-month MOU to extend partnership HABITAT for Humanity (Guyana) and the Edward B. Beharry Group yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend their partnership for another six months to continue housing assistance to needy families.

Director of Habitat for Humanity (Guyana), Rawle Small, in brief remarks, explained that within the duration of a year of the partnership the companies have built and completed four homes and have done some sanitation repairs to two houses.

He said that “the houses are 25 feet by 25 feet and are equipped with the necessary facilities such as two bedrooms, a bathroom, toilet and kitchen.”

Small emphasised that the collaboration is with a local manufacturing company - “it’s Guyanese helping Guyanese” and through their innovative marketing strategy “we have managed to accumulate $13M to assist families in need.”

Each house, he noted, cost $2.5M and the sanitation repairs cost between $400,000 to $600,000.

Habitat for Humanity (Guyana) has done works in Region 3, 4 and 10 and they are expanding their reach to Essequibo and Region 6 in the near future.

“Plans are currently ongoing to shortlist potential candidates for additional intervention across Guyana,” Small noted.

He explained also that the Beharry Group will be launching a new campaign and the tag line will be “a dollar can make a difference.”

According to Small, the Beharry Group will be marketing their products via social media, billboards and other forms of branding with this new tag line in order to make the public aware “that any product purchased from Beharry, one Guyanese dollar will be donated to Habitat to facilitate the ongoing project.”

Speaking briefly at the press conference held in the boardroom of Beharry Group of Companies, Director of the company, Anjuli Beharry-Stand, stated that it is a privilege to work along with a company that puts the needs of others on the forefront. She reiterated that the company will launch the new tag

- to continue housing assistance to needy families

Edward B Beharry’s Director, Anjuli Beharry-Stand and Habitat’s Director Rawle Small surrounded by staffers and beneficiaries line soon to be able to have more persons aware of how they can also assist these families in need. “We want the public to know that they are contributing to the betterment of these families,” she said.

The Director also stressed that her company has all intentions of maintaining this partnership for

‘Shine goose’ nabbed after ethnic fatigue attack - had over eaten stolen articles

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric ‘SHINE GOOSE’ was caught asleep, after eating products from a caravan belonging to Tony Affonso, at Main Street, New Amsterdam.

Hermin Persaud appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of break and enter and larceny.

He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.

Police Sergeant Phillip Sherriff, prosecuting, said, on February 9, Persaud broke and entered the caravan and stole a case of ketchup, a bottle of oil, four bales of food boxes, and a quantity of kitchen utensils, all valued at

$107,500.

Earlier, the complainant had secured his business, but on his return the fol-

Herman Persaud, also called ‘Shine Goose’ lowing day, he discovered a window on the caravan

open and the articles missing.

Persaud, told the Court, that he was passing by when he noticed the caravan’s window opened.

‘I jumped in and take some biscuit and a chocolate. I did not take anything more. I took one food box which I put the chocolate in. I also took two bottles of drink, which I drank.

I ate everything. I then placed two chairs together and I fell asleep. I had pushed the window to get inside and I pushed it to get back out, after I hear like someone opening the door’.

Persaud, was nabbed by the complainant and was taken to the Central Police Station where charges were instituted.

years to come, but it is easier to manage in the six months span on which they are currently operating.

Habitat for Humanity (Guyana) would like to notify the public that anyone wishing to contribute to assist with the homes can contact their office.

EU provides funds for revival of GECOM’s Media Monitoring Unit THE European Union (EU) has committed Euro 25,000 to support the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in re-establishing the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU).

Director of the Americas Department in the European External Action Service, Roland Schaefer, who is in Guyana for a two-day working visit, and Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujbally, endorsed the initiative yesterday at GECOM’s Headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.

The funding towards the re-establishment of the MMU comes from the Governance component of the Technical Assistance Facility of the 10th European Development Fund. Funding has also been given by the EU from this instrument to provide two interna-

tional experts to support GECOM in its capacity-building activities.

Total EU funding in support of GECOM-related activities ahead of the forthcoming elections amounts to Euro 300,000. The initiatives were undertaken as a result of requests by GECOM and the Government of Guyana.

The MMU was initially established in 2001, but was revitalised in 2006, and, since, has come to be “accepted as an objective and credible arbiter”, in media practices.

The Unit has established a Code of Conduct for the media on reporting; commenced training sessions on reporting during the pre-, periand post-elections period, and will monitor the media’s reporting on the elections.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

Lethem student on narcotics, firearm and ammo charges AN 18-year-old student of St. Ignatius, Lethem, Region 9 (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu) was on Tuesday refused bail

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on possession of narcotics and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition charges.

Ricardo Pierrea pleaded not guilty to all three charges, one of which said that on February 17 at Central Rupununi, he had in his possession six grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana).

The other charge said on the same day at Central Rupununi, he had in his possession one .32 Taurus revolver, when he was not the holder of firearm licence.

Additionally, on the same day at Central Rupununi, he had in his possession two live rounds of .32 ammunition, when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

Police Prosecutor Michael

Grant told the court that on the day in question around 11:05hrs, the police received information and contacted Pierrea. As a result, he took the police to his home, where the alleged firearm and ammunition were found.

The court heard that during questioning, Pierrea admitted that he had bought the said weapon from a man in Boa Vista, Brazil.

The teenager was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Mark Conway, who told the court that his client is a student without any prior convictions.

Prosecutor Grant opposed bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity of the offence and the fact that no special reason was advanced by the defence for granting of bail.

Pierrea was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrates Court for March 9.

Two busted with 1540 grams of ganja in Berbice

By Leroy Smith COMMENDABLE work by ranks from two separate anti-crime patrols in Berbice has seen the arrests of two men who were caught with haversacks containing various amounts of marijuana concealed for the purpose of trafficking.

Still in custody up to press time yesterday were 24- yearold Adrian Simon, a labourer of Lot 46 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, and 32 –year- old Keron Thompson a cash crop farmer of Lot 156 No. 22 Village, Bel Air, West Coast Berbice.

This publication was informed that while on patrol duty in Vryman’s Erven Housing Scheme in New Amsterdam on Tuesday morning, police ranks observed Adrian Simon who was walking through a street in the community with a haversack on his back acting in a suspicious manner.

The ranks approached the young man, identified themselves and informed him that they needed to carry out a search on his person and the bag he was carrying.

In the haversack the police came upon two black plastic bags, a transparent bag and a multicoloured bag which contained a quantity of leaves, stems and seeds suspected to be cannabis. The police quickly informed the man of the offence, cautioned him and took him into custody.

Simon was taken to the Central Police Station where they weighed the substance in his presence and found that it

amounted to 815 grams; he is expected to be charged shortly.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old, Keron Thompson was arrested on the West Coast Berbice Public Road after the police acted on information that he was in possession of cannabis.

This newspaper was told that during an anti-crime patrol operation, the police stopped and searched a white Fielder Wagon PRR 2749 which was travelling along the roadway at approximately 15.00hrs.

Thompson and four other persons, including the driver, were in the vehicle and Thompson had in his possession a haversack; like Simon, the man was seen acting in a suspicious manner.

The police conducted a search of the persons in the vehicle, including Thompson.

During that exercise, the ranks inspected a black and red haversack which was being carried by Thompson and seeing a plastic wrapped parcel, they decided to open same in which a quantity of leaves, stems and seeds suspected to be cannabis was discovered.

The man was promptly arrested, cautioned, told of the offence and was taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station where the substance was weighed in his presence and amounted to 699 grams.

He confirmed to the police that the parcel with the items belonged to him, and that he had purchased same in New Amsterdam. Up to late yesterday Thompson was still in police custody and is expected to be charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

IN VIEW OF RECENT UPSURGE IN ROAD ACCIDENTS…

GNRSC appeals to road users THE Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) said Tuesday that in view of the recent mayhem that has been occurring on the roads, it is appealing to road users to be more responsible and help put an end to the road carnage.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of serious road accidents in and around the city, mainly due to speeding, recklessness and driving under the influence (DUI), which reflect total disregard for our traffic laws, the GNRSC added.

The GNRSC would like to express sincere condolences to all families and friends of those who lost their lives on the roadways, especially to the families of the teacher and students of Burma Primary School.

It is always heart-wrenching when persons die or are injured on our roadways.

Almost all accidents impact our economy and have distressed all parties involved, both emotionally and physi-

cally. Also, serious accidents have significantly disturbed the social welfare of all the affected families.

Speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), total neglect of our traffic laws and total disregard for the five Cs: Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Caution and Commonsense when using the roads are now becoming a normal practice on our roadways. These behaviours should be discontinued immediately to put an end to some of these ‘Needless Road Crashes and Deaths, the GNRSC said.

F e l l o w ro a d u s e r s , please be advised that the reduction of road accidents can only be achieved with your inputs. So again, the GNRSC is pleading to all road users and responsible Guyanese to join with us in our campaign to help stop the road carnages by correcting the careless ways we use our roads and by adhering to the road safety and traffic laws to make our streets and roads safer.

CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER CONCEDES...

GECOM utilising mediums to ensure vacancies are filled AS concerns mounted recently over the shortage of Polling Day staff for the highly-anticipated General and Regional elections slated for May 11 this year, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield Tuesday sought to assure the media that GECOM is currently utilising all possible mediums to ensure vacancies are filled.

Just last week, Lowenfield had revealed at a press conference that some 1623 more persons were needed to make up the complement of staff needed for polling day. However, the timeframe for such vacancies to be filled was not an issue, as the elections regulatory body have ample time to fill those vacancies before Elections Day. The CEO had also explained that it was GECOM’s intent to hire some 12,000 persons to man the more than 2,200 polling stations across the country. “We must

have a reservoir of polling day staff,” Lowenfield said, while noting that substitutes would also be hired should the need arise.

Against this backdrop, he hinted yesterday that the “reservoir” that GECOM has created for polling day is almost finished.

However, he further disclosed that there remain shortfalls in district four (Region 4), with the shortfall in that region being between 1000-1200 persons. Further, district one (Region 1) has also recorded a shortfall of approximately 30 persons, and district six (Region 6), following in similar fashion.

Assurance was then given to the media by Lowenfield that the elections regulatory body, “have utilised other mediums to ensure that these vacancies are filled.”

“It’s the best we can do at this point in time. With all things being equal, we are hoping to have all these persons trained who will be employed on a temporary basis,” the CEO concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

Guyana’s politics of surprises

By Rickey Singh in Bridgetown

AS GUYANA prepares for a snap general election this coming May 11, there have already been two startling political surprises within the past fortnight---both occurring as Guyanese were merrily involved with ‘Mashramani’, their version of annual carnival celebrations this month.

First surprise was an announcement of the formation of a secretly worked out arrangement between the main opposition People’s National Congress and its junior partner, Alliance For Change (AFC), for a pre-election unity front against the governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

The anti-PPP electoral front provides for leader of the PNC and chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) –predominantly the PNC with a few miniscule parties--- with the retired Brigadier of the Guyana Defence Force, David Granger, retaining the position as Presidential candidate—as he was for the 2011 general elections.

The surprise from the Opposition camp was the choice of the earlier announced AFC’s Presidential candidate, Moses Nagamootoo, as Prime Ministerial running mate to David Granger.

Nagamootoo is a former long-serving PPP member who, like the AFC’s first and current leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, had crossed the floor in Parliament to form their own party—which started with three MPs and moved

Samuel Hinds

Elisabeth Harper

to seven over three national elections and now the surprise of a Granger-led anti-PPP electoral front with the PPP-defector Nagamootoo.

However, the really big surprise for the combined anti-PPP election front and the country at large was the PPP/ C’s disclosure of its woman Prime Ministerial running mate to incumbent President, Donald Ramotar--Elisabeth Harper. She is a career public servant with recognised experiences as well in the diplomatic service.

The surprising prime ministerial running mate for President Ramotar turned out to be the first woman non-PPP member to be unanimously nominated by the party/s major decision-making body, the Central Committee, since the party’s return to state power in October 1992 with the end to successively rigged elections for a quarter century under governance by the PNC. While Harper, currently Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and accredited ambassador to

various CARICOM member countries, is preparing herself for the entirely new political role as Prime Minister— should the PPP/C attain a sixth consecutive term in government—as it expects— the opposition combination of PNC and AFC are surprisingly quite critical of her and contending that her new role suggests “political desperation” on the part of the governing party.

Harper’s choice as Prime Ministerial running mate has resulted from the incumbent Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, also a non –PPP member, bowing out from that office which he has successively held under changing PPP/C-administrations from 1992 to the present.

(Editor’s note: Prior to publication of this column, Harper resigned on Tuesday as Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

This analysis appears courtesy the ‘Trinidad Express’ as published yesterday.)

Rickey Singh is a Guyana-born noted Caribbean journalist based in Barbados

New concrete, steel-reinforced bridge under construction – to link Moruca Road in Region 1 THE Government, through the Region One Administration, is constructing a $7.8M concrete and steel-reinforced bridge across a creek to link the main road at Haimaruni, Moruca.

Region 2 Chairman, Parmanand Persaud, while visiting the Moruca Sub-Region as a senior representative of the PPP/C, inspected construction work on the bridge last Friday while passing through the area.

Mr. Persaud, who was accompanied by party organiser, Mr. Orlanzo, said the

bridge is another testimony of Government’s development work in the Barima- Waini Region.

According to the senior Party representative, the

bridge which is being constructed under the region’s capital programme will benefit residents, farmers and drivers.

Contractor of the project is A. Bacchus of the Essequibo Coast. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

The concrete bridge under construction at Haimaruni, in Moruca

Month of activities planned to celebrate life, work of Dr. Cheddi Jagan THE ruling’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Tuesday announced a list of activities to be performed in March to commemorate the life and work of former President and founder of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Those activities would be performed under the theme “Cheddi Jagan: His Vision, our Living Guide”. Among the activities planned is the Babu John wreath laying and commemorative activity on March 8, which will be preceded by a cycle race from New Amsterdam to No. 54 Village, Corentyne.

It is expected that thousands of party members, supporters and friends would participate in this annual monumental activity.

President Donald Ramotar, former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee are expected to deliver feature addresses.

Former President of Guyana and founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Cheddi Jagan

Other activities planned are the Annual Cheddi Jagan Lecture, on March 23 at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre; the Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk, at the National Park on March 15; the Annual Family Fun Day, at State House also on March

15; a book and photographic exhibition, at the National Library on March 16; a Night of Reflection on March 13, and wreath-laying activities at Lethem and Karasabai in Region Nine and Mountain Kopinang and Kato in Region Eight.

Additionally lectures, video-shows and other commemorative activities are expected to take place in all of the ten geographic regions of Guyana.

The PPP statement acknowledges that both Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet died in the month of March, in 1997 and 2009 respectively.

The ruling party cordially invites all Guyanese to participate in these events, aimed at honouring this great leader and statesman whose dedication and commitment to the cause of a better Guyana is unmatched.

Courts Guyana makes 21 persons very happy customers

Courts Public Relations and Promotions Officer Roberta Ferguson with some of the winners

C OU RTS Gu yan a is known for consistently rewarding their loyal customers with fun and exciting promotions throughout the year and last Friday they did just that by making 21 persons very happy customers.

Roberta Ferguson, Public Relations and Promotions Officer at Courts Main Street office, explained that in December, along with all of the festivities and other promotions, Courts had a Sauder promotion where customers purchasing any Sauder item

got coupons to have an opportunity to win one of four flat screen TVs. According to Ferguson, Courts then decided to start the year with a gym promotion, “where a nutritionist and fitness expert were brought on board to advise customers on how to eat healthy and get fit for the New Year.”

Three lucky customers shopping gym items at a cost of $29,999 and over from January 9th to 31st were also eligible to enter to win their gym purchases free, she

related.

Meanwhile, during February, in keeping with the Mashramani celebrations, Courts launched the Courts Mash Frenzy Promotion in partnership with Banks DIH. “For this promotion fifteen lucky customers shopping $49,999 and over were eligible to win a cooler filled with beverages, compliments of Banks DIH,” she said.

All of these lucky customers were chosen under the scrutiny of both external and internal auditors.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Berbice CPG wishes Radica ‘speedy recovery’ after road accident

THE executives and members of the Community Policing Group (CPG) ‘B’ Division ‘3’ would like to wish Liaison Officer, Radica Ramanand, who was involved in an accident on February 2, 2015 at Mahaicony Junction, East

CPG Liaison Officer, Radica Ramanand Coast Demerara, a speedy recovery.

Ramanand’s leg was broken and she underwent a surgical operation where steel was affixed to replace broken bones

in her leg.

They were on duty when another vehicle collided with their minibus which slammed directly into the front seat passenger side of the vehicle, causing her to receive severe injuries to her lower leg.

As a result of the accident, the able-bodied Ramanand who was actively involved in community patrols and other CPG-related activities is confined to crutches and her movements are limited.

A report has since been filed with the police and the matter is expected to be called in court shortly.

When the accident occurred a public-spirited citizen came to her rescue and transported her to the hospital for medical attention.

The Berbice CPG, however, expressed their gratitude to the man for his kind gesture.

CPG PROVIDES FUNERAL ASSISTANCE The No. 68 Village CPG once again came in for loud praises when they provided assistance to a family who was in need of support following the death of a family member.

Lindera Madho, a CPG member, whose husband, Raesh Kumar Beni Madho, was a former Vice-Chairman of the No. 68 CPG, passed away on January 27, 2015.

The No. 65, No. 71 and No. 68 CPG members and executives all pitched in to lend their support in one way or the other.

All the funeral arrangements were made

by Liaison Officer, Radica Ramanand and other members, who ensured that

Funeral service for the late CPG member, Raesh Kumar Beni Madho.

Mr. Madho had the send-off he wanted.

Recognition was also placed on the Ministry of Home Affairs and several staffers, including Mr. Pompey, who attended the cremation service and also supported in many ways.

CPG COMMENDED FOR EFFORTS The B ‘3” Division CPG has been engaged in numerous community activities where they have come to the aid of many persons in different situations.

The close cooperation of its members was once again recognised during the funeral service of the late Raesh Kumar Beni Madho, who was a part of the CPG and when he passed away they all came together and helped.

Everything was planned and organised in a timely fashion and as such an overseas based-Guyanese, who returned for the funeral even penned a letter to the Minister of Home Affairs highlighting the work and cooperation of the CPG in Corentyne, Berbice.

Fifteen dismissed East Demerara sugar workers reinstated

––dismissals rescinded after in-depth discussions with GAWU- Komal Chand THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on February 19 rescinded the dismissals of the 15 East Demerara sugar estate workers who allegedly had failed to apply fertilisers to canes in July 2014.

This was according to President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand yesterday during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

“As from February 22, GuySuCo has rescinded their dismissal, and having been dismissed for the period from the 4-21, that decision will now be treated as suspension,” said Chand.

He further added that following intense investigations and discussions with management of the estate, they found that the time had elapsed since July last year, therefore, it was improper for the corporation to take disciplinary action

after such a long time.

According to GAWU’s President, the decision to rescind the dismissals was finalised on Thursday, February 19: “Prior to that on Wednesday, February 18, the chief executive officer of the estate had a meeting at the Ogle Club with the dismissed workers, where he informed them of the decision which the corporation has confirmed with the union.”

KOMAL CHAND

SEVERANCE PAY ACT During the discussions with the involved parties, GAWU referred to the termination of the severance pay act, which requires the employer to take action in a short time failing which, the employer would have waived their right to take disciplinary action.

When GAWU visited the field, they disclosed that they did not find any sig-

nificant evidence that the canes had not been provided with adequate fertiliser.

“We also said when it was allegedly held, that the men did not throw the fertilisers when they should on the cane, yet they were paid and they were subsequently given similar jobs when they could have been given other tasks,” said Chand.

He emphasised that when management discovered what they claimed were concentrations of fertiliser thrown at different places without applying it to the canes, “we pointed out that the men should have been taken to the scene to verify, therefore, they waived the right to dismiss the workers and that has the backing of the law.”

In closing, the GAWU President highlighted that the workers’ benefits and years of service remain intact, as they will remain on their jobs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

FITUG opens 5th Delegates Conference - Labour Minister highlights importance of trade unions to Guyanese workforce

By Navendra Seoraj

THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) yesterday held their 5th Delegates Conference, 2nd triennial Conference, at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, to develop policies that protect the rights of workers and highlight errors to be corrected.

The conference which was held under the theme, “Up-

move towards championing the rights of workers; and after winning they restored collective bargaining among workers and employees so as to reduce the number of recorded strike actions at that time.

That according to Dr. Gopaul was just the beginning of what FITUG had in mind for the workers of Guyana.

“FITUG, since its establishment firmly, has since sought trade union unity while working with the hope that workers

The recent acts of the Ministry of Labour must stand out because the workers of Guyana have been the beneficiaries.

Over the last three years as a result of discussions, the Government has been able to endorse the ILO country work programme, which promotes decent work places, green jobs and occupational health and safety.

The Labour Minister also highlighted that within the last 18 months they have established a national minimum wage and national working hours of a five-day work week.

LEADING IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS “When taken into account and put together this country is seen as the leading country in the Caribbean in terms of industrial relations and what has happened to workers…every single worker in Guyana is protected under the law, no matter where you are working,” he said.

Members of the head table take part in singing ‘Solidarity Forever’ hold Democracy and Struggle for Social Transformation,” was deemed an important event for unions that represent workers across Guyana. It also gave the various trade unions an opportunity to recap and add to what they believe is beneficial for the workers.

Present at the opening ceremony yesterday were Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds and Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, along with other trade union heads and distinguished persons.

According to Minister Gopaul, since the establishment of FITUG in 1988, there has been an enhancement in the protection of the rights of workers because the trade unions are able to unite and work together in order to ensure that every area is covered.

FITUG AGAINST TUC He disclosed that over the years FITUG fought against the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), because there were struggles which were highlighted, that the TUC was not attending to.

The fight against the TUC came when they refused to unite with FITUG to attend to these issues which were affecting the workers across Guyana.

After winning the long fought battle, FITUG began their

unity will soon be achieved… they continue to play a pivotal role in articulating and in championing the cause of the workers,” said the Labour Minister.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD Apart from all the good things, workers still seem not to be concerned with being involved in trade unionism, and they seem not to understand the benefits of being a part of a trade union.

Minister Gopaul disclosed that “The Conference will allow us to go back to the drawing board and ensure that we organise workers especially in areas where workers are vulnerable.”

Meanwhile also speaking at the event yesterday, President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan disclosed that there are some employers still around who are ill-treating workers, and also the tax system needs to be reviewed in the interest of the workers.

Therefore, Duncan underscored that these issues could be resolved if the two unions (FITUG and TUC) work together in the interest of the working class.

A section of the gathering yesterday at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre on High Street, Kingston

GAWU remembers Albert Boodhoo THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) learnt with dismay of the passing of Albert Boodhoo, widely and popularly known as Thicker Persaud Khalideen. Cde Albert as we would fondly call him died at age 72 in New York, U.S.A. on (Friday) February 20, 2015.

Cde Albert Boodhoo, a trade unionist and also a political stalwart, served the

GAWU in different capacities including in the high Office of President of our union. As a member and leader, he represented the union in different workers’ fora overseas and in Guyana.

He also served on the executive committee of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and in the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

In many of the long and

bitter battles, GAWU had waged to become the recognised union in the sugar belt to replace the Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA), Cde Boodhoo displayed courage, consistency and firm leadership. He stood his ground despite the daunting situations characterised by police intimidation and semi-suppression of union actions by the powers that be in his time. In the rich

history of GAWU, a number of illustrious comrades have emerged, forged and nurtured by the workers’ struggles. Cde Albert Boodhoo has been one of these and one who made a worthwhile contribution to our workers’ all-round betterment.

Cde Boodhoo, who was cremated in New York on (Monday) February 23, 2015, has earned the respect of sugar workers and by exten-

sion the workers of Guyana for his contribution in their overall class battles of our past. These battles are still going on, and the courage displayed by comrades such as Cde Albert Boodhoo are sorely needed as we continue in the arduous tasks of defending and winning other victories for our working people.

GAWU salutes Cde Boodhoo and expresses

ALBERT BOODHOO its condolences to his wife, children, siblings and other relatives and friends.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 26, 2015

MINISTER BAKSH TELLS ESSEQUIBIANS...

Massive development in pipeline for next five years – including train service between Guyana, Brazil MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, has assured Essequibians that the PPP/C Government has massive development in place for the next five years, and development will continue.

Minister Baksh, speaking at the 45th Republic Anniversary flag-raising ceremony at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, said a railway service between Guyana and Brazil is one of the proposed projects in the pipeline that will add to the country’s development. The minister said the two countries are already linked by a massive bridge and road network.

Minister Baksh said the country has developed significantly since Guyana attained republican status through collective effort and not by individual effort. He said all Guyanese have a right to celebrate their country’s republic anniversary and said teachers must be recognised because of the

Minister Baksh inspecting the guard of honour at the Anna Regina flag-raising ceremony on Monday morning

important role they are playing in moulding the nation.

The minister said that farmers must also be recognised for their contribution to development and for adding to the country’s GDP every year. He said they are the ones who put food on the table every day for Guyanese and singled out rice, sugar and cash crop farmers along with poultry and livestock farmers as hard-working

people that have added to Guyana’s development over the past 45 years.

The minister said the fishing industry has also contributed significantly to Guyana’s development since it gained republican status and said fishermen who are hard- working and face the high seas to get fish for the nation must be recognised for their work and for contributing to the

country’s development. He said the para-military also deserves recognition for its contribution towards protecting and securing the country and its borders and for ensuring that there is peace since Guyana became a republic 45 years ago.

Minister Baksh said all Guyanese workers including nurses, doctors, public servants, T&HD workers and the private sector must

be recognised for their contribution to national development. He said the private sector which is the engine of growth must be commended for making a massive contribution towards the development of the country during the 45 years of being a republic.

REGION 2, POMEROONSUPENAAM Minister Baksh, who served as regional chairman for Region 2 for some 19 years, said the PPP/C Government has transformed the region over the past 22 years. He said there is development in every area, and that the Government has pledged to continue development for the next five years. According to the minister, some $220M was approved by Cabinet for the setting up of a rice crisp factory to add value to rice, which is produced in abundance on the Essequibo Coast, and added that jobs will be created for young people. Further, he said a call centre will also be set up on the coast and hun-

dreds of jobs will be created for Essequibians.

MARRIOTT HOTEL Speaking about the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Minister Baksh said it is important because of the growing tourism sector in the country. He said because the country is developing, more tourists are visiting.

Minister Baksh, who brought greetings from his Excellency, President Donald Ramotar and his cabinet, told Essequibians that Guyana has many things to celebrate as a republic.

The minister also inspected the guard of honour on his arrival at the Anna Regina Fire Station tarmac for the flag-raising ceremony. He was accompanied by Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo and Regional Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud.

The programme featured dances performed by the Mainstay group and Ms. Pooja of Walton Hall. Prayers were also said by representatives of the three main religions.

(Rajendra Prabhulall)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Man steals over $1M in tools from employer ––claims employer owes him money

A TWENTY-seven-yearold man was on Tuesday remanded to prison by

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for break and enter and

Thursday, February, 26, 2015 –– 10:30 hrs Friday, February, 27, 2015 –– 12:00 hrs Saturday, February, 28, 2015 –– 13:30 hrs

larceny as the court awaits a probation report.

Quacy Jaundoo pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge, and will return to court on Thursday for sentencing.

Particulars of the charge said that between December 27 and February 11 last at Itering Landing, he broke and entered the dwelling house of John Gill and stole a quantity of tools to the value of over $1,070,000.

According to the unrepresented man, he worked with Gill for about three months and a half and had all the tools in his possession. He told the court that since his being employed, he has not received wages from his employer.

Jaundoo said he kept asking for his money but never got paid, so he decided to sell the tools and use the money for passage to go home.

According to the prosecution, the articles were secured and Jaundoo did not have access to them.

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ARIES Venturing into something new and different may be what you need. You have a very solid, practical side to your personality, but the need for excitement and adventure is likely to be just as strong. If you’ve had your nose to the grindstone recently, take some time off for fun. Visit a friend or, better yet, drive to a place you haven’t been to and explore.

TAURUS You may want to learn about something today. At work and home there’s a set schedule of what you must tend to and when. On your own time, you’re free to research anything your heart desires. Intellectual growth is something you enjoy, so why not spend time online or in the library finding out more about your favourite things? Whether cooking or genealogy, you will find something new.

GEMINI If you happen to meet new people today, be careful. Some folks appear interesting because they’re bold or dangerous. Perhaps they do things you’d never dream of doing. This may seem interesting, but it can lead to trouble and hurt you if you aren’t careful. Stick to your usual standards and ethics.

If danger excites you too much, it may be time to re-examine your life and change things.

CANCER You might have to make a choice between telling the truth and lying today.

In some circumstances, this can be difficult, especially if you’re afraid you will hurt someone’s feelings. Keep in mind that a lie can take more energy than the truth. Consider what you would want the other person to do in your place. Stick to your morals and ethics even if it’s tough.

LEO You’re known to be kind-hearted. However, being taken advantage of can happen as a result. It’s important for you to trust your instincts to prevent this from happening. If what you hear doesn’t match your feelings, trust your feelings. If you think you’re being used, try to move past it. It would be a real shame if resentment permanently squelched your giving nature.

VIRGO Your nature is intense. You probably feel things deeply and spend a lot of time lost in thought. Yet, too much intensity can take a toll on your health and well-being. It might be time to go out and enjoy yourself. Get up from the chair and take a walk. Meet someone for lunch or do a little shopping or yoga. Find something active to do to break the monotony of your routine.

LIBRA Feed your mind today. While you no doubt enjoy being active and social, you get bored fairly quickly, too. You need a constant supply of intriguing, fresh material in order to feel your best. Explore an interesting subject or learn a new hobby. Stimulate your mind and your body will become more energetic.

Use the Internet if you can’t get away.

SCORPIO If you think you have to prove that you have something valuable to offer, consider this carefully. You’re naturally friendly and can get along with almost anyone. This may already be your strength. You have something great to bring to a crowd. Consider being yourself and not trying so hard to feel a part of things. Look at your qualities and you will prove your worth to yourself.

SAGITTARIUS Consider putting your problem-solving skills to work today. You have a real flair for investigating situations and figuring out what happened. If something comes your way that seems mysterious, take the bull by the horns and get to the truth. If you’re baffled, use the process of elimination to narrow things down. Stick with it and you will learn what’s what in no time.

CAPRICORN Don’t be fooled by others who aren’t straight with you. If you don’t know the person well, trust your instincts. You tend to care for others, so it can be easy for you to feel sorry for someone and be inclined to help. Make sure that the person you help really deserves it and is telling you the whole story.

Taking this extra time can save you problems later.

AQUARIUS It could be easy to get carried away today. You might get caught up in some excitement or base your decisions on another’s word. You need to use your head on a day like this. Double-check everything and moderate your activities. Keep your limitations in mind. There’s nothing that says you can’t do whatever it is that catches your eye. Just use caution and stay safe.

PISCES The energy that you feel today may have you so jittery that others don’t know what to do with you. The day’s influences can bring a boost. You’d be wise to plan things to do to expend it all. Get busy with physical chores at work or home. Pull things out and organise, move furniture around, whatever it takes. It’s better to be productive than drive everyone crazy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

FINA & CONSANAT Officials set to attend warm-up pool opening tomorrow I N T E R N AT I O N A L Swimming Association (FINA) vice-president Dale Neuburger and president of the South American Swimming Federation (CONSANAT) Juan Carlos Orihuela are expected to attend when the opening ceremony for the warm-up pool of the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal is held tomorrow.

President for the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Ivan Persaud yesterday confirmed that the two high-ranking officials are expected to arrive in Guyana today ahead of the ceremony to be held at the pool.

Meanwhile Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony confirmed that the ministry will be officially declaring the warm-up pool open tomorrow.

Persaud expressed how honoured the association is to have the officials here.

“I am very happy (about the officials coming) and glad that I am fortunate enough to be the president (of the association) at the time when this is happening.” Persaud said.

In addition to attending tomorrow’s opening ceremony at the pool the officials are also expected to attend the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), and will have

the opportunity to view the developing talent of some of the Guyanese swimmers when they attend the annual GASA Mashramani Swim Meet this Saturday and Sunday.

The officials are also expected to make stops on the Minister of Sport and the Director of Sport Neil Kumar to discuss the development of swimming in Guyana.

Commenting on the completion of the warm-up pool, Persaud related that the association is happy that it is one step closer to having a facility where regional and international events can be hosted, though he noted there are still some steps to go before the hosting of international events can become a reality.

“We are very happy to get this warm-up pool, it comes at a very opportune time when we are doing much more for swimmers so this will mean a lot for us now that we only have a few more prerequisites to complete before we can host international events.” Persaud related.

According to Persaud in order to host international events the pool will still need to be equipped with electronic timings, among other things. However he is very hopeful that all things will come with time.

Construction on the 25-metre warm-up pool first began in September 2013.

Racing Tips Racing Tips

12:50 hrs Falcon’s Reign

South Africa racing Tips

Irish Racing Tips

Vaal

Thurles

08:25 hrs Masnoon

10:15 hrs Carrigeen Kigelia

09:05 hrs Obrega

10:45 hrs Arnaud

09:45 hrs Anger

11:15 hrs Milsean

10:20 hrs Jade Wine

11:45 hrs Winter Breeze

10:55 hrs Die Kat

12:20 hrs Ryansbrook

English Racing Tips

12:55 hrs King Blue

Ludlow 09:50 hrs Scoop The Pot

13:25 hrs Seeking Susan

10:20 hrs Until Winding

Arab Emirates Racing Tips

10:50 hrs Blameitalonmyroots

Meydan

11:20 hrs It’s A Steal

10:45 hrs Over The Ocean

11:50 hrs Doctor Phoenix

11:20 hrs One Man Band

12:25 hrs Out Now

11:55 hrs Local Time

13:00 hrs Vodka Wells

12:30 hrs Tashbeeh

Taunton

13:05 hrs Shaishee

10:00 hrs Lord Navits

13:40 hrs Dark Emerald

10:30 hrs Herbert Park

14:15 hrs Belgian Bill

11:00 hrs Crookstown

American Racing Tips

11:30 hrs Amanto

Tampa Bay Downs

12:05 hrs Parkam Jack

Race 1 Captainof the Nile

12:40 hrs Belmount

Race 2 Chatt Hills

13:10 hrs Hot Pepper

Race 3 Once More for Love

Southwell

Race 4 Pass Me a Bottle

10:10 hrs Gerrard’s Slip

Race 5 Exchanging Glances

10:40 hrs Mary Ann Bug

Race 6 Moonshine Promises

11:10 hrs Arabian Flight

Race 7 Jamaica Bay

11:40 hrs Royal Peculiar

Race 8 Carolina Cruisin’

12:15 hrs Walk Like A Giant

Race 9 Well Composed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

No club compensation for a 2022 winter World Cup – FIFA

By Amena Bakr DOHA (Reuters) - Soccer’s world governing body FIFA flexed its muscles again yesterday when it announced that clubs will not get compensation for losing players and suffering domestic disruption due to a 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar.

A day after a FIFA task force angered Europe’s clubs by recommending a November/December tournament, the organisation’s secretarygeneral, Jerome Valcke, told reporters there would be no financial payments for any disruption to domestic leagues.

“There will be no compensation.

I mean they have seven years to reorganise football around the world for this World Cup,” said Valcke when asked if any payment would be made following the shift from the originally proposed dates of a European summer tournament.

“It’s not perfect, we know that -- but why are we talking about compensation?

It’s happening once, we’re not destroying football.

“Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries.

It was $40M (£25.8M) in 2010 and $70M (£45M) in 2014.

On Tuesday, European Clubs’ Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Europe’s clubs would seek financial compensation, but Valcke ruled that out, following a meeting of a FIFA task force in the Qatari capital.

The proposed new dates for the event are set to be ratified by FIFA’s executive committee next month.

Valke also said the duration of the 2022 tournament is set be cut from 32 to 28 days, meaning more games will be played per day, so a country of Qatar’s size might need fewer stadiums.

“We are talking about a reduction of the competition in terms of the number of competition days. We are talking about 28 days and not anymore 32 days,” Valcke told reporters following the first board meeting with Qatar’s 2022 organising committee.

“It is a very special World Cup to organise because we would describe Qatar 2022

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke as a compact World Cup,” he added. “Normally we are looking at 10 (stadiums) but it could be eight.”

MAJOR CHALLENGES One of the major challenges facing Qatar was finding an efficient and cost-effective way to cool down stadiums during the scorching summer months, which the Gulf state’s organising committee said they were committed to delivering.

If the finals are held in the winter the need for cooling technology will be reduced, although 2022 organising committee chief Hassan Al Thawadi told yesterday’s news conference that the research would carry on.

“We have always said that the cooling technology will be the legacy of the World Cup and beyond ... our development of the cooling technology will continue ... our research will continue,” he said.

Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, Qatar, like other Gulf states, has been hit by the drop in prices which has affected several energy and construction projects. But Al Thawadi said completing World Cuprelated projects was part of the Gulf state’s economic diversification and “lavish spending” on projects was an option the state was pursuing.

During Valcke’s visit to the Gulf state, which has been repeatedly criticised for neglecting workers’ rights, he said World Cup projects could bring hope for improvement in this area.

“If the standard for all construction sites in Qatar reaches the level of standard we have for all the specific World Cup construction sites, then a big step will be made in the country for working conditions.”

“We use the World Cup as a way to change a country,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Afghanistan captain Nabi embodies team’s rise from adversity

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi (REUTERS) - No-one embodies the captivating rise of Afghanistan cricket more than Mohammad Nabi, the captain and heartbeat of a team that is winning the admiration of everyone at the World Cup. Afghanistan may be one the weakest teams at the World Cup with no real hope of winning the tournament but that hardly seems to matter.

Just making it to the sport’s greatest spectacle is a victory in itself for a country torn apart by war and with little cricketing heritage.

Adversity is a part of life for Afghanistan’s cricketers and for many, including Nabi, the sport became their salvation.

Like most of his team mates, Nabi grew up in a Pakistan refugee camp during the Soviet War in Afghanistan.

It was there that he first learnt the game of cricket, spending hours each day playing on dirt fields with a tennis ball.

“You play cricket a lot in refugee camps,” he told reporters when he first arrived in Australia this month for the World Cup. An all-rounder, the long days he spent honing his skills in the dust soon paid off and he began to rise through the ranks of Pakistan cricket.

In 2007, he was invited to play for the Marylebone Cricket Club in England, making his first-class debut that year, scoring 43 and taking one wicket against the touring Sri Lankans.

In 2009, Nabi made his one-day internation-

al debut for Afghanistan against Scotland during the qualifying tournament for the 2011 World Cup. Nabi was named man-ofthe-match after top-scoring with 58 runs. Afghanistan won the match but did not qualify for the World Cup. That would have to wait another four years.

Afghanistan had more success in Twenty20, qualifying for the 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Cups. They did not make it past the first round but Nabi made an impressive 31 against India in 2012.

In 2013, Afghanistan clinched their place in the 2015 50-overs World Cup, after a two-year qualifying tournament, sparking wild celebrations back home.

But Nabi was given a first-hand reminder of the reality of the hardships in his troubled homeland. At the same time as he was trying to help his country qualify for the World Cup, his father was abducted and held to ransom.

The armed kidnappers demanded a seven-figure payment for his release but were eventually caught after three months and Nabi’s father was freed, unharmed.

It was a worrying time but the 30-year-old Nabi is looking forward not behind, hoping his team’s unlikely appearance at the World Cup will inspire more of his compatriots.

“Now I am the captain of Afghanistan in the first World Cup,” he said. “I am very happy to represent Afghanistan in the World Cup and hopefully I’ll enjoy the whole tournament.”

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Wilson, O’Brien seal Ireland’s thrilling win … Anwar’s 106 not enough for UAE

(REUTERS) - Gary Wilson and Kevin O’Brien struck brisk half-centuries as Ireland held their nerve to clinch a thrilling two-wicket victory in their World Cup Pool B match against United Arab Emirates in Brisbane yesterday.

Wilson hit 80 off 69 balls while all-rounder O’Brien smashed 50 off 25 to help Ireland overwhelm UAE’s total of 278-9 with four balls to spare for their second consecutive win of the tournament.

Needing almost 10 runs an over at one stage, Wilson and O’Brien smashed 72 in their sixth-wicket stand off just six overs to revive their chase.

O’Brien, who was dropped on 24, hit eight fours and lofted Amjad Javed (3-60) for two consecutive sixes but fell on

the next ball with his team still needing 36 runs to win.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wilson got Ireland, who beat West Indies in their first match, closer but was dismissed by Mohammad Naveed (2-65) after hitting the bowler for two successive boundaries in the 48th over.

Ireland needed 12 at that stage and tail-enders George Dockrell and Alex Cusack held firm to see them through.

Earlier, Shaiman Anwar registered UAE’s first World Cup century to help them overcome a poor start and post a strong total.

The 35-year-old righthander scored 106 off 83 balls and dominated a breezy 107-run stand with Javed (42), a World Cup record for the seventh wicket, to lift UAE who were

reeling at 78-4 in the 21st over.

Anwar became the second batsman to score a ODI hundred for the Emirati nation, who are making their second appearance at the event after also qualifying in 1996.

Anwar, who hit 10 fours and a six, raised his bat and went down on his knees after reaching the 100-run mark from 79 deliveries.

Ireland were guilty of bowling too short to Anwar, who had scored his previous highest of 67 in the last match against Zimbabwe, and Javed as UAE plundered 147 runs in the last 15 overs.

The duo came together with Ireland looking to bundle their opponents out having reduced them to 131 for six in the 35th over.

Anwar eventually fell in the 49th over, skying Max Sorensen for Wilson to complete a comfortable catch.

Man-of-the-Match Gary Wilson plays a straight drive in his top score of 80 in Ireland’s run chase.

Off-spinner Paul Stirling (2-27) struck in his second over to dismiss Andri Berenger (13) and then picked up Krishna Chandran for a duck in his third to deny UAE a strong start after they were put in to bat first.

O’Brien came into the

attack for Ireland and dismissed set opener Amjad Ali (45) and Swapnil Patil (two) in his first two overs to further stifle the UAE innings.

O’Brien, however, proved expensive in the final overs, eventually conceding 61 off seven overs.

Australia will relish hostile New Zealand crowd - Watson

By Ian Ransom

(REUTERS) - A hostile crowd buoyed by New Zealand’s perfect start to the World Cup is set to turn Eden Park into a bear pit for visiting Australia on Saturday, but all-rounder Shane Watson is “excited” by the prospect of a rancorous reception.

Both countries’ fans have eagerly awaited the fixture, the first between the trans-Tasman Sea rivals in nearly two years and one likely to go a long way in deciding top spot in Pool A, which offers a more favourable position in the knockout rounds.

“I know Saturday is going to be hostile from the times I’ve played here before,” Watson, who has played three times at Auckland’s main venue, told media in Auckland yesterday.

“I certainly know we’re not favourites. That’s the exciting thing about going out here.

“We know we’re not very welcome. Players and fans try to do everything to prevent us winning.”

Eden Park has long been

a house of pain for Australia’s national rugby team, but their cricketers have fared better in the modern era, beating the hosts there in two of the last three one-day internationals.

The last ODI was back in 2010, however, and a lot of water has passed under the bridge.

Shane Watson Brendon McCullum’s New Zealand have become a formidable unit over the past 18 months and head into their fourth World Cup match on the back of an eight-wicket win over England.

McCullum was on fire with the bat against England, smashing 77 from 25 balls.

Anwar becomes the ...

BRISBANE, Australia - Shaiman Anwar continues to make a mockery of the fact he idolises Rahul Dravid, after making a fine century at the World Cup against Ireland, yesterday.

The Sialkot-born batsmen set two notable records in the UAE’s innings of 278 for nine at The Gabba.

He became the first batsman from a nonTest nation to score consecutive half-centuries in his first two World Cup matches.

Then he became the first UAE player ever to reach three-figures in cricket’s global showpiece.

The method he used was typical of him. On a vast playing area, he hit 10 fours and a six. His

Australia’s own explosive batsman David Warner had told reporters on Tuesday that McCullum could be pressured into having a “brain explosion” with the bat if bowlers hit the right areas.

Watson also suggested the New Zealand captain’s wicket was a big part of Australian planning.

“He’s a very aggressive player but we know he’s going to take a few risks,” Watson said.

“It can be devastating because he can hit your best ball to the boundary and take the game away from any opposition.

“When a player of his quality comes in, you’ve got to have a few good plans. With that high-risk game there’s still a chance of getting him out.”

With all-rounder James Faulkner a possible replacement for Watson once he recovers from a side strain, the burly Queenslander is also feeling the pressure to justify his place with runs after a golden duck against England.

“It’s crunch time for me to score runs in general,” said Watson.

From back page

free-hitting style brought him 106 at a strike rate of 127 - all of which belies the fact that while growing up he tried to base his game on Dravid, the Indian master known as ‘The Wall’ because of his solidity, rather than his flair.

“My playing style is different,” Shaiman said of Dravid after the UAE’s first game against Zimbabwe in Nelson last week.

“I play more punch shots. But I was always impressed with Dravid’s technical ability. I always used to wonder what he does, because he never seemed to get out to any bowler.

“There were many other players I looked up to, including some Pakistani stars, but I have learnt the most from Dravid’s batting.”

Scoreboard UNITED ARAB EMIRATES innings A. Ali c Sorensen b K. O’Brien 45 A. Berenger c Porterfield b Stirling 13 K. Chandran c K. O’Brien b Stirling 0 K. Khan lbw b Dockrell 36 S. Patil c Stirling b K. O’Brien 2 S. Anwar c Wilson b Sorensen 106 R. Mustafa c Wilson b Cusack 2 A. Javed c Joyce b Sorensen 42 M. Naveed c&b Cusack 13 M. Tauqir not out 2 M. Guruge not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-4, nb-1, w-11) 17 Total: (for 9 wickets, 50 overs) 278 Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-53, 3-73, 4-78, 5-125, 6-131, 7-238, 8-269, 9-276.

Bowling: J. Mooney 6-0-32-0 (nb-1, w-2), M. Sorensen 10-0-60-2, A. Cusack 10-0-54-2 (w-3), P. Stirling 10-027-2 (w-1), K. O’Brien 7-0-61-2 (w-4), G. Dockrell 7-0-39-1 (w-1).

IRELAND innings W. Porterfield b Tauqir 37 P. Stirling c Patil b Guruge 3 E. Joyce c Patil b Javed 37 N. O’Brien lbw b Tauqir 17 A. Balbirnie c sub. b Naveed 30 G. Wilson c Javed b Naveed 80 K. O’Brien c Naveed b Javed 50 J. Mooney c Ali b Javed 2 A. Cusack not out 5 G. Dockrell not out 7 Extras: (b-4, lb-3, nb-2, w-2) 11 Total: (for 8 wickets, 49.2 overs) 279 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-72, 3-94, 4-97, 5-171, 6-243, 7-259, 8-267.

Bowling: M. Naveed 9.2-1-65-2 (nb1), M. Guruge 7-0-21-1 (w-1), A. Javed 10-0-60-3, M. Tauqir 9-0-38-2 (nb-1), R. Mustafa 9-0-45-0, K. Chandran 5-043-0 (w-1).

Bounty Farms Handicap Squash tourney under way THIS year’s Bounty Farms Handicap Squash tournament, which served off Tuesday night at the Georgetown Club Courts, has seen a record number of entries.

More than 60 players have registered for one of the most anticipated tournaments of the Squash Association’s calendar.

Players have been placed into two categories – Open and Category ‘A’. Players begin with either a negative score or a positive score.

John Maikoo with a +7 scored defeated Timothy Jonas with a plus +10 score in three sets; 15-11, 10-15, 15-9; Ingram Edwards (+4) beat Stephen Fernandes (+7) 15-12, 8-15, 1511; Dwayne Jan (+9) defeated Andrea King (+8) 8-15, 15-13, 15-13.

In other matches - Joe Mekdeci (0) got past Taylor Fernandes (+6) 13-15, 15-12, 15-9; Daniel Islam (+7) beat Robert Hiscock

(+8) 16-14, 15-5, Shane Seebarran (+11) beat Jonathan Fernandes (+9) 15-11, 15-11; Sarah Lewis (+11) defeated Robin Low (+10) 1816, 8-15, 15-10; while Anthony Islam (+9) got the better of Haopei Yang (+10) 15-13, 15-9.

In the last four matches - Raphael De Groot came from a -13 handicap to beat Medhi Ramdhani (+5) 15-11, 15-12; Kyle Waldron (+10) overcame Jonathan Edwards (+12) 15-10, 15-8; Ashley de Groot (+1) bettered Alex Cheeks (+7) 15-8, 15-9 and Ben Mekdeci (-11) defeated David Fernandes (+8) 16-14, 15-12.

Digicel is again on board with this year’s tournament.

Jason-Ray Khalil is the defending Open champion. He upstaged former National champion Regan Pollard, while Makeda Harding crushed Jonathan Edwards to claim Category ‘A’ title in 2014.

NOTABLE DATES AMERICAN David Fields became Andre `Stone’ Purlette’s eighth knockout victim on February 25, 1995. While Leon `King Kong’ O’Neil, Colin Murray and Ivor `Baba’ Simmons all bowed out by the second round, Fields lasted until midway the third round.

The fight was the last in Guyana for the light heavyweight Purlette, who moved to the USA soon after. He graduated to cruiserweight then heavyweight while there. The power-puncher became a professional boxer in 1992 and remained undefeated until a decade later.

He suffered his first defeat in the professional ranks on December 4, 2002. Entering the ring with an imposing record of 32 victories (28 Kos), Purlette was TKOed by CubanAmerican Eliester Castillo in Miami, Florida.

Referee Brian Garry stopped the contest at two minutes and 58 seconds of the fifth round to save the Guyanese. The defeat came as a surprise as Purlette had taken out several top contenders in a short space of time. In October of the previous year, he TKOed Jeremy Bates to claim the vacant World Boxing Organisation/ North American Boxing Organisation (WBO/ NAB heavyweight title.

Former world champion Jimmy Thunder lasted only two rounds with the stone-fisted Purlette in July 2001. Purlette last fought in 2009 and has a record of 40 victories in 44 fights. He has boxed 134 rounds and holds a 79 percent knockout average.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Thirty-two boxers shortlisted from nine gyms THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has shortlisted 32 boxers from nine gyms to go into training for possible selection for upcoming overseas engagements.

Nine of the boxers are from the Guyana Defence Force Gym while eight are being pulled from Sebert Blake’s Forgotten Youth Foundation in Albouystown.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle said that Guyana has been invited to tournaments in Barbados and

French Guiana next month.

In addition, there is also a Pan Am Games qualifier in May. He noted that it is the largest batch of boxers called to trials since his tenure commenced in 2009.

Barbados will host the annual Horace Phillips Memorial competition on March 21 and has asked for four boxers and a referee/ judge. French Guiana is coming good on a promise to involve Guyana in its development of the sport and

Coach Sebert Blake

is requesting nine fighters inclusive of two females.

French Guiana has also asked for a minimum of two referee/judges. The competition in the South American country begins on March 21.

The shortlisted fighters would be under the supervision of a panel of six coaches and must report to the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown at 16:00hrs this afternoon.

The boxers shortlisted are: Rose Hall Jammers: Ty-

Cheddi Jagan Memorial three-stage cycle road race to commence Sunday

Last year’s winner Michael Anthony.

THE Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial three-stage cycle road race will wheel off on Sunday in the West Demerara area

beginning at 08:00hrs.

According to race organiser and national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, the event will wheel off from outside the Wales Police Station and proceed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before turning back to finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, a distance of 50 miles However, the veterans, ladies and mountain bikers will turn back at Uitvlugt and finish at the same location as the juniors and seniors.

The top six finishers overall as well as the top three juniors, top three veterans, the top three ladies and the top three mountain bikers will also be rewarded with trophies and cash prizes.

Sunday’s event is being sponsored by

Naseer Ahmad of Cell King Variety Store who is expected to assist in the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Last year’s overall winner was Michael Anthony who registered a time of one hour 54 minutes 32.05 seconds and by virtue of winning the overall race, he was also adjudged the winner of the junior category.

Davendra Ramnarine is the defending champion of the veterans’ category, while Michael Holder won the mountain bike category last year.

Tashawana Doris won the ladies’ category last year and Anthony Fariah the veterans Over-60 age group.

Meanwhile, stage two of the event is scheduled for March 8 in Berbice and will get under way from outside Freedom House at 09:00hrs.

NOTABLE DATES LENNOX Blackmoore was 26 years old, and had lost only once in 12 fights when he collided with Trinidadian Claude Noel for the first time.

Noel was undefeated in six bouts when the two fighters met in Trinidad on February 25, 1977. The contest ended in the 10th round as Blackmoore won by TKO. Three months later the Guyanese again matched skills with Noel with the same result. The orthodox lightweight boxer won the Commonwealth title in October of the same year. Noel, on the other hand presented Trinidad with a world title in September 1981 when he defeated (by points) Rodolfo Gonzalez to take the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight crown.

Blackmoore moved up one division and challenged WBA super lightweight champion Aaron `The Hawk’ Pryor in June 1981. During that time the `Cincinnati Cyclone’ ruled the division with a stern hand having knocked out both opponents in the two defences he made.

Once considered one of the best counter-punchers in the business, Blackmoore found himself in early trouble. Pryor swarmed from the opening bell and knocked down his taller opponent several times in the brief encounter. Pryor won the bout Wayne Harris in June 1986. He is now a by a TKO in round two, in the process denying Guyana a chance of claiming its sought- after trainer in New York.

He piloted `Vicious’ Vivian Harris to first world title. a world title in 2002.

Blackmoore lost his next two fights and hung up his gloves after defeating

ron Lashley and Jamal Eastman.

Tiger Eye: Michael April.

Essequibo Boxing Gym: Glenroy Smith.

Police: Imran Khan and Dennis Thomas.

Young Achievers: Jason Phillips.

Harpy Eagles: Quincy Small, Travis Hubbard and Keevin Allicock.

Republicans: Kevin Allicock, Nankumar Singh, Klaus Daniels, Anandram Dharamraj and Jason Barker.

Forgotten Youth Foundation: Delon Charles, Seon Griffith, Orin Bancroft, Ron Smith, Dewani Lampkins, Junior Henry, Taseka Howard and Theresa London.

GDF: Clairmont Gibson, Aquincy Harvey, Eon Bancroft, Desmond Amsterdam, Markember Pierre, Trevon King, Enoch John, Quincy Boyce, Dwon Thompson.

The coaches are Francisco Roldan, Terrence Poole, Sebert Blake, Wincel Thomas, Clifton Moore and Adrian Thomas.

It’s 90 not out for Sir Everton February 26, 1925: The second of the Three Ws is born in Barbados.

Everton Weekes was a tremendously prolific batsman for West Indies after making his debut against England in Bridgetown in 1947-48.

He had a charming array of strokes all round the wicket. In 1948-49 he made a record five consecutive Test hundreds, and was only denied a sixth when he was rather controversially run-out for 90 in Madras.

Weekes got three in a row later in his career as well, against New Zealand in 1955-56, and ended with a mighty average of 58.62, which only George Headley among West Indians surpasses. He was knighted in 1995. (ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday February 26, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 2003 (54 matches) (2) West Indies & Sri Lanka (4 times each) Today’s Quiz: (1)Who won the Man of the Match Award in the first game of the current WC tournament?

(2) Name the captains that have won the Man of the Match Award in World Cup finals to date.

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 26, 2015

Windies aim to buck recent history against Proteas SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) – A buoyant West Indies will try to defy a run of recent poor results and extend their winning streak, when they take on South Africa in another crucial Group B match in the ICC Cricket World Cup here tomorrow (23:30hrs, tonight, Eastern Caribbean time).

Only last month, the Caribbean side were completely outplayed by the Proteas on African soil, battered 4-1 in a five-match OneDay International series where they appeared out of their depth at times.

And the stats make for dire reading.

The one-wicket win in Port Elizabeth last month was the first time West Indies had beaten South Africa in an ODI in nine years.

More depressingly, in the three previous bilateral series, South Africa swept the Caribbean side 5-0 in each. In their last World Cup meeting in India four years ago, South Africa came away with a comfortable seven-wicket triumph in Delhi.

It underscores the nature of the task West Indies face when they walk out at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow.

Importantly, however, they enter the contest on the back of a good run, having defeated Pakistan and Zimbabwe convincingly to compensate for their embarrassing loss to

Ireland in their opening game.

Coach Stuart Williams said the side had learnt a lot from the recent South Africa series and he believes the next meeting between the two sides can be different.

“The series against South Africa was more about learning about our game and where we need to go,” Williams pointed out.

“We were playing the number one team in the world. Now it’s not a series, it’s just a one-off game in the World Cup so it’s a different mind-set, and we’re prepared for Friday (tomorrow).

“The guys have been (supporting each other), they have been working hard, they have been responding to my coaching and we’ve been doing fine up to this day.”

West Indies have responded brilliantly ever since losing to Ireland. Against Pakistan, they amassed 310 and then wiped out their opponents for 160, in a clinical all-round effort at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

They stepped it up in even further against Zimbabwe, piling up an incredible 372 for two – the fifth highest total in a World Cup game – to trounce the Africans by 73 runs in Canberra.

On the heels of these performances, Williams believes the Windies were beginning to fire on all cylinders. While he praised the

Holder: Lloyd a help, an inspiration to team

By Barry Wilkinson (In Australia)

HE was hauled over the coals for leaving out Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard and critics have questioned his presence with the team at the ICC Cricket World Cup, but captain Jason Holder says they are loving every moment of Clive Lloyd in the dressing room.

Lloyd, the 70-year-old bespectacled, former captain of the victorious 1975 and 1979 World Cups, is now Chairman of Selectors travelling with the team throughout New Zealand and Australia. It is customary for a selector to be present on tours, but Lloyd has been with the team ever since he took over on tours to India, South Africa and now the World Cup, liaising with fellow selectors Courtney Walsh, Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne back in the West Indies.

“Having Clive Lloyd with us has been inspiring. He has been there and done it before and to have him in our camp is a plus for us,” said Holder.

“He brings a lot to the team with his tremendous experience and more than that, the experience of being a world champion. He has fit in well with the guys, he is well respected and we are happy to have the benefit of his knowledge because he is ready

West Indies will be looking to opener Chris Gayle after slamming the Zimbabwe bowlers for 215- a World Cup record.

With Gayle in form, batting unit, he said the bowlHe added: “From the Ireers were also now starting to land game, it was good to West Indies will be even find their momentum. see how the guys responded. more confident of a positive “We always stress on I think it showed character. result, and Williams said it roles and achieving our goals All of the senior guys stuck was a plus seeing both Gayin the team. Lendl Simmons together – Darren Sammy, le and Samuels hit form at has been doing well for us (Chris) Gayle, Marlon (Sam- such a critical time in the also, he has a hundred and a uels) – and said ‘guys, we tournament.

“It was just brilliant to fifty in another game … (De- can do this. Ireland was just nesh) Ramdin has been doing a little blip. We’re going to watch. Making 200 in a onewell and everybody has been come back.’ I’m just happy day game is not an easy feat chipping in and contributing, for the way the guys have and you know the longstandincluding (Darren) Sammy responded since the Ireland ing injuries that Chris Gayle has been having … so it was and (Andre) Russell,” Wil- game.” liams explained.

Especially heartening just pleasing to see,” said “But I think we had a for the West Indies camp Williams.

“It was an excellent partquestion mark over our has been the return to bowling from the Ireland form of talisman Gayle. nership with Marlon Samugame and since that (game), The usually prolific open- els. You can’t forget Marlon, Jerome Taylor put up his er had struggled over the he played his part as well hand, being the senior last 20 months, with just and got his highest score. statesman and leading our a half-century and an av- It was just an excellent inattack. He’s put up his erage of 14 to show for his nings. (Darren) Bravo went down (injured) in the last hand and is doing a good efforts. job for us.

However, he came big game and we asked him to “Ever since the Ireland against Zimbabwe with a bat at number three – he’d game I have not been really stunning 215 – the first dou- been batting at number four worried because we know ble century in a World Cup for a while – and he actually as a team what we want to and the fastest one ever – to put up his hand and said he wanted to do it. Actually, he do and what we wanted to end his worrying slump. achieve and it’s just the way Together with Marlon volunteered to do it.”

Bravo has been ruled the guys have responded (that Samuels, who hit a cahas been pleasing). They reer-best 133 not out, they out of consideration for the showed character against put on 372 for the second South Africa game, having Pakistan and topped it off wicket – the highest partner- failed to recover from a against Zimbabwe.” ship for any wicket in ODIs. hamstring injury.

No challengers ...

Clive Lloyd and willing to share with us.”

The West Indies though have had a rough time since Lloyd has taken over.

Their tour of India was controversially abandoned after they were 2-1 down in the series; they lost the Test Series in South Africa 2-0; won the T20 Series 2-1 and lost the ODI series 4-1. (Trinidad Express article)

From Back page It was a position he had hoped to give up for this AGM, since he sits on the executive of the Guyana Olympic Association, but now looks set to continue in the role, indefinitely.

The association has been hoping to attract fresh athletes to the sport but it has been struggling. With the lack of interest and the dwindling of the seasoned lifters, the sport seems to have reached a wall that it is finding

difficulty to get over or around.

It has not held a national competition since 2011 at any level - novices, juniors, intermediate or senior.

Despite this, the association has set a tentative calendar for national competitions for the year: the Novices on April 5 and a National Open Championship on August 29, both set for the National Gymnasium.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Windies aim to buck recent history against Proteas See story on page 26

Anwar becomes the first UAE batsman to hit a World Cup century

Vice-president Dale Neuburger

FINA & CONSANAT Officials set to attend warm-up pool opening tomorrow See story on page 22

See story on page 25

UAE’s Shaiman Anwar celebrates after reaching a century against Ireland yesterday in Brisbane..

(Indranil Mukherjee/AFP)

No challengers for GAWA posts NO challengers have come forward to run for office for the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA).

So says the general secretary of GAWA, Deion Nurse. The association was scheduled to hold its electoral Annual General Meeting on Friday, but that has now been pushed back by a month.

Nurse told Chronicle Sport that GAWA’s finances are still being audited hence

the new date is Friday March 27, 2015 at Olympic House.

For some time now the association has found it difficult to attract enough persons to the sport, whether as competitors or administrators.

Nurse said no gym or individual has offered any names to contest the posts on the executive.

Frank Tucker has been at the helm for some time as president. The vice-presidents are Subrina Pestano and Burt Austin, with Aubrey Henry as the Public Relations Officer; Seon Erskine as treasurer, Sean Cozier as assistant secretary/treasurer and Nurse – the general secretary for the past 13 years.

Turn to page 27

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It’s 90 not out for Sir Everton See story on page 26 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015