2015 2 7

GUYANA

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

No. 104093 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Defying

PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

cynics…

Marriott to open next month – gala affair to be graced with international

executives, celebrities

Centre

‘ALMOST COMPLETE’: The welcoming entrance to the Marriott Hotel yesterday, even as workers press ahead with the landscaping and other finishing touches ahead of next month’s grand opening (Vishwanauth Narine photo)

‘I am prepared to go to jail’ Page

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in defence of Gov't spending

Minister Robeson Benn

Jaipaul Page Sharma 7 admits to APNU’s destructive politics

Hope Canal an engineering 7 feat to build on

Page

Jaipaul Sharma

– Prime Minister

Samuel Hinds

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

Philadelphia drowning tragedy‌

Human Services Ministry footing expenses for parlour, cremation THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has made a commitment to stand funeral parlour and cremation expenses for the four persons who died in the tragic mis-

hap at Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo on Monday while performing a religious ritual.

Subject Minister Jennifer Webster yesterday informed that the Human Services Ministry was saddened by the tragic circumstances attending the passing of the four persons who died by drowning at Philadelphia,

East Bank Essequibo, and wished to express its deepest sympathy to their surviving relatives and friends. She described the incident as indeed a tragic and unfortunate loss of lives, and said the Ministry was committed to act within its mandate and respond in times of need.

Accordingly, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry has undertaken to cover the expenses associated with use of the parlour and cremation of the four family members, it related.

The BK Group of Companies on Thursday chipped Turn to page 3 â–ş

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

Mahaica River bloodbath…

Post-mortem reveals Ravo Nandkishore died of brain injuries, massive haemorrhaging A post-mortem performed on the body of 25-year-old Suresh Nandkishore, also called ‘Ravo’, who was killed during a land dispute at Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek on Tuesday, revealed that he died of injuries to the brain accompanied by massive haemorrhaging.

His body will be cremated on Sunday at the Good Hope cremation site at about noon.

Suresh, a Chartered Accountant; his brother, Davo, 26; and their father, 52-year-old Bhopaul Nandkishsore, called Jai, came under a vicious lumber and cutlass attack in the Mahaica backdam just after noon on Tuesday, as they were fencing a plot of land inherited by Bhopaul from his grandfather. The other parties to the dispute are their neighbour known only as Tony, and his two sons, who live next door.

The matter had been ventilated in the courts, and the ruling had been in Bhopaul Nandkishore’s favour, sparking outrage from the neighbours, who thereafter had repeatedly threatened to ‘wipe out’ the Nandkishores.

Davo Nandkishore, beaten in a land dispute at Mahaica

Relatives of the bereaved and beleaguered family claim they had made several reports concerning the threat to the Mahaica Police Station.

While the fencing work was in progress, the suspects pounced on them in a confrontation that preceded a brutal attack with the fencing posts and a sharpened cutlass.

HORROR Suresh was killed on the spot, while his brother Davo was bludgeoned to the head and beaten about the body with a post. He suf-

Davo shows some of the injuries he sustained to his face

fered chops to his head; injuries to his face and shoulders, and several of his fingers were almost severed.

His cuts are said to have required 68 stitches for closure.

When he could no longer take the beating, Davo slumped to the ground, pretending to be dead, and the attackers turned their attention to the elder Nandkishore (Jai).

BRAIN MASS The men allegedly beat Jai mercilessly and banged his head with a post until he jumped into a

Davo shows his chopped fingers

trench to escape the most painful ordeal. Believing all three men to be dead, the attackers left the scene, and Davo immediately jumped into the trench to retrieve his father, whom he took home with the sad news that their brother had been killed and he and his father mercilessly attacked. The two were taken to hospital, and Jai remains warded at the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital under close

medical watch.

For the first 48 hours following his attack, Jai remained unconscious, but yesterday, though not speaking, he began responding to the environment around him. Relatives claim he had suffered brain damage, and that a huge mass had accumulated in his head.

The three suspects have been taken into police custody and are assisting police with their investigations.

Ex-CANU rank remanded for allegedly assisting couple trafficking in cocaine EX-CANU officer, Kenroy Joseph, who allegedly assisted a couple in trafficking cocaine to Canada yesterday was remanded to prison until February 13, following his

court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Joseph pleaded not guilty to the charge which detailed that on Friday January 30 at the Cheddi

Human Services Ministry...

From page 2

in and provided the relatives of the four dead persons with financial assistance intended to help offset funeral costs.

The company made the commitment to the family based on a discussion held with relatives immediately after the death of the four persons had been publicised in the local media.

L a s t M o n d a y, B i l l y Narine, 12, and Annapina

Persaud, 9, of Lot 2404 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara; their aunt Radika Persaud, 53, and cousin Ravin Persaud, 15, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo were all found in the Essequibo River hours after they had visited the waters to release offerings for a relative who had passed away.

The four persons would all be cremated on Sunday February 8.

Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he trafficked in narcotics; that is to say, he aided and abetted Mahendra Ramsuchit and Rohbina Basdeoram to traffick 21.360 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in narcotics.

It is alleged that, on the day in question, Joseph took the couple to the airport with a forged protocol letter which allowed him to use the VIP lounge of the CJIA, and he assisted the couple to board the aircraft.

Joseph was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. James Bond, who argued that his client was not at

the airport on the day in question. Bond added that Joseph has no knowledge of the crime, and he refused to accept that his client was with the other two defendants. Bond said that Joseph never produced any letter on their behalf.

It is alleged that Joseph obtained a forged letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presented same to the Fly Jamaica airline, intending to allow Ramsuchit and Basdeoram to enter into the VIP lounge when they were not supposed to so do.

The couple was remanded to prison on February 2 after pleading not guilty to the charge that, on January 30 at CJIA, they

had in their possession narcotics for the purpose o f t r a ff i c k i n g . B a s d e oram is alleged to have had 10.968 kg cocaine, while her husband was charged with having 10.392 kg of the illicit substance.

They were soon after asked by an air hostess to re-board the plane and follow the customary procedures, after their names had not been found on the VIP list.

Ranks then saw them acting suspiciously and they apprehended them and carried out a search of their bags.

A white substance suspected to be cocaine was found concealed in each of their laptop bags and

their suitcases. The drug was tested and proved to be cocaine, and they were accordingly arrested and charged.

The Police prosecutor opposed bail for Joseph on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. His objection took into account the fact that no special reasons had been given to warrant pre-trial liberty for Joseph.

According to reports, it is likely that other charges would be brought against Joseph in relation to more forged letters.

T h e p ro s e c u t i o n ’s objections were upheld, Joseph was remanded, and the matter stands adjourned to February 13.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Obama: ‘People committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ’ (AP) PRESIDENT Barack Obama wants Christians to know Islam is not the only religion that has inspired violence and terror.

“Unless we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ,” Obama said Wednesday. “And in our home country, slavery, and Jim Crow, all too often was justified in the name of Christ.”

Obama made the comments while giving a major

speech on religion at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Citing Islamic, Jewish, and Christian scripture, Obama touted his own faith.

“This prayer tradition has brought us together, giving us the opportunity to come together in humility before the Almighty and to be reminded of what it is that we share as children of God,” he said. “And certainly for me this is always a chance to reflect on my own faith journey. No matter the challenge He has been there for all of us. He certainly strengthened me

President Barack Obama through the power of his spirit.”

Obama went on to condemn violent jihadists who are “betraying” Islam. He specifically called out the Islamic State group that has “carried out unspeakable acts

Islamic State says U.S. hostage killed in Syria

of barbarism” in the Middle East and the militants who recently massacred the employees of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

“This is not unique to one group or one religion,” Obama cautioned.

“There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency, that can pervert and distort our faith. And in today’s world when hate groups have their own Twitter accounts and bigotry can fester in hidden places in cyberspace, it can be even harder to combat such intolerance. But God compels us to try.”

(Reuters) - THE Islamic State militant group said on Friday that an American woman hostage it was holding in Syria had been killed when Jordanian fighter jets bombed a building where she was being held, the SITE monitoring group said.

In Washington, U.S. officials said they could not confirm that the woman, who has been identified as 26-year-old aid worker Kayla Mueller of Prescott, Arizona, had been killed.

Mueller was the last-known American hostage held by Islamic State, which controls wide areas of Syria and Iraq and has executed five British and American aid workers and journalists in recent months.

The group’s latest claim comes just days after it released a video on Tuesday appearing to show a captured Jordanian pilot, Mouath al-Kasaesbeh, being burned alive in a cage.

Jordan immediately vowed to intensify military action against Islamic State.

A representative in the United States of Mueller’s family said the family had no information on Islamic State’s statement that she had been killed.

State Department spokeswoman Marie

In unison, Muslim clerics lash out against Islamic State BAGHDAD (AP) — THE immolation of a Jordanian pilot by the Islamic State group has brought a unified outcry Friday from top religious clerics across the Muslim world — including a prominent jihadi preacher — who insisted the militants have gone too far.

Abu Mohammed al-Maqdesi, considered a spiritual mentor for many al-Qaida militants, said the killing of Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh is “not acceptable in any religion.” He spoke in an interview with Jordan’s Roya TV a day after being released from more than three months in detention.

At Friday prayers in neighboring Iraq, where the militant group has seized territory in a third of the country, top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani declared in

a sermon that the “savage” act demonstrates the extremists know no boundaries and violate “Islamic values and humanity.”

Religious groups, often at odds with one another over ideologies or politics, are increasingly speaking out in unison against the militants, who continue to enforce their rule in Iraq and Syria through massacres, kidnapping, forced marriages, stonings and other acts of brutality.

Iranian Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani claimed in his sermon that militant groups like the Islamic State are created by Western nations as a means for promoting “an ugly picture of Islam.”

Earlier this week, Islamic State militants released a video of al-Ka-

Jordanians attend the Muslim Friday prayers, surrounding posters of slain Jordanian pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh taped on a light pole, ahead of an anti-IS group rally in Amman, Jordan, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. seasbeh, a Muslim, being burned to death in a cage.

While the beheading of hostages from the U.S., Britain and Japan brought condemnation from most

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religious sects within Islam, the gruesome images of the airman’s slaying served as a unifying battle-cry for Muslims across the world.

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Harf told reporters during a briefing in Washington, “I cannot confirm those reports in any way.”

The White House said it was “deeply concerned” over the report but that it had not seen “any evidence that corroborates ISIL’s claim,” using an acronym for the group.

Islamic State, in a message monitored by SITE, said Mueller died when the building in which she was being held outside Raqqa, a major stronghold of the group, collapsed in a Jordanian air strike on Friday.

“The air assaults were continuous on the same location for more than an hour,” Islamic State said, according to SITE. Reuters and other Western news organizations were aware that Mueller was being held hostage but did not name her at the request of her family members, who believed the militants would harm her if her case received publicity.

Mueller was taken hostage while leaving a hospital in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in August 2013. She had a long record of volunteering abroad and was moved by the plight of civilians in Syria’s civil war.

“For as long as I live, I will not let this suffering be normal.

(I will not let this be) something we just accept,” Mueller’s local newspaper The Daily Courier quoted her in 2013 as saying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Mexico violence: Holness was wrong, Dozens of bodies rules court in case uncovered in Acapulco brought by Williams

(BBC News) POLICE have found at least 61 bodies in an abandoned crematorium in the Mexican resort of Acapulco, officials say.

Local media report that neighbours became suspicious of the smell late on Thursday and called the police.

The crematorium had been shut almost a year ago and some of the bodies were

badly decomposed, police officials said.

It is not yet clear whether the bodies found on Friday were victims of organised crime.

The crematorium is in the state of Guerrero, 200km (124 miles) from the town of Iguala, where 43 students went missing in September.

Graphic photos of the crematorium show piles of bodies wrapped in dirty sheets on the

floor of the building. Local media report that lime had been used over the bodies to try to disguise the smell.

They also suggest that one of the bodies may be a child, but this has not been confirmed.

“We can’t say for now that there is an indication that organised crime participated in this but we can’t rule it out,” said Guerrero chief prosecutor.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Constitutional Court has ruled that leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Andrew Holness, was wrong when he used presigned, undated, resignation letters to remove two Opposition Senators from the Upper House.

Holness was represented by attorneys-at-law Georgia Gibson-Henlin and Taneshia Rowe.

The case was brought by former senator Arthur Williams against Holness.

Williams has contended that Holness used the letters to axe him from the Upper House because he did not support him in the internal leadership elections in November 2013.

Williams has admitted to crafting the letters before he and other senators were appointed in 2012.

However, he told the court that the letters were only to be submitted to the Governor General if any of the senators departed from the JLP’s position of a referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The Court yesterday ruled that Holness’ actions were inconsistent with the constitution.

The Constitutional Court comprising, Justice Courtney Day, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop and Justice David Batts declared that: 1) The request and procurement of pre-signed and undated letters of resignation and letters of authorisation by the leader of the opposition from persons to be appointed or appointed as senators to the Senate of Jamaica upon his domination inconsistent with the constitution, contrary to public policy, unlawful, and is, accordingly, null and void.

Forensic specialists are examining the bodies to determine how long they had been inside the crematorium

2) That the pre-signed and undated letters of resignation and letters of authorisation, as well as the manner of their use to effect the resignation of Senators (the claimant, in particular) from the senate of Jamaica, are inconsistent with the constitution, contrary to public policy and are, accordingly null and void as to cost.

Brazil police kill 13 suspected robbers in Salvador (BBC News) AT least 13 people have been killed in a shootout between police and armed robbery suspects in the Brazilian city of Salvador.

Officers said they arrived at the scene following a tip off that a gang were planning a bank raid, and began to shoot after the

suspects opened fire.

All 16 of the group were hit in the exchange of bullets and were taken to a nearby hospital.

Thirteen of them died and two were seriously hurt.

Police said no officers were killed, but one was slightly injured.

An investigation has been opened into the incident.

Brazil’s police have been criticised in the past

for using excessive force in their bid to control violent crime in the country’s impoverished neighbourhoods.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

EDITORIAL Truth needs no crutches, if it does it is a lie THE Stabroek News Editorial of Monday February 2nd, 2015, titled ‘What Minister Edghill said at Lusignan’, is a replication of many published items in Opposition media that distorts actuality and is another, in the words of the latest victim, Bishop Juan Edghill, “…shameless attempt at creating hysteria in our country.”

It is a truth that the fact of evil perpetuating in any society is because the good people turn a blind eye, until the evil devours one after the other and eventually all are consumed.

There is indisputably a section of the Guyanese society that is consumed with hatred and perpetuates great acts of evil on others.

Hence the Lusignan and other intermittent massacres in the country, as well as the multiplicity of violent episodes in Guyana proliferate the landscape of our socio-political history.

Sadly, while the actual perpetrators are sometimes caught, political opportunists and power-play-

ers orchestrate their escape from justice through various – sometimes even illegal ploys; as in the case of the killers of the Lusignan residents who were freed through manipulation of the jury system by someone aspiring to be Prime Minister or maybe even President of this country.

Media houses with seemingly ‘close affiliation’ to the Opposition collective, support this type of action and almost never condemn the perpetrators, even when they commit overtly criminal acts, because they have abandoned their allegiance to the noble profession of journalism and have joined in the political fray, thereby eschewing all journalistic ethics.

It is a known fact that, both in his personal life and through his former chair in the ERC, Bishop Edghill has always, in his own words, “… worked privately and publicly for the creation of an environment where there is racial security and harmonious relations.”

However, in the politi-

cally-charged environment of the various politically-engineered explosions of violence in the country, the Bishop, as a member of the human family who has always espoused the concepts of unity in diversity and dialogue and discussion, in good faith, has no qualms in denouncing the real villains who mastermind the sporadic outbreaks of violence against Guyanese citizens who do no-one any harm.

As he said at Lusignan, “… it was wrong, it is wrong, and it will always be wrong.”

And this does not sit well with the Opposition collective, which uses its media allies to whip up a frenzy and hysteria in the country to further perpetuate their agenda of destabilisation of the social dynamics. As a consequence, they hope persons will be disenchanted with the PPP/C Government.

If their strategems succeed – as they often do with the masses that do not seek the truth behind the Opposition media hype, then all is well and good; because

it redounds to the benefit of their master puppeteers who initiate the groundwork for the violence and unrest in the country in efforts to augment their chances at the polls.

So the Opposition collective use all the formidable weapons in its extensive arsenal, including a large section of the press that is hostile to the PPP/C Government, to destroy the credibility of those who have no fear in telling the truth.

Peacemakers in the land who condemn – not just the actions of the actual perpetrators of violence, but the masterminds behind the machiavellian plots are relentlessly vilified and ruthlessly pilloried and persecuted.

However, brave persons like Bishop Juan Edgehill are unafraid to speak out against evil, because eventually the entire nation would be consumed in the vitriol brewed in the many fracases created by the machiavellian monsters, who have no qualms in visiting untold agony and endless distress on the brotherhood of man,

with victims being even the babies who were murdered while sleeping peacefully in their beds during the massacre at Lusignan.

The Bishop wrote, not needing defence, but for clarity: “For Stabroek News to take a few sentences of an entire presentation and to twist it to paint a picture of me fanning the flames of racism is not only disingenuous, but can best be described as yellow journalism.

“This ‘holier than thou’ approach by Stabroek News in sitting in judgment and questioning ‘What in Minister Edghill’s past would have given him the certitude to pronounce on the killings at Lusignan seven years ago’, seems to suggest that as a citizen or as a minister of Government, that I am incapable of analysing the facts and circumstances.

Be reminded that the killings at Lusignan were not an isolated event. Like the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and numerous other terrorist attacks

around the world, they must be remembered in their particular context and prevailing environment.”

Indeed! Again quoting Bishop Edghill, “I don’t have a race card. It exists as a figment of the imagination of the editorial writer… I was not ‘carefully chosen by (his) Government to deliver this toxic message’ as alleged: Truth needs no crutches; if it does it is a lie.”

However, what about the continuum of lies that has no end in sight that is forever being spewed to embroil innocent people, such as in Freddie’s ‘miasmic matter’, in efforts to make the guilty look innocent and vice versa – a terminology coined by former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as ‘The Corbin Syndrome’?

The Bishop refuted the charges leveled against him, stating “I will not wear this suit tailored by Stabroek News. It will not fit. Try another candidate!”

Well, that candidate is the one making the charges against the Bishop.

UG needs to do some serious introspection, careful re-strategising on way forward THE University of Guyana is currently faced with industrial action over the issue of salary increases for staff members. One can only hope that reason and good sense will prevail and a resolution found within the shortest possible time.

I share the view that the university needs an injection of resources, both in terms of academic staff and facilities upgrade. What I have a difficulty with is a perception that is being created in some quarters that

conditions at the university has deteriorated over the years and that the University is starved of resources by the Government to a point where it is incapable of effectively fulfilling its mandate as a teaching and research institution.

The fact is that the resources provided to the university has been increasing substantially since the current PPP/C administration assumed office on October 5, 1992. Prior to 1992, there were hardly any allocation

made to the university to undertake capital and critical maintenance works.

The subvention given to the university was woefully inadequate to cover recurrent expenditures including salary increases.

Today there is a much higher level of financial inflows to the university both from Government subvention and from the student loan facility which is met largely from the treasury.

A major problem has to do with the fact that the student

loan is hardly revolving as a significant number of students who have graduated from the university fail to honour their financial obligations to the Government.

Only a relatively small number of students pay on their own which puts additional pressure on the treasury to meet the cost of university education, a situation further compounded by rising student numbers and an increase in student fees.

Despite the many constraints, the University has

seen significant expansion in terms of student intake and the range of course offerings.

I beg to differ with those who seek to devalue the role played by the university in terms of meeting the human resource needs of the country even though I am willing to concede that more can be done by the university to raise its research profile.

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) seems more concerned with churning out anti-government propaganda rather than coming

up with innovative and outof-the-box thinking on how to enhance the quality of national discourse on key and fundamental issues of national importance.

The University needs to do some serious introspection and careful re-strategising on the way forward.

Putting the blame on the Government and the University Council is at best shortsighted and not in its best interest.

HYDAR ALLY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Hope Canal an engineering feat to build on – Prime Minister

By Vanessa Narine

THERE has been much debate on the challenges of the completion of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel, Hope Canal.

However, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds contends that the almost complete project has left Guyana with experiences to build on in advancing the development of Guyana’s drainage and irrigation infrastructure.

Speaking at Thursday’s fifth annual engineering conference, he said: “There has been much debate in the media on the need of it…how well it will work or not work.

It will come into position soon and it behooves us to study how it performs so that in the future, the next time around, when to consider questions on drainage, we

Hope Canal

will have that experience to build on. This is a good addition to the growing body of knowledge.”

The building of knowledge base among the current corps of engineers, Hinds acknowledged, is critical to

Jaipaul Sharma admits to APNU’s destructive politics

- confirms Opposition uses ‘revenge’ tactic in National Assembly to sabotage Government’s development programme HAVING rejoined the party in the face of General and Regional elections slated for this year, returning A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Jaipaul Sharma yesterday at APNU’s weekly press conference admitted to his party’s “revenge” tactic used in the life of the tenth Parliament against the Government.

When questioned by the media on whether he was happy with the achievement of the legislative arm in the 10th Parliament, the Justice For All Party (JFAP) executive member, which has now rejoined the Coalition, responded in the negative, stressing that “No one is happy, including myself.”

He continued that in several instances: “The odds were against the APNU in terms of that the PPP managed to have the speaker rule against the APNU, even their own party, the AFC. What we could say is that we tried our best.”

However, things took a sudden twist as Sharma commenced his plea bargain with the populace, advising that they should “not just put the APNU into office, but to give us [APNU] a majority.”

Sharma subsequently reflected on the progress made in the 10th Parliament, adding

that “we don’t want a repeat; maybe the APNU in office

“And then the PPP gonna dish out the same that probably the joint Opposition gave them, the revenge thing.” –Returning APNU member, Jaipaul Sharma faced with a situation of being a minority in the National Assembly, but hold the executive.”

Admitting that the Opposition had played destructive politics in the Parliament, the now APNU member continued: “And then the PPP gonna dish out the same that probably the joint Opposition gave them, the revenge thing.” He then subtly ended his statement by saying, “It will not benefit the people.”

Sharma, a former APNU Member of Parliament (MP), resigned as an MP last year April, following reports of heckling in the National Assembly which were not well received by him. Following this, he then revealed that he was not “competent” and “vibrant” enough, while adding that he didn’t know to heckle.

furthering the development of Guyana.

The one-day annual engineering conference is traditionally the premier forum for the presentation of new ideas in the various domains of engineering, including transportation engineering (land, water and air), architectural engineering, traffic and highway engineering, coastal, river defence engineering and energy engineering, among other areas.

The conference brought together a wide range of local and international experts in these fields as well as several other engineering professionals, contractors, consultants

and engineering students – including some of those who have been engaged in the Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel project.

The Hope Canal project’s four components include: the more than 10-kilometre channel; the head regulator; the eight-door sluice; and the EDWC Northern Relief Channel Public Road Bridge.

The latter was completed and commissioned last February.

Some minor works on a few of the components remain to be completed.

The EDWC Northern Relief Channel, the Hope Canal, which missed its June 30

deadline for completion, was given a new deadline in the latter part of July, when its completion was raised at the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. The Agriculture Minister, when he appeared before the Committee, disclosed that the project will be completed in seven weeks, by September.

However, this deadline has also passed due to unforeseen challenges.

The minister, in a prior comment, stated that given the continued delays with the project, the issue of liquidated damages is not off the table. “The accommodation of the contractor does not mean that the contractor will escape liquidated damages,” he said.

The Agriculture Minister stressed too the quality of work produced by the contractor has been of a very high standard. “Some of the difficulties that the contractor has encountered can be resolved by the Ministry, and so all we are doing is working in partnership with the contractor so that those difficulties are removed,” he said.

Indications were that the US$15M Hope Canal project, which is expected to be the answer to flooding in the

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Prime Minister Samuel Hinds Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) areas during rainy periods, would be operational as the rainy season sets in.

Residents in the MMA area over the years have lost crops and livestock in floods, during the rainy period. As seen in the past, when the Maduni sluice has to be opened to drain the East Demerara Water Conservancy, residents in the MMA area have to battle a rise in the Mahaica Creek – making the completion of the Hope Canal something that is much needed.

The East Demerara Water Conservancy in the past had 10 discharge points, with three on the East Bank of Demerara discharging into the Demerara River; two at Mahaica; and five discharge points on the East Coast of Demerara – all leading to the Atlantic Ocean. Their closure made the Hope Canal an even greater necessity, in order to facilitate increased and direct discharges into the Atlantic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

Ministry Police unearth Health provides diabetic illegal guns, children with testing ammo in home searches

– two in custody ACTING on information received and intelligence tips, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Georgetown searched the Lot 890 Fifth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home of 35-yearold Deon Coates and unearthed an unlicensed .45 pistol with seven matching live rounds in the living room thereof.

At home at time of the search, Coates was promptly arrested and taken into custody.

An unlicensed .38 revolver and three matching live rounds were also unearthed at the Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara home of 45-year-old Ronald Singh after CID ranks from the city acting on infor-

mation conducted an early morning search of Singh’s residence.

Singh w as similarly promptly arrested and taken into police custody for possession of the illegal items.

Police sources have said that both men are known characters. The police up to late yesterday were expected to run ballistics tests on the weapons found to determine whether they had been used in any crime.

The police have been of recent basing their searches and other operations largely on intelligence gathering and have seen successful operations mainly by ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department HQ in Georgetown.

Ranks from CID HQ yesterday morning also car-

ried out systematic searches in hot spot areas in Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) and several persons were arrested for being in possession of narcotics and other illegal items.

Among the areas searched were La Parfaite Harmonie; Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, and some communities along the East Coast of Demerara.

Besides those operations, the police were yesterday morning also able to recapture a fugitive who had escaped from the Leonora Police Station last year while he had been detained in police custody as the lawmen investigated a matter.

His name has been given as Jamal Harlequin of Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown. (Leroy Smith)

Whereabouts of female suspect in elderly woman’s death unknown FOLLOWING the death of 72-year-old June Archer of Lot 33-34 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown on Thursday, the police are in the process of preparing a file for onward transmission to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the way forward.

A post-mortem yesterday revealed that Archer died as a result of heart failure.

The police have said that at about 17:00 hrs on Thursday, the elderly woman had a row with a female relative, mother of two, who with her

two children resided with Archer. Their disagreement which centred on curtains eventually turned physical and Archer reportedly sustained a fall after being pushed. She collapsed and succumbed shortly after, even as the female relative claimed the senior citizen had cuffed her in the face.

Archer had however managed to telephone her son and relate what had transpired before she died.

Archer’s relative and her children subsequently fled the elderly woman’s resi-

dence, and their whereabouts remain unknown to the police.

Sleuths have said they have since visited the suspect’s Hadfield Street work place, where she is an accountant, but they were told that she had not shown up for work since the incident.

The police are awaiting advice from the DPP before making a decision on how to proceed with the matter since the fight may have exacerbated the woman’s heart condition and caused her to lose her life.

A member of the Presidential Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Commission handing over a diabetes testing kit to one of the beneficiaries as Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran looks on

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Diabetics Association and Life for a Child, yesterday provided basic diabetes testing kits, inclusive of a year-long supply of strips, to 52 children, diagnosed with diabetes, as these serve to ensure that they a have full and healthy life.

The event was held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, and saw these children, ranging from babies all the way to the teens, and who are living with the disease, along with their parents, being educated on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

During a presentation by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, it was noted that out of a population of 747,884 people, the average group of 27 years and over is diagnosed with diabetes in Guyana.

It was also acknowledged that persons 65 years and older account for 5.2% of the diagnosis, while persons between 15-64 years account for 68.6% of it. Also 26.2% of the diagnosis is within the age range of 0-14 years.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud educating the gathering of parents and children on diabetes

According to Dr. Persaud, unhealthy lifestyles is one of the main contributors to this situation, as with the modernisation of society came the adaptation of unhealthy practices and the substitution of regular active pastimes like bike riding, to playing with technological devices.

More people are now using processed foods, which contain more sugar and salt and when one takes into consideration that not only diabetes, but all other NCDs

are very harmful to the body.

Also with technology came easier communication, so individuals spend hours on their cellular phones, tablets and games etc. instead of taking a walk in the park.

Dr. Persaud also pointed out that 9% of 15,000 babies weighed in 2014 were overweight. This would be over 1,300 babies.

The CMO added that in order to turn this situation around, it is important for persons to adopt smart and healthier practices. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Testicular resilience hallmarks PPP/C leadership IT takes great testicular fortitude, which the entire Opposition camp seemingly lack, to defend the territorial integrity of one’s country.

That too against envoys of some of the most powerful nations on earth.

Peace, progress and prosperity in a united nation is a concept to which Opposition elements seemingly remain strangers.

However, the governing PPP seems to be a party that has always espoused the precepts of unity and peace in the national landscape because there has never been, and may never be, any need for physical confrontations when the PPP/C boasts such weapons as brilliant minds, patriotic dispositions and razor-sharp intelligence within its leadership ranks, including its feisty female members.

Persons within the leadership of this party have, time and again, proven their virility in standing up to adversaries who try to be contemptuous of Guyana’s sovereignty, as the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan did years ago against the might of the superpowers and the dictatorship to lead this country out of the bondage of servility, oppression and undemocratic synergies.

And subsequent to the restoration of democracy to this nation in 1992, Dr. Jagan spat in the eye of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its Hoyte-driven draconian conditionalities that were literally and figuratively emptying the much-depleted rice pots of the Guyanese nation by telling the powerful IMF to put their conditions where the sun does not shine.

This bold and defiant move by Dr. Jagan helped to restore bargaining power to the formerly toothless poodles that the labour movement had been reduced to under the PNC regime.

This was done while simultaneously lifting the freeze on Public Servants’ wages.

This exemplary leadership quotient was again demonstrated when former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo led his lone fight against the powerful European nations to guard the sovereignty and wrest conditions more beneficial, not only to Guyana, but to the entire CARICOM bloc of nations, with his demands for a re-constructed EPA. There are also several instances

where Dr. Jagdeo guarded the sanctity of Guyana’s territory, even while he formed bi-partisan and multi-national linkages and alliances with formerly adversarial neighbouring states; which falls among a multiplicity of history-making achievements for this country’s glory.

President Donald Ramotar’s unrelenting refusal to succumb to Opposition blackmail and put the nation at risk, even as they held, and continue to hold this country hostage to the FATF-imposed sanctions, among a plethora of other retrogressive stratagems targeting his administration,

Opposition elements have conversely, through the corridors of our history, sold Guyana and the rights of her citizens – beginning with Burnham, to foreign interlopers for the figurative ‘thirty pieces of silver.’

The collective Opposition leaders have historically demonstrated that they are unpatriotic and self-serving – time and again.

They continually revert to personal slander of those who are not afraid to deal with issues with courage, determination and forthright speech in defence of home, country and fellow citizens, without buckling; which the leaders in the Opposition always do, because of a seeming lack of testicular resilience. This makes them collapse in the face of aggression by anyone who violates Guyana’s social and geo-political spaces.

Hoyte’s attacks, using voodoo conspiracies (pun intended) against Mrs. Janet Jagan’s and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s terms in the presidency, coupled with the Opposition’s most recent fusillade of invectives and disingenuous allegations against Minister within the Ministry of Fi-

crucial times?

The main reason why the Opposition collective cannot support and continually attempt to muzzle and destabilise the strong leaders within the Government construct, including technocrats who are merely fulfilling the mandate of their professional portfolios, is because their testicular fortitude disintegrates at threatening situations.

So they resort and revert to verbal abuse and character assassinations in efforts to bring PPP/C leaders to their knees in front of them, because they cannot stand up to the tasks that necessitate strength and staying power.

That is why Minister Priya Man-

President Donald Ramotar is another case in point of strong leadership.

A prime example of this is President Ramotar’s decision to Prorogue Parliament in the face of a threat of the immediate cessation of the 10th Parliament.

Conversely, the Opposition – jointly and severally, have historically sold this nation to foreign interlopers for their personal fortunes and enhanced self-aggrandisement; as they have recently done, and continue to do by sucking up to the foreign saboteurs of national peace and socio-economic development who covet the natural resources that Guyana has in abundance, especially our rainforests and potential for oil discovery.

The leaders of the PPP have always stood resolute in the face of threats to Guyana’s social and geo-political demographics, while

Former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

The late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan nance, Bishop Juan Edghill, clearly illustrates the use of a poisonous tongue and pen as weapons of necessary choice against strong PPP/C Government leaders by Opposition leaders. Is it because they lack the necessary wherewithal to stand up like men and defend country, home and fellow citizens and buckle at

ickchand was lambasted and heckled during her gutsy demolition of a violator of her country because, while she recognised the danger of confronting and verbally demolishing a representative of a great superpower, she also had the cojones to tell him, in no uncertain terms, that her home, country and the integrity of Guyana’s spaces is not up for sale.

The joint Opposition condemned her in face-saving attempts, because they all collapsed in the face of aggression.

Contrary to the PPP/C leaders who do not allow the territorial integrity and sovereignty of this country to be compromised, the Opposition leaders have historically proven that their loyalty is up for sale to the highest bidder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

2015 targets for rice, sugar production set Rice -618,000 tonnes; sugar-240,000 tonnes

By Vanessa Narine THE production targets for rice and sugar in 2015 have been set, according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

In an invited comment he stated that the target for rice production is 618,000 tonnes.

Last year was another record-breaking year for the rice industry. Production was recorded at 635,238 tonnes of which 501,208 tonnes were exported. Production in the final crop of 2014 surpassed that of the first crop, which recorded just over 300,000 tonnes.

The sector has seen consistent improvements over the past several years.

Production for 2013 was 535,212 tonnes, which was far above the original target of 413,000 tonnes and reflected a 27 per cent increase over the production in 2012.

The average production

A loader collecting harvested sugar canes

per hectare was some five tonnes.

Additionally, the Agriculture Minister disclosed that the export target for 2015 is some 521,000 tonnes.

Guyana currently has export agreements with several countries in the Caribbean as well as with Venezuela and Panama. He said arrangements to ship rice to countries in West Africa are still being finalised, but the delay was due to the Ebola epidemic.

Also, given the continuous success of the rice indus-

try, efforts are being made to secure a greater foothold in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, including Belize.

SUGAR TARGET Meanwhile, Dr. Ramsammy stated that the production being targeted by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for 2015 is some 240,000 tonnes.

Last year, the Agriculture Minister had indicated that the 2015 target would be “significantly higher” than the 2014 target of 216,000 tonnes.

Rice being harvested

GuySuCo is still in the process of putting several measures in place to ensure a successful start to the first sugar crop of 2015. These include ongoing routine maintenance works at all sugar factories.

GuySuCo’s Industrial Relations Head, Mr. Jairam Pitam, in a recent interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that by the end of February all the sugar factories are expected to be up and running.

“Uitvlugt is expected to start operating in the first week of February; Wales Estate will start in the sec-

ond week and by the end of the month all remaining factories will be operational,” he said.

GuySuCo operates eight estates, located at : Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara; Wales, West Bank Demerara; Enmore and La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara; Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice; and Blairmont, West Bank Berbice.

In 2014, GuySuCo recorded a production of 216,147 tonnes– the first crop having surpassed the 75,000-tonne target, bring-

ing in about 80,000 tonnes.

The calamitous drop in sugar prices on the global and preferred market scene, challenges all sugar industries, coupled with the dramatic fall in earnings and by extension cash flow; and the prevailing weather conditions were among several of the difficulties that affected the local sugar industry during 2014.

The industry saw a dismal sugar production level in the past years, but Guyana has since been taking steps to turn around its sugar industry and hopes to soon meet a 300,000-tonne target.

There is also a projection that the sector would reach a 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

Together the rice and sugar sectors remain vital to Guyana’s economy, considering their major roles in terms of employment and contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD).

Five more charged for drunk driving THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday said that the persons listed below were tested and found to be over the legal alcohol consumption limit and were therefore charged for drunk driving.

1. Emanacom Tookram of Lot 22 No. 1 Settlement, Blairmont, West

Bank Berbice(WBB), was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on 2015-01-30 while driving motor vehicle CG 8448 on the De Edward Public Road, WBB. He was found

to be above the legal alcohol consumption limit. He was charged and appeared at the Blairmont Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.

2. Sahadeo Suhkdeo of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, was stopped and tested on 2015-01-30 while driving motor vehicle PFF 5597 on the De Edward Public

Road, WBB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of

consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Blairmont Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.

3. Zalim Rasheed of Lot 293 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, ECD, was stopped and tested on 2015-01-24 while

driving motor vehicle PGG 795 on Sheriff Street, Campbellville. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption

of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.00.

4. Alfred Baldeo of Lot 136 Rosignol Village, WBB, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-01-30 while driving motor

vehicle HC 1752 on the De Edward Public Road, WBB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol; he was therefore charged and appeared

at the Blairmont Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.00.

5. Jaipaul Persaud of Lot 151 Good Hope, ECD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on

2015-01-24 while driving motor vehicle PKK 3890 on Lamaha Street, Georgetown. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol; he was charged and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.00.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

‘I am prepared to go to jail’ in defence of Gov't spending-Benn

By Vanessa Narine POLITICAL challenges over contentions related to Government spending, under a prorogued Parliament, were answered with an emphatic one-line defence by Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn on Thursday at the fifth annual engineering conference.

T h e m i n i s t e r, u n d e r whose purview investments into several of major infrastructural undertakings were made, said: “I am prepared to go to jail for any reason related to Guyana’s proper development, for any reason.”

He declared emphatically that he stands with colleague, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Minister of Finance.

“I stand in support of Minister Ashni Singh, who has found the way to allow the expenditure to be made

so that our country’s development does not falter and so that our economy does not go into recession,” Benn said.

The Public Works Minister reasoned that Government spending constitutes the largest sum of expenditure into the national economy.

“The payment of wages and salaries, the purchase of fuel and other things, in relation to our development efforts, has a lot to do with the work of the Government,” he said.

Benn alluded to the fact that Guyana has experienced real economic growth every year, for eight consecutive years.

“The fact that Guyana has had eight years of year on year growth is important when we consider where we have come from…we must have growth, continued development and progress in

our country, irrespective of which political side we are on,” he stressed.

GUARDED SPENDING On the question of spending, until the dissolution of Parliament, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, has underscored the legal provisions which guard spending and ensure these are done without ‘abuse’, as is being alleged.

With the May 11 elections announcement, Parliament is expected to be dissolved before that. As such, spending is governed

by Article 220 (3) of the Constitution.

Once Parliament is dissolved, the relative proclamation will activate the provisions of Article 220 paragraph 3, which states that if Parliament is dissolved before any actions are taken to authorise monies from

public funds, “The minister responsible for finance may authorise the withdrawal of such sums from the Consolidated Fund.”

The minister must, however, prove that monies taken from the Consolidated Fund are used for the purpose “of meeting expenditure on the public services.”

The Consolidated Fund in normal circumstances could be accessed only by support from the National Assembly.

The procedure follows that after the new Parliament meets, a statement must be presented to the National Assembly by the Finance Minister or any other minister who was identified by the President. “When the statement has been approved by the Assembly, that expenditure shall be included, under the appropriate heads, in the

next Appropriation Bill,” the legislation also reads.

Until Parliament is dissolved, it currently still stands under prorogation – following the November 10 proclamation by President Ramotar.

During this period, there are also laws that govern Government spending.

According to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, a combination of Article 219 of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, provides that in any financial year the Government is empowered to spend one twelfth of the Budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed.

“This position obtains, whether Parliament is in

Robeson Benn

session or not, or whether there will be Elections or no Elections. Indeed, if Parliament was in session, the National Assembly could not have prevented this constitutional and legal formula in relation to spending during this period (before the new Budget is passed) from being applied,” Nandlall said.

PYO meets UG Vice Chancellor to discuss students’ concerns THE Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) on Wednesday met with University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi to discuss several concerns submitted by the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS). His immediate actions and intentions were sought to be clarified.

A release sent by the PYO noted that a list of concerns was sent to their organisation by UGSS President Joshua Griffith, after a brief consultation with him. The president and his team were previously invited to attend a meeting to discuss students’

PYO youth leaders from across the country, in discussion with UG’s VC Dr Opadeyi

Chairman of the PYO, Irfaan Ali with UG’s VC Dr. Opadeyi

welfare with youth leaders from the PYO; however, the team had failed to show.

The PYO delegation which was led by its new Chairman, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, and included youth leaders from across the country, gave its commitment to the Vice Chancellor to undertake several projects for the betterment of the students and their environs.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to youth development in our country. We understand their needs and we will continue to lobby these needs so that they can lead more productive lives. UG remains an area of special interest for us, given its history, and we will champion the needs of the students there,”Ali told the VC. Among the projects the PYO plans to undertake is the con-

struction of a new four-foot walkway from the gate of the Turkeyen Campus to the Education Lecture Theatre, so that students will not be discomforted when it rains and the campus floods. Also, the commencement of a project that would see PYO youths and other members of civil society engaging in the initial cleaning of the campus and the weeding of the overgrown brushes and grass will be another project.

The PYO plans to further pursue the drainage and irrigation needs of the campus by working closely with the Vice Chancellor’s office and the Public Works Ministry, through assessments and discussions on plans regarding these concerns.

They also plan to donate a number of large, white boards to be installed in various lecture

theatres on campus.

The organisation further pledged to continue lobbying the UG administration to address other urgent and pressing issues which affect the well-being and livelihoods of UG Students.

In return, Vice Chancellor Dr. Opadeyi expressed his willingness to work with all stakeholders who have UG’s interest at heart, and he further updated the PYO on his action plan to address the physical and academic aesthetics of the university; the calls by workers’ unions for a salary increase; the spate of development and infrastructural projects that are to commence shortly; the release of students’ grades; and several other issues.

“All are involved, all are consumed,” he said, while welcoming the assistance offered by the PYO. (Raveena Mangal)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

GECOM meets with Monies are the chief scrutineers, patrimony of the people political parties’ reps – Dr Luncheon GGMC disbursement of funds…

CHIEF scrutineers and other political party representatives met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) earlier this week to discuss the upcoming Claims and Objections period, set to begin on Monday.

During the meeting, GECOM clearly outlined the mechanisms and procedures currently in place for the efficient management of the forthcoming Claims and Objections exercise.

During this Claims and Objections period, in addition to GECOM’s permanent offices, GECOM will be dispatching mobile units throughout the interior locations of Guyana, as well as establishing several temporary offices in all divisions and sub-divisions.

The forthcoming Claims and Objections period is an essential one for GECOM as the Commission sanitises the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

The Claims period provides eligible electors who reach the specific requirements of GECOM – persons 18 years and older by April 30, 2015 – who are not registered, an opportunity to gain entry onto the PLE. It also provides a window of opportunity to those persons already registered who are desirous of having changes made to their registration information and/ or have corrections made to their registration information currently entered on the Preliminary Voters List.

Electors already registered could request transfers if they have moved from one sub division to another, or from one registration area to another.

During the Objections phase, electors may visit the appropriate registration office in their sub-division or registration area to object to an entry in the PLE. GECOM also gave the chief scrutineers and the

political party representatives all confidence and assurances that all the relevant systems in keeping with the standard operating procedures for the conduct of Claims and Objections exercise, will be in place and functioning optimally.

The various parties represented at the meeting were the Justice For All Party (JFAP), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU), the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), the National Front Alliance (NFA), the National Independent Party (NIP), the United Republican Party (URP) and the Healing of the Nation Theocracy Party.

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, was accompanied by the Deputy CEO, Vishnu Persaud, Legal Officer, Juanita Barker, and the Logistics Manager, Colin April at the meeting.

GECOM engages staff through vetting process – DCEO assures CONCERNS of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) were, on Monday, reiterated by General Secretary Clement Rohee the most recent of which was that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) engages in public vetting of its Election Day staffers.

He said: “The PPP time and again has expressed concerns over the recruitment of polling day staff and had requested public vetting of these individuals.”

“This can only serve to improve the confidence of the electorate in GECOM and solidify its own integrity of elections management.

It is important that the most suited persons based on experience, qualifications and background are employed to work on polling day.”

He reasoned that the Party’s request is legitimate, given reports of persons who acted biased and created problems in 2011 and previous elections. “(These persons) must be debarred from working at elections again. The role of these individuals can never be over-emphasised in a smooth and transparent elec-

toral process. Recruited persons tasked with upholding the democracy of our country must be made accountable to the Guyanese people,” Rohee said.

He added: “The PPP calls on GECOM to prevent the occurrences of 2011 in regards to last minute changes to polling stations and inexperienced information clerks misguiding voters.”

The PPP General Secretary stressed that all systems in place for election day must be transparent.

STAFF VETTED Meanwhile, asked to comment on the matter, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Vishnu Persaud explained that employees engaged by GECOM are already vetted.

He said: “We have vetted out polling day staff. We sent out applications, people responded, we shortlisted them on the basis of the criteria we set out. We have trained them. We went through evaluations and on this basis the levels of achievement we will be selecting people to work in polling stations.”

Persaud added that the

Clement Rohee

persons hired are also dispatched within their areas, where they are known to the voters in that particular area.

He expressed the view that public vetting of the Commission’s employees may be a counter-productive engagement.

“Imagine you as a potential employee of GECOM. You did not have an indication that we will publish your particulars publicly.

You might be apprehensive about. You may run away and leave us and then we don’t have people to work,” Persaud said.

The Deputy Chief Elections Officer expressed confidence in the electoral process and in the Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections. (Vanessa Narine)

CHAIRMAN of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes is of the view that the action being taken by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration to utilise funds from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is illegal and unconstitutional.

Hughes however said that the party will not be taking legal action to test this as it will be impossible to obtain a judgment before elections which are due in three months.

Cabinet Secretary Dr

Roger Luncheon on Wednesday announced that Cabinet had approved the transfer of US$100,000 to the Iwokrama International Centre as financial support to meet the commitments of the institution. He noted that the support was necessary as the international partners had not been meeting their obligations. Last week, the Commission disbursed a $3B loan to the Central Housing and Planning Authority at an interest rate of five percent.

The AFC Vice-Chairman Moses Nagamootoo opined that loans from

the GGMC should only be granted to agencies for development within the sector and not as it is being disbursed. He said that the money should have been paid into the Consolidated Fund and then transferred to the agency. Dr Luncheon on Wednesday pointed out that the monies held by GGMC are there for the people of Guyana as it was their patrimony.

He said that the money is being held and invested by the commission and could be used by the Government of Guyana for the development of all of Guyana.

Rogue traffic cops will be dealt with – just provide the evidence says Traffic Chief TRAFFIC Chief Ian Amsterdam yesterday said that if a traffic cop is not wearing a name tag, then it should be reported, since a rank must have a valid reason for not doing so. If the name tag is broken, there is a procedure which the rank must undertake to have the tag replaced.

He added that rogue cops in the Traffic Department will be dealt with once the evidence is provided; as such, Amsterdam urged members of the public to make use of technology to take videos, photos and record wrongdoings by traffic officers.

The Senior Superintendent pointed out that once a traffic rank is on duty, a name tag must be affixed to his uniform, that is, black pants and blue shirt.

He added that for traffic violations, once a ticket is issued to the defaulting motorist, that rank must have his/her signature affixed to it, so that the rank could be identified by the Guyana Police Force.

Amsterdam told this publication that he has urged all motorists to desist from offering any form of inducement to traffic officers to have them ignore traffic vi-

Traffic Chief, Ian Amsterdam

olations and make a report instead.

He stated that once a ticket is issued to a defaulter by a traffic officer and he/ she (defaulter) has to appear in court, then they should appear, since some traffic matters are dismissed without monetary penalties by the magistrate in some cases.

The senior officer explained that some persons do not want to go to court period and they therefore, offer money to the rank instead and that is wrong.

Amsterdam said once the evidence is before them the ranks cannot lie and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will in-

vestigate the matter, after which relevant charges will be instituted and in some cases, ranks culpable might even be disciplined departmentally.

Meanwhile, Amsterdam called on all parents/guardians of children, especially toddlers, to take charge of them appropriately while on the country’s roads, since two separate cases have come to their attention in which two young children were killed in road accidents under unfortunate circumstances.

He noted that in such cases, those adults who are caring for children could be charged for carelessness if the evidence is against them.

On that note, the police reported that around 18:00 hrs on February 3, 2015, twoyear-old Vivianne Fortune, of Tabatinga, Lethem, was walking along the roadway at Tabatinga in the company of her mother, when she is reported to have pulled away and ran into the path of a motor pick-up vehicle.

She was struck down and taken to the Lethem Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The driver is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

Region 6 RDC refutes inaccuracies in Kaieteur News article – accuses newspaper of deliberately attempting to mislead public with falsehoods THE Regional Administration of Region Six yesterday issued a statement in which it sought to point out obvious inaccuracies in an article published in the Kaieteur News on Saturday January 31st, 2015 under the caption: ‘Berbicians upset over substandard road work’.

The project highlighted in the article is in fact a ‘completed reinforced concrete culvert bridge’ built at a contract sum of $4,544,558.

Inaccuracies published are as follows: 1. One photograph used in the very short and unresearched Kaieteur News article is in no way related to the area or surroundings of the National Insurance Scheme, National Library nor the Basketball Court, New Amsterdam which are all adjacent to subject of this article.

Instead, the photo features what clearly appears to be the building of an

NGO [Resource Centre] located many miles away at Miss Pheobe, Port Mourant, Corentyne. This seems to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public with falsehoods and inaccuracies.

2. In reality the actual project executed was the construction of ‘a reinforced concrete culvert bridge’ as stated above, and NOT a road project. Additionally, shortly after the asphaltic capping [1½ inch thickness] was done it started to loose and the Regional Administration informed the contractor of the defects, corrective works were done since the project was still under the defects and liability period.

Further, within the last three years the Regional Administration said it has undertaken a number of public works projects within the township of New Amsterdam such as: building of footpath bridge at the Vyrman’s Erven Nursery School; construction of a

reinforced concrete main access bridge at Vryman’s Erven; construction of timber bridge at Vryman’s Erven to Angoy’s Avenue; potholes patching of Main Street, New Amsterdam; rehabilitation of Tucber/ Smythfield Road network; repairs to Strand Road and rehabilitation of a footpath bridge at Angoys’ Avenue, all to the satisfaction of the residents.

Regarding the erroneous Kaieteur News article, the Regional Administration said it was never contacted and as such views the article as “intentionally skewed and designed to satisfy the whims and fancies of people with ulterior motives aimed at embarrassing the Regional Administration”.

The Region Six RDC also said it remains open at all times to the general public and the media for clarifications on its functions and projects executed under the five programmes of the Administrative Region.

Above is a photo of the actual re-enforced concrete culvert taken on Monday 2nd February, 2015

Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Mr Paul Ramrattan is urging all media operatives to diligently seek clarifications and confirm information regarding the Regional Administration rather than publishing unconfirmed information which is not in keeping with

proper, responsible and professional journalism.

Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan in January this year at his end-of-year press briefing, reminded media operatives that they must always remain committed to balance and accurate reporting.

Following the trend of past years, the Chairman once again stated that the Regional Administration is resolute in its obligation to answering questions and providing information at any time regarding its mandate.

Minibus driver GT&T presents $3M in continued support of Children’s Costume Parade fatally stabbed FOR the fourth consecutive year the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) on Thursday presented the Ministry of Education with a $3M cheque to assist with activities for the Mashramani Children’s Costume Parade slated for February 14.

Allied Arts Unit Administrator Ms. Desiree WhylesOgle thanked GT&T for associating themselves yet again with the children’s Mashramani activities as she explained that “you will be contributing to the education process of our children.” She related that for the fourth year the company will be supporting one of main activities for the children Mashramani competitions.

Ogle explained the history behind the commencement of the children’s Mashramani activities. “Mash activities started in 1996 at the National Cultural Centre with a little walk and then eventually the activities moved to February 23. But it was posing a problem with the timing of the senior Mash parade which was starting until noon, so it was then

during row

– 15-year-old dies in Corentyne ‘joy ride’ GT&T Senior Marketing Officer, Anji Hackett hands over the symbolic cheque to Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Ms. Delma Nedd in the presence of other officials from both entities (Photo by Adrian Narine)

put to the Saturday before the Mash activities starting at the Promenade Gardens,” she related.

According to the administrator, theatre arts are now examinable at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examination level, where part of the syllabus is to observe a cultural event.

“Before our students would have to leave to observe carnival in another country as a cultural event as a part of the syllabus; but the department and the ministry have lobbied for our own Mashramani to be included as part of the cultural form,”

she stressed.

Senior Marketing OfficerAnji Hackett of GT&T explained that the two entities have partnered on many other projects but this has been the fourth consecutive year that the company is supporting the Children’s Mashramani Costume Parade. “GT&T has been part of this celebration for the past three years and we are proud to say that we will be continuing our sponsorship for the 2015 costume parade”, Hackett said.

“We all look forward to the Children’s Costume Competition and moreso

because watching our young people embrace our diversity and culture and showcasing their talents is something we are all proud of,” she said.

Speaking briefly, Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Ms. Delma Nedd thanked GT&T for their continued support shown towards the Children’s Costume Parade slated for next Saturday.

She encouraged parents and children to come out on February 14 and support the children and teachers who would be a part of the parade.(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

POLICE said that at about 01:15 hrs Wednesday, minibus driver Yamsham Ram, 43, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, was involved in an argument with another man at Timehri, EBD, during which he was stabbed about his body.

He later succumbed at the GPHC. The suspect has not yet been arrested.

And in another report, police said that at about 03:15hrs Wednesday, unlicensed driver Akash Mohan, 15, of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, was driving a motor vehicle along the Public Road at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a parked vehicle and a concrete bridge.

He received injuries and was pronounced DOA at the

Skeldon Hospital.

Andrew Sooknandan, 16 years, of Kingston, Corriverton, who was also in the vehicle, received injuries and has been admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Investigations are in progress.

Another road fatality occurred at about 03:30 hrs on Wednesday when Georgiana Smith, 59, of Ruperti, North Rupununi, was walking along the roadway and was struck down by a motorcycle.

She received injuries and was taken to the Annai Health Post where she was pronounced DOA. The driver of the motorcycle fled the scene and has not yet been arrested.

However, the motorcycle has been impounded by the police as the investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Cancer awareness fair draws hundreds -plugs early screening, detection and treatment

By Shirley Thomas

THE Ministry of Health on Wednesday observed World Cancer Day in the capital city with a Health Fair in its compound at Lot 1 Brickdam.

Held under the theme: “Preventing and Curing Cancer is not Beyond Us,” the exhibition was well received and attracted hundreds from

of cancer - and Visual Inspection with Acid (VIA) screening, among other things – all free of charge.

The Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health also held demonstrations, offering foodbased dietary guidelines, as well as exhibits of what constitute healthy eating. The exhibits also highlighted the nutrition-related risk factors of breast cancer and how some foods contribute to

Dr. Rabindranauth addressing students at the Cancer Awareness Health Fair nearby schools, workplaces and members of the public at large.

Apart from cancer-related booths, several other booths were set up to provide health services to visiting persons. Persons were therefore able to access blood pressure readings, random blood-sugar tests; dental care; advice on tobacco smoking - which is one of the leading causes

cancer. There was also distribution of pamphlets and other education materials on the various non-communicable diseases.

Focal Point for Adolescent Health, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton also conducted highly interactive health education sessions for students of secondary schools who showed keen interest in the discussions.

‘WHAT IS CANCER’ Meanwhile, Head of the Cancer Institute in Guyana, Dr. Rabindranauth briefed participants on ‘What is Cancer’- its origin; how it is caused; the various types of cancer; and how they manifest themselves in a person’s body. He also exposed viewers to techniques on cancer detection such as pap smear; VIA, mammogram and ultra sound, whilst urging women and young girls to get screened early for cancer. Screening for a disease means getting one’s self a medical check-up before the disease presents itself.

For breast cancer, screening is done either through a mammogram or breast ultra-sound and that procedure is referred to as a sono-mammogram, the oncologist said. He said that while cancer can strike at an earlier age, a breast mammogram should be done for all women over 40 years. After 40 the breast mammogram is mandatory and should be done every year.

In the case of uterine cancer, a pap smear is recommended. But more recently visual inspection, using acetic acid has been promoted by the Ministry of Health and has proven very effective. The Ministry continues to urge women to make use of this service which is provided at local health centres.

Noting that many women are reluctant to get screened for breast and cervical cancer, Dr. Rabindranauth said that invariably, when they do get screened, they are presented with stage 3 breast cancer. Unless a person is screened and the cancer detected, the person cannot be treated.

“A simple mammogram and breast ultrasound could detect breast cancer at a stage where it is completely treatable and curable and people live their full life as cancer survivors,” Dr. Rabindranauth, advised.

He also touched on cancers in the male, highlighting colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer, the latter, though found predominantly in men, develops in women also.

FEW SURVIVORS Emphasising the need for early screening, detection and treatment of cancer, Dr. Rabindranauth, who addressed students of the

A High School student listens attentively as Dr. Rabindrnauth responds to her question University of Guyana on Cancers, on Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 2014), made the point that the Cancer Institute of Guyana gets only few cancer survivors.

And just why: [They come so late that] “When they reach us they are paralysed; they come with bone fractures which means they are at stage 4 and the cancer has gone to the bone, fracturing the bone. It has gone to the liver and manifests as jaundice. Or perhaps they come with swollen abdomen. This is not at the stage where we can do anything. At that stage we just give some hormones and repaliation – meaning prolongation of the life, reduction of pain. We don’t want to do that. We want every one of us go get medical checkup for breast cancer,” he affirmed.

Ending on the note that “Preventing and Curing Cancer is not Beyond Us, Dr. Rabindranauth stressed that: “Early screening for cancer can save lives.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Georgetown leg of Children’s Mash Competition concludes with breath taking performances

THE Georgetown leg of the Children’s Mashramani Competition concluded yesterday with the students giving breath-taking and heart pumping performances at the physical display activities.

Again packed to capacity, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall came alive with cheers and wows as the children from primary and secondary schools performed their pieces. The action started from 11:00 hrs with some performances from the primary aged students.

Some 15 entries were presented with St. John’s College and St. George’s High outdoing themselves as they were greeted with loud cheers when they performed their well-coordinated movements and flexibility.

South Ruimveldt Secondary girls under the theme ‘Jiro Gymbatis’ completed their jump rope piece with little mistakes to wow the crowd with their foot movements. Colaaco Primary and St. Anne’s Primary also brought their ‘A’ game as they executed their exercising performances.

The Regional Children’s Mashramani Competition will commence action at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Thursday February 12 with dance and masquerade performances and the calypso and dramatic poetry competitions will take place on February 13.

Children’s Mashramani Competition will culminate with the costume parade on February 14 starting at the Parade Ground at 10:00 hrs.

The Children’s Mashramani Activities officially became the responsibility of the Ministry of Education in February 1992. The competitions are held at the Regional and National levels for Primary and Secondary schools.

Children at the nursery level also participate in some of the activities but only at the Regional Level.

The Children’s Costume Parade was introduced in 1996; this parade culminates the series of activities and involves approximately four thousand plus children from schools and youth groups throughout Guyana. It is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Education, Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

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Lodge Secondary Skippers used one of their team mates as they jump rope Colaaco Primary showing off their talents

“Dynamic Flexers” done by St Anne’s Primary

The St. George’s High boys team performed their heart pumping piece

‘Sassy Revellers,’ the St. John’s College girls performing their gymnastic display

The all-boys team from St. John’s College mesmerised the audience with their thrilling performance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Defying

‘Five Star’ Marriott

- gala affair to be graced with int

By Gary Eleazar POSITIONED to be Guyana’s first ‘Five-Star,’ internationally branded hotel, the Georgetown Marriott will open its doors for business next month, amidst the pomp and ceremony of a gala affair, set to be graced with international executives and celebrities.

Roberto Grissi, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel, sat down with the Guyana Chronicle for an exclusive interview yesterday and revealed that the administrators are in the final stages of preparations for an opening come March month.

NO RIVAL Mr. Grissi told the Guyana Chronicle that there is currently no other building in the country that is similar to that of the Marriott.

“We wouldn’t be here training if we weren’t going to open the hotel” – General Manager Roberto Grissi “This is a really modern property,” said Grissi - a modern property that can hold its own in any city in the world.

According to Grissi, when the facility opens its doors next month there will be no other facility locally that would be able to match or rival that of Marriott, which will boast a Presidential Suite, Casino, Restaurants, Entertainment Complex, Ballroom, Pool and a host of other amenities, inclusive of the largest and most modern conference rooms.

The Marriott Hotel, he said, will be attracting business from the local community as well as

A comfortable setting inside the very spacious Presidential Suite located on the top floor of the Marriott Hotel. Ms. Denisse Olivo, the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing (right) is seen interacting with Chronicle’s Mark Ramotar and Gary Eleazar. conventions and other such events coming from other countries.

QUALITY Marriott International does not own the Kingston property, but was merely contracted to brand and manage the facility and, according to Grissi, they are very happy with what is erected, construction-wise.

He was speaking specifically to the quality of work delivered by Chinese Contractor, Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), which was engaged by the property’s owner, Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), to

Some of the staffers take a quick time out from their training to pose for the camera

build the US$58.5M, five-star luxury hotel.

Grissi explained that Marriott has been continuously involved in the construction of the hotel by the Chinese Contractors, to ensure that quality was never compromised and “we are very satisfied with what we are seeing.”

Marriott International, Grissi said, will not accept a property to brand and manage, if it was not built up to standard.

To reinforce his conviction, Grissi told the Guyana Chronicle, “We wouldn’t be here training if we weren’t going to open the hotel.”

Grissi also disclosed that the opening ceremony will see the top brass of Marriott International in attendance.

“There are several celebrities that the owners want to bring,” he declared. He, however, remained tightlipped on some of the details for the opening ceremony.

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE Regarding the operations of and sustainability of the hotel project, the General Manager told the Chronicle, “We feel very confident.”

Many have questioned the viability of the Marriott Hotel and according to Grissi, Marriott in its marketing plan will be using its international networks to channel business in Guyana’s direction.

“The way that we sell (market) the hotel basically is we have an organisation abroad, a global organisation that helps us basically to sell (market) the property outside Guyana,” according to the General Manager.

He said “we have representatives in every single country in the world and we work with the majority of global companies that are doing business in Guyana.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

cynics…

to open next month

ternational executives, celebrities The Marriott General Manager explained that the hotel would also ink agreements with companies across the world that would ensure their staffers and business partners utilise the Hotel when in Guyana.

Marriott Guyana has also employed an El Salvador Specialist, Denisse Olivo, who has been contracted as the Director of Sales and Marketing.

According to Grissi, Ms Olivo will be working along with a group of managers who will be tasked with operating in both a proactive and reactive fashion, marketing not only the rooms on the property but also business confabs such as international conventions.

Olivo, following a tour of the property, explained that the marketing team will, in addition to relying on the global Marriott network to steer clients towards Guyana, focus heavily on regional and local business.

“We have approached players in the industry that we will be working together with,” said Olivo.

The Marketing Director did point out that the Marriott Guyana property will be looking to target primarily a business clientele but added that there will certainly be a component focusing on the tourism aspect of the hotel’s operations.

FIVE-STAR SERVICE Training is ongoing, as was witnessed yesterday when this publication was afforded a tour of the regal 197 room, nine-floor edifice that sits where the eastern bank of the mouth of the Demerara River kisses the scenic Atlantic Ocean.

A number of young Guyanese men and women were going through the paces yesterday as they readied for the grand opening next month and Grissi has expressed every confidence in their ability to deliver the five star level of service required at the hotel.

The General Manager told the Chronicle that Marriott is currently in the process of finalising the hiring of the more than 235 staff members.

Ninety persons are currently undergoing training with the others coming on-stream before next month’s opening.

He said that while there is “not a great hospitality industry in Guyana…we hire by attitude, and not just by skill.”

Grissi explained that there are persons that are being hired who, while not necessarily being skilled in the hospitality sector, have demonstrated aptitude and a willingness to be trained.

“We are very pleased right now with the 90 employees that we have…we have more or less interviewed over 3,500 in the last four months.”

Confident that the employees will deliver, Grissi did say that it will take “some training but we are going to deliver on the standards that the company (Marriott) has set for us.”

MARRIOTT GM The Hotel’s General Manager, who assumed his post locally in June last year, began his Marriott career in 1985 as Banquet Manager at the Washington Dulles Renaissance Hotel.

He was Director of Food & Beverage at various Marriott properties spanning fourteen years and in 1999 he was promoted to Director of Operations and then Hotel Manager at the Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun, Mexico.

Grissi was appointed General Manager in 2002 of the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino in Santo Domingo.

Subsequent General Manager roles include the JW Marriott Caracas Hotel, and Venezuela Country Manager overseeing the operations of the JW Marriott Caracas, the Marriott Venezuela Playa Grande Hotel, and the Renaissance Caracas La Castellana.

He was recently General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba where he successfully opened the hotel in 2013.

Ms. Denisse Olivo highlighting some of the features on this desk in one of the rooms

‘PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAILS’: This SCG worker uses an artist’s brush to correct even the smallest and faintest of blemishes ahead of the hotel’s gala opening (Vishwanauth Narine photos)

Marriott General Manager, Roberto Grissi (centre) and Marketing Director, Denisse Olivo (right), sit down for an interview with the Guyana Chronicle

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 7, 2015

Farmer remanded on murder charge

FORTY-EIGHT-YEAROLD Jamal Bacchus, a farmer of Lot 17 Caledonia, East Bank Demerara, yesterday was remanded to prison on a murder charge after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and was not required to plead to the capital offence when it was read to him.

Details of his charge

alleged that on February 4 at Access Road, Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Dhanshana Ram; but Police prosecutor Michael Grant did not reveal the Prosecution’s facts.

The accused was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Nigel Hughes.

The matter has been adjourned to February 26 for report.

Man allegedly keeping firearm for friend remanded until February 16 THIRTY-FOUR-YEAROLD Dorian Rodrigues appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Details of the charge, which he denied, alleged that on February 4 at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, he had in his possession a .38 revolver and four matching live rounds when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at that time.

Reports are that during investigation of the allega-

tion against ex-CANU rank Joseph, the police received information that he had a firearm with ammunition, which he gave to a friend to keep.

Further investigations led to the home of Rodrigues, where police swooped down and conducted a search, unearthing the gun and ammunition.

Bail was opposed on ground that no special reasons had been given to the court. Rorigues was then remanded, and is scheduled to return to court on February 16.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Troubled West Indies need to find right chemistry

By Simon Evans (REUTERS) - Winners of the first two World Cups, West Indies, head into the 2015 tournament with little or no expectations of success as the chaotic mismanagement of the game in the Caribbean continues to take its toll.

Rows over player contracts led to the abandonment of the tour of India in October and the disputes over selection continued with the decision to leave out of the World Cup squad Dwayne Bravo, spokesman for the players during that dispute.

Clive Lloyd, captain of the West Indies team in their triumphs in 1975 and 1979, also faced criticism for the omission of big-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard and questions over the choice of 23-year-old Jason Holder as captain.

Prior to heading to the World Cup, West Indies travelled to South Africa where they lost a three-Test series 2-0 and fell to a 4-1 ODI series defeat.

The World Twenty20 triumph in 2012 now seems like another false dawn, with the hopes that success in the shortest form would transfer to the ODI and Test arena, looking little more than wishful thinking.

Jason Holder The frustration for Caribbean fans is that their squad is not lacking in talent -- especially in the shorter forms of the game -- but the constant wrangles appear to undermine the progress being made in finding young talent.

The current squad has a nice

blend of youth and experience, some genuine pace bowling and quality spinners, aggressive stroke-makers and agile men in the field.

The big question is whether the talent that takes the field against Ireland for the team’s Pool B opener in Nelson, New Zealand on February 16 will be focused, motivated and ready.

Former skipper Darren Sammy, who will be expected to provide some useful support and advice to Holder, believes the World Cup can bring the best out of the team.

“When it comes to the World Cup, it is a different atmosphere, a different venue and more pressure. Hopefully we can do something special. The West Indies people need us to do something special,” he said.

The bowling attack looks decent with Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell and Kemar Roach providing pace although the absence of spinner Sunil Narine may hurt.

Big-hitting Jamaicans Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels are both capable of taking an attack apart but it is the other top order batsmen -- Darren Bravo, Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons, who will have to deliver more regularly.

Atwell inks contract to take on Jamaican ...

From back page “I’m back in gym and am 110 percent fit and ready for Mullings,” Atwell declared, adding “I know he’s a heavy puncher, but in all my training sessions since returning to Guyana for the fight, I’ve been working on my punching power.”

Atwell reflected on his fight against Johnny Gonzales stating that Gonzales possesses tremendous power but he (Gonzales) was unable to stop him. (Atwell).

“Just as how I evaded Gonsales’ power shots and succeeded, I will evade Mullings’ own also and my speed will take dominance against him.

Mullings, who is no stranger to Guyana’s soil, had hinted that he wanted to beat Lewis in his own backyard, after learning that Lewis was injured and Atwell is the replacement, said he would do likewise with Atwell.

Atwell said with the exception of Howard Eastman whom Mullings defeated recently, he

(Atwell) is confident that he can do better than the rest of the local fighters who failed to get past the Jamaican.

“This is not a fight between two persons, it is a fight between two nations,” Atwell stated, adding, “I lost two fights in a row and I don’t feel any immediate pressure as my mind and body are in shape and that’s the most important thing for me.”

Atwell said himself and Mullings are very good friends and it is his hope that the relationship will continue, regardless of the outcome of the bout.

Fight time on February 21 is 20:00hrs and admission is $1 500 for the stands and $3 000 for ring side.

The GBBC would like to thank Giftland OfficeMax, Digicel, Banks DIH Limited, Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Insurance, COURTS and the Guyana Tourism Authority among others for coming on board and supporting the card.

Cameron still ...

From back page “However, my understanding is that there should be an annual general meeting of the association (JCA) on February 17, at which time, the decision by the directors could be overturned.”

Cameron is seeking another two-year term in office but has come under fire for his handling of last October’s abandoned India tour and the subsequent fall out.

The West Indies oneday squad quit the fivematch series following the fourth ODI, a move that also led the threeTest tour to be cancelled.

Indian authorities placed the blame squarely on the WICB and have since lodged a claim of US$42M in damages. They have also threatened legal

action if the WICB does not settle.

Cameron argued, however, that the India tour controversy was a matter being dealt with by the board as a whole.

“The handling of the decisions surrounding the India tour was WICB board of directors’ decisions, not Dave Cameron’s decisions,” he stressed.

“And, at some point in time, we (WICB board of directors) could make the minutes of these board of directors meetings available.”

Cameron is expected to have the support of the Guyana Cricket Association and the Windward Islands board.

The AGM is scheduled to be held March 7.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Ghana call for stiff action after fans injured

By Mark Gleeson MALABO, (Reuters) - Ghana have called for stiff action against Nations Cup hosts Equatorial Guinea after several Ghanaian supporters were injured in attacks by home fans during Thursday’s semifinal between the two countries.

“It’s a pity that this dark cloud overshadows our success and we really need to see some stiff action taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF),” said Kwesi Nyantakyi, president of the Ghana Football Association who is also a senior CAF executive.

At least five Ghanaian fans were slightly injured by stones, bottles and other objects thrown at them by home fans during the 3-0 loss for Equatorial Guinea in the semifinal.

There were also other injuries among officials, police and home supporters.

“This kind of behaviour is just unacceptable,” Nyantakyi told Reuters.

Some 500 Ghanaians

flew from Accra on chartered planes to watch their team and were collared into a section on the side of the stadium, away from the rest of the 15 000-capacity crowd at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.

When their team were 3-0 up, the celebrating Ghanaians were pelted with a rain of missiles.

Ghanaian fans forced open a gate at the bottom of their section and spilt down onto the playing area, amassing behind one of the goals. This caused the match to be halted for over 30 minutes.

The Ghanaians were then held back at the stadium for several hours while home supporters went on the rampage outside the stadium, breaking street poles and upturning vendors’ goods and placing concrete boulders on the road. The Ghanaians were eventually bussed back to Malabo airport.

CAF met yesterday to discuss the incident which follows swiftly after violent scenes at the weekend saw players of Tunisia try to attack a referee after they were eliminated in the quarterfinal.

Pakistan contract dispute not affecting Cup preparations - PCB KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - A dispute with Pakistan players over their central contracts is not affecting the team’s preparations for the World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said yesterday.

Najam Sethi, head of the board’s executive committee, said the dispute had been blown out of proportion in the media.

“The players are focused on cricket and the World Cup and it is wrong to say this central contracts issue is affecting their performance or focus,” Sethi told reporters.

Sethi admitted the senior players had reservations but

said talks had been held, adding that they will be offered 12-month contracts after the World Cup. “It is not a big issue as it is being made out to be. It certainly had no bearing on our performances in New Zealand,” Sethi said.

Pakistan lost two practice games and two one-day internationals in New Zealand after the central contracts dispute erupted last month.

Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand have been hit by the loss of two of their best bowlers, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm seamer Junaid Khan.

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Windwards cricket board to support Cameron CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) The Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) says it plans to support the reelection of Dave Cameron as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) when the Annual General Meeting is held on March 7.

Julian Charles, a director of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and chairman of the WICB Cricket Committee, says Cameron has made progress in seeking to professionalise cricket in the region.

“As far as I’m concerned, as far as I know, the Windward

Islands – as we stand now – will be supporting Dave Cameron,” said Charles, during a radio interview in Castries.

“Not only that, we are satisfied with the moves that Mr Cameron has made, in terms of, especially in assisting with the professionalisation of the game.

I think this is a major, major development in West Indies cricket.”

Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner plans to challenge Cameron for the post and has already received the backing of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

Julian Charles

24th annual R&R Int’l 40-mile cycle road race on tomorrow THE 24th edition of the R&R Internationalsponsored 40-mile cycle road race will be held tomorrow in the West Demerara area.

Local wheelers will face the starter at 08:00hrs at the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the seniors and juniors will journey to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, before returning to the place of origin for the finish.

The Hassan Mohamedorganised event will see the veterans, ladies and mountain bikers turn back at Uitvlugt and finish at the Harbour Bridge also.

The cream of the country’s cyclists are expected to line up for what is anticipated to be a very exciting race and this makes the event one that should not be missed.

Among the cyclists to wheel off tomorrow are; Christopher Holder, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Michael Anthony, Orville Hinds, Raynauth Jeffrey,

Marlon `Fishy’ Williams Alanzo Greaves and Paul DeNobrega.

Williams, Holder, Anthony, Jeffrey and Hinds should be among the top six finishers as, since the 2015 cycling season opened a few weeks ago, they have been very dominant in both National Park races as well as the two road races that have been staged so far.

Williams won the 2015 season opener by winning

the Ricks and Sarisponsored feature 35-lap event in the National Park, while his Team Evolution club mate Anthony won the Benjamin’s Cycle Sports Store-sponsored 50-mile cycle road race in Berbice.

Holder won the National Sports Commissionsponsored 40-mile road race last Sunday in the West Demerara region.

Anthony is the defending champion. He clocked one hour 41 minutes in winning last year, and by virtue of his winning the overall title, he also grabbed the junior title.

Robin Persaud won the Veterans category last year but will have to sit out this year due to an injury he sustained over a week ago.

Ozia McAully will be defending his mountain bike category while Tashawna Doris is the defending champion in the Ladies category.

Four matches today in Petra Organisation/Milo Football tourney ACTION in the Petra Organisation/ Milo Under-20 Schools football championship will continue today with another four matches, set for the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.

From 11:00hrs, David Rose Secondary will faceoff with St Joseph

High, followed by a showdown between Bishops’ High and East Ruimveldt Secondary.

Carmel and New Campbelville Secondary Schools will clash in the third game and at 15:30hrs, the day’s activity ends with a game between St George’s and St Mary’s.

The JCA voted 10-6 in favour of supporting Garner and his running mate Baldath Mahabir, director of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), for the top two posts during a meeting on Tuesday.

But according to Charles, the WICBC is also expected to support Nathan as vice-president.

“He is very experienced, has been on the West Indies board for some time. He is the president of Windward Islands Cricket as well.” said Charles, the former Windward Islands batsman.

Cameron’s administration has been under fire for its handling of

the circumstances that led to West Indies aborted tour of India late last year.

There have been calls for Cameron to step down including from the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

“There is probably just one major issue – not probably, there is just one major issue in his presidency, with the players pulling out of the India tour, and that cannot be attributed to him,” said Charles, who has described the West Indies players as “way out of line” for pulling out of the Indian tour.

Double-wicket cricket tournament set for Enmore February 22 THE Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club will be running off a double-wicket cricket tournament involving clubs on the East Coast of Demerara on Sunday, February 22, at the Enmore Community Centre ground starting at 09:00 hrs.

At stake will be a cash prize for the winning pair and trophies and cricket gear for losing finalists, best bowling and batting performances, outstanding fieldsman, etc.

An entrance fee of $3 00 0 per pair MUST be paid on or before 16:00hrs on Saturday February 21. A club can

submit a maximum of two pairs of players.

Clubs on the East Coast of Demerara who wish to participate are invited to call Bheemraj Ramkelawan on 676-5681 or on 256-3197 and/or attend an important meeting at 12:00hrs tomorrow at the Enmore Community Centre. Rules of the tournament will be distributed and discussed at this meeting.

Food and refreshments will be on sale. Please note that the Enmore Community Centre Council Raffle will be drawn during the match at the same venue.

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips

09:15 hrs Qewy

Turffontein

09:50 hrs Rydon Pynes

08:40 hrs Viking Hero

10:25 hrs Taquin Du Seuil

09:15 hrs Sabadell

11:00 hrs Sire De Grugy

09:50 hrs Lazer Star

11:35 hrs Sign Of A Victory

10:25 hrs Unparalled

12:40 Final Judge

11:00 hrs Will I Do

Lingfield

11:35 hrs Rampant Ice

09:30 hrs Lucky Dottie

English Racing Tips

10:00 hrs Soft Love

Warwick

10:35 hrs Pensax Lad

09:00 hrs Arbre De Vie

11:10 hrs Razor Wind

Race 2 Overthespeedlimit

09:35 hrs Cogry

11:45 hrs Boom The Groom

Race 3 Salutos Amigos

10:05 hrs Vibrato Valtat 10:40 hrs Mayfair Music 11:15 hrs Dawson City 11:50 hrs Ohio Gold 12:25 hrs Azert De Coeur Newbury

12:20 hrs Marjong 12:50 hrs La Dorotea Irish Racing Tips Naas 09:25 hrs Baily Cloud

09:55 hrs Vroum Vroum Mag 10:30 hrs Ballycahane 11:05 hrs Strongpoint 11:40 hrs Gilt Shadow 12:15 hrs Mawj Tamy 12:45 hrs Space Cadet American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Lookingoutforyou

Race 4 Van Fraassen Race 5 Stallwalkin’ Dude Race 6 Via Strata Race 7 Ekhlaas Race 8 El Kabeir Race 9 Night Patrol

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Confidence abounds for well-balanced Proteas

By Nick Said CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) South Africa’s reputation as cricketing ‘chokers’ has become a dressing room joke, they say, and there has been nothing spluttering about their buildup as they head to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in confident mood.

It is true that the Proteas have found novel ways of exiting previous tournaments, from mis-reading the Duckworth/Lewis permutations to disastrous run-outs and spectacular batting collapses.

But the retirement of stalwarts such as Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher mean they now boast a squad of players no longer carrying that baggage.

“We’ve got the right players to win the World Cup. It’s just now a matter of going there and finding a way to do so,” a confident captain AB de Villiers, who smashed the fastest century in ODIs off 31 balls against West Indies in January, told

reporters.

“That’s always the difficult part, but we’re prepared to put in the hard yards. We are going there to bring the cup back.”

The Class of 2015 looks a formidable unit with good balance and fringe players who have performed well this season, providing strength in depth as they head into conditions that should be much to their liking.

With either opener Quinton de Kock or de Villiers to keep wicket, it gives them the option to play an extra batsman and provides for a solid top seven.

They have three of the best seam bowlers in the world in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, as well as a fine leg-spin option, in the 50over format at least, in Imran Tahir.

THE CONCERNS The concerns for the side lie in two areas, notably their ‘death’ bowling at the end of the innings. Bowling coach Allan Donald, who played in four World Cups, says the key will be to mix it up.

“We’ve spoken about the last 10 overs of bowling, we know what we

have to do,” he said. “We want to be unpredictable and that is not going to be about bowling 40 yorkers in the last 10 overs.”

They have also been criticised for not h a v i n g enough big hitters in the s i d e to clear the boundary in the final few overs when batting.

For all the optimism, de Villiers does admit that the weight of expectation is an element to be reckoned with.

“We do feel pressure representing South Africa in the World Cup, we haven’t won one yet,” he said. “We desperately want to win one. We’ve been playing some good cricket and we’re confident going to Australia that we have a really good chance to win this World Cup.” South Africa are in group B with Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

LABA annual general meeting fixed for tomorrow THE Linden Amateur Basketball Association will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Biennial Elections tomorrow at the Toucan Call Centre beginning at 15:00hrs in Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden.

Initially the LABA had stated the meeting was set for Sunday, February 15 at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) but the affiliated clubs requested that the meeting be called tomorrow instead.

According to a release from the association the affiliated clubs for 2014 - Kings, Retrieve Raiders,

Amelia’s Ward Jets, Victory Valley Royals, Bankers Trust Falcons, Wismar Pistons, Block 22 Flames and Blueberry Hill - have been invited to attend .

These clubs are reminded that their annual club affiliation fees of $1 000 and registration of each player at $100 per player must be paid before the meeting begins.

Among the items on the agenda are the reports from the presiudent, secretary and treasurer. .

Clubs are asked to be on time and to send two representatives to this important meeting.

Eighteen regional players fail to be drafted

EIGHTEEN regional players who took part in the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were overlooked for the new season.

Six Jamaicans – Carlton Baugh Jr, Odean Brown, Danza Hyatt, Kennar Lewis, Andrew Richardson and Shacaya Thomas – missed out on selection at Thursday’s draft held at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

West Indies fast bowler Tino Best, who played two seasons for the Zouks, along

with fellow Barbadian Shane Dowrich, also failed to make the cut.

Sunil Ambris, Garey Mathurin and Mervin Matthews from the Windward Islands; Robin Bacchus, Steven Jacobs and Leon Johnson from Guyana; Rahkeem Cornwall, Anthony Martin, and Gavin Tonge from the Leeward Islands; and Trinidad & Tobago’s Navin Stewart were the others who fell out of favour with their franchises.

Leon Johnson

South Africa World Cup captain AB de Villiers

Third Frank Watson and ‘PT Stewart’ memorial football kicks off today THE Pele Football Club will today officially kick off their third annual Frank Watson and Gregory ‘PT Stewart’ Thorne Memorial Under-15 and Under-17 knock-out football tournaments, at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground from 09:30 hrs.

Matches will be played on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and will involve Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Santos, Camptown, Black Water, GFC, Fruta Conquerors, Beacons, Houston Stars, Black Pearl, Renaissance and hosts Pele.

The top two finishers will receive trophies and medals and the tournament’s best goalkeeper, best defender and most valuable player (MVP) will also receive prizes.

Each participating team will be outfitted by the organiser and will receive text books and uniform vouchers for the top two teams.

President of Pele FC, John Yates, at the launching of the tournament, had also mentioned that special prizes will be given to players who achieved high performances in the 2014 school year, stressing that “it’s important to note that great emphasis will be placed on

the academic performance of the players who will participate in this tournament”.

Watson was Pele’s first president. He was 23 years old when he died in a plane crash on December 23, 1973. He was a copilot.

The former Thomas United youth player and later Pele FC dapper would oftentimes be the subject of many discussions as he is often referenced whenever an example is needed about how a player could balance academia and sports and still excel on the football field.

The former striker’s legacy would live on through one of two sons; Clyde ‘Oiler’ Watson, who was also a forward with a distinguished career representing Guyana.

Thorne - most persons would popularly remember him as, ‘PT Stewart’ - was a starter on Guyana’s senior National team that played the first World Cup game at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground in 1976.

As a member of Pele FC during the club’s golden era, Thorne’s input to the team and football in Guyana was unmatched.

30

Permaul cameo rallies Jaguars to 298 for eight

Veerasammy Permaul ... struck a cameo 75

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Veerasammy Permaul’s gallant unbeaten half-century rallied Guyana Jaguars and helped them overcome a late order slump, on the opening day of their fifth round clash against Jamaica Franchise here yesterday.

The tail-ender, bet-

ter known for his lethal left-arm spin, smashed an unbeaten 75 from 99 deliveries as WICB Professional Cricket League leaders Jaguars finished the day at Sabina Park on 298 for eight.

Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble chipped in with 47, Test batsman and captain Leon

WICB Professional Cricket League GUYANA 1st Innings S Hetmyer c wkp Baugh b Bernard 22 V SIngh c Brown b Dawes 6 *L Johnson c Mindley b Jacobs 41 R Reifer c Campbell b Jacobs 29 S Chanderpaul b Brown 29 C Barnwell c Jacobs b Brown 9 +A Bramble b Brown 47 V Permaul not out 75 D Bishoo c wkp Baugh b Dawes 18 R Beaton not out 0 Extras (b4, lb10, w2, nb6) 22 TOTAL (8 wkts, 88.1 overs) 298 To bat: K Joseph.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-35, 3-98, 4-126, 5-140, 6-175, 7-213, 8-297.

Bowling: Mindley 13.1-3-51-0, Dawes 14-7-15-2, Bernard 14-350-0, Jacobs 21-6-64-2, Brown 226-70-3, Campbell 2-0-24-0, Lambert 2-0-10-0.

Jamaica Franchise – T Lambert (captain), J Campbell, H Miller, J Blackwood, D Bernard Jr, C Baugh Jr, O Brown, D Jacobs, M Mindley, J Dawes.

WINDWARDS 1st Innings D Smith c wkp Katwaroo b Gabriel 16 T Theophile b Gabriel 136 J Charles b Gabriel 0 A Ambris C Ottley b Imran Khan 18 +A Fletcher lbw b Richards 3 K Lesporis lbw b Imran Khan 83 *L Sebastien lbw b Jason Mohammed 56 S Shillingford c Solozano

b Imran Khan 7 M Matthew not out 34 K Peters not out 27 Extras (lb3, w2, nb3) 8 TOTAL (8 wkts, 90 overs) 388 To bat: D Johnson.

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-43, 3-73, 4-102, 5-221, 6-282, 7-298, 8-340.

Bowling: Gabriel 13-0-96-3, Richards 9-3-43-1, St Clair 6-0-340, Imran Khan 27-3-90-3, Ottley 8-031-0, Cariah 12-0-48-0, Mohammed 15-3-43-1.

BARBADOS 1st Innings *K Brathwaite c O Peters b S Peters 72 K Corbin c Hodge b Tonge 26 K Edwards b O Peters 5 S Hope c Thomas b Cornwall 12 R Chase not out 28 +S Dowrich not out 27 Extras (lb5, w4, nb3) 12 TOTAL (4 wkts, 90 overs) 182 To bat: C Brathwaite, A Nurse, T Best, M Cummins, J Warrican.

Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-84, 3-118, 4-128.

Bowling: Tonge 19-10-32-1, O Peters 16-5-40-1, Boatswain 16-424-0, S Peters 15-10-11-1, Walsh 6-0-23-0, Cornwall 18-2-47-1.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes– D Thomas (captain), A Richards, S. Peters, M Hodge, R Cornwall, O. Peters, J Hamilton, A Saunders, G Tonge, H Walsh Jr, Q Boatswain.

Johnson scored 41 while Shiv Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer both hit 29 and opener Shimron Hetmyer, 22.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown was the chief wicket-taker with three for 70 while fast bowler Jason Dawes (2-15) and leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (2-64) picked up two wickets apiece.

Jaguars were slumping at 175 for six when Permaul arrived to anchor two partnerships with his fine cameo.

He counted nine fours and two sixes, and added 38 for the seventh wicket with Bramble and then 84 for the eighth wicket with Devendra Bishoo who scored 18.

Sent in, Guyana were in trouble at 35 for two when they lost opener Vishaul Singh (6) and Hetmyer cheaply.

Johnson then put on 63 for the third wicket with Reifer who faced 52 balls and struck five fours and a six before edging Jacobs to John Campbell at slip on the stroke of lunch at 98 for three.

Johnson faced 98 balls in 163 minutes at the crease and hit six fours but Jamaica made key strikes at critical points as Guyana lost four wickets for 77 runs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Brathwaite leads slow Barbados effort BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite missed out on his 11th first class hundred as Barbados made slow progress on a rain-hit opening day of their fifth round WICB P ro f e s s i o n a l C r i c k e t League match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

At the close at Kensington Oval, the hosts were 182 for four, a total largely built on the disciplined Brathwaite’s top score of 72.

The right-hander faced 232 balls in 4-3/4 hours at the crease, and counted six fours.

He anchored two significant partnerships to give the innings impetus, posting 57 for the first wicket with Kyle Corbin who scored 26 and a further 34 for the third wicket with Shai Hope who got 12.

When Brathwaite was dismissed in the final session, Roston Chase and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich came together to add 54 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand.

Sent in, Brathwaite and Chase posted 49 for the opening stand, before rain forced an early lunch after it intervened 18 minutes before the scheduled break.

Corbin perished following the interval, caught at forward square-leg by Montcin Hodge off fast bowler Gavin Tonge, but rain again halted play half-hour after lunch.

Once play resumed, Barbados suffered another setback when Kirk Edwards was bowled off the inside

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday February 07, 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) Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq (4669 runs) (2) Australia’s Steve Waugh (195 wickets) Today’s Quiz: (1)Which two nations will be hosting the ICC 2015 World Cup? (2) How many nations will be participating in the ICC 2015 World Cup? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Kraigg Brathwaite ... top scored with 72 for Barbados Pride.

Hope was taken at slip by edge for five with the score captain Devon Thomas driving at off-spinner Rahkeem on 84 for two.

Brathwaite completed Cornwall and Brathwaite’s his half-century off 135 vigil came to end when he balls, in a shade under edged seame Sherwin Peters three hours with five fours, to Orlando Peters at first slip.

Stumbling at 128 for as the hosts reached 107 four, Barbados were then for two at tea.

Afterward, Barbados lost bailed out by Chase and two wickets fell for ten runs Dowrich, who saw them to in the space of 43 balls, to the safety of the close with suffer a small slump. First, two handy innings.

Theophile century extends Red Force misery GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – Tyrone Theophile struck his maiden first class hundred to extend Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s misery in the WICB Professional Cricket League here yesterday.

The right-hander carved out an attractive 136 which propelled Windward Islands Volcanoes to 388 for eight at the close on the opening day of the fifth round contest, and kept the visitors under the cosh at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Theophile faced 149 balls in just under 3-1/4 hours at the crease and struck 16 fours and four sixes, in an accomplished innings.

Keddy Lesporis came within sight of maiden regional hundred before falling for 83 while captain Liam Sebastien got 56.

Mervin Mathew, with an unbeaten 37 and Kenroy Peters, not out on 27, further frustrated Red Force at the end with an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 48.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan

was the best bowler with three for 90 and got support from pacer Shannon Gabriel with three for 96.

Opting to bat first, the Windwards got a 43-run stand for the first wicket from Theophile and Devon Smith (16) before losing two quick wickets.

Smith was caught at the wicket off Gabriel who then removed Johnson Charles, bowled without scoring off the first ball he faced.

Theophile then posted 30 for the third wicket with Sunil Ambris (18) and 28 for the fourth wicket with Andre Fletcher (3) before inspiring two superb stands to take Red Force out of the game.

He put on 120 for the fifth wicket with Lesporis who hammered nine fours and a six off a mere 89 balls, before added a further 61 with Sebastien whose knock required 86 balls, 108 minutes and contained seven fours.

Red Force lies one from bottom in the six-team standings.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 7, 2015

Guinness Greatest of the Streets ‘West Side’ Edition final

Showstoppers versus West Side Ballers

By Rawle Toney WHO will be made of more? This catchy phrase for the Guinness Greatest of the Streets football tournament and one which will be answered tonight, when Pouderoyen Showstoppers and West Side Ballers collide in the final of the ‘West Side’ Edition of the nationwide event.

Both sides will represent the ‘West Side’ in the National Championships later on in the year, with an opportunity to also represent Guyana against their regional counterparts, but, there can only be one winner tonight who will pocket the tournament’s $300 000 first place prize.

Showstoppers cemented themselves as clear favourites to win the lucrative tournament, dazzling and entertaining the throng of supporters during their comfortable 3-0 semifinals win over Patentia Street Ballers, while West Side Ballers depended on penalty kicks to oust Raiders, winning 2-1 after a 1-1 regulation and extra time score.

The Pouderoyen Tarmac is expected to be filled to capacity tonight and of course, Dexroy Adams along with Marvin Josiah will not want to disappoint on their home turf.

The duo combined to lead a relentless war on Patentia in their semifinal and it will be interesting to see how Anthony Harding and West Side Ballers defend against the

Dharry back in the ring this month ELTON Felix Dharry is scheduled to return to the ring within the next two weeks for his first fight since being crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter Continental bantamweight champion.

Renowned boxing website Boxrec.com has Dharry down to compete on February 20 at the Upsky Long Island Hotel in New York. The name of his opponent is yet to be announced.

Dharry secured the Intercontinental

title in December after pounding out a unanimous decision victory over Jose Rios of Nicaragua. The fight was held in St Maarten.

The win improved Dharry’s record to 17 victories against five losses and one drawn fight and puts him in line to pick up a world rating.

He has a 14-fight winning streak and has not lost in five years. His last defeat came in September 2009 when he was edged in a four-rounder by Isander Beauchamp.

West Side Ballers star player Anthony Harding is seen in action during his team’s semifinal against Raiders last week. attacking team.

No defence has shown the ability to contain Adams and Josiah and though Showstoppers are by no means a two-man show, their roles and how well they play tonight will be pivotal in the Pouderoyen team winning the tournament.

West Side Ballers consists of little known characters, with Harding, a former prominent senior national player, being tasked to carry the load of the team both offensively and defensively.

However, like everything else in sports,

regardless of how well a team played prior to the final, it’s always the team who show more grit and determination, as well as the will to win that will certainly be the victorious ones tonight.

In the third-place playoff, Patentia Street Ballers and Raiders will collide where the winners go home with $100 000 and the losers $75 000.

There will also be four exhibition matches with the feature encounter being Tiger Bay (2014 National champions) versus West Side All Stars.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Permaul cameo rallies Jaguars to 298 for eight See story on page 30

Atwell inks contract to take on Jamaican power puncher Mullings

By Michael DaSilva GUYANA’S Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell yesterday put his signature to the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) contract to fight Jamaica’s hard-hitting Sakima Mullings on February 21 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The 12-round fight between Atwell and Mullings is the feature bout on the GBBC’s fivefight card and will have at stake the World Boxing Council’s CABOFE Junior Welterweight title.

Also signing their contracts yesterday were; Travis Fraser, Keeve Allicock, Quincy Gomes, Edmond DeClou, Derick Richmond, Mark Austin and Dexter Gonsalves.

Austin and Gonsalves will square off in an eightround junior welterweight contest, while DeClou and Richmond are down

to contest an eight-round middleweight bout.

Allicock and Gomes will battle over four rounds in a lightweight contest and Travis Fraser will make his debut in professional boxing when he comes up against another debutant in Barbadosbased Guyanese Charwin Estwick over four rounds.

Speaking at yesterday’s contractsinging, Atwell, who took the fight on short notice after the original contender for the title, Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis was ruled unfit due to a shoulder injury sustained while preparing for the fight, said he respects Mullings and knows that he (Mullings) is a heavy puncher, but he (Atwell) is well prepared and raring to get into the ring with his Jamaican Guyana Boxing Board of Control president Peter Abdool (fourth right) addresses the media and fighters of the February 21 counterpart. boxing card yesterday. (Photo by Adrian Narine) Turn to page 26

Cameron still hoping for JCA support Dave Cameron

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Embattled West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron remains hopeful he can still garner the support of his home territory, when he bids for a second term in office at the Annual General Meeting

next month.

Media reports earlier this week said the Jamaica Cricket Association had met Tuesday and decided to throw their support behind Barbados Cricket Association boss, legendary West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner.

“I am not too perturbed

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by the developments, which took place on Tuesday,” the Jamaica Gleaner quoted Cameron as saying.

“It is not the country, by and large, who are not supporting me. It is the desire of some of the board of directors.

Turn to page 26 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015