2015 3 09

GUYANA

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BABU JOHN 2015 MEMORIAL SERVICE HEARS...

Rude awakening Come stand with awaits AFC come us on MAY 11 – Granger is danger Nomination Day Page

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Jagans' Memorial Service pulls record crowd at Babu John (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Jagdeo baptises Ambassador Harper against vile Opposition attacks Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Jagdeo baptises Ambassador Harper

against vile Opposition attacks

...as Babu John honours PM Hinds as descent man of integrity

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper

By Gary Eleazar ELISABETH Ann Harper, the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), made her public inauguration yesterday as she was welcomed by the thousands who had gathered at the Babu John memorial site in honour of the late Jagans.

Taking to the podium for the first time in that capacity, the ever humble Harper firstly acknowledged the recognition of the people who have expressed support for her as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the party and pledged her energies toward the continued development of Guyana, since she believes in the nation and service to it.

PASSING THE BATON Passing the ceremonial baton to Harper, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds used the opportunity to thank supporters who over the years affirmed him as the PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate.

Hinds in delivering his final presentation to the Jagan memorial ceremony as the party’s Prime Minister, vowed to always be around to continue to challenge party supporters to continue to champion the legacy of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

“You won’t see the end of me,” promised Hinds who added that he will always be there to challenge those who have strayed from the ideals established by the late Dr Jagan.

It is, however, not a low point in Prime Minister Hinds’ career, as he relayed to those gathered at Babu John in Berbice that despite the fact it is his last presentation to that gathering, he does believe that during his tenure “I have achieved quite a bit.”

This sentiment earned him a resounding applause from the large crowd of supporters, seemingly out of appreciation and agreement.

Commending Harper to PPP/C supporters as their Prime Ministerial Candidate, Hinds attested that she is a person who has earned the reputation as someone who has worked diligently in the interest of the nation.

This, he noted, is pronounced particularly while assigned to foreign duties and as such he had no hesitation believing that Harper will work in the best interest of Guyana, when it comes to its dealings with the international community.

JAGDEO’S APPRECIATION Appreciation for the Prime Minister, was not limited to the crowd of supporters, however, as former President Bharrat Jagdeo, also issued a public note of gratitude to Hinds, on behalf of himself, the party and supporters.

Hinds is the longest serving Prime Minister in this hemisphere, having served in the post for some 22 years and would have spent the majority of that time (1999 to 2011) working along with Jagdeo.

Former President, Bharrat Jadeo, (at podium) extends heartfelt gratitude to PM Samuel Hinds, for his years of dedicated service to the PPP/C Administration

Former President Jagdeo who also was treated to a resounding welcome at the Babu John memorial site, in expressing appreciation to Hinds for his service over the years, firstly welcomed Harper before telling supporters “may I on your behalf, on behalf of the PPP family gathered here today, say a special thank you to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.”

The sentiment expressed by former President Jagdeo, immediately sent the decibel levels in the crowd skyrocketing with an extended round of applause, a clear appreciation for the service rendered by Hinds to the party over the more than two decades of his service.

“Prime Minister thank you for the struggle that you have shouldered jointly with us…Thank you for your decency, integrity and hard work,” Jagdeo added.

“Thank you for being strong in the face of the most vile and pernicious attacks that the opposition waged against you…You withstood those attacks with dignity and it was largely because of who you are,” the former President declared publicly.

FAITH IN JAGAN’S DREAM According to Jagdeo, Prime Minister Hinds never lost faith with the administration and the path it chose to take the country forward.

“You never lost faith in Cheddi Jagan’s dream and today we are not losing faith in Cheddi Jagan’s dream, we are going forward to building a country that we are all going to be proud of,” declared Jagdeo in another declaration that earned him a resounding applause.

According to Jagdeo, the Prime Minister will one day be able to look back at his tenure and know that he played a part in achieving the dream that the party is working towards building.

Welcoming Harper to the fray as the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Jagdeo said, “We are happy to have you on board…We know of your capacity for hard work, your patriotism, your love for the country.”

BE ON GUARD Jagdeo in advising Harper, however, cautioned that the attacks have already started. He told Harper she must be on guard against

the vile attacks that would be coming as the political campaign heats up.

According to Jagdeo, a seasoned elections campaigner, “ignore them; let your dignity and strong character shine through like our Prime Minister (Hinds).”

The former president was adamant that despite what the naysayers may publicise about the party and its membership, “they can’t change who we are, they can’t change what we have accomplished.”

‘I BELIEVE IN GUYANA’ Coinciding with her first public presentation as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the PPP/C, Harper used the occasion of International Women’s Day to salute the contributions the female sex has made towards the building of families, communities and the nation as a whole.

Turning her attention to the imminent General and Regional Elections come May 11, Harper who is the first woman candidate to be fielded in the position of Prime Minister for the PPP/C, told the thousands gathered, “it is an honour for

me to be standing here in the capacity of Prime Ministerial candidate for the PPP/C, I believe in Guyana, I believe in service to Guyana.”

Harper, gave the wholehearted commitment to the thousands gathered that “if given the opportunity, I could work with President Ramotar in the next majority government to contribute to increasing the potential of this great nation that we live in.”

Attracting positive responses from the large crowd with each of her brief annotations, Harper also used the opportunity to commend the young people who turned out and had been mobilised by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

According to Harper, “I believe indeed that you are our future and I want to encourage all of you, everyone to put Guyana first, let us put Guyana first as we work together to build this beautiful land of ours.”

Wrapping up her maiden presentation as the PPP/ C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Harper “pledged to dedicate my energies towards building Guyana into a more prosperous nation.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

BABU JOHN MEMORIAL SERVICE HEARS...

Come stand with us on MAY 11 –‘We cannot make any mistakes this time’ – Ramotar

By Vanessa Narine “IN the name of Cheddi Jagan and in the name of the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), I ask you to stand with me on May 11 as we go forward to win this election.”

That one line from President Donald Ramotar at yesterday’s memorial to mark the 18th death anniversary of Dr Cheddi Jagan, founder of the incumbent Party and former president, characterised the spirit of the event; captured the fact that Dr Jagan’s legacy is still very much alive, and informs the advances being made by the Party he founded. And, with elections in the air, a PPP win at the polls on May 11 will ensure that his vision is fulfilled.

The man widely hailed as ‘Father of the Nation’ died on March 6, 1997 after a brief period of illness.

Mr Ramotar stressed that in line with Dr Jagan’s vision for Guyana, much has been accomplished, and more is still to be done, given that progress is a continuous undertaking.

“Much is at stake at these elections,” he told what is the largest turnout in recent years at Dr Jagan’s memorial, held at Babu John, Port Mourant, Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), an annual event that celebrates

the life and struggles of Dr. Jagan.

The programmes, policies and legislative moves advanced by the PPP, according to him, reflects the path that Dr Jagan would have walked, were he alive.

“Cheddi Jagan had to fight,” he said, outlining his Administration’s successes – fruits of struggle - in particular as it relates to its social programme – education, healthcare, housing and other advances.

Mr Ramotar said, “I want to warn you that we cannot make any mistakes this time, our country has gone through

‘Blocking Government’s developmental thrust via the power of a one-seat majority in Parliament was all the APNU-AFC Alliance accomplished’ --President Donald Ramotar too much, now is the time that we have to continue to build and make our country more progressive, modern and prosperous.”

POWER FOR SAKE OF POWER He decried the ‘power for sake of power’ mentality displayed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

Part of the large PYO contingent

and the Alliance For Change (AFC), now coalesced into an alliance, which will contest the upcoming May 11 General and Regional elections as a unit.

The President stated that his November 10, 2014, prorogation of Parliament was to promote dialogue, in the interest of the Guyanese people.

He acknowledged that if he wanted he could have prorogued Parliament repeatedly and ensure that his Administration remain in office until elections were constitutionally due, in late 2016-early 2017.

Instead, Mr Ramotar said that since the primary objective of prorogation had failed, a return to the polls was the next best decision.

“I do not want to be President of a country where development is not happening,” he said, stating that seeing one development project after another shot down was nothing less than frustrating.

BLOCKING DEVELOPMENT Blocking Government’s developmental thrust via the power of a one-seat majority in Parliament was all the APNU-AFC Alliance accomplished, Mr Ramotar said.

He added that “not one day” was the one-seat Parliamentary majority used by APNU-AFC to call for more

President Donald Ramotar, rallying supporters at the Babu John Memorial Service yesterday

roads, schools or hospitals.

Regardless, Mr Ramotar was emphatic in making clear that, challenges aside, his Government has advanced progress to benefit the Guyanese people and will continue to do so, once given the mandate by the electorate.

The President said, “The PPP does not want power for the sake of power…elections is a means to an end; the end being improved quality of life for the Guyanese people.

That is what our struggle is for.”

The date for elections was set at the end of the constitutional six-month limit for any prorogation of Parliament, which was done in the

face of the AFC-sponsored no-confidence motion against the Government.

SPINS WON’T CHANGE FACTS The President added that “spins” will not change what the facts are, what Guyana’s history is, and the achievements of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) cannot be “wished” away.

Moving forward, Mr Ramotar underscored the fact that Dr Jagan’s speeches, writings and public pronouncements always spoke to what is possible for Guyana – a visionary outlook that his Party maintains.

On that note, he gave something of an insight into the makings of the PPP/C manifesto, ahead of its public launch.

Among the projects he cited are: a deep water harbour in the Berbice River to boost trade and investment; additional jobs bolstered by developmental projects; new infrastructure, the Linden-Lethem road; a diversified agriculture sector that will see, among other things, a booming coconut industry; a modern international airport; reduced crime; greater emphasis on educational initiatives; and developments in the mining sector; among others.

Mr Ramotar also assured that the widely touted Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will see construction started before the end of 2015, once the PPP/C is reelected with a majority in Parliament.

“We have to put our-

‘I want to warn you that we cannot make any mistakes this time; our country has gone through too much; now is the time that we have to continue to build and make our country more progressive, modern and prosperous’ -- President Donald Ramotar selves in a position of readiness,” the President said.

This position will allow Guyana to capitalise on the numerous possibilities in the future, including the possibility of the country becoming a producer of oil and gas, given that the Exxon Mobile Deep Water Rig is in the country to drill an exploratory well.

Mr Ramotar was confident that all of this is possible for Guyana and, by extension, progress for the Guyanese people.

He noted that Dr Jagan’s passing was a sad day for all those who recognised his value to Guyana and recognised his vision for the nation’s development.

RECOMMITTING TO DR JAGAN’S IDEALS “Jimmy Carter said Cheddi Jagan was the greatest asset Guyana had,” Mr Ramotar recalled, recommitting the PPP/C to the ideals and vision of their founder.

Almost two decades since his passing, Dr Jagan’s visionary outlook and extensive legacy is still praised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Mocha man fatally shot in face by bandits during home invasion forced his way into the house from the very window.

Once inside, the man then opened the door to allow his accomplice entry to the house. The home invaders then demanded money and gold from Giles and his reputed wife, Gillian Ollivierre.

Ollivierre works in the interior as a cook, and only recently returned from the mining area, but was at home most of the time. Giles, on the other hand, is in the business of block making, and the two also operate a small shop just next door to the block-making facility. However, that shop has not being in operation for some time now.

The dead man’s sister,

By Leroy Smith THIRTY-four-year-old Jermaine Giles of Lot 4 Barnwell, North Mocha, East Bank Demerara was shot to the face early yesterday morning, and later died following a home invasion by bandits.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the man and his reputed wife were in their bed in the one-bedroom shack when they heard a strange noise at the back door as if someone was trying to gain entry to the house.

Giles then jumped up from his bed and opened a window to investigate, and was immediately shot to the face by a gunman who then

that her brother was shot.

Emptage was not familiar with the extent of the man’s injuries until she reached the Diamond Hospital where Giles was taken before being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. She related that during the period leading up to his death, which occurred at approximately 03.00 hrs on Sunday morning, her brother was unconscious.

Meanwhile, one of Ollivierre’s daughters said when her mother travels out of the interior she does not come with cash or gold, since her employers would usually pay

The house in which Giles lived and was shot Doreen Emptage, told this asking her if she heard what publication that she was at had happened. The woman home when she received a said she responded in the call from another sibling negative, and was then told

The facility where Giles and his reputed wife operated the shop and block making businesses (Photos by Leroy Smith)

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her by cheque. The young lady said that the family was not really aware that her mother had travelled out from the interior and was in Mocha until Saturday when she spoke with her, and the woman promised to visit their Plaisance home sometime yesterday. When she received the call about the incident from her mother early yesterday, she said she was shocked.

A neighbour who lives one house away from where the incident took place said that he was not aware that Jermaine and his reputed wife’s home was being invaded, or that anyone was shot until the woman came banging on her door, in tears, asking her to “come and see what they did to Jermaine.”

The woman said when she went over to the house, she noticed the man sitting on the floor, bleeding from some part of the face while his head was leaning back on the bed.

The neighbour told the Guyana Chronicle that the area does not receive electricity from the Guyana Power and Light, and so it was hard for them to really see what was going on, since families in that part of Mocha use lamps.

Gillian reportedly told investigators that she could not recognise the men who invaded the house; one was masked, while the other was unmasked. She, however, was able to give the police descriptions of the men, based on their build.

Many in the community feel the attack was carried out by persons in the area, since at least one of the men was wearing a mask. In addition, the incident took place in a virtual backdam area that required one to wade through slush and thick grass.

The police are continuing their investigations into the matter. Giles reportedly had no children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

At enthusiastic fundraiser…

Public socialises with PPP leaders

THE atmosphere at the Everest Ground on Saturday was undeniably charged with enthusiasm as members of the public took advantage of the light moment that was a fundraiser, a barbeque organised by the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Pulsating tunes, including popular Eddie Grant hits, saw members of the public rocking away – adults relaxed, children playing ‘catcher’ and even an occasional game of football.

Other children preferred being off the ground and on the trampolines, while others tried their aim with darts at balloons in exchange for a prized teddy bear or another stuffed animal.

The family-styled event saw groups of as many as 10 gathered around tables set up on the ground, occasionally making their way to a commodity stand for an interesting piece of costume jewellery or some other keepsake.

Incumbent Head of State and PPP/C’s presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar, during a walkabout made stops at several of these tables, meeting with members

of the public who supported the event.

PARTY OF THE PEOPLE When the Guyana Chronicle caught up with him, he stressed that the PPP/C has always been a Party of the people, as evidenced by the interactions among patrons and party leaders and members.

“The turnout to our event is good, and it reflects the support we have from the Guyanese people. The people are here and they have an opportunity to fraternize and

socialise with the leaders of the PPP,” Mr Ramotar said.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee also spoke to the Guyana Chronicle and explained that the fundraiser is one of many such events planned, both locally and abroad, in the lead up to the May 11 General and Regional elections.

“This is one of the ways we raise funds for the election campaign. We are happy about the turnout and the show of support and it is also a chance for members of the public to socialise with our

Incumbent Head of State and the PPP/C’s Presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar, interacting with members of the public at Saturday’s affair ments with members of the members and serving GovParty leaders and members,” he said.

PPP/C Prime Ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, was also seen at the event sharing laughs and light mo-

ALL SMILES: PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, shares a light moment with members of the public at the Party’s fundraiser (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Singer Charmayne Maxwell dies GUYANA-born singer Charmayne ‘Maxee’ Maxwell, formerly of 1990s Rhythm and Blues group, ‘Brownstone’, died just recently. She was 46.

Maxwell was reportedly at a football match in Los Angeles Saturday last when she fell. Her death has been ruled an accident. Maxwell was married to Danish music producer, Carsten Soulshock.

She is also survived by son, Nicolaj.

She moved to Los Angeles from Guyana while still a teenager, and was an original member of ‘Brownstone’, which was formed in the early 1990s. The other original members are Monica ‘Mimi’ Doby and Nichole ‘Nicci’ Gilbert.

The group was signed to Michael Jackson’s MJJ Music label which released its debut album, ‘From the Bottom Up’. It contained the hit single, ‘If You Love Me’ (which peaked at Number Eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994); Grapevyne (Number Six, Billboard R&B Hip Hop

album, ‘Still Climbing’ was released in 1997 and featured the R&B hits, ‘Kiss and Tell’ and ‘5 Miles to Empty’.

After leaving ‘Brownstone’, Maxwell found fame in Europe as a solo artiste.

While based in London, she recorded the dance hit, ‘When I Look Into Your Eyes’.

While with ‘Brownstone’, she won a Billboard Music Award, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995 for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance — Duo or Group for ‘If You Love Me’.

The deceased Charmayne Maxwell singles chart); and a remake of The Eagles’ ‘I Can’t Tell You Why’, which peaked at

Number 22 on the Billboard R&B Hip Hop Singles chart.

The group’s follow-up

public at the Party’s fundraiser.

Outgoing Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, was also there making his rounds, in addition to other Party

ernment Ministers.

Patrons were visibly delighted at the opportunity to share in the fun and frolic at the PPP/C fundraiser.

(Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

EDITORIAL Whither this undending litany of lies ANYONE who has been the victim of lies fabricated to destroy his/her credibility, for whatever purpose, knows how painful and destructive to the soul every instance of such experiences can be. And there are still persons with old-world morality who refuse to become embroiled in ugly confrontations with protagonists who engineer situations designed to destroy the credibility and character of those who have greater visions and whose energies and resources are directed to more productive endeavours.

While there is hardly any human in

the world who has not told an untruth at some time or the other, even if it is to protect himself or others, there are those who concoct fabrications with such utter cleverness , not for any great or grand purpose, but for destructive ones. Rumour-mongers are prime examples of those who are titillated by fabricating and spreading destructive tales, or who compromise with the truth to such an extent that it becomes a greater reality than the truth.

It is inconceivable and unconscionable the lengths some would go to destabilise the efforts and endeavours

Now is the time

THE CONTRIVED spectacle witnessed at the launch of the APNU-AFC coalition at the Guyana Pegasus on March 4 would have left many Guyanese scratching their heads, or shaking them in shocked disbelief on reading some of the bold assertions of the coalition leaders.

Presidential Candidate David Granger spoke of taking the “...boldest step in six decades”; of the replacement of political hostility with unity; of replacing confrontation with cooperation; and replacing dictatorship with democracy.

Was this the same Granger who, as head of the Combined Opposition in the 10th Parliament, led the charge to block legislation and funding which would have allowed for the realisation of the unity, cooperation and the “democracy” which he now so glibly speaks of?

Was there not ample opportunity to avoid the funding cuts for the the University of Guyana Scholarship Fund; the Amerindian Development Fund; Interior Aerodromes; and the CJIA Expansion Project to name a few projects, and in so doing exemplify the unity of national purpose, and to so dispel the issues of animosity in our political life?. Isn’t it true that the incessant virulent attacks, in and out of parliament, by the Opposition and certain sections of the national media have had a retarding effect on critical national projects?

A critical example being the Amaila Falls Hydro-electric Project which is so vital to reducing energy costs at the domestic, commercial and industrial levels thereby encouraging both domestic and overseas investment, and expanding employment and the economy?

So we now have presented to us an APNU-AFC coalition of opposition parties who

were pivotal in the abject failure of the 10th Parliament dangling the suggestion to the nation that they are entirely blameless, and are squeaky clean, without any shadows arising out of their recent parliamentary sojourn.

And the unkindest cut of all, claims of “dictatorship”. And this from the mouth of a former top commander once serving in an Army which swore fealty to the PNC, then in power. The same PNC - which he now leads, from a time when each and every Guyanese was a criminal for the possession of wheaten flour, split peas or channa!

Is this the same Granger, whose continued refusal to appear before the Rodney Commission of Inquiry, and his weak efforts at distancing the PNC regime from any involvement in the murder identifies the studied recalcitrance of that organisation at this effort at truth and reconciliation in Guyana?

The remarks of life under a re-elected PPP becoming “nasty and brutish”, after all the above can only be taken as a gratuitous threat, and an insult. One may well ask: What has been APNU’s contribution to the state of affairs in Georgetown, where one of the leading personalities has been Lord Mayor for the better part of two decades???

And… YES FOLKS! There was that public recognition and congratulation of Mr. Granger for the APNU-AFC cooperation in ensuring the non-passage of the anti-money laundering and the countering of the financing of terrorism (AML/CFATF) legislation in the National Assembly, an act which has brought Guyana regional and international ignominy, but which has, perhaps, put the new coalition now fully on the defensive in attempting to refute charges of facilitating money laundering, drug dealing, and terrorism.

GUYANA

of others. A case in point is the unending litany of fabrications by the Opposition elements, including a hostile and prejudiced media, whose animosity for Guyana’s former president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, knows no bounds, and whose envy of a man who strides tall in the national and global arena has clearly been the causative factor for their loss of logicality and reason, to the extent that they are prepared to destroy every national developmental initiative that he has conceptualised, driven, and/or implemented.

The Pegasus launch of the APNU-AFC coalition, given the main actors assembled and subliminal negative messages it portends, when seen against a backdrop of an ever improving economy and life in Guyana can only be seen as the launch of a “Trojan Horse” for a return of PNC rule.

Over nearly 23 years of government, the PPP/C has managed to bring Guyana from dire straits of existence to one of expanding progress and prosperity. The miracle that is unfolding all over Guyana is as a result of the hard work in all areas of national endeavour of the Guyanese people, facilitated by the sound, patient leadership of the PPP/C. Guyana’s present nine years of year-onyear growth is unprecedented in its post-colonial history, and our pride of place as an export economy, assuring national and CARICOM food security has been re-established.

A diversified economy has allowed us to ride out the shocks of the world financial crisis since 2008, and an increasingly better educated, confident and assertive people are fulfilling vital roles at all levels at home and abroad. And now more than ever, the Guyanese people, in stark contrast to the National Assembly, have achieved peace, progress, more well-being, and ever increasing prosperity as a result of cooperation in accomplishing national tasks.

The results in record production in agriculture and mining, improvements in health and education, remarkable increases in first-time home and car ownership, expanded energy and physical infrastructure, and ever improving employment are not simply palpable, but could be seen, felt, used and experienced all over Guyana!

Challenges certainly remain, but these are not unusual for developing countries coming out from an inherited situation of crippling debt, capital flight, near starvation and negative population growth, all inclusive

But politicians should hold themselves above the fray, because they aspire to be leaders of an entire nation, not just their constituency; and this unending litany of lies and contortions of the facts to suit vested interests should stop.

Acting with maturity and putting the nation first should be their first priority; not spiteful character assassination and vindictive rumour-mongering. Because lies boomerang, and the beam that is lodged in the eyes end up blinding those who refuse to acknowledge truths.

of politically inspired strikes, arson, domestic terrorism, and political crises and assassination. What has been unusual are the now well documented attempts at real economic sabotage rising from the Opposition benches in the ill-fated 10th Parliament prompting its prorogation.

The relative peace and stability we have achieved is a tribute to the good sense of our people, and the maturity of the PPP/C leadership in government over these 22-plus years.

The new platform has been proposed, which aims at further unlocking the creative energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness of women and youth by widening opportunities and facilitating the widening of their ambition and horizons for accelerating their development and Guyana’s progress.

But what is on offer from the newly re-minted Opposition as a coalition? We have promises of jail for ministers, administrators and their staff; vows to dismantle vital infrastructural and investment initiatives; a scaring away of investors in vital natural resource sectors; and an attempt to engender fear, hopelessness, and a loss of will in a people who are now really thriving.

Now is the time to comprehensively reject the oversized egos, desperate adventurers, and irrational opportunistic policies being cobbled together by the APNU/AFC coalition, which has had its precedent in the failed PNC/UF coalition of 1964 and the subsequent tragedy of PNC misrule. Now is the time to ensure steady, sound growth and progress, and sustainable development for Guyana and all its people by re-electing at the upcoming May 11th National Elections, the solid performers of the PPP/C with a clear mandate to continue to govern in the best interest, both individually and collectively, of all the Guyanese people!

ROBESON BENN Minister of Public Works

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Let’s not fall for the fake promises I WANT to congratulate the PPP/C on the launching of its 2015 elections campaign. I’m sure that as the political parties contesting the elections begin their countrywide campaign, the Guyanese people will have the opportunity to hear and see for themselves which party is best suitable to run the affairs of the country in the best interest of all Guyanese.

There will be a smear campaign by the Opposition coalition, the camouflage APNU+AFC, to buy votes as to gain power. The coalition’s empty promises that they bring to the campaign is noth-

ing new to the people, and has no bases.

Condemning the massive progress made by the PPP/C Government, and not being able show to the Guyanese people how they intend to deliver on their promises is like giving them basket to fetch water.

Well, the Guyanese people went down that road before under the PNC. Guyanese have suffered decades of injustice under the same PNC regime which is now trying to paint its face a different colour, but the distinguishing marks are still visible on all of them.

David Granger needs to come clean with the Guyanese people; Guyana needs

NDCs given millions of dollars in assets under Clean-Up My Country Programme THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has commenced its distribution of several tractors and trailers and household garbage receptacles which were procured under the Clean-Up My Country Programme to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), a press release stated.

So far, Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5 have received their quota of the assets. NDCs in Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) received four tractor and trailers and 100 metal bins. NDCs in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) received 12 tractor and trailers and 350 household metal garbage receptacles. Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) received eight tractor and trailers along with 375 household receptacles while Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) received 7 tractor and trailers and 250 metal receptacles.

The assets were handed by our Minister Norman Whittaker, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, at the Regional Office of each of the Regions. At each handing over ceremony, Minister Whittaker expressed similar concerns and made similar pronouncements.

Whittaker pointed out that after reviewing the 2015 estimates which were submitted to the Ministry for the regions’ work programme, he noticed that not much emphasis was placed on the sanitation and aesthetics of the environment. As a result, Whittaker recommended that “some

of the NDCs effect changes to illustrate more resources going towards maintenance of the environment.”

In addition to Minister Whittaker informed the Councils that they should “prepare a work schedule to also reflect how the tractors and trailers will be utilised.

According to Minister Whittaker, the Council of each of the Regions will be responsible for the placement of the receptacles in public spaces which will help to address the issue of persons dumping along the roadside.

Minister Whittaker expressed concerns about accountability of the assets and told the Councils “to institute a Works Committee” where “the Council has to submit a monthly financial statement to the Ministry”.

As part of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, allocations were made under the Regional aspect of the National Clean-Up Programme to procure assets, including 5 mini excavators, 45 tractors and trailers, brush cutters, metal garbage receptacles and plastic bags with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the Local Authority bodies across the ten Administrative Regions so the clean-up programme can be sustained at the regional level.

Next week, the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) is expected to receive one mini excavator along with one tractor and trailer, followed by the other regions, the release concluded.

a leader with integrity; and if Mr. Granger, at the bottom of his toes, believes that he has any of that, then he should be man enough to submit himself and testify to the Walter Rodney COI. But Mr. Granger knows that doing so will open a can of worms and derail any chances of his becoming Guyana`s next president. I don`t think anyone needs to be reminded that it was Mr. Granger who was in control of the Army when Guyanese people were deprived of free and fair elections. It was under Granger that Army weapons disappeared and ended up in the hands of PNC thugs; and it was under the same Mr. Granger`s watch that the Army was sent to seize ballot boxes and destroy them, and then produce fake boxes with

fictitious ballots all in favour of the same PNC that Mr. Granger is now the presidential candidate of.

Guyana and Guyanese have come a long way, and do not need to backpedal.

As the campaign picks up steam and the heat emanating from the PPP/C melts away the masks from the faces of APNU+AFC, the people will see that it`s the same old PNC who wants to be at the controls and take Guyana back to the old days.

Let`s not fall for the fake promises; we must preserve what we have, and remember, “A bird in hand is worth millions in the bush.”

SURESH SILAS

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

JAGDEO PREDICTS...

Rude awakening awaits AFC come Nomination Day

– says Ramotar should have kicked some ‘opposition ass’

By Gary Eleazar THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has run out of leverage in its negotiations with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and come Nominations Day, the Party is in for a rude awakening.

This is but one of the 2015 Election’s prophesies of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who for the first time since demitting office three years ago, took to a public podium yesterday and berated the Political Opposition ahead of the upcoming General Elections.

He suggested, too, that Head of State, Donald Ra-

motar, should have taken a firmer stance in his dealings with the hardline Political Opposition.

LIST LEADER Jagdeo was at the time addressing the annual memorial gathering at the Babu John cremation site of the late Party Founders, Dr Cheddi Jagan and his wife, Janet.

Taking the AFC to task over its decision to partner with APNU, which he insists is simply the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) in disguise, Jagdeo pointed out that the two, APNU+AFC, will have to submit one list, with one leader of the list.

The former president predicts that Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger will be the one selected as Leader of the List, which position determines who goes to Parliament.

According to Jagdeo, it had to be either naivete or desperation on the part of AFC to link up with APNU, after having misled those people “who believed Ramjattan and Nagamootoo really cared for them.”

The former president suggested instead that all the leading AFC members cared about was themselves. “They have secured t h e Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t a n d Prime Minister position for

McCoy labels INews account of GNYC meet ‘misleading’, ‘mischievous’ The following is a statement issued late yesterday by Press and Publicity Officer to the President, Mr Kwame McCoy regarding his participation in a meeting held Saturday by the fledgling Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC).

“The INEWS account of my participation in yesterday’s (Saturday, March 7, 2015) meeting of the controversial GNYC is obviously misleading, mischievous and designed to support the biases of certain executive members of this association against me.

“Apart from their known political affiliation to Opposition political parties, those members displayed disdain and intolerance for questions surrounding the lack of broadbased youth representation of the organisation, funding for their elections project, and overall transparency and accountability issues.

“It must be emphaised that my participation at the meeting was on the basis of being a legitimate representative of youth, as Chairman of the National Youth Parliament of Guyana (NYPG) and Executive Director of the Guyana Youth Development Association (GUYDA). At no time did I represent the interest of any political party, or had an antiyouth agenda.

“Therefore it could only be for the purpose of being mischievous that INEWS would interpret my right to seek information on the work and activities of the this controversial body, as disruptive, especially given that INEWS, in its very article, said that the meeting was for the purpose of providing information to participants.

“In its haste and anxiety to be mischievous, INEWS inaccurately attributed words of another participant to me. At no time did I accuse the Chair of the meeting of taking cues from Mark Ross; it was another participant who made this observation. Again, INEWS perpetuated its anti-Kwame agenda by refusing to report that the Georgetown Chambers representative verbally abused me as I was exiting the meeting area, pointing her hands in my face and shouting at me. There are several witnesses to this incident and there is an actual recording as well.

“There is an increasing pattern of intolerance by the Opposition and its affiliate organisations to dissenting views which results in them attacking individuals who gave maximum effect to their right to freedom of expression.

“If INEWS considers itself as having any integrity, it would retract its misleading article immediately. INEWS appears to be competing with the Kaieteur News for sensational journalism.”

themselves,” he said.

Jagdeo, in rallying his troops, said: “Let me tell you something, they are so naïve...When they choose a Leader of the list, and I suspect it’s going to be Granger... Remember, they contesting as one Party, so the Leader of the List decides who goes to Parliament.”

According to the Former President, “They (AFC) are going to be in for a rude awakening; a rude awakening.”

Jagdeo recalled that the United Force “had it in the past, and they (AFC) will get it, because they don’t have any leverage anymore.”

APNU+AFC=PNC According to Jagdeo, there will be no more AFC a f t e r N o m i n a t i o n D a y.

“There is no AFC; there is a PNC; one ticket they have to go with,” Jagdeo said as he sought to edify his party’s supporters.

The former President urged party supporters to not be fooled by the names AFC+APNU. “It’s only to fool people; there is only one list of Candidates they can put up,” he said.

He reminded that there can only be one Leader of the List. “And Granger, I predict, will be the head of that list,” he said.

In this situation, Jagdeo posits, should any member of the AFC be kicked out of Parliament then there is nothing any of them can do about it.

“They have no leverage,” said Jagdeo. “There is no AFC, there is no AFC Parliamentarian; there is nothing…It’s naivety or blind ambition that caused

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

them to even ignore sensibility,” the former president asserted.

He made it clear that all will witness this as “we warned in the past elections that this is going to happen, they are going to collaborate and people didn’t believe us and now you are seeing it happen.”

According to Jagdeo, “It’s going to get even worse for them.”

KICK-ASS Berating the Opposition notion that it preaches change, the former President questioned how this could be. “(Khemraj) Ramjattan been around for donkey years, (Moses) Nagamootoo been around, (Carl) Greenidge been around, (David) Granger been around, (Lance) Carberry been around, Oscar Clarke been around, the whole bunch…Sharma been around,” said Jagdeo.

Jagdeo stressed that the only thing that has changed is the Opposition’s name

and chronicled that in the 1992 Elections, the opposition bloc contested as the PNC, in 1997 the name changed to PNCR, in 2001 it was PNCR/1 Guyana and in 2011 it was APNU. “Now the APNU+AFC, they’ve been changing their names,” said Jagdeo who added that such a cosmetic change does not address the substance of the political Opposition.

“Change has to be a real thing,” according to Jagdeo, “not a rhetorical gaff.”

Jagdeo used his address to the gathering to also surmise that given the opposition stances, “the past three years must have been a nightmare for Ramotar.”

He noted that “every plan that the Government has put forward they have tried to stymie. It was at this stage the former president in turning to address his successor said “Donald you are a democratic man, sometimes we need to administer something else and kick some asses too.”

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Former Opposition MP speaks out on Granger as abuse suffered in party --Describes an ineffective leader

FORMER People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentarian Africo Selman is calling on Guyanese to choose wisely come May 11, 2015.

She said that persons should not be made to feel guilty because they chose to associate with a different party, but that they should vote on issues considering what the parties have to offer and their track record. She shared this opinion in an interview aired on radio on the weekend programme, ‘Hard Talk’ hosted by Christopher Chapwanya.

The hour-long programme saw Selman discussing her time as a member of the National Assembly on the Opposition bench. She claimed to have been introduced to politics by PNC stalwart Aubrey Norton while attending the University of Guyana.

She further revealed that following the 2006 elections she became a Parliamentarian, a position she retained following the 2011 elections.

However, she resigned one day before the end of the life of the tenth Parliament, citing abuses by the Opposition Chief Whip and inaction by party leaders to stop the abuse as her reasons.

She described the attitude of the leaders of the PNC in the tenth Parliament which she said was quite different from the previous Parliament. Reminded by the host that the party in parliament is the APNU, Selman explained that the APNU and the PNC

Africo Selman was in power. The attitude observed by this young Guyanese Member of Parliament caused her to caution that there is a high possibility that the alliance which was recently formed with the Alliance For Change (AFC) will fall apart as the UF/PNC did in the 1960’s as she said that members of the other parties in the APNU were routinely sidelined by senior members of the APNU. She opinioned that the AFC members may not be as passive as the members of the WPA and other parties which joined up the APNU in 2011and this may cause friction.

Recalling her time with the party, and what led to her resignation, Selman chronicled a list of incidents. She recognised that she was encountering difficulties when even though she was the shadow minister of Foreign Affairs, she was not selected to be in the shadow cabinet.

She said that she resigned because she came to realise that her views were not being considered and the abuse meted out to her by Party

The young Parliamentarian said that her abuse was ignored by all the party leaders, some of whom witnessed this second incident.

Recalling her discussion with Granger on this issue, she said that she did report to him about the incident at the Parliament Buildings and he said, ‘I had no clue that Ms Ally is abusive.’ I told him that I am not complaining because I am aware of what happens when you complain in the party. He said he will not tell her that I complained but he will know how to deal with it.

Questioned if he dealt with it, she said that if he did she is unaware but she did not think he did anything because after that talk Ally continued with the same abusive behaviour with her and other members of the partnership.

Selman is of the strong view that there is no democracy in the PNC/APNU.

MEME CHOSE She told the host, “They do not only control most of the support, as they say, but their actions should tell you that the PNC and APNU are the same. Mr Granger became the leader of the PNC and the APNU and that should tell you they are the same.”

The actions of the leaders as described by Ally is reminiscent of the PNC when it

Chief Whip Amna Ally.

Selman explained that she was unprepared to get engaged in a public fracas with Ally who has embarrassed her on many occasions in public. She cited two incidents, one at the Public Buildings when she was accosted by Ally in the presence of representatives of the media and at the wake for the late Deputy Speaker Deborah Baker when she was abused in indecent language in the presence of other PNC leaders, including Aubrey Norton.

MANAGEMENT STYLE She described Granger’s management style as ineffective as he does not allow for debate that may allow an opposing view from another

proud to go to another party, they are afraid of what people will say,” she asserted.

She stated that many people are remaining with the PNC because they are afraid of change.

Selman said that she joined the PNC in 2006 when she was approached by Aubrey Norton while studying at the University of Guyana

Stating that the members of the other parties have found it difficult to work with the PNC and she named Desmond Trotman of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) as one member on the Opposition benches who has had to bypass the Op-

position Chief Whip Amna Ally to have his questions and motions placed on the Order Paper. “He was doing it (passing it through the Chief Whip) for more than a year and his questions and motions were not appearing on the Order Paper and he was getting no response from Ally … and the records will show that,” she told the host.

She said the youths in the party are not spared from Ally’s tirade, and Renita Williams, the PNC’s MP from Region 1, was also verbally abused by Ally and was ad-

ELISABETH HARPER Reacting to the naming of Elisabeth Harper as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party, Selman said, “When I saw it I felt it was an excellent choice. I have had experience with Ms Harper while shadowing (as Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister) Foreign Affairs. I have had

‘They do not only control most of the support, as they say, but their actions should tell you that the PNC and APNU are the same. Mr Granger became the leader of the PNC and the APNU, and that should tell you they are the same’ individual, whom he considers of lower stature, to be accommodated. She said there is no debate as to what line the party should take as “a few persons, Mr (Carl) Greenidge in particular, has his way with every decision that has to be made.” She said some of the partners of

to campaign as they would return free education from nursery to university. She said that she joined the party believing that she could have made a difference. “I felt the party shared some of my ideals. I was disenchanted when the student loan came up (for vote in the 2015

‘When I saw it, I felt it was an excellent choice. I have had experience with Ms Harper while shadowing (as Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister) Foreign Affairs; I have had to call her on a number of issues, and she has always been helpful. Those are the types of leaders we want for Guyana; persons who are genuinely interested in people’s development. I think that is what she does best’

‘Persons in all the Regions have problems with Ms Ally and the Party, but they are just holding on because they need something to hold on to... or they are too proud to go to another Party; they are afraid of what people will say’ are one and the same and is seen as such by the leadership which is “the same old players from the PNC.”

vised by PNC youth leader and MP, Christopher Jones to write PNC leader David Granger on the issue but no action taken.

the APNU have also suffered the same fate as some have had to bypass the leader of the Opposition and the Opposition Chief Whip and submit questions directly to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Selman said that her resignation was written on December 20, 2014 after she was verbally abused with indecent language by Ally when she was asked to have her employer to have Congress Place (the PNC) Headquarters decorated for an event and he was late in completing the job.

She said that Ally’s behaviour towards her changed after Granger took over the PNC because her behaviour would not have been tolerated by former party leader, Robert Corbin. She said that she has heard her referring to indigenous Guyanese by derogatory names which is appalling.

“Persons in all the Regions have problems with Ms Ally and the party but they are just holding on because they need something to hold on to … or they are too

budget debate) as one of the bulk items and because the Opposition believed that it would have benefited the government with some of the allocation, benefit them for the campaign we should not support it - for me that was a no no. Were I the leader I would have supported that one because many persons are beneficiaries of the loans.

I myself benefitted from the loans and I said it to them, but they said no no! The Government will use some of this money for the campaign so we just have to cut it,” she told the host.

She said that she felt that it is important that individuals be given the opportunity within the party to express their views without it being made public but she said the attitude in the PNC/APNU was ‘this is what we decide and you have to go with it’.

Touching on the recent agreement between the AFC and the APNU, the Member of Parliament said that most members were not privy to the agreement that was reached as only a handful of PNC leaders made the decisions.

to call her on a number of issues and she has always been helpful …those are the types of leaders we want for Guyana persons who are genuinely interested in people’s development, I think that is what she does best.”

Recounting the performance of the Opposition in the tenth Parliament, Selman said that it was her opinion that as an Opposition the APNU/AFC should have been willing to look at the positives and commend them when they are seen and make recommendations for the correction of the negatives.

She said they have no holistic approach or policy - too much is left to individuals to formulate policy for the party’s approach.

SCARE TACTICS She also lambasted the two parties for what she described as scaring persons away from Guyana “when leaders are going to get up and say Guyana is pervaded by crime and insecurity… persons will not be willing to return to Guyana. If there is an environment of insecurity people will not want to come back.” Questioned if she was referring to the APNU, she said, “Yes and also the AFC.” Many persons have been highly critical and had voiced their suspicions on many of the inefficiencies and issues regarding the attitude and operation of the Opposition in the tenth parliament as raised by Selman in her interview. The most recent concern being the secret deal signed between the two parties which saw them naming people to positions, even before people are officially nominated as candidates for parties.

Their tactics of scaring away investors was also criticised

by Government.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

49 graduate from police recruit and senior courses

By Leroy Smith

THE Guyana Police Force, which continues to add to its manpower, on Saturday witnessed the passing out of 23 ranks from recruit course No. 319 and an additional 26 ranks from a senior accelerated course.

The event was held in the compound of the Felix Austin Training College, where the ranks underwent most of their training exercises. Their passing out parade was witnessed by family members and senior and junior ranks of the Force.

For the Recruit course police constable 22489 Maglorie was recognised and rewarded as the most improved student, constable 22481 Chester the runner- up best student and woman constable 22502 Jeremiah the best student.

In the Senior Accelerated Course Constable 22571 St. Jules was recognised and rewarded for being the most improved student, woman constable 22497 Stewart the runner up best student and woman constable 22532 Persaud the best student.

During his report on the course, Training Instructor, Inspector Jermaine Harper said that based on the reviews received from stakeholders and other persons who worked with the two groups, the course has proven to be a success.

He said that of most importance to the facilitators-- especial-

The members of the course give the ‘eyes-right’ salute to Sen. Sup Paul Williams and ACP Persaud during the passing out parade

lythose outside the force-- were the level of participation and the quality of dialogue that the ranks engaged in. He said that the information which was disseminated during the courses was regarded as ideal for individual and collective advancement of those involved.

Harper explained that another major issue which was addressed during the training was the effective communication or the lack thereof within the force, which has contributed to the level of criticism that the organisation faces. He said that communication is something that needs to be addressed individually first before it can be tack-

led collectively, since each rank should be able to communicate effectively with members of the public and their co-workers.

In his address to the ranks, Force Training Officer Senior Superintendent Paul Williams said that the organisation has been targeting the right set of persons to come on board, even as they strive very hard to equip the ranks of the force with the requisite skills to perform in a professional manner when dealing with members of the public.

Williams said that though there are often a lot of questions asked by persons outside of the force if

the training which ranks are receiving is adequate, he lamented that the training is always adequate and persons need to understand that training has various levels and at the level of the recruits the training is totally adequate.

The force training officer added that what is important thereafter is the supervision and ensuring that whatever those persons were trained in are put into practice.

He encouraged the ranks not to be influenced by peers with negative approaches to the job and life as a whole. “The public needs you and the public needs your trust,” Williams affirmed.

Delivering the feature address was Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Balram Persaud,who reminded the ranks on the parade that the training in the force or in any other organisation will never be easy; but it’s geared at preparing one for the world of work.

He reminded the ranks also that the decision to serve in the Guyana Police Force was a choice that they had made and as such they must be proud of their career choice and understand that very often the jobs of police officers could be one of the most thankless jobs.

“The people you serve will select the highest bar for you to adhere to and any failure on your part of not reaching those standards will be met with some of the severe criticisms we face today. Criticism will come from your peers, your seniors, the very people you serve, sometimes even the judiciary; you have to hold yourself in the job that you have chosen higher than anyone else” Balram Persaud took the ranks.

He said that there are few people who will be able to understand the job of a policeman or woman even as he cautioned that it is only them, police officers who will understand their job since they are the ones dealing with the most violent and callus members of the society.

Schoolteacher in Burma Road tragedy buried

By Michel Outridge SCHOOL teacher Shondel Duke, one of seven victims of the Burma Road tragedy, was on Saturday laid to rest in her hometown at Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice.

Her burial followed an emotional farewell church service at Jerrick’s Funeral Home, at Paradise, East Coast Demerara.

The last of the victims to be buried, 40-year-old Duke was clad in a beautiful gold dress and laid in a plain white casket, which was adorned with wreaths and flowers as mourners including many relatives, friends and others from Mahaicony and its environs showed up to get a last glimpse of her.

The church service got underway after 11:00 hrs, as scores of people crowded the

The casket that bore the body of Shondel Duke Saturday at Jerrick’s Funeral Parlour

chapel at Jerrick’s Funeral Home to sing songs, hymns and say prayers.

There wasn’t a dry eye as people took turns in viewing the

body, after which it was transported to Rose Hall, Berbice for interment.

On February 20, 2015, the bodies of seven persons includ-

ing six children were pulled from a canal at the Burma Road, where they were trapped in a car that was partly submerged.

The group of children and a teacher were returning home from Mashramani celebrations in Calcutta when the incident occurred.

They were the pupils and teacher of the Augsburg Primary School and had travelled along the Burma Road from their school that day to be part of a Mashramani celebration at the Novar Primary School, along with students from other schools in the area.

The children were identified as eight-year-old Grade 3 pupil, Justin Abel; seven-yearold Grade 2 pupil,, Rayden Abel; and 10-year-old Grade 5 pupil, Ayesha Abel, all from the same family; together with sixyear-old Grade 1 pupil, Azidia Fraser; 10-year-old Grade 5 pupil, Atesha Woolford; eightyear-old Grade 2 pupil, Martina Persaud; and their teacher,

Senior Mistress Shondel Duke.

The group was returning to their homes when tragedy struck, and the car they were travelling in apparently veered off the potholed road into a canal along the Burma Road.

As news of the incident was received, Government officials, including Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, travelled to the community and met with residents and relatives at the hospital.

The following day, President Donald Ramotar, Opposition Leader David Granger and Ministers Manickchand and Benn visited the homes of the deceased and spoke with relatives.

The Government had offset funeral expenses for the bereaved families.

Post-mortems performed on the teacher and the six children revealed they had all died from drowning.

The three Abel siblings were laid to rest on Wednesday last, while the others were buried on Sunday last.

Miriam Persaud was cremated last Monday.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

2015 DEAL INKED…

Rice-marketing efforts bear fruit – shipments to Venezuela to begin shortly THE efforts of a team led

by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, to ensure the sustained existence of markets for local rice farmers, has met with success in the last week.

The Venezuelan rice authorities have confirmed their continuing trade relations with Guyana via an agreement that was inked to facilitate shipments of close to 200,000 tonnes of rice and paddy soon.

“My team and I had intensive discussions with their colleagues in Caracas and agreed on the terms for shipment of rice to Venezuela, with shipment to coincide with the beginning of the harvesting of the first crop of 2015,” Dr Ramsammy disclosed to the Guyana Chronicle.

Guyana and Venezuela have had friendly relations for several years and the latter is a major importer of this country’s rice, which it has been buying at preferential prices since the signing of an agreement in 2009. The long-awaited rice deal was first initiated by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had held talks with Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez at a United Nations

Climate Change meeting in New York at that time.

“We are thrilled that Venezuela continues to be a vital part of our rice industry,” he said.

FIRST SHIPMENT The first harvesting is about to begin and the Agriculture Minister disclosed that the first shipment to Venezuela will take place just before harvesting gets into full gear.

“It should be noted that between export and local consumption, most of the carry-over rice from 2014 has been accounted for.

Thus, as the new harvesting takes place, stocks will be replenished,” he said.

Some 238,698 acres are currently under cultivation across Guyana: 37,710 in Region 2; 22,047 acres in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara); 8,757 in Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica); 107,224 acres in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice); some 62,159 acres in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne); and 800 acres in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo).

The rice- production target is 618,000 tonnes.

Dr Ramsammy said,

“Venezuela will purchase an amount similar to the 2014 amount, which is close to 200,000 tons of paddy and rice. The 2015 amount with a variation in the proportions of rice and paddy will amount to about the same amount as 2014.”

According to him, the price for paddy and rice agreed on will also be similar to that of exports in 2014.

It is expected that the exports to Venezuela will account for 30 per cent of the 2015 production.

“In 2014, exports to Venezuela accounted for about 34 per cent of the total production of rice in Guyana.

It is expected that exports in 2015 will be about 30% of production, even though the actual amount will be approximately the same.

This is because we expect a bigger production in 2015,” the Minister of Agriculture said.

EXCITING YEAR The expectation for the rice industry in 2015 is an exciting one, according to him.

He surmised that with increased exports to regular markets, there are also newer markets in Central Amer-

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ica, as well as Africa, which will increase Guyana’s rice exports.

“These will be added to the increasing destinations for Guyana’s rice,” Dr Ramsammy stated.

The export target for 2015 has been set at 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, its delay attributable to the Ebola epidemic. Also, given the continuous success of the rice industry, efforts are being made to secure a greater foothold in Nicaragua

and other Central American countries, including Belize.

He highlighted too that local consumption is expected to see a dramatic increase in 2015.

“The rice cereal factory in Essequibo will be operational by the second crop. In addition, a rice flour factory will become operational, also by the second crop this year. Already, we have identified an export market for rice flour. Expectation for 2015 for the rice industry is an exciting one,” he said.

On the question of assistance for rice farmers, the Agriculture Minister stated that several initiatives are being undertaken simultaneously, in particular, efforts to address full payment for rice farmers.

“We are working with various stakeholders to address some of the ongoing challenges, such as timely payment to farmers,” he said.

The 2014 production saw farmers selling approximately $44B in paddy to millers.

Dr Ramsammy said, “As of today, there is an outstanding amount of close

to $300M owed to farmers.

Throughout the year, the Government has made available to farmers an amount revolving to about $5B. Presently, we are completing all outstanding payments so that as the new harvesting begins, farmers would have been paid fully for the $44B they sold in 2014.”

He added that, “The 2015 value for paddy is expected to be between $45 and $50B; it is expected that paddy production will surpass one million tons for the first time in our history.

The Government is working with stakeholders to ensure that this enormous amount of about $50B can be paid on a timelier basis.”

The rice sector remains i m p o r t a n t t o G u y a n a ’s economy, considering its contribution as it relates to employment of locals and contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Guyana and Venezuela are currently engaged in a few partnerships which seek to strengthen their economic and social sectors.

Extending CID course was necessary: Force Training Officer THE extension granted to facilitators of the recently concluded Criminal Investigation Department Induction Course was necessary to cater for more practical sessions and for ensuring that ranks who were part of the course did not graduate without proper training in certain matters.

This is according to the Force Training Officer Senior Superintendent Paul Williams when approached by this publication on the reason for the extension of the course, which was initially intended to last six weeks.

According to Williams, while in the classroom it was observed that the partic-

ipants showed a high level of commitment on the course and were very interactive and keen as demonstrated by their grilling of facilitators on certain subject and matters which investigators are often required to deal with.

Those included the Sexual Offences Act and domestic violence. The ranks were drawn from various police divisions and all received certification for successfully completing the first course of its kind for this year and more so over the past 11 months.

“It is very important for CID ranks to have trained properly, especially when dealing with issues such as the filing of case manage-

ment and preparation of cases, since those are very important coupled with the very critical and important domestic violence and sexual offences investigations,” Williams added.

Williams was pleased to report that 31 persons had started the course,and all completed it. This he credited to the frank pep talks which were given to them by himself, the deputy crime chief and the crime chief at the commencement of the training. Additionally, there were no disciplinary infractions so there was no need to discipline anyone.

Williams told the Chronicle that what the administration of the force has been

able to see was that the persons who were selected had demonstrated progress that the facilitators and organisers had envisaged, as he asserted that the right set of persons were chosen for the course. He said this was evident when one saw the high level of commitment that the group showed throughout the training exercise.

He opined that what may have contributed to the high performance of the course participants was the fact that they had been exposed to at least three and two years of general policing and dealing with members of the public before their shortlisting.

(Leroy Smith)

Monday, March 09, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, March 10, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 08:30 hrs

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Rohee takes dig at Leader --Tells Babu John mem

By Vanessa Narine AN emphatic ‘Granger is danger’ caution from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee, was met with thunderous cheers from a gathering of thousands who supported Dr Cheddi Jagan and turned out at his death anniversary memorial yesterday at Babu John, Port Mourant.

Rohee waded into the Alliance -- the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) -- for attempting to hoodwink the nation with falsehoods and misrepresentation.

At what is being seen as the unofficial launch of the Party’s campaign, in line with the aim of fulfilling Dr Jagan’s vision of an ever-progressing nation, he charged that what APNU-AFC represents is clear.

Reworking the acronym for the parties’ names, Rohee said: ‘A’ represents arms that have gone missing; ‘P’ represents pedophiles; ‘N’ represents nimakaram; and ‘U’ represents upside down.

Turning his attention to AFC, he said: ‘A’ stands for angry people; ‘F’ for frantic fakes; and ‘C’ for confusion.

The latter, the PPP General Secretary charges, is the sum total of the Alliance: Confusion; a confusion that the ruling Party with the support of the electorate must prevent from taking its tool

on the Guyanese people.

“Forward ever, backward never,” he charged.

The entry of the Progressive Youth Organisation’s (PYO) march past at the pavilion – 1,000 strong – added tangibly to what was already a charged atmosphere as they shouted, ‘Together with the PYO, hail the PPP’.

REPEAT OF ‘61 Continuing with his call to the massive gathering, Rohee noted that there must be recognition that the ruling Party is facing a similar situation as they did in 1961, when The United Force (TUF) aligned itself with the People’s National Congress (PNC), which now forms the majority of APNU to get the PPP out of office.

He recalled that while the effort was successful, TUF was subsequently marginalised by the PNC, whose administration from 1964 to 1992, when the PPP regained office, was characterised by negativity.

The upcoming May 11 General and Regional elections, Rohee stressed, must ensure that history is not repeated.

“Everyone must be a soldier; every vote counts, and we must win the votes we lost. I appeal to everyone, we have no time to lose; we must keep the spirit of Dr Cheddi Jagan alive, and en-

Scenes from the Jag Berbice yesterday (P

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

t Opposition

morial, ‘Granger is danger’

gan memorial service at Babu John,

Photos: Adrian Narine)

sure that what we worked hard for is not lost,” he stressed.

The PPP General Secretary called for the total abandonment of the ‘we already win’ mindset and pointed out that the upcoming polls will largely be a two-way race between the ruling Party and the Alliance.

“Every vote counts… no one wants a change for the worse,” he said, assuring that under the PPP/C, Guyana will con-

See Page 14

14

Rohee takes dig at ...

From Center tinue to move forward, from good, to better to best.

REAL STRUGGLES The PPP General Secretary stated too that the Guyanese youth have to be educated about the struggles of Dr Cheddi Jagan, his wife, Mrs Janet Jagan – both former presidents – as well as other party stalwarts.

“We must also talk to them about the struggle of the future,” he said, adding that on the road ahead the PPP will show that it “still has its sting.”

Acknowledging that change takes time, he also underscored that Guyanese today are living the change that has been advanced in the last two decades.

On that note, Rohee reminded that Dr Jagan’s legacy is one of struggle, sacrifice and doing all that is needed to improve the lives of Guyanese.

“We are at a crucial time in our country…crucial because we have to decide whether we continue to go forward or backward,” he said, to which the crowd screamed that progress is what they want to see.

The energy of the people’s response was maintained throughout the proceedings, which also featured dramatizations, recitals, and a Cheddi Jagan themed song from ‘Kendingo’, as well as covers of Bob Marley’s hits

‘One love’ from Rohee, and none less than President Ramotar, as well as other Party leaders.

The largest gathering seen in recent years at Dr Jagan’s memorial also witnessed the laying of wreaths at Babu John, when by and large, as has been the tradition for years, the life and struggles of Dr. Jagan, who died on March 6, 1997, after a brief period of illness, was remembered and celebrated.

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Hinds wins second stage of Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road race

By Michael DaSilva

Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds stopped the clock at two hours, 38 minutes, 29 seconds to win the second stage of the 18th annual Dr. Cheddi Jagan three-stage cycle road race in Berbice yesterday.

After being sent on their way from outside Freedom House on Main Street, New Amsterdam, by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport

Dr. Frank Anthony, the more than 50 starters in the various categories stuck together until they approached Number 19 Road and it was from here that 14 cyclists broke from the pack and opened a sizeable lead during which the lead changed on several occasions.

Among the 14 were Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Raul Leal, Mark Harris, Hamzah Eastman and Alonzo Greaves, but they were sucked in by a group of five – Jamal John, Christopher Persaud, Paul ChooWee-Nam, Stephen Fernandes and Christopher Griffith after turning back from Hogstye, Corentyne and together the 19 riders stuck together and there were attempts by a few to break away but their efforts were short lived on each occasion.

With three miles remaining to the finish line at Port Mourant, Hinds, Greaves, Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Eastman and Leal surged ahead and nearing the finish, Hinds stole the march on the others

and won comfortably ahead of Greaves.

Jeffrey who won the event in 2013 placed third, Robin Persaud was fourth, Eastman who won the first stage last Sunday over the West Demerara area finished fifth and Leal sixth.

Harris and Jeffrey both won two prime prizes each, while Alonzo Ambrose, Greaves and Hinds won one each.

In the junior category, Raphael Leung came out on top ahead of Andrew Hicks and Christopher Griffith respectively.

Junior Niles was the winner of the veterans’ under-50 category. Second was Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson, while Tuhran Harris placed third.

Ozia McAulley won the mountain bike category ahead of Julio Melville and Deraj Garbarran respectively, while Marica Dick was first among the ladies. Second in this category was Whitney Pierre and third was Tashawana Doris.

Walter `Buck Man’ Issacs was the first over 60 years

rider to cross the finish line.

All the veterans, mountain bikers and the ladies turned back from Adventure.

Prior to the start of the race, the participants and officials were given a warm welcome to the region by its chairman David Armogan who reminded that the event was being staged in memory of the late Guyanese leader Dr. Jagan, “The greatest Guyanese to walk on the face of the earth”.

People’s Progressive Party’s General Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, in brief remarks said the race has always been the flagship event to commemorate the death of the late Dr. Jagan and the cyclists’ participation contributes to the ideals of the late Guyanese leader.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar said he was very pleased to have Guyana’s top cyclists participating in the event in honour of the late President.

Kumar said the event

was an excellent one and the participants showed tremendous respect for Dr. Jagan.

Chairman of the Dr. Jagan memorial coordinating committee Hydar Ally who took over as the committee’s chairman after the passing of Navin Chanderpal said he is privileged to be given the opportunity to coordinate the activities which will last for the remainder of the month.

Ally said the event was not one for winners and losers, but one for the sport.

PPP’s executive secretary Zulifier Mustapha in brief remarks congratulated all the cyclists for coming out and celebrating the memory of “the greatest man to walk in Guyana and we (PPP) will continue to support the event once the party continues to exist”.

Sports Minister Dr. Anthony in his address noted that the race was a success and that it attracted the largest number of cyclists since the event began 18 years ago.

The Minister reminded

that Dr. Jagan started his political career in the 1940’s and stated that the things Guyanese are enjoying today were not there before.

Minister Anthony also said that Dr. Jagan fought for Guyana’s independence.

He said the party’s founder leader’s legacy was to start the PPP party which he did on January 1 1950 and this month, it will be remembered that Dr. Jagan was born on March 26 and died on March 8.

The minister said Dr. Jagan was very passionate about fitness and so, every day he could have been seen walking in the National Park and there were times when persons wanted to discuss things with him, he would invite them to walk along with him and discuss whatever issues were affecting them.

The minister said he is very pleased to have cyclists come from Linden and Georgetown to join with their Berbician counterparts to celebrate the Memory of Dr. Jagan.

Another 10 wicket haul for Permaul ...

From back page Brandon King (00) in the 26th over to leave Jamaica on 98 for 5.

Leg- spinner Devendra Bishoo accounted for Chadwick Walton (08) who was caught at the wicket by an alert Bramble, his third dismissal in the innings at 118 for 6, before Permaul claimed his fifth victim and 56 th of the season, when Damian Jacobs (00) edged one to Johnson at slip, at 119 for 7.

Johnson’s catching ability came to the fore on

the stroke of lunch, when he held one low to his right to account for David Bernard (18), as the Jamaicans went to lunch at 123 for 8, for an overall lead of 145 with Odean Browne and Marquino Mindley in the hut.

The Jaguars used 4.1 overs to mop up the Jamaicans tail after lunch, as Bishoo removed Dawes (07) and Mindley (04) to end with 4 for 22 (8 for 84) to support Permaul who finished with 5 for 33 (10 for 110), while their team needed 161 to record a come from behind

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victory, as the Jamaicans lost their last nine wickets for 61 runs, thanks to Permaul and Bishoo.

The Jaguars lost Assad Fudadin (02) who played one onto his stumps from Dawes (3 for 24) at 14 for 1 and four overs saw the demise of Chandrika (15) lbw to Dawes at 31 for 2, while Shivnarine Chanderpaul was given a life

by Jacobs off his own bowling at 37 for 2.

The life was short-lived as the 40 year old dependable batsman was caught

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balls later at 42 for 4 which was increased to 56 for 3 at tea, which was taken with Johnson on 25 and Singh 8.

After tea, Johnson posted his half century from 70 balls, 118 minutes of batting with five fours, whilst the Jaguars moved to 106 for 118minutes, but having picked up an injury shortly after, saw his mobility being limited before he holed out to Mindley at deep midwicket off Browne for 58 at 131 for 4.

Singh got to his 50 from 133balls with five fours, five

minutes before the scheduled close of play, following which he opened his shoulders and hit Browne to the vacant long on boundary for his sixth four to push the score to 148 for 4.

Dawes struck late, when he removed Singh who was caught at the wicket by Walton for 57 (158mins, 147b, 6x4) at 157 for 5, but the victory was achieved at 17:23hrs, when Christopher Barnwell hit Browne over long on for 6 to finish unbeaten on 21, while the Jaguars reached 163 for 5.

SCOREBOARD JAMAICA 1st Innings 258 Guyana 1st innings 236 Jamaica 2nd Innings (overnight 22 for one) S Thomas lbw b Barnwell 0 J Campbell c Beaton b Permaul 28 J Blackwood st Bramble b Permaul 47 T Lambert lbw b Permaul 18 C Walton c wkp Bramble b Bishoo 8 B King c wkp Bramble b Permaul 0 D Bernard Jr c Johnson b Bishoo 18 D Jacobs c Johnson b Permaul 0 J Dawes c (sub) T Griffith b Bishoo 7 O Brown not out 4 M Mindley c wkp Bramble b Bishoo 4 Extras (lb4) 4 TOTAL (all out, 40.5 overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-78, 3-89, 4-98, 5-98, 6-118, 7-119, 8-123, 9-132,

10-138.

Bowling: Beaton 8-1-36-0, Barnwell 5-1-25-1, Permaul 17-4-33-5, Bishoo 6.5-0-22-4, Deonarine 4-0-18-0.

GUYANA 2nd Innings (target: 161 runs) R Chandrika lbw b Dawes 15 A Fudadin b Dawes 2 L Johnson c Mindley b Brown 58 S Chanderpaul c Campbell b Jacobs 4 V Singh c wkp Walton b Dawes 57 C Barnwell not out 21 A Bramble not out 0 Extras (lb6) 6 TOTAL (5 wkts, 55.4 overs) 163 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-31, 3-42, 4-131, 5-157.

Bowling: Bernard 6-0-19-0, Dawes 10-2-24-3, Jacobs 12-2-38-1, Brown 19.4-2-54-1, Lambert 1-0-6-0, Mindley 2-0-8-0, Campbell 5-1-8-0.

Man-of-the-Match: Veerasammy Permaul.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Maxwell ton fires Australia past Sri Lanka

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY,(Reuters) - Australia stormed into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 64-run victory over Sri Lanka, fired by a spectacular maiden one-day international century from Glenn Maxwell at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.

Sri Lanka signalled that they are also in fine form for the knockout stages by having a good crack at what

would have been a record run chase with Kumar Sangakkara becoming the first man to score three successive centuries at a World Cup. They were always up against it after Maxwell’s 53-ball 102 had helped Australia to 376-9, however, and it is the co-hosts who are now almost certain to finish second in Pool A and avoid champions India or South Africa in the quarter-finals.

On a night when the

40,000 crowd were thrilled by a feast of batting, it was Maxwell’s deployment of the full array of shots in his prodigious armoury that proved decisive.

His hundred came off 51 balls, just one shy of the record for the quickest World Cup century, and he shared a 160-run partnership with Shane Watson, who hit 67 to celebrate his recall to the team.

Maxwell was dropped by a back-peddling Sangakkara

... another century for Kumar Sangakkara

on 95 and there was a nervous wait on 99, his chance of sharing the World Cup record with Irishman Kevin O’Brien disappearing when the umpire ruled a leg bye off the 50th ball he faced.

The century came up soon enough with two runs to mid-off, though, and his emotional celebration after reaching the milestone in his 43rd one-day innings was a graphic illustration of what it meant to a player often dismissed as a show-pony.

Steve Smith (72) and skipper Michael Clarke (68) had earlier steadied the innings with a partnership of 134 after openers David Warner (nine) and Aaron Finch (24) had been dismissed inside the first 10 overs.

Maxwell hit 10 fours and four sixes in his innings and the pyrotechnics continued when Sri Lanka came out to bat, Tillakaratne Dilshan setting the tone by spectacularly hitting six fours off Mitchell Johnson’s third over.

Johnson had already dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne caught behind for one in his opening over to bring Dilshan and Sangakkara to-

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell celebrates reaching his century during their Cricket World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Sydney, March 8, 2015. gether at the crease.

While their 130-run partnership continued, it looked like Sri Lanka had a chance but once James Faulkner (348) trapped Dilshan in front for 62, it looked like an uphill struggle.

Sangakkara had already become only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to score 14,000 runs in one-day internationals and was not

going to be denied his century, which he reached in as many balls with two runs to backward square.

He departed soon afterwards for 104, leaving Dinesh Chandimal, who hit 52 off 24 balls before retiring hurt, and Angelo Mathews (35) to lead the rearguard action.

They were finally dismissed for 312 after 46.2 overs.

Vettori passes 300 as NZ ease to win over Afghans

By Greg Stutchbury

NAPIER, (Reuters) - Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor got some valuable time at the wicket as New Zealand did what they needed to looking ahead to the World Cup quarter-finals with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan at McLean Park yesterday.

Guptill, who had got starts in all four of his previous innings, was run out for 57, while Taylor, who had scored just 29 runs in four previous innings, was 24 not out as New Zealand scored 188-4 in 36.1 overs.

Afghanistan had been dismissed for 186 in 47.4 overs with Daniel Vettori becoming the 12th man to take 300 one-day international wickets when he produced another impeccable spell of left-arm spin bowling.

Captain Brendon McCullum had given his side a rollicking start with 42 runs from 19 balls before Kane Williamson (33) and Guptill took them to 111 for one without looking troubled.

Williamson, however, was caught by Samiullah Shenwari at mid-wicket off Shapoor Zadran in the 19th

over before Guptill was run out with 44 runs needed and Grant Elliott dismissed in the same fashion 12 runs short of the target.

Taylor and Corey Anderson (seven not out) saw New Zealand home after Vettori had taken 4-18 from 10 overs.

Daniel Vettori is the ninth player to take more than 300 wickets in both Tests and ODIs. The 36-year-old has taken 12 wickets in the tournament at an average of 11.33 and economy rate of three runs per over.

Vettori bowled the third

over of the match to enable Tim Southee and Trent Boult to swap ends and bowled Usman Ghani on his first delivery, then took Nawroz Mangal’s (27) wicket in the 16th over for number 300.

He is the ninth player to take more than 300 wickets in both Tests and ODIs and later took two wickets in successive deliveries in the 20th over but missed the hat-trick.

Vettori’s first over had put Afghanistan on the back foot after captain Mohammad Nabi had chosen to bat on a wicket considered the best batting surface in New Zealand, before Boult struck twice to reduce them 24 for three.

Mangal and Shenwari managed to see off the opening bowlers before Vettori struck again and then had Nabi caught by Taylor for six and trapped Asfar Zazai lbw on the next delivery to reduce Afghanistan to 59 for six and in danger of being bowled out for under 100.

Najibullah Zadran, who survived the hat-trick ball, and Shenwari (54) then combined for an 86-run partnership that helped them post a score in excess of 150.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

What the Windies need to do to qualify PERTH, Australia - A look at what Pakistan, Ireland and West Indies need to do to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals from Group B. While Pakistan’s win against South Africa has given them a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals without getting into the complications of net run-rate, Zimbabwe’s loss to Ireland has made them the second team from Group B to be knocked out of this World Cup after UAE. With a win against West Indies, India have ensured a place in the last eight. They are likely to end up topping the group should they win at least one of their remaining two games - against Ireland and Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s loss to Pakistan hasn’t done any real damage to their chances of qualifying, as they still have a game against UAE left. Their superior NRR will ensure that they

eight.

Pakistan - Pakistan have one match left against Ireland.

A win in this game will send them through to the quarter-finals. A loss though, will bring NRR into play. Should it come to that for Pakistan, they will be fighting for a berth in the quarter-finals based on NRR with West Indies, assuming the likely event of West Indies beating UAE in their final game.

Ireland - Ireland have six points and two matches still to go - against India and Pakistan. They have to get a point from one of those games to sail through to the knockouts.

Though Ireland managed to add two important points to their account with their win over Zimbabwe, the narrow margin means that they haven’t improved upon their negative NRR. As it stands, Ireland have the worst NRR (-0.820) out of the three teams in contention.

three in contention to be completely dependent on other results to qualify. They will have to beat UAE to begin with and preferably by a huge margin. If Ireland beat India, that will leave only one spot to fight for. If Pakistan also lose to Ireland, then it will come down to NRR between West Indies and Pakistan. A Pakistan win in that game will knock West Indies out. If Ireland lose both their remaining games, West Indies will in all likelihood qualify ahead of Ireland on account of their superior NRR. If the game between India and Ireland is washed out or tied, then Ireland will advance to the quarter-finals.

Pakistan will then need an outright win against Ireland or a NRR healthy enough to pip West Indies. If any of the last two games in Group B - Pakistan v Ireland or West Indies v UAE - is washed out or tied then it will be curtains for West Indies.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Notable Dates

West Indies get together after a successful review from Jason Holder against Zimbabwe in their World Cup 2015, Group B match in Canberra. qualify as the second team from Group B in the event that Ireland lose at least one of their two remaining games.

This leaves three teams - Pakistan, Ireland and West Indies - fighting for the remaining two spots in the last

Losses in both these games will, in all likelihood, send them out of the World Cup because of their inferior NRR, given the likelihood of West Indies beating UAE. West Indies - West Indies are the only team out of the

Alpha United to host CFU matches G U YA N A’ S n u m b e r one football club Alpha United has clinched a deal to host first round matches of Group One when the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship kicks off. A source close to the club said CFU was written to seeking permission to host the matches and a positive response received last week.

“It is a huge undertaking but the club, led by its president Odinga Lumumba, is up to the task. Guyana is on the verge of seeing more high quality football,” the source said. First round Group One action would

be played on April 17, 19 and 21.

Alpha United president Odinga Lumumba

Alpha United is grouped with Central Football Club of Trinidad and Tobago and Inter Moengotapoe of Suriname. The Guyana Defence Force will join Alpha as the teams from Guyana participating in the prestigious CFU tournament.

Both teams have opted out of major local competitions in order to properly prepare for the competition. Alpha side stepped the Mayor’s Cup while GDF pulled out of the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai competition, set to commence later this month.

Alpha United’s participation in the CFU

contest took priority over involvement in any local tournament hence the withdrawal from the Mayor’s Cup Lumumba had declared.

The CFU championship is an annual competition involving top clubs from member countries.

The top three teams from the CFU will qualify to the CONCACAF Champions League.

L a s t y e a r, A l p h a United topped Group Three in the CFU tournament. The group included Trinidad Defence Force, Sporting Notch of Suriname and Harbour View of Jamaica.

All Group matches were played in Jamaica.

REGINALD Ford (Reggie) was 21-years old when he competed in his second professional fight. Ford met and defeated Marcus Cooke on March 9, 1975 at the National Sports Hall. Ford won the fourround fight on points. He made his professional debut one month earlier against Reid Davidson.

Proving to be a fighting machine Ford was undefeated in 17 fights by January 1977. He then met American Bob `Boogaloo’ Watts. The meeting did not go as the Guyanese southpaw planned it as Ford found the going rough against a more seasoned opponent. He was knocked down in the eighth round and Watts went on to win the 10-round affair by a unanimous decision.

Two months later the Guyanese middleweight accepted a challenge to fight `Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler and was knocked out in the third round.

Watts also fought Hagler and won via Majority Decision.

Ford never ducked an opponent and in an eventful career, matched gloves with the likes of Mike McCallum and Ayube Kalule, both of whom became world champions.

Ford ended a nine-year career in 1984 when he was two months shy of 31 years. He had lost eight consecutive bouts leading up to his departure of the ring, and left with a record of 27 victories, 15 defeats and one draw.

Bermuda crush Turks and Caicos 55-3 HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Hosts Bermuda thrashed Turks and Caicos 55-3 in a lop-sided North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championship match at the National Sports Centre on Saturday.

Bermuda, who led 17-0 at half-time, ran in seven tries, with Patrick Callow, making his debut at fly-half, adding 20 points with his boot.

TCI’s lone score came seven minutes from the end when Gareth Butler slotted over a penalty.

The visitors paid for their indiscipline up front with two of their players – Bjorn Griffith and Hendricks Joseph – sent to the sin bin.

Dan Cole scored the first of his two tries after just 36 seconds as Bermuda took early charge of the game against relative newcomers to the international game.

Durnferd Davis also scored two tries each for the home side, while Paul Dobinson, Tom Healy and player-coach Roedolf van der Westhuizen also crossed in a dominant display.

TCI went into the game – their first against Bermuda in the NACRA competition – with their captain Joe Ryan admitting his side “don’t really know what we’re up against.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

Warrican stars as Pride stun Hurricanes in three days

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Barbados Pride kept up the pressure on leaders Guyana Jaguars when they crushed bottomof-the-table Leeward Islands Hurricanes by nine wickets inside three days here Sunday, courtesy of a 13-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Resuming their eighth round WICB PCL contest on 268 for six, Barbados were bowled out for 353 in their first innings with Shane Dowrich striking his third first class century with 106.

With a lead of 138, Barbados ripped through the Leewards second innings, reducing them to 22 for four at one stage, before dismissing them for 150.

Warrican was the main

destroyer with five for 50, to follow up his first innings haul of eight for 88. He finished with a match haul of 13 wickets for 138 runs.

Set a meagre 13 runs for victory, the visitors lost Kyle Corbin lbw to seamer Quinton Boatswain for five, before securing victory an hour after tea at Warner Park.

The morning belonged to Dowrich who carved out his second century of the season to continue his excellent form. Resuming the day on 65, the righthander safely made his way to three figures in 299 minutes off 176 balls with 11 fours and one six.

He was dismissed shortly afterward, bowled by Gavin Tonge as he played down the wrong line. His dismiss-

Left-arm spinner . `finshed with a match haul of 13 wickets for 138 runs.

al triggered a slide that saw the last four wickets fall for 25 runs.

Ashley Nurse hit 26 from 42 balls.

Boatswain (3-63) and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (3-69) both finished with three wickets apiece.

Barbados then wiped out the Leewards top order in quick time, with fast bowler Miguel Cummins chipping in with three for 25.

Fast bowler Tino Best trapped Lyndell Richardson lbw in the third over without scoring and Cummins then had captain Devon Thomas caught at second slip by Ashley Nurse also without scoring, with seven runs on the board in the fourth over.

Steve Liburd was beaten and bowled for

We’re going back to the drawing board – Ryan Gonsalves

By Rawle Toney

WHAT appeared to be a flawless performance by Guyana against Barbados is being described as just another day in the park by Captain Ryan Gonsalves.

Called the ‘Green Machine’, Guyana’s 15’s unit; the 2014 NACRA Champions, made an impressive start to their title defence when they dismantled Barbados 48 – 22 at the National Park Rugby Field on Saturday last.

For those on the outside looking in, it was as if Guyana was playing by themselves since the ‘Bajans’ really offered little against the Caribbean’s best side but, to the team’s captain, the ‘Green Machine’ is still trying to get rid of the rust.

Gonsalves, speaking to reporters after his team’s triumph, said that while their performance was great, the side was “rusty because we are training both the 15’s and 17’s right now but nevertheless, I think we came out and showed a good performance”.

“We stuck to our game plan which was keeping it loose because we have speed at both ends and it worked out well for us because most of our tries were from the

Windwards 199 for five at close of play COUVA, Trinidad, (CMC) – Windward Islands Volcanoes, leading Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 51 runs, were 199 for five at the close on the third day of their eighth round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League at the National Cricket Centre here yesterday.

Scores: WINDWARDS 350 (Devon Smith 69, Miles Bascombe 65, Romel Currency 59, Tyrone Theophile 39, Dalton Polius 31, Shane Shillingford 26) and 199 for five (Romel Currency 53 not out, Miles Bascombe 42, Dalton Polius 42, Denis Smith 20 not out) RED FORCE 299 (Jason Mohammed 104, Kieron Pollard 45, Yannick Cariah 40, Jeremy Solozano 31)

outside. That is our style and we’ll stick to that,” Gonsalves said.

Guyana will now prepare for their next match as they head to the Twin Island Republic for a clash

National 15’s Rugby Captain Ryan Gonsalves

against the Island’s 15’s team; the same side that crushed them 20 – 0 in 2013.

There is no talk of revenge given the fact that Guyana did eventually regroup and won the NACRA 15’s championship last year when they defeated the USA (South) in the final in Atlanta but Gonsalves said that there’s much to work on since Trinidad is formidable opposition.

“We’ll be working a lot on our line out from the scrums because we give away a lot of penalties (against Barbados) because of the mistakes we made there so we’ll try to clean up on that department. Our next game is in Trinidad at home to them and that’s not going to be easy. We have our work cut out and we’re just going to stay positive and take it a game at a time.”

pace by Cummins for four before Jahmar Hamilton was taken at point by Shai Hope off the same bowler for two.

The burly righthander Cornwall then counter-attacked, smashing seven fours and two sixes in a top score of 53 off 60 deliveries. He put on 78 for the fifth wicket with opener Montcin Hodge whose

37 consumed 110 balls and spanned nearly 2-1/4 hours.

Warrican got the breakthrough, however, removing Cornwall to a catch at cover by captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and despite Tonge’s whirlwind 33 off 21 balls with four sixes, Barbados claimed the last six wickets for 50 runs.

SCOREBOARD

WICB/PCL Scoreboard Leewards vs Barbados LEEWARDS 1st Innings 215 Barbados 1st Innings (overnight 268 for six) K Brathwaite lbw b Tonge 21 K Corbin c wkp Hamilton b Boatswain 75 K Edwards lbw b Cornwall 9 S Hope c Thomas b Cornwall 0 R Chase c Cornwall b Martin 25 S Dowrich b Tonge 106 K Stoute c Hodge b Cornwall 63 A Nurse c wkp Hamilton b Boatswain 25 T Best c Louis b Boatswain 6 J Warrican c wkp Hamilton Tonge 4 M Cummins not out 4 Extras (b10, lb4) 14 TOTAL (all out, 119 overs) 353 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-54, 3-54, 4-105, 5-160, 6-268, 7-328, 8-345, 9-345, 10-353.

Bowling: Tonge 23-4-75-3, Louis 13-3-22-0, Martin 14-5-37-0, Cornwall 30-10-9-69-3, Boatswain 18-3-63-3, Walsh 19-1-72-0, Liburd 2-1-1-0.

LEEWARDS 2nd Innings M Hodge c Nurse b Warrican 37 L Richardson lbw b Best 0 D Thomas c Nurse b Cummins 0 S Liburd b Miguel Cummins 4 J Hamilton c Hope b Cummins 2 R Cornwall c Brathwaite b Warrican 53 J Louis c Hope b Warrican 0 H Walsh Jr b Warrican 6 G Tonge st Dowrich b Warrican 33 A Martin c Nurse b Chase 0 Q Boatswain not out 7 Extras (b4, nb4) 8 TOTAL (all out, 45 overs) 150 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-7, 3-13, 4-22, 5-100, 6-100, 7-109, 8-110, 9-111, 10-150.

Bowling: Best 7-1-27-2, Cummins 8-2-25-3, Warrican 16-6-50-5, Nurse 3-0-23-0, Chase 11-2-21-1.

BARBADOS 2nd Innings (target: 13 runs) K Brathwaite not out 7 K Corbin lbw b Boatswain 5 K Edwards not out 1 TOTAL (1 wkt, 4 overs) 13 Fall of wicket: 1-12.

B o w l i n g : To n g e 2 - 0 - 1 1 - 0 ,

Boatswain 2-0-2-1.

Windwards vs T&T Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings 350 All Out T&T Red Force 1st Innings (Overnight; 228/4) J Solozano lbw b Peters 31 Imran Khan c (sub) Bobb b Peters 22 K Ottley c Dennis Smith b Johnson 20 Y Cariah LBW Shillingford 40 Jn Mohammed c D Polius b Peters 100 K Pollard st Dennis Smith b S Shillingford 45 A Hosein LBW K Peters 1 S Katwaroo+ c Dennis Smith b Peters 9 R Emrit* c C Emmanuel b Peters 14 M Richards not out 7 Total: 228/4 (64 Overs) Extras: (5b 3lb 1w 1nb 0pen) 10 Did not Bat: D St Clair.

Fall of Wickets: 1-53, 2-62, 3-79, 4-157, 5-265, 6-268, 7-273, 8-284, 9-299, 10-299.

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings Bowling: D Johnson 152-67-1, M Matthew 14-4-29-0, K Peters 22.4-6-59-6, S Shillingford 28-5-110-2, D Polius 7-2-26-0.

Windward Islands Volcanoes 2nd Innings (Lead; 51) D Smith b Pollard 20 T Theophille* LBW Emrit 4 M Bascombe c Katwaroo b Pollard 42 C Emmanuel c Katwaroo b Pollard 9 D Polius b Cariah 42 R Currency not out 53 D Smith+ not out 20 Total: 199/5 (65 Overs) Extras: (0b 6lb 2w 1nb 0pen) 9 Still to Bat: Delorn Johnson, Kenroy Peters, Mervin Matthew, Shane Shillingford.

Fall of Wickets: 1-8, 2-67, 3-82, 4-85, 5-159.

T&T Red Force 2nd Innings Bowling: M Richards 7-2-21-0, A Hosein 14-4-28-0, R Emrit 7-0-36-1, I Khan 16-1-56-0, K Pollard 10-2-263, Y Cariah 10-0-21-1, J Mohammed 1-0-5-0.

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER (Monday March 09, 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) 1996 & 2007 (AUST vs SL) (2)Pakistan (1992/1999); Sri Lanka (2007/2011)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) In which WC tournament Zimbabwe once defeated Australia?

(2)What were the semi-final pairings of the 1999 World Cup?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 9, 2015

CARIFTA Games Trials Day 2

Phillips, Ceasar, Hooper and McKenzie register qualifying standards

By Tamica Garnett CHALLENGERS’ Kenisha Phillips and Christianburg’s Compton Ceasar took commanding wins as they clocked CARIFTA qualifying times in the Under-18 200m, while Running Brave’s Mathew M c K e n z i e a n d N a t r icia Hooper also claimed CARIFTA qualifying standard when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) CARIFTA Trials concluded yesterday at the Guyana Defence Force ground.

Entering with aspirations of bringing her 200m timings down to 24.7 seconds, Phillips bypassed her mark clocking 24.6 seconds as she eased into a smooth win of the girls’ under-18 200m dash, overtaking the 25 seconds flat CARIFTA qualifying time, while outshining Running Brave’s Avon Samuels who had to

Mathew McKenzie wins the boys’ Under-18 3000m

settle for second place.

Ceasar’s 21.6 seconds was just inside the 22 seconds qualifying standard for the boys’ under-18 200m, adding the 200m

to the 100m he qualified for on Saturday when he had clocked 10.7 seconds, equaling the qualifying mark in that event.

Meanwhile, Police’s Lin-

ton Mentis fell short just milliseconds of the 21.30 seconds mark in boys’ under 20 category of the 200m, where he clocked 21.8 seconds to outdo his clubmate Kareem Purch. On the distaff side Deja Smart was also off the qualifying standard when she clocked 25.5 seconds, winning the race but unable to even equal the 24.1 seconds qualifying standard.

However, the 9:36.10s clocked by McKenzie as he championed the boys’ under-18 3000m was more than enough to get him past the 9:40.0s qualifying standard, while Hooper covered 12.26m in the triple jump to get her past the 11.35m qualifying point in the girls’ under-18 triple jump. Long jump qualifier Chantoba Bright also crossed the qualifying point for the event when she covered 11.55m, as she finished in second place behind Hooper.

It was last Saturday on the opening day of the Trials that Bright gained a qualifying standard in the girls’ under-18 long jump. The Lindener had cleared a distance of 5.53m, beating the 5.40m qualifying standard.

In the 800m Cassey George, running in the girls’ under-18 category, ran 2:23.5s, ending seconds behind the 2:20.00s qualifying time, while Ornesto Thomas’ 1:57.7s in the boys’ under-20

Challengers’ Kenisha Phillips brings it home in the girls’ Under-18 200m 800m also fell short of the 1:55.0 qualifying time.

The AAG will now meet this week to finalise on the team that will represent Guyana at the 44 th CARIFTA Games which is set for April 4 – 6 in St Kitts and Nevis.

Having fielded a team of eight athletes last year, the AAG has repeatedly declared its hopes of sending a 15-member team to this year’s edition.

According to Hutson in addition to the athletes coming out of Guyana, the AAG has been in communication

with a number of overseas athletes who have indicated their enthusiasm to represent Guyana. Among these athletes, Hutson noted, was U.S. based Guyanese Brenessa Thompson, who was a part of the team that represented Guyana last year.

Hutson remarked that the overseas athletes would merit selection based on their performance at events so far this year, while observing that Thompson has been demonstrating some impressive indoor displays so far this year.

National 7’s Women rugby team in rebuilding stage

By Rawle Toney

There once was a time when Guyana ruled women’s Rugby in the Caribbean with an iron fist. Formerly known for their no-nonsense approach and toughness on the pitch, Guyana had the best 7’s Rugby team in the region.

Winning the 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 7’s Championship was a tale of a team with immense potential but, for reasons unknown, the Guyanese women vanished from the International scene.

Sporadic sighting of the females at various men’s matches would spark conversations of what would’ve happened if they (women’s team) had stayed on course, while some would argue that the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) had failed them.

But, behind President Peter Green, the Women’s seven’s team was given another chance to reclaim their place at the top of the Rug-

... Head Coach excited about team’s chances

Head Coach Elwin Chase overlooking the Women’s 7’s team training yesterday at the National Park. by food chain as they now prepare for the NACRA Women’s Championship in June which also serves as qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Set for the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina USA on June 13 – 14, Guyana’s women will be aiming to add a fourth title to their list but yesterday, Head Coach Elwin Chase said presently,

the team is on a rebuilding process with “some youngsters are now coming into the team and meeting with some old heads so we’re right now trying to integrate them and have them work as one. So far the team building is really extraordinary. I’m very excited just by seeing them working together”.

Chase, speaking to Chronicle Sport at the team’s

practice session yesterday at the National Park Rugby Field added, that a practice match against Barbados in the Land of the Flying Fish is in the making for Easter Weekend which he says if it materialises, would give the coach staff a chance to see exactly how they stand ahead of the NACRA tournament.

A former standout player himself, Chase

pointed out that the new players “have basic knowledge of the game but it’s just to get them comfortable, and understanding what they’re doing and how they are doing it, most of them are athletes so the physical nature will came as second nature for them but it’s just to get them understand how the game is played”.

Should Guyana’s wom-

en come out victorious at the NACRA 7’s championships or place second or third they then qualify for a playoff against similarly placed teams from the other Regional associations early in 2016.

Canada and USA are the main threats to Guyana’s success, but with the current placing of both teams on the world circuit there is a very good possibility that they may pre-qualify without having to participate at NACRA in June.

According to the GRFU, a cost of US$43,000 will be needed to send the women to the tournament.

The players in training are: Carren Carter, Tricia Munroe, La Toya Hamilton Cordis, Collette Hope, Nicole Nero, Natasha Andrews, Alicia Fortune, Shennel Daniels, Alicia Mentore, Carren Skeete, Sabola Gray, Andrea Lashley, Grace Jarvis, Princesa Wilkie, Vionette Profitt, Cloetta Dublin, Theresa Torres and Cindy Fraser.

Sport CHRONICLE

CARIFTA Games Trials Day 2 Phillips, Ceasar, Hooper and McKenzie register qualifying standards

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

Please see story on page 23

Hinds wins second stage of Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road race Please see story on page 19

Prize winners of the various categories of the second stage of the 18th annual Dr. Cheddie Jagan Memorial three-stage cycle road race strike a pose with Director of Sport Neil Kumar (stooping centre), Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (partly hidden centre) and Minister of Health Dr. Beri Ramsarran (second right) after the presentation ceremony at Babu John, Port Mourant, yesterday.

WICB/PCL REGIONAL 4-DAY

Another 10 wicket haul for Permaul as Jaguars claim 7th victory

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul ... finished with a ten-wicket haul

Right-arm legspinner Devendra Bishoo ened with with an eight-wicket match haul..

- Singh and Johnson hit half- centuries

By Calvin Roberts

LEADING wicket- taker in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board/ Professional Cricket League Regional four day tournament Veerasammy Permaul, yesterday claimed another five wicket haul and was backed by leg -spinner Devendra Bishoo, as host Guyana Jaguars claimed their seventh victory in eight matches yesterday.

Jamaica resumed the day on 22 for 1 for a lead of 44 but added 116 to that total, despite 47 from Jermaine Blackwood and 28 from John Campbell, as Permaul ended with 5 for 33 (10 for 110) and Bishoo 4 for 22 (8 for 84), leaving the Guyana Jaguars to score 161 for their seventh win.

Skipper Leon Johnson (58) and

his deputy Vishaul Singh (57) both struck half centuries as the Jaguars reached 163 for five to win by five wickets, despite Jason Dawes’ three for 24.

Campbell and Blackwood started the day on 10 and 8 respectively and posted 77 for the second wicket, before Campbell was well caught by Ronsford Beaton at deep midwicket off Permaul, with the lead being 100 for the Jamaicans.

Blackwood followed shortly after at 89 for 2, when he was smartly stumped by Anthony Bramble off Permaul for an aggressive 47 (57balls, 5x4, 1x6), before the left arm spinner from Albion removed both Tamar Lambert (18) and

Please see page 19

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MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015