2015 3 13

GUYANA

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No. 104127 FRIDAY MARCH 13, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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2015 POLICE OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE…

President reads the Riot Act! Unveils 15-point programme

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– designed to restore public confidence in Police

Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar, inspects the Guard of Honour at Eve Leary, prior to the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference

NICIL rescues West Ruimveldt AFC activist 12 Marriott using fire leaves apologises for proceeds from extended family ‘Ramotar death GT&T shares 13 homeless 5 wish’ comment

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President urges

Leave no stone unturned in search for 17 Crum-Ewing’s killers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

2015 POLICE OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE…

Commander-in-Chief unveils 15-point programme – designed to restore public confidence in Police

President Donald Ramotar

By Leroy Smith COMMANDER-in-CHIEF of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar yesterday told the Annual Guyana Police Officers’ Conference that resources and leadership did not matter if there is nowhere to put the resources, and no one to lead.

He made the comment after he outlined fifteen points to the conference, which he called the “Fifteen in 2015 programme” designed to restore the confidence of the Guyanese society in the Police Force.

Top of the list is a proposal for the Guyana Police Force to establish Neighbourhood Watch programmes to increase

surveillance by residents and community members in their own neighbourhoods.

There is also the introduction of a problem-oriented approach to address the issue of crime (POP) which he said means that police will take a proactive approach in identifying, understanding and responding to problems rather than just responding to incidents in communities.

This approach, he pointed out, would be a more effective means of impacting crime and disorderly problems while at the same time would mandate ranks to take a new, systematic approach in collecting new data and identifying innovative solutions and applying measures for assessing the successes of their efforts. Steps

15 points to restore confidence in GPF ► Establish neighbour watch programme ► Introduce a problem oriented approach to address crime (POP) ► Increase the number of police officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods ► Address our 911 system and turn it into a true rapid response system ► Establish directed patrols ► Establish a pro-active model of arrests ► Increase the number of covert patrols to take advantage of element of surprise ► Establish a more aggressive road policing and traffic law enforcement system ► Ensure that police officers work closely with our schools to reduce violence and drug abuse ► Establish drugs and weapons free zones ► Reopen cold cases and unresolved crimes aimed at improving cleared up rates for homicides ► Establish a targeted policing programme to secure confidence to secure and boost t confidence in critical sectors ► Expand the police youth clubs and mentorships ► Establish nuisance abatement programmes ► Expand our intelligence ability

towards increasing the number of police officers in the streets was also put forward.

The President also called for the 911 system to be addressed and turned into a true rapid response system as he pointed to the many instances of persons complaining that the number is not usually answered. This must stop, Mr Ramotar added, as he disclosed that Guyana had the worst response time in the entire Caribbean. He posited that the shorter the police travel time from notification to arrival, the more likely it is that the police can arrest offenders before they flee. According to Mr. Ramotar, the rapid response will produce three crime prevention effects, namely: reduction in harm in crimes which are interrupted by the police while in progress, greater deterrent from the threat of punishment, reinforcement related arrests and finally the incapacity through imprisonment of offenders prosecuted more effectively with evidence from response-related arrests.

Mr. Ramotar went on to state that there needs to be the creation of a rapid response center while the recruiting and training of new officers must be looked at. He added that improved technology and infrastructure and whatever else is needed to have the rapid response more effective needs to be acquired.

There was also a call for the establishment of directed patrols as he pointed to the

advent of computerized crime analysis which provides a far greater precision in the identification of crime patterns.

The Head of State again called for the establishment of yet another feature, this time a proactive arrest model with a high certainty of arrest for a narrowly defined set of offences or offenders. He pointed out that this will accomplish more than arrests certainty for a broad range of targets.

At the conference the Commander-in-Chief also made it clear that part of the success would be increasing the number of converted patrols to take advantage of the elements of surprise in the apprehension of criminals with evidence.

There was also the call for the establishment of a more aggressive road policing and traffic enforcement system to reduce the influence of criminals on the public transport sector. The officers were also urged to curtail breaches of the law in every way.

One of the more outstanding issues raised in the fifteen-point programme was calling on police officers to work closely with the schools to reduce the instances of school violence or drug abuse in the schools.

He urged the Guyana Police Force to establish drugs and weapons free zone and stressed that anyone who is found near a school with drugs or weapons should be dealt with condignly in accordance

with the laws of Guyana.

COLD CASES The organization was also given a mandate by the Head of State to reopen cold cases and unresolved crimes. He stated that the aim would be to improve the rate of clearing up homicides, shootings, breakages, robberies, larcenies and sexual offences. He stressed that if criminals do not think that they will be caught, they will continue to commit those crimes.

Police officers were also urged to establish targeted programmes to improve and boost confidence in critical sectors such as tourism, agriculture, construction, commerce and transport.

There was also the call for the organization to expand its police youth groups and mentorships which the Commissioner of Police had earlier spoken about at length.

The final two points made by the President was for the police to establish nuisance-abating programmes aimed at curbing noise nuisance, and he stressed that the practice is a grievous situation for many persons and the issue must be dealt with.

Expanding intelligence to achieve greater focus on the critical crime targets such as gangs, trafficking syndicates, groups at risks and crime hotspots was also mentioned.

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President reads the Riot Act! GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

– as he opens Police Officers’ Conference

President Donald Ramotar in light conversation with Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh

Head of State Donald Ramotar makes his way into the 2015 Police Officers' Conference

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally “MAKE no mistake! If you fail to perform your duties and fail to honour the oath you took to protect and serve the Guyanese people, then I will do what I have to do to ensure that the Guyanese people have proper service by the Police Force.”

This was part of the charge given by Commander-in-Chief of Guyana’s Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar to officers present at the Police Officers’ Annual Conference 2015.

The conference is being held at the Annex of the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

During his remarks at the opening ceremony of the conference, which is being held under the theme: ‘Providing effective security through partnership, enhanced public trust and capacity building’, President Ramotar stressed the importance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) upholding the Peelian Principles as it addresses the need to execute its mandate and build public trust.

The Head of State again congratulated the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, and reminded him of the tremendous responsibilities he has and the need to meet the expectations of our citizens. At this important juncture, he noted that “I have decided to reinforce the important role that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) plays in ensuring the safety and security of citizens.”

The President emphasised the importance of a strong and professional GPF for the maintenance of social order, for the protection of people

“I expect you to exercise zero tolerance [for] the corrupt few who have infiltrated your ranks and then take appropriate action; I also expect you, the leadership, to set the example. A Police Officer cannot be a walking contradiction. I am optimistic that the Officers here today can address this situation, but make no mistake if you fail to perform your duties and fail to honour the oath you took to protect and serve the Guyanese people, then I will do what I have to do to ensure that the Guyanese people have proper service by the Police Force.” - President Ramotar from crime and to act as a visible deterrent to crimes and disorder and “to also lay out the reforms that I believe are necessary to bring [the] GPF in line with the needs of all Guyanese.”

“The vision of the GPF is not one that only meets the needs of our citizens, but [also one] that sets the standards that other nations will wish to copy,” he said, while explaining what he expects in the future from the GPF. “ President Ramotar, while explaining the Peelian Principles and urging the officers to practice them, said: “Let’s first review the basic guidelines for policing under the Peelian Principles, these are the basic guidelines” that came from colonial times to present modern day, for ethical policing. “Every police officer should bear an identification number to ensure accountability for his or her actions.

“Whether the police are effective or not is not measured by the number of arrests, but on the lack of crime,” the President stressed, noting that “trust and accountability are paramount.” He explained that the Peelian Principles are more relevant today, as officers express their variety of skills in different aspects of everyday policing.

The Head of State took some time to shed light on the recent survey findings of the

Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) which found that Guyana has the lowest level of trust in their police in the Region, and this distrust has decreased over time. He added that the public may have their views on the survey, but the reality is that LAPOP has published its findings and these have been widely disseminated and therefore must be addressed objectively.

The survey, he noted, found that between 2012 to 2014, the Guyanese public trust in the GPF has decreased by 10 points, from 45.8 points in 2012 to 35.4 points in 2014 and added, “this is a worrying finding.”

President Ramotar then urged the Police Officers that during their deliberations, it is expected that they will discuss the perceived decrease in trust that might have fuelled such views and what could be done to turn this decrease in trust to an increase in confidence by the citizens of Guyana.

“Let me be clear on this point: this perception is not acceptable to me nor any Guyanese and we must take steps to change these perceptions. Before anything can be done there must be a desire to move forward and he challenged each officer to find that desire.”

The Command-

Some of the special invitees

er-in-Chief, after explaining the facts of the findings noted that it is unacceptable when members of the Police Force or the joint services are either perpetrators or are perceived to be in league with perpetrators.

“The population and those elected to lead whether in Government or in Opposition will hold you, the leadership, accountable for the indiscretions of those among you, or those whom you lead if they are culpable for indiscretions,” he said.

In concluding his remarks, the Head of State with vibrancy said: “I am aware that while [the] majority of the Force are committed, patriotic men and women, there is a minority of a few rotten oranges that can spoil the whole basket. I expect you to exercise zero tolerance [for] the corrupt few who have infiltrated your ranks and then take appropriate action; I also expect you, the leadership, to set the example. A police

officer cannot be a walking contradiction. I am optimistic that the officers here today can address this situation, but make no mistake if you fail to perform your duties and fail to honour the oath you took to protect and serve the Guyanese people, then I will do what I have to do to ensure that the Guyanese people have proper service by the Police Force.”

President Ramotar proposed a “15 in 2015 Programme” that is designed to restore confidence in the nation’s police force and he also explained each of the 15 steps that the programme shall follow. “As you commence your conference, my best wishes for full participation and objective debates and fruitful discussions in order to achieve the objectives you have set and to arrive at a successful conference outcome,” the President said as he bid the Officers best wishes during their deliberations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

President says…

Time for Opposition to stop opposing for sake of opposing - urges them to join in strengthening country’s security PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has appealed to all Guyanese, regardless of their political affiliation, to work towards the strengthening of the nation’s security.

Addressing the Officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) during the opening of their annual conference at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, the President said: “We cannot continue to have opposition for the sake of having opposition”.

He raised the question of how one could explain the two occasions that the Anti-Money Laundering

and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, was voted down by the political Opposition. “How could you explain that when you’re putting the citizens of the country in danger, and at the same time creating the perception that you want to turn this country from a haven for criminal and international drug traffickers. That is unacceptable. That cannot be politics as usual. That is creating a terrible situation for our people in our country”.

President Ramotar also questioned the calls made by the political Opposi-

tion to the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) to prevent money for the Citizens Security Strengthening Project from coming to the security forces. Some US$15 million is earmarked for the GPF, Civil Service and community based initiatives to deal with the root cause of crimes, he said.

“This cannot be politics and we must do our best to ensure that our security forces have both the laws and the wherewithal to fight crimes both internal and trans-border. I appeal for good sense.”

The Head of State

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also called on the political parties to ensure that before, during and after the upcoming elections, they pledge their support to the GPF and the joint services. He said, “They must appeal to their constituency, and their staff, to display maturity and patriotism and demonstrate to the world that we are a progressive and responsible people.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

West Ruimveldt fire leaves extended family homeless - including two children and a teacher

By Leroy Smith

A FIRE of unknown origin just around mid-morning yesterday gutted a home at Lot 638 Hibiscus Street, West Ruimveldt, leaving seven persons, including two children and a teacher, homeless.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the fire started around 11.16hrs and was first noticed by neighbours who raised an alarm.

One woman Simone Charles explained that she was inside her home with a friend, when another friend who was visiting at the time stepped outside. She said that the friend then called her to say that smoke was coming from the house which is located one lot away from her.

According to Charles, when she went outside she noticed thick smoke and soon after, she saw two of the adult siblings who reside at the house running out of the building. Immediately after that, fire was seen.

According to the young woman, the fire quickly spread through the building even as persons summoned the fire service which responded promptly with tenders from the Central Fire Station and West Ruimveldt Fire Station.

Yesterday the affected persons were

too shaken to speak with the media on the cause of the fire. However, one elderly woman who lives not far away also stated that she saw the smoke emanating from the building. The woman who is familiar with the interior of the building explained that she could not say where exactly the fire might have started, but from all indications most of the activity seemed to have been happening in the bedroom located to the south of the home.

The eastern wall of the building had collapsed which appeared to show that the fire was mostly concentrated on that side of the building.

The occupants of the home were observed crying and consoling each other as they lamented that they had lost everything , including source documents, passports and other personal belongings.

The fire attracted a huge crowd of spectators who gathered helplessly as they watched the house burn, even as firefighters did their best to bring the fire under control and prevent it from catching to at least one other building which is located nearby.

Up to late yesterday, the Guyana Fire Service investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

The two children and some members of the extended family who resided at the house

What’s left of the family home after the fire

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

EDITORIAL

Guyana

Government facilitates, contractors devastate new homeowners WHEN you are dealing with contractors within Guyana’s construction industry, then the name of the game is ‘rip-off.’

The PPP/Civic’s housing programme is probably the lodestone initiative of this Government since its assumption to office in October of 1992.

What was once an unreachable, unattainable dream for most Guyanese became a very concrete reality (Pun not intended).

A massive housing drive enabled thousands of working-class Guyanese to become homeowners, with all its attendant benefits.

The Government went several steps further to create enabling synergies where ordinary citizens, with no savings, and no hope of accruing any, especially while paying the very steep rentals being demanded by landlords, could access low-interest loans to build their homes upon the acquisition of titles and/or transports to their precious plots of land.

But then the horror story begins.

Some aspiring homeowners have opted to acquire pre-constructed homes in schemes where developers have entered

into partnership with Government, which provides the land on which low-cost houses are supposed to be built for sale to potential homeowners.

But this has time and again proven to fructify in less than desired expectations in many instances. The horror stories are many – walls separating from the main building, with cracks appearing at different pressure points; plumbing coming apart; zinc sheets improperly secured. The list is endless and at times mind-boggling.

For those who choose to build from scratch, according to specified requirements – well, the astronomical labour costs belie the service provided, unless one has the time, and the knowledge, to personally supervise every aspect of construction.

Persons who have taken loans have found themselves with a few walls and a depleted loan account.

Contractors purchase the materials but often, through pre-arrangement, effect delivery to another job site. Of course someone inexperienced in measuring lumber and other material would be none the wiser, because they most often accept the

receipts tendered at face value.

Carpenters and labourers are also diverted to other job sites while on the clock so, along with materials, the homeowner is also short-changed on the labour, for which they have to pay astronomical amounts.

While it is understood that Government has limitations to its funds and capacities, there needs to be instituted protective mechanisms that will ensure that the dishonest actions of builders do not derail Government’s laudable efforts in the provision of state lands to facilitate home ownership by the poor and vulnerable in society.

The law currently provides for a cause of action – breach of contract or negligence, in the event that a contractor does not deliver a reasonable quality of service for which he receives financial compensation.

However, the judiciary and its adjunctive arms have proven to be traditionally slothful and, given the oftentimes pecuniary circumstances of the victims, the scurrilous actions of the home builders have almost always been allowed to go unpunished.

There is dire need for some agency to work along with Government and the New Building Society to institute a programme where reliable, affordable, and knowledgeable labour is provided to those who access mortgages.

The skills development component of the Ministry of Education could work along with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to create opportunities to garner income while acquiring life skills.

The Guyana Prison Service, under the guidance of then Officer-in-Charge of the Georgetown Prisons, had initiated a programme whereby skilled convicts work for an income. The Service has been providing blocks, linen, and uniquely beautiful furniture and cabinetry made from Guyana’s hardwoods and indigenous material.

Along with Food for the Poor, Habitat for Humanity, and other such organisations an advisory and support group could be established for the guidance and assistance in order to ensure curtailment of the prevalent syndrome of dishonesty by housing developers and construction contractors.

‘I tell myself, don’t be a fool’ CALL me sentimental but I believe there are values and traits that depict the reality of surreal presentations. What does that mean? You know it but you haven’t accepted.

Consider this: Found in Mexico and Central America is a cunning viper called the Cantil. The Cantil is short and heavy thus disabling fast, movements which may be needed especially when hunting.

But it is never affected by this or rather this never affects its ability to catch its food.

The Cantil finds a way to get the Job done.

Its first move is to accept that it is difficult to catch large preys so it decides to focus on the weaker and smaller ones but this is just the beginning, it showcases its highest level of craftiness when it presents its colourful tail as worm for young animals to feed on, striking them unexpectedly and injecting its venom.

The Cantil is not the only Viper with this ability but is most popularly known for this; thus being called the ‘Caudal luring’’ of the day but that isn’t the end of today’s segments of animal biology.

I needed to share that with you, because it is equally important; that like vulnerable critters in the jungle we recognise the ‘Caudal luring’ of the day.

Guyana must now be seen especially at this time as the playing field for large predators and prey. After all, everyone wants to win.

I find it insulting that political parties and leaders approach the Guyanese people as though they are small, foolish prey. This assuming naiveté they seemingly believe we possess is at the peak of insults in my opinion .

I find it even more deceptive that they, like the Cantil, utilise whatever appeals to us as cit-

izens and that they boldly step out to inflict on the hearts of the good spirited with the use of fake profiles and confessions expressing sudden confidence in the combined Opposition and especially the PNC who over the years have injected its venom into the economy and continues to disguise itself in different ways with the same agenda of capturing and devouring.

I tell myself don’t be a fool, and I say it to you as well, like the songstress, Shirley Bassey, “do not be in denial. It will never be him and we shall surely die’’, so examine the grounds and know your snakes.

The AFC is a snake and you know this because they have deceived you already. They have promised you so much but instead of delivering they have taken away.

In most recent times they have attempted to take away the truth from the very setting of

life, by acknowledging the PNC as criminals in the beginning and later forming alliances with these very criminals in efforts to allure you.

But let us not turn a blind eye on the PNC, the real ‘Caudal luring’ of the day who persistently and valiantly presents themselves as the answer for Guyana. I am even more fearful of this deceiver because they have already captured and injected their venom into the AFC and together they are coming for us.

What will be defining is the willingness of Guyanese to protect themselves from these vipers or to possess that very naiveté they prey on; should it exist but surely I tell you whether I be classified a small prey in the jungle or Shirley Bassey, I will not be a fool, I will not be fooled.

JASON ABDULLA

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

In support of Mr Jagdeo’s comments at Babu Jaan FORMER President Mr Bharrat Jagdeo is correct in stating that there were elements from the Opposition PNC in the 2011 Elections who were bent on creating racial strife with their “coolie” comments.

It is good to know that people in high positions such as Mr Jagdeo is aware of these happenings. Say what you will of Jagdeo but he is clued in. It appears as if the Government and GECOM are blind to many of the illegal activities by the PNC which are clear to the ‘man in the street’, if he chooses to see.

In the 2011 Election, the PNC brought from the US and elsewhere a number of it supporters mainly former Army and Police personnel to Guyana to plan strategies on how to mobilise their foot soldiers and to create havoc if need be in and around Georgetown.

It is well known that many of the former military people were based in Seaforth Street,

Campbellville where one of the main PNC donor and supporter has a house which is used as a camp and ‘war room’ by visiting PNC ex-military members. Primo, from the infamous Congress Place shooting, was one of the persons seen there as were many of the current leading members of the PNC. Hamilton Green has been seen after working hours in that area on many occasions.

Maybe he visits Khemraj Ramjattan who lives on the next street. There has supposedly been sightings of Mr Granger there in 2011. Maybe he was just saying ‘hello’ to his former ‘squaddies’ housed there.

On Election Day in 2011, the businessman was heard loudly saying that it was time to go out and mobilise PNC supporters to get rid of the illegal Coolie Government. He had his vehicles and drivers and was heard clearly instructing them to go to Kitty and then Camp-

bellville Housing Scheme and Sophia and get people to go out and vote against the ‘Coolie man’. The strange thing is that this person is one of the few Afro Guyanese in that area but he can make those comments and get away with it because of his money and his friends in high places.

If the people in that area were to take offence at the comments then it would be mayhem. Thankfully, the Indo Guyanese in that area are sensible enough and were not dragged into the race baiting that was going on.

That PNC supporter who operates a wellknown business in the another area of Campbellville is at it again this time around and is believed to be using his connections and money in trying to again recruit ex-military Guyanese from Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey and New York to come and to push harder this time and to be prepared for violence. They are even

(allegedly) offering to pay airfares. Everyone knows of the dark and ugly underbelly of the PNC and it seems to be raising its ugly head for the 2015 Elections.

It is also ‘common knowledge’ on the street that some PNC supporters have several voting registration cards. Many PNC supporters with bus and trucks are already being mobilised to transport these people from one polling station to the next, and the next. Watch the roads on election day and see who is being shuttled around. It is a shame that Mr Jagdeo did not speak of this also.

God help us all. Especially the Indo-Guyanese, Chinese-Guyanese, Portuguese-Guyanese, Amerindian-Guyanese and Guyanese of mixed races if the PNC wins.

CONCERNED GUYANESE (Name withheld by request)

Give that presidential hopeful, which wins your hearts, a clear route JUST this past 45th anniversary of our Co-operative Republic, my pleading to potential voters was published. However, not long after I was given the bittersweet answer/question: “What if I don’t favour any of these presidential hopefuls?”

Editor, so many of us have evolved into the thinking that as citizens, we are entitled to a wealth of economic benefits, but this is never completely true. Many are here as direct

resultants of their parents’ friskiness, soon after, rendering these unsuspecting parents, bankrupt.

To transcend this, many children pursue education and enter the ‘Academic Derby’, still, inadequate education, weak morale development, along with national/economical segmentation end the race too far before the finish line.

Fortunately, these are the only base issues for any disenchantment, and can be unshackled.

How? Every 5 years, we are empowered to choose who must bring our betterment. However, the weaker that support, the more potholes on that route. I remember when I was writing my most recent examination, my lecturer was saying, “if you do the homework, study and participate in class, the markers have no other choice than to give you a good grade”.

Come May 11th, we are given the right to vent, and must ensure to overwhelmingly

support. Give that presidential hopeful, which wins your hearts, a clear route. Not favouring a candidate isn’t a worthy reason to abdicate our accountability, because it isn’t about a candidate, it’s about giving a group the responsibility to usher the Republic away from 3rd World disadvantages. ‘Stop the nay, on the 11th of May, together we must say, Hip-hip-Hooray!’

HERCULES RAMPHAL

Sase Singh is as unconscionable Top Cop’s presentation was structured, focused, incisive and informative as the APNU-AFC alliance IT is always a given that every human is entitled to personal opinions; for it is their God given right to take whatever position on whatever matter. And this is even when they cannot support their arguments without any shred of credible evidence. It is a situation that is very common on the part of persons, who gave their views on political issues as pertaining to their country.

For example, Sase Singh has been a regular contributor to the Letters columns of the Kaieteur News; and this is not surprising, Since he, like this (KN) publishing house, has taken up perennial positions of hostility against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

One suspects that Singh is capable of a much better line of rational thinking, but is instead buoyed by personal feelings of grudge against a party and government that has by far exceeded the doomsday predictions and expectations of Singh and, of course, the KN. Again, one observes this trend in Singh’s missive captioned in KN’s edition of March 9, in which he has descended, as is his creed, in attacking the performance of President Donald Ramotar since becoming President in November 2011.

Any objective thinking Guyanese should be aware as to the monumental problems and frustrations that President Ramotar’s Government faced as it

relates to the latter’s sustained attempts to legislate important Bills in the Tenth Parliament.

Singh is certainly aware as to what happened to the critical Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AMHP) Bill and that for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CTF).

If, as he has desperately sought to convince readers that President Ramotar fell short of his mandate, then I, in all good conscience, will brand Singh as a colossal liar, without any apologies.

President Ramotar, good patriot that he has always been, sought to continue building on the excellent socio-economic development platform, bequeathed him by his predecessor, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

There is no good reason, imaginable, why President Ramotar should not have wanted to continue development programmes for the betterment of his fellow Guyanese. Politically, it would mean fulfilling the governance mandate, redounding to his deserved credit Maybe, Singh can best explain the unreasonable actions of the two political Opposition parties, especially their sustained efforts at stymieing every parliamentary effort to promote the business of the nation. But he will not be able to, since he is just as unconscionable as they are.

JEROME DASS

I WAS an attendee at (yesterday’s) opening of the Police Officers’ Conference 2015. The proceedings compelled me to make the following observations, your print medium permitting: Without intending any slight to presentations by other Commissioners of Police on similar occasions, I found the presentation of Commissioner Seelall Persaud to be structured, focused, incisive and informative. His administration and himself must be given kudos for offering a plan of action to this nation in terms of overall Police work and it is essential that citizens throw their weight behind the Guyana Police Force to bring to fruition a much revived and structured

mission.

President Donald Ramotar himself offered a very pragmatic 15-point “desirables list” for the Force’s deliberation. His understanding of the national security situation was very evident in his presentation.

I am convinced that it must be the wish of all who listened to His Excellency and to the Top Cop that all members of the Force will embrace and effectuate the many new initiatives rolled out so that we can disprove the conclusions of the recent poll, which was not very complimentary to the Force.

TAAJNAUTH JADUNAUTH

Stop the speculation and let the police do their job

I SYMPATHISE with the death of Mr. Courtney Crum-Ewing and especially the manner of his death. Condolences to his grieving relatives. I hope the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice.

However, letter writers and opposition supporters are trying to link the PPP to this killing.

This killing can be a drive-by shooting by his enemies or business associates. So I am asking people to stop the speculation and let the police do their job.

The Opposition wants political mileage out of this killing and protesting in front of the

Attorney General’s office as if the Attorney General has knowledge of this killing. They are putting the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall’s life at risk for their own selfish benefits.

Why didn’t the protestors picket the police stations as they did in the past when there is a murder? Why select the AG’s office? These protestors and the Opposition are not giving the police a fair chance to solve this murder.

Instead they made inaccurate pronouncements immediately after the murder.

I hope the police solve this crime.

BALWANT PERSAUD

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Rushing in bitterness for a death wish!

POTSALT is saddened at the killing of protestor, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

This killing must be condemned in no uncertain terms. Condolences to his family and may they be granted the strength to cope during their time of sorrow. However, Potsalt couldn’t help noticing how de Opposition and dem media friends rushing to pass judgement after the unfortunate death. They have, even without de conclusion of the Police investigation, already decided and propagating who killed him! Is not even a accusation!

Fuh dem is fact; judge, jury and executioner!

This must also be condemned in no

uncertain terms! What about due process? And this is de same Opposition and media people who does demand transparency and de same due process!

Nobody know de story why Courtney lose his life and de investigation must be given time to conclude. The bitter vile some of de same Opposition people spitting out pun Facebook and other forum like that, mek Cobra venom look like cough syrup and karilla turn sweet! In spitting de bitterness, de spitters didn’t even notice that somebody else get kill de same evening that Courtney was!

Potsalt hear that de unnoticing of de other death was deliberate because de spitters does spit conveniently! De

“big” “Key” lawyer rush down fuh mek sure that Courtney death turn a political one. Potsalt hear that Courtney family calling fuh peace. That is commendable in de face of adversity.

De others who spitting should learn, unfortunately some wouldn’t want fuh learn! De bitter bile tek over! Tek de “Key” youth leader fuh example.

He suh bitter that he mek a public wish to see de demise of de Prez and he guards. De wish was after a young professional female was killed in a accident. This is bitterness + insensitiveness + disrespect!

He went far beyond de “mark” because people don’t wish death or

Crum-Ewing’s death leaves us with more questions than answers SOMETHING is radically wrong here and it just does not add up, that is, a lone campaigner/protester or what you may want to call him, being hotly pursued and fatally shot. The question is why was he pursued and shot dead? There must be a reason or reasons for such a heinous crime.

Now, many of the Opposition charlatans have given their unsubstantiated, biased views as to the motive behind his killing.

They have already gone on record as saying that he was ‘assassinated’ for political purposes, the edited versions by some tabloids just stopping short in naming the political party that should be held responsible.

This political assassination reason is an age old claim that opposition forces are known for and for which we well expect them to harp on. They have done it before and they are doing it again and I hasten to say they would be shamefully embarrassed by that theory. Should you turn back the historical pages and you will see this ghastly scheme in action in Linden when those three guys were shot. The theory touted was that the police

shot the protesters having been given orders by the Home Affairs Minister.

The subsequent Commission of Inquiry has proven this to be a blatant lie. This was substantiated in the expert testimony of the forensic expert that came in from England.

That expert was requested

by Nigel Hughes (a name that resurfaces at the Ewing scene also) and company, the government willingly acceded to their demands for independent, foreign personnel, his expenses and accommodation paid for by the government.

They did this unhesitatingly and unreservedly because the government wanted the truth told while at the same time clear its name.

That expert did his forensic research and gave his report, the bullets did not come from the police.

This was damning testimony coming from “their” witness, nevertheless, the government in the interest of peace did compensate the relatives of the dead.

Scroll back to the 1997 protest at Mrs Jagan’s election to the Office of President when Donna McKinnon was killed. That year long protest saw the shoot-

ing death of a pregnant woman in Regent Street.

The dead woman was later transported to the vacant lot near Freedom House when the murderous report was given that she was shot by a bullet coming from Freedom House. One from the ‘spit press’ who was not even present at the scene was heard saying he saw when Mrs Jagan fired the bullet. He did not stop to think that here we had a pregnant woman with nothing constructive to do with her time being caught up in a violent Opposition protest?

He did not stop to think that factual evidence was there showing the woman being shot in Regent Street and not in Robb Street?

The rest is history. All hell broke loose after that, all because the devilish lies of the Opposition paid off.

For peace, Mrs Jagan had to give up much of her rights as President and her governance marked by great restraint.

In the interest of time I would conclude my argument by asking the following questions: 1. Crum-Ewing was indeed killed by forces who were out to get him, there is no question about

that. The point is, who are these men and why did they want him dead?

2. Question number two, we know that the dead man was an ex-officer of the armed forces, but now he is self-employed. What ‘self employment’ was he engaged in?

3. News of Ewing’s death saw the immediate arrival of Nigel Hughes (well-known character) in these matters at the scene of crime. The newspaper report states, “his lawyer was present at the scene”. What matters pending did Ewing had that necessitated legal counsel, the kind of a Nigel Hughes?

4. Crum-Ewing is a lone protester, who had no crowd - like that of a Walter Rodney - one who poses no threat to the PPP’C Party. Why would they do harm to a man like that? What is there to gain from his death?

5. The PPP/C has a track record as a peaceful, people-friendly, people-oriented party; one who is not associated with thugs and criminals but abhors crime.

A main Opposition entity is known to be in collusion with thugs even conferring national acclaim to one of

sickness pun others, even if yuh don’t like dem.

Potsalt and everybody else know that is a lot of “ra$$” he does be talking. But de “Key” people, who now in de PNC/ Alliance, including de “big” rushing lawyer, Nagga and RumJ and so on, silent pun this wish! Dem don’t be silent when accusation does mek against Cup people.

People seh silent does speak volumes and this convenient silence speaking volume of support fuh what de “ra$$” said in de wish! But is not dem alone silent; de media people too! More “unspeaking” support fuh “ra$$”! Potsalt gone! Fuh now!

them. Why would the PPP/C want to stoop so low to sully its good historical record?

When these questions are given the qualified answer they deserve then and only then can we come to a conclusion.

So, to my learned

friends Dr David Hinds and PNC sympathiser/ apologist Joe Singh, you should have put your thinking caps on before making those outrageous assumptions.

NEIL ADAMS

Adam Harris’ role in publication of notorious headline in KN I WRITE to register my deepest concern over the exercise of editorial control of the Kaieteur News newspaper and media house.

Immediately after the conclusion of the press conference with former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in the media room at Freedom House, I was present during a conversation between the Editor of the Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, and Mr Jagdeo, when Jagdeo questioned Harris as to how such captions could be printed in the (Kaieteur News) newspaper when they had the transcript and video of his speech at Babu John which would have revealed that he (Jagdeo) never said that the PPP was a “coolie people party”. Harris’ response was that he was not there (at Babu John) but in any event this was Glenn Lall’s doing.

If this is indeed the truth as Harris has asserted, and I hope it is not, then questions need to be asked about Harris’ exercise of editorial control and power at the Kaieteur News newspaper and the underlying motive of pursuing an objective with the inherent risk of racial and political unrest that our country must assiduously avoid to maintain a course of collective national development.

I am, therefore, seeking a public clarification on the accuracy of Harris’ statement and his role and knowledge, if any, in the publication of the notorious headline.

CHARLES S. RAMSON Attorney-at-Law

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Government commissions new pavilion, community kitchen AT KARAWAB...

THE Government through the Region 2 Administration has commissioned a new $1.5 M community kitchen and a $1M pavilion at Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon River.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Region 2 Chairman Mr Parmanand Persaud said the projects are another promise fulfilled by the Government to residents in the Amerindian comunity, located some 75 miles from Charity.

Mr Persaud said the new pavilion, financed by Government through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will boost the development of sports in the community.

The Chairman said he was very happy to commission the pavilion, because it shows that government is promoting and developing sports in the hinterland . Mr Persaud also thanked the

– residents grateful for the assistance

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for constructing the pavilion in the community.

The chairman said the community kitchen is also another project that will benefit the entire village.He said the kitchen could be used for catering and for training persons to cook .

Community Development Officer (CDO) of Amerindian communities in Region 2, Ms Melrose Henry said the community kitchen project was financed under the 2010-2011 Presidential Grant at a cost of $1.5 M. According to the CDO, the projects are a plus for the community and commended the Government for investing in development so residents could benefit. She also

A student cuts the ribbon to officially commission the pavilion at Karawab

thanked residents for giving self- help work in making the projects become reality.

Toshoa of the communi-

The community kitchen at Karawab, in the Upper Pomeroon River

ty, Mr Kenrick Lewis, said the projects show the interest the PPP/C Government has in residents at Karawab and

thanked President Donald Ramotar and his Government for developing the community.Mr Lewis said

the pavilion and community kitchen are another testimony of the Government’s commitment to development in Amerindian communities.He said the community kitchen was constructed with funds from the Presidential Grant in 2010 and 2011 and it will help the community especially to train young people in cooking and catering. The two opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) who have now formed a coalition have however cut the Presidential Grant from the national budget and consequently have denied Amerindians further development.

Speaking about the pavilion, the Toshao said it will trigger sports development and young people will be able to develop their skills in sport. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

The new pavilion in the community

Thieves attack pensioner GECOM among agencies to at Devonshire Castle benefit from new contracts – with broken bottles, bricks SEVENTY-four-year-old pensioner, Ashburn Mazarine of Old Road, Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast was seriously injured last Sunday night after thieves attacked him at his home.

According to Mazarine, he and his wife were asleep when they were awakened by noises around 2:00 hrs am Sunday morning.The pensioner said he got out of bed and began to investigate where the noise was coming from when he came under attack with broken bottles and bricks being hurled at him from a window that was

opened in the kitchen.

The pensioner said he screamed for help as the bricks and bottles landed on him and he received several cuts to his face and head as his attackers tried to kill him.

His wife said she dived for cover and hid as the attack started.

Mr Mazarine, who rears livestock said he has reported the matter to the police at Anna Regina, adding that he tried to recognise the two persons who tried to kill him.

He said thieves had previously attacked his home and beat him into unconsciousness; his wife was brutally

raped in that attack.

Mazarine is appealing for help and he and his wife have moved out from the house because they are afraid that the thieves will return and kill them.

Meanwhile, residents of Old Road, Devonshire Castle are calling on the police to do more patrols in the village, especially in the late hours during the night. The village has a vigilante group but reports said thieves are still attacking villagers.

Reports said the said night the pensioner was attacked several other residents said their doors were rocked by persons suspected to be thieves. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

AN additional three contracts received Cabinet’s nod this week, contracts that together are valued at over $1B. The disclosure was made

by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, who explained that among the contracts is one for $51.1M, which will facilitate the rental of over 20 buildings that are used by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to house its offices.

Speaking during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, held at the Office of the President, on Wednesday, he added that another contract for $20.5M was given Cabinet’s no-objection and will fund the Housing and Water Ministry’s procurement of 12-inch pipelines for the com-

pletion of the installation of transmission mains in Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dr Luncheon stated too that another $977.5M was approved for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to support the designing and implementation of a digital excise stamping programme.

According to him, this will support the effort to deter avoidance of applicable excise taxes on alcoholic and tobacco-based products.

The Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) maintains that the Constitution, as well as the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, guides Government spending in the current circumstances – the absence of an Appropriation Act (Budget) and elections in the air.

The Dissolution Proclamation, effective last Saturday, has activated the provisions of Article 219 (1) and combined the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. It provides that in any financial year the Government is empowered to spend onetwelfth of the Budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed.

Additionally, after Elections, Article 219, paragraph 3 of the Constitution, will be activated to regulate expenditure until a first budget is passed for the 11th parliament of Guyana.

Contracts above the $15M mark are taken to Cabinet for its no-objection.

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Ramotar and Jagdeo

By Shaun Michael samaroo

BHARRAT Jagdeo’s role in our society as former President comes in for all manner of speculation, with critics claiming he runs Guyana from behind the scenes.

Of course, given his strong personality, his vocal engagement on national issues, and his two-decade position as an influential leader, we would expect his presence to play a prominent role in the grand scheme of our nation’s affairs.

But the assertion that Jagdeo pulls the strings from behind the scenes at Office of the President smacks of nothing but uninformed speculation.

Now, as Chairman of the newly minted National Economic Council, he would play a powerful role in the economic development of the Guyanese society.

But Jagdeo does not dominate the Guyana Government today. Rather, President Donald Ramotar holds the reigns of the presidency with firm confidence. The President spent the last three years fending off a hostile and war-like

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo Opposition that saw its one-seat Parliamentary dominance as the ticket to derail Government.

Once President Ramotar settled into office and got down to the task of presiding over his nation, he managed the society with his own style: an open, engaging, democratic way that the uninitiated saw as weak leadership.

Following Jagdeo’s 12 years at Office of the President, characterised with a strength of leadership that irked and irritated a lot of folks, Ramotar’s humility, his easy style, his camaraderie and manner of familiar embracing of people

he encounters, came across as weak leadership.

But Ramotar possesses an inner strength of steel and a passionate resolve to lead his way, and to prove his mettle over time.

No man could rise through the ranks and traverse the tough road of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) being a weak personality.

Ramotar rose through the Party, becoming its General Secretary, surprising the nation with his Presidential bid in 2011, and winning the Presidency. That is a monumental accomplishment.

Others who tried to gain this pres-

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

who he is, for his unique leadership style.

It’s unfortunate that his term of office as President faced such draconian opposition, and that he had to cut it short.

Were Guyanese to re-elect him for a full five-year term, he would absolutely transform Guyana.

His pet project has become the Amaila Hydro project, which Jagdeo initiated, along with the Low Carbon Development Strategy. The Jagdeo-Ramotar period of our history is a continuum of a certain

The governing of the Guyanese society today is in the firm hands of President Ramotar. He governs as his own man. He finds ready cooperation in Jagdeo, and the two would, of course, share ideas and strategies and Ramotar would, naturally, seek out Jagdeo’s experience as President if such a need arises. It’s only sensible and natural. tigious position could not muster the strength of resolve and leadership and character to succeed, including Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran.

Two men showed the strength and practical wisdom to rise to the top of the PPP hierarchy, post-Jagan: Jagdeo and Ramotar.

And critics today lambast Jagdeo for his meteoric rise, asserting that he’s too strong. Considering Ramotar, however, these critics peddle a fairytale that he’s weak, and merely Jagdeo’s puppet.

We don’t acknowledge the people skills, leadership character and deep passion that caused these men to rise to lead our nation. Instead, critics claim Jagdeo wrestled and man-handled his way to the top, ignoring the fact that he had to win the minds and hearts of the Party hierarchy before he could become President.

Ramotar, as well, had to employ negotiating skills, demonstrate leadership character and muster a deep resolve to the cause of the Party and nation, before he could become Presidential candidate in 2011.

Ramotar is his own man. He leads with his unique style. He governs from his own vision. His love and passion for the Guyanese nation drives him to embrace his country people, moving among the masses with an ease and a smile and hugs for everyone. Humble, open and engaging, President Ramotar’s style confounds critics, who refuse to see him for

socio-economic development strategy, based on 21st century thinking: digital access for the population, alternative energy for affordable long-term electric power, and human development through social programmes in education, health, housing and agriculture.

The process of achieving these goals is ongoing. And this continuum makes it appear that the Jagdeo vision directs the Ramotar presidency.

When Ramotar became President, lots of people expressed surprise: our nation underestimates such leaders as Ramotar, unable to see how the qualities he possesses, the humility, the soft people skills, the reasoned and rational way he converses and gives national speeches, his lack of appealing to emotional sentiments, how these translate into strong, visionary leadership.

The governing of the Guyanese society today is in the firm hands of President Ramotar. He governs as his own man. He finds ready cooperation in Jagdeo, and the two would, of course, share ideas and strategies and Ramotar would, naturally, seek out Jagdeo’s experience as President if such a need arises. It’s only sensible and natural.

As Ramotar faces voters after three years as our President, with Jagdeo by his side supporting him and campaigning for him, we would see the true mettle of this man. From his integrity as a family man, married to First Lady Deolatchmie Ra-

President Donald Ramotar motar for 40 years, with three offspring now serving Guyana as professionals, to his astonishing rise in the annals of the rough and tumble of Party politics, we would witness the strength and character of President Ramotar as he appeals to his nation to believe in him.

This is the biggest test of his character and his leadership mettle, and based on the life story of the man, one could see him victorious at the polls.

He talks to the nation not with charisma and emotional sentimental appeals, but with a deep sensibleness, his voice resonating with an authentic belief in the Guyanese people.

Ramotar is far from being Jagdeo’s puppet. Rather, the President’s heart beats with a vision for the Guyanese nation, a vision alive and vibrant. Whether by fate or destiny, he became President of his nation, this humble man born and raised aback of the Pomeroon in a tiny sunny village called Karia Karia.

He designs his life not seeking personal glory or selfish ambition, but to, in his words, “do the best” he can. That’s all he sets out to do, and giving of his best has seen him rise to be his nation’s President.

That’s the mettle and character and depth of the man, and in him choosing to propel forward the economic revolution of modernising Guyana which Jagdeo initiated, he shows his humility and selfless courage, the qualities that uniquely place him at the helm of his nation, as captain of the 21st century Guyanese ship of state.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Police intensify probe into murder of elderly Albion woman CRIME sleuths in Berbice have intensified their probe into the brutal murder of the elderly Ramdai Mohabir at her home on February 9, 2015 and may soon bring positive results.

Deputy Commander Hugh Denhert told this publication that they are doing some work to draw out the suspect(s) in that crime which sent shockwaves throughout the Corentyne .

He disclosed that much cannot be revealed, noting the sensitive nature of the crime, but work is being done by ranks in that divison.

Ramdai Mohabir, called “Aunty Elsie,” 67, of Lot 665 Topo, Albion, Corentyne, Berbic, was found in her home with upraised feet and in the nude.

She was the victim of a vicious crime; she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Mohabir was robbed of $6,000, had lived alone and

MURDERED: Ramdai Mohabir

was found at about 05:30 hrs by her son Deonarine Ramdeo.

Ramdeo stated that his mother had wanted to live alone. She refused to live with her children so the family built a house in the same yard for her. She had been residing there for the past six months prior to her demise.

The man told reporters he was alerted by his wife that something did not seem right at his mother’s house.

He immediately ventured over to the one-flat wooden house and noticed that six

louvre panes from one of the windows were missing.

On peering through one of the windows, to his horror and disbelief he saw his mother’s naked body sprawled in the house. The man immediately raised an alarm.

The woman’s daughter, Vinmattie Reddi in tears lamented the fact that her mother wanted to live alone, although they had offered to let her live with one of them.

To please their mother they decided to build the one-flat wooden house for her next to her son.

When the woman was found her feet were in the air. She had bruises on her neck and her face was swollen.

A new toothbrush was found on the scene, pins were scattered on the bed and an empty baby oil bottle was also found nearby.

Blood stains were also seen and several marks were found on her body.

Wismar man escapes death under

cascade of mud in mining pit

By Shirley Thomas

IT remains a miracle how Cecil Bobb, 50, of Linden, Wismar, emerged alive after being hit and covered by a huge body of cascading mud in a mining pit at Sand Hills, off the Cuyuni River, two Thursdays ago.

Perhaps, overwhelmed by the prospect of literally ‘getting his hand’ on that ‘string of gold’ spotted by workmen in the pit, as dredging was being undertaken, he impulsively did the unthinkable.

As the excavating bucket delved into the sandy loom, scooped up and deposited the scintillating looking stuff on the other side of where they were standing, the men gasped in excitement. But Bobb did not only gasp. Impulsively he leapt from where he was, with the intention of digging into the gold now brought above land. At that instant, he temporarily forgot that it was raining and that the soil would be loose.

But as he sprang onto the heap of mud and was rapidly making his way onto the

Cecil Bobb who miraculously escaped death

mound, the fresh mud broke away at the base, and it came crashing down on him. That was all he remembered.

What was hair-raising, Bobb said, was that he had his battel strapped onto his back, but at the end of the ordeal, after he was salvaged and regained consciousness, the battel was crushed as ‘flat as a penny’ and all he suffered was a dislocated right hip. He was miraculously delivered from a looming death trap.

It was an uphill task, but his colleagues dug with all

haste and brought him up alive – mud covered, but still breathing as usual. No one else was injured, because he was the only one who took the leap. Still marveling that he was not seriously hurt, Bobb declared, “I still can’t tell what happened.” But his colleagues were able to relate the ordeal.

He was rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he received initial treatment. The next day- Phagwah Day - he was transferred to Linden Hospital and whilst travelling down to Linden, he said, he turned and immediately felt that his joint (ball and socket) had been shifted back into place.

After being X-rayed, treated and observed at Linden for a few days, he was sent on the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is currently warded, and where the doctors will do what else has to be done.

“I can’t tell what exactly happened, but my experience was nothing short of a miracle, and I am giving God the praise, Bobb asserted.

Woman refuses to testify against abusive fiancé A WOMAN who yesterday told the court that she did not want to offer evidence against her fiancé who was accused of assaulting her, caused the matter to be dismissed.

The matter was brought before Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The charge stated that Collin Cumberbatch, 21, of 107 Casta Street Agricola, East Bank Demerara, on March 11 unlawfully assaulted his fiancée, Ashanti LaRose at Lombard & Hadfield Streets.

The court heard the Cumberbatch is a bus conductor of the Linden Bus Route, and LaRose lives together at Pike Street, Kitty.

However yesterday, LaRose told the court that she wished to forego charges against her fiancé.

When asked by the magistrate to confirm this, the woman said that “they had a talk and working things out,” adding that she had reported the matter out of frustration.

The magistrate, after hearing the case, said: “If he still interferes with you I advise you take out a protection order against him,” after binding both parties to keep the peace for six months or in default one month in prison.

LaRose then firmly responded in the affirmative. The matter was dismissed as no evidence was presented.

Wakenaam farmer remanded for attempted murder

ESSEQUIBO Magistrate Sunil Scarce has remanded a 26- year -old cash-crop farmer of Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam, Essequibo to prison for attempted murder.

The farmer, Vijai Sancharra, who made his first apperance before Magistrate Scarce in the Anna Regina court on Tuesday, was not required to plead.

According to police Prosecutor Rambhague, on March 7 at Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands, Sancharra wounded Livamnauth Dhairam. It is alleged that he took a cutlass and dealt several chops to Dhairam’s feet and hand .The injured farmer is hospitalised in the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Sancharra is expected to make another appearance at the Wakenaam court on March 25. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

Man on $75,000 bail for break and enter, larceny

A RESIDENT of Lodge was yesterday granted $75,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry accused of breaking into his fellow tenants’ homes and stealing a quantity of items and cash.

Javon Crawford denied that on March 5 at Hardina and Norton Streets, Wortmanville, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Kenneth Marshal and stole $50,000 worth in Digicel phone cards, two bottles of rum valued $28,000, and $35,000 in several broken pieces of gold jewellery, along with US and Guyana currency – totalling $164,000.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that both parties reside at the same premises, and the defendant rents upstairs. Grant explained that on the day in question, Marshal secured his place and left to take his daughter to school,leaving Crawford at home.

The court heard that upon his return, Marshal noticed that his door was ripped open and he discovered the articles mentioned missing, after checks were made. The matter was reported to the police, who on a “tip off” arrested the defendant; when searched, some of the articles were found on him.

The prosecutor did not object to bail,and explained to the court that Marshal did not wish to proceed with the matter, since Crawford had offered him $100,000 as compensation.

Crawford will return to court on March 31 for statements.

Duo charged with trafficking cocaine A DUO yesterday appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore slapped with the charge of trafficking cocaine.

Richard Presco,of 829 East Ruimveldt and Marcie Andrews of 59 La Jalousie, both 27, were charged separately for the offence that alleged on March 11, at Cross Street, Georgetown, they had 12.5 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor, Simone Payne told the court that on the day in question, police on patrol in the area observed Presco throw a bag in Andrews’s yard.As a result, the police went into the said yard,retrieved and searched the bag and found the illicit narcotic. Both accused were arrested and charged for the offence.

Payne objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence and seriousness of the offence.

The magistrate upheld the prosecutor’s objection and remanded both Presco and Andrews to prison.

The duo are scheduled to make their next court appearance on March 31.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

AFC activist apologises for ‘Ramotar death wish’ comment ––blames state of mind

ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) activist, Mark Ross, has apologised for his distasteful comment expressing the desire to see the demise of sitting Head of State, President Donald Ramotar.

“I have learnt my lesson,” he said.

Ross, earlier this week, commented on the death of a Finance Ministry official following an accident in the Rupununi, saying: “Awww. I am waiting for similar news of ‘Rumotar’ and his escorts.”

Since then, the AFC activist has chalked up his comment to a manifestation of his frustration with the current political state of affairs.

He said, “I want to publicly apologise for my insensitive statement regarding the President last Sunday night… I made it while I was very angry and frustrated... The comment was made in my own personal and private capacity as an angry citizen of Guyana.”

Ross also said that his views are not reflective of the views of the AFC, not its leadership. “I want to apologise to the leaders, members and supporters of the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) and AFC coalition for any damage that has been done as a result of my comment,” he said.

The AFC activist also admitted that his comments were not in the best interest of advancing the type of national unity that the APNU-AFC Alliance is promoting.

“I would not, in a right frame of mind, wish anyone dead regardless of who they are, what they are, or on any other basis…

Upon reflecting on what I said, I realise it was not in our country’s best interest as it relates to forging relationships and promoting unity among political leaders from varying parties,” he said.

AVOID HATE SPEECH In his about turn, the AFC activist also urged other Guyanese to avoid using “hate speech, promoting photos and videos and making comments,” which would result in destroying the unity of our people.

He said, “This does not benefit us in any way or form, it only benefits those who use and promote it for their own personal

AFC activist, Mark Ross

political agenda.

“At the end of the day when elections would have come and gone we, as ordinary Guyanese, have to live as one after elections while our political leaders will attend banquets, buffets and cocktails and will shake hands, knock glasses and hug each other while we sit in our villages feeling ashamed of how we treated our neighbours.”

The AFC activist also acknowledged the insensitivity of his comments, when it comes to those grieving for the Finance Ministry official who lost her life on Sunday.

“My humble apologies to the family and friends of the deceased for any emotional hurt I would have caused. My sincerest condolences to all those who are grieving for her,” he said.

Politicos, at the time the comment was made, contended that Ross’s expression of his desire to see the death of a sitting Head of State was both troubling and, with elections in the air, politically insensitive.

Ross has been vocal on social media expressing his dissatisfaction with the current administration, which observers agree is his right. However, to publicly comment on the expectation of President Donald Ramotar’s death was seen as The comment made by AFC activist Mark Ross on the taking dissatisfaction one step too far. popular social media site, Facebook

13

NICIL rescues Marriott using proceeds from GT&T shares GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

…hostile political Opposition, media thwarted financial closure …AML/CFT deficiency scare off Casino Operator, Marriott Intl. steps in

By Gary Eleazar A HOSTILE political Opposition and media environment is what led to the delays for Financial Closure for the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, forcing the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), to plug the additional funds required to complete the facility.

At least this is according to Winston Brassington, Chairman of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) - the Special Purpose Company established to construct the project.

Brassington yesterday put to rest speculations when he met with the local Media corps in the Mazaruni Room, of the nearly completed Marriott Hotel, and fielded extensive questions in relations to the numerous assertions being peddled publicly.

TROTMAN CHALLENGE According to Brassington, two court challenges brought

by Desmond Trotman, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led to the delays.

He said the court litigation continues to delay the disbursement of several million dollars, critical to the project.

The AHI Chairman told media operatives the first court challenge that had been brought by Trotman sought to prevent the lease of the land from NICIL to AHI. Brassington said this was overcome by AHI utilising its option to buy the Kingston property, since the edifice had already been substantially completed at the time.

Brassington told media operatives that operating in tandem with an antagonistic media environment, a second court challenge was brought

by Trotman, who at the time Turn to page 15 ►

Friday, March 13, 2015 - 09:30 hrs Saturday, March 14, 2015 - 11:00 hrs Sunday, March 15, 2015 - 12:30 hrs

sat as an APNU Member of Parliament (MP).

The second court challenge brought by the APNU Member, according to Brassington, led to the stymieing of a tranche of disbursement

from Republic Bank Limited (RBL).

He explained that RBL had been approached to syndicate a loan of US$27M for the project and this was being secured through a Debenture

and a Mortgage.

The AHI Chairman explained that the northernmost plot of the Kingston property is still leased while the other swath of land on which the building sits, has been pur-

chased by AHI. This, he said, led to the use of the financial facilities of both a mortgage and debenture to secure the USS$27M Syndicated by Republic Bank.

Turn to page 15 ►

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Mahdia man warded after ‘jumbie’ lash Probe underway FIFTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Roderick Stevens of Mahdia, Region 8, is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is nursing injuries to the left ear, eye and internal head injuries, after being dealt a severe ‘jumbie’ lash (an ambush) on the ear with a bottle.

He was struck from behind and is therefore unable to ascertain who had attacked him. However, he recalls that on the evening of February 17, he and his wife, Madrina Thomas, had gone to meet with his uncle at the popular ‘Cevon’s shop’ at Princeville, Mahdia.

While there, he recalled seeing a ‘douglah’ (mixed race) young man whom he had never seen in the area before, looking at him. Ac-

cording to Stevens, the man was ‘high’, (intoxicated). But he said he paid the man no mind, since he was just there to collect some money from his uncle on whose mining claim he had worked earlier.

Around midnight, he said, he and his wife left the shop and set out for home. But on the roadway he encountered a cousin who said she would accompany them, but had to go back to the shop to collect her torchlight. It was while he and his wife were waiting out in the dark for her, that someone crept up and lashed him on the left side of his head.

“I was waiting and I only see somebody from a dark spot, come up and lash me, and I fall,” the injured man said. As Stevens lay unconscious, his wife and cousin sought help

The injured Roderick Stevens on a hospital bed

and took him to hospital. He remained at Mahdia Hospital while being treated for a week and was discharged on February 24.

But the next morning he discovered that he was bleeding from the inner ear. “All the dressing soak,” he declared. He

was taken back to hospital and on that same day was evacuated to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he learnt that the inner ear had burst and so he needed surgery.

On March 2, after being treated at the GPHC, Stevens was discharged and sent to the Amerindian Hostel on Princes Street, but while there, the ear started bleeding heavily again and by March 8 he had to be readmitted to the GPHC. However, he remains warded at the institution, and although the head and face are still badly swollen, the bleeding had subsided.

Stevens said that while he was in hospital, detectives came to take a statement from him and mentioned that someone is in custody at Mahdia, in connection with his wounding.

into Retrieve fire

FOLLOWING the Retrieve, Linden fire last Wednesday which left 11 persons homeless, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said a probe is underway.

He pointed out that the fire so far points to either an electrical fault or it may have been started by children, who reside in the lower flat of the edifice.

Gentle said the blaze reportedly started at about 10pm and a fire tender from McKenzie, Linden responded and contained the conflagration.

One of the fire victims, Rhonda Morrison told the Guyana Chronicle that she was not at home when the fire started since she was at church but within minutes the entire structure was no more.

She said the two-storey house was occupied by three families and now a total of 11 persons, including children, are homeless.

The upper flat was occupied by Morrison and her family while the lower flat was divided into two apartments which housed two families, all of whom were asleep when the blaze started last Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Morrison and her family are staying at relatives in the same street while the others sought alternative arrangements elsewhere.

NICIL rescues Marriott...

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

From page 13

AHI Chairman Winston Brassington provides an update to the local media corps

Hotel in Kingston will be opened next month.

According to the AHI Chairman, to date just over US$52M has been spent to bring the project to the stage it is at and that the Marriott Hotel, is poised to be the largest revenue earner and tax contributor in the local hospitality and service industry (concessions granted will expire in 10 years).

Marriott staff-in-training takes a break inside the spacious accommodation

MONIES HELD UP According to Brassington, the court action has held up more than US$11.7M of the Syndicated Loan, since Republic Bank has only been able to disburse just over US$15.2M, before it was halted by the APNU Member, Trotman.

The AHI Chairman further lamented that not only did the maneuverings of the political Opposition cause the disbursement of the RBL Syndicated Loan to be stymied, it also caused the Private Equity Investor, ACE Square Investment Inc’s, transfer of US$8M to the project to also be halted.

This situation, he said, led to NICIL, which is already a US$4M equity partner in the project, to advance US$16M, to the project, to ensure the conclusion of the hotel.

The money advanced by NICIL will be reimbursed when the court litigation has been resolved.

Brassington explained that NICIL utilised its own resources garnered from its sale of assets and earnings from dividends, to advance the money to the project.

He elucidated saying the assets disposed of were the

shares that had been held in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), and some of this was used along with dividends earned from other bodies for which NICIL holds an interest.

“Had NICIL not provided bridge financing of the project, construction of the hotel would have stalled, resulting in deterioration of the asset and escalation of costs to complete,” according to the AHI Chairman.

He was adamant that no tax dollars have been used to fund the project as had been erroneously reported in sections of the media.

MARRIOTT INT’L RESCUES CASINO In his continued lamentation of the effects the Opposition’s posturing has had on the project, Brassington disclosed that Guyana’s status as a deficient country when it comes to its Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, led to ACE Investments, which had been in the final stages of also securing the role of operating the Casino and Entertainment Complex annexed to the Hotel, to pull out.

It was explained that ACE Investments Limited, became extremely concerned about the potential risks of operating a casino in a jurisdiction about to be internationally black-listed and the resulting impact on the reputation on their officers, who are officers of publicly traded companies in Hong Kong.

The concern led both ACE and NICIL, to enter into discussions with Marriott about operating the casino and other parts of the Entertainment Complex resulting in an agreement with Marriott International, has since stepped in, to not only manage and operate the Hotel, but the Casino and Entertainment Complex as well.

Brassington explained that while ACE Square Investment Inc. did not want to entangle in the casino business in a country with deficient Anti-Money Laundering Legislation, Marriott International’s global network and credibility, allows it to fill the void.

While the Casino and Entertainment Complex will be opened later in the year, Brassington said that the Official Opening of the Marriott

HOSTILE MEDIA Turning his attention to the challenges faced by the project with respect to the media landscape and the political Opposition in addition to the litigation, Brassington chronicled a number of articles published particularly in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, some of what was dismissed as outright erroneous.

He spoke too to the Parliamentary attacks meant to stop the project and pointed to a motion that had to be spearheaded by Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan in 2012 entitled, “Public monies in the Marriott Hotel be halted until approval

by the National Assembly.”

The AHI Chairman said Ramjattan used the motion to attack the project and the role played by NICIL in its execution.

According to Brassington, the Opposition’s criticism of the Marriott project, particularly post 2011, served to strongly discourage and then delay private investment in the project.

There was a summation that it is very likely that in the recent history of Guyana, no project has ever been subjected to such a sustained and targeted attack by both the leaders of AFC and APNU. Brassington documented more than 40 screaming headlines against the project that had been published in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, the contents of which were all attributed to the leaders in the political Opposition.

This, he said, is in addition to the numerous articles published that reference Opposition statements for dissemination.

According to the AHI Chairman, the overall theme

of the Opposition has been largely targeted at scaring away potential investors and raising the risk profile of the project.

“A number of these statements have been directly targeted at threatening investors, to the point, that the Private Sector Commission had to step in and condemn the Opposition statements on private investment,” said Brassington.

He suggested too that at times, the nature of the attacks as reported have been scandalous and outrageous.

“Warnings to investors, suggestions of money laundering, fraud and corruption, illegalities, project will be halted, project not being financially feasible, have all been levelled against the project and potential investors,” the AHI Chairman added.

According to Brassington, it is resultantly not surprising the time taken to conclude the investment given the roadblocks thrown up by the Opposition and special interest groups over time.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

TOP COP TELLS CONFAB...

Inter-agency collaboration at its highest ahead of elections

By Leroy Smith

COMMISSIONER of Police Seelall Persaud while addressing the Annual Police Officers’ Conference yesterday said that the force recognises its security responsibilities for the upcoming elections.

He said that while a lot of internal work is being done by the force in this regard, the issue of elections is also being addressed at the level of the Joint Services where international inter-agency collaboration at this particular time is at its highest.

ADEQUATE SECURITY

According to Persaud, the police will deliver adequate security for the conduct of the current campaign period ahead of the elections, on elections day itself and the period after.

The Top Cop also assured Commander-in-Chief Donald Ramotar who was attending the formal opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at Eve Leary that the charge which was given to them last year has been implemented in the programme of activities during last year and up to the time of this year’s conference.

He also used the opportunity to touch on the issue

of crime and security, stating that the Guyana Police Force has seen an overall three percent decrease in serious crimes for the corresponding period last year and a twenty-eight percent decrease in gun-related robberies.

Referring to the implementation of the first year strategic plan, Seelall said that with the exception of a few items which are works in progress all other aspects have been implemented.

He pointed to the issues of public trust, crime and traffic as some of the issues as well as improving the level of service provided to Turn to page 17 ►

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Inter-agency collaboration at its...

From page 16

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee interact before the official opening of the conference yesterday (Photo by Delano Williams)

the Guyanese people, noting that those were the main aims and they were achieved.

According to Commissioner Persaud, the achievements have proven that the infrastructure which the force has implemented has worked. He said that with the continued implementation of various infrastructure, the trends are likely to continue.

The Police Officers’ Conference which wraps up tomorrow is expected to focus on several aspects of police

operations and service to the public.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Commissioner Persaud explained that the issues to be addressed are of utmost importance to the Guyana Police Force and the service it provides to the country.

He explained that this year’s conference would be receiving an update on the decisions which were taken at the last conference.

Commissioner Seelall Persaud has also stated that

on the agenda, as expected, are the issues of traffic and crime.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday after he was officially confirmed as the country’s Top Cop, Seelall told reporters that for the year 2014 it was not happy sailing for the Guyana Police Force in dealing with the issue of traffic.

“Work has started, last year was a bad year for us in traffic, most of the fatal accidents are caused by speeding and drunk driving and that has been two things that we are targeting,” Seelall remarked.

Between today and tomorrow the officers will also be addressed by the Top Cop himself and President Ramotar who will be delivering the feature address.

Guyana Police Force legal advisor, Justice Claudette Singh will at one of the sessions address the officers on elections-related issues and the handling of potential matters that may arise.

The Cops and Faith Network will also be part of the sessions and prospective

from the angle of the police and the faith organisations would also be presented to the conference coupled by reports on implemented aspects of the strategic plan presently being implemented by the force, proposals will also be considered.

Justice Cecil Kennard who heads the Police Complaints Authority will also be speaking at the conference as the senior officers would at some point of the conference deal with issues relating to their welfare and that of the junior ranks within the organization.

The burning issue of violence would also be up for discussion during the conference as well and the community-related projects which the force has so rigorously been implementing in several communities across the country and the various police divisions.

Officers will also be allowed to raise other issues of concern to them which is not on the conference agenda but catered for in the sections titled “any other business.”

PRESIDENT URGES

Leave no stone unturned in search for Crum-Ewing’s killers

By Leroy Smith

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday condemned outrightly the gunning down of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing and called on the police to leave no stone unturned in finding those responsible.

The Head of State at the time was addressing the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference at Eve Leary.

Crum-Ewing was killed on a street in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, while urging voters to not stay at home come May 11, but to go to the polls.

President Ramotar said that if necessary, the police must also go after “the intellectual authors” of the criminal act.

The President said further that if persons have information regarding the killing of the 40-year-old father of two, they should come forward and give the information to the police and the police must deal

with the matter.

He also urged all Guyanese that despite their political views they must come together and strengthen the security of the country and not just have opposition for opposition sake.

O n Tu e s d a y n i g h t , Crum-Ewing was gunned down while using a bullhorn in the community of Diamond where he was engaging in a one-man campaign, urging persons to go out and vote correctly on May 11 at the national and regional elections.

Persons had reported seeing a vehicle with four men approaching Crum-Ewing on the night he was shot dead but the registration number which was supplied to the police for that car turned out to be a fake since it does not coincide with the colour of the car eyewitnesses claimed to have seen.

Meanwhile, the death of this activist has renewed calls for a thorough investigation into similar types of shootings.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

TEL# 616-0301 /699-6156

Oooops…. There it is… (The Sonia Noel scoop…)

IS GUYANA’S QUEEN OF FASHION HEADED DOWN THE AISLE?

WELL, I know our so-called competition gon get green wid envy -- as always like green guava from de basket -- when we publish dis story; but I don’t care. Tek duh fuh y’all fastness, and choke on it since yuh faas! Dis one gon mek dem roll over wid envy, because it is de scoop of a lifetime.

Guyana’s veteran fashion designer Sonia Noel, known both far and wide for her exquisite fashion statements, her successes, and her signature glossy, colourful braids…. Hold On! Hold on!

Many have mused, and even fabricated gossip, about her private life, and have been brought to shame when they realize their vague predictions were all empty and lame. Well, only Bombshell sits with the diva like no one else does; and while you other ‘entertainment whatever’ sit around wasting time, we were able to get the inside scoop on the possibility of a wedding that will unfurl like none has ever done before.

Yes, my competition, get angry and burn… These scoops don’t fall like manna from heaven. You have to go after them, and with the right approach! Getting inside the mind of Sonia Noel is like climbing the Pakaraima Mountains, but Bombshell was successful, as always!!!

Reliable sources called me recently, gushing with excitement at the prospect of Guyana’s most desirable woman, Miss Sonia Noel, marrying a very wealthy man of dynamic qualities. So, under the pretext of wanting an exclusive on her upcoming fashion exploits, I managed to persuade her to have lunch with me.

My intention was to dig deep and hard to get the truth of the matter, and that’s just what I did when she agreed to have

lunch with me.

I don’t really know, but she certainly seemed a little pleasantly startled when I began firing questions along that line.

Sonia always closes up on every mention of her private life, but after lunch we decided to laze around and enjoy her special rum punch, I mean the one that has that ‘after-kick’ (lol) Conversation flowed, and I was definitely not taking ‘no’ for an answer. I dug deeper and almost fell over with sudden surprise.

Did I hear wedding bells in the air? I certainly think so.

But there was this special gleam of mystery in her eyes as she smiled dreamily and reminisced on this special guy she met on one of her recent overseas expeditions.

He had been aggressively pursuing her for years, and was not the only hound in the chase. Is he successful? I won’t guess, but I know that she has certainly gotten under his skin. But you know, folks, this diva is quite ‘a hard nut to crack’.

So here is the catch, readers: Her apparent knight in shining armour is the son of a very wealthy French celeb, and she certainly seems to be smitten by him.

I know for a fact that all her love and affections are centred on her adorable little grandson, Jaidyn. Is that about to change soon? And come to think of it, this woman is so much feistier and spilling over with girlish giggles and a strange rosy tint to her cheeks that there must be more in the mortar than the pestle can pound.

I don’t know if there was a proposal, but from the pics I saw, I almost swooned in delight at the certain love that seemed to permeate the air.

And if I can recall, I want to think I overheard her on the phone gushing with glee discussing locations like Paris, Venice, South of France, Tahiti, Hawaii, or even an exotic resort right here in Guyana.

Now Sonia, I know, has had many proposals from very rich and influential men, well known personalities and politicians, but the diva never seemed inclined to say yes, since material things never mattered to her.

You are so right Sonia. Settle for nothing less than undisputed love! Sonia is normally a very private person where matters of this sort are concerned, but she was spotted more than once on beaches in Miami with the same dude. What really is Sonia’s ideal life partner like? Guess you will have to ask her yourself…

I think I heard rumours about a possible very high profile guest list that would only include the dons and divas locally and from abroad. So if you manage to make that list if and when it appears, count yourself lucky…

I kept prodding her, but she just kept smiling, pouting her cherry lips as she sipped luxuriously on that special rum punch. All she ventured in response was, “I can assure you Alex that when I decide to say ‘I Do’ it will be for all the right reasons with the intention of making that man the happiest human ever.”

Miss Noel is very busy with the planning for GFW 2015, which is to be staged in November; so maybe that wedding of the century will be… Oh what am I saying? May be staged….

Look, this diva is sure up to something, and it’s something special indeed…

Here she is with three dashing men. The one on the magazine cover is married, so he is out of the picture. There are two others… Can you guess which one seems to be completely smitten with her?

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Undercover Production brings to Aracari Resort…

‘THE POOL PARTY OF THE YEAR’ ALMOST everyone is throwing a party concept of some sort here and there; and ever so often, the concept is a flop.

But with all the careful planning and preparation being put into the ‘Xpose Pool Party’, this particular initiative is certainly going to be ”da bomb.”

Undercover Production has promised that this event will explode at the Aracari Resort (160 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara) on Saturday, March 21, 2015. Already, the Westside divas are rushing around trying to get the best in swimwear, since those who will win fantastic prizes are the hotties in the most provocative pieces.

That aside, the male fans are pulsating with anticipation, since the 2015 Miss Bootilicious Lingerie Temptresses divas will be making guest appearances with their riveting ‘Wet T-Shirt Dance Routine’.

Tickets for this event

are priced at $1000, and can be obtained from the resort’s front desk.

Come tomorrow the Aracari Resort Poolside will be pulsating with rhythms, as Big K & Cut Master Barber Shop Crew stage the ‘Westside Flash Back Ole Skool Party’.

The folks are urging

you to visit their booth at the 2015 Wedding Expo at Duke Lodge on March 27, 28 and 29, to soak up some of the best wedding and honeymoon deals ever.

Aracari reminds fans that, every Saturday, they can be taken down Memory Lane as the Kenrek Live Band churns up a stream

GRAVITY Lounge is back at it again. Look out for Bajan soca singer Fadda Fox on Saturday, 14th March, to perform live inside of Gravity Lounge!

Fadda Fox is the one who sang the very popular 2015 soca carnival song “Ducking”!

Patrons can certainly expect an electrifying performance from this Bajan singer, who is sure to put on a special treat for everyone in attendance.

And speaking of attendance, EVERYONE would be admitted absolutely FREE before midnight! So come out and get ready to party the night away. And don’t worry, seeing the action is on Saturday, most of you won’t have to duck from work.

that would set patrons in the mood with soca, reggae, chutney, filmie and oldies selections.

Sponsors for this event so far are Carlsberg Beer, El Dorado Rum, Truck Masters, N & J Taxi Service, Mulchand Painting Service and the Aracari Salon and Spa.

Ticket locations announced for Buxton/Foulis 2015 Mash

bacchanal

WITH vibes surrounding the 2015 Buxton/Foulis Mash Tramp and Soca Bacchanal escalating to a deafening crescendo, Promoter Ean Havercone has just made public the ticket locations to extinguish the frenzy being created by stampeding fans who are desperately trying to secure a spot in the event.

The action is slated for Sunday, March 15, 2015 at the Buxton Community Centre Ground, and fans are urged to grab their tickets early, since they may be required to pay more at the gate.

Tickets can be obtained from Footsteps Mega Store (Camp and Regent Street, Georgetown); Plaisance Line Top bars; Kyle and Vicky Fish Shop; Benjamin’s Bakery (Buxton); M & K Taxi Base; and 1 & 2 Tek Ah Taste Shop (Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara) While this event has been billed for March 15, 2015 at the Buxton Ground, promoter Havercone is taking things a notch higher by bringing to the platter the celebrated artiste ‘Nadia Batson’, who is famous for her scorching hits like ‘Shiver’, ‘Manager’ and so much more.

The action does not end there, as he is also bringing to the stage the famous international acts Lead Pipe and Saddis with their mega hit ‘Bend Up’. On the local side of things, fans will get a scalding serving of soca hits from 2015 CaribSoca Monarch ‘Jomo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo; ‘Buxton’s own ‘Zagga B’, and of course the much celebrated Super Ray and Super Cat One Man bands.

Five big sound systems will blast it to the limits on

“Ducking” at Gravity on March 14th

Joke of the Day!

WHEN A BLOND FEMALE GOT MAIL this night, so fans are assured of a ‘Mash Fiesta’ like never before.

Meanwhile, the Buxton/Foulis Road Tramp will take off from the Plaisance Market Square earlier in the day, then travel to Melanie Damishana Village before activities culminate at the Buxton Centre Ground.

This even is powered by Precise Printing, Pro Graphics, Star Party Rentals, Tony’s Auto Sales, Boom Energy Drink, Talbot Contraction, 94.1 Boom FM, Stag Beer, and Mackeson. Lending support also are HGPTV; IBE School; M&K Taxi Service; Bigga Soft Drink; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports.

Lighting and Sound will be provided by the local experts -- Crown Vibes International!

A MAN was in his front yard mowing grass when his attractive blonde female neighbour came out of the house and went straight to her mail box. She opened it, slammed it shut, and stormed back into the house.

A little later, she came out of her house, and again went to the mail box and again opened it, then slammed it shut. Angrily, she marched back into the house.

As the man was getting ready to edge the lawn, she came out again, stormed to the mail box, opened it and then slammed it shut harder than ever.

Puzzled by her actions, the man asked her, “Is something wrong?” to which she replied, “There certainly is! My stupid computer keeps giving me a message saying, “YOU’VE GOT MAIL!”

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

The ladies soliciting corner…

Lake Mainstay to stage Bombshell’s hottest, cutest dudes!!!

6th Annual Car & Bike Roger Callendar: All a woman Show & After Party LAKE Mainstay Resort will be hosting its signature event on Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2015, at the Lake Mainstay Resort Beach in Mainstay/Whyaka Village on the Essequibo Coast.

On this date, the heat will be turned up at the event as the resort stages its 6th Annual Car and Bike Show, and After Party. The gates will be opened from 15:00 hrs. (3:00pm) and the show commences at 17:00 hrs. (5:00pm).

Competitors will face off in fourteen Car-and-Bike contests for bragging rights and supremacy. In the ‘Show Kings’ arena, there will be an epic battle for Best Car, SUV, Bus and Best Small Bike.

The Artwork Category will see clashes for Best Car, SUV, Bus, Bike and Best Bike Super. The Audio Segment will see battle for Best Sound Car, SUV, Loudest Sound SUV/Bus, and Loudest Sound Car. In the category for bicycles, competitors will vie for top spots as Best Bicycle Open, Best Bicycle Junior Open, Classic/Antique.

Malcom Ferreira has been carded as the Master of Ceremonies and Commentator, while music will be provided by Pream’s Mega Sounds.

Fans will enjoy the luxuries of food and beverage courts, while there will be a ‘Children’s Fun Park’ for the kids.

Added this year are Three (3) categories of Bicycle for Adults (open), Jr (open) and

could ever want in a man

Antique Classic (open). Registration fee for each category has been set at $2,000.

Entry Forms can be uplifted at Lake Mainstay Resort Offices in Georgetown & Essequibo, and at the Elton Snackette (Supenaam Market)

You Shouldn’t Do That!!!

This dude should certainly know better JUST recently, while on one of my many treks around Guyana, I was almost run over by a young man speeding by on a bicycle.

As I jumped out of his way and

Shouldn’t this silly dude know better than to do what he seems to think he does best?

scurried to safety, I was aghast to note that this youngster seemed to be late for an appointment with death, as he furiously expended every ounce of energy in his body in a bid to make his bicycle fly whilst carrying two very young school children perched in rather precarious positions on the speeding machine.

He was riding like the wind, filling the children’s nostrils with dust and sand as he weaved a dangerous passage through the dense midday traffic in his quest to reach home.

Mad as hell at what I had just seen, I determined not to be outdone, but to expose this brash youth if only in a bid to save two young children from being road fatality statistics.

Dropping my belonging, I sped after him, bellowing at the top of my voice. I finally caught up with him as he slowed down to take a turn; and, dashing before him, I managed to take this photograph.

Now, my good people, take a hard, long look at this photo and ponder on what could possibly have happened if the chain of the bicycle had been suddenly broken, or the brake had failed, or a tyre had burst open from a puncture.

Quite frankly, I couldn’t care less what would have happened to this bicycle road hog of a rider, but I was concerned about the two innocent little children he was ferrying on that machine.

What some people do not realise is that, transporting children on a machine like this and in this manner, especially on busy roads rife with riotous traffic, is not the wisest course of action to take.

Being penny wise in a bid to save a dollar can redound to some parents’ eternal regret at being pound foolish when it mattered most.

Readers, if ever you see someone practising this dangerous stunt, get them to stop and immediately give them a well- deserved tongue lashing.

THIS week, we are not only teasing your taste buds, ladies, but also giving you the ultimate challenge of genuinely netting a dashing young man, which is normally ‘hard to get.’

Our guy is not Mr Invincible, but he just loves the thrill of having the ladies chase after him. Don’t be discouraged, girls; he happened to mention that once the stallion is captured, the captor is in for the most thrilling ‘ride’ of her life.

Word is that he has already been captured. Ooooooops!!! This mouth of mine!!!

Roger Callendar enjoys working out, being involved in athletics and playing basketball. He is also one of Guyana’s talented actors and runway models, and desires a lady with that adventurous side.

Since he is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Roger takes great pains to look his best always.

Well, I know some wanton female is looking for that phone number. I am so very sorry to disappoint; all I can say is search and you shall find him. And when you do, he will have something oh so good to tell you!

ROGER CALLENDAR

Parika 6th Annual Car & Bike Show slated for April 11

IT’S BACK AGAIN, and fans are clamouring about the entertainment sizzle and fun that will be generated by the 6th Annual Parika Car and Bike Show.

Billed for April 11 at the Parika Centre Ground, this event will see steamy clashes as some of the biggest names in ‘flashy automobiles’ and bike blaze a scorching trail at the venue.

With pride, the T-To Gas Station Crew presents this event, and this time around, patron can enjoy fantastic giveaways all night apart from special gate prizes.

Fans are urged to get there early, since Slingerz Family and 71 Sounds, along DJ Magnum, will be creating seismic musical shockwaves from quite early in the day. Then, as things heat up, the popular Super Ray One Man Band will take things to high degrees of excitement ‘dishing out’ some of the hottest dancehall and soca selections.

Facing off at the event will be some of the biggest names, inclusive of Trans-Pacific Crew, Red Jet, Ramchand Body Works, Junior Sheriff, Matrix, Dark Car, and Batman.

Constants are required to deposit a $3000 entrance fee before entering the competition.

This event is sponsored by To-To Gas Station; Supermarket; Sand and Stone Depot; Parboo General Store; Ruben Sawmill; Parika Travelers Lodge Hotel and Bar; Sonny’s Sawmill; Chico Cargo Boat Service; A& S Lumber Yard; Prakash & Sons General Store (Bartica); Sharmila’s Variety Store, and Big Shawn Cargo Boat Service.

Also lending support are A. Forrester Lumber Yard; Big Kiss Gas Station; and Two Brothers Mining.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Ooops! There it is!

Wan big rigged up countryside ‘pajjant’ I must admit that I really love pageantry.

As a matter of fact, I want to believe that I may be addicted to pageants, come to

The very biased and disgruntled MC think of it.

However, it really vexes my soul to see what some promoters are bringing to the platter today, and the manner in which they

choose to rig these events -- cheating delegates with great potential out of winning, and thus angering patrons with their callous attitudes.

De otha day, some very good promothas in Central Mahaicony really mess up a pageant when dem decided fuh allow an ‘outlandish ole shrew’ to coordinate de event.

Well, dem poh judges didn’t know wha going awn until de event come and done. Dis woman de promotahs used to train de girls decided to make de best ah de situation and pull wan ah she niece into de pageant. De gyal was way about de age limit required fuh de event. While dem adda gyals were between ages sixteen and nineteen, dis gyal was actually aged twenty!

But that’s not all…. There was confusion all night, as this pageant coordinator chose to take up the role of MC, a profession for which she was certainly not suited. All she managed to do was infuriate the audience, and she embraced the opportunity to display her particularly ugly ghetto side by engaging in a ‘cuss out’ with sections of the protesting audience.

Nobaddy ain’t sehing dat de queen didn’t deserve to win. Wha everybaddy sehhing is dat de MC/Coordinatah -- whateva she was -- rig de event from de start to de very end.

Well, people, alyuh come hear story: De oman put ah chuch sista pon de judging table, and de queen’s best friend was also a judge.

De sista live next door tuh de queen, and dem is best ah friends tuh! Suh people, alyuh read through de lines!

And to top things off, this coordinator also prepared a winning speech for the eventual queen long in advance of the event! She was always tutoring the very queen, and was ignoring the other contestants most of the time.

And what was even more shocking was that

the girls were all ‘muddling’ around on stage as if it was a fourteenth century tea party.

The judges’ scoring sheet was terribly made out, giving the chief judge hell to tabulate scores; and this woman was even trying to control the judges from the stage, bellowing at them through a microphone. Talk about catastrophe!?

Here is a word of advice for future promoters: This is not the thirteenth century.

Next time solicit the services of someone well experienced in modern pageantry; someone who is no way affiliated to the judges or contestant. If you don’t do that, then you are headed for ultimate confusion, delusion and desperation.

The young ladies wept after the competition

Ms. Guyana Renaissance 2015 set for April 04

THE public has long awaited the return of the prestigious Ms. Guyana Renaissance Pageant, and their whims and fantasies will be satisfied when the event is staged at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

This Pageant serves as a catalyst to re-educate the public about the inner beauty, creativity, cultural awareness and accomplishments of the mature Guyanese woman, aged 30 and older.

Women are leaders, pinnacles in politics; they are always at the forefront for equal rights, be they mothers and wives, teachers, preachers and homemakers. They are indeed phenomenal, and it is for all the foregoing reasons that The Ms. Guyana Renaissance Pageant offers women the opportunity to celebrate their cultural pride, intelligence, beauty and style.

Now they can confidently say, “I am beautiful in my strength, in whatever shape that is mine.”

This pageant is uniquely different from all others staged in Guyana.

Your expectations will certainly be exceeded as the contestants compete in the

These contestants are vying for the 2015 Ms. Guyana Renaissance crown categories of talent, corporate attire, formal wear and a question-and-response segment to determine the winner.

In addition to the one hundred thousand dollars

(G$100,000) cash award, the winner will receive promotional prizes, a Caribbean trip, a weekend at one of Guyana’s resorts, participation in a continuing edu-

cational programme, guest appearances, television appearances, media coverage locally and in the United States of America and the Caribbean; in addition to a

fun-filled year of gratifying activities.

Those battling for the crown this year are Mia Ritchie, JoAnn Forde, Rosaline Cornette, Bever-

ley Peters, Deonlyn Lewis, Jonell Waldro, Melissa Dow-Richardson, Tomika Cooke-Chase, Michelle Alphonso, Vanessa Williams, and Jeanne Jefferey.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Inter-county softball cricket set for Sunday at Everest … GSCL Inc. to host first leg

THE FIRST leg of this year’s Inter-county softball cricket tournament is set to bowl off this Sunday at the Camp Road-based Everest Cricket Club ground from 10:00hrs and will be played on a series

basis in the 20/20 format, with the counties with the most points squaring off in a grand finale to be held in Demerara later this year.

This Inter-county tournament is being coordinated in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, Guyana Softball League and its affiliates in Berbice Softball Alliance, Essequibo Softball Cricket League and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL).

This is the first leg and is being hosted by GSCL and includes a number of incentives and trophies with the top team earning $50 000 and a beautiful trophy and the runners-up gaining $25 000 and a trophy.

In addition to the abovementioned prizes, the man-

of-the-match awardees for the series will earn trophies and medals and each leg will carry a similar amount of incentives, with the next two legs of the series being played in Berbice and Essequibo, culminating with the grand finale.

For Sunday’s encounter, Berbice will be sponsored by Vickram Seubarran and a 20man squad will begin training immediately with a view towards selection. The team is led by Darshan Charitar and includes some very explosive players in David Looknauth, Michael Ramdial and Troy Kippins.

Essequibo had reportedly invited top players to assemble for trials last Wednesday.

The team will be led by the experienced Latchman Rohit along with Patrick Rooplall.

The two Demerara teams who will be on show in this leg, are being sponsored by Regal Stationery, who will look after the ‘A’ team which will be led by the experienced Richard Latiff and includes the likes of Chien Gittens, Timur Mohamed and Safraz Esau.

Wolf’s Furniture Store will be sponsoring the ‘B’ team to be skippered by the exciting Amrit Rai and will include Vishnu Tamenchandra and Ricardo Adams among others.

The man in charge of selecting the Demerara teams is veteran softball player Lance Adams along with a three-man panel. For Berbice, Omeshwar Shrikishun is in charge of selection, while the Essequibo selection panel will be in the hands of Brian Christiani and Ramnarine Ragubar.

The heads of the selection panel of all three counties will

Guyana clinch game one of three-match series

By Rawle Toney GUYANA opened their three-game ‘Goodwill Series’ against Bermuda with a thrilling comefrom-behind 76-73 points victory when the two countries met at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Wednesday.

It was only the second meeting between the two countries after Bermuda had defeated Guyana 6858 at the 2011 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in Bahamas.

Bermuda, behind their captain and star player Sullivan Phillips who dominated the contest pouring in a game-high 18 points using his distinct height advantage against the local guards, had led at the end of every period before letting the lead slip to the Guyanese with 2:10 minutes remaining in the final stanza.

Head coach Darcel Harris started with Ryan Gullen, Dave Causway, Shelroy Thomas, Akeem Kanhai and Jermaine Slater in a move which drew much criticism from the enthusiastic crowd at the venue.

Harris went small; something everyone expected since he had previously pointed out that Guyana lacked quality big men and he was forced to

work with what is present.

His starting-five didn’t prove much, forcing the Ravens coach to make a drastic change midway the first quarter, bringing in Stephan Gillis, Travis Burnett, Randy Richardson, Royston Siland and Ryan Stephney and the Guyanese trailed the visitors 16-18 to close out the first period.

Tried they did but Bermuda, behind Phillips continued to dominate the contest and held on to a 37-36 lead at the end of the first half.

The visitors held to that lead throughout the game and ended the penultimate period 57-51 but behind Thomas, Burnett, Causway and Kanhai, the tide turned in favour of the home side.

With the crowd fully behind them and chants of “defence” and objects pounding, Guyana found a new gear as coach Harris went small and it paid dividends.

However, back-to-back trips to the free-throw line and bad judgement by the Guyanese ‘ballers’ helped the Bermudans to 6662 points lead with 3:53 remaining in the game.

With 2:45 remaining Kanhai collected a rebound and in one motion, found Burnett on an outlet and the speedy guard, who led all Guyanese scorers with a team-high 17 points, made no mistake in scoring to an

empty basket.

Burnett was later fouled and hit both free-throws and that saw Guyana take the lead for the first time 69-68.

Gullen then extended it to 71-68 when he scored from a steal when the Bermudans were inbounding the ball in their back-court.

Phillips, like he has done during his career playing for Bermuda, put his country on his shoulders and carried them to tie the game at 71 with 58 seconds left.

Gullen then scored what turned out to be the game’s decisive basket - a threepointer taking Guyana to 7471 against the visitors.

The crowd erupted and Bermuda found themselves deeper in the pit when Causway intercepted a pass and converted it, to put the scores 76-73 with 10.7 seconds remaining in the game.

Phillips’ three-point attempt went short and the home side held on to secure their redemption win over Bermuda. The two sides met last night and would wrap up their series tomorrow.

Thomas chipped in with 14 points, Kanhai had 11 points, four steals and four assists while Causway and Gullen had ten points each.

Deon Jones (17), Chris Crumpler (11) and Jeron Haley with nine were the top performers for the Bermudans.

accompany their respective teams for Sunday’s matches, while the umpire panel for the matches has already been put in place with the top umpires from all three counties being on show.

The tournament is being held with the view of showcasing the top players in each county and which will confirm the top county in softball cricket; at the same time enabling the players to raise the bar in terms of competition.

This will also give fans an opportunity to

see the level of softball cricket being played in each county and to support their favourite players performing against the top counterparts from the other counties.

The dates for the other clashes will be finalised on Sunday when all three bodies meet. Additionally a Masters tournament will be played with West Coast taking on Georgetown and using this as a benchmark for selection of a team to participate in the Florida Cup this month end.

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips

12:00 hrs On The Fringe

Greyville

12:40 hrs Roi Des Francs

11:45 hrs Clever Kate 12:20 hrs Soverign Reign

13:15 hrs Blood Cotil Fakenham

12:55 hrs Raise And Double

10:20 hrs Luddsdenene

13:30 hrs Lucky Break

10:55 hrs Saddlers Deal

14:00 hrs National Key 14:30 hrs Kept Secret

11:35 hrs Arantes

15:08 hrs Al Ciberano

12:15 hrs Hera The Chimes

15:38 hrs Alpine Ridge

12:55 hrs Guiding George

American Racing Tips

Lingfield

Aqueduct

10:30 hrs Lady Marl

Race 1 Madroos

11:05 hrs Loraine

Race 2 Hurry Up Alan

11:45 hrs Mymatechris

Race 3 Girlaboutown Race 4 Apollo Eleven

12:25 hrs Dark Avenger

Race 5 Sidearm

13:05 hrs Limerick Lord

Race 6 Sebonack Race 7 Cement Job Race 8 N.F’s Destiny Race 9 Discreet Force English Racing Tips

Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 14:05 hrs Well Tuned 14:35 hrs Almadaa

Cheltenham

15:05 hrs Wychwood Warrior

09:30 hrs Hargam

15:35 hrs Shabra Emperor

10:05 hrs The Game Changer

16:05 hrs Reckless Lad

10:40 hrs Black Hercules

16:35 hrs Moonmeister

11:20 hrs Lord Windermere

17:05 hrs Balmont Flyer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

AB de Villiers ensures South Africa make last eight

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) South Africa’s bowlers backed up a solid batting performance led by captain AB de Villiers’ 99 to ensure they qualified for the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 146-run victory over United Arab Emirates at Wellington Regional Stadium yesterday. de Villiers had been the lynchpin of South Africa’s 341 for six that was boosted

by Farhaan Behardien’s 64 from 31 balls to close out the innings, while UAE,

who had won the toss and opted to field, never looked like threatening the target.

They slumped to 45-3 and then gave up any pretence of chasing the total, just like they had against Pakistan last week in Napier, preferring instead to avoid being embarrassed.

Swapnil Patil top-scored with 57 not out and combined in a 63-run partnership with Shaiman Anwar (39) as UAE were dismissed for 195 in the 48th over with Fahad Alhashmi unable to bat after injuring his ankle while bowling.

South Africa finished Pool B on eight points and have virtually guaranteed second place on net run rate behind unbeaten India and are likely to meet Sri Lanka in the first quarter-final in Sydney next Wednesday.

Pakistan and Ireland are both on six points before their final match showdown in Adelaide on Sunday.

West Indies are on four points and could sneak into fourth place, and a quarter-final showdown with New Zealand, with a big victory over UAE in Napier on Sunday, knocking out the loser

South Africa’s captain AB de Villiers out for 99 against the United Arab Emirates during their Cricket World Cup match in Wellington, yesterday. of the Pakistan-Ireland match. de Villiers had looked like he might score his second

century of the tournament as he dominated two partnerships but fell one run short of his 21st century

when he speared the ball straight to short third man.

The 31-year-old’s dismissal with more than seven overs remaining stalled his side’s momentum when they looked like they might be able to pass 400 for the third time this tournament.

They had lost both Hashim Amla (12) and Quinton de Kock (26) relatively cheaply, but their middle order kicked into gear against a tidy, but non-threatening UAE attack.

Rilee Rossouw (43) and David Miller (49), who shared in a 108run partnership with de Villiers, both contributed before JP Duminy played the junior partner in a 53run stand with his captain and 35 with Behardien.

Behardien guided South Africa past 300 and bludgeoned 23 of the 25 runs from the final over

by Amjad Javed to record his third half-century and highest score.

2014 top sportsmen ...

From back page

After defeating USA (South) to win their first ever NACRA 15s title, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) assembled their best possible team for the game’s shortest format and went on to win their 7th NACRA 7s championship and also booked a place in the Olympic Qualifiers. For years they have been calling to be recognised and their cries did not fall to deaf ears when the judges voted unanimously for the GRFU to win the Sports Associationof-the-Year award and the Most Improved Association accolade while Theodore Henry was named Coach-of-the-Year and the president Peter Green clinched the Male Sports Personality-of-the-Year award.

The GRFU won five of the six awards contested since only captain Ryan Gonsalves came up short in the Sportsman-of-the-Year category which was won by Guyana and West Indies spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

Permaul who was nominated by the Guyana Cricket Board edged out hotshot racer Kristian Jeffrey who was a favourite for the award.

Jeffrey was nominated by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), the Guyana Boxing Association and the Guyana Tennis Association and though becoming the first Guyanese to win the Caribbean

Champion Driver title last year and owning the lap record at Bushy Park, the Stag Beer-sponsored driver had to settle for the runner-up position.

Lindener Cassie George won both the Junior and Senior Sportswoman-of-theYear awards, after a sensational season on the track last year.

Dominating the local scene in 2014, George defied the odds when she won the 1500m and 3000m at the CARIFTA Games to become the first Guyanese female to win both events at the games.

Jason Yaw, the new South American Youth Championship 400m recordholder, is the Junior Sportsman-ofthe-Year and easily won ahead of his competitors Narayan Ramdhani (badminton), Shemron Hetmyer (cricket), Delroy Murphy (judo), Nyron Joseph (squash) and Alonzo Ambrose (cycling).

Yaw clocked 46.79 seconds to erase the old mark of 47.46s in the event He also ran under the old record in his heat when he posted 47.42s.

Stabroek News’ Orlando Charles won the Photographer-of-the-Year award while his colleague Emmerson Campbell was named the Print Sports Journalist-of-theYear.

Avenash Ramzan of the Guyana Times and Television Guyana (TVG) was the Non-print Sports Journalist-ofthe-Year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Garnett inks two-year deal with Caledonia AIA in TT Pro-League NINETEEN-yearold Domini Garnett is beginning to realise his dream of playing professionally when the Grove Hi-Tech striker recently signed a twoyear deal with Trinidad and Tobago Professional League outfit Caledonia AIA. Garnett and the club came to an agreement after the Guyanese underwent a two-month trial with the team owned by Guyana’s National Senior and U-23 teams’ coach Jamaal Shabazz.

The soft-spoken but deadly striker expressed joy of not only making it out of Guyana but joining one of Trinidad’s and the Caribbean’s most respected professional sides, adding

“the feeling of signing for a professional club is great and I am very excited knowing that I would be playing at the high level

of the game. My intention is to on the game more.” work hard day to day to improve A goal in the TT Pro in every aspect of the football League Reserve Division world including educating myself and injuries to several players of the first team saw Garnett get his first team appearance in the TT Pro League and the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) star player returned the compliment by scoring in his first game in a 3-1 win over St Ann’s Rangers.

To date Garnett has scored 3 goals for the first

In the EBFA’s Stag Beer-sponsored division one league last year which was played over two rounds, Garnett ended as the leading goalscorer with 21 goals and was also the tournament’s MVP. He also ended as the joint top scorer in the inaugural Stag Super XV1 KO Cup with nine goals including all five in the final which his side won 5-0.

Jamaica beat USA in Under-17 World Cup Qualifier Domini Garnett is presented with his shirt by Caledonia AIA general manager Ricarda Nelson.

Hikers Junior Hockey Tourney begins today THE 5th Annual Hikers Hockey Club Junior Indoor tournament bullies off this evening at the National Gymnasium with matches in the U-21 division.

From 17:30hrs seven teams, both male and female, will compete in the Woodpecker Products-sponsored division. A total of seven matches will be contested with GCC and Old Fort Females opening the action.

There is also play in the Under-13 and U-16 divisions and the Secondary Schools category.

Four-time defending Boys champions Western Union Hikers and Girls champions GCC have seen their margin of victory decrease with every passing year. This could well be the year that the trophy is prised from their grasps. The challengers are the ever-improving Old Fort, Saints and GCC in the Boys and Old Fort & Hikers in the Girls category.

GCC have also reigned supreme in the Global Technology Under-16 Girls category over the past four years but they will find it difficult to defend their title this year, against the strong challenge expected from Hikers, Saints and Old Fort.

On the Boys side, last year’s surprise champions

team and has started in four matches.

Garnett commenced his football career locally with the number one club in the East Bank Football Association, Grove Hi Tech as a 9-year-old and has played at the Under-13, U-15, U-17, U-19 and senior levels.

Garnett represented Guyana at Under-15 (Suriname), U-17 (Dominica) and U-19 (Dominican Republic).

Marian Academy will be looking to their inspirational leader Rosario Ramsammy to duplicate last year’s performance if they have any hope of retaining the title. They will come into the tournament as underdogs again, against favourites GCC and Saints who are both loaded with junior national players.

A new champion will be crowned in the Net Communications Under-13 category this year as three-time defending champions Marian Academy have lost the majority of their players to the higher age categories and are unable to field a team.

Hikers and Saints look to be early favourites to win their first Under-13 title.

They will however have to fend off the challenge of four GCC teams full of exciting new talent and the only other past champions left in the draw, Old Fort.

The Global Technology Inter-School category promises to be the closest of the six categories, with defending champions Christ Church expected to receive a strong challenge from two-time former champions St Stanislaus College as well as Queen’s College, St John’s College, Marian Academy and debutants St Joseph High School.

The Net Communications Under-13 category will commence at 09:00hrs on Saturday followed by the Global Technology U-16 categories starting at 12:40hrs. The Global Technology Inter-School category begins on Sunday at 10:00hrs followed by the conclusion of the Woodpecker Products U-21 categories from 14:00hrs.

The tournament is part of the Hikers Hockey Club’s junior development programme and helps to raise funds for their annual junior tour to Trinidad in November. The tournament is run predominantly by the junior players themselves, with minimal supervision from senior members of the club.

In addition to the players, the spectators will also have chances to win prizes, with several spectator challenges planned during the tournament.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras , (CMC)- A second half penalty from striker Nicholas Nelson spurred Jamaica to a one nil win over the United States in their final Group A match at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Honduras Wednesday night.

Nelson converted from the penalty spot on 57 minutes, rolling his shot to the right of the U.S.A goalkeeper Will Pulisic, sending him the wrong way at the Estadio Francisco Moranzan Stadium in San Pedro Sula.

The win, Jamaica’s third in the competition, had propelled the Junior Reggae Boyz to the top position in the group which would have sent them straight into the World Cup. However host nation Honduras, who played the late game beat tenman Guatemala 2-1, to secure the automatic qualifying spot by winning Nicolas Nelson scored from the penalty spot the group with 11 points.

The young Jamaicans finished spot to the World Cup in Chile in October second on 10 points, along with the and November later this year.

Earlier Wednesday, Cuba and TrinUnited States who also ended on 10 idad & Tobago played to a 2-2 draw in points in third place.

Group A action in a matchup of two Jamaica and the USA will play-off on Sunday against the second or third teams that already had been eliminated place teams from the other group for a from playoff contention.

GCA 1st and 2nd Division tournaments continue this weekend … Banks Malta Supreme U-13 semi-finals on Sunday THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) is gearing up for another busy weekend with a series of matches set to be played in its first and second divisions.

Hadi’s World Incorporated First Division two-day cricket tournament will be played on Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15 with the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) playing hosts to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while Police GNIC will collide at Malteenoes.

Five matches will be played in the New Building Society Second Division tournament from 11:00hrs each day.

Tomorrow, GNIC play at home against Third Class, the

GDF and Ace Warriors clash at MYO ground and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) face off against St Stanislaus at the GYO ground.

On Sunday, Third Class will make a trip to the Police Sports Club ground at Eve Leary where they play the lawmen and the University of Guyana and Diplomats Cricket Club contest at the MYO ground.

Meanwhile, the Banks Malta Supreme U-13 Cricket competition reaches its semi-final stage and will see Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) play at home against DCC from 13:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Shabazz aiming for a ‘good result’ against St Lucia THE Guyana National Football team, dubbed the ‘Golden Jaguars’ are set to roar against St Lucia on March 22 at the Guyana National Stadium and, according to head coach Jamaal Shabazz, his charges are aiming for a ‘good result’.

The clash between the two countries marks the return of the international football to these shores since the Golden Jaguar’s 2014 World Cup campaign.

Shabazz who recently signed a two-year deal with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) had stated that the friendly will be used to expose the country’s younger talent, but at the same time, losing is not an option.

The ‘Jags’ held their first practice at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary and Shabazz posited, “Of course we want to have good results; a good result is always the first priority on the agenda, but we also want to build a national team over a period of two years that will brand itself back to the kind of team we had in the past and even try to do better.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and it’s not going to be an easy process.” Shabazz said, adding, “Always giving players international exposure is a tedious process and we’ve got to be mindful, because the results don’t always come the way we would like.”

Allstate Insurance to sponsor CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF general secretary Enrique Sanz MIAMI, Florida (CMC) - Leading North American insurance provider Allstate Insurance Company will sponsor this year’s edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, organisers announced on Wednesday.

“We are excited to welcome Allstate as an official sponsor of the CONCACAF Gold Cup,” said CONCACAF general secretary Enrique Sanz.

“Allstate has always been a great supporter of the sport in general and in the U.S. in particular, and we are pleased to announce its involvement in this year’s Gold Cup, to be played in 13 cities across the United States and, for the first time, in Canada as well.”

Allstate Insurance Company joins CONCACAF as first-time sponsor of the Gold Cup -- the preeminent national team tournament of the North, Central America and Caribbean region.

The company has a history of supporting football events in North America, including backing for the U.S. and Mexican national teams and Major League Soccer.

The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played from July 7 to 26, involving 12 teams from the region.

To date, 11 of the 12 participating national teams have qualified for this year’s tournament -- Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States.

The final spot will be decided later this month, through a play-off between the fifth-place finishers of the 2014 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana (Honduras) and the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup (French Guiana).

Manasseh Primo (left) and Vurlon Mills during the Golden Jaguars training session last Wednesday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

The session on Wednesday, Shabazz said was to put the players’ mind

in the game since Guyana had also secured an International Friendly against Grenada on

March 29.

Several Under-23 players and a core group of

local players will be used for the game against St Lucia while the likes of Brandon Beresford and Jamaal Smith from North America and some from the Trinidad and Tobago Professional League will join the team for their Grenada encounter.

Derrick Carter, Joshua Brown, King Solomon Austin, Colin Nelson, Dwain Jacob, Clive Nobrega, Les Charles Critchlow, Vurlon Mills, Dwayne Lawrence, Kris Camacho, Calvin Shepherd, Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Manasseh Primo, Dorville Stewart, Amos Ramsey, Konata Manning and Eon Alleyne are players currently in training.

Guyana Jaguars eye overdue title as Volcanoes, Pride collide in key clash ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Front-runners Guyana Jaguars will attempt to put themselves firmly out of the reach of title-chasers Windward Islands Volcanoes and Barbados Pride in their bid for an overdue first class title when the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) resumes today.

The Jaguars are at home at the national stadium to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and will be seeking to inflict further hardship on them to virtually sew up the title.

The home team romped to their seventh victory for the season last week and a huge haul of points, including victory against Red Force, will keep them out of the reach of the Pride and the Volcanoes.

The Jaguars are unchanged, but the Red Force made three adjustments to their squad, bringing West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, as well the uncapped pair of Bryan Charles and Mark Deyal in to replace Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard and Daniel St Clair.

The key match plays out in Bridgetown between Pride and Volcanoes who are separated by only two

points.

The two sides enter the game at Kensington Oval on a high, following confident victories in the previous round.

Pride and Volcanoes both require a huge haul of points including a victory to stand any chance of a late grab for the title.

Both sides have swapped out one player each: Justin Greaves steps in to replace the injured Carlos Brathwaite and Keddy Lesporis regains a place after a last-minute withdrawal in the previous round, ahead of Craig Emmanuel.

In Basseterre, St Kitts, another keen battle could shape up, when the Hurricanes meet the Jamaica Franchise at Warner Park.

Both sides will be low on confidence, following defeat in the previous round, with the Franchisers crumbling to a fourth straight loss and the Hurricanes slumping to an unenviable eighth straight defeat inside three days.

The Franchisers travelled with an unchanged squad from the previous round, but the Hurricanes have brought back all-rounder Orlando Peters for leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr.

West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel is included in the Ref Force squad.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday March 13, 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) 5 (Joel Garner) (2) KapilDev (1983); SuravGanguly (2003); MS Dhoni (2011) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team Australia has played most in World Cup semi-finals?

(2) Name the current Test-playing nations that once played WC cricket before gaining Test status.

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 13, 2015

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds supports 25th K&S football tournament PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds now joins the growing list of sponsors for the March 20 to April 5 Kashif and Shanghai football tournament.

Hinds, the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister, yesterday at his Kingston Georgetown office, handed over the tournament’s winning trophy along with an undisclosed sum of money to the organisers.

The Prime Minister, who has been a long-time supporter of the tournament, expressed his delight at being a contributor to the tournament which now celebrates 25 years in existence.

Both Kashif Muhammad and partner Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major were on hand and lauded the Prime Minister for his continued support.

Mayweather, Pacquiao come face-to-face to hype megafight

Frank ‘English’ Parris collects the winner’s trophy from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds while Kashif Muhammad (first from left) and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major look on.

Eleven-time, five-division world boxing champion Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather (L) and eight-division world champion Manny ‘Pac-Man’ Pacquiao pose at a news conference ahead of their upcoming bout, in Los Angeles. (Credit: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

By Jahmal Corner LOS ANGELES, Calif.

(Reuters) - After five years of bickering, posturing, and false alarms, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao stood face-to-face on Wednesday to mark the official countdown to one of boxing’s most anticipated fights.

Pacquiao, wearing a dark suit and tie, arrived on stage for the news conference as AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ blared through the speakers.

He was followed by Mayweather, who was in a light suit with no tie and walked in to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” The two men then stood face-to-face and side-toside, as a roar of camera shutters tracked their every move, before sitting with their respective camps in the only news conference they will hold to hype their May 2 fight.

And while neither boxer

took questions from the media packed inside the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, each exuded confidence.

“This is a fight that the world can’t miss,” Mayweather said from his podium. “I’m in the gym working right now ... pushing myself to the limit because I never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life.”

The fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas between Mayweather and Filipino southpaw Pacquiao is expected to be the highest grossing bout in history.

“This is what you are waiting for since five years ago,” said Pacquiao, who has held world titles in eight different weight divisions. “The fight is on and we’re very excited ... we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy.”

Pacquiao told a group of reporters that he was not worried about the upcoming bout and was more concerned about prior

fights with Oscar de la Hoya, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto.

Those fights came when Pacquiao, 36, was closer to his prime. Mayweather, 38, is also closing in on the end of his career and Pacquiao’s camp feel that works to their advantage. “(Mayweather) had a better chance of winning five years ago,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach. “He has slowed down. I think Manny knows how to beat him.”

There is no shortage of contentious storylines in this matchup. Roach has exchanged words with Mayweather’s father and trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr, while fight promoter Bob Arum used to work with Mayweather instead of Pacquiao before a falling out split the pair.

“For me to be in the biggest fight in boxing history ...

I kept my fingers crossed and here we are today,” said Mayweather.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds supports 25th K&S football tournament See story on page 31

Guyana clinch game one of three-match series See story on page 26

Point guard Shelroy Thomas scores a layup in the 4th quarter against Bermuda at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana’s Travis Burnett on his way to scoring two of his 17 points, against Bermuda, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Delano Williams photos)

2014 top sportsmen, sportswomen to be honoured tonight ... Minister Dr Frank Anthony to deliver keynote address

By Rawle Toney

Sportswoman of the year for 2014 Cassie George

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) will tonight honour the country’s top sportsmen and sportswomen when the annual National Sports Awards ceremony is held at the National Cultural

Centre.

Minister of Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, will deliver the keynote address at the event which caters to bring recognition to those who would have excelled in various sporting disciplines in the year 2014.

Guyana’s National 15s and

7s rugby team, who became the first Caribbean country to hold both titles in a single calendar year were the biggest winners when the panel of 12 judges met last month to vote on the awardees following nominations by the various federations.

Turn to page 28

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Sportsman of the Year for 2014 Veerasammy Permaul FRIDAY MARCH 13, 2015