2015 3 19 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA

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

‘Electioneering gimmicks’ will not fool Guyanese

No. 104133 THURSDAY MARCH 19, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

President Donald Ramotar

– President RamotarPage 2

Observer missions asked to have extended presence in Guyana 3 GENERAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS, 2015…

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Late Dr. Faith Harding is recipient of US International Woman of Courage Award 15 Page

Large crowd bid farewell to Crum-Ewing

Work on Amaila road going ahead Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and other officials yesterday inspected works to facilitate crossing at the Essequibo River-end of Section Two of the Amaila Road, where works are almost complete. Pictured is a section of the access road from Mabura, leading to the Essequibo River. (See story in tomorrow’s issue) (Photos by Delano Williams)

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DURING CONSULTATION ON TOP COP’S APPOINTMENT…

Granger was ‘unfindable’

Dr Roger Luncheon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

‘Electioneering gimmicks’ will not fool Guyanese – President Ramotar By Vanessa Narine “THE promises of Mr David Granger on the sugar sector and the Amaila Falls Hydropower project represent a transparent electioneering gimmick that I am confident will not fool the Guyanese people.” Strong words from a resolute President Donald Ramotar, who, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, minced no words in responding to sentiments expressed by Granger at the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) luncheon on Tuesday. The presidential candidate of the Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) speaking to GMSA stakeholders said, “We will also develop hydroelectric power within a project which we have identified as the Potaro Basin Development Author-

“The position of APNUI+AFC has been, consistently, an anti-development one.” – President Donald Ramotar ity which could embody the present Amaila Falls.” On the question of the sugar sector, he added, “We are not going to throw the sugar industry through the window…there is no quick fix, but we are not going to dissolve the sugar industry… it is too big to fail.” The promise of “cheaper energy” and the assurance of support for an industry that is “too big to fail” are not new ideas, according to Mr Ramotar, Granger’s opponent in the race for the presidency. “These are initiatives, assurances and deliverables

President Donald Ramotar

David Granger

that this Administration (the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration) brought to the table,” he said.

which includes a massive protest last April by sugar workers when the $6B subvention to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was threatened by the parties’ one-seat majority in the National Assembly, which currently stands dissolved. The $6B allocation to the sugar industry, battling climate change and other chal-

CLEAR FLIP FLOP The incumbent President contends that the political Opposition’s stance on support for the sugar sector is a matter of public record,

lenges, was hit in day one of the 2014 Budget debates with Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) maintaining that the monies represent a handout and contending that good monies are being thrown after bad. Prior to this, APNU, in March 2014, through its member Tony Vieira, called for the significant scaling down of operations at the state-owned GuySuCo. He suggested that those lands used for sowing sugar cane be now used instead for fish farming and cane-derived ethanol. For that matter, he feels that Guyana should get out of the sugar business entirely, because of a number of factors militating against it, such as heavy rainfall; the need for several tons of cane to yield just one ton of sugar; and the inordinate length of time it takes to get the cane to the factory due to a shortage of labour. The ruling party would

“The changes in their position are not going to be overlooked. The Guyanese people are aware of what happened. I think Mr Granger is insulting the intelligence of our people.” – President Donald Ramotar not hear of it, and in response made it clear that it will continue to work to ensure that the sugar industry remains relevant, and that its employees are secure in their jobs. “The changes in their position are not going to be overlooked. The Guyanese people are aware of what happened. I think Mr Granger is insulting the intelligence of our people,” Mr Ramotar said. Despite its challenges, the current Administration Turn to page 5 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

GENERAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS, 2015…

Observer missions asked to have extended presence in Guyana

A PROPOSAL has been made for election observer missions to arrive in Guyana by April 7, Nomination Day, and maintain a presence here for an extended period after E-Day, May 11. “We have made efforts to have the presence of electoral observer missions long before the actual E-Day, and for that period of observation to extend long after May 11… an extended period prior to the elections and an extended period after the elections,” said Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon. Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference held yesterday at the Office of the President, he clarified that it is not for the Government to “decide or impose” this proposal. “The request of the Administration is along those lines [for observer missions to have an extended presence], but it is indeed a decision of the observer missions, when they will arrive and how long before the actual date of elections they will be here and how long after the date of elections they will remain,” he said. By April 7, however, Dr Luncheon surmised that the campaigns of political parties would be heightened, making this date ideal for the missions to begin their observations. “I want to believe that it’s the generality of observer missions that you don’t say goodnight as soon as night falls. I think you hang around to see how the party goes and that is why you want to be here before the party starts and you want to be here after the party is over. The experiences in the world of

“I

want to believe that it’s the generality of observer missions that you don’t say goodnight as soon as night falls. I think you hang around to see how the party goes and that is why you want to be here before the party starts and you want to be here after the party is over. The experiences in the world of elections suggest that it is a wise way to go.” – HPS, Dr Roger Luncheon

act as another local observer.

Dr Roger Luncheon

Dr Steve Surujbally

elections suggest that it is a wise way to go,” he said.

to Guyana when the date for the upcoming General and Regional Elections were announced. Invitations were subsequently dispatched. Additionally, two teams from the UN and the Carter Center have completed needs assessments as Guyana draws closer to E-Day and have engaged various stakeholders in the electoral process. Their reports are expected to be released soon. “The needs assessment by the UN is a proxy for the presence of the electoral observer missions,” Dr Luncheon said. Locally, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has approached the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for accreditation as a local election observer. The Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) is also expected to revamp its operations and

SEVERAL GROUPS According to him, to date, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN) have since responded favourably. Invitations have also been sent to Governments of South Africa and India, as well as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Carter Centre and the United Kingdom (UK) branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Questioned about the connection of the Marriott Hotel to the undertaking to have electoral observer missions is Guyana, Dr Luncheon made it clear that is completely “commercial” in nature – as is the case with existing hotels or any other such facility that may be commissioned soon. “It could not be anything more than a commercial engagement,” he said. Notifications were made to the international community and bodies that traditionally field observer missions

ACCREDITATION GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, has stated that all observers, local and foreign, will be required to sign onto certain protocols before they are accredited as observers. The Guyana Chronicle was able to get an exclusive look at these protocols, which outline the roles and functions of the observer groups. Foreign observers, according to the protocol, will be expected to adhere to more than 35 guidelines. In addition to the guidelines, the rights and privileges of accredited election observer groups are also outlined in the protocol. Similar rights and guidelines apply to local observer groups. These are detailed in a separate document to which the Guyana Chronicle was made privy. Also, under the Election Law (Amendment) Act

No. 15 of 2000, Section 20 states that: “The Commission may approve of local organisations observing the democratic process involved in any election provided such organisations fulfil such conditions as may be stipulated by the Commission.” Both protocols, for foreign and local observer groups, stated clearly that if GECOM considers that an observer group as “wil-

fully, without restraint, overtly and/ or with malice aforethought breached the modus operandi and protocols” outlined by the Commission, GECOM has the authority to and may rescind/ withdraw its accreditation from the individual errant observer or even from the entire Observer Mission.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Large crowd bids farewell to Crum-Ewing

By Leroy Smith

SOCIAL, political and human rights activists were among the hundreds who bid farewell to Courtney Crum-Ewing yesterday, eight days after he was gunned down as he was urging persons in the Diamond, East Bank Demerara community to vote at the upcoming May 11th elections. Crum-Ewing’s body was first taken to his home village in Diamond, then to Parade Ground in the city, before being moved to the Heavenly Light Full Gospel Church in Albouystown for a funeral service. Finally the body was taken to Le Repentir Cemetery for burial. At the Parade Ground, opposite the Promenade Gardens, there were speeches, poems and readings by several persons, including Trade Unionist Norris Wit-

including plans to erect a monument there in honour of Crum-Ewing, the renaming of the stretch in front of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, (where Crum-Ewing had conducted his protest) to Courtney’s Block. And there were several calls for peace to prevail among those who are in support of Crum-Ewing’s activism and they were also urged to ensure that they turn out in A section of the crowd outside the Albouystown church yesterday their numbers to cast their votes on May 11, ter, President of the Guyana Force and other persons who the cause for which Bar Association, Ronald took time off during their Crum-Ewing died. Burch-Smith, political activ- lunch break to be there. Many stood with tears in ists and others. Meanwhile, the proceedtheir eyes as others carried Notably present at the Pa- ings were carried on under various placards as they rade Ground were also polit- the watchful eyes of memremembered the man who ical leaders, past and present bers of the Guyana Police came to fame for his onestudents from Crum-Ewing’s Force, both in and out of man protest actions in front alma mater, Queen’s Col- uniform. of the office of a governlege, past and present memSeveral announcements ment minister. bers of the Guyana Defence were made at the location, Later, over at the church, the crowd that awaited the arrival of the body of Crum-Ewing mirrored the gathering that turned up at the Parade Ground. There the ceremony was attended by Opposition Leader David Granger, Prime Ministerial Candidate

Crum Ewing’s mother, stepfather and father seated as the tributes for the dead man are read of the APNU-AFC Coalition, Moses Nagamootoo, Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh and several others, including children. The church was packed to capacity even as the compound and streets overflowed with mourners. Crum-Ewing, 40 years, was shot around 8:00 pm on March 10 as he was using a bullhorn to encourage persons to come out and vote on May 11. The police reported that persons rolled up in a car, exited the vehicle and shot Crum-Ewing An autopsy revealed that he was shot a total of five times, including three times to the head. Immediately afterwards,

there were claims that the killing was political and subsequently the police issued a press statement which followed that of the Ministry of Home Affairs, both calling for persons with information to come forward even as the ministry voiced its expectation for the police to get on top of the case and bring the killers to justice. Two days afterwards, Head of Sate Donald Ramotar while addressing the officers of the Guyana Police Force called on the police to find those responsible for the killing and even the intellectual authors must also be brought to justice.

Joe Singh tells Crum-Ewing funeral…

Shooting, a calculated act of cold blooded murder

RETIRED Major General of the Guyana Defense Force, Joseph Singh, yesterday told hundreds seated in an Albouystown church and those standing outside the building and on the streets that the persons who shot and killed Courtney Crum-Ewing did not have the courage to face him. He made the assertion pointing the decision of the shooters to approach the man from behind, opening fire on him. According to Singh, Crum-Ewing had his political preference and that was his democratic right. The former army head went on to say that the shooting of the father of three,

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who also had served the army, was a calculated act of cold-blooded murder of a son, sibling, and father. In calling for the police to bring the killers to justice, Singh said that it would be naïve of anyone not to perceive that the murder of Crum-Ewing as somehow linked to his protest activity and his public advocacy in Carmichael Street. Opposition Leader David Granger was also present at the funeral and both called for peace and for persons to respond to the hurt that they feel by going out in their numbers to the polls on Election Day. (Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

MoE receives cost for exams rescheduling

THE Ministry of Education has received an estimated cost to have the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Examinations, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), sittings done on alternative dates due to the upcoming General and Regional Elections slated for May 11. Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, yesterday spoke with the Guyana Chronicle, alluding to the fact that the ministry is in receipt of the approximate cost for the rescheduling of the CSEC and CAPE examinations. Minister Manickchand explained: “We’re in the process of working out the details with CXC and most of our deliberations have been concluded. There are some provisional costs so far and the ministry will offer an update on these develop-

ments very soon.” On January 26, during a press conference held at the National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD), Minister Manickchand, joined by the Registrar of CXC, Glenroy Cumberbatch and other senior education officers, informed the media that the new dates for the examinations which should have been written on May 11th and 12th, 2015, are now scheduled to be written on June 15th and 16th, 2015, respectively. She explained that at all times during the discussions and deliberations; the ministry’s paramount consideration was the best interests of candidates. She said the Ministry of Education is “always keen to ensure that examinations are conducted in a smooth and effective manner,” through consultations with the CXC and other stakeholders.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

The Education Minister also assured the media that despite the fact Guyanese candidates will be sitting the exams at a later date; their results will be available on time with the rest of the Region.

“CXC will mark all scripts and issue results at the same time the CXC/CAPE results were originally scheduled to be delivered. CXC will officially inform the candidates about this change in timetable. The Ministry

of Education shall also take all necessary steps to ensure each and every candidate is informed of the timetable change,” Manickchand told reporters yesterday. CXC’s Registrar Glenroy Cummerbatch also added to the discussion, stressing that “the principal concern was to ensure that these candidates who registered to write CSEC and CAPE, had the opportunity to write them in the conditions that they would normally write dayto-day.” He explained that if schools were to be used as polling stations on the same day, it would mean that the two activities would have been competing. Therefore, it was necessary to ensure that the candidates are not disadvantaged in anyway, he said. CSEC exams scheduled for June 15 at 9:00 am: Agricultural Science (double award) – Paper 2, Agricultural Science (Single award)

– Paper 2, Theatre Arts – Paper 1; and at 1:00 pm: Electrical and Electronic Technology – Paper 1 and Food and Nutrition – Paper 2. CAPE exams scheduled for the same day at 9:00 am: Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 – Paper 2, History Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Art and Design Unit 1 and 2 – Paper 2 and 3; and at 1:00 pm: Communications Studies – Paper -2 . CSEC exams scheduled for June 16 at 9:00 am: Home Economics: Management – Paper 2, and Technical Drawing – Paper 2; and at 1:00 pm: Electrical and Electronic Technology – Paper 2. CAPE exams scheduled for the same day at 9:00 am: French Unit 2 – Paper 2 and Environmental Science Unit 2 – Paper 2; and at 1:00 pm: Pure Mathematics Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Agricultural Science Unit 2 – Paper 2.

‘Electioneering gimmicks’ will... has consistently maintained that the industry remains relevant to the health of the national economy. In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 percent of total exports valued at US$112.2M, and the industry contributed 3.9 percent of the country’s GDP. In 2014, GuySuCo recorded a production of 216,147 tonnes -– the first crop having surpassed the 75,000-tonne target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. The calamitous drop in sugar prices on the global and preferred market scene,

which challenges all sugar industries, coupled with the dramatic fall in earnings and, by extension, cash flow; and the prevailing weather conditions were among several of the difficulties that affected the local sugar industry during 2014. The industry saw a dismal sugar production level in the past years, but Guyana has since been taking steps to turn around its sugar industry, and hopes to soon meet a 300,000-tonne target. There is also a projection that the sector would reach a 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

FLIMSY VEIL Turning his attention to hydropower, the President made it clear that voting down funding for the project two years in a row, despite having been engaged in several sessions where information was provided, is also something that cannot be ignored. “We engaged them (the political Opposition). We provided information. We said we are open to providing additional information so that we were on the same level and there could

be support for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. The outcome of all these efforts is no secret. The APNU+AFC voted down the project,” he said. Mr Ramotar contends that Granger’s comments on a “Potaro Basin Development Authority which could embody the present Amaila Falls,” is a “flimsy veil” to push an agenda that they saw merit in, but refused to work with the current Administration to achieve. “The position of APNUI+AFC has been, consistently an anti-development

one,” he stressed. The hydropower project is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable electricity supply. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden. The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms

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of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil. “The comments we have seen from the leadership of APNU+AFC” represent a lack of integrity, a lack of commitment to the people and a lack of positive characteristics…it is all a warning to the Guyanese people,” Mr Ramotar stressed. Three years of political gridlock was culminated by the November 10, 2014, prorogation of Parliament and its subsequent dissolution, which paved the way for the General and Regional Elections on May 11.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Health sector reform and healthy dietary choices THE Government has implemented many strategies for the enhancement of the quality of life of citizens and the results are visible in the longevity of the older generation. However, more could be accomplished in the health sector if healthier and wiser choices are made in diets to suit individual health needs. It has been discovered that diabetes and related diseases are responsible for most deaths in Guyana; but it is incumbent upon each person to take responsibility of his life and the quality of his life. Longevity is fine and enjoyed only if one’s health is not impaired. Guyana has made great strides in its health sector, and

this has resulted in unprecedented numbers of persons reaching the age – and way beyond, to enjoy their pensions and other benefits provided by the state. However, obesity and related diseases are often curtailing the enjoyment of the twilight years of many senior citizens. Research from Harvard University revealed that sugary beverages such as soda, sports drinks, and even 100% juice are responsible for up to 180,000 deaths annually. Research has also indicated that “too many sugary drinks” is noted as the actual cause of death for one out of every 100 people in the U.S., of which 144,000 of those deaths are related to diabetes, again caused

by a high intake of high-sugar beverages. According to statistics in that country, the average American drinks 400 calories daily from sugary beverages, so if you eliminated sugary beverages from your diet, you could lose more than 50 pounds of fat in one year merely with one simple dietary change, just by not drinking sugar anymore. Of course, instead of soda, sports drinks, juice, and other sugary beverages like sweet tea, lemonade, and fruit punch, you could just drink water, but it is improbable that anyone, especially youths, can refrain outright from drinking sugary beverages. But the reality is that there

are so many other tasty alternatives to sugar-laden beverages that there is simply no good reason to choose high-sugar beverages any longer. Following are some easy swaps: Instead of sugary sodas try freshly-squeezed orange juice, or blended fruit and vegetable concoctions. Guyana has a variety of seasonal fruits that can be converted to delicious drinks that can be bottled and frozen – available for days or out on long trips. Instead of sports drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde, Lucozadeet al, try milk-based liquids, such as Milo and Ovaltine; or better yet, drinks made with natural cocoa sticks; and don’t knock our plentiful and easi-

ly-accessed coconut water. Instead of lemonade or sweet tea, try 100% all-natural lemon iced tea or cherry mix, or sugarless passion fruit beverages. All acquired tastes, but greatly beneficial to the health. Instead of 100% fruit juice, try eating the actual fruit, because this has the added advantage of the pulp providing both bulk to reduce hunger and fibre. There are many alternatives to high-sugar beverages, and it is not worth losing your life for a soda. Modern medical technologies can lengthen your lifespan, but only you can determine the quality of your life by making healthy choices.

On Social Work Day 2015 THE Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) joins the rest of the world today in celebrating the work of the many men and women who have dedicated their lives to the advocacy call for social justice, gender equality, human rights and many of the other social ills that have plagued our society. In commemorating Social Work Day 2015, we stand with the rest of the world acknowledging the outstanding contributions made by Social Workers and Social Educators and we continue to encourage our national, regional and international communities to give more importance to this celebration, not only on the national stage, but also to lend support to all those engaged in the practice of social work. The global theme “So-

cial Work paves the way for change” is well suited to our local context, as it highlights the important roles Social Workers continue to play in empowering individuals and families in the face of prevailing global economic and social conditions. As Social workers, we have the duty of facilitating positive change within our society. We must therefore empower individuals and groups to reach their fullest potential to make their contribution towards equitable and sustainable development of our country. The Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers will continue to support people in crisis and make a compelling case for modern social work in mental health services, particularly earlier intervention and building resilience.

We acknowledge that the challenges faced among the social work organisations, whether Government or Non-Government, are tumultuous in nature and therefore require the consolidation of efforts and commitment by all partners. Together we must ensure that we resuscitate our people from the perils of

the social and economic scourge that has bedevilled the very fabric of our society. As an Association, we stand ready and prepared to collaborate with other entities to combat the challenges of mental health, suicide prevention and intervention, domestic violence, human rights, and

the protection of children, among others. The GAPSW salutes all the individuals who in some way are helping to make a difference in the lives of people from different segments of society. Be mindful that anyone can make a difference, but only a few have the necessary qualities to pursue change every day. We embrace the theme and pledge to continue to work towards a positive outcome for individuals, families and communities in need. Together we can make a world of difference, not indifference. We take this opportunity to salute our founder member of the Social Work Unit, University of Guyana, and the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers, Ms Sybil Patterson. Happy Social Work Day to all in Guyana and around the world!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Granger was part of the PNC that destroyed the education sector

DURING his address to the members of the business community at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon, the APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger, last Tuesday promised to transform Guyana’s economical landscape through education if he is elected into office. He said, “Under the APNU+AFC, every single region will have a regional technical institute and a regional agricultural institute,” stating too that, “the young generation will be guided along paths that will allow them to be experts in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; it is time to move our indigenous citizens and residents of the hinterland and our population as a whole out of poverty and ignorance, by building more and more educational institutes, not drop-in centres.” Public figures running for political office must learn to tell the truth and not distort documented facts and figures to gain political mileage. David Granger is well aware that this PPP/C Government spends about 15% of its National Budget on Education, and through this heavy investment in the sector, more schools have been built and expanded; more teachers have been trained and employed; teachers are better paid; the quality of education has risen significantly to the point where every year our students are topping the entire Caribbean; and Guyana has the lowest drop-out rate among other territories in the Region. Guyana has achieved Universal Primary Education, and is very close to achieving Universal Nursery and Secondary Education. Granger is lying through his teeth to win votes and he knows it. After all, he was part of the PNC that destroyed the education sector for lack of funding prior to 1992. Please permit me to quote excerpts from the 1992 World Bank Report on Education to illustrate just how dilapidated the system was; broken by the same political party that David Granger now heads. As you are aware, the World Bank is an independent body, not affiliated in any way to the PPP/C Party or the Guyana Government. Here is what the Report says: “8.46 Worsening economic conditions over the past decade have made it increasingly difficult for the country to maintain the high levels of educational

investment recorded in the 1970s and, as a result, real government spending has declined. In addition, recurrent spending on education, as a proportion of total recurrent public spending, shows sharp declines since 1988 despite growing public concern over education quality. In 1984, 17.6% of public recurrent spending went to education. The percentage declined to 14.5% in 1987 and 6.7% in 1990, rising again to 9.1% in the 1991 budget. The 1991 allocation is about half the proportions allocated in Jamaica, Belize or Grenada. Education spending in Guyana, as a percent of the GDP declined from 6.0% in 1984 to 2.4% in 1990.” “8.50 Educational Inputs. The availability of textbooks has been consistently associated with higher student achievement in developing countries. Under Guyana’s decentralised education system the MOE retains responsibility for text book provision. Budget allocations for textbooks and education materials have been greatly reduced over the past decade and are totally inadequate given that almost all textbooks must be imported from European publishers. Field visits to primary schools showed that in many cases the teacher used the only text book. At secondary schools there were generally 5 or 6 students to each book meaning that teachers were unable to assign homework. Other educational materials are almost completely absent from classrooms and learning occurs through repetition and rote learning.” “8.51 Although teacher/student ratios have risen in recent years, they remain at acceptable levels, averaging about 40 students per teacher in primary schools and 35 students per teacher in secondary schools. However, low pay scales and poor working conditions have encouraged better qualified teachers to move out of the sector leading to a heavy reliance on untrained and unqualified teachers. Thus, while student/teacher ratios continue to be relatively low, the quality of the teaching force is declining. There are significant differences between regions in terms of the quality of their teaching force at the primary level; only 19 percent of teachers in the municipal Georgetown area are untrained compared to 69 percent in Regions 1 and 9 and 74 percent in Region 8.” “8.52 Investment in the rehabilitation and expansion of school facilities has been extremely limited over the past two decades with the result that school facilities

are dilapidated and very crowded. Many students do not have access to a desk or writing space and in most schools three or more different classes will share one room, meaning that noise levels are high and teachers must compete with each other to be heard by their students. Few schools have libraries and where these exist the books are old and in poor condition. Sanitation facilities are generally completely inadequate.” “8.55 Dropout and repetition rates at the primary level are not particularly high in Guyana; approximately 11% of the first grade enrollments are repeaters and dropout rates range from 3.2% in the first grade to 7.8% in the final grade. The primary cohort survival rates is around 80%. However, student learning, as measured by the secondary school entrance examination is low. Almost half of the students are unable to answer one third of the questions successfully. If the test scores are adjusted to correct for possible guessing, 50% of students score less than one sixth of the marks available. Pass rates in science and social science subjects have dropped during the past decade.” “8.56 Daily attendance rate at primary schools are extremely low in Guyana, averaging 68% nationally. There are, however, wide variations across Regions; attendance rates are close to 80% in the Georgetown municipal area but drop to around 50% in Region l. Attendance rates generally reflect the quality of education offered; poorly trained teachers, limited textbooks and teaching materials, overcrowded classes and a poorly developed curriculum are all factors commonly associated with low attendance rates and are clearly issues needing to be addressed in Guyana.” “8.58 Secondary school examination results show very clearly that student learning has declined sharply in recent years. Students in the secondary academic track aim to write the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) or General Certificate of Education (CCE) examinations in their fifth year, but only write the examinations if their teachers think they have a chance of passing. In Guyana, the proportion of the 15 - 19 year old age cohort entering the examination has dropped from 16.5% in 1965 to 4.9% in 1984. This is the reverse of trends in other English speaking Caribbean countries where the proportion of students entering the examination has more than doubled.

Moreover, the percentage of Guyanese CXC examination candidates achieving passes in the core subjects has fallen sharply in recent years. The 1984 pass rate in English of 23% dropped to 13% in 1990. In mathematics, student pass rates dropped from 20% to 15% over the same period. Guyana, which ranked third out of seven Caribbean countries in terms of its student pass rate in 1965, now ranks last.” “8.59 Students enrolled in the community / vocational schools write the Secondary Schools Proficiency Examination and these scores are even more discouraging. Results for 1986, for example, show that in mathematics students, on average, scored 12.7 of a possible 40 points, only 2.7 points above the chance score (the score possible from random guessing). In Reasoning and Science, the average student scored 15 out of 40 possible points, 4.9 and 6.3 points above the chance scores, respectively.” “8.61 Equity Issues. The woeful state of education enrollment, expenditure, and performance data in Guyana precludes a rigorous analysis of equity issues. These data are unreliable at the Regional level and no household income data exist to permit an assessment of equality of educational opportunity. However, the partial data which exist permit two conclusions: (i) that there is a relatively high level of participation at the primary level and, (ii) that there are serious inequities in education inputs between the Regions. The quality of the teaching force differs significantly across Regions with the proportion of untrained teachers ranging from 19 to 74 percent in different Regions. In addition, field visits confirmed that schools in smaller urban and rural areas are less likely to have textbooks and other educational materials.” This World Bank Report can be accessed from the web using the following link: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB /1992/04/01/000009265_3961002073259/ Rendered/PDF/multi0page.pdf Editor, it is very easy for politicians to promise the stars and the moon during an election campaign, but to deliberately mislead the nation on the one subject that should be taboo is mischievous and disingenuous, to say the least. * HARRY GILL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

DURING CONSULTATION ON TOP COP’S APPOINTMENT…

Granger was ‘unfindable’ – Luncheon By Vanessa Narine LEADER of the Opposition, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, during the consultation on the substantive appointment of Mr. Seelall Persaud as Commissioner of Police, was “unfindable” – a play on words relative to the television show ‘The Untouchables’. These sentiments were expressed by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, when asked about the process yesterday at his post-Cabinet news conference held at the Office of the President. “I know President Ramotar has been chasing behind David Granger, morning, noon and night. He ain’t no easy cat to get in touch with…if it hadn’t been for intermediaries, there is a television show the ‘Untouchables’, he would have been the ‘Unfindables’. The man

Dr Roger Luncheon

Mr Seelall Persaud

David Granger

ain’t easy to find,” he said. Granger, the presidential candidate of the Alliance of the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), last Friday conveyed a different version of events. “I did not have consultation with the President… I see he went off and purported to swear in the Acting Commissioner in the capacity of substantive Commissioner. I don’t know how that could be done in defiance of Article

211 of the Constitution,” he said. However, Dr. Luncheon maintains that there was consultation, the parameters of which are defined by the Constitution. “If Mr. Granger wasn’t consulted on this subject… this is decidedly at odds with reality, at odds with what has taken place. The only reason I could imagine that Mr. Granger made that remark, maybe it has to do with a judgment that David Grang-

er has about what he feels constitutes consultation,” he said. The HPS stated that evidence of consultations exist. He said, “I have correspondence from Mr. Granger in response to correspondence from us at the Office of the President addressing specifically the issue of the appointment and confirmation in office of Mr. Seelall Persaud.” He added, “It is strange.

When Mr. Seelall Persaud was appointed as the Acting Commissioner (of Police) the records will show that Mr. David Granger, as he did in the case of Mr. Leroy Brummell, sought to make a substantive appointment from the get go. “…it is ironic that when the President approached him to do the substantive appointment and said, ‘Bannas I ready’ - you can’t find David and he unveiled a series of his disquiet and his reluctance (to a substantive appointment).” All considered, Dr. Luncheon contends that Granger’s sentiments are not based on reality, but on understanding of what should have happened. “If he went through all of that with us and is still saying that he wasn’t consulted, then what he really might have been saying is ‘I ain’t like the results of the consultation’. This is what I think he is saying,” he said. Persaud, the former acting

Police Commissioner, acceded to the post after a swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Complex, last week. In the presence of members of the Police Service Commission, Guyana Police Force’s High Command, head of the Joint Services, the Home Affairs and Legal Affairs Ministers, senior members of the judiciary and family members, Commissioner Persaud thanked President Donald Ramotar and his administration for their confidence in him. Police Commissioner Persaud has served in the force for close to 31 years, with most of that time spent in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He served as head of the anti-narcotics squad for 10 years and CID for seven, serving in both coastal and interior locations. Persaud, 51, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management and a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Guyana.

Forensic specialist testifies at 2013 Mash celebrations murder …multiple stab wounds cause of death GOVERNMENT’S Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh who performed the

post-mortem on Kumar Mohabir, 25, allegedly murdered on Mash Day

2013, yesterday disclosed that multiple stab wounds were the cause of death.

Police investigating the killing on May 23rd of that year arrested and charged Devon Thomas, 17 and Randy Isaacs, 21, with the offence of murder. Their trial began this week before Justice Navin-

dra Singh and a mixed jury. Both accused have pleaded not guilty and are being defended by attorneys-at-law, Mr. Peter Hugh and Miss Latchmi Rahamat. Miss Stacy Goodings and Miss Diana Kaulesar are

conducting the case for the prosecution. R. Bridgemohan (brother) 14 Enterprise, ECD, and Bheemchand Mohabir (uncle) 261 Non Pareil, ECD, identified the body.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Inspiring the Guyanese brand By Shaun Michael Samaroo

WE Guyanese live as a free, democratic nation, playing our role in the 21st century global village, tackling our challenges and rebuilding our society after decades of socio-economic crisis that crippled us after Independence. And we must work hard to position ourselves on the global stage, to increase our geopolitical influence and enhance our place in the world. We cannot be myopic and look inwards only, but most enlarge our vision, lifting our eyes to see what’s possible for the Guyanese people. Developed nations see themselves as nation-brands, and this explains why American, Canadian and European countries work to build healthy images of themselves around the world. Americans make movies, publish books and share the American way in a branding culture of glitz and glamour. Now, with the rise of the BRICS countries in economic and social power on the world stage, we see India and China adopting glitzy global campaigns to market their image. In the Caribbean, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean countries work hard to sell themselves as stable, solid societies, and we see the rewards in their tourist societies, with people flocking to these places from all over the earth.

Guyana stands as a land of incredible natural beauty and wonder: our vast rivers and waterfalls, our fertile soil and paradise of birds and forests filled with astonishing fauna and flora. Guyanese live in one of the most peaceful, progressive and pastoral lands in the world today. What a joy it is to see our children traverse to and from school in our communities, dressed in neat, clean, cute uniforms, laughing and playing and interacting in our multicultural blessedness. As much as we need to work on developing a healthy self-image for the Guyanese nation, we must radiate to the world our true state of being, making the story of modern Guyana an inspiring fact on the world stage. As we face an elections season, we hope national leaders would lift our vision, show us what we cannot see, awaken our consciousness to what it means to be Guyanese, in the context of the world today. We’ve got so much to be thankful for as a nation. We’ve come a far way, overcoming so much poverty and socio-economic backwardness and conquering enormous challenges. In the early 1990’s, we faced even the Demerara Harbour Bridge collapsing into the Demerara River. Now the Harbour Bridge functions with such efficiency and works so well that we drive over it, taking it for granted.

We’ve fixed a lot of our problems, even as we tackle new ones. But one problem we haven’t yet fixed is this penchant for beating up on ourselves, for national newspapers and TV stations and social media discontents to demotivate and demoralise us with rampant negativity, telling a lie, for example, that Guyana suffers as a crime-ridden ghetto. While we must constantly tackle pockets of criminal activity, much of Guyana is peaceful and progressive. Take a drive along the stunning beauty of the Essequibo road, or along the Corentyne and in the hinterland, and be awakened to the breathtaking beauty of our nation. Many of us wake up and get active in our mundane routine, unaware and unconscious of how blessed we are as Guyanese, to live and dwell in such a lovely country. It’s left to journalists and the media to bring into our homes the story of modern Guyana, and they seem to do their utmost to make Guyana out to be a basketcase of backwardness. Maybe we need serious media reform legislation to see this situation transformed. The onus is on Government to develop a national policy to see that the Guyanese people could access stories and information that uplift, inspire, motivate and engage the soul of the Guyanese people, to see that our

people become conscious and awake to their blessed homeland. Too many Guyanese lack the ability or sensitivity to comprehend the aesthetics and wonder of their own landscape. For example, to enjoy the sun setting over the savannah along the Corentyne highway, on that straight stretch of road where a sparse population of farming families have lived for generations, to walk along a flowing canal aback of Parika and feel the earth mold one’s toes to the fertile clay land, to sit in the hammock under one’s home in Essequibo and watch the waving branches of coconut palms, and the mango tree and star-apple tree bear with magnificent lushness in one’s yard; to drive to Linden over the hills and watch the calm sweetness of the Wismar river as boats ferry people;

these make our Guyanese homeland. But we face this problem: our people generally lack the consciousness to comprehend the picture-postcard beauty of our national landscape, and we lack appreciation of who we are as a people, of the outstanding nature of our multicultural society, of the socio-economic miracle that we achieved over the past two decades. Not only do we take it all for granted, but we twist our story and turn our nation into a grotesque monster, demoralising ourselves to the point of dread. The nations of the earth who attract our admiration in this 21st century learned how to build their global brand, how to energise their citizens, how to construct their nation’s stories. That’s easy for us Guy-

anese to accomplish. In our building the story of the Guyanese nation, we motivate our fellow citizens to rise up and give of their best to the cause of national development, but we also showcase to the world the magnificent beauty of Guyana. Of these things we must be conscious today, and talk of and encourage each other to take seriously. We’ve overcome the primary concerns of mere survival as a people, conquering our severe poverty that bedevilled us as recently as 20 years ago. Now it’s time to move on, to transform our conversation, so our goal is higher, greater, nobler; we look to lift ourselves so the world sees that we, the Guyanese nation, make up an outstanding, model society in the 21st century global village.

David challenge de Top Cop wuk, but he people meet and ask he fuh help! POSTALT read de other day that de Leader of de PNC/AFC alliance, David, seh that he gon be challenging de Top Cop appointment. De challenge is because he seh Uncle Donald didn’t consult he. He mek plenty noise and everybody know when that Party mek noise bout challenge, what it mean! People hoping is just a court challenge as against others just like how dem run there to stop Uncle Donald from paying

people salaries and providing essential services, even after de budget cut case was decided. Is everything dem challenging, but what David forget, was when he cut de budget, plenty of he own people couldn’t get pay too! As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t a matter if nobody get pay, but that is a different story! But de Top Cop challenge get funny. De day after David bellow he challenge, a big team from he PNC/AFC Party

went fuh see de same Top Cop! Dem went fuh discuss security matters and ask fuh security fuh Nagga! Potsalt confused! How come one day dem challenging de man and de next day dem meeting with he and asking fuh things? By meeting with he, it show that nothing wrong with Uncle Donald appointing he! If according to David de Top Cop appointment was wrong, then dem had to be wrong fuh meet he too! Everybody

know that is how de Palm Tree Party does operate; mek a mountain from a mole hill and then still expect service! Is de same way David and he pals mek mountain out of de Hydro project and he holler at de business lunch that he would do de same project if he win! That only confirm what everybody did know. De only reason he and de Key Party people stop de Hydro is because dem ain’t want Uncle

Donald fuh do it! Nothing else! Is de same thing dem do with de Specialty Hospital, de Marriott and de Anti-Money laundering bill! People does call people like that “bareface ones”. Granny seh that is shamelessness! Potsalt know that some people just ain’t gat shame! Uncle Donald did consult David about de Top Cop, but David seh it wasn’t enough! Nothing ever is fuh dem! Potsalt gone! Fuh now!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

DECONSTRUCTING THE OPPOSITION’S AGENDA By Teayken A. Dhigg

Inflict sufferings and blame others THE Opposition has shown its proclivity to engineer punishment on the nation and its people and then try to appear as if they are at a loss as to who the intellectual authors were. Many such examples punctuate our historical landscape. If it becomes challenging to delve too farther back, then just examine aspects of their destructive actions in Parliament since 2011. One of the first things the Opposition embarked on was to deny funding for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). When a $4B injection was proposed by the Government, not only did they shoot it down, but moved, without any semblance of hesitation, to have officials appear before the Privileges Committee in Parliament! That funding was crucial to the sustainability of the sugar industry, and its withholding placed some twenty thousand workers

and their families at risk, indirectly some one hundred thousand people. The action by both APNU and the AFC to deny such funding came shortly after they promised the same sugar workers betterment had they been successful at the 2011 polls. For APNU and the AFC, they didn’t stop by trying to sanction Government officials for doing what they are supposed to do, i.e. ensure the well-being of Guyanese, but slashed billions from subsequent budgets for GuySuCo and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), among others. Clearly, the denying of funds for these two major corporations could not have been about concerns over efficiency and whatever other frivolous excuses they concocted. The bottom line was to find ways to embarrass the Government, in an effort to sway people.

It is no secret that since its establishment, the PPP has strong support from within the sugar belt. Cognisant of this, the combined one-seat majority situation that arose from the 2011 elections gave impetus to a heartless agenda of the Opposition. This agenda was to use whatever leverage the oneseat majority presented to cripple the Government and inflict suffering on Guyanese, simply to pass blame. If GuySuCo had crumbled as the Opposition desired, then they themselves would have embarked on a vicious campaign to try and show that the Government lacked the capacity to manage the industry. The same scenario would have obtained had GPL failed, thereby presenting opportunities for intensified power outages and steep raises in electricity tariffs. This was the game plan:deny, hope for failure and then blame with the expecta-

tion that such actions would have enhanced their chances to return to government. It didn’t work! Sugar workers and other Guyanese swarmed the areas outside Parliament and demanded that their welfare not be jeopardised. It meant that Guyanese had seen through APNU/AFC’s plan to derail progress for personal gain. Such partisan politics dominated the 10th Parliament and was clearly evident from their coalition talks. Those talks were only focused on who would get what if they were to win. This further confirms what is already known: an agenda for personal enrichment. This, of course, lacks any concern for the development and advancement of Guyana and Guyanese. In other words, the obsession for personal gains in the coalition talks is a reflection and a reminder of a similar scenario during the PNC

Pregnant sex worker remanded for robbery under arms, larceny A pregrant commercial sex worker was Tuesday refused bail by Magistrate Annette Singh for armed robbery and larceny from the person charges. Nineteen-year-old Tamika Kennedy appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court and refused to plead to two charges, one of which said that on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Georgetown, being in company with others and armed with a knife, she robbed Troy Roberts of $25,000 in cash. Particulars of the other charge said on the same day at Georgetown, she stole from Roberts one Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued $80,000. Kennedy sat in the dock and used abusive language

to the police present in court when they spoke to her. When the orderly called for the court to rise, the woman refused to stand. However, as the magistrate read the charges, Kennedy did not plead to neither of the two charges. As a result of her behavior, the matter was stood down and recalled later. The charge was read to the unrepresented woman in the afternoon session and again she refused to enter a plea for both offences. But when Magistrate Singh read the larceny from person charge, Kennedy responded, “Wah Samsung Galaxy is a Chinese phone.” Since Kennedy did not answer to either of the charges, a not guilty plea was entered for both.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question around 23:00 hrs, Roberts was walking towards High Street, making his way to his brother’s home. At the time he was carrying his cellular phone charger in his hand along with his Samsung Galaxy cellular phone and cash in his pants pocket. Kennedy approached Roberts and asked him to do business. As they were walking together, she snatched his phone charger and returned it, so he thought she was just joking. A short while after, she snatched his phone from his pocket, ran to a distance and made a call from the said phone, after which a male rode up on a bicycle and snatched Roberts’s pocket. The male suspect then

asked Kennedy for an ice pick; however, he took out a knife, placed it to the victim’s neck and relieved him of the cash. They both made good their escape and the matter was reported to the police. Police Corporal Adduni Inniss, prosecuting, successfully opposed bail on the grounds that the unemployed woman has no fixed place of abode and if granted bail, she may not return for trial. The prosecution’s objection was upheld and the matter was put off to March 31, for statements. As Kennedy was being escorted out of the courtroom, she spat in Roberts’s face as she passed him before telling him he would never get back anything.

regime. Much has been written about that period when the masses suffered while those in office basked in extravagance. Similarly, without any vision and concern for the development of our children, the PNC Government deliberately failed some 40% of those who wrote the Common Entrance Examination simply because there wasn’t space to accommodate them in secondary schools. They prevented thousands of Guyanese children from having access to secondary education by failing them! To say that was a diabolic agenda would be an understatement! Today, David Granger and his team are working acidulously to make Guyanese believe differently, thereby remaining steadfast to the agenda to engineer and appear uninvolved. However, they cannot hide from history!

Miner gets four years for robbery under arms A miner of East La P e n i t e n c e w a s Tu e s day sentenced to four years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for robbery under arms. Rafael Huintzen, 22, changed his not guilty plea to guilty for the offence that said on January 15 at Lot 2688 Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, being in the company of another, he held Rayburn Fraser at gunpoint and relieved him of a gold chain, a gold ring, $400,000 in cash and a quantity of foreign currency, together valued $855,040. He also confessed that he at the same time at Lot 2688 Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt Park, being in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Sindell Hector of

$200,000 in cash along with a cellphone to the value of $40,000. According to the prosecution, the two victims were seated in a parked car when they were ambushed by Huintzen and another. The armed bandits demanded cash and jewellery from them but they refused, much to the annoyance of the men. This resulted in a scuffle between Fraser and one of the robbers, and Fraser received five gun shots. They then made good their escape with the articles and the matter was reported. The unrepresented man asked the chief magistrate to be lenient with the sentence. Huintzen is presently serving a five-year sentence for another robbery under arms charge, which was handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

2nd batch of visually impaired persons ready for May/June CSEC exams software which pose as a computer instructor for visually impaired learners.

The Guyana Society for the Blind

THE second batch of visually impaired persons is currently in ‘wrap-up’ mode in preparation to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in May/June this year. Ganesh Singh, Project Coordinator of the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB), told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview yesterday that the syllabus has so far been completed and the students

are now working on past examination papers in time for their CSEC exams. This is a GSB project which is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This batch consists of ten visually impaired persons but only five of them will be sitting this year’s examination while the others will sit the 2016 May/June examinations. The project, however,

was long nurtured before it was implemented and is a spinoff of another one that sought to teach visually impaired persons how to use computers. JAWS SOFTWARE The Blind Society has been collaborating with the One Laptop Per Family Project (OLPF) in order to provide computers for the students as well as the implementation of the JAWS

Alleged cutlass robber shot in legs in confrontation with police FORTY-six-year-old vend o r Wa l t e r D r a k e s o f Smyth Street was bicycling along Croal Street, Georgetown at about 01:30 hrs on March 17, 2015 when he was attacked by a man armed with two cutlasses.

The perpetrator took away a bag containing confectionery and escaped, but quick response by the police on receipt of the report led to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the stolen articles in a confrontation at Hadfield Street, during

which the suspect attacked the police with the cutlasses and was shot to his legs. The suspect, who gave his name as Gully Ross, is under police guard at the GPHC, where he was admitted for medical treatment. (Michel Outridge)

EDUCATION MINISTRY FINANCE The Ministry of Education has been financing the classes, making it possible for the students to write the exams by paying the instructors and examination fees. Last year Rosemary Ramitt emerged as the top student of the first batch, securing five grade ones along with Odessa Harper who came second in securing five grade two passes at the CSEC examinations.

BASIC NEEDS TRUST FUND Singh underscored that the society has recently benefited from assistance by the Basic Needs Trust Fund who rehabilitated the society’s building as well as provided better furniture to accommodate members as well as the CSEC students. “The rehabilitation led by the Basic Needs Trust Fund has drastically enhanced our aesthetics and in delivering of our programme,” said Singh. Moreover, the society just recently completed a

short-term Braille course which was led by Singh and other facilitators. This course, Singh noted, has been offered free of cost by the GSB and was a success. Students from the batch participated along with other visually impaired persons residing in Georgetown. Singh said further that in July the Blind Society will be registering its new batch of visually impaired persons to sit the upcoming CSEC examinations and is encouraging persons with any disability to register since the classes are free of cost.

Luncheon challenges political Opposition

– bring evidence that state funds being used by PPP/C THERE is no policy, or practice, that involves the “dishonouring” of Guyana’s laws by utilising state funds for partisan political purposes. This was the emphatic assertion of Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, at his news conference held at the Office of the President yesterday. He stressed that the Administration’s position on this matter is unequivocal and there is no deviation, relative to spending, from the provisions of Guyana’s laws which guide public expenditure of state funds. “The Administration’s position is unequivocal. We do not support it. There is no policy whatsoever that the Peo-

ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration dishonours the law and use public funds for partisan political purposes,” he said. The Cabinet Secretary added that the allegations being levelled against the Administration in this regard are not new. “It is not a claim that is novel or original,” he said, adding that during the lead- up to every election since 1992, the political Opposition has made this claim. However, Dr Luncheon has since challenged the political Opposition to substantiate their claims. “We must substantiate these claims with specific instances…our task is rather sim-

ple. Produce (the evidence), investigate and confirm whether this is so, yes or no,” he concluded. Article 219 (1) of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act stipulate that in any financial year the Government is empowered to spend one-twelfth of the budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed. Also, after elections, Article 219, paragraph 3 of the Constitution will be activated to regulate expenditure, until the first budget is passed for the 11th Parliament of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Pork-knocker bailed for attempting to commit a felony A PORK-knocker of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for attempting to commit a felony. Frank Thomas pleaded not guilty to the charge that

said on Saturday, March 14 at Arangoy, with intent to commit a felony, he attempted to break and enter the business place of Simone Simon to steal. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, informed the court that Thomas was

charged with simple larceny three years ago. The unrepresented man confirmed to the court however, that he was not convicted for the offence. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates' Court, for March 26.

Clerk fined $26,000 for defrauding attorney of $3,000 A TWENTY-SIX-year-old clerk of Lot 898 Second Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday fined $20,000 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a fraudulent conversion charge. Marvin Morgan accepted that on February 26 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the

sum of $3,000 from attorney-at-law Mr. Lloyd Mark Conway, by falsely pretending to Conway that he was sent by attorney-at-law Mr. Andrew Pollard for the money to file matters in the Supreme Court, knowing same to be false. Representing the convict was attorney-at-law Mr. George Thomas. He told the court that his client had no prior matter and the situation

stemmed from a misunderstanding. Defence counsel asked that Morgan not to be given a custodial sentence since he is married with two minor children and is the sole breadwinner for his family. Morgan acknowledged that his action was wrong and apologised. Failure to pay the fine will result in three months imprisonment.

Lethem resident on $100,000 bail for wounding A RESIDENT of Lot 6 Tabachinga Drive, Lethem, Central Rupununi, yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged with wounding, and was ordered to post $100,000 bail.

Shawn Meyers pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on Tuesday, January 20 at Tabachinga Drive, Lethem, he inflicted grievous bodily harm to Dexter Mentore, with intent maim, disfigure or cause harm. Police Prosecutor Mi-

chael Grant said facts are as charged and the court heard that Meyers inflicted several fractures and stab wounds to the victim. T h e u n re p re s e n t e d Meyers will make his next court appearance at the Lethem court, on June 30.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Reconstruction of Umana

Delivery of services to Guyanese continuing

A CONTRACT for the re c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e destroyed heritage site, Umana Yana, is expected to be awarded soon, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon. Speaking during his post- Cabinet press conference held yesterday at the Office of the President, he explained that the reconstruction is expected to start in the second half of 2015. Fire demolished the Umana Yana last September and investigations have concluded that its origin was electrical. The structure was erected some 43 years ago. The historic, thatched-roof benab served as a leading centre for cultural events in the

THREE contracts to ensure the delivery of services to the Guyanese people received Cabinetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no-objection at its meeting on Tuesday. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon, at a news conference held at Office of the President yesterday, explained that the contracts relate to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs. A total of US$99,000 goes to the servicing of general electrical equipment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The other two contracts include US$134,000 for an overhaul of one of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopters and US$85,000 for the procurement of weapons and accessories for the military.

Yana likely for mid-year start city and its roof,constructed from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves,had

stretched some 55 feet into the air. Since the fire the cur-

rent Administration had made clear its commitment to its reconstruction.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; three contracts get Cabinet OK No contracts are awarded by Cabinet; rather contracts above the $15M mark are taken to Cabinet for its no-objection. The Dissolution Proclamation 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 one-twelfth of the Budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed. 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Dr. Faith Harding is recipient of US International Woman of Courage Award

IN keeping with the recent observation of International Women’s Day, the United States Embassy last evening celebrated the courage and contributions of women and girls around the world. At a reception held by Charge d’ Affaires, Bryan Hunt, at the Ambassador’s residence, he noted that on International Women’s Day “we celebrate the accomplishments of American and Guyanese women who have made invaluable contributions to their communities and countries”. He explained that as a part of what has become an annual tradition, the embassy recognises the Guyanese recipient of the International Woman of Courage. He jovially alluded that this year’s recipient is the late Dr. Faith Harding. Hunt further explained his experience with Dr. Harding noting that “we must open the doors for women to

fully participate in society, as farmers, entrepreneurs, engineers, executives and leader of their countries.” He noted too, persons must

Established in 2007, recipients of this reward have been leaders for change within their own countries, often pushing established boundaries and demanding that marginalised communities be given an equal seat at the table and in the corridors of power. Speaking of Dr. Harding, he said, “Whether she was championing the cause of gender equality in front of an audience of thousands, or simply extending a helping hand and sympathetic ear to a troubled teenager struggling, she was equally determined.” He concluded that Dr. Faith Harding embodied the ideas of the International Woman of Courage Award. He noted that, “because of brave women like Dr. Faith Harding, the tide is beginning to turn for women and girls

Late Dr. Faith Harding invest in the next generation of women by making sure girls can go to school in a safe environment and on an equal footing with men. “Girls should be able to graduate with skills that empower them to be part of their community, diploma in hand,” he said.

Patrick Harding receives award for International Woman of Courage from Charge d’ Affaires, Bryan Hunt across the globe.” Receiving the award on behalf of Dr. Harding, her widower, Patrick Harding,

thanked the United States Embassy and Government for this prestigious award. Harding urge persons to

help others, “assist where you can, as you might not see the rewards now but you will in the near future.”

‘An adventure of a lifetime’…

Pakaraima Mountain Safari rolls off March 28 DUBBED “An adventure of a life time,” the 13th Pakaraima Mountain Safari is set to give participants the thrill and scenic views experienced nowhere else but in Guyana. This year’s safari is dubbed “an adventure of a lifetime” and is part of the ministry’s “Drive Guyana initiative,” which is one of the most adventurous journeys across Guyana. The aim is to have a convoy of vehicles, inclusive of motorbikes and ATVs, and participation will include persons from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Germany and the United States. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, explained that this year’s safari will commence on March 28th and culminate in Lethem on April 5th. The event is also set to coincide with the Rodeo celebration in Lethem, Region 9, affording participants both the option of returning to Georgetown for Easter Monday or remaining in Lethem for the Rodeo. He

noted that vehicle inspections will be done on March 24th to make sure that vehicles carry the right equipment,

fari and there are quite a few requirements to which the vehicles have to adhere.” There are also plans to increase the

perience, he explained: “One year the group had to assist another participant by cutting logs and placing it across

There are also plans in place for persons who may want to join the safari after it has set out on its journey with sched-

GTA’s Director Indranauth Haralsingh with some of the sponsors and that they are prepared, in terms of working condition, for the type of terrain that will be encountered. The director explained too that “already 15 vehicles and some 20 motorbikes have registered and March 24 will be the final say for inspections of vehicles which will cover between 529 and 600 miles during this year’s sa-

participation of locals and promote Amerindian villages and community-based tourism. He emphasised that during the safari the participants will also be able purchase all their necessaries from the communities where they will be assisting in community-based tourism. Enlightening media operatives on his personal ex-

a river since his vehicle was too big for the bridge.” Haralsingh noted too that the safari will provide the opportunity for participants to visit 11 indigenous communities, three waterfalls and be able to interact with wildlife. “This is a raw trip, it is an opportunity of a life time,” he said, as he urged persons to come out and participate.

uled flights by Air Services Limited (ASL) and charter flights. Guyoil Castrol Brand is one of the major sponsors and has yet again indicated they will be providing fuel as well as oil and other products to assist in making this year’s Safari a success. Guyoil’s representative explained that “every year the company

looks forward to supporting the safari, because we are afforded the opportunity to give back to our drivers since they would have been utilising our products over the years and we also get an opportunity to support the Ministry of Tourism in its drive to build our tourism package for our country and lastly to have proof that the Castrol brand is the life of the engine.” Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Public Relations Officer, Allison Parker explained that they are honoured to be yet again associated with this year’s safari. She said that this year the company will be providing participants with t-shirts, cooler bags, opener key rings and caps. First-time sponsor, Amazon Warrior Energy drink, explained that their company will be providing energy drinks for all participants. Also sponsoring the event this year is the Massy Distribution, Rainforest Tours and Mekdeci Machinery and Construction (MMC).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Aubrey Devine’s unrelenting battle with death continues - Reports feeling onset of old pains

SIXTY-four-year-old Brian Aubrey Anthony Devine, who survived the New Year’s Day fatal accident that claimed the life of his 61-year-old friend George Barker on Cemetery Road, Georgetown, has displayed incredible strength and resilience in his desperate battle to survive. Having since been a patient at the Surgical Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where, ironically, about one week ago, he overcame the odds, just as he was preparing for discharge, he suddenly discovered that most of his old pains had returned. Devine, who had gone to buy newspapers that morning, was lucky to survive the accident, but has suffered multiple life threatening injuries, including the following: compound fractures to his

right leg; head and spinal injuries; injuries to his left side jaw and rib-cage; and bleeding from his left ear and left eye. He has had blood transfusion; had temporarily lost vision in his left eye; and was administered oxygen, having experienced difficulty breathing. Doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) have waged an unrelenting battle to save Devine’s life. Within the first few weeks of his admittance, though having lost much weight, he had begun showing positive signs of recovery, and his condition was stabilised. Now he has developed swelling and pains in some of the previously affected areas, including his right leg; right ulna (elbow joint); his left eye, and almost unbear-

and because of the nature of his injuries, has never been able to get out of bed or even sit up. Against this most unfortunate circumstance, he is deeply appreciative of the care and attention being provided him particularly by his doctors and nurses; and

by the cleaners, his relatives, hospital prayer-warriors, and of course his room mates, who would normally be on the lookout for him. On that ill-fated morning of the accident, as the two men waited to buy newspapers at the stand, an out-of-control car pro-

ceeding at a fast rate first hit a speed hump before demolishing a fruit stand and rocketing towards the two men. The now dead Barker impulsively pushed Devine out of the way, but got trapped under the car and was pronounced dead moments later.

Aubrey Devine, New Year’s accident survivor able pains in the back, jaws and shoulder. His discharge has been deferred, and he remains warded at the institution. It is worth noting that Devine has been lying inactive for ten weeks clear,

Aubrey Devine has 30 clamps from hip to knee

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

As production stands at 24, 500 tonnes…

GAWU head lauds sugar sector’s progress to date AS at last weekend, sugar production stands at 24, 500 tonnes and the target of 86 201 tonnes for the first crop is likely to be met. This was according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU)’s President, Komal Chand, who welcomed the progress made to date. During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, he stated that production has been flowing rather smoothly, mainly because of the fact there has been no adverse weather recently. That apart, he noted that they have had no problems with the labour force thus far. However, he added that the Skeldon Sugar Estate is not operating fully as yet, because one of the punt dumpers which was under renovation has not been completed . “Only one of the punt dumpers is currently working and this cannot supply the factory with enough cane per hour… so only the Skeldon Estate is affected right about now,” said the GAWU President. Furthermore, he disclosed that up to last week the Skeldon Sugar Estate did not produce any sugar, but should record some production by this weekend. In 2014, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) recorded a production of 216,147 tonnes – the first crop having surpassed the 75,000-tonne target, bringing

in about 80,000 tonnes. The calamitous drop in sugar prices on the global and preferential markets, which challenges all sugar industries, coupled with the dramatic fall in earnings and, by extension, cash flow; and the prevailing weather conditions were among several of the difficulties that affected the local sugar industry during 2014.

The industry has seen dismal sugar production levels in the past years, but Guyana has since been taking steps to turn around its sugar industry, and hopes to soon meet a 300,000-tonne target. There is also a projection that the sector would reach a 400,000-tonne goal by 2020. The production figure being targeted by GuySuCo for 2015 is some 240,000 tonnes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

25TH KASHIF AND SHANGHAI FOOTBALL

Simply White Spa donates tournament MVP trophy COSMETIC teeth whitening establishment ‘Simply White Spa’ last Tuesday donated the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament trophy for this

be part of the tournament which has played its part in

helping to develop the country’s football.

Messi stars as Barcelona beat Man City

LIONEL Messi gave a scintillating cameo of his genius as Barcelona beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Nou Camp yesterday to cruise into the last eight of the Champions League courtesy of a 3-1 success on aggregate. The Argentine was the Citizens’ tormentor-inchief with a bewitching display of quick feet and sublime vision, leading to one moment of magic that freed Ivan Rakitic to lob home the only goal of the night just past the half hour.

On another occasion the Catalans would have had a bagful but Neymar and Luis Suarez both hit the post while Joe Hart performed heroics in the City goal with a series of magnificent oneon-one stops. City did have a chance to make it interesting late on but Sergio Aguero saw his effort from the penalty spot saved as the visitors could not stop the Spanish giants from securing an eighth straight quarter-final appearance in the competition. (EUROSPORT)

Tristell (right) and her sister Karen Manifold make the presentation to Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major yesterday.

year’s 25th Kashif and Shanghai football tournament. Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major received the trophy from the proprietors of ‘Simply White Spa’, Tristell

and Karen Manifold who are first-time sponsors of the tournament which kicks off tomorrow at the Lance Gibbs Street-based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

Located at the corner of Louisa Row and Norton Street, the establishment opened its doors in July of 2014 offering aesthetic dental care. The siblings said that they are happy to

GOA to the ... From Backpage union usually has to go out and beg, we have taken that off their shoulders so that they can concentrate on the important aspect - a well-prepared team,” said Juman-Yassin. The GRFU recently acquired the services of Angus Thompson who will serve as Technical Director of the team and the GOA has also covered the expenses surround-

ing his tenure with the team which Juman-Yassin said is in the vicinity of $3.7M. Prior to their engagements in North Carolina and Canada, the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Champions will first travel to Hong Kong where they feature in the HSBC Hong Kong 7s tournament from March 27 to 29. “We are not going to Hong Kong as a training exercise; we are going to

Hong Kong to do Guyana proud. We start on the competition the very first game of the whole tournament at 09:00hrs on Friday against Zimbabwe and I can assure you that we will be going out from the first whistle to beat Zimbabwe,” said Thompson, as he spoke of how useful the series in Hong Kong will be to help them put together the best team for the tournaments in the USA and Canada.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

All systems in place for second 704 Arm Wrestling competition LAST YEAR, patrons thronged the 704 Sports Bar to witness what was the first major Arm Wrestling competition to be held in Guyana and this year promises to even bigger and better. The 704 Sports Bar, in collaboration with Southland International (distributors of Carlsberg Beer), E-Networks

and Gizmos and Gadget, will be staging its second installation of the ‘Arm Wrestling’ competition and according to Dustani Barrow, this year, 29 participants will battle for the $100 000 first place prize that will be up for grabs in each category. “We did the launch about two weeks ago and the re-

sponse is very good this year as compared to last year. We’re working on bringing two Arm Wrestling contestants from the States at least for the final. I know persons are anxious to have this event and we’re pleased to present it,” said 704’s Project Manager. According to Barrow,

704 Sports Bar project Manager Dustani Barrow (third from left) is joined by representatives

both Gizmos and Gadgets and Southland International, under their Carlsberg Beer brand, are playing a heavy part in helping

to make the event a success. During the competition both companies will have various products on sale at

reduced prices. of Southland International, Gizmos and Gadgets and E-Networks at a press conference yesterday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Serena overcomes slow start to reach Indian Wells quarters (REUTERS) -Top seed Serena Williams overcame a wobbly start to see off a determined Sloane Stephens 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-2 last Tuesday and advance to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open. Williams, playing her third match at Indian Wells after deciding to end a 14year boycott of the event where she had suffered alleged racist abuse, enjoyed plenty of support but struggled early to find her form. Stephens, who reached the quarter-finals a year ago, looked ready to return to the last eight after breaking Williams twice to open the match but in the end there was no denying

Serena Williams Williams as she extended her winning run to 14 matches. On another sun-bathed

Holder dismisses reports of a rift in Windies camp NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC) - Skipper Jason Holder has dismissed reports of a rift in the West Indies team as he led his side to a six-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates and a quarter-final berth in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Holder appeared to be involved in an on-field argument with former captain Darren Sammy during their must-win final Pool B match against the United Arab Emirates in Napier. Sammy was brought on to try to break what turned out to be a century partnership between Nasir Aziz and Amjad Javed and was not happy when taken out of the attack after just one over that yielded four runs. Sammy and Holder appeared have strong words which Holder later played down as “a little banter on the field” saying they wanted to have some fun but “unfortunately it probably didn’t look that way.” He later conceded they “had a little tussle there. It’s just part of the game. At the

Jason Holder

end of the day we shake hands and still smile together” and later Sammy posted a picture on Instagram of him enjoying a beer with Holder in the locker room. Holder has rejected talk of problems and said the two-time champions were looking forward to a quarter-final against unbeaten New Zealand in Wellington on March 21. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from the guys,” he said. “It was a must-win game and we had to win by a big margin and the way the guys came out and played cricket I can’t ask for much more”.

afternoon Stephens got the contest off to a bright start charging in front 3-0, but Williams, who has not lost since last year’s WTA Finals in Singapore, quickly got her game in gear sweeping through the next four games before her opponent could again hold serve. Displaying plenty of grit of her own, Stephens dug in to force the opening set to a tiebreak that she dominated and playing with a greater urgency, Williams broke Stephens to open the second and broke her compatriot again to go up 5-2 before serving out the set to level the match. The third set followed a similar script as Williams,

playing her first event since winning her 19th grand slam title, and sixth at the Australian Open, recorded the early break to secure a 2-0 advantage. She broke again in the seventh game and held serve to close out a challenging test in two hours six minutes. In other matches, 12th seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro battled to a 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-1 win over Briton Heather Watson. MISFIRING Meanwhile, a misfiring Rafael Nadal had trouble hitting the mark but the third-seeded Spaniard still had enough to beat American Donald Young 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round

of the tournament. Nadal, a three-time champion at Indian Wells, looked out-of-sorts in a sloppy opening set slamming an easy overhead into the net to give Young an early break and then later double-faulting to hand over another. But the 47th ranked Young was no better at finding the target, saving just two of eight break points as a fist-pumping Nadal walked off Stadium court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with the victory. While the opening set was a comedy of unforced errors the second saw Nadal flash some of his top form as he raced to a 5-1 lead closing

out the match in a tidy 80 minutes. Ninth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych had earlier kicked off another sunny day of action with a straight-forward 6-4, 6-2 win over American Steve Johnson. Jack Sock, however, will carry the American flag into the round of 16 after rallying past 15th seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Thirteenth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon scored a comfortable 6-2, 7-5 victory over German qualifier Michael Berrer while Czech Lukas Rosol was a 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) winner over Dutchman Robin Haase.

Gayle has injection, should face NZ - Sammy By Greg Stutchbury (REUTERS) - West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle has had a scan and a painkilling injection to alleviate a back injury and should be ready to take on New Zealand on Saturday, according to all-rounder Darren Sammy. Gayle, who missed his side’s final pool game against United Arab Emirates with the injury, was now almost certain to play in the Cricket World Cup quarter-final at Wellington Regional Stadium. “I think yesterday he had a scan. He had an injection,” the 31-yearold Sammy told reporters yesterday. “Chris is not missing this quarter-final for anybody. He is more pumped-up for this than the rest of the team. It’s just unfortunate his back keeps hindering his progress but he won’t miss the quarter-final.” West Indies lurched into the quarter-finals and only qualified for the knockout stages on the final day with a six-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates in Napier. Sammy drew a lot of smiles yesterday when he claimed his team were the underdogs, yet it was his comparison of Brendon McCul-

Chris Gayle

lum’s side to another sportsman that drew a few chuckles. “It’s a big match, and I remember some guy named (Buster) Douglas beating

Mike Tyson so it’s the case of that on Saturday,” he added. “It’s the business end so you can win all your pool matches and come, in the

knockout, there is no guarantee you will win. You turn up on the day and the guys know what is at stake and we are doing everything in our powers to beat Mike Tyson.” Comparing New Zealand to Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion who suffered a shock loss to Douglas in 1990, will no doubt also cause a wry smile amongst the management of the New Zealand cricket team, who are often categorised as the underdogs in most matches they play. Brendon McCullum’s team, however, went through the pool phase unbeaten and their aggressive style of play has drawn plaudits from around the cricketing world. Sammy was honest about his team’s inconsistent performances so far, but said they had still achieved their first goal of making the knockout phase and would look to push on beyond Saturday’s clash. “We’re not supposed to be here. We have not played our best cricket,” he added. “We have been so inconsistent but we are still in the quarter-finals. If we put all the good things we know we can do right then no team will beat us. And the other teams know that as well.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

Trott set for return on Windies Test tour LONDON, England (CMC) – Jonathan Trott is poised to make his return to international cricket following an 18-month break after being named yesterday in a 16-man England for the tour of West Indies, starting next month. The 33-year-old righthander will be joined by three uncapped players – Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood – on the tour which runs from April 6 to May 3 and includes three Tests. As expected, the squad will be led by Alistair Cook, and includes Barbados-born seamer Chris Jordan and key senior players Ian Bell and James

Anderson. Trott had pulled out of the 2013-2014 Ashes Series following the first Test in Brisbane suffering with a “stress related illness”. However, he subsequently scored heavily for Warwickshire in the first class season and also showed excellent form for England A in the tour of South Africa last year. “Jonathan Trott produced some outstanding performances for Warwickshire last summer scoring five centuries and also made an unbeaten double-hundred during the recent successful England Lions tour,” national selector James Whitak-

Jonathan Trott er said. 3 763 runs at an average of “He is a player of proven 46, with nine centuries. international pedigree and Lyth, meanwhile, is a we are delighted to welcome 27-year-old left-handed him back into the squad,” opener while his Yorkshire Whitaker said of Trott who teammate Rashid, also 27, in 49 Tests has accumulated is a leg-spinner who has al-

ready played five one-dayers. Wood is a seamer who has played a handful of first class matches for Durham and was picked for England Lions last year, only to return home after one match with injury. “Adam, Adil and Mark are all players who have performed impressively over the last 12 months and they will now have an opportunity to push for a regular place in the Test side’s starting line-up,” said Whitaker. Seamer Chris Woakes has been sidelined with injury and is joined by batsman Moeen Ali who is struggling with a side strain, but may

be considered for the latter stages of the tour once he recovers. England face West Indies in the first Test in Antigua on April 13, before travelling to Grenada for the second Test bowling off April 21, with the final Test carded for Kensington Oval in Barbados starting May 1. SQUAD – Alastair Cook (captain) James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Balance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Adam Lyth, Liam Plunkett, Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Mark Wood.

2nd Star Party Rentals 11-race cycle programme set for Saturday THE SECOND Star Party Rentals 11-race cycle programme which is being organised by National cycling coach Hassan Mohammed is fixed for this Saturday around the inner circuit of the National Park and will commence at 09:00hrs. Defending champion Godfrey Pollydore, a one-time leading cyclist in

Guyana is doubtful for the event, having suffered a fall during last Saturday’s Diamond Mineral Water-sponsored 35-lap event at the same venue. Last year, Pollydore recorded one hour 17 minutes 00.68 seconds in winning the event and this time around, that time is expected to be broken, since a number of riders

are in top shape and will be going all out to eclipse that record. Among the pedal-pushers to face the starter are: Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Raynauth Jeffrey, Romello Crawford, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Paul DeNobrega, all of whom have already recorded victories since the 2015 cycle season got under way in January.

Crawford who is in good nick at the moment won the junior/juveniles 10-lap race last year in 25 minutes 39.91 seconds but is not expected to start in this event on Saturday, hence as new champion will be crowned. This means that Romello’s sibling Jabon Crawford can very well be that person, having registered a shock

20-kilometre km walk record falls again

hoping to make a successful defence of that title on Saturday. Other races on the day’s card include BMX races for boys and girls six to 12 years of age as well as a five-lap event for veterans Over-50 years and one for veterans Over-60 years. The day’s activity will see the presence of its sponsor Lennox Cush, a former national cricketer turned businessman who will assist in the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Farm to host double-wicket competition

... Suzuki sets new mark (REUTERS) - The men’s 20 kilometres race walk world record was broken for the second time in a week last Sunday when Japan’s Yusuke Suzuki set a new mark at the Asian Race Walking Championships. Exactly a week after Frenchman Yohann Diniz set a mark of 1:17:02 in Arles, the 27-year-old Suzuki shaved almost half a minute off it, to finish in a time of 1:16:36 in his hometown of Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture. Suzuki, a renowned fast starter, blasted away from the outset, covering the first six kilometres in 22:53 and going through the halfway mark in a national 10-kilometre record of 38:05. His blistering pace dropped off slightly with around four kilometres to go, but he finished strongly, securing his third Asian title, after victories in 2010 and 2013.

victory last weekend over the same distance at the very venue. Junior Niles will be out to make a successful defence of the veterans’ Under- 50 five-lap race he won last year in a time of 12 minutes 55 seconds, but he will have to be wary of Kennard Lovell and Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson. Avenash Ramkellawan won the boys and girls 12-14 years three-lap race last year in nine minutes 45 seconds and will be

Yusuke Suzuki

AFTER an absence of 12 years, competitive cricket will make a return to the Farm Community Centre ground on the East Bank of Demerara, when that community hosts a double-wicket cricket competition on March 29. The event is being sponsored by D. Mangal Vulcanizing Establishment of Herstelling Public Road, and organised by the Farm Cricket Club as part of its fund-raising activities and has an entrance fee of $3 000. Twelve teams are expected to participate namely Ruimveldt, Eccles, Nandy Park, Providence, Combined United, Farm, Diamond, Sandpipers, Silverbullet, North Soesdyke, Herstelling and Laluni. All teams are asked to send a representative to a meeting set for tomorrow at the club’s pavilion, to discuss the playing conditions and make the draw.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

WICB offers condolences following the passing of Alloy Lequay ST JOHN’S, Antigua – It was with a sense of sorrow that the West Indies Cricket Board learnt of the death of former director Alloy Lequay, the former Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president who passed away last Sunday at age 90. “On behalf of the directors, management and staff of the WICB, let me pass on our deepest condolences on the passing of Alloy,” said WICB president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron. “There is little one can say at such a time, but the game in the Caribbean has lost one of its greatest supporters.”

Cameron added: “To say Alloy was a larger-than-life character would be an understatement. He will always be remembered as an outstanding and visionary administrator – verified by the number of accolades which he received in his native T&T. “His achievements in the boardroom were enhanced by his intuitive leadership and wide management skills, and we know that these feelings are shared by all who knew him and worked with him during his years with the T&TCB and WICB.” Cameron said: “May the many happy memories of Alloy help to sustain his family and the countless people

Alloy Lequay with whom he made friends and worked over the years at this most difficult time. Alloy was an extraordinary man. There are many in T&T who will deeply mourn his passing as his was a life of service and excellence.”

Lequay was born on October 1, 1924 in the T&T capital of Port of Spain. He started his long, distinguished and meritorious service as a sports administrator in the 1940s with the Oxford Sports Club in the southern Trinidad city of San Fernando. He also gave political service to the two-island republic. He contributed towards the organisational structure of table tennis and cricket in T&T, as his remarkable administrative skills pushed him as a natural choice for leadership roles in those two national governing bodies. Lequay was also a member of the Task Force appointed to draft a nation-

al sports policy in T&T in 1998, served as a Member of the T&T Parliament and was twice nominated to the Senate. One of his crowning achievements was when he spearheaded an initiative to use lands purchased from the Caroni Sugarcane Plantation in the Central Trinidad community of Balmain for the construction of a national cricket academy. Now known as the Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, the Academy which was opened in June 2002 was the first facility of its kind to be established by a cricket authority in the region.

The Centre houses a fullsized playing field, indoor nets, a dormitory, a state-ofthe-art gymnasium, video facilities and a library, as well as the administrative head office of the T&TCB, which was dedicated in Lequay’s honour on Sunday, February 24, 2013. For his contributions over the years, Lequay was also presented with the Gold Chaconia Medal of Trinity, T&T’s second highest national honour, in the category of sports administration at the government’s 1988 national awards ceremony. He was also presented with an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies and three years ago, he was declared one of T&T’s 50 Sporting Legends as part of the country’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.

Bangladesh to battle odds and crowd against India By Ian Ransom (REUTERS) - Playing ‘fearless’ cricket has been Bangladesh’s war-cry at the World Cup but courage alone will not be enough to upset India and their army of blue-clad fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where the teams play their quarterfinal today. After a listless lead up to the tournament, reigning world champions India have turned into a juggernaut, winning all six of their pool matches and drawing as much admiration for their bowling and fielding as their renowned batting prowess. Bangladesh, for all their chutzpah, will simply be happy to be playing off for a semi-final, having never

Mahmudullah previously made it to the knockout rounds. While the term ‘surprise package’ hardly credits the Tigers’ impressive tournament, Bangladesh were fortunate to take a point from a washed-out

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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: Boeta Dippenaar (WI vs SA, Capetown, 2003) WI vs SL, The Oval, 1979 Today’s Quiz: When and where did a member of the WI team not win the Man of the Match Award for the first time? How many times the WI and India have contested WC games against each other? How many the WI have won? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

pool match against Australia and met an England side with morale at rock-bottom. Perhaps (what was) more impressive than knocking out England was pushing New Zealand in the dead-rubber loss. Batsman Mahmudullah’s second consecutive oneday international ton against New Zealand’s quality attack was complemented by another disciplined effort by the bowlers, underlining the strides they have made since being flayed by Sri Lanka in their second completed pool match. Captain Mortaza Mashrafe will need his re-energised seamers to heap pressure on India’s powerful batting lineup early or it could be a long, noisy day at the MCG.

“We know that 95 000 people will come to the ground and most of them will be Indian supporters, but as a professional cricketer I have to concentrate on cricket so (we) have to handle it,” Mashrafe told reporters yesterday. “Obviously, Bangladesh supporters will be there so we cannot ask for equal but we’ll be fine.” Bangladesh have won only three one-day internationals in 28 against India but two have been at major tournaments. The last was at the 2012 Asian Cup, which followed a shock win at the 2007 World Cup. For a team whose place in the top tier has forever been questioned, Bangladesh’s 2007 upset in the Caribbean did more to re-shape the tour-

nament than any other result in recent decades. India’s unexpected demise in the first round caused financial carnage for broadcasters and the tournament was subsequently re-jigged to ensure cricket’s most bankable team would be guaranteed a minimum six matches. Melbourne’s big Indian community and army of travelling fans will be in force at the MCG to cheer Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team into an eighth match, just as they were for the match against South Africa. A crowd of 87 000 turned the venue into a deafening cauldron for the Proteas, who froze to be overwhelmed by 130 runs. Bangladesh made their debut at the ground against

Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament and were embarrassed by an abysmal fielding display. They arrive looking a far different team to the rabble that were thumped by 92 runs by the Sri Lankans, though, and have nothing to lose. A defeat for India by their subcontinental neighbours, whom they have long dictated to both on and off the field, would be an unthinkable humiliation, however. “People are really pumped-up for the quarter-finals. It’s the quarter-final stage now; you don’t have much room for error. You just need to do everything right, whether you’re bowling, batting or fielding,” India batsman Suresh Raina told reporters.

WICB congratulates Morgan for receiving national honour ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board would like to extend its warmest congratulations to former international umpire Basil Morgan. The 67-year-old Morgan was awarded the Order of Excellence, the island of Montserrat’s second highest national honour, on Monday, with WICB chief executive officer

Michael Muirhead saying: “Congratulations to Basil for this marvellous achievement! “This award appropriately reflects the endless hours he has spent promoting excellence in sports in Montserrat, not the least the great game of cricket. It is just reward for the hard work that he has put into sport in the

island for over five decades. “On behalf of the directors, management and staff of the WICB, we wish Basil unlimited success in the future.” Morgan stood in 15 Oneday International, starting on April 6, 1996 with West Indies vs New Zealand in St Vincent and concluding five years later with West Indies

vs South Africa in Grenada. He was also the TV Replay umpire in four Tests. He stood in over 50 Regional 4-Day matches and was involved in the game in his native Montserrat cricket in various capacities from groundsman to scorer/statistician and secretary of the national cricket association.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 19, 2015

GSL/GSCL Inc./NSC Inter-County softball

Joseph named Man-of-the-Match as Demerara ‘A’ claim title

THANKS to a fine 98 from Kawson Joseph who was later named Man-ofthe-Match, Demerara A defeated Berbice by 94 runs to capture the first leg of the Guyana Softball League/Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc/National Sports Commission/Essequibo Softball Cricket League and Berbice Softball Alliance Inter-County T20 softball tournament at the Everest Cricket Club ground last Sunday. The eventual champions, who were being sponsored by Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, finished the first leg with four points after they overcame their ‘B’ team counterparts by one wicket in their semifinal encounter, while Berbice defeated Essequibo, thus setting up the final. Joseph slammed one four and 14 sixes for his team who posted a challenging 278 before being bowled out in their 20

overs, after they decided to bat first, with skipper Chien Gittens stroking an unbeaten half-century that was decorated with five sixes and one four. Safraz Esau also contributed 32 and Sachin Singh 31 to the Demerara ‘A’ total, even as Bishram Deolall snared 3-38 and Devindra Thakurdeen 2-33 for the Berbicians who in their reply, threatened briefly, but failed to cross the final hurdle, as they were bowled out for 184 in 16.2 overs. Pooran Debidyal hit an unbeaten 33 (6x4) while Steven DeFreitas contributed 32 (3x4, 2x6) and Delbert Hicks 24 (2x4, 2x6) for the team from the Ancient County, against the bowling of Martin Dutchin who grabbed 4-32 and Richard Latiff who took two wickets. In the semifinals, Demerara ‘B’ who are being sponsored by Wolf’s Furniture Store, batted first and scored 163 all out in 18.5 overs,

Members of the victorious Demerara ‘A’ team proudly display their trophies with officials of the GSL and GSCL Inc., after defeating Berbice in the final of the first leg. led by 28 from Amrit Rai, while Vishnu Thamnechandra (18), Amir Nizamudin (17) and Safraz Karim (16) all chipped in. Gittens snared 3-17 and Mohamed Rafeek 3-25 for Demerara ‘A’ who re-

GDF Junior NCO Club hosts successful R1 Vodka dominoes tournament

THE GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Club successfully hosted its inaugural R1 Vodka competition on March 14 and 15 at the Corporals Club at Base Camp Ayanganna, where 12 clubs battled for supremacy. In the end the winners were the Providence Sports Club who copped the champions’ purse of $100 000 and the trophy, ahead of The Specialists, Spartans and R&R Dominoes Club, who finished second to fourth respectively. Spartans’ A Samaroo was named MVP. President of the GDF Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Club, Corporal Junior Spencer, said although the number of clubs participating was not as good as anticipated, the competition was smoothly run and participants and spectators alike had fun. According to Spencer, this was the first time in recent memory, that the club has hosted a dominoes competition and at the official launch of the competition on March 12, Banks DIH R1 Vodka brand manager, Ian De Barros said R1 Vodka was proud to be the main sponsor of the competition. “Banks DIH R1 Vodka is pleased to be associated with this competition. This is an opportunity for us, to not only develop brand awareness, but also to partner with the GDF through its Junior Non-Commissioned Officers, towards the development of excellence at the sport of dominoes,” said De Barros. He added, “Dominoes is historically quite popular across Guyana, and competitions such as this, help to expose new players to the competitive environment and build camaraderie. We are thankful to the GDF that we have been invited to be on board for this competition.” To this end, Banks R1 Vodka brand also sponsored the $100 000 first prize, while the beverage manufacturing giant also hosted a Power Wine Sampling and a “Happy Hour” activity where patrons who purchased one bottle of R1 Vodka got a second bottle free. Speaking at the launch, president of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Faye Fraser said she was enthused to see GDF enabling a structured environment for the development and enjoyment of the sport within its environment. “The GDA is pleased to give its blessing and approval for this inaugural competition, and we hope to see the sport further developed within the GDF. It is also good to note that the hosts have been able to secure the requisite sponsorship for the competition,” stated Fraser. The second-placed team won $70 000 and a trophy, while the third-placed team walked away with $30 000 and a trophy and the fourth place team $10 000 and a trophy. The MVP was awarded $3 000, with all trophies being sponsored by Digicel. In addition, Cevons Waste Management, Resolute Engineering and the GDF sponsored the second- to fourth-place cash prizes.

sponded with 168-9 in 19.1 overs, thanks to 41 from Latiff who got support from Ricky Sargeant with 24 not out, while Navin Singh and Joseph chipped in with 12 each as Nizamudin claimed 3-28, Mark Harold 2-19 and Leo Singh 2-29. Berbice ended the first leg with two points after defeating Essequibo by four wickets in their semi-final game, with Essequibo scoring 197-9 in 20 overs batting first, thanks to Latchman Rohit who top-scored with 81, Patrick Rooplall (49) and Greg Singh 40. Thakurdeen and Dar-

shan Challitar took three wickets each for Berbice, who in reply scored 199 for 6 from 18.2 overs, thanks to 68 from DeFreitas and 64 from Thakurdeen 64, as Wazir Hossain and Yodhan Sooklall had one wicket each. The second leg will be played in Berbice, while Essequibo will host the third leg, on dates to be announced, even as the competition is still open, since the teams with the most points after the three legs will advance to the grand finale which will be held in Demerara later this year. For their efforts, Demerara ‘A’ took home a

trophy and $50 000 and Berbice received a trophy and $25 000, with all trophies for the first leg being sponsored by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and Hadi’s Mall Inc. Meanwhile, GSCL thumped West Demerara by 32 runs in the Masters game, with GSCL Masters taking first strike and posting 165-9 in 20 overs, led by Eric Thomas 28 and Rudolph Baker 18, while West Demerara Masters responded with 133-6, with Randolph Perreira topscoring with 40, even as Clyde Butts claimed 2-5 and Rahaman Khan took 2-24.

Duminy hat-trick as South Africa storm into semis By Nick Mulvenney (REUTERS) - All-rounder JP Duminy claimed a hattrick as South Africa stormed into the World Cup semi-finals with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground on yesterday. The victory in the lasteight clash was South Africa’s first in a knockout match at a World Cup and earned them a date with New Zealand or West Indies in Auckland next week with a spot in the final up for grabs. The Proteas will probably have to win the semi-final to finally bury their reputation as World Cup ‘chokers’ but they went some way to removing the tag with the rout of the 1996 champions, whom they restricted to 133 runs off 37.2 overs. Under-fire opener Quinton de Kock led the way with an

unbeaten 78 from 57 balls as the South Africans comfortably reached their target with 32 overs to spare at the cost of only the wicket of Hashim Amla. After losing the toss and being sent into the field, South Africa’s highly rated but under-performing pace attack quickly removed both openers but it was spin-bowling that did the most damage to Sri Lanka’s cause. Duminy took three for 29 and Imran Tahir four for 26, the pair combining to break the back of the Sri Lanka innings with four wickets at the cost of just two runs in three overs to reduce the islanders to 116-8. The spell included the ninth World Cup hat-trick, Duminy dismissing Angelo Mathews (19) with the final ball of the 33rd over and returning to send back Nuwan Kulasekara (1) and debutant

Tharindu Kaushal (0) with the first two deliveries of the 35th. When Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed soon afterwards, Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching a third successive World Cup final looked all but gone. Sangakkara, who had been looking for a record fifth successive century, scored a measured 45 but was forced to throw off the shackles as the wickets tumbled around him and holed out in the deep off paceman Morne Morkel. A heavy shower appeared out of the blue as if to mourn the final one-day innings of one of the game’s great batsmen and the players came off the pitch for a 23-minute rain break. It only delayed the inevitable, however, and de Kock and Amla were soon at the crease playing with the freedom allowed to a batsman chasing such a low target.

Sport CHRONICLE

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Gayle has injection, should face NZ - Sammy See Story on Page 24

GOA to the rescue! ... pledges $14M to GRFU 7s Team

‘Our financial worries are over and we will focus on preparing the team well!’ This must be what GRFU president Peter Green (left) is saying after hearing of the commitment made by GOA president K. Juman-Yassin at yesterday’s press conference. By Rawle Toney THE GUYANA Rugby Football Union (GRFU) National 7s Team yesterday breathed a sigh of relief when the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) came up big to offset a number of expenses, totalling $14M. With the team gearing for one of their busiest years in recent history and a series of possibly history-making tournaments to participate in, funding has been a huge burden for the GRFU to carry.

Hence, president of the GOA, K. Juman-Yassin, at its High Street Georgetown headquarters, told the gathering of media and other officials of the GRFU, his entity will be taking care of the ‘Green Machine’s expenses for the first Olympic Qualifier in North Carolina (June 13-14) along with the Pan Am Championships in Toronto, Canada from July 11 to 12. Yassin said that money will total in excess of $14M, covering the team’s

Angus Thompson

airfare, meals, accommodation, the bringing home of overseas-based players and other expenses, much to the delight of GRFU president Peter Green, who was also present. “After dialogue with the Union, we came up with some of the factors that the Guyana Olympic Association will be responsible for. The budget that we got for the Union for the team to go to North Carolina is $6 532 680 and we will cover that,” Yassin said.

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The GOA head added, “The Olympic Association will also be covering the Pan American team’s preparation before they leave for those Games and that includes training expenses, supplements, and medical examinations.” According to Juman-Yassin, “The GOA will also be covering airfare for overseas players to Guyana from the USA along with their accommodation, meals and transportation and that comes up roughly to $990 600 and

we will also be covering the team going to the Pan American Games which comes up to $5 527 200.” He said the GOA’s assistance will now allow the GRFU to put all their attention and focus on the team’s preparation, instead of hunting through the wilderness of corporate Guyana to ‘beg’ for funding. “The GOA has done its job so that heartache and burden that the rugby

See Page 22 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015