2015 4 15

GUYANA No. 104159

WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2015

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

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Rupununi welcomes President with open arms ––shows appreciation in song, dance Page

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President Donald Ramotar being accorded traditional Amerindian welcome at Aishalton, Region Nine

Insider reveals ...

Toddler killed 7 Granger’s APNU+AFC in Water St accident financiers now 3 buried amidst calling the shots ––as kickback plans begin to unravel loud wailing Page

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Jadon’s mother, Onicka, during the funeral service yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Police/Army ranks graduate from ‘heavy-duty’ machinery course ––compliments of BK Group of Companies

By Leroy Smith

NINETEEN ranks from the Joint Services yesterday received certificates for successfully completing a two-week course of rigid training for heavy-duty machine operators, fully sponsored by the BK Group of Companies.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the company’s Water Street office was attended by Commissioner of Police, Mr Seelall Persaud; Assistant Commissioner, Operations, Mr David Ramnarine; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mr Patrick Findlay; Chairman of the Joint Services Training Committee, Mr Enoch Gaskin; Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr Clinton Williams; and head of BK International, Mr Brian Tiwarie.

Speaking on behalf of the company was its Public Relations Consultant Alex Graham who outlined the work the company has been doing as part of its social responsibility.

He stated that the skills acquired by the young men were very critical and would serve them, their families, agencies and country by extension. Graham pointed out that Guyana’s growth will not happen without utilising skills such as the ones the men recently acquired.

BK International considered it a privilege to be collaborating with the Board of Industrial Training of the Ministry of Labour, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to provide the 248 hours of training for the servicemen.

Reading from a prepared speech, Graham disclosed that it is the company’s intention to continue doing training and apprenticeship programmes in the areas of tourism, heavy duty machine operations, occupational health and safety and other areas while committing to working with the Government, non-governmental organisations and private sector bodies to make that a reality.

Such an approach, Graham noted, will see the acquisition of critical skills by young people who will then be able to participate in national development while experiencing personal growth.

At the moment, the company is working with the Sentence Management Board of the Guyana Prison Service where they are providing apprenticeship courses for inmates. During

the period of the training, the inmates would be earning and when they are released from the facility, they will be able to leave with the accumulated savings along with their skills.

The programme is restricted to the Mazaruni Prison since the company is looking to provide the service in the area where its operations are based.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Persaud in his address stated that in the security arrangements for the upcoming elections training has been a main point of focus and preparation.

He said that based on assessments in the past they have been able to determine that whenever there are public order issues, members of the public would block carriageways and roads with heavy pieces of debris and other objects.

The challenge for the police force was getting heavy duty machinery to remove the blockages and finding persons to

operate the equipment in situations with protesters who are not necessarily calm.

Commissioner Seelall contended that the training therefore was specifically to address that issue even as he expressed optimism in the GDF and GPF retaining the services of the recently graduated ranks.

He said, however, if it so happens that the two organisations lose the services of the men then the skills would still be available to the country. He then expressed thanks on behalf of the joint services to BK International.

Meanwhile, Clinton Williams said that without the technical skills the country will go nowhere and as long as the Industrial Board remains vibrant they will continue to support such programmes and keep training young people to make them relevant and valuable.

The graduates with, from left, front row: Assistantant Commissioner of Police, Mr David Ramnarine; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mr Patrick Findlay; Commissioner of Police, Mr Seelall Persaud; BK International’s Mr Brian Tiwarie; Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr Clinton Williams; and Public Relations Consultant, Mr Alex Graham

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Insider reveals ...

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Granger’s APNU+AFC financiers now calling the shots ––as kickback plans begin to unravel FINANCIERS, lobbyists and other supplicants in the political Opposition camp are beginning to rear their devious heads, giving credence to the old adage, “Whoever pays the piper calls the tune.”

Things came to light Monday evening when Presidential Candidate of the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), Brigadier (Rt’d) David Granger, was confronted on his proposed tax policies at a Town Hall-style meeting at the Theatre Guild.

SINISTER PLOT His proposal? Increasing the import duties on reconditioned vehicles, while at the same time reducing the taxes paid on the higher-end luxury vehicles imported for sale in Guyana.

Concerned members of the Opposition camp have since submitted to the Guyana Chronicle that Granger’s move is evidence of his caving to pressure.

This pressure, according to an APNU+AFC insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, is being brought to bear by financiers of the party in the automobile and trade industries, particularly those in the newer, highend luxury vehicles.

Granger’s proposal is being condemned as not only sinister but downright dangerous to the wellbeing of not only the dealers in the auto industry that ply their trade in reconditioned vehicles, but literally thousands of Guyanese, who would be adversely impacted by having to pay a higher price under such an administration for a vehicle.

Over the past two years, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has registered just about 15, 000 vehicles, the majority of which are reconditioned, imported and sold locally, inherently having a positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of Guyanese.

UNILATERAL

In another proverbial ‘show of hand’, the APNU+AFC presidential candidate is seeking to deter members of the public from purchasing reconditioned vehicles, calling them “smoky old vehicles, some of them a danger to driver and passenger, as well as road users.”

He suggests instead that people “buy new vehicles,” saying that only then would they be “good.”

In so doing, not only has the Opposition leader threatened the lives of thousands of Guyanese by caving into party financiers, but is also looking to substantially reduce the nation’s revenue earned in one fell unilateral sweep.

Granger, without proposing any other means DAVID GRANGER of bringing in increased revenue, proposes instead to reduce the nations earnings further by unilaterally lowering the Value Added Tax, a tax regime that had replaced seven outmoded taxes. In fact, Granger told the members of the Theatre Guild audience that the APNU and AFC, during the life of the 10th Parliament had made proposals for the reductions but to no avail.

But the APNU+AFC insider told the Guyana Chronicle that it appears the weight of the pressure being brought to bear on Granger by the party financiers has somehow caused him to “forget or deliberately ignore the raft of relief measures effected just last year.”

Among the measures that had been put into effect only a matter of months ago is a $2,500 per month increase in the old age pension, and a lowered PAYE tax rate.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, who made the announcement during the presentation of the 2013 National Budget, had at the time said: “As a result of this reduction in the personal income tax rate, more than 184,000 taxpayers will benefit with higher take-home pay, and an additional $1.8 billion of disposable income will be placed annually in the hands of the taxpaying public.”

DISHONESTY Demonstrating another level of his lack of local economic acumen, the APNU+AFC presidential candidate told the public gathering at the Theatre Guild that under his administration, a Tax Reform Commission would be established, and dishonestly added: “We have been told by the Executive that they were setting up a Tax Reform Commission; this was told to us in January or February 2012, and we are still to see that Commission.”

He proposed that under an APNU+AFC administration, this would be done. The facts, however, tell a different story, since the formation of a Tax Reform Committee came a mere two weeks after President Ramotar took Office.

The Committee’s panel comprised eminent chartered accountant, Ronald Ali; businessman, Clifford Reis; and economist, Dr Cyril Solomon.

Solomon subsequently fell ill and had to be flown overseas for medical treatment. Up until then, the Committee was addressing its “Terms of Reference.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Protesters gather in New York to demonstrate against police violence

By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Reuters) - PROTESTERS angered by fresh cases of police violence against unarmed black men in the United States gathered in New York yesterday, hoping to invigorate a national discussion on the thorny issue.

Some 250 placard-bearing activists organised by the Stop Mass Incarceration Network rallied at Union Square in Manhattan to protest the latest incidents of violent police tactics used against minorities.

“Stop murder by police” and “Stop killer cops,” the signs read.

Galvanising their cause was the April 4 fatal shooting of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man shot in the back by a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The shooting was captured on video, and the officer has been charged with murder.

Family members of several unarmed black or Hispanic men or boys who died in encounters with police called for more oversight.

“What this protest right here is about is that too many are being murdered,” said Nicholas Heyward Sr., whose son Nicholas Heyward Jr. was shot dead at age 13 in public housing by a police officer 20 years ago while playing cops and robbers with a toy gun.

“I have been fighting for the last 20 years

Demonstrators protest against police brutality against minorities during a protest in New York, yesterday (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

to get that case reopened,” he said.

“It’s painful because not only do I have to wait but while I’m waiting, I am constantly seeing innocent victims gunned down on the street for no reason at all.”

Last year, a tide of protests was inspired by a string of high-profile cases of black men losing their lives at the hands of white police officers.

But the manifestations of indignation following the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York slowed to a standstill over the winter.

Another group of protesters, led by Justice League NYC, have embarked on a 250-mile trek to Washington from New York City to demonstrate against police-related deaths.

They are due to reach the National Mall on April 21.

Oil rises on U.S. output dips, Middle East tensions

By Robert Gibbons NEW YORK, (Reuters) Crude oil futures rose yesterday on signs of falling U.S. oil production, weakness in the dollar and tensions in the Middle East, particularly Yemen.

North Dakota’s February oil production fell 15,000 barrels per day (bpd) versus January, monthly data showed yesterday, though the number of producing wells hit a record high.

“Today’s (U.S.) led crude spike was spurred primarily by supportive supply side headlines suggesting a quicker production response to rig declines than previously anticipated,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president at Ritterbusch & Associates.

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North Dakota’s report followed the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Monday report that it expects U.S. shale production to fall by 45,000 bpd to 4.98 million bpd in May, which would be the first monthly decline in four years.

Shale production helped boost U.S. output by more than 4 million bpd since 2010, a factor in oil’s stunning price retreat since June.

Ahead of Wednesday’s May contract expiration, Brent rose 50 cents to settle at $58.43 a barrel, just above its $58.40 100-day moving average. Brent also was above that average intraday Monday.

U.S. May crude rose $1.38 to settle at $53.29, surging

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above its 100-day moving average of $52.96.

The moves above their 100-day moving averages, a level closely watched by market technicians, were the first since July 20014.

The dollar’s weakness also helped boost dollar-denominated oil prices, brokers said.

Also supportive to oil were tensions in the Middle East, where fighting continued in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Analysts fear Yemen’s civil war could destabilize neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Iran said it will submit a peace plan for resolving the crisis in Yemen to the United Nations on Wednesday.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted on Tuesday as saying OPEC should

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cut its target oil production by at least 5 percent, or approximately 1.5 million bpd.

Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi discussed oil markets on Tuesday with Russia’s ambassador to Riyadh Oleg Ozerov.

Saudi Arabia’s March production at 10.3 million bpd was considered bullish and incremental internal demand could “substantially reduce global spare capacity,” energy information provider PIRA Energy Group said in its weekly report on Tuesday.

Traders awaited a snapshot on U.S. oil inventories from the American Petroleum Institute due at 4:30 p.m. EDT yetserday. Crude stocks are expected to have risen last week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

President Obama to take Cuba off US terror list

PRESIDENT Barack Obama will remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, the White House says.

The move comes amid a normalisation of relations between the US and Cuba.

The Caribbean country’s presence on the list alongside Syria, Iran and Sudan was a sticking point for Cuba during talks to reopen embassies.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio condemned the White House decision, saying Cuba remained a state sponsor of terrorism.

“They harbour fugitives of American justice, including someone who killed a police officer in New Jersey over 30 years ago,” said Mr Rubio, a Cuban American who launched his 2016 presidential campaign on Monday.

“It’s also the country that’s helping North Korea evade weapons sanctions by the United Nations.”

Mr Obama announced the historic US thaw with Cuba in December but the US trade embargo against the country

remains, and may only be ended by Congress.

In a message to Congress, Mr Obama said the government of Cuba “has not provided any support for international terrorism” over the last

the US government to try and dismantle the structures that prevented a normal relationship between both countries for decades.

And it carries a lot of weight too, because it offi-

ETA and - more importantly - it thinks the government will not do so in the future.

This is a significant message of confidence by the Obama administration towards the Cuban government.

Cuban President Raul Castro and Mr Obama met during the Summit of the Americas last week six months and had “provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future”.

This decision is the most concrete step to date taken by

cially changes the way the US government has viewed Cuba since 1982.

The White House now believes Cuba does not support rebel groups such as Farc or

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the US still had differences with Cuba.

“Our concerns over a wide range of Cuba’s poli-

cies and actions fall outside the criteria that is relevant to whether to rescind Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism,” said Mr Earnest.

Iran, Sudan and Syria remain on the list.

Cuba was first placed on the state department list in 1982, for what the US called efforts “to promote armed revolution by organisations that used terrorism”.

The US believes Cuba had long provided a safe haven for members of the Basque separatist group ETA and Colombia’s Farc guerrilla group, according to its 2013 Report on Terrorism.

But the Caribbean nation has frequently rejected its presence on the list, describing it as unfounded.

Key moments in US-Cuban relations since Cuba’s 1959 revolution 1960: US breaks off diplomatic relations and imposes trade embargo 1961: US backs failed Bay of Pigs invasion; Fidel Castro proclaims Cuba a communist state and begins to ally with

USSR 1962: Fearing US invasion, Castro allows USSR to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba. Crisis takes the two superpowers to brink of nuclear war 1980: Around 125,000 Cubans, many of them released convicts, flee to the US when Castro temporarily lifts restrictions 1993: US tightens embargo, which introduces some market reforms amid economic woe following collapse of the Soviet Union 1999: Cuban child Elian Gonzalez picked up in refugee boat off Florida coast and placed with relatives in Florida, against wishes of father in Cuba. After numerous court decisions, US federal agents seize him to return to father 2002: US Under-Secretary of State John Bolton adds Cuba to “axis of evil” 2014: President Obama announces moves to normalise diplomatic and economic ties in a “new chapter” of US-Cuba relations.

(BBC)

Montserrat seeking accession to CARICOM treaty

BRADES, Montserrat, (CMC) – The Montserrat government says it is seeking accession to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM. Montserrat is the only non-independent member of the grouping, but the founding member continues to retain full membership of CARICOM and remains an up to date subscriber to all of the specialised agencies and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Trade Minister Claude Hogan, speaking to reporters following a meeting between a delegation headed by CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque and Premier Donaldson Romeo, said in July 2014, Montserrat had advised CARICOM “that we

would have progressed with the ratification of the revised treaty and then proceed to accession to it.

“Following our own internal consultation with her Majesty’s Government with respect to the treaty it is something that has slipped because of elections, but the intention is that we will move the process to achieve accession and we will start to do this this year”.

Last year, former premier Reuben Meade had informed CARICOM of the intention of his administration to bring the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (CSME) Bill to parliament for its first reading before September of 2014 anticipating that it would be enacted by the end of 2014.

He said Montserrat would also proceed to engage with

the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCF) and the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) to ensure concurrent accession to these entities, which are inextricably linked to the Revised Treaty.

Meade, who lost the last general election here, had promised that the British Overseas Territory intended to deposit an Instrument of Accession to the Revised Treaty by the next meeting of the Conference.

He said in order to forestall any legal action that may be taken against Montserrat in relation to its CSME obligations, pending the completion of legislative and administrative arrangements for implementation, he wanted CARICOM leaders to approve certain measures including that Montserrat enjoy reasonable

time-frames to put in place the institutional arrangements to comply with its treaty obligations following upon Accession to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas for participation in the CSME. Hogan, who served then as trade economist in the Meade administration, said the government has already

“exchanged the document with the UK, we already have an entrustment to proceed but as you know before we can pass it into law we need to basically agree the text with her Majesty government as the Constitution stipulates that if there are things in there that they think they want change in a particular way…then we

have to go back to CARICOM saying on our side we have these issues can we change the text to suit our partners…”

“I think those would normally be granted,” Hogan said, adding “we shall arrive at a complete text within the competence of the government of Montserrat within this year”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

EDITORIAL An erudite, scholarly dissertation DR. CHEDDI Jagan had his critics, whom Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves opined were not fit to tie his shoelaces.

At any other time, one could have concluded that the Vincentian Prime Minister hero-worshipped Guyana’s liberator when he presented the Cheddi Jagan Annual Lecture entitled, “Cheddi Jagan: His Nationalism, His Regionalism and His Internationalism” last Monday evening at the Red House in Kingston.

This editorial column does not provide the requisite space for a dissection of Dr. Gonsalves’ superlative dissertation of the ideologies, philosophies and struggles of Guyana’s Dr. Jagan. However, there is need for the preservation of this exquisitely precise characterisation of Guyana’s foremost freedom fighter and first Executive President of a PPP/C governmental construct.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Gonsalves made the amazingly insightful comment that Dr. Jagan’s intellect, honesty, decency, humanity, charisma and commitment in improving the lot of the poor and the working-class set him apart as a brightness that sparkled and illuminated, making him a shining light in the stratosphere of his existentiality.

But he was not a light that blinded; and here Dr. Gonsalves drew parallels between the bright lights of oncoming traffic that cause accidents and even deaths, and the light that illuminates for progressive, uplifting dynamics in the socio-economic and political equations in Guyana, the Caribbean, and the world at large.

He described the Founder-Member of the People’s Progressive Party as a leader of extraordinary quality. But it takes an equally extraordinary leader to understand, recognise, celebrate

and commemorate Dr. Cheddi Jagan with such perspicacity and precision as Dr. Gonsalves did last Monday evening, as he elucidated and even at times waxed lyrical on Dr. Jagan’s nationalism; his regionalism; and his internationalism.

He expressed tremendous regard for Dr. Jagan’s quintessential humanity and his rare leadership skills; and his great esteem for Dr. Jagan’s “… immense contribution to Guyana and the Caribbean” was apparent as he continued to evaluate the life and works of a Caribbean leader he obviously highly regarded and honoured; someone whom he described as his friend, comrade and mentor.

Noting that Dr. Jagan’s leadership task was centred on enhancing the strengths and possibilities, and reducing as far as practicable the weaknesses and limitations, even to transform these weaknesses and limitations into strengths

GUYANA

and possibilities, Dr. Gonsalves, in a subliminal anecdotal and brilliant dissection, drew a nexus between Jesus’ betrayal by His most trusted disciples; the unctuous handwashing of Pontius Pilate, with the implicit and implied reference to recurrent betrayals of Dr. Jagan and the PPP by trusted lieutenants and associates down the corridors of Guyana’s history, and the superpowers who were integral to ousting the first PPP Government from office.

A third term in office as elected Prime Minister signifies a people’s trust in their leader; but this comes as no surprise if one were to weigh Dr. Gonsalves’ extremely significant and insightful delivery of the Cheddi Jagan Annual Lecture at Red House last Monday evening, because it is only an extraordinary leader who could have dissimulated the characteristics that made Dr. Cheddi the quintessential humanitarian and leader par excel-

lence’ that he was.

It signals to the discerning that Dr. Gonsalves has the inherent qualities to recognise Dr. Jagan’s supreme qualities to lead and govern: And whether he imbibed some of those qualities from Dr. Jagan, whom he described as his mentor, or inhered them from other origins is moot, because his reverence for all that Dr. Jagan was and stood for was clear and his language was (for the most part) unambiguous as he extolled with superb and meticulous precision a man for all seasons – of substantial standing in his own and the world’s regard.

The PPP has a track record for making wise choices; and every member of the rapt, spellbound audience unanimously agreed that the invitation to hear Dr. Ralph Gonsalves deliver this annual lecture was a brilliant choice indeed and that this erudite, scholarly dissertation should be recorded for posterity.

Madewini camp-site caretaker found dead on premises

By Shirley Thomas

SIXTY-one-year-old William Vanbrook, caretaker of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS)’s Camp Site at Madewini on the East Bank of Demerara, was discovered dead late Friday afternoon, locked in his home at Madewini.

This most recent death comes closely on the heels of that of Colonel Lindon Ross, former Assistant Director of the MCYS, which occurred on March 17 last.

According to Permanent Secretary of the MCYS, Mr. Alfred King, the body of Mr. Vanbrook, also called ‘Billy’, was found seated in a chair with two phones in front of him – a cellular phone and a land line; and his body bore no visible marks of

violence, which suggests that he was apparently about to make a phone call when he passed away.

Rigor mortis had, however, already stepped in, prompting police and the examining doctor to surmise that Mr. Vanbrook might have died about three days prior to his body being discovered, which places his day of death at probably around Monday.

The building, heavily grilled, was locked from the inside; and the police have said there was no sign of forced entry.

Mr. King recalled that the camp site was being prepared for use by the President’s Youth Award Programme for a training programme, and that the manager has spoken with Vanbrook last Monday, detailing instructions in relation to preparation for the event this week.

When the MCYS got no further word from Vanbrook, they tried calling him, but all calls went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Vanbrook’s elder brother’s (Steven’s) wife, Seeta, recalled that she had last received a phone call from him on Monday, during which he had complained of having a pain in the region of his chest and abdomen. The conversation was brief, and he had hung up. That was probably the last time he had used the telephone.

During his lifetime, Vanbrook had enjoyed warm relations with his elder brother’s family, and would travel all the way from Madewini to spend Sundays and holidays with them at Lamaha Park; but this time around, instead of his usual visit, it turned out to be a farewell telephone

call.

After the MCYS had not received any follow-up information from Vanbrook, an advance party (ahead of the training programme) went up to Madewini to seek him out. When they got to the building and found that it was locked, an officer peered in through a window and made the shocking discovery that Vanbrook’s body was motionless in a chair. The information was immediately communicated to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who immediately made a personal call to the Commissioner of Police, requesting him to dispatch ranks to witness the horrific discovery and commence investigations.

At that time, the MCYS had 12 staff members on the ground, and the police arrived in good time.

The police were forced to prise open and break the lock to gain entry into the building; but after a thorough search of the building, police came up with nothing untoward.

William Vanbrook had been in the employ of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for about 12 years, having commenced working there on May 1, 2003.

Prior to that, he had worked as a Bio-Med Technician at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

He leaves to mourn his eldest brother Stephen Vanbrook, (Retired Chief Constable (ag) of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC); cousin Patrice La Fleur of the UNFPA, Mahendra Vanbrook and other relatives and friends.

Police are continuing their investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Toddler killed in Water St accident buried amidst loud wailing

By Shirley Thomas THE body of four-year-old Elijah Jadon Andrews, killed in a motor accident on Water Street outside Giftland Officemax on April 4, was yesterday buried at Le Repentir cemetery amidst loud weeping and wailing.

His body was open for viewing at Sandy’s Funeral Home earlier in the day, before being removed to the 144-year-old St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, for a Thanksgiving Service. Hundreds converged at the church in Tiger Bay, a short distance from where the child lived with his family.

On arrival at the church, the body was first viewed by children of the neighbourhood and others before being viewed by family members and other mourners and sympathizers. It was welcomed by the children in chorus, who sang movingly “Jesus Loves the Little Children”.

Officiating minister was Reverend Kenneth Applewhaite and organist, Dr. Lennox Applewhaite.

The eulogy was read by aunt of the deceased, Ms. Feionba Archer,

Mourners and other residents look on as Jadon’s body is taken from the hearse into the church

while the children all joined in lustily singing ‘Hooray for Jesus’.

Jason was struck down by a route number 42 minibus BPP 1702 as he attempted to cross Water Street on his way home from Rosemarie Lane.

The nursery school child was seeking to bring joy to the heart of a two-year-old boy who had been crying for a kite when he lost his life.

A pupil of Starters Nursery School, he was the son of Oswald Andrews and Onicka Charles. He also leaves to mourn five siblings , grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

The child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but succumbed moments later while being given emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, the driver of the minibus was taken into custody and ordered to appear in court on Monday. However when the matter came up for hearing, the accused was remanded to prison until 27th April, to allow for the police to produce their evidence.

And a post-mortem examination was performed on the child’s body last Monday, and the cause of death was given as ‘multiple injuries’ without any specifics.

Children of the neighbourhood and others pay their last respects to a fallen friend and brother Jadon’s mother, Onicka, is hard-pressed to hold back tears during the funeral service yesterday (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

GECOM certifies Official List of Electors COMMISSIONERS of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met yesterday and certified the Official List of Electors (OLE).

Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr Keith Lowenfield, in an invited comment yesterday, told the Guyana Chronicle that the statutory 21-day posting of the Revised List of Electors (RLE), a list modified using the Preliminary List of Electors, ended on Sunday, April 12.

Eligible voters from

the Guyanese public were invited to review the list during the three-week period to ensure the details are correct. Any inaccuracy would then have to be communicated to the Chief Elections Officer, who is duly authorised to effect the correction.

GECOM has consequently moved to finalise the voters’ list for the upcoming polls.

GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally, in a prior comment, had stressed that GECOM has a “menu

of measures” to ensure integrity of the electoral process, and in particular that no one person votes more than once.

The list includes the names of 570,786 eligible voters, and the finalised OLE will facilitate voting at the upcoming polls.

As per law, the OLE must be posted across the country 20 days before the holding of General and Regional Elections on May 11 – by next Wednesday, April 22nd.

(Vanessa Narine)

Parika/Supenaam boat operators receive training in First Aid

Boat captains and bowmen being trained in basic first-aid techniques recently TWENTY-ONE boat captains and bowmen operating on the Parika/Supenaam route recently received training in First-Aid techniques at a venue at Parika in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands - West Demerara), compliments of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).

It was the first in a series of training planned for those mariners, and represented part of an overall MARAD initiative to equip boat operators throughout Guyana with First-Aid skills, so that in event of their encountering a situation, they can administer basic medical assistance, MARAD said.

First-Aid training for boat operators in the country commenced with captains and bowmen from the Georgetown/ Vreed-en-Hoop route on February 8th last. So far, some 121 mariners have been trained in this regard.

The training is being delivered by the Reliance Health Care Training Group in collaboration with MARAD. The next First-Aid training session for operators on the Parika/Supenaam route is scheduled for April 19th in Supenaam.

MARAD is pleased to be promoting this training, which is all part of its mandate of promoting maritime safety.

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Our position today

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E Guyanese love our nation and enjoy our land.

But we don’t hear that from ourselves. We tend to talk of problems we face, and we resort to a complaining attitude rather than one of vibrant creativity.

We are the way we are because of this habit of talking ourselves down. It starts with how we approach our leaders, how we see our Government, how we think of ourselves as a cultivated, honorable people occupying a blessed corner of the earth.

The foundation for a healthy society in this 21st century is a Guyanese Government elected through free and fair elections. Add to that the structural democratic systems such as a free and independent national media landscape, freedom of movement and freedom of expression, along with the equal opportunity for every Guyanese to prosper through self-development and personal empowerment, and we see that Guyanese are well-positioned in the world today.

We’ve repaired a huge chunk of the systematic breakdowns we suffered from 1964 to 1992. We’ve set ourselves on a course to become again the best in the Caribbean, a socio-economic regional powerhouse of incredible fortitude and resolve.

Today, we’ve moved so far away from ranking at the bottom of the ladder, along with Haiti, in the Western hemisphere. Today, we’ve risen to rank as absolutely the best economy in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Our education system produces the top student in the entire Caribbean, year after year.

As President Donald Ramotar told residents in Berbice this week, for nine out of the past 10 years, Guyana topped the Caribbean at Regional exams, with a lad from Cotton Tree, West Berbice, winning the Best Technical Student

award in the Caribbean.

Instead of sitting around bemoaning our imaginary sad state, we ought to look around, pay attention to our place in the grander scheme of the world, and see that we’re not so badly off after all.

What more could Guyanese ask for?

We’ve got a thriving national housing programme, and Government’s goal is for every Guyanese to own land and property. We’ve got an education system that is producing outstanding international scholars. We’ve got a health care system that is adding new dimensions every year. We’ve got a mushrooming building boom that is seeing the development of the Marriott, and countless luxury buildings all across Georgetown and urban areas.

We’ve got Guyanese building solid residential homes full of style and unique designs. We’ve got a culture now of driving, instead of a preponderance of public transportation or long walking to get around.

Our nation simply needs to know exactly where we stand. Our farmers are plowing and reaping the land, with rice production soaring towards the million ton target. Government is preparing to pump $20 billion into the sugar industry, to bring on stream alternative energy like ethanol production, to subsidise the low international price for sugar, and President Ramotar is confident the Skeldon sugar factory would become the “flagship” of the Commonwealth Caribbean sugar industry.

We’ve got a vision for Linden, to propel the mining town to a place where enterprising citizens could benefit from projects like the Amaila Hydro power project.

Our country operates entrepreneur programmes for women; we push for our young people to develop and grow; we built an athletic track at Leonora for our national athletes; we constructed an Olympic swimming pool for our young to become world class swimmers; our

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

banks operate under secured legislation to fund micro-enterprises and small businesses; a number of non-governmental agencies operate all manner of programmes to shape and design the lifestyle of our people.

Do we ever see any of this in the media?

We must come to a point where we start projecting the stories of ordinary Guyanese in the media. We’ve got to inculcate a new culture within the Guyanese body politic, whereby the politicisation of the society becomes secondary to the living, vibrant human interest stories of people, living and breathing the pure drama and exciting adventure of the human heart.

All we see in our country is politics and politicians, and from the Opposition a form of politics and politicking that damages how we appreciate our nation.

At some point we’ve got to wake up and realise one simple fact: Guyana is about Guyanese, the people of the land.

We vote into Government the best Party we think would govern us, and whatever mistakes or human flaws that our leaders exhibit, that’s our choice, to put them in charge of managing our society.

We cannot harbor a whole swath of folks running around demoralising and demotivating us, pointing their rigid nasty fingers only at that point of our national consciousness, that blank point that is all politics, focusing our attention on nothing but politics.

We elect our Government to govern us, and we should allow them to govern. It is stupid for Parliament to cut Government’s Budget. In any other society, Parliament seeks to increase State budgets, rather than reduce spending on social programmes benefiting citizens.

But we so focus on the politicisation of our society that we reduce everything to politics, ignoring the vast amount of economic, social and cultural activity that brings our nation alive.

We hardly see the stories of ordinary Guyanese fill the airwaves or our newspapers and magazines or our online news sites, unless those citizens get caught up in some sleaze and slander or gossip and gore.

We want to see our media landscape regale us with our Berbice farmers, our rice cultivators, the land owners of Black Bush Polder who plant every square inch of their land with fresh organic fruit and vegetable; we want to see the residents of Linden going about their daily lives; we want to see Barticians, Essequibians, Morucans in our national media: how are Guyanese living and enjoying nine consecutive years of socio-economic growth?

We Guyanese want to see our stories abound in the land. We know how we benefited from the development of the nation’s social and economic systems and structures over the past decades.

We want and aspire to tell our stories to each other. Like we talk to our neighbours, we should be talking to each other through the airwaves and newspapers and Internet.

We love our land. We know we’re of a blessed country. And, in this 21st century world, we want to participate in the national conversation, engage in a two-way dialogue between the politicians we elect, and ourselves.

We don’t want politicians to pontificate to us from Parliament about our Government. We want to tell our stories of how we see our lives transformed from the devastation of life under the regime of rigged elections, to what it is today under our free and fair Government. Today, we travel to the US and come back home. We love our Guyanese nation. In telling such stories, we transform how we see our position today as a rapidly rising Guyanese nation. In telling our stories to each other, we the people cultivate the atmosphere of the land, just as we vote for the Government of our choice.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Selman tells Essequibo ...

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Only President Ramotar has ability to lead Guyana to prosperity the PPP/C is the only party interested in development.

The former MP of the 10th Parliament said President Ramotar must be commended for extending an olive branch to the Opposition when he prorogued Parliament and sought consultation on the way to move Guyana forward. She said, however, the Opposition is not interested in the development of Guyana - only power is their motive.

Africo Selman addressing a public meeting at Charity

By Rajendra Prabhulall FORMER APNU MP, Ms Africo Selman, who is now campaigning on the PPP/C platform, told a large crowd of PPP/C supporters at a public meeting at Charity on

Sunday night that they and all other Guyanese must vote on May 11 for President Donald Ramotar and the PPP/C. She emphasised that it is only President Ramotar who has the ability to lead Guyana to prosperity, and

OLD MILITARY MEN Ms Selman said Guyanese cannot afford to support a group of people called a coalition whose quest is all about power. The former MP said the APNU/AFC-led coalition is made up of a group of old retired military men headed by David Granger, Joseph Harmon, Fitzroy Cornette and Winston Felix who are all tired, tired, retired old men who want to control the democracy of Guyana and make mockery of the system.

She said the PNC has changed its name many times but it is still the

same old PNC. According to Selman, the PNC, now APNU, has David Granger at the helm, an old retired military officer who has being a member of the PNC for more than 35 years. She said the APNU- led coalition has “it is time for change” as its election theme but the APNU and AFC are the ones that need to be changed.

She said their attitude towards respect for Guyanese and their intelligence need to be changed STAND AGAINST ANTI-DEMOCRACY Selman said the Opposition is a hypocritical, disrespectful and abusive bunch of people who Guyanese cannot allow to take over Guyana. She called on Guyanese to stand strong and to stand up against anti-democracy, anti-development, anti-women and anti-youth behaviour. She called for young Guyanese to be educated about the true nature of the PNC. She said Guyanese must not be deceived by ‘Time for Change.’

Canadian busted with approximately 18 pounds of cocaine at CJIA FIFTY-one-year-old Canadian citizen Arthur Manget was busted by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Monday morning when he was about to depart Guyana on Caribbean Airlines’ flight BW 524.

This newspaper was told that Manget was observed acting suspiciously while approaching the counter to check-in his luggage; and CANU ranks observed that

the side of his suitcase looked usually bulky. When it was punctured, ranks found the illegal substance.

The illegal substance was reportedly tested and weighed, and was confirmed to be approximately eighteen pounds of cocaine.

Manget’s address while in Guyana was listed as 123 Old Road, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

Part of the large crowd at the Charity public meeting last Sunday

Rupununi welcomes President with open arms

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

--show appreciation in song, dance

HINTERLAND students were yesterday urged to stay in school and pursue every educational opportunity, as education is the tool that will help them capitalise on developmental opportunities, and create enhanced access to a better quality of life.

Those few words of encouragement came from President Donald Ramotar when he visited Aishalton and Potarinau, two communities in the Rupununi, Region Nine.

The President arrived to an enthusiastic welcome from residents dressed in traditional wear.

They sang, danced and chanted their support for the incumbent Government’s return to office at the upcoming May 11 elections.

Speaking to the residents later in the community, President Ramotar noted that Guyana’s diversity in its people is an asset and none of the six races is better than another, but there is need to level the playing field for everyone to benefit from development.

“There is no inferior and superior people anywhere in the world; we all have the same brain. It is the opportunities that some of us lack,” he said. The Head of State added that for the first time in years there are more than 30 Amerindian students studying medicine through Government’s assistance, while several others have already been trained and are now based in their communities of birth.

He told the residents that he is aware of the challenges they face in their communities, and noted that the administration is trying to meet the needs of the hinterland population as much as possible to create

The President addressing residents of Aishalton at a community meeting equal opportunities for every hinterland resident. These efforts, he said, include reducing poverty, pursuing measures to improve people’s quality of life and ensuring there is a highly skilled and educated workforce which will attract more investment to the country and create jobs.

But this highly skilled human capital of which the President spoke, is dependent on citizens capitalising on educational opportunities available, and that is why the administration has been investing heavily in creating access to schools for all hinterland students “because we believe education is key to ending poverty.”

The President recalled when the current administration assumed office in 1992, only 30 percent of the children attending primary schools went on to secondary schools because there was as insuffi-

cient number of schools in the country to accommodate them and hence 70 of every hundred children who wrote the secondary schools entrance examination had to remain in primary schools.

Since, then government has built and renovated more than 1000 schools across the country. These include several new schools and dormitories in the hinterland so that the children could have the opportunity to complete secondary school.

The government went further by building hostels in various places and providing food, accommodation, uniforms, text books and cash grants for hinterland students attending secondary school in the capital city.

The President explained that the government made a decision sometime ago to accommodate hinterland school children in secondary schools in the city and only President’s

A hug for President Donald Ramotar o arrival at Potarinau

College had dormitory facilities. However, this was met with objection from the political opposition, which accused the government of reducing the standards of the school.

President’s College was built under the stewardship of the People’s National Congress’ founder leader, the late President Forbes Burnham.

“We were trying to give the hinterland students an equal opportunity to develop…We were trying to give the people the same opportunity as those on the Coastland, but the PNC said we were trying to break down the standards [of President’s College].”

The President said government stood its ground and persisted. “And a few years ago,” he said, “it was an Amerindian student that topped President’s College. This shows our investment paid off, and we were vindicated. That is why you need to keep your children in school; so that they can be prepared to benefit from new opportunities that are coming.

“I am very happy today that Guyana has the lowest

drop-out rate from schools in the Caribbean and the highest enrolment rate of nursery level children. That is why we place so much emphasis on education because no one can take that from you and education develops your capacity.”

While countries endowed with natural resources earn revenues off of these, it is those countries with highly skilled human capital that go on to become developed countries, the Head of State said. However, he agreed that human resources development could be expensive and therefore the government has invested heavily in the social sector, of which education has the largest allocation, “because we believe our people are assets and we want to ensure they have the highest skills possible.”

For this to continue the government requires citizens’ support at the upcoming elections to ensure they return to office and continue the progressive work, he said. He cautioned that the parliamentary opposition has fought

these development efforts and over the last three years, they have used their majority seat in the National Assembly to cut the national budget.

Among the things affected were the Amerindian Development Fund and monies for the $10,000 “Because We Care” grant. Also threatened were the student loans for those attending the University of Guyana, “and they had an opportunity to vote for it, but instead they cut it and now they want to promise you the moon and the stars.”

He noted that the government restored some of the cuts and that is why the opposition sought to move a no-confidence motion against it. The President said these upcoming elections were prematurely called, but became necessary because the opposition “did not cooperate with us.” Instead they blocked development. He explained that he could have consistently prorogued the parliament and remain in power until the end of the five-year term, but “I am not interested in power for power sake. And that would have affected the development of Guyana.”

Hence, the President called early elections, which are less than a month away.

Several Toshaos (village leaders) of the surrounding communities spoke highly of the commitment of the government to the development in their communities. This commitment has seen their communities having access to electricity with the provision of solar panels, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), tractors, trailers, minibuses and other forms of transportation, financial support for small businesses, and for the first time ever, Aishalton has a secondary school with accompanying dormitory. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar greeting children gathered to welcome him to Aishaltion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Marriott Hotel human resource practices worthy of emulating ––project will ignite similar developments —PSC

By Gary Eleazar

THE Marriott Hotel is set to open its doors in 24 hours and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is loud in praise of the project, confident that its realisation will ignite many other developments similar in nature, even as it also calls for an emulation of the human resource practices across the local business spectrum.

Following a tour of the facility ahead of its opening tomorrow, the PSC over the weekend, by way of a public missive, has placed on record the fact it “would like to congratulate the Government of Guyana for initiating such a visionary project, the Marriott Group for being patient and resilient despite the various challenges and Republic Bank for seeing the merit of such a project and contributing to the financing arrangements.”

According to the PSC, “It augurs well for the country and the business community, when a global brand such as Marriott and a reputable regional finance institution such as Republic Bank choose to do business in Guyana…We are also confident that the investments made and incentives provided by the Government of Guyana to materialise this project will bear the fruits expected.”

Over the weekend, the PSC by way of its public missive noted too that the private sector umbrella body, “is impressed” by the quality of facilities and the planned services to be offered by the internationally branded hotel.

“The PSC is of the view that the introduction of these facilities and the quality of service will contribute significantly to raising the standards of the local hospitality industry and would be a great complement to boost the growth of the tourism sector in our country and create an improved business environment…We are convinced that the opening of the Marriott Hotel will ignite many other developments of similar nature in the future.”

The PSC, headed by Ramesh Persaud, over the weekend stated that during a tour of the facility, “We also received insights into the Marriott’s recruiting and training methodology and were very satisfied to see many young Guyanese workers being highly motivated to be of service to the various global visitors that will eventually be utilising the services of the international hotel.”

The PSC president by way of the public missive noted too that “many on the tour share the view that the Human Resource practices of the Marriott Hotel are worthy of emulating

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh along with NICIL’s Executive Director, Winston Brassington and Deputy Marcia Nadir-Sharma during a tour of the Marriott Hotel in their businesses.”

It was pointed out that the hotel’s General Manager, Roberto Grisi, highlighted the Marriot’s ethical principle of only partnering with reputable, law abiding local suppliers of goods and services as they will not be procuring goods and services from persons unless they can prove that their businesses are in compliance with the laws of the country.

“A hotel of this standard has been one of the projects that the PSC has been advocating for a very long time and we were very pleased to endorse the project from the inception.”

The Marriott is an international brand familiar to business

owners and travellers globally due to their quality of services, and “we are happy that many of our business partners and stakeholders will now be able to access a comparable service as they would in most other parts of the world.”

The PSC observed too that the ecosystem of business is global and this hotel will definitely contribute to Guyana being a part of that space and network of business travellers.

“We have no doubt that the Marriott Hotel will raise the image of businesses in our country when our international stakeholders choose to stay there during their visits to Guyana.”

706 motorists charged for speeding between April 5-11 THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday said as it continues its traffic enforcement, unto April 13, 2015, there have been a total of thirty (30) road fatalities, compared to thirty one (31) for the corresponding period last year.

The police added that while the statistics indicate a decrease in accidents overall during the past two weeks, they are encouraging motorists to be extra vigilant on the roadways in light of schools being re-opened and to adhere to the five Cs - Care, Caution, Common Sense, Courtesy and Consideration.

During the period April 5 to 11, 2015, a number of cases were made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include:

Speeding 706 Driving Under the Influence 50 Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence 29 Careless Driving 09 Dangerous Driving 18 Failure to wear safety helmet 05 Failure to wear seat belt 31 Prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone 16 Failure to adhere to siren 31 So far, nine persons have been charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Manickchand condemns destruction of PPP/C campaign material in Region 5

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Region 5 Representative and Education Minister Priya Manickchand has noted that the party’s campaign materials, such as PPP/C flags, posters and billboards, were completely destroyed, ripped down or tampered with over the last 18 hours throughout Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice).

“This thuggery and bullyism speaks of intolerance for freedom of expression and association that has no place in a 2015 Guyana. It is reminiscent of an era where persons were jailed and killed for holding and expressing a political view.

It comes on the heels of embarrassing displays of disorder

However, the Minister emphasised that “supporters are specifically asked not to reciprocate this type of behaviour.

This is not what we stand for as a party. Let us use this time to discuss ideas and solutions to our challenges and to craft the best way forward for our beautiful Guyana. We will address this unlawfulness and bullyism with our vote on May 11.”

“On May 11th, we must vote to protect the freedoms we have gained and we must vote specifically to prevent us as a people from returning to that horrible time on our country’s history where bullyism like this was the order of the day.

On May 11, we must vote PPP/C,” Manickchand urged all.

During the recent Linden Rally, Minister within the

Finance Ministry Bishop Juan Edghill expressed the same sentiments as he told the crowd that the supporters of the PPP/C are a disciplined and well organised group and he was confident that his party’s supporters will not reciprocate such behaviours.

At the same rally, President Donald Ramotar echoed the words of his ministers, noting that he had full confidence that his supporters will not take part in such activities. The President said that this sort of destruction will not budge the stance of the party and urged his supporters to vote solidly on May 11 for the PPP/C. (Rebecca Ganesh)

‘This thuggery and bullyism speaks of intolerance for freedom of expression and association that has no place in a 2015 Guyana. It is reminiscent of an era where persons were jailed and killed for holding and expressing a political view’ - Manickchand exhibited by the PNC/APNU/AFC on Nomination Day where rules were broken and people affected,” Manickchand declared.

BASIC FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS The Minister at the time was speaking of the recent destruction of campaign materials the PPP/C has faced.

She noted that Guyana has come a far way in promoting basic fundamental rights such as the freedom to associate and express oneself but with this behaviour leaves much to be desired.

“It would be a crying shame if we were to revert to that dark time when our people were intimidated and bullied for expressing their views.”

She stressed that “citizens and the supporters of the PPP/C are asked to be vigilant against this type of behaviour and are asked to report this unlawful behaviour to the police, GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) and/or the Party if this is to re-occur.”

PPP/C Flags that were previously seen on every post on Milton Street, now only two flags remain

Poster at Huntley, Mahaicony was vandalized

Poster at Linden Junction was completely destroyed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Elections flashback…

Cheddi Jagan: A man of the people

“ALTHOUGH the two major racial/ethnic groups are culturally different, they are not uni-class and class-different as was formerly the case in the colonial period in East Africa. Both groups are largely made up of working

people. As such, the PPP/Civic, with its working-class sympathy and policies oriented to material and cultural fulfillment, can lay the foundation for unity in diversity,” said Dr Cheddi Jagan in 1961.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

ANSCAFE laureate plugs celebration of positive role models ––at Awards ceremony in T&T

By Rebecca Ganesh

“NO civilisation can effectively progress towards shared values without the celebration of positive role models,” Professor Suresh S. Narine, Ph.D maintained as he accepted his Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence (ANSCAFE) in Science and Technology.

The Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence (ANSCAFE) is now the English-speaking Caribbean’s leading recognition programme in Arts, Sciences, and Public and Civic Work. The ANSA McAL Foundation launched this Awards Programme in October 2005.

The Awards are made in four areas (as of 2015): Arts & Letters, Science & Technology, Public & Civic Contributions and Entrepreneurship. Up to 2010, they were made biennially, but in 2011 the Caribbean Awards for Excellence became an annual event. Since 2006, when the first laureates were named, several sets of laureates have been presented with prizes in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011 and annually thereafter in ceremonies were held in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

During his remarks at the ceremony, Guyanese recipient Dr Suresh Narine said: “When I examine the laureates of the Caribbean Awards of Excellence, in past years and also my fellow laureates this year, in addition to being humbled to be in their company, I am convinced that the Caribbean will continue to move from strength to strength in the pursuit of our cultural identity and its expressions and a sustainable future of prosperity.”

“Our world today faces a nexus of so-called wicked problems, the collapse of the world’s financial systems, dwindling fossil fuel resources, growing shortages of fresh water and food, climate change, and skilled labor”, he noted. The Caribbean, Dr Narine continued, is particularly vulnerable to all of these issues, “the banana trees only have to hear of the hurricane coming, and they all lie down flat.”

“To craft successful responses to these challenges, the Caribbean needs regional strategies which harness all of our collective resources,” he noted.

He went on to explain as we celebrate a few scant miles from the lapping waves of the Gulf of Paria separating Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) from the South American mainland and sister Caribbean country Guyana, CARICOM’s net food import bill is more than a whopping US $4.5 Billion. “Right here, in T&T, the food import bill is US $950 M, second only to Jamaica, with a food import bill of close to US $1 B.” The region spends nearly US$0.5B on imported rice and sugar, even as across the Gulf, Guyana struggles to find markets for its rice. “The Jagdeo Initiative in CARICOM on Agriculture and Food Security has disappeared into the void created by a lack of Regional leadership within CARICOM. And so, despite the demand, Guyana, Suriname and Belize, with large tracts of arable land, significant fresh water resources and low population densities remain relatively undeveloped with regards to their vast agricultural potential,” Dr Narine emphasised.

“Our region receives less than 1% of the

world’s foreign direct investment, and other than for T&T and Suriname, has a crippling dependence on imported fuel. Yet, we do not have a regional strategy for alternative, green sources of energy,” he continued.

Dr Narine continued to explain and defend the vast potential of hydropower in Guyana and Suriname could benefit significantly from regional investments and regional supply agreements for electricity, to the benefit of energy security for many of the neighboring states.

“Much more needs to be done in integrating the University of the West Indies, University of Guyana, Anton de Kom University, University

Professor Suresh S. Narine of Technology, Jamaica, University of Trinidad and Tobago and other colleges and universities across our region,” he urged.

There is an urgent need to share resources, remove fragmentation and reduce duplication.

In this regard, he said, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) stands as a living, successful example of embracing regional standards in education. “There is an urgent need to promote a culture of scientific entrepreneurship, and a concomitant and urgent need for the region to continue to improve the way it handles intellectual property.

“In my own efforts in Guyana, I have seen firsthand how important a tool science and technology can be in leap-frogging the developmental process. I firmly believe that our region’s science and technology portfolio should be heavily focused on technology transfer and the harnessing of S&T for development and well-being of our people.

Even as we pursue technologies appropriate to our particular circumstances, critical mass cannot be accomplished without pooling our regional resources. The problem is not our individual peoples, who collaborate quite naturally I firmly contend that the problem resides with our political leadership lacking the political will to address this problem,” he said with much confirmation to his belief.

In closing, Dr Narine, gratefully accepted the award on behalf of the staff of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) in Guyana, and “the many students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and collaborators who have contributed so incredibly to my career.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Rohee...

Guyana.

Time APNU+AFC stops pointing fingers against our youths “IT is time for the A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition to stop pointing fingers against our youths and take a page out of the leaf of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on how to treat with our young people,” said the PPP/C’s General Secretary (GS) at the party’s weekly press conference on Monday.

This comes after the PPP/C took note of the at-

tacks being levelled against those young professionals who have identified themselves with the PPP/C and have consented to appear on the list of candidates of the incumbent party.

According to Rohee, “these attacks are demonstrative once again of the vicious and vindictive nature of the APNU+AFC coalition against our young people who dare to stand up and be counted in support of a party and a cause to which they believed in and for which

they are willing to contribute towards.”

He highlighted the fact that it is baffling if not mind-boggling that the coalition party which speaks so much about the need for young people to get involved in the political life of the country, would now cast aspersions and ambiguities against the very cohort of people whom they falsely claim to be so concerned about.

The PPP/C’s GS also stated that, the fact that some of the young people happen to be close relatives

PPP/C’s General Secretary Clement Rohee of members and supporters of the ruling PPP/C administration cannot diminish nor in any way inhibit their involvement in the national discourse for a better and more secure

APNU+AFC’S JEALOUSY Meanwhile, that apart, Rohee hinted that the APNU+AFC coalition has now sunk to a new low by taking cheap shots at some of our young and bright minds, and this could only be seen as politically infantile and smacks of a fair measure of jealousy.

“The PPP/C has never and will never object to young people wishing to identify with one or the other political party regardless of family or organisational ties, and therefore sees no reason why the Opposition parties should so do; therefore, the question is, could it be that they are unable to come to terms with the influx of young people into the PPP /C family and are therefore consumed by un-

controlled jealousy?” queried the party’s GS. He declared that the PPP/C condemns these vicious and unwarranted attacks on those young people who have come forward on its platform and will not sit idly by and allow them to be treated as second-class citizens because of their family backgrounds or association with organisations or individuals who are sympathetic to or supportive of the party.

And these are young people who have not emerged out of thin air, but have been integrally and actively involved in the work of the party and Government and who have demonstrated high levels of commitment and competence in the execution of whatever assignment they were required to execute.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Rohee to Nagamootoo ...

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‘Stop playing games with destiny of this nation’ “NAGAMOOTOO should stop playing games with the destiny of this nation, and desist from taking the intelligence of the Guyanese people for granted,” asserted the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C’s) General Secretary (GS), Clement Rohee during the party’s weekly press briefing on Monday.

These remarks were in reply to A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s prime ministerial candidate, Moses Nagamootoo’s recent utterances on the question of national unity, and also on the baseless statements made regarding his refusal to accept national awards offered him by the current administration.

“It would seem that Nagamootoo has now gone on overdrive mode in trying to mislead the Guyanese public regarding the issue of national unity and that of national democracy, as his assertions of refusing to accept national awards is nothing but a pathetic attempt at reconstructing his battered image and his lost credibility,” said Rohee.

According to the party’s GS, Nagamootoo has now earned for himself the dubious reputation as someone who had the rare privilege of being “offered” top positions and awards, none of which - strangely enough - could be substantiated except by himself.

That apart, during his disclosure to the media, he also recalled that Nagamootoo once said that he was named “successor” to the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, at some undisclosed location in a far-flung region of the vast Rupununi savannah, again out of the earshot of any living soul, noting that “like a sorcerer with a bag full of tricks and deception, he is now conjuring [up] images of a man who ‘refused’ accolades from the state.”

Nagamootoo could be excused for being in a prolonged state of hallucination, given his history of failed political ambitions and his insatiable desire to assert himself in public life, said Rohee.

Forgetting all the other factors noted, Rohee highlighted that what he cannot be excused for is his vain attempt to distort and twist Guyana’s past history by trying to make it appear that he gave up his ministerial post for humanitarian reasons, when it is a well-known fact that he voluntarily resigned in order to pursue law studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Apart from that, what is even more disgusting is his attempt to distort our political history in a manner which is suggestive of a deliberate attempt to create a false impression that the idea of national unity and national democracy is the brainchild of the APNU+AFC coalition,” said the PPP/C’s GS. Meanwhile, he also disclosed that Guyanese are now convinced more than ever that whatever utterances he made must be taken with much more than a “pinch of salt,” because the APNU+AFC’s prime ministerial candidate is on record, saying publicly that “he will never be a part of the People’s National Congress (PNC) for the evil that was inflicted on the country by that repressive regime.”

Additionally, Rohee disclosed that in similar vein, AFC’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan had said categorically that, “The AFC will never join with the APNU except over his dead body, while that subsequently changed and the tune changed to one of the AFC only agreeing to enter into a pre-election alliance if that party were to lead a ‘pro-democracy alliance,’ whatever that was intended to mean.”

Nevertheless, he underlined the fact that none of the demands made by the AFC showed that both the party and Nagamootoo have little or no political leverage when it comes to decision- making and are therefore forced to comply with the more powerful voices in the coalition.

In closing, Rohee stated that it remains to be seen how

many more tricks Nagamootoo has in his bag, as so far his desire to assert himself in public space has clearly got the better of him; and he is now prepared to go to any lengths in an effort to realise his political ambitions.

In this regard, “he is well advised to heed the words of a former United States President that it is possible to fool some of the people for some of the time but not all the people all the time,” said the Party’s GS.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

President assures Orealla, --outlines plans for trade hub

THE Government of Guyana has been aggressively pursuing a people-centred development course and incumbent Head of State, Donald Ramotar has assured residents of Orealla and Siparuta that this will

result in new job opportunities for them and other Guyanese.

The President on Monday visited the two riverain Amerindian communities along the Corentyne River, Region Six, which has a combined

population of about 1,800.

He told the residents of the Administration’s pursuit of plans to build a deep water harbour in the Berbice River and a highway from Linden to Lethem to link Brazil, “so that Brazil and South

America can do international trade through Guyana.” Government is also working with the Surinamese to bridge the Corentyne River.

“These are projects that will transform our country, transform the lives of our

people, and that is why we are preparing our people through education… we want our people prepared and ready,” the President said.

Government, he added, is expending large sums to ensure the country’s human resources are highly qualified and skilled to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented.

These, he said, will directly impact the prospects available to residents in Orealla and Siparuta by opening up new avenues for business from which they can capitalise.

“That will create new kinds of jobs, plenty of jobs and even the road itself - you have to have mechanic shops, tyre shops, vulcanizing shops, hotels, restaurants all of which can generate lots of jobs for people.

Those are the things that the Opposition want to cut from the budget.”

The President said the global trends have shown that countries that focus extensively on the development of its human resources have progressed rapidly, and that is the direction Guyana is heading with the hope of having a highly skilled workforce that will attract more investments.

In this context, the government has been focusing heavily on the social sector to improve people’s quality of life, particularly education, which receives the largest portion of the social sector annual budget. These provisions include free text books, uniforms, education grants for school children and trans-

President Donald Ramotar in discussio Orealla, Region Six 0

President Donald Ramotar reaching out to

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

, Siparuta new jobs coming portation and meals for children to attend school regularly.

Much investment has also been made in the provision of education for hinterland children, including the construction of dormitories.

Similarly, the health sector has recorded numerous strides, and in Orealla, there are now two resident doctors. In the past these villages had only health workers and visiting doctors.

Persons from the community have also been trained as doctors and will return to serve.

Other plans for the areas include providing a boat ambulance, transportation to assist farmers to fetch their produce out from the farming areas, and linking the two communities by road, “so that we can have better communication, better transportation and help to improve the overall economy.”

However, President Ramotar warned of the deliberate attempts by the political Opposition to stymie national

on with residents of

a Siparuta resident

development.

“We have an Opposition that has not been cooperating, they want power for power sake,” he said, noting that they have opposed the passage of critical pieces of legislations such as the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, the amendment to the environmental tax on imported bottled aerated drinks. The Opposition has also opposed money for development projects such as the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric Project, the airport expansion project, the Speciality Hospital and the Amerindian Development Fund. Money was also cut from the National Budgets in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the Parliamentary Opposition using its one-seat majority in the Tenth Parliament, which was dissolved by President Ramotar in February 2015.

“This was a deliberate attempt by these people to stymie development in our country…this is not an opposition that is interested in development. It is an Opposition that is interested in power for the sake of having power,” he reiterated.

The President acknowledged that both Orealla and Siparuta have challenges with the provision of some services, but noted that Government is continuously working to address those.

Among the issues on which the residents sought the President’s attention are governance and accountability at Orealla while those at Siparuta have requested improved access to potable water for residents on the hilltop, and power generation. (GINA)

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President Donald Ramotar being eagerly greeted by a young Orealla resident

President Donald Ramotar arrives at Siparuta, Region Six

President Donald Ramotar addressing residents and children of Siparuta, an Amerindian riverain community in Region Six

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Miner remanded for narcotics possession

A TWENTY-two-year-old miner was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for possession of narcotics.

Troy Gordon of Lot 52 Fifth Avenue Bartica, was slapped with the charge which stated on April 9 at Arau Backdam, he had 71 grammes of cocaine and 26 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He however denied the charge.

Gordon’s lawyer, Latchmie Rahamat, told the court that her client is the father of a nine-month-old baby. The lawyer explained that the defendant was alone at his camp, when it is alleged that the police during a raid at a neighboring camp found the illicit drug and tried to pin it on his client, because he was the only person in close proximity to the camp. The

narcotics were not found at his camp nor in his possession.

However, Police Prosecutor Corporal Bharrat Mangru explained that ranks on patrol searched the defendant during a routine exercise and the illicit drugs were found in a haversack that was on Gordon’s back. Thus he was arrested and charged.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, further elaborating that the special reasons raised by the attorney are not sufficiently convincing for bail to be granted, citing that defence counsel’s version varies.

Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrates’ Court for June 15.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Wortmanville woman charged for ganja possession A VENDOR is now a remanded prisoner after police said she was caught with 34 grams of cannabis in her pants during a search in Wortmanville.

The charges against Natasha Jordon, 35, stated that on April 10 at Lot PP 6 Bent Street, Wortmanville, she had in her possession cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Jordon denied the charge when she appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday.

Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones told the court that on the day in question, police acting on information went to the defendant’s residence, when she was seen by rank under a shop trying to hide a black plastic bag in her pants. The ranks ordered her to remove the bag which she did, and when the bag was examined, 33 transparent plastic parcels were unearthed. Under caution, she reportedly told the ranks that she had bought it from a “brethren” for $4,000.

Jordon’s lawyer Dexter Todd told the court that the drug was found behind the door of a shop, the upper flat of which his client occupies . The lawyer further explained that the police, through an informant, had identified the woman who was arrested and made to change her attire in the presence of male officers. However, it was only on her court date the police stated that the narcotic was found in her underwear.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and penalty for the offence.

He further noted that no special reason was raised by the attorney.

However, Jones explained that Jordon was charged in 2001 for an offence similar in nature, but the woman told the court that the matter was dismissed. Bail was refused the matter stands adjourned until April 28.

Man jailed for illegal possession of firearm, ammo A THIRTY-five-year-old man of Lot 164 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was on Monday sentenced to 48 months imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Aldren Adonis admitted that on Monday, April 6 at Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9 mm pistol and five live rounds of matching ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

The facts of the case state that on the day in question, the police were on patrol and went to Campbellville Housing Scheme, where they saw the defendant with a gun in his hand. Adonis reportedly attempted to escape, but the ranks pursued and apprehended him with the weapon. It was further noted that when Adonis was cautioned by the police, he admitted ownership of the gun.

Magistrate Latchman in her ruling considered the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the fact that Adonis did not waste the court’s time. Adonis was fined $70,000 and sentenced to 48 months in prison for each of the charges, which will run concurrently.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

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DDL driver charged with causing teenager’s death THE man accused of causing the death of 13-yearold Friendship Secondary School student, Ezekiel Murray as a result of dangerous driving was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $250,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The allegation against 33-year-old Clyde Barker is that on April 10 at Friendship, East Bank Demerara Public road, he drove motor lorry GJJ 278 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Murray.

Barker, who is employed as a driver by Demerara Distillers Limited and who resides at Lot 244 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was able to plead after the Administration of Justice Act was applied.

Otherwise, the matter would have been dealt with indictably and a preliminary inquiry held.

Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru told the court that on the day in question around 18:00 hrs, the deceased was about to cross the Friendship Public road when he was struck down by the motor lorry was driven by the defendant. Murray was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries With no objection from the prosecutor, bail was granted. Barker was however ordered to report to the Grove Police Station every Friday and will make his next court appearance on April 17 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

THE trio charged with murdering Sterling Products SECURITY Officer Wilfred Stewart and Guyana Geology and Mines (GGMC) engineer, Trevor Abrams, were on Monday slapped with two counts of murder when they appeared beforeChief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Orin Arthur, Rayon Paddy and Steven Prescott were not required to plead to the indictable offence.

It is alleged that on February 27, at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, they murdered Trevor Abrams.

The two accused, Arthur and Paddy, had another charge read to them which stated, on December 24, at Providence, East bank Demerara, during the course of or after a robbery, they murdered Wilfred Stewart.

The accused were remanded to prison as investigations continue. They will make their next court appearance on April 28.

Orin Arthur, 25, a construction worker of Block X, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara and 26-year-old Rayon Paddy, a vendor and Ex-Guyana Defence Force rank of 278 South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and were remanded after being jointly slapped with eight charges stemming from their illegal activities of posing as police officers and setting up roadblocks at Mahaicony.

Paddy was additionally charged separately for escaping from lawful custody. He was arrested earlier this year after robbing Popeye’s fast food outlet, but had managed to escape from the Georgetown Public Hospital while under police guard.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Squatters still trespassing on CJIA land ––Public Works Ministry disappointed, disturbed

THE Ministry of Public Works is extremely disturbed and disappointed by the action of squatters who continue to clear lands allotted to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Despite repeated warnings by the police, squatters persist in clearing and burning sections of lands to erect structures and farms, the ministry related.

The Public Works Ministry would like to highlight that on Thursday, April 9, 2015, CJIA staff and police stumbled upon this renewed

activity in Timehri North, in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ammo Dump and the Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). “The squatters were cautioned to discontinue their actions.”

The ministry said that it could not condone squatting on lands allocated for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s main port of entry for international travellers. “Cease and desist” signs will be erected in the area shortly and law-enforcement officers will arrest and charge

anyone who breaches the order,” the ministry disclosed.

The ministry and the CJIA authorities have been in discussions since 2008 and have held meetings and engaged in one-on-one conversations with squatters on relocation options, the airport expansion and the health and safety risks of living in close proximity to the airport.

“Efforts have been made to encourage squatters to apply to the Lands and Surveys Commission for suitable, alternative lands; however, many still refuse to take up the offer,”

Squatters continue to clear lands earmarked for expansion of the CJIA

the ministry noted.

The Public Works Ministry ponders what would have fuelled the resumption of squatting on airport and public lands earmarked for a critical national development project. The ministry has been and continues to help squatters relocate to suitable areas to ensure their sources of incomes/livelihoods are sustained, is also atop the ministry’s list of priorities.

The airport expansion is crucial to Guyana’s development, and the Public Works Ministry and CJIA remain committed to the project.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Bodies at seawall saga...

Police doubtful serial killer on the loose --say incidents ‘just an occurrence’

By Michel Outridge GIVEN the recent incident in which a fourth body was found at a foreshore location on Guyana’s Coastal Plain within a month’s time, Crime Chief Leslie

James has told this publication that police investigations have not determined a trend in occurrence of this type of incident, but it is safe to say that it is just an occurrence.

He explained that these

homicides are not linked, but are probably just coincidental; however, they are of concern to law enforcement agencies.

He reiterated his appeal to all citizens to report to the police anything which they consider unusual, since a

person or persons is/are taking the time to commit these heinous crimes and dumping the bodies on sea defences across the country.

James, however, advised young people not to venture out on the seawalls alone,

or wander off into the night; since some persons are using the cover of darkness to hide their crimes, and, in addition, there is the possibility of them being attacked as well.

He said the police would be maintaining their mobile patrols as much as they could, but he noted that some areas are very desolate and are unlit. He also said that the police are working with the Ministry of Works to have some desolate areas illuminated.

James explained that, from the police probe, it appears as though the dumping of bodies on the seawalls reflect a ‘copycat’ mentality, since wannabe criminals may have read about this type of disposal of murdered persons and copied same in an effort to dispose of bodies.

James cautioned such persons to desist from this practice, since the arm of the law is very long and will certainly meet them soon.

At the same time, he said, he does not believe that a serial killer has been let loose in Guyanese society, since the crimes vary and the only thing they have in common is that all four bodies had been dumped on the seawalls in different locations.

As such, he said, there is not sufficient cause to make a pronouncement.

The body of 26-year-old

Ramesh Katarnauth of Lot 83 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty was found on the Kitty foreshore on March 22 last. His cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning, compounded by compression injury to the neck and multiple blunt trauma to the body.

Katarnauth had left home to make a purchase at a nearby shop, but had never returned home.

On March 27 last, the nude body of 17-year-old Alicia Ali of Fourth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara was found trapped between boulders at the seawalls by UG Road. She had gone missing on March 25 after going to a nearby shop to make a purchase for her mother.

The dismembered body of Samantha Benjamin of Middle walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara was found on March 27 last at Annandale seawalls.

She had been killed at her home, and her body parts had been dumped at the location.

The semi-nude body of Davkumari Ramadar, 17, of Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara was found on the La Jalousie foreshore on April 11 last.

She had gone missing on April 4, after storming out of her workplace.

For Wednesday April 15, 2015: 14:00hrs For Thursday April 16, 2015: 14:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

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Dover eyeing ...

Just like their meetings prior to today’s game, Dundas opined that the game will be nothing short of competitiveness since Alpha United are labelled one of the quality sides they have faced in the competition over the years.

Before facing Alpha United on Sunday, the Trinidad’s Central FC will play the Suriname club on Friday at the same venue.

The second club from Guyana to contest the championship, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), have been drawn in Group 11 that will be hosted by T&T side DirecTV W Connection.

A total of 15 amateur and professional clubs from across the CFU will participate in the tournament which is anticipated to be highly competitive.

From back page

According to the CFU, as a reflection of the rich diversity of the CFU, the host clubs, and by extension the host countries are a microcosm of the different languages, cultures and peoples that make up the CFU. The Preliminary Round, comprising four groups, will be played simultaneously from April 13 to 20, while the Final Round will be played May 20-25 in a straight Knockout format in order to crown a Champion for the 2015 CFU Club Championship and also secure the three Caribbean berths to the CONCACAF Champions League.

The respective Group winners will advance to the final phase.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings (341-5 o/night) A. Cook b Roach 11 J. Trott c Bravo b Taylor 0 G. Ballance c Bravo b Holder 10 I. Bell c wkp. Ramdin b Roach 143 J. Root b Taylor 83 B. Stokes c Holder b Taylor 79 J. Tredwell c Bravo b Holder 8 J. Buttler c Ramdin b Roach 0 C. Jordan not out 21 S. Broad c Blackwood b Roach 0 J. Anderson c Holder b Samuels 20 Extras: (b-7, lb-3, w-8, nb-6) 24 Total: (all out, 110.4 overs) 399 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-22, 3-34, 4-211, 5-341, 6-357,

7-357, 8-361, 9-361.

Bowling: Taylor 20-4-90-3 (w-1, nb-1), Roach 29-6-94-4 (w-2, nb-3), Holder 25-1169-2 (nb-2, w-1), Benn 26-385-0, Samuels 10.4-0-51-1.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite c Jordan b Tredwell 39 D. Smith c Buttler b Anderson 11 D. Bravo c Buttler b Jordan 10 M. Samuels c Buttler b Broad 33 S. Chanderpaul not out 29 J. Blackwood not out 30 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1) 3 Total: (4 wickets; 66 overs) 155 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-42, 3-89, 4-99.

Bowling: Anderson 13-8-241, Broad 15-1-46-1, Jordan 13-4-29-1, Stokes 10-2-32-0, Tredwell 15-7-22-1.

Racing Tips

South Africa Racing Tips

Cheltenham

Scottsville

09:05 hrs Might Bite

08:35 hrs Colchis

09:40 hrs Loose Chips

09:10 hrs Run Rhino Run

10:15 hrs Long House Hall

09:45 hrs Roc ‘ N Rose

10:50 hrs Pepite Rose

10:20 hrs Seize The Throne

11:25 hrs New Horizons

10:55 hrs Zahra The Princess

12:30 hrs San Benedeto

English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:45 hrs Hakam 09:20 hrs Ravenhoe 09:55 hrs Ballymore Castle 10:30 hrs Faydhan 11:05 hrs Lady Correspondent

Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 10:10 hrs Gulf Of Poets 10:45 hrs Fascinating Rock 11:20 hrs Princess Aloof 11:55 hrs Corbata 12:25 hrs Hans Holbein 12:55 hrs Ringside Humour

11:40 hrs Golden Horn

13:25 hrs Seeking Truth

12:10 hrs Global Force

American Racing Tips

12:40 hrs Properus Beverley 08:55 hrs Tawaasheeh 09:30 hrs Bombardment 10:05 hrs Eccleston 10:40 hrs Russian Heroine 11:15 hrs Leoncavallo

Aqueduct Race 1 Two Seventeen Race 2 True Bet Race 3 Room for Me Race 4 David Rocks Race 5 Blacktype Race 6 Thunder Thief Race 7 Artie Crasher

11:50 hrs Voice Control

Race 8 My Donna Jean

12:20 hrs True Pleasure

Race 9 Hushhushmushmush

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Asia throws up intriguing World Cup qualifiers KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) - The sheer enormity and rich diversity of Asia offers a bitter-sweet opportunity to the region’s World Cup hopefuls.

After a revamp of the qualifying procedure, Asia’s heavyweight teams now get the benefit of playing against some of the world’s weakest national sides, but the road to qualifying can be a tricky and sometimes hazardous adventure.

Inevitably, teams are forced to undergo long-haul trips to far-flung parts of

the world’s most populated region, while some teams have to play their home matches in neighbouring countries because their homelands are ravaged by conflict and political unease.

So when the World Cup draw is made, players and officials from all teams all collectively hold their breath, hoping for the easiest path possible to football’s greatest extravaganza.

Yesterday, at a plush hotel in the Malaysian capital, the draw was made for the second round of Asian Cup

qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia throwing up a fascinating mixture of matchups.

The top eight teams were separated into eight separate pools, each with five teams.

The reigning Asian champions Australia drew Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh in Group B. “The draw is certainly an interesting one and throws up some games against unfamiliar countries,” the Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou told reporters.

“We will face some

Asian Football Confederation’s Shin Man Gil draws Afghanistan for Group E in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers during the preliminary joint qualification round 2 draw in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. (Reuters/Olivia Harris) logistical and foot-balling challenges, but we’ll continue to work hard to make sure we are ready for whatever challenges we face.”

South Korea, runnersup at this year’s Asian Cup, were pitted against Lebanon, Myanmar, Kuwait and Laos in Group G. “If our players can play the way they have recently, I think we should be able to get through the second stage with a good record,” coach Uli Stielike was quoted as saying by Yonhap news.

Regional heavyweights Japan were drawn in Group E with Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore and Cambodia, while Iran, Asia’s top-

ranked country, ended up in Group D with India, Oman, Turkmenistan and Guam.

Iraq were drawn in Group F with Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, while Uzbekistan were placed alongside North Korea, Yemen, Bahrain and Philippines in Group H. The remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, who started the first round of qualifiers as the world’s worst team, according to FIFA rankings, were chosen in Group C with China, Hong Kong, Maldives and Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts.

Saudi Arabia ended up in Group A with Palestine, East Timor, Malaysia and

United Arab Emirates, the hosts of the next Asian Cup, in 2019.

The second round of matches, which starts in June and runs until March next year, will double as qualifiers for both the World Cup and Asian Cup. Each of the 40 countries will play home and away against the four other sides in their group.

The eight group winners and the best four runners-up will advance to the next stage of World Cup qualifying in Asia and also qualify directly for the Asian Cup. The teams that miss out will go into another phase of Asian Cup qualifiers.

French Open prize money up, but still lagging behind PARIS, France (Reuters) - Prize-money at this year’s French Open tennis will rise by 12 percent, with the lion’s share of the increase for early-round losers, but the singles champions will still receive less than at the three other grand slams.

The French tennis federation said yesterday that the total prize pool at Roland Garros this year had risen to 28.03 million euros (£20 million), with

1.8 million euros (£1.29 million) for the singles champions - a rise of 150 000 euros on 2014.

Singles champions at this year’s Australian Open received $2.3M while at Wimbledon last year it was $2.5M. Last year’s U.S. Open offered $3.0M for singles champions.

Payouts for secondand third-round losers will rise by around 20 percent, the FFT said in a statement, with those surviving one round pocketing at least

50 000 euros.

“Players eliminated in the first week will be the principal beneficiaries,” said FFT managing director Gilbert Ysern.

Wimbledon, which boasted total prize money of $36M last year, the same as the U.S. Open, will announce its prize money increases later this month and is expected to continue the trend of raising the money for early-round losers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

‘Decent’ sledging injects life into the game, says Guyana’s youngest umpire

By Tajeram Mohabir MANY young passionate cricket-lovers choose to either develop themselves as a batsman or a bowler, but Ryan Banwarie has taken a different path.

He has chosen to become an umpire, and at age 25, he is the youngest professional umpire in Guyana.

Banwarie told the Guyana Chronicle that at age 22; he decided that he could serve the game better officiating on the field rather than in the capacity of a batsman or a bowler.

Describing his brief playing days representing the Police Under-19 team as exciting, Banwarie said he was an average cricketer and played the role of a batting allrounder. He said he never scored a hundred or a fifty, but recalled a memorable occasion.

It was a match against the Malteenoes Sports Club. When he strode onto the field, his team were in trouble, and, rising to the occasion, he slammed a quick-fire 38 to take them across the finish line in the nail-biter match.

As a bowler, the young

man said his returns were not close to stellar, but his stellar moments were when he clean-bowled a batsman, scattering his stumps, with his fast-medium pace.

This achievement, he said, brought great delight to his heart as it would to any fast bowler, but the occasions were not many.

Banwarie currently officiates at the Intercounty level, the highest level of local cricket. He is hoping to be part of the West Indies Junior Cricket Umpire Panel to perform duties in the regional Under-15 and Under-19 matches.

Umpires at the junior level are stringently scrutinised, and an elevation takes them to the senior panel, which presides in all First Class matches. These include the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the regional 20/20, 50 overs and four-day competitions.

The umpires in these matches are closely watched by experts from the International Cricket Council (ICC), and those who are outstanding, stand a chance of being recruited by the international cricketing body.

MY DREAM “This is my dream,” Banwarie told the Guyana Chronicle, saying that he hopes one day to officiate in

preside in First and Second Division matches.

But this was not good enough for someone who wants to scale the highest

Umpire Ryan Banwarie on the field the international arena.

The young man, who reaped average success on the field as a cricketer, has enjoyed greater success in his quest to become an umpire.

He wrote the preliminary examination administered by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in 2012, passing with 77 per cent, and in the process qualifying to

rung of the ladder.

The following year, he sat the West Indies Final Examination with 74 other candidates in the region, and he not only passed, but aced the examination.

In the examination offered by the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association, he scored 93 per cent, topping the region, and shortly after, he took another examination and

aced that too.

He did the West Indies Oral and Practical Examinations, scoring 59 in a possible score of 60 in the practical test and 31 in a total of 40 marks in the oral examination.

Altogether, he attained 90 per cent, placing among the top students in the region.

DUEL Banwarie said performing duties on the field has always been exiting and he enjoys every minute of the duel between bat and ball.

In the tussle, he said sledging is an integral part of the game, contending that it injects life into it by “firing up” the players, thereby making the contest more competitive.

According to the young umpire, a lively exchange on the field is always good for the game.

He said “a batsman playing and missing” in a limited overs match and the fielders teasing, “don’t out him, sorry for him, he can’t bat, he gon draw the game for dem,” contributes to the liveliness of the game.

The umpire said it not only brings clean laughter on the field, but it motivates

the batsman to be on top of his game, and to silence the talkative fielders, by keeping them busy, chasing for the ball in all parts of the ground.

But he said personal comments such as berating a person’s perceived gender, sex life, drinking habits, family members or loved ones are intolerable, and when they are made, he moves swiftly to put them down.

Banwarie said cricket is a gentleman’s game, and during his time so far as an umpire, he has never been in a situation where he had to deal with an out-of-control situation on the field.

But, he said there were occasions he had to fine players for dissent.

The role of an umpire is to ensure proper management of the players on the field, and umpires are graded based on their performance in match control.

An escalation on the field reflects poorly on the part of the umpire, and Banwarie told the Guyana Chronicle that when the banter changes from lively comments to bitter retorts, he steps in, and in a sharp voice orders, “Gentlemen, let’s move on.”

2014 Farfan and Mendes hockey Donald steps down as South Africa bowling coach tournament concludes this week … National men’s Under-21 team face Old Fort today at GCC

THE 2014 Farfan and Mendes Men’s Hockey League tournament will conclude on Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground with one match starting at 16:30hrs.

However, today, the national men’s Under-21 team will do battle with Old Fort at the GCC ground beginning at 16:30hrs - a penultimate fixture.

On Friday, the national men’s Under-21 squad will be in action once again in the final fixture of the League and they will come

up against GCC at the same venue beginning at 16:30hrs also.

But according to president of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes, GCC have already won the league based on the number of points they have accumulated.

Fernandes pointed out that the Board was forced to culminate the 2015 season this year because it was severely affected by rain last year, hence the conclusion in 2015.

The former national player said that almost immediately after the conclusion of the Farfan and Mendes men’s League, the GHB will start the annual John Fernandes Insurance Service Limited’s Second Division tournament as well as a new Woodpecker Products’ Women’s League.

These two tournaments will be contested mainly at the St Stanislaus College facility, Carifesta Avenue, while some matches might be played at other venues, Fernandes stated.

Allan Donald ALLAN Donald has stepped down as South Africa bowling coach after four successful years in the role.

The South African, a formidable fast bowler in his playing days, took over in June 2011 and helped the team become the top-ranked Test nation in 2012.

“I was blessed to have worked with the best bowling attack in the world over a four-year period and leave with fond memories and experiences,” said Donald.

He took 330 wickets in 72 Tests at an

average of 22.25.

“It’s never easy to lose a legend from your ranks but we respect Allan’s decision in the knowledge that we will seek his involvement in our cricket programmes in the future,” said Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

South Africa’s Dale Steyn is currently the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, with Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel at seven and 11 respectively.

Steyn, Morkel and spinner Imran Tahir are all in the one-day international top 10.

South Africa reached the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup in March.

“I have had some time to reflect after the World Cup and have come to the conclusion that the time is right to move on,” added Donald.

“The last four years have been the best of my life and being involved with the Proteas in the 2015 Cricket World Cup was a goal I had set my sights on.”

Cricket South Africa said it would appoint a replacement in due course, with a Test and limited-overs tour of Bangladesh scheduled in July. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Serene Smith guides Royals to third straight win A PERFECTLY-paced unbeaten 79 from Steven Smith anchored a chase of 165 and steered Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.

It was Royals’ third win in three games and Mumbai’s third loss in three. Once again, Mumbai’s top order failed, and even though Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard gave their innings an explosive finish, their sluggish start proved the difference between the two sides.

Scores: Rajasthan Royals 165 for 3 (Smith 79*, Rahane 46) beat Mumbai Indians 164 for 5 (Pollard 70, Anderson 50) by seven wickets.

Royals kept wickets in hand through their chase, and built momentum steadily, with a 64-run second-wicket stand between Ajinkya Rahane and Smith laying the foundation for the final charge.

When Rahane was dismissed, Royals needed 73 from 41 balls, with eight wickets in hand.

Deepak Hooda, promoted

to number four, provided some of the impetus, lofting Shreyas Gopal for two massive sixes in one over, before Lasith Malinga took out his leg stump after spotting him walking too far across his stumps. This left them with 52 to get from 31.

At the fall of Hooda’s wicket, Smith was on 35 off 31, and had struck two fours and no sixes. The change of gears was swift, and it happened in the 17th over. Malinga speared his first two balls into the block-hole. The first one was straight and Smith walked across to clip him over midwicket.

The next one was a bit wider to compensate. Smith opened the face of his bat and steered him past backward point.

Fifteen came off that over and Royals were left needing 24 from 18 balls; they got home with five balls remaining.

Having chosen to bat, Mumbai were going well enough - 24 for 0 in the middle of the fourth over -

when Aaron Finch, stretching for the final stride of a quick single, pulled up with what looked like a hamstring strain.

That stalled the momentum the openers had gathered; only four runs came off that over, and

When Rohit Sharma nicked a Stuart Binny outswinger to slip in the seventh over, Mumbai were 31 for 2 effectively 31 for 3 - and their run-rate had dipped below six an over.

By the 10-over mark they had lost Chand and were 45

Steven Smit Parthiv Patel, coming back on strike after Unmukt Chand managed only one run off the first three balls of the next over, miscued a Dhawal Kulkarni slower ball straight to mid-off.

for 3. Only one run came off the 11th over, bowled

by Chris Morris, who kept cramping the left-handed Anderson for room, jagging the ball into him off the pitch and extracting awkward

bounce on a couple of occasions to rap him on the handle and the gloves.

With some balls skidding through and others stopping on the batsmen, runs were looking extremely hard to get. But Anderson and Pollard stayed alert for the slower balls, ensured they maintained stable bases, and began finding the big hits. Both picked up sixes off James Faulkner in the 14th over, and the run-rate climbed back above five an over.

The recovery seemed to have ended when Anderson mishit another Kulkarni slower ball straight to longoff in the 15th over, but replays showed the bowler had overstepped, just about.

It was just the sort of luck Mumbai needed after injury to Finch, and they made full use of it. They were 83 for 3 after 15 overs; over the next five overs they came within two runs of doubling their score.

Tim Southee, bowling

primarily length or just short of it, took the bulk of the punishment - his last two overs went for 36, with Pollard and Anderson hitting him for four fours and three sixes - but no one went unscathed. James Faulkner went for 17 in the 17th over, and Chris Morris, till then the pick of Royals’ seamers, went for 15 in the final over.

Anderson kept his plans simple, clear his front leg and swing freely to hit down the ground and over the leg side.

Pollard dealt in his trademark one-handed clubs and flat-bat swats down the ground, but also pulled off a couple of stunning flicked sixes.

Given the fact that the bowlers were generally looking to go full, and given both batsmen’s power in the V, it was a little strange to see mid-off in the circle and fine leg back on the rope on a couple of occasions.

By the end, though, Smith’s batting would ensure his tactics became a distant memory. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Oblak saves Atletico from dominant holders Real

By Iain Rogers MADRID, Spain (Reuters) Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a heroic performance to repel holders Real Madrid and help secure a 0-0 draw in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg at the Calderon yesterday.

Slovenian Oblak made a string of memorable saves against the team that beat Atletico in last season’s final to keep the Spanish champions’ hopes of reaching the last four alive ahead of next week’s return

game at the Bernabeu.

Atletico have had the upper hand over their wealthy neighbours in six derby meetings already this term but Real dominated for long periods in yesterday’s clash and will be furious not to have come away with at least one away goal.

Gareth Bale had probably their best chance as early as the third minute when he ran clear through the centre after a mistake from Diego Godin but Oblak raced out and blocked the Welshman’s shot.

“I am really pleased like the rest of the team because

today we worked a lot and it was a really hard match but we are still alive,” Oblak said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster RTVE. “Of course you always want to score and win but it’s also important that we didn’t concede at home,” he added.

“I don’t know who the favourites are now. Madrid are a great team with a lot of great players.”

Real forced Atletico onto the back foot from the start in the 260th meeting between the city rivals and, after twice denying Bale, Oblak pulled off further saves from

Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

Atletico’s only real chance of the first half fell to Antoine Griezmann but the Frenchman’s weak shot was easy for Iker Casillas in the Real goal.

With their fans roaring them on, Atletico saw more of the ball in the second period but Real, chasing a record-extending 11th European crown, again had the clearer chances and the home side were forced into some desperate defence.

However, they managed to mount a couple of dangerous attacks late on

Pastore is the best player in the world, says Cantona

SHANGHAI, China (Reuters) - Paris Saint Germain’s Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore is the best player in the world, according to former France and Manchester United striker Eric Cantona.

While many pundits argue the merits of current Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo or four-time winner Lionel Messi, Cantona believes Pastore’s creativity is at a different level.

“Today the best player in the world, the most exciting player in the world,

is Pastore from Paris Saint Germain,” the 48-year-old Cantona told a news conference at the Laureus Awards yesterday.

“Why? Because I watched two games just to see Pastore playing, giving passes. He’s got something special,” Cantona said.

Pastore, 25, left Italian club Palermo for PSG in a deal worth £37M in 2011 and has made 174 appearances for the French champions, scoring 32 goals.

“Football is interaction, that is why

football is so popular I think and Pastore can do things that others don’t know,” Cantona said.

“He does things that surprise you every time. Not only on scoring goals, spectacular goals all the time, just passing, passing.

“He’s a very creative player, he’s the most creative player in the world today, that’s why I think he’s the best player in the world because he’s this kind of player, I love this kind of player.”

and Casillas had to be alert to keep out a Mario Suarez effort after a scramble in the goalmouth.

Atletico’s Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic was in the thick of the action and suffered a head wound after he was caught by a

flailing Sergio Ramos arm shortly after halftime but was able to play on after treatment.

Atletico midfielder Suarez and Real defender Marcelo were both booked and will be suspended for the return leg on April 22.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 15, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Karl Nunes (Lord’s, 1928) (2)Chennai Super Kings & Rajasthan Royals Today’s Quiz: (1) Who captained the WI to their first ever Test victory against England?

(2) Who was declared Man- of- the- Match in the first ever IPL game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 15, 2015

Second-round Under-19 wins for Berbice and Essequibo

By Calvin Roberts BERBICE needed 12 minutes to wrap up Demerara’s tail at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday morning, to complete a massive 216-run victory when the two sides met in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board/ Raj Singh Under-19 Inter-county three-day tournament.

Resuming the day on 71 for 8 and needing another 227 more runs for victory with just an injured Malcolm Hubbard waiting to bat, Demerara batsmen folded meekly to the bowling of Grisean Grant who took 4 for 33 and Balchand Baldeo who supported with 3 for 20, as they were bowled out

Congrats Hetty! Man-of-the-match and Berbice skipper Shimron Hetmyer is all smiles as he accepts his spoils from Match Referee Reon King. for 81.

In fact, the team from the Ancient County had made their work easier the

previous day, when they rocked the home team’s batting late in the day and needed just 2.3 overs to

May Day Cup 2015 secures first sponsorship THE organising committee of May Day Cup 2015, a mega fundraiser for the PPP/C, received an early boost after securing their first sponsor, Mr Mohamed M. Latif popularly known as Azaad, businessman of Line Path, Upper Corentyne, Berbice.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Latif presented the cheque to Dennis Deroop, s member of the organising committee. The sponsor said that he is pleased to be part of such a mega event and had no hesitation when he was approached for his assistance.

He added that he is fully supportive of the work of the PPP/C in government and encourages the general public to support this party in the upcoming elections.

Deroop mentioned that this party is the only one that takes care of the needs of all in this beautiful country of ours despite of race, creed, gender or age.

Deroop thanked Latif for coming on board so willingly and assured him that he will get his money’s worth; for the tournament will be well run and all funds will be accounted for.

He added that although the event is to raise funds for the ruling party, it will also provide entertainment for the entire family.

The day will start with

Sponsor Mohamed M. Latif hands over the sponsorshio cheque to Dennis Deroop, member of the organising committee. four exciting teams from Berbice namely West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne/RHTY&SC competing for bragging rights.

The matches will be 15-oversa-side with two semifinals and a grand final with the winners taking home a trophy and $100 000, the runners-up $50 000 and the two losing semifinalists $25 000 each.

The man-of-the-match will also receive a trophy and $10 000 cash. The big game under floodlights will see arch rivals Berbice clash with Demerara in a T20 game with the winning team collecting a trophy and $200 000, man-of-the-match a trophy and $20 000 and the loser $100 000.

Several top national and international players will be

on show as the organisers are negotiating to get a few guest players from Trinidad and Tobago. Several gate prizes for the fans will be up for grabs and games for the young and the old will be there. The organisers are in process of securing sponsorship for the 6 teams participating in the cricket matches.

Following the cricket, Shakti’s Strings will provide life entertainment for the entire family in a big afterparty lime. Crown Vibes International will provide the music.

This mega event will be held at the historic Albion Sports Complex on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 10:00hrs and is expected to be an annual fundraiser. Tickets will be $1 000, with kids Under-12 free.

complete their second win in this year’s tournament, following their 10-wicket first-round victory over the

National Under-17 lineup in the previous round.

At the Demerara Cricket Club ground, the National Under-17 who started the day on 7 for 2 (and not 17 for 2 as was incorrectly stated in yesterday’s edition of Chronicle Sport) in search of 256 to record a comefrom-behind victory, reached 117 for 5 at lunch, before they were bowled out for 147.

Skipper Ronaldo AliMohammed topscored with 43 (82 balls, 5x4, 1x6), Timothy McAlmont made 33 (4x4), the two adding 67 for the sixth wicket before McAlmont was caught by Travis Drakes off Keanu Harry (3 for 22) at 137 for 6.

Harry also removed Ali-Mohammed in his next

over, when the right-handed batsman was caught at the wicket by Nathan Persaud at 138 for 7, and the National Under-19s never recovered as they were dismissed in full by 13:46hrs.

Earlier, former national Under-15 batsman Bhaskar Yadram made 25 (4x4) for the Under-17s but it was in vain as Essequibo skipper Kemo Paul and Looknauth Chinkoo took two wickets each for 18 and 48 runs to support Harry, while Paul was named man-of-thematch for his exploits with the bat.

The third and final round will be contested from tomorrow, with points leader Berbice facing Essequibo at Enmore while Demerara and the Under-17 will do battle at Everest.

CFU Club Championship kicks off in T&T today KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Fifteen clubs from the region will start the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship which kicks off here today.

The clubs, two from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Haiti, and one from Antigua and Barbuda, United States Virgin Islands and Bahamas, will compete in four preliminary-round groups to be contested from April 15 to April 20.

They include Jamaica’s Waterhouse FC which debuted in the tournament last year before being eliminated.

Waterhouse FC will start their campaign against Antigua & Barbuda’s SAP FC on the opening day at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

“Last year, for the CFU Club Championship, we went into the tournament very focused, well prepared with an intention to do well. What aided us was that most clubs in the region apparently did not know much about us in terms of competing effectively at that level. So we went in as the underdogs,” Club captain and national goalkeeper Richard McCallum said.

“This year, we are going in just as focused,

but the level of (financial) support we had last year is missing this year. Nonetheless, our intention is to do just as good as we did last year, and hopefully we can take it much further.”

The group winners will advance to the final phase scheduled for May 20-25 in a straight knockout format.

The top three teams at the CFU Club Championship will secure berths to the CONCACAF Champions League.

Group One Alpha United FC (Guyana), Central FC (Trinidad & Tobago), Inter Moengotapoe (Suriname).

Group Two DirecTV W Connection FC (Trinidad & Tobago), SAP FC (Antigua), Guyana Defence Force (Guyana), Waterhouse FC (Jamaica).

Group Three - America FC (Haiti), Montego Bay United FC (Jamaica), SV Excelsior (Suriname), Club Sportif (Guadeloupe).

Group Four -- Don Bosco FC de Petion Ville (Haiti), Helenites Sporting Club (US Virgin Islands), Unite Sainte Rose (Guadeloupe), Lyford Cay FC (Bahamas).

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Second-round Under-19 wins for Berbice and Essequibo See story on page 35

Dover eyeing positive result against Surinamese rivals ... Alpha, Inter Moengotapoe clash in CFU opener today IN THE region, the best teams under the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) umbrella will kick off their 2015 Club Championship campaign today and here in Guyana, the country’s number one side Alpha ‘the Hammer’ United will face off with arch rivals Inter Moengotapoe.

The game today at the Guyana National Stadium which kicks off at 16:00hrs, will be the first meeting between the South American-based clubs in close to three years with Inter Moengotapoe holding an unbeaten record.

At a press conference yesterday, Alpha United head coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover pointed out that, having strengthened their squad following their loss to Bakewell Slingerz in the Kashif and Shanghai final, Alpha have the ability to bring a positive result.

A chance to feature once again in the CONCACAF Champions League is on the horizon but Dover’s vision currently lies only getting out of the group that also features Trinidad and Tobago Pro-League club Central FC; his April 19 opponents.

Asked if any “scouting” was done, Dover said “no” but his staff will use the “early movements of the team” and added that his side is also tactically as much as physically prepared for today’s game.

Meanwhile, Inter Moengotapoe’s Communication Officer Humphrey Dundas, sitting in for the club’s head coach expressed similar views as Dover; that is to finish atop of the Group.

Turn to page 31

Alpha United president Odinga Lumumba (3rd from left) with head coach Wayne Dover, captain Gregory Richardson and Inter Moengotapoe skipper, along with Communication Officer Humphrey Dundas, at yesterday’s Press Conference.

Windies hold firm after early slump

Pacer Kemar Roach joy on the second day of the first Test as he dismissed England batsman Jos Buttler . Roach was West Indies best bowler with four for 94. (Photo by WICB Media/ Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

(REUTERS) - West Indies trailed England by 244 runs at the close of the second day of the first Test in Antigua yesterday after Shivnarine Chanderpaul applied the brakes to any potential batting slumps.

England will feel in control of the Test but new West Indies coach Phil Simmons will also be encouraged by the way his team avoided the kind of middle order slump that has hampered them in recent years.

England were bowled out for 399 just before lunch then made good inroads to reduce the Caribbean side to 99 for four.

But the 40-year-old Chanderpaul (29 not out), supported by Jermaine Blackwood (30 not out), produced a characteristically disciplined innings to take West Indies to 155 for four at the close.

England’s James Anderson, in his 100th Test, claimed the early wicket of Devon Smith for 11, the lefthander edging to Jos Buttler.

Buttler then pocketed another catch to remove Darren Bravo (10), as he edged trying to let go a delivery from Chris Jordan, leaving West Indies at 42 for two.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels steadied West Indies to 84 for two at tea but frustratingly for skipper Denesh Ramdin, neither batsman was able to capitalise.

A leg-cutter from Stuart Broad lured Samuels (33) into an edge to Buttler and then Brathwaite (39) was brilliantly caught by Chris Jordan at slip from off-spinner James Tredwell before Chanderpaul and Blackwood took them to stumps.

The hosts had earlier mopped up the England tail, claiming the last five

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wickets for 42 runs.

Jerome Taylor started off with the early wicket of Ben Stokes who was caught by Jason Holder at gully for 79.

Holder then removed nightwatchman Tredwell, who edged an attempted drive to Darren Bravo at first slip.

Seamer Kemar Roach removed Buttler for a duck after his edge off a full-length delivery was snaffled up by wicketkeeper Ramdin, then Broad found Jermaine Blackwood at point from another full delivery to leave England 361 for nine.

The last-wicket pair of Chris Jordan (21 not out) and James Anderson (20) added 38, the third biggest partnership in the England innings, before Anderson mistimed a shot from Marlon Samuels’ off-spin to Holder at short cover.

Roach finished with four for 94.

Turn to page 31 WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2015