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GUYANA

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

No. 104198 SATURDAY MAY 23, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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Ramjattan is Vice President, Minister of Public Security INCLUDING VAT

…as Head of State Granger swears in nine more Cabinet Ministers Page

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President David Granger flanked by Prime Minister Moses Nagamotoo and Vice Preisdent Khemraj Ramjattan, with other Ministers sworn in yesterday

Imposition of ‘de facto’ gov’t to be internationalised Page

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Baishanlin plugs $1M into clean-up efforts Page

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…to adopt section of D’Urban Park

Tourism sector now in hands 10 of experienced professional

Page

– GTA Head

Cathy Hughes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Ramjattan is Vice President, Minister of Public Security

…as Head of State Granger swears in nine more Cabinet Ministers

By Gary Eleazar PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday administered the Oath of Office to nine more persons to serve in Government and sit in the Executive Cabinet Council of Ministers.

President Granger administered the Oath during a swearing-in ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency (formerly named Officer of the President).

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Alliance For Change ( A F C ) L e a d e r, A t t o r ney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan, was sworn in as Guyana’s Second Vice President and Minister of Public Security.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has already been appointed as Guyana’s First Vice President, under the current administration.

President Granger also witnessed the oath and presented instruments to Noel Holder, who was sworn in as the Substantive Minister of

See Centre

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Imposition of ‘de facto’ gov’t to be internationalised – Ramotar

Representatives of the PPP/C leadership and candidates that were fielded at the 2015 General and Regional elections at yesterday’s press conference (Adrian Narine photo)

SOME 30 regional and international agencies will be approached by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) with detailed dossiers evidencing what the party maintains were rigged elections that produced a “de facto” government.

This was according to the PPP/C leader and presidential candidate at the 2015 elections, Mr Donald Ramotar, at a news conference held yesterday at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown. Also present were several former government ministers, party members and PPP/C candidates fielded at the elections.

He noted that the Regional and international authorities will be informed of the PPP/C’s position, which details its concerns about the results declared last Saturday, supported by evidence.

He stressed that the government of the day does not reflect the will of the Guyanese people, considering the myriad of irregularities in the electoral process.

These include: the discovery of falsified Statements of Poll (SoP); the refusal of GECOM to have public vetting of polling day staffers, many of whom were discovered to be activists of the political Opposition; misdirection by some GECOM staffers who had advised voters; incidents of multiple voting; incidents when per-

sons turned up at polling stations and were told they had voted already; damaged stamps that saw some ballots not being properly stamped; the fact that persons without identification cards were allowed to vote, even though their images did not match those in the files of GECOM staff; and the denial of proxy holders to use their proxies, among others.

On these bases, recounts were requested before and after the official declarations were made, but these were rejected.

Also not yet granted was the PPP/C request for the SoPs, Tally Sheets and a breakdown of results of each Polling Division or ballot boxes.

Recounts as well as the release of the SoPs, Tally Sheets and a breakdown

of results of each Polling Division or ballot boxes are still being demanded by the PPP/C. The delay in the latter request, according to Mr Ramotar, is worrying, given the possibility for “further manipulations.”

However, he insisted that the PPP/C will continue its struggle to ensure that the voice and votes of the Guyanese people who supported the party will be heard and counted.

The PPP/C leader added that once the votes are recounted, it will show that his party won the 2015 General and Regional elections by a majority.

A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) scored a close victory in the General and Regional Elections with

207,200 votes, while the PPP/C secured the support of 202,694 Guyanese who cast their votes in support of the party.

Former president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo echoed similar sentiments and stated that GECOM has been the “sole source” of the problem at hand.

He said, “They [the Regional and international community] must know they have a government today that is formed not on the basis of the free expression of the will of the people of this country, but that they have been cheated. “…we plan to internationalise this issue, to go to every corner of the world so that everywhere a Government official shows up from this country, people would know that this

Government official does not represent the will of the people of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, underscored the fact that the party stands united and committed to the cause and to working together as a “solid block” to advance

its protestations regarding its objections to the final results of the 2015 General and Regional elections.

Vi g i l a n c e , i n a d dition to commitment and unity, was another watchword touted by the PPP/C leadership in looking forward. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Suicide bomber kills 21 at Saudi Shi’ite mosque, Islamic State claims attack A suide bomber killed 21 worshippers on Friday in a packed Shi’ite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia, residents and the health minister said, the first attack in the kingdom to be claimed by Islamic State militants.

It was one of the deadliest assaults in recent years in the largest Gulf Arab country, where sectarian tensions have been frayed by nearly two months of Saudi-led air strikes on Shi’ite Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

More than 150 people were praying when the huge explosion ripped through the Imam Ali mosque in the village of Family members of victims and well wishers are seen after a suicide al-Qadeeh, witnesses said.

A video posted online bomb attack at the Imam Ali mosque in the village of al-Qadeeh in showed a hall filled with smoke the eastern province of Gatif, Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2015.

and dust, with bloodied people moaning with pain as they lay on the floor littered with concrete and glass. More than 90 people were wounded, the Saudi health minister told state television.

“We were doing the first part of the prayers when we heard the blast,” worshipper Kamal Jaafar Hassan told Reuters by phone from the scene.

Islamic State said in a statement that one of its suicide bombers, identified as Abu ‘Ammar al-Najdi, carried out the attack using an explosives-laden belt that killed or wounded 250 people, U.S.based monitoring group SITE said on its Twitter account.

It said it would not rest until Shi’ites, which the group views as heretics, were driven

from the Arabian peninsula.

Saudi officials have said the group is trying hard to attack the kingdom, which as the world’s top oil exporter, birthplace of Islam and champion of conservative Sunni doctrine, represents an important ally for Western countries battling Islamic State and a symbolic target for the militant group itself.

In November the Sunni group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called for attacks against the Sunni rulers of Saudi Arabia, which has declared Islamic State a terrorist organisation, joined international air strikes against it, and mobilised top clergy to denounce it.

Irish vote on gay marriage in landmark referendum (Reuters) IRELAND voted on Friday on whether to allow gay marriage, just two decades after decrimi-

nalising homosexuality, with reports of a high turnout likely to favor the ‘Yes’ side.

With the once mighty

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Dublin, which would be the highest in a referendum for years. Turnout in many polling stations was as high at 5 p.m. as it was at 10 p.m. in the last referendum, RTE reported.

“It’s quite amazing. I’d say at this stage the turnout would be about 50 percent more than the last referendum,” James Barry, returning officer for

Catholic Church’s influence ravaged by child abuse scandals, opinion polls indicated the proposal would pass by as much as two-to-one, making Ireland the first country to adopt same-sex marriage via a popular vote.

Irish national broadcaster RTE estimated turnout was likely to reach 60 percent in

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Dublin, told Newstalk radio, referring to the 39 percent who voted in an unsuccessful bid to abolish the upper house of parliament in 2013.

The result may depend on whether younger voters, tens of thousands of whom registered as the campaign gathered momentum, turn out to cast their ballots.

The result, which will be declared on Saturday, may also reveal an urban/rural split. When voters legalized divorce by a razor thin majority in 1995, only five of the 30 constituencies outside Dublin backed the proposal.

International interest made the hashtag #VoteYes the top trending issue on Twitter and thousands of Irish expatriates made the trip home from Britain and as far afield as New York and Sydney to vote, groups encouraging the ‘Yes’ vote, using the hashtag #hometovote, said.

“I’ve been genuinely overwhelmed by the scale and the scope of the hometo-

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vote movement,” said Joey Kavanagh of the Get The Boat 2 Vote group, as he and about 50 others made the eight-hour journey by train and ferry from London to Dublin.

“It’s a very festive, celebratory atmosphere. At the moment we’re hanging up posters in the lounge and stringing up balloons. People are just very eager to get back.”

Gay marriage is backed by all political parties, championed by big employers and endorsed by celebrities, all hoping it will mark a transformation in a country that was long regarded as one of the most socially conservative in Western Europe.

The Catholic Church, whose doctrine teaches that homosexuality is a sin, has mainly limited its ‘No’ campaigning to sermons to its remaining flock, a marked contrast with active public opposition to similar moves in France and elsewhere.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Farc suspends truce after Colombia mudslide: Thousands attend mass funeral Colombia army attack (BBC News) A MASS funeral has taken place in the Colombian town of Salgar for victims of a devastating mudslide on Monday.

Burials were held for 33 of the 84 people whose bodies have been recovered.

Several local people are still missing.

Thousands of people gathered in the square outside the town’s main church to pay their respects in front of a long row of coffins.

Rescue workers are still searching the local river for victims.

One resident of Salgar particularly hard hit is the city’s cemetery worker who has prepared 15 graves for members of his own family - mostly cousins who died in the flood.

A spokesman for the national emergency authorities

Between 20 and 25 local people are still missing river. said he expected to end the Most of the residents were search for victims on Thurs- asleep when the landslide hit day or Friday. at 03:00 local time (08:00 He said between 20 and GMT) on Monday.

25 local people caught in the The landslide was trigflood had not been accounted gered by heavy rains that for. sent torrents of water and Locals and firefighters mud crashing into the La have been searching a 40km- Liboriana ravine, causing long (25 mile) stretch of land an overflow that destroyed on the banks of the Liboriana the neighbourhood below.

(BBC News) COLOMBIA’S Farc leftist rebel group has suspended a unilateral ceasefire after 26 of its fighters were killed in a government air and ground offensive.

The ceasefire had been in place since December 2014.

President Juan Manuel Santos called on the rebels to “speed up” negotiations taking place in Havana, Cuba.

The two sides have been in on-off negotiations since 2012 in an attempt to end more than half a century of conflict.

Thursday’s attack - in the country’s south-western Cauca region - was the deadliest since the resumption of air strikes against the rebels last month.

The guerrilla group said in a statement that the ceasefire suspension was the re-

sult of “five months of land and air offensives against our structures all over the country”.

“We deplore the joint attack by the air force, the army and the police,” said the statement.

“We feel pain for the deaths of guerrilla fighters as well as soldiers, sons of a same people and from poor families”.

But the group said they were willing to continue with the latest round of peace talks in Havana.

“Against our will we will proceed with the [peace] talks in the middle of a confrontation,” they said.

They also reiterated their demand for Mr Santos to agree a bilateral ceasefire.

Mr Santos, who restarted air strikes against the rebels last month after 11 soldiers were killed in an ambush,

addressed the rebels via his Twitter account.

He wrote: “Gentlemen of the Farc: now is the time to speed up the negotiations. How many more deaths do we need to understand that we have arrived at the time for peace!” he wrote.

Thursday’s military action comprised an air strike and ground assault against the rebel group in Guapi, Cauca, said officials.

The operation’s aim was the capture of a rebel known by the alias “Javier”, and two rebels were captured along with those killed, defence ministry officials told the Efe news agency.

At the previous round of peace talks, the Farc called for the dismantling of right-wing paramilitary groups fighting against the rebels.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Guyana Editorial

Pardoning a murderer

GUYANA was rocked to its core in 1994 by the kidnapping, brutal torture and murder of 8-year-old Vishnu Bhim, the only child of his parents, Heeralall and Chaimwattie, who resided then at Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara, but who are currently domiciled in the USA. When the nation was apprised of the arrest of the perpetrator, Ravendra Deo, on December 1, 1994 on America Street as he was enjoying a spending spree with the one million dollars ($1M) he had demanded from the parents for the child’s safe return there was a collective sigh of relief.

The Bhims were given a semblance of closure when the murderer of their innocent little boy was given the death penalty by the courts. Even when this sentence was commuted to a life sentence there was still some solace for them that he would never again enjoy the life that he had deprived their baby of.

One can only imagine the shock and grief – the re-opened wounds of the Bhims to have been told that Deo was now a free man, having been granted a pardon by former President Donald Ramotar.

Deo was 19 years old when he committed the heinous act that robbed Vishnu Bhim of his life and the Bhims of their only child and future prospects of ever becoming grandparents.

Today he is 39 years old – a relatively young man, free to enjoy his life, marry and have children. Most likely his parents have other children. Even in jail his family would have been able to visit him, talk to him, take his favourite food for him; so even locked

away from the public he still had a life.

On the other hand, Vishnu Bhim’s mother would never again experience the great joy a mother feels in preparing her child’s favourite food, she would never be able to hold a grandchild in her arms, and the only visits they could make with their child is in their memories; and those memories would be very bitter, because they would be overshadowed by the recollection of their beloved child lying battered and lifeless, all because of the greed and absolutely inhuman actions of the depraved Deo. A release published in yesterday’s edition of this newspaper stated, inter alia: “The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has expressed disappointment with the decision of former President Donald Ramotar to pardon Ravindra Deo who was convicted for murdering eight-year-old Vishnu Bhim.

The Sabha in a statement said in Guyana, violence against children is still prevalent and “too often we read in the media about unspeakable acts being committed against our innocent little ones.”

The Sabha believes that the pardoning and subsequent release of a child-killer sends the wrong signal to those who have committed or are inclined to commit such acts.

“Indeed, the Sabha is of the firm view that the most severe punishments should be meted out to those who inflict harm on children,” the statement said.

It also noted that the Sabha remains committed to working towards the eradication of violence against children and,

at present, provides a safe haven for child victims through the Bal Nivas, its shelter for children at Ankerville, Berbice, Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The Bal Nivas was opened on May 5, 2014. Since then, the Sabha has been collaborating with the Child Protection Agency to have children placed in the shelter, schooled and later, where appropriate, re-integrated into their families.

Only recently, the Guyana Coalition for Children in a release said it is saddened and appalled to learn of Ramotar’s pardoning of Ravendra Deo. “Ravindra Deo already had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Today, he is free to live how he wishes. On the other hand, innocent eight-year-old Vishnu is dead; his parents and family will never see his potential realised, and our society has been robbed of his contribution.

“Too many adults in our society have contributed to the abuse of children and/or stood by silently while children are abused and violated, most often by someone they know and love. The Guyana Coalition for Children reiterates that all forms of child abuse can be prevented. The abuse of children must not be tolerated, and abusers of children must receive the full penalties the law attaches to this heinous crime,” the release said.

The Guyana Coalition for Children is calling on the new government to place children’s issues at the heart of developing Guyana and to address this injustice without any delay.

Several other organisations and individuals have also condemned the decision of the former president.”

Article 188 1 (A) of the Constitution vests a President with the power to grant any person concerned in or convicted of any offence under the law of Guyana a pardon either free or subject to lawful condition.

The former President must have taken many things into consideration when he made the fateful decision, not least being the consideration through the heart of a father that one life was already forfeit and Deo had served two decades in prison and that he was very youthful when he committed the unspeakable act that deprived Vishnu Bhim of his life and the Bhims of their only child.

But in pardoning Deo he had forgotten the suffering and murder of Vishnu, who did not deserve to die in the horrible way he did; and the grievous loss of his parents, who would never experience the fructification of their dreams for their beloved only child.

This one act of his, most likely under advisement, has ‘tainted’ a hitherto illustrious political career by Guyana’s former Head-of-State.

Most parents are appalled at this last-minute decision of his to set free a child murderer, and the condemnation of this act comes even from deep within PPP/C enclaves – the Dharmic Sabha being one organisation that has publicly denounced the presidential pardon of Ravendra Deo – child murderer.

Where were they when what happened in St Kitts-Nevis took place in Guyana?

I AM writing on behalf of the youths and the Kittitians and Nevisians who have similar questions. What happened in Guyana after the elections? Where were the results?

Is this going to be a trend that the Caribbean will be following? No results until days after the elections. We must become more cooperative and responsible. We must not jeopardise people’s right to know. The world is watching us; the youth are still looking up to those who are older.

Now, let’s go back to February, when the same thing happened in St Kitts and Nevis. We had leaders from other Caribbean islands jumping on the internet calling for a swift reading of the results, as they were

“concerned that the region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections will be under threat as long as this issue in St Kitts and Nevis remains unresolved.”

I understand that we had our wrongs and we take full responsibility for what happened.

I am sure that the new Government is now working assiduously to right the wrongs.

Many have been saying that this should not have happened because St Kitts and Nevis only has approximately 30,000 registered voters. The size doesn’t really matter, not when we have people contesting to run a country.

We are all human beings and things happen.

The Caribbean electoral systems need to be looked at and fixed immediately. They are

failing the democratic nature of the region.

Okay, back to the recently concluded elections in Guyana. I want to say congratulations to the new President and his supporters, the people have spoken. You are now in charge of Guyana’s biggest business, all the best.

I must say that the silence from the other Caribbean leaders on the late announcement of the results was very appalling. When little St Kitts-Nevis had this same issue, a number of them were quick to make calls for the announcement.

So, to all of the leaders who quickly opened their mouths on the St Kitts-Nevis elections, were you sleeping when the Guyana elections took place? Did you not ‘hear’ of

similar cries from the people of Guyana? Did the size of Guyana and the number of voters prevent you from speaking? Are you siding with the argument that ‘Guyana is not a part of the Caribbean, but South America’, or you were just patiently waiting like the rest of us?

Maybe you all did address the situation and I stand to be corrected; and if that is the case, please lead me to them. I await responses. Maybe the population of Guyana made it understandable for the results to be read almost three days after, as it is so huge.

If you are going to speak to one, you must speak to all.

DONYA L. FRANCIS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

4,091 units of blood donated to the National Blood Bank

SARASWATI Vidya Niketan (SVN), in collaboration with SEWA-Guyana and the Cornelia Ida Mandir, quietly conducted its 9th annual blood donation drive on 2nd and 3rd May last. It was yet another record-breaking voluntary venture, yielding 570 units of blood, though we fell short of our target of 600 units.

Our previous high was 551 units. It is regrettable that year after year such a feat goes virtually unnoticed in Guyana.

Our project started in May 2007 with a modest contribution of 76 units which we were told was a record for Guyana.

In 2008, when we set a target of 170 to mark the 170th anniversary of Indian Immigration, we raised 176 units. Since then, the contribution has risen almost exponentially, and the response was so overwhelming that, starting in 2013, we decided to have the drive twice a year, the second time to coincide with Divali, and as a result, the total for the year was 1,059 units.

This, we were told, was about 10% of all voluntary blood donations in Guyana. From 2007 to our most recent blood drive, we have contributed a staggering 4,091 units of blood to the National Blood Bank.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the Blood Bank for their diligent work that lasted without break for about 12 hours each day. We are also grateful for the massive support we have received from donors. People came from as far as Wales and Canals I and II on the West Bank to Parika Backdam, Leguan and Wakenaam. They came without any material incentive and at their own expense.

We are also happy to report that along with members of the Cummings Lodge Mandir, the entire Dhanaciar Singh family of the same community supported the drive.

But the most important support came from the students and teachers of SVN. Most of the teaching staff showed up on both days to help with a variety of chores, and in the days com-

Get your own expert advice on the oil

I WOULD caution President David Granger to seek independent advice on the recent discovery of oil offshore Guyana, before signing contracts or committing resources.

It is better to be fully informed from

an expert and neutral third party on these matters before any undertaking.

Good luck, Mr President, and congratulations on the oil discovery.

BERKELEY VAN BOWEN

Willing to play our part in process of achieving national unity, progress and development THE Guyana Rastafari Council, on behalf of the Rastafari Community of Guyana, take this opportunity to extend congratulations to His Excellency President David A. Granger and the Honourable Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, on their recent victory at the 2015 National Elections.

This victory would not have been possible without both leaders subsuming their individual interests and egos in support of the higher ideal and aspiration of National Unity. It serves as a testimony to the kind and quality of leadership that they bring to the service of the nation.

As such, we feel that we speak for all Guyanese in saying that Guyana looks to the future with much confidence in the hope that has been cherished by generations that our full human and natural potential would one day be realised.

So, as we commence this new chapter in our nation’s history, the Rastafari council as a representative

of a faith based movement sees it fitting at this point to impart to our new leaders some advice imparted to us by our father Kedamawi Haile Selassie, that “the true leader is one who realises by faith that he is an instrument in the hands of God, and dedicates himself to be a guide and inspirer of the nobler sentiments and aspirations of the people.”

The Rastafari Council and Rastafari community of Guyana stand ready and willing to make our contribution to the process of achieving National Unity, Progress and Development.

Congratulations once again. May Kedamawi Haile Selassie bless you and keep you; and make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

RAS SIMEON President, Guyana Rastafari Council

ing up to the drive, they spent several hours each night calling up persons on our data base to remind them of the event.

In all of this, the contribution of SVN students was critical. Each student was requested to find two donors from their respective villages. Once the names were submitted, the office verified the information which was then entered into our data base. The students themselves were asked to remind the donors that they had recruited.

Because the drive required the constant supply of electricity, the school’s generator was used for more than 12 hours each day, and this added to the expense that SVN and SEWA incurred. In addition, meals were prepared for donors and volunteers. The Blood Bank supplied 20 cases of Vita Malt, with compliments of Banks, that was meant for the donors. But since this was grossly insufficient, we had to procure an additional ten cases.

Though publicity and support from the

business community are important to ensure greater success, our effort is inspired by the spirit of daana, a Sanskrit word that means giving, generosity, charity, etc. The Bhagavad Gita (17.20) speaks about three types of giving. Accordingly, that charity which is given to one from whom there is no expectation of a return, which takes into consideration the proper time and place, and which is given to a worthy recipient with the notion that “it should be done” is the purest and ideal giving.

According to this teaching, giving blood qualifies as the highest kind of giving. Those who give it do not expect gratitude from any specific individual, because they do not know who the recipient will be.

Those who receive it have no specific person to thank because they do not know the donor. It is this anonymity that makes blood donation the most ideal form of giving.

SWAMI AKSHARANANDA

PM Nagamootoo will run Gov’t media professionally I CONGRATULATE Moses Nagamootoo on his swearing in as Prime Minister and holding the portfolio of Minister of Information, a ministry he held for several years after the restoration of democracy in 1992.

He ran the Information Ministry and its affiliated agencies professionally then, and I have every confidence that it will again be managed professionally now , without political interference under his tenure.

He is a professional par excellence. He

started off well by telling his staff that they should conduct themselves professionally and not behave “political”.

He urged them to be fair in their coverage of the different political forces in the country. And I believe the staff (Editors and Assistant Editors, Management, etc.) at Chronicle, GTV, and GINA will be managed professionally.

VISHNU BISRAM

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Protected by the Constitution UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa was evasive enough in her response regarding the statements she made to Kaieteur News for me to ask for further clarifications.

However, I am going to accept her new statements as being sincere.

The issue of race and identity erupts in the press from time to time. The eruption always surrounds the issue of Indian identity. Africans can be proud Africans, as they should be. And we all encourage Amerindians to honour and even preserve their customs and traditions. Not so with Indians.

If I say that I am Indian, this statement is seen by a significant number of Guyanese citizens as being assertive and the assertiveness is further perceived as an infringement on every other group’s identity. I am then abused as a racist and supremacist who is creating divisiveness and disunity.

This idea has its roots perhaps in colonial times when our European masters tried their best to colonise the Indian into Christianity and into European ways and habits. Indian beliefs, traditions, names, foods, etc, all made us pagan in their eyes.

However, Indians refused to become mimic men and women and, even as we have evolved in order to live comfortably in the West, we have maintained enough of our ancestral past to give us a definitive Indian identity.

This identity also offends self-hating Indians who are promoted by sections of our society as the politically correct Indian. To be politically correct and acceptable you must deny your Indian identity, a process that results in cultural loss on the part of the Indian.

The UN Declaration on Cultural Diversity, agreed on after 9/11, reaffirms the UN’s initial declaration on human rights and goes further. It begins with the statement: ‘The cultural wealth of the world is its diversity in dialogue’.

All of the 12 articles are beautifully written and I will share just part of the preamble: “The Universal Declaration makes it clear that each individual must acknowledge not only otherness in all its forms but also the plurality of his or her own identity, within societies that are themselves plural.”

The Guyana Constitution also protects my right as an Indian in Guyana. However, I would much prefer to live in a country where I do not have to remind my fellow citizens of my legal rights to my identity from time to time.

I would much prefer to live in a country where it is a matter of course, as for every other group, because we are all intelligent, gracious, and respectful of each other and each other’s otherness.

RYHAAN SHAH

Humility in a Leader can only strengthen his leadership MANY years ago when Mr Jagdeo took office as President of Guyana, I suggested via the print media that Mr Jagdeo go calling at the home of Mr Hoyte and ask that Mr Hoyte join him in walking across Guyana together and telling the nation that while their approaches may be different their common intent was the good of this nation.

My suggestion was premised on the example shown by Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. The two men spoke often, perhaps disagreed very often, but the nation knew (and saw) that they spoke constantly. That erased a lot of skepticism in the minds of the people.

I am an advocate of pro-active leadership and I wish hereby to ask of President Granger to drive home to Mr Ramotar for coffee one morning or join him one morning at the National Park and let the talks between these two gentlemen commence. The confines of offices make for too formal postures. That can come later.

There is nothing to lose but so much to gain. Can’t adversaries be informal or friendly notwithstanding? The welfare of over 700,000 Guyanese is involved.

TAAJNAUTH JADUNAUTH

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Advice to APNU+AFC Gov’t from a layman 1. THE new Government should start to work immediately, avoiding the temptation of losing time by being dragged into peripheral and emotive non-rational concern.

2. The Government should try to proceed along the line of continuity and business as usual.

This would imply allowing the administrative arm of Government to function as it had been and not changing any task except some Permanent Secretaries and Ministerial Secretaries. The private sector must be left absolutely alone without disturbance. The over-exuberance of supporters must be curbed, as such alienates. If such is done, governance becomes easier, more acceptable and legitimate. This is standard political theory.

3. These three projects of national importance should be proceeded with and we should not try to reinvent the wheel. The Hydro-Power Amaila would cheapen electricity, helping in achieving an industrial revolution making Guyanese products more competitive locally and overseas. The Specialty Hospital would save many lives providing facilities which are only available overseas. As important, it would allow older members of the Diaspora who would desire to return to Guyana to do so since worldclass medical services would be

available for them as in the developed countries. These people would bring their capital and their foreign pensions and as such the hospital would be a foreign exchange earner.

The Airport Modernisatiion would cause airfares to fall since there will be more airlines and more competition and it would be an earner of money since Guyana, from its situation at the top of South America, would be the stop-over hub for planes going from North to South America and vice versa, and from North America to Africa.

All three programmes would amortise themselves, that is, pay for themselves and create jobs.

4. Constitutional reforms should be an immediate priority.

Such reforms should return to the system we had and which all the Anglophone Caribbean shares. In such reforms, regional local governments should be strengthened giving the regions financial and developmental autonomy. The Central Government should have the role of supervising the regional local governments, the currency, defense, foreign affairs and the ports including the airport. The Central Government should also be responsible for the capital city of Georgetown.

5. T h e n e w G o v e r n m e n t should immediately address the

question of corruption in a quiet, constructive way. This would include cutting out bribery of officials in various government departments such as the Supreme Court registries, and immediately keeping a rein on all the ministers. The ministers should immediately be made to publicly declare their assets. Such a declaration must be done within three months. This would curb the temptation of ministers enriching themselves from public funds or taking kickbacks. This is an urgent priority.

6. There are credible reports that numbers of people on learning that APNU+AFC had succeeded to the Government, began squatting on Government and private lands and invading the Turn Key houses the Ministry of Housing had built at a cost of scores of millions of dollars.

The new Government must immediately put a stop to this attempted theft of state property and the lawlessness accompanying it. Government would then exhibit to all Guyana that it is strong and not weak, is capable of maintaining law and order and is focused on eliminating criminality.

With honest will and dedication, the new Government could achieve these impacting activities in less than six months.

R. DRAKES

Dr Luncheon is a great son and ‘giant’ of Guyana WITH stumbling steps, helpers on both sides and concern from the audience; he emerged at the microphone with a glow of optimism emanating on his face. He has undergone a dramatic change in recent times. Although, less puffy than he had appeared on television, his complexion was darker. He was breathing hard as he spoke. His voice course, eyes bleary, and his hair thinning and grayer. He looked most unhealthy.

His presentation was brief to the amusement and uproar of the crowd.

Dr. Roger Luncheon is no ordinary man. His motivation and drive was not about financial upliftment or self-aggrandizement. His credentials as a medical doctor are outstanding from one of the most revered Universities of the world. He could have been among the

wealthiest and most prestigious doctors in Guyana. Instead, he joined with the late comrade Dr

Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan to work diligently for the inhabitants of this land. Dr. Roger Luncheon is one of the greatest sons of this soil.

The treatment which was given

to this humble civil servant in WarLock and Stabroek market square was unacceptable and demands the condemnation of all Guyanese. I humbly call on the present administration to look seriously into these matters of intimidation and terrorisation being expressed to its citizenry.

Regrettably, we may never see Dr Roger Luncheon again on a political platform, but this gem will always be remembered by all of us Guyanese living in Guyana and in the diaspora.

Sir Isaac Newton said; “If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants”. Thank you Oh great son of Guyana for being our GIANT! We are happy and grateful to have been served by you. May God-Almighty bless you with his Guidance and Mercy.

NAZAR MOHAMED

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

GECOM fully prepared to defend declaration – Surujbally

By Vanessa Narine

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is fully prepared to defend itself against an Election Petition to be filed by the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) challenging the results of the 2015 General and Regional elections.

This is according to GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally,who, in an invited comment, said: “GECOM is fully prepared to defend our declaration.”

Last Saturday, the full Commission, which includes six Commissioners and Dr Surujbally, voted four-three in support of the official declaration being made. Three Commissioners objected to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield,making a final declaration in light of the many irregularities in the electoral process that were flagged by the PPP/C. Dr Surujbally declined to comment further on the matter.

Donald Ramotar

Anil Nandlall

Dr Steve Surujbally

Keith Lowenfield

Meanwhile, the PPP/C continues its work on compiling a comprehensive case to support its Election Petition.

The wrongs highlighted by the PPP/C last week include: the discovery of falsified Statements of Poll (SoP); the refusal of GECOM to have public vetting of polling day staffers, many of whom were discovered to be activists of the political Opposi-

tion; misdirection by some GECOM staffers who had “advised” voters; incidents of multiple voting; incidents of persons turning up at polling stations and were told they had voted already; damaged stamps that saw some ballots not being properly stamped; the fact that persons without identification cards were allowed to vote, even though their images did not match

those in the files of GECOM staff; and the denying proxy holders the use of their proxies, among others.

Recounts were requested before and after the official declarations were made, but these were rejected. Also denied was the PPP/C request for the SoPs, Tally Sheets and a breakdown of results of each Polling Division or ballot boxes.

Given that the election results have been officially declared, despite the fact that these concerns were raised, the PPP/C is advancing legal action to have a recount ordered by Guyana’s courts.

The former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in a prior comment on this move explained that evidence is being compiled to support

an Election Petition, which will be filed in the High Court.

“The court will order the recount, because it is my expectation that we will put enough evidence to the court to show that these elections should be vitiated, that there were material irregularities that would have materially changed the results declared,” he said.

Declining to comment on an exact number, Nandlall stressed that in the absence of the irregularities flagged by the PPP/C, the party would have won the elections by “thousands” and not have lost by a small margin of just over 4,000 votes. “We would have won the elections by several thousands. I don’t want to discuss the figure,” he said.

Until then, protest actions outside GECOM offices in coastal regions continue, with another one slated for Monday at the Commission’s main office in Kingston.

Protest action continues outside GECOM offices DEMONSTRATIONS mounted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) continued yesterday in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) outside the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Crane office.

Placards held by PPP/C supporters raised a number of concerns and called for both a recount and the resignation of the GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

The messages included: “Surujbally must resign”; “Surujbally stole our votes” ; “Recount my vote”; and “Cheated but not defeated,” among others.

The protesting band stood peacefully outside the GECOM office, while in Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), the protestors marched peacefully outside GECOM’s Returning Officer’s office in Bush Lot. On both occassions there was a notable police presence.

In addition to regional action, another protest is slated for Monday at the Commission’s main office in Kingston.

Protestors line the Crane Public road outside GECOM’s office in Region 3 Protestors led by former Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Mr Ali Baksh, protesting in front GECOM Returning Officer’s office at Bush Lot, Region 2, for a recount

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Tourism sector now in hands of experienced professional – GTA head “THE Tourism sector will now be in the hands of an experienced professional with expertise in the field,” were the words of Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, who has expressed optimism in the tourism sector moving forward.

Cathy Hughes was sworn as Minister of Tourism on Wednesday, May 20

by President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency. According to the director, the minister’s appointment comes with many years of experience in various areas of the sector, which he believes will serve the ministry well.

“She has been one of

the persons who have [sic] been very critical in lobbying for the establishment of the GTA in 2003 and we’re looking forward to working with her. We’re very optimistic that we can see [a] dramatic transformation in tourism, because she is coming with a lot of experience, she is coming with a solid partnership and private sector experience, because she has been a tourism operator herself.”

On the same note, Haralsingh noted that a number of initiatives that were started by the previous minister will continue, in their efforts to market destination Guyana.

He explained that the authority along with the

minister “will be looking at increasing airlift…improving connectivity, improving our marketing that has been a sore issue for years, so that we can eventually improve and increase arrival, increase length of stay, increase visitor expenditure in Guyana…heritage attraction, capacity-building and training, the hospitality institute,” just to name a few.

Haralsingh boasted of the potential the tourism sector has, but noted that it has to be harnessed well.

“Tourism has the greatest potential to transform Guyana…it is an export industry and it has the best possibility and it has the best of diversifying Guyana’s economy and of bring-

Baishanlin plugs $1M into clean-up efforts …to adopt section of D’Urban Park BAISHANLIN International Forest Development yesterday handed over a cheque for $1M to the coordinators of the government-led clean-up efforts which began at the Independence Arch on Sunday last.

Managing Director of Baishanlin, Chu Hongbo, handed the cheque over to Chief Coordinator Larry London in the presence of Assistant Coordinator, Bobby Vieira. Hongbo was accompanied by Eddie Wang, the company’s Forestry Development Department Director.

Speaking at the event, Hongbo said the company is pleased to be associated with the clean-up activities and looks forward to forging a long-term relationship with the Guyanese people. London thanked Baishanlin for

its contribution and reiterated the Government of Guyana’s commitment to work with all foreign investors.

In addition to the monetary contribution, Baishanlin also intends to adopt a section of the D’Urban Park area. The company agreed to begin immediate assistance in this regard with the supply of several pieces of equipment. This was welcomed by Vieira who said the long term involvement of the business community and other stakeholders will play an integral role in keeping the city and country clean.

The company’s contribution to the clean-up activities comes in the wake of several other interventions made over the months to support persons and communities, particularly those in which it operates. In November, the company

partnered with the community of Linden in support of major rehabilitation work at the McKenzie Sports Complex ground. At the time, the company purchased a number of tools for use in the initial phase of the operation. The company also has been supporting road rehabilitation work in Kwakwani by supplying a number of heavy-duty equipment and machinery. During the latter part of 2014, Baishanlin sponsored the North Rupununi Football Association, providing the entire team with uniforms.

Hongbo said Baishanlin will continue to work closely with other stakeholders while contributing to the country’s growth and development. He also reiterated the company’s commitment to fully abide with the laws of Guyana.

ing benefits all across the country…it creates a lot of employment, generates a lot of revenue and it brings a lot of foreign currency to Guyana.”

Recently after her appointment, Hughes related to reporters that one of the first things she will seek to develop is a proper marketing plan and a marketing programme for Guyana.

“I know from my personal experience that many many people come to this lovely country, they have a great time, but too many people still don’t know where we are,” Minister Hughes said.

She explained that this plan will address not only marketing Guyana as a destination, but also increasing

airlift so that tourists could fly to Guyana at an affordable price. “It still is kind of expensive for some sectors of the market place to come to Guyana,” the minister said.

She said that she also feels strongly about the Tourism and Hospitality Training School. “We have great investments, the private sector has made strong investments, but we still need to up our level of service, and it is not only in the hospitality industry, but generally in all the government offices. We want to be able to look after people well and to look after other Guyanese and tourists,” she said.

Strengthening relation-

Cathy Hughes

ships with other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states will also be a priority, especially as part of an agenda of multi-destination marketing, the new minister stated.

Another Essequibo teen attempts suicide Rajendra Prabhulall

attempting suicide. Scores of Essequibians are calling ANOTHER teenager on on the new government to the Essequibo Coast has at- address the suicide problem tempted suicide. According quickly and put urgent meato reports, the 18- year -old sures in place to stamp out young woman reportedly the free selling of pesticides drank a quantity of rat to young people . Residents poison carbon tablets in an are also calling for laws to be attempt to end her life in a enacted for the safe storage tragic manner because of of pesticides by farmers, personal problems. away from their homes.

Reports stated that she Recently, students of the was rushed to the Suddie Cotton Field Secondary and Hospital, where doctors and Anna Regina Multilateral nurses are battling to save Schools debated a topic entiher life. According to re- tled: “ Suicide is preventable ports, this is the third attempt among youths” at the Anna by the teenager to end her Regina Town council boardlife. room. Youths who debated Since the year began, the topic said the most comseveral teenagers have died mon causes of suicide among by suicide while several adolescent are family issues, others escaped death after poverty, mental illness, fam-

ily violence, sexual abuse, molestation and stress. Some of the suggested solutions to the suicide problem were: the need for a greater government effort in dealing with suicide nationally; more education opportunities should be made available to all students, especially poor students; the need for parents to be actively involved in the decision-making of their children and give them courage by talking about the thoughts and danger of suicide.

Students also called for counselling sessions to be held each week at schools to talk about the prevention of suicide. (RajendraPrabhulall in Essequibo)

Rural constable shot in attempt to apprehend thieves in G/town POLICE reported that at about 02:00 hrs yesterday, a rural constable observed a woman on L o u i s a R o w, G e o r g e town shouting for “Thief!” and running

behind two men who had a television set in their possession.

The constable attempted to apprehend the men, but sustained a gunshot wound to his

left hand as the men escaped. He has been admitted to hospital for medical treatment, but police are investigating the incident. (Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

CARDI, ITC meet coconut producers on future of the industry

Some participants at the national stakeholder consultation for regional coconut industry development

By Clifford Stanley CARIBBEAN Agricultural and Research Development Institute (CARDI) and the International Trade Center (ITC) Thursday and Friday last engaged local producers of coconuts and coconut products in a consultation on a future direction for the industry locally and regionally.

The consultation aimed at obtaining their inputs for a dynamic and responsive plan with actionable steps for benefiting from the growing world-wide demand for coconuts and coconut products.

The consultation is an integral part of a European Union (EU) funded programme for re-positioning and development of the coconut industry within the Caribbean, with Guyana being one of nine countries which are beneficiaries.

The launch of the Guy-

ana leg consultations took place on Thursday last at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara, under the theme : “Re-positioning the coconut industry within nine Caribbean countries for restoration and sustainable development.”

Those present included top officials of CARDI and the ITC, a representative of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), Senior Agricultural Officers, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr George Jervis, NAREI, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) the Caribbean AgriBusiness Association (CABA), the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) the Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and the EU, among others .

Speakers at the launch

included Dr Homenauth, CARDI’s Technical Services Manager Dr Francis Asiedu, ITC Representative and Head of Product Sector Development Mr. Matias Urrutigoity, PS Jervis and EU Ambassador Robert Kopecky.

In welcoming remarks, Dr Homenauth said that the development of the industry has to be market driven.

He noted that given the diffusiveness of the coconut market regionally, it will have to be driven by international sources that can fuel demand and ensure its vibrancy.

He stressed that the ability of the sector to be competitive can be facilitated by the individual creativity of producers, inputs from scientists and technicians, as well as a Central Guiding Coconut Authority in each of the nine participating countries, each funded by a regional coconut Industry Development Agency.

Permanent Secretary George Jervis said that the coconut had come a long way from the abusive rhetoric of “scientists” who had described consumption of its products as threats to human health.

He noted that coconut production locally had increased from five million tonnes in 2010 to ten million four hundred and seventy tonnes in 2014, with exports going to all of the major countries.

He supported the need for an active coconut steering committee in each country, plus regional steering committees formed from an elected representative from each of the active local steering committees to ensure that all the necessary work is implemented and monitored.

He expressed hopes that

a fully developed road map for market development for the sector will make the local and regional industry stronger and more competitive with other coconut products from any other part of the world.

EU Ambassador Robert Kopecky emphasised that the EU development policy recognised the major role of agriculture for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

He observed that between 1950 and 1980, the coconut industry constituted an important sectoral activity in agricultural and rural development in Guyana and in the Caribbean Region, but collapsed due to pest and disease issues.

He added: “Coconut is making its come back and demand for products such as coconut water, milk and oil

has seen a boom not only in this Region, but all over the world.”

He stressed that the roadmap consultation offered a good opportunity to discuss - through a participatory process–priorities to improve the profitability of the sector, its productivity and its long term sustainability.

He said that the funding for the project is fully integrated in the EU’s development cooperation, in line with its continuing support for decent work, human rights and social protection.

Resource persons Dr Asiedu of CARDI and Mr Urrutigoity of ITC briefed participants on the history of the project and the expectations of the organisers before the start of the discussions.

The Guyana leg of the consultations ended yesterday.

Participants and officials at the coconut road-map planning session view some coconut products produced locally

M&CC appeals to citizenry not to hinder free flow of City’s drainage system CITY HALL yesterday issued a press release in which it appealed to all Guyanese to help it keep the 12 drainage canals that service approximately 644.5 miles of drains and 102.5 miles of alleyways around the city free f ro m i m p e d i m e n t s , s o that they may flow unhin-

dered into the Demerara river.

Explaining how the drainage system works, the release said it was vital to public health and safety that the system be allowed to flow unhindered in order to effectively address the issue of flooding and minimise, if not eradicate, the

issue of mosquito breeding, both of which can be injurious to public health.

The release lamented that the Atlantic Ocean deposits large quantities of mud in the drainage system with each tide, and said this in itself tremendously aggravates the city’s drainage problems.

However, the release lists the council’s current constraints as the following: 1: Financing to effectively execute its mandate, hire adequate staff and procure vehicles to transport staff, equipment and materials.

2: Post-1970 Georgetown having the same drainage

system but no catchment areas, whereas those existed before.

3: Squatters occupying 13odd square miles of city reserves, preventing access to the machines that would clean the canals.

4: Heavy aquatic growth in the canals and the wanton disposal of waste into ca-

nals and outfall channels.

5: Heavy siltation in the Demerara River.

6: Vessels which harbour in channels, restricting the flow of water from these channels into the Demerara River.

7: Unreliable support of fuel to pump the water into the Demerara River.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

ASL breaks new ground

– first aviation company to offer Lethem day tours to domestic, int’l visitors FOR 51 years, Air Services (ASL) Limited has been serving the local travelling public and has now raised the bar by being the first company to offer Lethem Day Tours to both domestic and international visitors.

Annette Arjoon-Martins, General Manager of ASL, explained that the company over the years has invested heavily in the tourism sector.

Giving an insight into the company, the GM related that Air Services has been in operation for 51 years and presently operates a fleet of 23 fixed-wing aircraft and three helicopters.

She alluded to the many persons that had used ASL services over the years and noted that in order to meet the growing fleet in 2003, ASL has established its own flight school. “We are extremely proud that not only do the graduates work with us in our operations, but you can also find our pilots in the other entities at Ogle Airport,” she noted.

“Air services is not new

to the tourism industry. In 2010 the company made a decision to start a Kaieteur Falls special, flying persons one day per week to the destination and now, in 2015, ASL has four such flights to Kaieteur,” she explained.

Now, she noted, Air Services has launched its day tour to Lethem. This tour caters for both locally based Guyanese as well as visitors, and will include a flight to Lethem, a visit to BomFim in Brazil for sight-seeing and light shopping, a tour of Lethem and visits to different tourist locations. The Lethem day tour will be on the last Saturday of each month and will cost $48,000 per person.

Arjoon expressed on behalf of the company their gratitude to long-standing stalwart partner Wilderness Explorers, and more recently, Bushmaster. She noted that through these entities,“we have been able to reach persons across the length and breadth of the world through programmes such as the BBC (British Broadcasting Corpo-

ration), Raw TV, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.”

With the growing interest in Adventure Tourism, more persons are now seeking the services of the company to take them to the different regions, especially Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). She added that a new preference is landscape tourism, whereby persons charter the helicopter to go into “nowhere” and just relax or celebrate.

The GM spoke extensively on the operations of the company, noting that at Mahdia, the company boasts a hangar that can accommodate two aircraft; it also has rooms to accommodate the pilots and operations staff.

From this location the company shuttles over 300,000 pounds of cargo to airstrips and destinations in Regions 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) on a monthly basis.

“We are the very first approved and remain the only local commercial helicopter operator. [The] fleet consists

decision to diversify our services even further, where the company invested in a state- of-the-art Thrush Commander, which will serve the rice industry.” With this investment, the company believes strongly and is convinced that the agricultural sector has a huge potential to grow further, “so we have taken the decision to invest into crop-dusting in preparation for that further expansion of the sector,” Arjoon noted.

“We are also proud of ASL’s General Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins

of two Bell Long rangers and one Robinson L 44, and we are also self-sufficient in our fuel which contributes significantly to our operational cost.” Arjoon noted that the fuel price amounts to 40% of their operational cost, and presently, “the company has four tanks that hold a volume of 20,000 gallons each and they are state- of-the- art, semi- wall tanks.”

Recently, “we took the

our Hinterland Internship Programme, where a lot of the hinterland graduates from the Hinterland Scholarship Programme do not get jobs very easily, because they have no experience. So the company decided to intern some of the students in ASL, so they gain working experience and of course would be better equipped to enter the working world.”

She noted that 90% of the interns remain in the employ of ASL.

Eight granted $2.2M bail for possession of narcotics ACTING Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., yesterday granted bail in the sum of $2,200,000M to eight persons found in possession of narcotics, pending the hearing of their cases.

Those granted bail are:For trafficking in narcotics Bejamin Josiah Carrington - $1, 000,000.00; Claude Osborne - $50, 000; Anjad Lecan - $200, 000; Patrice Hinds - $120, 000; Claude Osborne - $300, 000; Evelyn White - $300, 000; Robert Gates- $80, 000 and Lloyd Munroe - $150, 000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

NAMILCO to host ‘Future of Baking’ bakers seminar BAKERS around Guyana are poised to benefit greatly from an inspiring initiative to be staged on Monday and Tuesday next week by the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO). On these dates, the company will stage the first-ever “Future of Baking Bakers Seminar” at Dollie’s Bakery, Lot G1 Land of Canaan Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

This very exciting initiative is intended to sensitise bakers countrywide to the intriguing techniques of using the correct grains and flour for bread-mixing and baking, as well as to promote positive dividing and shaping, and preparation and presentation techniques. At this forum, emphasis will be placed on formulating and directing the recipes for the Ciabatta, Multigrain, Wheat Germ, FlaxSeeds and Raisin Breads.

On day one, the programme will commence with

the welcome and introduction to the event by Managing Director Roopnarine “Bert” Sukhai, and Operations Manager, Mr Ralf Hemsing. Introduction of the day’s presenters is by Mr. Didier Rosada of Red Brick Consulting, and Mr. Miguel Galdos of the Engrain LLC entity.

When this segment is concluded, the programme will continue with the introduction of preferments, which is to be followed by the mixing of the “Ciabatta.”

After this, the organisers will direct the mixing of the Roasted Garlic Bread, the Multigrain and the Wheat Germ Bread.

After a coffee break the event will continue with the dividing of the roasted garlic, multigrain, and wheat germ breads before introducing the shaping method of the various types of bread. The dividing and mixing of the Ciabatta, flax seeds and raisin bread will follow, before pro-

ceeding to the baking of the roasted garlic and multigrain breads.

The mixing of the Corona Dulce will follow shortly after, before tackling the baking of the Ciabatta.

After the party breaks for lunch at 13:30 hrs, organisers and bakers will then congregate for the dividing of the Flax Seeds and Raisin Breads, before attempting to divide the Corona Dulce. Thereafter they will commence shaping the Flax Seeds and Raisins, the Corona Dulce, before conducting the formulas summary.

With this completed, the party will proceed with the baking of the Flax Seeds and Raisin Breads and the Corona Dulce before educating attendees on the trends in the world of baking. Then the gathering will proceed with the much anticipated bread-tasting segment before concluding the seminar on both days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

‘MAXIMUM SPORTS’ ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS…

Int’l body-builder Laura Creavalle to visit, hold seminar

The producer is Max Massiah, who holds a certificate in television production presented by the University of Guyana’s Centre for Communication Studies, University of OHIO, and American Council of Education (ACE) certificates, and is also a certified boxing coach, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt Martial Arts practitioner, amongst other professions.

World renowned Laura Creavalle

AS part of its annual anniversary celebrations, “Maximum Sports” will bring to Guyana international bodybuilding queen, Guyanaborn Laura Creavalle, who is expected to host a seminar on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at the National Cultural Centre from 18:30 hrs.

At the seminar she will educate participants on topics of exercise, fitness training, diet, low-fat recipes, weight gain/ loss and more. To accentuate her presentation, there will also be demonstrations on martial arts self-defence, a male and female curling contest, drama and other presentations by notable characters.

That aside, Ms Creavalle will also appear on the “Maximum Sports” live television programme as a special guest on May 23 and 30 from 16:30 hrs on the National Commu-

nications Network (NCN).

Registration fees for the seminar are $1500 and interested persons may call "Maximum Sports" host, Max Massiah on telephone number 609 8132 or 672 8569 for more information.

Laura Creavalle, who is a three-time Miss International Bodybuilding Champion, former Miss World, Miss Extravaganza, a top-rated Miss Olympia contender, an author, personal trainer and chef advisor is considered by many as the most popular female bodybuilder in the universe.

“Maximum Sports” is an entertaining, inspiring and informative one-hour television programme with a focus on combat and strength sports (boxing, martial arts, bodybuilding, power-lifting and more) and is aired on NCN’s Channel 11 and 15 on Saturdays from 16:30 to 17:30 hrs.

Saturday, May 23, 2015 - 08:30 hrs Sunday, May 24, 2015 - 09:00 hrs Monday, May 25, 2015 - 10:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Ramjattan is Vice President, Minister...

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan is sworn in as Vice President and Minister of Public Security

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, is presented with the Instruments of Office of the Minister of Governance, by Executive President David Granger in the presence of the Chief Protocol Officer From Page 2 Agriculture. Sydney Allicock was sworn in as Minister with responsibility for Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, while former Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael

Trotman, is Guyana’s Minister of Governance, one of the new ministries created by the president.

Former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix has been sworn in as the Minister of Citizenship, another of the

newly created ministerial portfolios, while Dominic Gaskin has been sworn in as Minister of Business, formerly the Industry and Commerce portfolios, now consolidated.

Gaskin had served as the Treasurer of the AFC party for

President David Granger fields questions from the media corps

Noel Holder takes the Oath of Office to serve as Minister of Agriculture

NFA’s Keith Scott takes the Oath of Office of Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure a number of years.

Jaipaul Sharma was also sworn in as Minister within the Ministry of Finance.

Sharma was a sitting member of the National Assembly during the life of the 10th Parliament, but had resigned following a public spat with

then Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

Valerie Garrido-Lowe, another AFC member, was sworn in as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Keith Scott, another long standing Member of

Parliament in the Opposition benches, was yesterday sworn in as Minister within the Ministry of Public Works.

Scott represents the National Front Alliance (NFA) one of the parties under the banner of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) which

Dominic Gaskin is sworn in as Minister of Business

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

President David Granger affixes his signature as Executive President, formally inducting Valerie Garrido-Lowe as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

Former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix takes his Oath of Office as Minister of Citizenship coalesced ahead of May 11, 2015, and secured the majority of vote’s thereby forming an APNU+AFC Government.

INSTRUMENTS OF OFFICE Having presented instruments of Office to each of the newly appointed Ministers of Government, Executive President Granger, addressing those gathered for the occasion, inclusive of relatives and friends of the inductees, spoke of his confidence in the team, but immediately cautioned “we have work to do.”

According to President Granger, the new ministers are meant to strengthen the Cabinet of the APNU+AFC Government and are also meant to complement those sworn in earlier this week.

Granger told those gathered at the Ministry of the Presidency, “We are determined to bring good governance back to Guyana.”

NATIONAL UNITY According to the recently elected Executive President, “We’re determined to have a

Cabinet which is committed to national unity…we are determined to have a Cabinet which is committed to efficiency and transparency.”

The President said he was “honoured” and “proud” to have aligned himself with a Cabinet of Ministers—“a group of men, women, who are going to transform Guyana and provide a good life for all of our citizens.”

Welcoming his new members of the Cabinet, President Granger’s instruction was , “we have work to do.”

The Head of State subsequently informed media operatives that former Member of Parliament Dawn Hastings is also scheduled to be sworn in imminently as the Minister within the Ministry of Communities.

It was explained that she is currently in the hinterland, which prevented her swearing in yesterday.

EXPERIENCE vs UNDERSTUDIES Confronted with the supposition of a “graying Cabinet,” despite a large segment of the voting bloc coming from those aged 18-35, President Granger

was asked to speak to their representation in the executive arm of government.

He told members of the media “We have an important balance of experience.”

President Granger was adamant, “You can’t fake experience, we need the experience.”

According to Granger, only two of the members sworn in as Cabinet Members thus far, would have had any experience as a serving Minister of Government, hence, “we need to ensure that persons who would have had experience in other fields are in positions to lead those ministries.”

Addressing the question of age directly, the President pointed to the number of Ministers that have been appointed and are still to be appointed as Ministers within Ministries, commonly referred to, however erroneous, as Junior Ministers.

He explained that the Ministers appointed as Ministers within a Ministry would also be serving as understudies to the senior, Substantives Ministers.

“What you see now will not be what will exist in a

President Granger addressing his newly appointed ministers, including Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo (seated at centre front)

Jaipal Sharma takes the Oath of Office of Minister within the Ministry of Finance

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock takes his Oath of Office few years from now, we have a lot of young ministers,” President Granger said.

He posited Cabinet would not only serve a purpose of ensuring the efficient execution of government’s obligations, but will also serve as a training ground for younger Ministers to take the reins in the future.

LEAN GOVT.?

The Executive President

was also called out on his claim to lead a lean government, as he has already appointed a significant number of ministers, with more to come.

According to President Granger, “There are various levels in the cabinet.” He reiterated an earlier position that, “almost every ministry will have junior ministers, we have vice presidents and

we have other ministers, so the number of ministries will not or ought not to exceed 15, and you should not be fooled by the number of junior ministers.”

He reminded that they “are meant to understudy the seniors; and in due course that grayness will be removed and we will have younger ministers taking senior positions.”

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Guyana Lotto Company supports women’s 7s rugby team THE Guyana Lottery Company (GLC) yesterday affirmed its alliance with Guyana’s National Women’s 7s rugby team who are currently preparing for the NACRA Championship and Olympic Qualifiers at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina USA on June 13-14 Formerly known for their no-nonsense approach and toughness on the pitch, Guyana had the best 7s Rug-

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

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

But, behind president Peter Green, the women’s sevens team were given another chance to reclaim their place at the top of the rugby food chain as they now prepare for the NACRA Women’s Championship in June which also serves as qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

At a simple but significant handing-over ceremony yesterday at the GLC’s Lamaha Street head office, Managing Director Tracy Lewis said that it was a

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Haydock 08:25 hrs Fabricate 09:00 hrs Gabrial’s King 09:35 hrs Mutarakez 10:10 hrs Explosive Lady 10:45 hrs Danzeno 1:20 hrs Distant Past 11:55 hrs Navigate GOODWOOD 08:45 hrs Grandeur 09:20 hrs Ayrad 09:55 hrs Mister Universe 10:30 hrs Bournemouth Belle 11:05 hrs Quest For More 11:40 hrs Dominium 12:15 hrs Privileged BEVERLEY 09:05 hrs Taffetta 09:40 hrs Lathom 10:15 hrs Easton Angel 10:50 hrs Starlet Cantata 11:25 hrs Leaderrne 12:00 hrs Shamaheart 12:35 hrs Sovereign Bounty IRISH RACING TIPS Curragh 08:40 hrs Ballydoyle 09:15 hrs Round Two

pleasure to assist the female team in their quest not only to go to the top of NACRA, but also to become the first team sport in Guyana to qualify for the Olympics.

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

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

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

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

09:45 hrs Gordon Lord Byron 10:20 hrs Gleneagles 10:55 hrs Brooch 11:30 hrs King Of Aragon 12:05 hrs Portage SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:45 hrs Donny 09:25 hrs Fly By Night 10:05 hrs Captain Of All 10:40 hrs Baltic Amber KENILWORTH 08:55 hrs Three Blue Cranes 10:40 hrs Monkipoo 10:20 hrs Fairy Maker 10:55 hrs Asstar 11:25 hrs Very Clever AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 A Marked Man Race 2 Duke of the City Race 3 Hope Cross Race 4 April Color Race 5 Liberal Spin Race 6 Alexandrie Race 7 Quimet Race 8 A Lot Race 9 May Flowers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Williamson and Taylor make England toil at Lord’s

By Ed Osmond

cess of the day, however, as the compact Williamson went about his work.

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Kane Williamson and He pushed the ball around cleverly and efficiently Ross Taylor mastered a lifeless England attack to lift New dispatched loose balls to the boundary, reaching his fifty Zealand to 303 for two at the close on the second day of off 78 deliveries. the first Test at Lord’s yesterday.

Taylor started watchfully but he played a couple of signaReplying to England’s 389, the pair shared an unbroken ture sweetly-timed drives in the final session to signal his rethird-wicket partnership of 155 turn to form after a poor run. to give the touring side the asEngland captain cendancy in the match.

Alastair Cook rotated his Williamson was 92 not out bowlers but none of the at the close with Taylor on 47 seamers extracted any and New Zealand will look to movement and the hosts build a big lead today to put were sloppy in the field, Ian pressure on the hosts in their Bell spilling a catch in the second innings. slips and Broad failing to Tom Latham and Marrun-out Taylor. tin Guptill also made fluent “We are not far from the half-centuries in a solid opening new ball so hopefully we can partnership of 148 before the bowl a bit better,” Moeen former, on 59, was trapped lbw told Sky Sports. by spinner Moeen Ali. “I was happy with the Three balls later Guptill way I bowled today. I have drove Stuart Broad loosely to been working on my accover where Gary Ballance tion. I was forging it in the took a fine sprawling catch West Indies.” to dismiss the elegant rightNew Zealand took three Kane Williamson looks in great touch to be unbeat- wickets in the first hour to hander for 70.

That was England’s last suc- en on 92 at the close of the second day at Lord’s. wrap up the England innings

after the hosts resumed on 354 for seven.

Moeen reached his fifty before edging left-arm seamer Trent Boult to stand-in wicketkeeper Latham for 58.

Broad’s miserable batting form continued when he nicked Boult through to Latham for three and James Anderson, on 11, was caught and bowled by Matt Henry.

Boult completed figures of four for 79 and Henry took four for 93 on his debut.

“We need to keep going the way we are and pushing to get ahead and build a good first innings lead,” Guptill told Sky Sports. “Then we can really build from there.”

French Open Tennis

Sri Lanka probe finds evidence of sex bribes in women’s cricket team

Monster draw for Nadal in Paris, Djokovic looms in quarters

By Julien Pretot PARIS, France (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal could face world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the French Open tennis after yesterday’s draw handed him the toughest of routes to a possible 10th title.

The Spaniard, seeded sixth after a disappointing year so far, would then face a potential semi-final against third seed Andy Murray and a final against 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer.

RAFAEL NADAL The 28-year-old, who holds the record for titles at Roland Garros, will take on Frenchman Quentin Halys in the first round but life will get tricky with dangerous Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov a likely fourth round opponent.

“I need to win four matches before (possibly playing Djokovic),” Nadal, who has failed to win a claycourt title in Europe this season, said after the draw at Roland Garros.

“My draw is a tough one but I hope I will be ready to fight again,” added Nadal, who has suffered only one defeat on the Parisian clay, in 2009.

World number one Djokovic will probably be less than happy about the prospect of facing Nadal in the quarter-finals as he bids to win the only major title to elude.

He lost to Nadal in two of the last three finals and in an epic semi-final in 2013.

Murray, who beat Nadal in the Madrid Masters final this month after winning his first claycourt title in Munich the week before, begins against a qualifier and has a possible quarter-final clash against seventh seed David Ferrer of Spain.

Second seed Roger Federer, chasing his first grand slam title since 2012, takes on a qualifier in the first round and could face Frenchman Gael Monfils in the last eight.

Djokovic begins against Finnish journeyman Jarkko Nieminen tomorrow.

In the women’s draw, holder Maria Sharapova of Russia, the second seed, will face Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the first round and possibly former runner-up Samantha Stosur of Australia in the third.

“I just focus on the first round really,” said Sharapova, who won the Rome claycourt tournament last Sunday.

“It was a great week to have under my belt. It’s nice to come into a grand slam with that level of confidence.

World number one Serena Williams, who takes on a qualifier in the first round, has a possible third-round encounter against Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, a former world number one.

In the fourth round she could face sister Venus, the 15th seed, and there is a possible semi-final clash against Czech Petra Kvitova, who ended her 27-match unbeaten run this season at the Madrid Open.

Scoreboard

ENGLAND 1st innings (o/n 354-7) A. Lyth c Watling b Southee 7 A. Cook c Watling b Henry 16 G. Ballance c Southee b Boult 1 I. Bell b Henry 1 J. Root c Latham b Henry 98 B. Stokes b Craig 92 J. Buttler lbw b Boult 67 M. Ali c Latham b Boult 58 S. Broad c Latham b Boult 3 M. Wood not out 8 J. Anderson c & b Henry 11 Extras: (b-16, lb-6, nb-3, w-2) 27 Total: (all out, 100.5 overs) 389 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-25, 3-25, 4-30, 5-191, 6-251, 7-354, 8-363,

9-368.

Bowling: T. Boult 29-6-79-4, T. Southee 24-1-104-1 (nb-3, w-1), M. Henry 24.5-3-93-4 (w-1), M. Craig 18-2-77-1, C. Anderson 5-1-14-0.

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings M. Guptill c Ballance b Broad 70 T. Latham lbw b Ali 59 K. Williamson not out 92 R. Taylor not out 47 Extras: (b-14, lb-20, nb-1) 35 Total: (for 2 wickets, 77 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-148, 2-148.

Bowling: J. Anderson 16-4-46-0, S. Broad 16-2-42-1, M. Wood 13-0-600 (nb-1), B. Stokes 13-2-63-0, M. Ali 17-3-52-1, J. Root 2-0-6-0.

By Shihar Aneez COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sri Lanka’s sports ministry said yesterday that an investigation had found evidence that members of the national women’s cricket team had been forced to perform sexual favours for officials in order to earn or keep their places in the squad.

Sri Lanka Cricket, the controlling body for the island nation’s most popular sport, ordered an investigation in November after reports emerged alleging officials had asked female cricketers for sex in exchange for being on the team.

A three-member committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Nimal Dissanayake, submitted its findings in a report to the sport’s ministry on Wednesday.

“The committee report found evidence of sexual harassment by members of the Sri Lanka cricket women’s management team against several members of the Sri Lanka cricket women’s team,” the sports ministry said in a statement.

“The (sports) minister intends to take disciplinary actions against those members where evidence has been found.”

The statement did not give any details of what evidence had been found, which officials were involved, or what kind of action would be taken.

Local media reports in late October quoted an unnamed senior female cricketer, who claimed that team management and officials selecting players had asked women cricketers to have sex with them if they wanted to make the team.

The allegations, which first appeared in the Sinhala-language newspaper Divaina, said the senior player was dropped from the squad after she refused to perform sexual favours.

Sri Lanka’s women cricket team, who lost a four one-day match series by 1-3 to West Indies on Wednesday, are ranked sixth in the world in one-day international games after Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and England by the International Cricket Council.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe for emotional victory on home soil

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan marked international cricket’s return to the trouble-torn country with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium yesterday.

Openers Mukhtar Ahmed (83) and Ahmed Shehzad (55) added 142 runs before captain Shahid Afridi hit a boundary off the first ball he faced to seal an emotional victory with three balls to spare.

Earlier, Hamilton Masakadza (43) shone upfront

and captain Elton Chigumbura (54) provided the late assault to help Zimbabwe post a strong 172-6 having opting to bat first.

Six years after an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore left six Pakistani policemen and a van driver dead, Zimbabwe became the first Test-playing nation to tour the country for a limited overs series.

The visitors got off to a strong start with Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda adding 58 runs before Mohammad Sami (3-36), returning to the national side after a threeyear absence, dismissed the openers in successive deliveries in the seventh over.

Zimbabwe overcame mid-innings wobbles to reach 114-4 after 15 overs before Chigumbura, beneficiary of a missed stumping opportunity, accelerated hitting Wahab Riaz for three successive boundaries.

The Zimbabwe skipper reached his fifty with an effortless flick that cleared long leg ropes for the only six of his breezy 35-ball knock.

Pakistan looked in a hurry to wrap up the chase with Ahmed hitting Chris Mpofu for four successive boundaries in the bowler’s first over.

Brian Vitori was hit for Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain meets the players ahead of the game in three consecutive fours in Lahore, yesterday.

Hinds: WICB/WIPA Awards important KINGSTON, Jamaica - President of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Wavell Hinds says the annual Awards ceremony, which is held in partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), provides the opportunity to showcase the exploits of regional cricketers.

“The Awards (ceremony) is important so that we can recognise and show great appreciation for members and players who make the sacrifice to go out and play for the West Indies on a consistent basis,” Hinds told the Jamaica Observer at Wednesday’s media launch at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

“They also have to go out of the Caribbean and play in tough conditions, at times very far from home.

As consummate professionals we expect them to have those sort of traits, but we still want to recognise that they do it.

“We want to make sure that the Awards showcase what West Indies cricket is about for the past year,” continued Hinds, who is also the chief executive officer of WIPA. The third joint staging of the WICB/WIPA Awards, which will recognise outstanding players’ achievements in 2014, will be held on June 9 at the Pegasus. It will be broadcast live throughout the

region on Digicel SportsMax. WICB president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, who has overseen a cordial relationship with the players union since he was first elected boss of the

WIPA president Wavell Hinds regional board in 2013, believes the Joint Award represents a symbol of unity in West Indies cricket.

“We have to show to our players how we feel about them,” he said.

“That (the joint award) is critical to making West Indies better. We want to say to our players and our

players association that it’s a partnership and we not only want to show it in words, but by our deeds,” Cameron added.

There will be 12 award categories for players who have excelled in international cricket as well as at the regional level. Teams will also be recognised for achievements in regional cricket.

Batsmen Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo; all-rounder Dwayne Bravo; Test captain and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin; and spinner Sulieman Benn are nominated for West Indies Player-of-the-Year.

In the women’s equivalent, batters Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Kycia Knight; and spin bowler Anisa Mohammed are the nominees.

The WIPA and WICB will each acknowledge one recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Legendary West Indies cricketers who have been knighted will also get recognition and will be dubbed members of the ‘Sir’s Club’. They are Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Richard Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Wesley Hall and Sir Curtly Ambrose.

Sir Hall will be the guest speaker at the awards function. (Jamaica Observer)

the next over as the 22-year-old Ahmed, playing only his second Twenty20 International, cruised to his maiden fifty in 27 balls and Pakistan reached the 100-mark in the 10th over.

At 142 for no loss in the 14th over, Pakistan were cruising to victory before losing five quick wickets as Zimbabwe bowled with considerable discipline to leave the hosts needing four runs from the final four deliveries.

Afridi looked unperturbed by the pressure to nonchalantly dispatch Tinashe Panyangara’s third delivery for a boundary to seal victory.

The teams return to the stadium for the second and final Twenty20 International tomorrow before three one-dayers at the same venue.

NOTABLE DATES

LALTA Narine was nicknamed `Coolie Bully’ for good reason. His rugged style of fighting won him adoring fans all across the region. Narine was 19-year-old when he travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to take on Clifford Vaughn.

The contest was held on May 23, 1987 at the National Stadium in the Twin Island Republic and he lost the six-round match by points.

It was the second meeting between the two. On his debut in October 1986 Narine lost via a disqualification in round four to Vaughn. Following the second defeat to Vaughn, the tenacious Narine won fights against Ramesh Best and Winston Goodridge.

He was unsuccessful in his only bid for the national bantamweight title after losing by a unanimous decision to Michael Parris in September 1990. Two attempts at the national featherweight title also ended on the losing side.

Joseph Ignatius Murray TKOed Narine in round four on the first attempt held on Boxing Day of 1990.

He later teamed up with Robin `The Albion Prince’ Lall to produce one of the best boxing matches seen on local soil. Lall and Narine engaged in an all-out war at the National Sports Hall on April 30, 1994.

The crowd-pleasing encounter ended with Lall being crowned champion - Guyana featherweight champion by virtue of decision after 12 rounds. That was the last fight for `The Coolie Bully’ who quit the sport with a record of 11 wins and seven losses.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday May 23, 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: Clifford Roach-209 (WI vs ENG, 1930) 6 centuries

Today’s Quiz:

Who played most Test matches at Bourda? How many?

Who was named ‘Man of the Match’ in last year’s IPL final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 23, 2015

Windies must turn talent into consistency - Ambrose

By Ed Osmond

LONDON, England (Reuters) - West Indies must find a way to turn the undoubted talent in their ranks into consistent performances that will win Test series, former fast bowler Curtly Ambrose said on Thursday.

Ambrose, 51, is now coaching the Caribbean team’s bowlers and has been encouraged by their development.

“We have the talent, we just need to be consistent,” Ambrose told Reuters. “It is my job to help the bowlers achieve that consistency which will win Test series.”

Ambrose took 405 Test wickets in a stellar career, forming a formidable West Indies pace bowling attack with Courtney Walsh.

He was notorious for not giving much away to reporters but has now decided to tell his story

in a book entitled “Time to Talk”.

“I did not like to speak about myself when I was playing,” he said. “I tried to do my talking on the field. But now it feels like the right time to tell my story.”

Ambrose grew up in Antigua and, with his immense height and controlled hostility, was one of the most feared bowlers in international cricket from 1988-2000 at the end of an era in which the Caribbean side dominated world cricket.

He believes that West Indies have found another diamond in the shape of Jason Holder, who is as tall as Ambrose.

“Jason Holder is a wonderful talent,” Ambrose said. “I know him very well and he has everything you need to be a top Test cricketer.”

Holder, 23, captained the West Indies in this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and he showed his ability with bat and

Nehra, Hussey carry Chennai Super Kings to IPL final

RANCHI, India (CMC) – Chris Gayle threatened to spoil the party but Chennai Super Kings (CSK) did just enough to pull off a tense three-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore with a ball to spare, to storm into tomorrow’s final of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Chasing 140 for victory after the left-handed Gayle had top-scored with 41, CSK stumbled through their innings, eventually scoring the five runs required from the last over, to seal victory at the JSCA International Stadium Complex yesterday.

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo suffered the indignity of a first-ball duck while his regional counterpart, opener Dwayne Smith, managed just 17, but CSK were rescued by Australian Mike Hussey who stroked 56 off 46 deliveries to keep the innings afloat.

Influential captain MS Dhoni struck a patient 26 down the order to give the innings impetus.

CSK will now meet Mumbai Indians in the final, an encounter that will put Bravo and Smith against West Indies teammates Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons.

Sent in, RCB were in deep trouble early on at 36 for three in the eighth, thanks to a brilliant new-ball spell from left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra who finished with three for 28.

Gayle was forced to lead the rebuilding effort, facing 43 deliveries and counting two fours and three sixes, and anchoring an 44-run, fourth-wicket stand with Denesh Karthik who hit 28 from 26 balls.

Gayle eventually fell in the 14th over, caught and bowled off Suresh Raina’s off-spin, and RCB then needed Safaraz Khan’s cameo 31 from 21 balls, to get up to their eventual score.

In reply, CSK were given a bright start by Smith who hammered three fours off 14 balls, and seemed set to play a cameo. However, he pulled left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc down the throat of deep square leg in the fourth over to leave CSK 21 for one.

Hussey then controlled two partnerships to lay the foundation for CSK’s victory. He put on 40 for the second wicket with South African Faf du Plessis who made 21 from 22 balls, and a further 47 for the fourth wicket with Dhoni.

The left-handed Hussey perished in the 17th over, after striking three fours and two sixes, with CSK still requiring 32 from 21 deliveries.

Dhoni stepped up, however, carrying CSK to the brink of victory before falling to the fourth ball of the final over.

JASON HOLDER ball in the 1-1 home Test series draw against England.

Critics suggested that Holder has a technical fault in his bowling action, delivering the ball off a front leg that is not fully braced.

“(West Indies great) Malcolm Marshall and (Pakistani) Wasim Akram were the same,” he said. “It does not worry me. Jason needs to stand up taller and that will help him bowl fast.”

Ambrose is more concerned that Holder likes batting too much.

“Every time I see him he has a bat in his hand,” Ambrose said. “I want to see him with a ball. He is a bowler who bats. Not the other way round.”

Ambrose has lost none of his love for the game and intends to use it to help the West Indies improve.

“I love cricket and I am still very passionate about it,” he said.

“I don’t want to get involved in the politics of West Indies cricket but I want to help the team. I like to try to motivate the players and get them pumped up. That is what I can do.”

3rd Annual Stag Beer ‘West Side’ Independence Cup to kick off May 29 THE 3rd annual Stag Beer ‘West Side’ Independence Cup will kick off on May 29 at the Leonora Sport Facility with $600 000 up for grabs.

Defending champions and tournament hosts Slingerz FC will be joined by Pele, Fruta Conquerors, Ann’s Grove, Grove Hi-Tech, Den Amstel, Uitvlugt and Pouderoyen in the tournament that has become one of the biggest events on the ‘West Side’.

“We want everyone to leave the tournament with something at least,” says Slingerz FC general manager Colin ‘BL’ Aaron, speaking on the price structure which sees the second-place team pocketing $300 000, thirdplace $150 000, fourth-place $100 000 and fifth through eighth will receive $75 000, $60 000, $50 000 and $40 000 respectively.

Playing in the curtain-raiser after the gala opening ceremony, Pouderoyen will face Fruta Conquerors and game two brings together Slingerz FC and Grove Hi-Tech.

Since the club was established three years ago, Slingerz are yet to be defeated on the ‘West Side’. In fact, in the short space of time they have achieved an impressive record, winning the GFA Banks Beer tournament, the Kashif and Shanghai tournament, the West Demerara Football Association WDFA league along with all the tournaments featured in their jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, when the tournament continues on Sunday, May 31, Pele will tackle Uitvlugt in game two and from 18:00hrs, Ann’s Grove will do battle with Den Amstel.

The semi-finals will be played on June 5 and the final is set for Sunday, June 7 at the same venue.

“We expect this tournament to be one of the biggest and the venue will have a lot to do with it. It’s an excellent surface for football, the best on the ‘West Side’ and it will allow all the clubs to play their best football,” Aaron said.

Slingerz FC had defeated Den Amstel in 2013 and 2014 to capture the title.

Windies Women gunning for clean sweep of T20s

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – After clinching the One-Day International series convincingly, West Indies Women have now set their sights on sweeping the three-match Twenty20 series, which bowled off at the R Premadasa Stadium here yesterday.

The touring side suffered just one defeat en route to taking the four-match ODI series, 3-1, and captain Merissa Aguilleira said they had resolved to play unbeaten for the remainder of the tour.

“The place is very humid down here but after all, we know what we came to do even though we came to win all of our matches,” she said.

“We fell short in one so … we’ve said to ourselves that we’re not going to lose any more matches. We’re going into the T20s with full fire and hopefully we can bring it home for the people of the Caribbean.”

All three matches have been scheduled for the R Premadasa Stadium, with the second game carded for Monday and the final one on Tuesday.

Despite playing inconsistently, West Indies Women still managed to outplay the Sri Lankans in the ODIs and will now take that momentum into the T20 series.

They opened the series with a five-wicket victory, slumped to a six-wicket loss in the second game before rebounding to win the last two encounters.

In the last game, they managed just 156 but defended it superbly to come away with an important 31-run verdict.

“I felt really good to know that we have actually crossed that hurdle because after going out there and scoring 156 we knew that we had to step up to the plate,” Aguilleira explained.

“It was really a team effort; we went

out there as a team and organised ourselves in a way where we just had to stay focused and maintain our focus, and I think that’s exactly what we did. I think it was a really tremendous job and well done to the team.”

The last three games of the ODI series counted as ICC Championship games, and Aguilleira pointed out that winning two of these matches had been vital.

“Winning was important because we really wanted to get the six points but we fell short in the first (championship) game but we’re really thankful to God that we got the last four points,” she said. “Hopefully going (forward) in the championship we can get more points.”

The ICC Women’s Championship is a multi-year, bilateral competition between the top eight sides, which earns points towards qualification for the 2017 Women’s World Cup.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

story Windies onSee page 31 must turn talent into consistency

Guyana Lotto Company supports women’s 7s rugby team See story on page 28

A Guyana Lottery Company representative makes the presentation to members of the National 7s team yesterday.

GFF observes CONCACAF Women’s Football Day … National team to be announced

GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will participate in CONCACAF Women’s Football Day initiative today by organising a series of football events at the Tucville Playfield.

GFF is thrilled to host a 3-on-3 Tournament as a female awareness event in order to kick off a return to women’s football for Guyana.

The event is open to girls from age nine to open and will see a packed day of football.

The Women’s 3-on-3 tournament will headline the physical activities with an Under-14 3-on-3 tournament and Grassroots Girls Games scheduled to run prior to the Women’s.

When the tournament wraps up, there will be the announcement of the Women’s national team, the Lady Jags, who will be preparing for the Olympic Qualifiers in August of this year.

Chairman of the GFF Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, said, “This initiative from CONCACAF is commendable and the Guyana Football Federation fully supports the development of Women’s football from the Grassroots to the Senior Level.

Our vision is to see the Women’s Game become a mar-

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ketable product with Guyana having the best Women’s Programme in the CFU Region and then eventually the broader CONCACAF and FIFA Levels.”

Designed to empower all CONCACAF member associations to join forces for an annual day of celebration of women’s football, the initiative is the first of its kind for the confederation and focuses on accomplishing three set goals.

It is to “generate awareness about the transformative power of women’s football, promote and encourage continued investment in women’s football and unite every member association in creating a memorable day of women’s football”.

The entire CONCACAF region will simultaneously kick off their events at 11:00hrs Eastern Time, with an Opening Ceremony scheduled for 10:30 hrs.

GFF requests that all participants arrive at 09:30hrs to be registered and prepared for the start of the event.

The federation looks forward to an excellent turnout for the event and is working diligently to organise a unique and enjoyable experience for all participants, staff, and spectators.

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015