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GUYANA No. 104266 Page

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Berbice Bridge

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2015

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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INCLUDING VAT

toll to be reduced

Berbice Bridge

– Gov’t keeps campaign promise to Berbicians

CDB exploring areas of support and collaboration with new Administration Page

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From left standing: Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics; Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder; Mr. Andrew Dupiny, Director of Projects(Ag); President David Granger; President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. William Warren Smith; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. Seated in front from left are: Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Carl Greenidge; Mrs. Patricia Mc Kenzie, Vice President of Operations; Ms. Monica La Bennett, Deputy Director of Corporate Planning; and Minister of Business and Investment, Dominic Gaskin

DPP recommends charge for former Health Minister

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Former PPP 10 Gov’t minister, ex-personnel officer granted bail over larceny

PPP/C could make Parliament Page debut today 7

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Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Jennifer Westford

Multi-million fraud Page 3 probe underway at PSM

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

CDB exploring areas of support and collaboration with new Administration

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. William Warren Smith, says the bank will continue to consolidate its position with Guyana in an effort to improve the quality of life for all citizens. His comments came moments after a meeting with President David Granger and Prime

Minister Moses Naga mootoo at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday.

Other members of the Cabinet present at the meeting were Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Minister of Business and Investment

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other members of the Cabinet who met with President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Williams Warren Smith and his team, during the meeting yesterday

Dominic Gaskin, and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson.

Dr. Smith and a team including Mrs. Patricia Mc Kenzie, Vice President of Operations, Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics, Mr. Andrew Dupiny, Director of Projects(Ag), Ms. Monica La Bennett, Deputy Director of Corporate Planning and Ms. Klao Bell-Lewis, Head of Corporate Communications, are currently on a

two day visit to Guyana.

The primary focus of the visit is to meet with members of the new Administration to hear directly from them what the priority issues are, which the bank can provide assistance for.

A priority area for the bank, climate change and the enabling of resilience as well as renewable energy, lines up with the Granger Administration’s focus on the development of a ‘Green Economy’. This is expected to be a key area of collaboration in the future.

“We also took the opportunity to brief the President on some of the major developments that have been taking place inside the CDB over the last four years, and to contextualise those changes to provide an appreciation for how improvement of governance in our institution enables us

to be more effective in serving our borrowing member countries, which is the purpose for which we were established.” Dr. Smith said.

Speaking on the continuing relationship between Guyana and the CDB, Dr. Smith said, Guyana, being a founding member of the Bank, has always been supportive of the institution, even through tough times.

“They have always met the obligations to the CDB and we think that we have played a very important role in the development of your country; our aspiration is to help you to ramp up that development, to speed up the process of the improvement of the quality of life of citizens,” the CDB President noted.

Dr. Smith added that as the environment changes and the requirements of Guyana continue to evolve,

the bank will be working to adapt to those changes.

“What we need to do is to adapt to your requirements, so that we can remain relevant and that is really the primary focus of our work at this time, and that is why we are putting so much effort into internal reform at CDB,” he said.

Since 1970, the CDB has provided loans of US$288 million and grants of US$37 million to Guyana, which is the fourth largest shareholder in the Bank. Guyana is the largest beneficiary of grants under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), which was designed to support development in the areas of water and sanitation, early childhood education, support to vulnerable groups, and improving access through infrastructure, in member countries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Berbice Bridge toll to be reduced

– Gov’t keeps campaign promise to Berbicians IN order to relieve the financial burden of the people of Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6), the Government of Guyana has moved to reduce the Berbice Bridge tolls, with the possibility of subsidising the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI).

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, while chairing the weekly cabinet press briefing yesterday, said this reduction is in keeping with the new Administration’s first 100-day plan

and is intended to ease the financial burden faced by everyday users of the bridge.

In due course, Trotman said, Finance Minister Winston Jordan will announce the rationale for the reduction while presenting the national budget, come September. Minister Jordan, he added, will therefore work closely to negotiate with the Berbice Bridge Company to cushion their concerns.

Trotman added that the Government, since assuming office has been hearing the cries of the people of

Regions 5 and 6 to lower the tolls of the bridge. In this regard, he said, Government felt the need to step in and work with the company to “mutually” relieve the burden of the heavy cost of travel across the bridge.

In this regard, Trotman said that Government will not “dictate,” but will rather negotiate with the company the possibility of a subsidy to ensure that the tolls are lowered.

“Government has no intention of interfering with the company’s right to a rate

of fare or rate of returns on their investment,” declared Trotman.

During the election campaign, President Granger had made it clear that if elected, his Administration would pass legislation to ensure that the Berbice Bridge toll is reduced and will ensure that the tolls are not “punitive.”

“Schoolchildren cannot get to school on time, traders, businessmen, ordinary commuters; it is punitive, it is a drag on development in West Coast Berbice and East Berbice/ Corentyne,”

said the then presidential candidate of the APNU/AFC coalition.

In furtherance, President Granger at that time had said if the Berbice Bridge Company is not in favour of reducing the tolls, they would negotiate with the company in order to give the people of East Berbice more reasonable tolls than what existed.

Now nearing its 100 days in office, the Granger Administration remains committed to its 100-day plan.

The Berbice Bridge was opened in December, 2008 with its ownership structure made up of ordinary share capital of $400 million. Its private inves-

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tors are the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), Queens Atlantic and Secure International Finance Company, the Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). Some of these entities have invested $80M and $40M into the construction of the Berbice Bridge, while the NIS owns preference shares of $950M. Though the controversy of the Berbice Bridge Company owing the private entities a return profit still exists, Trotman said relieving people of the burden is at the moment, “paramount” to any controversy, hinting specifically at the NIS.

Multi-million fraud probe DPP recommends charge underway at PSM for former Health Minister SOURCES in the Guyana Police Force have confirmed that former PPP/C Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford is among several persons under investigation in a possible multi-million dollar scam.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the police received information and supporting documents which named, among other persons, the former Minister as being part and parcel of the misappropriation of more than $100M. According to the sources, the cash was transferred to the Ministry as part of funds to be used to carry out a complete review of the services which were provided by the Public Service Ministry.

The date on which the money was released was not made clear to this publication but the review had to do with the assessing of current programmes and services and whether any of them needed to be reviewed with a view to either being replaced or

upgraded.

That exercise was, however, never conducted by the Ministry and the monies which were reportedly transferred in cash to the Ministry were never returned to its source.

At a post-cabinet briefing yesterday morning, Minister of Governance R a p h a e l Tr o t m a n c o n firmed that the Government was aware that the police are investigating a matter which involves millions of dollars The Minister was, however, quick to point out that without any prejudice to any ongoing investigation, the Government continues to see things bubbling up by the days from the deep and when those things come to light they are passed over to the police.

According to Minister Trotman, the probe with respect to the cash does involve the Public Service Ministry but he noted that in keeping with the principled position of the new AFNU+AFC Government, he will not get involved or interfere with the police

investigations.

The Governance Minister did not name the former Minister of Government although this newspaper was able to confirm that it was the same embattled former Public Service Minister whose name appeared on documents in relation to the missing cash.

The cash was said to be transferred into the personal banking accounts of several persons and the names of those persons are with the police in a very thick file which details all the information that the police will need to review in order to build a case before forwarding the file to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

The police sources said that the investigations are in their initial stages as it was only earlier this week that the police received the information about the funds that were reportedly misappropriated.

Westford happens to be currently listed as one of the Opposition PPP/ C ’s p ro s p e c t i v e M e mbers of Parlaiament.

THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended charges against another member of the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Yesterday Crime Chief Wendel Blanhum confirmed to this newspaper that the Chambers of the DPP has recommended one charge against former Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsarran for threatening comments he made against women’s rights activists, Sherlina Nageer in April.

The former Health Minister is expected to be escorted to the Whim Magistrates Court by the police sometime today to answer the charge, even as police sources would not confirm if the matter would be called today or tomorrow.

In April, while outside the Whim Magistrates Court, the then Minister of Health threatened to strip and slap the activist for the fun of it after she had questioned him in relation to several

maternal deaths and other developments within the health sector.

A recording of the threats which were also laced with profanity was quickly uploaded to social media sites and prompted outrage from a wide cross- section of the society and also saw the PPP being pressured into distancing itself from the claims of the minister.

The minister was then fired a few days before the elections after he had publicly apologised for his remarks, but again sought to degrade the same activist while addressing residents in another region.

The move apparently angered then President Donald Ramotar who felt the developments embarrassed his Administration and placed the party at a disadvantage at

the national elections which were just days away.

The firing of the minister was however not sufficient for some who felt that the minister needed to be charged for his remarks. Dr Ramsarran and his colleague, former Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford who appeared in court yesterday for transferring state vehicles to herself and associates, are still among the names of persons to represent the PPP/C in the National Assembly whenever they decide to take up their seats in Parliament.

Yesterday, police sources in Berbice said that they were not aware that the former minister would have charges coming his way as recommended by the DPP, nor were they aware that he is likely to appear in court today or tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Russia vetoes bid to set up tribunal for downed flight MH17 (Reuters) RUSSIA vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution on Wednesday that would have set up an international tribunal to prosecute those suspected of downing a Malaysia Airlines passenger airliner last year in eastern Ukraine.

Eleven countries on the 15-member council voted in favor of the proposal by Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine, while three countries abstained: China, Angola and Venezuela. A resolution needs nine votes in favor to pass and no veto

by Russia, the United States, China, Britain or France.

Flight MH17 was shot down in July 2014 with 298 passengers on board, two-thirds of them Dutch. It crashed in Ukrainian territory held by Russian-backed separatists.

“Those responsible may believe that they can now hide behind the Russian

Federation’s veto. They will not be allowed to evade justice,” Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the council. There were 39 Australians on board flight MH17.

She said Australia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine would now seek an alternative prosecution mechanism.

Ukraine and Western countries accuse the rebels in eastern Ukraine of shooting down the plane with a Russian-made missile. But Moscow has rejected accusations it supplied the rebels with SA-11 Buk anti-aircraft missile systems.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told the council that “no veto will stand in the way of this heinous crime being investigated and prosecuted.”

“Efforts to deny justice only intensify the pain of the victims’ families, who have already endured more

Local workers transport a piece of wreckage from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 at the site of the plane crash near the village of Hrabove (Grabovo) in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine November 20, 2014. Reuters/Antonio Bronic than any of us can fathom,” she said “It is the effect of Russia’s veto today.”

Russia had proposed its own rival draft resolution, which pushed for a greater

U.N. role in an investigation into what caused the downing of the aircraft and demanded justice, but it would

Israel approves new homes in settlement after demolishing two buildings (Reuters) ISRAEL gave final approval on Wednesday for plans to build 300 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, announcing the move as it carried out a court demolition order against two vacant apartment blocks in the same enclave.

Dozens of Jewish settlers have gathered over the past several days at Beit El settlement to protest against the demolition. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled the two

partially built blocks had been constructed illegally on Palestinian-owned land.

Live television footage from Beit El showed settlers, who had scuffled earlier with police at the site, watching an excavator tear into the buildings, but not intervening.

As payback for the demolition, ultra-nationalists in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition had urged him to press ahead with a separate 300-home project slated for

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territory Palestinians seek for a state of their own, in the 1967 Middle East war. Most countries consider the settlements that Israel has built in occupied land as illegal.

The United States said it was “deeply concerned” about Israel’s decision to build new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“Settlement expansion threatens the two-state solution and calls into question

a different tract of land in the settlement.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said the “immediate construction of 300 housing units” had been approved for another site in Beit El. The settlement of more than 6,000 is near the Palestinian West Bank city of Ramallah.

In addition, the statement said, planning approval was granted for the building of 413 homes in the East Jerusalem area.

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Israel’s commitment to a negotiated resolution to the conflict,” the State Department said in a statement.

Settler leaders have been lobbying Netanyahu over the past few weeks to step up housing construction, seen internationally and by Palestinians as an obstacle to their aspiration for statehood.

It is possible that both new building programs could also face court challenges, following the ruling on the demolished blocks.

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not have set up a tribunal.

Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said it was premature to set up an international tribunal. He said the draft resolution was submitted for a vote by Malaysia and its co-sponsors with the knowledge that it would be vetoed.

“This in our view indicates the fact that political purposes were more important for them than practical objectives. This of course is regrettable,” Churkin said.

“Russia stands ready to cooperate in the conduct of a full, independent and objective investigation of the reasons and circumstances of the crash.”

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said the case had been made for a prosecution mechanism that transcended politics.

“I find it incomprehensible that a member of the Security Council obstructs justice in a tragedy that has affected so many. Impunity will give a very dangerous signal,” he said.

Malaysia, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ukraine are conducting a criminal inquiry in the downing of MH17. Separately, a final report on the cause of the crash is due in October from the Dutch Safety Board.

On July 21, 2014, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that demanded that those responsible “be held to account and that all states cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Peru rescues 39 ‘slave workers’ from Shining Path farm (BBC News) THE Peruvian army says it has rescued 39 people from a farm where the Shining Path rebel group kept them as slaves.

Some of the captives said they had been kidnapped some 30 years ago. The defence ministry said 26 of them were children, some of whom were born in captivity.

The victims said they were also forced to work in fields.

Some 120 Peruvian soldiers took part in the operation. Four army helicopters airlifted the captives into

safety.

The military says soldiers were led to the farm by a former captive, who lived there for many years and escaped about a month ago.

‘WORK AND PROCREATE’ “We’ve been here, like this, for 30 years,” one of the rescued women told La Republica newspaper.

Some of the rescued children said they were scared of the army, after being told by the rebels that the soldiers had come

to kill them.

“The aim of this operation was to rescue the people who were hostages of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) in what is called a production camp,” said Vice-Defence Minister Ivan Vega Loncharich.

Production camps are farms where “the children are gathered to work in agriculture and the women are expected to procreate and give birth to new rebels,” he said.

La Republica said some of the children had been kidnapped from ru-

Some of the children rescued were children of Shining Path rebels

Senior guards under scrutiny (Trinidad Guardian) PRISONERS Allan “Scanny” Martin, Hassan Atwell and Christopher Selby allegedly brokered a million-dollar deal with senior prison officers to secure their freedom from the Port-of-Spain prison last Friday.

The two senior prison officers are alleged to have been directly involved in the plot that eventually sprung the three prisoners but subsequently ended in the deaths of Martin, Atwell and police officer PC Sherman Maynard.

According to an intelligence source, police and prisons officials probing the case have received information that guns, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash were smuggled into the prison minutes before the planned escape was executed.

It is believed that the

Members of the T&T Defence Force stand guard outside the Royal Jail along Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Extra security measures have been implemented at the facility in the aftermath of last Friday’s jailbreak PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ items were smuggled in during a special visit by a junior prison officer.

The T&T Guardian also

received information that at the time of the prison break, one of the key men charged for Dana Seetahal’s, SC,

murder was about to get a visit.

A third senior prison officer is also closely being monitored by security officials for his possible link to the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.

It is alleged that this prison officer may be responsible for smuggling contraband items, including arms, ammunition, money and cellphones, into the prison for prisoners connected to the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian Wednesday, another intelligence source said the investigating team was looking closely at seven-minute video taken from CCTV footage at the facility which actually shows the identities of some of the prison officers believed to have some sort of knowledge that the prison break was about to go down.

Police say cop’s death appears to be suicide, investigations ongoing (Jamaica Gleaner) THE Manchester police say the policeman found with a fatal gunshot wound Tuesday evening appears to have committed suicide, but investigations are still at an early stage.

The cop, who was attached to the Four Paths Police Station near May Pen, Clarendon, has been identified as 33-year-old corporal

Tyrone Thompson.

He was found in bed in Newport, Manchester, with a gunshot wound to the head.

The policeman was reportedly found with his gun in his hand.

Commanding officer for the Manchester Police Division, Superintendent Melvin Brown, says while his death appears

on the surface to be suicide, the police will await the outcome of investigations.

It is understood that the corporal was found by a relative who forced his way into the policeman’s home last night.

He had reportedly complained to the relative that he was under stress in a conversation about 2 o’clock

Tuesday afternoon.

This is the third straight Tuesday on which a cop has died.

Last week, Constable Lynden Barrett was shot dead in Denham Town, west Kingston by criminals.

That was seven days after one of his colleagues, constable Crystal Thomas, was also shot dead by hoodlums.

ral communities, where parents do not report abductions for fear of reprisals.

The Maoist-inspired left-wing group was largely defeated in the 1990s after waging a bloody insurgency in one of South America’s poorest nations.

Almost 70,000 people died or disappeared in more than a decade of internal conflict.

But the Shining Path remains active in the main cocaine producing region of the country, where it is lead by the brothers Victor and Jorge Quispe Palomino.

They have been indicted in the U.S. for drug trafficking offences, along with Florindo Eleuterio Flores Hala, alias Comrade Artemio, who was arrested in 2012.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Guyana

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry IN the midst of the flurry of news of this week, there is the story of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, which was launched by the previous Government to determine the circumstances under which the late scholar-activist met his demise on June 13, 1980. The new Government has instructed the CoI to wind down and the Commissioners to present their findings to the President by November.

This decision did not get the approval of all concerned.

While the WPA has not spoken on the matter, some of its members, along with the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee, which comprises party members, supporters and friends and admirers of Rodney, have called on the Government to extend the CoI so that key witnesses, such as the former Crime Chief Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts and WPA co-leader Dr. Rupert Roopnarine could appear before the commission.

While they agree with the Government that the setting up of the commission by the PPP was politically motivated and that there was considerable financial wastage, they reasoned that the fact that the COI has to do with the murder of a high profile opponent of the

Justice must be done

THE nation has been informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has examined the file pertaining to the alleged transfer of Government vehicles to former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford and has recommended that charges be made.

Justice must not only appear to be done but it must be done in every instance.

There are other accusations levelled against persons who are allegedly involved in either removing funds or properties of the State illegally. For instance, in the case of the fuel scam at GuyOil; and it is expected that a formal complaint be made to the police for this and in every other case.

We cannot have one standard for some and another for others. The police and the DPP must be allowed to do their job unhindered in every case. The act of not reporting any incident that borders on transgression and violation must be seen as efforts to pervert the course of justice. To do this also sends a message to the people that their desire for good governance is not being heeded.

Our laws are supreme and it is for this reason the laws cannot be cherry-picked in its application to persons alleged to have engaged in wrongful conduct.

Under the law, every individual is to be treated equally and no citizen is entitled to feel that the law is for him/ her and not for others. The law must take its course in every case.

LINCOLN LEWIS

then government, it is imperative that the Government be seen not to be overtly taking sides. . As the WPA’s lawyer argued, justice cannot be measured in “dollars and cents”. This sentiment was expressed by the lawyer representing the Rodney family. And former president, Donald Ramotar, has issued a scathing statement in condemnation of the Government’s decision.

The Government, for its part, has not backed off from its decision. It may feel that its decision would find favour with Government supporters. On that score, it may not be wrong.

Given the mass sentiments against Government wastage and corruption, and given the fact that the CoI was framed in those terms by the Government, it is hardly surprising that the decision is very popular.

There are a couple of problems here. First, the WPA, Rodney’s party, is part of the APNU and the Coalition government in which the PNC, the party being accused of assassinating Rodney, is a major partner. To the best of our knowledge, there were no consultations between the two parties on the closing down of the CoI. The question here is this: Could this decision lead to a fracturing of relations in the Coalition?

Second, given the truncated CoI, would the PNC and the WPA accept the findings if they do not concur with their expectations. Both parties could conceivably point to an inclusive CoI as a basis for rejecting the findings.

We understand the arguments on both sides and are not inclined to support one versus the other. Having said that, we feel that Walter Rodney’s family, friends and political colleagues deserve a definitive answer about what happened.

Yet the reality is that Walter Rodney and his legacy have become victims of our contentious politics. In the circumstances, this outstanding product of Guyana is denied his rightful place in the popular consciousness of the country. In the final analysis, the country is poorer because of it. May good sense prevail and may Guyana be spared a new round of finger-pointing on this matter.

India’s President Dr. Kalam will be missed by Guyanese THE late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, who passed away on Monday, at age 84, will be missed by New York-based Guyanese and the Indian diaspora. Kalam-ji was well known among Indo-Caribbean people who visited India and interacted with him. He left a certain imprint on you.

He spent time interacting with us at PBDs, at his official home, and at meetings and receptions in the U.S. I never met an individual like him before. He had such a gracious smile and was so engaging on varied topics. He was also impressed with the cultural retention of Indo-Caribbean people in North America, England and the Caribbean region. Dr. Kalam had such a positive influence on everybody. One literally falls in love with this non-political figure upon meeting him.

Indo-Caribbean would remember him well. Kalam was the first Indian President to open Rashtrapati Bhavan to overseas Indians and many Indo-Caribbeans took advantage of his annual invitations at the PBD meets in Delhi. He hosted tea at the Presidential mansion during PBD (diaspora) conferences in Delhi for overseas participants and he spent a lot of time interacting with delegates at the five annual conferences when he presented national Samman awards; Bharrat Jagdeo,Yesu Persaud and Ashok Ramsaran were recipients of those awards.

I had the distinct honor of meeting him several times in India as well as in New York where he met with the diaspora on several trips. Indo-Caribbeans were invited for those receptions or conferences. Kalam-ji was very familiar with the lifestyle of Indians in Guyana and the Caribbean. I found him

very charming and charismatic. His smile and cheerfulness made him the person one can look up to.

Dr. Kalam possessed a sharp wit and loved to engage people. Queried once about dreams, he said: “Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is something that does not let you sleep”. He dreams for the development and improvement of rural life.

He was a humanist, caring and compassionate person.

He urged the diaspora to help in India’s development and gave moving speeches why the diaspora should make India’s development a priority. He also encouraged the diaspora to be proud of and contribute to the development of their host society.

Dr Kalam was one of India’s most eminent scientists, presiding over India’s nuclear and missile testing, and encouraged local development of India’s defense and technological needs.

Kalam was nominated and voted in by the then ruling BJP government in 2002 with his term ending in 2007. He was a unique head of state. Despite being a celebrated scientist and holding high positions as a Physicist and President, he was always accessible to everybody, regardless of one’s status in society. He actually gave out his e-mail address to the public – something no President or PM ever did. He treated everyone with utmost respect.

Unlike other ruling politicians or leaders, he wanted to See page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

PPP/C could make Parliament debut today

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...Govt anticipates PPP/C participation in setup of AML/CFT Authority

By Derwayne Wills GUYANA will come before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October of this year, and while the Parliament has approved the amendment to the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation, clearing the way for international financial compliance, there are still measures to be implemented before the country is in the safe zone.

The AML/CFT Act, which was approved by President David Granger in early July, will see the appointment of a 10-member AML/CFT Authority. That authority is to be set up on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.

The Committee is made up of all members of the National Assembly, both PPP parliamentary candidates yesterday in the National Assembly. From left, former Gov’t Chief Whip in the 10th Government and Oppo- Parliament, Gail Teixeira, flocked to the right and back by newcomers to the National Assembly (Photo courtesy sition, which must have News Source Guyana) meaningful consultation on the names of appointees to constitutional and other its defeat at the May 11 elections, has never attended any June 10. legislative agencies.

While the party’s General Secretary Clement RoThe People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), since of the sittings of the 11th Parliament since it opened on hee has maintained the party is not sure when it will be heading to the National Assembly, the PPP/C has officially submitted its list of candidates for the 11th Parliament (2015-2020) to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and the Office of the Parliament of Guyana.

The PPP/C was yesterday present at a special orientation session for new Parliamentarians, which saw newcomers Charles Ramson, son of former Attorney General Charles Ramson Sr; Harry Gill; former head of the National Toshaos Council; Yvonne Pearson; former Permanent Secretary of Amerindian Affairs Ministry, now Indigenous Peoples’ Ministry, Nigel Dharamlall; Zulfikar Mustapha, IF reports and letters in the print and online media, former Permanent Secretary of what was previously known From page 6 and posts on social sites are to be believed, many supas the Local Government Ministry, now the Ministry of porters of the APNU+AFC coalition are taking great spend time with and be among people and was not one who Communities, Collin Croal. pleasure in revelations of evidence of malfeasance, cared for formalities or disruption of the lives of others to The PPP/C could make an appearance today in the Nacorruption, poor governance and possibly illegal accommodate him. He lived a simple life, even when he was tional Assembly. The move by the PPP/C could see some conduct, perpetrated by the previous regime. I feel President, and did not want to be treated in any special hope in the appointment of the AML/CFT Authority ahead differently; as a Guyanese, I feel only sadness and a way or looked upon as a better person than others. He did of the FATF meeting in Paris this October, where Attorney profound sense of disappointment that we, as a people, not want to be treated differently from others. He sat on General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, will had allowed this state of affairs to exist for so long. It is simple chairs and rejected special food and material things. present Guyana’s case. even more saddening that despite the evidence, many He mingled with everyone from the bottom to the top of Governance Minister Raphael Trotman told reporters persons voted for the corrupt PPP in the last election, society and promoted equality among people regardless of ethyesterday at a post-cabinet press briefing at the Ministry and even now, continue to defend and support what nicity, religion and caste. He was called the Peoples’ President of the Presidency, that as it relates to the role of the PPP/C was obviously a structure of corruption, greed and and was considered the most popular President in the history in setting up the authority, the A Partnership for National probably, criminality. of India. Even after his term as President, people flocked to see Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government Editor, apparently, we have yet to learn our lesson, to and meet him at conferences all over the world to benefit from “would not want to proceed [with] a decision without move away from the blind allegiances of the past and to his intellect. He had a positive influence on people and was a involving the Opposition.” mature as a nation. Until we are able to collectively do so, terrific motivational speaker. One person commented about his The Minister acknowledged, at the time of his statewe will be condemned to lives characterised by suffering, striking answer to a question from a parent on how to deal with ments yesterday morning, the National Assembly is withwant, and under-development. corruption in India. He said: “Stop corruption in your house out an Opposition, and he hopes that the PPP/C will make It is my sincere hope that Guyanese wake up, view first and the country will change. Stop bribing your kids and its Parliamentary debut at today’s sitting of the National the recent change of Government as an opportunity for teach them to earn their rewards and the country shall change.”

Assembly in the 11th Parliament. renewal, and seize the opportunity to effect not only Kalam fully supported India’s defense system and testing Trotman was keen to tame his optimism, declaring national change, but personal reform as well. We must of nuclear weapons but he felt defense should not stop develthat in the absence of the PPP/C in the National Assembly hold our current leaders accountable. We must be critical opment of the country. He advocated construction of rapid before Guyana’s October deadline, the Government would of their actions, when such is justified. We must re-adjust metro transport system around the major cities and the modhave to pass the laws and implement measures in order to our thinking, and come to the realisation that they are our ernising of India. He also cared for the homeless and wanted ensure the country’s compliance. servants, not our bosses; they must do our bidding, and the Government to take steps to provide shelters to all as well While Cabinet has already approved the travels represent our interests. The only things that matter are as to transform rural areas. of the Attorney General and some other Government national issues.

The Indian diaspora will miss his presence at conferofficers to attend the Paris meeting, Trotman told the We have an opportunity to change our culture of ences and his sharp wit at exchanges with him. media the Government is confident in its standing, and governance, let us not miss it, again. “we are well on our way to restoration of credibility [in VISHNU BISRAM the international financial system].”

MARK DA COSTA

India’s President Dr. Kalam...

We have yet to learn our lesson

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

No truth in Gov’t importing

52 luxury vehicles – Minister Trotman GOVERNANCE Minister Raphael Trotman has rubbished claims by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that some $1B had been invested by the new David Granger Administration into the purchase of 52 new custom-made luxury Land Cruiser vehicles for use by Government officials.

At a post-cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Trotman told the press corps that the new Administration had heard of the allegations, which seemed to have hit the surface long before the statement from the PPP/C. Trotman said he was tasked to contact the Beharry Group of Companies some time ago to enquire about the

alleged shipment of vehicles heading for Guyana, but he was informed by a senior official of the company that there was no incoming shipment of 52 vehicles.

The Beharry Group of Companies is the designated importer of Toyota vehicles, and Trotman was informed that one vehicle had landed at the seaport just after the May 11 elections. That car, according to Trotman, is now being used in the presidential fleet of vehicles.

The statement coming out of the PPP/C, which lost the reins of power at the May 11 polls that ended the party’s 23-year-rule, spoke to the alleged vehicles being equipped with “leather seats, high-end entertainment centres, [and] high-definition

Governance Minister, Raphael Trotman

TVs, among other luxurious fittings.”

“We are not going to do anything as ridiculous as invest in 52 vehicles for our-

selves with entertainment systems and leather seats and so forth,” Trotman said, explaining that the new A Partnership for National Uni-

ty+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government uses vehicles formerly used by the previous Administration.

“There is nothing irregular or extravagant about fixing the gutters or putting another coat of paint, or replacing rotting boards,” Trotman said about State properties such as the buildings housing the courts throughout Guyana, and even the guesthouses owned by the State.

The PPP/C also levelled criticisms against the new Administration for failing to implement some of the promises made by the coalition parties on the campaign trail before May 11. “The APNU+AFC Government has abandoned its election promises of a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 20% pay increase for public servants, claiming there is no

money in the treasury,” the PPP/C statement read.

While the Governance Minister could not pronounce on how Finance Minister Winston Jordan will treat the increase of wages and salaries in his 2015 budget presentation expected in September, he said not only will Government fulfil the promises made in the coalition’s 100 day-plan, but he believes the awaited pronouncements of the Finance Minister “will meet the general approval of the population.”

On another note, the PPP/C had also accused the new Administration of spending hefty sums of money on the modification of State houses. Defending this position, Mr. Trotman said, “We believe that State houses are property of the State and need to be refurbished where necessary.”

GWI customer Prime suspect in custody after murder charged over verbal of Kitty miner in Puruni backdam abuse of company’s meter reader

THE prime suspect, as well as two other persons, in the hacking to death of miner, Rishada Dusrajh, 29, of Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, is in police custody and has since confessed to the brutal crime.

The men have been identified as colleagues of the deceased and the main suspect and Dusrajh, called “Tali or Taliban” used to oversee the operations of the mining camp at Oku Backdam, Puruni.

Detectives were told that the main suspect and the victim had a falling out and it was he who hacked Dusrajh to death but the other men assisted in the transportation of the body before it was dumped.

A relative of the deceased, who wished not to be named, told this publication that they first chopped Dusrajh to his face at about 3:30 pm on Saturday following an argument after a drinking spree.

She added that the men returned to drinking and left Dusrajh in the camp sleeping and when they returned later that evening he was dealt multiple chops about the body after which he was tied up and anchored by a wheel in an abandoned mining pit some distance away by his fellow miners.

After he was reported missing on Monday, the dredge owner travelled to the interior location where he launched a search and found the body. He then informed the relatives and the police. The suspects were arrested by public-spirited citizens and

Murdered: Rishada Dusrajh

miners and handed over to the police.

The dredge owner told relatives of the deceased that after observing the amount of blood at the mining camp, it was impossible for Dusrajh to be alive and he initiated a search for his body.

The relative told this publication that Dusrajh was unmarried and had stayed about a year in the interior without visiting but would often call via cell phone.

She explained that he would stay by her whenever he came out of the ‘bush’ after a few months but sometimes he went to their hometown

in Essequibo where her mother and brother reside.

Dusrajh spoke to his mother on Mother’s Day and his sister a few weeks ago and relatives first learnt about the tragic circumstances when a friend telephoned them to report he was missing and that something had happened to him.

She said he was a soldier but left the army and went to work in the interior as a miner but returned to take a job with a private security firm.

However, after some time he returned to the interior where he spent most of his time working.

The grieving woman described her brother as a very easygoing and willing person who was friendly and had a way in getting along with people easily.

The body is at Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem on Friday.

Police in a press release said they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of miner Rishada Dusrajh, 29, of Station Street, Kitty, whose body was found in an abandoned mining pit at Oku Backdam, Puruni, on July 28, 2015, with a wound to his throat.

Three men are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

This year the Guyana Police Force recorded 29 disorderly murders which took place mostly in the interior, while in 2014 they tallied 15 which shows an 81% increase in these types of murders.

– incidents of threats and abuse of GWI field employees on the increase THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) yesterday expressed alarm at the increase in incidents of the verbal abuse and threats of violence towards GWI meter readers, disconnection teams and water service inspectors by the water company’s customers.

The GWI said in a release that a GWI customer of D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice is before the court for verbally abusing and issuing threats to a GWI meter reader.

The incident occurred in early July 2015 and involved the GWI meter reader requesting access to the customer’s residence in order to gain an accurate reading from his water meter. The GWI employee was then verbally abused by the customer upon entering his premises, and she was made to endure a barrage of offensive language and threats to her wellbeing.

Upon reporting the inci-

dent to the GWI Customer Services Manager responsible for the Fort Wellington Office, the police were contacted and a full report on the incident was provided.

This resulted in the subsequent arrest of the D’Edward Village customer who was charged with indecent conduct and verbal abuse.

The incident was brought before the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court this month.

During these proceedings, the accused pleaded not guilty and the matter was sent to the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court where it was scheduled to be heard yesterday. The GWI meter reader involved in the incident was asked to appear and agreed to testify.

The incident forms part of an overarching problem affecting GWI field employees who are experiencing heightened abuse by customers.

Meanwhile, GWI Chief Turn to page 9 ►

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

recover unlicensed President Granger Police .32 pistol strengthens ties with Catholic community National Trust opens 5th Children’s – after searching drain in Grove

POLICE yesterday retrieved an unlicensed firearm following the search of a drain in Grove, East Bank Demerara.

The find was made at about 01:20 hrs yesterday after ranks of a police mobile patrol in Tank Street, Grove, EBD, observed a man throwing an object into a nearby drain as they approached. The man managed to escape.

The object was retrieved and found to be an unlicensed .32 pistol with two rounds.

– invited to visit the Pope ARCHBISHOP Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio Ambassador and Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne met with President David Granger yesterday to offer their congratulations and support for the new Government.

During the visit at the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger expressed gratitude to Archbishop Girasoli for the sincere congratulations and his assurance of the church’s support for the Government.

Speaking briefly to the Guyana Chronicle, Arch-

bishop Girasoli stated that he came to congratulate the new President of Guyana and also discussed other matters.

“I took the opportunity to personally congratulate President Granger and to affirm our continued support for the Government.”

The Archbishop explained that over the years the Vatican and the Republic of Guyana have enjoyed good relationships and it is the hope of the Church that this continues. “This was an occasion to reaffirm our good relations that exist between the Vatican and the Republic

of Guyana.”

He noted that the two parties also discussed at length the assistance provided by the Church in the education sector. “The church is very impressed with the country and we have a good relationship with the Government, especially in education.”

He noted that the President appreciates the contributions of the church and the work of Bishop Alleyne in the country.

“I also took opportunity to invite President Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge to visit the Pope as I see this as very important.”

Heritage Awareness Camp

– geared to foster and raise heritage awareness

Minister Henry interacts with the participants of the 5th Heritage Camp held at the National Trust

President David Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli and Bishop Francis Alleyne

GWI customer charged over...

Executive (ag) Nigel Niles has mandated that Customer Service Managers make contact with the Guyana Police Force regarding any incident in which customers threaten bodily harm or engage in excessive verbal abuse of any GWI employee. “The safety of our employees is of utmost importance,” stated the Chief Executive.

“We will not tolerate any threats of violence towards our field operatives

or customer service representatives stationed at our offices. The company will seek prosecution of any customer who attempts to verbally abuse or physically attack any GWI employee,” Niles added.

He has advised that customers who are disgruntled must seek assistance through the normal channels provided by the company’s Customer Services Department.

He further advised that

From page 8

customers must be cognisant of the fact that they are legally obligated to allow GWI meter readers to have access to their water service meters as stipulated in the Water and Sewerage Act, 2002. The Chief Executive noted also that it is an offense to obstruct any GWI employee from gaining access to GWI’s apparatus and acts such as this can result in prosecution, the release concluded.

THE National Trust of Guyana, tasked with the responsibly for the preservation and promotion of Guyana’s monuments and heritage sites, commenced its 5th Children’s Heritage Awareness Camp on Monday last.

The camp caters for children between the ages 8 and 11 years old and was first held in 2011. The National Trust hopes that the camp will impart knowledge and skills of various aspects of Guyana’s heritage in order to increase appreciation for the country’s national heritage with a focus on monuments and heritage sites.

“This year the camp is offering hands-on and interactive model making projects and monument profiles as well as historic monument tours around the city to provide a face to face and practical feel of these sites while observing the children’s reaction during the exercise,” a release said.

QUIZ A quiz on what the children would have learnt during the one-week period will be done to assess their grasp of the programme and

serve as an evaluation of the week’s exercise.

At the opening ceremony of the camp, the Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry asked the participants their expectations and why they wanted to attend the camp.

INCULCATING NATIONAL PRIDE Although their responses varied, all the participants concluded that they expected to learn about their heritage, the monuments and make new friends. Minister Henry urged the children to ensure that they understand why they must value and protect the monuments. She expressed the hope that the camp will inculcate more national pride in the students.

Chief Executive Officer, Nirvana Persaud explained that the model-making exercise tests the children’s level of creativity and skills, particularly as these projects will include the development of sites from their perspective as to how and what should be done to beautify and enhance the sites identified.

They are also required to work on the locations and the significance of the respective sites, she explained.

Persaud highlighted that the programme aims to promote awareness and appreciation of Guyana’s heritage and the importance of preserving it as part of national pride and identity.

Its objective, she stated, is to introduce and expose the students through presentations, materials, hands-on exercises and tours to monuments and heritage sites.

It also affords opportunities for learning about monuments in various communities, heritage in our homes and daily lives, basics in model making, taxidermy in the Museum, basics in records preservation, and tours to important heritage sites in the city.

All of these, she asserted, are geared to foster and raise heritage awareness among the younger generation for the safeguarding and promotion of Guyana’s legacy for long-term survival.

At the end of the camp each student will be given certificates of participation and an exhibition of their work will also be mounted.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

It’s final!

Rodney Commission of Inquiry ends …Gov’t will not entertain petition EVEN with hundreds of millions expended into the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Dr Walter Rodney, and calls from Rodney’s family for an extension of the Commission’s proceedings, the Government is adamant there will be no extension of the Commission.

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman was asked yesterday at a post-cabinet press brief whether Government would consider a continuation

by two weeks of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry.

Trotman said the collective decision taken by Cabinet was not only to save the money of taxpayers, but also what he called “further embarrassment.” The Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of a petition currently before the Commissioners of the Rodney Commission

by Counsels representing the surviving Rodney family, and Donald Rodney, the brother of the deceased party leader.

Trotman observed that

close to $1B has been spent on the Commission thus far.

The Rodney Commission commenced hearings in 2013 under then President Ramotar. Both the WPA and the People’s National Congress (PNC) parties were represented through the Commission’s 60+ days of hearing.

The WPA and the PNC are currently parties within the APNU bloc of the new coalition Government. Rodney had been the leader of the WPA at the time of his death, during which PNC founder

Forbes Burnham was Prime Minister.

Since coming to power after the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the coalition Government had uncovered what has been deemed excessive spending, and cited this as justification for discontinuation of the Rodney CoI. Trotman said the Commission “appeared as nothing more than a charade for electioneering purposes, put on as a side-show by the former Administration.” This was a position similarly shared by the WPA in recent times, but on Tuesday at the final day of submission, the party called

for the extension of one or two weeks to facilitate the testimonies of crucial witnesses.

At Tuesday’s final sitting of the Commission at the Supreme Court, Counsel representing the WPA, Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, said, on behalf of his client, that while the entity recognises the right of the new Government to bring the Commission to an end, “there is nothing more that can render this exercise a waste of public resources than an inconclusive finding by this Commission”.

“The WPA,” he continued, “does not encourage or condone the waste of public

resources, but it will be a sad day when democracy, the search for truth, and the opportunity for hearing and reconciliation are measured only in dollars and cents”.

Trotman said, however, he has difficulty believing that any extension would “deliver anything that is earth shattering.” The petition is expected to be submitted to President David Granger, but the posture of the Administration seems to be one of no consideration.

Meanwhile, the Commission is expected to produce its final report with findings and recommendations by the end of November.

Former PPP Gov’t minister, ex-personnel officer granted bail over larceny FORMER PPP/C Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford and Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings were yesterday arraigned at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Court to answer larceny charges and were each granted bail.

Dr. Westford, 54, of Lot 55 AA Victoria Avenue Eccles and 36-year-old Cummings

Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Friday, July 31, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Saturday, August 1, 2015 - 05:30 hrs

of Lot 709 Section ‘A’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, both made their appearance before City Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charges laid against them separately.

The former minister answered to four counts of attempt to commit a felony, one of which said that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, Georgetown, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, she attempted to commit larceny, when she sought to have transferred motor vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 to the name of Wayne Walker, being the property of the Government of Guyana.

Another charge stated that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, in an attempt to commit larceny, Westford also sought to transfer motor vehicle PFF 1780 to the name of Delroy Lewis, being the property of the Government of Guyana.

Thirdly, Westford, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, attempted to commit larceny, that is she sought to transfer motor vehicle PJJ 3444 to her name.

She further denied that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, she also attempted to commit larceny in seeking to transfer motor vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 to the name of Gary Beaton.

Meanwhile, Cummings

Former minister Jennifer Westford in Court yesterday

denied the four counts of forgery levelled against her. One of the charges said that between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PFF 1780 by Delroy Lewis.

It is also alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, she forged certain documents, purporting

to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 by Wayne Walker.

It is further alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PJJ 3444 by Dr. Webster.

Lastly, Cummings was charged with forging certain documents, between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of

vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 by Gary Beaton.

The charges were indictable at first, but after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied, the charges became summary and both of them were required to plead.

Both the former minister and the Chief Personnel Officer stood in the dock calmly and answered to the charges separately.

Westford and Cummings were both represented by attorneys-at-law Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd and Husi Anderson.

Defence counsel Chase requested that the former minister be placed on her own recognisance, stating that she has no priors and does not pose a flight risk. She further stated that Westford is married and is a medical doctor by profession.

Regarding Cummings, defence counsel Todd also requested bail in a reasonable sum, pleading that his client is a mother of two minor children. Todd further informed the court that Cummings is at present on administrative leave and has fully cooperated with the police during the investigations.

Westford was placed on $200,000 bail on each of the four charges while Cummings was granted $300,000 bail on each of the four charges.

The matters against both defendants were transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for August 10.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Renewable energy could transform the sugar industry and Guyana’s economy – CDB President, Dr. William Warren Smith PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. William Warren Smith, says that the institution is prepared to work with Guyana in an effort to help the country realise its full potential in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

In an interview at the Ministry of the Presidency, Dr. Smith said the Bank will grasp at the opportunity to work with Guyana to address green energy.

Speaking on the challenges facing the sugar industry in Guyana, Dr. Smith described the possibility of transforming that sector by exploring renewable energy options. Dr. Smith said while his institution can’t resolve all of the issues, technical assistance can be

given with the aim of resolving some of them. “What we can do is provide the technical assistance where you can acquire the expertise to advise you on the transformation of that industry, so that it can realise its true potential.”

“Energy efficiency is an area which is frequently overlooked in the discussion about reducing the cost of electricity and the cost of energy generally, but it is really the starting point for making a determination as to how you should address your energy costs,” he said.

Dr. Smith further explained that the CDB recently established the Renewable and Energy Efficiency Unit, which has been set up in collaboration with the Government of Germany.

Germany will be providing technical assistance to staff of the CDB with the aim of addressing all of the key renewable energy options that are available.

“When we look at Guyana, we see unlimited opportunity in both the climate adaptation side and also in the renewable energy and energy efficiency side,” Dr. Smith said.

The CDB President added that the Government has signalled its interest to work closely with the Bank and offer any assistance necessary. “There is hardly any form of renewable energy that Guyana does not have, with possibly the exception of geothermal. But you have wind, abundant hydro power potential and solar. We have capabilities in all of those

Dr. William Warren Smith

areas and what we want to do is design an intervention programme here that is consistent with your needs,” Smith said. However, in designing a programme, Dr.

Smith said it is important to give consideration to the peculiarities of the country.

“For example Guyana is a very large country with areas of relatively small population and population that are far apart, so that we believe that renewable energy solutions are ideal for those types of circumstances,” he said. Moving forward, Dr. Smith said a team from the CDB would have to conduct in-depth discussions with local experts as to how best the geographic challenges can be overcome.

Pointing to what renewable energy and energy efficiency can do for Guyana’s economy, Dr. Smith said these options are “exciting” and technology is developing at an inviting pace. “Not only is the technology good, its developing nicely from the point of view of the cost of it, and also what is equal-

ly exciting is that financial resources are now becoming available, which are attractively priced,” he said.

Dr. Smith added that equally important, is the fact that, “Some of those resources are grant resources, meaning you don’t have to pay back, which makes the economics of implementation of renewable energy very much within the reach of the poorest of the Caribbean countries.”

Another major reason for pursuing this initiative, Dr. Smith said, is because bringing down the cost of electricity would also mean making Guyana’s economy more competitive. “You’ll be able to become internationally attractive for the export of goods and services and it will help to improve the quality of life for your people,” Smith added.

Pork-knocker gets three years, fined over $.5M for ganja trafficking A 45-year-old pork-knocker of Lot J 6 Jackson Street, Tucville, was yesterday jailed for three years by Magistrate Ann McLennan on a drug trafficking charge.

Orin Semple, without hesitation, pleaded guilty to the charge that said on Monday, July 27 at Jackson Street, Tucville, Georgetown, he had in his possession 390 grammes of cannabis sativa.

Police Sergeant Neville Jeffers, prosecuting, told the court that on the day in question ranks acting on information went to Semple’s home.

A search was conducted in his room and in his wardrobe the illegal substance was unearthed.

According to the police prosecutor, Semple was not at his home at the time of the discovery but his nephew

who was there was arrested.

Semple later turned himself in to the police at the narcotics branch, where he accepted ownership of the prohibited drug.

The unrepresented man begged the court for leniency, after stating that what he did was wrong.

He was also fined $585,000 together with the custodial sentence.

12

Police now in possession of Sean Hinds recordings AFTER a section of the media reported that Nightly News Anchorman Travis Chase could find himself on the other side of the law possibly for perverting the course of justice, the Management of HGP TV through its News Director yesterday handed over the recordings with former policeman Shawn Hinds to police investigators.

This was confirmed by the News Director of the television Station who spoke with this newspaper and identified himself as “Bobb” The News Director confirmed to this publication that a request was made by Crime Chief Senior Superintendent Wendel Blanhum for the recordings and those were provided on Wednesday.

Bobb explained that everything that was in the public’s domain with respect to the interviews that were conducted with Sean Hinds

by Travis Chase was handed over to the police on one disc.

Contacted yesterday, Crime Chief Wendel Blanhum confirmed that the police had requested the interviews from the News Director during a meeting that he had with the media practitioner on Tuesday and a commitment on the part of Bobb was given that the recordings will be provided.

Blanhum also confirmed that the News Director had requested that the request for the recording be put in writing and that was done with the police sending an electronic mail making the request.

It was also pointed out by the Crime Chief during his discussion with this newspaper that the HGP TV News Director did indicate to him that the news agency had no plans to hamper the police’s investigations with regards to the revelations that were

made by Hinds during his exclusive and explosive interviews with Travis Chase.

On the issue of Sean Hinds, well he remains in the custody of the police and continues to stick with the advice of his lawyer and hence not cooperating with the police.

The man continues to refuse to answer several questions put to him by the police investigators.

Police sources have even said that they would have asked Hinds what he hopes to achieve in return from the police or other persons for his information but even those questions he has not been answering. It is unclear how long Hinds will remain in the custody of the police.

By late yesterday afternoon Crime Chief Wendel Blanhum confirmed that the tapes were received from the television station and those are being reviewed by investigators.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Annual re-training of drivers could lead to fewer road fatalities THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is advocating that through attitude change and education the current road culture which has contributed to numerous road fatalities in Guyana may be reduced.

NRSC Coordinator Ramona Doorgen told this publication that there needs to be collaborative training for drivers annually, in which Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) can issue yearly licences to those drivers, who have been re-trained by the NRSC. She added that the training will be much different from that of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and there is also need for the implementation of stiffer penalties for drunk drivers and the motor manslaughter Act should be looked at before instituted.

Doorgen disclosed that they are looking to have a mass media education campaign, because they are of the view that drivers and road users need to be educated to have a change of attitude and they are currently in discussion with the Minister of Public Security for that to become possible.

The NRSC member yesterday asked that drivers reduce their speeds, since they are concerned at the alarming number of persons who have lost their lives on the road-

Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam

ways.

She urged that drivers use the five Cs and be attentive, while pedestrians utilise the sidewalks and cross the roads correctly to minimise the incidence of fatalities and road accidents.

Doorgen pointed out that globally, pedestrians are most vulnerable to fatalities and that is why more entities should partner with the NRSC to educate the public in general, not only pedestrians.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam told this newspaper that they have recorded a 6% increase in road deaths this year as compared to last year.

He revealed that this year we have 71 fatalities and last year we had 67; as for road accidents, there were 58 this

year and 61 for last year with a 5% decrease.

The senior officer said the figures are worrying and despite their rigid enforcement campaigns countrywide, drivers continue to have blatant disregard for the law.

He added that the leading category of road users that are most vulnerable are pedestrians and they have seen a decrease in serious and damage accidents this year.

Giving statistics, Amsterdam said 25 pedestrians, six pedal cyclists, 10 motor cyclists, two pillion riders, nine drivers, 14 occupants in cars, one towed on bicycle and four occupants in minibuses lost their lives this year in road accidents.

He however advised that pedestrians be extra careful on the roads, wear bright-coloured clothing at nights and asked that drivers be more defensive in their driving, so they will be able to take necessary action in the event they have to, because we cannot afford to lose another life on the roads.

He disclosed that in August last year, 22 persons were killed in road accidents and as we are approaching the month of August 2015, we do not want a repeat of that figure as fatalities; as such, everybody needs to play a part when using the roads.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

NGO partners with Region 2 Administration to combat suicide THE Hope for All (HFA) organisation has partnered with the Region Two Administration to fight the scourge of suicide, currently at an alarming rate on the Essequibo Coast.

Members Tiffany Griffith and Miriam Hinds Tuesday met Region 2 Chairman Mr Devanand Ramdatt in his office at Anna Regina to discuss setting up a programme of activities to combat the high rate of suicide in the region.

The Hope For All representatives told Mr Ramdatt that, 14 years ago, the group commenced its activities with HIV victims.

Ms Miriam Hinds has said that, with the high rate of suicide in the region, the group is now focusing on

Regional Chairman Mr Devanand Ramdatt in discussion with officers of the ‘Hope for All’ organisation in his office at Anna Regina

suicide, and not just on HIV. She said there is ‘hope

Ministry urges full support for 2:00 am closing of nightspots THE Ministry of Public Security yesterday put into proper perspective its recent decision to have the Guyana Police Force enforce the 2:00 am closing time for nightclubs and other places of entertainment.

According to a press release, Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday sought to clear the air on the enforcement of the 2:00 am closing of nightspots and other places of entertainment, stating that given the negative effects of alcohol consumption on crime and violence, among other things, it is in Government’s best interest to safeguard citizens.

The decision was met with disagreement by some sections of society but nevertheless the Ministry of Public Security explained that after taking into account the negative effects of alcohol consumption on crime and violence, including domestic violence, traffic accidents, the productive capacities of our population, especially the young, along with other attendant circumstances, including the adverse effects of the proliferation of noise nuisance, the minister had determined that it was in the best interest of the country to enforce the existing laws which have mandated that these entertainment facilities must close at 2:00 am.

The ministry stated that this move, however, has gained wide support by women’s groups and the Private Sector Commission, among

other organisations. It should also be noted that such legal restrictions are not uncommon in other countries.

Meanwhile, some citizens are finding it difficult to adjust to this new enforcement in the shutting of bars, etc. at 2:00 am while others are in support of the move, first announced

by Minister Ramjattan during the coalition’s campaigning prior to the May 11 elections.

The 2:00am closing time is provided for in the Music and Dancing Licenses (Amendment) Act Chapter 23:03, Act No. 12 of 1982, which states at section 9 that: “A place, so kept or used, although so licensed as aforesaid, shall not be opened for any of the purposes aforesaid except on the days and between the hours stated on the licence: Provided that the holder of a first class hotel licence may keep open the licensed premises for the purpose of dancing, singing, music or other public entertainment once in every week until the hour of two of the clock in the morning except on any Sunday.”

“Place” as used in Section 9 means “house, room, garden, or other place” and will cover bars, clubs and restaurants - also inclusive of open spaces used for dances and entertainment purposes.

This law is being enforced in the interest of citizens’ security and safety with the aim of suppressing criminal and other offences which typically occur after 2:00 am, the release added.

for all’, and the barriers must be removed, because the is-

sues that lead to suicide are based mostly on substance

abuse, gender-based violence, and parental conflict with their children, which are all interlinked.

She said the group gives to persons a sense of hope for their lives.

Region Two Chairman, Mr Ramdatt, said he is pleased that Hope For All has joined with the Regional Administration to fight suicide.

The Chairman said he is very confident that the programme of activities and actions to combat suicide would be effective.

Mr Ramdatt said some of the action points are raising awareness and providing counselling in communities, so as to have a decrease in suicide cases. The Chairman said that, with the help of

the business community, the television and radio stations will also be used for public discussions and solutions on suicide, and to air brief messages on the prevention of suicide.

Reports are that three persons aged 15, 18 and 33 were admitted to the Suddie Hospital after ingesting poisonous substances last week.

The 33-year-old male reportedly drank a quantity of gramoxone (poison), while the 15- and 18-year-old females ingested a poison used for killing grass.

All three persons are said to be experiencing personal problems.

Region Two is reputed to have the highest number of suicide cases in the country. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Some 12 in pol APPROXIMATELY 1 2 0 c h i l d re n f ro m Georgetown and contiguous communities were, on Monday, a part of the first day activities at the Guyana Police Force 'A' Division Youth Camp at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Facilitated by several resource persons from both within and without the Guyana Police Force, camping activities officially began on Monday and will end on Saturday.

The children are scheduled to participate in activities that would foster skills development and capacity building mirroring those of the last camp they had attended in

Commander Hicken and care-givers

You

201 act con lev the hav the

chi ers De den info stic

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

20 children participating lice youth camp respect to activities in which they are engaging the children. He reminded that it remains very important for them to be able to account for each child, since the children were now placed into their trust and care.

Like Deputy Superintendent Fowler, Commander Hicken also spoke on

s posing with the children before they officially commence camping

uth campers getting themselves into their respective dorms

14, but the present tivities would be nducted at a higher vel, since many of e children would ve participated in e last camp.

Addressing the ildren and caregivs, Camp Mother, eputy Superintennt Desiree Fowler, ormed that she is a ckler for discipline,

while also reminding them that the intention behind the camp is for them to learn new things in an environment away from their homes.

The Camp Mother also pointed out to the caregivers what is expected of them over the next few days during their engagement with the young people. She spoke of the tie for sunrise, Physical Education, choirs, breakfast, and the daily sessions.

'A' Division Commander Clifton Hicken urged the caregivers in his remarks to stick to the timetable with

Some of the youngsters engage in a game of cricket before they officially settle in

the issue of discipline, which he said if not adhered to by anyone on the camp, that person would be escorted back to Georgetown, into the community and into the hands of his/her parents and/or guardians.

Commander Hicken encouraged the young people to use the opportunity to

grasp as much as they can, as, he said, it would allow them to build themselves on a more individual basis, if not at present, then in the future.

Among the groups participating in this camp are Mocha, Albouystown, Kitty, Agricola, Tiger Bay, and at least two other communities.

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WICB Regional U-19 50-Over

Guyana continue hunt to retain title DEFENDING champions and top runners Guyana Under-19 swing back into action today in round six of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional U-19 50over competition in Jamaica.

Today’s match will be crucial for the top three teams, who are currently bunched closely together, to register a win.

With only one round remaining, Round 7, these teams understand their roles if they want to finish in the top two, to enter the final.

Guyana, currently in third, face current points-leaders

Windward Islands in one of the day’s three matches. Jamaica currently in second will tackle Leeward Islands who lead the bottom half of the table while ICC Americas go head-to-head with Barbados.

Rounds 7 will be contested the following day. Guyana will meet ICC Americas, Leeward Islands will take on Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will clash with Jamaica.

Curtain then comes down on the competition when the finalists do battle on August 2.

Frankie’s team prevail in Golden Masters dominoes competition FRANKIE’S team of West Bank Demerara emerged victorious in the recently concluded Masters Invitational dominoes tournament, hosted by the Golden Masters on Tuesday at the South View Tavern.

Frankie’s, who are now $150 000 richer and in possession of the winners’ trophy, beat off the Strikers and Phantom teams who finished second and third respectively in the keenly contested tournament. Strikers carted off $100 000 and a trophy for their efforts while Phantom picked up $50 000 and a trophy.

The twelve-team tournament saw participants from East Coast Demerara (ECD), Georgetown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), West Coast Demerara (WCD) & West Bank Demerara (WBD). Robbie Grovesner of Frankie’s team was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after being the only player in the final to obtain 18 games. He collected $10

Frankie’s team pose with their spoils after winning the Masters Invitational dominoes tournament.

000 and a trophy for that performance.

The sponsors included B & M Stephens Mining, Bibi Mohammed Mining, West Kaburi Mining, Strikers Sports Bar, Dynasty, Big Boss Transportation Service and Future Mineral Investments & Consultancy.

Meanwhile, organisers have indicated their intention to make the tournament an annual one and to involve the corporate sector in the next edition.

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Platini announces FIFA presidency bid UEFA president Michel Platini ended weeks of uncertainty yesterday when he announced that he would stand for the presidency of FIFA in place of outgoing Sepp Blatter.

The former French international, who has been UEFA president since 2007 and a FIFA executive committee member since 2002, said he

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wanted to “to give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves.”

Platini, who played in three World Cups for France and led them to the European championship title in 1984, said he had written to the 209 member-associations of FIFA, who each hold one vote in the presidential election, to inform them of his decision.

“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of soccer alongside my own future,” he said in the letter, according to a statement published on the UEFA website (www.uefa. org).

“I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.”

“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands.”

Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as president on May 29, but four days later said he would lay down his mandate amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history. Blatter will remain as president until the election on February 26.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

ASHES 2015

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament …

Guyana can retain title – Moore

GUYANA coach Julian Moore is confident his team can defend their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional OneDay title given that the winning momentum is with them.

The defending champions will clash with leaders Windward Islands today at the Guyana National Stadium from 09:30hrs.

Speaking with this publication yesterday, Moore expressed confidence that his team possessed the requisite firepower to successfully defend the title.

“We are pretty much confident of retaining the title.

We know it will be a very important game for us, but we still look at it like any other game. We have been

Julian Moore playing excellent cricket throughout the tournament and Tuesday was a very good example of that.

“I think we are a very good batting team as well, as you know the bowlers are doing a good job so we will back our strengths

and hopefully go there tomorrow (today) and get one more win,” Moore expressed.

Currently, the defending champions are behind leaders Windward Islands on five points.

After four rounds, Windward Islands accumulated 18.2 points with three wins, Guyana sit on 13.2 points with two wins, followed by Trinidad and Tobago 6.6 points with one win, Barbados on 6.5 points with one win, Jamaica on 0.2 point and Leeward Islands on 0.1 point.

According to the playing rules a win is worth six points.

The reigning champions Guyana have claimed the top prize three times

with back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 plus last year’s win.

Guyana squad reads: Ashmead Nedd (captain), Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Garfield Benjamin, Qumar Torrington, Haifa Walters, Nivendra Persaud, Pradesh Ballkishun, Kelvin Umroa, Orlando Jailall, Robin Williams and Kevin Christian.

Windward Islands squad reads: Kimani Melius (captain), Tahj Tavernier (vice-captain), Jahseon Alexander, Dhanraj Cepal, Cazari Charles, Lennoy Charles, Ethan Doctrove, Razim Elahie, Simeon Gerson, Micah Joseph, Rene Montoute, Tijourn Pope, Corie Simon, Lee Solomon.

James Anderson burst helps England take charge ENGLAND bounced back from their Lord’s humiliation to seize control of the third Ashes Test in an astonishingly one-sided first day at Edgbaston.

Feeding off the passion of a boisterous crowd at the venue where they famously ignited their 2005 Ashes campaign, England bundled out the tourists for 136 on a seaming pitch and reached 133-3 at the close.

A potent James Anderson took his best Ashes figures of 6-47, and Steven Finn marked his first Test appearance for two years with the wickets of Steve Smith and Michael Clarke after Australia had won the toss and chosen to bat.

Elliot Vieira looking to build on CMRC success England’s James Anderson acknowledges the crowd, after completing his 5-wicket haul against Australia, on the first day of the third Ashes Test.

Wayne Vieira leads Stephen Vieira in the CMRC Jamaica meet in February. (Photo by Donavan Montague)

By Stephan Sookram SPORTBIKE prodigy Wayne Elliot Vieira will return to the South Dakota Circuit on August 9 for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Race of Champions.

According to the youngster, he is looking to build on his successful run at the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) first round in Jamaica. In only his second appearance locally, Vieira says that the Jamaica trip has really pumped up his outlook. “The performance in Jamaica has boosted my confidence tremendously.”

He managed to prosper under the pressure in the first of the three CMRC super-stock races in Jamaica despite Stephen Vieira breathing down his neck.

The young Vieira says this also has improved his ontrack confidence. “Stephen (Vieira) has been the Caribbean champion for the last 10 years so riding with him has definitely increased my performance on the track. Right now

I’m hoping to be successful. Every track has its advantages and disadvantages for riders” Another boost to his morale, according to the School of the Nations student, has been his father Wayne, a former Guyanese and Caribbean champion, who was often times regarded as one of the icons of the two-wheel division. “My father has definitely been my role model and without him I wouldn’t be the rider that I am today.

I have also had great support from Andrew Phang and Charles Godfrey.”

Vieira is expected to be one of the main attractions in the superbike class come August 9 when the GMR&SC hosts the Race of Champions.

He currently sits second in the CMRC point standings with 61 points, closely trailing Stephen Vieira who has 68 and has set himself as a serious contender in the CMRC two super-stock divisions. His red and white Kawasaki is sponsored by Ramchand Auto Spares. He is also expected to make up the Guyanese contingent that will tour Barbados later.

On a day punctuated by short rain delays, the mood of England and their supporters was lifted further still by the sight of Ian Bell flaying the Australia attack around the ground under floodlights in the evening session.

Five balls after reaching fifty, however, Bell tossed his wicket away with a needless heave at Nathan Lyon that took a fraction of the gloss off England’s near-perfect day.

Despite Bell’s frivolousness, England were unrecognisable from the meek outfit that had been bowled out for 103 on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test, as Australia romped to a 405-run victory.

The tourists’ innings duration of 36.4 overs was two balls fewer than England’s at Lord’s. They will rue some injudicious shots from their middle order.

But on a pitch offering just enough sideways movement and carry to assist their bowlers, England put themselves well on course to take a 2-1 lead in the series with two matches to play.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday July 30, 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; 33 sixes 30 runs

Today’s Quiz: Who was voted Man of the series in Hero CPL 2015?

How many players won Man of the Match Awards in Hero CPL 2015?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Pompey feels honoured to serve on PASO Athlete Commission

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Guyana’s former 400 metres Commonwealth gold medallist Aliann Pompey is elated to be elected as a member of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) Athlete Commission.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday from Edmonton, Canada, Pompey pointed out that “it’s an honour to be elected to the PASO Athlete Commission.

More than anything, it says

that my peers in the region trust my judgement and believe that I will act in their best interest. That’s a sobering and exciting thought, and I am up to the task. I can’t wait to start.”

Pompey served as manager/coach to Guyana’s three-member athletics team to the 2015 Pan Am Games which concluded here last Sunday and has since moved on to Edmonton in a similar capacity where the Junior Pan Am athletics championships are cur-

LABA invites clubs to U-23 C’ships meeting today

AFFILIATED club captains and representatives affiliated to the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) are asked to attend an important meeting at the Toucan Call Centre in Kara Kara, to discuss the planned LABA Under-23 basketball championship which bounces off early next month.

The meeting will be chaired by LABA president Larry Simon and the club captains and representatives are urged to attend this meeting.

The age stipulation is that players must be born after December 31, 1992 to be eligible to play in the competition. Invited clubs are Amelia’s Ward Jets, Bankers Trust Falcons, Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders, Kings, Wismar Pistons, Block 22 Flames and Half Mile Bulls.

Aliann Pompey

rently under way.

Guyana is being represented by Andrea Foster who is competing in the 800 and 1500 metres, Gairy Springer in the 800 metres, Jason Yaw the 400 metres and Brenessa Thompson the 100 and 200 metres.

Touching on the performances of the athletes who competed in the Toronto Pan Am Games, Pompey described Win-

ston George’s sixth place in the 400 metres, running out of lane one as “a significant effort” since his sixth place was just 2/10ths of a second off his personal best.

Pompey also disclosed that sprinter Adam Harris was injured, hence his reason for not finishing in the 100 metres dash. Harris pulled up after completing about 100 metres in the

ECCCC fundraiser set for Emancipation Day

WITH the aim of garnering funds to execute its mandate, the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) will on Emancipation Day 2015 (Saturday, August 1) stage its annual family fun day, barbecue, softball cricket and fair.

The event, in its third year, will get cracking at 09:30hrs. Four male teams and a similar number of female teams will compete in the softball competition.

According to a release from the club, apart from the on-field action, patrons will be entertained beyond the boundary by the Caribbean Hotshots Band and Stereo Sound. There will also be face-painting for the young ones.

A well-stocked drink and food bar will be in operation all day, while an instant-draw raffle with fabulous prizes will be held. Admission to the venue is free, but spectators will not have the option of taking beverages into the ground and gambling boards are prohibited.

Banks DIH Limited is the major supporter of the day’s activities.

heats.

On debutante Jenea McCammon, Pompey commented that “in her first international competition, Jenea thought there was a false start and stopped. When she realised they weren’t calling the race back, she started running again, but the damage was already done.

I admired her effort for continuing to run and

finishing the race. It was tough for her, we all make mistakes but I’m certain that’s a mistake that will only be made once.”

Pompey is among the four new members who will serve on the PASO Athlete Commission for the next eight years. Apart from Pompey, whose portfolio falls under athletics, the other members are Adrian Escobar of El Salvador (rowing), Carlos J. Santiago Alicea of Puerto Rico (judo) and Thiago Pereira of Brazil (swimming).

Pompey won the gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and also won at the 2003 Pan American Games. She holds the South American indoor record for the 400 metres.

She participated at the World Championships in Athletics in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 as well as the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) World Indoor Championships in 2001, 2003 2006 and 2010 and the Summer Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008. Her personal-best time is 50.71 seconds, achieved in August 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin.

joins forces with BCB CABLE Television provider E-Networks is the latest corporate sponsor to come on board with the highly anticipated Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Fundraiser “CARICOM Championship 2015”.

The tournament will now be played on Emancipation Day (Saturday, August 1, 2015) at the Albion Sports Complex. The proceeds from this event will be used mainly to organise a three-day first division cricket competition for teams in Berbice.

At the presentation ceremony held recently, Berbice manager Janet Seepersaud said that her company is delighted to be part of this tournament. She expressed confidence in the way BCB did business over the years and willingly provided sponsorship for this event.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the BCB was Representative Mahendra Ramdihall, who thanked E-Networks for its timely and generous contribution towards this tournament. He added that the company always supports the BCB and other charities.

The CARICOM Championship will see eight top first-di-

vision teams in Berbice take part in a ten-over knockout competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80 000 and a trophy. The runners-up will receive $40 000 and a trophy, with the losing finalists collecting $15 000. Man-of-the-match in every game will be rewarded.

The teams will don coloured clothing and white balls will be used. Action begins at 10:00hrs. Top Berbice cricketers will be on show.

Young Warriors/Rose Hall CC/Edinburgh Combined will tackle Upper Corentyne/Skeldon Combined in the opener. Game two will see Albion CC take on Bermine/ Police Combined. Game 3 pits Port Mourant versus Bush Lot/D’Edward Combined. In Game 4 Blairmont/West Berbice Combined tackle Rose Hall Town. The preliminary games will be played in a festival format to create non-stop action.

The winners of Game 1 and 2 will play in the first semifinal and the winners of Game 3 and 4 will play in the other.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Rodrigues names ‘Lady Jags’ Olympic Qualifying squad

HEAD coach Mark Rodrigues yesterday announced the names of the 19 players who will travel to the Dominican Republic to face St Kitts (August 21) and Cuba (August 23) in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

Rodrigues’ announcement comes after taking 22 players through a rigorous one-week training camp which wrapped up last weekend with the head coach now focusing his attention on getting out of Group Four and advancing further in the Qualifier to become the first team from Guyana to play at the Olympic Games.

Goalkeeper Ruth George is the lone local-based player selected, with Rodrigues turning to players from his historic 2010 Gold Cup squad and from his 2012 U-20 group who are from the U.S., Canada and the UK. Ashley Rodrigues was once again named captain, and will have the De Souza sisters Kayla and Briana, along with Ashlee Savona,

Calaigh Copeland, Otesha Charles, Mariam El-Masri, Olivia Gonsalves, Alison Heydorn, Kailey Leila, Chantal Lynch, Kelly Pelz-Butler, Brittany Persaud, Leah-Marie Ramalho, Justine Rodrigues, Martyne Alphonso, Derienne Busby, Ruth George and Chante Sandiford.

Compared to the first time the girls are now grouped, Coach Rodrigues said he was excited to have a wide pool of players to select from, with a few higher-level, identified players still not in attendance but who may be available for later rounds pending Guyana’s advancement.

It is the first time since 2010 that the women were coming together and Rodrigues said, “It was also great to see the developmental maturity of our players after such a long layoff, and see the U-20s step up to fight and earn spots.”

King stars at LTTC Summer Camp tourney

By Joe Chapman SIXTEEN-year-old Mackenzie High School female table tennis player Narrissa King walked away with the individual 9-16 years crown while her sister Narriann King and McAnden Bacchus and won the Girls 5-9 and the Boys 5-9 titles respectively to bring down the curtain on the twoweek Linden Table Tennis Committee’s Summer Table Tennis Camp last Friday.

These competitions were organised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-certified Level One coaches Howard James and Shavin Green and were played at the Mackenzie High School’s auditorium.

Narissa King, the lone female player in the 9-16 category, was grouped with the boys and she played outstandingly to emerge from her group and enter the semifinals where she disposed of Jonathan Copeland and faced Anthony Albert in the final. Albert won his semifinal against Franklin Kingston and played a five-setter before losing to his female opponent.

Narissa King had taken the first two sets at 6 against Albert who bounced back and won the third set 11-9 but was unable to tie things up as she went down to King 11-6 in the fourth set, losing by a 3-1 score-line.

McAnden Bacchus won his final against Teron Layne 11-8, 11-8 to be victorious among the Boys 5-9 category. Pint-size Ebo McNeil was a crowd favourite and played well to take the third spot in this category as he was the showman during the entire competition.

In the three-way contest involving Narriann King, Tishara Nunes and Jendayi Chapman. Narriann emerged the top player after defeating both Nunes and Chapman in straight sets. Playing unbeaten Narriann King won against Nunes 11-6, 11-6 and defeated Chapman 11-7, 11-4.

Nunes then had wins over Chapman 11-8, 11-9.

Coach Shavin Green at the presentation ceremony said there will be follow-up sessions and noted, “We saw a lot of talent ... and they made new friends.”

The other coach Howard James thanked all the par-

“This is a much more experienced squad than 2010, but we must remember that other countries have also

trained in a new system of play that’s very exciting and adaptable to whatever our opponents may bring

been developing their female players, while also reaching out to their Diaspora for higher-level players, so we do not know what to expect from our competition until game day.”

T h e w o m e n ’s h e a d coach, along with his staff, is of the opinion that their focus is what Guyana will put on the field with the intention and hope of dictating the game.

“We have adopted and

to the field. The players’ procedural memory was exhausted at the end of the camp. That was part of the camp’s training plan, so that when we kickstart that part of the brain on August 20 (training - the day before the first game),

their triggers will ignite and get us as close as possible to peak, mentally and physically, early in the

Lady Jags Squad

ents and well-wishers who supported the programme, saying it meant a lot for the participants and promised a follow-up programme.

Green said he had worked with Narrissa King before and she worked hard for her win in the tournament.

He mentioned the sponsors who supported the programme and identified beverage giant Banks DIH through its Malta Supreme brand for donating the various trophies; Cozabs’ Auto Spares and Majors Trophy Store for the racquets donated as well as the Guyana Table Tennis Association for providing racquets and balls and the barriers and Fabulous Sports for racquets and balls as well as Victor Wright who gave bottles.

Additional coaching assistance was provided by Jemaine Reid, Maurice Cummings, Sekou Joseph and Troy Stephens.

The winners as well as second- and third-place finishers received trophies and bottles while Narrissa King collected a racquet also for her victory.

Other participants who did well and were rewarded were Romel Paul, Kester Albert, Raven Jones and Jonathan McAlmont.

Each child also received a Certificate of Attendance.

game,” Rodrigues noted.

In the absence of an internationally friendly, The Lady Jags resorted to playing a Georgetown U-17 boys team and the Digicel Schools Football National Champions Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary, and,

despite being out-muscled in the two scrimmages, Rodrigues attributed his team selection to how the players reacted during the two contests and the contribution to the team during encampment.

The head coach says that he welcomes the high expectation of the team, noting, “The team has embraced the fact that everyone’s expectations are based on our achievements in 2010 and rightfully so. It was a great, historical achievement for Guyana football.” He added, however, “While it’s great to reflect and rejoice on the past and the legacies created and set back then, we must now first and foremost remain focused on what we have to do on August 21 and 23, and that is to win our group to advance.”

Giftland Sports Maxx partners with Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic

Giftland Mall CEO, Ian Ramdeo (right) joins (from left) Giftland Sports Maxx supervisor Selvin Apple, Boyce/Jefford Classic’s Colin Boyce, Edison Jefford and Giftland’s Marketing Assistant, Breeanka West.

GIFTLAND Sports Maxx, located in Giftland Mall at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, has joined the party for the 6th edition of the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic under its Under Armour and Asics brands to reward outstanding athletes in two of the six international races.

In a deal announced recently, the two middle distance races will be rebranded Under Armour 800m Men and Asics 1500m Women. Both races carry a US$500 total purse with $250 going to the winners, $150 and $100 to second-place and third-place finishers respectively.

In addition, the Store will outfit the winners of both races with respective apparel to the value of $50 000 each, raising the incentives for athletes competing in the races on the weekend of August 15-16 in Linden.

The apparel for the athletes will include track suits, running gear, training gear and sneakers. The arrangement is expected to be a long-term one with Giftland Mall’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Ramdeo signalling those intentions.

According to Ramdeo, athletes are in need of much more than just physical development.

Ramdeo also said that following the event, one male and one female athlete will benefit from Giftland’s Ambassador Programme for a period of one year.

So in addition to the direct incentives, athletes will also have the opportunity to vie for places in the programme that will ensure their airfare to compete overseas, apparel, supplements and other training to improve their academia and general performance.

Ramdeo believes that athletes must be improved at the grassroots level where they are prepared with the capacity to speak to the media and become ultimate role models. The longterm project will see athletes benefiting from exposure to educational material.

The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic’s Colin Boyce and Edison Jefford concurred that athletes’ performance off the field is just as important as on the field. They welcomed the Sports Maxx initiative while committing to working with the Ambassador Programme.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015

Defending champions blank rivals Waramadong 4-0 to reach … face Chase Academy fifth consecutive final on Sunday Annai Secondary’s Gravel Daniels sent the huge crowd into frenzy with his 3rd minute strike but Chase Academy rallied back like true champions.

Ryan Hackett equalised in the 30th minute hitting the shot that caused a defensive blunder by Annai and put his school

Jaleel Hamilton and Ryan Hackett A DOUBLE from Omar Brewley (17th and 27th minutes), a 5th minute strike from Duquan Hercules and the dagger close to the regulation-time whistle were enough to guide three-time defending champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary past rivals Waramadong Secondary on their way to play in the fifth consecutive Digicel Schools Football tournament.

The Linden-based school will now face first-time finalists Chase Academy on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium.

The Kingston Georgetown school disposed of Annai Secondary by a 3-1 scoreline.

Watched by a capacity crowd at the Leonora Track & Field Facility last evening, the semi-final of the 5th Digicel Schools Football tournament was supposed to produce intense football but the victorious schools made the game look easy to set up what some say could be the best final on Sunday, August 2, at the Guyana National Stadium.

It was the second meeting between Waramadong and the school from Linden at the semi-final stage, dating back to the inaugural year (2011) with the two sides having a love story unlike any other in the tournament - two semi-final meetings and three finals encounter.

But this time around the team from Region 7 were no match for the boys from the Upper Demerara River.

Hercules opened the champions’ account when he buried one of his trademark free-kick, hitting it hard from about 30 yards out and it was too strong for the Waramadong keeper to hold on to.

The other two goals scored by Brewley came through build-ups and the tidy striker made good of his chances.

With a 3-0 lead at halftime, Multi, as they are more popularly known, could have extended their lead in the second stanza but squandered their easy goal chances and in some cases the Waramadong goalkeeper was quick to the task.

Waramadong did have a few chances of their own though.

A Waramadong player was brought down in the penalty area but the Christanburg/Wismar custodian made sure that the score remained the same.

Tevin Crawford timed the Waramadong player’s kick perfectly to pull off a beautiful save as his team held on to have a chance at winning the $1M first prize for their school.

Meanwhile the opening game, which many thought would have been a classic, turned out to be a one-sided game.

2-1 up.

Dapper forward Kelsey Benjamin terrorised Annai Secondary’s defence but was not successful. However, Jaleel Hamilton put the icing on the cake in the 85th minute to send Chase Academy to their first final.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Defending champions blank rivals Waramadong 4-0 to reach fifth consecutive final

A friendly hair tug? Chase Academy’s Kesley Benjamin reacts after being marked harshly by an Annai Secondary defender in the Digicel Nationwide School Football Competition.

(Adrian Narine Photo)

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament …

See story on page 27

In this Adrian Narine photo, Waramadong Secondary concede against eventual victors Christianburg/Wismar Secondary.

WICB Regional U-19 50-Over

Guyana can Guyana retain title continue hunt – Moore to retain title

See story on page 23

See story onpage 24

Rodrigues names

Pompey feels honoured to serve on PASO Athlete Commission See story on page 25

‘Lady Jags’

Olympic Qualifying squad Aliann Pompey

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story onpage 26

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015