2015 8 20

GUYANA THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2015

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PPP/C in Gov’t befriended criminals No. 104287

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Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes

-Tourism Minister Hughes

Gov’t moves Ramjattan: to reduce 2 Deflating upsurge Opposition in crime will 7 take time dominance in --says Administration doing all it can to arrest the situation Parliament Committee Indigenous Affairs Page 3 Minister refutes PPP claim of ‘ethnic cleansing’ Page

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Minister Sydney Allicock

Opposition MP Gail Teixeira

…announces new programme for hinterland youth

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Gov’t moves motion to reduce Opposition dominance in Parliament Committee

By Derwayne wills

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo moved a motion in the National Assembly yesterday for an amendment to the number of persons in the Parliamentary Committee of Selection to reflect the results of the May 11 election.

The Prime Minister’s

motion sought to amend Parliamentary Standing Order 81 (2) which was amended in February 2012, following the 2011 general elections.

In 2011, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had gained a combined majority of 33 seats in the National

Assembly.

The rationale of the two parties, now the coalition Government, in 2012, was that the composition of the Committee of Selection should reflect the composition of the National Assembly, where the APNU and AFC together had one seat more than the then-governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Opposition MP Gail Teixeira

As such, the Committee on Selection was reduced from 10 members to nine members in 2012, when the governing PPP/C was granted four seats and the

other five seats were given to the APNU and AFC. The motion moved by the Prime Minister yesterday was to amend the arrangement from 2012

to grant the APNU+AFC Government a total of five seats, and the remaining four seats to the Opposition PPP. That rearrangement would reflect the results of the May 11 election whereby the APNU+AFC won both the Government and a majority in the National Assembly.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, was ready to move for a vote on the motion, but Opposition MP Gail Teixeira rose to object to the move, requesting a debate on the motion, as is customary.

Teixeira then rose as the first speaker on the motion, declaring that she is not against the re-shuffling arrangement but, instead, wanted to remind the House that she had warned in the 10th Parliament against what she said was the “arbitrary See page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Indigenous Affairs Minister refutes PPP claim of ‘ethnic cleansing’

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…announces new programme for hinterland youth

VICE-PRESIDENT and Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock has challenged statements coming out of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that close to 2000 indigenous youths were fired from their posts as Community Service Officers (CSOs) after the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government came into office.

“I wish to place on record that my Government has not fired or dismissed the estimated 1,972 CSOs, as is being falsely alleged by the PPP Opposition,” the Vice-President said.

“The former PPP Gov-

ernment had made no financial allocations for CSOs beyond April 2015,” he continued, adding that a Cabinet decision made under the previous Administration in March had approved stipends in the sum of $234,240,000 for the CSOs during the period of January 2015 to April 2015.

Allicock disclosed that from all indications, the CSOs, who were paid a monthly stipend of $30,000, “have been recruited under a political scheme called Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP).”

The nature of employment of the CSOs was one of convenience, since they had

the then PPP Government had “shut down the programme and had left the CSOs exposed after using them as political activists in the so-called “Red Shirt Brigade,” who were brought to picket on behalf of the former PPP Government.

An attempt by Opposition MP Gail Teixeira to muzzle Allicock, who made his statements at the beginning of yesterday’s session, was thrown-out by Speaker Minister Sydney Allicock of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland. no contracts as neither pubObjecting to Allicock belic servants nor contracted employees. Allicock noted ing afforded the opportunity to make his statements, Teix-

eira cautioned the Speaker that since he is “new” to the House, that “any Minister of Government can make a reply under the Standing Orders at any time during the debate.

Teixeira was convinced that the point of order is that the minister should be using a different standing order rather than “statements by a minister” which was not designed to correct previous statements made in the House.

The Speaker permitted the Vice-President to continue his statement. It was then that Allicock disclosed that the Government, in dealing with the nearly 2000 CSOs, would be setting up

the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) to replace the controversial YEAP. “All former CSOs will be eligible to be enlisted for training to receive relevant skills, so as to enable them to earn an income in the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods and as a means of enjoying the good life,” the Vice-President continued.

Rejecting the PPP’s allegations as “false, mischievous, and dangerous peddling of racism and division,” Allicock said too the new Administration will bring an end to the abuse of youth for political purposes.

PPP extends support to Gov’t for airport expansion project, other ‘inherited’ policies

By Shivanie Sugrim THE main Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has pledged its continued support to those policies inherited by the APNU+AFC Administration from its 23 years in Government.

Those continuing policies can be found in the airport expansion project, wage increases to public service workers, expansion of road networks and further development of the health sector.

Executive Secretary of the PPP/C Zulfikar Mustapha, made this disclosure during his maiden presentation during the 2015 budget debate on Tuesday in the National Assembly.

After a lengthy recount of the PPP/C’s “developments” during its 23 years in Government, the former Chairman of Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) concluded that the party is anticipating Government’s “diligent” response in executing the aforementioned programmes before the end of the financial year.

“I say this because the figures relate to a formidable amount of works to be done, huge amounts of monies to be expended – and we shall be paying close attention,” said Mustapha. On August 11th, Minister of Finance Winston Jordon presented the 2015 budget to the tune of $221B, displaying its continuing efforts to fulfil promises in the ‘100-Day Plan.’

Government has committed to infrastructural development through the construction and rehabilitation of roads in urban, rural and hinterland areas.

A whopping $13 billion has been allocated for enhancing the roads and bridges network throughout Guyana, besides Government’s $1.2 billion proposal for the completion of the East Bank Demerara highway which will provide improved transit from Providence to Great Diamond.

An additional $1.6 billion is also budgeted for the upgrade of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road, which will create an improved road linkage between the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara. More allocations were, however, sought during the budget presentation for the expansion of roads.

The whopping $13B will also account for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project.

Detailed in the ‘100-Day Plan’ during the APNU+AFC’s campaign were: “Significant salary increases for Government workers, including nurses, teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education; security personnel; and civil servants on the traditional payroll.”

Mere months after winning the elections, the new Administration has kept its promise by allocating a five per cent salary increase for public servants, plus an additional $5,000 per month, and a new basic salary of $50,000 for a public servant. Pensioners were also given an increase from $13,125 to $17,000.

Also budgeted is $23.2 billion for development of the health sector as Government aims to reduce health inequalities, expand primary health care, arresting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), eliminating maternal and infant mortality and providing universal health coverage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Eight soldiers killed, Istanbul palace attacked as Turkish unrest mounts GUNMEN fired on police outside an Istanbul palace and a bomb killed eight soldiers in the southeast on Wednesday, heightening a sense of crisis as Turkey’s leaders struggled to form a new government.

The Istanbul governor’s office said two members of a “terrorist group” armed with hand grenades and an automatic rifle were caught after attacking the Dolmabahce palace, popular with tourists and home to the prime minister’s Istanbul offices.

One police officer was slightly wounded in the attack, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) meanwhile killed eight soldiers with a roadside bomb in the southeastern province of Siirt, the military said, intensifying a conflict there after the breakdown of a two-year ceasefire last month.

Shortly before the bomb attack, Turkish F-16 warplanes had hit and destroyed PKK shelters along Turkey’s border with Iraq, the

Turkish policemen examine the site after a shooting incident near the entrance to Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey August 19, 2015 Reuters/Murad Sezer days, Anadolu said.

The latest attacks come Hurriyet newspaper said launching air strikes on on its website. The report Kurdish militants, and de- a day after Prime Minister could not immediately be taining more than 2,500 Ahmet Davutoglu gave up confirmed. suspected members of rad- on efforts to form a new The unrest in the NATO ical Kurdish, far-leftist and government after weeks of coalition talks with the member state comes weeks Islamist groups. after it declared a “war on Security forces have opposition failed, possibly terror”, opening up its air killed 18 PKK militants in paving the way for another bases to the U.S.-led coa- clashes across Diyarbakir election within months.

“Because of the failure lition against Islamic State, province in the last two to form a government, we have to seek a solution with the will of the people ... so we are heading rapidly towards an election again,” President Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised speech.

The lira slid to a new low against the dollar as investors took fright at what some have dubbed a “perfect storm” of political uncertainty, slowing growth and deepening violence.

The currency has seen its steepest five-day decline this week since May 2010, making it one of the world’s worst-performing emerging markets currencies.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack at Dolmabahce palace, where the two assailants opened fire on police guard-

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ing the entrance.

Police sources said the two had been detained in the past in connection with attacks by the leftist Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army-Front (DHKP-C), according to Dogan news agency.

Davutoglu was in the capital Ankara as reports of the shooting emerged and did not interrupt a speech he was giving live on television.

In response to the PKK attack, a nationalist opposition party called for an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council and the declaration of “martial law” measures in parts of the country in line with constitutional provisions.

“Security must be established with martial law measures in a section of the country, covering provinces and districts where there are scenes of violence and horror,” MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said in a written statement.

Turkey has been on heightened state alert since launching what Davutoglu described a “synchronised war on terror” in July, exposing it to reprisals from Islamic State sympathizers, Kurdish militants and leftist radicals alike.

A fighter proclaiming allegiance to Islamic State appeared in a video this week urging Turks to rebel against “infidel” Erdogan and help conquer Istanbul.

The DHKP-C claimed responsibility earlier this month for an attack on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, in which two women shot at the building. One of the attackers was hurt in an exchange of fire but there were no other casualties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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slavery Bolivia policeman killed in …Abolish stop manual cane cutting clash at Tacacoma gold mine (BBC News) POLICE in Bolivia have clashed with protesters they were trying to evict from a gold mine 200km (125 miles) north-west of the city of La Paz. One officer was killed and 10 people injured as police and occupiers confronted each other.

Locals occupied the mine and refused to leave until the miners paid them a “tribute”.

They allege that the mine lies on their ancestral lands and they should be compensated by those exploiting it.

There are conflicting reports as to how police Sergeant Jose Luis Quispe died.

A lawyer for the miners said Police officers were sent from La Paz to Tacacoma to evict the he was pushed over a precipice occupiers by the squatters. would block roads.

But one of the squatters said the officer fell as he was He said that the miners had tried to convince locals fleeing the clashes. of the benefits their work would bring to the commuOther witnesses said Sgt Quispe lost his balance after nity. the protesters threw an explosive device in his direction.

But he insisted that locals wanted compensation from the Interior Minister Carlos Romero said his death would be in- mining co-operative. vestigated and those responsible would be punished harshly.

The government on Tuesday welcomed the release by One of the occupiers told local radio that the violence was the occupiers of four police officers they had been holding triggered when more than 200 officers were sent to evict them. hostage since Monday.

He warned that if the officers were not recalled, locals

Climate Change and Water…

Local water woes could aid climate cause (Jamaica Gleaner) THE current water crisis affecting Jamaica could strengthen the Caribbean’s hand and, by extension, that of small-island developing states in the upcoming climate talks in Paris, France - but only provided the other negotiating parties are willing to listen and take heed.

“It certainly does [make a difference] for those who are willing to look at the facts. We have had, this year and last year, some of the hottest months since records have been kept,” Albert Daley, head of the Climate Change Division, told The Gleaner.

“We can point to those significant changes and, therefore, the more frequent occurrence of drought as evidence that the climate has changed and is changing. That will resonate well with those who are not just looking at their personal interests, but at others who are being affected,” he added.

Jamaica has, over the past several months, been hard hit by drought, which has forced the National Water Commission to cut supplies to households and businesses, given increasingly dried-up freshwater resources.

Together with the case of others in the region, Jamaica’s recent challenges help to make the case for small-island developing states already experiencing climate impacts - from extreme weather events such as droughts, to sea-level rise, among others.

This is while lending urgency to a new deal that addresses deep greenhouse gas-emission cuts, towards a less-than-two-degree increase in global temperatures.

COMMON ISSUES “We (small-island states) are all agreed that we are being impacted by climate change, and there are some critical areas in which we are being impacted. Some of the islands can point to sea-level rise and the fact that they are being submerged. Others can point to the level of rainfall or drought frequency, and so on. We all have common or related issues. The issue really is whether the large and fast-developing countries will commit to significant cuts in emissions,” Daley noted.

It is widely expected that the Paris talks will yield a new international agreement on climate change; however, it remains to be seen what it will look like.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s water woes were predicted for some time now.

“Raw water supplies are directly affected by changes in climatic conditions.

Changes in the amount of rainfall as well as its frequency and intensity determine the amount of water that will be available for exploitation,” reveals the report of the island’s first national communication on climate change to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which dates back to 2000.

(Jamaica Gleaner) ACCORDING to Rafael Suarez Rivacoba, the Director of International Relations for AZCUBA Group, manual cutting of cane is not the way for Jamaica’s sugar industry to continue if it is serious about becoming profitable. Rivacoba told the Jamaica Observer if a country’s sugar industry is going to develop, the manual cutting of cane has to stop. The suggestion made by the Cuban sociologist to discontinue the manual cutting of sugar cane in Jamaica was met with support, anger and other mixed reactions by the Observer’s online readers. Here are some edited comments: Those sugar producers in Jamaica who are swift to undermine the mechanisation of the cane-cutting procedure are doing so only to maintain the tradition of slavery. The manual cane-cutting procedure is one of the only remaining parts of slavery in our country that must be totally abolished. To maintain such low procedural standard is also idiocy in modern times. The general characteristics of manual cane cutting are un-acceptable. Cane cutters cannot afford to give their children a proper tertiary education as their income cannot afford such luxury. They are undermined by society as being the lowest among them. They have been given no sick or accident insurance policy that would be beneficial to them in the event of an accident in the cane field.

They are all young men with a future; they can be trained to be mechanics, and operators of agricultural equipment. To say they cannot do anything apart from being representatives of a modern-day slavery organisation is again undermining them. They are all Jamaicans who are entitled to a better standard of living. Rafael Suarez Rivacoba is perfectly correct: Time to totally abolish slavery.

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EDITORIAL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Guyana

CARICOM and Caribbean Integration VENEZUELA’S overt threat to annex a large portion of Guyana’s territory caused our Government to seek support from many quarters.

The first stop was CARICOM, of which Guyana is an active member. In fact, the organisation’s headquarters is located here. Along with Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica, Guyana was an original signatory to the Treaty of Chaguramas which established CARICOM in 1973.

Since then Guyana has been steadfast in its participation in the organisation.

However, some observers have noted that the regional movement, while coming out in support of Guyana, was not necessarily fulsome in its solidarity. In fact, the WPA, one of the parties in the governing coalition, issued a scathing statement in that regard. The party drew attention to the “watered-down” statement. As it observed, “The Statement was extremely terse, as though the Heads would rather be rid of the problem [which might have been the position of Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Vincent who have especially benefited from the Venezuelan connection). In fact, the Statement refers specifically to Guyana in only two paragraphs.”]

This observation by the WPA points to a dilemma

that all regional integration movements face - the tension between regional commitments and domestic interests.

CARICOM member states have always struggled with this problem. But, it has become worse over the last two decades as countries such as Venezuela and China have engaged individual CARICOM members. The consequence is that member states end up subtly and not so subtly competing with each other, as they seek to garner resources for themselves.

The problem is that the vulnerability of small states invariably pushes them to accept aid from all quarters. The Venezuelan assistance, through its PetroCaribe programme has been a god-send for many Caribbean countries, including Guyana. But as we are now seeing with the issue of solidarity with Guyana against Venezuela, the price for Venezuela’s aid includes forsaking your brothers and sisters.

This calls into focus yet again the meaning of our independence. Is it possible for small states to retain their true independence in a harsh world that, according to calypsonian David Rudder, “that don’t need islands no more?” Rudder was of course, referring to the ever-present and omnipresent Globalisation, a world order that promises much but delivers little to small states such as those in CARICOM.

From the aborted Federation of 1958-62 to the 21st century CARICOM, the Caribbean has identified regional integration as the ultimate gateway to its survival and development. But the push towards deeper integration has persistently come up against the barriers generated by individual interests. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is a good example. While all Caribbean states have long celebrated the end of “Massa Day,” most are comfortable remaining part of the Privy Council rather than joining a court which they created. We have the embarrassment of the CCJ being located in a country which is not a member of the court.

As we negotiate the next 50 years of Caribbean Independence, the issue of Caribbean Integration must of necessity be at the top of the agenda. Is it possible to balance individual interests and regional imperatives? The answer is not automatic. Others such as the European Common Market have had to grapple with it. We in the Caribbean must confront it head on.

Guyana accredits first ever resident Chilean Ambassador

PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday accredited Chile’s first-ever resident ambassador to Guyana Mr Claudio Rachel Rojas.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency where the accreditation was done, Ambassador Rojas noted during the presentation of his Letter of Credence to the President that the establishment of a permanent mission in Georgetown is testimony to his country’s commitment to the deepening of relations with Guyana, and the movement to a new level of collaboration on the basis of common understanding and shared interests.

He explained that through the new embassy, the Government of Chile will be working with local agencies and civil society to look for opportu-

President David Granger flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge (left) and new Chilean Ambassador to Guyana Claudio Rachel Rojas (right) at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday following the accreditation ceremony

nities for cooperation in areas such as education, mining, investment and trade, and capacity-building.

He also noted that the countries can further strengthen alliances by working more closely within the framework of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR); the sub-regional bloc, Mercosur; and CARICOM. In response, President Granger welcomed the new Ambassador, and lauded the decision taken by Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet to establish an embassy here in Guyana, a move he described as “a tangible expression of the desire of the Government and people of Chile to deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.”

Noting that both countries

enjoy very cordial relations and have worked closely on matters of mutual concern on the regional and global agenda, President Granger said: “The common positions we share on matters such as sustainable development, poverty alleviation, peace and security, respect for territorial integrity, the rule of law and the sanctity of treaties have provided a solid foundation for the friendly relations, which we enjoy…

“We have embarked on a process to take concrete measures aimed at revitalising and broadening our cooperation programme to the mutual benefit for our peoples.”

Guyana and Chile first established diplomatic relations back in 1971.

The embassy is located at 66 Brummel Place, Stabroek, Georgetown.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

PPP/C in Gov’t befriended criminals

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-Tourism Minister Hughes

By Derwayne Wills TOURISM Minister Cathy Hughes made glaring remarks in the National Assembly yesterday, accusing the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of creating an incubator for crime in Guyana since it supported criminal elements that are now before international courts.

Hughes’s presentation was centred on her support for the 2015 budget presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, and also offered some insight into the challenges of the tourism sector.

Speaking directly to the impact of crime on Guyana’s tourism sector and particularly on arrivals in the country, Hughes said, “It is difficult to talk of increasing visitor arrival without mentioning the debilitating impact crime is having on our country, its people, and the potential of our tourism product.

“It was under the former PPP/C Administration that crime escalated,” Hughes said, recalling that Guy-

ana was labelled a major trans-shipment point after “drugs started leaving Guyana in every conceivable way.

“A long list of friends of the last Administration, who operated businesses supported by the Government, had been implicated, charged and in some cases, convicted for a range of illegal activities in international courts,” Hughes continued.

A provoking Hughes touted the old saying, “Show me who your friends are and I will show you who you are.”

Hughes went on to explain her shock at statements made by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who was in charge of Guyana’s security sector under the PPP/C Administration. According to Hughes, Rohee had made a recent public declaration that the police “now have information on who killed former Minister ‘Sash’ Sawh.”

Sawh was Agriculture Minister under the PPP/C Administration when he was gunned down in his La Bonne Intention, East Coast

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes

Demerara home, along with two of his relatives and a security guard.

“The fact that this former head, who clearly was in possession of such information while in office, but who did nothing with the information, is horrifying,” Hughes said of Ro-

hee’s statements, adding that his posture indicates the approach of the then Government to solving crime in Guyana.

Speaking on what the new Government will do to tackle crime, Hughes said, “With the plan that we have, our acceptance of assistance

from international partners who are skilled in this area… assistance the last Government refused to accept, and the support of the Guyanese people, we will succeed.”

Speaking before Hughes was parliamentary representative for the PPP in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Cornel Damon, who called for the removal of Vice-President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for what he said is the minister’s inability to tackle the escalating crime situation in Guyana.

Beginning his presentation with criticism on the 2015 budget presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Damon called the budget one that is “immature and lacks the ingredients that should have been injected into it for the masses and the various regions and sectors of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

Damon bemoaned the fact that allocations for projects in the region he represents have been cut by half.

“But we will try to survive and hope that someday, we would have the Government

of the PPP/C returned to its right office,” he continued.

Turning his attention to the Public Security Minister, Damon said, “Mr Ramjattan must understand [that] he needs to address the crime situation from left, right, and centre.”

Damon said the crime rate has increased in all regions, including the gold-mining sector, even as the Public Security Minister “is still planning how to curb crime in Guyana.”

The Region 2 ‘rep’ went on to state that the country’s crime rate was 40% less in the 10th Parliament, when now Opposition MP Clement Rohee served as Home Affairs Minister under the previous PPP/C Government.

“Mr Speaker, on behalf of the masses of Guyana, I am saying that the Honourable member has no plan to fight the surge of crime and the senseless killings of our businessmen and women, and honourable member Ramjattan must go!” Damon said as his colleagues banged their desks in support.

Ramjattan: Deflating upsurge in crime will take time

By Tajeram Mohabir MINISTER of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday said that deflating the upsurge in crime will take time, as he pointed that the situation did not begin under the current Government, but under the former Administration.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been very critical of Minister Ramjattan on the increase in crime.

But he suggested that the members on the Opposition benches have no moral authority to blame him.

Former Minister of Public Service Jennifer Westford, who is now a member of the Opposition, he said, has been charged with committing a crime -- the fraudulent transfer of State vehicles to her family and friends.

Ramjattan told the House that the crime situation started in February, not long after the former Government stopped paying the some 2000 Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs) it is claiming that the Granger Administration dismissed.

This statement caused some uproar on the Opposition benches, with Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira saying that the claim by the minister is inaccurate and racist, and should be withdrawn.

The former Administration had not made any financial allocation for the CSOs beyond April 2015, and none were issued contracts outlining the terms and conditions of their work.

As such, Ramjattan said the claim by the Opposition that the Government fired the CSOs is false, just as their claim that crime began to increase when the new Government assumed power.

He said crime is fuelled by high unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and illegal guns in the streets, among other factors. Violent crimes, he said, are committed by people who cannot find jobs, but also, he said, crime is caused by greed.

The desperation, he said, is a breeding ground pushing up the crime rate, but he said the Administration will be implementing social programmes to create em-

--says Administration doing all it can to arrest the situation

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the House yesterday

ployment, so as to address this worrying situation.

Not T20 Cricket The Public Security Min-

ister stressed that bringing the crime rate down will take time, contending that the situation is not “T20 Cricket,” but more of a “Test match”

at hand.

And on this note, he said the Administration is committed to bringing the culture of greed to a halt, and would be working to build a strong Police Force which will have no place for rogue cops.

The administration of the Police Force, the minister said, will be strengthened, and this among other things will boost the morale of officers and encourage them to give of their best.

In the past, he said, retired officers had to go through a hassle to get their monies, including their gratuity; and certain officers, for some strange reason, were not allowed to go on overseas training.

This, he said, will stop, and strong emphasis will be placed on building capacity in the Police Force. Ramjattan also said the criminal justice system will be strengthened and a twomonth amnesty will begin in September for illegal firearm holders to hand in their guns, pointing out that “there are

too many out there.”

The 02:00hrs curfew, he also said, will help in reducing road accidents since many are caused by intoxicated persons.

But coming back to the Police Force, the minister said strong attention will be placed on strengthening the police administration, training and identifying crime hotspots and conducting regular patrols.

Ranks will also be deployed to areas most in need.

But the Force is faced with a challenge, he said, pointing out that it is short of some 1,500 to 2,000 ranks.

Nevertheless, the minister said more vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles, and boats, among other facilities, will be given to the police to fight crime.

And added to this, over 100 surveillance cameras will be installed in and around the city to aid in crime-fighting there. Some 50 per cent of crimes are committed in the city.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Guyana gearing to introduce competitive archery here

THE Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) is about to introduce Archery as a sport to these shores, tagged Archery Guyana, and here to help is internationally acclaimed coach and archer, Diego Torres of Columbia.

The venture reportedly has the blessings of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, as well as the sport’s Switzerland-based governing body, World Archery Americas.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, Torres’s role is primarily to help coordinate and conduct seminars pertaining to the development of archery as a sport.

With Torres’s arrival, members of GSSF, Vidushi Persaud and Ryan McKinnon yesterday paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry, at her Main Street office, to bring her up to speed on what is happening with the venture.

Minister Henry (second right) following a meeting at her office yesterday with, from left, GSSF’s Vidushi Persaud and Ryan McKinnon, and visiting Colombian archer Diego Torres

Government announces reduction in gas, diesel prices

MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan yesterday announced a reduction in gasoline and diesel prices, effective today.

At GuyOil stations countrywide, the price for diesel will now be $168 per lite, down from $174.77, while the price of gasoline will also see a reduction of $11, taking it to $199 per litre.

According to Minister Jordan, his government is committed to bringing ease to the people of the country, hence the decision to drop the price of cer-

tain fuels.

He said the Government hopes that this reduction in prices will have a trickle-down effect, benefiting all sections of the population. However, the main groups targeted are those who transport students, taking into consideration the fact that school will soon be re-opened.

“I hope that this benefit is passed down especially on to the schoolchildren,” said the minister. (GINA)

Gov’t moves motion to reduce ...

From page 2

willy-nilly behaviour of the last Parliament.”

That behaviour, Teixeira reminded, came because of “exuberance to ensure that everything was locked down tight, and to ensure that the illusion of the oneseat… would lead to this situation.”

“Mr Speaker, I am not opposing the motion, but I am saying that unwilling-

ness of the then Opposition to listen to us in relation to the Standing Orders and upholding the Standing Orders, and being able to reach consensus on issues were thrown out of the window in the last Parliament,” Teixeira said.

“They have had to come back to Parliament to reverse what they have done, and they will have to reverse it for all of the

Committees,” she continued, while heckling to the Government side of the House that she will not be muzzled because she is not a member of the Governing coalition.

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman, who served as Speaker of the National Assembly during the 10th Parliament (20112015), also spoke to the motion since he would have presided over the Committee on Selections, as Speaker of the House.

Responding to Teixeira’s comments, Trotman said, “At the commencement of the last Parliament, the exigencies of the situation and the realities of the situation dictated that the Committees be adjusted to reflect the majority of the Opposition.”

Trotman said the measure to re-adjust the seats was taken in the House.

But the matter was taken to the High Court by then Attorney-General Anil Nandlall against then-Speaker

Raphael Trotman and the then-Leader of the Opposition, now President David Granger.

“The High Court, through a ruling of the Honourable Chief Justice, ruled that this House was within its right to make the adjustments,” Trotman recalled, adding that “the pronouncements about predictions and things coming to pass is quite disingenuous.”

Trotman declared that as a “matter of right”, the adjustment had to be made in 2012, and so it has to be made again now. “It was done because it was necessary for the conduct of business in the House.

And so again, as a matter of necessity, the adjustment has to be made.”

Trotman said, too, that Teixeira’s concerns were raised also in the court ruling he referenced, where the Chief Justice ruled in favour of the then majority of the National Assembly.

Attorney General Basil Williams also rose

to speak against Teixeira’s comments, since he had represented both the then-Speaker of the National Assembly and the then-Opposition Leader in the case cited by Trotman.

“The point was emphasised [that] the court had no jurisdiction because this was an internal matter for the Parliament.”

Williams maintained the independence of the Parliament, warning that even now, “there is an attempt to disrespect the decisions and the procedures of Parliament and of the majority in Parliament. We are quite in order, on a majority vote, to make decisions in this honourable House.”

Teixeira rose once again to declare that she never raised a legal argument, but that she is “talking politics.”

“These are matters that are politically dealt with and we had warned the last time that were the situation in Government were to change, then we would have to go back to change the composition.”

Prime Minister Moses

Nagamootoo, as the mover of the motion, rose to speak again on the motion. Nagamootoo said, “Today, it is a simple straight-forward arithmetical equation. One has the majority, one has the minority, and any child will know that the majority should have the right to have more representation on a particular committee,” the Prime Minister continued.

“While the arithmetic of four versus five may appear that it empowers one side against the other, most of the work of these Committees would have to be dealt with by consensus,” Mr Nagamootoo added, calling for both sides to work together rather than considering which party has more representation than the other in the Committees.

“I ask that we not allow bitterness and acrimony to frustrate us going forward into these Committees as presently being asked by the motion,” Nagamootoo charged, as the motion was approved in the National Assembly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Copa Airlines takes on 3rd annual Emancipation Jazz and Soul Concert

COPA Airlines has partnered with Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman of Signal Productions for the staging of the 3rd annual Emancipation Jazz and Soul Concert billed for August 23, 2015 at the Georgetown Club.

Copa Airlines has provided tickets to transport saxophonist Courtney Fadlin to Guyana from New York for the event.

At a media briefing yesterday at Copa Airlines head office at 212 Camp Street, Georgetown, Bonny Alves, the organiser said that the event will feature jazz and soul music from talented and gifted performers from here as well as from overseas.

He said that during the Emancipation observances in August all things African are featured locally and he wanted to do much more to highlight the celebration.

Therefore, he extended the boundary three years ago by inviting accomplished entertainers to perform locally.

Alves said that present in Guyana for the event will be trumpeter Sean Taylor and saxophonist Courtney Fadlin, accompanied by local singer Melissa Vandeyar, Lindener Quincy Lacon and of course Charmaine Blackman.

From left to right are Charmaine Blackman, saxophonist Courtney Fadlin, Copa Airlines representative Entinde Allen, singer Melissa Vandeyar, saxophonist Roy Stewart, Guyanese artiste EGO and U.S. R&B singer and instrumentalist Sean Taylor. and clarinet are Courtney’s which was well received According to the promoters, the show promises Sean Taylor told the his father, Jethro Fadlin Sr., instruments of choice pres- yesterday morning.

Nadine Oudkerk, Copa to be bigger than previously press conference that he is (an acclaimed musician in ently, however piano and American-born with Jamai- the Caribbean) as a young steelpan (aka steel drums) Airlines Sales Manager held as once again sensacan parents and lives in New boy Courtney would watch are part of his musical back- based in Guyana, said, “We tional Guyanese saxophonist are pleased to sponsor Court- Courtney Fadlin will grace York and it is his very first his father at various perfor- ground.

He is very passionate ney Fadlin’s trip to the 3rd the stage, and a new feature mances. time in Guyana.

It wasn’t too long after about music and is hoping annual Emancipation concert will be added in AmeriHe added that when he heard of the jazz and soul his tutelage began. Courtney to revive instrumental music to be held in Georgetown. can R&B recording artiste concert he knew he had to also credits Grover Wash- here next year for youths as We are always seeking op- and musician Sean Taylor, portunities like this to sup- along with a constellation be here for the event. He is ington Jr. as one of his major an after-school activity.

Charmaine Blackman port cultural preservation, of top Guyanese artistes inan entertainer who not only influences. This path evenplays an instrument, but is tually took him to Berklee thanked the many sponsors expression and integration.” cluding bassist George Reid The Jazz & Soul Concert on drums and Pan Michael also a singer and dancer. College of Music in Boston, including the Department of Taylor is aiming to restore Massachusetts and by 1999 Culture and Copa Airlines focuses on the contribution Smith, keyboards Trevor respect to instrumental mu- he completed his degree and belted out a sample of of a number of Black ar- John, Singers: Charmaine programme (saxophone per- one of the songs she will tistes in the genres of Jazz Blackman, Bonny Alves, sic.

Meanwhile, inspired by formance) there. Flute, sax sing at the upcoming event, and Soul Music. Tributes Dawn Edwards, Compton will be paid to the likes of Magus Leacock, Melissa Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Vandeyar, Eze Rockcliffe, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Rob- Devon Denny and EGO. inson, Sam Cook, and King Saxophonists: Roger Dyal, Curtis, among others.

Roy Stewart, Desmond The presentations will Atwell, Keith Campbell and have a bias towards the saxo- Aubrey ‘Fingers’ Roberts. phone; also remembering the Tickets are being sold great contributions of Guy- at $2,000 and can be obanese saxophonists Count tained from Blackman and/ Profitt, Deuce Jeffery, James or Alves directly, or at the Smartt, Roddie Fraser and gate and the event starts at Harry Whittaker.

18:00hrs.

Police need help to identify two men found dead in NWD THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is seeking the assistance of relatives of two men whose bodies were found on Sunday at separate places in the North West District.

Their bodies are at the Lyken Funeral Parlour, Georgetown.

Unconfirmed information has given the names of

the men as “Andrew” and Clifton Chappelle. Their bodies were found on August 16, 2015, at Sanano Backdam and Maswa Backdam, North West District, respectively.

The police can be contacted on telephone numbers 226-1333, 225-2722, 225-6411, 225-8196, 911 or the nearest police station.

Pregnant woman dies after being referred to Georgetown Public Hospital A PATIENT who was referred from the New Amsterdam Hospital on August 9, 2015 passed away yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital(GPH).

The patient who was pregnant arrived at the Accident and Emergency Unit in an unconscious state with no foetal heart rate.

She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where her condition continued to deteriorate and she died subsequently, a release stated.

An autopsy is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death. Meanwhile, the GPH has extended sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Spotlight will be placed on youth development, culture MINISTER within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry has said that significant attention will be paid to youth development and culture as the Administration seeks to build a strong and cohesive society.

The Government has invested some $33 billion of the $221 billion 2015 budget in the education sector.

Henry, making her contribution to the 2015 budget debate, told the House that the significant investment in the education sector is reflective of the Administration’s thrust to ensure a nation of young people who are equipped with the skills set to take the country forward.

This can only happen through education, she said, noting that education informs change, influences cultural renewal and is a necessary tool to ensure sustainable development.

- to foster cohesive society

EDUCATION IS KEY She said education is key to building a cohesive society, democratic organs, inclusive Minister within the Ministry of Education political systems, fostering tolerance, under- Nicolette Henry standing and respect, and making Guyana a competitive nation. completed a draft youth policy to guide their development.

These are the ideals which the minister said the AdminStrong attention, she said, will be placed on ensuring istration wants the youths to embrace, as it works to help a healthy, safe and skilled youth population, equipped and them overcome their challenges. capable of building a Guyana, of which all can be proud.

Youths are considered to be persons in the age range of 15-35, and in Guyana more than half the population is within SPORT IN SCHOOL this age group.

The minister also told the House that attention will be ADRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT placed on the development of sport, and greater emphasis will be given to sport in school and school tournaments.

Minister Henry also told the House that the AdministraShe said the Administration has recognised sport tion is aware of the high level of youth unemployment (es- as a vehicle for bringing people together and bridging timated to be 40%), but will be crafting programmes using the ethnic divide, and will be giving due attention to its an evidence-based approach to address this plight. promotion as well as support to sports clubs and assoIn this regard, she said strong focus will be placed on ciations. skills-training and entrepreneurship.

The Ministry of Education, Henry said, will also be Apart from unemployment, other issues affecting youths promoting national festivals and drama in schools, with include teenage pregnancy, poor wages and salaries and the focus on promoting the Guyanese culture and national suicide. Youths also account for a large number of persons identity. nabbed in various crimes.

She said attention will also be given to the promotion and Minister Henry said the Administration feels their pain marketing of the works of artists and creative artistes so as and disclosed that the Ministry of Education has already to build a viable creative industry. Some $233 million has

PPP/C MP Neil Kumar been allocated in the budget for cultural institutions.

Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Neil Kumar, who spoke after Minister Henry, expressed his disappointment that Minister of Finance Winston Jordan did not mention the word “sport” in his budget presentation.

However, he said the former Administration had paid serious attention to this field, and it is evident in the construction of the Guyana National Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre and a national athletics track, all of international standards.

He said through significant investments, the PPP/C Administration has provided a base for the current Government to build on, in terms of the development of sport and urged that at all facilities be properly maintained.

Kumar also informed the House that under the former Administration, some 300 community centres were upgraded throughout Guyana. The former Government, he said, has put Guyana on a sound financial footing.

Guyana, he added, enjoyed eight years of consecutive growth and this was after it had to fix a poor economy that it inherited in 1992.

Government recognises the dedication of Hydar Ally A LARGE crowd gathered at the Public Service Ministry’s Training Division, Vlissengen Road, last Saturday to show appreciation to former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of the Public Service, Hydar Ally.

The event, organised by current Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Reginald Brotherson, was also attended by Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Felix explained that the “well organised” function was a demonstration of the high regard which the staff held for Ally. Felix believes that even though it may now be the end of Ally’s contribution to public service, he is “still fit and ready to continue in other areas that require his skill.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon reminded the gathering of Government’s policy when it comes to service in the Public Service. Minister Harmon said, “Once

Mr Hydar Ally

people serve honourably, their services will be respected.”

He emphasised that Government recognises the inputs of all Guyanese, irrespective of political affiliation, religious persuasion and ethnic backgrounds. “We are concerned about service and the quality of service.”

Minister Harmon added that because of Ally’s training and somewhat still youthful state, “the door is still open for him to come back and offer his service to Government in that capacity – maybe as a trainer in the Public Service Staff College which will be established soon.”

In turn, the former permanent secretary expressed gratitude to the Government and congratulated them on recognising that service to the people of Guyana is more important than one’s political preference.

Hydar Ally’s tenure as Permanent Secretary and Head of the Public Service came to an end on June 30, 2015.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

83 graduate from police-sponsored vocational skills training on West Demerara

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The graduates pose with ‘Top Cop’ Seelall Persaud, senior officers and others (seated in front row) following the graduation ceremony

LTVTC Administrator Eon Nicholson, Commander Stephen Mansell, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and Acting Chief Education Officer Patrick Chinedu seated at the head table AT the conclusion of a vocational skills training programme for youths on the West Coast of Demerara yesterday, 83 graduates were presented certificates and trophies of completion.

The programme was the initiative of ‘D’ Division of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the Project C-Pets Creating Positive Environment Through Safe Communities and Partnership in collaboration with the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre (LTVTC).

The ceremony took place at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre auditorium, Groenveldt, West Coast Demerara, and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud de-

livered the feature address.

The ‘Top Cop’ told the large gathering that the decision made by the group of youths drawn from several villages along the West Coast corridor shows commitment to develop themselves and he lauded their efforts yesterday.

He stated that the youths of today need to be multi-talented to cope in a very competitive world, so they should always seek to develop skills and be exposed to training in various areas in order to become marketable.

Persaud added that some of the graduates will pursue a one-year course to become qualified in specialised areas of carpentry, data operations, electrical installation, general office administration, met-

al work engineering, motor vehicle (car and light work), plumbing and welding.

He spoke of the benefits and objectives of the project which is geared towards youth development, whereby they can be equipped with a life skill to be able to earn in a meaningful way and contribute to society.

Persaud told the gathering yesterday afternoon that the GPF is always willing to work with faithbased organisations, the Ministry of Education and other groups to develop youths, because it is in their best interest to get idle youths off the streets and to educate them.

The Commissioner added that the C-PETS project was launched in the city a year ago to engage youths

in vocational skills training based on their analysis; as such, it cascaded into all the policing divisions countrywide for youths to become marketable and add value to their lives.

Administrator of LTVTC Eon Nicholson in brief remarks said that he was very pleased with the performance of the youths at this first programme and is hopeful there will be more to follow.

He added that they are seeking to include the Industrial Board for the development of youths in Region 3 and some of the graduates have already enrolled to pursue the one-year programme.

Nicholson, however, urged parents, guardians and others to continue to support the graduates to assist them to achieve youth development in the region.

Commander of ‘D’ Division Stephen Mansell, told the gathering that the C-PETS project was the brainchild of the Commissioner, firstly in ‘A’ Division and it was a success and filtered down to the other divisions.

He pointed out that the project was specially launched to reduce crime in the community in which it targets unemployed youths and school drop-outs and

Top performer Shaneeza Khan as she was presented a trophy by ‘Top Cop’ Seelall Persaud they will continue to work with the youths to ensure they are gainfully employed.

Mansell stated that the project is leading the GPF into a new era of policing and at the same time fostering better relations with the youths and communities as well.

In his remarks to the graduates, acting Chief Education Officer Patrick Chinedu charged the youths to let their certificates and trophies serve as reminders to be committed, since they can be whoever they want to.

He stressed the impor-

tance of education in the society and said that education is everybody’s business and advised the adults and parents to be continually supportive of the youths to achieve optimum rewards through their education.

Chinedu encouraged the youths to be dedicated, committed and have the desire to overcome any obstacle and to believe in themselves.

Top performer Shaneeza Khan was awarded two trophies and a certificate, while others were also presented trophies of achievement and certificates as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

GAICO unveils massive investment plans - eyeing food-processing venture

By Leroy Smith CHIEF Executive Officer of GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. Komal Singh on Monday assured a gathering that his company remains committed to Guyana’s development and has a passion for quality work, ethical business practices and timely execution of projects.

He was at the time speaking at the launching of his wharf facility and commissioning of a Trailer Suction Hopper Dredge at Nismes, West Bank Demerara.

FOOD-PROCESSING VENTURE Meanwhile, the company is looking to get involved in the food-processing industry as part of a joint partnership with Structure Solution Inc. The very site on the West Bank is to be used to facilitate value-added food processing, a warehouse and logistic facilities. The company expects that this project will significantly boost employment opportunities for Region 3 residents, while

adding significant value to the region’s agricultural commodities.

The original specialisation of the company was road construction, heavyduty concrete bridges and wharves and deep-foundation pile-driving. However, back in 2011 the company saw a need and opportunity in the marine and dredging sector and subsequently acquired the first major fleet of dredging and marine equipment by investing in excess of US$1 million.

The CEO also applauded the decision of the Government to allocate funds in the national budget to facilitate dredging and desilting of the channels to allow larger vessels to come into Port Georgetown.

With this approach, Guyana will be in a better position to accommodate larger cargo vessels which will bring lower freight rates, while the tourism sector can expect larger cruise liners.

LAND RECLAMATION Singh told the gathering on Monday that the company with its land- reclamation vision was able to

Komal Singh reclaim an entire mud flat and intends to work with the relevant authorities to implement a programme to do land reclamation wherever possible.

The businessman noted that contrary to the direction of the Maritime Administration Department for the materials from dredging activities to be dumped in certain parts of the river, those same materials can be used in the process of

land-reclamation at critical areas where there is

flooding during excessive high tide.

The wharf which the company constructed can accommodate vessels with a draft of up to five metres at low tide since the facility is in its first stage. It can also accommodate the discharging of construction materials and construction equipment, Singh said.

GAICO intends to invest a total of US$5M in the wharf over the next two years which will see completion of the entire facility.

By then it will be outfitted to accommodate vessels with a draft of eight metres, a tarmac to accommodate discharge and storage of containers, heavy lift pad, dry docking area for routine maintenance and a storage bond.

The company’s mission statement: “To be the most admired construction company in Guyana,” Singh noted, underscores the principles the company follows.

The CEO pointed out that the company does not compromise on safety and works very hard to ensure that it conducts its business in the highest ethical manner, while staying away from malpractices such as accepting bribes and other corrupt practices.

Moreover, Singh said, the company has a very high level of respect for its employees and business partners and always aims to deliver value for money, while seeking to exercise its corporate responsibilities by supporting communities.

Guyanese attorney admitted to Bar in Fiji REGINALD Anthony Harper, son of former Guyana and West Indies cricketer, Roger Harper and Mrs. Sheran Harper, was last Friday admitted to the Rolls of the High Court of the Sovereign Republic of Fiji.

Formally admitting Mr. Harper to the Bar was Mr. Harold O’Driscoll, a seasoned barrister and solicitor with whom Harper has had the honour of interning since passing his Bar exams, a press release stated.

Chief Justice Anthony Harold Cumberland Gates welcomed Harper to the Bar and charged him to create his mark and to give back to society. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice also urged Harper to take up some legal aid cases with the firm to which he was attached, as a means of providing access to justice for those who may not have the means to do so.

The Chief Justice admonished Harper as well to strive for excellence and to represent his clients well.

Highly motivated, driven and focused, Mr. Harper is committed to making his mark in the legal fraternity and community development.

Prior to being admitted to the University of Fiji where he completed his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Harper attended the University of Guyana where he graduated with a

Guyanese Attorney-at-Law Reginald Anthony Harper being admitted to the Rolls of the High Court of the Sovereign Republic of Fiji.

Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB). He subsequently proceeded to do his Bar Exams within the Commonwealth jurisdiction in the Republic of Fiji.

An ardent sports enthusiast, Harper actively participates in sporting activities and is a member of the Stringers Hockey Club in Suva, Fiji. He is also a member of Hikers Hockey Club in Guyana.

Attorney-at-Law Harper is the second of two sons of Roger and Sheran. Mrs Harper is a Central Trustee and the Worldwide Parenting Programme Trainer for International Mothers’ Union.

The Guyana Chronicle joins the family and friends of Attorney-at-Law Harper in congratulating him on his admission to the Bar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

City Council launches ‘greener’ Georgetown programme - to strengthen and enforce laws

By Navendra Seoraj THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is continuing efforts to garner the support of the business community and citizens of Georgetown in renewed efforts to bring about the restoration of the “Garden City.”

Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green in a recent appeal at a special meeting of stakeholders and concerned citizens, said that, “Georgetown is a complex city, and the only way we [can] achieve our goals is by working together and keeping our surroundings clean.”

One of M&CC’s main aims will be to rescue the parapets from businesses so that they could be used for the intended purposes, and Green said that, “there will be no more covering of the parapets.”

This will in turn help to protect the city’s “fragile drainage system,” and reduce the mass water build-up which is visible when there is torrential rainfall.

While the citizens are contributing in their own way, the M&CC will be moving towards strengthening and enforcing the laws.

Cars that are parked on city streets, particularly in restricted areas, for more than two weeks will be removed.

“Starting on Friday, a team along with myself will be patrolling the streets looking for persons who are in favour of committing these wrong doings,” said the mayor.

Apart from that, restaurant owners will be warned to install grease traps so that the drains will not be blocked by grease and there would be a smooth flow of water through the drainage system.

The payments of rates and tax will also be addressed, because according to the mayor, without those monies the M&CC would not be able to provide substantial work, or even any work at all, since that is one of the M&CC’s sources of income.

INCENTIVES As a reward for abiding by the laws and keeping the surroundings clean, the mayor said that incentives will be offered.

Meanwhile, while addressing the audience, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green pointed out that, “it is time for reality checks on what is happening, what they intend to do and what they intend to achieve in the future…we must know the vision for Georgetown in the next 5-10 years.”

Over the past few years, she said, they have not been able to function as a council, but now that they have the full support of the Government they will be able to execute their plans and strategies to the best of their abilities.

However, in doing their part, they are also calling on the citizens of Georgetown to come out and support their initiatives and also on their own, ensure that their immediate surroundings are kept clean at all times.

“The soul of our Garden City has been stolen, but we must rebuild our city and regain the confidence which was once displayed,” she emphasised.

The audience demonstrated satisfaction at what they heard with constant applause, while some minor interjections and suggestions were made.

PARKING PERMITS For instance, persons supported the removal of vehicles from the road, while persons suggested that the M&CC should issue permits to persons so that if they wish to park on the road they could purchase a permit.

In turn, the M&CC will receive some sort of revenue from this which they could use for other developmental purposes.

Apart from that, persons proposed that a board which comprises youths should be formed so that they could reach out to other youths and highlight the importance of a clean and healthy environment.

A cleaner Georgetown! Just a glimpse of what a cleaner environment could look like.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

90 children participate in Banks DIH/JCI summer programme

BANKS DIH Limited and JCI Guyana continued their annual collaboration as 90 children were exposed to a six-week Literacy/Skill-based Programme at Banks DIH Sports Club, Thirst Park, Greater Georgetown.

The programme, was held under the theme: “Be Better - Evolving and Thriving in 2015 and Beyond.”

A press release said that the objectives were to provide opportunities for young children to utilise their time beneficially, increase literacy and creative skills, teach them the social graces, principles and protocols, and empower them with the tools to become better individuals.

Banks DIH Limited Training Manager Mr. Henry Lewis, in closing remarks said the curriculum has laid the foundation to benefit the lives of the young participants aged four to 14 years old, who were exposed to life skills.

He expressed gratitude to JCI and Banks DIH Limited for organising the programme and noted that such activities leave positive impressions on the participants.

According to the release, the programme covered literacy exercises, painting, craft, sports, tours to places of interest and counselling sessions facilitated by Ms. Allison Alexander of the Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Lisette Wills, JCI Guyana Senator and representatives of the West Demerara Dental Health Centre.

The curtain came down with a grand variety concert and exhibition, as the participants displayed their talent in poetry, songs, skits and a fashion display showcasing their work.

A few of the children participating in a skit.

Part of the exhibition of the children’s work.

Miss India-Guyana 2015 to be crowned tonight

Reigning Miss India-Guyana 2014, Divya Sieudarsan

HOT, sizzling dances by Apsara and a performance by Miss India Worldwide 2014, Monica Gill, will be featured this evening at the Miss India-Guyana 2015 coronation at the Marriott Hotel, beginning with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. The programme begins at 7:30 p.m.

Special guest of honour Miss India Worldwide 2014 Monica Gill, is coming all the way from India.

Miss India Worldwide 2009 Nikkitasha Marwaha, and Miss India Worldwide 2013 Nehal Bhogaita, were also invited to Guyana for the past Miss India- Guyana pageants.

Not forgetting Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta, a special guest and judge at the Miss India-Guyana pageant, 2012.

Limited tickets, at $5,000, are available at King’s Jewellery World on Quamina Street and the Feed-Shop on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, and you may contact Chandini on 640-2085.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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U.S. repatriates 65 Cubans picked up at sea

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — THE U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 65 Cubans caught at sea while trying to reach Florida in rickety vessels, officials said Wednesday.

The Cubans were picked up over the past few days in six separate interdictions in the Florida Straits, the Coast Guard said.

Cuba is about 150 kilometers (90) miles from the southernmost part of Florida.

Cuban migrants, unlike those from any other nation, are allowed to stay in the United States if they succeed in reaching land. But they are repatriated if picked up at sea.

Fear that this special treatment will end has triggered a rise in the number of attempted crossings since the United States and Cuba announced in December plans to restore diplomatic ties. They finally did so on July 20.

Thursday August 20, 2015 - 08:30 hrs Friday August 21, 2015 - 09:00 hrs Saturday August 22, 2015 - 09:30 hrs

Wanted bulletin issued for North West murder suspect

Reggie Jacobs THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for Reggie Jacobs for questioning in relation to investigations into the murder of Morvin James, which occurred on July 27, 2015, at William Area, North West District.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Reggie Jacobs is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 2258196, 225-2722, 2261333, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with strict confidentiality, the police said in a press release.

Name: Reggie Jacobs

Date of Birth: 1985-07-04

Ethnic Origin: Amerindian Last known address: Log Hill, Baramita, North West District

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Aries What a perfect day to go to a spa, get a massage, or enjoy a sauna. You’ve accumulated a lot of tension and stress lately, and you may have had a hard time trying to calm down. You need some peace and quiet. Don’t even pick up a newspaper. Try not to even think! Just tune out and take care of yourself.

Taurus If you’ve been hesitant about whether you should go on a diet, this would be a great day to start. If you’re one of those people who really doesn’t have to watch what you eat, good for you! However, you should still stay away from rich foods. Don’t drink too much alcohol, and stay away from a lot of chocolate

Gemini If you don’t feel that you make enough money, this is the time to do something about it, Gemini. Are you sure you’re doing everything you can to earn as much as possible? Perhaps you’ve wanted to change jobs for quite some time but something is holding you back. What do you think? Try to figure it out.

Cancer Today you’ll have a banker’s precision. You will recheck everything from your expenses to your investments to your children’s pocket money, not to mention how much you’ve paid back on your loans. Keep at it!

This is the time to do it. Despite what others think, it’s important.

Leo Do you wonder whether other people are attracted to you? If you’d like to reassure yourself, you could work on your outward appearance today.

You may have an inclination to change something, but you don’t have to overdo it. The energy of the day is about adding one special touch that makes all the difference when combined with your natural charm.

Virgo You’re probably looking for new objectives in your career and personal life. Today you’ll get the opportunity to share some dynamic ideas with new people. If you can, you should try to set up regular meetings with them. This could be your new group for brainstorming. These new friendships could be very productive in terms of personal fulfillment.

Libra This will be a great day for you! Your children, grandchildren, or siblings may have a lot of excess energy. It’s up to you to take care of them. It’s your turn to plan things in the family. You won’t have any trouble with this task. Have you ever thought about being a planner or organiser for a living?

Scorpio A wonderful day lies ahead. Life is giving you more space and freedom at the moment. You could take advantage of this space to do something with your creativity. It’s the perfect time to sign up for some art classes or just begin something on your own, like singing, painting, or writing.

What would you like to do? Do it!

Sagittarius Do you feel like you’re in a video game and about to get eaten by a monster? Today you should try a new game - avoiding stress! Whether this concerns your career or personal life, you need to find some neutral territory where you can relax. How about going to a friend’s house?

Capricorn After a few days of moving in slow motion, today you will get back all of your energy. Your instincts will be excellent and draw you to the people who can help you. It might be an excellent day to write any reports - or even your memoirs. Don’t be afraid to grab a pen and paper - you will be wonderfully prolific!

Aquarius If you’ve encountered a lot of resistance on some of your projects, you should probably let them go. It’s possible that you’re still doing something a certain way even though your goals have changed. All you used to think about was getting ahead in your career. Is that what you still want? Think about it.

Pisces The planetary positions are telling you to watch what you eat. Why don’t you think about eating more fruit? Buy the nicest fruit you can find and really be good to yourself. What you do for your body will bring great benefits in a week or two. It’s time to get a lot of sleep, too.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Coe targets doping after winning IAAF presidency

By Nick Mulvenney BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Sebastian Coe was elected as the new head of international athletics yesterday and promised to stand by his campaign pledge to set up an independent anti-doping body for the embattled sport.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has been battered by allegations over the last three weeks of widespread doping in track and field.

While the 58-year-old Briton said an independent body was the only way to ensure an end to any question about the IAAF’s vigilance, he also said he was inheriting a “very strong sport” from Senegalese Lamine Diack.

A twice Olympic 1500 metres champion and head of the organisers for the 2012 London Olympics, Coe won the presidency by beating Ukraine’s Sergei Bubka 115-92 in a ballot of the IAAF’s 50th Congress.

He starts his new job on August 31, the day after the world championships end in Beijing.

“I’ve had the joys of Olympic competition, I’ve had the joys of being part of something special in London a few years ago, but this for me is the pinnacle,” he said.

“It is my sport, it’s my passion; it’s the thing that I’ve always wanted to do.

“I will do everything within my human capabilities to make sure our

Newly elected president of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Sebastian Coe listens to a question at a news conference in Beijing, yesterday.

(Reuters/Jason Lee)

sport maintains the values, maintains the strong legacies and the very, very firm foundations that president Diack has left me,” he added.

“This is a sport that is strong, I have the responsibility to make it stronger, and I will.”

The election took place against the background of a public relations crisis for the IAAF, which was accused of failing in its duty

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to address the scourge of doping.

A former Conservative politician in Britain, Coe has aggressively defended the IAAF’s record on doping since the leak of blood test data to the media.

B u t y e s t e r d a y, h e made no mention of the subject in his speeches to delegates before and after the vote, only addressing the issue at the ensuing

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news conference.

“There is zero tolerance to the abuse of doping in my sport and I want to continue that,” he said.

“I will maintain that to the very highest level of vigilance.”

The plan to establish an independent anti-doping agency was one of the central pledges in a campaign that has taken Coe 700 000 kilometres around the world.

“There is a universal problem with (doping) in sport. We recognise that and we’ve been in the lead role as long as I’ve been in the sport,” he said.

“That’s something I’m very proud of ... (but) we do have to recognise that there is too broad a view that this is something where, whether it is real or perceived, there are conflicts and there are loopholes.

“I think an independent system is what we need to close down any thought that we are doing anything other than being entirely vigilant about that.”

The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the body which

currently oversees doping control around the world, congratulated Coe on his victory.

“We look forward to a positive and strong relationship with the new president in his avowed plans to protect the rights of the clean athlete,” WADA president and fellow Briton Craig Reedie said in a statement.

Former Olympic pole vault champion Bubka also congratulated Coe on his victory and was later elected one of four IAAF vice-presidents, along with Cuban Alberto Juantorena, Qatari Dahlan Al Hamad and Hamad Kalkaba Malboum of Cameroon.

“I know athletics will grow and become stronger,” Bubka said. “I am a happy man because I love athletics. I will continue to serve athletics with passion. This is my life.”

Outgoing president Diack, who has run the body for the last 16 years, said he was delighted to finally have a successor.

“The white-haired generation has done what it could, and now over to the black-haired generation,” he said.

Minister Henry highlights a ...

From Backpage fully to national development.

“Sports bring individuals and communities together, highlighting commonalities and bridging cultural or ethnic divides.

It provides a forum to learn skills such as discipline, confidence and leadership, and teaches core principles such as tolerance, cooperation and respect,” she said.

Among the direct points stated include the supporting of schools, partnering with other institutions and the building of sustainable club and community development through sport camps and community ground enhancement

projects.

“This APNU+AFC Government will ensure that community sport facilities will be enhanced through the Community Enhancement Project, and will facilitate the development of clubs and associations, by providing, technical and financial support.” Minister Henry said during her budget presentation.

The lifting of the profile of sport and physical activities in Guyana, developing coaches and volunteers and supporting recreational centres and grounds to become development- and community-focused are among some of the other points outlined.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Several GCA tournaments on this weekend SEVERAL tournaments under the auspices of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will be played this weekend at various venues across the city.

Action will resume in the Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division 2-day competition while the Hadi’s World Inc./ City Mall 1st Division 2-day competition concludes.

The NBS 40-Overs 2nd Division competition will commence its season this weekend as well.

The last round of matches in the Hadi’s World Inc./ City Mall 1st Division two-day competition will take place this weekend with Georgetown Cricket Club taking on the Guyana Defence Force at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Match-time is 09:30hrs.

Meanwhile, Second Division action in the Noble House Seafoods two-day competition will also bowl off this weekend when the Police Sports Club play hosts at the Eve Leary ground to Transport Sports Club The NBS 40-Overs 2nd Division 2015 competition commences this weekend following the division of the 16 teams into zones last Saturday.

Zone A will feature the three-time defending champions, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Gandhi Youth Organisation Sports Club, Muslim Youth Organisation Sports Club, Ace Warriors Sports Club, Malteenoes Sports Club, Diplomats Sports Club, Everest Cricket Club and University of Guyana Zone B features Transport Sports Club, GNIC Sports Club, Third Class Cricket Club, Guyana Defence Force Cricket Club, Saints Stanislaus College, Sophia Cricket Club, Police Sports Club and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).

Fixtures on Saturday will see Zone B teams GNIC and Sophia at GNIC, and DCC versus Third Class while Zone A action will pit Malteenoes Sports Club against University of Guyana Matches begin at 11:00hrs.

On Sunday, at the same time, Zone A action continues with the Muslim Youth Organisation taking on Ace Warriors at the GNIC ground while Gandhi Youth Organisation oppose Diplomats Sports Club at the DCC ground.

GFSCA hosts Stephen Narine softball tournament tomorrow

THE Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will host a four-team knock-out competition tomorrow in honour of its distinguished member and former president Stephen Naraine’s 50th birth anniversary.

The tournament, which commences at 18:30hrs, will be played at the Demerara Cricket Club ground (DCC) in Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, with trophies sponsored by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall The fixtures will see Savage versus Floodlights Legends in a 20/20 affair on pitch one. According to Savage, this is s vengeance-match for their defeat last Sunday in the Petama Enterprises/Motor Trend softball competition against the same opponents.

Simultaneously on pitch two, the Floodlights Masters will go head-to-head with the Parika Defenders in another 20/20 fixture.

The two winners then clash on the main pitch in a 15/15 final for bragging rights and trophies.

Steve will be honoured by GFSCA on attaining his half-a-century landmark

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

Gaskin, Persaud set Goodwill records, as Guyana finish fifth at Goodwill Swim Meet

By Tamica Garnett NATIONAL record-holder Aleka Persaud last weekend also became a Goodwill Swim Meet record-holder as well as Guyana’s Hannibal Gaskin, while Team Guyana finished fifth at the meet which concluded last Sunday at the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool, Macoya in Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana finished fifth with 501.5 points, while the event was championed by the Trinidad team who successfully defended their title after amassing 1 477 points.

Trinidad and Tobago warded off the efforts from their nemesis, Suriname, who trailed just behind with 1 325.50 points.

Barbados placed third with 821.50 points and the St Lucia National Team were fourth with 534.5 points. Last place went to the Bahamas Swimming

Goodwill Swim Meet Boys’ 15-17 200m freestyle gold medallist, Hannibal Gaskin (centre), poses with second-place finisher Leshem Morris (left), and third-placer Omar Adams.

Federation who finished with just 88 points.

Guyana ended with 29 medals – 21 from individual

events and 8 relay medals. The haul included seven gold, nine silver and 12 bronze medal performances.

Persaud was by far Guyana’s most decorated swimmer at the meet landing five of the seven gold medals, and being one of only three Guyanese swimmers to land gold at the event. Gaskin and Onika George were the only other two swimmers to strike gold.

Persaud also ended with a silver medal, which she collected for her record-breaking performance.

Young Persaud swam for 36.20 secs in the Girls 8-and-under 50m butterfly, tearing down the 37.40 secs record set by Zoe Anthony last year. Persaud barely made it past Trinidad’s Joy Blackett who was just behind clocking 36.98 secs.

Having a remarkable year since the season began, Persaud, who has been collecting nothing but gold medals on the local scene, more than proved that she could also hold her own in

Amla century helps South Africa win ODI opener PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - A century from Hashim Amla laid the foundation for home success yesterday, as South Africa beat New Zealand by 20 runs to win their opening oneday international at Centurion.

Amla displayed the form that had him rated the world’s best batsman as he mastered the bowling on a slow track and scored 124 for South Africa to open with 304 for seven off their 50 overs.

New Zealand kept up with the required run rate for most of their chase but lost wickets at key intervals and were bowled out for 284 in the 49th over of the first of a three-match series.

Amla scored his 21st ODI century off 126 balls and featured in a 185-run partnership for the second wicket with Rilee Rossouw, who tempered his usual aggressive style to build a steady innings before being bowled in the 42nd over for 89.

It proved a positive start after New Zealand had won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat.

But a chance of a much bigger score, on the same pitch where they lost to New Zealand in a Twenty20 international on Sunday, disappeared as South Africa lost five wickets in their last eight overs.

South Africa made an immediate breakthrough on the New Zealand batting as Dale Steyn had Luke Ronchi caught behind at the end of the first

over after seeing two earlier deliveries dropped.

New Zealand then set about chasing down the target with Tom Latham and captain Kane Williamson amassing 104 runs for the second wicket before a vital breakthrough, as Williamson was caught at extra cover for 47 off spinner Imran Tahir.

Latham (60) was the fifth wicket to fall halfway to the target as he walked across his stumps to a straight ball and was dismissed leg-before.

are ranked ninth on 88 points and as such appear reluctant to play such a series that could jeopardise their Champions Trophy qualification.

“Unfortunately, since the ICC meddled with the binding nature of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) last year, there is no obligation on any country to stick to commitments made to tour unless these have been confirmed in a binding contact,” said Mani who is of Pakistan origin.

“This free-for-all nature of tour commitment opens it to manipulation which is

exactly what has happened in this case. It also shows just how blindly the cricket boards agreed to the changes in the FTP without understanding the consequences.”

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has come under fire from several quarters over the regional side’s failure to advance to the 2017 Champions Trophy.

In recent weeks, both WICB president Dave Cameron and CEO Michael Muirhead have blamed Pakistan for the West Indies missing the Champions Trophy.

the regional arena.

Swimming in one of the most packed category, Persaud also ruled the roost in the 100m freestyle (1:14.55s), 50m breaststroke (45.29s), 50m freestyle (33.55s), and 50m backstroke (41.01s), while she also landed a silver in the 100m IM. Blackett proved to be Persaud’s biggest competition, finishing behind her in the 50m breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke, before finally getting the better of Persaud in the 100m IM. Blackett’s 1:27.88s was just enough to overcome the 1:29.84s swum by Persaud In the Boys’ 15-17 category Gaskin’s 1:58.66s in the 200m freestyle was just enough to surpass the 1:59.29s record set by Barbados’ Justin Babb back in 2009.

Gaskin also collected a silver and a bronze - individual medals - in the 100m butterfly (59.84s) and 100m freestyle (54.80s), respectively.

With one gold, three silver and a bronze, Onika George was Guyana’s second most decorated swimmer. George earned silverware in the Girls’ 15-17 category, in the 100m freestyle (1:02.82s), and 100m backstroke (1:12.16s), and bronze in the 200m freestyle (2:20.37s). In the 100m freestyle George was upstaged by Barbados’ Keisha Rouse in a record-breaking 1:01.05s.

Leon Seaton, Phillip

DeNobrega, Accalia Khan, Patrice Mahaica and Omar Adams rounded out the medal-earners in the individual category.

Seaton came back home with two silver medals, winning them in the Boys’ 9-10 50m freestyle (29.80s) and 200m freestyle (2:29.94s).

DeNobrega in the Boys’ 15-17 category garnered two bronze in the 100m backstroke (1:04.78s) and the 200m IM (2:23.52s).

Khan, Mahaica and Adams landed a bronze medal apiece - Khan in the Girls’ 15-17 50m backstroke (33.10s), Mahaica in the Girls’ eight-and-under 50m breaststroke (50.11s), and Adams in the Boys’ 15-17 200m freestyle (2:03.71s).

Additionally, the swimmers all picked up relay medals from being a part of the relay teams in their respective categories.

The Girls’ 15 -17 team won bronze in the 400m medley, 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle relay. The Boys’ 15-17 team included Adams, Gaskin, DeNobrega and Jamal Skeete who copped silver in the 400m freestyle, and bronze in the 200m freestyle.

The Boys’ 13-14 team, comprising Nathon Hackett, Antonio Rodrigues, Alex Winter and Antonio Hussein, had silver in the 400m and 200m freestyle relays. Persaud spearheaded the Girls’ eight-and-under relay team for bronze in their 200m freestyle relay.

Pakistan’s Asif, Butt Mani condemns Pakistan U-turn that left Windies in the cold cleared to return - ICC

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CMC) - Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has accused Pakistan of manipulating an upcoming tri-series to safeguard their qualification for the 2017 Champions Trophy.

West Indies needed to play in the tri series involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe, before a September 30 deadline, as their qualification route to the Champions Trophy.

The tri-series was originally scheduled from August 17 to September 7.

“The fact that Pakistan have pulled out of the tri-series is simply not cricket and goes against the spirit of the game,” stated Mani, ICC president from 2003 to 2006.

Pakistan appear to have reversed their decision after winning their one-day series with Sri-Lanka 3-2 to all but secure their Champions Trophy spot.

The Pakistanis later rescheduled the bilateral series with Zimbabwe to September 24 - October 5.

With 90 points, they are ranked eight on the ICC 50 overs table while West Indies

PAKISTANI cricketers Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt will be free to return to competitive action on September 2 after serving bans for involvement in match-fixing, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

The pair, suspended in 2011 for their part in attempting to fix the 2010 Lord’s Test against England, have fulfilled the conditions laid down by the ICC’s independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir will also be eligible to return to international cricket at the same time. He started playing domestic cricket again in Pakistan earlier this year.

The three players were found guilty in 2011 of various offences of corrupt behaviour and their punishments were backdated to start in September 2010.

Amir, 23, was banned for five years, 32-year-old Asif for seven with the final two years suspended on specified conditions and 30-year-old Butt, who was Pakistan captain, for 10 years with the last five suspended.

They all served jail sentences in Britain.

26

I want to go out on a high, says Australia’s Clarke (REUTERS) - Australia captain Michael Clarke was in reflective mood on the eve of his final Test match against England at The Oval as he plotted a consolation victory to finish the series on a high.

Clarke, 34, announced he would retire at the end of the series immediately after his side lost the fourth Test at Trent Bridge last week by an innings and 78 runs to relinquish the Ashes.

“There are no fairytales,” Clarke told reporters yesterday. “We really need to show grit, determination and resilience throughout this Test match and play a lot better than we have done in the last couple.”

Clarke said he had prepared for the game like any of the other 114 Tests he has played.

“It does not feel any different at this stage and I don’t think it will until the Test match is finished,” he

Michael Clarke said.

“My focus over the last week has been preparing for this Test and making sure my body and mind are as per usual.

“The boys have been training well and we are looking forward to hopefully finishing on a high.”

Clarke admitted his team’s performances in the series, which they trail 3-1, had not been good enough.

“Australian fans expect the Australian cricket team to play better than we have done throughout this series and they expect the leader to lead from the front and stand up so the criticism is

certainly warranted,” he said.

Opener Chris Rogers will also make his final appearance for Australia at The Oval.

“I think this team now needs some fresh energy.”

Clarke said. “I am really confident Australian cricket will continue to perform and continue to get better.

“I look forward to being able to sit on my couch now and follow the boys closely from there.”

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has taken 16 wickets in the series, will miss the final Test due to niggling injury problems.

“Josh has played six Tests since the West Indies tour and the last nine Tests for Australia as well as playing an important part in the World Cup,” coach Darren Lehmann told reporters.

Australia could recall the experienced Peter Siddle or Pat Cummins today.

Antigua to host Caribbean Sports Icons Awards ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Antigua will host the third edition of the Caribbean Awards for Sports Icons (CASI), on September 26, organisers have announced.

CASI, which is returning after a six-year break, will be held at Sandals Grande Resort and will

bring together a number of Caribbean sporting greats.

They will include Barbadian and West Indies cricket legend Sir Everton Weekes, Jamaican sprint sensation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, along with a host of local icons.

“It is for every Carib-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday August 20, 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: Lance Gibbs-28 Test wickets Courtney Walsh-10 ODI wickets

Today’s Quiz: Who has effected most wicket-keeping dismissals in Tests at Bourda?

Who has effected most wicket-keeping dismissals in ODIs at Bourda?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

bean person; whether you are living in the Caribbean, or in the Diaspora like I do,” declared Al Hamilton, the veteran Jamaican Sports journalist who founded the event.

“The idea of CASI is simple: as a region, as a people, to say thank you to those persons who pioneered sports.”

CASI was first held in Jamaica in 2008 then in the Bahamas in 2009.

Awardees from the first two events included Antiguan cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards, Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt, and Bahamian former NBA champion Mychal Thompson.

Regional luminaries, along with Weekes and Fraser-Pryce, to be awarded, include sprinter Kim Collins of St Kitts & Nevis, pioneering Trinidadian physical education specialist Dr Iva Gloudon, and Grenada’s parasport swimmer Nye Cruckshank.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

World awaits more Bolt magic after doping scandals

By Nick Mulvenney BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Usain Bolt returns to the site of his first global triumph this week for a world championships showdown with a convicted dope cheat that has ramifications for athletics beyond just establishing who is the fastest man in the world.

The Jamaican’s battle over 100m and 200m with Justin Gatlin will be the highlight of the August 2230 championships at the Bird’s Nest stadium, and victory for the in-form American would serve as an unwelcome reminder of the scourge of doping.

The governing International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has endured three weeks of embarrassing leaks and accusations that it has neglected its duty to root out drug cheats.

On Sunday, the IAAF denied media reports it had suppressed a 2011 survey that revealed up to a third of the world’s top competitors admitted using banned performance-enhancing techniques.

Britain’s Sebastian Coe, elected to run international athletics yesterday, has promised to set up an independent anti-doping body for the sport - a theme he campaigned on.

With less than a year to go until the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Bolt needs to dispel concerns over his form and fitness in a city where he won three gold medals in world record times, the defining performance of the 2008 Games.

Chief among the threats to Bolt’s dominance is Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic and 2005 world 100m champion who has lost five years of his career to drugs bans.

Undefeated over 100m and 200m since 2013 and boasting the best times of the year (9.74 and 19.57), the 33-year-old Gatlin has

Usain Bolt comfortably beaten all-comers this year but has yet to face Bolt.

Bolt, who will be 29 tomorrow, ran 9.87 in the 100m in London last month and has a track record of saving his best performances for the biggest events.

Another athlete who has produced his best in the big races at the last two global championships is Olympic and world 5 000m and 10 000m champion Mo Farah.

The Briton’s preparation for the defence of his titles in Beijing has been disrupted by a storm surrounding doping claims against his coach Alberto Salazar.

Farah has not been accused of wrongdoing but the furore caused him to pull out of a race in Birmingham saying he was “emotionally and physically drained”.

Another bid for double gold will come when Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba bids to add to her family’s impressive collection of major titles in the women’s 1500m and 5 000m.

The 24-year-old, sister of three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh and cousin of twice Olympic champion Derartu Tulu, ran a world record of three minutes 50.07 in July, six seconds faster than any of her 1500m rivals had managed this year.

The event schedule has prevented American Allyson Felix from running for gold in two events and the Olympic 200m champion

will compete only in the 400m in Beijing, preferring the greater challenge of the longer event.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price has sent out mixed signals over whether she will defend both her 100m and 200m world titles, telling Reuters last week she was dropping the longer event after being listed in the Jamaica team as running both.

In the middle distance events, Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha has failed to return to his best form in the 800m since a long injury lay-off, giving Botswana’s Nijel Amos hope of a first major title.

Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill is also back after a long lay-off, in her case to have a child, and she will be out to reassert her position as Britain’s number one over Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Canada’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton is the favourite for gold, however, and if, as expected, American Ashton Eaton wins the decathlon, they will become the first married couple to sweep the two multi-discipline titles.

Few in Beijing can compare to Caterine Ibarguen when it comes to dominance and the Colombian will defend her triple jump title on the back of a 28-competition unbeaten stretching back to her second place at the London Olympics.

Injured New Zealand shot-putter Valerie Adams, who won the last four world titles, is probably the most notable absentee from the championships having lost for the first time in 57 events in June.

Spanish race-walker Jesus Angel Garcia is unlikely to win a medal but will earn his own place in the record books when, at the age of 45, he competes in his 12th consecutive world championships. He won gold in the 50km at his first in 1993.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 20, 2015

GFF scores big with Stag Elite League ANSA McAl Trading Limited yesterday, through their Stag Beer brand, became the title sponsors of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, pumping millions of dollars into the event which is set to kick off on September 19.

Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Pele, Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United, Monedderlust, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) are the eight teams that will compete in the Stag Elite League.

Though the estimated figure dumped into the league by Ansa McAl was not disclosed, the GFF’s Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling, told reporters that the deal would see the distribution giants being the largest direct contribution to the GFF after FIFA. “Ansa McAl’s involvement is not just about promoting our brand, but it’s also about a partnership with the people and the youths of

football and also pointed out that he’s elated to be on board with the Elite League.

Apart from their heavy financial input, the Stag Beer Elite League would enjoy a never before seen marketing drive in football, compliments of Ansa McAl, as Cadogan pointed out “there are some novelty ideas that we were playing around with among our team in terms of marketing the games and I think this is going to be something real different” Meanwhile, Urling said that the league will strive for footballing excellence and the GFF’s affiliation with Ansa McAl demonAnsa McAl’s Marketing Director Troy Cadogan, makes a symbolic strates that partnership of presentation to GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling excellence. while other officials and representatives of the company look on.

“The league will be hisGuyana” explained the com- how the game is perceived football in this country; toric, in that for the first pany’s Marketing Director by the general public and we organised football where time, all the players in that see this in a way of reinvig- we actually would lead to league will be paid for Troy Cadogan.

Cadogan, a football en- orating the sport and that’s building better facilities and matches played; our eight thusiast in his own right, why we went ahead with the expanding the game” clubs are the best in the The partnership, Cado- country and not just best in further added that “foot- partnership”.

It is the aim of Ansa gan said, would last until the the players that go on the ball hasn’t been played in a meaningful way for the past McAl, according to the 2022 World Cup where he field, but the best in terms of couple of years in Guyana. Marketing Director, to be hopes the league could help their administrative practicThere seems to be fall off by the “owner of legitimate in strengthening Guyana’s es” said the GFF Chairman.

Ansa McAl pumps millions into football

Asked about the status of the playing venue, Urling told the room of reporters at Ansa McAl’s Beterverwagting Headquarters boardroom, that while they (the grounds) are not perfect, but playable and “one of the things that you’ll see happening probably towards the end of the league for the first year and definitely the second year; is the GFF facility in play and FIFA has already contracted an inspector at providence to move forward with the artificial turf” A formal launch of the league is set for August 31 where full details of the league will be announced.

“We want to ensure that the league is sustainable and not a one-off affair. I know for the Normalisation Committee, there’s sufficient funds which we will allocate and working with our sponsors who are critical because without Ansa McAl coming on board, there wouldn’t be any league, we would probably have to look at playing it some other time” said Urling.

Goal-spree on opening night of GT Beer Futsal tournament

FUTSAL returned to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Tuesday with four intriguing matches on the opening night of the Petra-organised GT Beer Futsal Tournament.

This format’s favourites Albouystown, Sparta Boss and West Back Road were all victorious on the opening night. Agricola were not left out of the celebrations with a 5-3 win over Kitty Weavers.

In the feature showdown Travis Grant was the hero that saved Sparta Boss against a raging Alexander Village team.

Grant drew first blood in the seventh minute and the game was shot for shot with rapid change of possessions for the remainder of the first half.

Sparta then doubled their lead with a 24th minute goal from Carl Tudor but Alexander Village jumped right back in contention for a win when goals from Jermaine

Part of the opening night’s action in the Petra Organisation/GT Beer Futsal tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Junor then Shem Porter in the 27th and 28th minutes tied things up.

Grant pulled a rabbit out the hat as he scored in the final minute of the showdown to snatch a win from the hands of worthy opponents.

The first half belonged to Agricola but it was not acquired without a fight.

Gordon Grant put Agricola ahead in the second minute then pushed them further with a fifth. Anthony Rollins and Glen Eastman then scored one each to account for the four goals that rivalled Weavers’ three at the half.

Nigel Denny (6th), Jermaine Willis (8th) and Travis Martin (15th) were the only scorers for Weavers as Eastman scored in the 27th to put the victory beyond doubt.

In the opening game Albouystown were aggressive in the first half against Globe Yard with three quick goals that devastated

the opposition.

Devon Dooker scored in the eighth and ninth minutes then his teammate Lennox Cort added to Globe Yard’s misery as he scored in the tenth.

Globe Yard managed to pull one back in the 23rd minute with a Gordon Henry goal but Denver Dennis made it a three-possession game once more until the final whistle when he scored in the 26th minute.

West Back Road stunned North Ruimveldt 4-1 in the penultimate match of the night. After a first half which saw Jarell Tyrell score for the victors and Joshua Browne for the opposition, West Back Road brought down the hammer in the second half with three unanswered goals.

Eon Hade recorded a brace in the 18th and 26th minutes while Phillip Rowley scored once to complete the win.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

GFF scores big with Stag Elite League

See story on page 27

FIFA presidential hopeful David Nakhid pushes Caribbean development

FORMER Trinidad and Tobago International David Nakhid yesterday wrapped up his visit to Guyana – his recent stop on a Caribbean tour – in an attempt to muster support for his bid to become the next president of the football’s world governing body FIFA. Nakhid, who is based in Lebanon where he runs a football academy, would need the backing of five national associations - a requirement which has kept other outsiders off the ballot in previous elections.

The incumbent Sepp Blatter will be stepping down in 2016 following the corruption scandal that engulfed the organisation earlier this year.

A number of former players including Brazilian legend Zico and current UEFA president Michel Platini have already signalled their intention to run for the office that

Blatter held on to since 1998.

Nakhid came to Guyana, running on a platform that Caribbean in its entirety is too important to not have a voice in the affairs of the governing of the game internationally.

The 51 year-old Trinidadian; the first from his country to play professionally in Europe, believes that Caribbean countries should not only be seen as a reference for vote in CONCACAF and FIFA, but one that should be seen where people come for meaningful consultation and respect their majority seat in the confederation.

The ‘Caribbean Man’ as he is now called internationally, Nakhid said, “No one from outside our region can truly reflect what is needed in the Caribbean.

The needs of Guyana are unique to Guyana and are not necessarily the needs for

someone else like Martinique.

“To be specific, I understand that Guyana at least for the last 15 years, have been trying to establish at least a field, that’s football specific, and these are things that one particular grouping from FIFA would not address.”

Former Trinidad and Tobago International David Nakhid (L) and With the latest Carib- GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling after their bean official, Jeffrey Webb, meeting yesterday at the Marriott Hotel. (Adrian Narine photo) being embroiled in controversy, Nakhid, asked how he pro-Caribbean, rather than soured to the point where we have none in the Caribwill change the perception pro-UEFA, it doesn’t mean UEFA now alleges that Blat- bean,” said FIFA presidenof people from the region we are anti-anyone, but it ter’s office initiated a smear tial hopeful.

“I played on the same being corrupt related to means that we (Caribbean campaign against him.

“Only yesterday, the fields when I am home in the media, during his press people) understand our true conference in the Demerara value in this global game of Washington Post had an Trinidad and Tobago, that article about Platini being I played on 25 – 30 years Room at the Marriott Hotel, football,” Nakhid said.

FIFA has confirmed tainted and as we go on, all ago. No matter how hard that “we don’t need to define by what has happened that they are investigating of them in the past might Clinton (Urling) and his whether a member of soon- possibly be implicated in committee are trying to in the past” “The outside media, pre- to-be-departed president something and we’re saying, change things, you need cisely being Eurocentric – Sepp Blatter’s staff wrote a take someone from outside fields/infrastructure for because that’s what FIFA dossier on Platini with the of that Football circle, that players’ development to has been since they’ve only intention of discrediting dominated FIFA and the happen, that’s why we need confederation and then we a Caribbean person there had one leader from outside him.

Platini once was one of have someone who comes to push the interest of our Europe and they’ve been Blatter’s closest confidants, from a position of integrity people at FIFA,” Nakhid crafting in highlighting that – what we need to do is become but their relationship has and development because noted.

Minister Henry highlights a ‘fresh approach’ to sports during budget debate AFTER the National Budget was read in Parliament by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, and no allocation was made for Sports, outside of $211.656M to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Government came under fire since some believe that the sector should have been catered for by the Ministry of Education under which it now falls.

Minister Nicolette Henry

However, Nicolette Henry, Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Sport, said that the David Granger-led administration will be taking a “fresh approach” to sports, with more emphasis being place on having greater participation at the school level.

The minister at the time was addressing the National Assembly during the Budget debate where

she added, “I would like to emphasise that the Ministry of Education will remain committed to exercising sound judgment and adopting best practices, in its mandate to move this country forward in sport development.

“A fresh approach will include greater emphasis being placed on sports in schools, and there will be the re-establishment of the national schools’ tourna-

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ment. Guyanese will become more sport-oriented, gaining improved access to sport facilities and opportunities.” said Henry.

The ministry, according to Minister Henry, will be reviewing the National Sport Policy, with an aim of including sports in national development planning, and taking into account the importance of sports in the health and education sectors.

The policy, she told the National Assembly, will ensure that all Guyanese have equal opportunities to participate through interactive programmes, whilst exploiting new economic frontiers that promote and foster physical well-being, talents, abilities and social cohesion, in order to contribute meaningSee Page 23 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015