2015 8 22

GUYANA

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Jagdeo’s ‘harangue’ No. 104289

SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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failed to fall on fertile ears

– PM Nagamootoo Page

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Opposition walks out of National Assembly

Page Bharrat Jagdeo

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– Jagdeo says budget lacklustre and flawed

Carifesta 2015 opens in Haiti

A Haitian national, carrying the Guyana flag, leads our country’s delegation through Magloire Ambrose Avenue yesterday, as Carifesta 2015 got under way. (See Carifesta reportage in tomorrow's issue)

Amid glowing tributes…

Hundreds say farewell to Christobel Hughes Centre

The late Mrs. Christobel Hughes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

President Granger helps schoolchildren in Lower Pomeroon – hands over new boat and 200hp engine donated by businessman/miner Alfro Alphonso

President David Granger hands over the keys to captain Brian Peters at Charity

First Lady Sandra Granger pours contents of a water coconut on the bow of the new boat

PRESIDENT David Granger has handed over a new 25-foot boat equipped with a 200hp outboard engine to residents of the Lower Pomeroon River to help transport their children to and from school.

Speaking on Friday afternoon to a large and colourful crowd at the handing-over ceremony, held in front of the Alfro Alphonso five-storey supermarket complex at Charity, the President began his address by saying, “This is the day that the Lord has made, and it is a thanksgiving day at Charity!”

The large crowd that

flocked the river dam and concrete river defence structure erupted into loud applause; and more clapping erupted as President Granger said, “It doesn’t matter which party you voted for on May 11, I am President of all Guyana!”

President Granger disclosed that the boat and 200hp engine were donated by popular businessman and miner Mr Alfro Alphonso of Charity. He thanked the Alfro Alphonso family for the donation, a n d s a i d t h e c o m p a n y, established some 38 years ago was giving back to the society.

The President said

the idea to have a school boat for the Lower Pomeroon riverine communities came from the people themselves. He said the residents had told him that their children were experiencing hardship commuting to and from school to get an education, while he was visiting the Pomeroon during the recent election campaign period leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

President Granger said his job now as President is to find out the needs of the people and deliver those needs to them. He termed the boat an investment in the people and their children, and he said that the investment would pay dividends in time to come.

ECIS The President said the “Each Child In School” (ECIS) policy is very important, and he called for every child to go to school.

He told the residents that if one boat is not enough, a second boat would be sent,

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger take a ride on the new boat with schoolchildren

but no child must stay at home. He assured residents that if a child doesn’t have text books, school uniform or food, the Government would provide same. He said children now have opportunities to go to school.

Before commissioning the 25-foot shed boat, along with the 200 hp outboard engine, the President said it is a thanksgiving day for him at Charity, and he thanked the Alfro Alphonso family for making that donation towards the development of education in The Pomeroon.

He said the people di d

not ask for a five-star hotel like the Marriott, they simply asked for a boat to transport their children to school, so they could get an education; and he has responded by giving them a boat.

The President and First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger, accompanied by businessman Alfro Alphonso and a large crowd, commissioned the new boat at the edge of the Pomeroon River. Mrs Granger poured water from a coconut onto the bow of the boat to officially commission it.

The President and First

Lady, accompanied by several children, were also given a drive in the new boat along the Pomeroon River.

Businessman Mr Alfro Aphonso assured the President that he would be responsible for the maintenance of the boat at the end of every school term. The boat, named “David G” after President David Granger, is painted in colours of yellow and green. The cost of the boat and engine was not available to the press. (Rajendra Prabhulall in E/bo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Speaker pronounces on ‘Cat, Mouse’ Parliament

By Derwayne Wills SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland, was forced to intervene yesterday in a heated exchange between the two sides of the House over what could only be seen as “cat and mouse” rhetoric.

During his budget presentation, Opposition PPP/C MP Dharamkumar Seeraj, speaking on uncertainties and expectations which existed in the last Parliament, took a jab at the Cummingsburg Accord, which is the binding document between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) parties.

“The Cummingsburg Accord comes to mind readily, where the expectations of the AFC and the APNU were transformed into an accord… between parties which weren’t too comfortable with

one another,” Seeraj said. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, M r Speaker, the Prime Minister, Hon Mr Nagamootoo would be the first one to say that there are some aspects of the Cummingsburg Accord that were thrown out the window,” the Opposition MP continued.

He went on to say that the Prime Minister “had high expectations of chairing the Cabinet, had high expectations to have the portfolio of agriculture under his purview, and he was very disappointed, Mr Speaker, because ‘Mighty-Joe’ would not have any of that.”

“The Honourable Prime Minister, instead of chairing the Cabinet, I think he ended up chairing NCN [National Communications Network] and GINA [Government Information Agency], but he’s still chairing Mr Speaker,” Seeraj added.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

PPP/C MP Dharamkumar Seeraj

Amidst great noise from the Opposition side of the House, PM Nagamootoo was prompted to rise in the House to denounce the statements made by Seeraj as a violation of Standing Order 41.

“I think a Member of

Parliament ought not to utter words or say things that are demeaning to other members of the Parliament. And what he’s trying to do, is to try to speak for the Hon Prime Minister… not to speak for himself,” Nagamootoo said

in the House.

“He is precluded under the Standing Order from saying things that constitute any insulting [remarks],” Nagamootoo said amid Opposition heckling that he is “thin-skinned.”

Since the beginning of the budget debate, sounds of “meow” have emanated from the Opposition whenever he speaks. This new culture came out of statements from a lone Opposition MP that since Mr Nagamootoo left the PPP/C and joined the AFC, and later the APNU+AFC, he has been reduced from a “Bengal tiger” to a “pussycat.”

“Not only am I thickskinned,” Nagamootoo reassured. “I can say that…

I don’t mind being a cat because it’s necessary to deal with those rats over there,” the PM continued to resounding laughter from both sides

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of the House.

The PM’s statement angered Opposition MP Bishop Juan Edghill, who referenced the same standing order denouncing the reference to him and his colleagues as “rats.”

“That is demeaning and it must be withdrawn, because he cannot bring order to the House and imputing motives over here, I refuse to be called a rat,” Edghill shouted before taking his seat.

Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland was forced to read Standing Order 41 (4), which reads, “It shall be out of order to use offensive… language about members of the Assembly.” Scotland said the standing order has long existed and asked members to consider the rules of the House.

Standing Orders are the guidelines of engagement in the National Assembly.

Undetermined fault shuts down Demerara/ Berbice Interconnected System THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said yesterday that the Demerara/ Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) experienced a shutdown on August 20 at 16:37 hrs, 17:46 hrs and 20:25hrs, resulting from some unknown fault(s) emanating from

the West Bank Demerara distribution system.

The company took the decision during the last shutdown to isolate the West Bank areas from La Retraite to La Grange in an effort to safeguard the Demerara and Berbice grids.

Because of this fault,

customers residing in this block have been without electricity since late Thursday afternoon, the GPL has said, although it was engaged in a thorough investigation of distribution lines and line hardware from La Retraite to La Grange, in an effort to find

the primary fault (s) which contributed to Thursday’s system disturbance.

RE-POWERED Yesterday, at 12:30 hrs, GPL was able to rectify the fault and successfully re-power customers from La Retraite to La Grange,

W.B.D, after an extended outage on the previous day.

Since investigations revealed no significant defects which could have resulted in yesterday’s disturbance, the utility company will thoroughly examine the distribution system linking the communities

to its Vreed-en-Hoop Substation.

A c c o r d i n g l y, G P L apologises for the inconvenience caused, and reaffirms its commitment to deliver quality service and continuous improvements to its valued customers. (Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

With tear gas and razor wire, Macedonia tries to stem refugee tide

(Reuters) MACEDONIAN police fired tear gas and stun grenades to drive migrants and refugees back from its southern border from Greece on Friday but crowds continued to build up at a new bottleneck in an increasingly desperate flight to western Europe.

At least 10 people were hurt in the brief flare-up, a day after the impoverished Balkan country declared a state of emergency on its border to halt a daily influx of up to 2,000 Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis and others heading north.

When news that several hundred would be let through every few hours reached those on the border, a crush formed after the first group streamed through.

Amid screams, at least 10 people fainted and were treated by aid workers, a Reuters witness said. Riot police wielding batons held the line.

“We have to protect the border and allow entry to only a number of migrants to whom we can offer adequate, humane treatment,” said Interior Ministry

Migrants confront Macedonian police during clashes at the GreekMacedonian border, August 21, 2015. Macedonian police drove back crowds of migrants and refugees trying to enter from Greece on Friday after a night spent stranded in no-man’s land by an emergency decree... Reuters/Alexandros Avramidis spokesman Ivo Kotevski. at the border. The govern- of a crisis that has dragged Suleiman, 30, from Pa- ment needs to take control the conflicts of the Middle kistan said the police were of the situation.”

East – most notably Syria – behaving like those back Events on Thursday and to Europe’s doorstep. home. “Shame on them. I Friday saw Macedonia beAfter a cold, damp lost my son in the crush,” come the latest flashpoint night in the open in nohe said.

Alexandra Krause of the United Nations refugee agency told Reuters: “There are terrible conditions here

man’s land, hungry and angry crowds tried to force their way into Macedonia early on Friday. Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades, driving them back. Several people bore leg wounds and Medecins Sans Frontieres said it had treated 10 people on the Greek side.

“The situation is dramatic,” said spokeswoman Julia Kourafa.

Amnesty International said it had spoken to some refugees who gave accounts of police beatings and shots being fired in the air. Authorities denied being heavy-handed, and began rationing passage later in the day.

“The police told us to go in small groups, first those with families,” said 46 year-old Hassan from Syria.

“I’m the happiest man in the world.”

Even with the limited passage, the numbers stranded in no-man’s land and stuck on the Greek side threaten to rise. A record

50,000 reached land by boat from Turkey in July alone.

Trying to relieve the pressure on its islands, Greece has begun transporting Syrian refugees by boat to the mainland, from where they head north to Macedonia. A ferry packed with some 2,100 Syrian refugees arrived in Athens from the Aegean islands on Friday.

Macedonia says it has registered over 40,000 migrants and refugees entering from Greece in the past two months; most move quickly through the country to Serbia and then walk into Hungary and on to the more affluent countries of western and northern Europe through the borderless Schengen area.

But the sight of men, women and children from the Middle East, Africa and Asian sleeping in parks in sleepy border towns has angered some in the Balkans, putting pressure on governments to act.

Dozens killed in Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen-aid group, Houthis (Reuters) DOZENS of people, many of them civilians, were killed in air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition on the southwestern Yemeni city of Taiz, an aid organisation and Houthi media said on Friday.

Houses were reduced to rubble and many victims were unable to reach hospitals, Medicins Sans Frontieres said.

Saba news agency, which is run by the Houthi movement, said the air raids late on Thursday targeted Taiz’s palace and the Sala neighborhood, which has a dense

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Houhti population.

Taiz has become the latest focus of fighting for supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was driven into exile in Saudi Arabia

by Houthi fighters in March.

Yemen’s third-largest city, it is considered its cultural capital.

The Saudi-led Gulf Arab coalition intervened on the side of Hadi loyalists in March. They have pushed back Houthi forces who had taken control of most of the country but the civilian death toll has drawn growing crit-

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icism from international aid and rights groups.

Medicins Sans Frontieres put the toll from Thursday’s raids at as a high as 65, including at least 17 children and 20 women.

“The deaths occurred when the strikes hit civilian and homes in the area,” Salah Dongu’du, Medicins Sans Frontieres project coordinator in Taiz, said in a statement.

“Those who survived the bombings are searching through the rubble with their bare hands in the hope of

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finding survivors, as well as the bodies of victims of the attack,” Dongu’du said.

Saba news agency had earlier put the death toll at 43, with 50 wounded. Medical sources said Houthi attacks in the city killed 13 people, including seven children.

There was no immediate comment from officials from the Saudi-led coalition.

Dongu’du said patients and Medicins Sans Frontier staff were unable to reach hospitals due to the heavy fighting and airstrikes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Farmers introduced to innovative way of beating the drought (Jamaica Gleaner) FARMERS in the eastern end of the country were recently introduced to an innovative way of beating the drought which still has its grips on the country.

The Jamaica Sustainable Farm Enterprise Programme (Source Farm) in Johnstown, St Thomas, hosted a farmers’ workshop which focused on simple systems that can help to solve their irrigation problems caused by the drought.

Jock Brandis, founder of the Full Belly Project, a non-profit organisation which designs labour-saving devices to improve the lives of people, was the

Jock Brandis demonstrates how the pump is used

main speaker. He introduced them to the system, but could not believe that this country of so much water experienced drought.

“I was so surprised when I got a call from Source Farm asking me to come up with a small, decentralised irrigation project. I said it was impossible for Jamaica to be experiencing a drought because nowhere else in the world has more perfect rainfall.”

Brandis said the last 45 years have not been kind to the small farmers in Jamaica and the drought was their biggest issue.

The main focus of the workshop, therefore, was

to educate farmers on a simple foot pump that is capable of pumping five gallons of water per minute and lifting water as high as 30ft - a machine that can be manufactured locally.

“It doesn’t take a lot of effort. When I arrived here I was introduced to two people, and together, in a short period, we were able to make 10 of these machines.

After they were trained on how to use them, it was time to get the word out,” Brandis told The Gleaner.

Farmers from across the island were in attendance.

There, they not only learned about the mechanics of the pump but also of the impor-

tance of water insurance.

Brandis advised: “Farmers need to realise that every time they plant a crop they have to have some plan in place, so that in the case of a water crisis, the crop can be saved. It is as much an attitude of how you recognise there is a crisis and how you prepare for it, other than just crossing your fingers and praying that somehow things will work out.”

Though farmers welcomed the notion of having a simple water pump, there are those who may not be prepared to put in the work needed to move the water.

The machine is operated by standing on both sides and rocking back and forth.

Brandis explained that farmers would have a better bet if they used it cooperatively.

Sexual offenders registry expected in four months (Trinidad Express) WITHIN the next four months, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is hopeful that it would have a sexual offenders registry up and running to aid investigators.

The development of this registry is currently being supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Glenn Hackett and has been a priority of the TTPS for some time.

Speaking to Express yesterday, head of corporate communications for the TTPS, Ellen Lewis, confirmed that the registry is in its draft stages and is expected to be finished this year.

“What I can confirm is that there is a draft for a sexual offenders registry being developed by the TTPS. That draft is being developed by the DCP Crime (Hackett) and there have

been recent communications on the issue and I can confirm that it is due for completion by the end of this year. But as to its layout and specific designs, whether it will be online or made public and so forth, I really cannot comment on that as I don’t know the nature of these things as yet as it is still in his (Hackett’s) hands,” Lewis said.

The registry is expected to aid police investigators in the execution of their duties.

It will come at a time where, for the past six months of 2015, there has been a 20 per cent decrease in the number of reported sexual offences against children (under 17) as compared to the same period last year.

For the first six months there have been 318 reports, as compared to 397 for the same comparative period.

On Wednesday a 44-yearold self-proclaimed spiritual healer appeared in court on 91 sexual related offences against a minor. He was recently deported from the U.S. for similar offences.

However, public information officer for the TTPS, ASP Michael Pierre, had previously said police officers were not pleased with these numbers and were utilising several initiatives to continue to bring this figure down.

Pierre had noted that during a five-year period — 2010 to 2014 — the lowest reported number of such offences took

place in 2013 with 425 reports for the year. This was an improvement from the previous year which saw 752 such reports, which meant a rate of decline of 43.5 per cent.

Unfortunately, the TTPS saw some “worrying developments” in 2014, with 694 reports of sexual offences against minors at the close of the year.

Legal age for sexual intercourse is 16.

The number of reported offences were also concentrated between the ages of 14 and 16, with the offence of “sex with a female under 14” being the highest reported crime.

Head of corporate communications for the TTPS, Ellen Lewis

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EDITORIAL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Guyana

CARIFESTA and Caribbean Freedom A LARGE contingent of Guyanese cultural workers is currently in Haiti to participate in this year’s CARIFESTA. Since its debut in Guyana in 1972, it has remained the premier cultural festival in the CARICOM Region. Said to be the brainchild of former Guyanese leader Forbes Burnham, it was conceived at a time when our Region was flushed with a sense of pride. To understand the significance of CARIFESTA, one has to appreciate Caribbean history in all its breadth and depth. Further, one has to understand how the function of that history in shaping the CARIFESTA spirit that took root in 1972 and has survived the challenges of the next four decades.

CARIFESTA was and is Caribbean in nature and essence. It could not be otherwise; our history had, in the words of calypsonian Black Stalin, made us one “Caribbean (Wo) man.” By the turn of the mid 1970s, we had just gained our independence after more than three centuries of subjugation that included the worst form of inhumanity perpetrated against human beings. Independence, therefore, was in part about the restoration of human dignity. It was no accident that culture and cultural production were at the top of the Independence agenda.

Locked away on the slave plantations, the barrack yards, the nigger-yards and the jungles, our peoples had developed a new culture of survival and liberation that had propelled them to overcome oppression. By the 1970s, our Caribbean had created the calypso, the reggae and the steel-pan. We had turned the master’s language of subjugation into a language of freedom; we had created our own Caribbean English. And the game of cricket, which was meant to be a form of mimic, had become a unifying, liberative force for our peoples. Soon, we would control the cricketing spaces around the world with a West Indian authority that stunned even our former self-proclaimed masters.

From Martin Carter and George Lamming to Garfield Sobers and George Headley, to Beryl Mc Bernie and Don Quarry, to Rohan Kanhai and Bob Marley, to the Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, our Caribbean had by 1972 signalled to the world that we possessed the equal qualities of a free people. We were defining who we were and on our own terms. CARIFESTA, therefore, was no accident; it arose out of the convergence of multiple cultural impulses.

It was born as a festival of Caribbean Freedom.

It is significant that this year’s festival is being held in Haiti—the first Caribbean space of freedom from enslavement. In holding the festival there this year, we are in effect saying thanks to Haiti and Haitians who have endured so much for daring to be the freedom pioneers of our Caribbean. We have not always recognised the worth of Haiti and the debt we owe to her. As David Rudder reminds, “Haiti, I am sorry/We misunderstood you/ One day we will turn our heads/ And restore your glory.

This CARIFESTA is hopefully a down payment on that debt we owe to Haiti. And in the process, we hope that our cultural workers reflect on the original meaning and promise of the festival. For therein lies the key to our continued survival as a free people.

Minister of State refutes Opposition assertion on dismissals It is nothing like thousands of employees being fired…

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon, has rubbished claims by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) that since assuming office, Government has dismissed some 3,000 public servants who were perceived to be supporters of that party.

During the post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Harmon declared that the figure does not amount to “thousands,” although a definitive figure was not provided on the amount of persons who have been dismissed or contracts not renewed since the new Administration took office.

In justifying Government’s move to dismiss the public servants, Harmon said, “Those persons were doing primarily political work for the PPP/C, and [were] being paid by Government.”

During the budget debates, PPP/C MP Indranie Chandarpal lamented the arbitrary firing of some 3,000 persons whom she said the Government perceived to be in favour of the PPP/C. She further alleged that these persons were replaced with persons loyal to the current Government, and added that those dismissed public servants were treated as though they had no right to a Government job.

Minister Harmon made it clear that the new Administration was not concerning itself with the public servants’

– Harmon tells PPP

political affiliation, but rather their actions, given that most were aligned with performing duties of the main Opposition party, PPP/C. “We are not concerned which political party you represent [and] what your political views are; but if you are doing Government work, then we have no problem with that; but if you’re being paid by Government to do purely [political] party work, then we have a problem with that, because the party must pay you if you are doing their work,” the minister declared.

While pointing directly at those public servants whose contracts were not renewed, but were being provided with “gratuity” approximately every three months, Harmon said the former Administration used that to “control” the public servants in order to make them carry out party political work.

Since assuming office in May, Government has dismissed several officials of State agencies for the reasons stated above.

(Shivanie Sugrim)

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Crum-Ewing assassination case

‘Grey Boy’ remanded to Sept 11 INVESTIGATIONS into the murder are still ongoing, even as the file containing information on the execution of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing stands incomplete with outstanding statements, and weeks after the alleged “hitman,” 37-yearold Regan Rodrigues of Riverview, Ruimveldt, was remanded.

Rodrigues, alias ‘Gray Boy,’ stood calmly in the dock in the courtroom of city Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday, with his head down, praying, until his mood changed when the prosecutor Sergeant Neville Jeffers, was asked to address the court about the status of the file.

‘Grey Boy’ then went from sitting quietly to being enraged, but he maintained sufficient composure to utter, “So this country is run! Can’t help it! No Justice!”

Magistrate McLennan has adjourned the matter until September 11 for statements.

On August 7, Rodrigues appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing, after being charged for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and for escaping from lawful custody.

The .32 pistol which was found in Rodrigues’s possession was sent for ballistics testing while he was on remand, and the test proved

that the same gun had been used to execute former soldier, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

Rodrigues was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on May 10, 2015, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Courtney Crum-Ewing.

At his first court appearance, the unrepresented ‘Grey Boy’ explained that he was being victimised by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), because everybody is labelling him a murderer and a cold-blooded killer, who wanted to execute an innocent man.

The magistrate had to remind Rodrigues of his right to remain silent, although he told her that he would like to

“reason with the court.”

In his “reasoning,” he implicated Rajput Narine, a former bodyguard of former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) executive member Anil Nandlall, and a highly ranked police officer whom he named as ‘Creaser.’

Narine and ‘Creaser,’ Rodrigues noted, were the ones who had offered him money to execute Courtney Crum-Ewing, but he said he had refused the offer because he was a supporter of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

He said he had gone to the police, who instead held him for the crime, because “once money pass, nobody cares.”

Political activist Crum-Ewing was gunned down on March 10, 2015

while encouraging residents of Diamond New Housing Scheme to cast their votes in the May 11 General and Regional Elections against the PPP. The former soldier had come to the public’s attention after he had held a one-man demonstration for 80 days in front of the office of the then Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, following revelations of a taped conversation between that official and a senior reporter of the Kaieteur News.

Crum-Ewing was shot five times -– thrice to the head, once to the back of the neck, and once under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind his person and at close range, except the one that hit him under his arm and exited through

his shoulder.

Rodrigues was charged a few weeks ago for possession of illegal arms, and for escaping from lawful custody. The charges against the suspect were read on Wednesday last at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that on July 13, at R i v e r v i e w, R u i m v e l d t , while in the custody of Constable 2041 Thomas pending criminal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, Rodrigues escaped from lawful custody.

It is also alleged that on the same date, he had in his possession one Taurus pistol and 14 live rounds of ammunition, without being a licensed firearm holder.

Sex worker remanded for larceny of cellphone, cash and jewellery SELF-confessed s e x - w o r k e r To m a i c a Kush of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared yesterday before city Magistrate Ann McLennan, accused of stealing from Saied Harrinarine three gold chains worth $90,000, a diamond band worth $80,000, a gold ring worth $40,000 and his

Blackberry cellular phone worth $20,000, on August 18 at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The 19-year-old Kush was not required to plead to the charge of larceny. However, when the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied, the defendant strongly denied the charge.

Questioned by the

magistrate about whether she had previously been charged, Kush replied in the negative; but asked about her occupation, she at first described herself as a businesswoman, before being asked to be more specific.

“Madam, I does pick fair fuh money,” she explained.

The courtroom became

Mason on $75,000 bail for stealing cellphone WHEN Afabayo Yakhana, of 3 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared yesterday before city Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with simple larceny, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on

$75,000 bail on condition that he remains on good behaviour for the duration of the trial.

It is alleged that on Tuesday, August 18, at Wortmanville, Georgetown, the 26-year-old mason stole one

Samsung Galaxy S5 Smartphone valued $130,000 from Brandon MacDonald.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail, and same was granted. Yakhana was ordered to return to court on September 10.

‘Warlock’ youths granted bail for narcotics-related charges TWO East Ruimveldt residents appeared yesterday before Magistrate Annette Singh to answer separate narcotics-related charges.

Omale Denny was charged with smoking cannabis on August 19 at “Warlock,” East Ruimveldt, while his friend Mark Solomon was caught with one gram

of cannabis in his possession.

Each defendant denied the respective allegation.

According to the prosecutor, on the day in question, police acting on information went to “Warlock,” where Denny was seen smoking the illicit drug in the company of Solomon. Upon approach of the ranks, Denny threw

the drug on the ground, but the ranks picked it up and conducted a search on both defendants, hence the gram of cannabis was found on Solomon.

Th e men w ere each granted bail in the sum of $10,000, and each was ordered to return to court on September 8.

quiet as Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones related the facts to the court.

Jones explained that the victim, a taxi driver, had on the day in question picked up the defendant at Lisa Guesthouse and took her to Sherriff Street. When the woman reached her destination, she relieved Harrinarine of

the said jewellery and demanded that he hand over his cellular phone.

The woman then ran out of the car with the articles, alleging that he had “fared her and did not want to pay her for the services.”

The court heard that when the matter was reported to the police and Kush was arrested, some of the

articles were found in her possession.

After his lengthy explanation, Jones disclosed that investigations are still incomplete.

He did not object to bail for the defendant, but bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Alex Moore’s court for August 31.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Jagdeo’s ‘harangue’ failed to fall on fertile ears – PM Nagamootoo

WHEN Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo finished his budget presentation yesterday, just before midnight, he, along with the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, although both Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Finance Minister Winston Jordan were left to speak.

But even the absence of the Opposition did not prevent the Prime Minister from weighing into the Opposition Leader, who served as President from 1999 to 2011.

Moving right into the Opposition Leader’s speech, Nagamootoo expressed disappointment in the “pomposity, arrogance, and above all, the love of power” that the former President, now Opposition Leader, brought in

his rhetoric which lasted one hour and 40 minutes.

“He tried, in a very bigoted way, to lecture to the House and to the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who wrote his speeches for many years, and to lecture someone like me, Moses Nagamootoo, who was writing his speeches when he was President,” Nagamootoo said.

Nagamootoo told the House during his budget presentation after midnight this morning that Mr Jagdeo had come to the debates with a mission, “to buse down, and cuss down.”

The PM was convinced, however, that Jagdeo’s “harangue had failed to fall on fertile ears,” even in the just concluded elections campaign.

“The fact is that he is in the Opposition and we are in the Government. The fact is that he is the Opposition Leader, and I am the Prime Minister,” Nagamootoo said to the sound of his colleagues banging desks.

Nagamootoo said it is undeniable that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had won the 2011 general elections, since both parties, then in Opposition, had a combined majority.

He said however that because of Guyana’s constitutional arrangements, the PPP/C held the Government.

“We won the elections but we lost the Government. They had 32 seats and we had 33 seats on that side, but because of the present constitutional

arrangement, it was conceivable that a minority could masquerade as a majority.”

The PM objected to statements made by the Opposition Leader and his party calling out the new Government for being unable to handle Guyana’s crime situation. Nagamootoo expressed shock that the Opposition Leader would even speak about Guyana’s crime situation.

“It was that Leader of Opposition, when he was the President, that wanted to bring an American here named Bernard Kerik. And Mr Bernard Kerik, he’s in jail,” Nagamootoo said. The PM went on to call the names of Roger Khan, Sonny Ramdeo, Khamraj Lall and Ed Ahmad, who were known affiliates of the PPP/C Gov-

ernment, and who are all either in jail or currently before international courts.

“I listened to him for one hour and 40 minutes, and you allowed him to speak, to bawl, to shout, to holler, to scream, and he fell with his own weight like a spent shell, he couldn’t go any further,” the Prime Minister continued.

Nagamootoo went on to denounce the Opposition’s claims of “ethnic cleansing” and attacking the sugar industry, which employs a considerable number of Indo-Guyanese in the lower economic bracket.

“We never opposed any subsidy to the sugar industry.

We voted subsidies in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. And in 2015 we again voted [a] subsidy as a bailout to rescue the sugar industry because

we believe in the livelihood of sugar workers,” the PM continued, adding that $57B has thus far been plugged into the sugar industry to keep it afloat.

The Prime Minister accused the Opposition Leader of attempting to filibuster and leave the house. He said that even though the Government had compromised, allowing the Opposition extra time for considering the budgetary estimates next week, “they realised that we gave in and they had nothing to crow about in the public… so they walk out.”

The National Assembly is adjourned until Monday when the estimates for the various ministries will be considered from 9:30am to 11:00pm, ending on Wednesday.

Opposition walks out of National Assembly – Jagdeo says budget lacklustre and flawed

By Tajeram Mohabir THE Opposition yesterday

walked out of the National Assembly in protest at a decision by the Govern-

ment to disallow Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo from being the penultimate speaker in the budget debate.

The walk-out was greeted by shouts of “shame” from the Government benches, but Jagdeo said though the PPP/C is willing to work with the Government, it will never allow its rights to be violated.

The Opposition party has expressed strong reservations over the decision by the Government to disallow Jagdeo from being the penultimate speaker in the debate, contending that it is a breach of parliamentary convention.

Following the walkout, Jagdeo told reporters that the PPP/C will not tolerate any attempt at a walkover by the Government, and will be considering the proposed time-frame for consideration of the budget estimates.

G o v e r n m e n t ’s C h i e f Whip Amna Ally told reporters that a tentative timing of

09:00 to 22:00h might go forward for the three days of consideration, with a possibility of the timing of the exercise being extended.

Jagdeo said the PPP/C will have no problem if it is given more time for the consideration, but will be examining its position over the weekend.

The Opposition Leader in his presentation to the House, strongly criticised the budget, deeming it lacklustre and flawed.

Jagdeo, an economist by training, noted the slowdown in business, but said the budget does nothing to stimulate private consumption, investment and exports.

The Opposition Leader said in a crisis, governments ideally do one of two things: they either increase spending or increase money supply, or a combination of both.

Jagdeo said none of this was done by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, but yet he (Jordan) is talking about withdrawing government money held in private

accounts. The Opposition Leader was referring to some $60B sitting in private accounts in the commercial banks.

SHRINKING MONEY SUPPLY “He is shrinking money supply, this is not anti-cyclical, this is pro-cyclical, you are going to drive the economy into greater problems…

Mr Speaker, if the minister feels so strongly as they did yesterday [Thursday] that all of this money is illegal, they should transfer the money today [to the Consolidated Fund], and if they don’t do it, it means that the same reason that they attributed to us were keeping it outside to thief, then they are keeping the money outside the budget to do just that,” a passionate Jagdeo said to loud approval from the Opposition benches.

The budget, the former President contended, is a lacklustre budget, and does not respond to the needs of the people.

“It does not focus on

those who are losing their jobs, it does not focus on creating wealth. As my colleagues have pointed out, he gives with one hand and takes with the other,” Jagdeo said, informing the House that the people want a budget that responds to their needs.

Painting a dire picture ahead, the Opposition Leader said given the “flaws” in the budget and if it continues, in the next two to three years, the economy will flat line.

“The bank and the housing stock, you talk to the agents if you don’t believe me, they can’t sell a single house, because people are anticipating the drop in the volumes of homes; Mr Speaker, have them speak to the people who are selling motor vehicles and they will tell you the sales are drying up. People are holding on to their spending now, because they are not getting the right signals from this government,” Jagdeo said.

The situation at hand he said, is a crisis of confidence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

PPP being embarrassed in budget debate

DISCLOSURES on the final evening of the 2015 budget debate has been a source of embarrassment for the Opposition PPP/C and is causing much discomfort for former ministers in the House.

Contrary to what they had been telling the public, records presented in the National Assembly show clearly

that the former PPP/C-led Government had intended to scrap the $10,000 cash grant to schoolchildren.

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, in his presentation, informed the House that the cash grant initiative which his Government is now reviewing had been cut off by the PPP/C since February of this year.

“There has been a lot of talk about the “Because We Care” programme and I know that I have been chided for making statements about the programme not being targeted etc., but here are the minutes of a Cabinet sub-committee on education, held on February 7, 2015,” he said as he held aloft the document.

According to the minister, the meeting was attended by the former Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, then Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Delma Nedd and Presidential Advisor Kheedmat Budhu.

Quoting from the minutes, Trotman read, “It was

envisaged that the “Because We Care” cash grant would not be possible this year, 2015.”

“We [APNU+AFC Government] are being accused of discontinuing a programme that they ended,” Minister Trotman said.

The minister reminded the House that the former Administration accused the

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APNU+AFC Government of being uncaring and unconcerned about the parents and children who benefited from the programme.

He assured the House that the Government will not discontinue any progamme or project that is ongoing, as to do so would lead to a collapse of the State.

Guyana’s agriculture will advance via promotion of a green economy – Agriculture Minister Holder THE Ministry of Agriculture intends to propel the sector by promoting the green economy. This is according to Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, who made his presentation yesterday in the National Assembly, on the 2015 budget.

The minister explained that from an agricultural stand-

point, “Investing in a green economy has the potential to enhance food security, reduce poverty, improve nutrition and health, and create rural jobs, while reducing pressure on the environment, including Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.”

He said that farming practices and technologies that are instrumental in “greening” ag-

riculture include restoring and enhancing soil fertility; crop rotations; improving water-use efficiency; reducing chemical, pesticide and herbicide use; and reducing food spoilage and loss by expanding the use of post-harvest storage and processing facilities.

According to Holder, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is pursuing a number of initiatives in this

direction. He spoke of crop rotation being promoted as a management tool, especially with the use of leguminous crops (bora, red peas), to enhance soil nutrition, especially nitrogen. “The use of inocula in bean production reduces/ eliminates the use of nitrogenous fertilisers. The use of vermicomposts is also being promoted for on-farm use,” Holder said.

According to the minister,

year-round production of fruits and vegetables is being promoted through the use of shaded cultivation, in combination with drip-irrigation systems which improve water-use efficiency, along with mulching in lieu of herbicides to reduce weed populations.

Further, he highlighted the promotion of integrated pest-management practices as an integral part of the work programme, where pesticides

are used as a last resort: “Successful interventions include the use of pheromones to control the sweet potato weevil and lures for the control of diamond back moth in cabbages and traps for fruit flies,” he said.

The ministry has also been adopting solar dryers for the drying of peppers, spices and other condiments, as well as for the drying of fish.

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‘Sacked’ GPL CEO was paid $74M yearly – in salary, other benefits

FORMER Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) Bharat Dindyal received close to $74M a year in salary and other benefits, according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.

The minister, addressing the National Assembly Thursday, was at the time refuting calls from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government was engaged in “ethnic cleansing” at Government agencies.

Patterson said Dindyal was paid a monthly salary of $3.8M, along with other benefits such as gratuity, an accommodation allowance, security, leave passage allowance, and medical expenses to a collective sum of $2.3M. Dindyal was the recipient of some $74M in benefits for any year.

Although the Board of Directors of GPL had voted not to renew Dindyal’s contract with the company from December 2014 onward,

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Former GPL boss Bharat Dindyal

since he was deemed as doing unsatisfactory work, he was kept on the job by the then PPP/C Government on a word-of-mouth contract, ignoring the recommendation of the electricity company’s board.

Patterson explained that he derived no pleasure in sending the former GPL boss home, and as such cautioned the now Opposition PPP about making further statements about “ethnic cleansing.”

Dindyal’s dismissal came on the heels of a video which surfaced on Facebook social media showing him in a heated verbal, expletive-laced exchange with one of the senior employees of the power company.

Dindyal had communicated to Minister Patterson that he’d intended to part ways with GPL, but was prepared to remain as CEO for an interim transition period.

Inter-agency collaboration being done to tackle crime – five-point strategic plan to be implemented PRESIDENT David Granger is paying close attention to efforts to address the crime situation.

At the weekly post-cabinet media briefing yesterday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said there is inter-agency collaboration and President Granger is involved on a weekly basis.

Minister Harmon noted that Government has recognised that things have to be done to curb the crime situation in Guyana. With that, he pointed to the strategic plan that was laid out in the National Assembly on Tuesday, August 18. This was done

by Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj

Ramjattan.

According to Ramjattan, “The plan contains the element of an overall strategy, which we will use in fighting crime.”

To that end, Minister Harmon noted that “the police, army and other law- enforcement agencies are required to prepare reports and to speak on their preparedness to deal with the matter.” He also disclosed that Government is providing additional resources to the police to make sure that they can deal with the crime situation.

In addition, he pointed out that some matters, for example, a feud between two persons that gets violent can-

not be planned for, but noted that the response time should be prompt.

There has been an increase in serious crimes during January to the end of May, 2015, when compared with the same period for 2014.

The Government has been increasing the number of police officers on patrol and laying out a crime-fighting strategic plan.

The Minister of Public Security in his budget presentation, had said that fighting crime is not a ‘twenty-twenty game, but more of a Test match, as tackling the situation will take time.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Massive infrastructural programme set to commence POORLY conceptualised, unplanned and disorganised programmes will not be implemented by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. This was the indication coming for the Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Thursday evening when he lent his support to the 2015 budget.

“The ministry will utilise visionary and insightful planning to achieve its plan to transform the public infrastructure, which is pivotal to Guyanese economic development,” Patterson said.

According to the minister, energy policies would be developed to focus on alternative energy sources; discussions with Brazil on the development of Guyana’s hydro-power capacity would be renewed; and the development of sea and river defence capacities would be enhanced.

“Under the miscellaneous roads programme, we will be going to areas in Region 2, also Goed Intent, Saw Mill and Bush Shed Road Uitvlugt, Wrong Turn in Caneville…” Patterson told

the House. He also said, “Under the urban road [programme], we will be doing the Sophia Ring Road that will be ringing the entire Sophia. We will be constructing new roads, plus installing lights, speed bumps and eight new bridges. We will link Sophia to Guyhoc.”

Patterson added that under the Hinterland Road Programme, all internal roads within Mahdia will be repaired as the first of a series of pilots, which will later move to Bartica and all the new areas proposed for township status.

“These roads will be completely paved. We will rebuild the Umana Yana, and for stellings, Bartica, Parika, Leguan, Stabroek and Vreeden-Hoop…all these contracts are already out to tender.”

Minister Patterson outlined that his ministry is currently examining proposed hydropower projects at Moca-Moca, Tumatumari, along with the Hope Canal wind farm and other areas.

Additionally, while the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is conducting a study on renewable ener-

gy, which will be used as a guide, proposals are simultaneously being reviewed for the powering of Bartica, using clean energy.

“This would be a model which we intend to roll out, as the resurfacing of all the internal roads in the new towns, …all the new towns powered by renewable energy,” Patterson said.

Noting the amount of time left to have all the plans executed before the end of the year, the minister informed the House that his team met with bankers and insurance companies and briefed them on the requirements for performance bonds and financing, as well as bridging finances for contractors.

“We will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding for sharing of information and this is particularly done to ensure that the contractors have a ready access to capital. The contractors will have access to the full amount. There will be no 15% deductions or things which have been happening in the past,” Patterson said.

CDB finances training for Caribbean water sector professionals SENIOR water sector professionals from across the Caribbean will meet on August 23 – 24 to identify better ways of planning for the impact of climate change on the Region’s water supply and systems.

The meeting, co-hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), takes the form of a workshop entitled ‘Building a Climate-Resilient Water Sector in the Caribbean: Strategies for Water Utilities.’ It will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. Some 50 water utility professionals, field personnel and experts will explore climate change impacts on the Caribbean water sector and strategies to strengthen resiliency. In addition, participants will work together to create action plans to protect their countries’ water resources in the face of these impacts.

“Climate crisis presents a threat to water security in

the Caribbean. This reality demands that water sector professionals and policymakers be better prepared to create and implement solutions that help Caribbean nations better safeguard their water resources. CDB is pleased to continue supporting dialogue among senior-level representatives of our Borrowing Member Countries and facilitating further exposure to best practices in building resiliency to handle climate change impacts.” Andrew Dupigny, Director, Projects (acting).

Experts have noted that sea-level rise, longer periods of drought, higher-intensity rainfall events, and increased temperatures directly impact the availability and sustainability of the Region’s water resources and how water infrastructure is designed and operated.

CDB has invested approximately US$160 million in the water sector in the Caribbean and has collaborated with a wide

range of development partners to advance its mandate to strengthen and modernise the Region’s water infrastructure and water-resource management.

The bank will finance the participation of attendees from Anguilla; Antigua; Barbados; Belize; The British Virgin Islands; The Cayman Islands; Dominica; Grenada; Jamaica; Montserrat; St. Kitts-Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad & Tobago; and The Turks & Caicos Islands.

The CDB is collaborating with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association and the Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance to present the training event. The climate-resiliency workshop precedes the 24th Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference, which will take place from August 24-28, 2015 in Miami.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

PSC raps Gov’t on terminations and dismissals in public sector THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has said in a release that it notes with deep concern the many terminations and dismissals which have been occurring recently in the public sector.

The PSC is particularly concerned about the perceived political influence over these dismissals, the release said, as it charged the authorities with not adhering to established procedures, and not allowing for natural justice.

The laws which govern terminations of service are clear, the release continued -- just and sufficient cause for dismissals must be established, and such cause must

relate to the conduct and capacity of the employee.

The Termination of Employment Act further places the burden of proof for establishing cause on the employer, the PSC reminded; and, consequently, if just and sufficient cause cannot be established, there can be no valid or lawful grounds for dismissal.

The great majority of those dismissed/terminated in public humiliation gives credence to widespread perception of political discrimination and victimisation, despite human rights guaranteed in our Constitution and labour laws and in international treaties (Conventions) The Private Sector Com-

mission is alarmed at the climate of fear which has arisen in the national community because of what is being seen as selective dismissals, and would like to urge that the labour laws on termination and discrimination and best practices in human resource management be followed to allay fears of victimisation and political discrimination.

The release said the Private Sector Commission calls on the State and its agents to build confidence and cultivate an environment conducive to fostering national trust through fairness, equality of treatment, non-discrimination, and social justice for all citizens.

Police capabilities tested in Corentyne power outage murder

By Jeune Vankeric THE recent slaying of 57-year-old Corentyne farmer Pamela Kendall will test the police intelligence capabilities as they attempt to solve the mystery surrounding her senseless demise, which has left relatives and residents of Number 45 Village in shock.

Persons have opined that the upsurge in wanton killings may be politically motivated, but no one could provide this newspaper with any facts to support this assertion.

Pamela Kendall was fatally shot at her home whilst preparing dinner during a power outage which had affected the entire East Berbice region just after 19:00 hrs on Thursday night.

The wounded cash-crop

farmer/ housewife ran a short distance away in an effort to alert her brother that she had been shot, but collapsed on his bridge and died moments afterwards.

Her husband Deoram Sookchand, called ‘Cake,’ told this reporter that he was having a shower in the lower flat of the two-storey edifice when he was alerted to the screams of his wife of eight years.

He explained that the kitchen and the bathroom adjoined each other, which allowed him to be in close proximity to his wife.

“At the time, the kitchen door was open, but she turned to close it when she was confronted by a bandit who fired a shot. I heard her scream, then an explosion. It was dark, but we had a fluorescent battery lamp which was getting dim, but it still

reflected some light. I saw the intruder’s hand, but I stuck myself in a corner of the bathroom. I heard whispering. I knew it was more than one person. One ran up the inward steps to the upper flat, but retraced his steps moments afterwards, before exiting the building and scaling the back fence,” Sookchand related.

“After they left, I screamed, trying to alert the neighbours. By the time I got out of the bath, my wife ran out of the house [and] over to her brother’s property. There she was taken to the Skeldon Hospital, but she died along the way.”

This reporter was reliably informed that apart from the life of Pamela Kendall, no other item of value was taken.

Investigations are continuing.

Pearson: House needs guidance of Great Spirit – Hastings says management of hinterland health services will be strengthened

By Tajeram Mohabir DECLARING that the House needs guidance from the Great Spirit, new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Yvonne Pearson announced her arrival in the House during the 2015 budget debate.

In her maiden presentation to the House, the seasoned Amerindian rights activist said the elections have come and gone, and efforts must now be channelled towards the building of Guyana.

She informed the House that the Government has inherited a vibrant economy, and must work hard to build on what has been achieved.

The foundation, Pearson said, has been laid for greater success in the health, education, and other economic sectors through the hard work of the former Administration.

She told the House that while the One Laptop Per Teacher initiative is not bad, the Administration should not shunt aside the promise made to Amerindian communities regarding the One Laptop Per Family Programme.

Pearson said a number of computer centres have been built in Amerindian communities, but they need the systems to be up and running.

She pleaded with the Government to not neglect this project, which will help more Amerindians to become computer literate and keep them abreast with developments through the information highway.

The PPP/C parliamentarian also asked the Government not to scrap the solar panel project and the Presidential Grant Initiative, as these have played vital roles in aiding the development of indigenous

PPP/C MP Yvonne Pearson

communities.

But Minister within the Ministry of Communities Ms Dawn Hastings, assured the House that budget 2015 is a people-oriented budget that is geared at accelerating the growth and development of Guyana.

“Better days are ahead” in Guyana, she said, contending that the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results have brought hope to Guyana.

She registered her dismay with the situation at the Kato Secondary School, where some 300 students will suffer as the school will not be completed in time for the start of the new school year in September.

The Administration, she said, wants every child to have equal access to quality education, so that all can enjoy a good life.

On that score, she said greater attention will also be placed on strengthening management of health services in the hinterland regions. She said focus will be placed on capacity-building, providing

PPP/C parliamentarian Pauline Sukhai

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings

scholarships for hinterland health professionals, improving working conditions, and upgrading workers’ salaries.

Government was placed under pressure did its members change their position in an attempt to do damage control.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, however, clarified that the CSOs were not fired by the Government, but they were put in a difficult position by the PPP. He said the PPP Administration had not made any financial allocation for the CSOs beyond April 2015, and none of them was issued a contract outlining the terms and conditions of their work.

Moreover, it was pointed out that the CSOs were never hired -- not by even the PPP/C; and thus they could not have been fired by the current government. According to Minister Allicock, the Opposition is not on solid ground to talk about firing, as they have fired former President Donald Ramotar and PPP/C prime ministerial candidate Elisabeth Harper from coming to

Parliament.

He said the electorate was very uneasy and was forced to take a decisive action on May 11 to fire the PPP/C-Government from office.

The minister also noted that, from September 1, 2015, the Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) will be replaced by the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS).

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the new programme will provide sustainable jobs for youths in hinterland communities.

This initiative will also ensure that persons who had been employed as CSOs undergo training, so that they can be re-employed.

HEYS is also expected to train thousands of other youths while paying them stipends, so as to ensure that they receive relevant skills that would allow them to pursue sustainable livelihoods and a good life.

BRIDGING GAPS The hinterland regions, she said, will also benefit from safe and adequate water supplies, as the overall goal is to bridge the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”

But Hastings’s speech failed to impress PPP/C parliamentarian and former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who rose to tell the House that the budget is largely a roll-over of PPP projects, and who claimed that not much is in it for Amerindians.

Sukhai accused the Government of dismissing some 2000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) because they were perceived to be PPP supporters; and went on to label the “decision” to send home the CSOs as disrespectful to Amerindians.

She said that only when the

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Government welcomes the people’s scrutiny and criticisms – Minister Harmon says MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon, has declared that the APNU+AFC Government welcomes the scrutiny and criticisms of the Guyanese people in the interest and practice of good governance.

Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister Harmon said Government is conscious that it governs a democratic society and must be held accountable for its actions.

He said Guyanese should let their voices be heard when they are not in agreement with a decision taken

by Government, since all decisions made must be in the interest of the nation at large.

“We believe that in an open society, it is good and it is refreshing; and we have to take into account the views of Guyanese, because you cannot have good governance without that,” the

minister related.

Responding to questions posed on the status of State Boards, given the public commentary on the composition of those boards, Minister Harmon said that Government has heeded the citizens’ calls, as should be practised by any Government that is serious about accountability; and Government is in the process of reviewing and finalising the composition of the boards.

“There are boards which have a natural life, and you cannot change them until [that natural life] comes to an end. Of course, I understand the firestorm which came about when there was the feeling that there would not be gender balance on the boards and so on; and we have taken all of these things into consideration.

“Minister Trotman did indicate that we will review these things, and what I

can say to you is that we welcome this intervention, we welcome this interest by the citizens, by civil society in these matters, because that is what we believe will bring good governance to this country,” he said.

He related that Government had chosen to release the names and composition of the State Boards to ensure transparency and accountability -- something which was never done under the

previous Administration.

“We are publicising these things because we believe that scrutiny keeps you in check and allows you to govern in a more even and balanced way; so we welcome the criticisms, and I want to make this very clear, that we are not angry that people will criticise us and make these statements,” Minister Harmon told media operatives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

PPP/C privatised State-owned building MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon yesterday revealed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has privatised the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and has been leasing the property for a mere $1,000 per month.

This would mean that this commercial property,

which is located in the heart of the city, is being leased for a total of $12,000 annually, and the company is being run by individuals who are all affiliated to the People’s Progressive Party.

The minister pointed out that, “The PPP/C Administration, while in government, spent millions on

Saturday, August 22, 2015 - 09:30 hrs Sunday, August 23, 2015 - 10:30 hrs Monday, August 24, 2015 - 12:00 hrs

renovations on what was known as the Red House, and then renamed it the Cheddi Jagan Research Center. But this was State property until 2012, until the PPP/C established a company called the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc.” He added that “this property is now leased to the company for 999 years, for $1,000 per month,” he disclosed.

In addition, the Minister of State pointed out that those sitting as executives of the company are all individuals who are connected to the PPP/C party in one way or another. These individuals, he said, include the late Janet Jagan, Hydar Ally, Indra Chandarpal, Former President Donald Ramotar, Michael Khan, Kellawan Lall and Nadira Jagan along with Geoffrey DaSilva.

“What is even more surprising is the fact that these individuals are still being paid by the State,” Harmon said.

According to Harmon, this is only one of many such acts by the former Administration and the Government will be exposing these. He said these matters are all being handled by the Assets Recovery Unit which has been set up. Further audits and Commissions of Inquiry can be expected, he stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Amid glowing tributes…

Hundreds say farewell to Christobel Hughes

The late Mrs. Christobel Hughes

Relatives remove the body of the late Mrs. Christobel Hughes from St. Andrew’s Kirk (Photos by Adrain Narine)

A

Mr. Nigel Hughes comforts his wife Catherine as she reads the tribute from Jamaica’s former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson.

By Navendra Seoraj

LARGE congregation yesterday paid final respects to Mrs. Christobel Ariantze Hughes at a service of thanksgiving at St. Andrew’s Kirk on Brickdam Mrs Hughes died after a vehicular accident last Sunday, when the car she was driving was struck by another vehicle with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.

Mrs Hughes was born on November 12, 1930, to Christopher and Doris Deane. She was the first of eight children, wife of the late Clarence Hughes, mother of Attorney- at-Law Nigel, Elizabeth and Stuart Hughes, and grandmother of Astrid, Suraya and Deane Hughes. She was also mother-in-law of Member of Parliament Catherine Hughes She sadly met her demise on August 16, 2015, after a vehicular accident in which a young man who was driving under the influence of alcohol collided with her vehicle.

Among the hundreds gathered at the church were President David Granger, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and several ministers of Government.

Among those who paid tribute to the late Mrs. Hughes were the Seniors’ Committee of The Bishops’ High School old Students’ Association, the Guyana Heritage Society, Women Reaching Out, the Guyana Association of Administrative Professionals, and Former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J Patterson (read by Mrs. Catherine Hughes).

In his eulogy, Mr. Nigel Hughes described his mother as being a “tough cookie” who always pushed him and his siblings to be academically inclined and never to miss a day of school.

She was a well-educated and motivational person, who after her years in primary school won a scholarship for The Bishops’ High School and there met many who became her lifelong friends.

He added that subsequent to completing her secondary education, she attended the then Teachers’Training College, after which she taught at several high schools, particularly the one at which she once studied.

During her career as a teacher she was assigned to teach in Berbice where she met her husband, but she returned to Georgetown after which she departed for the University of the West Indies (UWI); there she achieved an Upper Second Honours Degree in History and completed a number of post- graduate degrees.

Upon returning in 1961, she became the first female to be appointed a manager at Bookers Universal Store, which was deemed a major achievement at that time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger at the funeral service “Little did she know that the person she met in Berbice before she left for UWI would reconnect with her, and on June 24, 1964, she exchanged vows with him, Clarence Hughes.

“They travelled the world together and tried their utmost to visit every historic, religious city around the world,” said Hughes.

Being an advocate for education, as years went by Mrs. Hughes was not satisfied with the education system, when all schools were taken over by the Government.

“She took over as the chairperson for the St. Stanislaus Old Boys Association and merged the PTA, as she began her fight for a better education system,” he said.

His mother engaged in many discussions with the the Minister of Education, during which they argued about the capacity and state of the education system, while deliberating on the way forward.

Mrs. Hughes was also the leading figure in several charitable organisations, such as the Caribbean Council of Churches, Women Reaching Out, the Red Cross and many more.

Her three grandchildren who sadly never got a chance to see her, remembered her as a charismatic person, who would always encourage them to remain in school and work hard to achieve their goals, doing so via the telephone and Skype conversations.

In other tributes, other persons remembered the late Mrs. Hughes as a patriot of the highest level, who championed the Guyanese heritage to the best of her abilities and she had fought for preservation of the trees along Main Street.

After a very moving funeral service, the body was taken to Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara for cremation.

GPF Traffic Dept commissions arch and refurbishes a steel gate

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday commissioned an arch and refurbished a steel gate to enhance the aesthetics at Traffic Headquarters at Barrack and Parade Streets in Kingston, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, in remarks made on behalf of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud told the gathering that ranks had been instructed to do what was necessary to get the work done.

Ramnarine said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must be imbued with an attitude of non-procrastination in order to operate efficiently and effectively. “If something can be done today, do it and do not wait until tomorrow,” he advised.

Ramnarine said the GPF is always under the microscope and when its representatives go public, they must do so 100% and see things through, regardless of who started it. This project was initially

The cutting of the ribbon which signalled the commissioning of the arch and steel gate yesterday afternoon at Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary undertaken by Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam, who is on leave and is out of the jurisdiction. The project was subsequently completed by Acting Traffic Chief Dion Moore.

Ramnarine applauded Moore and his team for completing the project and urged ranks to adopt a positive attitude towards work and dealing with members of the public, since complaints about the attitudes of police ranks are many.

Ramnarine said some ranks are reluctant to deal with issues forthwith, but the GPF is obliged to set a high standard and be role models in society.

He charged ranks to pattern themselves after Moore and Amsterdam, to have vision and foresight, and to be dynamic to see projects through to the end, no matter who started them.

Ramnarine told ranks that as servants of the public, they should be professional and deal with members of the public respectfully. He said they should discipline themselves to be able to work with others and to develop partnerships, since there is a need for networking to get things done.

Acting Traffic Chief Dion Moore remarked that although the project was initiated by Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam, who is on leave, he continued the project and it came to fruition through partnership After the plaque was unveiled by Acting Traffic Chief Dion Moore, and team effort, of which he is pleased.

Rural Constable Mahendranauth Persaud, Assistant Commissioner He said the project is the first of its kind, but the Traffic Department has always been in the David Ramnarine, ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken and Force limelight and its leadership saw the need to enhance the aesthetics of the surroundings, hence Training Officer Brian Williams took this photo opportunity this project was undertaken, and similar projects will be undertaken also.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Farmers, miners need easier system for duty-free, vat-free documents POLITICAL activist Ras Leon Saul has said in a press release that growing concern is being expressed by members of the sugar-cane planting, rice-farming and gold-mining communities especially, over the bureaucratic red-tape and “hoops of fire” which they have to go through in order to get the duty-free

and VAT-free concessions afforded them by the Government for capital equipment such as combines, tractors, plows, excavators and mining equipment.

The release said the intended beneficiaries of these concessions end up suffering and wasting time in the process of attempting to access those concessions.

At a time when the new APNU+AFC Government is emphasising the thrust of national development…with focus on the construction industry, rice industry and gold-mining enterprises – gold miners, rice farmers and other small construction operators of duty-free and VATfree equipment, who live and operate in remote areas far

from the capital city, are calling for a revamped system of acquiring the duty-free and VAT-free concessions.

The release said one very irate and frustrated rice farmer said, “Imagine me live till a Crabwood Creek, and to get me duty-free and VATfree letters for me excavator and combine me have to apply to the Rice Producers’

Association (RPA), then to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), then to the Ministry of Agriculture, then to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and then Customs…all this covers a two-month period. But at the end of the tedious and time-consuming process, the equipment is duty-free and VAT-free!

“This present system leaves a lot of loopholes for bribery and corruption,” noted the worried rice farmer. “You have to pay under the table for some officers and individuals to speed up the process to acquire the duty-free and VAT-free documents.

“With all the lining up at the various agencies, by the time you get the equipment cleared off the wharf, the planting season is over,” stated the concerned rice farmer, according to the release.

Meanwhile, some influential operators in the gold-mining industry have welcomed the new concessions granted to the mining industry, especially in the 2015 budget.

Also, at this time of celebrating Mining Week 2015, they are complimenting the new Government on moving with alacrity and focus on

resolving issues that affect miners and the gold-mining industry.

But the group of miners was adamant that the Administration must implement a better system and process for the acquisition of duty-free and VAT-free documents.

“Why is there need for us to go through so much bureaucracy, when at the end of the day the documents are duty-free and VAT-free…but too much time is being wasted in obtaining them,” stated the miners.

“These aren’t luxury items like TV sets and microwaves… these are items needed for national development.

“For more efficiency, better production and productivity, while reducing frustration, travelling expenses and corruption…put a better and faster system in place,” the gold miners are requesting.

“After all, the equipment is costly and includes essential construction machinery to aid in the national development thrust. The system used to be better up to two years ago, before all the requirements from various agencies were put in place by the previous Administration.

This new Administration has to change it,” they opined, according to the release.

House approves motion for budget consideration to be done in three days THE new coalition Government yesterday approved in the National Assembly a motion for consideration of the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the 2015 budget within three days.

The State budget for 2015 was not presented by the former PPP Government before demitting office in May, following free and fair elections. The new APNU+AFC Government presented its first budget, which included spending under the former Government as well as the remaining months of 2015.

The National Assembly not having met since August, 2014, when it went into recess and was subsequently prorogued by President Ramotar in the face of an Opposition no-confidence motion, the new Government tabled its budget during a boycott of Parliament by the PPP, now in Opposition.

The budget was subject to five full days of debate, for which the PPP returned to the National Assembly. The Government extended the time for

debate, and by motion supported by the Opposition, debates started one hour earlier and were scheduled to end each day at 22:00 hrs.

The Government further sought to have judicious use of parliamentary time by putting in place a plan for agency-by-agency consideration of the estimates, to be done over three days between the extended hours of 1:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

Government is confident that its ministers would answer all questions that could be asked mainly for proposed expenditure for the remaining four months for this year. Except for the 10th Parliament, Estimates were always considered and approved within three or less days.

The debate has so far seen full and open contributions by both Government and Opposition speakers. No one was muzzled or silenced, in spite of spurious charges by the Opposition, which staged a walkout from the chamber at one point.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Lady Jags roar to 8-0 win over St Kitts and Nevis GUYANA’S Senior National Women’s Football team – the Lady Jags – started their quest to Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games on a winning note, after easily disposing of St Kitts and Nevis 8-0 yesterday in the Dominican Republic.

Playing at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristóbal, the Lady Jags were

... Guyanese to clash with Cuba tomorrow

led by a hat-trick from English-based striker Otesha Charles while Mariam El-Masri, Kayla De Souza, Alison Heydorn, Calaigh Copeland and Olivia Gonsalves netted a goal each.

The Guyanese women will now shift their focus to Cuba, with a game against the Spanish-speaking Island tomorrow where they would wrap up their campaign in the Dominican Republic.

Guyana, joined by St Kitts and Cuba, are the teams in Group Three of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) leg of the Qualifiers, with only one team advancing.

Group One will be hosted by Puerto Rico and fields Aruba, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Grenada.

Group Two features St Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, the Cayman Islands and Trinidad & Tobago, to be staged in Trinidad & Tobago.

The Group Three games will be played in Suriname and the teams in this group are Dominica Republic, Dominica and Jamaica.

While the tournament has an age limit of under-23 for men born on or after January 1, 1993, there is no age ceiling for the Women’s Qualifiers.

Three teams will advance from the female category into the CONCACAF Women’s Summer Olympic Tournament for 2016.

The 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship qualification will decide the participating teams of the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, a women’s football tournament to determine which national teams qualify for the women’s football tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics from the CONCACAF (North, Central America and the

Caribbean) region.

A total of eight teams will play in the final tournament - three teams from the North American Zone (NAFU) (Canada, Mexico and the United States, who qualify directly for the final tournament), two teams from the Central American Zone (UNCAF), and three teams from the Caribbean Zone (CFU).

The 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship acts as qualification to the 2016 Summer Olympics women’s football tournament for CONCACAF, with the top two teams qualifying.

Caribbean broadcasters concerned about MOU ...

From back page

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we do not have the clearest pictures that one should have at this stage of what would happen with respect to broadcast of the Olympic games from Rio in Brazil 2016.”

The MOU called for CBI to provide access to twelve feeds from which participating CBU members may select specific content for distribution in their respective markets.

Part of the programming to be delivered under the MOU is a television channel designed especially for Caribbean audiences, and produced by ESPN. CBU says aspects of the MOU with CBI have been breached.

“We entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the rights holders for the Caribbean, CANOC broadcasting Inc. and aspects of the MOU that we have signed have already been varied and/or in fact breached,” Allen pointed out.

“At this stage the broadcasters cannot say that we have an arrangement that will allow us to be involved in the Olympic broadcast 2016”.

The deal with CANOC also allows CBU members to send a limited number of reporters and technical staff to work alongside the ESPN team in Rio, to produce coverage to be sent back to their respective stations.

Allen says Caribbean broadcasters are also becoming concerned about the involvement of advertisers in the absence of a final deal with CANOC, the rights holders.

“There is still some time that we hope would be used wisely to put us back on track and we have passed a resolution which intends to try and do that,” Allen said.

“But we are concerned that advertisers are being involved in arrangements which commit our platforms and we still do not have a commitment on the use of our platforms, signed off with the rights holders and that is an issue that is of concern to us.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

England collapse after Smith’s 143

By Ed Osmond LONDON, England (Reuters) - England crumbled meekly to 107 for eight in reply to Australia’s 481 to put the touring side firmly on course for victory in the final Ashes Test after a dramatic second day at The Oval yesterday.

Steve Smith’s patient 143 guided Australia to a formidable total and the bowlers rammed home the advantage in the last session to boost their side’s bid for a consolation win after relinquishing the Ashes by losing the fourth Test in Nottingham.

England’s collapse was not quite as abject as when Australia were bowled out for 60 on the first morning at Trent Bridge but it was quite remarkable on a sunkissed afternoon in south London.

Spinner Nathan Lyon bowled England captain Alastair Cook for 22 just be-

fore tea to start the rot.

Adam Lyth’s wretched run continued when, on

ed pull off Peter Siddle to Mitchell Starc at mid-on.

Siddle, recalled in place

Steven Smith acheives his 11th Test hundred at The Oval on the second day.

19, he spooned an attempt-

of the injured Josh Hazle-

wood, produced a superb delivery to bowl Ian Bell for 10 and Joe Root nicked Mitchell Marsh to keeper Peter Nevill after labouring for 39 balls to make six.

Jonny Bairstow, on 13, tamely pulled Mitchell Johnson to Lyon at square leg, Jos Buttler was bowled

by Lyon for one and Ben Stokes skied Marsh to Nevill for 15.

Stuart Broad edged Marsh to Adam Voges at slip for a duck before Moeen Ali and Mark Wood each made eight not out to take the hosts to the close without further loss, still 374 runs behind their opponents.

Australia had resumed in the morning on 287 for three and Smith waited until his 24th delivery to add to his overnight 78 while Voges played more freely.

The experienced righthander cut Broad for four to reach his second fifty in a row and had scored 76

Sangakkara fails to convert start, Sri Lanka reach 140-3 (REUTERS) - Retiring home hero Kumar Sangakkara featured in a brief rebuilding act in his final Test as Sri Lanka reached 140-3 in reply to India’s first-innings total of 393 on day two of the second Test yesterday.

Playing his 134th and final Test, Sangakkara made 32 as he and Kaushal Silva (51) added 74 runs to help Sri Lanka overcome the early loss of opener Dimuth Karunaratne.

Lahiru Thirimanne was batting on 28 at the close with skipper Angelo Mathews on 19 at the other end with the hosts, who lead the three-match series 1-0, still trailing by 253 runs in the evenly poised Test.

Sangakkara walked out to a guard-of-honour by the Indian team after Umesh Yadav had dismissed Karunaratne

… Sangakkara makes 32 in farewell Test with his first delivery at the P Sara Oval.

The first ball Sangakkara faced was a vicious inswinging yorker from Yadav which the lefthander barely managed to dig out.

He also got a reprieve on 24 when Ajinkya Rahane failed to take a catch at slip after Sangakkara had attempted a cut shot off Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Indians soon combined again to dismiss Sangakkara, who got a standing ovation on his way back to the pavilion while his opponents clapped.

Silva was caught behind off Stuart Binny when on 14 but it turned out to be a no-ball and the opener went to notch up his ninth Test fifty before sweeping leg-spinner Amit Mishra to Ashwin at short fine leg.

Earlier, Wriddhiman Saha (56) capitalised on a charmed life to hit his second successive Test fifty as India inched close to the 400-mark before being all out soon after lunch.

Resuming on 319 for six, the visitors lost Ashwin early but Saha added 46 runs with Mishra (24) to frustrate the hosts.

Sri Lanka bowled

without luck, illustrated best in the second over of the day when Dhammika Prasad’s delivery brushed Sah a ’s o f f - s t u m p b u t could not dislodge the bails.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed the last two Indian wickets to finish with figures of 4-81.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings (o/ni 319-6) M. Vijay lbw b Prasad 0 L. Rahul c Chandimal b Chameera 108 A. Rahane c Karunaratne b Prasad 4 V. Kohli c Mathews b Herath 78 Ro. Sharma lbw b Mathews 79 S. Binny c Chameera b Herath 10 W. Saha lbw b Herath 56 R. Ashwin c K. Silva b Mathews 2 A. Mishra c Chandimal b Chameera 24 I. Sharma lbw b Herath 2 U. Yadav not out 2 Extras: (b-8, lb-13, nb-3, w-4) 28 Total: (all out, 114 overs) 393 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-12, 3-176,

4-231, 5-267, 6-319, 7-321, 8-367, 9-386.

Bowling: D. Prasad 24-7-84-2 (w-2), A. Mathews 15-7-24-2, D. Chameera 20-2-72-2 (nb-2, w-2), R. Herath 25-3-81-4, T. Kaushal 30-2-111-0 (nb-1).

SRI LANKA 1st innings D. Karunaratne lbw b U. Yadav 1 K. Silva c Ashwin b Mishra 51 K. Sangakkara c Rahane b Ashwin 32 L. Thirimanne not out 28 A. Mathews not out 19 Extras: (b-2, lb-3, nb-4) 9 Total: (for 3 wickets, 53 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-75, 3-114.

Bowling: I. Sharma 10-2-31-0 (nb3), U. Yadav 11-5-34-1, S. Binny 11-3-24-0 (nb-1), R. Ashwin 14-237-1, A. Mishra 7-1-9-1.

when he misjudged a fierce inswinger from Stokes that kept low and was trapped lbw.

Smith flashed hard at the very next delivery from Steven Finn and keeper Buttler took the catch, but the bowler immediately returned to the crease to check his footmark and replays confirmed that he had overstepped by several inches.

Finn looked distraught as Smith was recalled but he did claim a wicket when Marsh, on three, edged a lifting delivery to Bell at second slip.

Smith clipped Moeen for a single to bring up his 11th Test century, a patient

effort spanning more than five hours at the crease.

Nevill fell for 18, feathering a catch to Buttler down the leg-side off Moeen and the spinner bowled Johnson for a second-ball duck just before lunch.

Smith’s long vigil ended when he dragged a ball from Finn on to his stumps and he departed to a standing ovation having hit two sixes and 17 fours.

Starc struck a six and nine fours in a breezy 58 off 52 balls before he was lbw to Stokes and Siddle was caught by a diving Lyth at gully off Finn to end the innings.

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 287-3) C. Rogers c Cook b Wood 43 D. Warner c Lyth b Ali 85 S. Smith b Finn 143 M. Clarke c Buttler b Stokes 15 A. Voges lbw b Stokes 76 M. Marsh c Bell b Finn 3 P. Nevill c Buttler b Ali 18 M. Johnson b Ali 0 M. Starc lbw b Stokes 58 P. Siddle c Lyth b Finn 1 N. Lyon not out 5 Extras: (b-1, lb-24, nb-3, w-6) 34 Total: (all out, 125.1 overs) 481 Fall of wickets: 1-110, 2-161, 3-186, 4-332, 5-343, 6-376, 7-376, 8-467, 9-475.

Bowling: S. Broad 20-4-59-0 (nb1), M. Wood 26-9-59-1 (w-2), B. Stokes 29-6 -133-3 (w-3), S. Finn

29.1-7-90-3 (nb-2), M. Ali 18-1-1023, J. Root 3-0-13-0.

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Lyth c Starc b Siddle 19 A. Cook b Lyon 22 I. Bell b Siddle 10 J. Root c Nevill b M. Marsh 6 J. Bairstow c Lyon b Johnson 13 B. Stokes c Nevill b M. Marsh 15 J. Buttler b Lyon 1 M. Ali not out 8 S. Broad c Voges b M. Marsh 0 M. Wood not out 8 Extras: (b-1, lb-3, nb-1) 5 Total: (for 8 wickets, 40 overs) 107 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-46 , 3-60, 4-64, 5-83, 6-84, 7-92, 8-92.

Bowling: M. Starc 6-2-14-0, M. Johnson 8-4-21-1, N. Lyon 9-232-2, P. Siddle 10-4-18-2, M. Marsh 7-2-18-3 (nb-1).

LFS Burnham memorial chess starts today TOP senior and junior chess players will begin the quest for top honours from today when the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) stages the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham memorial chess tournament at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.

The registration process will start at 13:00hrs today, followed by the first round of matches an hour later.

The competition, which will be played under the Swiss format and will comprise seven rounds, will continue tomorrow, and will wrap up with the final two days of action the following weekend.

The tournament has been sanctioned by the local governing body, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), and its president Irshad Mohamed said each player will have a time control of one hour 30 minutes.

Entrance fee for senior players is $1000, while juniors will pay half that amount. According to Mohamed, the junior category will be significant, as it will be used by the GCF as the qualification tournament for the national junior championship later this year.

The top eight players will earn automatic entry to the National championship. Cash and trophies will be at stake for the Burnham tournament, and according to Mohamed, he anticipates a highly competitive four days of chess.

Interested players can register when they turn up at the venue today or by calling Mohamed on 664-1650.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP

Gatlin the form horse but don’t write off Bolt

By Gene Cherry (REUTERS) - In-form American Justin Gatlin should beat Usain Bolt to win both the sprints at the world championships but it would be foolhardy to write off the Jamaican, three-time world 100 metres world champion Maurice Greene said yesterday.

Bolt has dominated the 100m and 200m at major championships since winning both in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, only a false start in the short sprint final at the 2011 world championships preventing him from a clean sweep.

Joint problems have hampered the 29-year-old’s season, however, and he returns to the Bird’s Nest stadium for the 100m heats today with best times of 9.87 and 20.13 seconds for each sprint.

Gatlin, although he has yet to go head-to-head with

Bolt this year and has beaten the Jamaican only once in seven attempts over the 100m, has not been beaten in either sprint for two years.

The 33-year-old owns the best times of the year in both events with a personal best of 9.74 in 100m and 19.57 in the 200m.

“Right now, if I have to go by what’s happening right now you would say Justin is going to win,” Greene told Reuters.

“But the biggest problem is you never know what Usain is going to come out with because, you have to remember, he’s been where nobody has been before.

“So who knows if he’s going to come back with something like that? It’s very well possible so you can never count him out.

“Bolt doesn’t ever run a lot. It doesn’t matter if he’s run four races or 12 races,

Narayan Ramdhani into CAREBACO second round THE CAREBACO (Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation) International Under-19 Championships began on Thursday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR).

In the opening of the Boys Singles Championships Guyana’s Narayan Ramdhani got into the Quarter-Finals by defeating Kleiner Ventura of DR, 21-9, 21-8 in the first round and also thrashed Samuel Garcia of DR, 21-4, 21-3 in the second round.

Jonathan Mangra of Guyana lost to a tough three-setter in the first round to Ariel Cline of DR, 13-21, 21-17, 21-19.

In the Boys Doubles Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra lost to Omar Caraballo & Kleiner Ventura of Dominican Republic, 21-18. 21-18 Meanwhile, the Guyanese Under-15 players Priyanna Ramdhani and Tyrese Jeffrey laft Guyana to play in the Team and the Individual Championships in the DR, where they will loin Narayan and Jonathan.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday August 22, 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: 11 (10 nations plus an ICC XI) 26 teams

Today’s Quiz:

Which two teams were the first to play Test cricket?

Which two teams were the first to play ODI cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

you’re gonna get a race.”

SUNDAY INDICATOR The Beijing sprint showdowns between Bolt, who has never failed a drugs test, and Gatlin, who has served two suspensions for using banned substances, have been billed as battles for the soul of the sport.

The last two rounds of the 100m both take place tomorrow evening and Greene said the semi-finals would be a good guide to what would happen later in the evening.

“The semi is going to really tell a lot,” he said.

“It’s going to show you if Bolt is really ready and then you’ll be able to make your decision for the final.”

The 200 metres final takes place next Thursday and Greene felt his compatriot had an even better chance of becoming the first major championship gold medallist apart from Bolt since Tyson Gay won the 2007 world title in Osaka.

“I got to see the 100 first but in the 200, I would be more inclined to pick

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin Justin,” he said.

“Just because it’s a harder race and you’ve got to be really fit and we know how fit Justin has been.

“So that will be easier to pick but you never know what Usain’s going to come back with.”

Bolt has, of course, run much faster than Gatlin’s season-leading marks and

holds the world record for both events with the 9.58 and 19.19 he ran to win gold at the Berlin world championships in 2009.

The Jamaican knows he is not in the kind of shape to run those sort of times in Beijing but said on Thursday that Gatlin would have to run the fastest race of his life to take his 100m title.

“I used to say when I was running ‘I’m gonna go some place you can’t’,” Greene, a former 100m world record holder, added.

“That’s just what Usain is saying, he knows he can run 9.6, he’s done it before and if you can’t go there, you don’t have a shot.

“But let’s just see if he can go there also.”

Nair century leads India A to draw KARUN NAIR found a good time to break his rot and his first century in any format since March 2015 ensured a draw for India-A, even though they had been trailing South Africa-A for the bulk of the first unofficial Test in Wayanad.

Scores: India A 204 (Iyer 49, Rayudu 46, Piedt 5-85) and 309 for 4 (Nair 114*, Vijay Shankar 74*) drew with South Africa A 542 (de Kock 113, Ramela 112, Vilas 75, Axar 4-115) and 105 for 1 dec (Hendricks 61.

The visitors would have fancied their chances of a first victory on this tour to India when the final day began - eight wickets to get and a 371-run cushion to play with.

But Nair would not budge. He struck an unbeaten 114 off 192 balls, his first ton since the triple in the Ranji Trophy final, and a couple of fifties by Vijay Shankar and captain Abhinav Mukund KARUN ensured the other end was just as plucky.

There were 78.2 overs of play possible - more than enough for the South Africans to hope, considering they had already dismissed India-A for 204 in the first innings.

The fourth innings meant spin would be doing the bulk of

the work - Dane Piedt, who completed a five-for yesterday, trundled in for 49 overs for only one wicket.

Slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj got through 36 overs for two wickets. Although both men kept their economy rates under three, South Africa-A would have wanted more wickets from them. Oddly, though, Wayne Parnell bowled only three overs in the innings.

That they couldn’t live up to that mandate was down to a very fluent innings from Nair. He had struck only one fifty in 10 innings against both Australia-A and South Africa-A. He could have been bogged down, but 18 fours and a six indicates otherwise.

He walked out in the 12th over of the day and was there, seeing his team to the safety of a draw. Nair strung a 148-run fifth-wicket at a run-rate of 3.4 with Vijay Shankar, who contributed a steady 74 off 142 balls.

It was Vijay Shankar’s sixth first-class fifty in 14 NAIR matches, and his Tamil Nadu state-mate Mukund eased to his 23rd in 96 matches. This resolute display from India-A ensured the series remains 0-0 ahead of the second match, starting from next Tuesday. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 22, 2015

Swimming Camp concludes with words of encouragement from Minister Henry, Director of Sport

By Tamica Garnett

“EDUCATION is more than academics. I certainly believe that.” Minister of Sport, Nicolette Henry said yesterday to a gathering of swimmers at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) during the closing ceremony of the annual Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission August Vacation Swimming Programme.

Minister Henry told the swimmers that being involved in sports such as swimming was a very good direction towards becoming well-rounded individuals.

“I believe that in order for you to be fully developed and reach your full potential, you need to be exposed, and to participate, and to compete in sport, and in culture, and in arts. It is only through an integrative approach that you can reach your full potential.” Henry advised.

The Minister, along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones, was on board to offer words of encouragement to the swimmers who completed the six-week programme, which had first begun at the Colgrain Swimming Pool on Camp Street.

The programme, which was meant to cater for some

120 swimmers, attracted a robust 160 swimmers, all between the ages of 6 and 16 years old. The swimmers underwent training in the fundamentals of learning to swim.

Henry articulated the dynamic benefits that the involvement in sport had to offer towards the development of the budding youngsters.

“Sport is very important to human development because it allows you to first of all get involved in what we call teamwork, because sport is a participatory activity. It also allows you to hone skills such as leadership, discipline and of course competitiveness, and collaboration those are very important skills that will help you when you become adults. Those are the skills that you will require to function in the world of work.” Henry related.

Jones stressed that the end of the swimming programme was by no means the end of the road for them in swimming. He implored them to continue their pursuits in swimming, reminding them that the NAC was now open to the public, so they could return and utilise the facility to further develop their swimming skills.

Highlighting that the development of Guyana’s youth is important to the

Participants of the MCYS/NSC August Vacation Swimming Programme pose with the Minister in the Ministry of Education, with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry, and Director of Sport Christopher Jones (right). At extreme left is Permanent Secretary Alfred King. government, Jones pledged the support of the Government of Guyana in upholding the continuation of the swimming programme to get children involved.

“Because you are a big deal, the Government of Guyana will continue these swimming programmes to ensure that we continue to feed the various swimming clubs out there so that Guyana can produce the best set of swimmers.” Jones stated.

Resounding praise was meted out to the parents of the swimmers by Jones and Henry, as well as president of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, Ivan Persaud,.

Informing the swimmers that they could one day rise up to represent Guyana as a swimmer,

Persaud touched on Guyana’s performance at the recently concluded Good-

will Swim Meet which ended in Trinidad last weekend and saw the Guyana team

return home with 29 medals, of which seven were gold medals.

Some of the swimmers, who completed the MCYS/NSC August Vacation Swimming Programme, show off their kickboard skills.

W Connection crumble to second heavy loss SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (CMC) – W Connection’s poor Five minutes before the break, David Guzman added a run in the CONCACAF Champions League continued on second when a rebound fell to the 25-year-old who made no Thursday when they crashed to a 4-0 defeat to Deportivo mistake from close range.

Saprissa.

Already behind by two Playing in their second goals at the break, W Congame of the competition, the nection suffered even more Trinidadian outfit conceded anguish when they concedtwo goals in each half to fall ed a third goal in the 69th to their second successive 4-0 through substitute David loss, following their whipping Ramirez. at the hands of Santos Laguna On the field for only five in their first-round game earliminutes, Ramirez pounced on a er this month in Torreón. loose ball to net after Archibald Their latest defeat left had spilled an initial volley them bottom of Group A from Mynor Escoe. without a point or a goal to With the game long gone, their name, and virtually in David Guzman scores the second goal for Saprissa. Archibald did well to save need of a miracle to make it from the penalty spot from out of the preliminary stage.

Ariel Rodriguez in the 89th minute after Alvin Jones was Deyver Vega opened the scoring in the 31st minute Estadio adjudged to have brought down Dylan Flores.

Ricardo Saprissa Aymá after evading a defender in the box and However, Saprissa would not be denied as Flores added slotting past goalkeeper Julani Archibald. a fourth deep in stoppage.

CONCACAF rescues TTFA with bail-out loan PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - CONCACAF has rescued the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) with a bail-out loan after Football’s world governing body, FIFA, halted funding to the struggling association.

President Raymond Tim Kee says the loan is to cover administrative expenses of the TTFA since it has not been able to pay staff salaries since July.

“CONCACAF is aware of all that has happened and they have decided to give us a loan to pay those salaries,” said Tim Kee in an interview with Trinidad Express.

“CONCACAF has already sent the money. It had to be cleared, and our staff will probably get their salary today or tomorrow.”

TTFA receives an annual subvention of US$250 000 every year in four instalments under FIFA’s Financial Assistance Programme.

However, FIFA has taken a decision to stop funding over TTFA’s failure to produce audited statements dating back to 2008.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Swimming Camp concludes with words of encouragement from story Minister Henry, Seeon Director of Sport page 31

Lady Jags roar to 8-0 win over St Kitts and Nevis See story on page 28

... Guyanese to clash with Cuba tomorrow

The Golden Ladies: (L-R) Mariam El-Masri, Olivia Gonsalves, Alison Heydorn, Otesha Charles, Kayla De Souza and Calaigh Copeland.

Caribbean broadcasters concerned about MOU with CANOC over Olympic coverage ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) –The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) has expressed concern about the state of a deal with the CANOC Broadcasting Incorporated (CBI) for the coverage of next year’s Olympic games in Brazil.

Broadcasters raised their concern about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CANOC as the 46th Annual General

Meeting of CBU came to a close in Grenada here on Thursday.

Earlier this year CBU and CANOC announced that they had reached an agreement, in principle, which would allow CBU members to transmit coverage of the games on radio, free-to-air television, cable television and on-line media.

“We also had discussions and delibera-

tions on an area of concern to us that is right at our doorsteps largely to do with the 2016 Olympic games which are but a year away,” CBU vice-president Gary Allen told a news conference here on Thursday afternoon.

“The broadcasters were concerned, particularly concerned that at this stage See page 28

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CBU vice-president Gary Allen SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2015