Chronicle 01 05 2016

BORDER SECURITY No. 104422

TUESDAY JANUARY 5, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

‌ Govt, Army pledge support to Kaikan residents

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Senior government ministers and Army officials on Monday visited the community of Kaikan, Region Seven where they interacted and assured residents of their full support against any harassment from outside forces. The Wenamu river (in background) separates Guyana from Venezuela (Leroy Smith photo)

Five held for Bath fiery death

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No more suffering for Lima farmers Page 12

Misinformation undermining social cohesion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Five held for Bath fiery murder …cops not ruling out conspiracy theory POLICE investigating the Sunday murder of the housewife at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice yesterday took five persons into custody for questioning, and have said they are not ruling out a conspiracy theory that has been floated.

However, relatives and friends of Anita Baichan are adamant that the destruction of her home and her murder had nothing to do with a family feud.

One relative summed up the views of the others as follows: “It had to

be a robbery! Her husband died years ago. She was a hardworking woman who brought up her children as a single parent.”

Her son Moshin Khan, who had also experienced the ordeal of being beaten and terrorised by the bandits, but managed to escape the blazing house, yesterday also supported the theory that robbery had been the primary motive of the bandits.

He said that no member in his family had had any problems with anyone, and he could not think of anyone other than bandits who would have had a motive for the attack on the family.

A source close to the ongoing police investigation disclosed that sleuths are still working with the theory of robbery as the primary motive for the two-bandit attack on the family, but conspiracy has not been ruled out.

Relatives of the late Anita Baichan disclosed that a post-mortem will be performed on her remains today, after which the body would be handed over for burial.

Ms Baichan was burnt to death in her home in a fire set by bandits in the aftermath of a home invasion/robbery early Sunday morning. After the robbery, when the house had been set alight, Ms Baichan tried to escape from the building, but could not because she had been gagged with duct tape and bound hand and foot by the two bandits during the course of the robbery.

Up to press time, the five persons picked up for questioning -- reportedly all from Bath Settlement -- were still assisting the police with their investigations.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has only recently said that ‘staged crimes’ have been a major challenge for detectives this year. Noting that 2015 was not without its challenges in general, Blanhum had said: “In my years of policing, I cannot recall coming across the number of staged robberies as was evident in 2015.”

Another bugbear for the Criminal Investigation De-

Moshin Khan was beaten during the attack

partment (CID), which he heads, was persons conspiring to commit murder, including instances where relatives were involved, as

nabbed the taxi driver, who had helped the bandits make good their getaway. Not knowing that the police were on to him, Jettoo had told the police that five men had invaded his home and had carted off an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables.

Weeks before that incident, Berbician Deochand Sookchand was charged with the murder of his wife. Deochand had claimed that bandits had invaded his home and shot his wife, 56-yearold Pamela Kendall.

And on Monday last, police recovered over $4M from another staged robbery in the city, for which three men have since been arrested.

This week, we feature the talented Tiffany Andrea Ferguson. Ms Ferguson, at the age of 20, assures us that “the sky is never the limit” when it comes to her aspirations in life. In fact, she said, “I always reach beyond

Tiffany Andrea Ferguson

By Clifford Stanley

was the case when a man hired persons to rob him and his entire family just so he could stop his wife from leaving him. That incident took place three months ago in the Crabwood Creek area.

Krishendatt Jettoo, who operates a business, was reportedly having issues with his wife, as a result of which she threatened to leave him.

Not wanting her to make good on her promise, Jettoo conspired with bandits to rob and beat his family in a fake attack. But even back then, Blanhum had seen through the ploy, as he had named the businessman and a taxi driver friend of his among key suspects in the robbery.

The case eventually began to unravel after police

the sky.”

A

former

Miss Talented Teen, Ferguson said since she entered the pageant back in 2013, her life has not been the same. “I have grown into a wellgroomed young lady. I learned self-confidence, being independent, and was able to develop good morals,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. Ferguson is currently a third-year student at the University of Guyana, reading for a degree in Sociology.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 5, 2016

BORDER SECURITY …Govt, Army pledge support to Kaikan residents

By Leroy Smith AMIDST the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, Government and the Guyana Defence Force are assuring residents of Kaikan, Region Seven, that the administration remains committed to them and their interests.

On Monday, the first official working day for 2016, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; and Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier General Mark Phillips, visited the residents of the area. The visit saw Government recommitting to people in that area, as it was made clear that they

ed on an airstrip at Kaikan, Region 7, with approximately eight heavily armed Venezuelan soldiers. The Guyana Chronicle was told that when the helicopter landed, there were two Amerindian women close by, and as is customary when an aircraft lands at the airstrip, they rushed towards it.

The women, who had subsequently spoken to the police, stated that as they approached the aircraft, two of the men, with their guns in hand, disembarked and advanced towards them. The men enquired from the women if the area they had landed at was Sanguan, a farm in Venezuela. The women responded in the negative and informed the armed men that they had in fact landed at Kaikan in Guyana. Sanguan

One resident speaks of the promise made to the community by an official in the former government to withdraw the army from the location have not been neglected and the authorities will not sit idly by and allow their lands, and the Essequibo, to be taken away.

Only recently, a Venezuela-registered helicopter land-

in Venezuela also has Amerindian settlers, according to online sources.

After being told they were in the wrong place, the men re-boarded the helicopter and left the area.

During the visit on Monday, Brigadier Phillips spoke of the continued development works and assistance that the GDF would give to the community to make more comfortable the lives of the residents, even as he made mention of several initiatives which were undertaken by the military for the community.

During his opening remarks, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, told the residents that his presence at the location was to have a first-hand experience of their living conditions, and to hear from them what issues are affecting them, so that he could better represent their interest on the international front, especially on the issue of development at the border locations.

He explained that anywhere there is a large or small gathering of people, and the army has a presence, there are usually some concerns; but, in many cases, such as the case at Kaikan, the need for the army’s presence there is necessary.

He was forced to make the comment after some residents spoke briefly about the presence of the army at the location, and asked about their role there.

The residents used the opportunity to call for more police presence in the area, a move that would complement the presence of the army.

There is already a police base in the area. The army does not patrol the actual community, but are mostly confined to the outskirts of the community, in keeping with their activities of patrolling the Region Seven area to identify and define aggression. There are times when the army would venture into the community whenever they receive intelligence that

Remanded for Boxing Day murder ELVIS FELIX, a gold miner, yesterday appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on an indictable charge, which alleges that on December 26 at Ichie Rock Landing, Pakaraimas he murdered Ryan Simon.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Simone Payne told the court that the accused and the victim were known to each other. She related that on Boxing Day the two had a misunderstanding, which led to a scuffle. Payne said that the accused left the scene and later returned with a cutlass and dealt Simon several chops to the head after accusing the deceased of “talking his name.”

The prosecutor stated that the accused was arrested in Mahdia and he handed over the murder weapon to the police.

Felix will make his next court appearance on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

there might be illegal activities and/or operations at the airstrip in the area.

The residents, however, are not happy with the men always carrying their guns whenever they are seen, but according to Brigadier Phillips, the nature of the work of the army does not permit otherwise. They spoke of an issue following the landing of the Venezuela chopper in December, carrying mili-

Vice President Greenidge delivering his point at the meeting with Kaikan residents tary men who had guns. The residents said that after the chopper had left the area, the army came to the location with guns in hand and were interrogating them.

That offended the residents, who said that the army did not need to come with guns if they needed to question persons.

Vice President Greenidge encouraged the GDF to start working on striking a balance to ensure that their operations and presence do not result in a disruption of the lives and daily operations of the

community. According to Greenidge, one of his primary objectives over the next few years, as he serves as the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, is to ensure that he fixes the Venezuela/Guyana controversy so that the village of Kaikan can be safe.

He spoke of the measures already taken by the present administration to again approach the United Nations, Caricom, Commonwealth, United States and other international bodies on the issue.

BUILDING CAPACITY In his remarks, Vice President Sydney Allicock told the gathering that it is the intention of the Government to develop the airport in the area, and to build capacity in the community in an effort to forge closer ties between the community, Government and the armed forces. He reminded them that the village leader is not the boss or the one who calls the shots, but rather it is them, the villagers, and they need to hold their council accountable.

Allicock, like Minister Greenidge, was clear in pointing out that the village is not alone, and should never feel that way since they have a caring Government. Minister Allicock commended the residents for also making representation for a visit by himself; the Foreign Affairs Minister; and, for the third time, the Chief of Staff.

Meanwhile, on the call for more police in the area, Allicock said that the issue would be raised at the appropriate level, even as he assured that there would always be opportunity for the police and army to work together in the area to ensure the safety of residents living there, and to encourage the residents to always be part of the discussions.

A suggestion was also

put forward by one villager for the establishment of a Community Policing Group to help patrol thecommunity and be on the lookout for intruders.

EMPTY PROMISES Additionally, residents spoke of several other issues which they said need to be addressed, and demanded that empty promises to the community -- like the ones they received under the last administration -- become a thing of the past. They spoke of a promise by a senior government official in the previous administration, who had assured them that the GDF would be withdrawn from the area. The residents were, however, informed by the Foreign Affairs Minister that there is no way a government minister or any other official can make such a decision without the matter being discussed at the level of the Cabinet and the Defence Board. That promise was given to the village after an incident wherein soldiers had allegedly broken into the home of a resident a few years ago. Some of the items were recovered by the army, and that rank has since been placed before the courts and been dismissed from the army.

Since that incident, the GDF has taken a decision to have ranks serving at the location rotated every three months, so that they do not become complacent and/ or get into conflict with the residents.

Among the other persons accompanying the team were: Adviser to Minister Allicock, Mervyn Williams; Sector Commander, Captain Cleon Coppin; Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Fitzroy Phillips; and Commander Lieutenant Roger Nurse.

Farmer remanded on intent to murder TWENTY-SEVEN-year old Michael Robertson yesterday made his way to the courtroom of City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with intent to commit murder.

It is alleged that Robertson on December 30, 2015 at Orinduik, Port Kaituma, caused grievous bodily harm to Joseph King, with intent to commit murder. He was

not required to plead to the charge.

According to Robertson’s lawyer Peter Hugh, his client earns an honest living as a farmer and resides within Orinduik village.

Hugh did not give specifics of the facts of the matter, but explained that the issue arose from a confrontation when his mother brought a man into his

home and that man tried to kick him out.

The prosecutor did not delve into the facts, but told the court that King was still in hospital receiving medical attention.

Magistrate Azore refused the farmer bail and remanded him until January 7 when he will make an appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Trump continues to tout Muslim ban

Saudi allies join action against Iran A NUMBER of Saudi Arabia’s allies have joined diplomatic action against Iran after the Saudi Embassy in Tehran was attacked amidst a row over the execution of a Shia Muslim cleric.

Bahrain and Sudan have both severed relations with Iran, and the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic team.

Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran on Sunday, and gave Iran’s diplomats two days to leave. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said trade links with Iran would be cut and air traffic links stopped; but in an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr al-Jubeir also said Iranian pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina would still be allowed to enter the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are respectively the key Sunni and Shia powers in the region, and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.

On Monday, a White House spokesman called on both countries to “show some restraint and to not further inflame tensions that are on quite vivid display in the region”.

Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy but has a majority Shia population, on Monday gave Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. It accused Iran of “increasing flagrant and dangerous meddling” in the internal affairs of Gulf and Arab states, and said the

DONALD Trump is taking to the television airwaves, and his first advert prominently features his controversial call for temporarily halting the entry of all Muslims into the US and erection of a border wall “paid for by Mexico”.

The 30-second spot is narrated by a stern-sounding male voice, and features grainy images of Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The advert also includes photos of the San Bernardino attackers, so-called Islamic State militants; a US warship firing cruise missiles; exploding buildings and undated footage of migrants apparently crossing the US-Mexican border. It concludes with Mr Trump offering his trademark call to “make America great again”, delivered before a cheering crowd.

Up until now, Mr Trump has maintained his position atop of presidential preference polls, thanks to his seemingly unique appeal to a blue-collar segment of the Republican electorate, buttressed by near-nonstop news media coverage of his non-traditional campaign and his often controversial comments.

Mr Trump, in a news release announcing the advert, said his campaign is currently $35 million (£24 million) “under budget”. He added that he wasn’t sure he needed to spend money on television commercials, but “I don’t want to take any chances”.

While Mr Trump spent about $300,000 on three radio adverts last fall, the release says, his new television campaign will cost about $2 million (£1.4 million) a week in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Monday saw the third day of protests in Iran against Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s execution attack on the Saudi Embassy was part of a “very dangerous pattern of sectarian policies that should be confronted…to preserve security and stability in the entire region”.

Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, has frequently accused Iran of fomenting unrest in the country since 2011 -- a charge Tehran denies.

After demonstrations over the weekend, further protests were held by the Shia Muslim community in Bahrain on Monday.

A Sudan Foreign Ministry statement read: “In response to the barbaric attacks on the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad…Sudan announces the immediate severing of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The United Arab Emirates is downgrading its diplomatic representation in Tehran, including a recall of its ambassador, but has said it will continue trade links.

There are fears sectarian strife may spread in the region following the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, after they were convicted of terror-related offences.

On Monday, two Sunni mosques in Iraq were bombed, and the Sunni imam of another killed.

Saudi Arabia announced late on Sunday that it was severing diplomatic relations with Iran after demonstrators stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. Protesters set the building on fire before being driven away by police.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday accused the Saudis of “continuing the policy of increasing tension and clashes in the region”.

Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said: “Saudi Arabia sees not only its interests, but also its existence in pursuing crises and confrontations, and attempts to resolve its internal problems by exporting them to the outside.”

He defended Iran’s response to the embassy attack, saying it had “acted in accordance with its obligations to control the broad wave of popular emotion”.

Fifty arrests were made.

(BBC)

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Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump According to a recent report in the New York Times, however, the Trump campaign has yet to reserve airtime in either state -- which casts some doubts about the actual size of the advertising purchase.

What’s clear, however, is that Trump’s video has once again made him a top story in the political media, generating yet another wave of free publicity.

His campaign gave the Washington Post a sneak preview on Sunday, leading to a 1,300-word article that featured Mr Trump talking about the details of the advert design, including his preference for using campaign rally footage instead of the more traditional candidate-talksto-the-camera style.

“I don’t like sitting down and shooting an ad, because I don’t think you capture the same energy you see at our events,” he said.

The content of the advert has some analysts scratching their heads, however.

According to the Atlantic’s David Graham, a new television campaign traditionally aims to appeal to voters not already in the candidate’s camp.

“If the point of these ads is to win over new voters, is a recap of months-old messages the most effective way to do it?” he asks.

Even if the advertis-

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ing purchase does total the $2 million a week that Mr Trump promises, that will - at best - only put him on roughly equal footing with competing candidates in terms of paid media over the coming weeks.

A group supporting Texas Senator Ted Cruz has announced a $4 million buy over the coming weeks, for instance, and a political action committee tied to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s campaign has reserved more than $19M in airtime between now and February.

Of course, the Bush team has already spent more than $41 million on television advertising, and yet his poll numbers continue to sag.

Ohio Governor John Kasich and his affiliated groups have spent $9 million, almost exclusively in New Hampshire, and after an early surge in there, he’s now mired in single digits - well behind front-running Trump.

According to NBC News, presidential candidates spent almost $120 million combined on television advertising in 2015, with Mr Trump accounting for only the smallest fraction of that.

Television advertising, at least this election, may be overrated. It seems, however, that Mr Trump has decided it’s a game he needs to play.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 5, 2016

Thousands of suspected Zika cases in Suriname

THE HEAD of the Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo Lab has confirmed several cases of the Zika virus exist in neighbouring Suriname, and he believes that thousands in the country may have been infected with the mosquito-borne viral illness.

According to a Caribbean News Now report, John Codrington bases his estimate on the hundreds of testing applications the lab has received. Some of those who have tested positive include pregnant women.

Based on what is happening in Brazil with the surge in microcephaly cases seen this year, the Bureau of Public Health Care is advising women to delay pregnancy as a precautionary measure in the short term.

Surinamese health officials have announced an action plan that focuses on fighting the mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, and on educating the community, Caribbean News Now has said. Puerto Rico yesterday confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne virus, which has been spreading across South America and the Caribbean, and has been linked by Brazilian authorities to a serious birth defect.

US Congressman Pedro Pierluisi said in a statement that his office had been in touch with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which had confirmed the single case of Zika on the island, Reuters reported "There is no reason for alarm, and the public should continue to take common sense steps to avoid mosquito bites, like using repellent and wearing long pants and shirts," Pierluisi said.

TRAVEL WARNING The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a travel warning following the first reported case of Zika virus in Puerto Rico.

The outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus began in Brazil last May, followed by outbreaks in several Central and South American countries, according to the CDC warning.

The CDC consequently advises tourists headed to Zika-detected areas in South America, Central America, the Caribbean or Mexico to protect themselves from mosquito bites, according to a TravelPulse report.

No vaccine or medicine exists to prevent Zika virus infec-

tion, the CDC says, and advises those seeing a doctor or nurse: if “you develop a fever with a rash, joint pain, or red eyes”.

The Zika virus was linked to microcephaly by Brazil’s Ministry of Health, per the CDC warning.

According to CNN, microcephaly is “a neurological disorder that can result in incomplete brain development in newborns”. The news network said babies with the disorder are “born with abnormally small heads that cause often serious developmental issues and sometimes early death”.

Brazil’s 2015 Zika breakout coincided with more than 2,400 suspected microcephaly cases in 20 states, versus just 147 cases in 2014, CNN has said. Doctors found that most mothers of affected infants had Zika-like symptoms early in the pregnancy, the news network added.

Since the first local case of Zika virus was detected in Brazil last May, health officials estimate that between 440,000 and 1.3 million people there have caught it, Caribbean360 reports.

RAPID SPREAD The disease was first identified in the Americas less than two years ago, and has spread rapidly across South and Central America.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika as well as dengue and chikungunya viruses Zika was first detected in humans about 40 years ago in Uganda. Brazilian authorities in November linked Zika to a surge in babies born with microcephaly, a birth defect that

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seriously limits a child's mental and physical abilities.

Between three and 12 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, three out of four people come down with symptoms, which include mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, headaches and joint pain.

In addition to Brazil, Suriname and Puerto Rico, other countries in the Americas report confirmed cases of Zika, including Chile, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela, Caribbean360 said.

Here in Guyana, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton has said the virus is a matter of concern. In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he expressed concern that the virus could Minister of Public result in the development of Health, micro-encephalitis.

Dr George Norton “It is important for pregnant mothers to protect themselves from mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus,” Minister Norton said.

In its quest to help pregnant women protect themselves from being bitten by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the Public Health Ministry has commenced distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets along Guyana’s Coastal Plain.

According to Dr Norton, the Public Health Ministry has recently taken a decision to distribute the insecticide-treated bed nets at health centres across Guyana. “So when pregnant women attend their regular clinics, they will be given the treated mosquito nets so they can use within their homes,” the Public Health Minister explained.

Additionally, the Public Health Ministry will spearhead fumigation, commonly known as fogging, in and around Georgetown. Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides — or fumigants — to suffocate or poison the pests within the area.

Nagamootoo extends olive branch to PPP Ran away after fatal stabbing PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo continues to call for unity talks with the political opposition, in an effort to achieve a more unified National Assembly.

As Leader of the House, the Prime Minister is spearheading the unity talks’ initiative. According to GINA, the administration believes Parliament should be less confrontational, less argumentative, and less expressive of animosities and hatred, hence this olive branch extension to the opposition.

During a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Prime Minister explained it is envisaged that both the Government and Opposition benches of Parliament will, in 2016, work in harmony for the greater good of Guyana and its peoples.

He has re-issued his call to the political opposition to “come on board; let us talk; let us make 2016 the year

when we put aside our squabbles, when we stop cussing each other; and this bickering must stop.

“I want to say that I will not spare any effort in pursuing this goal. Whether they cuss me up today, and they reject me today, I believe that it is unsustainable to do so forever,” the Prime Minister has said.

GINA said the Prime Minister, who is passionate about the issue, has advised that the wave of the future for Guyana is one of national unity and one where the nation embraces itself in oneness.

“For me, there is no such thing as an ‘opposition in a house’. We are all partners, and the old concept of our old majesty’s loyal opposition does not work anymore.

We are all nationalists, we are all driven by one agenda -- the love of our country, the love of our people, the love of our environment -- to see

that we have a productive and healthy environment, and one that we could all be proud of,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the olive branch which was extended to the PPP, a party with which he was associated for 50 years, is not an idle offer, and it should not be brushed aside. “…if you take that path that Guyana’s future can be realised by confrontation, then you are inviting others who have their eyes on our country to exploit our division; and it has always been said that division in the face of an enemy is always a poor strategy. It is not even a strategy, it is a blunder, a mistake of monumental proportions,” he stated.

The concept of being an opposition for the sake of opposing should not be applicable, as all members of Parliament are seen as patriots, fighting for Guyana and

APPEARING before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore yesterday was Leonard Fredrick of Heaven’s Hill, Matthews Ridge on a murder charge.

The 23-year-old man was not required to plead to the indictable offence, which alleged that on December 30, 2015 at Hell Hill, Mathews Ridge, he murdered Peter James.

According to the prosecution’s facts the stabbing stemmed from an altercation the men had over two months ago. On December 30, Fredrick saw James drinking in Hell Hill village, approached him with a knife and stabbed him several times about his body. The police says, he then ran away.

He was recently apprehended by the police and is said to have admitted to the offence under caution.

Fredrick was remanded to prison until January 7 and is slated to appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Stabbed with a broken bottle

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo putting forward the best image of the country, he stated.

The Prime Minister also called on Guyanese to recognise that, in harmony and unity, national development can be achieved at a faster rate; and he urged that all make a solemn undertaking to put their country’s image first.

CITY magistrate Faboyo Azore yesterday remanded a miner to prison after he was charged with wounding with the objective to commit murder.

Devon Smith of Cummings Lodge was not required to plea to the indictable, which read that on December 31, 2015 at Enteringbang Landing, he wounded Leon Richardson with intention to commit murder.

According to the facts presented to the court by Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, the virtual complainant and the defendant had a misunderstanding.

As a result they ended up in a scuffle and the court was told that during the altercation the suspect took a broken bottle and stabbed the victim in the neck.

The defendant was remanded until January 7 and the matter was transferred to Court One.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Fairness or political Who really killed the ‘Robb St Granny’? expediency?

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor:

EDITORIAL NATIONAL RENAISSANCE PRESIDENT David Granger, in his New Year’s Address, called on Guyanese to mark this year as one of National Renaissance.

Renaissance addresses the revival of European art and literature under the influence of classical models in the 14th–16th centuries; the culture and style of art and architecture developed during the Renaissance; a revival of/or renewed interest in something.

For Guyanese, given this is our 50th year of political independence, it is opportune throughout the year to engage in frank, honest, and open discussions on matters that would seek to revive or renew interest in our history to the extent of the events, instruments, institutions, structures and peoples that have shaped us as a nation; given us our unique identity; and required to maintain us as a cohesive group.

It is well known that, prior to 1966, this nation was a colony of Britain. Parts of what became British Guiana were owed by the Dutch and French at various times. Our ancestors were enslavers, enslaved, indentured, colonisers and colonised. It is also known that, though the so-called New World was discovered by Europeans, on their arrival here, they met inhabitants -- our Indigenous /Amerindian brothers and sisters, who already had their established way of life and system of governance.

The Europeans’ focus to establish colonies and trading posts in this part of the world resulted in some of the gravest injustices committed by man against man. The brutal systems of slavery, indenture-ship and colonisation, and the condemnation by the United Nations (2007) of the slave trade as one of the most gruesome enterprises in history, are experiences Guyanese can speak to.

The fight to topple these systems of injustices, along with the customs, values, and system of governance of respective groups, all played a part in shaping the nation’s mosaic and influencing its development.

This stated part of our history is known to the average Guyanese, though its intricacies are better known to those who have been exposed to same through formal learning or reading.

This notwithstanding, it is to the benefit of the entire nation that more people are exposed to this knowledge.

Also noteworthy is that there are few, if any, serious contestations of this aspect of our history.

What is little known, discussed, and acknowledged as equally important to this nation’s development are the roles of traditional non-political forces, such as the trades unions, religions, lodges, social clubs, and other non-governmental organisations. It is sometimes felt that these groups were either non-existent or irrelevant, even though they also played major roles in this nation’s evolution.

But where our history becomes murky, uncomfortable and divisive, depending on who is recounting the story and who is the recipient of the information, is the period immediately leading up to, and after formation of the mass-

Dr. Hinds commented, “President David Granger’s recent plea for patience and suggestion that they have not yet accumulated the evidence needed for prosecution makes some sense. But, politically it puts a damper on the expectations of Government supporters.”

The above is an excerpt from a news item published in Sunday’s edition of Kaieteur News newspaper. Dr. David Hinds is also reported in that news article to have said that the lack of prosecution of alleged wrongdoers under the previous government could negatively impact APNU/AFC’s success in upcoming local government elections.

Is Dr. Hinds suggesting that thorough investigations, fairness, honesty and due process must be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency? Is he suggesting that persons should be charged even without sufficient evidence so as to satisfy the expectations of supporters and to influence the results of local government elections?

Let me make it clear. I am of the view that persons against whom there is a preponderance of evidence of corruption should be charged and have their day in Court. David Granger, prior to becoming president, had said that a government led by him would not embark on a witch hunt and he is apparently keeping his promise. He obviously wants to avoid any criticisms about witch hunting by ensuring that when someone is charged there is enough evidence to win a conviction, rather than have cases thrown out for lack of evidence which would then serve as testimony to witch hunting.

APNU/AFC is not merely a coalition it is the Government of Guyana and must act with the sense of responsibility, fairness and commitment to due process that is required of a government. While pursuing investigations and commissions of enquiry the government should also set up a truth and reconciliation commission that would bring to light many of the wrong doings of the previous administration while at the same time providing amnesty and giving some of the wrong doers an opportunity to atone. Ours is a small society rife with factionalism and fractionalism based largely on race and political affiliation and with the flawed thinking of many of our politicians that “s/he who is not for me is against me.”

The APNU/AFC government has a great opportunity to work towards engendering social cohesion and racial harmony, if not unity. It must not squander this opportunity.

Regards, Wesley Kirton based political parties. This period covers the periods of the 1940s, the 1950s and thereafter. The events of these periods -- including our systems of government, types of governance delivered, and elections -- have tremendously shaped our lives, world view, and treatment of each other. It is not unfair to say that such has not been entirely informed and guided by objectivity and honesty. To the extent where such has been, what in this year is required as a matter of national importance is that time be set aside for these conversations to be had in an atmosphere of integrity.

From a standpoint purely influenced by the ego, the temptation may be strong to engage in triumphalism and one-upmanship to promote one’s agenda to the extent that it is deemed important to downplay, disregard, and be dishonest about the roles and contributions of others. From a Guyanese standpoint, it is important that, as there is revision or review of our history, such should aim to be objective and honest.

This newspaper is going to play a role in this regard.

Conscious of the ego and Guyanese factors in the society, efforts will be made to, as far as is practicable, uphold standards of integrity. This is not to say the papers may not falter at times, and it is hoped that when that happens, such is drawn to our attention. In the call to make this year one of national renaissance, every Guyanese should play a role in making it a worthwhile exercise.

It has been four years since Clementine Fiedtkou-Paris was murdered in her home. Due to the circumstances of her death, she is now known to many only as “Robb St. Granny”, but she was more than that. She was our sis.

Clemie, a simple, but genuine, good woman. We adored her!

Despite the recent convictions for her murder, one question remains. Who really killed the Robb St. Granny? From the news report, we know that her murder was paid for. The caution statement of one of her killers revealed a conspiracy to murder the Robb St. Granny. Four young men were allegedly paid to kill a harmless old lady over a land dispute with a local auto dealership involving her home. It is unfortunate that these young men chose to waste their potential so senselessly.

Still, their criminal convictions comfort me. We do pay more for our ignorance than we do for education. I pray they make peace with God. These young men may have carried out the physical act of killing her, but the true mastermind, the real killer of the Robb St. Granny, escaped justice. I find it scornful that the instigator of this crime, the man who paid these young men to murder an old lady for him, walks free while they languish in jail. I remember my own grandmother’s caution, “The instigator is worse than the thief.” This instigator is the real killer of the Robb St. Granny. He is a dangerous man and he must face justice. He has capacity, and until justice finds him, opportunity to murder again, if motivated. Like the four young men who are his accomplices, the true killer of the Robb Street Granny should be locked away in prison.

The police must diligently pursue this criminal mastermind. Until he is convicted, Clemintine Fiedtkou-Paris, the Robb St. Granny, will have been denied true justice.

R. Bakker.

Equal news coverage to all LGE candidates Dear Editor, I note with much trepidation the constant and widespread coverage given to my Brother Mark Benschop in his run up to the Local General Elections. It appears that whenever Mark speaks, the media is pleased and obliged to listen. Since my return to Guyana I have observed that Mark has been very vocal on matters both of the country and more recently, Georgetown.

I applaud Mark and wish him well in his desires. However, Mark is not the only candidate who will be competing in the LGE. I have gotten my family’s blessing and I too will be attempting to get involved in helping to move my country forward. I think that I possess the nationalistic and patriotic wherewithal to ask the constituents of the 8th constituency: Stabroek - Wortmanville -Werk-en-Rust division, for their support. There is much unemployment, drugs abuse, vagrancy, crime and other social and infrastructural ills in my community. I would like the opportunity to aid in the reduction and alleviation of these chronic and endemic realities. In this regard, I have begun the process of qualifying as a candidate for the LGE, under the banner of the Practical National Movement (PNM).

What I would hope, Mr. Editor, is that equal coverage be given to all the candidates seeking election. The new electoral format allows for all and sundry to participate.

Many of the big-guns and some of the political parties are planning to enter the race. If the privately owned media do not allow for fair and balanced reporting, those with deep pockets and national recognition will consume the average candidate. This LGE will be a test of the fairness and balance of the media houses’ reporting. Now that the average citizen could contest this election, the voters will have a rare chance of deciding who they want to lead the developments within their communities. If the media does the right thing, Guyana might well be on its way to grassroots, democratic, apolitical, governance.

Pastor W. P. Jeffrey Practical National Movement

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

MISINFORMATION -undermining push for social cohesion

By Svetlana Marshall

EFFORTS to forge ahead in building a strong cohesive Guyanese society have not been easy to accomplish, and Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally is accusing the PPP, now in opposition, of spreading too much divisive information.

With the primary objective of bridging the gaps created by social, economic and ethnic divides, the Department of Social Cohesion, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, has been consulting with the citizenry since September.

On many occasions, it has had to clear up many misconceptions being peddled by the PPP. At the community level, and even in sections of the press, the PPP has been accusing the APNU+AFC Government of promoting racism. The party has also alleged that the Government has been discriminating against persons based on their ethnicity and political affiliation.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Minister Ally said this allegation is far from true. She explained that, on assuming office, the Government had no other choice than to relieve some persons of their

duties because they were deep rooted in corruption and aided in malpractice.

“There are many people who were involved in corruption and malpractices…we can’t afford to accommodate that, we have got to weed out the malpractices and the corruption, because that is going to take away too much from the development of our people,” she explained.

NOT ABOUT RACE The Social Cohesion Minister explained that the issue has never been about race, religion or sex, but solely about corruption.

“If you are a corrupt person, then we can’t keep you.

If your name is on a payroll and we don’t know you, we can’t keep you; and we would have had a lot of that, but we are not witch-hunting for one moment,” she maintained.

Minister Ally said that despite the information being peddled by the Opposition, the people know the truth and are in support of social cohesion.

“Notwithstanding what the Opposition is saying, the people out there want social cohesion because the people out there want a better life; and so, whatever programme we have, they are advancing it.”

Minister Ally said it is time for the Opposition to put the development of the country first, and she has extended a hand of friendship to them in this regard.

“We must put aside our political differences for the advancement of the people of this country. And so I am stretching out a welcoming hand for them to come on board and let us work together.”

Real development, she said, will come only if Guyana stands united.

GOOD LIFE Speaking at the first ever ‘Supenaam/Good Hope Unity Fest’, a Region Two event held over the weekend, the minister said Guyana is a land for all the people, and all must enjoy a good life.

“In our country, we have a lot of differences: we have ethnic differences, we have a lot of inequalities, poverty, some people enjoying a better life than others; and so this Ministry was established to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor, to reduce inequalities, to reduce poverty, to give you a better life. You must be able to enjoy what people in Georgetown are enjoying, and this Ministry if going to work with you to bridge those gaps…. Regardless of

Relatives, medical staff who treated H1N1 patient being monitored - CMO DAYS after the first reported case of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine Flu, has been detected in Guyana, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, has pointed out that the Public Health Ministry is currently monitoring some of the patient’s close relatives and health care workers who had attended to him at a private hospital.

The male patient had travelled from China through the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in returning home to Guyana. However, he had displayed no symptoms of the virus on the course of his journey, including on the flight. This means

that he had not been a health risk to others travelling on the same flight or in his immediate environment.

Dr. Persaud has confirmed this hypothesis. “It would mean that the patient would have been unable to transmit the virus, since it is transmitted through a symptomatic person,” he said.

The virus can be transmitted only if an infected person coughs or sneezes, thus releasing the virus-infected particles into the air, Dr Persaud has said.

The patient’s test result returned positive from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago. He is currently undergoing treatment

abroad.

The Public Health Ministry has since tightened its surveillance security system at the main ports of entry in the country, primarily at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Ogle International Airport.

Symptoms of the H1N1 virus include coughing, fever, sore throat, body aches and headaches. Trinidad and Tobago recently reported four H1N1-related deaths. The Public Health Ministry is advising citizens to abstain from travelling to countries where the H1N1 virus is present, unless it’s very necessary.

Government and Opposition benches, will work in harmony for the greater good of Guyana and its peoples in 2016.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally your race, your religion, your gender, learn to live together, to work together, so that you can build yourselves and your communities,” Minister Ally admonished.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has called on the PPP to come to the table of unity talks. He is contending that it is vital for a more unified National Assembly.

The Prime Minister is spearheading the unity talks.

The Opposition has thus far not responded to his call.

The administration has said that Parliament should be one where there is less confrontation, less arguments, and less expressions of animosity and hatred.

The Prime Minister explained it is envisaged that the Parliament, on both the

COME ON BOARD He has re-issued his call to the political Opposition: “Come on board! Let us talk!

Let us make 2016 the year when we put aside our squabbles, when we stop cussing each other; and this bickering must stop. I want to say that I will not spare any effort in pursing this goal, whether they cuss me up today, and they reject me today, I believe that it is unsustainable to do so forever.”

He added: “For me, there is no such thing as an ‘opposition in a house’. We are all partners, and the old concept of our old majesty’s loyal opposition does not work anymore. We are all nationalists, we are all driven by one agenda -- the love of our country, the love of our people, the love of our environment -- to see that we have a productive and healthy environment, and (one) that we could all be proud (of),” the Prime Minister said.

In September 2015, President David Granger had pledged to dismantle the

artificial walls of mistrust and division which have been erected to create separateness among Guyanese.

It was during the opening of the historic social cohesion round-table discussions at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre that President Granger had made a stirring appeal for unity among Guyanese while outlining a 5-point plan to build a strong and cohesive society.

He had said that it was time Guyanese take strident steps to stop social erosion and ensure effective participation and representation in all strata of society.

The goal, President Granger said, is to end exclusion and marginalization, build trust among the various groups, and instill a sense of belonging in all.

Since establishment of the Social Cohesion Department, the Government has been placing attention on reducing extreme poverty; eliminating gender and geographic inequalities; fostering greater participation of political parties in national development; creating opportunities for fair employment and safety in the hinterland; and ensuring equal access to education.

Roraima gets ready for jubilee celebrations

AS Guyana steps into 2016 and the Golden Jubilee celebrations to mark 50 years of independence loom come May 26, the Roraima Group is set to fly home thousands of people from abroad, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Head of the Roraima Group, has disclosed, in collaboration with two international airlines, Dynamic and InselAir, the 50th anniversary will be an amazing year for Guyana.

“Thus everything should be ramped up, hence they are ready to fly thousands of people home out of New York, the Caribbean, Europe and hopefully Toronto.

Additionally, our two hotels - Duke Lodge and Residence Inn and Resort, Arrowpoint Nature Resort are prepared for the celebration.”

Given that this year is expected to see a massive influx of visitors, particularly from the Diaspora, boosting the country’s tourism industry,

Captain Gouveia said that all the resources should be used to catapult Guyana to another level.

“The government should look beyond 2016 and how to sustain it on the way forward.

Given that this launching pad being created should catapult our strategy to put Guyana on the right foot,” said Roraima’s head.

WEDDING EXPO Meanwhile, the much anticipated Wedding Expo 2016 will also be extravagant during the period of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations.

“There are two significant components of the expo; one is that it creates the opportunity for small businesses to showcase themselves, given that it has been ongoing for eight years, as well as sensitising Guyanese and other tourists with what it would be like to get married in Guyana,” said Captain Gouveia.

One feature -The race to

the altar- creates an opportunity for a young couple to get married, as couples would apply and go through a selection process which is classed as a mind changing experience, until finally one couple wins the opportunity to be married and enjoy a $3M wedding, paid for by the Roraima Group.

This year, the Roraima Group is hoping to get more exhibitors and more people to discover it given that they attract close to 5,000 - 6,000 persons a year.

He explained that wedding tourism is an important component in the whole scheme of things, because there is no reason why Guyana cannot be part of that, noting that, “if you attract people that want to get married, the sensation of having a wedding is fantastic, we have to let the world know and create the necessary environment to let that happen”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 5, 2016

One love actually IT SEEMS that the ironic Nigel Dharamlall -- known for spewing words of hate against the government under the slogan onelove, has actually set forth to extend a helping hand to Moshin Khan, the man who lost his mother in the fiery trap set by alleged bandits days ago.

Nigel had the gall to visit Khan and make a public call to persons willing to make donations to the victim to help rebuild his life. Here’s hoping that Dharamlall will help police find the true masterminds of that dastardly crime.

Confusion It seems as though the restructuring of the ministries has caused a bit of confusion for some, namely Captain Gerry Gouveia, who was particularly perturbed by NCN's list of adjustments, which stated that the Ministry of Tourism has been dissolved. Capt. Gouveia only recently reported: "Inadequate marketing is hampering tourism development," so imagine how panicked he must have been to have seen those words. But good ol' Gordon Moseley came to the rescue -- the ever informed and vocal man that he is -- correcting NCN's list with the official list from the MOTP, which had no such statement, but stated only that Minister Cathy Hughes would serve duties for both the Tourism and Public Telecommunications Ministries.

And though this only made the public more confused by the reshuffling, I'd say that Moseley's source is a bit more credible than the Captain's; so, hopefully, the latter can continue in his tourism-based advocacy.

Meanwhile, dare I say there is immediate need for better public communication indeed.

Etiquette lessons And the GPF/Rohee saga continues. PPP General Secretary, in response to Commissioner Seelall Persaud's criticisms of him regarding his past leadership of the Police Force, says that Persaud's comments were "unbecoming" and "political".

Persaud had said that Rohee's comments to postpone police promotions were his attempts to demoralise the Force and take it back to the place it was when he (Rohee) was Minister. Now, Rohee may have a point about the political part, but unbecoming? He's one to talk; this is coming from a man who, while still a Minister of Government, had publicly paraded lewd hand gestures while exercising his right to vote‌. Interesting!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 5, 2016

Police slam PSC for false statement

T H E G U YA N A P o lice Force (GPF) has slammed what it referred to as a misleading statement by the Police Service Commission (PSC) regarding the suitability of some officers recommended for promotion.

The GPF and the PSC became embroiled in disagreements just under a week ago, after the latter refused to approve the police promotions list in time for the New Year.

The constitutional body had initially said that it received the list late, but this was quickly debunked by the police and, as such, the PSC subsequently raised a number of other issues, among them being that a rank recommended for promotion is on retirement leave, and that a few other officers were interdicted from official duty.

However, the GPF, in a statement, said that a perusal of the list of recommendations for promotion submitted to the PSC was conducted on Monday, and it was found that all officers, inspectors and sergeants recommended are performing duties currently.

This means, the GPF says, “that the Chairman of the Police Service Commission misled the public when he made the statements that a rank recommended is on retirement leave and that a few ranks recommended were interdicted from official duty.”

“The Guyana Police Force also wishes to state that the Police Seniority List is just a list of all the ranks in an order that shows who is senior to whom. Should promotions be based on seniority alone, then there would be no need for recommendations, since all that would be required is to promote the most senior rank to fill the vacancy.”

The GPF also reiterated that the Police Act, Chapter 16:01, makes no mention of police appropriate qualifying examinations.

Last week, opposition spokesman Clement Rohee urged that the promotion of police ranks be put on hold due to a number of pending disciplinary matters, and the PSC did complied with his request. Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, in an immediate

reaction, said the delay would impact negatively on the Guyana Police Force and its ranks.

Rohee had charged that, among other ranks, Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine had disciplinary matters pending -– a charge the GPF has dismissed, saying they do not know what the former Home Affairs Minister is talking about.

Rohee has had a longstanding battle with Ramnarine, and observers believe that this might have influenced his call.

Commissioner Seelall Persaud told a news conference at his office last Wednesday that a letter confirming the decision by the PSC to put on hold the promotions reached his desk late on Tuesday afternoon. He said the reason behind the move is unknown to the Guyana Police Force.

The letter, according to the Top Cop, indicated that the promotion list would be announced on or before February 23, 2016.

The CoP said the Police

Service Commission started interviewing persons since in October 2015, and all sergeants and officers have been interviewed.

He said he does not know

way also, as they would have preferred to know whether they had been promoted, rather than not knowing at all.

The Police Service Commission is responsi-

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Omesh Satyanand

why the PSC has delayed the promotions, but he was quick to point out that there are former senior officers of the Force who now serve on the PSC, and they should know very well how such a delay would impact on the morale of the Force.

The Police Commissioner expressed grave disappointment at the delay in publishing the promotions.

He said he was confident that his ranks felt the same

ble for promoting senior police officers from the rank of Sergeant to that of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Rohee, in his call for the PSC to place the promotion of senior police officers on hold, had stated that this was necessary as the commission was investigating several disciplinary matters, including one with Ramnarine.

Rohee had also spoken

about former magistrate Cecil Sullivan heading some dubious investigating team. Asked if the Force was aware of Sullivan’s role, Persaud reminded that responsibility for investigating police officers falls under the purview of the Police Complaints Authority.

“The only unit which investigates members of the Force is the Police Complaints Authority; I don’t know of any other. Former Magistrate Sullivan was appointed

by I don’t know who.

What he was doing is that the Police Service Commission is responsible for appointing and disciplining officers, from Inspectors to Assistant Commissioners. Now, the law says that they can have the commissioners do that, or they can ask the Police Force to do so.

Mr. Sullivan does not fit anyway in there,” the top cop stated.

Persaud said it very unfortunate and very disappointing that all these issues are surfacing at a time when the promotions of the ranks are close.

has made to the villages and communities of the region, he hopes to return before the end of 2016.

Minister Bulkan delivered similar greetings and sentiments while in the other Region 8 communities. In his remarks to all the communities he visited, the minister stressed that each village is part of Guyana, and residents of all communities will be treated with respect by the Granger administration.

He said that each citizen is entitled to the attention and service they receive from the Government, and promised that this would be delivered.

As he travelled from village to village, the minister noted that Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) have the princi-

pal role of identifying the needs of their respective regions.

He promised Central Government’s full support to RDCs, as they are allowed to carry out their constitutional mandates.

In a new development, Minister Bulkan revealed that village leaders are now being invited to attend meetings of the RDCs, unlike what obtained in the past.

Shabakie Fernandes, the local representative of Caring For Others Inc (CFOI), was invited

by Minister Bulkan to accompany him. Her Atlanta-based charitable organization has donated several items of clothing, to be distributed during the trip as part of a collaborative effort between the Government and CFOI.

Bulkan in hinterland outreach

WHILE many were celebrating in Georgetown, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, accompanied by Regional Executive Officer Rafel Downes, was in Region 8, where he celebrated the arrival of New Year’s with residents there.

The minister intends to listen carefully to the concerns of Region 8 residents. He is scheduled to spend one week in Region 8, during which he will visit several communities, including Chiming Mouth, Kurukabaru, Itabac, Kanapang, Lamana, Kato Waipa, Sand Hill, Kaibarupai, Kopinang and Chenopai.

Minister Bulkan departed Georgetown on the morning of January 1, 2016 and arrived in the region within the hour.

A release has said his

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan speaking to residents of Monkey Mountain first day visit was to the communities of Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi. In his remarks to Monkey Mountain residents, shortly after his arrival in the region, Minister Bulkan expressed

his pleasure to be among the villagers during their New Year’s celebrations.

He wished the residents a happy New Year, and said, on behalf of the administration, that government cares about all the peo-

ple of Guyana, including those who reside in the hinterland regions.

Region 8, the minister said, is as important as any other region. And on that note, he said that although his visit is not the first he

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

9000 vehicles transited DHB daily in 2015

SOME 9,000 vehicles transited the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) daily in 2015, a 4.8 per cent increase from the previous year; but overall income earned by the bridge in 2015 declined.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) has reported that, while $481M were garnered in revenue from ve-

hicular traffic -- an increase of 4.2 per cent over 2014 -overall income dipped from $533M in 2014 to $519M in 2015.

According to DHB General Manager Rawlston Adams, “Overall revenues went down because of contractual works that we do with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure”.

The major works completed during the year included fabrication of 70 buoys and installation of three transoms and a new generator. Additionally, there was the installation of a data transmission link to wirelessly link the bridge and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force at its

Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

This project enables the CID to access the cameras at the bridge to aid in investigations.

The DHB has the fol-

Tuesday, January 5 Wednesday, January 6 Thursday, January 7

lowing works listed among its plans for 2016: servicing pontoons; changing sheaves and shackles; and connecting posts, fabricating buoy wire ropes, and rehabilitating the hydraulic system.

- 14:00 hrs - 14:40 hrs - 14:30 hrs

By late February, the DHB will be replacing two large pontoons at the retractor span.

Twenty-three international and local companies have submitted expressions

of interest for the study and design of a new Harbour Bridge. Their submissions are being reviewed by the National Procurement and Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Board.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Chief Works Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn, has said that Ministry has already evaluated the tenders and handed over the list to National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) for processing and short-listing.

Last month, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure received fresh expressions of interest for a new bridge across the Demerara River (See table of bidders below). Floating at 1.25 miles, the bridge is a strategic link between the eastern and western banks of the Demerara river. When opened in July 1978, the structure was expected to last for only 10 years; but 37 years later, it is still there.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 5, 2016

Shocked, but ready to serve

11

- Valerie Sharpe-Patterson speaks about her ministerial appointment

By Vanessa Braithwaite IT CAME as a surprise to her, but Member of Parliament (MP) for Region 10, Ms Valarie Patterson, says she is ready to serve as Minister within the Ministry of Communities, having responsibility for the housing sector.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Patterson said she believes her appointment is a reward from God for her selfless service to the people of Guyana and Region 10.

“I take pride in serving the people, and I never look for reward; and I am highly motivated to give my service to people without looking for anything in return.”

Being an Apostle, she said, the scripture, “If you do things with a good heart and with a positive mindset, the rewards will come” has been fulfilled in her being appointed MP and, more recently, Government Minister.

Patterson revealed that President Granger told her, upon notifying her of the position, that he was confident she would be able to bring solutions to the current issues facing the housing sector within the Ministry.

Being cognisant of these issues, the Member of Parliament said, she is committed to bringing a semblance of order and progress to the Ministry, since she is a go-getter and does not stop until she is satisfied with the results.

“I am aware that there are many persons who have applied and paid for their house lots for a number of years, and (they) are still waiting for a response; and as a political leader, I cannot understand how the system is so sluggish in issuing house lots to persons,” she said.

Patterson believes that, having an inside influence now, she will be able to effectively serve the people in this capacity by having the process

Soon to be appointed: Minister Valerie Sharpe-Patterson expedited. She is of the opinion that housing is an important aspect of development, and the Government must get it right in order to move the country forward.

ADVOCATING CHANGE Patterson mentioned the policy of marriage being a requirement to be issued a house lot. She disagrees with this policy, and says she would be advocating change as she believes everyone, despite their relationship status,

should be issued a house lot, provided they meet the basic requirements.

“I am not sure, but if this is a national policy, I will be advocating change; because, if a young, unmarried person is ambitious and can afford to build a home, they should not have to satisfy any requirement of being married,” Patterson posited.

With the availability of abundant land and willing young applicants, she would like to establish housing schemes around the country, she said.

The newly-appointed minister will be taking up the position to serve the people of Guyana and not the people of Linden, as is believed by many Lindeners. Even though her heart is in Linden – and according to her, Linden will still be her base – Patterson is resolved that her focus would not be solely on Linden, but on all Guyana.

“People are already

Lindener charged with murder A 26-YEAR-old boat captain, who reportedly confessed to fatally shooting a Brazilian miner, was yesterday remanded to prison on a murder charge by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

O’Neil Griffith of Linden was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that he killed Raiz Alphas’ DeSantos on December 30 at Puruni.

According to police reports, on the day in question,

the miner was working at a mining camp when the suspect held him and another Brazilian at gunpoint. It was reported that a scuffle ensued during which DeSantos was shot to the neck.

After the incident, Griffith allegedly escaped with a quantity of raw gold, a boat and an engine. However, he was held at Itabali, where the stolen vessel and some of the gold were recovered.

It was reported that the

accused disposed of the firearm and was positively identified by one of the victims.

Police Corporal, Simone Payne stated that on the date in question, Griffith robbed several Brazilians at a mining camp. She said that he took out a gun and shot DeSantos.

According to Payne, the accused admitted to killing the Brazilian.

Griffith will make his next court appearance on January 7 before Chief

Magistrate Ann McLennan.

calling me to complain about their land issues, and though I will be considering these challenges, I cannot divert all of my attention to Linden, as it would not be fair to my fellow Guyanese who are facing similar challenges,” she said.

STILL FOR LINDEN She also wants to notify the people of Linden that she would still be acting in the ca-

pacity of regional MP, and is fully capable of handling both roles.

“I have a vision for Linden and Region 10, and I will be working to materialise this vision,” she said. The newly-appointed Minister of Communities will no longer hold the position of CEO for the Linden Enterprise Network, and will be sworn in as Minister on Wednesday, December 6, 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

‘No more suffering for Lima farmers’ - says PM at commissioning of new Lima drainage pump

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has said that farmers will suffer no more from excessive flooding.

He made this prediction when he commissioned the Lima Drainage Pump Station on the Essequibo Coast yesterday.

More than 400 farmers will benefit directly from the effect of drainage pumps directly and indirectly draining water from over 11,000 acres of land.

“Efficient use and management of the pumps is important, so that residents would not suffer from excessive (accumulation of) water,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said at the commissioning ceremony.

He noted that the importance of the project can be seen in that some 20 percent of the country’s economy is dependent on agriculture; and agriculture, particularly rice farming, “is considered the backbone of Essequibo.”

The overall cost for the pump station is Gy$289M, and the project was executed by Samaroo Investments. This is the last of

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, and other regional officials were at the commissioning of the pump station

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder inspects a piece of equipment in the pump station

Vending suspended on Merriman Mall

A section of the large gathering at the commissioning ceremony

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder inspect the newly installed drainage pump at Lima

eight pumps to have been commissioned under the Line of Credit from the Indian Government.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo observed that over “sixty percent of rice lands in the region have been cultivated already.” He took the opportunity to again implore rice millers to pay farmers in a timely manner. And speaking directly to the rice farmers present, he urged them to “name and shame” the rice millers who are not fulfilling their obligations “to pay you in a timely manner”.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo also recently commissioned two drainage pumps in Berbice, one at Gangaram and the other at Joppa, Number 43 Village, Corentyne.

THE Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) have placed a temporary suspension of operations at the Merriman Mall between Orange Walk and Cummings Street, Bourda, from yesterday.

The council said it observed that the area is very untidy, and said it is inconsistent with the vision to make Georgetown clean and green.

“The council has given the vendors who operate in the area a one-week ultimatum to put themselves in order before they can operate in the area,” a release from the M&CC has said.

The wholesale vendors who operate in this vicinity had been invited to a meeting with the Clerk of Markets, the Mayor and the Town Clerk. It was agreed that the area would be transformed so that it can be clean and attractive. The vendors agreed that all stalls would be of one colour and size for uniformity. Also, at the meeting, the vendors had asked that adequate lighting, toilet facilities and security be provided.

Town Clerk Royston King said the vendors must comply with decisions of council. The municipality is in the process of rehabilitating all of it facilities; therefore, some persons may suffer temporary inconvenience, but the end result would be beneficial to all.

The M&CC has suspended vending on Merriman Mall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Lethem contractors at odds with NDC - fuming over hike in sand mining fees

By Alva Solomon SEVERAL Lethem contractors are peeved at a recent decision by the local authorities there to double the fees for the mining of sand and gravel in Region Nine.

Announced and implemented in mid-December, the move has seen contractors paying almost twice the amount they would have been paying to the Ireng/ Sawariwaru Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

The NDC is headed by an Interim Management Committee (IMC).

In addition to their objections to the process, the contractors are also upset that a construction firm was appointed to load sand and gravel at the mining grounds, and collect a fee of $3000 for this task. In the past, the contractors loaded sand using their own equipment, and paid a $1000 fee to the village offices; but that fee was increased to $2500 over time.

Efforts to contact IMC Chairman Carlton Beckles yesterday proved futile, as his phone was turned off.

However, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock told the Guyana Chronicle that he was aware of the issue.

He said the contractors have written to the authorities, objecting to the move. He posited that the move by the municipal authorities may

be aimed at improving the monitoring process.

White sand at Lethem is currently being sourced from the Takutu River bed, since dry weather conditions have been ongoing in the region for months. Sand is also sourced from the mining grounds near Tabatinga, while gravel is mined some one mile from the centre of town.

The NDC has complete authority over mining activities at these locations.

There have been reports that persons were removing sand and gravel from the mining grounds without making relevant payments. However, the contractors have disputed this, and one contractor, Oswald Rebeiro, told this newspaper from Region Nine yesterday that the move puts him and his colleagues at a disadvantage. He said the move reneges on a process which existed in the past, wherein one company controlled the sector.

Rebeiro said he has been in the business for several years, and it was only after he and a few others had become engaged in the business that the prices for sand and gravel at Lethem were decreased by more than 50%.

Rebeiro and his colleagues have been using their own machines, including the Bobcat skid steer loaders, to load sand and gravel onto their trucks at the mines. He

said that, prior to December, he paid $2500 in fees to the NDC offices for each load.

He charges each customer $20,000 per load of sand and gravel.

According to the contractors, on December 11th last, a meeting was called by the IMC to discuss the new fees with the contractors. “It was not really a discussion, because they (had) already made this decision, and we just got called to hear what the changes would be,” one contractor said.

In addition, the new arrangement does not permit him to utilize his own skid steer or loading equipment.

Instead, a construction company at Lethem has been installed to load sand and gravel at the mining sites.

“They said that in addition to all this, you cannot charge the customer more than the prices in place, and you cannot work on Saturdays, according to this new law,” Rebeiro added.

Another trucker, who chose to remain anonymous, said the contractors and residents are concerned about the construction company’s involvement in this new arrangement. The company was, under the past administration, reportedly contracted to build two bridges in the South Rupununi, but failed to start any of those projects, even with monies being advanced for same.

Contractors at Lethem have been sourcing white sand from the Takutu River bed, seen here. The current dry weather has resulted in the water level of the river dropping significantly in some parts of the river Rebeiro said that, years ago, in the early stages of sand and gravel mining in the area, the company in question was the only of its kind working in the mines. “Years ago, only he (the company) had monopoly for sand. They use to charge people $45,000 per load of sand, and also same price for gravel,” Rebeiro noted.

He said that, as more contractors became engaged in the business, the competition resulted in the prices dropping significantly, to less than half the price charged by the company.

He said the contractors have written letters to the IMC as well as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), objecting to the process which was recently implemented, and expressing hope that the situation would soon be resolved. They noted that some persons have been

paying loans to banks and other business institutions for equipment, and the recent move has already affected discharge of those responsibilities.

Lethem, home to some 5,000 residents, has been positioned for major transformation, Government having upped the ante to award the community township status. Since completion of the Takutu Bridge linking the community to neighbouring Brazil several years ago, the community has been on the cusp of development. The commercial zone at Lethem has been a hive of activity, with the Brazilians pledging support for development of the area.

While in Opposition, President David Granger had pledged to transform the community into a fullfledged town under his administration. He said that Lethem already has the facilities to make this a reality, including electricity and water supply, commercial banks, hotels, a hospital, churches, schools and supermarkets, among other entities.

The Regional Chairman told this newspaper in October that several key areas of infrastructural development have been identified and pursued. This includes improvement of water supply, construction of a fire station, as well as improving electricity supply to the grid there using alternative sources, such as the Moco Moco hydro project.

Sgt. Pyle was doing lawful duty - Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

PUBLIC Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has debunked claims by General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, that the security forces were being used for political work.

He is insisting that investigations into alleged wrongdoing by Privatisation Unit/ National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) head, Winston Brassington, will continue.

Following recent reports of surveillance being carried

out on Brassington’s residence, the PPP is questioning the act, which involved the use of a now dead Guyana Defence Force (GDF) sergeant.

Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife Stacy Pyle, and a third person were killed in a headon collision last week on Carifesta Avenue. There have been reports ever since that Pyle was on a covert operation which involved staking out Brassington’s home.

Police have launched a criminal investigation into

the operations of NICIL following recommendations by a commissioned audit. At his weekly news conference yesterday, Rohee called on the Government to issue a public statement on the reported surveillance of Brassington’s residence. Rohee wanted to know who authorised the use of the GDF rank to conduct surveillance of a civilian.

“In keeping with the subsequent media reports, the PPP now wants the Government to say who gave the political directive to the Special Organised Crime

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan

PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee

Unit (SOCU) to carry out such an operation, and make use of the GDF sergeant to conduct the alleged surveillance,” said the PPP General Secretary, while highlighting that Pyle was attached to the Military Police of the GDF

and worked under the SOCU. In an immediate response, Minister Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle: “Pyle was part and parcel of the investigation, and was doing his legitimate function…” He said that units

such as the SOCU, of which Pyle was a part, will go after those whom they suspect of wrongdoing.”

The PPP believes the Government might be using members of the security services for political proposes, but Minister Ramjattan asserts that senior officers who might have given Pyle that assignment are not to be blamed, neither can (the operation) be classed as political.

“Nevertheless, we will proceed and prosecute, because we are doing our jobs by ensuring that persons who have breached the law, whether Government official or any other citizen, are penalised,” said Minister Ramjattan.

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Yesterday’s Results

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Gayle causes controversy, as Finch leads Renegades to victory over Hurricanes SKIPPER Aaron Finch led a resurgent Melbourne Renegades to a five-wicket Big Bash League win over the Hobart Hurricanes, while team-mate Chris Gayle caused controversy with his comments to a female interviewer in Hobart.

Opener Finch crafted a classy 60 at Bellerive Oval yesterday as the Renegades reached 5 for 141 in just 14 overs in reply to the hosts' 5 for 140.

The knock included 11 boundaries, but it was fellow opener Gayle who sparked excitement on and off the field.

The former West Indies Test captain raced to 41 from 15 deliveries with four boundaries and three sixes, thrilling the crowd of 16 412.

But not so well received was his sideline interview with Ten Network presenter Mel McLaughlin.

Chris Gayle gives a boundary line interview to Mel McLaughlin in Hobart , yesterday.

"Hopefully we can win this game and you and I can have a drink after," Gayle told the reporter who was left lost for words.

It prompted an on-air apology from the network a short time later, and reassurance there would not be such comments made in the

future.

Big Bash League boss Anthony Everard said Gayle's comments were "disrespectful and simply inappropriate".

"We'll certainly be talking to him (Gayle) and the Renegades about it," Everard said.

"There's just no place in the BBL, or for that matter cricket anywhere, for that sort of behaviour."

The Hurricanes' woes started when they lost the toss and were sent in to bat first. It did not improve markedly after that.

Skipper Tim Paine (2) was the first to fall, bowled

by Xavier Doherty (2 for 19).

Replacement batsman Kumar Sangakkara (3) faced only eight balls and then the usually reliable George Bailey (0) failed to contribute, caught when trying to loft a shot over mid-off.

It was big-hitting Dan Christian (58) who rescued his side from what would likely have been a disastrous total.

The result keeps Renegades final’s hopes alive, coming after three successive losses which had them struggling towards the bottom of the ladder. (AAP)

Watson left out of Australia squad for India series SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Shane Watson's international future looked bleak yesterday after the all-rounder was left out of Australia's 13-man squad for this month's one-day series against India.

The 34-year-old, veteran of 190 ODIs and part of the side that won the World Cup last year, retired from Test cricket last September but had hoped to continue playing for his country in the shorter formats.

James Faulkner, recalled after missing Australia's last one-day series in England because of a drink-driving conviction, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were the three all-rounders named in the squad, however.

In the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Nathan Coulter-

Nile, the world champions also included two uncapped quicks in Scott Boland and Joel Paris.

"Scott has continued to impress the selection panel, having bowled very well for Victoria this year.

He certainly deserves this chance at the top level," head selector Rod Marsh said in a Cricket Australia (CA) statement.

"Joel is an exciting young left-arm bowler who swings the ball well and has bowled beautifully in the Big Bash League for the Perth Scorchers.

"He has had very good figures in short-form cricket and we really want him to make the most of this opportunity."

South Australian seamer Kane Richardson, who played eight ODIs in 2013 and 2014, was also recalled

to a squad without a specialist spinner.

"Kane has had a taste of cricket at the international level and although that has been interrupt ed on occasions through injury we think he is ready to perform consistently for Western Australia quick Joel Paris Australia," Marsh bourne and Canberra before added.

Paceman Josh Hazle- concluding in Sydney on wood was included de- January 23.

Squad: Steve Smith spite being due for a rest after playing all six Tests (captain), David Warner, against New Zealand and George Bailey, Scott BoWest Indies in the Austra- land, Josh Hazlewood, James Faulkner, Aar lian summer.

The series between the on Finch, Mitch Marsh, top two teams in the world S h a u n M a r s h , G l e n n rankings starts in Perth on Maxwell, Kane RichardJanuary 12 and takes in son, Joel Paris, Matthew matches in Brisbane, Mel- Wade

Joint effort needed in 2016 to boost athletics development IN order to develop local athletics, the Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is calling for a joint effort from event organisers, stakeholders and corporate sponsors.

During an interview, president of the AAG Aubrey Hutson contended that common ground must be sought if the sport is to develop, adding, “There is a lot of differences in the way we view the development of athletes to what is normally done out there.”

“I think it is going to call for some consensus where we sit with these folks and let them understand why things need to be done a particular way; why is it you don’t push an athlete at age 10, 11, 12 to run a 10k and those little things are things we need to work out with them,” contended Hutson.

The AAG boss noted that they are looking to sort out some of the competition issues that faced them in 2015.

“The essence of what we do lies in the competition everything that we do in track and field is manifested in the competition so what we’re trying to do is fix the competition.

We had discussions with GTU (Guyana Teachers Union) and the ministry through its Chief Executive Officer on fixing nationals,” continued the AAG head.

He added that, “Once we create the right competition we can now go back into the system and start to prepare people now to meet the level of the competition.”

He dispelled rumours, however, of a rift between the GTU and the AAG saying, “I guess you’ve been seeing stuff in the news media about a big rift between the AAG and the GTU as it relates to the running of Nationals. I want to state clearly there is no rift.

“The AAG would just like to see the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) standards at Nationals being put in the right perspective,” said Hutson.

He concluded, “We never wanted to take the management of Nationals over, you know who collect money at the gate and that kind of stuff.

We were concerned about the technical issues and the development of these athletes.”

Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (Linden) District 10 carted off the 2015 edition of the championship during the month of November at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence They beat North Georgetown for the 55th edition of the premier track and field events after scoring 74 points while North Georgetown ended in second place with 59 points.

Make Guyana proud, GCB president...

From back page

tournament opens on January 7, and the Jaguars will play the Windward Islands Volcanoes in their opening encounter.

The preliminary competition will be played under a non-elimination format with the eight teams equally divided into two groups. Each side will play six matches apiece during the preliminary rounds, with each playing the others in their group twice.

They will then play Leeward Islands Hurricanes on January 9; CCC Marooners on January 11; Windward Islands Volcanoes on January 13; Leeward Islands Hurricanes on January 15 and CCC Marooners on January 17.

The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals at Queen’s Park Oval, where the group winners play the runners-up

from the opposite group in a one-off match for a place in the Grand Final on Sunday, January 24, at the same venue.

This equals a total of 27 matches for the biggest, senior regional domestic 50 overs-a-side tournament ever staged by the WICB. Group ‘A’, which will be played in Trinidad and Tobago, comprises Red Force, Marooners, Barbados Pride and ICC Americas.

The full squad reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell (vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Kevon Boodie, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Paul Wintz, Romario Shepherd and Royston Crandon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Real Madrid sack coach Benitez and appoint Zidane

By Iain Rogers

(REUTERS) - Real Madrid have sacked coach Rafa Benitez after less than half a season in charge and promoted their former France great Zinedine Zidane from the B team to replace him, president Florentino Perez said yesterday.

Perez announced the dismissal of the experienced Benitez, who had a contract until June 2018, following a board meeting and Zidane was present at the president's news conference at the Bernabeu stadium.

"Firstly I would like to thank the club and the president for giving me the chance to coach this team," Zidane, known as ‘Zizou’ and a hero to Real's fans, told reporters.

"What we need to do now, and what I will try to do, is try to do my best so that this team is a winner at the end of the

season," added the 43-yearold, one of the club's youngest-ever coaches.

"The important thing is to be with the team tomorrow and start work," he said.

"I will put all the heart I have into the job for this club and try to make sure things work out well."

ELEVENTH COACH Real did not immediately specify the length of Zidane's contract.

He is the 11th coach Perez has installed during two terms in charge and it will be the former France captain's first top-flight management job.

He played for Real for five seasons after joining from Juventus in August 2001 and helped them win their ninth European crown with a stunning volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.

Perez, who has public-

Cup and European Championship as a player.

He retired from international football after the 2006 World Cup, having been sent off in the final for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi. France lost on penalties.

Zinedine Zidane

Rafa Benitez

ly backed Benitez in recent weeks, said it had been a difficult decision to sack him.

He said Zidane had always tackled the biggest challenges in football with "talent and dedication" and noted that the Frenchman knew many of the

players well from his role as assistant coach under Benitez's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.

"You have all our confidence and support so our fans can be excited and entertained in every match," Perez told Zidane, who won the World

DISGRUNTLED FANS Benitez, a former Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli manager who began his coaching career in Real's youth ranks, replaced Ancelotti after the Italian was sacked in June.

Real have failed to find the level of consistency Perez demands, however, and there have been widespread reports Benitez does not get on with some of Real's key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

Disgruntled fans have been whistling Benitez at the Bernabeu in recent

months and he also appears to have been blamed for Real's expulsion from the King's Cup last month for fielding an ineligible player.

Sunday's 2-2 draw at Valencia, when Real twice surrendered the lead, left them third in the standings, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind champions Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Real's biggest failure this season was a stinging 4-0 home loss to arch-rivals Barca in November, although they did qualify for the Champions League last 16 as group winners.

Their next outing is a La Liga game at home to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and they have been drawn to play AS Roma in Europe's elite club competition, with the first leg in the Italian capital on February 17.

Lodha panel bats for legalising betting in India

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - A three-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court yesterday recommended legalising cricket betting in the country, while suggesting structural changes to the powerful BCCI to ensure more transparency in its operation.

In a country where legal gambling is confined to horse-racing, illegal betting syndicates continue to thrive and a 2013 betting scandal led to two-year bans on two franchises in the Indian Premier league (IPL) last year.

"We have suggested to the legislature for legalising betting ..." panel chairman Justice RM Lodha told reporters, adding the BCCI should have an "in-built mechanism" to ensure players and administrators don't bet on matches.

"To ensure they don't

involve in betting, they have to disclose their assets to the BCCI. It can only be done through betting houses which will have to take licences. Any misconduct by them will result in cancellation of those licences."

On Lodha committee's recommendations Rajasthan and Chennai were kicked out of the IPL for two seasons, while life bans were handed out to two key officials for their involvement in illegal betting.

Since that scandal, the BCCI has spent considerable time defending itself in the top court which also tasked the panel to look into the functioning of the world's richest cricket board.

Over the last 12 months, former chief justice of India Lodha and two of his colleagues interacted with 74 individuals over 35 sittings before submitting their report, which among other things recommends age and

tenure restrictions for top officials, yesterday.

The panel recommended cooling off period between successive terms for top officials, suggested ministers and government servants cannot occupy BCCI posts and wants professionals under a chief executive officer to run the board's day-to-day activity.

In other recommendations, all of which would be binding on the board if the Supreme Court deems so, the panel wanted the BCCI to be brought under the Right to Information Act which would allow citizens to access information held by the board.

Lodha acknowledged how BCCI has pumped money back into the game to improve infrastructure and successfully hosted international tournaments but had no doubt that there was room for improvement.

"We found that there are

as its president in October, BCCI has been striving to shed its familiar image of being a rich but non-transparent organisation run by politicians and industrialists with conflicting interests.

Manohar, also the cur-

rent International Cricket Council chairman, has gone hard after the vexed issue of conflict of interests and has made sure any expenditure above 2.5 million rupees ($37 574.21) is put up on the board's website.

Just Call Me Boss wins feature at RSTC Panel Chairman Justice RM Lodha addressing a press conference yesterday.

ailments which need cure but by providing right dose, so that the good bacteria in the body is not lost.

"The report that we have handed over to the court ... is not to restrict or limit the good work that has been done and is being pursued by the BCCI but to remove the ailing parts ..." he added.

Since Shashank Manohar returned for a second stint

JUST Call Me Boss of the Jagdeo Racing Stable galloped to a comfortable win in the feature D and Lower race last Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC).

With jockey Nicholas Patrick in control, the animal held off a stiff competition from Diplomatic Cat and Spit Fire to win the $70 000 and the Banks DIH trophy.

The day, however, belonged to Red Region of the D Baker Stable. The animal won both the L and K class races.

Price Gold and Settling Star from the Shariff Racing Stable won the E and Lower and G and Lower races respectively.

Quiet Storm of the Mohabir Racing Stable won the H2 and Lower race. Affinity won the J and Lower race.

The champion stable on show was the Shariff stable with Colin Ross the top jockey on show. Red Region was adjudged the top horse.

Dubbed the Mohammed ‘Nankoo’ Shariff Memorial Horse Race meet, the event was held in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Service and Mining Company and Banks DIH Limited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Amla’s unbeaten 157 makes England toil

Brathwaite shines before soggy end in Sydney doned for the day at 16:35hrs.

(0535 GMT) with only 11.2 overs bowled.

Carlos Brathwaite gave the action-starved crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) a brief burst of entertainment with a flurry of boundaries but the rain started falling again soon after he was dismissed for 69.

Australia paceman James Pattinson was slugged for two sixes, one a huge shot over the covers, before finding his range and taking out Brathwaite's off stump.

Brathwaite has been one of the few bright spots for West Indies on what has otherwise been a miserable

By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Captain Hashim Amla emerged from a year of poor form with a dogged century to lead a South Africa fightback in the second Test against England yesterday.

Amla scored an unbeaten 157 as the hosts closed the third day on 353-3, still 276 runs behind but with a foothold in the match after England had piled up a massive 629 for six declared.

Amla, whose captaincy has been criticised after a year of poor results for the top-ranked Test nation, scored his first hundred in 13 months and batted through a day on which England took only one wicket, AB de Villiers for 88.

Faf du Plessis was 51 not out at the close, his first half-century in 12 innings.

“Losing just one wicket in the day is a huge success for us and we hope that it’s a turning point,” du Plessis told reporters.

Yesterday’s play had none of the fireworks of the previous day when Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow shared a stroke-laden record-breaking partnership of 399 for England, who lead the series 1-0.

South Africa forced the touring side to toil in hot conditions and will seek to keep them in the field again for much longer to try to save the match. de Villiers reached 8 000 Test runs before he pulled a short ball from Steven Finn to James Anderson at mid-wicket just before tea.

The South Africans batted with much circumspection and were grindingly pedestrian at times but did offer chances.

Amla was twice dropped - by Joe Root on 76 and Nick Compton on 120 - and de Villiers survived an lbw appeal after asking for a review, which showed he got a slight nick to a Ben Stokes delivery.

“They were tricky

tour and his 71-ball innings, which included seven fours and four sixes, gave him his second half-century in his second Test.

Denesh Ramdin will resume on 30 not out alongside Kemar Roach, who has yet to score, on day three.

Only three balls were bowled in the first two hours of scheduled play and another 21 before lunch after the action resumed briefly at noon.

Nearly three hours of play were lost to rain on day one of the match, a dead rubber after Australia racked up convincing victories in the first two Tests.

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 207-6)

Carlos Brathwaite

Hashim Amla brought up his 150 in the afternoon session on the third day in Cape Town.

chances, it was not easy to see the ball against the backdrop of the crowd,” Finn said.

“We just need to keep playing attritional cricket.” de Villiers became the third South African batsman to pass 8 000 runs when he reached his half-century while Amla, who last made a significant contribution with 208 runs against the West Indies in December 2014, moved past 7 000 runs when he went to 100

in the first over after lunch.

The 31-year-old de Villiers trails only Jacques Kallis (13 206) and Graeme Smith (9 253) on the list of South Africa's all-time highest run-scorers.

England bowled good lines and with spells of aggression on a Newlands pitch that offered little assistance and in searing temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius with more energy-sapping heat forecast for today.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 629 for 6 decl. (B. Stokes 258, J. Bairstow 150 n.o, A. Hales 60, J. Root 50) SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings (o/n 353-3) D. Elgar c Compton b Stokes 44 S. van Zyl run-out 4 H. Amla not out 157 A. de Villiers c Anderson b Finn 88 F. du Plessis not out 51 Extras: (lb-3, w-6) 9 Total: (for 3 wickets, 130 overs) 353 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-85, 3-268.

Bowling: J. Anderson 24-8-53-0, S. Broad 20-4-54-0, M. Ali 31-9-80-0, S. Finn 26-3-82-1 (w-2), J. Root 5-212-0, B. Stokes 21-3-67-1 (w-4), A. Hales 3-1-2-0.

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - West Indies were 248 for seven in their first innings when rain interrupted play for the third and final time half an hour after lunch on the second day of the third Test against Australia yesterday.

Play was officially aban-

K. Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon 85 S. Hope c Nevill b Hazlewood 9 Da. Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson 33 M. Samuels run-out (Hazlewood, Nevill) 4 J. Blackwood b Lyon 10 D. Ramdin not out 30 J. Holder c Burns b O'Keefe 1 C. Brathwaite b Pattinson 69 K. Roach not out 0 Extras: (b-5, lb-1, nb-1) 7 Total: (for 7 wickets, 86.2 overs) 248 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-104, 3-115, 4-131, 5-158, 6-159, 7-246.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 15.2-5-37-1, J. Pattinson 16-3-67-2 (nb-1), N. Lyon 35-12-78-2, M. Marsh 4-115-0, S. O'Keefe 16-5-45-1.

Australia eye day/night Ashes Test Cricket Australia is keen to discuss the possibility of a day/night Ashes Test with its counterpart the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2017-18, according to chief executive James Sutherland.

Adelaide hosted the first match under floodlights in the long form of the game in November as Australia beat New Zealand inside three days, and Sutherland wants to keep developing the idea.

The third Test in that series was a low-scoring affair as Australia won by three wickets, neither side scoring more than 224 in their two innings with 66 the top individual score.

Sutherland and Cricket

Australia hope to schedule more day/night Tests in the future, with an Ashes clash pencilled in for England's next tour down under.

"It is certainly on the radar," Sutherland told ABC Radio. "We haven't had any formal conversations with the ECB. "With the success of the Adelaide Test match this year, the anticipation [is] that we will have at least one day/ night Test [in 2016].

"It seems like it would be a natural progression for there to be an Ashes daynight Test match in 2017-18.

"We'll have meetings in Dubai [in January] with a lot of the chief executives and certainly be talking to

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland

counterparts at Pakistan and South Africa.

"They definitely know it will be on the agenda. The right place, right time and right conditions - we're going to see more Test cricket played in the evening."

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Chelsea can still Tearful Bairstow enjoys best day of his life finish in top four, says Hiddink (REUTERS) - Chelsea still have a chance of finishing in the Premier League top four and securing Champions League football at the end of the season, interim manager Guus Hiddink has said.

Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Sunday to register their sixth league win of the season and their first since Hiddink took the reins from Jose Mourinho last month.

The win moved Chelsea up to 14th place in the table and 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and Hiddink refused to write off his side's chances of finishing in the top four although he admitted it would be "difficult".

"Everyone knows there's a lot of quality but sometimes a team which has just become champions has a tendency

"We just clicked in and supported each other all the way through. To play a knock like that is something quite spectacular.

“I’ve grown up with Stokesy and seen him play some fantastic knocks and to witness that today was extremely special and something a lot of people will never forget.”

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink celebrates after Willian scores their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters/ John SibleyLivepic)

to become complacent," the Dutchman told the BBC. "When I started, we said mathematically when we could get to a Champions League position it would be lovely.

"It's difficult because this league has become so strong.

Everyone can win from everyone, which means it's very difficult to get there.

"But as long as we play like (we did against Palace), we can be happy and then results will come. It's possible still, but a long way to go."

Prime Minister highlights Australia's love for Windies cricket WHILE the West Indies are doing their best to avoid a series whitewash against Australia, after two dismal showings against the hosts resulted in losing the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy, the country’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has said there is a never-ending love affair with the Caribbean side.

According to the prime minister, who was speaking during a function for the West Indies team, the sides have had some epic battles over the years. Battles that have had significant impact on the way Australia play their cricket.

Of particular note for the prime minister is the famous

tied Test in the 1960-61 series.

“There is a certain aura, a magic, a charisma about the West Indies cricketers that is really unique and Australians relate to it,” said Turnbull.

That magic, was absent in an innings and 212-run thrashing in Hobart, though there were glimpses of it when the West Indies lost by 177 runs in Melbourne.

Again, the team is trying to turn back the hoodoo that has been affecting the team away from home, with the last semblance of success coming in the final game of a series against England in the Caribbean.

The West Indies have so far put 248 for seven on

Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

the board in a rain-hit third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. (Sportsmax.com)

England's Jonny Bairstow plays a shot during the second cricket Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, (Reuters)-Jonny Bairstow pumped his chest to the sky and wiped away a tear as he completed an emotional maiden test hundred for England against South Africa on Sunday, amid a record-breaking stand with Ben Stokes.

The red-haired England wicketkeeper last year lost his grandfather, with whom he shared a close relationship, while his dad David, a former England cricketer, killed himself in 1998.

“Obviously after everything that has gone on in the last year or so it’s fantastic to get over the line for me and my family,” he told reporters after finishing on 150 not out with his mother and sister watching on from the stands.

“They have supported me all through my career.

To have them here in Cape Town is lovely and it is my mum’s birthday on the last day of the Test so hopefully we can cap off a great game.

“It was probably the best day of my life and one I will never forget.”

After being recalled to the England side during last year’s Ashes triumph over Australia, Bairstow's place in the team has come under scrutiny.

"It has been a little while coming. There was a lot of talk here and there so I’m delighted to get over the line today,” he said.

Stokes and Bairstow scored 399 in a record sixth-wicket stand as England declared on 629 for six on the second day of the second test at Newlands.

It was a bludgeoning performance from Stokes, who scored a record-breaking 258 off 198 balls.

"It was an exhibition of stroke play," Bairstow said.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday November 03, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Darren Bravo-108 (2) WI vs AUST, Adelaide, 1960-61 (L. Gibbs-hattrick; R. Kanhai 117 & 115) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches the WI and Australia have now played against each other?

(2) Which two did not open the batting with Roy Fredericks in the Test series WI/AUST, 1975-76?

Viv Richards; Bernard Julien; Deryck Murray; Alvin Kallicharran; Leonard Baichan Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Laxman's Kolkata epic voted best Test performance

Brian Lara features four times in the list, the most by any one player.

The famous 2001 Test innings leads the list of 50 greatest performances in the last half-century.

VVS Laxman's batting feat against Australia in Kolkata in 2001 has been voted the greatest Test performance of the last 50 years by a 25-member panel of cricketers, writers, broadcasters, historians and statisticians assembled by the Cricket Monthly.

Laxman scored 59 and 281 in a match where India trailed by 274 runs, in a series they trailed 0-1, against a team on a record winning streak and widely acknowledged as one of the best to have ever played the game.

India went on to win the match and the series.

In his tribute to Laxman's performance, Shane Warne recalls: "I was bowling in the foot marks and Laxman was hitting the same ball through cover or whipping it through midwicket. It was so hard to bowl then."

Ricky Ponting remembers that Laxman's "work through the leg side in particular was a source of wonderment to many of us ... Ultimately we bowled for near enough to two days at him without even looking like getting him out."

Brian Lara has four entries in the list of 50, the most by any player. One of those, the nerveless 153 not out

versus Australia in Bridgetown in 1999, has been voted No. 4. Ian Botham, with three entries in the 50, has two in the top five: the dazzling all-round shows in the Headingley Ashes Test of 1981 (No.2) and the Golden Jubilee Test in Bombay the previous year (No. 5).

VVS Laxman starred in one of the greatest Tests ever played.

Zaheer Khan, his roommate during the series, recalls how Laxman slept on the floor through the match because of a bad back. "Everyone could see that he could not stand straight."

The Cricket Monthly's "50 from 50" exercise looks

VVS Laxman starred in one of the greatest Tests ever played.

at batting, bowling and allround performances in Tests played between 1966 and 2015.

Brian Lara has four entries the list of 50, the most by any player. One of those, the nerveless 153 not out versus Australia in Bridgetown in 1999, has been voted No. 4. Ian Botham, with three entries in the 50, has two in the top five: the dazzling allround shows in the Headingley Ashes Test of 1981 (No. 2) and the Golden Jubilee Test in Bombay the previous year (No. 5).

Michael Holding's 14 wickets with supreme pace on a batting track at The Oval in 1976 is at No.3, and performances by Richard Hadlee, Bob Massie, Muttiah Muralitharan, Graham Gooch and Garry Sobers round out the top 10.

West Indian players have as many as 14 entries in the 50, the highest by any team. These include the two earliest performances on the list: Sobers at Lord's and Headingley from the 1966 series in England. The most recent performance is Kevin

Pietersen's 186 in Mumbai in 2012.

The panel, drawn from all Test-playing nations, includes Greg Chappell, John Wright, Tony Cozier, Mark Nicholas, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mike Selvey, Ramiz Raja, Scyld Berry, Osman Samiuddin and Gideon Haigh.

The special issue of the Cricket Monthly, now online, has brief write-ups on all 50 entries, full features on the leading performances, a graphical breakdown of results, essays and much more.

Determination key in scholarship grant – Edghill GUYANESE table tennis star Chelsea Edghill is climbing the ladder of success in the sport thanks to a sponsorship from Linden Wood University in United States of America.

According to the teenager, “My ultimate goal is to be in the top hundred or top two hundred in the world and one day make the Olympics to represent Guyana; for me that is something that I aim for and I work towards; if it

is that I don’t make it I must be close to it so I can have a sense of fulfilment that I’ve done something in the sport.”

She gained the scholarship through the intervention of former Guyana table tennis champion Michelle John, who also attended the University.

Edghill, a national and Caribbean champion, also attributed the partial scholarship to hard work, sacrifice and the support of her

parents.

“It’s a stepping stone for greater things in life especially in my academic endeavours, I think it will benefit me as a table tennis player because I will be able to train with a lot of players from around the world, places like Brazil , Portugal.”

“It will help me to see different styles of play and understand more of the game and the intricate detail that are involved in it and help

Chelsea Edghill

me to be a much better player and a much better person overall,” the young Edghill contended.

A three-time sportswoman-of-the-year and the beneficiary of many International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) programmes, the Guyanese still remains humble to this day.

“After playing or after studying in the U.S., I intend to come back home to give back the knowledge

I know of the game or in the field that I’m studying, either one, to my community. I’ve been taught to give back and for me I find it refreshing to actually help others. She is currently benefiting from a five-year 75 percent scholarship that will allow the 18-year-old Edghill to pursue a major in chemistry with a focus on forensic science as well as a minor in engineering physics and criminal justice.

Laxman's Kolkata epic voted best Test performance 23

P.

Make Guyana proud, GCB president tells NAGICO Super50 squad

By Rajiv Bisnauth PRESIDENT of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur yesterday urged the national cricket team to give of their best in the upcoming Regional NAGICO Super50 competition and in the process, make the country proud.

Under the leadership of West Indies player Leon Johnson, the Jaguars were greeted by Drubahadur during a simple send-off ceremony at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) office on Regent Street, yesterday afternoon.

“We need to cross that final hurdle, stay focused, stay together and make Guyana proud. I urge you to put your best foot forward as you execute your duties out there, Drubahadur said shortly before the team departed for St Kitts.

Drubahadur congratulated the new faces, and at the same time wished the team well, noting that he has high hopes for the group of players assembled to represent the country.

The GCB boss said he was confident in the players’’ ability and was banking on them to walk away with championship honours.

Meanwhile, Johnson expressed confidence the team will do well, adding that they will continue to represent the Golden Arrowhead with distinction.

Head coach Esaun Crandon in an invited comment acknowledged that once the team stick to the game plan and execute them well, he is confident that Guyana will do well.

“We fancy our chances, we have a very good team, and with the added momentum from the Four-day success, I am confident the guys will deliver,” Crandon a former national all-rounder, who played 38 First-class matches for Guyana, said.

Commenting on the squad selected, Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith stated, “When you select a team, it’s all about the make-up of the team, the balance and the roles each player will play, and as I said, the 14 we selected they have their roles to play.”

Guyana have not won a Regional One-Day title in nine years. Their last of nine titles was during the 2005-06 season when they defeated Barbados by seven runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

The NAGICO Super50 Turn to page 19 ►

The president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur is flanked by the team prior to their departure for the Ogle International Airport yesterday.

Joint effort needed in 2016 to boost athletics development

SEE STORY ON PAGE 19

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Flashback! Linden (District 10) celebrate their Championship win of the 55th National Schools Championships. (Photos by Adrian Narine) TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016