Chronicle 01 13 2016

GOLD RUSH No. 104430

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

- illegal Tiger Creek miners squabble with authorities over gold-rich area

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Miners operate an excavator on the disputed piece of land at Tiger Creek, Mahdia on Monday

Three CAL 10 Let’s take back 9 our communities flights to carry Golden Jubilee logo P.

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11 Horace James likely to replace Brassington Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Guyana among must-visit 2016 destinations

ON the cusp of the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations, Guyana has been accorded yet another distinction, having been featured in the Business Insider, UK’s ‘12 Emerging destinations you have to visit in 2016’.

In this most recent feature, broadcaster and photojournalist Anisha Shah explains that 2016 is all about emerging destinations.

“Wilderness, wildlife and culture; these themes will illuminate the year’s travel itineraries. Escapism and authenticity are key, and nowhere offers them quite like fledgling and far-flung nations,” she said.

In sharing her perception of the destination, Shah, who is now a freelance journalist for CNN, BBC Travel and Huffington Post, wrote: “Dripping in rainforests, Guyana’s untouched, pristine interior is sparsely populated, home only to few Amerindian villages. Wildlife far outnumbers the people, with jaguars, pumas and sloths the real locals. The majority of people inhabit the narrow, northeastern Atlantic Ocean coastline of blonde castaway beaches backed by dense forest, home to endangered sea turtles. Kaieteur Falls, one of the grandest falls you’ve never heard of, is the world’s widest single-drop waterfall, peaking at 76m and encased in virgin ancient jungle.

Seeing it by tiny charter flight is unforgettable.”

“Why Now? You’ve heard of Iguazu and Angel Falls, read about Galapagos wildlife and Brazil’s rainforest but Guyana is a small nation with all of the above, where you won’t come across another tourist… just yet.”

Also making the list of the 12 Emerging Travel Destinations to visit in 2016 were Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska,

Japan, Gabon, Uganda, Iran, Taiwan, Madagascar, the Arctic: Iceland, Greenland, and Norway, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Kyrgyzstan.

AUGURS WELL This recent accolade augurs well for Guyana, as the destination prepares to celebrate its Golden Jubilee with great fanfare and welcomes any opportunity to promote the vibrancy, raw authentic adventure, stunning scenery and rich culture that is unique to this South American country.

According to Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes, Guyana’s unique blend of tourism products is as rich and as attractive as those found in any part of the world. She noted, too, that the destination has the potential to attract a wide cross-section of travellers with varying interests, and the ability to lure those looking for unique adventures in ‘off the beaten path’ destinations .

This Week

Over the years, Guyana has cemented its position as a leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, and has gained international recognition as National Geographic Traveler 2014’s must-see places on planet earth. Guyana earned a coveted spot on this exclusive, very short list for the very first time in 2014 and BBC Travel’s ‘Five destinations you should know more about’, among many others.

“The tourism sector is very important for showcasing a country’s cultural diversity, as well as its socio-economic potential. With the attention that ‘Guyana - South America Undiscovered’ is receiving, there is no doubt that the sector will be propelled to greater heights in 2016. We have made great strides in promoting Guyana, and the country is now internationally recognised as a viable eco-tourism destination.

We have much more to offer through our many niche products,” Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh asserted.

The destination features an irresistible combination of captivating natural beauty, pristine Amazonian rainforests, immense waterfalls, amazing wildlife, blended with a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people in the world. Guyana’s niche products include bird watching, sport fishing, community- based tourism, wildlife spotting and yachting.

50 years ago

Off to India

ON January 9, 1966, Trade and Industry Minister Rudy Kendall headed a five-man team to study the industrialisation of India. Mr Kendall and other members, namely Mr Gavin Kennard, General Manager IDA, businessman Edward Beharry, Mr Alston Kissoon and Mr Kayman Sankar flew out to the Indian sub-continent. In photo, from left to right, are Mr Kennard, Mr Kissoon, the minister, Indian High Commissioner Mr Kundun Lal, who went to see the team off, Mr Beharry and Mr Sankar.

GOLD RUSH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

- illegal Tiger Creek miners squabble with authorities over gold-rich area

By Alva Solomon TENSION is high in the mining community of Mahdia, as small miners, without documented rights to a parcel of land in the Tiger Creek area, squabble with the authorities over the gold-rich landmass.

The miners are referred to as “raiders”, and the area in question is located outside the administrative capital of the region, some 10 to 15 minutes by road from Central Mahdia, near Tiger Creek, a body of water which gave the name to the area. There, the Emmanuel family, led by its patriarch Winston Emmanuel, called “Lawa,” had been mining for years; while another family, the “Pollious”, also hold rights to parcels of land adjacent to the Emmanuels.

The death of Elijah Pollious sometime ago resulted in his parcel of land being handed down to an offspring. Both families, having St Lucian roots, have been mining at Mahdia for decades.

According to miners in the area, the two families operate mining equipment on two mining “claims,” parcels of land measuring 1500 feet in length by 800 feet in width, lie adjacent to each other on the hillside near Tiger Creek. These parcels of land lie within “blocks,” the larger extent of the entire land. Another miner moved to the area years later to occupy a block adjacent to the two families.

In May last year, gold was reportedly discovered in the claim to which the Emmanuel family alleges it has documented rights. However, the Polliouses informed that their boundaries extend into the Emmanuels’ lands and the newcomer to the area informed both parties that he has all rights to the land, leading to heated accusations from all sides.

The issue led to papers being drawn up in the courts, in which the latest party took the two other parties to court via injunction. That matter is in progress. However, last December, tensions boiled over when the entity which filed the injunction was accused of mining at nights in the disputed area.

However, those parties were in for a surprise, as a fourth party entered the issue: the “raiders.”

According to reports out of Tiger Creek, within the second half of last year, when gold was discovered at the area in question, Winston Emmanuel gave permission to several small,

battel-miners, called “pork-knockers” or “punters” and “raiders,” to mine in the tailings pond close to his mining operation.

INFLUX This resulted in an influx of pork-knockers, from all parts of Mahdia and outside of the mining community, flooding the area daily.

A miner told this newspaper at Tiger Creek on Monday that, two weeks ago, one of the two families involved confronted the third party over allegations that it was mining in the disputed area despite the matter being before the courts.

The confrontation took place on the small, muddy road which leads to Tiger Creek. It was alleged that two police officers who were seated in a vehicle owned by one of the parties involved observed the confrontation and acted only when two men from each side, one of whom was armed, “shaped up to fight.”

According to the miner, the matter has reached a stage where a solution seems distant; and while the matter remains a court issue, the raiders continue to “punt” or raid the area 24/7,

despite verbal notices being given them by the mines officers stationed at Mahdia to remove from the site.

Last Sunday evening, during a meeting at the Mahdia Primary School, the issue of mining at Tiger Creek, specifically the “Lawa” issue, was raised several times as Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and junior minister Simona Broomes met with residents to discuss a range of issues, including mining.

ALLEGEDLY BEATEN One miner informed the meeting that he was beaten about the body by police ranks while operating “near Lawa them”.

He was referring to the gold-rich site.

Others vented allegations of similar confrontation with the police. However, on visiting the site on Monday, persons on the ground explained the reasons for the police actions.

On Monday morning, acting Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell

Please turn to page 8 ►

Acting Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison, on his way out from Tiger Creek on Monday. He is followed by one of several “raiders” whom Dennison had ordered to remove from disputed land there

‘Raiders’, individual miners who mine illegally, emerge from a mining pit at Tiger Creek, near Mahdia, after being warned by the authorities about its unsafe state as well as mining illegally on disputed land.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

ISIS bomber kills tourists in Istanbul

A SUSPECTED member of the Islamic State (IS) group has killed 10 people, at least eight of them German tourists, in a suicide bomb attack in the Turkish city of Istanbul, officials say.

They say the Syrian national carried out the attack in the Sultanahmet district, near the famous Blue Mosque.

Fifteen people were wounded, many of them also German.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was the “top target for all terrorist groups in the region”.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: “We have determined that the perpetrator of the attack is a foreigner who is a member of Daesh [IS].”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed the deaths of at least eight German nationals.

“I mourn for our compatriots and express my sympathy for the relatives. They now have to live with the

terrible pain of knowing that a loved one will not return from a looked-forward-to stay in Istanbul,” Ms Merkel said.

She added: “International terror changes the places of its attacks but its goal is always the same: our free life in free societies ... It is precisely this freedom and our determination together with our international partners to act against these terrorists, that will go on.”

Turkey’s Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus said the suicide bomber had been identified as a Syrian. The suspect, said to have been born in 1988, was identified from body parts. Some Turkish media said the suspect was born in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Kurtulmus said the suspect was not on Turkey’s militant watch-list and was believed to have recently crossed into Turkey from Syria.

Turkey last year took

Turkey’s PM vowed to find and punish those linked to the bomber time they were trying to a more active role against E y e w i t n e s s M u r a t Everybody was running evacuate the area because IS in Syria, carrying out Manaz said: “It was a sui- somewhere. they said there was a posair strikes and allowing US cide bomb. I went there and “Policemen did not see sibility that a second bomb warplanes to use its Incirlik saw it and came back to this coming. They were could go off.” base for missions. the hotel. There was chaos. distressed but at the same

US coalition strike destroys ISIS bank

A US-led coalition air strike has destroyed a bank used by the Islamic State group in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

A US official told the BBC two 900kg bombs had hit the building on Monday.

He estimated that millions of dollars earned by IS through oil sales, looting

and extortion had been destroyed.

Video posted online

by IS showed damage to a building. The coalition has increased strikes against facilities that fund IS activities, including oil fields it controls.

The coalition had hit “one or two” buildings that

The US-led coalition is increasing strikes against the so-called Islamic State’s moneymaking facilities vehicle and 20 IS fighting postore IS money in the past, sitions, the Combined Joint the US official told the BBC, Task Force said. but Monday’s strike is likely IS generates around $80M to be the biggest to date. a month, mainly from oil revCNN reported that the enues, according to findings strike was carried out in a focusing on late 2015 from civilian area and that US UK defence consultancy IHS. commanders were prepared In October 2015, to consider up to 50 civilian t h e U S - l e d c o a l i t i o n casualties “due to the impor- launched Tidal Wave 2, a tance of the target”. military campaign aimed at Strikes on Monday also intensifying air strikes on destroyed two IS command IS oil fields, refineries and and control nodes, a tactical tankers. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Golden Jubilee Living History Series

GUYANA achieved its political Independence on May 26, 1966. This represented the successful culmination of several years of agitation, lobbying and political filibustering but in the end the nation celebrated its deliverance from over 300 years of colonial domination of one form or the other.

In Guyana, there are those who would trace the beginning of the anti-colonial struggle to 1763 when the African liberator Kofi entreated the Dutch colonial administrator, Governor van Hogenhein to take his troops, his people and his slaves and

depart to the upper reaches of the Berbice River leaving the lower reaches to the freed African revolutionaries.

Then there are others who, less expansive, would confine the start of the movement to the March 1945 announcement by Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr Oliver Stanley that “The declared aim of British policy is to quicken progress of all Colonial peoples toward the ultimate goal of self-government.”

Still others, there are who credit the start of the movement to the maverick Chinese politician, Theo Lee, who on

Tiger Bay man remanded for robbery

TWENTY-FIVE-year-old Christie Junior of 109 Rosemary Lane, Tiger Bay, was yesterday arraigned before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with robbery under arms.

It is alleged that on January 2, at the Kingston Seawall, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Adrian Allen of a cellular phone, $1,500 cash and a scotia bank card – total value

$17,000.

Junior pleaded not guilty to the charge in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was remanded to prison until January 19.

The prosecutor did not reveal the facts to the court but objected to bail on the grounds of the nature of the charge, citing that if the accused was granted his pre-trial liberty he might tamper with the victim.

A CLOTHES vender who conducts business in the Interior was placed on $200,000 bail after she appeared in court before City Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer a charge of simple larceny.

Twenty-one-year old Cherryann Hope pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on January 5, 2016 at America and Lombard Streets she stole 12 T- Shirts and one gold bracelet which amounted to $232,000, the property of Dexter Forrester.

Police Prosecutor Hunt said that on the day in question the virtual complainant

left the items in a bag in his car in the vicinity of his business.

The accused was seen removing the bag from the car.

She is expected to return to court on January 26, 2016.

Accused of stealing T-shirts, bracelet

August 25 1948, requested the Legislative Council to support a motion for the appointment of a British Commission to consider the reform of the local Constitution.

Whichever the choice, the process ushered in a long and, on occasion, acrimonious struggle not just between the nationalist and the imperial power but also with the politically ambitious Anglo-centric elements at home.

This division within the ranks of the local representatives, their respective sponsors and constituencies provided both the British and, subsequently the Americans,

who were never without their own political ambitions in the region, with opportunities to frustrate the process and prolong the struggle. Over the years, therefore the local movement for political independence treaded an uneven passage.

In 1960, the British accepted the principle of Independence for British Guiana not earlier than two years after the 1961 election or upon it being decided that the West Indian Federation should attain Independence, whichever period is the shorter, then, for an assortment of reasons, proceeded to renege

on this principle.

The Americans, sensitive to the souring of relations with Cuba were apprehensive that an Independent British Guiana would join Cuba outside the pale of American influence and was determined that this should not be. They therefore mounted an unwavering campaign to persuade the British to prolong the delay The delay generated frustration and the frustration nourished instability which in turn encouraged and justified further delay so that between 1960 and 1964 British Guiana became the scene

of intense social unrest and political instability.

In this series of articles, we will examine the entire process leading up to the achievement of political Independence in 1966. The aim is to encourage sober reflection even as we celebrate 50 years since the lowering of the British flag, the Union Jack and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead, the replacement of the British national anthem God Save the Queen with our very own Greenland of Guyana and the change in moniker from British Guiana to Guyana.

Venezuela Assembly session suspended VENEZUELA’S Opposition-held National Assembly has failed to meet for the first session since a controversial Supreme Court ruling on Monday.

National Assembly Speaker Henry Ramos Allup said there was no quorum. He has scheduled a new session for Wednesday.

The Supreme Court has said all actions of the assembly are void until three banned members are removed from office.

The three members had been suspended for alleged electoral irregularities during the December 6 polls.

But the majority in the National Assembly defied the ruling and swore them in last week.

Government legislators say the lack of quorum shows

that the Opposition to President Nicolas Maduro is divided.

“The Opposition bloc is made up of many factions and they are facing a dilemma,” said Socialist Party MP and Venezuela’s First Lady, Cilia Flores.

“Some of them want to abide by the ruling, others have different views,” she told Telesur television.

Allup said the session had been suspended “because both Government and Opposition legislators failed to turn up”.

The Supreme Court said its ruling applied to all acts that have been taken or will be taken by the current assembly.

The Opposition bloc had vowed to continue meeting and working at the assembly as usual.

An amnesty law for impris-

oned Opposition politicians and activists was due to be tabled by the National Assembly leadership on Tuesday.

‘SUPER MAJORITY’ Four lawmakers were barred by the Supreme Court - three from the Opposition and one allied with the Government - after the Socialist Party alleged irregularities during last month’s vote for a new congress.

The Opposition claimed the ruling was designed to strip it of crucial two-third majority which gives it extra powers such as removing judges from the top court.

Without the four legislators, the Opposition has 109 seats and the Government, 54. With the four banned legislators, the Opposition gets the 112 seats it needs to get the so-called “super-majority”.

The four politicians are all from the rural and sparsely populated south-western state of Amazonas.

“The logical, sane and democratic step is for the National Assembly’s leadership to revoke the swearing-in of these lawmakers,” said the Socialist Party Deputy Leader and former National Assembly President, Diosdado Cabello.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

The rule of law

NOT by accident does society set out to put in place laws. Moreover, it is not by chance that independent nations such as ours, having emerged from political domination and oppression, have put in place a system of laws to which all are subject. Though the focus here is not to engage in discussion on the laws of other lands, given that such understandably are shaped by the realities in those societies, the nexus is drawn insofar as respect for and enforcement of the laws, both domestic and foreign, are key to maintaining a stable and cohesive society. And a stable and cohesive society creates the environment for growth and development.

The World Justice Project, an independent, multidisciplinary organisation working to advance the rule of law around the world and in bringing to bear internationally accepted standards, has defined the “rule of law [as] a system in which the following four universal principles are upheld: 1) the government and its officials and agents, as well as individuals and private entities, are accountable under the law; 2) the laws are clear, publicised, stable, and just; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property; 3) the process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, fair, and efficient; and 4) justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.”

To the extent that the rule of law reigns in societies, it is not surprising there is more progress. This is so because citizens know that regardless of their diversity; socio-economic status; political title or influence or connection; or entitlement status; if they do the crime and are caught and found guilty, they will have to do the time. Thus it is not surprising to hear reports of the ordinary man and woman, as well as the connected and influential, being placed before the court, and once found guilty, are sentenced.

In such societies, upholding the rule of law is equivalent to a badge of honour which the public rewards such persons by holding them in high esteem.

This is not to say that persons may not deliber-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Please clean this canal Dear Editor,

A CANAL exists between the villages of Goedverwagting and Sparendaam in the Industry/Plaisance District. North to south, that canal stretches from the public road to a little beyond the Railway Embankment. It then takes a westerly course parallel to the Railway Embankment.

For several years now, the section of the canal between the public road and the Railway Embankment has not been drained, and may be better referred to as a reservoir. The single

contributory factor is that the Railway Embankment caved in and the culvert serving the canal became non-functional. The caving in of the embankment has also resulted in the interruption of the smooth flow of traffic.

Authorities responded by simply filling the caved-in section, so that the smooth flow of traffic could resume. There was no attempt to make the culvert functional.

Representation to have this anomaly corrected has been made at the levels of both the Regional authorities and the Neigh-

bourhood Democratic Councils (NDC). The Regional Chairman assured that he had since had a missive dispatched to the Ministry of Public Works (at the time) to have the non-functioning culvert fixed. The development had required the intervention of that authority, he had advised.

The result of several engagements with the NDC included assurances that the creation of an alternative channel to drain the canal was imminent. Neither a fixed culvert nor an alternative channel exists to date.

A very major con-

cern that has existed for more than 12 years is the public health risk being posed to the surrounding communities. Thankfully, it does not appear that things have advanced beyond the stage of the public health risk. Factors like regular cleaning activities by residents, the NDC or by others (like fishers etc.) who stand to benefit by a clean ‘canal turned reservoir’ may have assisted in mitigating the public health risk.

GAVIN HOUSTON

Save our children

Dear Editor,

I DON’T have the statistics on hand, but, from a layman’s perspective, a large number of young children are ending up as school dropouts, especially those who have to travel from hinterland locations to secondary schools on the coast.

While the cost for travel per child is being subsidized by the respective local village councils, there is a general excuse that there’s no money to pay for transportation. Something has to be done to prevent our communities from becoming increasingly devoid of people who will become leaders

in the future and don’t have the necessary leadership skills.

This is why President David Granger has sought to gift to communities boats, bicycles and buses.

But something must also be done to let the parents understand that their serious responsibility is to ensure their children are educated.

We need to let our communities know as well what far-reaching effects both the educated and the uneducated can later have on our communities, both good and bad respectively. That is something for parents to ponder about and act upon before it’s too late.

S o r r y, b u t s o m e

ately set out to violate the law, being fully aware of the consequences, but it makes the point that even when there is ignorance of the law, or when one feels sufficiently immunized to violate the law, by upholding the principle of the rule of law, the society’s well-being is safeguarded.

Where the law is allowed to rule, people not only cultivate a sense of security, but adopt an aura of assurance. In the instance of the weak/powerless, s/he stands a better chance of not being exploited by the mighty/ powerful, because redress can be sought and protection under the law demanded.

The businessman has needed assurance to invest, in that the law will bring to justice those who rob him.

Equally, he knows that if he fails to respect the law, he is courting the consequences thereof. The Police Force, tasked with responsibility to “Serve and Protect”, is better able to discharge its duty, assured that the law

people are still in their slumber; they are still dreaming, maybe. I’m of Amerindian extraction, sir, and it frightens me to see that, except for a few places, it’s unlikely that certain Indigenous communities would, from among themselves, be able to identify now a crop of young people who will indeed lead us into a better future.

Strong, effective leaders in some hinterland communities are becoming an endangered species, and I’m serious. Our kids really need our help now, not in the future. Now! We have freely been given buses, boats, bicycles; what else do we need!

Shouldn’t we, as parents,

if we want a better community in the future, play our part?

Let us set our priorities right. Come on! The development of our communities and country is dependent on the sacrifice and commitment we all must make NOW. President Granger is, with his gifts, implying that we need not be left behind. Other communities have taken up the challenge. Let us understand that statement fully. We need not be held to ransom by the decisions we make now. All must be involved, or all will be consumed.

Truly yours, RESIDENT

safeguards the law-abiding, and violators will be held to account.

Elected and appointed members of the legislature, executive or other constitutional offices, in taking the oath of office and in having pledged to serve consistent with the law, are equally to be held to account consistent with the rule of law. For the rule of law is premised on the legal doctrine that it is the law that should govern a nation, and not that a nation should be governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials.

Guyana must reach the stage when it matters not whether one is in government or opposition; whether one belongs to a particular race or ethnicity; whether one has great influence or connection; one must know that one has to subject oneself to the rule of law.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Region One outreach…

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Judge, husband recall brutal beating

By Michelle Outridge MOHAMED Chand, husband of Land Court Judge Nicola Pierre, testified yesterday as the trial of five men accused of invading their home on July 9, 2015 continued at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara.

During his testimony before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, he told the court that as a result of the severe beating he received at the hands of the five men after being awakened from his sleep at 01:00 hrs, he has lost sight in his right eye even after he underwent three surgeries in the United States.

Chand gave a detailed account of what had transpired on the fateful morning when five men broke into his home and assaulted him and his wife after which they carted off money, among other things, including, brand name watches, and sunglasses.

He said all the men were unmasked and had spent most of the time in the master bedroom and the walk-in closet area where he was dealt many blows with a gun to his head, face and temple by the robbers who kept asking him for

money.

Chand identified two of the five men in the courtroom yesterday and pointed out Nicholas Narine, Daymein Millington and Warren McKenzie as the ones who had beaten him repeatedly with their guns when he tried to get up to defend his wife, whom they had dragged into the bedroom and thrown to the ground and was hitting her to the face.

He recalled his mouth being duct-taped and his hands bound after he was awakened by a man standing over him while he was in bed. The man reportedly told him to “Get up!”

Chand said he got home at 22:00hrs, and he had checked his then 10-yearold son and wife before he settled in bed at about 23:00hrs, but not before securing his three-storey concrete house in the gated community at Lot 2 Area ‘G’ Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

He told the court that Warren McKenzie asked him “Where the money deh? Where the f….ing money deh?” and he told him there was no more money after he had handed over US$8,000 in cash. He

was then told “This can’t be it! You have such a big house like this and don’t have more money?”

‘BLACKED OUT’ Chand said he was beaten so badly he “blacked out” after being hit in the head, face and temple so many times after he repeatedly told the bandits he had no more money and valuables.

He spoke about being rescued by his wife who went into the bedroom and cut the duct tape he was tied up with and called the police, but no one answered and she telephoned a friend, who arrived at their home and took them to the hospital.

Chand said he spent several days at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his right eye which was bleeding profusely, as well as injuries to the face and temple.

In court, he produced a medical report which was admitted and tendered as evidence in the trial, and told the court he was relieved of his wedding ring, brand name watches and sunglasses, and a Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphone.

The businessman added that on July 11, 2015, he

underwent three surgeries for his eye which was removed. He eye was in two

Justice Pierre told the court that she had recognised and identified three of the five accused after she was told by ASP Reid that the men in the line-up dressed in similar clothing, features and built may or may not be the men who went to her home.

She identified Premanuth Samaroo, Daymein Millington and Warren McKenzie, and when questioned by Special Prosecutor Nigel Hughes yesterday, she stated that she did not give permission for the men to enter her home, nor did Justice Nicola Pierre she permit them to take away anything. pieces from the blows he The judge told the court received. how she was beaten and hit Chand said he had 61 in the face several times by sutures on his right eye and the robbers, who were all three other separate sutures armed; and she was shown on his head and temple. two watches via Skype by Justice Nicola Pierre the police and she spent also continued her testimo- several days at Dr Balwant ny, in which she recalled her Singh Hospital, after which identification parade which a medical was given to her the police in the form of the by Dr Kishore Persaud. It then Assistant Superinten- was admitted and tendered dent of Police (ASP) Reid as evidence in the trial yesvia Skype, since she had terday. left Guyana for medical Attorney Adrian Thomptreatment overseas. son was notably absent yesShe was in Canada, and terday in court. Magistrate had surgery for her face Zamilla Ally-Seepaul asked which was disfigured from Samaroo and Narine if they injuries she received at the had heard from the lawyer hands of the bandits. and they both said he was

coming, but he did not show up.

During the first day of the trial which started on Monday, it was agreed by Special Prosecutor Nigel Hughes and Defence Attorney Adrian Thompson that the five men would be jointly charged.

After the trial was adjourned, relatives of the accused stood in front of the Sparendaam Police Station and began taunting Justice Nicola Pierre, her husband and others who were with them yesterday afternoon.

As the Judge, her husband and others in their company exited the courtyard, they were escorted to their vehicle by an officer, who, after they had left, told the unruly group that if they ever behaved like that again he would arrest them.

The trial continues today (Wednesday) at 14:30 hrs at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

P re m a n u t h S a m a roo, Daymein Millington, Nicholas Narine, Anthony David and Warren McKenzie are jointly charged with robbing Justice Nicola Pierre and her husband, Mohamed Chand, as well as shooting at a security guard on July 9, 2015.

Gastro outbreak under control

By Svetlana Marshall

THE gastroenteritis outbreak in Baramita in the North West District is under control, says Dr Ronald Roberts, – the medical doctor manning the lone health facility in the area.

In updating Guyana Chronicle on the situation, Dr Roberts said approximately 80 cases have been recorded to date.

He pointed out, however, that the number of cases per day has dropped drastically, when compared to the initial stage of the outbreak.

“We are experiencing a reduction in the number of cases. In fact, we are seeing approximately five to 10 cases per day,” he said. Most of the gastroenteritis patients are from Central Baramita, Log

or parasites found in water, food, or animals, which often result in a combination of diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and headache.

Dehydration may occur as a result.

CMO Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Hill, Cassi Creek, Return and Golden City.

The outbreak was detected late last month and has since claimed the life of one person. Gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system. It is caused by bacteria, viruses

PROPER HYGIENE In a an effort to keep the numbers down, Dr Roberts and his health team of five, comprising a medic and oth er health workers, have been conducting community health meetings with emphasis being placed on maintaining proper hygiene.

“We have been focusing on preventative measures that can be taken, and as such we have been encouraging persons to wash their hands and to chlorinate their water,” he explained.

Many of the affected communities have been visited, with the exception of Return and two other villages.

According to him, the Baramita Health Centre is fully stocked and geared to offer medical assistance when the need arises, but there is always room for more of the minute chlorine tablets.

“It is an ongoing intervention, so I think there will always be a need for chlorine tablets, but we have in stock.”

CASES DRASTICALLY REDUCED Meanwhile, in a separate interview yesterday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud said as of Saturday, January 9, 65 gastroenteritis cases were recorded in Baramita. Of the sixty-five persons, 36

– Dr Roberts

were males, 25 - females, 40 were under the age of 5, five between the ages of 5 and 12, and 20 were adults.

“We are still monitoring the situation but the number of cases has been drastically reduced,” the CMO said.

It was pointed out that water samples were taken from shallow wells and ponds in Golden City and Barama Lane, in addition to two households, a hotel and the health centre.

According to Dr Persaud, all of the samples with the exception of those taken from the hotel came back positive for the presence of fecal coliform.

“It means that the water was contaminated,” he explained.

In 2013, there was an outbreak in the North West District, where a total of 529 residents from Port Kaituma and surrounding communities were infected, most them children.

There were three reported deaths. At the time, studies had indicated that the disease irrupted due to the high levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli: bacteria found i n t h e e n v i ro n m e n t , foods, and intestines of people and animals) in the river and wells, which had been linked to the poor sanitary conditions throughout the sub-district. Prior to that, there was an outbreak in 2009, and six residents died.

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42% adolescents sexually active

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

- GRPA study finds

OUT of 392 adolescents and youths surveyed from eight regions across Guyana, 42 per cent were recorded as sexually active when the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) revealed the results of its survey on adolescent and youth sexual trends in Guyana.

In presenting the findings, Research Consultant Sherlina Nageer highlighted that the hinterland regions showed a higher prevalence of youths engaging in sexual activities than the youths who reside in coastland regions.

Because the survey was

a miniature one, the GRPA was not able to capture a significant amount of youths across the country. However, with the amount quantified, the survey was able to point out the areas where there was a preponderance of young individuals engaging in sexual activities.

Nageer said, “As seen, because of the different lifestyles on the coastland and the hinterland, the youths within the latter areas tend to engage in most of those activities.” However, she said that most of those sexually active youths do not attend school.

The survey showed that

hinterland youths tend to drop out of school at an earlier age than coastland youths, and are not properly guided in regard to right and wrong in terms of being sexually active.

Moreover, hinterland youths lack the basic knowledge why they should use protection devices in engaging in sex.

Nageer revealed that more than 50 per cent of sexually active hinterland youths were engaging in unprotected sex, and were unaware of what were contraceptives and other protective devices.

This situation, she point

out, has been in existence for quite a while, and needs to be addressed immediately, because if the younger ones are not aware of the risks associated with having unprotected sex, the situation could have unwelcome national consequences in the future.

Nageer called on the Ministry of Public Health to look into this situation, and proposes that the GRPA could work alongside the Public Health Ministry to do a more broad-based survey to discover what other areas of public health concern need addressing.

Public Health Minis-

Minister Norton addressing the gathering yesterday at Cara Lodge ter, Dr George Norton, in remarks disclosed that the Ministry lauds the survey, given that it exposes a number of issues that need to be addressed.

Dr Norton mentioned that solutions to the problems already exist, but

it called for a matter of implementation, for which he intended to approach the Minister of Education to devise a combined effort in tackling teenage pregnancy as well as underage youths engaging in sexual activities.

TENSION AT TIGER CREEK Dennison, led a team to the area to observe first-hand the situation on the ground.

Dennison met with persons from the two Mahdia families as well as the third party who had filed the court papers. He was, however, severe on the fourth party, the “raiders,” who were in the pits with spades, shovels and buckets among other hand-held equipment, searching the area for the precious metal.

The men continued their activities unfazed, even as Dennison and other officials of the GGMC discussed the situa-

tion with the parties involved.

The men in the pit were repeatedly warned by Dennison to remove from the area, and while some readily complied, others reluctantly walked away, making several remarks, including the loss of incomes, families to feed, and no jobs in sight. Others sat in camps which they had erected close to the disputed site.

The Emmanuels told this newspaper they were hard hit by the issue. Susan Emmanuel said the “raiders” had set-up several makeshift camps near the goldrich landmass, and would

raid the area even in her family’s presence.

She said her family has invested heavily in the area, and make payments to employees to remain and overlook the camps in one of several losses the family had counted thus far. She said the tension is of concern to her and her relatives, since persons appeared menacing while “raiding” the pits.

Another miner at Tiger Creek told the Guyana Chronicle that the police, in the company of the mines officers, were called in to the area on several occasions to

remove the “raiders” from the pits.

GUNSHOTS It has been alleged that on one occasion the raiders fired gunshots into the air, forcing police ranks to retreat from the area. The police later retaliated by physically confronting the men in the pits.

Yesterday, speaking from

midday on Monday, the men revisited the site later in the afternoon and continued their actions. It was noted that even though the mining pits were filled with mud, the raiders were scraping the walls of one of the pits, an action which they were warned about.

GGMC officials told this newspaper that, in addition to mining illegally at the pits,

From page 3

miners told this newspaper that there were many near-miss incidents in which miners managed to free themselves from crumbling walls while working the pits. Last September, miner Sherwyn Smith was buried alive while working at Tiger Creek. His body was extracted from the pit some 18 hours later.

Mining has been the cen-

Several sluice boxes stand idle as one party in the mining dispute counts its losses from investment made in the disputed area

A “raider” moves out from a mining pit in the disputed area at Tiger Creek on Monday. He was among several who were warned by the mining authorities to desist from mining there. The men however, returned to the site hours after the mining officials left Tiger Creek

Tiger Creek, Susan Emmanuel told this newspaper that the “raiders” continue to operate in the pits despite the warnings issued by the authorities during Monday’s visit. She said that GGMC officials had given her family three days to fill the mining pits with mud, including one which the “raiders” targeted. She noted that while GGMC staff left the area at

the men were also risking their lives while working below the gradient or slope of the pit. Large cracks existed on one of the walls of a pit, and according to an official, if the crack becomes loose, it could cover the men within minutes if it were to cave in.

There have been incidents of pits caving in at Tiger Creek, and on Monday,

tral economic activity at Mahdia for numerous years.

Many businesses, coastlanders and residents in and near Mahdia depend on the activity to sustain themselves. Last year’s gold find at Tiger Creek had resulted in increased tensions within the community -- a telling sign that gold is central to its development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Let’s take back our- Kildonan communities residents say at vigil

By Nafeeza Yahya “WE HAVE to take back our families! Take back our community! Take back our Youths!” These were the sentiments expressed as residents of Kildonan/ Nurney and neighbouring villages gathered to mourn the loss, and stand in solidarity with the family of the British teen who was killed, and at the same time offer prayers for the youths of the communities who have been led astray.

Residents got together to hold a candlelight vigil in light of the recent revelations of the gruesome murder of Dominic Bernard on his maiden trip to Guyana by youths of their community.

The vigil organised by the Number 28 Bush Lot/ Adventure Group started at 19:00 hrs and saw the entire community united as they marched from the entrance to where the body was discovered (Kildonan School dam) to the Bush Lot Health Centre, singing hymns as they passed, before congregating at the head of the Kildonan Primary School Dam and offered prayers for the deceased, those arrested, as well as all youths in the community and Guyana as a whole.

Entire families came out, the young dressed and

wrapped for the cool evening breeze, the elderly were assisted to seats and the immobile were wheeled to the venue, as persons stood and held hands in a circle, prayed together, cried with each other and lit candles, phones and lights for the

Notably present were the parents and guardians of those in custody, as they too stood in solidarity with the community and family of the deceased, offering condolence and condemning the actions of those responsible for the crime.

Reference was drawn to

prayed for the deceased.

The tears flowed even more when a cousin of Staymon George dedicated an emotional song to him and her other cousin who is also in custody.

A neighbour and close friend of Aaron Hing and

Fare opportunity CARIBBEAN Airlines Limited has announced that it will brand three of its aircraft with Guyana’s 50th Independence Logo in an aim to help advertise our country’s upcoming activities. So Guyana gets a massive advertising opportunity as well as reduced fares for some VIP members for some events. That’s all fine and dandy, people believe, and the news was greatly welcomed, yet many were seen asking about reduced fares for the common man. Many opted to categorise the move as “half-hearted” and more beneficial for CAL than Guyana itself, since with or without the logo, CAL remains one of the main airlines travelling to and from Guyana and will therefore see a massive profit from the expected influx of Guyanese during the period.

Nevertheless, while diplomatically saying no to questions of reduced fares following the announcement of the grand partnership, representatives of the airline have sagely advised travellers to book tickets early. Thanks, CAL, we kind of figured that part out already.

Food for thought A section of the residents gathered at the candle-light vigil deceased, whom they had never met. There was no segregation and no racial tension. Status did not matter as they all poured their hearts out.

There was representation from all religious denominations as prayers and tributes poured in, motivational speeches and singing of national songs as the community decided that they don’t want to make the headlines for the wrong reasons again.

the fact that those allegedly responsible were from broken homes and focus was placed on home as being the first institution where families are molded and the need for families to stick together, because they all saw firsthand what the results of broken homes can lead to.

“The home is a workshop where characters are produced for the society… when the home is broken the children suffer, characters are stymied, training goes through the window and society loses… we need to learn to relate at home so that we can relate abroad.”

This was part of a firedup speech by Michael Patterson, retired NIS Area Manager and a lecturer of the University of Guyana. He spoke on the importance of families and the need for persons to take charge of their homes so that the entire community would be better.

During the prayers and songs, many persons were brought to tears as they

the others in custody sobbed as he recalled the friendship that they shared and how that will be missed and what must be going on with the parents and friends of Bernard, but more importantly, the need for more help to prevent this or similar things from happening to the youths within the community.

There were talks from the various religious and social leaders in the community, including Colin Bynoe, Pastors Quacy Henry, Ronald Campbell, Dwarka Shivraj, as well as youths who all shared memories of their friends and their disbelief of what had transpired. The talks focused on love, unity, prayers and God. For many it was a wake-up call that more needed to be done for the youths.

The evening that started off with such grief ended with everyone singing the national song “Let us cooperate for Guyana.”

The vigil ended at approximately 22:00 hrs.

A glimmer of hope flickered in the minds of the locals upon the prior announcement that their beloved Pizza Hut was returning to Guyana. Now it seems like all is perfect in the land of fast food with word that the Beharry Group has acquired the KFC franchise and will also be bringing back the beloved chicken eatery.

I know for a fact that persons were less than pleased when the right to both franchises had been stripped from their original owner due to health regulations.

What was worse was that the replacement was nothing short of disappointing and substandard -- not calling names. Needless to say, the fast food enthusiasts have been given some relief; and admittedly, I believe it was highly warranted.

Going International For some reason -- apart from Lisa Punch’s stellar performance a few weeks back -- the only attention Guyana receives that goes viral comes from news that lean toward the negative side. That said, it was most unfortunate to see an article under the crime section of the UK magazine Evening Standard, detailing the chilling and unfortunate events of the “…teenage film maker killed in Guyana”. Granted, the article -– which has more than 1,000 shares -- highlights the tributes sent out in honour of the young man, but it hurts to see that this is the attention that we bring on ourselves, especially when the gruesome details are laid bare for the world to see.

What impression does the outside world gain from such news?

I’m not one for hiding the facts, so the article itself is nothing to cringe at, but the fact that it happened at all…. Depressing!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Welch says he is being framed - for weeding out corruption

By Vanessa Braithwaite GUYANA Power and Light interim CEO Colin Welch is firmly of the view that he is being framed because he is weeding out the evident corruption in the loss- recovery unit of the company.

Welch was speaking on the allegations made against him on compromising the multi-million dollar tender for prepaid meters. It was alleged that Welch tampered with the US$4M tender of 28,000 meters by sending text messages via the application Skype to the Chinese manufacturers of the meters, Shenzhen Clou Electronics Limited.

The alleged text messages were leaked revealing that the acting CEO requested that the suppliers lie about whether they manufactured the type of meters requested by GPL and whether they could ship the quantity needed. The purported text messages were aimed at expediting the shipment of the meters since the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) had closed the bids after noticing several inconsistencies with what was required and what could be supplied by Shenzhen. The Tender Board sent a correspondence to the suppliers asking for clarifications into the matter before reopening the bid.

The text messages allegedly sent by Welch were to compromise this delay.

The acting CEO in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle said that he was framed and even though he has an idea of who is out to get him, he would not disclose the individual’s name to the media. He however revealed that he was sure the individual was from the loss-reduction division since he has been weeding out corruption in that unit from the time of his tenure as Deputy CEO - TECHNICAL. The loss reduction unit that is responsible for minimizing both technical and commercial losses within the company has been doing the exact opposite since the employees within that unit were found

guilty of skullduggery, according to Welch.

FAKE PROFILE He told this publication that in his effort to thwart these fraudulent activities, he was framed by someone who created a fake profile to send electronic messages to the suppliers and then leaked those messages to the Minister of Infrastructure David Patterson among other executives of GPL. “These persons created a fake profile and even spelt my name wrong and they were attempting to discredit me to have the Government send me home,” said Welch. He said he was moving to help customers in an effort to better manage their consumption, which would allow them to pay lower electricity rates. There could not have been an accurate assessment of this initiative as GPL employees, according to Welch, were compromising the system and he commenced an investigation into the issue.

“GPL workers were assisting persons to steal from these meters and it was my intention to weed out these corrupt practices since stealing is a human behavioral problem,” he told this newspaper. This weeding out resulted in 10 teams being fired up to the time of the allegation being made against him.

After the leak of these text messages, Minister Patterson ordered an investigation into the allegations via a board of directors that will determine whether Welch was framed or not. That Board of Directors is yet to be initiated and investigations are yet to commence. The Board of Directors is also to do an investigation into Welch’s qualifications that were reported to be forged.

PASSION TO SERVE Welch told this newspaper that he left Guyana since he was a kid and always had the burning desire to give back

to his country. This desire grew stronger after learning that Guyana was struggling in his area of expertise which is procurement. Upon his return to Guyana he paid a visit to the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi with whom he shared his desire to set up a curriculum in procurement for the University.

He later received a call and was summoned to a meeting with Cabinet officials of the Government under the PPPC’s administration, who requested his service for the power company noting his wide array of qualifications, which includes achieving a degree at the University of Harvard. Welch said that he did not immediately accept and returned to the USA and he was further summoned by the then government for his services. With the blessings of his family he returned and was given the position Deputy CEO Technical.

Welch revealed to the Guyana Chronicle that his qualifications landed him several executive positions in high ranking multi-million dollar electrical companies around the world that possessed an economy higher than Guyana’s. He said he ran one of those companies in Japan. “If I wasn’t qualified two years back when I was deputy CEO, how can I not be qualified for CEO. Have my qualifications suddenly changed?” he sarcastically asked.

Welch said that Guyana’s media system worries him since articles concerning him were published and he was never invited to comment on these issues. “These media houses publish articles about me with no verification or validation and it seems to be the normal custom in Guyana to do that,” posited Mr. Welch.

When asked whether he would continue his service to GPL and to the Guyana government despite allegations against him, he said that he had come to serve his country and he was staying right here.

Colin Welch was appointed interim CEO after the dismissal of former CEO Bharat Dindyal on August 14.

Three CAL flights to carry Golden Jubilee logo AS GUYANA moves closer to its Golden Jubilee marking 50 years of political Independence from British colonial rule, government is inviting more partners in the private sector, as well as citizens to come forth and be part of the planning and organising of the golden event.

Caribbean Airlines, a flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago owned by that state, has stepped forward in a partnership with the Guyana Government for three of its flights to carry the Golden Jubilee’s logo. This will be unveiled at a ceremony on Friday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 07.30hrs.

Minister within the Min-

istry of Education, Nicolette Henry, made the announcement during a press conference yesterday in her Main Street office. She noted that Caribbean Airlines would not be the official carrier for the Golden Jubilee, but that “if other airlines wish to come on board and offer similar packages and services, there is no way we will stop [them].”

Adding to Minister Henry’s comment that the move was not about “sole-sourcing” Caribbean Airlines for the May events, Sales Executive for the airline’s Guyana and Suriname operations, Dion Inniss, plugged the move between the Guyana Gov-

ernment and CAL as being “almost natural.” He made this comment based on the history between the country and the airline.

Asked whether there were packages available for Guyanese moving in and out of the country for golden jubilee-related activities, Inniss said discussions have been under way for quite some time and that “CAL has been facilitating the requests.”

Asked specifically about cost-reduction, Inniss did not say definitively that there would be any reductions in cost, but he did say there were efforts “to keep our cost at industry-affordable rate”.

He advised against persons

waiting until the last minute to make bookings with the airlines as “those prices may not be what you are looking for.”

Henry added that while the company was not directly

investing money into Guyana hosting the Golden Jubilee, the package offered by the airline meant there would be an ease on government’s monies budgeted, since all costs would be borne by Ca-

ribbean Airlines.

Other services, specifically the transporting of items made internationally, will be offered to the Guyana Government, Henry continued.

From left, Minister Henry, and CAL Sales Executive Dion Inniss

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Hassan resigns as NCN begins rebranding

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) Molly Hassan yesterday resigned as the State-owned company embarks on a rebranding process to improve the quality of output for both radio and television.

The new Board of Directors chaired by Bish Panday accepted her resignation after receiving notice. The board was installed lastSeptember.

Hassan did not give a reason for the sudden resignation, or indicate what other avenues she would be pursuing. She was the company’s first female CEO, having been appointed in 2014 by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

Before taking up the CEO

post, Hassan served as Marketing Director at Courts Guyana. She has several years of practice in the marketing and business developmental fields.

“The strategic direction now set has necessitated several changes. This includes changes at the administrative level of the organisation based on revised terms of reference and competencies for the new structure,” said NCN in a statement.

Meanwhile, NCN’s Human Resource Manager Daren Khan has also resigned.

A report to the board stated that management had failed to obtain police clearance and written references from the Human Resources Manager in light of certain details contained in his CV.

Molly Hassan NCN also announced that several other positions, including those of CEO, Human Resources, ICT, Engineering and Programming have been rationalised, and noted that it wants new voices, faces

and ideas to help the rebranding process.

“There has been an intense and ongoing review of both the current programmes, systems, staff and technical facilities. In addition to internal work being done on re-branding, re-programming, training and creating a new content culture, a nationwide call is currently out for announcers, producers and fresh programme ideas,” the State broadcaster said in a statement.

NCN also is likely to invest heavily in new technologies to create the changes it envisioned.

“Several urgent needs in the area of physical space, telecommunications infrastructure, training, management and equipment have been identified.

Horace James likely to replace Brassington

By Svetlana Marshall CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, has been tipped to be the next CEO of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), replacing the embattled Winston Brassington.

In December, Brassington and his deputy, Marcia Nadir-Sharma, were sent on immediate administrative leave pending the outcome of another audit on the controversial government holding company, to be completed by the Auditor General’s Office while the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) continues its investigation into the operations of the entity.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed yesterday that James, a resident of Linden, Region 10, will soon be appointed CEO of NICIL. James, when contacted by this newspaper, said, “I have received no documentation,” but he offered no comment on whether he has been in discussion with the government concerning this new position.

James has been LINMINE’s CEO since 1998.

However, he had worked with the Guyana Mining Enterprise Limited (GUYMINE) since it was established in 1977.

LINMINE came into existence in June 1992, when the then government signed an order under the Public Corporations Act to dissolve GUYMINE and convert the Berbice and Linden operations into separate entities.

The Berbice operations reverted to the original name of Berbice Mining Enterprise Limited (BERMINE), and the Linden operations were renamed Linden Min-

Inc (LECI) since 2003.

The likely appointment of James comes at a time when Brassington is in the hot seat over a number of projects NICIL had engaged in under his watch, including the Marriott Hotel and the Berbice River Bridge Project.

Brassington was sent on leave amid official probes to ascertain if any “criminality” was involved in the management of NICIL. But two days

Winston Brassington

Horace James

ing Enterprise (LINMINE).

James worked between these two companies from being a cadet officer and mining engineer to CEO of LINMINE, which subsequently became the LINMINE Secretariat.

In 1980, James became the first Regional Chairman of Region 10. In addition to his post as CEO of the LINMINE Secretariat, he has been the Chairman of the Linden Electricity Company

before his leave took effect, he had publicly maintained his integrity and expressed willingness to undergo scrutiny in the courts of law.

A leaked forensic audit report on the operations of NICIL suggested that under the watch of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, NICIL had engaged in malpractices, and had made poor decisions on behalf of the people of

Guyana.

“I am confident of my integrity; I have operated for 20 years in government.

We have done a lot of projects; everything that we did has been guided by decisions and paperwork that go through the board; that go through Cabinet and even Parliament,” Brassington had said.

The board has been vigorously pursuing resources to rectify these problems,

11

and intends to continue this process in 2016,” NCN said.

Wedesday January 13th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday January 14th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Friday January 15th, 2016 - 09:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Begging is big business

By Shauna Jemmott BEGGING in the streets of the capital city has become big business, with some women renting babies for as much as $5000 daily to put up a show of being impoverished, thereby inviting sympathetic charity when they are really living in comfortable homes and have financially solid savings accounts.

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is calling on the public to desist from giving alms to those children who beg on the streets; children who sell at nights; and those begging adults who give the impression that they have to care for infant children.

CC&PA Director Ann Green told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview that, while some people are genuinely in need, begging has become big business for some. She said the agency is preparing to launch a campaign to clamp down on exploitation of children in the “begging business.”

She said that in the past the agency had faced challenges in getting the law involved, but this year the Guyana Police Force will be involved in the battle against child exploitation by adults to gain wealth.

“Getting the charge [was] difficult, but this year we seriously will be working with the police…we have laws right now, but the [dif-

ficult] thing is in getting the execution of those laws. But we have to! We have to get them charged!” Green told the Guyana Chronicle.

She also explained that parents of those children who beg and sell on the streets during school hours and at nights will be held responsible, and will face the consequences as the agency arms itself with new methods of control to ensure that children are being protected.

“This year we’re holding parents accountable! There are too many children being exploited and abused, including those neglected,” Green said.

She said no individual who uses a child to gain alms should be encouraged

to do so, and the public must beware of such beggars.

“They must not give money to those people with babies in arms on the road.

Give no child [who is] begging money, or any child selling in the night. The public must be sensitised to know that you don’t give them money, because you’re part of their exploitation when you do that,” the CPA head contended.

Instead, she explained, members of the public should become more concerned, make enquires from the children, and link them to services such as those provided by the Ministry of Social Protection and some non-governmental organisations.

“One lady had a big house in Berbice and the family was saying they can’t get her off the street. As soon as her children get big and she put them in school, she would get another one and come back.

It was a business!”

Another, she said, rented

EXPLOITATION “Every time I see, them I would say: "Tell your mother that she should come see me at Child Care and we can help her." But you don’t give children money…. Don’t put money in their hands! They are being exploited!

“Link them to services….

Question them a little bit more…. Why are they out there? Why are they doing this? Find out how you can help. Just take a little time, but don’t give them money!”

She explained that, during investigations, the CPA found that many of those very beggars are in good financial standing but have become seasoned to begging and have made it a big business.

a baby.

“We investigated another one who used to rent a baby!

Her own children became too big, and she put them in school. She rented a baby for $5000 a day! In this country!

Rent a baby? People like to give when they see a baby in (a beggar’s) hand and if she could tell a good sad story…”

Green related.

She added, “The one who is renting the baby, when we go there, (we discovered) she’s got a big house! When we investigate them, (we found that for) most of them, it’s not poverty; it’s (about) business! They’re entrenched street people in business as beggars. They’re predisposed to their lifestyle. It has be-

CPA Director, Ann Green

come part of them. It’s not because they’re poor, it’s a business!”

Greene explained that those women sometimes hide when they see her, while she has already invited some to visit her office for help.

“One day, I run in the bank (and) a lady told me ‘Hello, you drive up with that car and a lady gone running so. She say ‘look yuh coming’ and she gone running’.’

People think that I’m this big bad wolf, but I’m really not. But I’m [just] trying to look after the best interest and welfare of the children, and to stop them from being exploited,” Greene explained.

Green warned that if child beggars are not removed from Guyana’s streets early enough, the situation could become out of control.

“If we don’t stop those begging children, we are going to get like what I see happening in some foreign countries, where the children just make it a living, and they’re there on the street and they are not going to go to school!” Green stated.

She explained that sensitising the public is a great technique which is used to prevent such explosion of the condition, and people from investing in child exploitation.

“If you give them money, you’re part of their problem. If you stop it and help us, you’re part of the solution,” Green stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Solar energy company rearing to go … Canadian investors answer President’s call

By Vanessa Braithwaite A GROUP of Canadian investors will be having several engagements with ministers on their imminent establishment of a solar energy company in Guyana.

The investors were encouraged to invest in Guyana

by President Granger during his visit to Canada while campaigning and they have taken up the mandate to do so.

These businessmen who are holders of executive positions in a Canada-based company, Greenheart Tree Energy, shared their proposal with President Granger who sent ministers to Canada to have further engagements on their proposition, as he found it beneficial to his vision of a green Guyana.

The investors’ focus is on solar energy and establishing solar farms to generate a cheaper alternative for energy, thus reducing the amount of energy used to generate

electricity. These farms will provide energy to communities as well as for commercial and domestic uses.

The entrepreneurs are also interested in setting up a component factory in Guyana, with the intent of providing jobs for Guyanese. In addition to this, Greenheart Tree Energy will be establishing an institution to train persons in solar technology.

The investors met with Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson. The team was also due to meet with Colin Welch, the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) to ascertain the energy space and industrial solutions as they commence the process of bidding for those solar energy projects.

“We are here, we are serious and we are here to stay, said CEO of Greenheart Tree, Esmonde Klass, a former

Some of the executives of Greenheart Tree Energy in discussion at the Georgetown Club on Sunday Queen’s College alumnus.

The company has recorded several success stories from their investments

Man wounds elderly taxi driver TOOWAN Fraser, 27, appeared at the Linden Magistrates Court to answer to the charge of unlawfully wounding elderly taxi driver Trevor Williams of 313 Block 22, Wismar, Region 10.

Williams testified that on April 14, 2015, Toowan Fraser carelessly overtook his vehicle and slammed into its back. The defendant then drove off, and he followed him to the Wismar Bus Park, where he confronted him about hitting his vehicle.

Fraser became irate and dealt him two lashes with a wood to his forehead and his eye.

He had to be assisted by some public-spirited persons to regain his balance after becoming dizzy.

Williams said he drove to the Mackenzie Police Station, made a report about what had happened, and was asked to obtain a medical certificate detailing his injuries. He then went to the Mackenzie Hospital, where he was examined and treated by a doctor, who filled out a medical report.

The unrepresented Fraser, himself a taxi driver residing in Block 22, was

asked by Magistrate Clive Nurse if he has anything to ask the virtual complainant, and he answered in the affirmative.

Fraser then asked Williams whether he had notified him that he had hit his car, and with what attitude he had approached, since that

is what prompted him to retaliate.

Trevor Williams responded that he approached him on the said day and he came out of his car and began to be violent towards him.

Fraser will make his next appearance in court on January 19.

around the world – especially the United States, Poland and Kuwait. They are very optimistic of the success that will be derived from this investment and are excited to commence operations.

“This is a beautiful country with fantastic people and a new government, so we are

optimistic about our business venture here, since it is already a way of life for many nations,” posited Procurement Officer Tom Krupa.

Being cognisant of the high electricity rate that Guyanese have to pay, Greenheart Tree Energy executives are confident that they will provide an alternative solution to the

populace that will be cost-effective.

This alternative will also be contributing to a green economy, which is one of the reasons the President has displayed interest in this investment and will give the company his support as promised in Canada.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

CARICOM impressed by work of St Francis

A TEAM from the CARICOM Secretariat paid an official visit to the St Francis Community Developers and Friends of St Francis recently and was impressed with the work of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

St Francis Community Developers is headquartered in Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Berbice.

The high profile CARICOM team which comprised Assistant Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater, Deputy Programme Manager of Youth Development Yldiz Pollock Beighl, Deputy Programme Manager of Agricultural Development, Dr Ronnie Braithwaithe, Senior Communications Assistant Tusankaine English Francis, Senior Communication Technician Rawl Ward and Senior Distribution Clerk Gloria Whitney had a tour of the complex and were able to see firsthand the facilities and services offered by the organisation.

In brief remarks, the Assistant Secretary General praised the St Francis Community Developers for the great work it is doing and considered it an honour for CARICOM to be joining with the group.

He also expressed intentions to replicate the good work of the group not only in other regions of Guyana but with other CARICOM member states as regional youth integration is a very strong passion of Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRoque.

Dr Salter said the timing for this collaboration is perfect since the Commonwealth Youth Programme is no more and CARICOM will use the opportunity to take up the mantle and further enhance some of those programmes.

He however stressed that it will require quite a lot of cooperation but it is possible since they have already started well and St Francis Community Developers can aid in the execution of a lot of the projects being put into effect by CARICOM since they interact firsthand with the main beneficiaries and are in a better position to offer assistance.

Francis Community Developers. He also used the opportunity to seek CARICOM’s assistance in the area of youth employment.

Meanwhile, President of St Francis Community Developers Alex Foster in his remarks thanked CARICOM for their visit and recognition and spoke about the work of the organisation. He shared his personal experience that made him so passionate about community development. He also called on CARICOM to fill the shoes left by the Commonwealth Youth Programme initiative, and more specifically affording youths of various countries the opportunity to travel to sister CARICOM states to see and experience firsthand the other groups and their initiatives.

As part of the humanitarian work of the St Francis Community Developers, a number of wheelchairs were handed over to family members, through a donation by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc, in the presence of the Assistant Secretary General and his team. St Francis Community Developers donated 150 wheelchairs so far in the Berbice area alone.

Foster said that on a recent visit to the organisation President David Granger also endorsed its work and pledged his Government’s assistance while noting the need to replicate such work across the country.

Meanwhile, several youths from across Region Six were invited to be part of a discussion on youth development and the role CARICOM plays in youth development and integration.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, CARICOM Youth Ambassador to Guyana Jule Qualertan explained that from the discussions she realised they had a dynamic group of young people with great skill sets. Therefore they used the opportunity to talk to them about how they can actually use the skills they have, the need for training and collaboration with other CARICOM member states. Discussions were held on CARICOM, CSME and how they can be involved and what are some of their ideas for integration.

WORKS OF LITERATURE The Assistant Secretariat General also used the opportunity to donate several works of literature on CARICOM to the organisation which in turn will distribute them to schools and various other bodies.

Also present was Region Six Chairman David Armogan who thanked CARICOM for their visit to the region and expressed satisfaction that they are collaborating with St

OPRAH WINFREY VISIT St Francis community Developers is one of the oldest and most recognised community groups regionally and internationally. The organisation has received several international awards for their outstanding community work.

Plans are afoot to facilitate a visit for world-renowned philanthropist and TV personality Oprah Winfrey as part of the group’s 30th anniversary.

CARICOM Assistant Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater hands over several pieces of literature to St Francis Community Developers President Alex Foster during his visit to the NGO

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Toucan Connection still owes 15 workers SINCE the abrupt closure of Toucan Connection, the St Kitts-based company in August, the 15 workers who were dismissed, are still to be paid their severance package.

To date, 63 of the former employees were paid off, but the 15 have not been given any explanation as to why they have not been paid.

According to Social Protection Ministry Public Relations Officer Terrence Esseboom, the Ministry has taken up the issue. Officials from the company have since gone back to St Lucia but the Ministry is contemplating a diplomatic solution by engaging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.

Esseboom said that four of the 15 workers who were not

paid have been contacted and they have all expressed their disappointment.

Onika Paddy, who was in the employ of the company for four years, told the Guyana Chronicle that she feels very disappointed about not being paid since she was assured payment by her former employers.

The woman said it is very unfair that some persons were given payment while others were not, and to date, she has not been given any definite answer as to when she will be given her severance package.

Mrs Paddy noted that that even though she became employed recently, the abrupt closure of the company dealt her a

great financial blow as she had several financial obligations. “It really affected me because I had a lot of bills to pay and I am now in a lot of debts and I will have to catch up to offset those deaths.

Minister in the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson, has revealed to this publication that several investors have expressed interest in establishing a company at the building which had housed Toucan Connection.

She said those investors will give the former employees first preference when seeking a work force. The majority of workers were young women and were deeply affected by the company’s decision to close its operations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Third suspect confesses to Bath murder - residents say bandits becoming too brazen

By Clifford Stanley POLICE yesterday arrested the third suspect in the murder at Bath Settlement and Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, and the man has confessed to both crimes.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed that the suspect was arrested on the foreshore of Number 4 Village, West Coast Berbice, which is six miles east of Bath Settlement where the first home invasion and murder took place, by ranks acting on information received.

The man, muddy and dishevelled attracted much curious attention when he was taken to the Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital for medical checkup shortly after his arrest and then placed in the lockups.

He subsequently confessed to the police that he had been involved in both the killing at Bath Settlement and the double murder at Bush Lot.

Three persons are now in custody, two of whom have confessed to both murders and a third one who confessed to the double murders at Bush Lot. The Crime Chief said the police are going to submit the relevant files for legal advice today prior to formal charges being laid.

He said all the other suspects who had been grilled for questioning in the murders, including the daughter of the woman who died at Bath Settlement, have been released.

Meanwhile, residents said that the recent and unprecedented spike in home invasions is very troubling, and called on the authorities to take urgent action to address the situation.

A reliable source involved in crime-fighting has said that there have in recent weeks been two types of home invasions on the West Coast of Berbice: one being burglaries, where the perpe-

trators enter homes when the victims are not present.

The other type involves the really scary ones: the perpetrators who work in crews and carry a gun or other weapons and break down the front door or breaks into the home by some other means and demand, “Where is your cash and jewellery?”

He said that in a recent case it was found that the bandits had entered a home from the roof of the building.

STRATEGIC “They target a home, usually where there are not many people or where a couple or senior citizen lives alone. The more isolated the home the better. They look for homes in dark areas. They conduct surveillance on the home and then execute their plan being prepared for anything that they will meet inside.

These chaps have no fear and in most cases no mercy for their victims.”

He however noted that the community can play a key role in providing intelligence to the regular police or to community police, since in most cases they know most of the perpetrators.

“They know who sells drugs in the village. They know who buys and smokes the drugs; where they congregate and this intelligence can help the police to break up gangs before they become a real menace to the community.”

Last week bandits broke into two homes: one at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice and the other at Bush Lot. They collected their booty, but instead of just going their way, they tortured their victims in the most brutal manner.

One resident at Bath Settlement disclosed that a suspected home invasion crew had been operating in the two villages for quite some time but had only recently turned

deadly.

BRAZEN “They have generally preferred to enter homes when no one is present and then eat and even cook food, rest in their hammock and rob the premises at their leisure.

This has been happening particularly at Bath Settlement for the longest while. It is only now that they have been committing these crazy and murderous acts that people have been taking them seriously,” he said.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has joined with others in expressing concern about the latest trend of violent home invasions on the West Coast of Berbice.

“We are watching these developments very closely; watching how the results achieved by the police and hoping that they can get the perpetrators off the road and have them face justice. The regional administration will

give the police the fullest possible support,” he said.

Residents are optimistic that the arrests have broken up a murderous home-invasion crew operating on the West Coast, but they remain afraid.

They strongly feel there is need for more street-lights in their villages.

They are also hoping for a resuscitation of the Community Policing Groups in the villages and for people to be encouraged to pass on information about the "bad eggs" in the community to the police.

But they also want their information to be treated with strict confidentiality, so as to avoid reprisals.

One woman who had suffered a home invasion, but declined to give her name because of safety concerns, said: “What has been happening on the West Coast of Berbice is new. It is not good. Not here. Not anywhere.”

‘Operation Dragnet’ exercise starts today

RANKS of the Joint Services will be involved in the ‘Operation Dragnet’ exercise between 06:00hrs and 18:00hrs commencing today and concluding to-

morrow.

The exercise will be conducted in the Timehri, East Bank Demerara area and its environs, a press release from the Guyana Police Force said.

There will be movement of Joint Services personnel and pyrotechnics will be used, which will result in periodical, loud explosions. However, members of the public are asked not to be alarmed during the period of the exercise.

‘Operation Dragnet’ commenced on December 1 and will conclude on June 1, just after Guyana will have celebrated its 50th Independence anniversary.

The exercise was initiated after a security briefing to Cabinet by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, following instructions from

- in Timehri, environs

President David Granger as government seeks to ramp up security in light of various security threats.

A major consideration for the deployment of the army is the current crime situation.

‘Operation Dragnet’ will see an increased presence of Joint Services members and other law-enforcement agencies at key locations across Guyana.

All members of the po-

lice force, who are not engaged in core policing functions, would be deployed to give an increased “robust presence” to boost public confidence and ensure safety of the general populace.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

GPOC records 31% reduction in mail

By Rabindra Rooplall THE Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) recorded a 31 per cent reduction in mail last year, handling a total of 6,979,021 pieces compared to 7,389,194 pieces in 2014.

According to GPOC Postmistress General Karen Brown, this was inclusive of air-mail and domestic mail. She noted that movement of mail was another challenge for the corporation. In November 2015, the company was able to re-arrange the agreement with Copa Airlines to move mail to Cuba, which was a challenge the GPOC was facing in this regard.

“Previously, it was transited through Jamaica to Cuba, but Jamaica had a problem. They kept the mail for a couple months, and then returned it to Guyana. So we met with Copa and they are moving mail for us to Cuba,” the postmistress noted.

Meanwhile, the GPOC in 2016 will be aiming to have fully computerised counter operations in addition to providing motorcycles for postage deliveries and other advancements on par with other postage companies.

“Currently, 41 of our offices have computers, and by February our counter operations at GPO will be fully computerised,” she said. “We already have 10 computers [waiting] to roll out,” according to Brown.

She noted that the Caribbean Postal Union -- a training school that was opened in Barbados in 2015 -- has assisted the GPOC with three training programmes. Areas of security and domestic operations were also covered in the training.

“We have to come on par with FEDEX, DHL and our other competitors,” she pointed out, during the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s end-of-year press conference. She stated that this will come about, partly, through a regional

effort.

“We’ll be looking to push our express mail service, since we have Fly Jamaica. We have to look for another carrier for Europe. We’re also looking to capitalise on training. And in terms of ICT, we are looking to computerise most of our operations,” the Postmistress General stated.

There were two projects funded through the Quality Service Fund (QSF), Brown said, and those projects were

the insulation of cluster boxes and the supply of motorcycles to postmen.

“At the close of the [cluster box] project, we had additional funds to draw down. So we intend to utilise it to buy some more motorcycles to increase our efficiency in our

mail delivery.”

OTHER REVENUE SOURCES In addition, Brown stated that other objectives for the first quarter of 2016 would include acquiring a scanner and two more vehicles, with funding from the QSF. Underscoring last year’s performance, Brown revealed that the corporation had to move to other areas in making revenue as use of postal services is reduced.

“We all know post is dying… with the advent of email and Whatsapp. So the other services that we were involved in are bill payments from GTT (Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company), GPL (Guyana Power and Light), GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated), Courts and domestic money order remittances.”

These other services, she said, were offered throughout the country at the corporation’s 64 locations. She also listed the domestic parceling and packaging service as another source of revenue. In addition, she gave credit to domestic and express mail service, postage and revenue stamp sales.

ELECTRONIC BILLING Brown noted that government agencies, which have generally been moving towards electronic billing and other services on their websites to customers, have contributed to this decrease.

“We are trying to push our money order service,” she said. “You can be in Port Kaituma and send money for your relative in Georgetown or any part of the country where we have a presence... so if you have a landlord and you do not want to interface with [him or her], you come to the post office, take out your money order and post it to the landlord.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (third right), and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson (fourth left), with UAE Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy (fourth right), and her team. Advisor to the Public Infrastructure Minister, Kenneth Jordan, is at second left

UAE offers technical support to Guyana

A MEETING between the Ministers of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and representatives of the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen that Middle Eastern nation offering technical support to the Infrastructure Ministry in desired areas.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, yesterday received a courtesy call from Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State of UAE, who was accompanied by five UAE representatives. During the fruitful meeting, Minister Al Hashimy indicated that her visit to Guyana was her first in the hemisphere. The delegation expressed interest in Guyana’s energy sector, particularly in the country’s renewable energy potential.

A representative shared that the UAE was an early adopter of renewable energy and invests in the sector, both domestically and internationally. The representative further said that the UAE had been bringing together in the energy sector key players ranging from investments to technology.

In turn, Minister Patterson indicated that Guyana was now embarking on the "greening" of the nation and the harnessing of its renewable energy potential. He shared that the goal was to start on a small scale, with the aim of having 75 to 100 megawatts of renewable energy available in five years.

In response, Minister Al Hashimy said that the UAE was open to providing technical support to Guyana, particularly in the areas in which it thrives. She stressed the desire to improve relations between Guyana and her nation.

“We’re very willing to share our expertise… if our success can be replicated with you, then that makes all of us stronger,” she said.

Outside of renewable energy, the Minister of State indicated that the UAE was willing to offer support in other areas, including aviation. She noted that the UAE has great strength in that sector.

This news was well received by Minister Ferguson, who has responsibility for aviation under the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Al Hashimy further urged the ministers to identify areas which need support under the Infrastructure Ministry.

“If you know what you want and what you need, then we can match-make with the right agencies. If you can articulate what you want, and show how it aims towards your overall vision, then we’re willing to share our support and knowledge,” she said.

Minister Al Hashimy’s visit to Guyana came to an end yesterday. During her two-day visit, she and her team met with a number of ministers. She explained that the aim was to “cover as many areas as possible, to see how we can strengthen ties as widely as possible”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Police equipped to strengthen investigations

CANADIAN High Commissioner Pierre Giroux yesterday officially handed over several pieces of equipment to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, for use by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The donation includes crime scene kits, six Canon cameras, and an Ocean System hardware and software system valued at Cdn$22,000 (Gy $3,043,280).

The simple handing-over ceremony was held at the Police Officers Training Centre at Eve Leary in Georgetown.

This generous gesture is part of Canada’s two-year “Strengthening the Guyanese Criminal Justice System” project, which is being implemented by Canadian

non-governmental organisation (NGO) the Justice Education Society (JES).

The JES project aims to increase evidence-led investigations with a view to decreasing impunity rates.

The JES is currently conducting its second set of training activities with the Guyana Police Force. This training centres on Major Case Management, Forensic Video Analysis, and Crime Scene Management.

High Commissioner Giroux emphasised the importance of having the necessary tools to implement the knowledge gained through training, and highlighted the particular usefulness of the forensic video analysis equipment, which will capitalise

Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux hands over a piece of the equipment to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, while Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud looks on appreciatively

on the numerous closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around Georgetown.

With this equipment, officers of the newly-established Forensic Video Analysis Unit will now be enabled to extract the relevant video footage and enhance images.

High Commissioner Giroux also commended the admirable work of JES, citing personal experience of successful work with JES in El

Salvador.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening security in Guyana, Minister Ramjattan thanked the Canadian Government and the JES for their timely support in strengthening Guyana’s criminal justice

system.

The Government of Canada, through its Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programme (ACCBP), is providing Cdn $750,000 (Gy $106 million) to JES to implement this project over two years.

The project is being im-

plemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Public Security and Legal Affairs, as well as the Office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Guyana Police Force.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Avinesh Singh freed of murder charge

WITH a broad smile on his face, and arm in arm with his mother, 21-yearold Avinesh Singh yesterday walked out of the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, a free man following three years on remand as a murder

accused.

Singh was just 18 years old when he was arrested and charged with the beating to death of housewife Margaret Singh.

Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool yesterday hand-

ed down her decision, after sufficient evidence could not be found to link Singh to the murder.

From the time Singh was arrested, he was represented

by Attorney-at-law Wanda Samantha Fortune of the

Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.

Particulars of the charge detailed that on January 4, 2013, at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), Avinesh Singh murdered housewife Margaret Singh. Avinesh Singh was reportedly arrested on January 12, 2013, and had not been required to plead to the indictable offence when he initially appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs at Vreed-en-Hoop Court on January 16, 2013.

Singh, whose addresses were given as Greenwich Park, EBE, and Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was

accused of murdering the woman, to whom he is unrelated, in her Orangestein, EBE home.

A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) which saw some 13 witnesses testifying had commenced since March 2015.

A confession statement had, on an earlier occasion, been ruled inadmissible by the magistrate because it was not deemed freely and voluntarily given.

Reports are that Singh had to be taken for medical treatment at a hospital, although police officers denied ever beating him while he was in custody.

Meanwhile, the deceased was attacked in her home and beaten with an iron bar to the head. She subsequently died in hospital on January 4, 2013. Her grandchild whom she was caring at the time of the attack was also beaten. The child was discharged from hospital one week after the attack, but the woman remained a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital until she succumbed.

Some $30,000 cash and two cellphones were reportedly stolen from the home. The bandit had also ransacked the house.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

Life term for murdering girlfriend MURDER accused David Godfrey Johnson yesterday pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He was sentenced to life-imprisonment, which spans at least 20 years. Though with the deduction of four years, which was served by incarceration, presiding Judge Navindra Singh noted that with good behaviour the prisoner could enjoy parole and be out after serving 16 years.

The 27-year-old prisoner told the court that no one had forced him to plead guilty, and that he fully knew that he was responsible for his girlfriend’s death.

Death it is said was due to drowning with brunt trauma.

Johnson, called “Red Man,” is said to have committed the act in 2012 when he murdered Leonaka Natasha.

The judge advised the prisoner to take advantage of the opportunity offered him to learn a trade while in custody and to do all in his power to take his rightful place in society.

Prosecuting in the matter were lawyers Naressa Leander, Michael Shahoud and Siand Dhurjon. ***************

Murder trial adjourned

THE Jermaine Maynard murder trial which began at the Demerara Assizes yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury has been adjourned to Thursday.

Maynard is accused of having, between December 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014, in the county of Demerara, murdered Carlisa Matthews. ***************

Leon Duncan murder trial begins

A MIXED jury was empanelled at the Demerara Assizes yesterday before Justice Madam Seunaraine Beharry to try Leon Duncan called Leon James or “whistle” for the murder of Intaz Rupnaraine in the course or furtherance of a robbery.

The hearing is continuing. Prosecuting in the matter are lawyers Orienthia Schmidt, Tunno Hardy and Stacy Goodings. Defending is Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron. ***************

Chief Justice inspects Guard of Honour

ACTING Chief Justice Madame Cummings-Edwards yesterday inspected a Guard of Honour drawn from 60 ranks of the TSU, and later took the salute during a march-past, to mark the opening of the January Criminal Session in Demerara.

The usual traditional ceremonial parade was held to mark the occasion.

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Kitty Market unsafe for vendors

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--Town Clerk

TOWN Clerk Royston King on Monday described the Kitty Market as ‘unsafe and ruinous’, and called on City Councillors to make a decision as to whether or not the 46 vendors there would be relocated.

Addressing the municipality’s fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall, King observed that the Kitty Market vendors are in harm’s way.

The market, sitting on the corner of Barr and Alexander Streets in Kitty, Georgetown, has, time and again, been described as an “eye sore,” as an “accident waiting to happen,” and as a “threat to life and limb”.

King further informed that the City Council is trying to locate some research done years ago on the structural soundness of the market, and is still to decide whether it will proceed to restore the market through a public/ private partnership or will go it alone.

“Council has to decide if we will relocate the vendors.

They are in harm’s way,” he said.

Officials have always

said that the restoration of the market is still on the cards of the M&CC, but has often cited lack of finances to move the process forward.

The original intention was for the architectural design of the market to be retained so that it can be restored to its exact original appearance, but it is not clear if this is still the intention of the M&CC. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green told this newspaper in the past that, to her knowledge, the undertaking was at a standstill because then Town Clerk Carol Sooba had failed to implement certain decisions that were taken by Council with respect to the market.

According to ChaseGreen, the Council wanted the job to go to public tender so that anyone who was interested in rehabilitating the entire structure, or at least portions of it, could have come forward with a proposal which the Markets and Public Health Committee would have reviewed.

She said the Kitty Market remains a source of worry

because vendors are still there plying their trade.

Stallholders have, time and again, made known their concerns, and have demanded that urgent measures be put in place to save the edifice.

On one occasion, the vendors had pointed out that many of them depend on the market for their livelihoods and they are quite frustrated at the circumstances under which they are forced to do business.

The stallholders are of the view that the present state of the market was due to the willful neglect of Council over many years.

The vendors claimed they have formed a committee and had written several letters to then President Donald Ramotar; former Minister of Local Government, Ganga Persaud; Mayor Hamilton Green; and Sooba, pleading for help.

They declared they are “fed up” of hearing action will be taken, and demand that a decision be made for immediate works to start, as the state of the market is driving customers away.

Town Clerk Royston King has called on City Councillors to make a decision as to whether or not the 46 vendors at the Kitty Market should be relocated

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Sudoku

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday January 13, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Smith, Bailey tons power Australia to five-wicket win (REUTERS) - Captain Steve Smith and George Bailey struck fluent centuries as Australia chased down a steep 310-run target to win the first one-day international against India by five wickets in Perth yesterday.

Smith fell for his highest ODI score of 149 with Australia two runs short of victory and the right-hander left the ground shaking his head before watching his team seal victory with four balls to spare.

Opener Rohit Sharma smashed an unbeaten 171 to lift India to 309 for three after the touring side won the toss and chose to bat first in sublime batting conditions at the WACA ground.

India lost Shikhar Dhawan (nine) early but Rohit, the only cricketer with two double-cen-

turies in this format, and Test captain Virat Kohli (91) laid the platform for a late flourish with a 207-run stand for the second wicket.

India left-arm paceman Barinder Sran (3-56) gave his side a dream start on his debut by dismissing hard-hitting openers Aaron Finch (eight) and David Warner (five) in successive overs to reduce Australia to 21 for two.

But Bailey (112) scored his third ODI hundred and added 242 for the third wicket with his skipper to take the match away from India.

Bailey was lucky to survive an appeal for caught behind on the first ball he faced with television replays confirming Bran’s delivery brushing his glove on the way through to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India also missed several opportunities to run the righthander out when their throws failed to hit the stumps.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sent back Bailey and Glenn Maxwell (six) in successive overs to give India hope but it was too little, too late.

The 28-year-old Rohit, whose 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 remains the highest individual score in the 50-over format, hit 13 fours and seven sixes.

Rohit’s 163-ball knock was the highest score by a visiting batsman against Australia, overtaking West Indies great Viv Richards’s unbeaten 153 in 1979 in Melbourne.

Kohli fell in unselfish manner trying to score quickly for his team and was out caught close to the boundary rope by Aaron

Finch off paceman James Faulkner, who finished with figures of 2-60 in his 10 overs.

Paceman Scott Boland made a forgettable debut for Australia as he gave away 74 runs in his 10

overs while the other debutant Joel Paris also went wicket-less, conceding 53 in his eight.

Brisbane will host the second match of the five-game series on Friday.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA innings Ro. Sharma not out 171 S. Dhawan c M. Marsh b Hazlewood 9 V. Kohli c Finch b Faulkner 91 M. Dhoni c Boland b Faulkner

18 R. Jadeja not out 10 Extras: (lb-6, w-4) 10 Total: (for 3 wickets, 50 overs) 309 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-243, 3-286.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 10-0-41-1, J. Paris 8-0-53-0 (w-1), M. Marsh 9-0-53-0 (w-1), S. Boland 10-0-740, J. Faulkner 10-0-60-2 (w-1), G. Maxwell 3-0-22-0 (w-1).

AUSTRALIA innings A. Finch c & b Sran 8

D. Warner c Kohli b Sran 5 S. Smith c Kohli b Sran 149 G. Bailey c B. Kumar b Ashwin

112 G. Maxwell c S. Dhawan b Ashwin

6 M. Marsh not out 12 J. Faulkner not out 1 Extras: (lb-5, w-12) 17 Total: (for 5 wickets, 49.2 overs) 310 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-21, 3-263, 4-273, 5-308.

Bowling: B. Sran 9.2-0-56-3 (w3), B. Kumar 9-0-42-0 (w-4), Ro. Sharma 1-0-11-0, U. Yadav 10-054-0 (w-3) R. Jadeja 9-0-61-0 (w-1), R. Ashwin 9-0-68-2 (w-1), V. Kohli 2-0-13-0.

‘This type of inspiration is needed for young people’ YOUNG people now have new highs to set their sights on, according to Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry, as she officially opened the Fitness 53 Gym at Providence on Monday evening.

Built and owned by former Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, the gym, located at Plantation M, Providence, opened its doors to the public yesterday morning.

Speaking at the launch, Henry contended that, “This is the type of inspiration that we need for our young people so they can dream bigger and reach higher, so I would like to congratulate Mr Sarwan on this initiative. I would also like to pledge the support of the government as it relates to supporting this gym from two fronts.

“One, from an athletics perspective, it certainly can

provide the type of exposure that our athletes need and so that’s a good opportunity. Secondly from a public health perspective it can provide people with the type of exercise that they would need to address NCD (non-communicable diseases),” continued Minister Henry.

She noted that these two aspects are important for Nation-building.

Also making brief remarks

... says Minister Henry at the Fitness 53 Gym opening was chairman of the National Sport Commission, Ivan Persaud, who stated that the investment means that persons have less excuses not to be fitter and to train harder.

Sarwan, giving brief comments, spoke of his long nights in ensuring his

Moore, Skeete nominated...

From Backpage

media will also be able to vote for the Male and Female Best XIs. In each category, a list of nominees has already been determined through voting of Technical Directors from each of CONCACAF’s 41 Member Associations and the CONCACAF Technical Study Group, which analyzes tactics and rates performances at all official CONCACAF tournaments.

The lists have now been submitted for final voting among three important stake-holding segments of the Confederation:

National ...

From Backpage

Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti, while in Group ‘B’, hosts Cuba will be joined by St Maarten, Costa Rica and Guadeloupe.

The top two teams from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament will advance to the CONCACAF Futsal Championship 2016 which will be held in Costa Rica in May.

Member Associations’ men’s and women’s national team coaches and captains, media and fans.

The national team coaches and captains from across the Confederation will account for one third of the final vote, and accredited members of CONCACAF’s media circle will contribute another third of the tally.

Fans from around the region and the world are invited to vote online for the final one-third segment of the vote. Fans can have their say by visiting the fan-voting page on CONCACAF.com.

Same as previous editions, the CFU Futsal tournament acts as the CONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia as the CONCACAF representatives.

Guyana last participated at the CFU Futsal Tournament in 2008, finishing fourth behind winners and hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti (second place) and Suriname (third place).

dream became a reality. He thanked his parents and friends who ensured that he kept pushing for the facility.

The Providence-based facility features sections for weights, cardio, aerobics as well as a sauna and a fitness bar for persons serious about their training.

Sarwan confirmed that he had the facility officially called Fitness 53 after his West Indies number. It was an idea in thought for over five years and Saturday’s event marks his first investment off the field.

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Patrons will be charged $6 000 for registration and a monthly fee of $5 500 for use of the facility which will be open from 05:30hrs to 22:00hrs every day.

The former West Indies player also confirmed that he is working to ensure that the Gym’s trainers have updated information, commit to refresher courses as well as have various sessions with international figures from time to time.

He has also confirmed that the Gym will have a nutritionist to assist elite athletes in devising programmes to ensure their overall progress.

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28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

FIFA ethics panel chamber to appeal bans for Platini, Blatter ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA ethics investigators said yesterday they planned an appeal that could extend eight-year bans on world football body president Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter and European football boss Michel Platini, raising the possibility of lifelong exclusion.

Blatter and Platini were both banned from football last month for ethics violations, leaving the global game leaderless as it seeks to dig itself out from beneath a slew of corruption cases.

Both have denied wrongdoing.

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini The two escaped potential lifetime bans demanded by the committee’s investigatory arm when

the panel’s adjudicatory chamber found no evidence of bribery linked to a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million)

payment FIFA made to Platini in 2011, with Blatter’s approval.

“We have announced we plan to appeal the 8-year bans against Platini and Blatter,” investigatory panel spokesman Andreas Bantel told reporters in Zurich, where FIFA has its headquarters.

While Blatter and Platini have said the panel was seeking a lifetime ban from the sport, Bantel said he declined to comment on the content of its appeal.

Blatter has said he feels “abandoned” by the global football body and will now

focus on clearing his name through his own appeal.

Platini, who was the strong favourite to succeed Blatter until becoming mired in allegations that led to his ban, has also said he will appeal.

The crisis gripping the football world began with arrests of a group of FIFA officials at a luxury Zurich hotel in May. Since then Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice has frozen around $80 million in assets in 13 bank accounts and the United States has charged 41 people and entities in a probe of corruption that spans football bodies around

the globe.

There is precedent for extending bans on appeal.

Vernon Manilal Fernando, a former FIFA executive committee member from Sri Lanka, was banned for eight years by the ethics committee in April 2013.

The investigatory chamber appealed against this, saying the ban was too short, while Fernando fought the ban that he said was too long.

In October 2013 FIFA’s Appeal Committee increased the ban to life.

This decision was upheld by the Court for Arbitration in Sport in March 2015.

Simon to head Essequibo softball body WITH the popularity of softball cricket on the rise, Essequibians have formed an area board, with the aim to better administrate the sport in the county.

The board, which has representation from all areas, is headed by Travis Simon of the Wild Oats Sports Club.

Other executives and members elected to serve for the first term are: vice-president Anil Durga (United Brothers); secretary Elroy Stephney (Ravens); treasurer Ekkie Persaud (Wild Oats Sports Club); assostant secretary/treasurer Sherman Austin (Jacklow); PRO Dasroy Balgobin (Jib); members – Latchmikant Narine (Ra-

Some of the members of the Essequibo Board. Travis Simon (left) is being congratulated by Leomard Harprashad.

Notable Dates

BRIAN Muller pulled off his 20th professional victory when he secured a 10-round majority decision over Matthew Lewis on January 13, 1986 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

The southpaw Muller was unblemished in six years when he came up against Lewis, his last defeat coming at the hands of Mark Harris on Boxing Day in 1980.

In an exciting affair Harris won by split decision after 12 rounds. In the first three years of his career Muller had taken on and defeated some of the best that Guyana had to offer. He came out unscathed against the legendary Lennox Beckles, had back-to-back victories against Albert Browne and triumphed over vastly skilled Reggie Ford.

Muller, a must on Guyana’s top ten fighters of all-time, later moved to the greener pastures of North America where he continued to reap success.

He engaged in 11 fights there, losing only twice. The slick southpaw middleweight made his last professional appearance in June 1986 and suffered a TKO in the seventh round while challenging Frank Tate.

Muller turns 62 in June and resides in Nevada, USA.

vens); Nazir Khan (Cotton Field); Thakur Samlall (Shawn XI).

According to a release from the body, the first task is to regularise softball cricket in the Cinderella County within their jurisdiction and to ensure that areas and teams are structured in order to have continuity.

The board will examine the other sub-committees and also name its two representatives on the Guyana Softball League at its next meeting to be held shortly.

Simon expressed confidence in his team. He also called for all representatives of areas in Essequibo to come on board to build and

solidify the game in Essequibo for the benefit of all areas.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Softball League has extended its congratulations to Simon and his team, and looks forward to working assiduously to ensure that respect and glory come back to softball cricket in Essequibo.

Further, the body will run off its first tournament, in collaboration with the Guyana Softball League and the Regional Democratic Council.

Dubbed the Essequibo Challenge Cup, the one-day tournament is billed for Saturday, and all areas will participate.

E i g h t m a t c h e s a re planned for the day.

Charles leads Windward Volcanoes to victory

THE Windward Islands Volcanoes secured a narrow one-wicket win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the NAGICO Super50 tournament at Warner Park, St Kitts on Monday.

Chasing the Leewards total of 238, Johnson Charles led the way for the Windwards with a brisk knock of 72 off 72 balls before being caught off the bowling of Daren Cruickshank.

He received strong support from Kyle Mayers, who ended on 55 not out, and hit the winning run as the Windwards scrambled home with three balls remaining.

Shane Shillingford also added to the total, making up somewhat for a disappointing turn with the ball, when he added 27 off 17 balls.

Jacques Taylor was the pick of the Leewards bowlers after ending with figures of 3 for 27.

In their turn at the crease the Hurricanes were powered by knocks of 74, off 110 balls, from Montcin Hodge and 64 off 125 from Cruickshank. Mervin Matthews did the most damage with the ball for the Volcanoes, claiming 3 for 49, while Delorn Johnson and Mayers claimed two wickets apiece. (Sportsmax.com)

Johnson Charles strokes 72 off 72 balls.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Cook, McCullum, Azhar and O’Brien recall their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup days

WITH just 15 days to go before the first ball is bowled in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, current stars Alastair Cook of England, New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, Azhar Ali of Pakistan and Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien recall how their participation in this tournament helped them develop as cricketers.

The upcoming tournament will take place in four Bangladesh cities from February 27 to March 14 and will feature nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal and Scotland.

Cook, the England Test captain who played in the 2004 edition in Bangladesh, said it’s a special feeling to take part in a global event.

“Representing your country at a World Cup is a huge honour and a special occasion for players, coaches and families,” he said.

“Getting selected is down to a lot of hard work and sacrifice. An ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is a great opportunity for players to test themselves against the best in the world and hopefully create some lasting memories.

“Very best of luck to all involved and in particular the England team, led by Brad

Alastair Cook: U19 World Cup is a great opportunity for players to test themselves against the best in the world and hopefully create some lasting Taylor.”

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who played in the 1998 tournament in South Africa, agreed with Cook that the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup was a great learning experience.

“I look back at the tournament as a step up from anything I had played in beforehand,” said McCullum.

“It’s an opportunity to test yourself against the world’s best and no doubt there will be some stars of the future playing this time around too.”

McCullum said his senior team will be closely following the performance of the young New Zealand cricketers in Bangladesh.

Azhar Ali: Brendon McCullum: No doubt there will The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup gives be some stars of the young players the future playing this feel of international time around too. cricket in a highly “Good luck to all the playcompetitive ers lucky enough to be attendenvironment. ing and especially the New Zealand team,” he said. “The Black Caps will be keeping a close eye on how you go.”

Pakistan’s one-day captain Azhar Ali, a frontline batsman who played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2002 as a SHANNON Crawford was wrist-spinner, said it was an re-elected unopposed as the important tournament for any president of the Demerara Cricket Umpire and Scorers ambitious youngster.

Association (DCUSA) when “This tournament is takthe entity held its Annual en seriously by all because General Meeting on Sunday it affords an opportunity to at the Lusignan Community throw the young ones in the Centre, East Coast Demerara. deep end and assess their According to a release future potential,” said Azhar. from the body, Nigel Duguid “It is a great platform to was returned unopposed as the vice- president, Nolan Hawke showcase talent and make a as secretary, Edward Nicholls mark. Those who do are often treasurer, Arleigh Rutherford noticed by their respective seassistant secretary/treasurer lectors, which is why so many and Zaheer Mohamed - Public of us who first featured in the Relations Officer.

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup have gone on to become senior pros.

“The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup gives young players the feel of international cricket in a highly competitive environment. It also makes one realise the importance of representing the nation and aware of the expectations of the team and the nation.”

Kevin O’Brien of Ireland, who played against Cook in the 2004 event in Bangladesh, hoped the current cricketers will make the most of the opportuni-

ty of taking part in an ICC event.

“It was a learning curve for us both as individuals and as a team,” the all-rounder recalled.

“As youngsters we learnt what life on tour was all about.

“It was a tremendous tournament to play in and we still talk about it in the Irish dressing room.

“The best piece of advice I can give to players travelling to Bangladesh is they should try and embrace the local culture, try the local cuisine and not just stay in their hotel rooms. They will grow as cricketers.”

Another term for Crawford as DCUSA president

Registration for Budhan’s horse race meet closes tomorrow

The committee members are Gyananand Sookdeo, Nandkumar Shivsankar, Javed

Persaud and Joseph Jeffrey.

After the elections, Crawford thanked the respective sub-associations for their confidence and urged the executive to work together for the development of the association.

Crawford stated that the DCUSA will assist Upper Demerara Association in strengthening its association and will conduct training for umpires in the area.

He stated that the DCUSA will advise the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council to apply to the National Sports Commission for funding through subvention, and the issue of umpires being released to officiate is looked at in the National Sports Policy.

The president explained that training sessions will continue and he will host a workshop for umpires on Friday at 14:00hrs at the Mayor and City Council Union building at Woolford Avenue. The seminar is open to all umpires.

He took the opportunity to congratulate Duguid on his selection to officiate in the ICC U-19 world cup in Bangladesh.

He thanked Director of Sport Christopher Jones for his assistance in 2015 and looks forward to his continued support as well as East Coast Demerara Cricket Umpires Association for hosting the meeting, the release concluded.

… Preparations moving apace

By Rajiv Bisnauth REGISTRATION for the Budhan Memorial Turf Club horse race meet closes tomorrow and, according to president of the club Neville Budhan, no late entries will be accepted.

The meet is scheduled for this Sunday at the club’s track at No.66 Village, Corentyne.

The activity has already attracted some of the country’s top thoroughbreds to compete for millions in cash

and trophies from noon.

Seven highly anticipated races are carded for the day with the feature event being the J1 and Lower.

That race will fetch the highest first prize of $200 000 and horses Red Jet, Lady Secret, De Gump, Little, Affinity, Red Regent among others will vie for the first prize.

Other races set for the day include: J3 and Lower, K2 and Lower, L1 and Lower, L2 and Lower, Three-

Year-Old Guyana-bred and the Unclassified.

Meanwhile, Budhan disclosed yesterday that the club has already put most systems in place for the event.

Interested horse owners can register through Budhan on telephone 338-2283 and organiser Compton Sancho on cell phone 690-0569.

The one-day event will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

Members of the DCUSA executive sitting from left, Gyananand Sookdeo, president Shannon Crawford, Nolan Hawke and Edward Nicholls. Standing from left are Javed Persaud, Joseph Jeffrey, Arleigh Rutherford and Zaheer Mohamed

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Trophy Stall on board National Senior table tennis championships

AFTER a four-year hiatus the flagship domestic tournament on the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) calendar of events - the National senior table tennis championships - is scheduled to run off January 15-18, 2016 at the National Gymnasium.

Proprietor of The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Ramesh Sunich, has come on board to support the association’s efforts in hosting the championships.

His organisation has sponsored trophies for three of the six categories.

Sunich indicated that he and his company were happy to partner with a sport that has been making the effort and doing fairly well in the international arena. “We are happy to be on board supporting the efforts of our table tennis talents in Guyana and the Guyana

Table Tennis Association since the smaller sports need more support, he said Sunich also said he would be partnering with the GTTA for a junior project in February The tournament provides the opportunity for Guyana to say who its National champion is.

All pretenders to the throne of National Men’s Champion will have to face Shemar Britton, who has been dominant in winning several titles in domestic competitions for the last 2 years They will also have to face remerging defending champion Nigel Bryan who won the last Men’s tourney, Joel Alleyne, Edinho Lewis, Elsihaba Johnson, Kyle Edghill, Orin Hickerson, Stefan Corlette and the ageless Colin France to see who is Guyana National men’s

an junior champion Jody Blake, Delcia Cummings, Neveah Clarkston, Priscilla Greaves Selenas Jackman who all will provide competitive table tennis.

The other categories on show include B Class Open Singles, 21 and Under Male Singles, 21 and Under Female Singles, C Class Open Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Prizes will be awarded to the first 1st three places in each division. The awards include trophies and cash incentives in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles B Class and UnTrophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich hands over one of der-21 Male and Female the trophies up for grabs to GTTA president Godfrey Munroe. categories The event is open to champion. This tourna- on Trenace Lowe is cur- playing on the U.S. interall Guyanese who are eliment, the GTTA feels, rently in Guyana preparing collegiate circuit. gible to represent the Nawould truly provide some for the games as well as The improving Natalie tional Association (GTTA) exciting table tennis. defending Junior champion Cummings will provide On the distaff side, de- and Junior Olympian Chel- some test for these com- according to the ITTF fending women’s champi- sea Edghill who is currently batants - former Caribbe- Handbook 2014.2

Mack and Blackmon headline GAPF achievements in 2015 CONSISTENT and phenomenal performances from Guyana’s most outstanding and first-ever Internationally-ranked 16-year-old female, U-18 52kg Class powerlifter Britny Mack, as well as her male counterpart Rudolph Blackmon headlined the Guyana Powerlifting Federation’s 2015 year.

According to the body,

Mack, currently at #9 in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World rankings for Sub Juniors and #47 in the Open category dominated all her local and international events culminating in gold medals at the South American, Pan American and Commonwealth Championships.

Meanwhile, Blackmon had equal success in the Men’s seg-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 13, 2016) 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) 110 Tests (29 against Australia) (2) Sunil Gavaskar (IND) & Dean Jones (AUST) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many runs Marlon Samuels made in the recent WI/AUST Test series?

(2) How many WI have now played Test cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ment. Junior U-23 male 83kg lifter Rudolph Blackmon is listed in the IPF World rankings at #13 in the Juniors category and #41 in the Open category In his final year, he kept the flag flying high, dominating in all his meets both locally and internationally, culminating in gold medals at the South American, Pan American and Commonwealth Championships.

The Federation in the early half of the year was the beneficiary of three sets of power-lift-

Britny Mack

WEST Indies Cricket Board NAGICO Super50 matches continue today

LIMITED overs cricket action continues today in the West Indies Cricket Board/ NAGICO super 50 tournament with four matches.

In the first match, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will play the Jamaican Scorpions at Shaw Park from 9:00hrs, while e Barbados Pride take on the ICC Americas from 13:30 hrs at Queen’s Park Oval.

In other fixtures Guyana Jaguars take on the Windward Islands Volcanoes from 13:30hrs at Warner Park while Leeward Islands Hurricanes play the Combined Campuses and Colleges at St Paul’s from 09:00hrs

ing equipment, comprising full weights, rack stands and support equipment, along with a competition platform to further promote the sport locally, from the Government of Guyana under the stewardship of the-then Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Federation successfully hosted seven categories of championships locally with a total combined entry list of 115 lifters (22 female and 93 male) and participated at the South American and Pan American Championships in Brazil as well as the Commonwealth championships in Canada.

At the Novices Championships, the body saw an entry field of 31 lifters (6 female and 25 male) with Champion Lifters being Britny Mack with a Wilkes total of 319.41 for the females and Orin Alleyne with a Wilkes total of 435.61 for the males.

The body also hosted the sub-Junior /Junior Championships, Clash of Champions, Intermediate Championships, Masters Championships as well as the Sammy Barker Memorial Unequipped Championships in Linden and the Senior National Open Cham-

Rudolph Blackmon pionships It also participated in the South American Championships Ribeiro Preto and the Pan American Championships, both in Brazil as well as the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Vancouver Canada Looking ahead, the body, through outgoing president Peter Greene said, “Powerlifting in 2016 is set to enjoy another bumper year with the ladies making a challenge for the Caribbean team title against nemesis Puerto Rico as well as the Men’s team reclaiming their Team title.”

“Locally Many exciting changes and activities are planned with the aim of encouraging more unequipped, alongside of the traditional equipped events taking prominence,” contended Greene.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 13, 2016

Stanford says English cricket embarrassment ‘breaks his heart’

ALLEN Stanford has claimed that it “breaks his heart” to hear of the embarrassment that his notorious partnership with the ECB caused to English cricket.

Speaking to the BBC in his first interview since 2009, when he was indicted for the second-largest investment fraud in U.S. history and ultimately sentenced to 110 years in prison, Stanford continued to protest his innocence of the charges, and vowed that he would walk out of the doors of the maximum-security Coleman II prison in Florida “a free man”.

However, his name will forever be synonymous with his brief but ill-fated involvement with English cricket in 2008, which began when he landed his helicopter on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s and challenged the England team to a $20 million winner-takeall contest on his private ground in Antigua.

England duly lost the first

Allen Stanford arrives at Lord’s in 2008, flanked by Giles Clarke, the-then ECB chairman, and Julian Hunte. (Getty Images) of what was meant to be a chairman, Giles Clarke, sad. I’m very sorry,” Stanford series of five such matches who brokered the deal in a said of the embarrassment against their West Indian op- bid to head off the financial caused to the ECB. “It breaks ponents, the Stanford Super- threat posed by the nascent my heart and there’s nothing stars, but soon afterwards the Indian Premier League, I can say other than that was ECB severed all ties as the and David Collier, the-then not caused by Allen StanU.S. Securities and Exchange chief executive. Both men ford. That was caused by the Commission (SEC) charged survived in their jobs, how- wrongful prosecution ... an ever, with Clarke last year over-zealous and a wrongful Stanford with a $7Bn fraud.

The fiasco was a huge stepping up to the role of prosecution. embarrassment to the ECB president.

“I’m not sure if Giles “It makes me very, very Clarke is still the head person ECB, in particular the-then

now, but he and I got along well,” he added. “And I think the world of David Collier.

“My dealings with the ECB were one of professionalism and one of mutual respect and I love cricket.”

The so-called Stanford 20/20 for 20 had been the culmination of an involvement in cricket that had begun with his inter-island Caribbean competition, the Stanford 20/20, in 2006.

That tournament, underpinned by a million-dollar prize pool, had been credited with a genuine revival in interest in cricket in the Caribbean. His second staging of the competition, in 2008, was watched by a reported global audience of 300 million.

Stanford agreed with the assertion that he had been trying to exploit the game of cricket for his own interests, but maintains that his involvement in the sport had created significant spin-off benefits for the Caribbean.

“I was trying to grow

the Stanford brand globally,” he said. “I spent about $30-odd million on cricket in the West Indies in addition to what I spent on the 20/20 for 20 tournament.

But I certainly did want a return on that investment in terms of a business sense.

But what nobody understood is that I anticipated this new generation of players that we were going to uncover.

“In the West Indies we have the greatest physical athletic talent for cricket anywhere in the world. They were just being diverted into other sports, whether it’s basketball or soccer. There just wasn’t that real incentive for them to stay and play in a sport that had not kept track with the 21st Century and the modernisation of the sport.”

Stanford admitted that he had had little opportunity to stay in touch with the sport since his conviction.

“Cricket is not a very big sport in prison,” he said.

(ESPN Cricinfo article).

Apart from the monetary contribution, German’s Restaurant will also sponsor the championship’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize.

Rolland Tappin, president of the GBSA, thanked Urling for his contribution, which he said was timely.

Tappin pointed out that the GBSA, which became a member

of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) last October, will be using the National Championship to kick start its programme for 2016.

The championship will be played in two rounds, over an 18-day period. Matches will be played every Sunday at the Bayroc Community Centre Beach Soccer facility and at

Kuru Kururu on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

First-place finishers will pocket $250 000, second-placers $100 000, while third- and fourth-placers will take home $75 000 and $50 000 respectively.

Corona Beer, E-Networks and 104.3 FM (Linden) are the other sponsors on board.

National Beach Soccer Championship

German’s Restaurant hands over $100 000 cheque

BRCA Second Division 40-over cricket competition

Friendship Cavaliers make it through to final Clinton Urling (left) makes the presentation to GBSA president Rolland Tappin yesterday. (Samuel Maughn photo)

By Rawle Toney GERMAN’S Restaurant, one of the oldest fast-food outlets in Guyana, yesterday handed over a $100 000 cheque to the Guyana Beach Soccer Association (GBSA), towards the hosting of the National Beach Soccer Championship, which gets on the way on January 31 in Linden.

The tournament will feature ten teams - six from Linden,

two from Georgetown, while the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara will have one representative each.

“German’s Restaurant is more than happy to be associated with this Championship,” said proprietor Clinton Urling at yesterday’s simple but significant presentation.

Urling, who once sat at the helm of Guyana’s football under the Normalisation Commit-

tee as Chairman, expressed his personal delight at being able to give back to football from a corporate standpoint and said that while this is German’s first sponsorship support, it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

Beach soccer, according to Urling, will be the eye-candy of Guyana’s football in the near future, owing such to the sport’s enormous possibilities if administered properly.

THE three-team Berbice River Cricket Association (BRCA) Second Division 40-over cricket competition got cracking recently with Friendship Cavaliers making light work of both Ebini Ranch Raiders and Kimbia in their preliminary matches, to end on top.

With the win, they have earned a place in the final of the competition, which is being held in collaboration with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

In the rain-affected match against Kimbia, Friendship rattled up 300-6 their 35 overs with Daniel Leacock left notout on 97, which included four fours and 10 sixes. Supporting

him were Jason Denhart with 51 (3x4s, 4x6s), Michael Cappel 43, Brian King 35 not out and Joshua Leacock 31.

When Kimbia replied, off-spinner Brian King took 4-5 from four overs to help bowl them out for just 90, giving his team a whopping 210-run victory.

In the other match against Ranch Raiders, Ryan De Nobrega made a crucial 56 (6x4s) to help them to a modest 126 in 29.2 overs. However, it turned out to be more than enough; for the boys from Ebini were bowled out for just 73 in 21.2 overs with Joshua Leacock and John McKenzie picking up three wickets each.

Below are the summarised

scores from the matches played.

At Friendship: Friendship Cavaliers beat Kimbia by 210 runs: Friendship Cavaliers 3006 in 35 overs (Daniel Leacock 97*, Jason Denhart 51, Michael Cappel 43, Brian King 35*, Joshua Leacock 31, Byron Lindee 4-50) Kimbia 90 in 20.5 overs (Lloyd Gilliard 33, Brian King 4-5, Daniel Leacock 2-9).

At Ebini: Friendship Cavaliers beat Ebini Ranch Raiders by 53 runs. Friendship Cavaliers 126 in 29.2 overs (Ryan DeNobrega 56, Alvin Hareman 4-22, Ian Lyte 2-22, Martin Leacock 2-30) Ebini Ranch Raiders 73 in 21.1 overs (John McKenzie 3-10, Joshua Leacock 3-12, Daniel Leacock 2-3).

Stanford says English cricket embarrassment ‘breaks his heart’ See Story on page 31

National Futsal team heads into camp

... to depart on January 19 for Cuba

G Flashback! Technical Director Claude Bolton addresses some players at the trials held last December at the National Gymnasium. (Delano Williams photo)

‘This type of inspiration is needed ... says Minister Henry at for young people’ the Fitness 53 Gym opening

By Rawle Toney

UYANA’S National Futsal team will be encamped this week as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) heightens preparations for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Futsal tournament, to be held January 22-26 in Cuba.

While the GFF is yet to announce the team selected for the encampment, sources close to the Federation and the team, stated that the group will depart Guyana on Tuesday, January 19.

Approximately 30 players had gathered at the National Gymnasium for the three-day trials, conducted by Technical Director Claude Bolton, who was assisted by former men’s National team head coach Denzil Thompson.

Bolton, who also served as head coach for Canada’s National Futsal team, explained that the squad will now be trimmed to between 16 and 18 players.

Guyana will be placed in See Page 27 Group ‘A’ with Trinidad and

Moore, Skeete nominated for CONCACAF Referee-of-the-Year Awards

By Rawle Toney

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FIFA referees Sherwin Moore and Maurice Skeete are the only Guyanese nominated for the 2015 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Awards.

This is the third year the Confederation is hosting the awards and Moore will be aiming to cop the Male Referee-of-the-Year title while Skeete is hoping to take home the female equivalent.

The two are highly regarded in the Caribbean region as among the best referees in CONCACAF and have officiated in several marquee tournaments last year (2015) with distinction.

The awards have been designed to recognise the top players, coaches and referees in women’s and men’s events from the CONCACAF region.

Skeete is the lone female referee from the Caribbean to be nominated, with her competition coming from Mexico, Canada and the USA. Moore is the only English-speaking Caribbean official to be nominated. Officials from Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras and Canada are the others in the race.

The CONCACAF awards honour players and achievements in CONCACAF-sanctioned tournaments and competitions, involving the Confederation’s national teams at all levels, including FIFA World Cups and World Cup qualifying for both genders in all age categories.

Performances which are also eligible for recognition include those achieved in professional club football leagues under CONCACAF’s stewardship in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

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