Chronicle 01 18 2016

NO ESCAPE No. 104435

MONDAY JANUARY 18, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– Criminals will be hunted down and caught, says President

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Jubilee celebrations launched in New York – PM urges all hands on deck to build Guyana for all 5

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (inset) addresses the gathering at the launch of Guyana's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Jamaica Performing Arts Centre, Queens, New York

Consultations Berbice man begin on suicide murdered at prevention wedding house 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

OPM rubbishes Guyana Times yellow journalism

THE Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has dismissed what it deems “a malicious, wicked and utterly false” article relating to Cabinet portfolios, as published in Sunday’s edition of the Guyana Times.

The contentious article in question blasted a screaming headline: “President ‘reconfigures’ Executive structure… Nagamootoo stripped of all ‘line responsibilities’… now reports to Min of Presidency Harmon”.

The OPM, in a release, called on all Guyanese to be aware of the campaign being executed by the Ramroop Media Group against the coalition government, particularly its Indo-Guyanese members and specifically Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo.

“Reeling from the abysmal failure of the PPP’s widespread call to supporters in North America to picket Prime Minister Nagamootoo on his current trip to New York, the Bharrat Jagdeo-fa-

cilitated Ramroop Media Group has resorted to its familiar tactic of manufacturing untruths and misinformation, attempting to pass (these) off as credible journalism.

“It must be remembered as well that the failed New York protest calls follow identical calls to picket Prime Minister Nagamootoo in Toronto last year, which also fell on deaf ears.

“This is vile, reprehensible, unprofessional, and against all journalistic ethics and codes. OPM calls on all Guyanese to forthrightly condemn this dastardly politically-directed campaign,” the Office of the Prime Minister has said.

OPM also calls on the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to take note of the trend of abuse of media for the purposes of political attacks, spreading misinformation, falsehoods, and exciting the populace.

STRATEGIC ATTACKS The OMP said the latest attack by Guyana Times stra-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

tegically follows the recent announcement that Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s portfolio has been expanded and includes Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Public Information, Constitutional Reform, Governance, Supervising/coordinating functions with ministries involved with domestic affairs, and Cabinet co-chair.

Minister Raphael Trotman, who previously held the Governance portfolio, has formally handed over all matters relating to Governance to Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

Transfer of Governance staff to OPM has also been completed.

The OPM said President David Granger was clear and deliberate in this presentation to Parliament: “The Ministry of the

Presidency has been reconfigured to combine the offices of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ministers of State, Citizenship and Social Cohesion. This combination enhances governance and, especially through the Office of the Prime Minister, manages the Government’s business and legislative agenda in the National Assembly.”

This statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said, has been deliberately and mischievously misrepresented by Guyana Times for “the purposes of its abominable and odious misinformation scheme”.

“President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo continue to work closely to move Guyana forward in the interest of achieving a better life for all Guyanese, the

OPM has said.

“Despite persistent but failed attempts to weaken the Coalition Government, the Jagdeo/Rohee Opposition is evidently on a relentless campaign to spread and perpetuate confusion and mischief, while ignoring and disregarding the requirements for ethical practices in journalism.”

The OPM pointed out that the attack by the PPP is well orchestrated. It noted that it was the Nagamootoo-piloted No Confidence Motion that was the precursor to the loss of power

by Jagdeo/Ramotar regime. It is obvious, the OPM has said, that Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s No Confidence Motion has been accepted by the PPP as critical to its demitting office, and the Prime Minister is being targeted in the foulest of ways for an unrelenting assault on his character and portfolio.

RACIST OBSESSION “This media onslaught bears the hallmarks of a racist obsession with denuding the powers and influence of the Prime Minister. In recent times, the politics of Opposition Leader Jagdeo has been personal and vindictive – the thrust being an attempt to demean Prime Minister Nagamootoo, purely as an act of spite and vengeance for tabling the fateful No Confidence Motion,” the OPM said.

It stressed that PPP Prime Minister Sam Hinds’s office was housed at Wight’s Lane in Kingston in a facility that was inadequate, congested, cramped, dusty, and cobwebbed and wholly unfit.

The OPM explained that this situation necessitated a move to more suitable accommodation for the Office of the Prime Minister following the historic May 11, 2015

elections.

“It is evident that the PPP is using its web of media influence and resources in attempting to divert attention from this embarrassing revelation with regard to how former Prime Minister Hinds was being shabbily and disrespectfully treated,” the release stated.

The official residence of the Prime Minister, it said, was in such a neglected state that repairs are still ongoing under the auspices of the National Trust, as the building is a heritage site.

Another source of discomfiture for the former PPP regime, the OPM said, is the falsehood published in the Guyana Times about Government seeking to acquire a fleet of high-priced luxury SUVs. This story, like others, was debunked and exposed as fiction by the coalition government.

“It is now beyond doubt that the primary purpose of Guyana Times is to function purely as a PPP propaganda rag, in conjunction with TVG and other media appendages such as the recently acquired iNews website and other outfits owned and operated by Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, who, it is well known, shares a close personal relationship with Opposition Leader Jagdeo.

Citizen’s Report, the Internet news website, and the Freedom House-operated radio station also form part of this media cabal.

“OPM alerts the public to this, and advises citizens not to be taken in by the daily flood of opposition lies, falsehoods, mischief and untruths emanating from the Ramroop Media Group, which is operating with an unmistakable agenda that is politically directed,” the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

– Criminals will be hunted down and caught, says President

By Tajeram Mohabir CRIMINAL elements hiding out in nooks and crannies might soon find themselves trapped and unable to escape law enforcement officers.

President David Granger said the security forces will go after, and catch them.

Since the launch of Operation Dragnet, the security forces have been in full operation mode, sweeping communities across the country.

And while crime is still a cause for much concern, many of the perpetrators have of late been caught, and some have even confessed to their crimes.

Most notably, several of the suspects in the murder of British teen Dominic Bernard have confessed to committing the act.

Twenty-year-old Aaron Wilfred Hing, called ‘Neutral’ (Dominic’s God-brother); his friend Staymon ‘Sherwin’ George, 24; Krystol Thomas, 20, the preg-

nant girlfriend of George; her mother, Sinfine Henry, 39, also known as Coreen; and Jahmil Sinclair, 19, also known as ‘Frass’ and ‘Bacchus’, have all been arrested and charged for the murder of the Briton.

Fugitive Bath Settlement murder accused Rooplall Abrahim, 24, of Murphy Dam, Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, and Gocoul Madanpaul, 18, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice have also been charged with the murder of Ms Anita Bachan, committed at Bath Settlement between January 3 and 4, 2016. Ms Bachan and her son were bound and beaten, and their house was set alight with them inside.

Her son managed to escape, but she was not that lucky.

Madanlall and Nazamadeen Raffick, 19, of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice have also been charged with the brutal murder of Doodnauth Rajkumar, 81, a businessman, and his reputed wife Dianne Cham-

President David Granger

manlall, 49, both of Lot 93A Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. That double-murder occurred between January 8 and 9.

Police have also reported that Abrahim has since confessed to the murders committed at both Bath Settlement and Bush Lot. Meanwhile, the lover of Haffeza Rohoman, 28, a mother of three who was

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

fished out of a canal at Helena Number 1, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara on Sunday last, has been arrested. The 22-year-old man has reportedly confessed to killing her.

These are just some of the cases in which the police have been able to make headway.

President Granger, speaking on his weekly tele-

vised programme “The Public Interest”, said he meets with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, every week, and contended that his Administration has its fingers on the pulse of crime.

“You would notice that, under the Minister of Public Security, although crimes are being committed, they are being solved much more quickly, and we see a much more efficient Criminal Investigation Department (CID) getting hold of the culprits very quickly,” the President pointed out.

He added: “We are trying to identify gangs and chronic offenders. We feel that, in the fullness of time, Guyana and Guyanese can look forward to a safer society. It’s in its early days yet, but we are starting to win, and I feel very confident.”

Crime has been developing and surging since around the year 2000, and though the British Government offered its support to Guyana,

the former Administration declined the assistance.

“Mr Ramjattan and I are singing from the same song sheet, and we are attempting to get the British engaged in the security sector; and he is quite firm, quite clear, and even instituted some measures, like the amnesty for firearms,” President Granger said.

Under the National Security Committee, crimes such as narcotics and gun smuggling and importation, among various crimes and road accidents, come under the spotlight.

The President said the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force have been doing their best, and with small changes, a lot of areas have been strengthened.

“In our meeting with the Commissioner (Seelall Persaud), we have assured him we will put more personnel and finance into criminal investigation,” the President said.

Budget should address tax reform, unemployment – says Christopher Ram

By Ariana Gordon CHARTERED Accountant and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram believes the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has to be bold come January 29 when it presents its first full year budget to the House.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday at his Waterloo Street office, Ram said that the issues of unemployment and a reformed tax infrastructure should be addressed in the 2016 budget.

He explained that the major thrust of the budget should be focused on reducing unemployment which he contends is a “big challenge facing this country.

According to Ram, while infrastructural development will receive significant attention in the budget, similar attention has to be placed on unemployment.

“Yes, fixing infrastructure would help to bring about some employment, it can open new lands, it

could reconstruct existing facilities but I think what we need in a desperate way is the creation of jobs for the tens of thousands of young persons who leave our education system.”

Whether school dropouts or graduates of the University of Guyana (UG), Ram is of the opinion that the system does not allow for the growth of young people.

“Indeed what it offers are jobs that pay salaries that really don’t reflect the level of investment by themselves and by the State.

As a consequence, they say ‘I am gone’.” It is critical, he said, that the budget has something in it for young people who are unemployed for one reason or another.

“That has got to be a tri-sectoral economy,” Ram told Guyana Chronicle, while noting that communities have to play a bigger role in the creation of jobs.

He noted that in the area of infrastructure, if there are contractors working in Regions 8, 9 and 10, for

alise that this is a world that is open and the same cottage industries (communities) that operate in Guyana operate throughout the 50 something countries in Africa and Asia. So it is a tough world out there and therefore we have got to be creative, resourceful and indigenous.”

He said too that there is no recipe that can be pulled out of a book that can address the problems of Guyana or any other country.

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram

example, and are employing persons from Region 4 only, then the issue of unemployment in those regions is not being addressed.

SCALE AND COST Ram, who annually provides an analysis of the budget, said the issue of “scale and cost” must be addressed so that Guyana would be able to compete in any international market in terms of agro-industrial products, with the exception of a few communities in the diaspora.

“We have got to re-

REDUCING VAT Meanwhile, even as the Tax Reform Committee (TRC) submitted to Finance Minister Winston Jordan its report with a range of recommendations on Friday, Ram, a member of the TRC, believes that Government has got to fulfill the promise made in the APNU+AFC Manifesto and campaign of reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT).

“The minister would be conscious of the criticisms being made by the public at large about campaign and manifesto promises not being kept and so I would believe that whilst he is on

record as having said what he said, that he may just change his mind and that the budget will have in fact tax measures on a range of fiscal instruments.”

Minister Jordan had on Thursday in an article published in the Kaieteur News said that the reduction of

VAT is unlikely in this year’s budget given that the TRC had not submitted the report at the time.

“I would like to see a little boldness by the Finance Minister. Minister Jordan is conservative but I think at this stage we need more Turn to page 7 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran

THE US has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals over a recent ballistic missile test.

The new sanctions prevent 11 entities and individuals linked to the missile programme from using the US banking system.

The move came after international nuclear sanctions on Iran were lifted as part of a deal hailed by President Barack Obama on Sunday as “smart”.

Four American-Iranians were also freed in a prisoner swap as part of the deal.

Among them was Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, whom President Obama described as “courageous”. A fifth American was freed separately.

Rezaian and two of the others freed arrived in Geneva, from where they were travelling to a US-base in Germany.

New sanctions over Iran’s ballistic missile programme - here celebrated on a military truck during a parade in Tehran last year - come a day after international nuclear sanctions were lifted The US said it had offered clemency to seven Iranians being held in the US for sanctions’ violations.

Negotiations over the prisoner exchange delayed the US Treasury’s imposition of the latest sanctions -- originally intended to be announced in December.

They were triggered by Iran, last October, conducting a precision-guided ballistic missile test capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, thus violating a United Nations ban.

“Iran’s ballistic missile programme poses a significant threat to regional and global security, and it will continue to be subject to international sanctions,” said

Adam J. Szubin, US (acting) ferences with Iran remained, Under-Secretary for Terrorism and the US would “remain and Financial Intelligence. steadfast in opposing Iran’s Moments later, President Obama hailed the nuclear deal, which is being implemented following verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran had ISLAMIC State militants restricted its sensitive nuclear in Syria are said to have activities. abducted 400 civilians “This is a good day be- during a bloody assault cause, once again, we’re seeing on the eastern city of Deir what’s possible with interna- al-Zour. tional diplomacy,” President The Syrian Observatory Obama said. “For decades, our for Human Rights, an Opdifferences meant our govern- position monitoring body, ments almost never spoke. Ul- said people were taken from timately, that did not advance areas in the north-west of America’s interests.” the city.

The deal meant “Iran will The report from the Lonnot get its hands on a nuclear don-based group could not bomb”, he said. be independently verified.

President Obama said difAt least 135 people were

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destabilising behaviour elsewhere” - such as its missile tests.

And Obama defended a separate settlement at an international legal tribunal which will see the US repay Iran $400M (£280M) in funds frozen since 1981, plus a further US$1.3B in interest. Obama said there was no point in “dragging this out”.

Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the nuclear deal opened a “new chapter” in Iran’s relations with the world.

The deal has been welcomed by many governments, the UN and EU, but has been disparaged by some US Republicans and Israel, which says the deal allows

Iran to continue to “spread terror”.

Share prices in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest stock market, fell more than 6 per cent following the lifting of sanctions.

The IAEA said it had installed a device at the Natanz plant to monitor Iran’s uranium enrichment activities in real time, in order to verify that uranium enrichment levels were kept at up to 3.67 per cent as agreed in the deal with world powers.

As part of the deal, Iran had to drastically reduce its number of centrifuges and dismantle a heavy-water reactor near the town of Arak, both of which could be used in creating nuclear weapons. (BBC)

Hundreds abducted by ISIS in Syria

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killed in the attack on Deir al-Zour, the Observatory reported earlier.

It said 85 of them were civilians and 50 were pro-government fighters.

Syrian state media put the toll even higher, saying about 300 civilians had died.

IS launched its attack with suicide bombers, followed by a ground assault.

Syrian Government forces retaliated with air strikes and heavy artillery.

The Russian Air Force has been dropping humanitarian aid for civilians trapped in the city as well as reportedly carrying out air strikes in the vicinity.

The UN recently warned of “sharply deteriorating” conditions in parts of Deir al-Zour, one of a number of towns under siege as a result of Syria’s five-year civil war.

The civilians were taken from the suburb of Balighia, and other areas in the north-

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west of the city, and moved towards the IS stronghold of Raqqa, the Observatory said.

All of those abducted are Sunni Muslims, it added.

IS is itself a Sunni Islamist group which persecutes Shia Muslims and non-Muslims in areas under its control.

During Saturday’s attack, the militants crucified and beheaded some of those they killed, according to Syrian state media.

The Observatory estimates that IS now controls approximately 60 per cent of the city, but some 200,000 people are living under siege in Government-held areas.

Small amounts of basic supplies have been delivered by helicopter or air drops, but the UN says there is a dire shortage of food and medicine, and widespread malnutrition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Jubilee celebrations launched in New York

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has urged Guyanese to work together to build a Guyana in which the future is secure for all of its citizens.

He issued the call at the launch of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations in New York on Saturday.

“We must not only retrace our footsteps from whence we came; we must look ahead to see the direction in which we must traverse,” the Prime Minister said, contending that Guyana is “too blessed with abundantly rich resources for it to be wasted in ‘old talk’ and what has been described as ‘cuss down’ politics.”

The Prime Minister told the gathering of largely USbased Guyanese that Guyanese at home and abroad need to enter the next 50 years with conviction that Guyana comes first.

“Our common Guyanese-ness must clothe us with unity, national pride and patriotism. We must forge an identity that defines our Guyanese civilisation. Even whilst we live in other lands, we must long for Guyana; we must yearn for Guyana; we

must re-born for Guyana,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

This new Guyana, he said, is laying anew the foundations for a “free, open and inclusive democracy”.

“We need all hands -- all clean hands -- on deck! There is room for all, including the Opposition, in our system of governance.”

Mr Nagamootoo informed the US-based Guyanese that since its assumption to power, the Coalition Government has moved to “pull Guyana back from the edge”.

“It is not easy to overcome widespread poverty, joblessness, loss of self-esteem that have been spawned by entrenched inequality, deep-rooted discrimination, and pervasive corruption.”

The coming together of the APNU-AFC was a step in the right direction, the Prime Minister said, noting that the move by the coalition was an “unprecedented leap into tomorrow from the divisive politics of yesterday”.

“In short, the APNU+AFC Coalition was, and remains, good for Guyana. But while the Granger + Nagamootoo

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--PM urges all hands on deck to build Guyana for all

Some Guyanese from various disciplines living in the United States, at the launch of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Queens, New York ‘combo’ symbolises unity in Guyana, we need to broaden this unity. We need even greater inclusion.”

WIDENING NATIONAL UNITY President David Granger, in his address to the National Cohesion Roundtable in September last year, had committing to deepening and broadening national unity.

“We are committed to

Guyanese artistes Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo and company backstage the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Queens, New York

national unity. This is one of the reasons why we embarked on the process of building coalitions. This coalition received the stamp of support from the majority of the electorate in Guyana at the recent General and Regional Elections. The result of the elections has provided an opportunity for us to have, for the first time in our history, a Government of National Unity,” the President told that forum.

The Prime Minister, endorsing the sentiments of President Granger, said unity among Guyanese is indispensable for national development.

He noted that at a time when the country’s foreign reserves have been reduced, and foreign debt has climbed

higher -- coupled with the loss of vital markets for rice and sugar and the price of gold has plummeted -- it is simply “not easy to quickly realise the good life for all”.

But, the Prime Minister said, celebrating the country’s 50th Independence anniversary should serve as a moment of reflection on the opportunities that were squandered, and to look at ways to help re-position Guyana for the future.

He also pointed out that while, over the years, there has been much distrust and Guyanese have endured scars of division, “we [as a people] have never ceased to dream”.

Guyanese, he said, are a resilient people. “Our own past has shown that we have

overcome big hurdles and we have made gains in almost all aspects of social life. We persevered and we survived.

Going forward, we must draw inspiration from our struggles and our sacrifices.”

On that note, he called on all Guyanese to “rise to the occasion”; members of the Diaspora to “have confidence that we have not compromised our Independence”; and Guyanese at home and abroad to celebrate as a “proud and free people, a united Guyanese nation”.

The launch of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary was held at the historic Jamaica Performing Arts Centre in Queens, New York.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

The President’s address

IN his recent address to Parliament, President Granger again made a plea and a case for genuine national unity at the level of governance. We have editorialised in the past that this President appears to be extremely serious about actualising a real Government of National Unity (GNU).

Although the Opposition has not been forthcoming, the President remains undaunted. Cleary, for him, this is not a case of political rhetoric; it is a matter of necessity.

Making reference to the election that brought his coalition government to office, the President observed: “We, Guyanese, chose to change the country’s political culture from the divisive, degenerate and dangerous “winnertakes-all” model to one of inclusionary, participatory, multi-party democracy.” This is a most forthright statement on national and political joint-ness.

Of particular importance is the description of the “winner-takes-all” system as dangerous. We fully agree with the President on this score.

The majoritarian system, inherited from our colonial masters, was an imposition that did not yield, and has not yielded, the social and political cohesion that are so necessary for stability and development in our ethnically diverse society. It has instead exacerbated the insecurities and fears which resulted from the manner in which our ethnic groups were thrown together in our common space and the divide-and-rule colonial model. The majoritarian model rewards the electoral winner with total and unchecked power, and has kept our independence politics in a state of authoritarianism, which, when linked to ethnic competition, has resulted in the dangerous condition the President refers to.

Our independence from colonialism should mean a rejection of that dangerous model. Hence the need for an alternative model, which, according to the President, must facilitate “inclusionary, participatory, multi-party democracy.”

There is no doubt that, in our first 50 years of independence, we have reneged on the promise of a genuine multi-party democracy suited to our ethnic diversity.

We held on, for selfish partisan reasons, to a multi-party formula that was constructed for ethnically homogenous societies.

We join the President in calling for a transition away from that model. Those individuals who, and organisations which, innocently and not so innocently advocate retaining of the discredited model should rethink their advocacy.

The experience of one-party domination in the name of multi-party democracy has not been a happy one.

Some cite fear of an Opposition-less system as justification for holding on to the winner-takes-all system.

We think such fears are not enough to justify surrender to the politics of one-party domination. Ironically, the very

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

PPP lacks moral right to talk about National Youth Policy Dear Editor

PLEASE refer to an article in Thursday, January 14, 2016 edition of Guyana Times, titled “National Youth Policy yet to be implemented”, in which Charles Ramson Jr. was referring to the National Youth Policy programme for which “Norton, who is specifically designated to do this and is being paid $500,000 a month, while there is also a minister with this designation, but both of them are unable to come up with the national youth policy.”

Were Mr. Ramson Jr. a serious young politician who pays attention to current affairs, he would have noted that the media houses, including the Guyana Times, and the Guyanese public were informed that the Draft National Youth Policy has been completed, and therefore he would not have arrived at the erroneous conclusion that they are “unable to come up with the national youth policy.”

Mr. Ramson Jr. and Guyana Times seem not to understand governmental procedures. I had the responsibility to draft the

National Youth Policy. This was completed and submitted to the subject minister.

It is therefore not within my jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the status of the policy while it engages the attention of the Minister.

It is for this reason that I directed the journalist to the subject minister.

It is hilarious but understandable that Mr. Ramson Jr. noted that the PPP completed 90% of the policy. This claim apart, he is probably too young to know that the PPP had been promising a youth policy since I was a Member of

Parliament in 1998. Therefore, what moral right does Ramson Jr. and the PPP have to speak about the completion of a youth policy? It took his party eighteen (18) years from the 1998 promise, and they still did not, and could not, complete a youth policy, because they lack the political will and interest in the development of the youth of Guyana.

Regards MR. AUBREY C. NORTON Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment

How were these unspeakable murders possible?

Dear Editor, THE myth of a quiet Guyana countryside is dead; murdered by crimes of opportunity. The bludgeoning of British teenager Dominic Bernard at Nurney Backdam, Corentyne, allegedly for his foreign currency; the burning alive of Anita Baichan at Plantation Hope, West Berbice (a section of Bath Settlement), possibly set-up by a family member; and the chopping of Arthur Rajkumar and his wife Diane Chamanlall at Bush Lot, West Berbice, while demanding money have left residents in shock and confusion.

We cannot help but notice that none of these murders is gun-related. Regardless of the weapons of choice, the question is that, with the spread of gangs in the countryside, are these simply the work of

gangs that have run amok?

Probably not! Though there are some confessions, we are yet to know the details of the perpetrators’ motivation and state of mind. So far, the lure of money, substance abuse, and the ages ranging from 17 to 25 are a common thread.

If we examine the economic landscape of West Coast Berbice, we will find that Bath Settlement and Bush Lot Village are historically PPP strongholds that have traditionally emerged from sugar cane and rice cultivation. For the PPP’s twenty three (23) years in office, these communities have grown by leaps and bounds to become the major business centres of that area, as is evident by the concentration of businesses and mansions there. Twelve (12) years ago, the Plantation Hope section of Bath was a model scheme with first class roads, drain-

majoritarian system they want to hold on to structurally and constitutionally marginalizes the Opposition, despite some references to inclusion. For us to build the equal society that we desire, winner-takes-all majoritarianism must be abolished once and for all.

The President, in his address, does something else that is noteworthy -- he makes the linkage between freedom from political animosity and economic development by advancing the case for national unity at both the political and economic levels. According to him, “Our Golden Jubilee is a propitious moment for all Guyanese to put an end to hateful and unhelpful political discord, disaffection and disunity. Our Golden Jubilee is a golden opportunity for us to cement national unity at the political level and at the economic level,” This is most insightful. National unity at the political level, divorced from national unity at the economic level is, in the end, counter-productive. It is a thesis that characterized Professor Clive Thomas’s arguments for national development in his book “Bread and Justice” written in the mid-1970s.

age, and street lamps before houses were constructed.

Like the rest of Guyana, the building and expansion of these communities was also made possible with the help of overseas remittances. Local residents from the traditional villages of Hopetown and Belladrum argue that this rapid growth resulted from consumer businesses and construction opportunities favoured by the PPP government.

So it is not by chance that these places have become wholesale centres for small and large grocery stores and construction materials in West Berbice.

Rapid change is often dizzying! Over the recent years, many ordinary country folks perceive that some of these businesses were fronts for cocaine runners and money launderers; one vice leading to another. There is more dis-

posable income, more access to marijuana and cocaine, little incentive to stay in school, school drop-out age as low as 15; and during the regular work-day, you can see these youths on bicycles liming, drinking, and smoking their lives away, oblivious of the consequences of addiction.

Centres such as Linden, New Amsterdam, and Hopetown are similarly affected, but have less disposable income to afford the more expensive cocaine. If you were to record the number of “Bamboo” wrappings sold by local stores each day, then you are compelled to admit that Guyana has a national problem.

A n a t i o n a l p ro b l e m needs a bold national response. We may have a greater challenge to con-

See page 7

Our economy has developed in the same polarized manner as our politics. From sugar, to rice, to bauxite, to the public service, to the commercial sector, our economic base has been ethnically grounded. It will take decades to change that configuration, if it can be changed at all. But what can be done is exactly what the President is advocating — the harmonising of the different strands of that diverse base into a national political economy. Now that the President has made the clarion call, it is left to the rest of the society, beginning with our major institutions, to activate the mechanisms through which this vision would become a reality. No doubt, constitutional reform is primary. But there is also the need for popular education.

This is where we think the work of the newly created Ministry of Social Cohesion comes in.

Some weeks ago, one of our columnists, Dr. David Hinds, called on that ministry to make public education one of the principal planks of its work. In light of the President’s charge, we endorse that call. Within the next decade, every Guyanese should become literate about national cohesion and unity, not as rhetoric, but as a guiding national value and principle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Missing medical equipment at Suddie Hospital Dear Editor,

THIS is in relation to an article published on page 21 of the Kaieteur News of Saturday 9th January, 2016 under the caption, “More Medical Equipment Missing.” In the interest of the public, I hereby seek answers and/or clarifications.

Paragraph 1: The missing Electro Cardiograph Machine, which went missing since October last, has now been brought to the attention of the police and a probe of the matter has begun. Paragraph 2: No one has been held accountable, since the administrative body of the Suddie Public Hospital was informed of the missing equipment.

Now, if the concepts of paragraphs 1 and 2 are accurate, then the administrator of that hospital must say why, only now, are the police be-

ing informed; and who, if any, senior Health Ministry officials or Regional Administration officials was told; and if not, the reason or reasons for not reporting those persons.

Here is a case in which an equipment to do critical medical investigations or examinations went missing and it was not reported immediately after the discovery was made. It has now become the norm, or acceptable, that when similar incidents occur, the person with the onus or responsibility for reporting is not certain to whom the report must be made, and by procrastinating, the solving of the crime becomes more difficult, or more of a distant prospect.

Here, I am saying again that if what is reported on page 21 of Kaieteur News dated 9th January, 2016 is true, then person or persons

must face the consequences of their action or inactions.

And on a related issue mentioned in the said article about a piece of dental equipment missing from the Anna Regina Health Centre, as alluded to by the Alliance for Change Councillor Mr. Hardat Narine, here again, a lot of questions must be answered:

(1) When did this occur?

(2)Who was this matter reported to? (3)When was the report made? (4)Where was the report made, and what action was taken?

As regards the term ‘New Administration’, stated in article 1, it is my considered opinion that any administration, whether new or old, must be able to secure state property, including equipment, machinery, vehicles and money, etc.

From day one, you have

to get the job done. I am sure that in the context of which we are referring, seven months can be considered new. If this administration is still new in crime fighting, we will have to wonder if it will be old enough by 2020.

The back end is that there is a case where this invaluable piece of equipment cannot be accounted for, and for the better part of two months, again I have to say (as reported in Kaieteur News date and age mentioned) the police were not informed. With all of the above being said, I am confident that the police in Essequibo, ‘G’ Division under the Command of Mr. Kevin Adonis, are capable of investigating and solving this crime, and any other that may be more serious in nature.

Regards, ARCHIE CORDIS Former AFC Councillor Region No. 2

How were these unspeakable ...

From Page 6 trol those who are addicted and brain-damaged, but we can control our schools and what is taught in the curriculum. Guyana needs a mandatory health-substance abuse curriculum from kindergarten to university to teach about the various drugs, organic and lab-made, and their

long and short term effects on individuals, their families, communities, and nation.

Our people must learn the value of prevention and intervention before resorting to incarceration and execution.

Violent crimes are increasing. I firmly believe that this new coalition government is both competent and committed to act in communities and through

the many agencies supported by law enforcement, to test and evaluate our youths in need of intervention programs and treatment, and thereafter channel them into institutions where they will learn skills, gain employ-

ment, and become useful citizens. Our youths are our most valuable assets, so let’s attend to their needs and ours.

Budget should address tax ...

7

From Page 3

than conservatism …where has it got us…We have passed the stress test but we still have unacceptable levels of unemployment,” said Ram. BOLDNESS He also noted that the “disparity in wealth and income is completely unacceptable”. The chartered accountant, who is also a social commentator, believes that it will take much courage by the administration to tackle inequality.

“I am looking forward to some boldness, some action to address the problems we have. If crime, health and education are problems, housing still is a problem; cost is still a big issue.

Then inequality feeds into some of these and is a problem in its own right.”

To address inequality, the issue of redistribution of income must be examined thoroughly. That issue, he said, will create much debate as those who possess the larger section of the pie will resist the cutting of their section rather than building the pie.

But while the focus of the budget in Ram’s view should be job creation, the question remains how does the administration tackle that problem?

“You need a proper enabling environment and you have to look at what makes businesses not only possible but profitable; it might be tax rates, a whole host of measures. You will have to have a different type of approach to one type of business over another.”

Ram noted that the basics of an economy remain unchanged and it is time that the APNU+AFC Administration examine where the “hiccups and handicaps” are and seek to alter them. “… As far as taxation is concerned, what we have to do, we have to make businesses more friendly for those who are tax compliant and to deal harshly with those tax evaders.”

In the areas of crime, healthcare and education, Ram thinks it is absolutely necessary that the Government fulfills all of the promises it made. “… His (Minister Jordan) task is to make sure that within the constraints of his budget, he can allocate sufficient resources, maximum possible resources to ensure each of those ministers can properly do their work and deliver on the commitments that the APNU+AFC manifesto so proudly and categorically makes.” (agordon@guyanachronicle.com)

Regards, MAX WALLERSON

Monday January 18, 2016 - 12:00 hrs Tuesday January 19, 2016 - 13:00 hrs Wednesday January 20, 2016 - 14:00 hrs

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

Consultations begin on suicide prevention

By Ravin Singh

IN light of the troubling problem of suicide, stakeholders -- including ministries, religious bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international bodies -- yesterday commenced deliberating on possible ways of arresting the situation.

The meeting at the Marriott Hotel attracted several ministers of Government, and the National Suicide Prevention Plan 2015-2020 was presented by Dr Bhiro Harry, Head of the Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit.

Guyana has been ranked as having the highest suicide rate relative to its population, by a World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2014.

Against that background, the suicide prevention strategy aims to “reduce the incidence of attempted suicide and suicide mortality by more than 50 per cent, thereby preventing premature death from suicide or morbidity (and) disability from attempted suicide across the lifespan.”

The 50 per cent range, according to Dr Harry, was chosen because it is a realistic target which could be achieved once the proposed plans are executed successfully.

The line of action proposed in the document, which was presented last year, includes risk factors’ reduction; health promotion; and prevention of suicidal behaviour; reduction of access to the means of suicide; health system response to suicidal behaviour; and suicide surveillance and research.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN Dr Harry also highlighted

which seeks to reduce the number of cases of suicide presently being recorded.

He noted that help and advice has been pouring in from all over, even from foreign countries which are concerned about the growing numbers; but, because of the complexity of suicide prevention, he noted, the approach has to be a strategic one which will avoid making the situation worse.

Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton, addressing stakeholders at the suicide prevention meeting yesterday

the emergency action plan which seeks to restrict access to the means of suicide; awareness about suicide prevention; responsible media reporting; training; increased access to mental health facilities; and importantly, follow-up and community support.

The Mental Health Unit head also related that while there is always a need for facilities and resources, including human resource, authorities must work with what is currently in their employ and utilise those to their fullest potential.

“We are currently training people… and this training is not only for persons in the medical field. The training cannot be limited to Public Health employees. We must go into communities, schools and offices and teach villagers, parents and employees how to respond and communicate with persons [who have suicidal thoughts]” Dr Harry said.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT And while the population, as a natural reaction, looks to the Government for a solution to national issues such as suicide, Minister Norton underscored the role

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, also made a presentation at the meeting, highlighting the fact that a detailed analysis in Guyana over the last five years has indicated that most of the cases are concentrated in coastal areas of the country.

Region Six recorded 30.9 per cent, Region Three 22 per cent, Region Four 19.7 per cent, and Region Two 12.4 per cent. Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine accounted for just over four per cent of the cases, but the recent evidence, according to Dr Persaud, indicates that this figure may be higher.

Additionally, he noted that East Indians accounted for 80 per cent of cases of

ing yesterday were Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valarie Garrido-Low; Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes; Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Karen Cummings; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; representatives of the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, non- governmental organisations (NGO)

Some of the participants at yesterday’s meeting

And supporting this view, which underscores the role of the community and other domestic institutions, was Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton, who also emphasized that the onus of suicide prevention is not limited to medical officers.

According to the Minister, the escalating number of cases of suicide in Guyana has prompted a more immediate response mechanism

of the family and community in providing support for persons suffering with suicidal thoughts.

He noted, however, that the role of the family and community will by no means diminish the involvement of the Government, which will continue to lead the way in providing solutions to tackle this issue.

suicide, with males from this ethnic group accounting for 66 per cent of all cases.

Persons of mixed ancestry accounted for just fewer than 10 per cent, with Africans (5 per cent) and Indigenous people (5 per cent) being less frequently suicide victims.

Also present at the meet-

and religious organisations.

If you, or anyone you know, are experiencing suicidal thoughts, speak to a family member or leader in your community, or call the suicide helpline on telephone numbers: (+592) 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444. Say yes to life! (rsingh@guyanachronicle.com)

Horace James takes charge of NICIL FORMER Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, will today commence his first working day as head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Winston Brassington, who was in charge of that holding company, has been sent on administrative leave pending an audit investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, James said that even though he would be working in Georgetown, his base will still be Linden, as his heart is in his home town and he is

devoted to Linden.

He said the NICIL Board invitation to occupy the position came as a surprise, but he accepted and tendered his resignation as CEO of the Linmine Secretariat.

James served as CEO of the Linmine Secretariat for 16 years. He has also served in several managerial positions in the Bauxite Company since returning from studies in the UK, where he was trained as a mining engineer.

He spent three years in the United Kingdom, and came back willingly as there were no legal commitments to do so. James was initially appointed a project engineer, and was later appointed senior engineer of the Bauxite

Company.

He was then asked to become the Regional Chairman.

He served in that capacity in 1980. James’s passion for engineering contributed to his short stint in that post, as he returned to the Bauxite Company to continue service as a mining engineer.

“I was of the opinion that being a Regional Chairman was a part-time job that I could have done after work, but when it dawned on me that it was a full-time job, I just spent one year and returned to mining,” he told this publication.

SEASONED MANAGER Upon his return, he served in the capacity of Deputy

CEO, and was appointed CEO in 1998. James was later appointed Chairman of the Linden Electricity Company Inc (LECI) in 2003.

Apart from the aforementioned appointments, Mr James played an integral role in the establishment of the Linden Museum, as he possesses a wide array of knowledge on the history of the town, especially as it relates to bauxite mining.

President Granger, in his address at the launch of LEN in November, told the residents of Linden that he does not know what the town would do without Mr James, who has played a pivotal role it its development.

James has also served as a Director of the Linden Technical Institute and the Linden Community Development (LCD), which started in 1970. The purpose of LCD was to change the town from company-owned to residents-owned.

The heading of NICIL

by Mr James comes at a time when Mr Brassington is in the hot seat over a number of projects undertaken by NICIL under his watch, including the Marriott Hotel and the Berbice River Bridge Project.

Mr Brassington was sent on leave amidst an official probe to ascertain if any “criminality” was involved in the management

of NICIL. 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.

Horace James has said that the Linden Secretariat was a subsidiary of NICIL, and he had never experienced any corruption in his dealing with the company.

He posited that the workers he had dealt with were very professional, and he said he hopes to continue having that working relationship with them.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

Ramkarran accuses Jagdeo of hypocrisy – says former president is epitome of arrogance, fostered complacency

Former PPP Executive member Ralph Ramkarran

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

FORMER Speaker of the House and former PPP Executive member, Ralph Ramkarran, has accused Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo of hypocrisy, and has contended that the now Opposition Leader has no justification to talk about “arrogance” and “complacency” in the PPP. At his end-of-year press briefing, the former president had said “there was a severe disconnect between the party and its supporters on the ground”, and he said this was responsible for the APNU and AFC “gaining footholds among PPP supporters”.

Mr Jagdeo had attributed this state of affairs to the PPP’s “complacency” and “arrogance”, and had vowed to work hard to strengthen the party by going “house to house to people right across this country and rebuilding a connection between them and the party”.

He had also spoken about the youth being enticed by the coalition because they lacked knowledge of the PNC’s past, and he had said there was need for the party to work “vigorously to incubate a new generation of youthful leaders”.

But writing in his weekly column, “Conversation Tree”, Mr Ramkarran pointed out that it was Jagdeo who had single-mindedly supported Mr Donald Ramotar as the PPP/C presidential candidate in 2011 in an act

that was the epitome of the “worst displays of contempt and political arrogance in Guyana’s political history”.

“The compelling obsession to continue to exercise governmental authority and control was the sole motivating factor. The PPP leadership, in thrall to Mr Jagdeo, mistakenly felt that its supporters would accept anything thrown at them. It is not that the PPP leadership did not know, or could not have known, what were the possible consequences of its decision,” Ramkarran said.

According to the former Speaker, during 2010, he was in New Amsterdam to attend to a matter in the New Amsterdam High Court, but met with Messrs Zulfikar Mustapha, then Regional Chairman, and Faizal Jaffarally, an adviser -- the two main PPP operatives in Berbice.

The purpose of the meeting was to solicit the support of two influential local leaders in the PPP’s heartland of Berbice for his campaign for the nomination. But they both told him that they would support him only if there was a secret ballot, as in that way Mr Jagdeo would not know whom they had supported.

The senior PPP operatives also used the opportunity to inform Mr Ramkarran that if Mr Ramotar, who had already been in semi-official campaign mode, were chosen, they would have great

difficulty in mobilising PPP supporters to turn out to vote.

OVERPOWERING “The leadership was unaware of this dire possibility because the arrogance at the top was so overpowering that Messrs Mustapha and Jaffarally, and many others of the same view, dared not express their fears.

Just as Mustapha and Jaffarally predicted, thousands of Berbicians and others stayed home, and the PPP lost its majority in 2011 and in the elections in 2015.

“The entire problem of arrogance arose because of the leadership’s belief that it knew what was best; failed to advance and develop party democracy; abused and threatened all those who raised questions; and felt that the PPP would rule forever.

“The party metamorphosed into an instrument for accumulation, which became progressively worse.

Disgusted and silenced, party stalwarts, young and old, dropped out.

“Arrogance led to the belief that these developments would not be noticed by supporters, or that junior leaders would not mimic the behaviour of senior leaders,” Ramkarran contended.

Mr Ramkarran has posited that, in order to repair the PPP, reforms have to start at the top. He said Mr Jagdeo has repeatedly mentioned the need to motivate young people and to encourage young leaders in the PPP. TRUST “But what about Frank Anthony, Anil Nandlall, Irfan Ally, Priya Manickchand, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Pauline Sukhai, Neil Kumar; and rising ones such as Charles Ramson (Jr), Nigel Dharamlall, Collin Croal, and others? Is it that Mr Jagdeo doesn’t trust them because some of these ‘young’ leaders and a few ‘old’ ones disapproved (of) his election

as Leader of the Opposition?” Ramkarran asks?

The former House Speaker pointed out that young people are being wildly motivated by politicians like Jeremy Corbyn, 66, of the UK and Bernie Sanders, 74, of the US, whom Mr Jagdeo would refer to as ‘very old’ (as he did to President Granger) or “fossils”.

Ramkarran contends that these leaders are inspiring young people by progressive policies, democratic behaviour and humility.

“We have to wait and see whether blood will flow at and after the PPP Congress later this year, and if the unwanted ‘young’ and ‘old’ leaders will be made to move on.

“Both Mr Ramotar and Mr Rohee are over 65, and ‘old’ in Mr Jagdeo’s eyes.

The problem for Mr Jagdeo is that these same ‘old’ leaders have helped him to influence the post-Congress vote for the male- dominated Executive Committee in recent years, so that ‘undesirable elements’ like the popular Hydar Ally and Indra Chandarpal, or the ambitious but hitherto out of favour Anil Nandlall do not sneak in,” Mr Ramkarran said.

He added: “Publicly contradicted by Mr Jagdeo, Mr Rohee, now chief cook and bottle washer, must be struggling with humiliation.

It is not known if Mr Donald Ramotar will be invited this time around, and would be still willing to toe the Jagdeo line. He is struggling hard to recover from the shame of losing the elections, and is still bitter from being unceremoniously dumped by his mentor, Mr Jagdeo, in the choice of Leader of the Opposition.”

He pointed out that Dr Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan bequeathed a thriving, humming and democratic party in office, but for its loss, Mr Jagdeo is blaming everyone, except himself and his choice of presidential candidate.

The saga unfolds

GUYANA Times is at it again, except this time they’ve promoted themselves from misinterpreting to downright fallaciousness in a recent report that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had been “stripped of all ‘line duties’ and that he now reports to Minister of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

The article, also carried verbatim by Guyana Times’ new sibling media house iNews, has since been denounced by the Prime Minister in a statement coming out of the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of the Presidency, calling it “malicious, wicked and utterly false”.

The original post indeed started much racial tension on social media -- as such posts are likely to do -- and the PM warned Guyanese of the campaign being rolled out against the coalition government, particularly the Indo-Guyanese members, by the Ramroop Media Group. Many were glad that the statement set the record straight, and hastened to point this out. All this only makes the “Beacon of Truth” look worse than it already does.

PPP member Priya Manickchand, going solely on the word of Guyana Times, took to social media to share her eloquent view on the matter, stating that the pact the APNU and AFC made upon becoming a coalition was broken, and Nagamootoo’s voice and responsibilities were “taken away from him”.

Manickchand’s words were harsh, going so far as to refer to the PM as a “toothless puppy dog.”

As usual, she lacks decorum, and has seemingly forgotten that she is referring to the Prime Minister of Guyana.

The PPP, of course, had the article emblazoned on its page, stating that “‘comrade’ Joe (Harmon)” is now second only to the President -– inciting arguments and cuss-outs among an already restless public. But in the words of Imran Khan, who happens to be the PM’s Press Secretary but who at the same time made a valid point, “That right-thinking persons still give credence to anything published by Guyana Times is interesting, if not incredulous”.

To think that all this came about because of the PPP’s failed attempt to have persons picket the Prime Minister’s New York trip. If the PPP would go to such lengths only a few months in, one shudders to think what will be the state of things at the next general elections.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

Water under considerable pressure HUMAN overuse of water resources, primarily for agriculture, and diffuse contamination of freshwater in urban regions and from agriculture are stressing the water resources in the earthly water cycle.

According to the Global Water Partnership (GWP), as a consequence, the ecological functions of water bodies, soils and groundwater (e.g. filtration, natural decomposition of pollutants, buffer capacity) in the water cycle are hampered.

Water is an essential natural resource that shapes regional landscapes and is vital for ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing.

At the same time, water is a resource under considerable pressure. Alterations in the hydrologic regime due to global climatic, demographic and economic changes have serious consequences for people and the environment,” the GWP noted.

‘TOWARDS 2020’ Global Water Partnership has learned from its worldwide network of partnerships that increasing water security requires sound policies, knowledge, and action.

This is a major challenge, and GWP aims to tackle this through the strategy ‘Towards 2020’, which

offers hope and generates new enthusiasm to support countries and regions to better plan and manage their water resources at all levels for sustainable and inclusive growth.

INTERDEPENDENCE “We live in a world of growing interdependence. The impact of economic, financial, and natural crises spreads faster than ever before, and affects more people.

When one part of an economy collapses, it can trigger a chain reaction across the globe. The climate crisis has shown that our planet is an indivisible whole; and the food crisis has demonstrated that nations depend on one another’s ability to produce food, and on the policies that support production,” GWP stressed.

The agency noted that water security is influenced by all of these global challenges. The financial crisis has constrained capital

investment in increasing water security in many countries.

Recurrent spikes in food prices have exposed the vulnerability of national food security. Changing weather patterns have caused catastrophic floods and droughts.

The lives lost, damage done to homes and businesses, and direct economic losses from these water-related disasters have a negative impact on employment, social services, and infrastructure.

has its own unique set of physical, social, economic, political, and environmental circumstances that will determine its pathway towards water security. Governments will need to engage with private and civil society partners to address water use and waste treatment, retention, and pollution. Together they must find ways of balancing today’s needs with those of future generations in a socially just and gender-equitable way.

Water connects us all. Understanding the connections will help us to find equitable ways of sharing limited water resources

BURDEN ON WOMEN AND GIRLS As a result, the GWP emphasized, too many people still lack access to water, sanitation, food, and energy. The burden on women and girls is disproportionately large, as they often do not benefit directly from clean water supply, which is totally unacceptable.

However, results can be By Rabindra Rooplall achieved, the agency noted. FOR many small businessE a c h c o u n t r y es, making the decision to participate in a standards development process remains difficult, as managers are typically reluctant to allocate resources to a long-term process that may not yield immediate benefits.

However, if a company is committed and participates actively in the process, the return on investment can be substantial, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Lloyd David.

The GNBS PRO noted that entrepreneurs are encouraged to have their businesses join the global fraternity of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) which are already reaping the benefits of compliance and certification to internationally recognized standards.

“The true prosperity of your SMEs may be hinged on the implementation of standards. Initiate that contact with the GNBS now and find out which standards can best address the needs of your business for growth and competitiveness,” he said.

among many competing demands.

Political will and skill, combined with strong, visionary leadership can help bring together opposing interests, integrate scientific understanding into policy-making, and negotiate socially acceptable trade-offs.

Partnerships for sustainable development, such as GWP, can help countries to design and implement effective policy, and build consensus to reach positive outcomes.

Increasing water security is crucial to achieving new and sustainable development pathways, the GWP explained.

Local businesses need to embrace standards

– return on investment can be substantial, says GNBS

NOT TOO SMALL David explained that the notion that an enterprise is too small to implement standards is a myth. The Bureau believes that it is time that local businesses begin to embrace the implementation of standards as guidelines and tools which are determined by consensus as the strategies to be adopted by businesses to streamline their operations, realise profits,

on how this national standard can be implemented to guarantee improved business performance.

He further explained that standards provide as many benefits for small businesses as they do for global enterprises. The strategic use of standards can make a significant difference to the annual profits of an SME, and can sometimes mean the difference between success and failure.

GNBS PRO, Lloyd David

maintain sustainability; and, most importantly, facilitate access to more markets.

He said an enterprise can implement standards and use them as negotiating tools, in addition to ensuring quality, improving customer service and reliability, and reducing costs. Standards are also the common language used globally in trade negotiations, and can allow local businesses to confidently export their products to other parts of the world and provide assurance of quality.

The GYS 231 standard, ‘Requirements for good manufacturing practices for micro, small and medium-size enterprises’ defines the fundamental requirements to enhance small business performance through the process of continual improvement and assurance of quality, environment and occupational safety and health requirements.

The standard also reduces nonconformity, David added, and local SMEs are therefore encouraged to consult with the GNBS to be sensitised

EXPORT MARKETS For smaller firms, some of the benefits of using standards include the opening up of export markets, heightened operational efficiency, and increased confidence, as customers from all over the world recognise the compliance of businesses, products and services that comply with standards.

The principal benefits of participation include visibility, in-depth understanding, innovation, competitive advantage, networking possibilities, and opportunities to access potential customers.

In other words, non-participation in standardization gives away the advantage to the competition.

It is, however, still a challenge in many business environments, locally and foreign, to convince small companies to participate in standardisation, David noted. The GNBS, through its technical assistance and training programmes, provides an avenue for micro-, small- and medium-size enterprises to be sensitised on the requirements of national and international standards. (rrooplall@guyanachronicle.com)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

800,000 suicide cases worldwide annually – WHO recommends national prevention strategies SOME 75 per cent of suicides occur in low and middle-income countries, and more than 800,000 people around the world die from suicide every year.

This works out to approximately one person every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Guyana has the highest estimated suicide rate in the world. Data from the Americas show that suicide rates first peak among young people, remain at the same level for other age groups, and rise again among older men.

Pesticide poisoning is one of the most common methods of suicide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and accounts for one-third of cases globally. In the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased by 60 per cent worldwide.

PREVENTION A World Health Organization (WHO) report identifies a series of measures that can help prevent suicide.

Among them are: creating national strategies for sui-

cide prevention; restricting access to the most common means of suicide, including pesticides, firearms and certain medicines; providing medical follow-up for people who have attempted suicide; incorporating suicide prevention as a central component in health services; identifying and treating mental health and substance abuse disorders as early as possible; and responsible reporting on suicide by the news media.

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death, and is often carried out as a result of many reasons, one being despair.

Suicide may be attributed to a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, alcoholism, or drug abuse. Moreover, stress factors are also responsible for suicides.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is among the three leading causes of death among persons aged between 15 and 44 years in some countries, and is the second

leading cause of death in the 10-24 years age group. These figures do not include suicide attempts, which are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicide.

In Berbice, the rate doubles to 50 per 100,000. Suicide is the leading cause of death among youths aged between 15 and 24 years old, and is the third leading cause of death among persons between 25 and 44 years old.

In the 15-19 age group, suicide is the leading cause of death among females, and the second leading cause of death among males.

RISK FACTORS Officials have blamed factors such as depression, domestic disputes, and distress over health problems as major contributory factors. Statistics also show that Guyanese of East Indian descent were most likely to take their lives, prompting community organisations to press the government to act.

Other risk factors include: Mental illness, primarily depression and alcohol-use disorders; abuse;

violence; loss; cultural and social background.

Guyana’s suicide rate is said to be one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere, and is close to world-leading levels in Russia and other former Soviet countries.

The WHO noted that, every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a “global” mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds. Suicide worldwide is estimated at 1.8 percent of the total global burden of disease in 1998, and 2.4 percent in countries with market and former socialist economies in 2020.

Worldwide, the prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed, due basically to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major problem and the taboo in many societies to discuss it openly. In fact, only a few countries have included prevention of suicide among their priorities.

According to the WHO, it is clear that suicide prevention requires intervention from outside the health sector. Therefore, that body

calls for an innovative, comprehensive multi-sectoral approach that includes both health and non-health sectors, e.g. education, labour, police, justice, religion, law, politics, the media.

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACHES Strategies involving restriction of access to common methods of suicide, such as firearms or toxic substances like pesticides, have proven to be effective in reducing suicide rates. However, there is need to adopt multi-sectoral approaches involving many levels of intervention and activities.

The health organization has noted that the compelling evidence indicating that adequate prevention and treatment of depression and alcohol and substance abuse can reduce suicide rates as well as follow-up contact with those who have attempted suicide.

Although traditionally suicide rates have been highest among the elderly male, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of the countries in both the developed and developing countries.

50 bicycles distributed to Berbice students Berbice man murdered

A student from Manchester Secondary School receives her bicycle from First Lady Sandra Granger

FIFTY students from various schools across Region 6 were the recipients of bicycles from the Government of Guyana. The distribution was part of President David Granger’s 3Bs initiative and the bicycles were donated

by Peter Lewis and family of Associated Construction Services.

The distribution was done at Scottsburg, Corriverton, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s residence at Whim Village, Fyrish Skills Training Centre and Glasgow Community Centre ground, Greater New Amsterdam.

Minister of Social Cohe-

sion Amna Ally speaking at the handing over ceremony said the gesture is a vision of the President who wants to ensure that each child has access to education and opportunities.

“We are particularly happy to be doing this distribution in your community. This is a project of the President, a vision of seeing every child in school and having every child getting equal access to education in Guyana because of poverty and inequality, we have a lot of dropouts in school, we have many who do not have the opportunity to go to school and so our President has decided to embark on this initiative called

the 3Bs project, meaning boats, buses and bicycles.”

Minster Ally went on to urge to recipients to take good care of the bikes and at the same time practice safety while riding.

“We believe everyone should have equal opportunities and so the equal opportunities is across the board - that is why our boys and girls will be beneficiaries of the project.

I want you to know while you are getting bicycles today you are fortunate. I want to say to you, you need to care these bikes and ride bearing in mind safety.”

First Lady Sandra Granger

during her address to the gathering implored the students to consider the importance of education and Government’s commitment to ensuring that opportunities are available.

“Government is making this effort to ensure that you get to and from school safely and as part of getting an education. The next thing is to take advantage of all your education opportunities whatever you want to become in life make sure you learn enough so you can be the best at anything and your Government will help you get there.”

Minister Ally, whose Ministry has responsibility for the 3Bs project, said it will continue throughout the country so that each child who is in need will be afforded the opportunity to receive a bicycle.

Ally noted that Peter Lewis also pledged to donate a bus to the region which will aid in transporting students to school.

Another 50 bicycles are expected to be distributed to the region in February.

Meanwhile, several regional officials were also present at the distribution exercise, including Regional Health Officer Jevon Stephens, Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud, CEO of New Amsterdam Hospital Colin Bynoe and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Anette Ferguson.

at wedding house

Dead: Surendra Nauth

SURENDRA Nauth, called “Shawn, 29, of Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice, was in the wee hours of Sunday stabbed to death while at a wedding celebration at Williamsburg Village.

A tearful Anita Evans, his wife, said the incident occurred at about 00:30 hrs, when the suspect, whom she identified as one “Shandy”, was confronted after he was seen slashing the tyre of a car belonging to her brother.

“The girl that was sitting in the car see when he slash the tyre and she come out

and tell Totaram (Evens’s brother), and he went up to Shandy and ask he if he slash the tyre and he said ‘no’ but another guy tell he ‘yes’, I see you slash it too’. The guy (Shandy) just tek out he knife and bore Totaram on he face.”

Evans explained that after seeing what was happening, her husband went to intervene and was stabbed in the abdomen. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to a police press release, Nauth and his brother-in-law Totaram Bhola were involved in an argument with a man who slashed a tyre of their motor vehicle.

Bhola has been admitted to hospital.

The suspect, who was recently released from prison, is on the run. He had served a sentence on a charge of wounding.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Better Hope fisher 12

By Shauna Jemmott

BETTER Hope North, East Coast Demerara is a community that depends mainly on fishing for its livelihood, but with this month being the season for rough seas, fishermen have been stalled at home for more than two weeks, and are awaiting the storm at sea to calm.

Located some 12 miles from Georgetown, Better Hope is sandwiched between Vryheid’s Lust and Plaisance. Guyana Chronicle visited the community last Friday and spoke with a few of the fishermen who were ‘hanging out’ at the seaside, watching the crashing waves as the sea churned in the distance.

‘Black Boy’, one of the fishermen, told Guyana Chronicle two weeks had already passed since fishermen were unable to go out to sea. He said the water has since been too rough and

the tide has been low since last week Tuesday.

Sipping wine with Peter, another fisherman, at a weathered makeshift shed erected beyond the seawall, the fisherman explained: “The water very rough, so we can’t get to work.”

He said they visit the location daily, and socialise while they watch their boats and monitor the tide.

“We just watching the boat and waiting to see wha going on until he cool down.”

LIFE IS IN DANGER Peter explained that the water sometimes remains rough for over a month, during which time nobody takes the risk of going out to sea.

“When you reach to that roughness like that, you take a lot of chance (in going out to sea). Your life is in danger…the waves are very terrible, and the boat can’t go through them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

That wave would capsize yuh whole boat,” he explained.

He said this often occurs every year, towards its end and early in the New Year, and fishermen make preparations for this season financially by saving from the proceeds acquired during the good times.

One of the men, noting a recent report about a tropical storm developing in the Atlantic Ocean, added that it was one of those times when hurricanes become active.

“You expect them season this hay, so the lil money wha you wuk fuh, you save the lil money and prepare for this here.”

REMITTANCES He said that, during this difficult period, families abroad would usually reach out to relatives at home, sending barrels and maybe some small change, enough to maintain those in

Boats stalled at Better Hope beach are surrounded by garbage

Riding out!

Fishermen hanging out in the seaside bus shed

Hanging out on the sea wall

rs against the tide 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

need.

Almost every home in North Better Hope benefits from fishing, but Better Hope South is where cane-cutters mostly are found.

Another of the men, 55-year-old Cyril Persaud, said: “You can’t go to work. You remain and you start to study, and we tek lil drink and (stop studying).”

He tries his hand at casting net to catch fish in trenches and the Demerara River. This is to earn a living while he awaits the calming of the stormy sea.

“I does tek cast-net and throw, just to maintain my family.

Life in Better Hope really hard; people ah punish bad,” he declared.

A woman named Dolly added: “It hard! It hard because if people don’t get fish and shrimp, yuh don’t get money.”

Her home is by the seaside, and she said most of the men

at South Better Hope work as cane-cutters in Vryheid’s Lust and LBI estate.

Across at Better Hope South, “Life is good,” says a young woman who has been living there over two years now. The area is quiet, and for the two years she has lived there, the only social problems that stood out are suicide and poor garbage disposal arrangements.

VOTING AT LGE At 18, she has never had the opportunity to vote, and looks forward to doing so at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for March 18.

“I don’t know what it is. I am gonna vote if I can vote, because the last time they said I was too young to vote although I was already 18.”

She said, however, that she is unaware of who the con-

testants are, and that people are hardly talking about the elections.

GARBAGE Better Hope residents are facing a serious garbage problem, but Puran Brothers Waste Disposal Inc. charges $200 for a twice-monthly collection and disposal of garbage.

However, residents still dump garbage on the Better Hope beach. Residents who spoke to this publication expressed concern at this situation, saying that the beach has become a main recreational area for residents and visitors, but sometimes the stench emanating from the garbage is unbearable and drives people away. They are hoping that the situation can be resolved so that the area can become a popular tourist destination and one where people can comfortably do a commercial exchange of the day’s catch.

Disabled Persons Network needs a building

By Ariana Gordon

Front yard lime!

A horse cart load of garbage heading for a seawall dump

THE Disabled Persons Network (DPN) of Region 6 is calling on the authorities for assistance with either a piece of land, where a permanent structure can be set up, or office space within a building, where members can meet regularly.

Past president of the DPN, Dawn Benjamin, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the organisation has lost many of its members because of the lack of a building to facilitate meetings and other activities planned by the organisation.

“We are desperately in need of a building. We have not met as a group since last year February,” Benjamin told the Guyana Chronicle.

The woman, who served as president for the organisation from 2011 to 2013, said the DPN was once an active body that worked tirelessly to empower persons living with various disabilities.

Formed in 2009, Benjamin noted, the organisation’s aim is to empower disabled persons living in the Region 6 area.

LOW SELFCONFIDENCE She noted that many of the members and disabled persons generally have low self-confidence. DPN, she said, works to correct that.

Members are encouraged and told that they too can lead productive and successful lives despite their disabilities.

“We teach them how to use the computer, we also do skills training with them,” she said.

But the organisation has been unable to meet since

last February due to the lack of a building or office space from which they can operate, and persons have decided to withdraw themselves from the organization.

“We are not getting meetings, we need a building of our own…this is our main problem. People are staying away,” the woman stressed.

Prior to February 2015, DPN members met at the Special Needs School located at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam. “Our aim is to achieve a building of our own,” Benjamin told Guyana Chronicle.

Asked whether the organisation has sought assistance from the Government or the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), DPN’s past president said during her tenure she had written to former President Donald Ramotar and the RDC for assistance, but to no avail. She explained that an overseas-based organization, Builders Beyond Borders, was willing to assist the organisation with the construction of a building, but unfortunately DPN could not secure the land. The Regional Chairman at the time had promised to assist the organisation with the land, but the promise never materialised.

Visually impaired, Benjamin said the land promised to the group was shown to the organisation but reports indicated that the land was the centre of a dispute between the Town Council and the Region.

“They had us going to and fro. The Council had promised us another (piece of land) but that didn’t happen, and by then the people (Builders Beyond Borders) went ahead and made a sim-

Disabled Person’s Network member Dawn Benjamin

ilar offer to construct the building to another group on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB).”

After losing the offer, many DPN members became frustrated and stayed away. “We had great plans, you know. We wanted to do skills training and information technology, but our members kept dropping out because of the frustration.”

MAJOR HICCUP The DPN representative said that lack of a building has proven to be a major hiccup for the group, but she remains optimistic that public-spirited citizens would assist in whatever way they can.

It is her intention to reach out to the Regional Office again, and then she would seek the support of Government through the Ministry of Social Protection.

“Even if they can’t give us land, give us some space we can occupy. It is just for us to meet and get things done. A year is a long time,” she lamented.

The current president, Walton Edwards, is also due Turn to page 14 ►

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

Aquaculture farmer in ‘deep waters’

By Ariana Gordon

AFTER investing millions in a fish unknown to Guyanese, farmer Krishna Persaud Jagdeo is left to search for avenues to market his commodity. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at his Marysburg, Corentyne Farm, Jagdeo said the situation with the Brazilian fish is frustrating.

He explained that he began fish rearing some two years ago after noticing the influx of Brazilians in the country due to the gold rush.

The farmer noted that he began rearing the tambaqui with the hope that he’d find at the very least a reasonable market for the fish.

To his surprise, not many people are familiar with the fish and he does not have a large Brazilian contingent buying from him. He has some 30,000 tambaqui at his farm.

“I have been in the fish farm business for about two years and I rear the Tambaqui fish, a Brazilian fish, hassar and tilapia.” The tambaqui represents the largest amount of fish reared by Jagdeo as the tilapia and hassar are now in their reproduction stages.

A tambaqui weighs between four and 10 pounds.

“It is very stressful because I have to feed them every day. I have to pay security,

A worker holds up a tambaqui

so it is costing me daily and I am not recovering the money,” the farmer told Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that even as he explores avenues to market and sell the fish, the fishes are consumed by his family and close friends.

HOPEFUL With approximately $25M already invested, Jagdeo remains hopeful that doors open and the fish can be sold both locally and in neighbouring Brazil and Suriname.

Just a few days ago the persistent farmer travelled to Suriname with the hope of finding market for his commodity. It is his intention to reach out to local supermar-

kets and also travel to Lethem and cross the border into Brazil so that persons would be aware that he is rearing the fish.

“The Brazilians like the fish… it is a tasty fish but it is very costly,” said the Corentyne resident. “The Brazilians are not buying it… the majority of them left,” he added.

He explained that it costs him some $2M a month to feed the fishes. The fishes are fed 2000 pounds of feed twice daily at a cost of $3,500 per bag. “I have to feed them daily. They have to eat morning and afternoon.

It is costing me because I still have to pay the bank every six months.”

Jagdeo is the recipient of a loan through the Ag-

ricultural Diversification Programme. As such, he is required to pay instalments twice a year to the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

“I am afraid to put the fish on the local market… I am afraid people will steal from me,” the frustrated man told Guyana Chronicle.

Additionally, the farmer is required to pay his five “watchmen” approximately $100,000 a week to ensure that his investment is not stolen.

“I am trying as much as I can to get sales for this fish but Guyanese are not accustom to the fish. I don’t know what to do.”

Businessman Krishna Persaud Jagdeo

BE CAREFUL The businessman is advising other fish farmers to be “careful” when investing in varying species of fish. “I don’t want anybody to suffer like me. I invested a lot but I don’t have the market… be careful.”

Meanwhile, receiving a large enough market to sell tambaqui is not the only challenge facing the Corentyne business man who is also a rice farmer, and is a contractor who specialises in the construction of roads.

Jagdeo also invested approximately $15M to purchase a feed mill. The machine he explained can

produce as much as 1,000 pounds of feed per hour. He said raw material is a big problem facing him as feed cannot be made unless all of the components are present.

“We have the capacity but unfortunately, soya meal has to be imported from Brazil, and the fish and protein meals are difficult to get here.”

While the cost is not necessarily hefty, Jagdeo said the unavailability of the items is causing him severe hardship.

“Nowhere has tilapia feed.

They have to import it from Trinidad and it is costly.

“Rice bran is also not available here…this is a major problem presently. We

can’t feed the cows, nothing,” the businessman added. “We really need the raw materials to make the feed…there is a serious problem with rice bran, fish meal and soya,” he stressed as he looked at his feed mill that was not in use.

Things have not gotten easier for Jagdeo who owns approximately 1500 acres of rice land in Region 6. He told the Guyana Chronicle that he has millions of dollars’ worth in equipment parked at his Marysburg location.

“My rice farm is there but I stopped working. Everything park up. I had to down tools because of the price for paddy. I have lots of equipment but it can’t pay,” he told this publication as he looked at his equipment with despair in his eyes.

The business man explained that paddy costs as much as $2,500 per bag. “It is costing me a lot because I have millions in investment,” he remarked.

Jagdeo, who has been a rice farmer for approximately 15 years, expressed much dissatisfaction with the situation. “This is the second crop now since I downed tools,” Guyana Chronicle was told.

While he is experiencing many difficulties in the fish and rice farming, the business man can still rely on construction work and drainage and irrigation. agordon@guyanachronicle. com)

IICA proud of accomplishments in 2015

By Clifford Stanley

THE local office of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) said it is proud of its performance and its accomplishments in Guyana last year.

IICA Director Wilmot Garnett said its resilience, inclusion and family agriculture flagship projects provided another year of successful contribution to the agricultural sector and the development of small and medium-size entrepreneurs, including women and youths locally.

He said the European Union-funded projects, the Agricultural Policy Project (APP) and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) projects had all contributed to another successful year of IICA’s contribution to the sector.

Some major IICA Guyana contributions, among many others too numerous to mention, include the following: Developing production protocols and coordination mechanisms for legumes and cassava production; developing and establishing instruments to build capacity in farmer organizations;

strengthening the statistical capacity of the Resource Development and Planning Division of the Ministry of Agriculture; and developing and managing value chain platforms for both small ruminants and cassava.

The IICA Guyana office flagship projects contributed to rural development in the Tri-Lake Community of Tapakuma, in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) among other places. A major achievement was the re-commissioning of a cassava processing facility in this community -- the Rising Sun Agro-Processing Facility at St. Denny’s Village.

Rural communities in the area planting cassava are being supported by this processing facility through the processing of the cassava into a variety of cassava products.

The Tapakuma Cassava Processing Factory now serves as a community-based income generating model for other small value-added operations in Guyana.

The local office also continued its support to local beekeepers by engaging an expert who provided training on apiculture using a new and proven method of beekeeping

called the Perone Hive, which aimed at boosting their productivity and the profitability of their businesses.

Among other accomplishments, IICA Guyana also continued to promote protected agriculture technology (shade houses) through collaboration with several partners, including St. Stanislaus College Farm, Partners of the Americas, Caribbean and African Self Reliance International (CASRI), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), United Nations agencies, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

With over one hundred established protected agriculture structures throughout the ten administrative regions in Guyana, IICA has collaborated with CARDI to research and evaluate crop production, utilizing an improved high tunnel structure while performing cost/benefit analyses for selected crops. It is envisaged that at least 200 farmers/ investors will be trained in improved protective agricul-

ture best practices.

IICA continued to support bio-gas technology as an energy alternative to fossil fuels.

The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) has also benefited from this technology.

A unit was installed at the GSA and that agro-processing facility is presently using the methane gas as the main energy source. This intervention significantly reduced the GSA’s energy cost and dependency on the use of propane gas.

Supported by the local office, the Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CANROP) conducted a three-day training workshop for Caribbean women rural producers, in collaboration with The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), to learn how to build and manage a communication platform.

The group consisted of 20 women from several Caribbean countries, including Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas.

The participants learned how to create and post blogs, feature stories, news articles, and other basic steps that

could be used to introduce their businesses and products to the international community via the Internet.

IICA celebrated its 40th anniversary in Guyana last year. On that occasion, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said: “The support provided over the years by IICA has significantly im-

pacted on Guyana’s agriculture development agenda, and for this the country is grateful.”

Garnett said last week: “The local IICA office will continue to implement measures to ensure an even greater impact on the agriculture sector in Guyana in 2016.”

Disabled Persons Network...

From page 13

to demit office, but due to lack of meetings, a new executive could not be appointed. Benjamin explained that work is in train to have an interim body formed.

“I don’t want the organisation to go down…we had a good thing going… we are only inactive because we lack a meeting space,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

It is Benjamin’s wish to have the organisation operate on a full-time basis. In the past, when DPN occupied a space at the Special Needs School, it was only afforded approximately two hours, and members met there once a month, which she said is not sufficient.

“The major priority is to get a building of our own, that is all we need,” Benjamin remarked. The former president said it is her aim to reach all of the disabled persons within the Region 6 area, and empower them with skills. With an established office, she believes that aim would be realized. (agordon@guyanachronicle.com)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Maxwell dazzles in Melbourne, Australia clinch ODI series

MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-Glenn Maxwell struck a scintillating 96 in a tricky chase to help Australia beat India by three wickets in the third one-dayer yesterday and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Maxwell revived Australia’s chase for a 296-run victory target with a spectacular knock and by the time he was dismissed after an 83-ball blitz, scores were tied at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“It was nice to get a few out of the middle,” the 27-year-old said at the presentation ceremony.

“I broke my number one bat which was a bit annoying. I have to call Kookaburra and try and get another one from them.”

Virat Kohli had earlier struck a run-a-ball 117 to power India to a competitive 295 for six but the total was not enough in the end.

Put into bat, India suffered an early setback as the law of average caught up with opener Rohit Sharma who, after centuries in the last two matches, fell for six in the fifth over.

However, Shikhar Dhawan (68), now a Melbourne resident, batted himself back into form, raising 119 runs with Kohli before exposing his leg-stump which was pegged

back by a John Hastings delivery.

At the other end, Kohli became the fastest to score 7,000runs in one-dayers, taking five less than the 166 innings South African AB de Villiers needed to reach the mark.

The Indian Test skipper found an able ally in Ajinkya Rahane (50), who notched up his second successive fifty, as the duo added 109 runs.

Hastings, who finished with a career-best 4-58, ended Kohli’s sparkling knock of 117 that included two sixes and seven boundaries.

Dropped on 20, Aaron Finch (21) could not make the most of the reprieve but Shaun Marsh (62) and skipper Steven Smith (41) added 64 runs to steady the Australia reply.

At 215-6, the hosts looked in trouble before Maxwell bailed them out with some uninhibited strokemaking.

Needing 65 runs off the last 10 overs, Maxwell hit Umesh Yadav for a six and a four in the 43rd over that produced 15 runs and proved the turning point in the thrilling contest.

Maxwell missed his second ODI ton but belted three sixes and eight boundaries in his stellar knock to claim the manof-the-match award as the hosts

..Virat Kohli is fastest to 7,000 runs in one-dayres

SCOREBOARD

Virat Kohli celebrates his 24th ODI century against Australia in Melbourne ,yesterday. romped home with seven balls to spare.

“I thought 295 was a very good score,” India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, not hiding his disappointment with his team’s fielding.

“We did not field well, we conceded three boundaries

that we should have easily stopped and those were the best fielders in the side.

“In tight games like this, that’s one thing we have to avoid,” Dhoni rued.

The teams now move to Canberra for the fourth one-dayer on Wednesday.

FIFA presidential hopefuls promise increased assistance for Caribbean

FIFA presidential candidates Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne both proposed huge assistance packages to developing countries while giving presentations to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials Saturday at the regional body’s general meeting in Antigua.

Delivering from a prepared script, Jordan’s Prince Ali prom-

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ised – if he becomes president -- a massive 400 per cent increase to US$1 million annually for Caribbean countries from the governing body’s Financial Assistance Programme (FAP).

“I would raise the finance assistance programme from US$250,000 to a targeted minimum of US$1 million dollars per year. FIFA’s work so far must be acknowledged but it

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can do much more,” said Ali. “This is not a political move, this is to reflect the needs of national associations of developing nations and the fact that there have been no increase in FAPs for more than two decades. FIFA can afford it without jeopardising development’s support,” added the 39-year-old Prince Ali. Champagne, a former FIFA deputy secretary general, speaking confidently in a completely unscripted presentation, also supported an FAP increase but proposed doubling the figure to US$500,000.

“My proposal is realistic.

We want to double the financial assistance from FIFA from US$250,000 to half a million a year as a first step,” he said.

Frenchman Champagne, 57, said FAP upgrades should be measured, given possible financial issues the world governing body could face in the coming months.

“First we need to assess the exact state of the FIFA finances. FIFA is under investigation, will FIFA receive a fine for all these problems? So we want to make a difference and half a million would make a difference for a lot of federations but we have to go about it cautiously,” he said.

Prince Ali promised that under his watch, all 209 FIFA affiliates would have an international facility for football.

“Every National association will have a dedicated National Stadium,” he said.

FIFA has February 26 elections in Zurich to vote on a new president, replacing disgraced longtime former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.

Both Prince Ali and Champagne, anxious to secure CFU votes for next month’s elections, also supported an increase in World Cup spots for CONCACAF teams.

“This really has been won and clinched on the field. Look at how Costa Rica reached the quarter finals, the United States always very strong. The CONCACAF teams earned this half additional spot on the field,” Champagne said.

Switzerland’s Gianni Infantino addressed the CFU yesterday and Bahrain’s FIFA vice-president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, widely regarded as a front runner in the presidential race, did not attend because his schedule “did not permit his presence”. Sheikh Salman submitted a letter that was shared at the CFU session late Saturday.(Sportsmax.com)

INDIA Innings Ro. Sharma c Wade b Richardson

6 S. Dhawan b Hastings 68 V. Kohli c Bailey b Hastings 117 A. Rahane c Maxwell b Hastings

50 M. Dhoni c Maxwell b Hastings 23 G. Mann b Faulkner 8 R. Jadeja not out 6 R. Dhawan not out 3 Extras (lb-5 w-9) 14 Total (for 6 wickets, 50 overs) 295 Fall of wickets: 1-15 Ro. Sharma,2-134 S. Dhawan,3-243 A. Rahane,4-265 V. Kohli,5-274 G. Mann,6-288 M. Dhoni Did not bat: I. Sharma, U. Yadav, B. Sran Bowling:K. Richardson 10 - 0 - 48 1(w-2),J. Hastings 10 - 0 - 58 - 4(w-1) J. Faulkner 10 - 0 - 63 - 1(w-3),S. Boland 9 - 0 - 63 - 0(w-1), G. Maxwell 9 - 0 - 46 – 0, M. Marsh 2 - 0 - 12 - 0 AUSTRALIA Innings

S. Marsh c Dhoni b I. Sharma 62 A. Finch c Dhoni b U. Yadav 21 S. Smith c Rahane b Jadeja 41 G. Baileyst Dhoni b Jadeja 23 G. Maxwell c S. Dhawan b U. Yadav 96 M. Marsh run out (U. Yadav, Dhoni) 17 M. Wade c S. Dhawan b I. Sharma 6 J. Faulkner not out 21 J. Hastings not out 0 Extras (lb-3 nb-1 w-5) 9 Total (for 7 wickets, 48.5 overs) 296 Fall of wickets: 1-48 A. Finch,2-112 S. Smith,3-150 G. Bailey,4-167 S. Marsh,5-204 M. Marsh,6-215 M. Wade,7-295 G. Maxwell Did not bat: K. Richardson, S. Boland Bowling: U. Yadav 9.5 - 0 - 68 2(nb-1 w-1),B. Sran 8 - 0 - 63 - 0(w-2) I. Sharma 10 - 0 - 53 - 2(w-1), R. Dhawan 6 - 0 - 33 – 0, G. Mann 5 - 0 - 27 – 0, R. Jadeja 10 - 0 - 49 - 2(w-1).

Arsenal draw to go top, United win at Liverpool

By Mike Collett LONDON, (Reuters)-Arsenal ended Leicester City’s brief stay at the top of the Premier League yesterday despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Stoke City after Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney struck late for a 1-0 win at Liverpool.

Arsenal moved ahead of Leicester City, who drew 1-1 at Aston Villa to take first place on Saturday. Both teams have 44 points from 22 matches but the London side’s goal difference is three better than the Foxes.

Manchester United also moved up the table from sixth to fifth after Rooney’s 78th

minute volley gave them victory at arch-rivals Liverpool in a drab north-west derby which improved slightly after the break following a poor first half.

Rooney struck after a header

by Marouane Fellaini rebounded straight to him off the bar and the United skipper gave keeper Simon Mignolet no chance with his ferocious strike.

Arsenal, who have not won at Stoke for six years, came close to scoring three times but were thwarted by Jack Butland who made important saves from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud, twice.

Franklin returns...

From Backpage

latter returning a three game to nothing win.

Saunders finished second while Shavin Greene copped the third spot after beating off Kaysan Ninvalle.

The B Class also saw Romain taking top honours, this time ahead of Kevon Corbin and Kyle Edghill who finished second and third respectively.

At the U 21 level, Shemar Britton was made to work hard for his title after being taken to the limit by Edghill four games to one.

On the female end of things, Chelsea Edghill took both the Women’s U 21 and open division.

Selenas Jackman and Aneka Phillips finished second and third in the U-21 class while in the women’s singles,

Natalie Cummings and JodyAnn Blake were the other two podium finishers in the open division.

In closing off the tournament, president of the Guyana Table Tennis Association Godfrey Munroe contended that the GTTA had run off a successful event after a four year hiatus, adding that “the year seems bright for the sport.”

Also president was NSC member Nigel Hinds, himself a junior tennis player in the earlies reminded the champions to continue to train hard and push for excellence.

The GTTA was also the beneficiary of some equipment from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) inclusive of balls, racquets, and tables.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Smith slams negative South Africa after series loss JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – - Poor management and a negative mind-set contributed to South Africa’s home series defeat

by England and loss of the number one Test ranking, former Proteas captain Graeme Smith said.

Smith’s brash leadership over a decade led the side to the top of the International Cricket Council’s test rankings, but since he retired in early 2014 he has watched from the sidelines as the team’s performances worsen.

Their latest seven-wicket loss to England at the Wanderers on Saturday, that included being bowled out for a paltry 83 in their second innings, gifted the series to the tourists and saw India installed as the new number one test team.

Smith believes the management team, led by head

South Africa head coach Russell Domingo

England’s Broad moves top of ICC bowling rankings (REUTERS)- Pace bowler Stuart Broad has gone top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings after his brilliant display in England’s series-clinching victory against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Broad took six wickets for 17 runs in a devastating burst as England bowled the hosts out for 83 in their second innings.

England then knocked off the victory target of 74 easily.

Broad, 29, moved above Ravichandran Ashwin of India and South Africa’s Dale Steyn into top spot -- the first time an English bowler has topped the ICC rankings since Steve Harmison in 2004.

Australia’s Steve Smith

Stuart Broad wrapped up the South Africa innings with a stunning return catch off Faf du Plessis on the third day of the 3rd Test in Johannesburg.

leads the batting rankings although Joe Root moves up to second after his century for England.

South Africa will lose their top-ranked status to India following the fourth test against England. They trail 2-0.

coach Russell Domingo, need to look at their role in the decline of the side.

“The players have to take responsibility for their performances, there’s no doubt about that, but the management do too,” Smith told SuperSport.

“They haven’t quite come into the equation of late. At the end the day the performances of the test team for the last year haven’t been good enough, so you have to ask questions of everybody.

“How is management getting the best out of them, how are they preparing them, are they directed in the right way, do they need to be firmer, do they need to be softer? I don’t know.

“These are all questions that need to come out of the environment. When you are not performing well, people are going to ask questions

and you’ve got to live with it.”

Smith, arguably the Proteas greatest ever captain, said there was a lack of strong leadership in the current squad, which has also lost senior players Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher in recent years.

“Some of the decision-making around the space looks a bit worrisome for me. The team seems a bit flat. Some of the messages coming out in the press conferences don’t seem positive and it’s coming from senior players.

“You’re are in a big series and there is a lot of negativity among your senior players. It looks like someone needs to grab the bull by the horns and say, ‘listen guys, let’s wake up and let’s pull our finger out and let’s go and play some test cricket’.”The fourth and final Test, now a dead rubber, starts in Pretoria on Friday.

Coe says trust may take more than four years to return

LONDON Sebastian Coe, the head of athletics’ crisis-hit governing body, says trust in the sport may not return until “way beyond” his four-year term as president of the IAAF. An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said in the second part of a damning report on Thursday that “corruption was embedded” at the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The report, whose first part was published in November, said Coe’s predecessor, Lamine Diack, ran a clique that covered up organized doping and blackmailed athletes while senior officials looked the other way.

ADVERTISING “Trust is not going to come over night, it is not as if you make five changes and trust will follow in two weeks’ time,” Coe, who came out from the report relatively unscathed, told the BBC on Sunday.

“It may be the case that trust does not return until way beyond my term in office.”

Sebastian Coe The WADA report’s co-author Dick Pound said he thought Coe was the best man to reform the sport.

The Briton, a double Olympic 1500 meters champion who was elected president in August, said he took some comfort that the report found that the IAAF’s systems were not chronically broken and that officials were not “asleep on the job”.

He said he understood that people would be skeptical that the IAAF’s council, of which he had been a member since 2003, did not know about doping cover-ups, and added that his own focus had been “limited” due to his

other commitments.

“For 10 or 11 years, I was extremely busy in bidding or delivering a London Games,” he said. “I didn’t have the advantage of having a single focus on athletics...

“With all due respect, when corrupt behavior takes place it’s rare for that to be shared with co workers.”

Russia were banned from the sport indefinitely following the first part of the WADA report, which found a “deeply rooted culture of cheating” in Russian athletics.

Coe said he had become aware that Russia was an “escalating problem” prior to the WADA report and added that they would only return to international competition “when we think they are in a position to deliver safe and secure systems to their athletes and not a moment before”.

When asked if they would return in time for the Rio Olympics in August, he said: “We’re not saying that -- let’s see where we get to before we put an artificial time limit on it.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Business consultants of Alex Bunbury arrive today

By Ras Wadada A high level team of business consultants of former Canadian International footballer, Guyanese born Alex Bunbury is expected in the country today.

The Canadian Soccer Association’s Hall of Famer who returned to the land of his birth a week ago has so far held clinics for youths in his home village Plaisance as well as in Berbice and Georgetown.

This morning Bunbury will be in the mining town of Linden to conduct another youth clinic while in the afternoon he is expect-

Tim Baker ed to meet with the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux and the Minister of Telecommunications and Tourism , Cathy Hughes.

Bunbury who has a dream concept to establish the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA) here in Guyana will, today, be joined in his native homeland by five experienced Business Consultants who are part of ABSAA’s Team seeking to realize the vision.

They are expected to meet with top Government Officials, including President David Granger and other relevant stakeholders to detail the plan and way forward for establishing a ‘state of the art’ Sports and Academics Academy.

The top five Architectural/Financial Consultants who are partnering with AB-

…Hall of Famer visits Linden this morning SAA are considered heavyweights in the USA, having successfully completed similar related projects there.

Among some of the prized works they have designed and managed the construction of are; US SSA Sports Complex, Foley Athletic Centre, Champions Gate Sports Complex, Core Golf Academy and Anderson Rugby Complex to name a few.

The Principal in charge Architect at BakerBarrios is Tim Baker who has 22 years experience and his expertise is the ability to translate owners’ needs

into design solutions that balance creativity, image and function with practical concerns of budget, schedule and operational goals.

Wayne Dunker Iberger is the Principal Project Designer and brings 20 years of specializing in integrating complex programs’ requirements to design buildings tailored to the needs and cultures of his clients.

Rob Ledford who is the Principal Projects Manager is an expert of exceptional insight in the integration of Architecture, Interior

Design and Projects Management for over 21 years and is also a member of BakerBarrios.

Paul Bowen is a partner of Amrita Financial, Inc and has excellent skills in Relationships Management and Marketing for over twenty years.

The other Partner of Amrita Financial, Inc. who is on board with ABSAA is Les Logsdon and his 30 years as an Insurance Industry Professional and 11 years in developing valuation, pricing and financial modeling will be a great asset.

Wilder retains WBC title with Szpilka knockout

(REUTERS)-American heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder defended his WBC title with a knockout of Artur Szpilka at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday.

More drama followed the contest when WBA and WBO Heavyweight c h a m p i o n Ty s o n F u r y climbed into the ring and said he wanted to fight Wilder in a unification bout.

Szpilka, who was bidding to become Poland’s first world heavyweight champion, made it a close battle before absorbing a tough right hand to the chin with 2:24 left in the ninth round.

Szpilka (20-2) was unconscious for a few

moments before recovering following the bout.

Wi l d e r ( 3 6 - 0 ) d i s played his power yet again and has now knocked out 35 opponents in 36 fights.

“He was definitely a crafty guy,” Wilder told reporters. “I haven’t competed against a southpaw in three years. He was a tough competitor, but you’re fighting for a world title. It’s not supposed to be easy. I’m surprised it took that long, but we had 12 rounds and they all can’t be pretty.”

Wilder is the first American heavyweight champion in nearly a decade.

In an earlier showdown, Charles Martin won the IBF

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 18, 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) 10 (2) 11 (10 plus ICC XI) Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest score made in a Test innings by a single player?

(2) Who once took 19 wickets in a single Test match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Heavyweight World Championship after Vyacheslav Glazkov suffered a reported torn right ACL injury in the third round and had to retire from the match.

Martin (23-0-1) becomes the second current American heavyweight titlist.

Glazkov (21-1-1), a previously unbeaten Ukrainian, slipped early in the third and never recovered. He fell to the canvas later after throwing a punch.

Deontay Wilder knocks out Artur Szpilka during the ninth round of their heavyweight title boxing fight at Barclays Center. Wilder defeated Szpilka via ninth round knockout. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

FIFA can change – presidential hopefuls tell the Caribbean FIFA presidential candidates Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne are of the belief that with the world body’s elections on the horizon, so is change and renewed trust.

Both were giving presentations to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials Saturday at the regional body’s general meeting in Antigua.

Prince Ali, speaking on the issue of FIFA’s damaged credibility, said he supported reforms to restore credibility.

“We cannot change the

past, but with the right leadership working together, FIFA can regain its respect if it elects a president with credibility and a proven commitment to transparency, accountability ,and honesty,” said Prince Ali, a former FIFA vice president and current Jordan FA chief.

Insiders believe Champagne, despite his intimate knowledge of FIFA from the 11 years he spent in the organisation, will struggle for support because of his open praise for the policies of Sepp Blatter, the organisation’s

FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein former president who now finds himself embroiled in a battle to save his reputation after being found guilty of corruption by FIFA’s Ethics committee late last year.

Blatter was banned from all football activity for eight years.

Champagne also called for transparency and change within FIFA but insisted Saturday that Blatter’s good work should be

“I still wanted to fight,” Martin said. “We trained for 12 rounds and we were going to get stronger as the rounds went on. I’m sorry for him. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t continue the fight.” respected. He does not think his approval of Blatter’s developmental policies should negatively affect his bid.

“Not at all, in 1974 under Joao Havelange (a process continued by Blatter), FIFA transformed a small Swiss-based organisation into a worldwide federation.

The fact that there are some controversies (surrounding Blatter), Mr Blatter implemented the vision of Mr Havelange which worked worldwide for football which is universal, so it’s not about defending Mr Blatter, it’s sharing a vision, which I fully share, whatever the outcome of the current investigation (into corruption by Blatter),” Champagne said.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 18, 2016

Guyana Jaguars to face TT Red Force in first NAGICO Super50 Semi-final ..Assad Fudadin hits unbeaten 103

By BRIJ PARASNATH GUYANA Jaguars was declared Zone B runner-up and will clash with Trinidad & Tobago Red Force (Zone A winner) in the NAGICO Super50 first semi-final scheduled for Wednesday at the Queen’s Park Oval from 13.30 hrs Assad Fudadin’s recorded a magnificent unbeaten 103 made up of 8x4s and 4x6s off 134 deliveries. The left-handed opener batted through the innings and sparked Guyana Jaguars to a thrilling five-wicket win over Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in their final double round-robin

match that went down the wire at Warner Park, St Kitts last evening.

Despite rain stoppage, the Guyana Jaguars especially Fudadin who kept his composure and played the decisive role to seal victory with three deliveries remaining in the absorbing encounter that saw the fortunes fluctuate at regular intervals.

Newcomer Kevin Bodie made 6, caught by Dewar off Christopher Powell; while skipper Leon Johnson partnered Fudadin and together they ramped up a 90-run second wicket stand that kept the Jaguars in the hunt for outright victory. Johnson made a blistering 56 (71balls,

Asad Fudadin 7x4s and 1x6).

Anthony Bramble was run out 11 while Christopher Barnwell suffered a similar fate and was gone for eight.

Reifer made 16 and Crandon retired hurt on 28.

But Fudadin took charge and together with Steven Jacobs (10 not out) rallied the Guyana Jaguars to a morale-boosting five-wicket win and a victory that kept them ahead of Windwards Volcanoes on a better overall net run-rate and top place in Zone B. Earlier, the CCC Marooners batted first and rattled up 254 for 7 off their allotted overs with Rovman Powell 63 not out (65b, 4x4x and 3x6s), Anthony Alleyne 57, Mark Deyal 20, Chadwick Walton 36, Ryan Hinds 13 and Akeem Dewar 26 the main run-getters.

Gudakesh Motie (10-0-532), Raymon Reifer (8-2-44-2), Paul Wintz (8-1-48-1), Steven Jacobs (10-0-33-1) and Royston Crandon (4-0-12-1) shared the wickets.

Guyana Jaguars and Windwards Volcanoes team will travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the crucial semi-final rounds.

Barbados Pride stop Red Force’s winning streak

By BRIJ PARASNATH DESPITE two brilliant knocks by West Indies players Darren Bravo and Denesh Ramdin, the Barbados Pride stopped the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force winning streak when they clashed in the crucial Zone A final round day-night match at the famous Queen’s Park Oval last evening.

The Barbados Pride team secured a hard fought three-wicket and secured a semi-final spot and will clash with Zone B winner Windwards Volcanoes on Thursday at the QP Oval from 13:30 hrs Having batted first, T&T Red Force started disastrously when attacking opener Evin Lewis (0) was dismissed off the fourth ball of the innings by skipper Jason Holder who went on to become his team main wicket-taker with four for 35 from eight overs.

Barbados-born franchise player Kyle Hope topedged to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich off the bowling of off-spinner Ashley Nurse who also scalped Kjorn Ottley (c Sulieman Benn for 38).

Leftarm spinner Joel Warrican got a gift from skipper Jason Mohammed (9) who attempted a cut shot to wide delivery and succeeded in getting the ball into the gloves of wicketkeeper Dowrich who gleefully accepted the catch at left T&T Red Force at 87 for 4 off 28.1 overs.

Ramdin joined Bravo and two players played contrasting

roles in taking the initiative away from the Barbadians as they compiled a heartening 88-run fifth wicket stand that revived hopes of a decent total to challenge the powerful Barbados batting line-up.

But Ramdin’s departure for an entertaining 57 (caught in the deep by Carlos Brathwaite off Holder) changed the momentum as Yannick Ottley (3) and Reyad Emrit struggled to strike the ball cleanly. Bravo tried to up the tempo and raced to 82 but was soon outfoxed by Jason Holder who also bowled Jon Russ Jaggesar (1).

T&T Red Force mustered 226 and must have fancied their chances of victory after Emrit bowled Dwayne Smith (18) a beautiful away swinger.

However, the elation soon changed the mood when Jamaican umpire Patrick Gustard turned down a very confident shout for LBW to Shai Hope off the bowling of the fired up Emrit who was also a victim of two other very close decisions not given in the affirmative by the same umpire. Hope was on two and together with WI opener Kraigg Brathwaite added 63 for the second wicket partnership.

Hope was LBW to Jon Russ Jagessar for 20 while Brathwaite topscored with 48. Jonathan Carter 31, Shamarh Brooks 18, Holder 26 and Shane Dowrich 29 (not out) were the other main contributors as the Barbados Pride celebrated victory with two overs to spare.

Darren Bravo

Emrit provided some late drama when he finally got an LBW verdict against Holder and then yorked Carlos Brathwaite with consecutive deliveries.

The T&T Red Force will feel aggrieved with those close calls that did not go their way but they will now have to focus all the energies to topple Windward Volcanoes in the second semi-final on Thursday at the same venue from 13.30hrs.

‘Speak up’ about Suicide – Alex Bunbury

By Rawle Toney

IN the wake of the suicide ‘epidemic’ in Guyana, Canadian football legend Alex Bunbury, is making a call on local football players to play their part in helping to spread the positive message about life.

Bunbury who is on the two-week stay in Guyana to kick-start his ‘Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy’, said that he’s fully aware of the recent spread of suicide cases and attempts, and is planning to use his charity game next week, where all the proceeds will go towards agencies who are engaged in suicide prevention.

“Young people need to see people they look up too speaking up against it and trying to educate young people about not going into that direction and It’s about finding someone they can rely on to help them through the tough times, because usually it’s out of desperation” said the Plaisance native.

It’s been 40 years since the Canadian Hall-of-Fame inductee has returned to the land of his birth and in his exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, Bunbury explained that he intends to lend a hand at not only football, but also issues that affects the lives of the ordinary Guyanese.

Guyana is considered to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world (per capita) and the former West Ham United forward said that he’s sadden by the fact that the country is losing its most valuable assets to

Alex Bunbury suicide – youths.

“I’m seriously looking into it because it is an epidemic and it’s our young people who we’re losing by killing themselves” said the 48-year-old who is considered one of the best players to ever don the colours of ‘Les Rouges’.

Bunbury, in offering a word of advice to persons who is contemplating suicide as an answer to resolving an issue or problem they might be facing in life, said “you have to find someone you can believe in to get you through the tough times. I know it’s easier said than done but honestly, that’s the way out of this”.

Meanwhile, Bunbury will head to Linden today to conduct another clinic, after having successful done so in Berbice and Georgetown last week.

As it relates to the establishing of the ‘Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy’, several of the football’s icon business partners are expected in Guyana today to hold talks with Government and several perspective sponsors over the next few days.

Windwards Volcanoes beat Leewards Hurricanes by 5 runs

By BRIJ PARASNATH

BRILLIANT batting by Sunil Ambris and penetrative bowling by leftarm pacer Delorn Johnson sparked Windwards Volcanoes to a hard fought five-run victory over arch-rivals Leewards Hurricanes in their final Zone B match and kept them in place for a semi-final berth of the NAGICO Super50 tournament.

With that victory Windwards moved back to top of Zone B on 20 points and will definitely contest one of the two “semis” carded for the Queen’s Park Oval next Wednesday and Thursday.

Guyana also secured the other semi-final place having started the final round also on 14 points like Windwards but slightly ahead on overall better run rate.

They are also expected

to get the better of the Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in their final round day-night encounter at Warner Park, St Kitts.

Windwards Volcanoes batted first and amassed 243 for 6 off 49 overs. They had lost three quick wickets for 41 runs in 13.1 overs. Devon Smith was dismissed for one while Miles Bascombe was caught by Boatswain for six and former West Indies ODIs opener Devon Smith was caught by Chesney Hughes off Louis for one.

But Andre Fletcher and Tyron Theophille engineered a recovery and posted 75-run fourth wicket partnership before Theophille departed for 35 (b Brown).

Attractive strokeplayer Ambris, who was their batting hero against Guyana; was once again their star performer as

he their team to a comfortable position at 243 for 6.

He shared two crucial partnerships with Tyrone Theophille with whom he added 75 for the fourth wicket stand and then found another useful partner in Andre Fletcher who batted at the number six position.

Together they featured in an 82-run fifth stand until Ambris was sixth out for a match-winning 74 that contained one six and five fours off 84 deliveries.

Fletcher made 42 while Kyle Mayers was unbeaten on 32 when the innings closed with one over deducted before of rain interruption. Skipper Liam Sebastien (12*) were the not out batsman.

Boatswain and Cruickshank took two wickets each for 31 and 47 runs respectively.

In reply, Leewards Hurricanes lost two early wickets but Sherwin Peters in tandem with Orlando Peters put their team in a strong position to topple their opponents.

Sherwin Peters made 32 when he was adjudged LBW for 35 while Bonner also departed for a similar scoreline.

Jahmar Hamilton made 21 while Orlando Peters was dismissed for a well-played 77 and with it their chances of creating an upset victory dissipated.

Leewards Hurricanes drifted out of contention when their innings closed at 238 for 9 off their 49 overs.

Johnson (10-1-36-3) and Mervin Matthew (10-056-2) were the main wicket-takers while Kyle Mayers (10-0-601) and Kerron Cottoy (9-046-1) shared one each.

FIFA presidential hopefuls promise increased assistance for Caribbean See Story on Page 20

FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne

Franklin returns to table tennis glory in GTTA seniors -Romain; Edghill dominate other classes

By Stephan Sookram

C

HRISTOPHER Franklin returned to championship honours when he stormed the open senior male division of the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s Senior National Championships over the weekend at the National Gymnasium.

Franklin who took a hiatus from the sport returned in fine form to finish atop the men’s rankings in the round robin finals, demoting Nigel Bryan to second and Edinho Lewis to third places.

Meanwhile, the C class action featured some exciting play with the final coming down to Tyriq Saunders and Nicholus Romain with the

The winners pose with their spoils from the GTTA Senior National Championships

’See Page 20

Bolt and Fraser-Pryce cop Sportsman and Sportswoman titles SPRINTERS Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were named 2015 RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year in a glitzy ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston on Friday night last.

It was the third Sportswoman of the Year award for Fraser-Pryce who in 2015 won the 100 metre world title for the third time.

The achievement also earned Fraser-Pryce the Sagicor Iconic Award, which comes with a $200, 000 cash prize for a charitable initiative.

“And I could name all the women who did tremendously well and I definitely believe that 2015 was the year of great women and I believe 2016 will be the same so to all the nominees congratulations. If I could have had all of you stand here with me tonight as winners then that would be a plus,” said Fraser-Pryce.

Bolt who captured the sprint double and anchored the 4 x 100m relay team to victory in Beijing, was winning the award for the sixth time and promised his fans less anxiety in 2016 than what resulted in 2015.

“It was probably one of my

roughest seasons and I want to apologise to all my fans for stressing you out this season.

I want to thank my fans who supported me because I really needed it,” said Bolt.

Odane Richards and Danielle Williams were the respective runners-up.

Novlene Williams-Mills was the Chairman’s awardee; former Netball Jamaica President Marva Bernard received the Lifetime Achievement Award while Jamaica’s victorious women’s 4 x 400m relay team at the World Champion- Usain Bolt (left) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (centre) pose with ships, won the People’s Choice their 2015 Sportsman and Sportswoman titles Performance Award.

(Photo courtesy of Spencer Darlington)

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MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2016