Chronicle 01 29 2016

NO PANIC No. 104446

FRI DAY JANUARY 29, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…PAHO joins Guyana in fight against Zika

Today is Budget Day

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Finance Minister, Winston Jordan briefs his staff for one final time before this afternoon’s presentation of the national budget (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

‘Egg Man’, Man busted employee fight with cocaine off bandits in underwear 8

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Look out for the Guyana Chronicle Budget 2016 special in hard copy, which will be available at your newspaper vendors and from our roving distributors.

Copies will be free of charge and will be made available immediately after the budget is presented in the National Assembly this afternoon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Pastor fined $100,000 for Shamisa causing death of cyclist Anthony

U.S.- based Guyanese

THE PASTOR of the Georgetown Nazarene Church was yesterday fined $100,000 after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by Chief

Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Winston Cramer of 162 Go Slow Avenue, Tucville, also an International Development consultant and

a lecturer at the University of Guyana was found guilty of the charge which stated that on April 10, 2014 at Camp and Quamina streets he drove motor car PKK 7896 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Lennox Allicock.

The Chief Magistrate, before making her ruling, ordered a probation report, which was heard yesterday in open court.

It was said that Cramer was raised by a single mother in a Christian home and was the third eldest child. He is the sole bread winner and is

the father of two teenagers.

The report further revealed that Cramer was remorseful of his actions and even offered to compensate the dead man’s daughter in the sum of $500,000.

The probation officer urged the magistrate to consider Cramer’s upbringing, career path and his life-style, before passing sentence.

Cramer’s lawyer Nigel Hughes pleaded to the court that his client was deeply remorseful that because of the accident a father of a young girl was lost and to place Turn to page 9 ►

"A WOMAN should be two things, classy and fabulous."

This is the sentiment overseas-based Guyanese Shamisa Anthony embodies.

This young lady is a dynamic retail manager for one of New York City's biggest fashion empires Saks on 5th Avenue. The 26-year-old, who is originally from the mining town of Linden, successfully balances a full-time career with her studies to become a Lawyer.

In her spare time she teaches a dance work-out class called Soca & Wet. She also enjoys yoga.

NO PANIC

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

…PAHO joins Guyana in fight against Zika

By Ariana Gordon THERE is no need for alarm, said PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-,but he stressed the need for more focus to be placed on staving off the spread of the Zika virus here.

“I must say that so far we have had about three batches of tests sent to Trinidad.

That is [to the] Caribbean Public Health Agency Lab (CARPHA) and so far of the batches sent only one case is positive. I think in Guyana what we need is to try to prevent ourselves from being bitten by mosquitoes.”

This, Dr Adu-Krow said, should not be limited to the Zika virus, as persons can still contract malaria from mosquitoes.

“If we are able to prevent ourselves from being bitten by the mosquitoes for the ordinary malaria, we can also prevent Zika.”

He explained that persons desirous of visiting Guyana need not be fearful, as there is no threat to their health.

“For those coming in May, they have nothing to fear. One case out of the many samples we have sent and continue to send to Trinidad. Just one case, is nothing

to be worried about.”

The Zika virus was identified in Brazil in May 2015 and thus far 24 countries have reported cases of the virus.

“Are we going to say that we are not going to visit any of the 24 countries? Out of the 30 something countries we have in our Region, the answer is ‘no’.”

The PAHO/WHO Country Representative said Guyana is one of the countries in the South American Region that has the least problems relative to Zika, and “Persons should feel free to come.”

He noted, however, that if pregnant women experience mild fever, rashes and muscle pain, they should seek urgent medical attention as the Zika virus should not be taken lightly.

“The children are born with small heads and there is another condition… whereby the immune system begins to attack the nervous system and then it leads to paralysis,” Dr Adu-Krow told the Guyana Chronicle at his PAHO/WHO office.

It is recommended that pregnant women take personal precautions to avoid contact with mosquitoes.

That aside, he said there is nothing to worry about.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow

Asked whether persons residing in hinterland locations that border Brazil and Suriname ought to be worried about the virus, Dr. Adu-Krow said, “We have this adage that the mosquito doesn’t need a visa to cross the border, they can just fly over or even the wind can just blow them. They can come across from Brazil or Suriname.”

He said the same measures employed to prevent dengue or malaria must be adopted to prevent Zika.

TAKE PRECAUTION “Let’s make sure we have

long-sleeved jerseys, let’s make sure we don’t travel to an endemic region if we don’t need to… if there is an emergency, yes, we have to travel.”

He advised that persons living close to the borders of Brazil and Suriname arm themselves with repellant.

If contracted, he said the first seven days are very crucial. The health expert explained that those infected need to “stay under a net, so that the mosquitoes cannot bite you and take your blood to another person. After that one week you cannot transmit anymore because it is not in the blood. It has moved from the blood phase.”

The PAHO/WHO representatives also urged citizens to visit the health centres or doctor to screen for dengue, malaria or Chikungunya.

“Unfortunately, Zika tests cannot be done in Guyana… if you have symptoms, take the blood and send it to Trinidad and wait for another week for results. If it turns out positive, we track all contacts of the person who tested positive so we can eliminate the risk… have them in a place where the mosquito cannot bite them and bite another person.”

However, there are chal-

Today is Budget Day

By Svetlana Marshall TODAY, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government will present its second budget amidst major expectations among Guyanese.

In August 2015, it had presented a $221B budget under the theme: “A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy.”

In that budget, the minimum wage went from $39,540 to $50,000, old age pensions were increased from $13,125 to $17,000 and all public servants above the minimum wage received a 5% increase. Those were just three of the many measures that positively impacted the man in the street.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS In this year’s budget, the

chances of a better life for all Guyanese are expected to go up with major attention to be placed on job-creation through micro-financing and the support of micro-industries to ramp up economic growth.

President David Granger had asserted that the budget would give entrepreneurs, particularly young entrepreneurs, an opportunity to participate in the economy.

“Until and unless we get more young people into the economy, we won’t be able to see the type of growth [the country needs],” President Granger had said.

REDUCING TAX EVASION It was also explained that strong emphasis will be placed on stimulating the growth of the economy through increased revenue collection and the reduction

of leakages through tax evasion.

MEGA PROJECTS Today, the Government is also expected to announce major plans for the infrastructural development of the country. In acknowledging the importance of infrastructural development, the President had disclosed that a number of mega projects will be executed this year, laying

the developmental foundation before superstructures are built.

“This country cannot be developed without proper infrastructure; without proper highways and bridges, ferry stellings, aerodromes,and Harbour Bridges. If we are to develop this country, we have to have a solid infrastructural base before we can build superstructures.

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lenges especially for those persons who reside in remote communities. Transporting the blood specimen from the health centres to Georgetown so it can be taken to Trinidad, is oftentimes a challenge as many of the nurses, though trained, are not too familiar with the “right way of packaging.”

“We have trained them but that is still an issue,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

TRAINING On that note, Dr AduKrow issued a call to the Ministry of Public Health to recommend one person whom the PAHO/WHO office will send to be trained to do the Zika test here.

“We are prepared to train someone to do the same lab-testing here, so we don’t need to go all the way to Trinidad. This is a big country; we should be able to do that,” he remarked.

There is no cure for Zika and scientists are now trying to work towards an antidote.

For the time, persons are being treated with panadol, a pain reliever and once experiencing rashes, a cream is used to relieve the itching and take away the rash.

“Unfortunately, the Zika virus has no treatment…

what is given is panadol but even that… we cannot give very strong pain killers because if it turns out to be dengue… it gives you a false hope then you use your limbs and it cracks the joints some more. It is only panadol and something for the itch and eyes. Once that phase passes off… it does not lead to any of these bad outcomes.”

He urged all persons who experience these symptoms to keep themselves hydrated, and noted that the symptoms for the Zika virus are quite similar to that of malaria and should not be mistaken for malaria.

“They are almost the same, so you can’t tell the difference unless we do the test,” he added.

The index of suspicion, he urged, must be increased, noting that it can also be dengue or Chikungunya.

“Now, it can be Zika, though we only have one case. More often than not it is likely to be malaria than Zika.”

The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and among others causes symptoms including light fever, rash, conjunctivitis and muscle pain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

US eases trade expel restriction with Cuba

Sweden to 80,000 refugees SWEDEN intends to expel as many as 80,000 refugees and migrants who arrived in 2015 and whose applications for asylum have been rejected.

"We are talking about 60,000 people, but the number could climb to 80, 000," Interior Minister Anders Ygeman was quoted as saying by Swedish media.

He added on Wednesday that the Government has asked police and authorities in charge of refugees to organise their expulsion.

Sweden, which is home to 9.8 million people, is one of the European Union countries that has taken in the largest number of refugees in relation to its pop-

ulation. Sweden received more than 160,000 asylum seekers last year, and about 55 of those are expected to be given asylum.

The number of refugee arrivals has dropped dramatically since Sweden enacted systematic photo ID checks on travellers on January 4.

The EU Commission voiced support for Sweden's announcement, with a spokesperson saying member states have an obligation to return people who lack grounds for asylum.

Natasha Bertaud told reporters that the EU should beware of giving an impression that the union has an "open door", even for people without need for asylum.

The planned mass expulsion was announced as Europe struggles to deal with a crisis that has seen

tens-of-thousands of refugees arrive on Greek beaches with the passengers mostly fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan - undeterred by cold, wintry conditions and deadly seas.

The United Nations says that more than 46,000 people have arrived in Greece so far this year, with more than 170 people killed making the dangerous crossing.

Ygeman said that the expulsions - normally carried out using commercial flights - would have to be done using specially chartered aircraft, given the large numbers, staggered over several years.

Swedish officials on Tuesday called for greater security at overcrowded asylum centres, a day after the fatal stabbing of an employee at a facility for unaccompanied youths.

The death led to questions about overcrowded conditions inside some centres, with too few adults and employees to take care of children, many traumatised by war.

In neighbouring Denmark, meanwhile, the Government this week approved legislation to seize the valuables of refugees to help pay for resettlement costs. (Al Jazeera)

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"Blockade: The longest genocide in history", reads the government banner in Havana

THE United States has eased a number of trade restrictions with Cuba, in President Barack Obama's latest attempt to bypass the US Congress's economic embargo on the island.

American companies are now allowed to lend money to Cuban entrepreneurs and to invest in infrastructure projects.

The new measures also make it easier for US studios to shoot films in Cuba.

The two countries restored relations last year, putting an end to more than five decades of enmity.

President Obama has urged Congress to lift a Cold War-era embargo that bans most trade between US

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companies and the communist-run island.

Congress has ignored his pleas, but over the past year the US Government has announced several measures to encourage trade and a normalisation of relations between the two old foes.

The latest measures were announced by the US Commerce Department on Tuesday and came into force on Wednesday. The key difference between this announcement and earlier efforts to ease trade with Cuba by the Obama Administration is that this time the new rules will apply to trade with Cuban Government agencies.

Previous steps were solely aimed at strengthening

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private entrepreneurs on the island, explains the BBC's Will Grant in Havana.

The easing of export restrictions will apply on a case-by-case basis in areas which "directly benefit the Cuban people," said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

She cited "disaster preparedness, education, agricultural production, food processing and public transportation".

The measures also lift further restrictions on Americans travelling to Cuba, making the current ban on tourism more difficult to enforce.

The embargo has been in place since 1960 and remains a contentious issue in relations between Cuba and the US. President Raul Castro said at the UN General Assembly in September that now that diplomatic ties were back in place, the overall normalisation of relations "will only be achieved with the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba". (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Increase in DHB rates likely A PROPOSAL for an increase in the rates for vehicles which traverse the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is before Cabinet and if green-lighted, the increase could result in an adjustment of revenue funnelled to the bridge’s capital expenditure.

This was highlighted yesterday when the new board of directors of the DHB received their instruments of appointment in the boardroom of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at Wight’s Lane in Kingston.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and junior Minister, Annette Ferguson, officiated at the event.

Minister Ferguson, while delivering the charge to the new members of the board, noted that before the members were identified, the DHB General Manager, Rawlston Adams had submitted a proposal to the ministry seeking an increase in the rates for vehicular traffic.

“That document is cur-

rently with cabinet awaiting approval,” Minister Ferguson said.

She said that in 2015, the closing balance of the bridge’s finances indicated a profit, an indication that the company was providing a critical service. Minister Ferguson pointed out that there were issues which the new board would have to face, including the daily traffic which can be a constraint to passengers and motorists.

She expressed trust that a new system would be devised to ensure better control of traffic on the bridge;and she added that a pre-feasibility study had seen a schedule being put in place regarding a new structure. This is to enable works on the new bridge.

Minister Patterson, while addressing the,stressed the importance of the workers, noting that they were the most valuable assets. He said the board should have plans in place to include their concerns.

Board chairman Shabir

Members of the new board pose with Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Junior Minister within that ministry, Annette Ferguson

Hussein noted that it was the employees who literally keep the bridge afloat, as he noted their willingness to work around the clock at the bridge whenever the need arises.

He said that previously a matter discussed, was the issue of insurance for employees, which was suggested in the event someone may meet some unfortunate event.” If, God forbid, something goes wrong, we must be able to have something in place for the families of employees”, Hussein said.

As regards increased rates, in comparison to the Berbice Bridge, some consideration should be given, as he quickly noted it is not an issue he is insistent on at this time. However, he noted that it can reduce the DHB request for financial assistance from the national budget.

On this note, Minister Patterson reiterated that an increase in rates to use the bridge would not be reflected in today’s national budget presentation.

In addition to Hussein,

Today is Budget...

These will be addressed in the budget of the financial year 2016,” President Granger had said.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who during his tenure as president never opted to raise public servants’ salaries by more than 5%, now wants to see a substantial increase in salaries for public sector employees reflected in the budget.

He is also calling for increased subventions for pensioners, a reduction of the

Value Added Tax (VAT) - which he had introduced from 16 per cent to 10 per cent, the reinstatement of the “Because we care” programme, reduced electricity rates and a reduction in vehicle taxes.

UNPRECEDENTED DEMANDS Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, both Jagdeo and his successor Donald Ramotar, had resisted lowering

VAT; did not substantially increase public servants’ pay, and did not reduce electricity tariffs among the other demands being made now.

Embattled President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of

From page 3

Guyana (FITUG), Carville Duncan, on the other hand said that he would like the minimum wage to be increased from $50,000 to $70,000. Additionally, he said the income tax threshold should be raised.

other members who will sit on the board are Joseph Holder, who will serve as vice-chairman, Rafeza Hussein, Claudette Rogers of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD),and Mandy Sukhdeo. Adams will serve as an ex-officio member and a place has been left vacant for a union representative .

Plans have been in train to establish a new bridge linking the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) with the West Bank and last Novem-

ber, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure invited fresh Expressions of Interest (EoI) from local and foreign consultants, in order to complete a feasibility study and design for the new bridge across the Demerara River.

Three possible sites have already been examined and they include a link between Houston, EBD to Versailles WBD, New Hope, EBD to Laurentia Catherina, WBD or a site close to the existing bridge.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Budget 2016 – A Fresh Approach BY now, students of history would be researching whether at any time, there have been two state budgets presented within eight months of the life of any government. This would be a novel departure from the norm and a fresh approach since the government was changed in May 2015 after 23 unbroken years.

The first budget under the new government (APNU + AFC coalition) was presented on August 10th, 2015 under the theme: “A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy.” That budget saw basic minimum wages increasing from $39,000 to $50,000, and with public servants getting a hike plus an additional $5,000 monthly. By December, the government pumped up the increase with a $50,000 bonus to put more money in the pockets of public servants for the holidays. Old Age Pensioners also received an increase and the promise to lower the toll of the Berbice River crossing was realised several months later. But the impact of the budget on development programmes was not fully realised, as could be expected by a late budget.

Monies allocated could not be spent on a number of projects in such a short time, and almost every region returned unspent sums to the treasury. In this regard, the capital projects could not generate the much-needed jobs that were expected.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has projected that in spite of the late budget, the economy was expected to grow by 3% which was just below .5% of the budgetary projection. Whether this forecast was realised would be known today when Minister Jordan presents his second state budget just eight months into the new coalition government’s term.

The fresh approach seems still fresh. Government has emphasised that it is based on transparency, accountability, partnership and last but not least, anti-corruption.

It is evident that the fresh approach spoken of by the administration is captured in the several forensic audits to account for missing funds/assets; in restoring public buildings and other places and making the capital city green and beautiful again.

The fresh approach spoken of by the government should see new energy not only in the economy, but in socio-political life, when local government elections are held on the 18th of March this year after some 19 years. It is expected that the coalition would increase subventions to the municipalities and neighbourhood councils to continue infrastructural works such as clogged drains and canals, impassable roads, broken bridges, rundown community centres and schools, etc., and that both cities and villages could also share in the better life.

For reasons that are well known, Guyana is slowly dragging itself out from social stagnation. This was compounded under the previous administration by the fall in the price of gold, the rundown of the sugar industry and the loss of a lucrative market for rice.

Any turnaround expectedly would be slow and it is hoped that the 2016 Budget would address both

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Order needed at Demerara Harbour Bridge

Dear Editor,

AS a resident of Schoonord, ParFaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, I have the unenviable task of leaving home between 06:00hrs and 06:15hrs to avoid the chaos that ensues between the Goed Fortuin road and the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

For the three years I have resided on the West Coast, the situation at the bridge has gotten worse, with very little sustained traffic- management principles being firmly implemented by management of the bridge, and its enforcement arm, the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department.

The lawlessness that takes place every morning is symptomatic of the manner in which callousness and a general disregard for basic decency have defined our dear country over the last 15 years. First, the management of the bridge must have a visible presence on the western end of the bridge by way of a supervisor, who can provide guidance to the traffic ranks who are oftentimes few in number. The few “brown and black” officers seem as if they have been reduced to observer status.

Management cannot merely say

that it is a matter for the traffic ranks only, since the Bridge Company has many competent civil engineers in its employ, and as such, they should be able to utilise the data they have collected over the years to study the trends of traffic use on the bridge, and derive a proper, enforceable traffic- management plan. This cannot and should not be left up to the police, since they simply do not have the capacity to conceptualise one. Once these plans are developed, it is only logical for the Bridge Company to oversee their implementation.

With regard to the Police Traffic Department, they do attempt to enforce whatever plans are there, but all too often, there are way too few ranks (three at most) posted at the bridge, and as such, any “system” they implement is oftentimes undermined because of poor monitoring and enforcement.

As a motorist, it is extremely irritating and unfair to leave home early in the morning to obtain a favourable position in the queue, only to observe numerous drivers bypass the line and head straight to the front. I have raised this issue many times with the police officers on duty, but they mostly ignore

my urgings for them to act. What is also disheartening is the fact that many senior public servants, religious leaders and other prominent public officials, are the ones often seen bypassing the queue. For any system to work as designed, there must be very strict adherence, which can only be achieved by uncompromising enforcement. The police must not allow a single car to pass and break the line, only in cases of emergency. In other countries, EVERY CITIZEN has to queue up and cross the bridge without priority given to anyone.

What must also be noted is, due to the unnecessarily long travel time across the bridge, the country continues to lose productivity by way of lost man hours due to staff arriving perpetually late to their work stations. For the record, the Inews article of 27th January 2016 regarding this matter, does not represent the reality at the Demerara Harbour Bridge; chaos is still the manager in charge at the bridge between 06:20hrs and 08:15hrs.

Regards JEUMAYNE DUMMETT

Let us cooperate for Guyana Dear Editor

IT is time for the people of Guyana to realise and recognise that each and every one of us has a role to play in the development of our beloved country. No one race must ever believe that without that particular race Guyana has no place to go.

Yesterday was Nomination Day for Local Government nomination and members the electorate are making nominations for persons to represent them on the Local Government Councils throughout Guyana. What I have stated above must be borne in mind between now to the elections date on the March 18, 2016.

In support of my proposition that Guyana would be best served if all the

ethnic groups get together and work in unity, I would like you to look around in the business community of Guyana and you will see very prominent East Indian business names and on the face of it, it looks as though only East Indians could be successful in business. But this is not so. If the other ethnic groups do not support the various businesses, these businesses would not succeed.

Many other ethnic groups give their support either as customers or as workers providing security, etc.

Lots of big East Indian businesses are successful because of the support of Negroes or other ethnic groups. Take Kaieteur News: we have Mr. Adam Harris as the Editor-in-Chief. He is a very well-educated ex-Queen’s College student

the sloth in the economy and unfurl major projects to inject new life into economic activities. It is also expected that efforts would be intensified to stamp out tax evasion and smuggling, so that more revenues could be garnered for social needs. It is also expected that less amounts would be spent on servicing and repayment of the already huge national debt which stands close to US$2Billion dollars, so that more funds could be available for use to satisfy our people’s needs.

The 2016 Budget coming in January will give adequate time for capital works to kick in, which would

and has tremendous experience in working in the media now and this is heavily relied upon if such success could be achieved by individual businessmen. Think how much more could be achieved if all the ethnic groups in Guyana cooperate and support each other. Guyana will be one of the greatest and richest countries in the world today. Just think about it, even the PPP/C cannot dispute this fact because the success they are claiming under the former Jagdeo administration could not have been achieved without the contribution of Sam Hinds and Dr. Roger Luncheon and others.

Regards JONAS M.F. CODDETT

make a difference to the job market. It will also ensure proper utilisation of funds to meet anticipated needs such as the current drought and that Government would not be forced to seek supplementary votes for what in the past would be unforeseen circumstances. The fact that the 2017 Budget could be presented in December this year speaks volumes to the serious approach by the coalition Government to fiscal regulatory and financial planning. We look forward to the 2016 estimates of expenditure with optimism and hope that there is something in it for all.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

One May Day rally on the cards TRADE unions here have overwhelmingly supported Labour Minister, Keith Scott’s initiative for the hosting of one May Day rally and pledged to work towards its realisation, the Ministry of Social Protection said in a release on Thursday.

The ministry said that the minister has extended a written invitation to all trade unions to attend a meeting on 2-2-2016 with the sole purpose of establishing a committee for the management of the one rally. For years the trade union movement has been divided,

hosting separate rallies on May Day. The ministry said too that Scott, since his appointment, has engaged every Trade Union in the country and met with all, but two unions, during the past three weeks.

The engagement involved the two umbrella bodies being the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and their affiliates, as well as those unions who see themselves as non-aligned.

Minister Scott who is no stranger to the trade

union fraternity and trade unionism, illustrated and highlighted his appreciation for the dynamism of the discipline as well as the challenges to the field. The release stated that Scott emphasised the need for unions to embrace such values as honesty, integrity and accountability, which are some of the virtues that characterise the mark and legacy of the late Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. In essence, he advocated good governance of all trade unions.

The release added that Scott spared no effort in reminding the unions of the

need to foster and maintain an investor–friendly climate in which there is little or no room for strikes and arbitration as a means of settling industrial differences. In fact, trade unions were reminded that the tenets of successful negotiation do not encompass arrogance and a test of strength, but rather mutual respect, compromise and a willingness to cooperate and co-exist, the minister stated.

According to the release, the engagement between the minister and the trade unions was not intended to be a forum to address the rou-

tine concerns of the unions because an opportunity for that purpose would be afforded each unions in the near future. A main thrust of the Honourable Minister’s submission to the unions was his mission for a unified May Day Celebration this year 2016. “Mr. Scott noted that for much too long the movement has been fractured and the thing for a unification was long overdue.

While that is an ideal time to strive for in the long run, his main focus this year is a single rally with the features of a Family Reunion. Let there be one March, One platform,

One Celebration and give true meaning to chorus of the International song which says for the union makes us strong.”

Scott asked, “‘How can we, on Labour Day, sing solidarity forever’” and ‘the union makes us strong’ when we are divided?” He stressed that history has presented the trade unions with a euphoria which should be taken advantage of and showcase to the world at the beginning of the month our Golden Jubilee that there can be unity in the movement.

CELAC can promote hemisphere as ‘zone of peace’ – President Granger THE Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) can play a role in promoting reconciliation and preserving this hemisphere as a “zone of peace.”

This sentiment was shared

by President David Granger in his address at the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Ecuador.

President Granger is representing Guyana at the threeday event, which ends today (29, January). His intention is to ensure that Guyana’s concern about the security of small states is placed on the agenda of the meeting.

According to President Granger, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana looks forward to the outcome of the summit manifesting the spirit of that commitment with regard to the Community’s small states.

He explained that the small, geographically scattered, economically vulnerable and environmentally fragile islands and low-lying coastal states of this community are susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters and security threats, including transnational crime, territorial threats and trafficking in narcotics, persons and illegal migration.

“Guyana, my own country and a small state, fortunately, a bridge between the two Communities, hosts the headquarters of the Caribbean Community and is also a part of this continental system.

Small states constitute almost half of the membership of CELAC. They have special concerns arising from the differences of their histor-

ical experiences, geographical vulnerabilities, demographic and social composition and political systems,” the Head of State underscored.

Adding that natural disasters and climate-induced risks have inflicted widespread destruction, loss of life and economic calamity on the small states of the Caribbean, President Granger said rising sea levels, floods and droughts have spread misery.

Transnational crime and epidemic diseases have added to the burdens of small states.

The small states of the Caribbean are now on alert for the Zika virus. Even mosquitoes have no borders.

He explained that exogenous shocks have resulted in economic distress. Small states have only limited capacity to independently, individually and decisively respond to these shocks and threats. The European Union has also unjustly blacklisted certain small Caribbean states on account of their international financial transactions.

Emphasising that the hemisphere is known, historically, as the ‘New World,’ the President said “we cannot be citizens of a new era if we permit “Old World” conflicts to persist. We have created a new vehicle – CELAC – to combine our energies, to contribute to the construction of a community of nations committed to peace among our states, and to ensure the happiness of our people. Our relations are based on mutual respect regardless of owner, size, or wealth.”

The solutions, he said, to the challenges facing “us are beyond the individual capabilities even of the strongest states amongst us. Common problems demand a common

approach. Present-day transnational challenges demand coordinated multi-national action. It is only through collective action that we can uphold the principles embraced in our founding charter.”

The 21st century must be a century of peace for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the President said, while noting that Guyana, a small state, seeks only international peace and national economic growth.

“We propose, therefore, that we establish a permanent mechanism to translate our intentions into implementation and action. We have talked for more than two decades. We have passed several resolutions such as the: (1) Promotion of Security in the Small Island States adopted by the Organisation of American States on 7th June 1996, 20 years ago., (2) Declaration on Security in the Americas, adopted by the 3rd plenary of the Organization of American States in Mexico City on October 28, 2003; and the Declaration of Kingstown, Second High-Level Meeting on Special Security of Small-island States, St Vincent and the Grenadines, January 15, 2003.

“It is time for action. It is time to look to the future. Guyana is confident that CELAC is the vehicle to translate our intentions into action,” President Granger said.

He opined that CELAC has demonstrated its continental peace-making capability in the Colombian conflict.

CELAC must be commended on this achievement. CELAC is urged to remain engaged in encouraging the pursuit of peaceful settlements of international controversies and to discourage the use or threat of force everywhere in this hemisphere.

“We urge this summit to give effect to its pledge to ensure compliance with the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes enunciated in the Caracas Declaration of December, 2011.

CELAC is a unique community of states. It must remain faithful to its founding principles. It must remain a community of diversity. It must remain a community that provides and promotes security for its small-state members,” President Granger emphasised.

Meanwhile, the President reflected that Heads of State and Government of the Latin America and the Caribbean States gathered in Havana, Cuba, on the occasion of the Second Summit of CELAC held on 28 and 29 January 2014, issued the Special Declaration on Small Island Developing States which recognised the particular vulnerabilities of Small Island

Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean. It pledged to “consider the importance of giving priority to SIDS in CELAC’s cooperation plans and programmes.”

In addition, he noted that the Caracas Declaration of 3rd December, 2011, obliges this community to take account of “respect for International Law, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use of and threat of use of force, the respect for self- determination, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity…”

CELAC pledged to “promote the development of instruments to ensure compliance with those values and principles.”

This commitment envisages an end to provocations and use of force. It precludes gunboat diplomacy. Any violation of this commitment by members of CELAC to resolve territorial conflicts in

President David Granger

a peaceful manner can throw our hemispheric solidarity into jeopardy.

This, he said, brings together the large states of mainland South and Central America with the mainly small-island states of the Caribbean, with Cuba, Haiti and The Dominican Republic.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Focus on solving people’s problems

…Patterson charges GPL, GEA boards The new members of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) were yesterday urged to pay more attention to people -issues relevant to the

two organisations.

The members of both boards received their instruments of appointment yesterday morning in the presence of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Minister with-

in that Ministry, Annette Ferguson at the ministry’s boardroom in Wight’s Lane, Kingston.

GPL’s board is chaired by businessman Robert Badal and includes Denise Simmons, Leslie Ramalho

, Attorney-at- Law Abiola Wong-Inniss , Morsha Johnson-Francis, Tara Singh and Dr Mahender Sharma . The board has left open seats for a representative of the Guyana Public Service Commission, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Parliamentary Opposition.

Badal was absent from

yesterday’s event since he is currently on an overseas engagement.

GEA‘s board is chaired by entrepreneur Lance Hinds. Other members are Nadia Sagar , Mark Bender , Dr Mahendea Sharma who serves as an ex-officio member , Dr Vincent Adams and one space has been left open to a member of the Parliamentary Opposition .

Dr Adams currently serves in the United States of America in the administration’s energy sector.

Minister Patterson said Adams will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the GEA when he returns to Guyana in the coming weeks. He said Adams serves as an undersecretary in the energy department there. While addressing

the new board members, Minister Ferguson urged members of the new GEA board to give adequate attention to issues affecting the employees under that agency. She said that soon after the administration’s ascension to office last year, “many disenfranchised persons visited the ministry and stated that they were treated unfairly”. She expressed her trust in the new board to address employee-related issues with considerations placed on good judgment.

Meanwhile, Minister Patterson urged the members of the GPL board to work with the consumer’s interest at heart. He urged them to ensure “consumers are seen as consumers “and not as thieves of electricity.

Members of the two boards which fall under the energy sector in a photo-up with Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson soon after receiving their instruments of approval yesterday morning.

‘Egg man,’ employee Berbice wanted man shot fight off bandits A BUSINESSMAN, his wife and an employee are lucky to be alive after armed men attempted to rob them at a traffic light located at the junction of Sheriff and Duncan Streets, Georgetown on Thursday.

Proprietor of Eduns Egg Farm, Sidiq Edun, was visibly shaken at the scene as he told investigators what transpired. At the time of the botched robbery, Mr Edun was on his way to deliver eggs to a grocery store, which is located a short dis-

tance away.

The employee, who prefers to remain anonymous, related that at approximately 09:50hrs, the canter truck stopped at the traffic light and it was at this time they were confronted by two armed bandits on motorcycles.

However, Mr Edun, who was the driver, managed to drive away from the bandits, who then shot at the front windscreen of the vehicle.

According to the employee, one of the bandits confronted him in the pas-

senger seat, and said, “Bigga don’t say nothing,” while attempting to take away a bag he had on his lap.

He further noted that the other bandit then went to the driver and demanded cash.

“With all wha I talking to he and pushing way he hand, I hear bam! As soon as I hear bam! Meh boss start driving the truck. I ain’t know what happen after then… but they cross the road and go through the street,” the employee said.

Police investigations are ongoing.

DELROY Joseph called “Barney,” who is wanted for a series of armed robberies and break and enter offences, was shot after police swooped down at a house at Nicolay Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, just after midday on Thursday.

Police acting on a tip-off, went to the house where the suspect, along with three others were seen in the upper flat of the two-storey building.

Police sources claim that Joseph was armed with a knife when he was shot.

Neighbours, who declined to be identified, said they were alerted after see-

ing an unmarked police vehicle motoring through the street. Minutes after, several armed plainclothes ranks surrounded the house rented

by Milisa Fraser, a teacher who was not home at the time.

Within a few minutes three persons, including two females, one of whom lives at the residence, were seen being escorted by the police out of the building. Joseph was not one of them.

One of the women was questioned, and asked why she allowed the police to bring her outside while ranks remained inside the house.

Shortly afterwards, a gunshot was heard in the

house, followed by a groan and Joseph was seen exiting the building under police escort.

Residents claimed that they did not hear any commotion and believe that Joseph did not resist arrest.

Joseph is currently under police guard at the New Amsterdam Hospital, while the other three persons, including a pregnant youth remain in police custody.

Fraser, on hearing of the news, hurried home.

Her three bedrooms were ransacked and one had heavy bloodstains. Her passport with a US Visa was missing, along with money and jewellery.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

CJIA board installed

The nerve of some people A VIDEO involving an upset traffic offender and the unfortunate police officer who dared to reprimand him has gone viral as the driver’s audacity Minister of Public Infrastructure , David Patterson and Junior Minister within that ministry , Annette Ferguson , pose with newly appointed members of the CJIA board

to verbally assault the officer was highly shunned

AIR travel to Guyana is expected to climb this year as the authorities anticipate an increase in passengers and cargo to these shores for this country’s 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations.

This is according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who told the members of the new board of directors of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) that the event may be their very first challenge. Minister Patterson was speaking to the new board members at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure boardroom at Wight’s Lane in Kingston .Junior Minister, Annette Ferguson

From threatening violence to criticising the of-

was also on hand as the board members received their instruments of appointment.

Minister Patterson while urging the board members to be creative in their mandate noted that in 2015 there was a 6% growth in passengers and cargo at the CJIA. He said that this year, the figures are expected to increase, adding that there are some 119 days remaining to Independence Day. Being an international port-of-entry, passengers should feel welcome after touching down at Timehri, Minister Patterson said.

In addition, he said that by the end of 2017 the airport runway expansion may

be completed and he noted that this project presents an opportunity for the new board to increase the number of carriers operating at the CJIA. “The airport sector is a competitive environment and you are in a position to make a contribution “, he said.

As regards the expansion of the air travel markets, Minister Patterson noted that travel south of Guyana is also another avenue which can be explored. He said that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) conducted a study on travel connectivity within South America and in its draft stage; the report indicated that Guyana is the

only nation with lowest connectivity to the continental neighbours.

“That is an active market in which we can look at”, he added.

The new CJIA board is chaired by attorney, Stephen Fraser and other members are Gerhard Ramsaroop, Nadia Jaikarran, Stuart Hughes, Gillian Pollard, Sherwood Clarke , CJIA CEO , Ramesh Ghir and Permanent Secretary within the ministry , Balraj Balram who serves as an ex-officio member. The Parliamentary Opposition has not responded to the ministry’s request of having a member on the board.

Jail for ganja trafficking washbay attendant A WASHBAY attendant of Cummings Street, Bourda, was yesterday jailed for

three years by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he pleaded guilty to a mar-

ijuana trafficking charge.

Devanand Edghill did not hesitate to plead guilty to the

Pastor fined $100,000 for causing...

From page 2

weight on his client contribution to society.

Hughes also asked the magistrate to be mercifully since Cramer’s wife was mentally challenged and was solely dependent on her husband also.

The magistrate asked Allicock’s wife if she would accept the compensation but the woman refused.

The woman declined the $500,000 offer since she felt that was a small price to pay for the loss of her husband, plus the suffering and pain her daughter endured since

she was on the bike being towed by her father The woman signified her willingness to accept a $1.5M compensation to which the lawyer Hughes quickly replied that his client would willingly settle.

After a lengthy mitigation, the chief magistrate ruled in her sentencing that she had noted that a life had been lost, the seriousness of the charge and the compensation offered.

The pastor must pay a $100,000 fine or serve a sentence of 18 months in jail.

According to facts presented in court, on the day in question, around 16:00 hours, Cramer was proceeding east along Quamina Street, and failed to stop at the intersection at Camp Street, thereby causing a collision.

Allicock, who was on the northern side of Quamina Street, was struck down.

Two other persons who were with him received injuries. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he succumbed to his injuries a few days later.

charge that said on January 26 at Orange Walk, Bourda, he had in his possession 20 grammes of cannabis sativa.

Corporal Deniro Jones, prosecuting, told the court that on the day in question police arrested Edghill after he was seen walking along Orange Walk in a suspicious manner with a Karbie rice bag on his shoulder with a quantity of glass bottles.

According to the police prosecutor, the defendant was taken back to the station where the officer searched the bag and the marijuana was discovered. Edghill, when cautioned by officers, explained that the drug was for his personal use.

The magistrate in her ruling considered that the accused had pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. In addition to the three-year jail sentence, he was also fined $30,000.

by the public. ficer’s ability to do his job, the video shows an irate man loudly objecting to the officer’s request to reposition his vehicle so as to aid in the alleviation of traffic.

Of course, this made way for some persons to use the overplayed race card and this makes me unsure as to when we’ll move away from seeing colour to just seeing right or wrong. On the other hand, it was refreshing to see the public’s support for the officers who were on the scene and their ability to remain restrained and relatively professional during the incident. As one person said, one would hope that this man should be made an example for his arrogance and utter disrespect, but as another stated “Let’s not hold our breath.”

The “Don’t Blush Baby” Boycott It’s official, Chris Gayle’s “Don’t Blush Baby” has perhaps become the catch phrase of the year and the year has only just begun. First it was the T-Shirts, now, as the cricketer prepares to grace us with his presence, a themed party is being thrown with his catch phrase as the title. But while many are having a good laugh, and loving the light–hearted popularity of this trend, others are not so pleased. A Facebook discussion erupted, following one spirited citizen’s call to boycott the upcoming event, stating that it promotes sexual harassment. The advocate went so far as to request that the promoters change the name.

Now, while some were clearly on his side, others called his move “cheezy” and suggested that to boycott would be to agree with the arguably unfair punishment that Gayle has suffered for his misdemeanor. Two separate issues, I believe, but interesting nonetheless. I doubt that the party will be in any shortage of patrons, however, because Guyanese love a good joke - whether it crosses the line, or not.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Final witness in Doobay Post-mortem on Burke today murder case – to testify via Skype

By Rabindra Rooplall

By George Barclay

THE mixed jury in the trial of the alleged murderer of Sheraney Doobay, heard that the woman was hammered to death on May 2, 2011 by the accused after he was allegedly asked to pay rates and taxes.

Shakir Mohamed of Echilibar Villas, Campbellville, who is said to have committed the offence, has pleaded not guilty.

He is being defended by Attorney-at-Law, Mr Maxwell Mc Kay. Prosecutrix Ms Narissa Leander told the Court on Thursday that she was expected to call her last witness Thursday afternoon.

The witness Indranie Singh, who is residing in the United Kingdom, is expected to testify via Skype.

The current trial is a re-trial. The first trial ended with a “hung jury.” Justice

Navindra Singh is presiding at the current trial.

A caution statement given to the police by accused Shakir Mohamed was tendered in evidence without opposition.

The caution statement of Mohamed read in part.

“Look, I read dis man Mark story, and dat is nah wah really happen. About two weeks back he start to tell me that he aunty get he ah pay rates an taxes and like that got into he and he plan fuh kill she.

“De Tuesday he tell me he wan me to drop he off by she fuh gee she some money.

I drop he off with my car HB 9260 and he tell me fuh park away from she house and me walk and go by she . (He had a hammer wrap up in a black plastic bag).

“When we reach de house, she open the kitchen door, we guh in and he tell she dat we get a wuk in de

area and we hungry. She said she ain’t cook, but she gon gee wee sandwich and drink.

She mek three sandwiches with cheese Jam and I think butter.

“Me eat one, he eat one and she gee Mark the other one fuh eat. During that time another aunty call from England (who is dis aunty Urik dead sista) and dem talk.

After dat as we start to walk out the house, me in front and he went a little beind me ( he tek the hammer which was still in the bag and lash she on the mold or base ah she head. She scream one time and he lashed she again and she fell pon me and I ease she down to the ground in de kitchen.

“Later he threw the black bag without the hammer in de gutter at the corner of Stone Avenue and Fourth Street.”

The hearing continues today. (gbarclay@guyanachronicle.com)

Man busted with cocaine in underwear AN outgoing passenger at the Ogle Airport was arrested on Thursday, after it was discovered that he had cocaine concealed in his underwear and reportedly swallowed

pellets containing the illegal substance.

According to police sources, the Guyanese national was arrested and is under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Reports disclosed that after narcotics police discovered the over 100 grams hidden in the man’s underwear, suspicions were raised about ingestion after interrogation.

City Constabulary, Traffic Police partnering in city law enforcement

Town Clerk Royston King (centre) with law-enforcement officers at the partnership meeting

IN order to foster a closer relationship between the City Constabulary and the Police Traffic Department, Town Clerk Royston King, Chief Constable Andrew Foo and other senior M&CC officers met with Traffic Chief Superintendent Dion Moore at City Hall recently.

According to acting Public Relations ,Debra Lewis, the initiative was aimed at promoting a strong and lasting partnership which would allow for training and collaboration in traffic management and other areas of law enforcement.

TRAINING PROGRAMME She explained that the City Constabulary and the Police Traffic Department were able to identify common challenges in managing traffic in the city, and agree on common solutions.

The Traffic Chief said that the collaboration is good, since it will improve the way traffic is managed in Georgetown.

The officers of the City Constabulary Traffic Management Unit are expected to be part of a combined training programme, slated for Saturday, and facilitated by the Guyana Police Force.

The focus of the programme is to build the capacity of the Traffic Management Unit of the City Constabulary.

The Town Clerk said that this was the first in a series of meetings that would be held with the Guyana Police Force. The new collaboration would focus on enhancing the capacity of the city’s oldest law-enforcement agency so that citizens can benefit from a better quality service.

“It is important that the municipality collaborate with other agencies that have similar objectives and goals,” King said. (Rabindra Rooplall)

THE post-mortem on the partially dismembered body of Curt Anthony Burke will be done today as the police await the results to ascertain whether the case is one of murder or death by dangerous driving.

Police sources have disclosed that the incident is being thoroughly examined.

Relatives of the 40-year-old man believe that he was killed at a different location from where his body was found.

Burke body minus the lower right leg was found in a clump of bushes at the roadside at Drill, Mahaicony,East Coast Demerara, about a mile from his home.

Although police suspect that Burke was the victim of a hit-and-run accident, some relatives contend that the labourer was murdered.

He was also found with his skull bashed in and his head was almost severed from his body.

Police investigators are basing their theory on some pieces of material – suspected to be from a vehicle – that were found

near to Burke’s body.

The man’s twisted bicycle was also found nearby.

Investigators now have the task of first locating a vehicle that matches the debris recovered at the scene.

Burke’s aunt Carmen Burke is contending that his death is not the result of an accident.

“His head had a large hole in it like someone shot him and his leg was chopped from his body.

There was no blood or skid marks where they said the accident occurred. There was blood nowhere, it appears as if he was killed and brought to that place to make it look like an accident.”

Other reports say that a car struck Burke’s bicycle on the Drill Public Road, and the driver, upon investigating what he had hit, was told by a man nearby to return to his vehicle and leave, since staying and looking around may put him in problems.

The driver on the dark roadway heeded he man’s advice and left the scene.

Burke’s bicycle was found with only a minor bend to the wheel.

“They found him with

Dead: Curt Anthony Burke

his arm in the air, like if he was blocking chops and lashes,” another relative said.

According to reports, Burke was drinking on Tuesday night and did not return home as usual to assist his relative with work around the yard.

“Is a very dark area he living in and I don’t know if anybody do him anything when he was coming home or if he was drunk,” one resident said.

The resident added: “He lives with his 10-yearold son, but the boy is by his aunt, so we didn’t see him Wednesday morning as usual.”

Burke was described as a “jack of all trades,” but worked mostly as a labourer and mason.

70-yr-old ‘taken to sea’ A 70-YEAR-OLD-MAN, fleeced by a 39-year-old woman in a visiting relationship, is now a bitter man for being ‘taken to sea’ by the person he befriended five years ago.

The man, E.A. Benjie, who works with a reputable security firm, claims he met the woman while working with the same service.

They entered into a relationship, and she would visit him. But every time he raised the question of visiting her, she would make an excuse. And so, after five years he still does not know where she resides.

He said over time he would miss little things, but as the saying goes: ‘Love is blind’ So he never made much of it.

“I lost my Blackberry music phone, a Tablet and

other things,” he recalls.

However after the loss, he confronted her and she told him that she was not giving the items back to him. And she never did.

But it was not until the week before Christmas that he had cause to report his new losses to the police.

He claimed he had knotted gold jewelry to the value of about $800,000 that he had accumulated over the years.

He claimed he gave the woman money to buy ‘Chinese food’ and drink. She made the purchase and returned.

But while she was away, he discovered the jewelry was missing and confronted her. She swore she knew absolutely nothing of the disappearing gold.

Meantime, he has plunged into grief mode and has been taking his loss-

es very badly. To add to his misery, the woman has stopped visiting him and would not answer the phone whenever he calls. It goes into voicemail. And to put salt in the wound, she no longer works at the guard service.

The man has made reports to two police stations, but all he can tell them is her name… and that she lives somewhere between Diamond and Friendship. Benjie also claims that she has taken back the one photograph he had of her.

Asked when did he realize in the five-year period that she would take things that were not hers, he replied, “She is a thief. She’s always a thief. She was even praying that I would die and leave everything to her.”

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Gov’t commits to climate pact with Norway MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, and Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, on Thursday met with a delegation from the Kingdom of Norway to discuss the way forward with regard to the Guyana-Norway agreement for avoided deforestation.

The Norwegian delegation was led by Norway’s Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Aud Maritt Wiig. Minister Harmon explained that the Government has only been in Office for eight months after being in opposition for 23 years and as such, there are issues that need to be ironed out, particularly as they relate to agreements that were made by the previous administration. However, he noted that the administration is interested in continuing the climate agreement between Guyana and Norway, which was signed in 2009 by the previous government.

Minister Trotman expressed similar sentiments, while pointing out that Guyana is committed to continuing its partnership with Norway, because it is a model that will allow the country to develop renewable-energy technologies, while sustainably exploiting Guyana’s natural resources. In this regard, the minister is expected to lead a Guyanese delegation to a follow-up meeting with his

From left- Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Honorary Consul of Norway in Guyana, Mr. Desmond Sears; Senior Adviser in the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment in Norway, Ms. Hege Ragnhildstveit; Forest and Climate Counsellor, Ms. Anahita Yousefi; Ambassador, H.E. Aud Maritt Wiig and Deputy Director of Development Policy in the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, Mr. Simon Rye

counterpart in Norway, later in the year, with a view to negotiating a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

With regard to Guyana’s efforts to maintain its pristine forests, Minister Trotman said that while the Government does not intend to abolish logging and mining, it is committed to ensuring that these activities are done sustainably.

“We are not going to open new lands, we have a set acreage and as miners relinquish [them], we reassign [them].

We will ensure that there is

a healthy balance between protection of the environment and sustainable mining. We do a fairly good job of maintaining the forest cover... we have clamped down heavily on logging by Chinese companies. This has come to a minimum and I did put a ban on the export of logs, [which] was sufficient to curtail the large-scale cutting of logs that was previously taking place,” Minister Trotman said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Wiig said that Norway understands and appreciates the

challenges of the new Government in getting acclimatised. She also commended the country for preserving its forests. “You are one of the countries in the world with one of the best preserved forests and I hope that is a status you would maintain. It is important for Guyana, it is important for the Region and certainly it is important for the world...” she said.

The Ambassador also enquired about the Government’s position on the Amaila Falls hydropower project, which

was a large component of the Guyana-Norway agreement.

Minister Trotman informed the Norwegian envoy that the Amaila project was never taken off the agenda. “Amaila Falls can and should produce energy for Guyana, but at the cost of US$1B for 160 megawatts we didn’t believe that we were getting the best deal.

We are committed to hydro, we are committed to Amaila, but we were not committed to that financial model that Sithe Global and China Railway had presented,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Senior Adviser in the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment in Norway, Ms. Hege Ragnhildstveit, said that Norway is fine-tuning the details for a consultancy firm to commence a new feasibility study, with regard to the Amaila project. The prospects of oil and the establishment of a comprehensive land commission before the end of the first quarter of 2016 were also discussed during the meeting. (Ministry of the Presidency)

High-rise buildings on city radar – proper geotechnical studies essential

By Shirley Thomas THE ongoing construction of high-rise buildings in the city is causing City Hall much concern and currently the city council is working in tandem with the Central Housing and Planning Authority to address the situation, which can have implications, not only for parking, but for the landscape as well.

To this end, strategies are currently being mapped out to deal with this situation.

Addressing a recent meeting of members of the Board of the CHPA and the media, Chairman of the Board Hamilton Green, who is also Mayor of Georgetown, noted: “The ongoing construction of high-rise buildings in the city is an issue the Board is looking at right now. Right now we are asking for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the administration will get that within the next few hours.”

Meanwhile, CHPA’s

Chief Development Planner (CDP), Rawle Edinboro, said that the intention is to put some more structure into the relationship between the Georgetown City Council, (particularly the City Engineer’s Department) and the CHPA, regarding the question of erecting high-rise buildings, hence the request for an MOU. “The objective is to improve the protocols regarding construction of commercial buildings,” Edinboro said.

And while this issue has not yet engaged the authority as a subject matter, Edinboro said it is recognised that more stringent analysis is required regarding the construction of tall buildings in the city.

GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES He stressed that proper geotechnical studies for the design of those structures are necessary, particularly taking into consideration the effects of the weight of the

building on the soil on which it is constructed.

Moreover, with regard to the Law of Tort, it is also required that neighbours have to be informed in advance of the commencement of a highrise construction and other such considerations.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, Green reiterated that “the bottom line is we are concerned about these high-rise buildings that don’t make the city pretty - a set of concrete, glass and plastic structures.”

PARKING The CHPA chairman said that while the buildings may be functional, in the light of the Authority’s efforts to narrow the gap between rural and urban centres, it is something they are looking at. He also commented on the fact that even as these commercial buildings continue to go up, there is no place to park.

In an effort to exercise some control over the construction of such commercial

buildings which necessitate ‘parking’ requirements, City Hall proposes getting tough on the passing of building plans in this regard. The next strategy is that “when people bring plans for four-storey buildings and higher, we are not going to pass the plan until they can provide the parking space,” Green asserted.

Green also recalled that some businessmen have been approaching City Hall to request permission to park on Merriman Mall. In that light, Green reiterated: “The Merriman Mall is not to be used for parking. They’ve approached the council and they’ve approached me ... and we have made it clear.”

He said that other entities have also approached council and he has said a categorical “No!” “As Mayor I said no, and I hope that whoever succeeds me as Mayor will maintain that position. Because wherever I am, and in whatever capacity, I will quash it to ensure that the Mall is kept pristine.”

Friday, January 29, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 09:00 hrs Sunday, January 31 2016 - 10:00 hrs

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Project underway to promote greater involvement of youths in agriculture

By Rabindra Rooplall

A WORKING session was launched yesterday to enable wider stakeholder consultation to develop a National Action Plan for youths in agriculture in Guyana as part of a regional project.

Under the theme: “Strengthening decent rural employment opportunities for young women and men in the Caribbean,” the session was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment.

The project got underway yesterday at the Ministry of Agriculture boardroom, Regent Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

Present were active stakeholders Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative to Guyana,

Reuben Hamilton Robertson; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture George Jervis and other ministry officials.

YOUTHS AND AGRICULTURE PROJECT Presidential Adviser Norton said a management team has been assembled to make the youths and agriculture project a reality.

“I believe that as a country and a government, whenever the opportunity arises for projects that are funded, we should do everything to ensure that we not only access the funding, but make sure it’s implemented and [that] it’s efficacious,” Norton said.

He noted that such a project could be the beginning of a new corps of young people in agriculture who are skilled and technologically knowledgeable in keeping with the present state of the world.

“It will also afford us the opportunity to safeguard a

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture George Jervis, with ministry officials (centre), and Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment, Aubrey Norton,addressing stakeholders on the National Action Plan for Youths in Agriculture

legacy in agriculture…we must seek to develop a new corps of young people who are involved in agriculture with the required skills in the required technological context, while being as practical as possible,” Norton noted.

Building capacity He said the project should be seen as building capacity among young people who will make a significant impact on the development of Guyana.

Permanent Secretary Jervis said youth unemployment

is a major issue in Guyana (40%) and across the Caribbean (25%).

He said the agriculture sector employs less than 100 new young persons annually; meanwhile, the Guyana School of Agriculture churns out 120 students yearly.

“It is my hope that this project will broaden the horizons so it won’t be simply a case of as soon as you graduate from the Guyana School of Agriculture or any public service job, you simply won’t see yourself as a mere officer, but you will see yourselves [being] hands-on in agriculture and the production of food,” Jervis said.

He said Guyana’s agriculture has to adapt to globalisation and the use of technology and mechanisation.

Moreover, the industry must address the ageing farming population which is a critical issue, Jervis said, since at many agriculture meetings youths are missing and this is worrying.

“The science of agriculture and the enthusiasm of youth needs to be implemented, so we can get to where we need to go as a country, so by

promoting greater involvement of youths in agriculture, we will expect our young farmers not only to gain access, but also knowledge and best practices in the Caribbean Region,” the Permanent Secretary noted.

He said Government is focused on the promotion of youth employment and the Agriculture Ministry is offering its full support and cooperation in achieving the project’s objective.

Meanwhile, FAO representative to Guyana Robertson said that international agencies and governments have a critical role to play in ensuring that an enabling environment is created, making incentives and factors of production available to youths so that they can excel.

“We need to provide them [youths] with the adequate training that is necessary to make them productive, just like how we take them into the realm of Information Technology, Construction, Engineering, Construction and other fields; the same thing is necessary for agriculture for the youths to be successful and sustainable in

whatever they do,” Robertson said.

He pointed out that there are tremendous opportunities for youths to excel in agriculture and a platform will be provided in the form of beneficiaries.

Gender equality Noting that the FAO and the United Nations are looking forward to a selection process that will allow for gender equality, Robertson said the beneficiaries will be trained within the enterprises identified and those of their choice. Therefore, the programme will also build capacity for management and entrepreneurship, whether as groups or as individuals.

“This is only one small part of the Government’s overall policy for youth development and so it must be complementary to ongoing initiatives of a similar nature and also ongoing initiatives in other sectors of the economy, so there must be complementarity,” he asserted.

He said that if the first phase is ,it would lay the platform for youths in Guyana and throughout the Region.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Ally reaches out to Region Five residents Minister Ally had distributed gifts from CFO in other areas also, such as Tuschen, Den Amstel and Uitvlugt.

She told the children and adults on Thursday that she chose Number 30 Village as the first in Region Five for distribution.

The other regions, she said, will also benefit from the programme.

Thank you! This child was happy to receive her gift from Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally

SCORES of children and several adults from Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five on Thursday received gifts handed over to them individually by Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, compliments of the International Human Services Organisation, Caring for Others (CFO).

The “goodies” are part of an on-going programme supported by the CFO, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The handing-over was

done at the CDC office at Number 29 Village.

The team accompanying the minister included Shabakie Fernandes, a local representative of CFO; Ministry of Social Cohesion Technical Officer, Natasha Singh-Lewis; Liaison Officer Shabbir Ali and Confidential Secretary Samantha Tullock.

Others present included APNU+AFC Region Five Councillor Carol Joseph; regional Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade; Deputy Re-

gional Executive Officer Gobind Singh; and West Berbice Villages Community Development Council (CDC) Chairperson, Yvette Price.

The good gesture follows a recent meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, between Minister Ally and head of the CFO Esme Richmond –Shockley.

Fernandes disclosed that the gifts included books, items of clothing and footwear, all of which are brand new and were collected from donors around the world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Crossword

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

Statistical accounting vital for growth of tourism industry Stakeholders hear...

involved with tourism, and play their part in making TSA possible, he urged.

Meanwhile, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), through TSA they are committed to developing tourism measurement for furthering knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, evaluating impact, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic Minister Hughes talking to stakeholders in the tourism industry yesterday

WITH Guyana on the rise in the regional and global tourism markets, new ways are being sought to fasttrack this process and make Guyana an ideal tourist hub.

Therefore, the government, along with the other stakeholders in the industry, will be moving to implement the Tourism Statistical Accounting (TSA) system.

TSAs provide for an official, objective and credible measure of the economic contribution of tourism, while equipping the government tourism agencies with a powerful tool to be used in advocacy for the industry.

Stakeholders were given a rundown on what to expect from the accounting system, given that Jamaica, The Dominican Republic and The Bahamas have successfully implemented it, and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) is on the move to get more countries involved.

Hence, a TCA inter-agency committee comprising the Ministry of Tourism, Bureau of Statistics (BoS), Bank of Guyana (BoG) and the Immigration Department was formed last December to conduct a TSA-readiness survey.

SENSITISATION This having been completed, stakeholders are now in the third stage of sensitisation, this being the workshop.

Addressing the gathering yesterday, Minister of Public Telecommunications and Tourism, Catherine Hughes, said, “This workshop will take us where we want to be, which is on the road to full implementation of [the] TSA, so that we could successfully account for every dollar spent in the industry.”

With the support of the private sector, and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) in particular, Minister Hughes declared that the accounting system would be a requisite foundation for tourism development in the country.

“With the price of gold on the world market low, the sug-

ar industry in economic crisis, markets for bauxite slowly disappearing and markets for rice depleting, tourism is the main alternative to sustain the country until the other industries recover,” emphasised the minister, while alluding to the fact that tourism represents 8.9 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

As such, the enhancement of the sector is vital, because, according to Hughes, “If we can achieve this GDP with only moderate governmental support over the past 10 years, imagine what the future holds, especially at the end of 2016, as Guyana begins to attract more tourists, especially nationals living in the Diaspora, and properly record the revenue which the sector generates and spends.”

However, the investors in many other key areas prefer to keep their information “close to their chests,” making it impossible to determine what the sector is worth and could achieve.

GAME CHANGER Thus, if agreed upon and implemented, the TSA will bring about a change in that without any assistance, once stakeholders commit to ensuring that systems are crafted and maintained.

Echoing the minister’s sentiments was President of THAG, Shaun McGrath, who underscored that for years they have been pleading for a method to check the level of investment, the level of job-creation, and the role of tourism in all the industries involved, hence with the advent of the TSA, all those questions could be accurately answered.

He added: “The measure of success has been based largely on visitor-arrivals, which does not necessarily mean we are growing… but the overall impact of the industry, comprehensive data of hotels, motels and resorts will be needed to improve the sector.”

Therefore, everyone should be encouraged to get

issues for policy objectives.

The programme works toward advancing the framework for measuring tourism and expanding its analytical potential, designs practical guidance for their implementation in countries, supports statistical strengthening in countries through capacity- building, and compiles and disseminates tourism statistics of countries all over the world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Life-changing Pandama Resort

By Jasmaine Payne ONE year ago, after my first visit to Pandama, a retreat tucked neatly away just off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, I had deemed it a hidden gem: A place where one could escape; have some of the best local wine; and access the Guyanese “black water” experience all in one.

Wi t h i n t h e l a s t f e w months, due to an upsurge of posts across social media, I came to realise that more than just a few persons had uncovered the secret of Pandama; and they had all taken full advantage of it.

THE TRUE SECRET Yet, in all the portrayals of the Retreat, I felt like the public was still missing out on the true secret of what Pandama has to offer: Healing.

As we continue to seek unique means of entertainment and relaxation in Guyana, how often do we consider our greatest needs? How often do we stop to think about the burdens that we bear in daily life, and seek ways to shed them, if only but for a minute?

So I thought about Pandama; its aura and what more this place could possibly be doing for its increasing number of visitors, and thus I took a second trip to uncover just that.

In a nutshell, I displaced myself from the world around me, left (most of) my technological devices behind (That was a struggle!) and retreated to Pandama for 24 hours of pure relaxation. Within that time, I immersed myself in a bit too much of inarguably delicious wine, had good conversation, used the creek as my bath and drinking water, met a Russian backpacker, ate scrumptious food from a calabash, and fell asleep to the natural white noise of crickets, rain and the rhythmic song of the trees.

PANDAMA But the best part of Pandama was talking with Warren and Tracy Douglas, the couple without whom such a unique experience would not be possible.

“It is our home. And everywhere we have lived, we have always made it a space where people can come and regroup; so Pandama is an extension of that concept. So when people come, it’s not just a commercial place,” Tracy told me as we sat waiting for some more visitors to join us for the day.

Part of their process, she says, is connecting with people by creating a safe

Tracy Greene-Douglas

Warren Douglas

Overnight cabin Pandama Retreat

space where people don’t feel judged; which is usually the main reason they feel comfortable enough to come back. “So many people are not living in their truth, even in their own home,” she said.

“Maybe because they don’t feel like family members understand; so we hear a lot of revealing when people come.”

Added to the ambience created by being fully encircled by nature, these are the things that add to the intrigue of Pandama. “We keep as much of our forests as we can, so it lends itself to a place you can check out of where you are and check in with yourself,” Tracy said.

But before branding this serene location as their home, “home” for Warren and Tracey lay in the United States. Warren, a Guyanese by birth, had migrated decades prior, and had spent most of his adult life there. After meeting Tracy, the couple eventually lent their talents to ‘Real Estate’ in Virginia and North Carolina, while taking advantage of the boom in that industry at the time.

Warren explained that the venture was a success, but it only lasted for a while. And after a

simple: The economics of it.

“Spiritual practice and economics don’t have to be separate.

So, how do you add economic value to what you love to do?

And you read story after story of people who are living their passion. So, pretty much we are doing everything that we would do, anyway, whether we had to get paid or not,” Tracy said.

On a daily excursion, one can be exposed to yoga, dancing, painting, art, counselling and many other activities tailored to alleviating stress. Said Tracy, “The more I help people, the happier people are in our community, which comes back to make us happy.

“And the people who we

at

change in administration and the economy, they both knew it was time to go.

Tracy, an American-born citizen, had already had a taste of Caribbean life, having lived in Dominica for several years, and encouraged a primarily skeptical Warren to return to Guyana. “I think that especially people of colour who have the option to go home, they need to do so and develop their homeland, and not wait till they retire or are too old to contribute anything,” she said.

What at first was an intent to continue their ‘Real Estate’ ventures in Guyana, turned into a desire to live their passion; and after finding their plot of land by events that Tracy felt only fate could be responsible for, the couple embarked on living their dream, with Tracy making soaps and Warren making wine.

WINE AND HEALING Taking into consideration the couple’s wish to assist in helping persons to heal and regroup, it is therefore no surprise that Pandama Wines are one of the main features of the retreat. “Traditionally, wine and beer were made by the women; and it was made

Pandama Creek as more of an elixir,” Tracy revealed. The story goes that God created wine because the human experience could be tragic in so many ways, that this elixir created an opportunity for one to escape the tragedy of life and breathe.

What is more, the use of Guyana’s endless supply of fruits and other natural ingredients provides for the wines to be used not only recreationally, but medicinally.

Much talk often centres on Pandama’s Pulse Wine, a libido enhancement tonic wine made from the barks of different trees found in Guyana. Others include the Noni Wine, the Herbal Cleanser, and an array of fruit wines and natural vinegars. “I had actually stopped drinking commercial wine, because I would get a headache.

So, the fact that we could make wine, using all the local fruits that I love... And I have no side effects. Besides, feeling nice is a great thing,” Tracy said.

DEPRESSION Talking about healing and finding happiness steered our talk towards the suicide rate in Guyana, and the issue of depression. “When you are

bombarded with such negativity… and when you feel there is no outlet, if you don’t know how to find your joy, I can understand why you would want to check out,” Tracy said, as she expressed her concern for the multiple suicides that have recently hit the nation.

For that reason, she reiterated why they make Pandama “a destination of happy conversation”, stating that the issue of deep depression is rooted in many social areas, stemming from personal insecurities, body image, isolation, race issues and many others. “So, how do you find that place of not allowing your life to get that dark? So there are many things we need to address in the community, and we can have small group discussions about certain things,” Tracy said.

“If we say we’re so concerned about suicide rates, how can we begin to treat each other better? We really just have to treat each other better at a grassroots level.”

LIVING YOUR PASSION I asked the couple why they chose to open their home to more than just close friends and family, and the answer was

have made happy, they want to bring people to be in our space, and they come back and buy wine... So, sometimes it’s not about charging people; it’s a constant.”

I ended my day with some dancing and breathing exercises, followed by a late-night visit to the creek, while some others bathed and I reflected. Upon reemerging on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and beginning the short journey back home, I wondered if I could live my daily life like Warren and Tracy: Finding true happiness in the simplicity of things, and transferring that genuine emotion to everyone who share in their presence.

Though I couldn’t truly answer that question, one thing was clear: In my short time there, I saw what Pandama did for the Douglases, and what it can do for people who are really at a difficult point in their life.

That ability to truly check out from reality, and reflect on nothing but what makes you happy is something I am yet to see other resorts offer. And for that, Pandama is, therefore, a true Guyanese enigma.

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Following his dreams -- Filmmaker, Yaphet Jackman

WHEN we hear the name Yaphet Jackman, the days of Upscale Poetry Night usually come to mind.

But even before this beloved event, Yaphet has been passionate about film production. “Many people don’t know, but I’ve been producing films, documentaries, infomercials and the like since I was 13, which was when I first learned to use the camera,” Yaphet told The Buzz.

Now a second year student in his Master’s Programme at the Ohio University, Yaphet is enhancing his passion for filmmaking, in the hope of contributing his knowledge to Guyana’s fledgling film industry in the near future.

SOLOMON DASKO But first, Yaphet must get through his second year; and to do that, he must complete the challenging task of directing his own film. He has chosen the film, Solomon Dasko, which follows a recovering heroin addict who is bent on fulfilling his dream of becoming a blues singer.

The film is written by Eulonda Kay Lea, a writer from Washington D.C. whom Yaphet met at the Athens International Film and Video Festival at the Ohio University a year prior.

“When I read the character breakdown, I

knew I wanted to create a story for this character,” Yaphet said. “It was a learning experience for both of us, but especially for me, in the area of collaboration, because I have never worked so closely with someone to build a character breakdown. And that has its own challenges and advantages.”

CHALLENGES

Speaking of challenges, a major hurdle that looms ahead of him is that of raising funds for the film. As a student, Yaphet must depend on donations for such excursions, so as to have a complete production.

He admits that, thus far, funding has been pretty slow; and with the February 19 production day fast approaching, he hopes that gaps can be filled, so as to be able to have the right equipment and a comfortably compensated crew.

“I launched around the holiday season, and of course, people have obligations and commitments.

So, as much as I wanted to be aggressive with the campaign, I was very considerate as it relates to that,” he said.

Yet, he’s received tremendous support, which includes his Guyanese supporters. “People have been very gracious and giving, and I have had a lot of support in sharing the campaign, but I still have

a long way to go,” Yaphet said.

His campaign in Guyana, he says, has been different from what obtains overseas, so as to allow interested persons who may not have credit-card access to still be able to contribute to his cause.

Said he: “I have received a lot of promises of support from the Guyanese faction. I know there are people who stand by me; I know I have that moral support. I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers; it means a lot, because it helps me get out of bed and push a little further. But it would also be great for that to translate.” But, with or without the funds, the show must go on, and he’s made up his mind that he will make do with what has been donated and affirms his utmost appreciation for it.

Later this year, Yaphet will return to Guyana to assist in the filming of local productions, by collaborating with the likes of Kojo McPherson and other budding local filmmakers.

Yaphet states that though the overall learning experience is taxing, the knowledge taken from this experience will no doubt place him in a position to better be able to make a worthwhile contribution to Guyana when he ultimately returns.

Yaphet Jackman on set

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Buzz Beauty of the Week...

The enchanting Nephlayah Rondell Fernandes THE enchanting Nephlayah Rondell Fernandes, born July 11, 1995 is a 21- yearold from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

On the first ‘sit down’ with Nephlayah, the Buzz found an outgoing, goal-oriented, open young lady who happens to be quite outspoken and “real” about her opinions.

She currently works at NT Computeac and is trying to balance work and school, since she is studying ABE (Association of Business Executives) Human Resources Management at The Business School. After completing her degree in HR (Human Resources), she has her sights set on working at either the CARICOM Secretariat, New GPHC, or any one of the Neil & Massy branches.

According to her: “I love to take strolls on the seawalls

Nephlayah Fernandes

alone. I’m an only child, and I guess that gets you accustomed to doing things alone. However, it has its moments since I also use the seawall to get things off my mind.” This beauty has a taste for the simple things in life such as reading, dancing and meeting new people. Her favourite music to dance to is Chutney, since, according to her, it’s part of her nature, and she connects with the rhythms. She enjoys the company of her family, and she believes family is the most important thing a person could have.

Nephlayah is also a spiritual person. She believes in God, and from this belief comes her mantra: “Put your trust and faith in God, and everything will fall into place; even when things feel like they are not going your way, HE has a plan for you.”

Sia could learn from the Weeknd WITH ‘This is Acting’ due out today, Sia will no doubt have a tough time avoiding the spotlight.

If you’ve watched any of Sia’s recent live performances, you’ll notice that she is... well... not completely there.

Since the Australian pop aficionado’s viral video for “Chandelier” came out in 2014, she has used other actors to convey her songs’ emotions.

And while some may say that hiding is only more distracting, Sia’s approach is intended to keep her public image secondary to her art.

By eschewing pop superstardom, Sia focuses attention on the heart-wrenching compositions she is known for penning.

With the release of her seventh studio album today, how much longer can she avoid being sensationalised along with her music?

Aside from her inescapable chart-toppers from the early 2010s like ”Titanium” or ”Wild Ones”, she has since written for essentially every major female pop star, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera.

Even Kanye West has been

Sia known to recruit Sia for her distinctly anguished, cracking vocals on a new single, “Wolves” for his upcoming album.

But collaborations aside, she stands firmly at the helm of her own full-fledged, solo career.

Last year’s “1000 Forms of Fear”, which contained the four-time Grammy nominated “Chandelier” and the equally exhilarating follow-up,”Elastic Heart”, was wildly successful. As Sia gears up to release “This is Acting”, it seems less likely that she will be able to remain in the background like she prefers.

Sia is a rarity in today’s climate of constant exposure. If you think of any figure in pop music as prolific as she is, that figure most likely has a

carefully honed, pervasive pop-culture presence, like how Rihanna has polished her DGAF image in recent years. Solely based on the effort it must require, Sia’s refusal to stand in the spotlight is admirable.

With more attention on her solo work, she chooses to let her voice do all the work.

After all, Sia’s explosive, faltering voice is unmistakably her own. She wants the music she writes and performs to speak for itself, without having to push it forward with a superficially curated image. Her mission feels altruistic, as if she is one of the last crusaders of pop music, battling to uphold the idea that it can stand alone and powerful.

I can think of a few artistes who have attempted to keep their public personas hidden, but the example that immediately comes to mind is The Weeknd. Abel Tesfaye’s first few tracks were released in 2010 under the moniker, The Weeknd, but his identity was initially unknown. And now look at him — even if he wanted to, retreating into obscurity isn’t a tenable option for him in 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Kijana Lewis: Dancer/ Actor Extraordinaire

Kijana Lewis

By Daniel Haynes AS the date for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence fast approaches, dancer and actor Kijana Lewis is playing an integral part in ensuring Guyanese are treated to an unforgettable cultural experience. He hopes that this experience will transcend what the public has already been treated to in past shows that he has been privileged to WHO IS KIJANA LEWIS? Kijana Lewis is no stranger to the Guyanese public, having been active in the field of dance for over 12 years.

From the establishment of his first local dance group “Divine Stars” – which was based in Buxton - he has been a force to be reckoned with.

Shortly after his debut, Kijana soon caught the eye of Vivian Daniels, Director of the National Dance Company at the time. He subsequently joined the professional dance troupe in hopes of honing his craft.

Though primarily an African Genre dancer, Kijana quickly morphed into an all-rounder through sweat and tears; performing not only African dances but modern, contemporary and hip hop dances in the Company’s many productions. However his world of dance has not been limited to Guyana’s shores, Kijana represented Guyana in seven of eight of the Region’s Carifesta celebrations from 20072015. He has also danced on several occasions with the Astro-Johnson Dance Company based in Trinidad, having enjoyed his most recent time with the troupe in May 2015.

GOLDEN JUBILEE

Because of his passion for dance and helping to enhance the local dance industry, it is no surprise that Kijana will make significant contributions to the Golden Jubilee of Independence. His first major contribution was made at the Jubilee’s Launch on December 31, 2015 in which he danced and choreographed all major dance productions on the programme. He is currently preparing for a dance show which he calls a kickoff to the main event and is slated to be held on April 23, 2016. This show is being performed by dancers from his dance school: “Free Souls Dance Company”. The troupe consists of a myriad of dancers from varying dance companies in and around Guyana. “The show will allow the dancers the freedom to choreograph and perform their ideas as well as break the barriers of what they are allowed to do… with their own company,” Kijana said.

In addition, the show will focus on portraying the history of Guyana and will also chronicle the journey that our nation has been on since its independence in 1966.

During the show, Kijana states that his dancers will tackle the social issues that are currently plaguing our society such as suicide, domestic violence and poverty.

These issues will be portrayed not only through dance but dramatic pieces which will give Guyanese a chance to see these issues in their true light without any covers. While these and other issues do have a negative connotation, the show will also focus on how we can evoke change and correct our circumstances. “I hope to show a positive out-

come to these problems, but the difference is it will not all be fairy tale endings, it will be real situations with real endings bringing hope to the Guyanese people,” he said.

PROBLEMS FACING GUYANA WITH DANCE Talking about the stigma as well as problems Guyanese dancers are faced with was something he was very outspoken about and something that seemed to reflect his passion for dance. “Guyanese dancers are faced with so many problems it’s not even funny, we can’t train as much as we want since we are not paid adequately enough.” He said that most dancers have additional jobs because they cannot sustain themselves by solely participating in dance. “The culture of dance in other countries is so rich and the dancing is on such a level that it really makes you think about as our shortcomings as a nation. When I was in Trinidad dancing, the disparity between what we are doing here in Guyana versus them is so apparent.

They take it very seriously and dance almost the entire day and are paid exceptionally well for their time and dedication,” he said. Kijana noted that in Guyana, there is also a stigma attached to male dancers which therefore limit the extents to which they are able to reach. “There are so many good male dancers out there who are forced to hold back and hide their talents from the world because of labels that are attached to us.

If these labels weren’t there and if the stigmas attached were removed, Guyana’s dance would take off. It is my hope that with my company

National Dance Company we can change the situation here.” Kijana’s passion for dance is something he exuded throughout the conversation.

Expectations will

be blown away with the work that this talented and passionate Guyanese has planned, not just for the Jubilee celebration but for

Guyana’s dance industry on a whole. Listening to Kijana speak about his work as a dancer, one thing is clear: he is here to make an impact.

Guyana’s ‘Prince Ally’ back home TORONTO-based, Guyana-born Ahmed Ally, known as ‘Prince Ally’ to fans around the world, has produced more albums and songs than any other local artiste.

With 15 albums under his belt spanning different genres, from Reggae, Soca, Chutney to even Gospel, this Berbician who has been producing, song-writing, and performing for over 30 years on both local and international stages is currently back home.

He has released another album, called “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”, which is a Reggae compilation of 16 tracks, and he says it has a mix for the middle-aged with songs like: “Our Own Song”, “ Hello”, “People of the World”, “Ethiopian Rock” and many others.

Ally is back from Toronto, and is preparing to perform for the 50th Jubilee

Celebrations. And in his interview with The Buzz, he joked about being six years older than our Independent Nation.

Ally has worked with international artistes such as Sizzla, Sean Paul, Beenie

Man and other singers known to international audiences.

He has produced songs for renowned Guyanese artistes Mark Holder, Pamela Maynard and Sammy Baksh.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Living Life Loud Artiste of the Week...

--with the enigmatic Paul Anthony Charles Rondel ‘Disi’ Holder

PAUL Anthony Charles, known to his friends and colleagues as “Joe,” is a dancer, model, choreographer, philanthropist and Guyana’s contestant in the Mr. Caribbean competition kicking off on January 29, 2016.

Paul, a 29-year-old, was born on April 20, 1986 in Georgetown under the zodiac sign Taurus- a fact he is sure to mention to you should you engage him in conversation. He is an outspoken, free-flowing person who believes in pursuing everything that you want in life.

An example of this free-flowing nature can be found on his body where he has an abstract tattoo as well as his mantra which states: “Live the life you love, love the life you live”. Charles has been involved in the world of dance for twelve years with the Classique Dance Company as a student for seven years and then a teacher for the remaining five and is currently pursuing a diploma in Micro Computer Management at Global Technology.

He is also pursuing a business diploma at Computer World. He is an avid reader, loves the outdoors and camping, walking and surrounding himself with the sounds of music so he can rock out with friends, family or by himself.

However, in addition to teaching and studying fulltime, this humble and simple

Paul Anthony Charles man still finds the time to give back by travelling to places such as Berbice, Essequibo, and Bartica as well as around Georgetown to provide counselling, mentoring and dance lessons to interested teens. His love for helping runs deep seeing he is very family-oriented and is currently involved in a building project where he will provide a home for his mother. Paul is a frequent face at many public and

private schools where he assists in Schools’ Mashramani Dance competitions.

He has represented Guyana on many occasions, has been involved in over 60 productions from Classique and has received numerous awards.

The “Buzz” got hold of his resume chronicling some of his achievements: Contestant: Supermodel Search 2005: 6th Position Guyana Model search 2008, 2012 3rd and 2nd Position Shubu Face-off 2006: 1st Runner-up Mr. United Nations Pageant 2012: 1st Runner-up Award for Most Promising Director: Ministry Of Education Mr. Guyana International Competition 2014 winner and current reigning champion: photogenic, best talent, fitness, best in swimwear Reigning Indian dance champion Paul has stated that after winning the Mr. Caribbean competition, he plans to come home and open a foundation called the PAC Foundation (Paul Anthony Charles) where he can give youths who have dropped out of school an opportunity to use their gifts and callings: whether it be singing, dancing or acting, a chance to finish school. Look out Guyana for this talented male living life loud!

‘Ride Along 2’ feat. Busy Signal DANCEHALL artiste Busy Signal has found himself among this elite group for his song, ‘Watch Out Fi Dis’, a hit collaboration he did with Electronic Dance Music group, Major Lazer.

This comes as the song was a featured soundtrack in top box office comedy, ‘Ride Along 2’, starring popular actors, Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.

Busy Signal took to Instgram to share his joy. His post reads: “BLESSINGS KEEP ON FLOWING! RIDE ALONG 2 W H I C H F E AT U R E S WATCH OUT FOR THIS (BUMAYE) AS AN OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK IS THE NUMBER ONE MOVIE RIGHT NOW. S O L D O U T E V E RYWHERE! @ridealong #ridealong2 #majorlazer #1 #soldout #boxoffice @

majorlazer @icecube @ kevinhart4real busysignal_turf#teambusysignal #teamturf #busysignal #turf #turfnation #turfmovement #turfteam #turfworld #turfers #turfpresident #turfprez #allianceturf #turfalliance #turffamily.”

‘Ride Along 2’, which

was produced by Universal Studios, won the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, when it topped the Box Office within a week of its release.

Guess it’s safe to say, ‘The “Turf President” is on the right track’. Way to go, Busy! (Source:gtvibes. com)

RONDEL Holder, or “Disi” as his fans know him, hails from the village of Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demarara.

The 20-year -old Guyanese was born on August 20, 1995 and is a Gospel Rap artiste who records at A.J. Records.

He gets the nickname ‘Disi’ from his youth leader, who started calling him ‘Rondisimo’ in his early days of rapping at church concerts and church productions.

‘Disi’ has been following music all of his life, and dropped his first single on the social media ‘app’, Facebook, back in 2012. He has released multiple singles from an album in production called “Royalty”.

He has performed with Music Unlimited and Solid Youth, and is currently featured on gospel singer extraordinaire, Samuel Medas’ new album, “Ink of

Rondel Holder

Intimacy”.

‘Disi’ currently attends The University of Guyana, where he is pursuing a degree in Medical Technology while on attachment at The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Asked what he does when not recording music, working or at school, he said he could be found on the basketball court “getting some

shots in.” He is a basketball player on UG’s Under-23 club team, UG Trojans where he plays at centre position.

He credits his rap influences to icons like Lecrae,Tedashii, Flame and JB, and hopes, within the next five years, to be on tour, performing with every one of them. ‘Disi’ currently has a mix-tape also in production, which he hopes to release any day now along with the finished version of ‘Royalty’.

He is currently ironing out a contract with a Barbadian music label. ‘Disi’ has snagged a spot in the upcoming Gospel Fest Guyana 2016 Praise under the Open Sky concert on February 23. This promises to be a big year for fans of the young talented artiste and he assures the Guyanese public that he will not disappoint.

Rihanna’s new album

AFTER years of rampant speculation and false starts, Rihanna’s long-awaited eighth studio album, ANTI, is now available.

It’s the Bajan pop star’s first LP since 2012’s ‘Unapologetic’, and it’s coming on the heels of “Work”, the Drake-featured single she released earlier today.

A January 26 report from Billboard suggested that the album would be released as a surprise some time before Friday, January 29, about a month before Rihanna’s ANTI World Tour (with Travi$ Scott and The Weeknd) kicks off in San Diego. The artwork was designed by Roy Nachum.

The album was accidentally uploaded to Tidal’s servers earlier this evening, giving quick-fingered fans a chance to share the tracklist and full versions of every song.

The whole thing is available on Tidal now, a likely consequence of the album’s widespread leak a few hours ago.

ANTI will stream exclusively on Tidal for one full week, and a deluxe version of the album, with three bonus tracks, will be made available today.

The service is also making a limited number of complimentary download codes available to subscrib-

ers and non-subscribers alike, all of which come with a 60-day free Tidal trial. (The codes are being offered through a partnership with Rihanna and Samsung.

Once all of the codes are used up, the album wi l l be m ade available for public purchase through Tidal’s download store.)

CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER For about half a decade, you could set your watch to Rihanna’s regular November album releases. She released new LPs (Rated R, Loud, Talk That Talk, and Unapologetic, respectively) with the support of a handful of massive singles every year, between 2009 and 2012.

That consistency made her musical silence throughout 2013 and 2014 seem even more curious.

Producers and writers talked about the recording process, and she tweeted the occasional studio clip, but she didn’t release any new music whatsoever.

It wasn’t until January 2015 that a potential ANTI single was released, the Kanye West/ Paul McCartney feature, “FourFiveSeconds”.

(It didn’t end up making the album.) A chunk of new Rihanna music became available in March of the same year, but it didn’t have anything to do with the album; it was recorded for Home, an animated movie that featured the star’s vocal work.

The single, “Bitch Better Have My Money” kicked ANTI hype back into gear over the summer, but the gap between its release and the full album’s availability ended up lasting months, rather than weeks. (It didn’t make the album either.) The album’s title and cover were revealed in October 2015, and it was further promoted with a series of magazine cover stories and a mysterious Samsung-affiliated alternate reality game before finally coming to life in 2016.

(Source:theverge.com)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 29, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer

N O VA K D j o k o v i c a d vanced to his sixth Australian Open final with a 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Roger Federer.

The world number one dominated the first two sets with some superb hitting, and then had to hold off a spirited Federer fightback.

It is the third straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has beaten the Swiss, prolonging Federer’s wait for an 18th major title.

Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final.

The Serb has beaten British number one Murray in the final on three previous occasions, including last year’s four-set victory.

Before the match, much attention had focused on the first set, with Federer never

having beaten Djokovic in a best-of-five match having dropped the opener.

But it was barely a contest as Djokovic twice broke the world number three in his opening three service games.

Pummelling Federer with deep groundstrokes and using clever changes of pace to induce 12 unforced errors from his opponent, the Serb wrapped up the set inside 23 minutes.

And he was no less dominant in the second, decisively breaking to love in the third game as he threatened to hand a rattled Federer one of his worst ever defeats.

Not since a 2001 loss to Andre Agassi at the US Open had Federer been limited to just three games in the first two sets.

But just when a Djokovic victory seemed inevitable, somehow Federer managed to reverse the momentum of the match to take the third set.

The 34-year-old held his opening three service games then seized his opportunity in a mammoth sixth game, missing three break points before finally breaking Djokovic at the fourth opportunity.

The fourth set was closely contested as a resurgent Federer threatened to extend Djokovic to five sets for the first time since their epic meeting in the 2014 Wimbledon final.

But a poor game at 3-4 ultimately proved costly as Djokovic broke and then served out to love to edge ahead 23-22 in his rivalry with Federer.

Novak Djokovic

Gayle, Russell, Narine to be included in Windies T20 squad CONTRARY to recent reports, both West Indies stars Andre Russell and Chris Gayle are expected to be included in the regional squad ahead of the ICC World Twenty20.

While the squad is yet to be named officially by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) speculation arose that the duo had been left out of the squad.

The decision would have been a controversial one, as Gayle is arguable the most valued commodity in the game, while Russell is currently one of the world’s most sought-after players.

Russell emerged as one of the leading players for Sydney Thunder in the Australia Big Bash League (BBL) as they wrapped up the BBL title last week,

Chris Gayle scoring 185 runs at a strike rate of 186 while taking 16 wickets with his pace bowling.

Despite currently being suspended from international cricket, Windies mystery spinner Sunil Narine has also been included in the squad.

A l l - ro u n d e r D a r re n Sammy, who led the West Indies to the T20 World Cup title four years ago in Sri Lanka and into the semi-finals in Bangladesh in 2014, has been re-appointed skipper.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

WICB CEO sees bigger opportunities for ‘Super50’ tournament WEST Indies Cricket Board (WICB) CEO, Michael Muirhead, is optimistic about what the Super50 tournament can achieve in a few years.

This follows a successful end to its flagship regional one-day international tournament, the NAGICO Super50, which ended last Saturday (January 23) in Trinidad and Tobago where the defending 2015 champions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force took the title.

The CEO is delighted at the opportunities this tournament presents and he indicated that in future years “there is a direct opportunity for corporate partners to align themselves with the WICB”.

The tournament, which has been held under the NAGICO banner in the last three years, has had a number of positives; “We are

WICB CEO Michael Muirhead hoping to improve on some of the issues we encountered.”

Darren Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago Red Force) was the top scorer with 274 runs, while Sulieman Benn (Barbados Pride) was the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets.

Jon-Russ Jaggesar (TT Red Force), Damion Jacobs (Jamaica Scorpions), Delorn Johnson (Wind-

ward Island Volcanoes) and Veerasammy Permaul (Guyana Jaguars) all finished the tournament with 14 wickets each.

According to statistics shared by the WICB, three of the existing Franchises had at least three players making debuts: Jaguars - Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd and Kevon Boodie; Scorpions - Brandon King, Aldane Thomas and Jermaine Harrison; Pride - Roston Chase, Justin Greaves and Dane Currency.

The invited ICC Americas gave an overall creditable performance. They had two games in which they scored over 200 runs and some of their other games were lost in close encounters.

“The potential for this tournament is tremendous, and in keeping with the Board’s policy on selection,

this pool of players will form the platform from which the West Indies ODI final team is selected for international home and away series,” reiterated the CEO. The ODI Tri-Nation series, featuring South Africa, Australia and the West Indies, will be held in June this year and the “best available eligible players will be selected”.

The CEO was adamant that the 9th place ranking in World ODI was not something he wants on the record for much longer and he hopes for gradual improvement over the short to medium term.

The schedule over the next few weeks is as follows: The four-day PCL resumes on Thursday, February 11 after which the men’s and women’s teams will participate in the ICC World T20 in India.

West Indies U-19s bow into action with stiff England test The West Indies U-19 team bows into action this evening at 11:00 pm (ECT) 10:00 pm (GMT) against England.

The regional side’s coach, Graeme West, is confident his charges will put up a good performance.

While the team were destroyed by Bangladesh in their first three warm-up games, they rebounded to thrash Scotland by 148 runs and play to an exciting tie with South Africa.

In the warm-up game against Scotland, the Caribbean side produced two centuries to post a massive 342, with Guyana’s Tevin Imlach scoring an even 100 (retired hurt) and cap-

WI U-19 Captain Shimron Hetmyer

tain, Shimron Hetmyer, slamming 136.

In the tied game against South Africa, though not as impressive on the scoresheet, there were promising performances from Keacy Carty (St. Maarten) – 45, Mi-

chael Frew (Jamaica) – 33 and Imlach – 24. That match was reduced to 35 overs. Both teams scored 153 runs – WI lost nine wickets; while South Africa lost four.

The West Indies find themselves in Group C with England, Fiji and Zimbabwe.

“The squad has worked incredibly hard over the last three weeks,” said West.

“The three-match series against Bangladesh provided the team with a challenging first assignment but a great deal of learning took place and progress could be seen in the two warm up games against Scotland and South Africa.”

According to West, the players are now more focussed on their specific roles and responsibilities.

That focus has meant the team has grown and the bond they developed from a training camp in Grenada ahead of the Christmas season is now stronger than ever.

The coach also believes that having a captain with the experience Hetmyer has, will also put the team in good stead.

“Hetmyer having appeared in a World Cup before, he will help to inspire the team to rise to the occasion and put on a show to make every cricket fan in the Caribbean proud,” said West.

RHT Farfan and Mendes U-15 team dedicate championship to memory of Derek Mendes

THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under-15 team have dedicated their title to the late Derek Mendes, founder of Farfan and Mendes.

The team last Sunday defeated Blairmont in the Tenelec final by 112 runs, and in the process reclaimed the Berbice Championship.

The championship was the fifth major title that the team have won since Farfan and Mendes came on board with the club in 1997.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in an invited comment stated that the members of the team were saddened at the sudden passing of Mendes and were determined to win the final in his memory.

Farfan and Mendes has pumped over $3M into the team and has played a major role in the careers of players like Test player Assad Fudadin, ODI player Royston Crandon, West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle, Khemraj Mahadeo, Delbert Hicks, Abdel Fudadin, Plaffina Millington, Dominic Rekhi, Shawn Pereira among others.

The current team, which has a rich pool of talent and with players like the highly talented Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Brandon Corlette, Chanderpaul Govindan and Surendra Budhoo, the future of the RHTYSC is secure.

Farfan and Mendes recently renewed its cricket sponsorship for 2016 and according to Foster, heavy emphasis would be placed on making sure that each junior cricketer develops to fulfil his/her true potential.

The club would also be renaming its Cricketer-ofthe-Year award the Derek Mendes Memorial Under-15 Cricketer Award.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Ansa McAl’s ‘Crown Your Ming’s Products and Community’ promotion launched Services renews sponsorship of Yamaha Caribs

DISTRIBUTING giant Ansa McAl, behind its STAG Beer brand yesterday at the 704 Sports Bar, launched its ‘Crown Your Community’ promotion.

Known for loving for football, which is demonstrated through sponsorship for majority of the tournaments played locally, including the GFF Elite League, this will be the second time the company is behind the initiative that will see $3M go towards renovation of a football ground.

Linden, New Amsterdam, Essequibo, East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, and Berbice are the areas being targeted.

Consumers who reside in

those areas will be asked to place their Stag Beer crowns in specially marked boxes at various STAG bars and drinking outlets, and the community that produces the heaviest box will be deemed the winner at the end of a two-month period.

There will also be a social media aspect to the promotion where the ground with the most likes at the end of each week will see Ansa McAl do a promotion at a handpicked bar by the community in an effort to raise the count of crowns in the community.

“While these are community grounds they are also football grounds and are part of the development process of

football. A sport that we have been heavily involved in is something that we are happy about; it is our way for giving back to the community and to sport in a major way,” said Ansa McAl Public Relations Manager Darshnie Yussuf.

Linden Henry, STAG Beer Brand Manager, is optimistic of a successful competition and is looking forward to see which community will be crowned a winner.

Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden benefited from the inaugural event in 2011 with $2.4M spent on resurfacing and $600 000 on securing a lawn mower for the venue.

Representatives from the football fraternity and Ansa McAl officials at yesterday’s launch

GBTI onboard for Inter-secondary tape-ball tourney

THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last Wednesday launched the third edition of its Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) Inter-secondary school tapeball competition.

The competition would be played by four secondary schools based in the Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant areas and would be played as part of the RHTY&SC ‘Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Crime and Say Yes to Education and Sports’ campaign.

Secretary/CEO of the club, Hilbert Foster, stated that the tapeball competition would be contested at both the male and female levels by the Lower Corentyne, J.C Chandisingh, Corentyne Comprehensive and Port Mourant Secondary schools.

Players have to be under the age of 17 and must be born on or after the first of September 1999.

The main aims of the tournament are to promote positive social messages, to promote cricket as a safe alternative to a life on the road and to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary.

The RHTY&SC would also be using the tournament to identify new cricketing talents for the club’s junior and female cricket teams. Foster disclosed that the club during 2016 would be hosting numerous cricket tournaments at the primary and secondary school, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Second

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) assistant organising secretary, Ravin Kissionlall, receives the sponsorship cheque from Ms Ramdeo.

Division and Female levels, as it continues its massive cricket development programme, the main objective being to lift the standard of the game in Berbice.

Foster expressed gratitude to the management and staff of GBTI for their continued sponsorship of the tournament and issued an assurance that it would be well organised and would achieve all the objectives set.

Manager of the GBTI’s Port Mourant branch, Ghoeblall Mahadeo, stated that the bank was pleased to partner with the RHTY&SC once again, as it was very impressed with the hosting of the first two tourna-

ments.

GBTI, Mahadeo noted, is fully aware of its corporate responsibilities, and as such, special emphasis is placed on education, sport and youth development.

Mahadeo congratulated the RHTYSC for its outstanding work that targets youths and urged the organisation to uphold the high standard it has set itself in the past.

The top teams in the tournament would win trophies and other prizes, while the outstanding performers would take home trophies and medals.

MING’S Products and Services Ltd renewed its sponsorship of Yamaha Caribs Rugby Club by donating a set of new uniforms, during a simple ceremony that was conducted recently, at the Company’s head office on Urquhart Street in Kingston.

At the occasion, Technical Director of the company, Colin Ming, disclosed that the association with the club commenced in 1992 after being approached by Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, who had asked the company to assist the club and the relationship has remained strong until now.

The Caribs, once one

of the best teams in the country, has been plagued by migration and other negative circumstances that have evidently affected its dominance on the local scene, but executive member Walter George said that the club will be making a concerted effort to regain the lofty status it held in the past.

Ming urged captain of the team, Akeem Fraser, to do all in his power to return the club to some semblance of success in 2016.

George, in his comments, thanked the company for its continued support over the years, adding that from his little knowledge about the entity’s activities, he knows that many athletes

and sports bodies have consistently benefited from its goodwill.

They (Ming’s) have given assistance to individual athletes and organisations and have not restricted their support to a few disciplines, but all those whom they feel merit their assistance.

George, a former national player now retired, wished the company well in its business endeavours and urged persons and other businesses to support the entity.

Among other persons present were Director John Chin, Finance Director Audrey Ford and Yamaha Caribs’ Robin Roberts.

Ming’s Products and Services Ltd proprietor, Stanley Ming, makes the presentation to captain Akeem Fraser while other club officials look on.

GHB AGM set for January 30

THE Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Hockey Board will be held tomorrow at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion beginning at 14:00hrs.

High on the agenda will be the election of office-bearers for the years 2016/2017.

The president’s and secretary’s reports will be presented as well as the report of the auditor. There will also be the election of auditors.

The board’s incumbent executives are: Philip Fernandes (president); Ivor Thompson and Rawle Davson (vice-presidents); Tricia Fiedtkou (secretary); Devin Hooper (treasurer) and Jonelle Webster (asst. secretary/treasurer).

The committee members are Gail Harding and Brian Asregado.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

National Beach Soccer League kicks off on Sunday in Linden

NATIONAL Beach Soccer Championship, which gets underway on January 31 in Linden, was officially launched yesterday.

The tournament will feature ten teams – six from Linden, two from Georgetown, while the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara will have one representative each.

The Guyana Beach Soccer Association (GBSA) teamed up with title sponsor Corona Beer, through

distributor Top Brandz.

“Top Brandz Promotions continues to be engaged in all aspects of Guyanese culture; sport and to some extent information,” said Bobby Vieira, representing Corona Beer.

Vieira added that officials of Top Brandz “feel that it is important that they place some emphasis in working with the community to ensure that there is response, that there is camara-

derie within everything that they do. Of course they have a product which they market, distribute and they sell and they want to be able to give back to the community”.

Vieira stated.

Rollin Tappin, in thanking Corona Beer for partnering with the GBSA, said that the partnership is of more importance to the development of Beach Soccer in Guyana, than just a league, since with the right people and

enterprise, the sport played only on sand, will see a boost.

“We want to really cement this sport in a way that is going to breathe consistent development and by extension will lead to Guyana putting out a very good team out there to represent it,” the GBSA president said “We are quite happy for partnering with Corona Beer and to really launch this tournament and we want all to embrace this

new philosophy of beach soccer … beach soccer is a sport that gives multiple attributes, it builds your fitness, it builds your athletic ability and all the different facets and of course your various skill sets, going into the larger version of the game,” Tappin pointed out.

The championship will be played in two rounds, over an 18-day period. Matches will be played every Sunday at the Bayroc

Community Centre Beach Soccer facility and at Kuru Kururu on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

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

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

Participating teams and sponsors at the launch of the National Beach Soccer League

$700 000 up for grabs in Unity Cricket Softball ... Trophy Stall on board SEVEN hundred thousand dollars will be up for grabs in the Unity Cricket Softball matches at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday in five exciting games from 10:00hrs in the first major softball event to be held there.

The Open 10/10 semi-finals involving Berbice Karibee Rice Boyz, Essequibo, Regal and Wolf Warriors will be played for a first-place prize of $200 000, runners-up $100 000, third place $50 000 and fourth place $50 000.

The winners of the semi-finals will clash in a grand final at 16:30hrs.

Berbice Masters and their Demerara counterparts will compete for a winners’ prize of $100 000 while the runners-up get $50 000.

Berbice Karibee Rice Girls face off with Demerara Girls with the winners taking home $100 000 and the losers collecting $50 000 in what should be a riveting affair.

A Fun Day for children will also be held on the tarmac while the feature event pits the top players in West Indies T20 playing for $1M and the President’s trophy.

This game will showcase West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Jason Holder, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Rajendra Chandrika among others.

Tickets for all three events cost $3 000 and will allow you entry into any stand while children under 12 years will get into the ground free but cannot take up a seat in the stands.

Tickets can be purchased at Gizmos & Gadgets, E-Networks, GCC pavilion, Tiyo’s Future Store (Anna Catherina & Parika), Shopper’s Pharmacy (Giftland Mall), Lenny’s (Mon Repos, East Coast), Debbie’s Bar (E/C), Andrew’s Supermarket (South Ruimveldt), Kester D Music (Charlotte St, GT), Big Bs (Rosignol West Berbice), Little Rock Hotel (N/Amsterdam), Poonai’s Pharmacy (Rose Hall Town Corentyne Berbice), M&Ms (Harbour Bridge).

Meanwhile, Trophy Stall has contributed the President’s trophy for the T20, along with the Man-of-the-Match trophy, the winners’ trophy for the Demerara against Berbice Masters match and Man-of-the-Match in that game.

Trophy Stall is also providing the Championship trophy for the Female game and for the Player-of-the-Match, along with the uniforms for the Demerara female team.

Regal and Berbice are the latest teams to announce their squads.

Regal: Chien Gittens (captain) Richard Latiff, Kawson Joseph, Navin Singh, Safraz Esau, Roohit Dutchin, Delroy Pereira, Sewchand Budhu, Fazal Rafee, Sachin Singh, Ameer Nizamu-

ally, Krishnanand Balgobin, Darshan Challitar, Seon Hetmeyer, Seeindra Marimutoo, Anthony Ramoutar, Heetar

Gobin, Oliver Giddings, Chandrashakker Arjune, Javed Mohamed, manager/coach Delbert Hicks.

Volleyball programme set for Orealla/Siparuta

James Bond of 007 Promotions (left) collects the President’s trophy from Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall. din, Ricky Sargeant, Pritvinath Motielall, Balram Roopnaraine, Tyrone Sanasie, Clive Grimmond (coach), Mahendra Arjune (manager)

Berbice Karibee Rice Boyz: Jason Sinclair, Rajiv Ivan, Keon Sinclair, David Looknauth, John Percival, Balram Samaroo, Ray Jafer-

A 60-MEMBER delegation drawn from the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will today open a three-day outreach programme in the Amerindian communities of Orealla and Siparuta, some 70 miles up the Corentyne River.

The delegation will be headed by the association’s president Levi Nedd and will include players and officials.

According to a release from the BVA, the main trust of the programme, which concludes on Sunday, will be to participate in a full-fledged volleyball programme that will include seminars and workshops dealing with coaching and refereeing.

Another focus of the outreach is to enhance the playing of beach and female volleyball as well as to get more youths involved in the sport.

A number of top Berbice teams, including five male teams and a female team, will be making the trip to impart

BVA president Levi Nedd their skills and participate in a two-day tournament.

The teams that are making the trip are: Port Mourant Training School, Port Mourant Jaguars, Albion United, D’Edward Three Door Strikers, #53 Survivors and the lone female team Black Birds.

The tournament is expected to involve 22 teams, 16 of which will be drawn from the Orealla and Siparuta areas. At the end of the competition, volleyball nets and balls will be presented to the host teams.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday January 29, 2016

Grass Track is back!

Corona & Sheik Yassen Promotions launch 2016 season

By Stephan Sookram GRASS TRACK racing fans will be in for a treat this year when Sheik Yassen Promotions teams up with Top Brandz, through their Corona Beer brand, for the 2016 championship, which was officially launched yesterday.

The seven-leg event will see riders compete in the traditional event over single days of action, commencing with the first leg on February 28 at the Ogle Community Centre ground.

Round one will feature 11 races on the day with two special races titled ‘Newcomers’, which will see street bikes, that have been properly stripped of lights, fenders and other hazardous parts, compete.

During Thursday’s launch Sheik Yassen, contended that the re-emergence of structured grass track racing has been on the cards for a while.

“The revitalisation of grass track in Guyana I think is very important, being a former rider. We’ve realised that grass track has been dormant for a while and as such, we have decided to restart grass track in its proper way in Guyana,” said Yassen.

He noted that the prerequisite medical and other features will be installed to

ensure that riders and marshals alike are safe, adding, that events will follow in Berbice, Essequibo, Linden and along the East Coast of Demerara before the final leg at Ogle.

President of the Ogle Community Centre ground, Alim Mohamed, stated that Ogle is pleased to be re-associated with grass track, especially knowing of its long history with the sport and the events that were held there.

Representative of Top Brandz, Bobby Vieira, added that the company is always pleased to be on-board with sport initiative.

“Over the years, Corona Beer has been a stalwart in the marketplace and we look forward to remaining that way.

While we do so, we hope to indulge in helping and promoting sporting activities in particular and the indigenous sports that have had a lull for a while,” contended Vieira.

Veteran rider Brian McIntosh commented that the resurgence of the sport and the inclusion of the newcomers’ race mean that all persons with a bike fit for the event can participate.

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded for the first-, second- and third-place finishers, while fourth through sixth will receive cash prizes only.

NOTABLE DATES

ADRIAN Dodson (Carew) won his 17 professional fights and remained unbeaten when his opponent Rachid Serdjane was disqualified in round five for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The fight was staged on January 29, 1997 at the York Hall in London, England.

Referee Marcus McDonnell called a halt to the contest at two minutes and 41 Adrian Dodson seconds of the fifth round to retire in the fifth round. . after the Algerian-born SerThe southpaw later chaldjane failed to get up from a lenged for the Commonlow blow. The Algerian was wealth title in October 1999 TKOed by another Guyanese but was disqualified in the in his next fight, as Howard 12th round for biting CanaEastman won in the seventh dian Alain Bonnamie. round.

Dodson won the lowDodson once trained at ly regarded International the West End Gym in Tiger Boxing Organisation (IBO) Bay before leaving for En- super middleweight title on gland. He was undefeated in March 3, 2001 following 18 fights when he met World a third-round knockout Boxing Organisation super of Paul Jones. He then welterweight champion Ron- lost the crown in his first ald `Winky’ Wright in De- defence. cember 1997 but was forced

Meanwhile Sheik Yassen Promotions has committed to inducting some of the past legends into a Hall-of-Fame, starting with seven persons in captain Mazar Mazaharally, McIntosh, Kevin Jeffrey, Victor Pires, Stanley Ming, Terrance Clarke and Mahesh Premsukh.

From (L-R) Hall of Fame inductees and veteran riders Terrance Clarke and Brian McIntosh, president of Sheik Yassen Promotions Sheik Yassen, Top Brandz Bobby Vieira, Ogle Community Centre president Alim Mohamed and the chairman of the proceedings Rudi Balgobind.

WICB CEO sees bigger opportunities for ‘Super50’ tournament

WICB CEO Michael Muirhead

See Story on page 28

National Beach Soccer League kicks off on Sunday in Linden Ansa McAl’s ‘Crown Your Community’ promotion launched See Story on page 30

See Story on page 29

$700 000 up for grabs in Unity Cricket Softball See Story on page 30

Grass Track is back!

See Story on page 29

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016