Chronicle 03 5 2016

CAMP St CALM No. 104482

SATURDAY MARCH 5, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…inmates promise to keep the peace after top-level govʼt intervention

I'm sorry

Minister of State Joseph Harmon greets one of the prisoners in the presence of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

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Camp St Prison boss, Kevin Pilgrim

Camp Street prisoners protesting their living conditions

► Maximum security prison needed-President

► Families of victims to be compensated ► Three-man CoI panel in place ► Deputy Prison Director sent on leave

► The calm after the storm

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

Maximum security prison needed ‒ says President Granger

By Fareeza Haniff PRESIDENT David Granger has noted Guyana’s need for a maximum security prison. This follows three days of rioting inside the country’s main prison, the Georgetown Prisons, which has left 17 persons dead and others injured.

“What we’re contemplating is ensuring there is a correctional facility which can guarantee the security of high-risk prisoners without allowing the outbreak of the type of violence we’ve seen,” the Head of State said during his weekly programme, The Public Interest.

Initial reports suggest that high-risk prisoners encouraged others to participate in the protests, which saw them on Wednesday night setting nine fires using mattresses and lighters smuggled into the prison.

“Some persons might have to be put in a maximum security prison. All prisons are not the same,” the President stated.

He noted that there are two low security prisons -- at Lusignan and Timehri, with the main prison being the one at Camp Street, where the riots erupted, and others at Mazaruni and in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

“We obviously now have to move to a maximum security prison, because what seems to have happened is that maximum security prisoners are contaminating the atmosphere in the prison system, and might be instigating non-violent prisoners to do violent things or to perpetuate a present crisis,” the President said.

He said the New Amsterdam, Georgetown and Mazaruni prisons were constructed over a century ago, thus the need to improve the physical infrastructure of these facilities.

“We have to have a maximum security prison, and it is the responsibility of the State, I can’t run from that responsibility. So the State will have to consider what has happened, and put something in place to ensure there is no recurrence.

The physical infrastructure has to be improved,” the President emphasised.

He acknowledged that prisons in Guyana are not modern and are overcrowded, especially the Georgetown and New Amsterdam prisons.

In this regard, the President mentioned the delays in the criminal justice system which, he noted, prevents cases from being heard quickly.

The Georgetown Prison

The Georgetown Prisons

President David Granger

was built to accommodate 600 persons, but currently houses almost 1,000. “It is a congested situation,” he said.

The President also acknowledged that persons on remand for prolonged periods would become frustrated.

“So it is not a prison problem alone; it’s the entire justice system. We’ve got to make sure that the cases are heard, we’ve got to make sure there is proper staffing at the Guyana Prison Service, and we’ve got to make sure that the facilities improve. So there is no shortterm fix, but we are going to work in the middle term to make sure that those three major issues are rectified,” the Head of State noted.

SHORTAGE OF PRISON OFFICERS President Granger is con-

cerned about the quality of prison officers in the system.

He admitted that there “may be a few corrupt officers… I cannot judge.”

During a raid at the Camp Street Prison on Wednesday, a total of 19 cellphones along with a quantity of marijuana were discovered in cells. Superintendent of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim has admitted that some prison officers may be corrupt, and help to smuggle illicit items in.

The President said the quality of training, together with improved remuneration for prison officers, will have to be reviewed. “…it is quite evident that persons were able to slip cell phones and other contraband items into the cells. How could they set the mattresses on fire? They

had to have some matches.

In fact, it is because of the attempt of prison officials to remove contraband items that the disturbance might have broken out in the first place,” President Granger said.

He added: “It is quite clear that the contraband items, which have found their way in such large quantities into the cells, had to be done either due to the laxity or the inefficiency of the prison service, or with the complicity of members of the prison service.

“So the human element is very important, and we are paying attention to that.

So we have to recruit honest, hardworking prison officers in sufficient numbers if we are to get on top of this problem,” the President said.

He revealed that there is

a major shortage of officers at the Mazaruni Prison, a situation which the Government has to rectify before any thought is given to possibly transferring prisoners there to ease the overcrowding at Camp Street.

“There is a shortage of prison officers; it is not a very attractive profession, and we are working out means of having persons perhaps serve a little longer, so that there is not a rapid turnover of staff.

“So we have to solve that situation there, and we have to ensure that the physical infrastructure at Mazaruni conforms with the requirements of a maximum security prison.”

He said the pressure on the Georgetown Prison is too great, and has become unsustainable.

Compensation for families of prison riot victims

By Neil Marks THE State is considering compensation for the families of the 17 men who died in Thursday’s prison riot, with President David

Granger saying, “On the part of the Government of Guyana, we deeply regret the loss of life.

“The families could be assured that the government is aware of the plight they

might be facing at this time and we will do our best to relieve their discomfort,” the President said during a recording of his weekly television programme, The Public Interest.

Prisoners awaiting trial began a protest Wednesday evening after the police and army seized mobile phones and ganja during a usual monthly raid for illegal items within the prison walls.

They set nine fires, using mattresses, on Wednesday evening, but a new fire mid-morning Thursday

engulfed the Capital A section, causing the deaths of the 17 men.

“This is certainly the worst prison riot we have had in Guyana, but we never expected any disturbance in the prison would degenerate to what we’ve seen over the last couple of days,” the President said.

The police and army are currently battling a new round of protest in the prison. The prison was built to accommodate 600 prisoners, but the population is almost 1, 000.

The arrangements to

A relative of one of the inmates of the Camp Street prison reacts after news broke Thursday that several prisoners had died (Samuel Maughn photo)

bring “relief” to the families of the men who died in the riot will be finalised following discussions between the President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.

The President said the relief package was being considered, “even though these are persons who might have been there [because of]

criminal purposes”. “… the State would like to assert that we are responsible for the lives of all of our citizens and the children of those victims.

So I would be discussing with the Minister of Public Security how we can extend some relief to those families,” the President stated.

CAMP St CALM 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

…inmates promise to keep the peace after top-level gov’t intervention

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, being briefed by Police Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken before attending a meeting with the prisoners on Friday

Story by Ariana Gordon with photos from Delano Williams A STATE of normalcy has returned to the Georgetown Prison following the intervention of top level government officials, which has quelled several days of unrest that have left seventeen prisoners dead and several others injured.

The unrest began in the Capital Section of the prison on Wednesday after a number of prisoners on remand for murder and gun-related crimes were being relocated to another section of the Camp Street facility. On Friday, Government committed to address the concerns facing inmates located at the Camp Street jail. Third Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of State Joseph Harmon met with approximately twelve prisoners at the Prison’s Sports Club, located opposite the penitentiary, to hear their problems and find solutions to them.

A heavy police presence was evident outside the Georgetown Prison on Friday morning as inmates protested what they perceive to be deplorable conditions

A police officer aims his gun during the Georgetown Prison unrest on Friday

This meeting followed another round of rioting on Friday morning. During this phase, which began at about 06:30h, the inmates demanded improved conditions and requested to meet with Minister Ramjattan to air their concerns.

The prisoners have blamed the prison officers for the deaths of their fellow inmates, and made it clear that they were not attempting to escape. “We ain’t gonna get away…we ain’t gonna do duh, but dem banna kill dem boys in hay!” one prisoner remarked during the meeting with ministers Harmon and

An injured inmate being escorted to a waiting ambulance on Friday morning following unrest at the Georgetown Prison

Ramjattan.

The Public Security Minister committed to meeting some of the basic needs of the prisoners, who alleged that they were subjected to inhumane treatment. After listening to the complaints, Ramjattan said there may very well be credibility in some of the allegations, but government has established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate all allegations levelled against prison officers.

“They had quite a lot of grievances; a lot of grievances with the conditions of the prisons, some of the officers of the prison, lengthy detention periods, they are not having trials, certain magistrates and judges. Some of them have a different story as to what caused the entire incident to be so heightened to the extent that it caused deaths and so on,” Ramjattan told reporters.

The Minister asserted that meeting and listening to the concerns of the prisoners does not demonstrate a weakness on the part of the administration, as it may be viewed by some. He noted that it is important for the senior hierarchy of government to understand the plight of those incarcerated.

“Absolutely not! It is meeting them to meet their

A prisoner makes a point as he and fellow inmates leave the Georgetown Prison Service Sports Club to return to the Georgetown Prison after meeting with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday morning

demands,” exclaimed Ramjattan in response to a question about showing weakness.

He asserted that the meeting was useful. “It is a useful thing talking to them, hearing their versions, too, at our level. At some times, indeed, they could be speaking to the prison authorities and the prison authorities listening to them but not acting. We need, at our level, to meet and talk to them. It is very useful information we got this morning. They seem all to be very credible in what they are saying. Now that we are in a better position, we are going to act on these things,” the Minister added.

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION Ramjattan accepted that some of the concerns raised by the prisoners can be addressed immediately, and he said government will move

to ensure that changes are made.

The prisoners spoke to the poor quality of food; inability to speak with relatives, as insufficient time is provided by prison officers; and inhumane treatment.

“Those matters that can be dealt with administratively

or at the ministerial level we are going to deal with them almost forthwith… Those that are going to be dealt with more technically -- getting evidence and all of that -- will be dealt with by the commission of inquiry,” said the Minister of Public Security.

Turn to page 7 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Donald Trump defends size of his penis DONALD Trump assured American voters on Thursday night that, despite what Marco Rubio had suggested, there was “no problem” with the size of his hands -- or anything else.

“Look at those hands; are they small hands?” the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination asked as he raised them for viewers to see. “And he referred to my hands: ‘If they’re small, something else must be small’. I guarantee you there’s

no problem. I guarantee!”

Rubio, in recent days, revived a decades-old insult, mocking Trump for having relatively slight hands. “He’s always calling me Little Marco. And I’ll admit he’s taller than me. He’s like 6’2, which is why I don’t understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 5’2,” Rubio said in Virginia on Sunday.

“And you know what they say about men with small hands? You can’t trust

them.”

The New York billionaire has heard similar comments about his hands; or, more precisely, his fingers, for years.

As Vanity Fair’s Graydon Carter recalled online last year: “Just to drive him a little bit crazy, I took to referring to him as a ‘short-fingered vulgarian’ in the pages of Spy magazine. That was more than a quarter of a century ago.”

(CNN)

DONALD TRUMP

Marriage of Pakistani girl, 10, halted PAKISTANI police say they have halted the marriage of a 10-yearold girl, who was due to wed a 14-year-old boy to end a dispute between their families.

Local village elders had ordered the marriage after the girl’s brother

was accused of killing his wife.

Correspondents say “vani” marriages, where a woman is ordered to marry to settle the crime of a relative, are illegal but remain common in Pakistan.

Police say they have

The UN says South Asia has the highest rates of child marriage in the world (file photo) arrested four village elders over the case.

The vani marriage had been due to take place in Punjab’s Rahimyar Khan District on Friday, but was

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stopped after police raided the village.

Officers were still searching for nearly 20 other suspects, police official Chaudhry Yasin told

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the BBC. The girl’s brother was accused of killing his wife after he had suspected her of an affair.

He was arrested, and is currently in jail. Following his arrest, a council of local village elders, known as a panchayat, was called to settle the conflict between the two families.

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Both families belong to the minority Hindu community living in Rahimyar Khan, Chaudhry Yasin said.

The panchayat ruled that the 10-year-old girl should marry the 14-yearold boy, who was a relative of the victim, in order to settle the dispute.

Under Pakistani law, relatives of a murder victim have the right to pardon the perpetrator in return for blood money or a compromise, the BBC’s Milyas Khan in Islamabad reports.

Both honour killings and vani marriages remain common in Pakistan, with perpetrators from poorer and less influential sections of society most likely to be prosecuted, our correspondent adds.

In January, a bill that proposed raising the legal age of marriage for women from 16 to 18 was withdrawn after a religious body, the Council of Islamic Ideology, described the bill as “un-Islamic”. (BBC)

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Deputy Director of Prisons sent on leave

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

–‘I’m sorry’ for what happened, says Camp Street boss

By Ravin Singh

DEPUTY Director of Prison Gladwin Samuels has been sent on immediate leave pending investigations into the tragic incident at the Camp Street Prison, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has said.

Speaking to the media on Friday at his Brickdam office, Ramjattan related that

Samuels and for both his interest and also the interest of the prison and my discretion; I indicated that it might be advisable at this stage that Mr Samuels proceed on leave,” Ramjattan said.

Coupled with this, is the fact that the administration has been calling on senior ranks to take their annual leave rather than have it accumulated.

“It is a winsome oppor-

Head of the Camp Street Prison, Kevin Pilgrim Samuel’s name was called frequently during his interactions with the prisoners to ascertain what the more pressing issues at the correctional facility are.

Noting that the decision to send the Deputy Director on his six weeks accumulated leave is “not an indictment,” the Minister stated, but that it is an opportune moment for him to proceed on leave, pending investigations at the prison.

“There were a number of prisoners who indicated a couple of things about Mr

tune moment for him to go on leave. Samuels who is the Deputy Director will be on leave for the next six weeks for good reasons, as a result of a perspective given by both the Director of Prisons, myself and Mr Harmon,” he reiterated.

On Thursday, following the death of the 17 prisoners at the Camp Street Prison, inmates at the facility were hurling insults directed at Samuels though he was absent.

ALLEGATION One inmate who identified himself by name and is currently serving a life sentence for murder, remarked that Samuels had reportedly said, during the time of the fire, “leff dem let dem burn and die.” The inmate was supported by five other prisoners who echoed similar sentiments against the Deputy Director.

However, prison officials have denied that Samuels made the remark.

But the drama did not stop there. In fact, families and relatives of some of the dead and injured inmates had protested Samuels’ alleged actions.

“We want Samuels go… this is not the first time he treating prisoners bad… he been to court already for this,” one woman shouted as she pointed to the officers’ quarters of the prison.

And this was indeed the case. In 2008, Samuels, a then Superintendent at the Georgetown Prison was placed on $500,000 bail after being charged for manslaughter of prisoner Edwin Niles.

Another Assistant Superintendent Kurt Corbin was also charged with Samuels.

Thirty-four at that time, Niles of Guyhoc Park succumbed to injuries he sustained, reportedly from a sound beating from Samuels and Corbin after he was found with a quantity of ammunition at the Camp Street prisons.

He was reported to have had seven .22 rounds of ammunition in his possession after returning to the prison from a day of labour

at Camp Ayanganna. Niles was hospitalised for nine days before he died. He was serving a three-year sentence for narcotics possession.

I’M SORRY Meanwhile, head of the Camp Street Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim on Friday, in a distraught state, apologised to the families and relatives of the 17 victims who died under his watch.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Public Security, Pilgrim said, “I would first want to say on my behalf, that I am sorry.

Sorry simply because, being in a prison environment, that is not a word that you hear very often. I know saying sorry is not an excuse.”

Highlighting that it is his mandate to preserve the lives of the inmates and those who supervise the inmates, he agreed that the situation experienced on Thursday was unfortunate.

“I don’t have to wait on an inquiry or an investigation to personally say sorry, simply because of the fact that I am responsible for a prison location and the

Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels Laws of Guyana state clearly that as an Officer-in-Charge and when you decide to take up that position of an Officer-in-Charge, you have to be responsible for everyone under your charge,” he reiterated.

The Camp Street Prison head also disclosed that the support of the Joint Service had restored some amount of normalcy at prison, and that compensation for families of the victims will be forthcoming.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Road Safety

THERE is no denying that ours is a country where road usage by vehicles is becoming more and more dangerous and catastrophic.

With the advent of an increase in newer vehicles, and recognising that our roads are not up to the standard or are capable of handling such traffic, there needs to be regulation of speed based on the condition of the roads, the pedestrian traffic, and the number of residents living there. Conditions can incorporate types of roads, rain, standing water, flood areas, etc.

Every condition based on the driver’s skill set should be suitable for all drivers, so that the least capable among us can be safe whilst navigating our roads. For instance, the passenger-ferrying vehicles, like minus buses or taxis, tend to drive faster than the average privately operated vehicle. And what must be of concern to us is that these drivers/operators, on any given day, behave more recklessly in navigating the roads when they are carrying our citizens.

It is understandable that this particular category of road users has to make a living, and this is respected and encouraged; but, at the same time, the passengers’ safety ought not to be compromised in the pursuit of earning a living.

There has to be a more organised way of picking up passengers.

Stopping before an intersection to pick up a passenger blocks the view of another driver/operator merging into traffic. Curbing this dangerous practice can be done through the establishment and acceptance of designated pick-up areas, which can lead to a more organised and civilised way of fulfilling the same need of proving a service, and minimise chances of incurring causalities or injuries.

Signs are important in road safety. They can be posted to warn of troubled areas; for example, where there is standing water, possible flood area, or aggressive corners; and can be made visible from a reasonable distance, in order that drivers can make the necessary adjustment in good time. When moving from an open road to a residential area, where there is more pedestrian traffic, speed needs to be reduced to accommodate changing conditions or environment, such as school children or elderly persons crossing the road.

Stop signs should be mandatory at schools and day care centres, catering for our children. The matter of driving under the influence needs to be looked at. It is human nature to think we can manage everything, until something goes wrong. So the key is to have a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Address prison overcrowding Dear Editor,

PRISON overcrowding leads to increased violent behaviour by inmates, and this requires urgent attention by the authorities.

The inability to provide necessary medical care and other essential services, and the practise of degrading be-

haviours, like requiring prisoners to sleep on the floor, must be addressed not only at the Camp Street Prison, but at all other prison locations.

The current state of the prison exposes prisoners to dangerous environmental conditions, like extreme heat or cold, contaminated food, and a lack of basic sanitation.

Deplorable prison conditions manufacture hardened criminals.

In regard to earlier reports about prisoners rioting because their drugs and cell phones were taken away, it’s simple. Most, if not all, contraband get into prisons through the guards and other person-

nel that work there. It’s time we have a larger and better prison built away from Georgetown, because having the prison here is a huge security risk for the residents living around the facility.

Yours respectfully, ORIN PHILLIPS

Elected councils must engage residents Dear Editor AS local government elections (LGE) approach, it is my wish that the newly installed councils understand that the dignity of people matters, and hence citizens’ involvement and participation in their development is of critical importance.

It is constitutional that, within this vital aspect of democracy, local government is organized to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing their communities. I would therefore suggest that the

contesting candidates reorient themselves with the legislation governing local government (such as the Municipal and Town Councils Act of 1998 - Chapter 28:01; Local Government Act of 1977 – Chapter 28:02 [Local Government (Amendment) Act 2015; Public Health Ordinance, among others) to ensure that they are prepared to confront the arduous task that is ahead.

Also, it is hoped that, after LGE, regular community meetings will be held and residents will have the opportunity to actively

participate in discussions on pertinent issues relevant to their communities’ needs and developmental potential, and have a say in the mechanisms through which services would be delivered.

I wish to see, also, community residents being provided with feedback, by their elected representatives, of all final decisions made at the council level. Additionally, I hope that when our elected representatives speak of consultation, it would be implemented WITH the people, FOR the people, and BY the people.

Elected representatives must always keep at the back of their minds that the “engagement of residents is a form of empowerment, and is necessary for the restoration of communities”.

Transparency, accountability, camaraderie, inclusiveness must be the new order of the day. There is much work to be done, and all hands must be on deck.

The democratically renewed councils will need our help if we are to truly restore our communities and begin to enjoy the good life that has been promised to us.

Yours faithfully, TYRONE FITZHERBERT

Community service vs incarceration Dear Editor, THE tragedy that resulted in the horrible deaths of 17 Guyanese at the seriously overcrowded Georgetown Prison this week makes me

wonder if we should not explore the wisdom and possibility of adjusting the sentencing system to allow for ‘community service’ instead of imprisonment for relatively minor and not-too-danger-

standard of control. If persons are going out with the intent to drink, they should have a designated driver or an alternative mode of transportation. If a person is caught driving above the approved blood-alcohol limit, some penalty ought to apply, and this should be graded to cater for repeat offenders.

There may be need to examine the benefit of establishing a Traffic Safety Board or organisation to go around in communities and look into safety needs based on population, geography (residential vs. open; homes on one side of road vs. both sides, proximity of home to road), frequency of accidents or injury, from which assessments can be made on what kind of safety conditions are needed; for example speed regulation, guard rails, designated cross areas with stop light.

While the Police and Traffic Department are doing a good job of enforcing the laws, there is need to go one step further to understand how to minimise risk by having better safety precautions. An organisation of this nature, even if it works with the police, has a greater role to implement safety conditions from the standpoint of the wellbeing of the community; to maximise safety and minimise risk, rather than enforcing laws through regulation,

ous breaches of the law.

I respectfully suggest that the powers-that-be should examine this alternative form of punishment, which is likely to have the same, if not better, effect than incarceration

at significantly less financial and ‘other costs’ to the society.

Regards, NOWRANG PERSAUD

as is done by the police.

Safety is also reliant on enforcing laws. Those caught speeding or driving recklessly should be penalised financially as well as be made to provide community service. The former allows government to raise revenue to implement safety regulations without raising taxes or having to penalise the regular citizens for acts of the reckless. Community service puts the violator into the community to do something productive.

Rather than be penalised through incarceration, these persons can clean up the community, help the elderly, work with the safety board, or along similar lines.

Future roads’ development ought to factor in pedestrians and cyclists. For example, these users should be designated space, rather than be made to operate in the flow of traffic.

Housing development should also factor in distance away from the road, in order to minimise the occurrence of accidents with their attendant casualties and property damage.

Road safety is everybody’s business, because the number one concern should be the life of human beings -- the most precious and irreplaceable resource. Safety in general needs to revolve around the people’s safety.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Dealing with the unchanging nature of Guyana Times Dear Editor, THE Guyana Times deems itself the “beacon of truth”, but in reality it operates just as effectively as a flashlight during high noon.

The newspaper published, in its March 4, 2016 edition, an article under the headline “Reduce GPL’s electricity tariffs by 30% – Opposition economist…says company’s

operating expenses, fuel saving warrant move”. At the conclusion of the article, it is stated: “When contacted for a comment on the matter via his mobile, Minister Patterson declined, saying, “You could write whatever you like… I always have a ‘no comment’ for you”. Minister Patterson went on to instruct this newspaper to write his secretary for any replies that

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He committed to a thorough investigation being done, and named a three-man board of inquiry to effect this. Heading that board is former Justice James Patterson, and included on that board is Merle Mendonca of the Guyana Human Rights Association and former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine.

“That board of inquiry will start as soon as possible to hear the complaints of the prisoners, and I want as many prisoners to give the evidence of what is happening and the systems in place for the purpose of remedying that which they are complaining about,” Minister Ramjattan has said.

Even as many issues are coming to the fore, the Minister noted that government has to find the necessary financial resources to ensure that the situation at the Camp Street Prison is resolved.

“They (inmates) have promised that they are going to calm down now that they have seen two senior members of government, because that is what they wanted,” Minister Ramjattan revealed; but even as the situation returned to a state of normalcy following the meeting, the Minister said the inmates made a request to meet with the media periodically.

When asked whether prison officers are likely to be removed or transferred, the Public Security Minister could only state, “It could very well be all of those, though the allegations have been made by some of the senior officers here, we would want to hear from the officers too.”

GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT Minister Harmon, for his part, has said a gentleman’s agreement has been reached between government and the prisoners. Harmon told re-

porters just outside the Camp Street Prison that government will do its best to ensure that “prisoners live and work in humane conditions that should make their lives a bit more comfortable.”

He said that while the “Prison is not a five star hotel, certainly, as a government, we need to ensure there are minimum standards. We will work to ensure this.”

The Minister of State described the meeting with the prisoners as an important step in the way forward. “We believe that it was a very useful engagement. It will benefit the entire security sector, not just the prisons,” he added.

HOLDING THE PEACE As they exited the meeting with Ministers Ramjattan and Harmon, the prisoners committed to “holding the peace”, so that government can act upon the issues raised.

“They said they will look into it and ensure who responsible pay!” one prisoner shouted while being escorted back to his cell.

“We want justice! We can’t be satisfied until we see progress…dem got to keep dem word,” another prisoner said.

The shackled prisoners have held strong that they are being ill-treated by prison officers and are living under inhumane conditions.

“Dem got to fix dem thing… dem thing ain’t right… dem don’t treat we right,” a prisoner stated.

SETTING FIRE Prior to the ministers’ visit, the prisoners had set fire to a wooden building at the Camp Street location. That fire was almost immediately extinguished.

Not satisfied, some of them managed to make their way into the yard and start a bit of ruckus

may be needed.”

The article continued, “He has been one of the most uncooperative members of the Granger Cabinet, especially with respect to divulging reliable information about the entities and their activities which fall under his portfolio, despite the continued admonition of President David Granger that his Government must be there. Many of the prisoners who were seen walking along the side of one of the buildings within the prison facility surrendered to law enforcement officials, but others continued to hurl objects at prison officers in a bid to have their voices heard.

The escalation of activities at the Camp Street Prison followed the seizure of a number of mobile devices, narcotics and other illegal items from inmates on Wednesday night.

Friday’s unrest also saw seven inmates and six prison officers being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical treatment following a standoff at the facility.

The standoff between the inmates and prison officers occurred despite heightened security in and around the facility.

In an effort to take control of the angry inmates, law enforcement officers were forced to use teargas and pellets to restrain the prisoners.

SCHOOLS AND ROADS CLOSED As news about the situation at the Georgetown Prison spread, the Ministry of Education (MoE) advised that schools in the area of the prison be closed. Parents were asked to immediately collect their children from the schools. Several of the city streets were also closed as a result of chaos at the prison, and persons were asked to stay away from the area.

A less vocal prisoner told reporters as he passed out of the Georgetown Prison’s Sports Club to return to the penitentiary that they will give government a chance to act. “They say they will change certain things and we guh wait and see.”

Many of the prisoners who met with the two ministers have accused the prison officers of being responsible for the deaths of the seventeen inmates on Thursday. According to the inmates, the prison officers had a hand to play in the deaths of the inmates who set fire to mattresses at the jail on Wednesday night.

open and transparent as well as answerable to the media and populace.”

Indeed, there have been occasions when I have refused to speak with reporters from Guyana Times. However, this decision was not a rash one, and was born out of distrust and a slowly accumulated loss of respect for this news entity.

Since being appointed as the Minister of Public Infrastructure, I have aimed to be as transparent and accountable as I possibly can. I can be contacted via my mobile at any time; and, if regrettably unavailable, questions can be directed to my secretary, public relations officer, or senior officials within the P.I Ministry. Minister within the P.I Ministry, Annette Ferguson, is also available, and also aims for transparency.

While, on one hand, we

at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure understand the importance of interacting with the media, we also firmly believe that media workers must understand and respect the importance of accurate and factual reporting. This principle does not apply just for politicians, but for every citizen. No one deserves to be misrepresented, or have their comments misconstrued in the public domain.

Fortunately, the Guyanese media have, for the most part, aimed to report accurately; and the entities that respect journalistic ethics have my full cooperation. Guyana Times, however, has been given several opportunities to do the right thing, but have, to date, failed to do so.

As a serving member of Government, it is important for me to inform the citizenry of what is happening with-

in my ministry. However, Guyana Times misinforms more than it informs. This is a dangerous practice, and one which I can no longer tolerate.

Often, comments given to this newspaper have been misrepresented, and sometimes fabricated; and requests to have inaccurate information retracted or clarified are ignored by Guyana Times.

While the situation is regrettable, it is one I fear must continue due to Guyana Times’ unchanging nature. Its reporters are nonetheless free to attend press conferences, and send in questions via email, so interactions can be clearly recorded.

Yours sincerely, DAVID PATTERSON Minister of Public Infrastructure

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

The calm after the storm ‒ residents recall their experiences of the prison riot

By Jasmaine Payne A WALK through the surrounding area of the Camp Street Prison just hours after the prisoners had calmed revealed the characteristics of a ghost town.

Homes were tightly locked, offices and businesses closed, and silent streets with barely a person in sight, except the occasional resident hastening along.

Members of the armed forces stood guarding the barricades at Hadfield, John, George and Norton Streets, while curious onlookers pushed against the steel barriers trying to get a glimpse

The Camp Street Prison and its quiet surroundings, hours after the prisoners were calmed

of the happenings from beyond. In the very centre of the barricaded area, lay the century old establishment, scorched on one end by the previous day’s tragedy, and

crowded at another by a mob of anxious family members hoping to see a relative.

Talk of what happened was still fresh on the lips of others who had gathered on

and the fire reel take long to come and I start to holler out ‘fire’. The night before they put out the fire quick, but yesterday it tek a long time to come,” she said. She recalled the sight of the bodies being transported from the building, referring to it as “sad”.

“From my nephew bedroom we could see them bring out the bodies from the back gate, they went dumping them on the landing and I see how they burn up; they hand leave up in the air and

outlying corners and shops.

Some were outraged; some were anxious to express their own theories and opinions; others became suddenly silent at the sight of approaching members of the media.

There was a seeming tenseness all around, as a mixture of sympathy for the deceased and their relatives coupled with the haunting memory of the prison’s previous woes mixed in with the settling dust of the riot THE RESIDENTS Valsine Fordyce has lived on Durban Street for more than 11 years. Her residence directly faces the building where the fire started so she was able to observe as the events unfolded the day before.

“I was right here in my bedroom when I hear it yesterday morning. Me and me son was gaffing so I said I smelling something burning,” she said.

After checking to make sure that her own home was not the source of the fire, she was alerted by her grandson that it was the prison that had been set ablaze. “So I get up and I see it was fire at the jail

Theresa Charles, a Durban Street resident

so. I say ‘God what is this!’” she said.

The woman said that she and her family were then affected by the use of tear gas to control the prisoners the following morning.

“I had to run out with these children and wet their face and we had to run till to Norton Street. I think they should have evacuated people because I was hollering and telling them that we have children upstairs here, they can’t just got the whole area with tear gas; they didn’t tell nobody,” she said.

HOLLERING Above all however, Fordyce admits that she feels for those whose lives were lost, adding that despite their deeds, they did not deserve their fiery demise. “Not everybody is perfect, and they did their crime but look how they end up with a fiery death. There was a lot of hollering. I cried; I feel for them,” she said.

Just next door lives Theresa Charles, who was unable to go to work after being affected by the tear gas.

“And when they start spraying up all the tear gas and it started to burn up my face, I decided not to go to work, and plus they block off the streets and so,” Charles said. She said that the situation was “really terrible”, especially because of the lives lost.

Meanwhile, another resident felt that the presence from influential bodies would have helped to calm the situation, adding that she understood their frustration about the conditions as she has a relative in there as well.

James Walton, a security guard at a Camp Street hotel

“I think if the President had come out, these boys would have kept their head and felt like if they would get some change. I don’t feel nice about it…” she said.

The woman – who preferred to go unnamed, said that she is most concerned about the wellbeing of the prisoners and hopes that the prison officers are made to answer for the tragedy.

THE WORKERS While those who lived in the area had no choice in being among the commotion, many businesses chose to stay closed or send their workers home. Yet, there were some persons who couldn’t afford to do either for different reasons.

Roger Phillips, who for the past 16 years has

Turn to page 17 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Victims of Camp Street blaze

Sherwin Trotman

Sherwin Trotman, a 32-year-old excavator operator of Section D, South Turkeyen, ECD; and Kirk Clarke, a 30-year-old labourer of Charlestown, Georgetown, were both on remand for the last year murder of Hardat Kissoon, a Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara farmer.

Trotman, in 2012, was arraigned before the court to face charges of abduction, robbery under arms, unlawful wounding, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. In 2014, he was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody.

Murder accused Andrew Philander, called ‘Junior’, was charged for the August 30, 2007 murder of mango trader Kumar Singh. Philander was on remand while awaiting trial in the High Andrew Philander Court.

Randolph Marques

Rohan Teekaram

Chaitram Dharamdat

Chaitram Dharamdat was a 20-year-old Mahaica Creek resident facing an accusation of murdering 25-yearold Suresh Nandkishore, called ‘Ravo,’ at Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek on February 3, 2015.

He was also jointly

Randolph Marques was on trial at the High Court for the murder of Patsan Trading salesman Bharrat Ramcharan. The 20-year-old had been imprisoned since 2014, when he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after he and four notorious convicts had escaped from the Georgetown Magistrates Courts’ lock-ups.

Rohan ‘Janko’ Te e k a r a m o f Kaneville, East Bank Demerara was, in 2014, committed to stand trial for the alleged murder of his brother, Dayaram Teekaram, committed between April 20 and 22 that year. charged with the murder of Chaitram’s father and older brother. The men, who reportedly were the relatives of Dharamdat, were reportedly in the process of erecting a fence on a plot of land when a heated argument that erupted between them and the other family led to a fight.

The men reportedly picked up two of the posts that were meant for the fence and began lashing the Nandkishores about their bodies.

Ravo had reportedly tried to walk away, but was cornered and dealt several lashes to his head, which that cracked open his skull.

Latchman Partap Shaka McKenzie of Riverview, Ruimveldt, was charged with armed robbery in 2014.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that he robbed Rishi Ramdani of a silver band, a BlackBerry cellular phone, and cash totalling $100,000.

Hilary Amos was, since 2011, on remand for the alleged murder of Fabian George, reportedly committed on April 26, 2011 at Moruka River, North West District.

According to reports, the victim and another man had been involved in a fight when the accused chopped the former on his back after the man claimed that George had stolen $50,000 from him.

Delroy Williams

In October 2014, Delroy Williams was charged with the murder of 17-year-

Asraf Ali

Asraf Ali was an 18-year-old who had, in

Aaron Eastman

Former Guyana Defence Force Lance Corporal Aaron Eastman was, with three others, charged in December 2015 for possession of an unlicensed s a w n - o ff p u m p a c t i o n shotgun with matching rounds and an unlicensed .32 revolver with matching rounds.

Anthony Primo was one of two men who were charged last November with two counts of armed robbery committed on the America Street money changers.

The charges alleged that on November 3, at America Street, the men robbed Rayburn Fraser and Osafo Ward of $1,600,000 and $540,000 respectively in local and foreign currencies.

Primo was recently acquitted of the murder of Linden businesswoman Shevon Gordon, which occurred on April 4, 2015 at her Block 22, Wismar home. The matter was discharged against him, while two men had been charged for Gordon’s murder.

Primo was, in 2013, charged with having an unlicensed .32 revolver and possession of four .32 live

Anthony Primo rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a licence.

He was, in 2009, also charged with robbing a man at gunpoint of a quantity of cash, among other items totalling $1.2M.

Tractor operator Latchman Partap was accused of shooting dead his former teenage girlfriend at Moraikobai, Mahaicony.

After over a year on the run, Partap was brought before the court in 2014 to answer to the charge of murdering Theiana Andrews in December, 2013.

Clifton Joseph was a 40-year-old Charlestown resident called ‘Smiley’, who had been imprisoned since 2014 for the capital offence of murder, allegedly committed on September 22, 2014 when he was reported to have lit a house on fire with Jason Munroe inside at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

The accused had allegedly set fire to the home in which Munroe, his 20-year-old girlfriend and her daughter, a three-year-old, along with a 15-year-old, were inside following a home invasion.

After setting fire to the home, the man fled the scene, but the three females managed to flee the burning building, leaving the man lying in the house which the suspect had doused with kerosene.

old miner Azaad Potter, who was fatally beaten in Konawaruk Backdam, Potaro.

The prosecution’s case was that on October 21, 2014, the teenager was attacked by four men, who relieved him of his cell phone and other valuables.

Police had said Potter was allegedly beaten by a group of men who had accused him of stealing articles from their mining camp.

2014, been charged with the capital offence of murder.

Along with his cousin, Abdul Razack, Ali was charged with the murder of young taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman, allegedly committed in the course of a robbery -- while attempting to steal motor car PMM 9823 and two cellular phones -- between June 10 and 14 at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo.

He had been on trial at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court

Richard Hubbard had been charged with murder and rape, and had been on remand since January 31, 2014.

Rayon Paddy is a 26– year–old former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank of 278 South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown.

He was, in April 2015, charged with a series of robbery-related matters, and also faced two counts of murder.

Among the charges he had been facing were that he was involved in the death of Wilfred Stewart, and also in the execution of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission employee Trevor Abram on February 27, 2015 on the East Bank of Demerara.

Paddy was one of the men charged for posing as police officers and setting up roadblocks primarily along the Region 5 Main Road Jermain Otto, a 26–yearold pork knocker of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was committed last year to stand trial, along with another accused, for the murder of businessman Ashok Raghoo following a robbery in 2014 outside the Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road in Georgetown.

Otto was, in 2009, incarcerated for escaping from lawful custody while on a charge of receiving stolen property.

Rayon Paddy where, according to police documents, they perpetrated several robberies on persons they encountered during their illegal activities.

Last year, he was also charged with two narcotics-related offences and three guns-and-ammunition-related offences.

Jermain Otto

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Victims of Camp Street blaze Patterson, Erskine, Mendonca Those injured are: to investigate prison riot Marcellus Verbeke of ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Troy Skeete of ‘B’ Field, Sophia.

Troy Skeete, 34, was fatally stabbed during an argument with another man at ‘C’ Field, Sophia, on June 9 last.

Skeete was pronounced dead on arrival at the George-

Marcellus Verbeke town Public Hospital.

Andel Forde

Andel Forde, 43, of Lot 31 Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara was last Wednesday committed to stand trial at the High Court for the murder of transgender sex worker Nephi Noel Luther, whom he had allegedly shot dead on July 27, 2015 at Quamina and Carmichael Streets, Georgetown.

Errol Kesney, known as “Shortman”, 31, of Pilot Street, New Amsterdam, was nabbed in Berbice in 2015 by alert police who were informed about his whereabouts.

He was facing murder charges for the alleged 2009 killing of fireman Patrick Ivor Daly at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. The 29-year-old firefighter had been doused with acid and then hacked to death by three men who had cornered him in a backyard toilet at his home.

By Ravin Singh ONE day after a tragedy claimed the lives of 17 inmates at the Georgetown Prison, Government has announced the launch of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the circumstances that led to the deadly riot.

On Thursday last, 17 inmates at the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, were roasted to death in a fire which 22 of them were allegedly responsible for starting. The remaining five were said to have suffered serious injuries.

And while the situation appeared to have been diffused that afternoon, Friday morning proved otherwise.

Seven additional inmates and five prison officers were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) during the morning hours for medical treatment

Former Justice James Patterson

following a standoff at the prison.

It was reported that approximately 06:15hrs, prisoners began to protest within the prison walls and set another fire to one of the buildings.

The fire was extinguished but some of the prisoners managed to gain access to the yard of the penitentiary and even the top of the roof. Police were forced to use tear gas in an effort to restrain them and get them out of the Capital A section of the penitentiary.

Some of the prisoners had surrendered.

Not too long after, some of the inmates at the facility had requested that Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan meet with them to give them a hearing.

This was subsequently done, and both Ramjattan and Minister of State Joseph Harmon met with the inmates at

Former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine

the Reception Hall for prison officers. The hall is located just opposite the prison.

COMMITMENTS AND COMPLAINTS Ramjattan had committed to meeting some of the basic needs of prisoners while noting that the complaints made by them may very well have credibility. Some of the issues included grievances with the conditions of the prisons, some of the officers of the prison, lengthy detention periods, meals and the posture of certain magistrates and judges.

And staying true to his commitment to the inmates, the Minister at a press conference on Friday afternoon held at his Brickdam office announced the establishment of a CoI which will comSee Page 19

Merle Mendonca of the Guyana Human Rights Association

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

14 injured in officers/prisoners standoff SUBSEQUENT to a standoff between prisoners and prison officers on Friday at the Camp Street jail, prisoner Shawn Edinborough is nursing a gunshot wound to the shoulder, while seven other prisoners and six prison officers are being attended at the Georgetown Public Hospi-

tal Corporation (GPHC).

Following a riot sparked by the prisoners, inmates as well as officers were rushed to the hospital after receiving injuries during the confrontation.

The injured included: (Prisoners) - Edinborough, Nigel Armstrong, Sukdeo Dharamdat, Joel Jones, Seon

Edwards, Devendra Persaud, Floyd Rammit and Mark Angoy; ( Officers) - Roy Shanks, Jason Maltay, Andrew Moore, Travis Gould, Errol Daphness and June Lewis-Charles.

This information was confirmed by a senior official within the hospital.

Meanwhile, speaking to

One of the officers being carried in to the GPHC to receive medical attention

members of the media at the GPHC, Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, highlighted that the situation was under control and the staffers were working hard to ensure that order was maintained and patients treated.

Apart from the one patient nursing a gunshot

wound, the minister said, the majority of the patients suffered from inhalation of gas.

He also alluded to the fact that “knowing the situation of the accident and emergency department, it has its limitations. As such, I would love to see the necessary changes being made to adjust the department to treat

a patient who arrived there.�

When asked about the state of the infirmary at the jail, Dr Norton said that more medical professionals were needed there, and subsequent to a recent visit, a number of persons have been identified to undergo training in this regard.

An injured prisoner being rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

Celebrating the lives, works of the Jagans

Late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan

Late President, Janet Jagan

THE LIFE and works of the founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, will be spotlighted during the month of March, in commemoration of his 19th death anniversary.

Dr Jagan died on March 6, 1997 while serving as President of Guyana, less than five years after leading the PPP to victory in the historic national elections of October 5, 1992.

“Activities for Dr Jagan’s death anniversary will be spread across the country, giving Guyanese from every region an opportunity to revere the memory of this great son of the Guyana soil,” the PPP has said.

The first major event is the annual Wreath Laying and Cultural Programme, to be held at Babu Jaan, in Port Mourant on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, at 14:00hrs on Sunday, March 6, 2016.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be the main speakers at this event.

Earlier that day, the annual Cheddi Jagan Cycle Race will commence at 09:00hrs from the par-

ty’s headquarters on Main Street in New Amsterdam, and will conclude at Port Mourant on the Corentyne.

The Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk and the annual Family Fun Day at Red House will be held on March 13 in the morning and afternoon respectively.

There will also be a number of other wreath-laying activities at Karasabai, Lethem, Kato, Monkey Mountain and elsewhere for Cheddi, and also for his wife Janet, who also died in March, years after his passing.

The party will, moreover, be spearheading the annual Cheddi Jagan Lecture at Red House; Night of Reflection; At Home with Cheddi, at his Heritage Home in Bel Air; and a Book Exhibition at the National Library.

His wife, the late President Janet Jagan, will also be memorialised this month, a release from the Opposition party has said.

There are more than 70 other activities that will be held across the country, including video shows, cultural evenings, and seminars, in celebration of the lives and works of Dr Jagan and his wife Janet.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

New Portuguese Ambassador accredited

President David Granger receiving the Letters of Credence from Ambassador Manuel De Jesus Teles Fazendeiro, in the presence of Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge (at President’s right), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General, Audrey Waddell (first, right) (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday received the Letters of Credence from Manuel De Jesus Teles Fazendeiro, accrediting him as Non-Resident Ambassador of Portugal to Guyana.

The new ambassador, based in Venezuela, replaces

Ambassador Mario Alberto Lino da Silva. At the accreditation ceremony, held at the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger said relations between Guyana and Portugal predate the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in December 1978.

He said the arrival of

the Portuguese in Demerara 181 years ago has served to enrich the fabric of the Guyanese society through their culture and entrepreneurial spirit.

“Guyana values the friendship of countries that are firmly committed to the principles and purposes of

From left: Honorary Consul of Portugal in Guyana, Michael Correia Jnr; Mrs. Teles Fazendeiro (wife of the new ambassador); Minister Carl Greenidge; President David Granger; Ambassador Manuel De Jesus Teles Fazendeiro; Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director-General, Audrey Waddell; and Chief of Protocol, Esther Griffith, after the accreditation ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

the Charter of the United Nations. We face many challenges, which can be tackled only through focused cooperation and collaboration based on the rule of law and respect for sovereignty,” President Granger said.

Referring to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President said countries need to build beneficial partnerships to tackle issues such as the eradication of extreme poverty and climate change, and to fulfill the social agen-

da to ensure better lives for all citizens.

The new ambassador said the main goal of his mission is to reaffirm to Guyana the continuity of friendship and the strengthening of relations between the two Governments.

Ambassador Fazendeiro pointed out that in the framework of international relations is a very demanding global scenario. These bilateral goals represent an essential form of support, to further deepen relations

between the two countries and guarantee the space and openness for dialogue at the international level.

“There is a significant past between our two nations, and the Portuguese Government wishes to go further to develop the economic, commercial and cultural ties with the Guyana Government, in order to build a more permanent bilateral relationship,” a Ministry of the Presidency release quoted him as saying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

Toka Toshao gets $200,000 TOSHAO of Toka Village in the North Rupununi Region Nine, Delano Davis, on Friday received $200,000.00 from Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

According to a release, Harmon explained that the donation is to assist Toshao Davis to transport and accommodate a delegation from the village of Toka to Georgetown to visit various ministers and address con-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon hands over the money to Toshao of Toka Village, Delano Davis (Ministry of the Presidency)

Saturday, March 5, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, March 6, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday, March 7, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

cerns of the village.

Minister Harmon undertook to make the contribution during a recent visit to Lethem.

Meanwhile, the Toshao pointed out that the objective of the council’s trip to Georgetown is in keeping with a forward momentum already initiated by the Government of Guyana.

He told Harmon: “we feel this initiation of a working relationship with your ministry and the other ministries within our government will strengthen our plans for development and their implementation.”

Davis also revealed that the Toka Council is a youthful one with seven members. He added too that the venture will provide an opportunity for the group to be more au fait with the various government officials.

The Toka Council is expected to visit Georgetown for one week from Saturday, March 12 to Saturday, March 19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

Hindu community observes Maha Shivraatri THE Viraat Sabhaa (Guyana) has joined the local Hindu community in observing Maha Shivraatri, which is observed on the 14th day of the dark half of the month Phalgun.

The occasion is celebrated with steadfast prayers, deep mediation, and complete abstinence, the Sabha said in a release.

On Maha Shivraatri, special emphasis is placed on the worship of the Lingam, which symbolises auspiciousness. Hindus worship God in a three-folded approach; that is: Eshwar -with a name; Sagun Brahma -- a name with a form; and

Nirgun Braham, which depicts God as nameless, attribute-less and formless.

Information provided by the Maha Shiv Puran confirms that Lord Shiva manifested as Joyotir Lingam, in the form of radiant light and energy, in the presence of the creative and regenerative forces of the universe.

This night is considered the most auspicious of all Chaturdasi, since the Lord presented himself as the supreme source of all lights.

Maha Shivraatri provides a great opportunity for the aspirant to be established in the mode of purity and goodness, which is called Sattwa.

Lord Shiva symbolises Trinity, which is common in all religions. As Shiva, he is called the Lord of Vardaan - the giver of Boons. When unconditional love is fully expressed at the Lord’s feet, all desires and expectations are fulfilled.

Maha Shivraatri therefore creates an avenue for the strengthening of a bond between Man and God, which adds to the confidence of the devotee’s existence, thus dispelling all hopelessness and other negative propensities.

“May this opportunity be grasped by all our Hindu brothers and sisters, wherein all devotees

Bail denied man on drugs charge CITY Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Friday remanded a Ruimveldt resident to prison after he made his appearance before her on a narcotics charge.

Twenty-year-old Junior Archer of North Ruimveldt pleaded not guilty to the charge after the Administration of Justice Act was applied.

The charge stated that on March 1, 2016 at Princes Street, Charlestown, Archer had in his possession 907 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the facts presented to the court, an operation was conducted by ranks of the Guyana Police Force in Princes Street, Charlestown, and they found the illegal drugs.

Archer’s lawyer asked the court for his client to be allowed to have a surgery completed while he was incarcerated. The magistrate granted him permission to undergo his operation.

However, bail was denied and he was remanded until March 30, 2016.

could lovingly embrace the Lord’s feet, which could secure total fulfillment to life of all seekers. The Viraat Sabhaa extends Maha Shivraatri greetings to all, and prays that Lord Shiva’s blessings will allow favourable conditions to prevail in our entire country,” the release said.

Satsanghs will be held countrywide to observe this occasion, and persons are asked to make every effort to attend and participate

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 5, 2016

17

Diplomats finally appointed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

By Ariana Gordon THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday announced six diplomatic appointments to the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Belgium, Cuba and Suriname.

The announcement comes 10 months after the APNU+AFC coalition government took office.

In a statement to the media, the ministry said David Hales will serve as Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium. Hales was a former Director at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

Businessman and long-standing People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Frederick Hamley Case, will serve as Guyana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, replacing Laleshwar Singh who served in that capacity for over 20 years under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP) administration.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly under the People’s National Congress (PNC), Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister and Attor-

Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK Frederick Hamley Case

Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba Halim Majeed

ney Clarissa Riehl has been appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada.

She replaces PPP/C member Harry Narine Nawbatt.

Also appointed Ambas-

Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada Clarissa Riehl

Guyana’s Ambassador to China Bayney Karran

sador is Bayney Karran, who will serve as Guyana’s Ambassador to China. Karran has a wealth of experience in foreign policy and diplomacy and has served as Ambassador to the US,the Organisation of American States (OAS), Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico.

Former Political Assistant to President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Halim Majeed, has been appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba. He replaces Attorney Mitra Devi Ali, while Esther Griffith will hold the post of Consul-General, Nickerie, Suriname. No appointments have been

made to the United States and Brazil.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also announced that Ambassador Ivan Evelyn, former Ambassador of Guyana to Brazil will replace Griffith as the Chief of Protocol.

Arrangements are currently being made for the identified diplomats to take up their respective appointments.

In January, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge had told the Guyana Chronicle that the delay in the announcement of the diplomatic appointments was a result of the non-receipt of the host countries’

The calm after...

From Page 8 managed a nearby establishment, said that it was a matter of duty that he kept his shop open as he usually supplied the Camp Street Prison with water and other beverages.

Nevertheless, he still sent some of his staff home as a matter of security, so as to ensure that he did not have more staff than he could handle should things get worse.

“My first thoughts were that I hope it’s not a repeat of the Mash Day jail break… but it’s very unsettling when you have workers because its touch and go if to stay open or to close, but because of the prevailing circumstances in the country we went with the decision to stay open,” he said.

Since the facts surrounding the event are still not very clear, Phillips preferred not to give an opinion as to how he felt about the matter.

“Being here for a while there are routine searches,” he said, “but yesterday morning the scene unfolded when we saw a rush of more security and then this morning we heard the ruckus and we felt they were breaking away the jail or something. We heard the shouting and the screams from people who maybe had family in there. That was the part that made me say let me send some of my staff away.”

A worker from a restaurant nearby said that the staff there was affected by the use of tear gas as well and called the effects of it “annoying and disgusting”. Moreover, she believed that the use of tear gas also irritated the prisoners. “They [prison officers] are supposed to show the prisoners a little love and let them feel good today because yesterday they saw their colleagues burn,” she said.

While some people were being sent home from work,

it was James Walton’s place to stay behind and guard a nearby hotel as a security officer. But, having spent some time in the prison himself, he felt no fear as the events unfolded.

“But I feel they should do better in the prison because once you’re forming gangs in jail, it’s problems, because when the authority now come, the gangs them will rebel,” he said. Walton opined that if the gangs are in existence for a while and authorities try to stop them at the last moment, it would be too late, which is why the situation could have escalated.

“I feel bad for the families because I say this thing hay suh, it ain’t done. It will keep going on and on,” he said. He suggested that the cases of prisoners on remand should be dealt with quickly so as to aid in dealing with the overcrowding at the Camp Street Prison.

Guyana’s Newly appointed Ambassador to Consul General, Belgium Nickerie, Suriname, David Hales Esther Griffith agreement to accept those Rodriguez, on February 17. persons identified by GuyMinister Greenidge had ana to serve as diplomats assured that all persons idenabroad. tified by the APNU+AFC He described the pro- coalition government to cess as a “tricky one,” serve as ambassadors (diplonoting that it should be mats overseas) are qualified. dealt with delicately. Last Meanwhile, President month, Guyana’s Ambas- Granger had said that his sador to Venezuela Cheryl government wants to ensure Miles was accredited by “that there is balance, that that government following there is competence and the a prolonged wait due to an interest of the country would age-old controversy with be put first above party or this country over own- other interests,” in selecting ership of two-thirds of the local diplomats.

Guyana.

“If we are to advance Ambassador Miles pre- that thrust of economic sented her Letters of Cre- diplomacy we have to look dence to Venezuela’s Min- for the best. That’s why it ister of People’s Power for is taking so long,” he told External Relations Delcy the Guyana Chronicle.

Cubans fined for forgery TWO CUBAN Nationals were on Friday fined $70,000 each after they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with intent to defraud a police officer.

The charges stated that Roberto Francisco and Lavis Vasco on March 3, 2016 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with intent to defraud a police constable produced forged United States Permanent Resident Cards.

The two men pleaded guilty to the charges and they were immediately fined. They were ordered to pay the fines or by default they would be sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.

Magistrate McLennan also ordered that the two be escorted to the nearest port after the fine is paid or time is served.

President grieves for young Romascindo PRESIDENT David Granger extends deepest sympathy to the family and relatives of Alisha Romascindo, who perished in an accident on the Moruca River a week ago.

The 16-year-old student of Santa Rosa Secondary School was travelling to the Kumaka Market area when another vessel collided with the vessel that she was travelling in, causing it to capsize.

“The President regrets the unnecessary loss of a young and promising life and empathises with Ms Romascindo’s grieving relatives, particularly her two older siblings who were travelling with her at the time of the accident,” a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

Never again 18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

…senior cop decries prison ruckus

By Leroy Smith

C

ONTRACTORS from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure have commenced working to repair the various damaged sections of the Camp Street Prison following two days of deadly rioting by inmates over poor living conditions. And a senior police officer has said that the tragedy should never be allowed to happen again.

On Thursday, 17 prisoners died after being trapped in a burning room. On Friday, several others restarted the protest using large pieces of wood to break concrete walls, and their feet to stomp out boards from the prison walls. Some of the inmates even ended up in the yard of the prison. They were, however, restricted from making their way to the access point that leads to the various exits of the prisons, since there is reinforced metal and grill work within the facility. While in the yard, the inmates armed themselves with improvised weapons made from various objects, and with shovels and cutlasses which they managed to acquire from the tool shop of the facility, which they also managed to break into.

Among the items destroyed inside the facility following the unrest were steel doors, metal work and a tailor’s shop. Extensive damage was also done to the Capital ‘A’ Section of the prison, to an adjoining area, and

to the northern wall facing Bent Street and the southern wall facing Durban Street.

By midmorning yesterday, engineers from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had showed up at the facility, met with prison officials, and had proceeded to assess the damage to the facility. By noon they had already procured materials and had commenced works to restore the damaged areas.

According to an officer, intense discussions were also held on how the present infrastructure at the facility can and ought to be strengthened.

A top Joint Services officer said the lawmen did all they could to save lives on Thursday. The senior police officer spoke with this newspaper on condition of anonymity, given that the investigations are still in progress and a Commission of Inquiry is soon to be set up, as ordered by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger.

The officer said that since Wednesday night the prisoners had begun expressing frustration with the manner in which certain procedures were being handled at the facility, especially by those tasked with manning the operations of the Georgetown Prison. That led to the setting of fires and throwing of missiles at wardens who attempted to bring the situation under control.

The officer explained that on Thursday, what transpired

could hardly have been avoided with respect to the deaths of the inmates, as the way they had barricaded themselves into the cell made it difficult for them to free themselves after the fire had become uncontrollable.

The inmates had used metal beds to block a metal door, so even though prison wardens had been able to unlock the door with the key, they could not push it open as it was firmly barricaded from within.

It was explained that the inmates compressed the metal beds against each other, so pulling them apart to get access to the door was harder than actually placing the beds to barricade the door and prevent access into the room.

That forced firefighters, aided by other Joint Services’ members, to blow torch the lower part of the door, through which the injured crawled out.

Once that was done, Joint Services’ ranks entered the room after the fire was completely extinguished, removed the barricades, and pulled the door open.

It was then that the charred remains of the sixteen persons were discovered, the expert explained.

The officer explained that everything that could possibly have been done to save the prisoners had been done.

“What happened on Wednesday, Thursday and this morning [Friday] should be taken very seriously, and efforts ought to be put in place to ensure that

The Capital ‘A’ Section of the jail, where the riot commenced on Wednesday evening

The holding area within the prison yard, where prisoners are held whenever there are searches of the prison cells. The inmates were being escorted to this same red holding area on Thursday when they ran back into the cell and set the mattresses alight

this never happens again in the history of this country.

“This type of behaviour only results in the loss of lives, sustaining of serious injuries, and damage to state property,” the officer explained.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that none of the inmates was placed in solitary confinement, although at least one person who was thought to be influencing some of the other inmates was placed in a section of the prison away from the rest of the population. This newspaper was told that “Grey Boy”, who is on remand for the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing, was very vocal during the unrest. He

was not one of those who met Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, when they visited the location on Friday.

No inmates received life-threatening or serious injuries during the operation on Friday morning, but there were those who suffered injuries from pellets while others were affected by smoke from the tear gas, this publication was told.

During Friday’s incident, two police constables were injured by missiles which the prisoners hurled at them. Those missiles included bricks and metal which had been broken off from the facility’s door and

walls. Six prison officers were affected by tear smoke, which the police used as one of their means to bring the inmates under control. Twenty-four prisoners were injured as a result of smoke and pellets which were used.

According to information, there were approximately 200 Joint Services ranks engaged in the operation to bring the situation under control. Up to yesterday afternoon, arrangements were being made to transfer young offenders to the Timehri Prison. There was no attempt to send anyone at Mazaruni, at least not up to press time, this publication was reliably informed.

One of the holding areas inside the Camp Street jail, which is presently under repairs due to destruction caused by the unrest

A hole in a concrete wall, made with the use of planks by inmates

A section of the Camp Street Prison wall facing Bent Street, which the prison inmates stomped out on Friday morning

Don’t heap blame on GECOM

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

-- diplomats urge

By Ariana Gordon

THE international diplomatic community has called on the local populace to desist from blaming the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the nation’s lack of education about local governance and Local Government Elections (LGEs).

At a joint press conference with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Friday, British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn told reporters that while GECOM has a responsibility to make the public aware of the electoral processes, the responsibility should not be placed solely on the commission.

“GECOM is an easy target and to be frank, they have been an easy target since May of last year and there is an obligation on every one to actually not be reliant to be told what to do, but to actually find out what they need to do. This is a two-way process that everybody has to be engaged in,” said the British High Commissioner.

Quinn noted that it is neither “instructive nor helpful for anybody to spend too much time criticising GECOM.” Like the British envoy, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy here, Bryan Hunt, stressed the importance of a collective approach. He said it is easy to place the responsibility solely on GECOM, but stressed that it is a shared responsibility.

“GECOM does not bear the sole responsibility for educating voters. That is a shared responsibility between GECOM, local authorities, political parties, between candidates that are running, civil society and organisations and the media.”

Hunte said to point fingers and say it is GECOM’s responsibility “misses the point.” “All of us have a responsibility to make sure voters are educated and know where they need to go to vote,” he added.

Like his colleagues, Charge de Affairs for the Canadian High Commission, Daniel Joly, believes that a national effort is needed to ensure all are aware of the importance of LGE. Similarly, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Major-General Retired Norman Mc Lean commended GECOM for doing a good job at educating the masses, but noted that “better could have been done.”

He said the Elections Commission has been working to ensure that persons are aware of the electoral process, but the job is not for GECOM alone.

“This is not a responsibility solely for GECOM, everyone has a responsibility; we are part and parcel of Guyana and it is our responsibility whether you are a candidate, an elector, you are a Guyanese and this is your responsibility. You have to help the process,” the PSC Chairman added.

From Left: Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt; British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn; members of the PSC: Kit Nascimento, Chairman Norman McLean and Gerry Gouveia; and Charge d Affaires, Canadian High Commission, Daniel Joly (right), at the joint press conference on Friday The message is go out and vote; find out where you have to vote and how are you voting,” the PSC member said. based on observation is very satisfied.

When asked what can be done to boost the enthusiasm “But whether people are reading or listening is another challenge but more particularly, I think that the political parties of the electorate for the March 18 elections, Quinn said the and the independent candidates need to do a lot more… take people of Guyana have been denied their right to elect local on a lot more of the responsibility in sensitising, inspiring and representatives for more than 20 years and that ought to be enough of a reason to vote. motivating their own supporters to go to the polls.”

“For 20 years there have been people sitting on councils Gouveia said while LGEs the world over do not attract massive crowds as is the case of General and National Elec- who have not necessarily represented the will of the people tions, these elections being held in Guyana after more than two in their areas. This is an opportunity that will let the people address their problems and concerns locally and will now decades are very important.

“These elections are very important for Guyana that we work for the local communities, because they are part and can’t over-emphasise the fact that people need to be encour- parcel of those communities. If people care about local issues aged to vote and then to insist that the candidates and political and want them to be addressed, then they need to get out and parties join GECOM in that whole effort in sensitising and vote for the candidates.”

Mc Lean said the commission is of the view that persons getting people out there and educating the voters and so on.”

Gouveia said, “From where I sit I am actually quite satis- are unaccustomed to voting for representatives at the local fied, they have been doing a lot of work in the public infor- level that they may place a low premium on the value of their votes. mation arena.”

“The danger exists that these persons may stay away from Adding to the conversation was Kit Nascimento who believes that LGEs here are “a brand new experience.” He said the polls on March 18. The Private Sector Commission would the majority of the electorate have not voted in LGE before, like, therefore, to join in the call for full participation of all and as such, “it is a learning experience for those conducting Guyanese in the electoral process and to urge every citizen to the elections and for those contesting the elections and for go out and cast your vote.”

The PSC and the heads of the diplomatic missions here those who are voting in these elections.”

Nascimento said the PSC looks to GECOM first, but there have indicated that there will be observers present across the are valuable stakeholders in the process who must play their country for the March 18 elections. The number of observers part, making reference to the political parties and independent representing each agency was not readily available at the time of the press conference. candidates and groups.

VERY SATISFIED The PSC announced that it will be establishing a coor“They are partners in this election and they too have a Like Mc Lean, Captain Gerry Gouveia said the PSC has worked closely with GECOM over the past few months and greater responsibility to GECOM to get the message across. dinating centre during the elections.

Patterson, Erskine, Mendonca ...

From Page 10

mence work on March 7.

“In keeping with the promise that we will act almost instantaneously, we actually did and we managed to get a number of things done. The first is the development of Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to enquire into the disturbances and resultant deaths of 17 prisoners,” Minister Ramjattan said.

He revealed that the Commissioners identified were former Justice James Patterson who will Chair the Commission, Merle Mendonca of the Guyana Human Rights Association and former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine.

The Commission has been constituted “to enquire into all the circumstances surrounding the death of 17 prisoners from the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown on the morning of Thursday 3rd March, 2016, to report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security and to make recommendations on any action that should be taken to avoid a recurrence”.

The Commission would seek to find out the circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016 that resulted in the death of 17 prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp

Street Prisons, Georgetown; inquire into the nature of all injuries sustained by the prisoners during the disturbances on the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016 and any other subsequent disturbances; determine whether the conduct of the staff of the Guyana Prison Service who were on duty on the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016 and thereafter was in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prisons Service; and determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners was as a result of the negligence, abandonment of duty, disregard for instruction, inaction of the prison officers who were on duty on the night of the

2nd of March, 2016 and the morning of March 3, 2016.

And while there is no definitive life-span of the Commission, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was also present at the press conference, noted that the first report should be submitted by March 15. Should there be need for extension, he noted that this should be granted by way of application to the minister.

Meanwhile, weighing in on the concerns of the prisoners, Ramjattan noted that efforts will be made at the ministerial level to immediately have the telephone calls to relatives, by inmates, improved from two to four or five time per week. This is expected to take effect in a few weeks, given that there is need for the acquisition of more telephone lines.

Another concern which was raised by the prisoners was that of their meals. And according to the minister, indication has been made to the administration for meals need to be prepared and distributed on time.

GOV’T SUPPORT He also commented on Government’s support for families of the victims, revealing that support will be extended to them through the Ministry of Social Protection.

Harmon interjected, offering that “We will support the families of the victims…

We will give support for funeral arrangements and to the families even after this.”

As it relates to prisoners on remand, and the repeated calls for a speedier judicial process for persons incarcerated, the Security Minister told reporters that the matter

was raised with Chancellor of Judiciary, Carl Singh, and he (Singh) is expected to meet Government early next week to have this addressed.

“So what we can say to the prisoners is that their concerns about long periods of incarceration will be addressed,” he assured the inmates.

D a m a g e s w e re a l s o done to the correctional facility, and according to head of the Camp Street prison, Kevin Pilgrim, repairs have commenced.

Additionally, he disclosed that since the incident, 47 young offenders were removed from the Camp Street prison and relocated to a similar facility at Timehri.Mendonca (Merle Mendonca of the Guyana Human Rights Association)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

GuyExpo 2016 launched -- President calls for greater innovation from private sector

By Alva Solomon

FOR Guyana’s economy to become vibrant, the private sector must be innovative and exhibit commitment beyond trading.

This is according to President David Granger, who made the remark while delivering the feature address at the launching of GuyExpo 2016 at the National Exhibition Centre in Sophia on Friday.

The President also pointed to the importance of the Linden /Lethem Highway and the opportunity it presents for the exploration of the country’s wealth. He also highlighted the importance of science and technology, an area which he is optimistic will be the vehicle to fuel economic growth.

T h i s y e a r, G u y E x p o will be held from May 12th through to May 15th under the theme, “50 years: Guyana

means business, promoting enterprise, driving productivity.”

The Head of State told a packed audience, which included Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; and members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), among others, that the private

sector needs to be innovative.

“We are still a raw economy and we have not really moved off of those six sisters,” he noted, as he elaborated that rice, sugar, bauxite, timber, gold and fish have always been the main exports which the country has depended on for decades.

The President said that if GuyExpo is to play a part in the transformation of the economy, “we have to think

President Granger addressing the launch of GuyExpo 2016 seriously about using this exhibition as our laboratory and our forum for value-added.”

He said the requisite sectors should focus on moving from exporting raw logs into creating high-quality furniture; and crafting bauxite into aluminum as well as gold into jewellery, among others.

“We need to use GuyExpo as a means of transforming our economy,” he stressed. He said that if the private sector views itself as the engine of growth, it must be committed to more than buying and selling, and should focus on creating value-added products.

As he stressed the need for innovation, President Granger said that the local economy is essentially and fundamentally unchanged. He noted that in the last 100 years the country has not created a new economy. “Our economy is still based on the exportation of raw materials,” he said.

He said that there is need to explore science and technology to produce products which “do not depend on barges coming through the Berbice River,” but the creating of products of a high quality.

He made reference to Charles Wooley, a past Governor of British Guiana, whom he noted created some of the country’s finest laboratories which produced some of the best scientists the country has seen.

To this end, the President stressed the need for labs to be placed in secondary schools across the country, so that children can master the sciences. Unless this happens, the country will not be able to leap over the current exportation of raw materials he said.

LINDEN /LETHEM HIGHWAY As regards infrastructure, the President said the country cannot continue dodging the establishment of a highway linking Linden and Lethem.

He said that six months ago, he spoke to the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on the issue of infrastructure.

“We can’t speak out of the corners of our mouths when

we talk of infrastructure, we have to get a road from Linden to Lethem, a highway,” the President said.

He spoke of a number of areas across the country which are in need of infrastructural linkages and development. These include the Upper Mazaruni, Ituni and Kwakwani, and the Barima/Waini area which he noted is four times the size of Trinidad and Tobago, but which depends on the aged Lady Northcote vessel.

He pointed to Mabaruma, the administrative capital of Region One, not having a commercial bank, and which depends on only six hours of electricity daily. He said that enterprises cannot be established with such basic infrastructure.

The President also spoke on the importance of Information Technology, which he termed the driver of change.

He said the quality of this sector is what contributes critically to the transformation of the economy.He said a strong institutional framework is needed since, according to him, investors need to be assured that the country is safe and that their investments will be protected.

Earlier, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin told the gathering that GuyExpo is well aligned with the objective of the Ministry of Business and the economic priorities of the government. He said it is designed to nurture and promote business growth and development in the country.

Gaskin said one of the areas of focus this year is the development of micro and small enterprise. He said this level of enterprise accounts for almost 30 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs tens of thousands of people. He said many of those businesses have the capacity to develop beyond the level of small businesses.

Gaskin said the event requires support from all quarters, including the private sector, the government, the media and the opposition, all of whom he noted can make GuyExpo 2016 a success.

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Mecca III continues tonight with triple-header … UG Trojans battle Sonics in feature game

THE quest for Super Eight spots in the National Basketball Championships, The Road to Mecca III, continues tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a triple-header from 17:00hrs when Plaisance Guardians battle Republic Bank Nets.

Berbice’s New Amsterdam Warriors and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders will play the second game at 19:00hrs, before University of Guyana (UG) Trojans take on Pepsi Sonics in the headline game of the night.

The opening game should be a humdinger between rising stars Plaisance and the established Nets.

Energetic guard Nikkoloi Smith will lead Plaisance with support from Enoch Matthews, Mark

Richards and other quality players.

Meanwhile, Nets will place the experienced forwards, Fabian Johnson and Mortimer Williams, in the heat of the battle. Guards Hodayah Stewart and Darrian Lewis, will also lend support in what is expected to be a tough contest.

The second game should be an easy one for Retrieve RaidersUuless there is a massive upset that results in a change of fortune. Dwayne Roberts, Neil Marks and Keon Cameron will lead Raiders into this contest against New Amsterdam Warriors.

In a pre-game interview, Warriors coach Kirk Fraser told Kaieteur Sport that he is looking for an improved performance from his team.

To that end he has brought back Carlos Crandon to be part of his roster.

The feature game should be another humdinger with Naylon Loncke and Ewart Smith attempting to mount a challenge to Jason Squires,

Trevor Smith and Aubrey Austin’s Sonics. This game will be one to watch given its known balance.

The three winning teams will advance from tonight’s proceedings to the second round, which will be the quarterfinals or the Super Eight. They join the two teams from last night; three more teams will move forward when the Round-of-16 ends tomorrow night.

A release from the GABF stated that tonight’s half-time entertainment features artiste, Lady T in the breaks along with Cheerleaders. The national threepoint shootout is expected to start tonight as well, along with other games for sponsors’ giveaways.

This is in addition to the DJs and sound system that will be there to entertain patrons throughout the night. Fans will be eligible for smart phones, tablets and other giveaways at each game as the federation looks to engage the fans.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Turffontein 08:25 hrs Kangaroo Jack 09:00 hrs He’s A Var 09:35 hrs Exquisite Touch 10:10 hrs Winter Star 10:45 hrs Lineker 11:20 hrs Integral Actic

11:40 hrs Fast Track 12:15 hrs Abe Lincoln 12:50 hrs Charlie Lad 13:25 hrs Hope You Dance

ARAB EMIRATES RACING TIPS Meydan 08:35 hrs Maurrab 09:10 hrs Jungle Cat 09:45 hrs Layl 10:20 hrs Sandshaawes 10:55 hrs Mubtaahij 11:30 hrs Zahee ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newbury 09:45 hrs Rock Gone 10:15 hrs Pete The Feat 10;50 hrs Saint Charles 11:25 hrs Art Mauresque 12:00 hrs Ikrapol 12:35 hrs Royal Guardsman 13:10 hrs Bags Grove LINGFIELD 09:55 hrs Apache Glory 10:30 hrs 10:30 hrs Lunar Diety 11:05 hrs Merhoob

DONCASTER 10:00 hrs Upsilon Bleu 10:35 hrs Fingertips 11:10 hrs Yes I Did 11:45 hrs The Last Samurai 12:20 hrs Cracked Rear View 12:55 hrs Wintered Well 13:30 hrs Wenyerreadyfreddie IRISH RACING TIPS Gowan Park 10:10 hrs Kings Line 10:45 hrs Double Island 11”20 hrs Luckyinmilan 11:55 hrs Rubi Light 12:30 hrs Fine Theatre 13:05 hrs Salsify 13:40 hrs Carrig Cathal AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Joy Drive Race 2 Unstoppable Race 3 Candy Counter Race 4 Humboldt N Frost Race 5 Dance Champion Race 6 Coaches Challenge Race 7 Call Star Race 8 The Big DeLuxe

WICB meets to discuss CARICOM threat to existence THE directors of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have not taken the threats of CARICOM leaders to go forward with the disbanding of the region’s governing body in the sport lightly.

According to Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM has discussed the matter among its members and will inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the Heads of Government’s decision on the matter.

The WICB, apart from meeting over the impasse with CARICOM, will also be speaking about the visit of India in July.

According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has said Prime Minister their team only Dr Keith Rowley wants to engage in Test matches.

CARICOM’s position has brought about fears that the various territories will begin to refuse to host games between the West Indies and the various touring countries.

That fear is also to be discussed among the members of the WICB’s board of directors.

The West Indies are, at the moment, scheduled to play four Test matches against India.

Those games had been earmarked for St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.

The WICB had refused to implement any plans to disband the organisation after CARICOM had listed the action as one of the major points of recommendations coming out of a survey last year.

The WICB’s position has drawn the ire of CARICOM, who, through Rowley, has said the body will no longer be discussing the issue with the sport’s governing body in the region.

“CARICOM will now discontinue any further discussions on the matter with West Indies Cricket Board and the decision of the heads is that we insist that the recommendations of the committee be implemented:.

Is that the West Indies Cricket Board be dissolved and that an interim body be put in place to begin the restructuring of the management of West Indies Cricket.

This is a position which is resolutely opposed

by West Indies Cricket Board and in seeking to impose upon us that nothing is wrong with the management of West Indies Cricket,” said Rowley.

(Sportsmax.com)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Three local teams for Florida Cup FLOODLIGHTS, Floodlights Legends and Wolf Warriors will represent Guyana at the annual Florida Cup March 11-13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. A release from the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) stated that this year, the Guyana Consulate in

Miami, in collaboration with South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) will host the tournament as Guyana celebrates 50 years of Independence.

Preliminary rounds in the Masters and Open categories will be played at Brian Picollo Park in Cooper City on March 11 and 12.

Both finals will be played

on March 13 at the Fort Lauderdale Cricket Stadium.

GFSCA Wolf Warriors will be making their debut in the Open category, while Floodlights and Floodlights Legends will play in the Masters.

GFSCA Wolf Warriors were the Open champions while Floodlights were Masters Champions in 2014 of the Guyana Softball Cup 4,

RICKY DEONARINE played in Guyana. Floodlights were also champions in New York at the 2015 Independence and Legends

Cup when they defeated Regal Masters there in the final.

Floodlights, Floodlights Legends and GFSCA Wolf Warriors are expected to give fierce competition to teams from Florida, New York and Canada while Regal, also of Guyana, are expected to play.

The three GFSCA teams are very confident that they will uplift both the Open and the Masters titles of Florida Cup 2016.

GFSCA Wolf Warriors will feature some of Guyana’s top softball players in captain Amrit Roy, Mark Harold, Azad Azeez, Safras Karim, Reaz Karim etc.

Floodlights and Floodlights Legends will also feature some reputable players in the

Masters such as Ramchand Ragbeer, Lakhram Singh, Lalta Gainda, Ramo Malone, Jagdish Persaud, Jailall Deodass, Uniss Yusuf, Kenrick Persaud, Ramesh Sunich, Surendra Nauth, Steve Narine, Poran Singh, Lloyd Rooplall, Pithamber Maharaj, Anil Beharry, Ago Gopaul, Ricky Deonarain, Goordial Mattai, Ravi Lutchman, Joe Lutchman, Sydney Jackman Jr., Ganesh Singh, Motilall Chumundat, Arjune Badal, Ashmool Ali, Mohan Sukhu, Fizul Ali, Goverdhan Arjune, Jaipaul Singh, Narinedat Roy, Sahadeo Budhu, Dennis Mangru.

The three GFSCA teams have already started departing for Florida.

KMTC Phagwah Day horse race meet registration closes tomorrow REGISTRATION for the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Phagwah horse-race meet will close tomorrow, and, according to the president of KMTC, retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, no late entries will be accepted.

The annual Phagwah horse race meet is usually staged by the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) at its Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice and this year the event is scheduled for March 13.

Registration can be

done by contacting Roopnarine Matadial (325-3192) or Ivan Dipnarine (3310316) or Justice Cecil Kennard (623-7609) or Fazal Habibulla (657-7010) or Dennis Deroop (640-6396).

Horse owners must pay at least $5 000 for each horse at the time of entry. Failure to do so will result in the horse’s name not appearing on the official programme, and hence will not be permitted to run.

T h e d a y ’s a c t i v i t y, which will gallop off at noon and will feature six races, will be headlined by the D1 and Lower W/A,

which has a top prize of $700 000 and will be contested over one mile.

The G1 and Lower W/A, which will also be held over a mile, will see the winner carting off $280 000, while the six furlongs H1 and Lower W/A has a winner’s purse of $240 000.

The J1 and Lower W/A six furlongs showdown has a top prize of $160 000, while the K and Lower W/A winner will pocket $120 000. The opening race of the day - the L and Lower W/A - has $100 000 at stake for the winner.

G.I.S.E/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall 1st division cricket …

Two matches on this weekend

PLAY in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-sponsored GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall first division cricket tournament continues this weekend with GCC hosting Police and GNIC taking on GYO at Malteenoes.

Both games are set to commence at 09:30hrs.

Meanwhile, Everest lead the points standings in Zone A with 64 points; followed by GDF (60 points), GCC (42 points), Transport (45 points) and Police (20 points).

In Zone B, DCC acquired 85 points, while Malteenoes have 61, GNIC 43, UG 43 and GYO 30.

P&P Insurance golf tournament on today P&P INSURANCE Brokers & Consultants Limited will stage an open medal-play format tournament today at Guyana’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara from noon.

The insurance company confirmed its sponsorship recently when Accountant Executive, Vickash Panday, presented a cheque for an

undisclosed sum to LGC president, Oncar Ramroop.

Meanwhile, Bish Panday, director of the insurance company, said that the company is pleased to be associated with the tournament, adding that the company stands committed to the development of sports in general.

Ramroop, in response,

thanked P&P Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited for investing in the development of the sport locally.

All the nation’s top golfers are expected to compete.

Representatives of the sponsor will be at the tournament venue for the presentation ceremony at the end of the day’s play. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

No evidence of vote-rigging in awarding 2006 World Cup to Germany FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - No evidence of vote-rigging in the awarding of the 2006 football World Cup to Germany has been found, although it cannot be ruled out completely, a law firm said yesterday in a report commissioned by the German Football Association.

“We have no proof of vote-buying,” Christian Duve of Freshfields told a news conference.

He said he could not rule it out completely, however, because his firm had not been able to talk to everyone involved, including Sepp Blatter, the former president of world football governing body FIFA who has been suspended from football over a separate, wide-reaching corruption scandal.

The affair was triggered by a suspect payment of

6.7 million euros from the German FA (DFB) to FIFA back in 2005. The DFB had

World Cup 2006 organising chief Franz Bekenbauer said that it was a return of a loan from former Adidas chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus, while Der Spiegel magazine said it was allegedly used to

buy votes.

Duve said the 6.7 million euro payment from the DFB had indeed been transferred to FIFA in 2005 but was not intended for the opening ceremony gala as was indicated in documents.

“It was immediately transferred onto an account of Louis-Dreyfus,” Duve said.

Sports equipment maker Adidas, a long-time DFB sponsor, has said it was unaware of any such payment.

The report also identified a payment from then World Cup 2006 organising chief Franz Beckenbauer via a Swiss bank account to scaffolding company Kemco in Qatar, the owner of which was disgraced - former FIFA official Mohammed bin Hammam.

“They landed somewhere

Vaughan urges Boycott to ‘back down’ FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Geoffrey Boycott to “back down” in his attempt to rejoin the board of county champions Yorkshire.

Boycott wants to stand for election at the club’s annual general meeting.

Chairman Steve Denison is against the former president’s return because he wants stability and has asked members not to vote for him on March 26.

“Come on Geoffrey ... Back down. This is doing nothing for our great club,” tweeted ex-Yorkshire skipper Vaughan.

Asked what his solution was to the financial situation at the club, Vaughan subsequently tweeted: “Let the experts on finance deal with it ... not cricket ex-

perts.”

Former England opener Boycott, a BBC Test Match Special sum-

GEOFFREY BOYCOT mariser, like Vaughan, made 414 first-class appearances for Yorkshire between 1962 and 1986, and was club president

from 2012 to 2014.

The 75-year-old former Yorkshire captain, who acts informally as an overseas ambassador for the county, is unhappy at the club’s level of debt, reported to be in excess of £20M. He told BBC Look North earlier in the week: “I’m not trying to create any trouble. If you carry on with the debt as it is, there won’t be a club in existence as it’s a recipe for bankruptcy.

“The debt’s gone from £5M 2002 to £24M in 12 years, so the businessmen on the board haven’t done a very good job, have they?”

Yorkshire recently posted a profit of £368 000 after tax for 2015. It was their first profit announcement since 2009.

(BBC Sport)

West Indies claim 13-run victory over Warwickshire SOLID batting and clever bowling at the back end of both innings helped the West Indies turn back a strong challenge from Warwickshire in their T20 warm-up match yesterday.

Denesh Ramdin (52 not out) and Jason Holder (23 not out), added a vital 68 off the final six overs as the Windies batted first and reached 145-5 off 20 overs on a good pitch

at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Ramdin hit five boundaries off 37 balls to earn the Man-of-the-Match award.

Dwayne Bravo then bowled a match-winning spell in the Bears’s innings to limit them to 132-5, as West Indies secured victory by 13 runs.

He delivered a mixture of well-disguised slower balls and well-directed cut-

ters to end with 3-23 off four overs.

During the West Indies innings’, Darren Sammy was also influential in getting the regional side to defendable target, the all-rounder scoring 20.

Varun Chopra scored 42 in Warwickshire’s innings, while England international, Ian Bell got a start with 35.(Sportsmax.com)

in Qatar, this is under the influence of bin Hammam.

But anything beyond that is speculation. We had the task of presenting the facts,” said Duve, who added that some

documents were missing from the DFB headquarters. “ Yo u c o u l d c o n n e c t the payment with the FIFA re-election of Blatter or for the 2006 vote but that would

be pure speculation.”

FIFA said it would study Duve’s report carefully and incorporate the results into its own current investigation.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Noted tennis journalist Bud Collins dies aged 86 (REUTERS) - HALL of Fame tennis writer and TV commentator Bud Collins, who helped popularise the sport during his decades-long ca reer, died at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts yesterday after a long illness. He was 86.

Collins, an enthusiastic chronicler of tennis who brightened the scene with his trademark bow-ties and colourful trousers, began his career at the Boston Globe in 1963 and became one of the sport’s preeminent and foremost authorities.

He later moved into television commentary at the sport’s biggest events

and treated tennis fans to his colourful prose by authoring three novels.

Collins was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.

“RIP Bud, such a passionate guy about our sport of tennis, he will be truly missed; hope they have big matches upstairs,” Brad Gilbert, tennis player-turned-broadcaster, tweeted.

Last year, the United States Tennis Association named the media centre at the U.S. Open site in Flushing Meadows in his honour. The inscription on the plaque reads: “Journalist, Commentator, Historian.”

Tennis Hall of Fame member Bud Collins (L) is helped up by fellow Tennis Hall of Famer Owen Davidson, as he greets the crowd gathered for the Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island July 13, 2013. (Reuters/Jessica Rinal)

Tucber Park through to the semi-finals TUCBER Park defeated Port Mourant by an innings and 151 runs to advance to the semi-finals of the Memorex Under-19 two-innings cricket competition in Berbice.

Batting first, Port Mourant openers Brandon Mangal (25) and Sarwan Chaitnarine (15) added 44 for the first wicket before left-arm spinner Joel Seitaram and leg-spinner Brandon Stewart picked up five wickets between them to leave Port Mourant at 77-5.

Daniel Samaroo played a lone hand thereafter,

JOEL SEITARAM hitting a responsible un-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday March 05, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 513 Test matches (2) 734 ODIs

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI to register twin tons in a Test?

(2) Who is the only WI to score a century on his ODI debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

beaten 42, but leg-spinner Dion Sinclair then got into the act and picked up four quick wickets.

Seitaram snatched the final wicket as Port Mourant were bundled out for 115. Sinclair ended with 4-18; Seitaram had 4-29 and Stewart 2-30.

In reply, Tucber Park were reduced to 32-2, but then Steve Deonarine and Seitaram joined forces and added 122 for the third wicket after which Seitaram fell for 96, with ten fours.

After Seitram’s dismissal Deonarine took charge and held the innings together steering Tucber Park to 314 all out.

Deonarine was left unbeaten on 124. Dion Sinclair made 22. Bowling for Port Mourant Vivekanand Jaggit took 5-72 and Cheddi Boodoo 3-74.

Facing a deficit of 199, Port Mourant were bowled out for 49 with only Jaggit showing any resistance with 26. Bowling for Tucber Park, John Cameron took 4-10, Joel Davis 2-5, Lookpaul Sahadeo 2-13 and Dominique Durant 2-13.

The Boston Globe ran a tribute to Collins yesterday that included an excerpt from his first prominent appearance in the paper, a December 1963 article from Adelaide, Australia, where he was on assignment covering the Davis Cup. “This is another world,” Collins wrote, “where Christmas comes in the Summertime, the Davis Cup matches come the day after Christmas, and both events have achieved such spectacular acceptance that they are regarded almost as seriously as beer drinking.”

Beyond his tennis and travel columns for the Globe, and countless net-

work television hours covering the sport, Collins also wrote a reference tome entitled, ‘The Bud Collins History of Tennis’.

An accomplished player in his own right, Collins won the U.S. Indoor mixed doubles championship with Janet Hopps in 1961, and was a finalist in the French Senior doubles with Jack Crawford in 1975.

He also served for five years as a tennis coach at Brandeis University.

He is survived by his wife, photographer Anita Ruthling Klaussen, who illustrated many of his travel columns.

Miller heroics blast South Africa past Australia DURBAN, (Reuters)-David Miller smashed an unbeaten 53 as South Africa claimed a three-wicket victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 International at Kingsmead yesterday.

Set 158 for victory, South Africa reached their target with four balls to spare as Miller blasted his highest score

lent job in restricting the tourists.

If it were not for Mitchell Marsh’s fine 35 from 25 balls, the home side would have been chasing considerably less.

South Africa’s reply could not have got off to a worse start as AB de Villiers was out first ball trying to guide a Nathan

South Africa’s Kyle Abbott (L) and David Miller celebrate beating Australia in their first T20 International cricket match in Durban, South Africa, yesterday.

Reuters/Rogan Ward in the format off 35 deliveries and rescued the home side’s flagging chase.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia made a rollicking start and were 69 for one after six overs, thanks largely to Aaron Finch’s 40 from 18 balls.

But once the powerplay was over and South Africa got leg-spinner Imran Tahir into the game, the pace slowed and wickets started tumbling.

Australia managed only 88 for eight from the next 14 overs as Tahir (3-21) and David Wiese (2-16) did an excel-

Coulter-Nile delivery to third man but only succeeding in picking out wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

When they slipped to 95-6 one ball shy of 13 overs, the touring side were favourites, but Miller constructed an innings that was a mix of power, timing and composure to see his side home.

Australia handed a debut to leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who recorded figures of 0-26 in his four overs.

The teams are using the series as a warmup for the World Twenty20 that starts in India on Tuesday.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 5, 2016

Bowlers beware!

World Twenty20 seeks to sate boundary-lust

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Batsmen will be encouraged to satisfy contemporary cricket’s seemingly insatiable lust for boundaries and bowlers reduced to mere cannon fodder when the sixth World Twenty20 gets underway in India on Tuesday.

With 35 matches spread over 27 days, starting with eight “minnows” battling it out for two spots in the Super10 round, the tournament looks set to illustrate once again just how skewed the 20-overs game is against bowlers.

There is more chance of discovering life on Mars than in the docile Indian tracks, which will be rolled out for a tournament that concludes with the April 3 final at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

While cricket purists may

look on it with disdain, there is a growing acceptance that

British colonies.

The International Cricket

Darren Sammy will have a big task to lift the West Indies team if they are to win the tournament for the second time. the format is the only way the game can expand beyond its current stagnation in former

Petra Organisation/Milo Schools Football

Round-of-16 action today at Ministry of Education ground

By Rawle Toney WHAT started with 32 Secondary Schools in Georgetown has now boiled down to 16 with eight of them going into action today, as the Petra Organisation/Milo Schools Football Tournament reaches the round-of-16 stage.

Defending champions Chase Academy, Dolphin Secondary, Lodge Secondary, Queen’s College, Christ Church Secondary, Bishops’ High School, St John’s College, and Mae’s Secondary, all finished atop their respective groups.

With the exception of St John’s College, the aforementioned schools played undefeated in the Group Stage.

St Rose’s High, Queenstown Secondary, South Ruimveldt, Richard Ishmael, North Ruimveldt, North Georgetown Secondary, Kingston and Tucville Secondary are the other eight teams.

From 11:00hrs, Group C winners Lodge Secondary will oppose Group D runners-up North Ruimveldt Secondary in the first quarter-final at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Dolphin Secondary, Group B finishers, collide with Group E second-placers Richard Ishmael at 12:00hrs, followed Tucville Secondary versus Queen’s College (14:00hrs) and Bishops’ High tackling St Rose’s at 15:30hrs.

The Round-of-16 will conclude tomorrow before the quarter-finals on March 13, semi-finals on March 17 and the grand final on Sunday March 20.

Council (ICC) last month received a status report on its ongoing dialogue over the

game’s possible inclusion at Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Like rugby sevens before it, there seems little doubt that cricket’s best hope of being given a place at such international multi-sport events is to push the shorter form of the game.

That Twenty20 has the potential to break new ground was evident in November when ‘All-Stars’ games featuring retired greats such as Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar drew an aggregate crowd of 83 900 to three matches in the United States.

The ICC, who have had little success selling the game in the land of baseball, lauded the All-Stars series, convinced it would “help cricket to reach its significant potential in the United States”.

The format has long proved a smash hit in cricket’s traditional heartlands,

spawning franchise-based leagues across the cricketing globe.

India were the last major team to embrace the format but went on to win the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007.

They top the current rankings and recent series wins over Australia and Sri Lanka suggest they have sorted out their death-bowling issues and are a good bet for a second crown.

SAMMY’S CHALLENGE Darren Sammy will attempt to bring a second title to West Indies but the ever-smiling all-rounder will have to inspire a team who just weeks ago were planning to boycott the tournament over a contractual dispute.

The 2012 champions averted the crisis but Sammy is likely to miss spinner Sunil Narine’s guile and all-rounder Kieron Pollard’s power-hitting down the order.

Sri Lanka will be defending champions in India but skipper Lasith Malinga must marshal a team in transition since the retirements of stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and

Mahela Jayawardene.

Australia’s spectacular lack of success is one of the most intriguing points in the short history of the tournament, which has seen three Asian champions in the five editions.

The reigning 50-over world champions have responded by putting Test and one-day captain Steven Smith in charge of a squad boasting an explosive lineup that also includes David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner.

England will look to the experience of skipper Eoin Morgan, who was part of Paul Collingwood’s victorious 2010 team and has been playing in the Indian Premier League.

Few teams can match the flair that a mercurial Pakistan team under Shahid Afridi brings to the table and the 2009 champions have also been boosted by paceman Mohammad Amir’s return after a five-year spot-fixing ban.

Fellow contenders South Africa and New Zealand will have to overcome a tendency to flop on the big stage in order to take home the trophy.

‘The Hammer’ prepared for Slingerz ALPHA United would be a reenergised team for their meeting with arch rivals Slingerz when the STAG Beer Elite Finale continues next Wednesday at the Tucville ground.

Alpha head coach Wayne Dover has indicated that the return of several players to the club has made it a more potent force, capable of overcoming any hurdle on the local football field.

“I would say that we have a wealth of experience and with the return of some players we have a greater chance of taking on and prevailing over any team in the Fina-

Alpha United head coach Wayne Dover le,” Dover said yesterday.

Wednesday’s game would mark the first time this year

that Guyana’s top two clubs would be meeting.

Last year, the two clubs met on three occasions with Slingerz winning two and the other being a draw.

However, since then Slingers have seen the exodus of several key players to Alpha including striker Anthony `Awo’ Abrams, Colin Nelson, Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown and dependable midfielder Dwayne Jacobs.

Abrams has already stamped his authority and is the Finale’s leading goalscorer. He has fired in a hat-trick in Alpha’s last game and is expected to be

a thorn in the side of his former club.

“We prepare for, and expect tough games and next week’s match is no different.

Our team is a mixture of youth and experience. We will be looking for the more senior players to lead from the front.

Once we stick to our plan and remain focused the sky will be our limit,” Dover opined.

S o f a r, A l p h a h a v e played three games in the Finale winning two and drawing one. The `Hammer’ drew 1-1 with Fruta Conquerors, defeated GFC 3-1 and then crushed Monedderlust 4-0.

Cozier suing WICB president Dave Cameron TONY Cozier, the voice of Caribbean cricket, is suing president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron for defamation.

Cozier, an icon of broadcast cricket commentary for more than 50 years, is headed to court and seeking damages for defamation over words used by Cameron last May 22 during a meeting at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.

TONY COZIER

Cozier, 75, full name Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier, has engaged the services of Queen’s Counsel Peter Symonds.

At that meeting last May, Cameron is purported to have said: “There is no ban on Mr Cozier. The challenge is Mr Cozier has gotten to an age – and everyone needs to agree, that he is not actually seeing very well anymore. And we are being very, very frank about that.

(Nation News)

WICB meets to discuss CARICOM threat to existence See story on page 31

STAG/EBFA Senior League launched … Defending champs Grove to face Herstelling in opener tomorrow

THE 2016 edition of the STAG/East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League was launched yesterday at title sponsor Ansa McAl headquarters, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

STAG Brand Coordinator Lindon Henry in announcing its renewed commitment stated that the company has been supporting football on the East Bank for a number of years and has seen the teams grow from strength to strength.

“STAG is very pleased to continue its partnership with East Bank football.

We have seen the players develop and move on to the STAG Elite League which is in its first year and that we are proud of.

As a company we are looking forward to even greater things from this year’s league and we wish the competing clubs, the best,” Henry noted.

EBFA president Franklin Wilson expressed the association’s thanks to Ansa McAl

STAG Brand Coordinator Lindon Henry presents the sponsorship cheque to EBFA president Franklin Wilson.

and STAG for their continued partnership singling out Ms Beverly Harper, Troy Cadogan and Ms Darshanie Yussuf for special mention.

“The EBFA is once again thankful to Ansa McAl and Stag for their investment in our players across the East Bank spectrum. We have seen development of the sport and our players as a result of your investment and for that we are grateful.

We commit to continue and improve this trend as a result of this year’s league,” Wilson stated.

Some seven clubs will battle for bragging rights beginning tomorrow afternoon at the Grove Playfield when defending champions Grove Hi Tech oppose Herstelling Raiders. The other competing clubs are Agricola Red Triangle, Soesdyke Falcons, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Diamond United and Mocha Champs.

Matches will be played every Sunday at the same venue.

NSC announces 50 Shades of games

By Stephan Sookram

THE National Sports Commission refuses to be left out of the hype and excitement of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and is planning a major initiative which will climax during Guyana’s Independence period.

50 Shades of games, an initiative coined and spoken about by Sport Director Christopher Jones, is an ongoing programme of the NSC specifically aimed at providing sporting activities for persons. According to Jones, the aim of the event is to have sport delivered throughout Guyana in an attempt to promote unity and togetherness.

Jones says, “It forms part of social cohe-

sion so lots of the events and activities’ are coordinated in that light; to bring families together, to bring friends together, to bring communities together.”

Jones, however, noted that not all the activities surrounding the 50 Shades will be professional sports.

He added, “The concept is not only disciplines in terms of games that we are accustomed to but noting that we are doing the 50th anniversary, there will be novelty games as well, going back to the old ‘Chinee’, hopscotch and so forth.”

Those professional sports, however, will be expected to fill a particular mandate.

“Several events and activities that will be sponsored by the National Sports Commis-

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

sion will have to be titled by it. We would have had the first two events during last week, the first of which was done by the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) and the other by the West Demerara Football Association with a current tournament in Region 3,” said the director.

These events, the Sport Director said will take place between July and August when school is out, to allow for family fun and of course one of the major venues during that time is the National Park.

Other events he noted will be held in various parts of the country as he plans to decentralise the sport, adding, “The 50 Shades of games will be done throughout the length and breadth of the country.”

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016