Chronicle 10 10 2015

GUYANA No. 104337

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $80

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British Govt to restart Security Sector Reform Programme P.9

Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary logo launched P.4

Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebration logo (at left) design winners Chris Taylor and Compton Babb collect the winners' cheque from Minister in the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Nicolette Henry

Sanjay’s Jewellery owner sentenced to 58 months jail 11 P.

– for causing death by dangerous driving

Sanjay Persaud

CANU receives criminal info on wanted Hits & Jams DJ 3 P.

Dwidth Ferguson

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At Education Month rally, President tells students…

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

Education is the gateway to the good life, not for the rich alone

By Ravin Singh

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HOUSANDS of students from schools within the city’s domain -– some neatly dressed, others semi-rugged -– attended the annual Education Month Rally held at the National Park in Georgetown after an early-morning march.

In the blistering morning sun they sat, attentive but anxiously awaiting the arrival of the most celebrated and charismatic leader in the land – President David Granger, who would remind them that “education is the gateway to a good life”.

He arrived on schedule, just after 10, greeted by an uproar of the mammoth crowd, which rose to its feet in respect. His navy blue shirt was symbolic of education, and was complemented by a pair of black pants which sat perfectly on his polished black shoes.

His engaging smile, pleasantly plastered on his face, visually eroded the years of service which had imprinted their telltale wrinkles on his face.

He waved slowly, as they clapped proudly and passionately, their eyes glued to his every step.

Accompanied by Minister of Education and other officials, brisk steps led him to his seat on the stage.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam was the first to take the podium to formally welcome the attendees. This was followed by recital of the National Pledge, which was expectedly honoured. Then the Guyana Police Force Band began entertaining the crowd with musical renditions, while battling with the noisy atmosphere that absorbed the sounds emanating from their instruments.

A beautifully choreographed physical display was done by students of the

North Georgetown Secondary school. The soothing colour of white dominated their costumes, with colourful accessories complementing same. It was evident from their skilful and timely articulation that they had invested hours into the practice.

A spirit of nationalism then engrossed the atmosphere, as thousands of patriots stood to their feet to sing the Hymn for Guyana’s Children – a See Page 8

“You are the future of Guyana!” President David Granger addressing the gathering yesterday at the National Park

The Carnegie School of Home Economics participating in the march past on the tarmac of the National Park

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

CANU receives criminal info on wanted Hits & Jams DJ HEAD of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, confirmed to the Chronicle on Friday that CANU, and by extension Guyana, has been formally informed by authorities in Canada about the development in that country that links local Disc Jockey Dwidth Ferguson to cocaine and arms smuggling.

Singh was, however, quick to point out that there is nothing else he could disclose about the matter, since local and foreign investigations are ongoing and he wishes not to say anything that can compromise the international investigation.

At the moment, 32-yearold Dwidth Ferguson is said to be a fugitive in Canada, where he arrived several days before the law-enforcement agencies in that country shattered the guns and cocaine-trafficking ring that he has allegedly been a part of.

According to the Canadian enforcement agency, Ferguson, like all other players who were arrested, is a key player in the cocaine and gun-running ring that has been smuggling the items into Canada.

Word broke locally on Thursday that the Canadian press was widely reporting the dismantling of the illegal ring in that country, and that Ferguson is the only person who has not yet been captured by the law enforcement officers.

A senior police officer in that country has stated that the operation and investiga-

Wrapped bricks of cocaine seen in a photo from Pearson International Airport (CBSA photo)

Smuggled handguns are seen in a police handout photo taken on August 29 (CP24 photo)

tion, which has been ongoing since 2014 to bring the ring down, was actually a collaborative effort of lawmen and women from several countries, and numbered in excess of 100 ranks.

It has long been rumoured that the owners of Hits and Jams Entertainment are as-

sociated with the drug underworld, but there has never been any really hard evidence to support that claim. Several years ago, the very Dwidth Ferguson, along with two others, was arrested and held in police custody here in Guyana for a quantity of cocaine which the police

were able to intercept. In that matter, the two other persons were charged while Ferguson was able to walk free without any charges.

According to media reports out of Canada, 12 persons have been arrested in a bust that uncovered a drugs and gun-smuggling ring, and police are looking for a 13th person. That person was listed as Guyanese Entertainer Dwidth Ferguson.

“We’ll get him,” Barnum has said. “It will just take a little bit of time.” the Canadian senior police officer stated while addressing media operatives in that country.

Twelve people arrested across the Greater Toronto Area face a total of 46 charges in connection with a year-long investigation that saw cocaine, prescription

pills and handguns smuggled into Ontario from the United States and the Caribbean, the news report stated.

A number of warranted searches were conducted earlier this week in and around the GTA, leading to the seizure of 22 firearms, $146,000 in cash and four cars; and when combined with the hauls from three other related investigations, a total of 123 kilograms of cocaine. The wholesale value of the drugs seized is estimated to be US$12.2M. According to the senior Canadian law enforcement officer, “This industry of dealing drugs and firearms is really based on greed.

Sometimes these folks are so greedy and think they’re so good at their game, but we’ll be there when they’re not.”

The investigation, dubbed ‘Project Monto’, involved the OPP, RCMP, York Regional

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WANTED: Dwidth Ferguson

Police, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and various law-enforcement agencies from the United States.

“A 13th suspect, 32-year-old Dwidth Ferguson of Georgetown, Guyana, is still outstanding, and [is] wanted for importation and trafficking charges,” it concluded. (Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary logo launched

By Ravin Singh

THE official logo which will dominate flyers and posters for Guyana’s 50th independence celebrations scheduled for next year was officially unveiled yesterday at a short but

significant ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre by the Commemorative Commission for the 50th Independence Anniversary.

The design which was composed by Compton Babb and Christopher Taylor was done through a collective

which included children and the elderly. Locally recognised artists also participated.

The ‘roaring Jaguar’ design represents Guyana – ‘Land of the Jaguar’, as a golden nation moving forward to establish it-

effort and emerged superior to the other 63 entries which were drawn from almost all administrative regions in Guyana and the diaspora.

Variations in the designs were as a result of the age range of participation

Performers along with Minister Henry and the logo winners on stage, with logo in background

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self in the countries of the world. The text ‘50’ which is symbolical to 50 years of Independence which will be celebrated next year is bordered by the colours of the Golden Arrowhead – Guyana’s National flag.

Recognising their contribution to this monumental achievement, the Commemorative Commission awarded all participants with certificates of participation, but both Babb and Taylor were specially awarded with the undisclosed winning prize.

The first round of the competition as was described by the Master of Ceremony, Russell Lancaster, was not as difficult for the judges as compared to the second round, where the determinant was pieces which could stand against international scrutiny.

Delivering a featured address at the ceremony was Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, who acknowledged the efforts of every participant while underscoring that this is the first step towards what is hoped to be an intrusive and unforgettable celebration.

“In 2016, Guyana will turn 50 and it marks a profound milestone for our nation, and as it is in the life of any person and for any group. As a matter of fact, at 50 we come closer to wisdom of our people

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and the things that are truly important to us, even as we acknowledge that we can live to pass 100 years and still not have all the answers to life,” the minister said.

She continued that at 50 we look up to the ones who are older than us and admire them more than ever for guidance and resilience since they have passed through these same stages in life. In addition, she noted that we look forward to the younger ones who may walk the same path that we take today except with new energy and towards new heights.

“50 is a time of deep humility about ourselves, honor for the elders and hope for the young” she said, adding that this milestone is truly a cause for celebration for Guyana, given the moments along our journey when we would have faced severe challenges. “ We k n o w t h a t through hard work and under the stewardship of committed leaders, and within a cohesive society, we can and will make great progress and beat the odds to get to a better place. We will build a jewel country, but more importantly to that we will build a home where we will celebrate our diversity...,” Minister Henry concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Fire Prevention Week kicks off with words of prayer

Members of the gathering yesterday

By Navendra Seoraj THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) yesterday kicked off Fire Prevention Week 2015 by invoking the grace of God, after hosting a church service at their Headquarters at Water Street, Stabroek.

Fire Prevention Week

2015 is being held under the theme “Building a safer Nation through Citizens’ Participation in fire prevention”, and will see the GFS carrying out a number of outreaches, along with other fire prevention activities which they have planned.

Apart from their launching yesterday, the church service

was held to commemorate the Guyana Fire Service’s 58th Anniversary, and also the 41st Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.

Members of the GFS were joined by distinguished officials such as the Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken; and several

Firefighters doing the March of the Colour Party

others. Persons were induced by the many renditions of religious music and the prayers and recital of scriptures from the holy books by the religious leaders of the various faiths.

All citizens are encouraged to take preventative measures during Fire Prevention Week and beyond, to protect themselves, their families,

and their communities from the hazards of fire, thereby ensuring the safety of neighbourhoods and assisting the brave men and women of the GFS who risk their lives every day to protect citizens and their properties.

Over the years, the Guyana Fire Service has been given much support by the

ruling administrations, as several new fire stations have been constructed in communities that have been developing. In some instances, more fire tenders have been procured, and recently, Cabinet gave its approval for training of additional persons interested in joining the Guyana Fire Service.

Youth employment crisis easing, but far from over – international survey THE global youth unemployment rate has stabilised at 13 per cent following a period of rapid increase between 2007 and 2010, but it is still well above the pre-crisis level of 11.7 per cent, according to the ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2015 Report, released today.

The report highlights a drop in the number of unemployed youth to 73.3 million in 2014. That is 3.3 million less than the crisis peak of 76.6 million in 2009.

Compared to 2012, the youth unemployment rate has decreased by 1.4 percentage points in Developed Economies and the European Union, and by half a percentage point or less in Central and South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) and CIS, Latin America and the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. The remaining regions –- East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa -– saw an increase in the youth unemployment rate between 2012 and 2014, or no change in the case of South Asia.

Because of a shrinking youth labour force, the youth unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, despite a decline in the number of unemployed youth. In fact, the rate is expected to creep up to 13.1 per cent in 2015, according to the report’s projections.

“It is encouraging to see an improvement in the youth employment trends, compared to the GET for Youth

2013,” says Sara Elder, the report’s lead author. “But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that recovery is not universal, and that almost 43 per cent of the global youth labour force is still either unemployed or working yet living in poverty.

It’s still not easy to be young and starting out in today’s labour market.”

Global shares of youth in the total labour force, whether employed or unemployed, are decreasing over time. One reason is that more young people (although still not enough) are participating in education. However, millions of young people in low-income countries continue to leave school to take up jobs when they are too young.

According to the report, 31 per cent of youth in low-income countries have no educational qualifications at all, compared to 6 per cent in lower middle-income

countries and 2 per cent in upper middle-income countries.

The report also highlights a persistent gender gap, with the rates of young women’s participation in the labour market being significantly lower than those of young men in most regions. They also continue to be more exposed to unemployment than their male counterparts.

More young people in developed economies are now finding work, but the quality of jobs is below their expectations. And still too many remain stuck in longterm unemployment. In the European Union, more than one in three unemployed youth has been looking for work for more than one year.

Meanwhile, developing economies continue to be plagued by structural underemployment, informal employment, and working poverty. While working poverty (living on less than US$2 per day) has decreased over the

past 20 years, it still affects 169 million (one in three) young workers in the developing world. The number increases to 286 million if the near-poor are included (living on less than US$4 a day).

The report offers new evidence on how young people move into the labour market based on data from recent school-to-work transition surveys (SWTS)*. For young people who aspire to a stable job, the transition period takes an average of 19 months. A young person with university education is able to move to a stable job in one-third of the time needed for a youth with primary education. In most cases, the transition takes longer for young women than men.

Rapid changes in technology, in patterns of work, and in employment relationship, as well as new forms of startups, require constant adjustment to new labour market conditions and addressing skills mismatches.

Providing youth the best opportunity to transition to a decent job calls for investing in education and training of the highest possible quality; providing youth with skills that match labour market demands; giving them access to social protection and basic services, regardless of their contract type; as well as levelling the playing field so that all aspiring youth can attain productive employment, regardless of their gender, income level, or socio-economic background.

“We know that today’s youth do not face an easy labour market transition, and with the continued global economic slowdown, this is likely to continue; but we also know that greater investment in targeted action to boost youth employment pays off. It is time to scale up action in support of youth employment,” says Azita Berar Awad, Director of the ILO’s Employment Policy Department.

A combination of efforts that place priority on job creation and target the specific disadvantages of young people are required to reap the benefits of public and private investments, and of other measures to restore economic growth.

“The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” Berar Awad continues, “and its emphasis on youth employment in Goal 8, provide a new opportunity to mobilise broad global partnerships to support action on a more significant scale. Increased investment is needed to alleviate the scars of the crisis on the present generation, as well as to ensure more inclusive labour markets and societies.”

The Global Employment Trends for Youth 2015 Report includes data from 30 school-to-work transition surveys (SWTS) from the Work4Youth project, a global partnership between the ILO and The MasterCard Foundation.

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Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

We ain’t been ‘thiefing money all over the place’

…we been growing and developing our People and Country Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

Tackling noise nuisance

OUR nation has become a nation of noise. Noise from cars equipped with noise boxes and ‘stereo systems’ more expensive than the cars themselves. The noise comes from houses, rum shops, bars, and parties and even from our places of worship.

Pastors and priests and imams and pandits seem more in love with the microphone than they are with the Creator, although they invoke the names of the great ones with ease and with much fanfare and loudness.

Prayer is much like poetry and poetry is much like prayer. Both take quiet contemplation. Prayers, it is said, are sincere when done in our hearts, with the beat of pulses. The Heavens listen then. But such silence and quiet sincerity seem to frighten us. We must make noise, for noise appears to keep at bay our hysteria, our sense of emptiness and despair. Prayer is not performance, but is has become so. Real music is not vulgarity.

At the time of writing this editorial, vulgar noise fractures the night. Husbands cursing wives, wives doing the same in turn; parents cursing children and children cursing right back. Children as young as five or six. This is not about levels of education (whatever we may consider education to be). It is not about how much information we possess in our brains, nor is it about our ignorance of easy things that most people know. Ignorance is not about not knowing; ignorance is about refusing to learn. And arrogance is the rotten spawn of ignorance.

This is precisely why we have so many bullies in our midst, so many inflated egos based on nothing. Tiny people, when given the tiniest amount of power, will exercise that power with the cruelest force. This is also why the most vicious people are those that have been victimised. There is no greater abuser than someone who himself or herself has been abused. And the cycle of abuse continues and escalates. But we simply cannot seem to think logically, so the resort is to make as much noise as we possibly can. We relish the noise, and find any excuse to be loud.

The issue of noise nuisance in our society must be tackled seriously. No more can we allow indiscriminate neighbours who would put out their hired hill of speakers by the roadside and blast music from 09:00h until midnight. Every resident has a right to have undisturbed sleep during the night and no organisation, religious or

I WANT to express how deeply hurt we were, I and my many, many colleague Ministers, of the 23 years of PPP/C in office, by those words of the Honourable Joseph Harmon - ‘you cannot have a situation like the PPP where they (the Ministers) were accepting low salaries because they were thiefing money all over the place Perhaps we could and should take this outburst as just another instance of the ‘fish-market busing down’ that is being dished out at us. What is of greater concern however, is what this whole affair might reveal about the beliefs and attitudes of the Honourable Minister and our current administration, and the signals it is giving: that there are set levels of salaries which sensible, bright persons will insist on. Only dull, ‘thiefing’ people will accept less.

What else can we think, since they would have known the salary levels before they took office and appear to have assumed office with the clear intention of raising their salaries, even before any work was done.

When I became Prime minister in October 1992, the PM’s gross pay was about 70% of what I was being paid in Guymine/ Linmine, about thirty- something thousand dollars per month as far as I could remember. Then I learnt that PAYE, NIS and a contribution to a Parliamentary pension had to be deducted: not much to take home. But that was where we and our country were in 1992. It was from such an understanding that we, PPP/C ministers, accepted the job to be leaders in the growth and development of our people and country: growing our economy and improving our people’s wellbeing.

Even with the very low Ministerial salaries then, much below the salaries of many Permanent Secretaries, we did not make raising Ministers salaries the first order of business.

That the Prime Minister’s gross salary about US $ 300 per month in 1992,can now be set at over US$ 8,000 per month in 2015, must speak loudly about some degree of success, some achievements of the PPP/C administration. Very much so! As I observed in a note to the recent twentieth biennial Congress of the GPSU that in spite of all the mistrust and contentions the minimum wage of public servants has at the same time been increased from under US$30 to above US$175 and housing and vehicle ownership amongst public servants have greatly improved.

It was not easy, not all smooth sailing, calling for much sacrifice of Ministers and their families (as it was for all of our citizens), much doing without, much cutting and contriving.

otherwise, has a right to take that away. But to blare loud speakers, particularly at night, is a great nuisance to those living close to some religious institutions or night clubs.

Although the Music and Dancing Licences (Amendment) Act Chapter 23:03, Act #12 of 1982, which states at section 9 that: “A place, so kept or used, although so licensed as aforesaid, shall not be opened for any of the purposes aforesaid except on the days and between the hours stated on the licence it had been observed in the breach.” No doubt, the previous government had taken steps to curb noise nuisance, but the campaign lacked clear direction and while a few persons, mostly music carts operators were charged, the real culprits who pollute small communities with their noise have been allowed to escape sanction.

Unfortunately, noise pollution has become part of our everyday existence, not only in Guyana, but many other

It was not about ‘thiefing money all over the place’ but about contributing to the development of our people and country.

Some appreciation would be expected for the much better wicket on which the new Administration finds itself.

Mr. Editor, my fellow Guyanese, hurt as I am, I am even more concerned when I read that the Honourable Minister went on to say further, ‘ and so we must pay people well if we want them to perform ’. How is this ‘paid well’ to be assessed and set, and from where does the money come? Is it that people who are not performing, are not being paid well? And is it that people who are not being paid well would not be performing?

Is there not to be any sense of service, duty or patriotism? I have heard the Hon. Minister claiming at an earlier time that ‘if you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys. ’ But what if all the harvest we have, are peanuts?

Let me say clearly before I am misunderstood. We of the PPP/C want much better salaries. We want all our people working well and being paid well - that is what we have been always working for. But the good pay which we all want and need is the outcome of our work and many things within and outside our control. That good pay we need cannot be set by any fiat: rather it is the need for that good pay which drives us to apply ourselves, hopefully better each day, and to put up with and work with many persons whom otherwise we would not want to be near.

Mr. Editor, the salaries of Cabinet members as we left them in May 2015 were reasonable and livable for where Guyana is now. What is of great concern is that in the presence of difficulties in gold, rice, bauxite and sugar, salary increases for the Cabinet has been the top priority. Recall that we had our difficulties too in 1992, with bauxite ( the inherited agreement which eventually called for closure; Alcoa buying out Reynolds then notifying us of plans to withdraw); gold ( prices falling from about US$ 500 /oz to US$ 255/oz); rice with its ups and downs in the European and other markets and sugar perennially challenging. We held off from increasing the salaries of Cabinet members relative to others for 10 years, not because we were ‘thiefmg’ but because we felt we needed to hold the strain that we were asking of others.

Mr. Editor, my fellow Guyanese, the problem we of the PPP/C fear about this affair is that the stage is being set for another inflationary spiral, heaven forbid, such as our people and country had to endure from shortly after independence onto 1992. When I joined the bauxite company See Page 7

countries around the world. Described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) _as “unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities,” noise when it persists, damages the ear and triggers other health hazards. Health experts say that exposure to noise at 150 decibels for six hours can lead to deafness. WHO puts the tolerable level of noise at 40 decibels at night. The new government to augment its 2AM curfew should simultaneously tackle the issue of noise nuisance. Policemen must now be deployed across the country to ensure citizens are not disturbed by noise pollution. The laws must also be enforced vigorously with stiffer penalties applied to offenders. If Guyana is to move forward the laws to protect citizens must be executed with transparency and the noise nuisance law must be executed without any prejudice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

Guyana/Venezuela controversy presents UN with rare opportunity to appear relevant I READ with considerable interest, not to mention a similar measure of satisfaction, the approach volunteered by M. Maxwell (S.N. 7/10/15) for the protection of Guyana from Venezuela’s sabre-rattling.

Although Mr. Maxwell’s analysis was informed and eminently plausible, it appeared to have been based on some assumptions which I do not share. For one thing, it subserves to accommodate the Machiavellian bullyism and rantings of rogue states thereby creating, gratuitously, instability in the international community at the expense of small, peaceful, vulnerable states.

It is difficult to endorse the view that reliance on the provisions of Article 99 of the Charter is unrealistic.

At worst, it may be described as overly optimistic in as much as it poses a formidable challenge to Guyana by reference to relevant material and diplomatic capabilities. Needless to mention, however, it exemplifies the respect of small states for international legality, the grundnorm of the United Nations Charter.

Unqualified reliance on international legality must be

vigorously espoused if the multiplicity of small states in the international community are to be assured plausible expectations of political survival.

I endorse with some qualification the implied diagnostic evaluation by Mr. Maxwell of the United States geopolitical philosophy driven by strategic ambiguity and the recognition that, in the ultimate analysis, the national interests of the United States will be preferred and protected. Consistently with this evaluation, it is difficult to ignore the realities on the ground defined by Venezuela’s geographical location on the world’s allegedly largest proven reserves of petroleum and the insatiable propensity of the United States for consumption of this resource.

Indeed, the juxtaposition of these realities operates to establish, potentially, an understandable symbiotic political relationship between these two states which underscores the cogency, timeliness and relevance of Mr Maxwell’s analysis. But, perhaps, what must also be taken into account assisted by the clairvoyance of hindsight

is that an approach via the Article 99 route is not as intractable and replete with political implications as the situations mentioned

by Mr. Maxwell and which the United Nations Security Council had been called on to address in this context, a concession which Mr. Maxwell may graciously wish to make.

The Guyana/ Venezuela controversy began and may reasonably be expected to terminate with the Arbitral Award (1899) in which the region’s aspiring geopolitical superpower at the material time was prominently and politically involved thereby operating to compromise its “strategic ambiguity” and alleged historical tendency to neutrality where Article 99 procedure had been invoked. More importantly in the present context, however, the United States has consistently advocated until very recently through Ambassador Holloway that the controversy must be settled in accordance with international law. And the applicable rules of international law are pellucidly clear in respect of this controversy.

The Washington Treaty of 1897 concluded between

Britain and Venezuela on the coercion of the United States established the Arbitral Tribunal and agreed that its determinations would constitute a full, perfect and final settlement of the relevant territorial dispute. Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) which was ratified by both parties requires treaties to be observed in good faith (pacta sunt servanda). And even though Article 62 (2) (a) of the said convention anticipates the termination of treaties due to a fundamental change of circumstances (rebus sic stantibus), which would clearly envisage various acts of fraud, it entered a caveat exempting this principle from application to boundary disputes.

Incidentally, a fact that is little known, the Guyana team to the two sessions of the Vienna Conference on the Law of Treaties 1968/69 comprised the late Sir Lionel Luckhoo and Sir John Carter, Sir Shridath Ramphal and Mr. Duke Pollard, who, collectively played a critical role in the adoption of the exception to the rebus sic stantibus principle set out in Arti-

Let’s look to South Bend, Indiana SOUTH Bend is a little town on the North-Western border of Indiana, just about a 10 minute drive from Michigan.

It is very clean and immaculately well kept. My family and I moved there while I was pursuing my Master of Divinity at the Andrews University, in Michigan.

South Bend (the name is derived from the bend of the river that runs through the City), is kept clean by some very simple laws enforced by the City administrators. Here’s a few of those laws: Your grass cannot be

more than one foot high, you cannot leave a disabled vehicle on the roadway for more than four weeks, your garbage for collection must be placed in a garbage bag and then in a bin with a lid.

There are paid Code Enforcement Officers who traverse the City to monitor these things. However, if they miss anything, any citizen can call and give the address of the code violators. The violators are served with citations for immediate correction of the problem/s. Failing that, the City comes in and corrects the problem (weed

the grass, remove the trash, tow the vehicle, etc.), then sends a bill to the owners of the property. The City charges significantly more for the work than would be charged by an average hire.

Additionally, a substantial interest is incurred on the unpaid balance.

When the unpaid amount reaches a certain figure (I don’t quite remember the amount), the property is gazette for sale and placed on the market at a public auction. The bidding for the respective properties begins at the amount owed to the City.

One could well imaging the

kind of effort put forward by property owners to keep their surroundings clean and their broken vehicles off the public road-ways.

As the local M&CC moves ahead with the restoration and beautification of Georgetown, maybe some semblance of those South Bend code enforcement laws could be copied.

Regards, PASTOR W. P. JEFFREY Practical Christianity Ministries

cle 62 (2) (a). Securing general recognition of an exception to the rebus sic stantibus rule constituted an important aspect of Guyana’s global strategy to neutralise Venezuela’s despicable acts of brigandry. And this exception was made for extremely good reasons. In the language of the International Law Commission “treaties establishing a boundary should be recognised to be an exception to the rule, because otherwise the rule, instead of being an instrument of peaceful change, might become a source of dangerous frictions”.

Consider, for example, the institutionalised chaos and instability that would characterise inter-state relations in the international community if states were free to employ this principle arbitrarily to adjust national borders at the whim and fancy of competent decision-makers like the Presidents of Venezuela and Suriname

in pursuit of territorial cupidity. Quite apart from the fact that Venezuela would be estopped (or precluded in international law) from contesting the validity of the Award, given its earlier agreement thereto and its unqualified acquiescence for 63 years thereafter, Venezuela, despite claims to the contrary, has been unable to validate the allegation that the Award was the outcome of a deal among some arbitrators.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e Guyana/ Venezuela controversy, in the present submission, appears to present the United Nations with a rare opportunity to appear relevant and meaningful in addressing the present controversy on the basis of generally accepted legal norms and consistently with international practice.

Regards, DUKE POLLARD

We ain’t ...

From Page 6 (DEMBA) in McKenzie as a fresh, young engineer in 1967, I received a handsome pay (for Guyana at that time) of G$750 per month. A brand new motor car then, was priced at G$ 4,000 with tax included.

As I tried to accumulate the down payment, prices were rocketing and I closed my eyes and bought a brand new car in 1973 for G$ 16,000, a fourfold increase in six years! As inflation continued at faster rates than pay increases, I could not overhaul the engine in 1990 and sold that car after coming to office in 1992, for G$ 300,000 at which time the price for a brand new car with all taxes paid was approaching four million Guyana dollars! That is a vivid presentation of the inflation we had experienced and which we, the PPP/C, had to take account of in 1992. It is our tight financial discipline which might have seemed mean but which was very necessary against that background of two and a half decades of rampant inflation, which is to be thanked for our progress since 1992. That discipline should not be compromised - we are not yet out of the woods.

The belittling and making trite of, rather than acknowledging and recognising the challenge in the great improvement which there has been during our PPP/C years, does nothing for national cohesion or for our prospect for continued growth and development.

Regards, SAMUEL A. HINDS Former Prime Minister

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

Education is the gateway to the good life...

From Page 2

popular national song taught in schools countrywide.

Shifting gears, the combined steel bands then picked up the tempo with their remixes of regional and national songs. This upbeat tempo was maintained as Carmel Secondary School teacher Keon Heywood rocked the crowd with his performance of ‘If you’re out there’ by John Legend.

Then the moment ar-

rived, that moment when the currently most renowned name in the country was called to the podium to deliver the feature address.

Expressing how happy he was to see the faces of the future of Guyana, President David Granger urged the thousands of students attentively listening to be prepared to take possession of this land, which belongs to them.

“In 2013, I said that is the year of youths, but every year is the year for

youths…I want you to have the opportunity to tour this country and see the flora and fauna, but you have to be prepared to take possession of your land,” President Granger told them.

Noting that the education system needs building because of the high dropout rate, the Head of State related that this tool of education is the gateway to a good life. “It [education] is the mother of good jobs, it is the mother of empowerment,

it is the mother of enterprise, and it is the mother of entrepreneurship,” the President said.

He further highlighted that education is not only for the rich to benefit from, but every child in Guyana, since there currently exists a system which offers every child the opportunity to attend school. But due to socio-economic constraints, he posited, children are forced to leave school early, which is an issue the government remains committed to tack-

The North Georgetown Secondary School students beautifully manoeuvring their bodies during the physical display dance

A section of the students at yesterday’s Education Month Rally

ling.

The situation of having children in the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Camp Street Prison and Mazaruni Prison is one which the President said needs to be turned around through comprehensive planning and policy implementation.

In this regard, he noted that the youths whom he pardoned from prison on the 26 May are not the last set to be pardoned, since he remains committed to providing an opportunity to every Guyanese youth to make something positive of their life.

In addition, he revealed that a two-pronged approach is needed to guide a successful education system which is not limited to the classroom.

The President offered that the most important rule that must be followed by students and citizens is learning to recognise and have respect for each other, regardless of ethnicity or race.

“We’re a multiethnic society and we need to respect each other and ourselves, and that is where education starts. It doesn’t start in nursery school…It

starts at home, church, with parents, in communities,” the President said to the gathering. He added that the colour of our skin or what is on our head does not matter, but rather it is what is in our head.

The second rule which he recommended that all should follow is that every single Guyanese child must find a place in the school system. He noted that parents could be punished and fined for not sending children to school, and urged children to make use of this opportunity which provides them with a chance to overcome the ills of society.

He further charged them to report any case of absenteeism which they might know of within their communities.

His vision was for a robust education system through the participation of civil society, and it was detailed at yesterday’s rally.

His remarks were followed by two Soca performances by local singers Tennicia Defreitas and Vanilla. ***DSC 129 and DSC 144 - Students seated in the National Park yesterday

President David Granger waves to the students on his arrival at the National Park yesterday. Also in photo are Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

British Govt to restart local Security Sector Reform Programme

By Ariana Gordon

THE British government is currently working on an assessment aimed at restarting the Security Sector Reform Programme here.

British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn announced at a press conference held yesterday at his Bel Air, Georgetown residence that his government would be pushing to have the programme restarted under a $550M aid to eight Commonwealth Caribbean states.

He said the British government is likely to support the programme, and that President David Granger has repeatedly spoken of the need to have the programme here.

President David Granger, addressing the opening ceremony of the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Pegasus Hotel last June, announced that Guyana had approached the United Kingdom to have the programme restarted.

“We need to deal with the public security problem, and I have approached the British government to restore the Security Sector Reform

Plan,” Granger had then said.

The President’s remarks had come following a spate of crime in the country at that time.

High Commissioner Quinn told reporters yesterday that steps are under way to ensure that the programme is revived, but he could not state the amount of money to be allocated to the programme. Funding for the project in the past had come from the Department for International Development (DFID).

In 2007, the US$4.7B project was implemented, but was scrapped in 2009 after the British government had requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was ‘value for money’. The former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration had disagreed with the manner in which the British government had wanted the programme to be run, and had stated that the British had sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty.

In its defence, the British government had said the Guyana government had submitted a different proposal, which had focused on

police modernisation rather than a holistic approach to reform, as originally requested. The British had proposed to build a workable basis for improving national security while reducing crime in Guyana by 2011. As a result, the British Government proposed the putting together of a national security plan with the aim of increasing public confidence.

Notwithstanding the many challenges faced during that period, Quinn is optimistic that the project would get off the ground.

The Guyana Government has said it has interest in the recommencement of the Security Reform Programme.

The British envoy has noted that his government will do an assessment and come up with a new plan with which all stakeholders can work.

Quinn also told reporters that statements made by the former administration were not factual. “…the claims of 2009 that we were seeking to impose and basically run Guyanese law enforcement, in our opinion, was without basis,” the British envoy has said.

“We are not imposing, we

are not seeking to impose… there was no attempt or desire on our part…there was a fundamental misunderstanding on their part,” he posited.

The British High Commissioner added that what emanates from the programme is “very much what the government wants to do.”

When progress is made on the restart of the programme, the High Commission will provide updates.

Infrastructure, health and economic development Meanwhile, Guyana stands to benefit significantly in the areas of infrastructural work, health, and economic development from the British Government. The British envoy said his government will provide much needed support in several areas.

US$550M has been allocated by the British Government to assist eight Commonwealth Caribbean states in developmental works.

The aid, which represents the largest foreign assistance provided in the Region, will be disbursed through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Over the next six to 12 months, specific areas would

be identified, and funding will be provided, Quinn told the media. Asked how much money would be allocated to each territory, the envoy said, “[We] haven’t allocated specific amounts to specific countries.” He explained that allocations will be made on the basis of the quality of requests received from the countries that stand to benefit.

In the case of Guyana, Quinn pointed out that in the area of infrastructure, there are a variety of areas that can benefit. “A variety of things could be covered…the airstrips, bridges - Demerara Harbour Bridge…,” he said.

Quinn added that the British Government will be looking to the Guyana Government to “prioritise what they want.” He gave the assurance that his government would not be demanding anything of beneficiaries, as it is the role of governments to decide the projects they need implemented with the assistance of donor countries.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, Q u i n n said UK contractors are permitted to bid for projects in the Region. He noted that they have to

British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn makes a point during a press conference, yesterday

compete with regional contractors, but special preference would not be given to them.

Britain’s Prime Minster, David Cameron, announced in September, during his visit to Jamaica, that his government hopes to strengthen the relationship between the Region and the UK.

Dipcon commences paying retrenched workers their severance payments

By Ariana Gordon DIPCON Engineering Services Limited on Friday made good on its agreement to pay retrenched workers their outstanding severance.

Dipcon had entered an agreement with the Ministry of Social Protection, Labour Occupational Safety and Health Department, to pay retrenched workers some $5,038,896 (five million and thirty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety–six dollars) over the next three months.

Signed late September, the agreement came on the heels of complaints made by some 24 employees of the company over the past few months about the non-payment of severance money.

The company committed to paying just over one million dollars to workers from October 9, 2015. Several of the retrenched workers visited the Ministry of Social Protection to receive monies owed them

by Dipcon.

Those who received their

final severance payments expressed gratitude to Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, for taking up the labour matter with the engineering company.

Eon Sancho, who worked at Dipcon for four years and was terminated in June this year, said he was pleased to receive his money. “I received my final payment from Dipcon today,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. He explained that it has been a struggle to receive the money from the company. Since he was retrenched, he had written numerous letters to the relevant authorities, and even to President Granger.

“I am pleased, I am glad I got my money,” he said.

Similarly, Russel Daniel, a former ‘activity checker’, told this publication that persons should have been paid their severance since July, but he is thankful that he collected his. “Better late than never,” is how Daniel, who worked with Dipcon for three years, described Friday’s payment.

His colleague, Muntaz Alie, whose service was terminated in June, said he is “happy”. He explained that he struggled over the last few months to maintain his family. Though currently employed by the Associated Packers Industry, a branch of DeSinco Trading, Alie said, “All my problems are solved now…I am happy.”

“Satisfied” was the description provided by Roopnarine Rowtie of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who said that after working with the engineering company for one and a half years, he believes he should have been treated better. Rowtie is currently unemployed, and said the “fight” for his money prevented him from seeking another job. “It really slowed us up… you had to find time to fight for the payment…no job would want to take us and then every day we have to go to Labour or somewhere to get our money,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. His service was terminated in May. Meanwhile, Devon and Kevin Hercules said they

had to leave their jobs in Suriname to return to Guyana to deal with the non-payment of severance by Dipcon. The two have a tally of six years working with the company. “I feel much better now…I live in Suriname now, and I am happy that I came and I got all my money,” said 22–yearold Devon Hercules.

His brother Kevin Hercules said he feels the intervention by Minister Broomes was “excellent”. He noted that the “run around” was not easy.

“I punished for the money. I am happy, I thank God for this day,” said 64-year-old Chateau Margot resident Mohamed Basir Ali. He told this publication that since he was laid off in June, he has been looking for a job. “It hard on me! Really hard. I am glad I get all my severance,” he said.

NOT PAID But while some 12 persons received payment on Friday, there were several other retrenched employees who visited the ministry but did not receive payment.

Rickey and Richard Dhanraj told Guyana Chronicle that they worked for

years with the company, but, unfortunately, they have not received payment.

Last month, Minister Broomes advised the workers that payment would be made

by Dipcon in installments.

She advised that not every person would be paid out of the first installment. The Minister said she understands the frustration of the workers, but is asking them to exercise patience. “I understand that you don’t want part-payments, but the first payment will be just over $1M… we have a list, and we are going to call you…you don’t have to come, we are going to call you to come here to receive your money,” she told the workers, who are eager to receive their monies.

Broomes expressed regret that Dipcon is not in a position to “bring all the money at one time”, but said the company has committed to bringing payments.

Richard Dhanraj said his frustration is at its peak. He noted, “I have seventeen debts…what do I do? I have bills to pay.” He told this publication that he found out his name was not on the list of persons scheduled to receive payment, but he was

hopeful that the Minister can look into the matter. “I worked from the 23rd March, 2013 to May 2015…I need to be paid!” the frustrated man said.

Similarly, Fitz Morris, a former labourer, said he started receiving payment from Dipcon, but is yet to receive the final one. “I got laid off in May and I got $20,000, then $13,000 and never got any more. They tell me is a total of $77,000, but I don’t know if that is accurate…but I want my money.”

Morris told Guyana Chronicle that he is “depending on the money to survive”.

Minister Broomes told this publication she is pleased that Dipcon had fulfilled its commitment to commence the payout on Friday. “They adhered to the agreement and I am happy…there is no fight between the Labour Department and employer…there is a clear understanding,” said Broomes.

She noted that all of the persons paid on Friday received their full severance payments.

Dipcon Engineering Limited is expected to complete all payments by December 4.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Critical labour market information …gov’t resuscitates to be available shortly coordinating committee RESUSCITATION of the Labour Market Coordinating Committee has brought labour market information back on the front- burner in Guyana.

A Ministry of Social Protection release has said the committee was resuscitated last Thursday, and Deputy Permanent Secretary Adrian Ramrattan said regular intelligence from a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) will reduce the labour information deficit; help to formulate, monitor and evaluate government policies; and minimise jobsearch costs by improving information flows between the demand and supply of labour.

Ramrattan outlined the benefits accrued with LMIS intelligence. “If people do not have information about job openings, they may stay unemployed. If people do not have information about professions, they may choose a profession where there is no demand for workers. If more persons find jobs, their

incomes increase, and therefore the general well-being of the society increases. If more persons make the right job choice and companies get the right workers, productivity increases.”

Labour information is used by governments to help inform their policy decisions; is exploited by the private sector to increase competitiveness of employers and employees; and assists students to fine-tune decisions about their careers.

Ministry of Finance official Eileen Quamina was happy. “I am glad the committee is being resuscitated. A lot of work went into moving Guyana from Category Three to Two, and it disappeared into thin air. It is good that we can now put in the effort and got to Category Two,” Quamina said.

The committee falls under the purview of the Statistical Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection, and comprises a wide membership of government, private and autonomous agencies,

including the ministries of Education, Finance, and Business; the University of Guyana; the National Insurance Scheme; the Bureau of Statistics; and several departments of the Ministry of Social Protection, including the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency and the Board of Industrial Training.

It was initially formed in 1999 with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and functioned under the guidance of Lennox Benjamin, Chief Statistician at the Bureau of Statistics. The committee set out to put arrangements in place to promote statisticians from Category Three to Category Two, which would have brought the country to a level of more updated, relevant and timely reports and data about the labour force.

Chief Statistical Officer at the Ministry of Social Protection Ivelaw Henry, said the committee’s work would include crafting a medium-term work programme to arrive at the intended cat-

egory, and to recreate partnerships and strengthen the existing network to improve data collection, processing and analysis. He explained that the data to be collected will be fed into the Labour Market Information System, which is a system to collect, store, retrieve and disseminate labour market information in a timely manner.

At present, the ministry regularly conducts Occupational Wages and Hours of Work Surveys and the Skills Need surveys, among others, but these are insufficient to generate the data necessary for decision making.

Underscoring the importance of analyzing the labour force, Mr. Ian Manifold, Head of the Surveys Department of the Bureau of Statistics, said that while surveys conducted by that Bureau would seek information about the labour force, that information is generally vague and lacks the details to give sufficient analysis.

One such survey is the 2012 Census, the disaggregated

data of which will hopefully be released soon.

He also opined that, generally, a major challenge to generating labour force statistics has been the unavailability of data, and he expressed optimism that, this time around, the committee would have greater success in moving Guyana higher on the statistically-equipped ladder.

“Hopefully, more of what is required is there, so we can do a better job…a Labour Market Information System can tell you where are the jobs, or which occupation has the most prospects, which is helpful for career guidance…. The government is the major planner in the economy, and with such information, the government can formulate policies, determine training needs, estimate working life of the population, and so on,” he explained.

Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes, supports the resuscitated committee. She

has noted that its Terms of Reference include establishment of new sources of data and assessment of human resources needs and development.

“These are, to my mind, the two main areas; and I charge you today to not lose sight of your focus, but to ensure that, at the end of the process, Guyana will proudly declare that it has relevant labour-related statistics….

“You should be reminded that the public needs to be informed, and this can be done through the availability of up-to-date statistics on labour-related issues,” Broomes said.

She is pleased that the committee will produce a status report by December, and she has urged the committee to embrace the role of technology in its work.

Two key responsibilities of the committee are to advise the Minister of Social Protection on issues pertaining to the labour market, and to promote reform in the area.

Action plans for regional development being developed – Ministry of Communities starts ball rolling with first ‘roundtable’

By Svetlana Marshall THE Ministry of Communities staged its first “appreciative inquiry round table” yesterday, with the aim of developing plans of action for regional development (PARD).

PARD is a new initiative which will assist the 10 regional democratic councils (RDCs) in developing, implementing, monitoring and assessing appropriate action-oriented plans for the social and economic advancement of the respective regions.

This will, of course, undo the damage inflicted on Guyana’s ailing local government system by the previous administration.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan said PARD is part of a revolutionary process which was stymied by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) during its terms in office.

He said creation of PARD is a critical step in the revolutionary process in the country’s governance architecture; one which will allow for simultaneous decentralisation and regional empowerment to take place.

He said it started 35 years ago, on August 18, 1980, when the Local Democratic Organs Bill was debated in the National Assembly. The bill, which was led by the then Minister of Economic Development and Cooperatives, the late

Desmond Hoyte, determined the legal framework and authority of the local government organs.

Most importantly, the bill, which has been enacted, sought to empower the people of Guyana at the levels of their regions and communities, thereby allowing them to be involved in the decision-making process.

“In the decade following the enactment…the system which was designed to be introduced started to take root in our country, (but) it is unfortunate and regrettable, in my opinion, that that evolution and that progress were arrested, if not reversed, in the past 15 years,” Minister Bulkan said.

However, the Communi-

ties Minister made it clear that the David Granger Administration is firmly committed to the process of decentralisation.

He explained that regional administration and regional development are a part of the construct of local government.

“In fact, it is the backbone of the local government system,” he said.

“The NDCs and municipalities, those 71 existing organs which generally are what are considered to be the ‘local government organs, are really sub-divisions of the parent body, or the regional democratic councils. Our presence here today is a continuation of the journey to give effect to the constitutional provision relating to how our country

should be managed.

“What our constitution does not provide for is for the country to be managed by only a single government, that is, central government, but rather by 82 governments, namely one central, 10 regional, six municipalities, and 65 NDCs,” Bulkan told the gathering that includes Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell; regional chairmen, regional executive officers (REO) and councilors, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

Junior Communities Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams said that, for too long, regional administrations have been try-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan is flanked by Junior Communities Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams and Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell A section of the regional officials at the ‘appreciative inquiry round table’

ing to give satisfaction to residents without having a visionary plan for development. “We had plans, but they were not documented,” she explained.

As such, she said, PARD will assist in that process.

In pointing out that Region 10 was selected to execute the pilot project, Hastings-Williams said every region’s plan of action must include solid waste management, climate change, and disaster risk management initiatives.

Principal Regional Development Officer Aretha Henry further explained that the Ministry of Communities recognizes the need for a collective approach for the involvement of all parties.

“We envisage there will be positive change, given the positive and critical inputs that will be made by you, our stakeholders. We’re cognizant of your passion for development and your willingness to contribute towards making a difference,” she added.

In addition to the regional officials, the roundtable was attended by IDEA International, Conservation International, UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Guyana, UNICEF and CARILED. During the seminar, these international and local agencies discussed their strategic planning initiatives, experiences and best practices.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Sanjay’s Jewellery Red Thread plans protest owner sentenced to action against Govt 58 months jail – on decision to increase salaries of Ministers

By Svetlana Marshall RED Thread, a non-governmental organisation, is in the process of mustering support to protest government’s decision to increase the salaries of its ministers.

According to Joy Marcus, a member of the organisation, the protest is set for October 15 in front of the Parliament Buildings. “The protest action is another means of speaking directly to the government and the rest of Parliament,” Marcus said.

In an open letter to His Excellency President David Granger and his administration on Thursday, Red Thread signalled its disappointment. Alluding to statements made by the Minister of State Joseph Harmon, in which he told the press that “we have to pay people well

if we want them to perform,” Red Thread questioned why ordinary citizens are being made to accept low wages and salaries.

“People have been working as public servants for years but get very meagre increases in salaries and wages.

This government is in office for merely five months but already they are giving themselves HUGE increases,” the letter, which was signed

by Marcus, Halima Khan, Wintress White and Joycelyn Bacchus, stated.

The organisation said it found Harmon’s explanation for the increase “insulting.”

The Minister of State had explained that the Cabinet is made up of a group of quality people who should be paid “well” for the execution of their duties.

“We ordinary citizens are

responsible for the government being in office. If it wasn’t for us, the presumably ‘no quality’ people, the ‘quality’ people would not have been in the positions they now hold. When they wanted our votes they were not so high and mighty but now the Minister of State has the gall to say he has no apologies to make about them getting that increase.”

Red Thread added that Minister Harmon should now do the responsible thing and apologise to the people who voted the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition into office.

“It would seem that Mr. Harmon and his Cabinet members lack integrity. We find his justification very disturbing. If they can’t survive on over $500,000 per month

why do they expect other people to live on $6,500, $17,000 and $50,000 per month? These categories of people don’t get duty-free concessions and all the other perks the government officials are entitled to.”

The organisation further said that if those in Government were earning more prior to the May 11 elections then they should have simply remained in their old posts. “We never asked them to sacrifice their high-paying jobs at the expense of us, the grassroots, being trampled upon. Yes. This is what we feel, trampled upon. This just goes to show where their true interest is. They are not sufficiently better than the ones they replaced.”

A tabulation, done by Red Thread, showing the “huge” gaps between the salaries of the Ministers and those of ordinary citizens.

– for causing death by dangerous driving

The vehicle that businessman Sanjay Persaud was driving when he fatally struck Leon Hunte

By Clestine Juan THE owner of Sanjay’s Jewellrey was yesterday sentenced to 58 months in prison after he was found guilty by Magistrate Judy Latchman of causing death by dangerous driving.

The defendant, Bishnarine ‘Sanjay’ Persaud, of Lot 26 Sheriff Street, Georgetown was found guilty of the charge which read that on September 10, 2014, he drove motor car PKK 5501 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Leon Hunte, a 55-year-old handyman attached to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

The matter, heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was prosecuted by Inspector Vishnu Hunt who told the court that, on September 10, 2014 about 11:15 PM, Persaud was driving east along Lamaha Street at a fast rate of speed when he collided with Hunte who was

JAILED: Sanjay’s Jewelry owner, Bishnarine Persaud

riding a pedal cycle in the same direction. Hunte was pitched some distance away.

Magistrate Judy Latchman, in delivering her sentence, referred to the fact that a life was lost, and reminded the defendant of the number of road fatalities for the year 2015.

She told the businessman that it was his responsibility and duty as a road user to promote road safety, and to preserve and value our human resources. In accordance with her ruling, she sentenced him to 58 months in prison. The defence attorney has since appealed the matter and made application for bail pending application. However, bail was denied.

STARR engages National Toshaos Council – on IT solutions for hinterland communities STARR Computers Inc. recently hosted Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Mr. Joel Fredricks and 15 other members at a seminar under the theme: ‘IT Solutions for Empowerment.’

The aim of the seminar held at the company’s Brickdam, Georgetown office was to engage with the leaders of hinterland communities to ascertain the role technology can play in improving education, skills, communication and entrepreneurial development to improve the lives of people.

Some of the topics covered were: Mobile Com-

puting, Smart Lab, Social Media, Small Business Solutions and Renewable

Energy.

The presenters included President of Starr Com-

puters Mike Mohan and General Manager Rehman Majeed.

President of Starr Computers Mike Mohan addressing members of the National Toshaos Council (NTC)

Given the lack of infrastructure, especially reliable power, the attendees were introduced to the computer on a stick. Low cost, small and functioning like a regular desktop computer, this device makes perfect sense for hinterland communities.

M e a n w h i l e , S TA R R Computers Smart lab generated the most excitement since many persons saw this as a solution for their training and IT hubs. The presenters explained the concept of up to 100 computer terminals being powered by one computer (server). This significantly reduced initial costs, technical support, electricity and e-waste.

Mohan explained the reach of social media sites

such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, etc. in marketing the products that are developed in the hinterland.

These sites have the ability to reach millions of people worldwide.

He also noted that packaging is a key factor in marketing and the printing of labels and barcodes at the place of manufacturing can greatly enhance the value of the product. The presenters saw this as a key benefit in the manufacturing of products in hinterland communities.

The toshaos were given a tour of STARR Computers renewable energy installation which powers over 60% of the energy requirements of the company. (Rabindra Rooplall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

GWI to intensify house-to-house campaign – to curb illegal connections

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is to intensify its house-to-house campaign to define metering on every household, in an effort to curb illegal connections.

The GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, told the Guyana Chronicle that illegal connections are causing both water loss and leaks in the system.

Elaborating on GWI’s

plans in an exclusive interview done at his office on Thursday last, Dr Van-West Charles added that the water entity is concurrently seeking partnerships with citizens, so that access is not denied to meter readers during those GWI house-tohouse visits.

He said, “I believe that people are aware they have to pay for water they use, and we want to ensure that we have a human face and to have our services delivered in a friendly manner. We understand people do have difficulties at times, and we are going to look at times when there will be disconnections.

I know that people have had the experience of being disconnected on Fridays and they are without water on weekends. We are going to stop that.”

DEBT COLLECTION Dr. Van-West Charles explained that if GWI determines that a person’s service must be disconnected, that disconnection will take place on Monday morning, thereby giving that person some time to pay, because the product is very critical to one’s health.

“Once you can pay that bill very quickly, you will be connected,” he promised.

The ‘Wallet-Friendly Payment Plan’ is still available to customers, and is still being utilised, but GWI will also take action with its debt collection initiative, he added.

The CEO disclosed that GWI has a significant sum outstanding, and wants to have that sum addressed very quickly, thus the company will be looking at re-payment plans, etc; but recalcitrant customers and those who indulge in illegal connections throughout the system will be subjected to necessary actions and sanctions from the water company.

Dr. Van-West Charles said, “We have a range of people in debt…some large unnamed entities, and we will engage them in talks within a week or so, to move in this process.”

ACCESS TO POTABLE WATER In this vein, the CEO said he has already asked divisional managers to give him a status report with respect to the schools in their community and the access to water to flush toilets within those schools.

He has also asked for a report on the restaurants and health facilities that exist in the regions, and their access to water as well, since GWI is supposed to be providing 24-hour access to potable water, especially to hospitals.

Dr. Van-West Charles said GWI will be working closely with the Ministry

GWI’s CEO Dr. Richard Van-West Charles

of Health in tackling water-borne diseases and the reduction of those diseases in respect to morbidity and mortality.

FINANCIAL VIABILITY He said GWI has to ensure it has the efficiencies to collect on its outstanding debts, and that people likewise have the resources to pay.

“I think we have to ensure we produce a good product, so it will give people the confidence to pay.

We will work in every way to make that happen and I want to ensure, as quickly as possible, that the water quality analysis gets going across the board.”

He disclosed that he is in discussion with a Guyanese microbiologist out of Canada to have the GWI laboratory accredited and brought up to standard, so the quality of water and waste water produced is up to internationally acceptable standard.

The CEO explained that once GWI can deliver a good service, people will pay.

WATER PRESSURE He told this newspaper that the other issue which will be addressed is the water pressure, linked to water loss due to leaks. The company has the capacity to correct same, and it can be tapped collectively.

The CEO said GWI personnel will pool their knowledge to resolve water problems in the country. GWI engineers are to be trained in that aspect, and Guyanese engineers in the diaspora who have experience in water and waste water management will be sourced to connect with GWI’s local engineers.

He disclosed that collab-

oration between local and overseas-based engineers will, through brain-storming efforts, result in knowledge transfer and the successful resolution of many of the problems at GWI. The principles that will guide GWI in this cooperation are basically equity, good governance, a corruption-free environment, and high quality output.

GWI will ensure the staff can function in a comfortable environment and be respected. They will be able to offer criticisms and recommendations, which will be taken into consideration in a real way.

The CEO said he has since met the union representative of GWI, and has indicated to him his orientation of respecting labour and working with labour to ensure a contribution to the quality of life of all employees.

HINTERLAND WATER Dr. Van-West Charles told this newspaper that the hinterland is also an area of focus, and the GWI will be meeting with officials of the Ministry of Ingenious Affairs to hold in-depth discussion about the situation.

He remarked that President David Granger has clearly said there should be equity in the quality of life between urban and rural areas, and as a physician, he believes that is right.

The CEO said, “I have already signalled that aspect to senior management as an important goal we will strive to meet.”

He said that, under his watch, GWI will be an organisation which would be providing quality service, where people can drink water straight out of the tap; and added that GWI will be giving guidance to people on how to do preventive maintenance to their septic tanks, because that is linked in a way where flooding is concerned.

He stressed that septic tanks are normally not properly cleaned, and GWI will have to look at giving guidance on how often those tanks can be cleaned, until GWI can totally address the loss reduction issue with water pressure.

He said the GWI is expecting to go into the various areas as it seeks to ensure the public is informed of its movements in terms of maintenance or preventive works.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Officials must engage Gov’t to set up Local communities in Government Commission resolving issues

– Mc Garrell tells CoI

By Shauna Jemmott THERE is a critical need for government officials, ministry personnel and the general Public Service to engage communities in resolving issues.

Mr. Emil Mc Garrell, Permanent Secretary (PS) attached to the Ministry of Communities, made this point on Tuesday in a sworn statement during the ongoing Public Service Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

He was led through his testimony by Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry Professor Harold Lutchman and Commissioners Mr. Samuel Goolsarran and Mrs. Sandra Jones.

The PS suggested: “One important area of training is - given that you have a ministry of communities which suggests that you are dealing with communities, which suggests that you are dealing with people, where they live and their circum-

stances - therefore means ministry officials, government officials and members of the public service have to appreciate what it is like to engage communities.”

ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE The PS indicated that the public should not just be told about solutions to problems, but be allowed to participate “and to own solutions that the government might be proposing and rather than saying to them what ought to be done.”

For this to be made possible, the various State entities should get the skills-set to elicit contributions and solutions for what is considered “their own circumstances.”

The role of the Public Service is to effectively and efficiently deliver service to members of the public and in order to do that, it must first be understood what the beneficiaries require as

interventions and solutions to their own problems.

He explained that though public servants have received training in accounting and organisational matters, they have not necessarily been professionally prepared to engage the public. This, he explained further, also leaves members of communities with a misunderstanding of how to own and appreciate the public service and make more informed demands.

PUBLIC GOOD “One of our great challenges is to get our communities - our countrymen - to own the public good…to have an appreciation of the Public Service and therefore make a more intelligent, more informed demand of service from the public servants, and to get to that place requires the public servants themselves being trained…to bring those persons to that level of awareness,” the PS posited.

GOVERNMENT has started making preparations to install a Local Government Commission to oversee the upcoming local government elections.

Mr. Emil McGarrell, Permanent Secretary (PS) attached to the Ministry of Communities made this disclosure on Tuesday in a sworn statement during the ongoing Public Service Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Local government elections were last held in 1994, but has not been held since.

They were constitutionally due since 1999.

McGarrell said the Ministry of Communities which combines the former Ministry of Local Government

Mr Emil McGarrell

and Regional Development and Ministry of Housing and Water has already started the implementation process.

The Ministry of Communities is in the process of

proposing a structure for the newly-formed Ministry of Communities to the Public Service Department of the Ministry of the Presidency.

This document will also feature an explanation of the ministry’s structure for approval.

“Notwithstanding that the Official Gazette laid out the four functioning areas [of the Ministry of Communities] there has to be a structure in terms of delivering the service… and the complement of staff that will enable us to carry out the functions of the new ministry,” McGarrell said.

The ministry functions in four areas – housing, water, local government and regional development.

GPHC service delivery to be improved THE provision of quality health care is expected to be significantly improved at the country’s main referral hospital, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), as $262.2 million was allocated to the institution for capital works.

The works include con-

struction of the maternity ward, the operating theatre and works at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.

Under these projects, invitation for bids is currently being advertised for the supply and installation of fuel meters, surgical lighting systems, retractable ceiling

columns, a water- purification system for the renal centre, setting up of CCTV systems, and the supply of 450 KVA auto transformers, infusion pumps, laboratory refrigerators and scrub sinks.

Bids are to be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, by October 13.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Argentine doctors to boost blood transfusion sector

– as part of three-year collaboration with Guyana

From left are: Argentine Ambassador, Luiz Alberto Martino; Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton; and Director of Standards and Technical Services at the Guyana Blood Bank, Dr Julian Amsterdam

By Ravin Singh ARGENTINE doctors Ana Del Pozo and Sebastian Okanaian will be in Guyana from Sunday, October 11, to Saturday, October 17, to assist the Guyana Blood Programme (GBP) to achieve its quality strategic objectives.

The visit is the first leg of a three-year plan drafted through a bilateral -cooperation agreement with Argentina, and the operational departments responsible for the successful execution of the project are the Ministries of Public Health and Foreign Affairs of Argentina, and the Ministry of Public Health of Guyana.

Speaking at a press conference held at his Brickdam office yesterday morning, Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton, lauded the initiative while underscoring its importance to the development of the blood -transfusion sector.

The GBP has outlined four strategies in obtaining Blood Safety until 2020.

These include ensuring that blood and blood components are safely collected, processed and appropriately preserved and distributed for transfusion; guaranteeing safety, sufficiency, availability, and efficient and timely access to blood and blood components; providing well qualified transfusion services; and providing well qualified blood donor attention that is accessible to the population and is efficient and safe for the care of voluntary blood donors.

The Argentine team of experts plans to make an auditing of the blood bank with the aim of educational support using Caribbean stan-

dards. Visits will be made to hospitals in Georgetown and other regions, including to the New Amsterdam and West Demerara hospitals. Blood transfusion services in Guyana are currently available in Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10.

According to Argentine Ambassador Luiz Alberto Martino, the two doctors scheduled to arrive in Guyana on Sunday come from the “grassroots” in the profession, given that they have practised in some of the most notorious hospitals in Argentina.

The second phase of the project, which will be reeled out in April and May of 2016, involves the training of two Guyanese physicians and two technologists in Argentina at the “Centro Regional de Hemoterapia Garrahan” (CRHC) – Garrahan Regional Centre for Hemotherapy. The tasks to be developed during this time will be guided by a module of quality guarantee programme.

Succeeding this will be the final leg in 2017, which caters for the training of two Guyanese in Argentina. Closure of the cooperation project and the submission of the final learning results will also take effect during 2017.

In the pipeline too, the minister said, is the development of a programme to benefit medical students who would have studied in Spanish-speaking countries. The successful development of this programme will aid candidates in securing spots to pursue post- graduate studies in their area of expertise.

Director of Standards and Technical Services at the Guyana Blood Bank Dr Julian Amsterdam, has revealed that during the course of the visit next week, blood

transfusion activities geared towards having an increase in blood drives will be held.

One of the primary goals of these blood drives, Dr. Amsterdam said, is to achieve 100 per cent voluntary donors.

In 2013, 89 per cent voluntary donors were recorded; while in 2014, the figure climbed to 94 per cent. In the first half of 2015, he boasted, 100 per cent voluntary donors were registered.

The director further explained that before persons can donate blood, they must first be screened, so that the bank can achieve “safe blood.” Firstly, verbal screening is done to assess the medical history of the donor.

This is followed by a “check-up,” where, if the person is tested positive for any disease/s, current cough, cold or fever, that person is turned away. Persons who have had high-risk exposure or have had multiple partners are also turned away.

Those with tattoos are temporarily deferred, since a medical examination is needed to assess whether any of them has been infected.

Dr. Amsterdam said one of the most common cases of infection is that of Hepatitis B, which has a long incubation period. What this means is that, months after being infected by a piece of equipment which might not have been properly sterilised, persons can still test negative for Hepatitis B, even though they are positive.

As such, persons with tattoos are treated as special cases and are deferred.

In addition, he noted that lab testing is done for at least eight diseases which can be transferred via blood transfusion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 10, 2015

Overwhelming response moves M&CC to extend interest-free rates amnesty THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has said it has extended its interest-free rates amnesty to October 31, 2015, because of the overwhelming public response.

This gives commercial and residential property owners a second chance to settle their accounts without having to pay interest, given that the initiative, which initially

started on September 1, 2015 was slated to run until the end of last month.

Town Clerk Royston King in a comment to this newspaper earlier this week, said: “We have received a very good response from property owners, as, even though we are waiving the interest, some property owners could not have managed the demand within the time

Walton Hall residents want more police protection

– after brutal robbery of pastor RESIDENTS of Walton Hall village on the Essequibo Coast in Region 2, are calling on the ‘G’ Division police to increase patrols in the village, especially at nights, in light of the recent brutal robbery of Pastor Doreen Edwards of the El Shaddai Pentecostal Church.

Several women of the village have said that the police need to do more in hunting down the bandit(s) who robbed and terrorised the pastor, who lived alone. Angry and upset about the incident, the women have declared that despite the presence of lights on the public road, thieves are still attacking

and robbing residents.

Walton Hall does not have a vigilante group, and many are calling on Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to install and equip groups in villages, so as to help protect residents from bandits. They said thieves are taking advantage of single women, especially widows.

The women are also calling on the police to break up gangs of young men, who would normally meet at certain spots in the village and would remain there late into the night, drinking alcohol and “smoking up.”

(Rajendra Prabhulall)

frame.”

Moreover, he said because the M&CC understands what is going on in the economy, the decision was taken to give property owners another opportunity to come in and settle their accounts as soon as possible.

When it was announced earlier that an amnesty for defaulting taxpayers was being granted to afford them

an opportunity to pay their rates and taxes interest-free, residential property owners were offered a 100% amnesty on interest accrued, while commercial property owners were required to apply for a review by an amnesty panel, before securing between 5075% amnesty on the interest accrued.

All property owners are being encouraged to take

advantage of this deal and settle their accounts, so that the City Council could obtain financing to pursue a number of plans currently in the pipeline. Over the years, persons have been withholding payment of their rates and taxes, causing the M&CC to stall projects while finding difficulty in executing routine activities. (Navendra Seoraj)

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Town Clerk Royston King

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

‘Clim PPP must ‘rebuild party from bottom up’ - Jagdeo tells Red House symposium Projec O To win next elections…

By Shirley Thomas

PPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed confidence that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will return to power, and this can take place sooner rather than later.

However, his party has a big task ahead in rebuilding and ensuring that the PPP/C is as strong as it has ever been in its history, “and even stronger than that.”

Addressing a symposium on Wednesday on the lawns of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) to commemorate October 5, the anniversary of the PPP/C’s ascension to office after the 28-year rule by the People’s National Congress (PNC), Mr Jagdeo highlighted his party’s agenda for securing and retaining power.

“We have to focus a lot on people’s concerns and make them our priority…we believe in the creation of wealth, the improvement of people’s lives.

We believe in doing things to empower people so that they can by themselves change the circumstances of their lives.

We believe they should live in a country with an enhanced body of rights and that they should be protected by law. This is our philosophy,” Jagdeo told a large gathering of party supporters.

Briefing his supporters on

the method of winning back the elections, he warned them that the task before them is “rebuilding the party from bottom up”.

Alluding to the fact that the party allowed its “guard to drop a bit too low,” Jagdeo is determined that this anomaly will be rectified this time around.

“We have to correct that.

We have to get [PPP and PYO] groups that are strong and up to the task; We have to rekindle that fire in our bellies. The fire that led young Cheddi Jagan to form the first political party in this country in 1950,” he affirmed.

Former President Donald Ramotar, who also addressed the symposium, reflected on the struggles for democracy, recalling that Dr. Jagan taught the party that there can be no sustained social and economic development without having political democracy.

“That was the belief and the foundation of the PPP. That is why we fought so tirelessly for free and fair elections in Guyana, and having won, for the first time in post-independence Guyana, where we had a government of the people and by the people in 1992,” Ramotar stated.

He concurred with fellow PPP stalwart Ms. Gail Teixeira, who reminded the gathering

- aimed at maki

By Ariana Gordon

At the symposium, from left, are Dr. Roger Luncheon, former Presidents Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Donald Ramotar, and Ms. Gail Teixeira that October 5, 1992 is one of the most important dates in the history of Guyana.

“What I would like to say, without doubt, is that the last 23 years of the PPP/Civic government, those years were the best years for the Guyanese people in the post-independence era and that is something that we ought to be very proud of,” Mr. Ramotar said.

You cannot have sustained social and economic development without having political democracy, Ramotar said, while contending that the PPP/C administration had achieved quite a lot in very difficult circumstances.

A section of the gathering at the PPP/C’s October 5 Symposium at the Red House (Adrian Narine photo)

The purpose of the symposium, according to Chairperson Dr. Vindhya Persaud, was to reflect on the accomplishments of the PPP- led administration - initially by Cde. Cheddi Jagan and the struggles for democracy, eventually won on October 5, 1992, and the 23 years of democratic rule by that government from then up to May 2015.

“It is an occasion to reflect on “How far we come”; What we have achieved; What are the differences between the PPP and the APNU/AFC government and what the PPP needs to do to retain power,” Dr. Persaud said.

COMPARISON She recalled that the PPP’s 23 years in government (from October 1992 to May 2015) yielded inclusiveness at every single level: Where everyone’s perspective and voice was heard.

And comparing that era to what is being seen now, Dr. Persaud observed, “…That is what is sadly missing today. Today we are imposed on, we are dictated to, and more importantly, our freedom to choose – our freedoms have been taken somewhat for granted and we feel very much threatened.”

Comparing the PPP’s rule with the current David Granger-led administration, Dr. Per-

saud declared: “From once being a country poised on greatness, we are now plunged into a period of uncertainty.

We are plunged into a period of what some consider hopelessness.

“But, the PPP is working resolutely towards effecting a change – sooner than later, to taking back power from the APNU/AFC Government. “ WINNING BACK POWER A recurring phrase used in many of the speeches delivered throughout the evening was “winning back power, “ with the PPP/C leaders urging the large gathering of supporters to mobilise and galvanise for what is evident. And so there was much emphasis on employing strategies to win back power at both the local government and national levels.

“Not at the end of a fiveyear term; not necessarily even three, but any day now!” was the consensus, as a four-point plan towards winning back power was unveiled.

Among those who also spoke at the symposium were General Secretary of the PPP/C, Clement Rohee; Dr. Roger Luncheon and PPP/C’s Chief Whip in Parliament, Gail Teixeira.

HABITAT for Humanity, in partnership with the British High Commission in Georgetown, on Thursday launched a ‘Climate Smart Project’ at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in Thomas Lands.

The project is aimed at integrating Climate Change adaptation with Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, change vital actions that produce unhealthy behaviours leading to environmental contamination and unhealthy households; change behavioural patterns at the community level, as a means of mitigating the effects of Natural Disasters, and reinforce and track healthy behaviours that will lead to better resilience at the community level.

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn said his government understands the dangers climate change and natural disasters pose and as a result, has committed US$6B to climate finance between 2011 and 2016. “It is why we have pledged US$1.2B to the Green Climate Fund and also why we are committed to spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on development,” he said.

Quinn said everyone has a part to play and it is “not acceptable to sit back and say it is for others, or the world’s leaders, to solve

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

mate Smart ct’ launched

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ing communities more resilient the problem. Each of us, through our own actions can make a difference.”

It is for this reason the British High Commissioner agreed to support the ‘Climate Smart Project.’ He explained that the project will help to “empower and inform people about action they can take to avoid environmental contamination and unhealthy households.

It will increase awareness of what they can do to help the environment.

The British envoy noted that the project will provide information that will “allow people to make a difference.” He is optimistic that the project will “avoid potentially disastrous effects on life and property.”

Meanwhile, National Director of Habitat for Humanity (Guyana) Rawle Small, said while his organisation is in the business of building homes for those in need, the entity believes it is better able to prepare those beneficiaries for climate change and its eventualities.

“Our homes represent not only a fundamental human need; they also represent a source of investment and a source of protection from inclement weather,” Small said.

He said Habitat for Humanity has enjoyed a “vibrant relationship” with the British High Commission here and is grateful for the support given to the project. Small explained that identifying vital actions, crucial moments and structural factors that produce uncertain household and neighbourhood living conditions will be addressed in a survey and baseline study.

He explained that the project is aimed at behaviour change. “We will be identifying vital actions that will leverage behaviour change that helps us to identify them with the intention of helping the beneficiary to recognise what is happening and use that moment to substitute the unhealthy behaviour for a healthy behaviour.”

Small stressed that “behavioural change is a skill” that requires lots of work and practice.

Meanwhile, Leslie Edghill, Programme Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity, said the project is unique to Guyana and the British High Commissioner Greg Quinn (centre) and Habitat for Humanity’s National Director Rawle Caribbean.

“The project is aimed at Small (fourth right), stand with a group of volunteers for the Climate Smart Project on Thursday making communities more resilient,” said Edghill, who provided a brief on the project. He explained that ‘Climate Smart Behaviour and healthy housing’ will ensure that households and by extension communities will have an increased “knowledge and skill base” to respond to disasters.

Behaviour change, he said, is critical to the success of the project. The project will thoroughly examine preparedness and mitigation activities so as to ensure that they are more of a climate-change focus.

“We are not just saying the structures will be resilient, but we want to ensure that the household, persons living in that structure also have a knowledge base… and they are prepared,” the programme coordinator added.

The project will identify risky behaviour patterns that make the “entire community less resilient.” Once done, the community would be in a better position to recognise where they are and be able to change their risky behaviours.

The project coordinator added that soon, a social media platform would be launched with a special mobile application geared at providing guidelines and critical information. A story booklet will be provided to the target communities, Edghill said. “We will align with mainstream media,” he noted.

Focus will also be placed on “climate smart behaviours.”To this end, Habitat for Humanity will be revising its Humanity Disaster Risk Management Strategy. “We are looking for great gains out of the project,” said Edghill.

Habitat for Humanity along with a group of volunteers will be working in the Tucville area at a squatting area; in Region 3 at Railway View, MetenMeer-Zorg; and at Tiger Bay, Georgetown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 10, 2015

Six more ‘drink drivers’ charged - in ongoing police ‘name and shame’ campaign

I

N order to shame ‘drink drivers’ out of re-offending and scare would-be offenders into not getting behind the wheel, the Guyana Police Force yesterday indicated that six more persons have been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.

In a bulletin yesterday, the Police said Suraj Latchman, Lindon Munroe, Orwin Thomas, Mohan Dalchand, Shamdat Persaud and Gookaran Albert have been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The police said Suraj Latchman of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-08-15 while driving motor vehicle PMM 5022 on Hampton Court Public Road, Essequibo Coast. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on 2015-08-19, where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

Lindon Munroe of Lot 63 Craig Street, C\ville, Georgetown, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-

08-19 while driving motor vehicle PSS 105 on the Bath Settlement Public Road, West Coast Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on 2015-08-20, where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

Orwin Thomas of lot 128 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-08-19 while driving motor vehicle BMM 4101 on the Bath Settlement Public Road, WCB. The Police said he was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on 2015-08-20, where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

Mohan Dalchand of Lot 497 Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-08-09 while driving motor vehicle PHH 1526 on Avenue

Suraj Latchman

Lindon Munroe

Orwin Thomas

Mohan Dalchand

Shamdat Persaud

Gookaran Albert

of the Republic, Georgetown. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on 2015-08-18 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

Shamdat Persaud of Lot 1 Annandale, Essequibo Coast was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-08-11 while driving motor vehicle BLL 5551 on Land of Plenty Public Road, Essequibo Coast. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on 201508-12 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

The Police said Gookaran Albert of Lot 389 Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2015-07-26 while driving motor vehicle PFF 7349 on the Hampton Court Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on 2015-07-28 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.

Saturday October 10, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Sunday October 11, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

Brandon Beresford to suit up ...

From back page

Berbice.

With one win from their four matches played, Slingerz FC are said to be one of the best assembled squad in the league.

However, the team did play to an uninspiring goalless draw against the lesser-talented Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and was injected by the league’s leading goalscorer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson who scored a late goal to claw Pele FC to a 1-1 draw.

But Slingerz FC’s coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson, who is known for his usually calm demeanour, will be forced to have his extremely talented team produce results that will reflect their powerful roster.

Beresford will team up with his Golden Jaguars teammates Dwain Jacobs, Joshua Brown and Vurlon Mills, Colin Nelson while also playing alongside former foes; St Vincent and the Grenadines trio goalkeeper Winslow McDowall, his brother Jolanshoy and defender Keith James.

Dominican National player Julian Wade returned from his tryout in England and will pair up front with Domini Garnett to hopefully end the Slingerz FC’s goal drought.

Slingerz FC currently sit fifth on the points standing with six points from four games (one win, three draws), behind Fruta Conquerors (seven points), Pele FC (eight points +3) and their rivals Alpha United (eight points +4).

While Slingerz are among the three undefeated teams (Pele and Alpha United), Buxton United recently snapped their three-game losing streak to pick up a 1-0 win against Monedderlust last Sunday.

Eson Hamer found the net for the East Coast unit who were flying below radar and a good result against Slingerz FC will mean a lot to them and their fans.

Meanwhile Monedderlust, after an exciting start in the STAG Elite League, came from behind to win 3-2 against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), but have lost every match played thereafter.

Head coach Gordon Braithwaite’s men turned in some uninspiring performances against Slingerz FC (0-3), Fruta Conquerors (1-2) and most recently, Buxton United (0-1).

Braithwaite told reporters after his loss to Buxton at the GFC ground, that his team will bounce back and play to their potential and playing at their home ground, a turnaround is expected.

Their opposition however, GFC, are coming off a stunning 2-1 victory over the GDF. Grabbing their first win in the league might have boosted their confidence and the country’s oldest club (formed in 1902) will be looking to grab three more points.

South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:30 hrs Mount Fuji 09:10 hrs La Rebel 09:45 hrs Chanukah 10:20 hrs Aliysa’s Prize 11:00 hrs Tar Heel 11:35 hrs Our Icon

Hexham 08:50 hrs Celtic Flames 09:25 hrs Present Flight 10:00 hrs Smart Talk 10:35 hrs Present Lodger 11:10 hrs Miss Macnamara 11:45 hrs Shine A Diamond 12:20 hrs Point The way

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Newmarket 09:00 hrs Mix And Mingle 09:35 hrs Beacon Rock 10:10 hrs Emotionless 10:50 hrs William Of Orange 11:25 hrs Cartago 12:00 hrs Terror 12:35 hrs Decorated Knight

English Racing Tips York 08:45 hrs Mutasayyid 09:15 hrs David Livingston 09:50 hrs King Robert 10:25 hrs Poyle Vinnie 11:00 hrs Tadaawol 11:35 hrs Full Day 12:10 hrs Berrahri

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Mack Miller Race 2 New York Zip Race 3 Juan and Bina Race 4 Verger Race 5 Leaveematthegate Race 6 Flexibility Race 7 Front Race 8 Matrooh Race 9 War Dancer Race10 Ava’s Kitten

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

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FIFA mulls delaying presidential election … Emergency meeting called for October 20

By Simon Evans ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA is discussing delaying the election for their next president following the suspensions of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, two sources told Reuters, as soccer’s governing body called an emergency meeting on the crisis.

A delay to the election could make it easier for UEFA president Michel Platini to be a candidate to replace the departing Blatter -- if Platini succeeds in an appeal against his ban from the game.

England’s Football Association, which has supported Platini’s candidature, said yesterday it was among those

making the call for a crisis meeting of FIFA’s executive where the election would be discussed.

That request was heeded when FIFA later announced that an extraordinary executive committee meeting would be held on October 20 at their headquarters in Zurich.

FIFA did not say if the timing of the election would be on the agenda but the executive committee is the only body that can make the decision to postpone the vote, scheduled for February 26.

Two sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters that a postponement of the election was being discussed within FIFA and its member organisa-

tions.

“For the time being the schedule is as it is,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters, adding that she did not wish to speculate on the issue.

UEFA’s 54 member associations are gathering on Thursday at their headquarters in Nyon where the election will also be on the agenda, the spokesman from England’s FA said.

Platini was an early favourite to win the vote to replace Blatter at the helm of FIFA before he was given the 90-day ban by FIFA’s Ethics Committee on Thursday. A further 45 days can be added to the provisional ban.

As it stands, the election nominations need to be provided by October 26

and prospective candidates need to pass an integrity check based on FIFA’s Ethics code.

Unless he were to be given a swift appeal victory,

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan is the only remaining high-profile candidate along with outsider, former Brazil international Zico.

Platini’s ban relates to

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were suspended by the FIFA ethics committee on Thursday.

Platini, who delivered his nomination papers just hours before his ban, would find himself in the very tricky position of trying to pass that test while banned from the game.

But a change in the date of the vote could see the entire timetable of the election change providing potentially more opportunity for Platini -- or any other candidates who might want to enter the race once the ethics situation is clearer.

Another presidential candidate, South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, was banned for six years, meaning he will almost certainly miss out.

a 2 million Swiss francs payment he received from FIFA in 2011, which is part of a Swiss criminal inquiry into Blatter.

Switzerland’s Attorney General said Platini is being considered somewhere “between a witness and an accused person” in the case.

Both Platini and Blatter deny they have done anything wrong and are appealing the suspensions.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan said he would prefer to stick with the February date depending on the outcome of the appeals process against the

bans.

Dutch FA (KNVB) executive director Bert van Oostveen said he was uncertain of the best way forward but wanted European federations to remain together on the issue.

But Karl-Erik Nilsson, chair of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), told Reuters the date should not change.

“We want the election to be held on February 26 as planned. Together with many European countries, we supported Michel Platini’s candidacy and we need more information about exactly what has happened.

Support for Platini could be damaged by the ban against him and the Belgian Football Association said it wanted more clarity about the situation.

“A few weeks ago the Belgian Football Association expressed its support for Michel Platini to create a new, clean and transparent FIFA through his candidature. The suspension of Michel Platini is, however, a new element in this file,” they said in s statement.

“The Belgian Football Association calls for complete transparency and clarity with regard to the reasons for the suspensions. After internal consultation with other associations we will make our official position known.

“It is obvious we won’t support anyone proved guilty of fraud.”

GCA tournaments return this weekend CRICKET action resumes this weekend in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) tournaments with matches at various venues around Georgetown.

The Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division (2-day) cricket competition will enter its quarter-final stage this weekend with matches start-

ing at 10:30hrs In game 1, Transport Sports Club will take on GNIC at Camp Ayanganna while the Malteenoes side will have to host the touring University of Guyana side.

Meanwhile action in the New Building Society 2nd Division (40-Over) cricket competition continues as

well.

Today, from 10:30hrs the Muslim Youth Organisation take on GCC at Bourda, GDF play DCC at Queenstown, Police Sports Club face Third Class CC at GNIC and Everest host Diplomats SC. O n S u n d a y, f r o m 10:30hrs, the lone match pits GDF against Sophia CC at Queenstown.

Floodlights take on Amar Skakti Sports Club in T20 clash FLOODLIGHTS will take on Amar Shakti Sports Club of Paramaribo, Suriname in a T20 hardball match at DCC ground today.

The match starts today at 19:00hrs under the lights and

the trophies for the match are sponsored by Ramesh Sunich from the Trophy Stall.

Floodlights squad will come from Ricky Deonarain (capt.), Dharam Persaud, Surendra Nauth, Rakesh Ar-

june, Reyaz Husein, Richard Persaud, Uniss Yusuf, Anil Beharry, Lalta Gainda, Khalid Baksh, Lloyd Rooplall, Nafjohn Samlall, Wayne Jones, Romeo Deonarain.

Manager is Jailall Deodass.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

Nonu celebrates with try in 100th test, as NZ down Tonga

By Mark Trevelyan NEWCASTLE, England |(Reuters) - Holders New Zealand rampaged past Tonga with a 47-9 victory, sealed by a try from Ma’a Nonu on his 100th test appearance, to secure top spot in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup yesterday.

Leading 14-3 at the break after two converted tries, the All Blacks ran riot in the second half to add five more as they relentlessly wore down their opponents.

But as in previous wins over Namibia and Georgia, the New Zealanders veered at times between carelessness and brilliance, especially in the first half, and were forced into retreat for long spells.

“They put us under a lot of pressure,” captain Kieran Read said. “Our work up front needs to probably improve.

We’ll regroup, but we’re glad to be where we are.”

New Zealand will play the loser of Sunday’s France vs Ireland game in a quarter-final

opened the scoring for the All Blacks, finishing off a well-worked move down the right wing with a quick-fire exchange of passes between

spurned a great chance of a try when Waisake Naholo fumbled a straightforward pass when the All Blacks had an overlap of three men on one.

Ma’a Nonu is carried by teammates through a guard of honour after his 100th cap for New Zealand. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithLivepic) at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on October 17.

Fullback Ben Smith

the outside backs.

Kurt Morath replied with a penalty, and New Zealand

TV pictures showed coach Steve Hansen rocking back in his chair with frustration.

But New Zealand kept the initiative and prop Tony Woodcock forced his way over for a second try.

A scrappy first half was punctuated by a long series of scrums, breaking up not only the flow of the game but also the surface of the pitch at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, causing anxious groundsmen to scurry on for improvised repairs.

The decisive passage of play came either side of the interval, when Read was sin-binned for bringing down the maul and Tonga inched ever closer to the All Black line.

After several scrum collapses, they appeared to get the ball across in the final play of the first half but the TMO ruled they had failed to ground it.

With the All Blacks restored to 15 men soon after the restart, the tide turned.

Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder stretched their lead with two tries, running through to dive and touch down his second after a deft grubber kick from Beauden Barrett.

Sonny Bill Williams grabbed try number five and things went from bad to worse for Tonga when Paul Ngauamo was yellow-carded for upending Dan Carter in the tackle. Soon afterwards flanker Sam Cane piled through for number six.

Nonu fittingly added the seventh, set up by Milner-Skudder to score in the left corner after an attacking move that spanned the width of the field.

Having been pipped for third place in the pool by Georgia, Tonga miss out on an automatic place in the 2019 World Cup in Japan and will have to go through the process of qualification.

Ecuador win revives ghost of Colombia ’93 for Argentina

By Rex Gowar (REUTERS) - Argentina’s shock 2-0 defeat by Ecuador at the River Plate stadium on Thursday has brought back bitter memories of the last time they lost at the same venue, a 5-0 humiliation by Colombia 22 years ago.

That defeat in September, 1993, also in a World Cup qualifier, sparked chants of “Maradoooo...na” from the packed stands.

Argentina recovered after recalling their idol Diego Maradona and went on to have a better 1994 World Cup than the Colombians, although their talismanic playmaker was kicked out of the finals in the United States for doping.

There were no chants on Thursday for the absent Lionel Messi, who is nursing a knee injury, from the largely quiet and sparse crowd at a cold Monumental, an indica-

tion that Argentines are not in love with their team.

After the double disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America finals, Argentina remain in a trophy drought dating back to 1993.

The defeat to Ecuador comes as a warning to coach Gerardo Martino that his allout attacking game is built on a flimsy defence, especially when Pablo Zabaleta and Marcos

Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend Softball cricket continues tomorrow ACTION in the Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend softball competition will continue tomorrow at the Carifesta Sports Complex - Pitch 1 at 09:30hrs, United Brothers vs Wolf Warriors; 12:30hrs Regal vs Brickery Super Stars.

Pitch 2, 09:30hrs - Fishermen Masters vs Park Rangers. 12:30hrs - Wellwoman vs Blue Divas., 13.30hrs - 4R Lioness vs Trophy Stall Angels. Pitch 3, 09:30hrs - Regal vs Princess Hotel, 12:30hrs Wolf Warriors vs Herstelling Raiders GNIC ground: Pitch 1 09:30hrs - Regal Masters vs Floodlights Legends. 12:30hrs Savage Masters vs Parika Defenders.

Meanwhile, here are the results for Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend Softball matches played last Sunday..

Regal Masters defeat Floodlights Masters by 3 wkts. Floodlights 195-9-20 overs.

JohnSumir 55, Anil Beharry 34, W. Jones 24, I. Mohamed 23, Falim Mohamed 3-31, MahendraArjune 3-26 and S. Seeraj 2-32.

Regal 199-8-17.4 overs. Randolph Baker 84 n.o, Mahase Chunilall 53, Eon Abel 46 and Richard Kellawan 4-20.

Wellwoman beat Karibee Strikers by 26 runs. Wellwoman 147-4-10 overs. Haseena Mohamed 42 n.o, L. Smith 29, Z. Telford 26, J. Vansertima 22, S. Campbell 2-7. Karibee Strikers 121 all out. S. Campbell 28, E. Giddings 28, T. Parks 23, L. Smith 2-7, H. Mohamed 2-17 and A. Bobb-Semple 2-21.

Young Guns defeat Farm and Floodlights Legends def: Parika Defenders.

Trophy Stall Angels beat Blue Divas by 7 wkts. Blue Divas 100-9 in 10 overs. Olena Roberts 33, Nicola Leacock 3-32. Alicia.

Allen 2-18. Trophy Stall 102-3 in 7.4 overs.

June Ogle 37 and Roxanne Demonik 24 n.o.

4R Lioness defeat Karibee Strikers by 51 runs. 4R Lioness 137-6 in 10 overs.

Matanna Cambridge 53 and Tamoka Wilson 44.Karibee Strikers 86 all out from 9 overs. S. Vanderstoop 18, Matanna Cambridge 3-12 and Nafiza Mohamed 2-14.

Rojo are missing on the flanks.

Fullbacks Facundo Roncaglia and Emmanuel Mas, on his competitive debut, were given the run-around

by Premier League-based

circulate the ball, finish moves, each reply from our opponents produced gaps. The worst is what we didn’t do when we had the ball ... Ecuador were superior in all facets of the

with a leg problem before the half-hour and Carlos Tevez, who received the only standing ovation of the night when he came on as his substitute, had a poor game.

Ecuador’s Christian Noboa (2nd L) celebrates at the end of their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Argentina at the Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday. (Reuters/Agustin Marcarian) wingers Jefferson Montero and Antonio Valencia and got little support from the midfield.

The tall but fragile Javier Pastore is not the playmaker Argentina have lacked since Juan Ramon Riquelme’s day and he needs Messi alongside him to have an impact.

“Playing badly with the ball led to the damage without it,” Martino told the post-match news conference.

“When we couldn’t

game, we lost our shape as a team.”

Without Messi, the seeds of defeat may have been inadvertently sown days before when Sergio Aguero scored five goals for Manchester City while not entirely fit.

Aguero, who has scored 11 goals in the Martino era, did not train properly with Argentina during the week, but Martino said he was fine and played him in Messi’s number-10 shirt.

The striker pulled up

Tevez has seen limited playing time under Martino and has been deployed in a different position from at his club Boca Juniors.

Angel Di Maria, a left-footer who began the game on the right in Messi’s position, has been struggling for 18 months to revive his best form.

Argentina need to recover quickly from this setback if they are to beat a renascent Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday and kick-start their campaign.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

Accused former CONCACAF official extradited to USA ONE-TIME assistant to C O N C A C A F ’s f o r m e r president Jeffrey Webb has been extradited to the United States on corruption charges.

Costas Takkas, a former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and CONCACAF official, has been extradited to the United States on corruption charges

by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice (FOJ).

Takkas was one of the 14 football and sports marketing executives arrested in Zurich in May, sparking a surge of investigations into corruption at the core

of world football’s governance.

Formerly an assistant of CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, who is being interrogated in New York after being accused of “accepting bribes totalling millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights to various sports marketing firms and keeping the money for himself”.

Takkas has been charged with similar offences, and will now be in the hands of U.S. law enforcement.

An FOJ statement read: “The former secretary-general of the Cayman Is-

Gentle, Klautky win Bakewell junior titles AFRUICA Gentle capitalised on her chance to cop the Bakewell Junior Open Girls U-18 title when she defeated Aretta Dey in three sets 4-6, 6-1, (10-5) last Sunday at the President’s College tennis court facility.

The match featured long rallies initially, much to the advantage of Dey, whose were consistent and effective despite her long absence from training and competition.

In the first set, the girls maintained a tie up to 4-4 when Dey broke Gentle and held serve to close out the set. Having lost the first set, Gentle showed no mercy and easily raced to win the second set dropping only one game.

In the deciding super tie-break Gentle ,being the more experienced, was able to successfully counter Dey’s aggression and at 5-5 raced away to 10 points to win the set and title.

In the Girls U-12, the promising Sarah Klautky made light work of newcomer Nathalie Ramdyhan in straight sets 4-1, 4-0 to cop the title.

The Boys Under-14 semis featured the top four seeds with Mark McDonald defeating Keenan Persaud 2-4, 5-3, (10-6) and Heimraj Resaul defeating top seed Jordan Beaton in straight sets 5-3, 5-4 (7-5).

McDonald was scheduled to play Resaul in the Boys U-14 final at the GBTI tennis courts last evening.

Meanwhile today starting at 11:00hrs, Joshua Kalekyezi will play Viraj Sharma in the Boys U-12 final. Afruica Gentle will play Shivani Persaud in the Girls U-14 final and McDonald will clash with Resaul again in the Boys U-18 final.

Closing ceremony for the tournament will take place at 16:30hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 10, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1)David Murray, Courtney Browne & Ridley Jacobs (9 dismissals each) (2)Ridley Jacobs (6 dismissals)

Today’s Quiz:

Put these in order beginning with the WI wicketkeeper that has played most Test matches: Dinesh Ramdin; Ridley Jacobs; Jeff Dujon; Deryck Murray How many ODIs WI wicketkeeper David Murray played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Former Cayman Islands football official Costas Takkas

lands Football Association (CIFA) and attaché to the president of the Confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was arrested in Zurich along with six other FIFA officials on May 27, 2015, on the basis of an arrest request from the U.S. “He was then held in custody pending extradition.

The formal U.S. extradition request which was submitted on July 1, 2015 is based on an arrest warrant issued on May 20, 2015 by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New

York.

“Takkas is accused of demanding and accepting bribes of millions of dollars for the president of CONCACAF in connection with the sale of marketing rights for World Cup 2018 and 2022 qualifiers to a U.S. sports marketing company.

“In its extradition ruling, the FOJ concluded that all of the conditions for extradition are fulfilled. Specifically, the facts laid down in the U.S. extradition request are also punishable under Swiss law (the principle of dual criminality).

“According to the re-

quest, by accepting bribes for the award of sports marketing contracts, Takkas massively influenced the competitive situation and distorted the market for media rights in connection with the World Cup qualifying matches.

“Other sports marketing companies were placed at a disadvantage and the affected football federations were prevented from negotiating more favourable marketing agreements. In Switzerland, such conduct would be deemed unfair practices under the Federal Act on Unfair Competition.”

Returning Lakmal impresses on rain-hit day

THE West Indies had slipped to 127 for 6 by stumps on a weather-curtailed first day at the SSC. Both seamers and spinners had substantial aid from the surface, and overcast conditions aided them further.

Suranga Lakmal marked his return to competitive cricket after an injury layoff, with two wickets for 10 runs from his 11 disciplined overs. Suraj Randiv, however, was even more impressive, extracting very sharp turn to claim 3 for 33 from his 13 overs.

Kraigg Braithwaite was West Indies top scorer with 46 runs from 102 deliveries. He was characteristically patient in the early overs as Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando gleaned substantial movement off the seam with the new ball. His opening partner Rajendra Chandrika had also been circumspect, until Lakmal tempted him into a pull shot, which the batsman mishit into

the hands of midwicket. He was out for 18 from 49 deliveries.

Darren Bravo appeared the

Suranga Lakmal most fluent of the West Indian batsmen, as he took a particular liking to the left-arm spin of Sachith

Pathirana.

But he was less confident against Randiv, who turned the ball away from him. Bravo survived a close caught-behind shout in the 27th over, before he was given out in that fashion, later in the over. He had hit 21 from 36 balls.

That dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse for the visitors.

Marlon Samuels nicked a short, seaming Lakmal delivery to the wicketkeeper, before Jermaine Blackwood lofted Randiv straight to mid-on soon after. Brathwaite was given out lbw off Fernando and Shane Dowrich was out to Randiv in the closing overs of the day. Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 24.

The entire first session and part of the second session were lost to rain and a wet outfield.

Officials had set down a revised schedule of 59 overs for the day, but only 46 were possible before the light grew too dim to continue. (ESPN Cricinfo)

NOTABLE DATES

RAUL Frank became the United States Boxing Association (USBA) welterweight champion following a split decision victory over Percell Miller on October 10, 1997. The fight was held at the Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton, Minnesota and provided a chance for Frank to improve his record to 18-3-1.

Miller was undefeated in 17 fights going into the battle against the Guyanese orthodox boxer. Frank had turned professional in 1986 and moved to the USA soon after.

He twice challenged the now deceased Vernon Forrest for the vacant International Boxing Federation welterweight title. The first was staged in August 2000 and

ended in a No Contest while Forrest won the next by a unanimous decision the following year.

After taking up permanent residence in the USA, Frank returned to Guyana in 1992 for two memorable clashes with the tough Michael Benjamin, who had promised to wear a skirt if beaten. Benjamin’s promise was not tested as he won both fights.

Frank moved on to win the USBA and IBF Latino super welterweight titles. His last fight was on home soil in November 2010 when he gained a unanimous decision over `Deadly’ Denny Dalton at the Princess Hotel and Casino. His pro career has produced 29 victories (14 KOs), five defeats and three draws.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 10, 2015

COURTS Pee Wee schools tournament continues today ANOTHER twelve exciting matches will unfold today when the COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Schools Tournament 2015 continues with the second day of

commence battle in the second round from 10:00hrs with St Sidwell’s versus Rama Krishna and St Stephen’s versus J.E. Burnham.

At 10:45hrs St Angela’s tack-

on St Agnes while Enterprise challenge Stella Maris from 11:30hrs to complete half of the day’s proceedings.

The two matches that

Pee Wee action from the opening day of the 2015 Schools Tournament.

(Adrian Narine photo)

action at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

The 24 teams involved

le Sophia while F.E. Pollard battle Smith Memorial.

Marian Academy take

are scheduled to kick off at 12:15hrs are between St Gabriel’s and Winfer Gardens

and Comenius and St Margaret’s. When the clock strikes 13:00hrs School of the Nations will battle Tucville while East La Penitence go head-to-head with St Ambrose.

South Ruimveldt and North Georgetown oppose West Ruimveldt and St Pius, respectively, in the final two matches of the day at 13:45 hrs.

The tournament commenced last Saturday with the first dozen matches. On that day Enterprise defeated Winfer Gardens 7-0, North Georgetown, West and South Ruimveldt sank Rama Krishna, St Stephen’s and J.E Burnham by a 4-0 margin.

St Margaret’s defeated East La Penitence 2-0 while Smith Memorial, Stella Maris and St Angela’s needled Marian Academy, St Gabriel’s and Tucville, correspondingly.

St Pius and St Ambrose recorded wins via the walkover route from St Sidwell’s and Comenius respectively.

School of the Nations versus Sophia which ended 1-1 was the only draw of the day.

E-Networks honours Richardson’s Goal-of-the-Month Award PELE FC star forward Gregory Richardson is certainly enjoying a fruitful season in the STAG Elite League and the player, who many know only as ‘Jackie Chan’, can now add the E-Networks Goalof-the-Month Award to his growing list of achievements.

E-Networks Inc; Guyana’s premier Cable TV, Internet, VOIP and 4G Broadband Service Providers, made a presentation to Richardson through their Marketing Coordinator Joublon Beaton yesterday.

The company is in the process of launching a new product, which will revolutionise Cable TV in Guyana and Richardson will be the first recipient of the service that is set to launch later this month.

Richardson copped the award after the media met and voted that his 87th minute game-tying freekick against Alpha United at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground was the best

E-Networks Marketing Coordinator Joublon Beaton (L) makes a presentation to Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson for the E-Networks Goal-of-the-Month. goal of the month.

It was a close call between Richardson and Fruta Conquerors’ Trevon Lythcott who netted a spectacular header against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at Tucville ground.

The league’s leading goalscorer with four goals

from four matches played so far, Richardson is considered as the ‘backbone’ of Pele’s team and yesterday, the player said that he is happy for being acknowledged for his goal.

According to Richardson, the goal meant a lot to him since it was against his

former club and he wanted to show his ex-bosses that he’s the best at what he does.

Richardson dedicated his award to his teammates, who he said are very supportive and added that collectively, Pele FC will rise once again in Guyana’s football.

St Maarten on board for Caribbean tournament

ST MAARTEN boxing association official yesterday confirmed that a four-member team would be sent to the Caribbean Development Boxing tournament scheduled for next month in Guyana. President of the Island’s boxing association Milton `Bobby’ Ottley contacted the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association yesterday to reveal that his country would be represented by two boxers, a manager and a coach.

St Maarten’s confirmation has pushed the number of countries participating in the mega event to nine as Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, French Guiana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago have confirmed being part of the tournament.

The GABA has planned the four-day tournament for next month and has invited 15 countries including Venezuela. The competition is expected to attract over 10 countries and is set for November 26-29 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

It is geared towards serving as nursery for the production of boxers for Elite competitions staged by the AMBC and/or AIBA, and to give technical officials of the region an opportunity to get much-needed practice in preparation for moving forward in the AIBA training programme.

In addition, the tournament will bring together the best performing Caribbean boxers in a competitive but friendly environment to showcase their skills, to allow for the coaches and referees to also come together in a similar environment where experiences, knowledge and expertise can be shared and to present a forum for talent-spotting and short listing of potential boxers for the 2016 Olympics scheduled for Brazil The Guyana Olympic Association is providing just about a third of the $6.5M budget associated with smoothly running of the event and the GABA has requested the service of Trinidadian James Beckles to run a five-day Referee/Judge workshop prior to commencement of the tournament.

JADCO unveils new anti-doping mascot THE Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has revealed a new mascot called Leo-The Dope Patrol Officer, which it hopes will be the symbol of encouraging athletes to compete without the help of performance-enhancing substance.

Leo, who was designed by a 15-year-old Jamaican high school student, is a muscular cheetah, clad in the country’s national colours with the symbol ‘No Dope’ written across his chest. The mascot was presented at the first installment of the 2015 series of Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education workshops held at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC).

The series will target a new generation of athletes, seeking to raise awareness of the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. The mascot was selected after a competition for high school students held from October 1, 2014 toApril 10, 2015.

“Leo is a welcome addition to the JADCO family. He is the epitome of ethical behaviour and will help our athletes to make informed decisions. I am sure they will be able to build a rapport with him,” Carey Brown,, executive director at JADCO, said.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

COURTS Pee Wee schools tournament continues today

See story on page 31

Venezuela 5-4 Guyana on penalties in Pan-Am hockey semi-final

A Guyanese player battles his Venezuelan counterpart in the Pan American Hockey Challenge semi-final.

GUYANA took Venezuela down to the wire in a 4-5 loss at the semi-final stage, of the Pan-American Hockey Challenge yesterday in Chiclayo, Peru.

The Guyanese worked their western neighbours to the bone in normal time as they always had an answer for the Venezuelan assault.

Andy Adrian’s field goal in the 2nd minute of play put Guyana on the back foot but Robert France pulled his side right back into the game just 7 minutes later.

Venezuela assumed the lead once more though a Cristian Vargas penalty corner in the 23rd minute before France again crashed the Venezuelan party with a 31st minute field

goal.

Guyana rode the momentum and assumed the lead for the first time in the game four minutes later, when Aroydy Bradford slammed in his first, but the Venezuelans were not going to go lightly; they found the equaliser in the 54th minute which left the teams deadlocked.

In the penalties, Aroydy scored Guyana’s first while Venezuela’s Vargas had his first shot blocked; Jamarj Assanah successfully converted his shot as well while Venezuela’s Adrian had his shot blocked.

Kareem McKenzie had his shot saved while Venezuela’s Bracamonte Wilber had his shot blocked Orlando Semple’s shot was blocked; Jose

Brandon Beresford to suit up for Slingerz FC tonight ... Monedderlust hoping to end losing streak

THE STAG Elite League returns to Berbice tonight with two intriguing matches. From 18:30hrs, Slingerz FC will chase three points against Buxton United and in the second game, the home side Monedderlust go head-to-head with the Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

Slingerz FC, one of the favourites in the STAG Elite League, could boost their chances of winning the coveted title with the signing of Golden Jaguars centre midfield player Brandon Beresford.

The 23-year-old former Graceland University standout player will suit up for the Vergen- Brandon Beresford plays oegen-based club tonight when they come up against Buxton United in the opening match of for Guyana against St Vina double-header at the #5 Ground in West Coast cent and the Grenadines at the National Stadium during the World Cup Qualifiers.

See page 26 (Samuel Maughn photo)

The Guyana team congratulate the victorious Venezuelans.

Oropeza (Ven) scored, Marvin Dannett (Guy) scored and Dixon Abreu (Ven) scored to close off the first round of shots In round 2 (sudden death), Vargas (Ven) put his team first on the sheet while Bradford (Guy) drew things level before Oropeza scored and Assanah had his shot blocked.

Guyana will now have a shot at the bronze prize when they face Uruguay tomorrow after they were beaten 4-0 in the first semi-final yesterday.

Winning in Rio will make me a legend - Bolt

ANY casual glance at the glittering athletic career of world’s fastest man Usain Bolt would seem undisputable that he is one of the sport’s greatest-ever. In the mind of the man himself, however, not quite yet.

Bolt has already racked up a remarkable 11 World Championships gold medals and six Olympic gold medals, but has already targeted another three at next year’s Olympic Games for self-affirmation of his legendary status.

“Defending my Olympic title motivates me. I do not know what will happen with me if I lose a competition. I focus a lot, I get excited and the results depend on my hard work and my will to win,” Bolt said.

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Meanwhile, Brazil had an easy job in their semi-final against the Uruguayans as they won 4-0.

Lucas Paixão opened the scoring with a field goal in the 27th minute before comrade Matheus Borges slotted in the second in the 41st.

The third was also a field goal, compliments of André Patrocínio in the 50th while a penalty corner in the 56th from Borges tightened Brazil’s grip on the game.

USAIN BOLT

“If I go to Rio and win, I will feel very good and become a legend. And if people ask me, I will say that I am a legend,” Bolt added.

The sprinter endured what many believed was the biggest test of his career against inform American Justin Gatlin at the Beijing World Championships. Heading into the competition short on form, however, the sprinter was just about able to overcome his challenger.

“It was definitely one of my biggest challenges because it was a short and tough season and I had to work hard. I was very focused, I ran well and achieved it,” he said.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015