Chronicle 10 25 2015

SUNDAY No. 104352

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25, 2015

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

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Peace, security needed for Guyanese to have ‘the good life’ Page

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- Granger ups call for UN-backed protection in face of Venezuela’s threats

President David Granger and United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa cut an anniversary cake to mark 70 years since the establishment of the United Nations

Car rental 2 agent executed at Bourda Market Page

Murdered: Stanley Lovell called ‘Steve’

Dead: Denelsion Rose

Alleged drink-driving policeman kills Linden teen 13 Page

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Murdered: Stanley Lovell called ‘Steve’

Car rental agent executed at Bourda Market A CAR rental agent was early Saturday morning gunned down in the vicinity of Bourda Market in Georgetown.

Dead is 30-year-old Stanley Lovell called “Steve” of Lot 64 Premniranjan Place, Prashad Nagar.

During the incident, Anthony Lall, 21, a cleaner of Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was also wounded.

Police reported that Stanley Lovell was sitting on the bonnet of his motor car, PMM 3825, when he was approached by a male who opened fire on him using a high- powered weapon. Lovell was shot 13 times about his body before the accomplice escaped in a waiting vehicle.

Lall, who was said to be standing next to Lovell was shot in his left foot; he was treated at a hospital and sent away and is assisting the police in their investigation.

The police have recovered 14 9mm spent shells from the scene.

Lovell had previous brushes with the law. In 2008, he was charged for the murder of University of Guyana (UG) student Dennis Edghill, but he was later freed.

Some years ago, he also made the headlines when he was charged with forging the signature of a businessman and issuing forged cheques to the Palm Court Restaurant.

He was also a suspect in a series armed robberies.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Peace, security needed for Guyanese to have ‘the good life’ - Granger ups call for UN-backed protection in face of Venezuela’s threats

PRESIDENT David Granger Saturday evening repeated his call for the United Nations to protect small states such as Guyana in the face of constant threats from neighbouring Venezuela.

“Guyana seeks the peace that only this international organisation could promise.

It seeks the collective security measures that only the United Nations could provide,” Mr Granger said at an event in Georgetown to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.

His call comes on the heels of an announcement Thursday that Venezuelan has threatened legal action against a mega gold mine ion the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region.

The owner of the mine, Canadian mineral exploration company Guyana Goldfields, has called Venezuela’s threat “unfounded.”

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Ottawa sent a letter to the company on October 13th saying that the opening of the gold mine would be ‘Infringing on the territorial sovereignty of Venezuela and committing unlawful actions which could incur legal consequences.”

“As such, you are hereby fully given notice of the respective legal actions that could herein occur,” the letter to Guyana Goldfields stated. “ T h e Ve n e z u e l a -

Guyana border dispute was resolved and agreed upon by all parties under the 1899 Arbitration Agreement and any claims made outside of such agreement violate i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w, ” t h e company said in response.

“The matter is currently before the United Nations, however Venezuela's border claim is widely viewed by the international community to be without merit,” Guyana Goldfields said in a statement published on its website.

In his address to Parliament, President David Granger said Venezuela’s claims are not only illegal but are injurious to the economic development of Guyana.

Guyana Goldfields has been developing the Aurora mine in Guyana since 1996.

It announced its first gold production in early August and said it expects to produce between 30,000 ounces to 50,000 ounces of gold in 2015 and approximately 120,000 ounces to 140,000 ounces of gold in 2016.

Last evening, the President said that Venezuelan has been in breach of the UN charter.

“The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, a small state, has seen foreign investors intimidated; it has seen foreign petroleum exploration terminated by gunboats from the east and from the west; and, even

now, it is enduring the painful and illegal occupation of its territory.

The President reiterated G u y a n a ’s c o m p l e t e commitment to the aims and the purposes of the United Nations Charter, which in Article 2, states as one of its principles: “All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.

“All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

He said that the Charter, the birth of which was celebrated last evening, is meant to provide the peace and security that the world needs.

“It is meant to provide the peace and security that Guyana needs if its citizens are to have a safe and good life.”

Mr Granger applauded the UN’s recognition that peace is linked with the respect for human rights and the promotion of the “economic and social advancement of all peoples.”

He added that Guyana applauds the promulgation, by the United Nations, of three significant legal

CHRONICLE News Editor Tajeram Mohabir receives the UN Media Award from FAO Coordinator in Guyana, Reuben Robertson, for his reporting on women and youth in agriculture. Mr Mohabir also won for his coverage of adolescent and youth issues. The awards were held as part of the UN’s 70th anniversary celebrations. instruments, which have expanded the scope of rights, namely, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

These legal instruments, the President said, have advanced the cause of human rights around the world.

Mr Granger stated that

Guyana is supportive of the levels of international cooperation and collaboration achieved by the United Nations and its agencies in the promotion of sustainable development.

“The adoption in 2000 of the Millennium Development Goals and, just last month, of the Sustainable Development Goals is testimony to the importance that the United

Nations has attached towards developing templates to advance the cause of sustainable development around the world.

“Guyana is committed to achieving the targets adopted at the recent Sustainable Development Summit. These are all in conformity with our own national development objectives.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Europe split on migrant crisis on eve of Brussels talks (Reuters) EUROPEAN leaders traded threats and reprimands on Saturday as thousands more migrants and refugees streamed into the Balkans on the eve of European Union talks aimed at agreeing on urgent action to tackle the crisis.

Concern is growing about hundreds of thousands of migrants arriving in Europe, many from war zones in the Middle East, and camping in western Balkan countries in ever colder conditions as winter approaches.

More than 680,000 migrants and refugees have crossed to Europe by sea so far this year, fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania said they would close their borders if Germany or other

Juncker will present a 16-point plan, including an undertaking not to send migrants from one country to another without prior agreement.

Eastern European countries owe it to their partners to do more to stem the inflow, and demanded a fairer distribution of asylum seekers among member states.

“Eastern Europe has done too little to resist the refugee stream,” told the public television on Saturday. “We have invested a huge amount in them, and now they are doing too little.”

The EU’s eastern members have resisted calls for refugees to be divided between the bloc’s 28 members.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has erected a fence along his country’s southern frontier, effectively handing the problem on to neighbouring Croatia and Slovenia.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany must prepare to receive as many as 800,000 refugees this year, despite opposition from some of her governmental allies.

A migrant holds a flower as she waits for buses at Juncker praised Merkel for Miratovac village, Serbia October 24, 2015. Reuters/ ignoring public opinion in her Ognen Teofilovski efforts to tackle the refugee crisis, which she describes as a bigger challenge for Europe than Greece’s “DOING TOO LITTLE” Slovenia, which said on Friday it debt woes.

“This isn’t about short-term popularity would consider putting up a fence on its border with Croatia unless a solution but about substance,” he told German media is found on Sunday, said the EU “must group Funke.

For exhausted refugees and migrants ease the burden on the most exposed making their way across the continent, fallcountries.”

It called for “EU action that would stop ing temperatures and worsening weather are the uncontrolled migration flows on the outer adding to their difficulties.

“We want to go to the Netherlands. I just borders of the EU.” Almost all the migrants are entering the want this ordeal to stop,” said Hamrein, 20, EU via its poorer members in south-eastern from Syria, as she held her feverish six-monthEurope and heading north to seek asylum in old son near the Slovenian village of Rigonce.

She was among about 2,000 micountries including Germany, Sweden and grants and refugees waiting in a muddy the Netherlands.

Leaders of the richer Western states worry field waiting to cross to a nearby camp. that large-scale immigration will boost sup- Many lit fires and wrapped themselves in blankets as early morning temperaport for the xenophobic far-right.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said tures sank close to zero.

countries shut the door on refugees, warning they would not let the Balkan region become a “buffer zone” for stranded migrants.

“The three countries, we are standing ready, if Germany and Austria close their borders, not to allow our countries to become buffer zones. We will be ready to close borders,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov told reporters.

European Commission president JeanClaude Juncker has invited the leaders of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia to Sunday’s mini-summit.

The aim of the meeting is to agree “common operational conclusions which could be immediately implemented.”

German media have reported that

Russia says wants Syria elections, ready to help Free Syrian Army (Reuters) RUSSIAN Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin wanted Syria to prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections, as Moscow intensified its drive to convert its increased clout with Damascus into a political settlement.

In comments which mark a shift in Russia’s position, he also said that Russia’s airforce, which has been bombing Islamist militants in Syria since Sept. 30, would be ready to help Western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels, if it knew where they were.

The Kremlin, Syrian President Bashar

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al-Assad’s strongest foreign ally, has spoken broadly about the need for elections in Syria before. But Lavrov’s comments were its most specific call for political renewal yet, and came just days after a surprise visit by Assad to Moscow.

“External players can not decide anything for the Syrians. We must force them to come up with a plan for their country where the interests of every religious, ethnic and political group will be well protected,” Lavrov told Russian state TV in an interview broadcast on Saturday.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Storm Patricia weakens over Mexico but risks remain

(BBC News) HURRICANE Patricia has weakened rapidly over Mexico, but authorities have warned of the risks of floods and landslides as it dumps heavy rain.

Patricia was the strongest storm ever recorded in the Americas when it ploughed into Mexico, but it has since been downgraded to a tropical depression.

Damage has been less than feared, with populous regions spared.

But Patricia is still forecast to dump up to 20in (50cm) of rain, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

“These rains are likely to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides,” the NHC added.

Before Patricia struck the coast, thousands of residents and tourists on Mexico’s Pacific coast were evacuated and moved inland.

The storm made landfall in western Mexico on Friday, uprooting trees and

clean-up effort is impressive. People out in force clearing the roads of trees and branches.

The worries aren’t over

Protective boarding put up as Patricia approached has been taken down flooding streets.

But mountainous regions helped Patricia lose power. It is currently heading across central and northeast Mexico.

No casualties have been reported so far, with the storm avoiding direct hits on major cities or tourist resorts.

There were few cars on the road in the early hours

of Saturday, but as dawn broke, people ventured out, keen to find out what destruction Patricia left in its wake.

There are lots of fallen trees and huge rocks on the

roads, and the rivers are swollen. One woman told me she thought it was the end of the world when the hurricane hit.

But most agree it was not as bad as feared. The

though: the winds may have died down, but the risk of mudslides means Mexico is still on high alert.

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Guyana

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Truth Be Told Professor Daizal Samad

WARM, WAR, WARD

T EDITORIAL

Local Government Elections I

T IS now official. Both the Minister of Communities and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have indicated that the frequently delayed Local Government Elections (LGE) would be held sometime around March next year. The last time we held such elections was in 1994, a full two decades and more ago. The previous one was held in 1970; therefore, when the electorate goes to the polls in 2016, it would be doing so for only the second LGE in 46 years. That is not a record we should be proud of.

Like the previous government, this coalition government has kept its word on this matter by holding the elections early in its tenure. But we hope this government does not emulate the record of its predecessor when it comes to holding such elections regularly. Any functioning democracy deserves frequent elections at every level. Our inability to honour this practice in the past represents a serious democratic blunder that must be corrected once and for all.

We now have new local government legislation which, among other things, seek to correct the imbalance in the relationship between the central government and the local authorities. This has been a sore point in the past. It is worth noting here that the previous governing party and the present ones have had fundamental differences on what that relationship should be. The PPP preferred one in which the central government, through the subject minister, maintains what is in effect an absolute veto over local governments, particularly on financial matters. The parties in the current governing coalition have opted for a more democratic relationship, whereby the power of the minister in this regard is greatly reduced.

President Ramotar had, during the last parliament, stubbornly refused to sign into law that aspect of the legislation that sought to operationalise the latter relationship. He had claimed that it was unconstitutional.

That was one of several actions that eventually forced the then combined opposition to table the no-confidence motion against the government, which eventually led to fresh elections and the downfall of the PPP government.

It is worth noting that that Local Government Bill, which was in effect vetoed by President Ramotar, was one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new parliament and assented to by President Granger. The opposition PPP absented itself during consideration and passage of the bill as part of its boycott of parliament,

here was a time when I actually had a television in Guyana. I looked and listened at the news only, mostly on LRTV on Channel 10 or DTV on Channel 8. Every now and then, I looked at NCN, fed out of New Amsterdam. With the last one, it depended on the reception, often poor enough to trigger a headache.

It was always a difficult task to get past the poor pronunciation and the turgid news writing and poor reading in order to get at the substance of what the newscasters were trying to convey. I kept hearing words like “persons”: “Persons in the community complained about de poor quality of water or none water at all.”

Persons? None water? I wonder what has happened to the word “people”.

Words are mangled: “warm” (pronounced with an open O) becomes WAARM. “War” with an open O is pronounced WAAR. A hospital ward (again, pronounced with an open O) is turned into WAARD. One the other hand, we hear about domestic “VOILENCE” as against VIOLENCE. Hypercorrection? There is no rhythm to the reading, and what is meant to be conveyed or communicated becomes quite lost. Listening to people on various religious pulpits reading, I wonder if we have lost the ability to read. That great work called the New Testament is all chewed up in the reading. Our reading of basic English is worse than our speaking of it, and our reading is very poor.

Yet, we will wine and grind to “music” and congratulate ourselves on our “rhythm”.

On the bright side, I have learned some really interesting things in recent weeks. It seems that there is a village called Victoria where one is illadvised to dress “anyhow”. If one wears a plaid shirt, one immediately gets the name “BIG CHECK”.

“Hey, Big Check”, how yuh doin bai?” I rather like that. Someone else introduced me to all this “jiggery pugary” that people do. All kinds of wrong things, foolish things. Jiggery pugary! “Prof.,” I am told, “you can’t believe the kinda jiggery pugary happening in Rose Hall!” It is smooth, rhythmic.

following its defeat at the last general election.

The long delay in holding LGE has meant that a vast number of the current councils have been unelected; many of the original councillors have either resigned, died, or migrated.

Those who remained or succeeded them have become unaccountable — a sure route to nepotism and corruption.

In some communities, the PPP had installed Interim Management Committees (IMCs) which were dominated by persons loyal to that party. We hope that those who have used those councils as a medium for corruption would be weeded out of the system by the vote of the communities.

This would mean that the electorate should be properly mobilised to participate in the upcoming elections. We have editorialised in the past that this is not an easy task. People all over the world do not generally vote at local government elections at the same rate as they do in general elections.

There is a feeling that not much is at stake in such elections.

We argue differently. Local governments are the ones that are closest to the people, and therefore lend themselves to greater day-to-day scrutiny by the communities. These governments often determine what services are distributed in the communities, and how these are allocated. In other words, part of the government function of distributing common resources is devolved to the local councils.

Most importantly, local government should be the nursery for new leadership. Often leaders arrive in parliament or in

Someone else complained of our Neighbourhood Police just standing around the market, “gyaafing” and waiting for “prags”! Prags! It was new to me; it means “freeness” I am told. I suppose “prags” would be fruits and vegetables, or a “small change” or whatsoever is on offer as “prags”. A thief is a “chore”, and it could be that it comes from the idea that stealing is his job or chore. Or, maybe, it is a variation of the old time Creolese word “kochore” or Kochar”. People like my late friend Wordsworth MacAndrew would have jumped on these things with an excitement born of genuine intellectual curiosity.

Alas! Mac has left us to drown in our lack of the drive to know.

Speaking of MacAndrew, back in the 70s, he had compiled a long list of proverbs that we use in Guyana. Does anyone know where that is? I heard these proverbs a few days ago: “Kindness mek crapaud loss he tail” and “When leaf fall in watah, it nah ratten right away” and “wha ah joke fuh lil bai is dead fuh crapaud”. Then there is “Monkey jib he pickney till he spoil am” and “Cow only know he tail when is mosquito season”. The Manchester-Liverpool area in Corentyne is a gold-mine of these proverbs.

If anyone could awaken and do some work on this, it would be a good thing. Please.

This language of ours is so very interesting, and I keep reminding that language is never right or wrong; it is appropriate or inappropriate. It would be inappropriate to have our President standing before the United Nations General Assembly saying: “Abeedeez does taak suh and in abee country, abee believe dat wan wan dutty build dam.” Inappropriate. But it would be quite appropriate for a wicket-keeper to shout: “Throw ah ball bai! Leh we run he raas out!”

Today, I was reminded, is my “First Day”, my birthday. I did not get it at all. And the gentleman who told me this allowed me to stay in my ignorance for almost thirty minutes, then broke into uncontrollable laughter. It was sheer music, but me bin done bex bad bad. With all of this, there is no time to get bored.

Cabinet without any experience in local government.

For all of the above reasons, people should be urged to vote heavily at the LGE next year. The mobilisation should start now, and it should include a popular education initiative aimed at sensitising the public to the importance of the elections. Such education should be done preferably by GECOM and other NGOs, but the political parties should also help in this regard.

We would prefer these elections be driven by citizens’ involvement, with less partisan dominance; but in our current environment, that is hardly possible. No doubt, the PPP would use these elections to test and consolidate its support among its traditional base. The more local councils and municipalities it controls, the more it secures a hold on the governance of the country. The party already controls seven of the 10 Regional Councils. One can expect a very robust PPP campaign, replete with the customary demonisation of the PNC and AFC and calls for closing of the ranks.

The governing coalition, on the other hand, faces some challenges. Will the APNU and the AFC contest separately or as a coalition? Will they be able to mobilise their constituencies to vote with the same enthusiasm as they did at the general election? Governing parties are always judged on their record in government, and that record is always subject to distortion by the opposition.

The next five months would be defining ones.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Modern nursing home for the elderly opens

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- Prime Minister lauds investment

By Rabindra Rooplall A MODERN nursing home and medical- services facility for the elderly officially opened its doors Saturday, with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo hailing the venture as one that was needed.

Called Demerara Paradise, the facility is located in the gated compound at Lot 1 C Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara. The opening was timely, coming just on the heels of the 25th anniversary of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), which was observed earlier this month.

Demerara Paradise operates out of five two-storeyed luxury properties. The facility boasts a collection of some of the best nursing and patient- care advocates providing a 24-hour service, including physiotherapy, psychology and medical support.

Apart from the Prime Minister, others at the simple opening ceremony included Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Copa Airline Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk; and adviser to the Minister of Social Protection, John Adams.

Demerara Paradise Inc. has available rooms to meet the needs and desires of all patients. It also boasts private rooms which can accommodate visiting family members. There are on- site entertainment activities such as a gym, library and a cinema.

The Founder of the institution is Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan, who is the former Chief Executive Officer of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba in June, 2010. He also served as medical superintendent at the West Demerara Regional Hospital - just two of the 10 hospitals in more than five regions in Guyana where he has served.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the success of such an enterprise not only depends on leadership, but the resources and connections to attract Guyanese living at home and abroad. He explained that such an initiative is worth the support of the government and all Guyanese.

Underscoring that the facility will offer care, love and attention, the Prime Minister said, “Persons visiting Guyana for its 50th independence anniversary and who want to enjoy the fetes and good life next year and don’t want to leave their parents behind, could bring them, since there is now

somewhere they can put them, and somewhere where they know they will receive the type of care that they may have overseas, which has been a problem for many visitors, because of medical issues and periodical medical checks.”

Describing the establishment as a Guyanese specialty comfort zone, Mr Nagamootoo said the investment by Dr. Bridgemohan is congratulatory, since he and team saw a need for the institution.

Dr. Bridgemohan said the board of directors recognised that there is a need now to invest in a facility that takes care of the needs of the elderly.

“Demerara Paradise is truly a home away from home in a medically supervised, luxurious, safe and caring paradise.

Aging parents’ declining health can be difficult to cope with, [so] you want to ensure that your parents are comfortable and well cared for with proper health care,” Dr. Bridgemohan

underscored.

Minister Cummings said there is a demand for facilities that provide professional and affordable health-care accommodation for geriatrics.

“The APNU/AFC government will continue to formulate and establish policies and programmes to further cultivate an enabling environment for private enterprise to grow, develop and flourish in Guyana. We will provide a level playing field for private-sector players,” she said.

Advisor John Adams said the nursing home is a timely investment.

“The Ministry of Social Protection is pleased to be associated with such a venture. There was always a need for such a facility, and families would also welcome the initiative, which would make them comfortable to trust and care for their loved ones,” Adams noted.

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo unveils the plaque to open Demerara Paradise. At left is Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan and his wife.

Harris Colour Centre opens in Diamond - continues partnership with gov’t on low-cost housing

HARRIS Paints opened a new “colour centre” at Diamond, East Bank Demerera on Saturday.

The company has an agreement with the government to supply paint to the low-cost homes at a reduced price.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott, praised the CEO of Harris Paints International, Mr. Ian Kenyon, and his team for upholding their standards and for using the latest technology to offer quality products.

Minister Scott said that Harris Paints has not only responded to the demands of the local market, but has proven receptive to government policies regarding home ownership and enhancing community life.

Harris Paints International has been in Guyana for the past 21 years, and the Diamond outlet is its fourth company store here.

Kenyon said the purpose of Harris Paints is to enrich lives by providing ideas and inspiration that enable fellow Guyanese to decorate, enhance and protect their environment with the products and services Harris produces.

Harris Paints International , which is also known as the Caribbean Champions of Colour, plans to continue expanding its service throughout Guyana.

CEO of Harris Paints International, Ian Kenyon; the Minister in the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott; and Head of the Business Unit, Mrs. Marguerite Desir, at the opening of the Diamond Store (Delano Williams photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Local agro-processors - continue to seek host street fair gov’t support

By Tajeram Mohabir SCORES of agroprocessors throughout Guyana Saturday converged on Main Street in Georgetown to showcase their produce as the Ministry of Agriculture steps up its campaign to promote value-added products.

The one-day street fair, themed: “Exploring our strengths; advancing agriculture and social protection,” was organised by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), and is

part of activities to celebrate Agriculture Month 2015.

The agro-processors used the opportunity to display their attractively packaged products, with many pitching tent as early as 08:00 hrs.

The Main Street promenade from Guyana Stores to Courts was transformed from being a relatively quiet area to a busy zone.

It was permeated with the pleasant and titillating aroma of different foods and beverages.

New GMC marketing representative Ida Sealey-

Adams told the Guyana Chronicle that the street fair, the second of its kind, aims to give agro-processors an opportunity to market what they produce.

The New GMC has a mandate to promote locally manufactured produce, including value-added products, both locally and overseas.

Sealey-Adams said the fair is in keeping with the agency’s mandate, and related that, encouragingly, more Guyanese over the years have been supporting locally-produced agriculture

A local wine producer shows off his product. (Cullen Best Nelson)

A representative proudly displays the products of Alpha Manufacturing Inc., a company run by five women. (Cullen Bess-Nelson)

products.

From the look of goods in the tents, smart packaging might have contributed to locals developing a greater appreciation of what is produced in their homeland.

The products were attractively labelled, they were clean and the presentation at the different tents was eye-catching.

According to the New GMC representative, the labelling of the products meets the standards of a First-World country.

The New GMC provides

technical assistance to local agro-processors, and this ranges from hosting management and best-practices’ training programmes to linking producers with potential buyers here and abroad.

Sealey-Adams told this publication that the New GMC only links the agroprocessor with a potential buyers; it does not get involved in the business between the two.

EXHIBITIONS The agricultural marketing agency also regularly attends exhibitions in the Region, North America and Europe, and local producers are invited to attend.

N e w G M C representatives usually take samples of the products of producers who cannot attend, and share their information with interested buyers.

The New GMC Guyana Shop also serves as a launching pad for small agroprocessors who cannot afford to launch their products.

During a walk- through of the fair, the Guyana Chronicle was impressed by products of the many booths, including Alpha Manufacturing Inc. The small business produces packaged snacks, pepper sauce and seasoning, and is managed by five women from Region 3.

One of the owners, Marva Hestick, told this newspaper that the business has been doing reasonably well, and the group wants to expand operations but will need some

support.

She said it would be encouraging if the New GMC could sponsor labels (about 1000) and the government grants concessions to small producers who bottle their produce. The prices for bottles, Hestick said, are high for small operators.

Weiting and Richter, an ice house and water plant a t 1 0 - 1 3 Wa t e r S t r e e t , Georgetown, was also present at the exhibition.

The company buys the materials from Trinidad and Tobago and manufactures plastic bottles at its Water Street plant. It also manufactures plastic bottles for other companies.

Weiting and Richter has been doing well, and so, too, has Inava.

Inava, a company in South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, which began operations last year, told the Guyana Chronicle that it is looking to expand operations.

The company makes lemonade and has already been exporting its products Lemonade Guava, Lemonade S t r a w b e r r y, O r i g i n a l Lemonade and Lemonade Soursop - to Suriname, St Vincent, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The other locally produced products on display were many. They ranged from bottled water, pepper sauce, coconut oil, honey, seasoning and preserved carambola fruits to ground acha, massala, cassava bread, plantain chis, ground spices and coffee and honey soap.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Final week to Green Conference and Expo THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has moved into high gear in preparation for its upcoming Green Conference and Expo. The three- day event is slated for October 30 to November 1.

Zena Henry, the event’s Communication Liaison, told the Guyana Chronicle that the event will be one with a difference, since its main focus is on education and the re-education of citizens about the benefits of supporting and promoting green environments and business ventures.

“The conference encourages a national discussion on eco-friendly or green development. It seeks to attract all actors within the field of energy conservation, greenenergy development and environmental conservation. It therefore means that many, if not all sectors within the country, are being called upon to play their roles, since they all affect the environment in some way,” Henry said.

The conference will receive presentations by various agencies. They include the diplomatic community, local mining and environmental agencies, and green- energy companies.

On the evening of October 30 and the remaining days of the event, the exhibition will cater for physical displays, when thousands are expected to come out to learn various conservation methods. Major companies

and agencies are eager to commence the re-education and awareness process with the different items and equipment they will be offering.

LED Guyana will be one of the major companies providing energy-efficient lighting for the event. They will teach citizens how they can easily get off the grid (GPL electricity) through solar power, while saving lots of cash at the same time.

“It is estimated that 50 percent of energy could be reduced using energy-saving materials such as the LED bulbs,” Henry said, adding that Republic Bank is on board and will be providing easy loans for persons wanting to acquire energy-saving equipment.

National Hardware, Service Guyana and Innovar are the other agencies that provide energy-efficient items.

Citizens can save as much as 75 percent on their airconditioning bills with energy-saving units and similar products. Windsor Estate, another exhibitor, will be promoting green products such as bamboo flooring and green household items among others.

Outside of this, citizens will be taught how to care for their surroundings.

The Green Conference and Expo includes an entertainment component. “While the event seeks to be tempered with green enthusiasm, visitors are encouraged to look for our entertainment square, as many big names

in local entertainment will be there. These include Nestor, Kwesi Ace, Chow Pow, Casual, the National School of Dance and Heatwave Band, among others.

Foods, drinks and games for children will also be among the side attractions.

The Mayor and City Council has embarked on new approaches in its efforts to rebrand, renew and revitalise the city’s image. It is based upon a presidential order that the country undertakes its developmental programmes within a green framework and environmentally friendly atmosphere.

The M&CC, as the capital’s keeper, deems it essential to take the lead in promoting the advancement of an ecofriendly, sustainable city.

“We are cognisant, however, that public support and acceptance are important to achieving our goals. We understand the necessity of restructuring citizens’ perceptions on the benefits of developing and maintaining a green economy, because they are most affected,” Henry stated.

It is for this reason that the council has focused immensely on public, eco-friendly re-education programmes along with the physical repair of the city.

The council is working towards the Green Conference and Expo being the largest event in the Caribbean to attract regional and international stakeholders.

Berbice to host Christmas Village THE county of Berbice, Region Six, is gearing for its first Christmas Village.

The eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) are working together with the Ministry of Tourism to host the event as part of an effort to spread the meaning of Christmas, and to promote social cohesion and provide clean entertainment for families.

The cricket teams would also use the opportunity to promote their “Say YES to Sports and Education” message.

The Christmas Village would be hosted in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School during the period December 20th to 24th. The Club has established a working committee headed by its long serving Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, to plan for the event.

Other members include Ravin Kissoonlall, Keith Hicks, Elizabeth Brusche, Gregory Butcher, Neville Beaton, Mark Papannah and two members of each of its cricket teams.

The Ministry of Tourism committed, on Friday last, to co-sponsoring the event, and has handed over a sponsorship cheque for an

undisclosed amount. The Ministry would also assist the RHTYSC with technical assistance to ensure that the Christmas Village project is a huge success.

The Village would consist of a large depiction of the Nativity Scene, while the entire compound of the school would be transformed into a festive atmosphere with fairy lights, Christmas characters and decorations.

The cricket teams would be joining with the GuySuCo Training Centre to construct a 20-foot Christmas tree, while other attractions would include games for children, a Horror House, a photo studio, a Christmas exhibition, and numerous booths that would sell items for the festive season.

The cricketers would also use the occasion to promote the importance of youth involvement in sports, and youths’ staying in school to complete their educational careers.

Twelve lucky children would win toys for the holidays on each night of the Christmas Village, while three families would receive a holiday food hamper, compliments of the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets First Division Team.

Foster has expressed

RHTYSC CEO, Hilbert Foster, receiving the sponsorship cheque from Catherine Martin of the Ministry of Tourism, while other members of the RHTYSC look on confidence that the event and Tourism Liaison and I n t e r e s t e d p e r s o n s speaks for itself. She would be a huge success and P l a n n i n g O f f i c e r, M s can contact the RHTYSC expressed confidence that would attract numerous local C a t h e r i n e M a r t i n . T h e Secretariat on telephone all the event’s objectives and overseas tourists to the RHTYSC, he stated, would number 337–4562, or email would be fulfilled, and hailed the cricket teams town; and most importantly, extend all its organising foster_hilbert@yahoo.com. w o u l d p r o m o t e s o c i a l experience to make the event Ministry of Tourism and the management of cohesion among residents. the best ever hosted locally, L i a i s o n a n d L o g i s t i c s the RHTYSC for their He expressed gratitude to and he extended an invitation Planner, Catherine Martin, visionary proposal to the the Ministry of Tourism to corporate Guyana to come expressed that Ministry’s Ministry. The Ministry, she for its cooperation, and on board as sponsors or delight at working with an said, would support such made special mention of set up Christmas-themed outstanding organisation projects, as it falls within Minister Catherine Hughes booths. w h o s e t r a c k r e c o r d its mandate. (Alex Wayne)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

HINDS’SIGHT

Dr David Hinds

O

Moving beyond the salary fallout …follow Nagamootoo’s lead and talk directly to the people

F ALL the comments by government officials on the raising of their salaries, including those by the President, the one by Moses Nagamootoo is the most politically sensible. The Prime Minister did this past week what the others failed to do; he acknowledged that there was a revolt against the government action, and he suggested that there was some merit in the revolt. Critically, he agreed with some of us that the government should have gone to the people and explained the action. As the Minister of Information, he selflessly took responsibility for that error; but that does not erase the fact that this was a collective decision.

But better late than never.

While his colleagues sought to address the explicit opposition to the salary hike, Nagamootoo addressed an implicit question. Most of the opposition focused on the morality of the government raising its pay at a higher rate than those of public service workers. That is a serious charge that cannot be won by the government.

Unfortunately, that is the issue they sought to explain; and every time they tried they dug a deeper hole. You simply cannot win that moral argument; morality is seldom on the side of governments.

Nagamootoo, on the other hand, addressed a less explicit question. Part of the rage against the salary hike is the following question: How could you do this without talking to us? And Nagamootoo said ‘yes, we should have spoken to you before we proceeded’. In effect, he acknowledged that there was merit in the opposition, and he asked for pardon.

Trotman asked for trust without even an implicit acknowledgement that the opposition had merit.

The Prime Minister, in his admission of error, also mentioned public relations. I hear him, but I think it’s more than PR. For me, this was not a public relations error, it was a political error.

One great lesson here for the government going forward is that it must consult more. I am certain that, had the leadership councils and memberships of the APNU and the AFC been properly consulted,

the government would have learned that it was a politically risky undertaking. Similarly, had they gone into a few of the communities and raised the issue, they would have been advised not to do it.

They simply did not consult their people, and they paid the price.

Another great lesson the government should learn from all of this is that what makes technical sense does not always make political sense. All of the explanations about correcting the imbalance in the salary regime for government officials make sense to the few among us who care about such subjects. But the ordinary people who have to make do with precious little instinctively read it differently. This is where political understanding comes in. The technical has to be explained politically.

The argument has to be made to the people on how this benefits them and the country.

Minister Harmon could argue that this was exactly what he was getting at when he linked the salary hike to anti-corruption, but his timing was bad; he was explaining after the fact.

Government must learn to anticipate areas of potential opposition to its policies and actions, and address them beforehand. And critically, it must not only anticipate the opposition of the Opposition Party, but of its own supporters.

Some commentators have opined that the fallout from this would hurt the government in the long term. I doubt it. But that would be determined by how the government acts going forward. I don’t think they would withdraw the increases; that would satisfy some critics, but it would simultaneously weaken the government in its struggle with the opposition PPP for political space. But they have to make some bold moves. The key is to start consulting with the people and their organisations.

Nagamootoo’s admission of error clears the way for that re-engagement with the people. I think the following initiatives could help.

First, address with haste the poor wages paid to workers. The new budget is coming soon. It is customary for government to bargain with the unions.

That should start now! But this should be supplemented by wider consultations with the workers themselves.

It makes sense to hold a series of workers’ wage assemblies to speak to them about their wages and get from them how government officials’ wages should be handled in the future.

Second, the coalition parties, individually and collectively, should begin a series of community meetings across the country to report to the people on what the government has done thus far, and get their feedback. Press conferences and releases are important, but insufficient. Government ministers should also appear on popular radio and TV programmes regularly.

They should appear on Plain Talk, Walter Rodney Groundings, Justice for All, African Drums, Facing the Nation and similar programmes.

Third, they have to go beyond leaking the alleged corruption of the previous government. The government must call Mr Jagdeo’s bluff and let justice take its course. If the extent of the rage against the salary increases surprised the government, they would be shocked at the even more intense frustration over the inability to bring the accused to book. The appetite for justice on charges of corruption by the previous government is huge. The government must begin to act.

Fourth, they must begin their local government campaign now. Run as a coalition but include nonparty supporters with strong community record on your slate. The campaign should include local government workshops or assemblies to explain the importance of local democracy. It must be a campaign for votes, but it must also be a means of reconnecting with the people and reassuring them that, despite an error or two on government’s part, they, the people, still matter.

(More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com.) Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

More DIPCON employees receive severance benefits MORE employees of Dipcon Construction Company received full severance benefits but are outraged that one year’s tax deductions were withheld from the government.

Some 50 Guyana Labour Union (GLU) members were laid off last July by Dipcon and have begun receiving severance benefits following Conciliation talks in August by the GLU,

Dipcon and the government, Saudia Sultan, Senior Labour Officer, Ministry of Social Protection, confirmed Friday.

Sultan said that based on the size of the package for laidoff workers, the government “will give them (employers) time to pay” dismissed employees. Some G$1M (US$5,000) was paid to the eight workers on Friday.

She confirmed that “the next full payment to severed workers is scheduled for November, when 10 more workers will receive their benefits.

Dipcon General Manager Parmeshwar Ramkaran said his Please see page 11 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

– Washington DC

It’s a life-and-death issue – cutting non-value cost out A S we continue this series, we focus this week on how we track and manage cost in the industry, since this is the substantive issue – bringing down the unit cost in the industry.

Cost accounting is as old as the human being itself, and can be extremely helpful in weeding out the non-value-added activities from a complex production process, and help decision makers make informed decisions. You cannot weedout what you are not accurately allocating to the correct cost centres, and thus do not have a handle on. Therefore, as part of this cost analysis, we must re-design how we apply cost to the entire process. The focus has to be on measuring the performance of each estate in totality, rather than trying to evaluate the entire industry.

This is vitally important, and has to be done scientifically. In the long run, only those costs directly assigned to an estate and representing a real value-added activity will be allowed to survive in the industry. Every other cost has to be paid for by some other agency outside of GuySuCo, or it must be surgically axed from the system. Getting this right the first time around is a life-and-death issue for many thousands of people in the sugar belt.

My focus will be on the non-Skeldon factories, since I am of the clear opinion that the Skeldon Estate has to be outsourced to private investors armed with the necessary resources to turn that operation around. There are many such investors in India or Brazil, who are resourced both financially and talent-wise to take on this challenge and make money in the process, and save the economy of the Upper Corentyne.

It is one thing to survive, and another to truly thrive. To really thrive, we have to rationalise the non-Skeldon factories. My model suggests – Albion/Rose Hall, Blairmont, East Demerara at Enmore, and West Demerara at Wales. In such a make-up, we have to, first of all, pile all cost data (at a very granular level) into data silos in each respective estate for the last three years. This means all common costs -- such as shipping, headquarters and so on -- have to be allocated

to each estate using a formula that has the full support of the estate teams.

This information will empower the decision makers to effectively track every single cost per factory from inception to the sale of the final product. This kind of information is gold to any skilled executive who can study that data to get an informed grip on why these factories have such a high TC/TS ratio.

The TC/TS ratio (tonnes cane at factory gate that is needed to produce one tonne of sugar) is the principal key performance indicator on factory yield. The lower this number is, the more productive the factory is.

Any skilled executive, after studying this information, will be in an optimal position to understand what needs to be done to improve efficiency in the factory. However, all decisions should be made in a decision-making vehicle called the “transition vehicle” (or turnaround laboratory). There is no room for a one-man show, as we saw under Raj Singh. This will be used to house people from different levels in the factory with different backgrounds but with one core purpose – giving quick, timely and direct answers on how to lower the cost in the factory. This information will be passed up the chain, but also posted on the factory notice board to inform all staff of the decisions being made.

For this to work, we desperately need the buy-in from the floor.

If the vehicle says cut an activity out of the factory process, we should give them the benefit of the doubt and swiftly ensure all are informed; but most importantly, their jobs depend on the outcome from the recommendations they make. If they focus always on yields, I see them all succeeding. It must be made clear to members of the “Transition Vehicle” from the inception that if they cannot reduce the TC/TS incrementally every ensuing crop over a three-year period and contribute to reducing the loss on the estate, then they would have no job at the end of that sixmonth period. It is as simple as that.

The industry is on record as having productivity ratios

as low as 10.5 TC/TS in the past, and they can do it again and even do better. To give you a snapshot of where we are, Albion had a TC/TS ratio in 2011 of 11.47; Rose Hall had 12.73; Blairmont had 11.45; Enmore had 14.65; Wales had 13.32 and Uitvlugt had 14.58.

On the non-Skeldon estates, we can use the model that I suggested of the “transition vehicle” to identify and attack the problem in segments of six months. The objective is that in every successor period, the TC/TS per factory has to decline. If a factory manager is fully briefed that Headquarters is prepared to give him/her the resources to attack the problem in his or her factory, and he still cannot turn it around, that person is clearly in the wrong business.

THE RECOMMENDED CHANGE

There is also great potential for Blairmont and Enmore, because of the fact that they both have fully functional sugar packaging plants on their premises, and are ahead on the sale of value-added packaged sugar. It make so much economic sense to mothball Rose Hall to save the Central Corentyne sugar industry, and I hope good sense will prevail on this hard decision. Let us not play politics with this industry for the sake of those 69,000 people who face economic ruin if GuySuCo goes under.

But the biggest challenge outside of Skeldon in the sugar belt remains the West Demerara. For obvious reasons, Wales is on the riverfront, which can make the transport of sugar to the Demerara Sugar Terminal much more cost efficient than if the base of production were at Uitvlugt. This will entail the Uitvlugt Factory being mothballed to enhance the productivity on the West Demerara, and portions of the Uitvlugt land being outsourced for plantation-type cash crop agriculture. It is a tough decision, but the options are few.

I shall stop here for now, and we shall continue next week on a SWOT analysis around this industry. Please feel free to share your comments at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

More DIPCON employees ...

◄ From page 10

company still has an outstanding sum of G$3M (US$15,000) left to pay out as compensation “and this will be paid in three tranches, [with] the final payment scheduled for December.”

Ramkaran explained that the company was forced to slash staff following the steep rise in the price of construction materials on the local market, which hiked the cost of the Providence to Diamond stretch of the East Bank road.

He calculated price increases for materials to the tune of some G$600M (US$3M). Re-negotiating the road-building contract failed, and “an amicable agreement was reached” with the Guyana Government for Dipcon to walk away from

the multi-million contract, he said.

“That’s why people got laid off,” Ramkaran explained.

Meanwhile, four former employees: Rajesh Kunjah, Kushal Bispat, Ramcharran Ramnarine and Winston Henriques, turned up on Friday at the Labour Department on Brickdam to protest the delay in payment of their severance benefits.

Spokesman for the workers, Eon Sancho, claimed that the company deducted higher amounts of NIS and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from workers’ salaries, but failed to remit them.

Taxes were deducted between August 2014 and July this year,

as stipulated by local laws.

Sancho said workers have written the NIS and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the issue, but so far, only the NIS has acknowledged their correspondence.

Dipcon still has some G$3M (US$15,000) in outstanding payments for the remaining terminated workers. Lakeram said the sum will be paid in three tranches, with “the last payment scheduled for December.”

The terminated letters noted that the construction firm wishes to “thank you for your exceptional services rendered and wishes you all the best in the future.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Students showcase healthy foods - as country aims to curb increase in non-communicable diseases

By Shirley Thomas T H E c a l l f o r g re a t e r emphasis to be placed on agricultural production and the consumption of locally grown foods was made at a Secondary Schools Home Economics Competition held in the city last Wednesday.

The event was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, and the venue was the Ministry of Education’s Ground in Carifesta Avenue, where 18 competing secondary schools proudly displayed their delectable, nutrient-rich and mouth-watering dishes prepared in keeping with the theme: “Promoting Root Crops in Guyana”.

The benefits of natural and unprocessed foods as compared to those loaded with simple sugars (as found in fast foods) were poignantly brought out in presentations delivered by patron of the competition, First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, who delivered the feature address and presented trophies to the winning school, North West Government Secondary.

Second and third place winners were the Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre and New Amsterdam Secondary School respectively. All winners were given trophies and kitchen tools to boost the preparation of dishes in their respective Home Economics Departments.

The competing schools were required to prepare dishes using root crops combined with other locally grown fruits and vegetables to come up with interesting and creative dishes. The aim was to help curb the upsurge of chronic non-communicable diseases which are linked to the types of foods consumed locally.

As specified, the dishes prepared were low in fats, high in fibre, and were full of nutrients; but essentially had as their major component unrefined or natural carbohydrates. Processed carbohydrates include white flour, white rice and refined sugars.

Participants also carefully avoided the use of transfats, cholesterol and excess sodium (salt), as these lead to obesity and chronic non-

First Lady Sandra Granger checks out some of the foods on display communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, which are all rampant in Guyana at this time.

Mrs. Granger commended the efforts of the competitors and the teachers who guided and assisted them, noting that they demonstrated not only creativity, but their interest and capability in providing and promoting tasty, quality

Teacher Shonis McDonald and her students of the North West Government Secondary School won the FAO’s Home Economics Competition

food prepared from local produce. She encouraged both the cultivation and consumption of agricultural and marine products, noting that they give access to fresh, nutritious, wholesome produce at a price that should be more affordable than imported foodstuff.

While contending that nothing is wrong with an occasional fast food meal, she emphasised thus: “For our children to grow fit and strong, they need a steady daily diet of fresh, wholesome food.”

The First Lady reminded the students that another spinoff from the habit of eating fresh food is that it gives rise to a healthier nation, and we reduce the high local incidence of chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Referring to the theme for Agriculture Month: “Social Protection and Agriculture – Breaking the cycle of rural poverty”, Mrs. Granger said the theme resonates because vulnerable sections of our population, in rural and urban areas, still struggle to make it through the day.

To this end, she conceded that agricultural production and productivity will, in particular, benefit the poor;

hence it is important to produce enough and at prices that are affordable.

Looking at the bigger picture, she sees the focus on agricultural development as benefiting the nation in diverse ways, and ultimately breaking the cycle of rural poverty.

M e a n w h i l e , FA O Representative Mr Reuben Robertson made the point that eating healthy is pivotal to our health and wellbeing.

He gave global statistics which show that 800 million people across the globe still go to bed hungry and do not have access to food.

But the corollary, he said, is that food is available in some countries, for example Guyana.

“Guyana is fortunate to be self-sufficient in most foods; but pathetically, what are we seeing? We are seeing health challenges in the form of chronic-non communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, just to mention a few.”

What is important to note, he said, is that it is not just the old and middle-aged people, but the young people and schoolchildren who are coming down with these

diseases.

“Therefore we recognise that eating healthy is pivotal to living a healthy lifestyle,” the FAO Representative stressed.

On a note of e n c o u r a g e m e n t , M r.

Robertson told the competing schools, “I want you to reflect on this…not to see the competition [today] as just a competition to win a trophy or an award, but a competition to create the incentive and encourage other young people to become attracted to healthy and local foods.”

He recommended unrefined and natural carbohydrates, which are also high in fibre, as being very good for digestion. “And therefore we need to see the link between eating healthy and health and wellbeing,” Mr. Robertson said.

His closing message to the students was: “So when you leave here today, I really would want to encourage all of us…with the kind of creativity that I have seen, we can now start the ball rolling by using some of these creative dishes and encouraging our young people to start eating healthy.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Alleged drink-driving policeman kills Linden teen in early morning mishap SIXTEEN-year-old Denelsion Rose of Noitgedacht, Linden, Region 10, was killed yesterday between 03:30 hrs and 04:00 hrs when motor car PRR 6503 struck him down and left him lying on the roadway

Dead: Denelsion Rose.

Sunday October 25th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Monday October 26th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday October 27th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

as he was walking on the Washerpond Road in Linden.

The sixth form pupil of McKenzie High School was on his way home when he met his demise in the accident.

His body was found by passersby.

Special Lance Corporal Marlon Washington, the alleged drink-driving policeman who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident, fled the scene, failing to pay the toll to cross the bridge to get to his

Wisroc, Linden home; but was later arrested there after police reviewed surveillance footage which confirmed the identity of the driver of the getaway car. A breathalyzer test allegedly indicated that he had double the prescribed limit of 35% micrograms of alcohol in his system when tested, and the police have reported that he is presently in their custody, assisting with the investigation. He is expected to be charged shortly.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Mining sector leads with workers’ complaints

S

eptember figures show that the mining sector continues to lead the list of workers complaints filed with the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection.

The Labour Department blamed the 47 complaints received last month on employer and employee lack of knowledge of local labour regulations and its own inability to reach worksites located in hard-to-reach communities in Guyana’s interior.

“Possible reason for this high number in mining sector may be due to the ministry`s inability to readily access the mining areas to provide much needed sensitisation and awareness sessions of the labour laws to both the employer and employee,” a statement from the Ministry explained.

Workers’ grouses in the sector between June and August showed a climb from 31 in June to double that amount in July and a fall off to 27 in August.

The security sector had the highest number of complaints at the end of the second quarter, with 36 complaints filed against it by aggrieved workers.

The statement said for the third quarter, the hospitality sector had the second highest number of complaints with 28, followed by the security sector with 19. On the latter, it explained that the spike in workers’ perception of wrongdoing against them by their employees “can be attributed to security guards working are not satisfied with their current position, working conditions and may change jobs often and or (be) terminated for trifling reasons.”

According to labour statistics compiled by officers, for the month of September, the hospitality, mining and security sectors “accounted for over 50 of the complaints received at the ministry,” the statement said.

Senior Labour Officer Mrs Karen Vansluytman attributed the rise in complaints and resolution of industrial grouses to the change of government.

“There has been renewed hope among the workers since the change of administration, and many old unresolved matters have resurfaced because the administration will more look into their (workers) rights,” Vansluytman said.

Late last week, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence intervened in a 10-month old matter involving Ian Cadogan, a truck driver, against his employer at Trail Boss Interior Trucking Service.

Cadogan received his $360,000 cheque after the almost one-year battle with his employer.

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At Kwebanna, Region One (Barima/Waini), on a recent outreach by officials of the Social Protection Ministry, several employees also complained about employers’ tardiness in wages payments. At one of those community meetings, Orlando Charles complained about non-payment of his salary by his former employer, Godfrey Wilson, who was in the audience.

A meeting between the two was immediately summoned by the Labour Department, and it was amicably resolved.

On the spot, Charles received his $50,000 in outstanding payment.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Hughes touts transparency, inclusivity and returning ...

From back page and Slingerz FC boss Javed Ali, rolled out their plan for football, calling the sport the best tool possible for corporate Guyana to use as a marketing drive for their businesses.

Well known football enthusiasts, clubs, players and members of the community turned out to listen to the learned panel’s plan for the game with a key interest on youth development, inclusivity, transparency and the slate’s proposed mechanism to stomp out corruption in the sport locally.

“Football has a bad reputation in the public eye, particularly when it comes

to finances,” Hughes said while addressing the gathering, speaking on how GFF headed by him will re-establish and protect the integrity of the sport.

According to Hughes, “We will have independent audits and ensure that those audits are published to the public for scrutiny. So every association and organisation, even at the national level, must be able to defend financial decisions that were made; that’s one area I intend to deal with.”

“Just like public companies, we propose to have quarterly published unaudited financials so that those people who might have financial propriety about which football has been conducted can check and scrutinize; we will ensure that those associations who are affiliated to us (the GFF), fall into line and are bound by that,” Hughes said.

Meanwhile, notably missing from yesterday’s launch was Troy Cadogan, Marketing Director at Ansa McAl Trading.

Hughes was asked if with the inclusion of Cadogan on his slate, if it will give Ansa McAl a distinct advantage over the other corporations to cash in on sponsorship and his answer was “no”.

“It is not up to an individual member, in this case Nigel Hughes cannot decide if Ansa McAl will have a break. We will es-

tablish clear steps or criteria for people who would want to sponsor football, we will establish and publish the basis of which we would agree to sponsorship so anybody who wants to get involved in football can get involved because we don’t see this as a twohorse race, but a race that will not only be limited to the people who are in Guyana,” Hughes added.

Lumumba also lamented on the subject, noting that Guyana is among the few countries where corporations either want it all or nothing.

The Parliamentarian under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) however said that as early as this week, his team will be reaching out to the business community, to highlight the level of transparency that will exist.

Hughes, the Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Party, was adamant that under his presidency of the GFF, he will ensure that the Government of Guyana plays its role in the development of the sport; something he said is significantly lacking in Football.

Meanwhile, it was announced by Hughes that he has reached out to Forde, asking for the two slates to join hands and make a collective approach to the governance of football in Guyana.

However, according to Hughes, a favourable response is yet to be given.

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WINCANTON 09:40 hrs Barton Antix 10:15 hrs Uncle Tone 10:45 hrs Standing Ovation 11:15 hrs Very Noble 11:45 hrs Wade Harper 12:15 hrs Romain De Senam 12:45 hrs Polstar

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Aintree 09:25 hrs Perform 09:55 hrs Gone Forever 10:30 hrs Danimix 11:00 hrs Pine Creek 11:30 hrs Johns Spirit 12:00 hrs The Big Dipper 12:35 hrs Midnight Velvet

IRISH RACING TIPS Leopardstown 08:50 hrs Waitaki 09:20 hrs Awtaad 09:50 hrs Theodorico 10:20 hrs Tested 10:50 hrs Moonlight Magic 11:20 hrs Modem 11:55 hrs Spin Point 12:25 hrs B Cosmos

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Rugby World Cup ...

New Zealand wear down South Africa in gripping semi-final

By Mitch Phillips LONDON, (Reuetrs)-New Zealand ground their way into the Rugby World Cup final for a record fourth time when they proved too strong, too dangerous and ultimately too streetwise for South Africa in a predictably tense 20-18 victory yesterday.

Tries by Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett early in each half were a fair representation of the All Blacks’ superior commitment to at-

tack and they deservedly advanced to face Argentina or Australia in the final back at Twickenham next Saturday.

“We did it the hard way today. It was always going to be that way but we’ve got a crack at it next week,” said New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, who now has the chance to become the first man to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup twice.

“We’ve been saying they would bring everything.

There were no surprises and we had to dig deep to get the

result.”

South Africa led 12-7 at halftime through the goal-kicking of Handre Pollard but spent most of the half defending.

Though they offered precious little in attack all match and kicked badly out of hand the Springboks somehow clawed their way back to within two points with more penalties to set up a nail-biting last 10 minutes.

New Zealand, however, showed all their vast ex-

Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand runs with the ball during their Rugby World Cup semi-final match against South Africa at Twickenham in London, Britain yesterday. Reuters/Toby Melville

perience to run down the clock and give themselves the chance to become the first country to retain the title.

“We believed we were good enough to beat them but we just weren’t,” said South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer. “We wanted to make our country proud and we didn’t” MAGNIFICENT DEFENCE The majority of the first half was played in the South African half but the Springboks emerged from it five points ahead thanks to magnificent defence and the deadly boot of Pollard.

New Zealand got the only try of the half after seven minutes when McCaw sent Kaino over in the corner and though Dan Carter converted, he struck the post with a later penalty.

There were no such problems for Pollard, whose beautifully struck kicks bisected the posts four times after the All Blacks were continually penalised.

The consolation for the holders was that they would have confidence their rivals would eventually tire and if there was no improvement

in their tactical kicking, they would not be able to keep out the relentless black waves.

In fact the South African kicking got worse, inviting attack after attack, and as they lost three successive lineouts, the pressure ramped up, despite the All Blacks playing the first nine minutes of the second half with 14 after Kaino was sin-binned.

Carter slotted a drop goal then the black wave went right and left to create space and send replacement wing Barrett over for a converted try and a 17-12 lead.

A penalty apiece made it 20-15 going into the final 20 minutes and Pat Lambie, on for the injured Pollard, landed a difficult 40-metre kick to reduce the lead to two points.

As the rain lashed down

and handling became difficult the two giants of the sport smashed away at each other desperate to find a gap, or force a penalty.

However, after losing their opening game to Japan, South Africa have been playing knockout rugby for five weeks and it appeared to catch up with them.

They briefly threatened when a rolling maul took them into penalty range but New Zealand, lessons learned, made sure they stayed on the right side of the ref.

The holders then took control and, appropriately, ended the game deep in the South African half as they chalked up their 11th, and most important, victory in their last 13 meetings with their greatest rivals.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 25, 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:

Jason Holder (WI 2nd innings) 12 sixes

Today’s Quiz:

When and where did SL win a Test match for the first time?

When and where did SL win a Test match against the WI for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Pakistan turn the screw after England collapse

By Matt Smith DUBAI, (Reuters) - Misbahul-Haq and Younus Khan made half-centuries as Pakistan ambled to 222 for three at the close on day three of the second test on Saturday, 358 runs ahead of England after Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah had scuttled the tourists lower order before lunch.

It was a truly abject day for England who lost their final seven wickets for 36 runs to be all out for 242, wrecking their chances of becoming the first team to defeat Pakistan in a test series in the UAE. That collapse meant England needed to bowl out Pakistan cheaply to stand any chance of a remarkable comeback and Alastair Cook’s men got off to the best possible start.

Opener Shan Masood (one) had been fortunate as a diving Jos Buttler spilled his nick off Stuart Broad, but England’s wicketkeeper made amends, snaffling another Masood edge off James Anderson the following over.

The hosts were one for one and Shoaib Malik (seven) lasted little longer, edging a full Mark Wood ball on to his stumps which reduced Paki-

stan to 16 for two.

But if England were hoping to spark a collapse similar to their own earlier surrender they were left disappointed as Pakistan’s batsmen proved more obdurate.

Captain Cook used seven bowlers in the search for anoth-

Younus, unbeaten on 71, passes 9 000 Test runs deliveries and taking minimal risks.

Younus passed 9,000 Test runs and Pakistan’s record scorer reached his 30th test half-century with a four to fine

Younuis Khan became the first Pakistani to make 9000 Test runs, Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Duba er breakthrough and Mohammad Hafeez (51) eventually fell after edging Wood to Joe Root at slip.

Starting their partnership at 83 for three, Younus and skipper Misbah were sensible, waiting to punish errant

leg. Misbah got to his 31st Test 50 after slogging the hapless Adil Rashid for two sixes in the same over.

Younus reached the close on 71 not out with Misbah on 87.

MORNING COLLAPSE

Broad had predicted that the first hour could decide the test and his words proved prescient but in the opposite way that he would have hoped.

England started the day on 183 for three, Root and Jonny Bairstow seeking to extend their partnership of 55 against the contrasting threat of Wahab’s scorching pace and Yasir’s canny legspin.

After three scoreless overs, England’s batsmen registered 24 runs in the next three and seemed at ease.

But Wahab (4-66) removed Root (88), Ben Stokes (four) and Buttler (nought), all caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, as the 30-year-old’s devastating four-over spell yielded three wickets for just one run.

Only Bairstow offered any sustained resistance.

The support batsmen were too easily panicked in scenes reminiscent of Pakistan’s 3-0 whitewash of England in 2012, also in the UAE. Yasir (4-93) dismissed Rashid (nought), caught by Hafeez in the covers, and Bairstow (46) lbw in the same over as En-

gland slumped to 223 for eight.

Wood (one) was Yasir’s final victim via Younus at slips and Anderson (four) was last out, looping a catch to Sarfraz

off Imran Khan.

Abu Dhabi’s first Test was drawn. Sharjah will host the final game in the series from Nov. 1.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings 378 (Misbah-ul-Haq 102, A. Shafiq 83, Y. Khan 56, S. Masood 54) England 1st innings (Overnight: 182-3) A. Cook c sub b Shah 65 M. Ali c Masood b Riaz 1 I. Bell c S. Ahmed b I. Khan 4 J. Root c S. Ahmed b Riaz 88 J. Bairstow lbw b Shah 46 B. Stokes c S. Ahmed b Riaz 4 J. Buttler c S. Ahmed b Riaz 0 A. Rashid c Hafeez b Shah 0 S. Broad not out 15 M. Wood c Y. Khan b Shah 1 J. Anderson c S. Ahmed b I. Khan 4 Extras (b-4 lb-1 nb-4 w-5) 14 Total (all out, 75.2 overs) 242 Fall of wickets: 1-5 M. Ali,2-14 I. Bell,3-127 A. Cook,4-206 J. Root,5-212 B. Stokes,6-216 J. Buttler,7-218 A. Rashid,8-223 J. Bairstow,9-233 M. Wood,10-242 J. Anderson Bowling: I. Khan 13.2 - 4 - 33 – 2, W. Riaz 19 - 5 - 66 - 4(nb-4 w-1), Z. Babar 10 - 2 - 35 – 0, Y. Shah 29 - 4 - 93 – 4, S. Malik 4 - 1 - 10 - 0 PAKISTAN 2nd innings M. Hafeez c Root b Wood 51 S. Masood c Buttler b Anderson 1 S. Malik b Wood 7 Y. Khan not out 71 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 87 Extras (b-4 lb-1) 5 Total (for 3 wickets, 61 overs) 222 Fall of wickets: 1-1 S. Masood,2-16 S. Malik,3-83 M. Hafeez To bat: A. Shafiq, S. Ahmed, W. Riaz, Y. Shah, Z. Babar, I. Khan Bowling: J. Anderson 8 - 5 - 9 – 1, S. Broad 6 - 1 - 16 – 0, M. Wood 8 - 1 - 22 – 2, M. Ali 7 - 0 - 39 – 0, B. Stokes 12 - 2 - 35 – 0, A. Rashid 17 - 1 - 70 – 0, J. Root 3 - 0 - 26 – 0.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Trophy Stall unveils huge trophies for Guyana Softball Cup 5 DETERMINED to better its contribution with each passing year, the Trophy Stall of South Road, Bourda, on Friday morning presented some massive trophies and accompanying medals that would be at stake at the upcoming Guyana Softball Cup 5.

It is undoubtedly the biggest softball tournament in the Caribbean, and the trophies up for grabs are indicative of the status of the competition, which is set to bowl off on Friday.

Representatives of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) were present at the Trophy Stall location to view the massive trophies for the first time. The towering trophies were presented to the organising body, which prides itself on delivering a high-quality softball tournament annually.

Vice-president of the GFSCA, Jailall Deodass, praised the business establishment, which also has lo-

cations in the Bourda Market and City Mall, for once again providing the substantial prizes for the top teams in the Open and Masters categories.

“Ramesh Sunich [proprietor of the Trophy Stall] always saves his best trophies for the Guyana Softball Cup, and for that we are very grateful,” Deodass said.

Organising Secretary of the GFSCA, Wayne Jones, in giving an update on preparation, revealed that all systems are in place for another highly successful three-day competition.

He said the foreign teams are expected to arrive in Guyana during the coming days, while the local teams are hard at training to ensure the trophies stay in their homeland.

A total of 26 teams, 10 in the Open and 16 in the Masters, will compete for top honours when the tournament bowls off on October 30. It will conclude with the grand finals on November 1 under floodlights at the DCC ground

Devi Sunich of the Trophy Stall is flanked by GFSCA vice-president Jailall Deodass and Organising Secretary Wayne Jones, as they unveil the trophies that would be at stake at Guyana Softball Cup 5 in Queenstown.

Wolf ’s Warriors are the defending champions of the Open category, while Floodlights won the Masters division in 2014.

Notable Dates ANDRE ‘Stone’ Purlette had the last of 44 professional fights on October 24, 2009. Purlette lost by Technical Knock Out (TKO) in the third round to American Harold Sconiers. The fight was scheduled for eight rounds and held at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Guyanese was 35 years old at the time and collected his fourth defeat as referee Donnie Jessup halted the contest 36 seconds into the round. A power- puncher, Purlette joined the professional ranks boxer in 1992 and

remained undefeated until a decade later.

He received his first defeat on December 4, 2002. With the imposing credentials of 32 victories (28 Kos), the Guyanese orthodox heavyweight was TKOed by Cuban-American Eliester Castillo in Miami, Florida.

Referee Brian Garry, stopped the contest at two minutes and 58 seconds of the fifth round. The defeat came as a surprise as Purlette had defeated several top contenders in a short space of time. In October of the previous year, he TKOed Jeremy Bates to

Andre ‘Stone’ Purlette claim the vacant World Boxing Organisation/ North American Boxing Organization (WBO/ NAB heavyweight title.

Former world champion Jimmy Thunder lasted only two rounds with the stone-fisted Purlette who retired with a record of 40 victories in 44 fights. He boxed 134 rounds and holds an 80 percent knockout average.

Sexwale to stand for FIFA presidency (REUTERS)-South African businessman and former political prisoner Tokyo Sexwale is to run for the presidency of world football’s governing body FIFA, a spokesman said yesterday.

Sexwale, who confirmed his candidacy two days before the deadline for registrations, is the fifth candidate to declare that he will bid to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter in the Feb. 26 election.

“He is South Africa’s candidate and we hope he will be all of Africa’s candidate,” spokesman Peter Paul Ngwenya told Reuters.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) said on Twitter that it fully supported Sexwale’s bid.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder David Nakhid, ex-FIFA official Jerome

Champagne and Michel Platini, president of European football’s ruling body UEFA, also say they have submitted nominations.

Platini’s chances are slim because he is currently suspended, along with Swiss Blatter, pending an FIFA ethics investigation into a two million Swiss francs (£1.3 million) payment by football’s ruling body to the former France midfielder in 2011.

The suspensions of Blatter and Platini earlier this month were the latest twists in FIFA’s worst crisis in its 111-year history.

Swiss authorities are also investigating the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively while the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 14 football officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption charges.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Grammy style ceremony for National Sport awards 2016

By Stephan Sookram

THE National Sport Commission (NSC) has disclosed that the 2016 edition of its National Sport Awards will undertake a different format from that

CHRISTOPHER JONES of previous years.

According to Director of Sport Christopher Jones, the new format of the premier award for sport personalities and athletes will

take a Grammy style format with the winner of various categories only knowing their fate on the night.

The director continued, “On the day of the awards, that is essentially when the athletes will know whether or not he or she was successful; they would not get any pre-empted information.”

During an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport on Friday, Jones indicated that this is a major part of the revamp of the NSC adding that, “I do not subscribe to such a protocol that was being used before.”

He said the anyhow and ad hoc manner in which past awards were done will no longer prevail.

“As such, in order for us to have a pool of people who will be fair and transparent, we will throw it out to the public. We are going to have public advertisements to identify those individuals who will essentially identify sports reps and sports person-

Flashback! Winners of the National Sport Awards earlier this year pose for a photograph (Delano Williams Photo alities” the sport director continued.

He added that even though those selected persons will be in caucus, they will not know the recommendation choice of the other members or the voting choice of any other panellists, allowing for greater transparency.

Guyana and West Indies spin bowler is the reigning Sportsman of the Year, while track ath-

Kennnard’s Turf Club issues provisional programme for Annual Boxing Day race meet THE Kennard’s Turf Club has released a provisional programme for its annual Boxing Day Race Meet slated for December 26 at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to a release, a seven-race programme is planned for the day with the feature event being for horses classified `C’ and lower over a distance of one mile.

The winning horse will receive $1M, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will earn $500,000; $250,000; and $125,000 respectively. Entrance fee per horse is $105,000.

The co-feature event is opened to horses classified `E’ and Lower over a distance of six furlongs and the winner will be rewarded with $500,000, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will earn $250,000; $125,000; and $62,000. Entrance fee per horse is $57,000.

Three other six-furlong races are also carded on the day’s programme:

there will be one for horses classified `H1’ and Lower with the winner receiving $250,000; the second to fourth place finishers will earn $125,000; $62,000; and $31,000 respectively. Entrance fee per horse is $28,000. `J3’ and Lower horses will also battle over six furlongs for a first prize worth $140,000. The second to fourth place finishers will receive $70,000; $35,000; and $17,000 respectively.

Entrance fee per horse is $14,000 each.

Horses classified `K1’ and Lower will contest a five-furlong race for a first prize worth $120,000. The second to fourth place finishers will earn $60,000; $30,000; and $15,000 respectively.

Another one-mile race is also carded for the day and is open to horses classified `G1’ and Lower with the winner carting off $300,000, while the other top three finishers will earn $150,000; $75,000; and $38,000 respectively.

Turfites are reminded that strict security arrangements will be implemented come December 26.

This is according to Justice Cecil Kennard, who in an invited comment told Chronicle Sport that come `Boxing Day’ turfites will not be allowed to encroach the racing track at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to the former Chancellor of the Judiciary, there will be additional police presence to prevent what transpired a few weeks ago when the Rising Sun Turf Club staged its President’s Cup meet and during the feature event a few turfites encroached the track and some of them suffered injuries after being ran over by a few horses.

This Justice Kennard stated will not be tolerated come December 26 when his club will be staging its annual seven-race meet.

The races are being run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and horse owners are being reminded that they must pay at least $5000 for each horse they enter for a race.

lete Cassie George won the Sportswoman of the Year as well as the Junior Sportswoman of the Year awards.

Motor racer Kristian Jeffrey received the runner-up Sportsman of the Year award, while squash player Akeila Wiltshire received the runner-up Junior Sportswoman award.

The runner-up Junior Sportsman award went to Shemron Hetmyre, while

track athlete Jason Yaw collected the Junior Sportsman of the Year award.

Multitalented athlete Alisha Fortune won the runner-up Sportswoman of the Year award.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union also cashed in on the Most Improved Association award, the Sports Association of the Year award and the Sports Team of the Year award.

Stabroek News’ Or-

lando Charles and Emerson Campbell won the best photographer and print journalist awards respectively, while Guyana Television Channel 28’s Avenesh Ramzan won the Best Sports Journalist (non-print), GRFU’s President Peter Green won the Male Sports Personality award and National Rugby coach Theodore Henry won the Sports Coach awar

PCB moots World Twenty20 boycott SHAHARYAR Khan, the PCB chairman, has said that Pakistan would consider pulling out of the World Twenty20 in India next year, should the proposed India-Pakistan series in December not go ahead.

Shaharyar was scheduled to meet the BCCI president Shashank Manohar in Mumbai earlier last week to discuss the series, but those talks were put on hold after anti-Pakistan protests from the Shiv Sena, a regional political party.

Shaharyar has already written a detailed letter to Pakistan’s prime minister Nawaz Shariff, informing him of the present situation with India.

Shaharyar said he understood the consequences of pulling out of an ICC tournament, but felt the security situation in India would leave Pakistan little choice in the matter.

“My own feeling is that we will have to go to our government and talk to them about the situation,” Shaharyar said. “What I feel is that the government will say ‘do not go to an ICC tournament in India’. That is what I sense because of the uncertain situation for a Pakistani in India. You have seen the situation there. In this environment, how can we say? We will not have security enough there.

“Maybe the ICC would say ‘you have forfeited the matches’ and that’s fine, we

will forfeit the matches. But the decisions will only be taken when the doors [on the bilateral series] are finally closed.

To me, the possibility of an

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan - “To me, the possibility of an Indo-Pak series is close to over” Indo-Pak series is close to over.

“There are two points in that. First, all doors [to the resumption of bilateral ties] have to be closed. We will then decide on the matter in one week or so. India hasn’t confirmed or said anything, but are delaying it. We will have to decide that this series cannot happen, and after that we will decide what our policy is.”

Shaharyar said that after the protests, the BCCI “did not care” to reschedule the meeting for a different time,

leaving him stranded for nearly 36 hours. However, Najam Sethi, the head of the PCB’s executive committee, contradicted Shaharyar’s statement, saying that the BCCI was in touch with the PCB “at every stage”.

“Shaharyar Khan thought Shashank Manohar would phone him, but he did not call him [after the cancellation],” Sethi said.”I shouldn’t say it, and Shaharyar has also not revealed it, but when we were in the hotel, Manohar was communicating with us through his wife [who was] sitting in the same room as Shaharyar’s wife.

At every stage, we knew what was happening. We were told [by the BCCI] that they will stay in touch after the meeting was cancelled.”

S h a h a r y a r, t h o u g h , strongly denied Sethi’s claim, claiming that while the two wives met socially, they did not speak about cricket.

“We didn’t go there to beg.

We went to talk about cricket,” Shaharyar said. “It started from the ICC meeting in Dubai, where the BCCI president invited us to Mumbai because they were also interested in reviving the ties.

There is a Memorandum of Understanding signed between both of us to play a cricket series, and we want to make sure it’s happening. We need time to arrange it, and that is the reason we want to talk. (ESPN Cricinfo).

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Sri Lanka strike after Brathwaite takes six West Indies set 244 to win

COLOMBO, (Reuters) - Part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite took six wickets in an inspired bowling performance as West Indies bowled Sri Lanka out for 206 in their second innings to leave the touring side

with a target of 244 to win the second Test.

The 22-year-old, who had taken just one wicket in his previous 23 Tests, finished with figures of 6-29 to give West Indies a great chance of levelling the two-test series.

Brathwaite, however, did not last long with the bat as West Indies were reduced to 20 for one with the opener out lbw to paceman Dhammika Prasad to the last delivery before tea. Shai Hope was unbeaten on 17.

Part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates the fall of another Sri Lankan wicket. (WICB PHOTO)

A light drizzle immediately followed Brathwaite’s dismissal, forcing the players off the ground and the rain got heavier to wash out the third session.

The hosts, who won the opening test in Galle by an innings and six runs, were all out an hour after lunch with Brathwaite taking the last six wickets in Sri Lanka’s second innings with his off-spin.

Resuming on 76-2, Sri Lanka were pegged back early when they lost two wickets in three deliveries.

Opener Kaushal Silva (32) edged debutant spinner Jomel Warrican to slip and two balls later paceman Jerome Taylor forced Dinesh Chandimal (12) to nick a catch to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Captain Angelo Mathews (46) and Milinda Siriwardana (42), Sri Lanka’s top-scorer from the first innings, added 67 for the fifth wicket to steady the innings and took the team’s lead towards 200.

With Marlon Samuels’ bowling action under

Australia, SA to tour WI for tri-series in 2016

WEST Indies will welcome Australia and South Africa next June for a 10-match ODI tri-series, according to a press release issued Friday by the WICB. Three games each will be held in Guyana and St Kitts while the final four ODIs, including the final, will be held at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

“This tournament promises to be very exciting with two of the World’s top teams coming to the Caribbean,” said Roland Holder, WICB manager cricket operations. “It will provide a golden opportunity for our team to test themselves against two of the best sides in the world in the ODI format.”

Australia most recently toured West Indies in June, sweeping a two-match Test series to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy. Their last limited overs matches in the Caribbean came in March 2012 when they played five ODIs and two T20Is, along with three Tests.

The two sides split the ODI series - with two wins each and a tie in the third ODI at St Vincent when Darren Sammy was runout with two balls to spare and the T20 series as well. West Indies are set to tour Australia for three Tests in December and January, beginning December 10 with the first Test in Hobart but will not play any limited overs matches on the tour.

South Africa demolished the hosts on their last tour of the West Indies in 2010, sweeping two T20Is and five ODIs before claiming the three-Test series with a 2-0 scoreline. Only a drawn runfest in St Kitts

kept them from going a perfect 10 for 10 on tour.

Their last encounter with South Africa came in Australia at the World Cup in February when AB de Villiers struck the fastest 150 in ODI history to pave the way for a 257-run South Africa win, tied for the biggest margin of defeat by runs in World Cup history.

“Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil earlier this year and South Africa are highly ranked in this format, but are also the No. 1 side in Tests,” said Holder. “These two sides have shared some fascinating rivalries not only in the ODI, but other formats of the international game in recent years.

“The regional audience, therefore, will have a rare chance to attend and see this strong rivalry played out before their eyes, so we expect them to pack the three venues and bring the noise and colour associated with the game in the region.”

Tri-Series Schedule June 6: Australia vs South Africa, Guyana June 8: West Indies vs South Africa, Guyana June 10: West Indies vs Australia, Guyana June 13: South Africa vs Australia, St Kitts June 15: West Indies vs South Africa, St Kitts June 17: West Indies vs Australia, St Kitts June 20: Australia vs South Africa, Barbados June 22: West Indies vs South Africa, Barbados June 24: West Indies vs Australia, Barbados June 26: Final, Barbados(ESPN Cricinfo)

a cloud after he was reported for the third time in his career, West Indies captain Jason Holder called on Brathwaite to break the stand.

The bowler responded brilliantly, sending back Siriwardana in his second over before enjoying more success with the first delivery of his next over when Kusal Perera (five) got an under edge for Ramdin to hold on to

another good catch.

Rangana Herath made a useful 18, using both the conventional and reverse sweep against the spinners, before he became Brathwaite’s third victim.

Brathwaite also claimed the wicket of Dilruwan Perera, then dismissed Mathews and number 11 batsman Nuwan Pradeep in successive deliveries to end Sri Lanka’s innings.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st Innings 200 All Out West Indies 1st Innings 163 All Out Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (Overnight; 76/2) D Karunaratne c Bishoo b Taylor 0 K Silva c Blackwood b Warrican 32 K Mendis c Ramdin b Warrican 39 D Chandimal c Ramdin b Taylor 12 D Mathews c Blackwood b Brathwaite 46 M Siriwardana c Blackwood b Brathwaite 42 K Perera c Ramdin b Brathwaite 5 R Herath c Blackwood b Brathwaite 18 D Perera c Roach b Brathwaite 7 D Prasad not out 1 N Pradeep c Blackwood b Brathwaite 0 Extras: (b 2, lb 2) 4 Total: 206 All Out

(75.3 Overs)Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Karunaratne, 0.1 ov), 2-55 (Mendis, 21.5 ov), 3-84 (Silva, 35.5 ov), 4-84 (Chandimal, 36.1 ov), 5-151 (Siriwardana, 55.1 ov), 6-165 (MDKJ Perera, 59.1 ov), 7-195 (Herath, 69.2 ov), 8-203 (MDK Perera, 71.4 ov), 9-206 (Mathews, 75.2 ov), 10-206 (Pradeep, 75.3 ov).

Bowling: J Taylor 8-3-26-2, K Roach 6-1-15-0, J Holder 5-1-9-0, J Warrican 25-2-62-2, D Bishoo 203-61-0, K Brathwaite 11.3-4-29-6.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings K Brathwaite LBW Prasad 3 S Hope not out 17 Extras: 0 Total: 20/1 (9 Overs) Still to Bat: D Bravo, M Samuels, J Blackwood, D Ramdin+, J Holder*, D Bishoo, J Taylor, K Roach, J Warrican.

Fall of Wickets: 1-20 (Brathwaite, 8.6 ov).

Bowling: D Prasad 5-2-4-1, N Pradeep 1-0-8-0, R Herath 3-1-8-0.

Jaguars second 4-Day practice match starts tomorrow GUYANA’S cricket Franchise, the Jaguars resume preparation for the Professional Cricket League’s new season with the second practice match set for tomorrow at the National Stadium Providence.

Commencing from 9:30hrs to 16.00hrsdaily, the four- day simulation will feature the Leon Johnson team taking on the Robin Bacchus team. The teams will be captained by Leon Johnson and Robin Bacchus Johnson’s team will come from Assad Fudadin, Shemron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson, Vishaul LEON JOHNSON Singh – (vice - captain), Christopher Barnwell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Steven Jacobs, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Kemol Savory, Akshaya Persaud and Veerasammy Permaul Robin Bacchus Team includes Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Robin Bacchus, Tevin Imlach ,Kevon Boodie, Kemo Paul, Dexter Solomon, Javon Searles, Paul Wintz - (vice – captain), Steven Sankar, Ronsford Beaton, Raj Nanan, Raun Johnson and Anthony Adams

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 25, 2015

Afghanistan make history as Williams hits century in vain AFGHANISTAN claimed their first one-day international series win against a ICC full member nation yesterday as they beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs, completing a 3-2 triumph.

The minnows cruised to victory despite a maiden ODI century for Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams, Afghanistan clinching the series having trailed 2-1 following the first three encounters.

Having been put into bat, Afghanistan made a promising start with their top four all getting in as they reached 139-2 after 30 overs - Noor Ali Zadran (54) and Mohammad Nabi (53) both registering half-centuries.

A mid-order collapse ended their chances of a total close to 300, the tourists slipping from 172-3 to 202-7

in nine overs as Zimbabwe’s bowling unit enjoyed some success.

Captain Asghar Stanikzai (38) remained defiant, though, and along with the support of Mirwais Ashraf (21) and Dawlat Zadran (13 not out) they piled on a flurry of late runs to reach 245-9 from their 50 overs.

Zimbabwe - who have been let down by their batting during the series - once again floundered as three wickets fell inside the opening four overs - Dawlat Zadran (4-22) immediately into the action with two dismissals.

While wickets were falling around him, Williams ploughed a lone furrow with a superb innings as he gave Zimbabwe faint hope, the 29-year-old hitting three

COURTS Pee Wee U-11 Schools quarterfinalists decided!

By Kizan Brumel NOW that the Round of 16 is completed, the final eight schools left in the COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Schools football tournament must now prepare for the quarter-final stage next week at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

South Ruimveldt, Enterprise, St. Margaret’s, St. Angela’s, Stella Maris, St. Pius, Tucville and West Ruimveldt are the schools that have advanced. Yesterday the Petra organised event continued at the same venue with the first set of knockout matches.

South Ruimveldt humbled Smith’s Memorial 2 – 0 with the goals coming from Zacharia Pemberton (39th) and John Simon (56th). On the other side of the playfield Enterprise crushed Ambrose 7 – 0 as Seon Archibald led with a hat-trick (5th, 21st & 57th) while Garfield Caesar (27th & 35th) and Martin King (34th & 37th) supported with doubles.

St. Margaret’s won a tough battle 1 – 0 against Winfer Garden. Josiah King recorded the decider for that encounter in the 39th minute. St. Angela’s and St. Stephen’s also contested a nail biter but after being deadlocked at nil all when full time whistle sounded, St. Angela’s prevailed 4 – 3 on penalty kicks.

Stella Maris moved one step closer to retaining their title with a 3 – 1 win over St. Agnes. Keshawn Andrew drew first blood in the tenth minute but Shamar Moore equalized for St. Agnes in the 19th minute. However, a goal each from Nicklus Stanton (38th) and Jayden Pitt (40th) late in the second was enough to seal the deal.

St. Pius’ Brandon Solomon (27th & 36th) scored a second half double to further assist his team in their 5 – 0 whipping on Comenius. Selwyn Jones scored as early as the third minute while Mike Prince (35th) and Christian Jupiter (40th) joined the party in the closing moments.

Rayheim Marques (7th & 27th) and Shaquille Sergeant (30th and 35th) record doubles in Tucville’s 4 – 0 win over F.E. Pollard. West Ruimveldt humbled North Georgetown 5 – 0 in one of the final matches of the day. Michael Oie doubled with goals in the 13th and 20th minutes while Justin Persaud did the same as he scored in the 12th and 32nd. Mark Cameron accounted for the other goal in the 18th minute.

fours and four huge sixes on his way to three figures.

He brought up his first hundred in ODIs with a push for a single down the ground, but two overs later he was gone for 102 from 124 deliveries - the last man to fall as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 172, handing Afghanistan their historic triumph.

The Afghan players pose with their trophy after stunning Zimbabwe in the 5th ODI in, Bulawayo, yesterday.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Jaguars second 4-Day practice match starts tomorrow See story on page 30

Hughes touts transparency, inclusivity and returning integrity to local football

TEAM UNITY! GFF Presidential candidate Nigel Hughes (third from right), flanked by his running mates at yesterday’s launch in Albouystown (Delano Williams photo) WITH the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) elections set for November 14, ‘Team Unity’ slate h e a d e d b y p ro m i n e n t Attorney-at-Law Nigel

Hughes, yesterday officially launched their campaign to contest against Fruta Conquerors’ President and Businessman Wayne Forde’s ‘Team Integrity.’

The slate led by Forde was launched on Thursday last at the Pegasus Hotel and includes 1st Vice President (Ret’d) Brigadier General Bruce Lovell, 2nd Vice Pres-

Grammy style ceremony for National Sport awards 2016 See story on page 29

Afghanistan make history as Williams hits century in vain See story on page 31

ident Civil Engineer Rawlston Adams, and 3rd Vice President Attorney Thandi McAllister.

But ‘Team Unity’ took a more grassroots ap-

proach to their first public announcement that was held at the tarmac outside the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis boxing gym in Albouystown, Hughes

along with running mates Odinga Lumumba, Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major See page 26

Brathwaite takes 6-29 to keep Windies in the hunt

WEST Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite achieved the best Test bowling figures by an opening batsman for more than half a century on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Brathwaite, 22, had only one Test wicket and three first-class scalps to his name before this game, but captured 6-29 with his part-time off-spin.

That helped bowl Sri Lanka out for 206, setting West Indies 244 to win.

Brathwaite was then lbw for three with the tourists 20-1 when rain ended play.

(See story on Page 30)

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Part-time Off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite displays the ball that earned him impressive figures of 11.3-4-29-6.

(WICB photo)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2015