Chronicle 11 20 2015

GUYANA

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

Gov’t seeks review of Amaila viability – says Norway keen on financing new study No. 104378

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

P.3

Granger prepared to ‘put good money’ 7 in a Tutorial Fund P.

Valedictorian LaTonya Browne receives the ‘President’s Award for Excellence’ from President David Granger as Tutorial Headteacher Walterine McCloud assisted

GAWU-backed Cocaine mule strike shuts says devil took down DTL control of her P.2

– as workers reject ‘meagre’ $5,000 bonus

P.9

Date set for local gov’t elections 9 P.

…Bulkan to make announcement today

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

GAWU-backed strike shuts down DTL – as workers reject ‘meagre’ $5,000 bonus

The workers heading to the sawmill

By Svetlana Marshall OPERATIONS at Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) came to a halt on Thursday

after workers downed their tools in objection to a $5,000 bonus the company has offered in the absence of a 12% increase. In registering their objections, more than 70 workers strapped with placards, marched from the township to the gate of the sawmill at Mabura Hill, Region 10.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) General Secretary Seepaul Narine told the Guyana Chronicle that negotiation between the union and the company commenced in June, 2015 with the union proposing a 12% increase in wages and salaries. Additionally, the union had asked for the meal and station allowances to be increased by 12%, night premium for security personnel, suitable guard huts for watchmen and issuance of certain personal protective gears.

But the negotiations hit rock bottom during the third

One of the long-standing workers registering her dissatisfaction

meeting on Tuesday, when the union was informed that DTL’s Headquarters in Singapore had not approved the increase. With no increase in sight, the company’s manag-

er, during the meeting at the head office in Georgetown, reportedly offered a $5,000 bonus for the Christmas season in lieu of a wage increase Turn to page 5 ►

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Gov’t seeks review of Amaila viability – says Norway keen on financing new study

The Amaila Falls Project is back in the spotlight and Guyana is in discussion with Norway to procure yet another review Finance Minister Winston Jordan addressing the GMSA’s 20th Anniversary Awards Presentation and Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel

By Tajeram Mohabir THE Amaila Falls project is back in the spotlight and Guyana is in discussion with Norway to procure yet another review of the transformational multi-million-dollar mega project.

This announcement was made Wednesday evening

by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan during his address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services As-

sociation’s (GMSA) 20th Anniversary Awards Presentation and Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel.

The pronouncement by Minister Jordan about the review is in keeping with the administration’s position that there were flaws in the project. During the budget debate earlier this year, Jordan had said that to proceed with Amaila would be “a downright criminal act of deception”.

But the People’s Pro-

gressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) which was vigorously pushing the project when in power, said it does not share the views of the minister.

The party had contended that if the government does not go ahead with the Amaila Project, Guyanese for years will have to contend with high electricity prices, which continue to be a burden on the private sector and the economy. The opposition party has also called on the government to

join with it in a conversation on the Amaila Falls that is based on reason and globally credible analysis.

Mr Jordan told the gathering of private-sector officials, members of the diplomatic corps and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, that the administration is committed to providing cheap and reliable energy.

This, he said is in keeping with Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that Guyana has signed onto at the United Nations with over 190 other world leaders.

‘GMSA PRIZE WINNERS’: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (seated second right) with representatives of the winning companies at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association dinner and awards ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday evening. Also in photo are Lifetime Achievement award winners Norman Mclean (seated next to PM Nagamootoo) and Sattaur Gafoor (standing third left)

“Norway seems keen to finance an independent review to, once and for all, pronounce on the viability or non-viability of the project.

What we need is cheap energy to open the floodgates of manufacturing. What we need is good economic and political governance to open the floodgates of prosperity,” the Finance Minister said.

He added: “I wish to announce that the government is in discussions with Norway to procure yet another review of this [Amaila Falls project] project. Norway seems keen to finance an independent review to, once and for all, pronounce on the viability or non-viability of the project.”

The mega-project was promoted as being able to provide local communities with employment opportunities, an opportunity for expanded sales of goods and services and meeting Guyana’s future energy needs.

It was expected that the project once implemented will lower average wholesale energy costs, spur additional economic investment resulting in more jobs and stronger infrastructure, and after 20 years of operation, it will be transferred to Guyana Power & Light (GPL) for free.

Aside from the PPP/C, the private sector has also called on the government to

bring the Amaila Falls project back on stream.

Government is currently working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to study the correct energy matrix and energy mix for Guyana to meet its needs for the next 30 years.

This study, Mr Jordan said, is due early next year and will include the analysis of five hydro sites, including the Amaila site.

He also noted that other anticipated zones of growth include the Intermediate Savannahs for agriculture and the harnessing of wind power, biomass and solar for energy. “I should use the opportunity here to remind you that the government recently approved a clean energy project by a private developer, which will see 25 MW of clean, wind-generated power being sold to the national grid.

“With this energy matrix, rice and sugar should have better cost structures, especially if our private sector partners with the government to transform these industries through technological innovation, visionary thinking and competitive marketing,” Minister Jordan said.

The Ministry of Finance remains open to working with the private sector to clear all hurdles in the path to more competitiveness.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Felix accuses Gail of peddling ‘blatant lie’

MINISTER of Citizenship Winston Felix said the allegation that he fostered corruption at the level of the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) while he was Commissioner of Police is nothing but a “blatant lie.”

According to him, former Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, who served under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, is contending that Minister Felix, in the past, would have failed to act on reports of fraudulent activities at GRO. “She wants [to] my tarnish my reputation.

Nothing can be further from the truth. I do recall that during my time as Commissioner of Police, there were numerous reports of false birth certificates which were being pursued and they were being discovered at a certain foreign mission in Guyana…My recollection of events goes like this; Matters were reported in relation to the passports and birth certificates.

Investigations were conducted, it was sent to the [Director of Public Prosecutions] DPP in various cases and charges were recommended. They were placed before the courts but it failed because the witnesses who came from the foreign mission failed to attend court and their appearance could not have been enforced because of diplomatic immunity,” he explained.

According to the Minister of Citizenship, this was explained to Teixeira at the time and as such, he is now challenging her to bring forth any evidence,

- to tarnish his reputation

- says Citizenship Ministry necessary to revamp broken system

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix which can prove that there was dereliction of duty on his part.

Nevertheless, in his current capacity as Minister of Citizenship, Felix said there is significant work that needs to be done in a number of areas, positing that since his appointment to the post, a series of corrupt practices, which had existed in the areas of birth registration and immigration under the former administration, has been unearthed.

On the issuance of birth certificates, Minister Felix disclosed that it has been discovered that the process for late registration of births was entirely disregarded under the former regime, especially in the hinterland regions of the country.

“The late registration had a procedure to follow.

The law gives you one year after the birth of the child to apply for a birth certificate.

If you appear after that, you have to go through a

remove this loophole within the system, the minister disclosed that the government will be taking full responsibility for the printing.

“That is why we are now seeking to ensure that we have complete control over the production of birth certificates. In the past, certain entities printed the certificates and you could not tell the fake one from the genuine one, because apparently they would assume that it came from the same press.

So we are trying to ensure that as much as possible, we will be removing private entities from the production.

We have put out a Tender for the digitising of our records from as far back as 1869 and once we complete that, then we will be able to print birth certificates, using paper that is not easily accessible,” he said.

Minister Felix further added that upon assumption of office, he received numerous complaints of corruption at the GRO where it is alleged that staff members were facilitating dishonest requests.

“That system is being cleaned up and properly monitored and supervised to reduce the instances of corrupt practices to take place.

Outside of those, birth certificates are in demand and what we are doing is to make the office less available to the public by having applications made through the post office. The more crowded it becomes, is the more demands for dishonest

late registration procedure, which includes producing health records, an affidavit, siblings and having people in the area endorsing your claim. That was the standard laid out. What happened is that I’ve discovered in the hinterland areas, that this process was significantly watered down. There was rapid late registration of the residents in those areas as against those on the coast,” Minister Felix disclosed.

He suggested that this may have been done to adjust the list of registered adults, since many of the new registrants were often way past the age of 18.

“For Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9, in 2010, there were 3,588 registrations; 2011- year of elections- 4,659; 2012 there were 3,240; the year 2013 had 2,777 and in 2014, there were 3,510 registrations. So when we heard stories questioning the size of voters list in these areas, in times gone by we can attribute at least part of it to what appears to be a favoured situation for persons needing late registration in these areas. It was open to rampant irregularities,” the Minister of Citizenship said.

Additionally, foreign missions and embassies here, had been questioning the validity of the birth certificates issued since in some cases, the reproduction of these were done by private entities and most times, the original could not have been differentiated from the pseudo document. In an effort to

DATE: 18/11/2015 E 01 02 05 15 18 28 16

19/11/2015

07

11

15

21

24

19/11/2015

5

practices you would have,” the Minister of Citizenship related.

Though no evidence has surfaced to date regarding any visa racketeering or any such related activities, the subject minister said his ministry has already identified loopholes that can facilitate such criminal acts.

“And I can assure that if we found any such activity taking place, we would take action,” he declared.

In the case of naturalisation, Minister Felix noted that some changes can be expected in this category since he believes guyanese citizenship was being handed out too freely under the former administration. “Guyanese citizenship is just granted like that. Our government will introduce some sort of test under naturalisation. I think before any applicant is granted citizenship, they must pass a written examination, be able to speak English, they must understand and appreciate our history. Our culture must be appreciated and I would think that is the direction we should move in very shortly,” he outlined.

IMMIGRATION POLICY Alluding to the recent cases of illegal entries at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Minister Felix said the Government will not condone non-adherence to the country’s laws and regulations and as such, will be

7

1

19/11/2015

implementing stringent measures.

“We have always had a law on Immigration but over the years, there was a breakdown. We are going to enforce the law. We have come and found an untenable situation, which needs remedial actions and we are going to implement those. Under this administration, we will not have those same practices as were there before,” the Citizenship Minister declared.

LONG-TERM PLANS Declaring that no citizen deserves to stand in a line from morning to noon to acquire a passport, Minister Felix said there are plans to revamp this process and this will be implemented within the next five years. These include achieving 100 percent birth registration, opening online applications for birth certificates and passports, digitising records and a clamp down on and eradication of corruption at the GRO. “We inherited it all but we are working to fix it. This ministry has been set up to give particular focus to areas to which the minister [of Public Security] may not have total oversight of because of the other issues affecting the internal security of the State. It was essential that these areas be separated so that we don’t make the mistakes of the past,” he said. (Svetlana Marshall)

04 05 15 16 17 18

19

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Third suspect in brazen America Street robbery remanded to prison

THIRTY-four-year old Calvin Johnson also known as ‘Gun-Butt’ of lot 154 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown yesterday appeared before City Mag-

istrate Judy Latchman charged for robbery.

It is alleged that on November 3 at America Street, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Ryburn Fra-

ser a money-changer of over $1.6 million and Osaffo Ward of $540,000.

After the Administration of Justice Act was applied to the charge the man pleaded

GAWU-backed strike ...

From page 2

for 2015. This proposal has been rejected.

“It is not only unacceptable but it is an insult to workers,” Narine said in objection.

Already faced with poor wages and salaries, one of the workers, who requested anonymity due to fear of victimisation, said the company was being unfair to workers who continued to labour under poor conditions. “We have to go home to our families in December and that is what they will send us with – $5,000? After working the entire year, after sleeping in darkness, after living in houses that will sooner or later fall to pieces, after putting our lives at risk,that is the best the company can do? Well we will not accept that, they have to do better or we will protest again and again until we are satisfied,” she said while making their position known. It

was pointed out that the logging company paid non-skilled workers approximately $45,000 a month while skilled workers are paid less than $60,000 monthly.

“No increase, No work,” “We need 12% increase,” “$5,000 is an insult,” “DTL unfair to workers,” and “We need Madam Broomes to sweep Mabura” were among some of the slogans which were affixed on the placards.

Another union representative told this newspaper that for years the company had been complaining about being “broke” though it continued to extract logs for export.

“Every year is the same thing. Last year we had to protest before getting a 7% increase, now they are saying they don’t have money, nonsense!”

In addition to the 12% increase, she

not guilty to the allegation.

The facts surrounding this matter stated that on the day in question at about 19:30 hrs., the defendant and several others armed

with guns, committed the robbery on two men and a l s o d i s c h a rg e d s e v e n rounds.

It was further stated that on November 16 the defendant turned himself into the police and was questioned and admitted to being in the company of the two other men who were previously charged.

An identification parade was held and the defendant was positively identified by the virtual complainants. A

said the union was calling on the company to equip the township with a new bus, an ambulance, 24 hours of electricity and better working conditions. “The working conditions here are beyond poor, the only thing we get is a safety boots, no helmet, no respirator, no safety gear, nothing...we don’t even have an ambulance in the case of an emergency,” she lamented.

It was further pointed out that the bus currently being used to transport workers from the township to the worksite and from the township to Linden, Region 10 has been in operation since the 1980s. “You could imagine that? It breaks down all the time.”

Additionally, since 2013, workers have been experiencing a shortage in the supply of elec-

further investigation was carried out which led to the present charge.

Magistrate Latchman remanded the accused to prison and set his next court date for December 1.

Recently, two others – 40-year -old Troy Abrams of West Demerara and 30-year-old Anthony Primo of West Ruimveldt were also charged before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the same robbery. They too were remanded.

tricity. Currently, the township is powered from 4:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs daily.

GAWU has called on the Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle to intervene. “After the deadlock in the talks between the union and company on November 18, 2015 GAWU promptly requested the conciliatory services of the Ministry of Social Protection. A meeting between the union and the company is slated for tomorrow at 13:30 hrs at the ministry’s boardroom at Brickdam, Georgetown,” GAWU said in a statement.

However, the workers, during the oneday protest, made it clear that they were prepared to shut down the logging company for more than a day if they did not receive a favourable response by Monday.

6

Guyana

Editorial

Putting out the smoke THE health sector in recent years has been faced with a number of challenges, but encouragingly, there has been a new burst of energy in fixing them while at the same time placing focus on building a sound primary healthcare system.

The renewed energy is laudable, since building a healthy nation cannot be overstated or overemphasised.

This import is adequately captured in the saying: “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.” The vigour and new outlook cannot have come at a more opportune time.

Guyana has been grappling with a high suicide rate, coupled with a raging battle against cancer, diabetes and road accidents. Amid all of these, another problem has been rearing its ugly head: smoking appears to be on the increase.

In Guyana, 50 per cent of the population are smokers, and about 30 per cent of homes have smokers. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 21 per cent of students aged 13-15 smoke or had smoked in Guyana. A few years ago, Guyana started work on crafting tobacco-control legislation, and while the intent and spirit were high then, for some inexplicable reason, it has waned during the past three years. It is highly encouraging that the new Ministers of Public Health Dr George Norton and Dr Karen Cummings have not only picked up on the matter, but have also given their commitment to pass the vital legislation. The push to have the tobacco-control legislation passed appears to be on the side of the anti-smoking campaigners, as the government had recently announced that the bill will be tabled in the House.

Guyanese have had to contend with smokers in public transportation, public gatherings and even the sight of politicians puffing on cigarettes though on every box the words “Smoking is dangerous to health” are conspicuous.

The bill to be tabled in the House, among other things, seeks to make all enclosed spaces, public places, work places and public transportation smoke- free areas; ban tobacco promotion and sponsorship; ensure clear, graphic warnings on all tobacco products; and ban the selling of cigarettes by and to minors. For many, passage of the important legislation should happen sooner rather than later. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco use is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.

Smoking tobacco causes cancer of the lung, larynx, kidney, bladder, stomach, colon, oral cavity, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, miscarriage and premature birth, birth defects and infertility, among other diseases.

Also frightening is that exposure to second-hand smoke gives rise to a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory ailments.

All the studies have shown that there is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure, and complete smoke-free environments are the only proven way to protect people adequately from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. But more than this, smoke-free environments not only protect non-smokers; they also help smokers who want to quit.

Over the years, the advocates for the tobacco industry have created a lot of “smoke” on the facts of smoking.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Private sector credit grew in 3rd quarter - reflects positive outlook

BUSINESS is not all that bad as data for private sector credit for the third quarter of the year has shown growth, indicative of an improvement in private sector outlook.

With this encouraging development, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said maintaining a stable political climate remains a priority for the government.

Over the last 12 months, he said the prolonged political contretemps of prorogation, dissolution and the eventual holding of elections engendered a lack of confidence in the future, reflected in delayed investment decisions, a fall-off in investments, and reduced public and private sector spending.

The consequence of all of that was the inevitable contraction of the economy.

Mr Jordan also pointed out that environmental vulnerabilities are ever present and can have detrimental effects on the economy.

Guyana has to contend with rainy seasons, flooding, and droughts and there is a very high probability that at least one of these phenomena will occur each year.

By mid-year 2015, the forestry, sugar, rice, and fisheries sub-sectors had all been affected by environmental factors, resulting in lower economic activities and, by implication, lower growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), export activities and balance of payments.

According to the Finance Minister, the effects of climate change now requires investment in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, which, though challenging, present new opportunities for private sector involvement.

“We operate in a competitive world, where countries produce similar products and often, much more efficiently than we do. Guyana’s economy

still depends heavily on the production and export of primary commodities.

VULNERABILITIES “We have vulnerabilities due to export and import concentration. If there are global price and demand changes, these shocks are felt throughout the economy, including our balance of payments. Yet repeated bud-

income, resources-driven economy. Resource-driven economies are mainly successful when six core elements are present. These are building the institutions and governance of the resources sector; developing infrastructure; ensuring robust fiscal policy and competitiveness; supporting local content; deciding how to spend a resources windfall wisely; and transforming

capacity for long-term planning.

The Finance Minister said a major challenge facing Guyana is how the country must leap-frog the lack of an industrial age revolution through a low carbon trajectory to create a sustainable green economy, in which manufacturing plays a significant role in job creation.

Even more problematic

Private sector credit for the third quarter of the year has shown growth, indicative of an improvement in private sector outlook get speeches of the past administration point to the ‘resilience to the economy’, while failing to acknowledge and recognise that the economy’s characteristics have changed little in the last 50 years.

We must also keep in perspective that Guyana’s economy is producing, in many cases, with aged machinery and aged production processes,” he pointed out.

Guyana, today, he said is classified as a low-middle

One of the common myths being promoted is that smoking is a personal choice.

But many tobacco users after becoming fully aware of the dangers of smoking want to quit, but they find it difficult to do so as they are addicted to nicotine; and the industry spends millions of dollars annually on marketing and advertisements to maintain and increase tobacco use.

It is common knowledge that the investments have come at great costs to individuals and governments, who are forced to spend millions of dollars to fix the burden created in their health sectors, while simultaneously grappling with other pressing health issues. On an individual level, the result is a health wreckage and loss of many years of productive life. All of these can be prevented. Guyana with all the challenges it is facing, should make one final step and pass the tobacco-control legislation, to (1) lessen the burden on the health sector and (2) create an environment that is safe and healthy for the good life.

resource wealth into broader economic development.

“Today, as we seek to become a ‘green economy’, several of these core elements are also necessary for implementing a low carbon trajectory towards a green economy. We inherited the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and are committed to the REDD+ [Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation] arrangement and the partnership we have with Norway.

“However, the strategy needs to be placed within the context of a fully-integrated and mutually-supportive legal, regulatory, fiscal and financial framework. Further, the strategy cannot be a substitute for a long-term development plan nor long-term development planning,” Mr Jordan pointed out.

STRENGTHENING CAPACITY To address this lacuna, he said the government has approached the Caribbean Development Bank to strengthen its

is the absence of a human resources pool to successfully execute the LCDS to green economy transition, he noted.

“This is why our Government, through the Minister of Education, has been speaking about STEM [Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics] education and of a re-tooled and re-focused University of Guyana (UG). We hope the private sector and, especially manufacturers, can join hands in strengthening UG and create mutually beneficial partnerships.

“For Guyana to optimise and maximise its manufacturing competitiveness, given our focus on a ‘green economy’ and a low carbon pathway, our government plans to engage the private sector, civil society and our development partners in an ongoing process of national dialogue so that we can reach a national consensus on the sustainability of a singular LCDS approach to sustainable development,” Mr Jordan said.

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Granger prepared to ‘put good money’ – says being poor should not prevent in a Tutorial Fund a child getting a rich education

By Shauna Jemmott

“THE fact that a child is poor should not prevent him or her from having a rich education.”

So said President David Granger who has promised to “put good money” into an Education Scholarship Trust if stakeholders at Tutorial High School establish one to ensure poor and underprivileged children are given fair opportunities in being educated.

The President made this commitment in invited remarks at the Tutorial High School 16th annual graduation and prize giving ceremony staged yesterday at its campus on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

102 students who were successful at the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) examinations, graduated at the event.

The Tutorial High School was built upon the vision of offering higher level secondary education to a poor colonial community from the inception of its existence by founder Austin Castello.

President Granger said the school probably co-incidentally but quite significantly came into being the very day World War 2 began on September 1, 1939, one which shattered the world’s great colonial empires resulting in life-changing transformations.

“The significance may be that Austin Castello chose the day that war broke out and that war ended up breaking up the British Empire. He didn’t cause the war because of the fact that he had the foresight of many people coming back from the war were able to benefit. Many people who didn’t even go to the war were able to benefit because the war revealed how poor the economies were and Mr. Castello, even before the war, knew there were extreme poverty in this country and unless he did something about it, a lot of the poor people in Guyana would not have been able to get access to secondary education.”

President Granger said the school remains a path-breaker in Guyana, pre-

serving its character and allowing the cherished model introduced by Castello, to remain its strong foundation.

It is on this very foundation that he desires to deposit into a Tutorial Education Trust Fund (TETF), preserving

Speaker of the National Assembly, Tutorial Alumnus and guest speaker Dr. Barton Scotland on arrival at the Tutorial High graduation yesterday (Delano Williams photos)

the “generous and charitable” nature of the man who “helped ordinary people into the world of secondary education and in so doing opened the door even to tertiary education.”

Granger said, “Today I promise you that if Tutorial is prepared to establish an Education Scholarship Trust; if Tutorial is prepared to help yourself to get more young people, more poor people, and more underprivileged people to this school, I will help Tutorial to help you. So alumni, staff (and) students if you are prepared to help poor families to send their children here, I am prepared to put good money into that fund to help you to help yourself.”

To the graduates, Granger stated that they have excellent examples to follow since the school has produced many among the greats in the

land, including Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland, the Alumnus who delivered the feature address.

Dr. Barton’s accomplishments offer hope that they too reach the highest offices in the land holding the highest professions.

“Keep on keeping on.

Your education doesn’t stop when you get a job. You continue until you reach the highest levels,” he encouraged.

The world is fast-paced and with communications technology moving at the speed of light, “so we have to have an education system which keeps abreast with the fast-paced world of communications. Continue to study, continue to work, continue to develop your mind and your bodies (and) become worthy examples…continue to make Tutorial High school one of the finest high schools with a character of helping ordinary people in this country Guyana,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Scotland, in delivering the feature address assured the graduates that their progress was in their own hands and encouraged them to take several values in their new endeavors, which serves to anchor them wherever they go.

In their own hands are their “growth and development determine even to define who you are as a person.

And to define how you wish to develop yourself, how you

President Granger on arrival at the Tutorial High graduation

wish to be viewed by those with whom you interact and what reputation you wish to acquire…that reputation will accompany you through life.”

While they are “moving on or moving up” to another phase of their lives, they must keep close the value of honesty in dealing with fellow men.

Another value in which they must be fruitful is that of respect for all and above all for self and country.

“There could be no compromise on self-respect. Give it, show it and by your conduct…demand it of all with whom you come into contact.

Respect your country. See it as needing your help and see yourself as wanting to give that help. Be prepared to do your part,” he said adding that they must first know

what they want to contribute to Guyana’s development and what they want to achieve.

And as they undertake tasks, graduates must let efforts show commitment to the particular task undertaken. “When you’ve given your best, you’ve given your all and there is nothing more that you can give…,” said the Speaker of the House.

He also encouraged them to always be “reliable” and letting their “word be (their) bond always”.

LaTonya Browne, the school’s 2015 valedictorian, was the recipient of a $50,000 gift voucher from Austins Book Store and a trophy. She has also received the “President’s Award for Excellence” for being the best graduating student for

the school, an impressive shield which will remain in the school’s possession and be passed down to all valedictorian students in future.

Headteacher Walterine McCloud testified that the school has risen above many challenges and succeeded with a record 71% pass, beating the overall national percentage pass record at the exams. Of the 28 subjects taken by the 102 students at the school for CSEC this year, Tutorial boasts 100% passes in Agricultural Science (double and single awards), Physical Education, Theatre Arts, Food and Nutrition, a 65% pass rate in English Language, 62% in English Literature and a 52% pass in Mathematics, the headteacher reported.

Some of the graduates of Tutorial High ‘Class of 2015’, along with parents, guardians, teachers and special invitees

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Gov’t engages unions on wages, salary increases – for public servants, Teachers

By Ariana Gordon THE APNU-AFC led coalition government has begun to beef up talks with unions with the aim of coming to a compromise in many outstanding matters.

This is indicative of two separate meetings held on Thursday by President David Granger and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and a second meeting between Minster of State Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

The current wages and salaries multi-year agreement slated to end in December was the crux of the discussion between the GTU representatives and President David Granger.

Speaking briefly after the meeting with President Granger, Mark Lyte, President of the GTU said the union hopes to sort the outstanding issues out with the new administration so that its membership can be provided with clarity.

Lyte said too that one of the matters that is of major concern to the union is the de-bunching payments, which would ensure that teachers are paid on the basis of their qualifications.

“The assurance we have been given is that the President will discuss this matter with the Finance Minister and give us a feedback in the

near future,” the GTU President said.

In 2011, former Minister of Education under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration Shaik Baksh, had negotiated a multi-year salaries and wages agreement with the union. The agreement included, apart from the yearly five percent salary increase for teachers, many non-salary benefits.

The multi-year agreement was salaries aimed at addressing an anomaly that has existed for years whereby teachers who were part of the system for a number of years received the same salaries as a teacher of the same or similar status who recently started the profession.

The implementation of the “debunching” payments whereby teachers were remunerated and allocated according to their qualifications never materialised.

The GTU took industrial action many times in the past to address that issue and has said it will be one of the key things it will be pushing for in the union’s new agreement with government. GTU president Mark Lyte earlier this week said government’s non-payment of debunching funds promised to teachers will result in industrial action once again. Lyte argued that something must be done to facilitate hardworking teachers countrywide.

President David Granger stands with members of the GTU following a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. In photo, from left, are Lancelot Baptiste, Sumanta Alleyne, President David Granger, Coretta Mc Donald, Mark Lyte, and Lesmeine Collins

“Teachers are so agitated about this payment that it can lead to the resumption of industrial action that was suspended May last,” he advised. “Let it be known that the GTU is committed to having everyone receive their debunching funds,” Lyte said on Wednesday at a press conference.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon who has responsibility for the Public Service Department, accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Department Reginald Brotherson and Head of the Political Division Ministry of the Presidency Freddy Mc Wilfred, met with GPSU representatives at the union’s

headquarters, on Thursday.

Several issues were raised including proposed wage increases for public servants, boosting the morale of public servants and a stronger relationship with the government were discussed. The meeting was aimed at informing Harmon of the union’s last Statutory Executive Meeting of other issues, which have been pending for a number of years under the former administration.

Harmon told the GTUC team, which comprised the First Vice President, Mortimer Livan and included Second Vice President Dawn Gardener and General Secretary Kemton Alexander, that it is President Granger’s wish

and by extension the government’s to build a stronger relationship with the workers’ representative body.

“I want to express our happiness at being here today. A relationship is not just you coming to the employer but the employer must also come to you. We want you to take this visit here as a significant change in the relationship between the GPSU and the Government of Guyana. We are your employers and neighbours.

Our offices are open to you and we want to establish a relationship of respect and mutual understanding and I want to emphasise the government’s approach and the government’s adherence to

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon in discussion with members and representatives of the GPSU

collective bargaining agreements. Once they are entered to, it is our obligation to at all times, ensure that those agreements are upheld,” Minister Harmon told the union’s representatives.

After the 40-minute meeting, the Minster of State gave government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised. He said public servants must be able to work in a happy and safe environment and the government will ensure that this is achieved.

The union in turn committed to fostering a good relationship with the new government provided it continues to be willing to listen to and address issues facing public servants.

Thursday’s visit by the Minister of State and team followed a letter from the union requesting an urgent meeting. A number of issues were raised by the members of the union. The union expressed much optimism that under the new administration, the union would be able to have a better relationship with government.

Government will meet with the union again before year-end.

Christmas tree light-up at $4.6M bail granted Rahaman’s Park tonight to 17 petitioners THE Tourism Ministry in collaboration with entrepreneur Ray Rahaman and a number of large-scale businesses in Georgetown will give a huge Christmas treat to hundreds of children from the Houston/ Agricola/Meadow Bank community at Rahaman’s Triangle, today.

Banks DIH, DDL and Pritipaul Singh Investments have always contributed to the annual Christmas Tree

light-up which was initiated in 2006 by the Rahaman family. The following year, the Tourism Department of the previous Ministry of Industry and Commerce began to contribute to the event and over time began co-ordinating it.

In recent years Giftland, China Trading and Candy Corner became major contributors of sweets, Santa hats, food and beverages.

This year the event which

heralds the Christmas season is expected to be graced by President David Granger who is slated to do the honours of switching on the festive lights on the 30-foot tree.

Before that, the expected mammoth crowd will be entertained by local artistes including singers recorded on the recently launched Kross Kolor Christmas Album, saxophonist Roy Stewart, and the Classique Dancers.

By George Barclay CHIEF Justice (ag.) Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., recently granted bail in the sum of $4,650,000 to 17 petitioners pending the hearing of their cases.

Following is a list of the offences, the offenders and the amount of bail granted to each.

Troy Fordyce $100,000; Warren Stuffle - $600,000; Deobrant Jagdeo - $100,000; Roopnaraine - $100,000; Roxanne Lasvice - $100,000; Roy Dundas - $300,000; Marlin Eon Boro - $150,000; Daniel Brown - $250,000; Keith Tuesday - $200,000; Julius Alexander - $100,000; Nimen Sewnarine - $250, 000

● POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS:

● ROBBERY: Ronda Singh - $400,000

Felony wounding $100,000 ● ROBBERY UNDER ARMS: Jermaine Scott $400,000 ● DANGEROUS DRIVING: Shawn Pamat $600,000; Marcia Wilson - $600, 000. ● ATTEMPTED MURDER: Shevin Fordyce - $300,000

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Unsuitable UG applicants awarded – Norton says some were promised Cuban scholarships as gifts by high ranking politicians

By Svetlana Marshall

UNDER the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, some Guyanese were allowed to pursue studies in Human Medicine in Cuba although some of them were rejected and not suitably and adequately qualified to even enter the local programme being run at the University of Guyana (UG).

This shocking revelation was made by Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday. Another top official at UG has told this newspaper that some of the students had even been forced to return home from the scholarship programme and could not cope with the work at the Turkeyen institution.

“It requires less academic qualification to study medicine in Cuba than to study medicine at the University of Guyana School of Medicine,” Dr. Norton said. “Students were promised medical scholarships to Cuba whether or not their academic status was

known, as a gift by very high ranking politicians,” he further explained.

Under the PPP/C Government, scholarships were issued through the Ministry of Public Service and Norton said this was done without a proper system for selecting them in place and many a times, little, if any at all, of these awards were made known to the public, especially in the post graduate level.

Under this new dispensation, scholarships are now being issued through the Department of Public Service under the Ministry of the Presidency, with a rigid system in place.

Minister Norton said though his ministry is involved in the process of admission, it should not and will not be compromised under this government, with respect to the academic qualifications of the awardees.

“You cannot compromise on the standard of admission to do medicine.” He is of the opinion that the University of Guyana School of Medicine should be the first preference before consideration is given to other international scholar-

Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton

ship in the field of medicine.

However, during an exclusive interview with the Chronicle on Thursday, Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana Julio César González Marchante said he is unaware of the allegation being peddled against the PPP/C Government. To date approximately 600 Guyanese have been trained as medical doctors in Cuba under the Guyana/ Cuba Medical Scholarship Programme, with an additional 200 expected to be trained within the next two years.

Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana Julio César González Marchante

“We expect that within the next two years, we will have around 800 persons graduating as medical doctors,” Ambassador Marchante said. Just last August, 18 students graduated as medical doctors after completing seven years of studies under the Guyana-Cuba scholarship programme. The medical doctors, who started their training as students seven years ago, spent the first six years in Cuba and did one year of internship training at

the Suddie Hospital on their return to Guyana.

While Cuba is “happy” to assist in the development of Guyana’s human capital, the number of Guyanese that will be trained in the area of Human Medicine will be reduced significantly with more emphasis being placed on specialisation.

“So for a population like Guyana which has about 800,000 persons, to have 800 people graduated as doctors in the Cuban institutions, we believe that this is an important contribution…(but)…a lot of the people who graduated they are general doctors, now we need specialised doctors,” Ambassador Marchante said even as he pointed that there is only one neurologist in Guyana – Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi – who would have also studied in Cuba. “We also have Dr. George Norton who would have graduated in Cuba as an Ophthalmologist.

We are proud to have a Cuban trained doctor function as a Minister of Government.”

Based on his assessment of Guyana’s Health Care Sector, the Cuban Ambassador

said the Guyanese Government is not only improving its human capital but has worked simultaneously to establish additional health facilities - be it hospitals, diagnostic centres or health centres. Ambassador Marchante said he is happy to see Guyana moving in the direction of preventative health care services, thereby teaching Guyanese how to live healthier lives by reducing the risk of having non-communicable and communicable diseases.

Former Presidents of Guyana and Cuba, Bharrat Jagdeo and Fidel Castro respectively, had initiated the Government of Guyana/Cuba Scholarship Programme. The Governments had agreed for 500 Guyanese students to be trained in Cuba in the disciplines of medicine, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, culture, sport, agriculture, and architecture among others. At that time, Guyana was experiencing a shortage of doctors. Prior to this, a normal quota of 25 was sent for training.

Date set for local gov’t ‘VV’ Motor Vehicle Registration elections Series to commence shortly …Bulkan to make announcement today

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan will today announce the date for Local Government Elections (LGE), which was last held here over two decades ago.

The announcement is slated to take place during a specially arranged news conference billed for the minister’s Kingston, Georgetown office. Bulkan had indicated earlier that LGE will be held within the first quarter of 2016. At the time, he underscored that the political will was missing to implement LGE, noting that “this administration is committed to move forward in a different direction and in this regard, the ministry is actively engaged and is part of the process of building capacity of the councils and to provide institutional strength and to equip and empower them and ensure their revenue base is sufficient to allow for their financial independence and their general economy in the management of their affairs.”

Bulkan had said that the LGE will result in new councils with new energy, new enthusiasm and with the zeal arising from the confidence that would be placed in them by citizens. He also disclosed that orders have been given to the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM) to provide the earliest date which will be announced in the new week. The Communities Minister explained that “…. two Orders are to identify the participating Local Democratic Organs which are now allowed for nine municipalities and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) as well as the composition of the councils and a separate Order identifying the boundaries of the respective democratic organs.” He continued: “It now paves the way for administrative necessity for which there is a third order naming the date of the elections. In that regard, I am awaiting a definitive response from GECOM to be told what is the earliest date by which those elections could be held, given the fact that these administrative requirements are all in place, but I believe in the new week a date can be named.”

He had explained that local government is a vital level of public administration, because it deals with people’s daily lives in their communities.

Citizens from local communities depend on their locally elected representatives to ensure towns, municipalities and villages

Minister Ronald Bulkan

are effectively managed to ensure clean environments, street lights, maintenance of roads, streets, drainage canals and playgrounds.

These attributes will contribute to a “Good Life” for residents. Bulkan had emphasised that Guyanese citizens have been waiting for too long to elect new councillors to the municipalities and NDCs. Elections are important because they are a democratic and constitutional right. Since Bulkan’s comments, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had confirmed that the secretariat is in full operational mode for the conduct of Local Government Elections.

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is expected to commence the new motor vehicle registration series ‘VV’ shortly. The Commissioner General of the GRA, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, in his capacity as Chief Licensing Officer has given his approval for the new series to be introduced.

The current ‘TT’ series was introduced on November 13, 2014, following the ‘SS’ registration series which was introduced on November 25, 2013.

The general public is further advised by GRA that the

new ‘VV’ registration series will affect privately registered vehicles, buses, trailers and goods vehicles (inclusive of vans and lorries).

A Motor Vehicle Registration Series elapses after 9,999 vehicles have been registered by the Licence Revenue Office (LRO) of the GRA, and the introduction of this new series is another indication that persons continue to be afforded their own vehicle.

Motor Vehicle owners are reminded that the Motor Vehicle Licence is valid until the registration anniversary. Hence, such

licence must be renewed every year on or before the anniversary of the vehicle’s registration. Newly registered vehicles or vehicles that underwent changes, that is, change of colour or engine number, must be physically examined by the LRO. All registrations and change of motor vehicle registrations are facilitated at GRA’s Headquarters, 200-201 Camp Street, South Cummingsburg, while vehicles are examined at the GRA’s former Smyth Street Office and all Regional Integrated Offices.

187 to graduate from Berbice UG Campus

HOUNORABLE Prime Minister & First Vice President, Mr Moses Nagamootoo, is expected to deliver the feature address at the 14th Convocation of the University of Guyana, Berbice campus, on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 16:30hrs at Tain, Corentyne, Berbice.

187 students will graduate from the Divisions of Agriculture and Forestry, Education and Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences.

The ceremony will mark the graduation of the first batch of students (26) with the Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

CDB to determine feasibility of development bank

By Tajeram Mohabir GOVERNMENT has requested that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) commission a study to examine the demand for and the feasibility of establishing a development bank here.

The President David Granger administration has been discussing the idea of a Development Bank to ensure manufacturers, agro-processors and service providers have access to capital to gain a competitive edge in their businesses.

Currently, some funding for small businesses is being provided through the Rural Development Fund and the Small and Micro-Enterprises Development Fund.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said government recognises that micro-enterprises can be promoted as a means of establishing economic independence for young people. A recent CDB study estimates youth unemployment at 40 per cent, which indicates an urgent need to address this problem, Mr Jordan told mostly representatives of the corporate community at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Dinner and Awards presentation Wednesday evening.

“Our President is keenly interested in tackling youth unemployment, and one way of doing so is to encourage entrepreneurship among our young people,” he said. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin in a recent interview had told the Guyana Chronicle that the administration is open to the idea of establishing a development bank here.

Access to financing by small business has been a major challenge, with many, including some players in the agriculture sector calling for the establishment of such a facility to give them much-needed support to develop and generally to shore up the business environment.

Mr Gaskin had acknowledged that while access to financing for small businesses has been a problem, he said sometimes the problem has to do with the kind of small business that seeks financing. Banks examine the feasibility of proposals that

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin

are put to them and would offer financing if proposed projects are viable.

“Yes, there is room for a development bank in a developing country; there are however a number of factors that need to be considered as well as business models before such a facility is established here,” he said.

Small business operators at a forum hosted by Go-Invest in July at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre made a pitch for the establishment of such a bank.

tions,” Minister Jordan said.

The PSC and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have also established a mechanism for meeting on a regular basis to address issues affecting the business community. Mr Jordan Wednesday evening urged the private sector to take full advantage of this avenue to significantly improve processes, timeframes and build on their competitive edge.

He said the Ministry of Business was created to address the ease of doing business in Guyana. The new ministry has identified five goals, the achievement of which will ultimately lead to a more prosperous business community.

These goals are improving the ease of doing business in Guyana; attracting increased foreign investments, supporting the development and exports of value-added industries; increasing the economic opportunities and capabilities of vulnerable groups; and expanding capacity to develop and promote sustainable business-friendly policies.

Go-Invest is being streamlined and strengthened to accelerate investment.

Recently, a new board of directors was appointed and a new head of the agency is being sought.

“International funding is being sought for a private sector development project that would include components dealing with the SWAPS and a ‘oneclick’ button linking GRA, Deeds Registry, Lands and Surveys, etc – all with the aim of cutting red tape and freeing the system that is stifling private-sector growth,” Mr Jordan said.

CONCESSIONARY RATES They said it would support their operations, but more importantly, offer financing at concessionary rates. A development bank need not be a physical bank, since the work can be executed through a policy arrangement with an existing bank.

A private bank can carry out the mandate of the development bank and by doing so it would save the government millions in dollars in building a facility and then having to employ scores of persons to manage it.

Aside from the development bank, attention is also being placed on tax reform.

A Tax Reform Committee has been established to examine all aspects of the tax system. This committee has engaged and received inputs from many stakeholders, inclusive of the private sector.

“The report of the committee will be critical to informing tax reforms, going forward. In a recent meeting with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), we committed to meeting quarterly, instead of the annual pilgrimage for budget consulta-

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

No decision made to extend Baishanlin’s contract – gov’t THE government yesterday cleared the air on inaccurate reports circulating that it has granted an extension to the contract of Chinese logging company, Baishanlin, to operate here.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, in a statement yesterday, said note has been taken of the maelstrom that arose from reports that government has granted the

Baishanlin International Forest Development Incorporated a two-year extension to fulfil its obligations, and also, to permission to continue the export of logs as normal.

“Both reports are inaccurate and not factual,” it declared, noting that “by way of clarification, the Department of Natural Resources & the Environment issued a statement in which it sought to inform the public

that it has not granted the company a two-year extension as mistakenly reported in the media, and wishes to advise that the reference to ‘two years’ made by the Minister of Governance was merely to make the public aware that a two-year extension was being sought by the company.”

The department said, too, that it has not considered the request and has requested information from the com-

Suriname travel operators talk linkages with Guyanese stakeholders

From right, Indranauth Haralsingh, Minister Cathy Hughes, Dinesh Ramlal, Nick Davies and two media personnel from Suriname

TWO operators of the Suriname Travel Service (STS) paid a courtesy call on Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes yesterday morning and discussed their Agency’s plans to include Destination Guyana in the tour packages they offer to their current markets in Suriname, across the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Asia.

Surinamese Destination Management Co-ordinator and Tour Operator Dinesh Ramlal was accompanied by Belizean Hotelier and Travel Consultant Nick Davies and a team of Surinamese Media representatives.

The visitors spoke about their plans to forge a multi-destination initiative across the Guianas Shield which includes French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana.

They pointed out that today’s tourists are more interested in experiencing diverse sights, cultures and adventures on one trip, and they usually ask for different packages when they return which they generally do.

Tour Operator Ramlall has been including certain Guyanese destinations in his tour packages for more than a year, including Santa Mission and the Kaieteur Falls. Three years ago, he entered into a partnership with Nick Davies who has resided in Belize, Aruba and Bonaire over the

The cultures in the Guianas Shield are uniquely diverse and have already proven their capacity to generate excitement among tourists. Sold effectively, this hemisphere will soon become the choice destination for global tourists.

– Minister Cathy Hughes last decade. He is a seasoned hotelier and traveller with a passion for tourism.

Mr. Davies discussed with the minister the ideas he has had for some years to package seven destinations in one trip.

These include Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and the three Guianas. These ideas coincide with the current trajectory of the Tourism Ministry which Minister Hughes has been pursuing ever since she took office last May. She has already held initial discussions with her Surinamese counterpart and several government officials in neighbouring French Guiana.

“It just makes sense to triple the Suriname experience,” Mr. Davies said.

Minister Hughes added that the cultures in the Guianas Shield are uniquely diverse and have already proven their capacity to generate excitement among tourists.

Sold effectively, she said this hemisphere will soon become the choice destination for global tourists. Mr. Davies pointed out that the Chinese and Japanese outbound tour markets are open.

The parties also discussed the emerging preferences of tourists from Europe, North America and Australia who live in a fast-paced world and are accustomed to high accommodation standards. This is a key factor for attracting them initially and ultimately sustaining their interest.

Earlier yesterday, the STS team also met in the ministry’s Colgrain House boardroom with major stakeholders in the private hospitality and adventure tour industries. The group included the proprietors of Cara Lodge, Iwokrama Nature Reserve, Kanuku Hotel, the new Aruwai Resort on an Essequibo Island, Rainforest and Wilderness Tours, and the Grand Coastal Hotel.

Over the next four days, the visitors will seize every opportunity to hold indepth discussions with these hospitality service providers on developing business partnerships. They will also go on familiarisation tours to interior destinations including the Hurakabra Resort, the Kaieteur, Orinduik and Marshall Falls, and Santa Mission.

pany about its proposed business plan and evidence of financing. It is only upon receipt of those documents that such an application can be objectively scrutinised and a decision made about the future of the company’s operations in Guyana.

With regard to the valid concerns about the export of logs, the department ad-

vises that the company has not shipped logs in several months, following an earlier restriction placed on exports.

However, it must be noted that a large quantity of locust logs remain in a holding area and their quality is rapidly degrading, and while it is expected that a sizeable quantity will be released into the local market for use by

furniture manufacturers, it is anticipated that a surplus will remain and this will either be allowed to depreciate further, or would have to be exported.

The Department of Natural Resources & the Environment assured that it will endeavour to keep citizens informed of any further developments.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Cocaine mule Screwdriver lodged says devil took in man’s neck – teen remanded control of her TWO St. Lucian cousins were on Thursday jailed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ courts for trafficking in cocaine.

Thirty-eight-year-old cosmetologist, Chermisa Wheeler and 43-year-old baby-sitter Andree Willy were arraigned on separate drug trafficking charges.

Wheeler was fined $79,200 and sentenced to serve 48 months’ imprisonment while Willy was fined $268,200 and jailed for 50 months.

The police say that on November 18 at Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown, Wheeler had in her possession 88 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Meanwhile, Willy was busted with 298 grams of cocaine on the same day at the

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Police prosecutor Shellon Daniels told the court that the women came to Guyana for vacation. On the day in question they were both ongoing passengers on a Caribbean Airlines flight and were already checked in at the Cheddi Jagan international airport (CJIA) en route to their native St. Lucia.

The prosecution facts stated that both women passed through the scanning machine after which a search was conducted. They had behaved in a suspicious manner. The prosecutor told the court that the women were transporting the cocaine in their private parts.

The duo gave separate caution statements, admitting

their guilt.

Wheeler did not show any emotion during the court hearing, but Willy cried as the magistrate was deciding the jail term. Willy told the court that the devil took control of her which caused her to commit such an offence.

Magistrate Latchman considered that neither of the women had wasted the court’s time, having pleaded guilty without hesitation.

However the method used in the commission of the act, the street value of the drug, the prevalence of the offence and the seriousness had to be taken into account.

Both nationals were unrepresented and told the court that they did not have any prior convictions or pending matter against them. (Clestine Juan)

Making his first appearance before City Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday was 18-year-old.

Akeem Dazzle of Lot 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown indicted on the charge which alleged that he wounded Jamal Nichols with the intent to commit murder According to Dazzle’s

lawyer Mr. Clyde Forde, his client was making his way home when he was attacked by a group of men who caused him to receive laceration to his head and hand and gashes to his right foot. Nevertheless he defended himself with a weapon against one of the men, who happened to be the virtual complainant.

However, prosecutor Kerry Boswick objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, adding that the wounded man was in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital with the weapon still lodged in his neck.

The Magistrate refused bail, remanding Dazzle to prison until December 1 when the matter will be called again.

NIS rolls out online contribution …says online payment checking system in pipeline The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) yesterday re-launched its online contribution checking system (O.C.C.S) which will provide contributors with online information on their contributions made to NIS since their first contribution was made.

The service was officially launched in April of this year but was re-launched yesterday with upgrades to the interface and a newly introduced query system which provides users with an avenue to ventilate their concerns or query related to their contributions.

Described as a “simple and straightforward tool”

by Chairman of NIS, Dr. Surendra Persaud, the online contribution checking system requires persons who are contributors to access the institution’s website which is www.nis.org.gy, after which they can apply for the online services. This phase requires users to provide basic account information, personal information and their NIS information so that the institution can verify that they are a legitimate contributor.

Once this is successful, the person will receive a con-

firmation within less than a week which issues to them, a personal profile where they can, to their convenience, and with the support of the internet, access their online contributions. The contributions listed for the person will include all that would have been made, since their time of employment, once the employer had made the contributions.

The database, which houses the online contributions is undated on a quarterly basis, says one of the Information Technology (IT) personnel at NIS. According to him, given the number of contributors who currently stands at just about 700,000, it is not practical to update the database monthly. Additionally, the database facilitates information dating back to 1969, which reduces the possibility of a faster update time.

He revealed that it was last updated on October 31, 2015 and reflects contributions posted up to October 15, 2015, while the update is scheduled for January 31, 2016. As it relates to the query system, persons who have concerns regarding their contributions or would like

to make a query, can do so on their profile, after which a response will be forthcoming.

These concerns are also expected to be addressed within a few days.

Dr. Persaud highlighted the fact that persons who are between the ages of 16 and 60 and are employed should be contributing to NIS. Should there be deviations from this practice by employers; persons can access the services of NIS which represents their interest. In the pipeline too, it was revealed, is the intention to provide services for online payment of contributions in comparison to having persons visit NIS offices to make their payment. But this move, according to Dr. Persaud, is one which is very complex and requires the support of other financial institutions, including banks.

He explained that NIS must first establish an arrangement with local banks, which paves a way for persons to make online transaction directly from their bank accounts. He remains hopeful that this initiative will be introduced before the end of next year. (Ravin Singh)

President Granger to be inducted Patron of Scout Association of Guyana PRESIDENT David Granger will be inducted as the patron of the Scout Association of Guyana on the occasion of the association’s 106th anniversary celebration.

The President was informed of the details of the induction ceremony when he was paid a courtesy call yesterday morning, by President of the Association Mr. Ramsay Ali and Chief Commissioner Ms. Zaida Joaquin.

The induction ceremo-

ny is slated for Saturday, November 21 at the Scout Headquarters, Woolford Avenue, where the President is expected to deliver the feature address. The Scout Association of Guyana is the largest and oldest youth organisation in the country.

Scouting began in British Guiana in 1909, two years after it was founded in England

by Sir Robert Baden-Powell.

This was the first country in the Caribbean where it was established, and the second in South America. The initial

scout troop was founded at Queen’s College, by Sgt. Major George Manley, a member of a British regiment stationed here. Scouting soon spread to other schools and churches.

The mission of the association is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value-based system; focusing on helping to build a better world, where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Affordable housing, communities’ development among Gov’t priorities for hinterland

GUYANA’S hinterland regions possess immense potential. There are untold mineral wealth to be exploited, a young and trainable population, and vast expanses of savannah lands. Yet, the people living in these regions are ranked among the poorest.

The development of Guyana’s hinterland is however, being given renewed focus by the coalition government, as efforts are being made continually to provide equal access to services and resources, and opportunities that the government is offering.

Central to government’s main consideration in addressing the needs of hinterland communities are improving the availability of adequate housing and complementing this need with the provision of certain basic amenities, such as safe water and reliable power.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING The government has committed to renewing and making the housing dream for all indigenous citizens a reality and in this regard, it has been successful in getting the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to commit to investing US$3M for the implementation of a low-income settlement programme (LIS), solely targeting the housing needs of the hinterland. This third LIS programme, as requested by the Government of Guyana, follows up on a second for which a US$27.9 loan was made available by the IDB. That phase benefited 19,000. The hinterland component saw the construction of 122 core houses and the repair of 86 roofs in the hinterland in Regions 1 and 9.

The coalition government’s focus on housing is specifically on making it as affordable as possible, and also in providing improved access to housing for poor families in these regions.

Improved housing for many indigenous people would be a fundamental step towards affording them one of life’s necessities, that of acquiring shelter; and this is why the government has proposed building houses for indigenous Guyanese in need, as one of its priorities.

But focus is not only on building homes, but also on developing communities in tandem with individual dwellings. To this end, the administration has undertaken the huge initiative of

transforming the hinterland communities of Mabaruma, Lethem, Mahdia and Bartica into towns, with better roads, adequate water supply and improved power supply among other services. Further, the residents of these areas are being urged to be part of the greater initiative of realising a green economy.

Part of the process of developing these communities is also to focus on defining the boundaries of communities and awarding them land titles. In addition to defining the boundaries of the new towns, the administration has since earmarked 113 Amerindian communities for demarcation and subsequently the granting of titles.

ENSURING BASIC AMENITIES Attention is also being paid to the many critical issues affecting the communities, such as the provision of electricity and safe water supply. Water is life and the new government is working to ensure that all Guyanese have access to reliable, safe and quality potable water in every tap, town and com-

munity.

In support of this objective, $252 million was provided in Budget 2015 to ensure that hinterland residents can access safe drinking water and a reliable service. A sum of $130 million brings improvement to the water supply systems in areas such as Koko, Mabaruma, and Port Kaituma in Region 1, and Mahdia, Monkey Mountain, Princeville and Campbelltown in Region 8.

Meanwhile, to provide for the energy needs of the hinterland, the administration is examining renewable sources of energy.

To achieve this vision, a feasibility study for a large hydropower development in the Mazaruni region has started, even as the government explores the construction of small hydro systems in areas such as Moco Moco, Kato and Tumatumari.

SUPPORT TO LOCAL GOV’T ORGANS In order to strengthen communities, the government plans to train and equip local leaders to run the affairs of their commu-

Friday, November 20, 2015 - 12:00 hrs Saturday, November 21, 2015 - 13:00 hrs Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 14:00 hrs

nities. This also supports the government’s plan of a decentralised system of government and of placing more autonomy in the hands of local government authorities.

Currently, Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils are receiving support that would guide the development and implementation of action plans for their regions and communities. Meanwhile, at the level of the Village Councils, councillors are receiving training in transparency and accountability. (GINA)

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Iwokrama begins tree-harvesting

– in its model-forestry operations

The Tigercat 234 Knuckleboom loader (left) and the Tigercat 635D Skidder

THE Iwokrama rainforest conservation project has begun harvesting trees in the second phase of a project designed to keep its operations afloat, and at the same time demonstrate sustainable use of the forest.

The centre will employ a 60-year cutting cycle, harvesting a maximum of 1,800 hectares per year (which is less than 0.5% of the Iwokrama Forest) under a very selective harvesting regime, which will result in only a few stems per hectare being removed and no large gaps created in the forest canopy, the Iwokrama Centre in Georgetown has said in a statement.

The Iwokrama forest, measuring some 371,000 hectares of rainforest, is located at the centre of Guyana, and brings together 16 local communities of approximately 7,000 people who are all shareholders and participants in the sustainable timber, tourism and research operations through co-management of the forest and benefit-sharing arrangements.

The operations will employ best practices in forestry, including a strict nolog export policy and the employment of Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) and Directional Felling (DF) techniques, Iwokrama stated.

The Iwokrama Centre said its model has attracted a high level of interest from the international private sector with the President of Woodmizer and the area sales manager from Stihl already having visited the field operations and committed their continued support for the initiative.

“International buyers have also begun to show keen interest in the wood products,” the Iwokrama Centre stated.

MODEL FORESTRY OPERATION The project is being undertaken in partnership with Farfan and Mendes Limited, which will be testing new equipment, namely, a Tigercat 635D skidder and a model 234 Knuckleboom log loader.

“This brand is new to Guyana, and the technology should allow for the faster and more efficient harvest-

ing operations and a reduced environmental footprint,” Iwokrama stated.

One key area that will be addressed during this phase of the model forestry operation is that it is much more efficient to employ a “cutting for value”(which allows for the highest recovery of highgrade lumber from the log and therefore the greatest value) strategy rather than the industry standard of a “cutting to order” that precludes getting the highest volume and grade recovery.

The Iwokrama Centre said all of its business models are designed to follow international economic, social and environmental best practices and employ innovative governance systems involving various stakeholders.

The centre will use the results of the research and experience it acquired in Phase One of its operations in areas such as forest dynamics, pre-harvest and post-harvest inventories, community engagement, certification, facilities layout and logistics to help refine and improve operations and forest management in Phase Two, the statement added.

As with its other businesses, the centre said it will replicate its overarching management and sustainability protocols in the timber operations by informing forestry policy through providing practical results to policy holders and building local, regional and international capacity in areas of sustainable forest management.

As it develops the model, the centre said it intends to continue to work closely with its community partners, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) which represents the 16 villages of the North Rupununi.

Later this month, the centre will host representatives from these 16 communities to visit the forestry operations and hold discussions with the centre and its private-sector partners.

During this period, the centre also plans to renew its Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NRDDB with regard to co-management of the Iwokrama Forest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Speaker meets with over 2,000 Region 3 schoolchildren – in ‘Taking Parliament to Schools’ consists of: (i) The President of Guyana (ii) The National Assembly Powers: By Article 65 of the Constitution, the Parliament of Guyana is empowered to make laws for peace, order and good governance of Guyana.

Life: The life of the Parliament of Guyana is five years.

Sessions: A session of Parliament is the period

Turn to page 18 ►

Ms. Walton interacts with kids of Vreed-en-Hoop Number 2 Nursery School

By Shirley Thomas A ONE-DAY parliamentary exercise which saw members of Parliament Office visiting six schools in Region 3 on Tuesday, included visits to West Demerara Secondary and Vreed-en-Hoop primary schools by Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland.

The exercise, dubbed: “Taking Parliament to Schools,” was headed by Member of Parliament John Adams, who is also Ministerial Adviser to Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence. Others on the team included Parliamentary Public Relations Officer Onieka Walton, Librarian Juliet Bacchus and Office Assistant Safraz Mohamed.

Well over 2,000 schoolchildren benefited from the highly informative and interactive exercise. The six schools visited were West Demerara Secondary, Vreeden-Hoop Primary, Uitvlugt Secondary, Crane Primary, Vreed-en-Hoop No. 2 Nursery and Stanleytown Nursery.

VREED-EN-HOOP PRIMARY APPLAUDED Questions were asked to test the children’s knowledge of what goes on in parliament, and Vreed-en-Hoop Primary was applauded for having fairly good knowledge and understanding of parliamentary procedures.

The students were sensitised about the basic tenets of parliamentary procedures, such as the branches of government, namely: The Executive, Judiciary and Legislative. They learnt that Guyana is governed by these three separate branches and the power to run the country is divided among these branches to create a system of checks and balances.

THE EXECUTIVE They learnt, essentially, that the Executive Branch governs Guyana. The President is the Head of State and

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland addresses students at Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School on the duties and responsibilities of the Speaker of the House

the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Guyana. The President appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers and assigns responsibilities to them.

The Cabinet consists of the President, the Prime Minister and others appointed to it by the President. The Cabinet advises the President in the general direction and control of the government and policies are developed and implemented by the Executive.

THE JUDICIARY The Judiciary enforces and interprets laws. The Judicial Branch vests its authority in the courts. The courts determine and interpret the law.

The courts are independent and impartial and subject only to the constitution and the law.

The Chancellor of the Judiciary is the chief representative of judicial authority of Guyana. The Supreme Court consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

PARLIAMENT Establishment: The Parliament of Guyana was established by the Constitution of Guyana.

Composition: In accordance with Article 51 of the Constitution, the Parliament

M.P. John Adams holds an interesting discussion with students of Uitvlugt Secondary School as he continues his parliamentary tour

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2015

Speaker meets with over...

From page 17

which commences with the first sitting of the National Assembly held after a General Election or after a Prorogation of Parliament and which ends when Parliament is prorogued or dissolved.

Summoning: The President, by proclamation, appoints the place where a session of Parliament shall be held and the time at which such session shall begin.

Prorogation: The President is empowered to prorogue Parliament at any time,

by Proclamation.

The students also learnt that prorogation does not end the life of a Parliament.

It terminates a session of Parliament and brings to a close, all proceedings pending at the time.

Dissolution: The President has the power, by Proclamation, to dissolve Parliament at any time. When Parliament is dissolved, its life and all outstanding business come to an end and persons who were members of the National Assembly cease to be such members.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Establishment: The National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana is established by the Constitution of Guyana.

Composition: The National Assembly consists of 65 Elected Members. Forty are elected from the TopUp List and 25 are elected from the 10 Geographical Constituencies. The National Assembly may also have non-elected members. Currently, two members are of the National Assembly as well as the Speaker of the House are non-elected members.

Functions: The functions of the National Assembly can be grouped under three main heads as follows: The Legislative function; The Financial Function and The Critical Function.

A Bill: A Bill is a proposed law which is brought to the National Assembly for consideration. After Bills

are passed by the National Assembly, they are submitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the President for his assent.

Acts: When a Bill, duly passed by the National Assembly, is assented to by the President, it becomes law – an Act of Parliament.

(Source: Public Relations Department, Parliament Office, Guyana).

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland said that being Speaker of the House is a great responsibility. Outlining his responsibilities to the students, he told them that he is guided by rules, and those are called Standing Orders. They are, in effect, the rules which help the Speaker to do his work in the National Assembly.

He encourages discussion between the (two) Opposite sides of the House, while sometimes having to call for order. The National Assembly meets periodically to do the business of the country and makes rules that are to apply throughout the country.

Reminding that the Members of Parliament are elected to sit in Parliament as the Speaker tries to manage the Business of Parliament, Dr. Scotland said that when citizens elect Members of Parliament and send them to Parliament, they are there to serve all of us. Therefore, we should all take an interest in what they are doing and what we think they should do.

It therefore behooves everyone to take an interest in what is happening in the National Assembly. “They [citizens] help to support, strengthen, question and satisfy themselves that their interests are being taken care of in Parliament,” he said. And to the students, he added: “So do not think that you are too small to know about what goes on in Parliament. Ask questions of your parents and they in turn will ask. You live in Guyana and have a right to know what is happening in Guyana,” he concluded.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Miss Guyana Universe 2015...

GDF to stage ‘Military Tattoo’

Buzz’s

Beauty of the Week Meet the vivacious

Alana Wilson-Chester

T THE place to be tomorrow is Camp Ayanganna for the staging of the eagerly anticipated ‘Military Tattoo’, courtesy of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Fans are encouraged to come out in their numbers to view breath-taking parachute jumps, martial arts displays, military

band showcases, and the customary dazzling fireworks display.

According to the organisers, the ‘After Tattoo’ event will be the most fascinating to have ever been held at this venue.

The action begins at 16:00hrs, and admission is absolutely FREE!!!

HIS week’s beauty hails from the Ancient County of Berbice; she is the vivacious Alana Wilson-Chester.

Though married, Alana is certainly no stranger to pageantry, as she is currently the title holder of Miss Mash International and Miss CARIFESTA. She enjoys dancing, swimming, modeling and spending quality time with her husband.

Her favourite sayings are: ‘Live life to the fullest’, and ‘Make hay while the sun shines’.

She’s also a positive role model for those women who lack self esteem, as a kind of reminder to the ‘sistas’ that a woman is as beautiful as she feels.

‘Reflections: The Genesis’ set for tomorrow ‘REFLECTIONS’, one of Guyana’s signature fashion shows, was first held in November 2012. It was dubbed a major success, attracting not only local but regional media attention.

Guyanese fashion designer, Nelsion Andre Nurse will yet again captivate patrons, and fashion lovers, with his third chapter called “The Genesis” which is set for tomorrow.

Reflections is more than just the regular fashion shows since it choreographed to tell a fashion story incorporating music, dance and dra-

ma. As such patrons will be treated to performances by Kross Kolor recording artistes who will be launching a Christmas Album of original local tracks by the very versatile Mellissa Roberts aka Vanilla, Jovinski Thorne and others under the KKR label.

Teron Marshall, Mickael Sam and other artistes are also slated to perform.

Lots of sizzling performances will also be coming from the Classique Dance Company are slated to perform the night of the show. Also on the platter is Kelton Jennings, ‘Unique Arts’ dance group.

The audience this time will be lucky to access giveaways from Kross Kolor Recording Studio, Simpli Royal Salon and Spa, and some of our local designers carded to showcase at the event. Also expected is a wine tasting segment from Pandama Wine Company.

Patrons will be able to view on stage designs by some of Guyana’s leading designers inclusive of Sonia Noel, and by visiting regional designers and Keshon Hawthorne of Jamaica. Keshon was a finalist in Caribbean Reality TV Show, Mission Catwalk.

Neilson Nurse, the promoter of the Reflections Fashion Show

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Guyana’s Lisa Punch off to Miss World

G

UYANA’S Lisa Punch is off to China to participate in the highly anticipated Miss World Pageant slated for December 19.

She left about a week ago for New York, where she was scheduled to spend some time, before heading yesterday to Sanya, China.

According to reports, the 23-year-old beauty is thrilled to be representing Guyana at a pageant the calibre of Miss World, and as such has vowed to at least place among the top

reigning Miss Guyana Universe, Lisa Punch

ten finalists.

Her gowns for pageant night are being designed by Guyanese, Michelle Cole who now resides in the USA, while her national costume is being done by another Guyanese, the internationally-acclaimed Roger Gary.

She has chosen as her platform the rising incidence of suicide the world over, and how to possibly prevent the malady from taking further root here.

Interestingly enough, she is quoted as saying on her Miss World page that were she to be blessed with a special gift, she’d have liked it to be to be able “to connect and inspire people who are feeling hopeless and unworthy, because I have witnessed firsthand what it does to young people.”

As to which challenge event she feels most confident about, Lisa says: “It would be a toss-up between Talent & Beauty with a Purpose, because I get to do what I love doing the most in both these challenges: Sharing my music, and inspiring others.”

What made her enter the Miss World Pageant? “I see the Miss World competition as one of the biggest talent shows for well-rounded women of purpose, and it allows me to walk in my purpose.”

While in China, Lisa, who is currently working on her first album, will be competing with at least 84 other equally talented and gorgeous young women from around the world.

The Buzz wishes her all the best, and urges Guyanese to support her throughout the various segments of the Miss World Pageant.

Treat the family for Thanksgiving next Thursday ––down at ‘Midtown’ on Middle WHO says we can’t enjoy Thanksgiving specials here in Guyana?

The Midtown Restaurant, formerly the Sidewalk Caf? down on Middle Street, Georgetown, is set to indulge your every ‘foodie’ whim and fancy come next Thursday when they help treat the family to Thanksgiving Dinner.

For just $4000 per person, patrons can enjoy

succulent baked turkey/chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkin or sweet potato pie, and rice medley.

Added to this, one can also have stuffing and cranberry sauce, as well as garden salad, and a glass of wine.

Dinner will be served from 17:000 to 23:00hrs.

Club 704 presents...

‘Girls Run the World’ ALL roads lead tomorrow night to ‘Club 704’, at Albert & Lamaha, for the long awaited ‘Who Run the World’ concept party.

As has become the norm, ladies will be admitted free before 23:00hrs, while admission has been set at $2000.

Bringing their usual flair to the party as usual are DJs Energy, Puffy, and Garwin.

This event is powered by the Guinness Crew.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Music in history

According to him, he even took music from society bandleaders like Gershwin and Whiteman. To his credit, Goodman did much to help black musicians who were treated as musical underclass. He used his contacts to break many barriers of racial prejudice, class distinction, snobbery, and close-mindedness, which he claimed “only served to justify and compartmentalise the creative spirit.”

The ‘gutbucket’ sound...

Welcome to the Age of Swing

By Milton Bruce EVEN though black and white musicians were collaborating more in the late 1920s and early 1930s, black musicians were having blatant racial problems.

It is important to acknowledge the advantage enjoyed by white musicians during this era. Unlike black band leaders, white musicians were accepted by mainstream America; they were not forced to suffer the indignities of racism that even the finest black musicians faced on a regular basis.

Often, black musicians found their work “borrowed” by others, whether in acknowledged “cover” versions or stolen outright, a process that had become quite familiar to Fletcher Henderson and many more African-American jazz artistes.

UPS-AND-DOWNS It was ups-and-downs music as black players tried to resist the intentions of the hierarchy to conscript the music as their

own. In the meantime, as a category of entertainment, jazz had begun to occupy a wider and wider orbit of entertainment, encompassing a broad spectrum of popular culture.

The most unfortunate thing about the music during this so-called “Jazz Age” was the exposing of white musicians who were piggy-backing on black musicians to make their mark. As one commentator pointed out, “It seems almost anything in fashion would sooner or later be classified as jazz.”

The white mainstream media, which had earlier given this music the cold shoulder, was all for it now. Of course, this sudden interest was because white musicians, and as Holloywood, were becoming involved in a large way.

With so many collaborations taking place at the same time, the music had lost some of its flavour; it had lost the “gut-bucket sound” that was commonly associated with black musicians.

The 1927 talking movie, “The Jazz Sing-

All roads lead to ‘Aziza’ next Sunday

–for ‘Creek Jam, Vehicle Soundoff’

EPIC Entertainment is poised to pull off an event that is dubbed ‘The SoundOff of the Century’.

Slated for the Aziza Akousa Hideout on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway next Sunday, this event, from all accounts, is certainly going to be the hottest ‘Creek Jam and Vehicle Soundoff’ ever.

In order to decide who has the hottest wheels on the road, their owners will all

head to ‘Aziza’ to engage in a fiery battle to see who will cart off the fantastic prizes up for grabs.

The fun and excitement begins at 09:00 hrs, but the actual competition will begin at 14:00 hrs.

The party vibes will be ‘electric’, as DJ Magnum, David Hype, and Power Sonics have all promised a ‘musical thunderstorm’ to remember.

er” had George Gershwin playing popular music, and calling it jazz. Paul Whiteman, another society musician, was dubbed the ostensible “King of Jazz”. These two great musicians played music that they called jazz, which was not even close to authentic jazz music.

The end of ‘prohibition’ in 1933 created another transformation: Booze became legal; the radio or wireless began carrying music into households; and ‘speakeasies’ became legitimate nightclubs, which inevitably made the music pie much smaller.

White musicians playing any popular music and calling it jazz were enjoying the spoils of their labour.

ENTER BENNY GOODMAN It was at this time that Benny Goodman stepped onto the scene. Born in Eastern Europe, he came to Chicago in 1902. At the time, Chicago was experiencing a great period in jazz. Goodman, a young clarinetist, was serving his apprenticeship under Frank Schoepp, a former member of the Chicago Musical College. Loving the music and constantly at practise, Goodman came of age in a maelstrom of musical activities, including nightclubs and dancehalls. Early in his career, he had refused to play the popular music. He’d claimed that he was more interested in what the more progressive black bands were putting out.

He was listening to Fletcher Henderson at the Roseland Ballroom, and Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

THE YALE DROPOUT John Hammond, a Yale dropout and a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, became friends with Goodman, and laid a very good impression on him. He was a philanthropist, and his life was a career of advocacy for jazz music and civil rights.

His was a relentless task of prodding for authentic jazz in the face of the watered down imitations.

His relentless prodding forced Goodman to rearrange his thinking. He immediately plunged into the type of music that earned him the sobriquet, “King of Swing.”

This achievement was in collaboration with Fletcher Henderson as an arranger; it was cited as the major turning point in the evolution of the band’s sound. Henderson, a former bandleader, had a treasure trove of material composed when he was a bandleader.

His impact was great; even decisive in the band’s success. The arrangements by Henderson were the source of many memorable Goodmans music, the likes of “King Porter Stomp”, “Sometimes I’m Happy”, “Blue Skies”, and “Christopher Columbus”.

In the racially-charged atmosphere of the day, the appearance of Henderson loomed larger than the music. Many jazz enthusiasts enjoyed Goodman’s music, now that he was consciously emulating the faster music of Henderson.

Goodman, however, was castigated by other white musicians. They claimed that he was building his personal success by exploiting the achievements of black innovators. Some enthusiasts and critics alike ignored the social ramifications of the collaboration, and concentrated on the important nexus in the history of jazz.

22

Guyanese mom proves she still has it –at New York Fashion Week

Photo of the Week

T

HIS week, we couldn’t help but bring you this teaser of the very likeable Yohlanda Kerr, as she demonstrates how every Guyanese woman should look in practically any outfit.

She was more than ready to parade before our cameras, and she certainly rewarded us with one of her radiant smiles.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Yohlanda Kerr

IT’S not often that a Guyanese woman, and a mother of three at that, gets the opportunity to strut her stuff at the prestigious New York Fashion Week.

It happened recently when acclaimed local runway model and mom, Michelle Playter was invited to be a guest model at the just-concluded BKSTYLE FASHION WEEK (FWBK) in Brooklyn, New York, and until now the local press is still abuzz with news of her resounding success.

Playter was chosen as a runway model and rep-

resentative from a long line of celebrated beauties in Guyana. She was officially invited by Michael Johnson, Director of International Relations of the BK STYLE organisation in the U.S. Whilst in New York, she made several stage appearances, and created such a stir on the runway, she

her in the near future.

BK STYLE (FASHION WEEK BROOKLYN) Since 2008, this organisation has worked with the students from William H. Maxwell High School and other secondary institutions in the NY area, on the production of sustain-

BKSF has devoted each season of FWBK to supporting charitable organisations including the Soles4Souls Foundation, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, and Build A Better Planet.

BKSF lends a voice to social issues such as human rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, eco-friendly initia-

soon had heads bobbing in approval of her ravishing Guyanese beauty.

With her somewhat extraordinary features and signature cherry lips, Playter was often mistaken for one of the celebrated models from Russia and Sweden.

Many could hardly believe their ears when she pointed out that she was indeed from the Land of Many Waters, located in South America.

During her stay there, she marketed Guyana quite impressively as a splendid tourism destination, and had the time of her life answering enquiries of the reality of a city of gold called El Dorado that many to this day feel is still in existence.

So smashing was her entrance on the fashion scene there, that she was approached by many designers to show off their pieces, and made many deals with fashion elites who want to work with

able fashion by offering classes and internships, focusing on adjusting, reusing and recycling existing materials.

BK Style/FWBK works with established designers and consultations to offer community sustainability classes (Incubator), and empowering youths by allowing them to alter, embellish, adjust and ‘upcycle’ old garments.

Fashion Week Brooklyn (FWBK) is a bi-annual international collection show, founded by the 501c3 non-profit, the BK Style Foundation (BKSF).

FWBK has emerged as one of the leading fashion events showcasing the talent of aspiring and established designers from across the globe.

Attendees include a diverse spectrum of socially conscious, influential, fashion-forward men and women.

Established in 2006,

tives, poverty, community development and leadership training.

FWBK, on the other hand, offers a marketing partnership platform for select companies to build their brand, align with noted philanthropic organizations and connect with a distinct targeted audience.

On March 4, 2014, Brooklyn Borough President, Eric L Adams formally endorsed Fashion Week Brooklyn as the official Fashion Week of the borough.

Recognised as Brooklyn’s premiere fashion event, Adams’ vast philanthropic efforts and passion for Brooklyn ensures that the fashion and cultural arts communities will continue to flourish. BKSF is excited to begin a new creative journey with the Brooklyn Tourism Authority under Adams’ vision and leadership.

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2015

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket …

Mae’s and Stella Maris to contest East Georgetown Final MAE’S Primary defeated Bel Air Primary and Stella Maris Primary got past Redeemer Primary to book their place in the final of the East Georgetown Zone of the GCB-Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket.

At the Racquet Centre ground, Mae’s Primary de-

feated Bel Air Primary by 10 wickets. Bel Air Primary batted first were limited to 94-8 in 14 overs. Ravindra Singh was the top scorer with 21 as no other batsman reached double figures while Nicholas Samaroo bagged three wickets.

In reply, Mae’s Primary made light work of their target as they finished on 100-2 in the ninth over when Samaroo smashed the second delivery he faced for a maximum to end the match.

Leading the way with the bat for Mae’s was Jonathan Vanton (43) while Omar Percival contributed an unbeaten 27.

In the second semi-final of the East Georgetown Zone also played at the Racquet Centre ground, Stella Maris eased past Redeemer by 41 runs. Stella Maris amassed 146-8 in 14 overs batting first with Alvin Adolphus leading the way with an unbeaten 68 while Ameer Hussain had three wickets.

In Redemeer Primary’s reply, they could only manage to get to 105-9 when their overs were completed. Leading the bowling for Stella Maris Primary was Chelsea Morrison who claimed three wickets for just two runs.

Meanwhile, on the Essequibo Coast, Better Hope Primary defeated Charity Primary by six wickets at Charity ground. Taking first strike, Charity Primary were restricted to 114-8 off 14 overs with only Shem Dey making any significant contribution with 19. Kevin Persaud took 2-8 for Better Hope.

Better Hope then replied with 115-7 in 13.4 overs winning by six wickets with two balls to spare.

Hibron Peters and Mahendra Ramlall scored 25 and 21 respectively as Erica Alphonso and Romario Adams took two wickets apiece.

At Mainstay ground, the home team went down to Taymouth Manor by six wickets despite scoring 180.

Asked to take first strike, Mainstay Primary racked up 180-7 off their 14 overs as Rayon John struck an entertaining 61 and Ronaldo Charles made 30. Pooja Persaud was the pick of the Taymouth Manor Primary’s bowlers with 2-9.

In reply to Mainstay Primary’s mammoth total, Taymouth Manor showed no signs of being intimi-

dated by the huge total as they completed the chase in the 14 th over. Leading the way with the bat was Rajindra Ramballie who top scored with a composed 52 and Shazeg

Jonathon Vanton of Mae’s Primary Mohammed chipped in with 21.

In another match played in Essequibo Coast zone, Queenstown Primary beat Capoey Primary by 12 runs at Capoey ground.

Batting first, Queenstown Primary made 149-11 in 14 overs. Kellon Cox and Akeem Jones each scored 18 while two wickets each went to Tamar Hendricks and Nadia Prince.

In reply, the home team reached 137-9 in their 14 overs falling short by 12 runs. Only Andrian Hendricks and Dave Deyouny reached double figures while Kellon Cox, Brian Innis and Akeem Jones all had two wickets each.

At Sparta ground, the home team defeated C.V Nunes Primary by 7 wickets. C.V Nunes batting first was limited to 92-4 off their 14 overs. Christopher Samaroo and Jaydon Reece made 13 each as Sim Persaud had 2-6.

In reply, Sparta Primary eased to 93-6 in 12.5 overs as Aryan Doodnauth led the way with 22. Devonte Pearson had 2-1 in a losing cause.

Matches continue in Georgetown today at the Racquet Centre ground as North Georgetown Primary face St. Margaret’s Primary from 09:30 hrs to determine the winner of the North Georgetown Zone while Stellas Marris will play Mae’s Primary from 13:00 hrs to determine the winner of East Georgetown Zone.

Lady Jags to play Reggae Girls in ‘must win’ game today

By Rawle Toney in Trinidad and Tobago

WITH Jamaica falling 2 – 1 to Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday night, it meant that the Lady Jags will have to play the Reggae Girls today at 17:00 hrs at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago for the final spot, to see who will represent the Caribbean at the CONCACAF round of the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Guyana has never played Jamaica in a senior women’s football match, so the first meeting between the two countries should be interesting and historic in its own right.

Despite Jamaica having a more robust approach to women’s football, like Guyana, they too have looked overseas to muster some of their best talents to help push their country to the Olympic Games next year.

While Guyana had dominated their contest against Puerto Rico they fell 1 - 0 late in extra time, Jamaica was lucky enough to hold the usually hungry ‘Trinis’ to some degree.

Jamaica would score in the 45th minute through Jodi Ann McGregor giving the Reggae Girls the lead into halftime.

Trinidad and Tobago eventually pulled one back in the 59th minute with Derelle Mascall levelling the match and Tasha St. Louis’ goal in stoppage time (90+1 minute), turned out to be the game winner to hand the Soca Princesses a ticket to the next round.

“We will leave it all on the field,” said the Lady Jags head Coach Mark Rodrigues, looking ahead to Friday’s match.

It will be a ‘must win’ match for the Guyanese women, and one the head coach is certainly looking forward to, especially after conceding a late goal, against a team that he pounded to the ground but his troops failed to put away the easy chances that were at times gifted to them.

Reflecting on his team’s dreadful loss to Puerto Rico, Coach Rodrigues lauded the women’s performance but acknowledged that Guyana’s inability to put-away their easy goal scoring chances came back to haunt them in the end.

“The girls played hard and I’m extremely proud of them, despite the result. I’ve seen the improvement when I look back at when we first came together for the camp in Toronto, then in July in Guyana; they have grown so much and that’s why it was sad for me to see us going down like we did, but we will rebound,” said Rodrigues.

Trinidad and Puerto Rico by virtue of reaching the finals, have already secured their place as the Caribbean’s representatives at the CONCACAF play-offs.

The USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala, have all qualified and would await the result of the Guyana/Jamaica game to see who will round off the eight-team CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier.

The CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship 2016 will be played in the United States from February 10-21, 2016, in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas.

The two venues for the competition are BBVA Compass Stadium, home to the Houston Dash of the NWSL and the Houston Dynamo of MLS, and the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, home to FC Dallas of MLS. The top two finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Leacock, Murray march undefeated into next round of GTA’s year end tourney LEYLAND Leacock and Ronald Murray played undefeated over the weekend when the Guyana Tennis Association’s Year End Doubles tournament commenced.

According to a release,

the two younger players.

Leacock and Murray’s next challenge in the round robin format was against Sandeep Chand and Sanjeev Datadin who gave them a close call. Nevertheless, the determined pair knuckled

for the win.

Chand and Datadin are still alive in the same category as they took on junior national players, Hemraj Resaul and Jousha Kaleyezi, who stood their grounds against the senior

In photo, from right to left: Leyland Leacock, Ronald Murray, Sanjeev Datadin and Sandeep Chand the much anticipated tournament brought out many new faces in several categories, however, Leacock and Murray who had previously made it in the top ranking of the Men’s Open have now transitioned into the Men’s over 35.

Playing their first match in this category, they dismantled Steven David-Longe and Harry Panday who put up a stellar fight in the first 30 minutes of the match.

However, the team collapsed to a 6-1, 6-1 defeat to

down at crunch time to secure the win at 6-3, 6-4.

In other results, Romario Chanderballi and Philbert Clarke out-manoeuvred Jeremiah Kalekyezi and Vadanan Resaul to win 6-3, 6-0 in the Men’s Open but subsequently fell at the hands of Stephen Bailey and Oswin Coggins at 6-4, 7- 5.

Close points and failure to covert by Chanderballi and Clarke gave Bailey and Coggins the narrow opening to drive the final ball home

players eventually exiting the competition at a 6-2, 6-4 lose.

On the ladies’ half, Coach Shelly Daly teamed up with student Fiona Bushel to defeat Kizzy Richmond and Denise Barrington 6-1, 6-0.

The latter partnership then defeated new comers Natalie Ramdyhan and Ciara Pooran, 6-3, 6-3.

In the mixed doubles, GBTI Novice winners Jamal Goodluck and Tandy Primo fell in their first open match to Kalyca Fraser and Jordan Beaton 6-2, 6-1.

Chase’s Academy and QC to clash in North GT Zone final CHASE’s Academy ousted St. Stanislaus and Queen’s College defeated St. John’s College to book the final spots in the North Georgetown Zone of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Digicel and Banks DIH. In the first semi-final played at DCC ground, Chase Academy registered another comprehensive victory by routing St. Stanislaus for 50 in 21 overs.

National Under-17 left-arm spinner, Ashmead Nedd claimed 3-1 while Orandi Chase supported with 3-10.

Chase’s Academy got to their target in the tenth over losing three wickets in the process. Joshua Persuad led

the way with an unbeaten

ASHMEAD NEDD 33.

The second semi-final

was also played at DCC ground. St John’s College won the toss and decided to bat first and fell for 122 in 25.2 overs. Joshua Raghobar and Rawle Douglas offered much resistance with 33 and 21 respectively. The pick of the bowlers for Queen’s College was Avinash Boodram who had tidy figures of 2-5 from 5.2 overs.

Queen’s College in reply got to 126-4 in 28.1 overs.

Clarence Baird smashed a shot filled 45 and Renaldo McGarrell chipped in with 26.

Queen’s College will now take on Chase’s Academy today in the final at the Everest Cricket club ground from 10:00 hrs.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Jaguars and Pride third round Notable Dates PCL battle being today

GUYANA Jaguars commence battle with rivals Barbados Pride today in round three of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day Tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The defending champions, Jaguars, are on top of the points table after two rounds with 35 points while Pride follow in second position with 25 points. Guyana recorded two consecutive victories while Pride have one win and an incomplete match under their belt.

Veerasammy Permaul and Javon Searles come into the Guyana Jaguars 13-man

squad to replace Rajendra Chandrika and Christopher Barnwell respectively for

VEERASAMMY PERMAUL the match.

Chandrika joins the West Indies squad for a Test series

in Australia while Barnwell suffers a back injury. Permaul, the region’s leading wicket-taker for the past two tournaments, missed the firstround and the second-round matches nursing an ankle injury.

Chronicle Sport understands he is now fit to play.

Meanwhile, Searles, one of Guyana’s franchise players from Barbados, comes in as an all-rounder in place of Barnwell.

Jaguars comfortably demolished the Windward Islands Volcanes in the first round then humbled Leeward Islands Hurricanes earlier this week.

Barbados on the other hand sank the Jamai-

Stag Beer Elite League 2015

Fruta versus Buxton, GFC against Monedderlust …penultimate match day

By Ras Wadada THE 56-match schedule of the much talked about inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Stag Beer Elite League will climax this weekend with the final four games involving all eight competing teams.

The penultimate match day action is set for the Georgetown Football Club’s ground this evening with a double-header that will showcase the two bottom teams as they battle to avoid propping up the points table.

In the feature game slated to kick off at 20:00hrs, 4th placed Fruta Conquerors will meet 2nd from the bottom Buxton United who have suffered the most defeats in the two-round League competition - 10 – while notching up three wins.

Conquerors on 19 points won the first round encounter 1-0 and will be looking to cement their place in the playoffs as they go in search of their 6th win and an unassailable 22 points. An upset or a draw by the Buxtonians will give the Guyana Defense Force a ray of hope to make it to the last four.

In the opening match, full excitement is anticipated when the youthful home-side tackle Monedderlust FC whose 6th position with 13 points is the only assured place going into the final round of matches.

The ‘Bourda Blues’ side will look to use home advantage to avenge the first round 2-1 loss and lift themselves from the cellars spot in a competition where they have conceded 30 goals, the most by any team.

The GFC unit will also have to depend on Conquerors to put away Buxton

United later in the night. A win or draw for the West Berbician counterparts would be the first point(s) earned away from home this season.

The final two games to determine the order of the top 3 teams will be staged on Sunday at Camp Ayanganna ground where 3rd placed Pele FC on 24

can Scorpions in the first round then romped a match adjudged as incomplete against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the second round.

The Guyana Squad reads: Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh (Vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Javon Searles, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, and Ronsford Beaton. The Coach is Esuan Crandon, the Manager/Assistant Coach is Rayon Griffith, and the Physio is Beverley Nelson.

Bowl off time is scheduled for 9:30 hrs.

TALENTED junior middleweight Brian Muller secured his second victory over Albert Brown on November 20, 1982. Muller stopped the charge of Brown in the 13th round. A 28-year-old at the time, the southpaw Muller improved his record to 10-1-1 with six Knock Outs.

Brown and Muller first met in May of the same yea. That bout ended with the former losing by point decision. Considered one of the best junior middleweight boxers to come out of Guyana, Muller locked horns with the best in the region.

After a stellar seven year career he walked away with only three defeats. Muller started professional boxing in February 1979 at the age of 24. The `Master of the Game’ would be remembered for epic battles against Reggie Ford, Mark Harris, and the legendary Lennox Beckles. Muller was undefeated in nine fights when he met Mark Harris for the second time.

The fight was held in December 1980 and Harris seized the opportunity to become the first and only Guyanese to defeat the southpaw when he won the 12-rounder by split decision. Muller, who now resides in Nevada, USA, ended with 20 wins (11 KOs) three defeats and one draw.

GCA competitions on this weekend

THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will resume action this weekend with several tournaments.

The G.I.S.E/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall 1st Division (2-Day) cricket competition will continue this weekend. Tomorrow & Sunday from 09:30 hrs, GCC take on Everest at Bourda. The umpires for this game are Shannon Crawford and Deon Feassal. Malteenoes Sports Club will host the University of Guyana side at

the Malteenoes ground. The umpires for this clash will be Patrick Garnath and Zaheer Mohamed.

Meanwhile, action in the New Building Society 2nd Division (40-Over) Cricket Competition also continues this weekend from 10:30hrs.

Tomorrow Transport SC take on G.D.F at Queenstown with umpires Clyde Layne & Heuvel Cunha in charge while on Sunday D.C.C host Transport SC

under the watchful eyes of Colin Alfred & Nolan Hawke.

GINC will also have hosting duties this weekend when the Guyana Defense Force come knocking.

That match will see umpires Robin Kendall & Reginald Grant in action, while the other match at Camp Road which features GCC and MYO umpires Ryan Banwarie & Daniel Richmond will be in charge.

16:05 hrs Hat Alnasar

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:40 hrs Crown Of Gold 09:15 hrs House Of Lorraine 09:55 hrs National King 10:30 hrs Memphis Mafia 11:05 hrs Strong Scent 11:40 hrs Big Bucks points match skills with the Army in 5th place on 17 points.

The big match up for championship League honours will follow as leaders Alpha United on 26 points come up against 2nd placed Slingerz FC, one point less.

The top four teams will next contest the play-offs with number one meeting number four while number two will engage number three in the semi finals set for the GFC ground next Wednesday 25th November. The final and 3rd place games will be played at the Leonora Stadium next Sunday 29th November.

The winner of the play-offs will cash in on $4M, the runners-up $2M, 3rd place $1M and $500,000 to the 4th placed finisher.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Haydock 08:50 hrs Optimistic Bias 09:55 hrs Francis Of Assisi 11:05 hrs Wade Harper 11:40 hrs Crackdeloust ASCOT 09:00 hrs Krugermac 09:30 hrs Thomas Brown 10:05 hrs Wishing And Hoping 10:40 hrs Back To Bracka 11:15 hrs Bob Tucker 11:50 hrs Forest Bihan WOLVERHAMPTON 12:15 hrs First Rebellion 12:45 hrs Jaiyana 13:15 hrs All For The Best 13:45 hrs Haweeya 14:20 hrs Rebel Lightning 14:50 hrs Tangramm 15:20 hrs Best Example 15:50 hrs Manolitto

IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 13:35 hrs Inclination 14:05 hrs Sors 14:35 hrs Taglietelle 15:05 hrs Bridle Path 15:35 hrs Hatch Hall 16:05 hrs Ondamoura 16:35 hrs Our Max

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Alto Belle Race 2 Power Crazed Race 3 Bargaining Table Race 4 Up With the Sun Race 5 Myfourchix Race 6 Readtheprospectus Race 7 Tapitry Race 8 Speeding Comet Race 9 Rally Cry

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 20, 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: 51 fours 31 sixes

Today’s Quiz:

What was the highest stand made by the SL open ers in the recent WI/SL T20 series?

What was the highest stand made by the WI open ers in the recent WI/SL T20 series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 20, 2015

Daniel Wilson departs for MLS try-out with Sporting Kansas City THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday sponsored the airline ticket for the National U23 and Alpha United Captain Daniel Wilson, to attend a try-out with Major League Soccer (MLS) club, Canadian Football Hall of Famer Alex Bunbury Sporting Kansas City. selected the two based on the talent exhibited thus far The 22-year-old Wilson in their young careers. will join Slingerz FC and Sporting KC has inDominican International vited them to their ‘invite Julian Wade at the threeonly’ three-day trials from day try-out in an attempt to November 21 - 23. become the second GuyaWilson and Wade are nese (after Gregory Richscheduled to arrive in Kanardson) to play in the MLS. sas City on Friday NovemSporting Kansas City ber 20 and if successful, is an American profesthey will receive pre-consional soccer club based tracts and then sign their in Kansas City, Missouri, official contracts during the playing its home games in MLS transfer window in Kansas City, Kansas.

January.

The club competes in The move is seen as a the Western Conference of lifetime opportunity that is the MLS and is one of the expected to open doors for ten chartered teams having other Guyanese footballers competed in the league in the future. since 1996.

This try-out for SportThe team was founded ing FC was made possiby Lamar Hunt in 1995. ble by Guyana Born CaSince moving across the GFF 1st Vice-president Bruce Lovell presents Daniel nadian Football Hall of state line, they have been Wilson with his airline ticket Famer Alex Bunbury, his the only major profession442 Management Agency al sports league franchise to play their home games (USA), Junior Forrester and Next Generation Enin Kansas. tertainment (Guyana).

- GFF buys airline ticket

SANN Sports FUTSAL final at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight THE Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will come alive tonight when the final of the SANN Sports/ Banks DIH FUTSAL Tournament for Ministries and Corporations is staged.

The action starts at 19:00 hrs with two supporting games before the grand finale.

In the night’s opener, Unstoppable Bent Street collide with Sparta Boss, to be followed by a GT All Stars side against the National Rugby team.

The finalists competing for the Trophy Stall Championship Trophy will bring together the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Banks DIH. Both captains expressed confidence at capturing the title which sets the stage for an exciting final.

The final would also offer patrons other side attractions with 007 Promotions’ guest appearance of popular Jamaican artiste POPCORN along with Dan English,

... Banks DIH vs Foreign Affairs

Elliot Vieira basking in Caribbean Champion title

By Stephan Sookram

IN what has been described as audacious performance this year, Elliot Vieira, the Caribbean Superstock champion says that he is still basking in the glory and the honour that come with the title.

Vieira, who last Sunday solidified his spot as the youngest Superstock Champion of the Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA) said, “At the moment I’m still celebrating my achievement.”

He continued, “Presently the CMRA (Caribbean Motor Racing Association) is working on the new rules

Elliot Vieira waves the chequered flag as he comes around the gooseneck (Rohindra Mahase Photography ) for 2016 and from that we would know how to set the bike up accordingly.”

Coming home to South Dakota, the young Vieira steeled his mind for a fight, adding, “I was aware that my cousin Steven was fourteen points ahead of me so the plan was to win all CMRC races to win the championship.”

However, the elder Vieira, Stephen had incurred some injuries prior to race day making it difficult for him to race, but Elliot noted, “My mind set was still the same and in order for me to win the championship I had no choice but to win all three races.”

Looking back on a positive year, Elliot described his most memorable race as, “Without a doubt which would be the first race in Barbados when I broke the lap record,” adding that the performance there really gave him a special feeling.

In the end, he heaped praise on his father Wayne, a former Caribbean and Guyana Champion, as well as the members of pure racing in Andy Phang, Jimmy Tempow, Charlie Godfrey, and Kieth Premdass, as well as Clive Nig-a-kien.

Vieira produced the ride of a lifetime to be crowned the youngest CMRA bike champion ending with 161 points, clear of Stephen’s 143, and Matthew Vieira’s 100 points.

Former West Indies ...

Captains of tonight’s FUTSAL final holding the Trophy Stall sponsored winners’ trophy; at left is Kerwin Clarke of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at right, Phillip Rowley of Banks DIH. At extreme left is Ramesh Sunich Managing Director of Trophy Stall, and far right is Tournament Organiser Esaun Griffith Quacy ACE and other local artistes. According to a press release, part proceeds from the

gate receipts will be donated to the Cancer Institute in the fight against Breast Cancer

and raising awareness.

Admission to tonight’s final is $1,000. (Ras Wadada)

From back page pillars of discipline and hard work.

“Tonight is about prize giving and I’m sure you all enjoy ceremonies such as this one. It is a very important occasion which comes from hard work, application and success and they are being rewarded. I want to congratulate all of you individuals and teams receiving awards here tonight,” the former Guyana and West Indies cricketer noted.

Harper called on those teams who fell just outside the awarding region to use this as fuel to get into the top spot.

It was an EASY victory by the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) after they defeated the Guyana Defence Force by an innings and 66 runs.

Captain Leon Johnson in giving the vote of thanks conceded that the competition was tough but they managed to come out on top.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Daniel Wilson departs for MLS try-out with story Sporting onSeepage 31 Kansas City

Lady Jags to play Reggae Girls in ‘must win’ game today See story on page 28

The Lady Jags during the playing of Guyana’s Anthem before their game against Puerto Rico

Former West Indies captain calls for more sports in schools

FORMER Guyana and West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd says that the school system needs to undergo a major revamp in the way sport is administered.

Acting as the keynote speaker of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) prize-giving ceremony for the Hadi’s World two-day tournament on Wednesday evening at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion, the former West Indies legend added that these changes are important.

“The Government of Guyana should seek to elevate the level and quality of all sport programmes in schools across the country and make it an important part of the school’s curriculum,” said Lloyd, who was also known as the Super-cat.

He continued, “There is an abundance of young men and women, from every race and creed with immense mental and athletic abilities who could be trained to compete. In my opinion, the difference between these young men and women and, let’s say, a Usain Bolt, etc. is the lack of proper training facilities - state of the art facilities - and the lack of professional coaches.”

Lloyd’s comments were echoed by the President of the GCA Roger Harper. He noted that the key factor behind the GCA’s ongoing tournament drive is its belief in the See page 31

Members of the Hadi’s world two-day tournament winners GCC standing with officials of the GCA and former West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd (Delano Williams Photo)

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015