Chronicle 12 21 2015

NO SIN CITY No. 104408

MONDAY DECEMBER 21, 2015

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– Mahdia pushes for agri diversification

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These lovely ladies from the National Dance Company gave a moving performance to the tune “Carol of bells” last evening at the re-enactment of the Christmas Story at the National Park (Ministry of the Presidency Photo)

Nageer: ‘Why only 11 women?’

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Shot bus driver Males still succumbs shun teaching 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Nageer: ‘Why only 11 women?’

By Ravin Singh

“WHY only 11,” social activist Sherlina Nageer asked, as she reacts to President David Granger’s move to pardon 11 women for Christmas.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Nageer lauded the decision by the Head of State, contending that it “needs to be done more often”.

Nageer, who has been at the forefront in the fight for equality and women’s rights, told this publication that, in some instances, both men and women are un-

President David Granger

justly imprisoned for petty, non-violent crimes, while the “bigger fishes are left to walk free”.

Guyana Bar Association President Christopher Ram

Women’s rights activist Sherlina Nageer

These petty “criminals” she said, especially women, are driven to commit illegal acts out of economic des-

peration.

“When they are jailed, their children and families suffer even more, and society ends up paying an even bigger price down the line.

This is not justice at all,” she contended.

She also contended that the sentencing system needs an overhaul.

“There are no standards; magistrates operate willy-nilly. Also, more needs to be done to prevent folks Turn to page 10 ►

NO SIN CITY 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

– Mahdia pushes for agri diversification

By Svetlana Marshall SIGNIFICANTLY hit by the drop in gold prices, it is believed that the time has come for Mahdia, the economic capital and commercial hub of the Potaro/ Siparuni expanse of Region 8, to diversify its economy.

For approximately 131 years, Mahdia has been highly dependent on the mining of gold and diamonds. In fact, the community was established in 1884 by ex-slaves who had travelled from the County of Berbice and the East Coast of Demerara in search of gold.

Like other mining communities, Mahdia is presently struggling to keep its head above the proverbial rough economic waters as the price of gold continues to dip.

After peaking at US$1,921.11 an ounce on the world market in September 2011, the price of gold fell to as low as US$1,180.50 in June 2013 -- the lowest price since 2010. Today, it stands at US$1,064.96.

Looking ahead, renowned businessman Roger Hinds, fondly known as the ‘Godfather’ of Mahdia, said the time has come for Mahdia -- and Region 8 in general -- to invest time and energy into development of the agriculture sector.

Formerly a miner, Hinds has moved to capitalise on the tourism, hospitality and food sectors, and is today the owner of a gas station in Linden, Region 10, besides two hotels, restaurants and a grocery store in Mahdia.

Juan Hunter, Coordinator of the Mahdia Group, said the community now has to

see itself as a “regional agricultural distribution and processing hub.” In order to achieve economic stability and sustainable development, Mahdia must turn to agriculture, he posited.

L Bell, who has been living in Mahdia for more than 40 years, is now into farming, after having spent years in mining for gold. At Maikwak, approximately 20 minutes’

L Bell was once a miner, but is now a farmer

travel from Mahdia, Bell and his brother are cultivating strawberries.

“We are now planting strawberry in Maikwak, and soon we will be looking for markets,” an optimistic Bell disclosed.

CHANGE IS NECESSARY According to him, the community will crumble if it continues to depend heavily on the mining of gold and diamonds. “We have to move away from mining, maybe in the next five years; but if we continue this way, what will we have to mine?” Bell rhetorically asked the Guyana

Maphilda Leonce and her close friend, Jennifer Alphonso, were both miners in their earlier years

Chronicle.

“I see now we are importing plantain chips and potato chips from Trinidad. Why do we have to import these things? Why can’t we package plantain chips and potato chips right here in Mahdia and sell to the rest of Guyana?” he asked.

The establishment of food processing plants and garment and furniture factories were among the ideas placed on the table by Bell. But he said government cannot do it alone, and he called on private investors to pump their financial resources into the development of Mahdia – a community identified by the David Granger Administration for township status.

But in addition to development of the agriculture sector, Bell said government’s intervention is necessary at this stage to salvage the community, which has been ruined by prostitution, unemployment, and a poor education system.

Like many other residents, Bell bemoaned the lack of a technical institute in the area.

“The Government (has) to try and do something…

Mahdia needs a technical institute, so that the young men and women of Mahdia can learn a trade; they can become electricians, carpenters, technicians and even engineers.

Something must be done,” he lamented.

He said it is sad to know that Mahdia, a community which has been in existence for more than 100 years, does not have proper playgrounds and recreational facilities.

“We don’t even have a basketball court or a community centre. We don’t have nothing! A simple play field for the children we don’t have,” said a disappointed Bell.

Mahdia’s education sector is in a sad and unacceptable state, Jennifer Alphonso told Guyana Chronicle. Alphonso has been living in Mahdia since 1980, and according to her, “something is definitely wrong” at the Mahdia Secondary School.

“Ever so often we read and hear about schools in Guyana excelling at CSEC, but what is happening in Mahdia? Why they can’t do good?

You want tell me all the children in Mahdia dunce?” Alphonso questioned.

She is of the opinion that

Small-scale mining takes place in Red and White Backdam, Mahdia

many teachers posted at the Mahdia Secondary School are untrained and under-qualified.

“I don’t know if they even have a proper CXC syllabus,” she added.

PRIVATE SCHOOL She said children attending the private secondary school in the area are doing much better than those in the public system. “I learnt (that) the children there are doing better… but there are some allegations against the owners; and if he is found guilty and the government close down his school, what will happen to the children of Mahdia?”

Alphonso asked.

She is calling on the Education Ministry to investigate the state of the education system in Mahdia. She posited that much needed attention is required in this area.

“There is also an influx of prostitutes in Mahdia; the young, old and in-between are coming,” Alphonso added.

Much to her dissatisfaction, she said, women from all parts of Guyana, and even from Caribbean countries, travel to Mahdia to become prostitutes.

“They even have women coming from Brazil and Venezuela,” she disclosed, but made it clear that many of the commercial sex workers are not residents of Mahdia.

“I was so disappointed to see Mahdia being referred to as the Sin City. There are hard-working men and women in Mahdia, so I hope that this image can be changed for the better.”

However, she admitted that some of the young women in the community are turning to prostitution because of

The Roger Hinds International Hotel

the lack of jobs.

“When they leave school, they go in the backdam, be a cook, or wuk in a bar, or tek a man. When they tek the man, if he ain’t from here, he mek two children and gone, and somebody else got to look at them. Life should not be like that,” she lamented.

Parents who are financially capable, and desire the best for their children, are often forced to send their children to Linden or Georgetown to pursue higher education.

Maphilda Leonce, also known as ‘Sister P’, who has been living in Mahdia for 30 years, has said that given the prevailing social issues, the community is in dire need of welfare officers and counsellors.

NEED ATTENTION “We have young boys and girls just loitering, smoking weed and drinking, not going to school; these children

need attention, they need counselling,” Leonce said, as she spoke of her personal experience as a grandmother.

Leonce also complained about the lack of water in Mahdia. She has not been receiving water through her tap for the past three years; other residents have not had water for the past five years.

“We have a water crisis in Mahdia. We would have to pay people for water. A tank of water is $6000, a barrel of water is $1000, and a bucket of water $200,” she explained.

In addition to the lack of water, residents have, for years, been coping with an unreliable electricity system, deplorable roads, and a hospital that ever so often runs out of critical medications.

“We have a long way to go,” she said. “Achieving township status is good, but Mahdia needs real development.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

Delhi gang rapist freed amid protest

Protesters have kept up the pressure as the convicted men appeal Asha Singh, the mother of the victim, was among those detained against their death verdicts in a reform facility in August at a protest testers near India Gate, they juvenile cannot be kept at

THE youngest convict in the notorious 2012 Delhi gang rape case has been released from a correctional centre, his lawyer has told the BBC. Legal challenges failed to prevent the release.

The victim’s parents were among those detained later at a rally.

The rapist, who cannot be named as he was a minor at the time of the crime, was sentenced to a maximum of three years

2013.

The rape and the subsequent death of the woman caused global outrage.

Although the convict is now an adult, he was tried as a juvenile, and has served the full sentence mandated.

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He has now been handed over to a charity, where he will remain because of fears over his safety.

Four adult convicts in the case are appealing against death sentences. A fifth died in prison.

The BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the release has been opposed by many people, including the parents of the victim.

They were prevented from holding a protest rally in central Delhi earlier on Sunday, and when they later joined scores of pro-

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were among a number detained by police, who broke up the demonstration.

The convict’s identity is being changed, and no record of his crime will remain in the public domain, a move that has caused more outrage among many in India, our correspondent says.

A legal challenge by politician Subramanian Swamy to stop the release failed.

A court ruled on the case on Friday, saying: “We agree it is a serious issue.

But after 20 December, the

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a special home as per law.”

Late on Saturday, Swati Maliwal, the head of Delhi Commission of Women, filed a petition to the Supreme Court, trying to prevent the release.

It will hear the case on Monday, but the release went ahead anyway.

Rape victims cannot be named under Indian law, but last week the victim’s mother, Asha Singh, revealed the convict’s name at a public rally.

After the release on Sunday, she said: “I just want justice, I want a stay on his release.”

She said the Delhi Commission of Women had filed its petition too late on Saturday. “They might have been able to stop the release if they had tried during the day,” the Times of India quoted her as saying.

Our correspondent says the laws dealing with sex crimes in India have been strengthened since this case began, but many believe this has not been enough to prevent attacks against women. (BBC News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

Cuba, U.S. to resume direct flights

THE governments of Cuba and the United States (U.S.) have reached an agreement for the resumption of regular and direct commercial lights between the two nations.

Josefina Vidal, Director for the U.S. Office of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference that, since Monday, delegations from the two countries “have been holding exchanges in Washington on issues related to civil aviation, and made significant progress in negotiation”.

Work had been carried out on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the

development of commercial flights between Cuba and the U.S., stated Vidal.

In this regard, she said, the two governments finalised logistical and operational details to start flights carrying direct mail between Cuba and the U.S., an agreement signed last week in Miami, which established the implementation of a pilot plan “that in the future could turn into a permanent programme,” she underlined.

While making an assessment of the year that has elapsed since the announcement by Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama on December 17, 2014, signaling

Rubis accused of exploiting Jamaicans

THE Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) is accusing Rubis of exploiting Jamaicans, and is pressing the multinational oil marketing company to stop issuing one-year franchise licences to local service station dealers.

The association says the contracts are “not bankable” and therefore deny many dealers from accessing credit for working capital.

And it’s further demanding an apology from Rubis, “for the callous, high-handed and disrespectful manner in which it has treated its dealers, who have for many years carried on the business of petroleum retailing at these previously branded Shell sites”.

In a statement issued to the media, the JGRA said Rubis has been dismissive of attempts to engage in dialogue to resolve the dealers’ concerns.

“Only last year, the company brought the country to the brink of disruption in the petroleum trade, and has since not made enough effort to resolve the contentious issues between itself and its dealers. To aggravate the tension, Rubis has imposed strategies over the last year which have forced dealers into greater economic hardship,” the association said.

The JGRA is accusing Rubis of exploiting Jamaicans due to the non-existence of Fair Contract Laws, the deficiencies in the Fair Competition Act, as well as a weak legislative framework to protect petroleum retailers and motorists from the excesses of oil marketing companies.

“There is no evidence that Rubis has the interests of the people of Jamaica at the centre of its business strategy in Jamaica. On the contrary, there is evidence of scant regard for its dealers, the institutions of government, and the general motoring public,” it said.

The dealers have asked that the government, in the national interest, pay close attention to Rubis’s operations, and take whatever actions are necessary “to mitigate the risks of disruption in the very sensitive petroleum trade”.

“The sacrifices of the Jamaican people to achieve the economic gains over the last few years should not be sacrificed on the altar of a multinational oil marketing company,” it said.

“We further urge the government to immediately implement a licensing regime for oil marketing companies, which will sync with the interests of the people and government of Jamaica, be beneficial to all stakeholders, and which will result in stability and growth of the petroleum sector.” (Caribbean360)

the formal beginning of the process towards the normalisation of relations, Vidal pointed out that significant advances have been achieved that mark the difference in bilateral relations.

On the diplomatic and political levels and of bilateral cooperation, significant progress has been made, said Vidal, who highlighted the different stages things have gone through this year, with the re-establishment of diplomatic relations on July 20, the reopening of embassies, the high-level visits, and the two meetings of Obama and Castro in Panama and New York.

Among notable milestones of the last 365 days was the removal of Cuba from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

The diplomat also recalled the increase, compared to previous years, of cooperation

Director, U.S. Office of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal between the two governments in areas of mutual interest, such as air and aviation security, maritime and aeronautic search and rescue, the struggle against drug trafficking, against the smuggling of emigrants, migratory fraud and illegal emigration.

Likewise, she said that new areas for bilateral cooperation have opened, and highlighted the protection of the environment, exchanges on maritime-port security, the

implementation and enforcement of the law, and issues related to health.

She also stressed the importance of the talks initiated on climate change, mutual compensations, hu-

man trafficking and human rights, and said that although it is an area of “profound differences”, they were developed “on the basis of respect and reciprocity”. (Caribbean News Now)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Marijuana and cultural recognition

MORE than often, when one hears mention of marijuana, almost instantaneously words such as ‘criminal’ and ‘illegal’ jolt the mind.

Perhaps for good measure, since use of the drug is illegal in Guyana. But how many know of cannabis, aside from it being a forbidden substance here?

Despite cultural differences, ethnic marginalisation and economic inequalities, the ancient plant, which many believe has its origin in the East or Asia, has been used by people of practically all cultures.

The spread of the herb can be attributed to the movement of people, and generally, it was also made a coloniser by the droppings of migratory seed-eating birds.

Marijuana use in Guyana and some countries in the Caribbean is largely identified with the Rastafarian culture, but as mentioned earlier, it was used by other cultures, notably in China, as a medicinal drug from around 2000 BC. Its weaker cousin of the cannabis family, hemp, has a long and illustrious history in China, dating back some 6,500 years.

The strong and durable hemp fibre was used in the manufacture of fishing nets, ropes, paper and clothes.

In fact, the making of clothes from hemp fibre by the Chinese only ceased when they discovered silk around 3000 BC. But there is more to this. It was one of the earliest cultivated food grains in China and archaeologists have found the grains in sacrificial vessels in ancient tombs in that country. It was considered vital food in the afterlife journey.

As the hemp culture flourished in China, surrounding tribes learnt of cannabis, and eventually it was introduced in India by the Aryans.

Unlike China, where marijuana was used as medicine, in India, the people of the South, who are direct descendants of the people of Africa, used the plant for sacramental purposes.

Some scholars believe that the familial relationship between the two peoples is evident in the ritualistic smoking of marijuana by the Indian sadhus, who are followers of Lord Shiva, and the Rastafarians, whose roots are in Africa.

In fact, in the sacred text, Atharva Veda, the herb is referred to as a reliever of stress and anxiety, and according to an Indian mythology, when not abused, it lowers fever, enables sleep, prolongs life, quickens the mind, and sharpens judgment.

Understanding the Green Economy, our role and responsibilities …Part II LAST week’s article dealt with putting the issue in perspective and highlighting how it impacts on the lives of citizens and governments. Building on this, the Green Economy, while in the making for a number of years, the nation and region have experienced a number of elements that today, when put together, seek to realise the required vision.

In Guyana, during the Forbes Burnham administration, there was Sustainable Development targeted towards the nation feeding, clothing and housing itself by harnessing its indigenous resources. This programme was embraced by CARICOM to the point where this country was seen as the food basket for its member countries.

FOUR PILLARS A major plank of the Green Economy is the issue of establishing new industries, but this must be done consistent with international standards and be grounded in the ILO conventions, led by the Core Labour Standards which are considered significant. These standards stand on four pillars: discrimination, freedom of association and collective bargaining, forced and compulsory labour, and child labour.

Over the years, the integration movement has been developed and guided by these tenets emanating from the ILO standards. An exam-

ination of the movement of skills and capital in the Region will show that the Core Labour Standards are being used as the base in guiding legitimate actions of states and treatment of citizens when they move from their country to a receiving one.

CARICOM has also developed generic laws out of this framework. Some of our own local laws have been developed from these standards.

CARICOM nations have, on some occasions, not benefited from international programmes aimed at enhancing workplace rights, which are human rights, simply because the region is seen as relatively more democratic and inclined to embrace international principles and conventions.

Within CARICOM, there exist a number of regional institutions that are set up either to protect fundamental principles or environmental or natural resources. Among them are Caribbean Public Health Agency, Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute.

Conscious of this development, the current, and any future government, needs to take on board governance in an all-inclusive manner.

Already, we have seen establishment of the Ministry of Communities, but while it is welcomed, it must not remain a ministry by name,

The Rastafarians also utilise the herb, not for idling or the wasting away of life, but principally for reasons similar to those of Indian believers.

Though it comes over as odd to many Guyanese because of stigma and popular perception, the cry of the Rastafarian community for legalisation of the herb is not a misplaced one, but any legalisation must restrict its use to avoid abuse.

The Constitution of Guyana guarantees her citizens the right to practice their religion, and as a recognised culture, even though a minority group, the rights of the Rastafarians, like all other recognised cultures, at least should be upheld.

The move to ban smoking in public places and the call for legalisation of marijuana can both work, but both have to be taken in context. The banning of smoking in public places, for all intents and purposes, is a civil act which should be applied to all, but controlled legalisation of marijuana is preserving the constitutional right of a recognised group of Guyanese to

but must be defined, refined, and developed to meet the needs in pursuit of building communities, rather than handing out house lots and distributing water.

For this ministry to realise its true potential, it requires working with a strong national planning unit which takes into consideration every facet in the society, and it must be able to put together an implementing programme wherein it can guide each ministry in putting the strands together in realising the national goal.

PEOPLE-CENTRED The shift towards the Green Economy is clearly a people-centred programme.

As such, it requires rules and laws established on universal principles, which must be adhered to at all times. Guyana has two pieces of progressive legislation in the form of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Trade Union Recognition Act. In both cases, these laws are there to protect workers from being exploited by unscrupulous employers.

The former Act seeks to protect the physical wellbeing of the worker, and the latter guarantees the worker the exercise of his/her fundamental freedom and right to a trade union of choice and to collective bargaining. Having seen these pieces of legislation at work, it requires constant State intervention to ensure adherence and respect by both

the employer and employee, since final responsibility of answering for the conduct of business rests with the State.

It should be said that while government is a country’s largest employer, it shoulders a greater responsibility for upholding laws, since, in doing so, government not only sets the tone for how other employers will uphold their responsibility and treat with workers, but shows recognition that such is an important prerequisite for a stable industrial climate, the success, trade and development of society. This is an area where the Government of Guyana must treat with seriousness, and of which members of the society must accept no less.

Unlike past economic models, the Green Economy is premised and guided intensively by laws, rules, international conventions, charters and commitment. And whereas the recently-concluded Climate Change Summit may not have come out with binding agreements, the commitments given for saving the planet, even though self-regulatory by countries, are to be upheld. Such commitments are based on the understanding that scientific evidence having given rise to concerns about the state of the planet, saving it means it is about saving the people.

To be continued….

practice their religion.

The medicinal use of the drug can also be developed for commercial purposes, and the sentencing of offenders with small quantities of the drug can be revised.

Putting youths away in jail for three years for possession of the substance does little to reform them, since many who were imprisoned for that length of time have come out as hardened criminals.

It would be far wiser to ease the expense burden of the State by sentencing these persons to community service, which in effect is not a wasteful punishment, but a step in the right direction in supporting the wider effort for a clean and green Guyana.

However, by all means, any legalisation of marijuana should not be without restrictions, as anything to the contrary would be the equivalent of courting the devil to promote mental retardation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

Wakenaam residents get Shot shop keeper in improved ferry service critical condition

RESIDENTS of Wakenaam are now benefitting from improved ferry service following a return visit to the island by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

Minister Ferguson paid the visit on Friday, a week after she had made an initial trip to the island. During the first visit, she visited several sites on Wakenaam and interacted with both officials and residents.

Residents were particularly vocal about what they deemed substandard service at the Wakenaam stelling.

Following these concerns, Ferguson indicated to the residents that she would return to the island shortly, along with officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. She delivered on this promise last Friday and was accompanied by officials, including the General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marcelene Merchant, and T&HD Traffic Manager Stephan Skekel.

The meeting took place at the Wakenaam stelling.

During the meeting, residents again emphasised that there was need to put a proper system in place to ensure a better service. They highlighted issues and problems they had experienced

Some of the concerned Wakenaam residents who turned out for the meeting with Minister Ferguson and T&HD officials as recently as last week. ternative was too expensive, Parika, rather than make a Among the complaints were even for those with small stop at the island of Leguan. erratic service, long waiting families.

This, it was agreed, would time and unprofessional Several residents then save much time for the resibehaviour on the part of provided suggestions on how dents of Wakenaam.

T&HD staff. the situation could be rectiFurthermore, Ferguson “It’s not fair for us to sit fied, indicating that if a fixed indicated that T&HD Generon a ferry for hours, and this schedule is in place, regard- al Manager Merchant would is happening very often,” a less of the time, they would speak with the technical resident said. make themselves available. persons to determine how to The man, a driver by These suggestions were cut the travel time. She said profession, further said that noted by Minister Ferguson too, that the professionalism he has eased up working and the officials, and after of T&HD employees would due to the ongoing situation. brief discussions, a solution come under scrutiny.

However, he emphasised was put forward. The min“If employees of T&HD that he has no other job. ister said that an extra day, cannot adhere to what they “Nobody wants to turn Monday, would be added are supposed to do, then up and hear the time change to the ferry service to Wak- somebody will have to feel or the boat ain’t coming,” enaam. the brunt of it,” Ferguson another resident chimed in.

Moreover, it was decid- said, adding that those Others complained that ed that the ferry would go who do poor jobs will be using speedboats as an aldirectly from Wakenaam to disciplined.

Shot bus driver succumbs THE bus driver who, days ago, valiantly tried to save his passengers from being robbed despite being shot, died late Saturday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Dead is 38-year-old Jermaine Burrowes, of Lot 53 West Road Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who, last Tuesday around 22:00hrs, prevented armed bandits from entering his bus and robbing his passengers by driving away.

The father of one, who was a minibus driver for over 15 years, leaves to mourn seven siblings and a community that saw him as a loving and exceptional human being.

A neighbour of his, Sukhai Singh, spoke glowing-

Dead: Jermaine Burrowes ly of him, noting that he was never a talkative person, but a cool and easy-going man.

“Jermaine was an angel; he was very kind. He was always a good boy; not like others,” the 74-year-old said.

“I watch him grow up,” she said. “I know his father and family. He was such a

decent young man. It’s very sad, imagine I can’t even eat, it bothers me.”

Other members of the village supported what Singh said; they all agreed that Burrowes was not only likeable, but a very special person.

One of his sisters, Abeana Bagot, described him as hardworking and full of potential, noting that family members are totally amazed that he had met such a cruel end.

“He was driving that bus and tried saving everybody from being robbed; that was the type of person he was.

Now he is no more,” Abeana said.

Burrowes was shot during an attempted robbery on a minibus he was driving along the Liliendaal Railway Em-

bankment on December 14.

The bus was on its way to Georgetown when the incident occurred.

He was shot in the abdomen shortly after picking up passengers at the Giftland Mall at Liliendaal, ECD. Reports are that even though he was bleeding profusely, Burrowes yet managed to drive his vehicle for a short distance before veering into a trench at Blygezeight Gardens, ECD. He was subsequently rushed to the GPHC, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Police are continuing investigations with the aim of apprehending the bandits who killed Barrowes.

A MELANIE Damishana shopkeeper was shot and critically injured following a robbery at his East Coast Demerara home on Saturday night.

According to the police, 50-year-old Lebert Thomas, a father of five, was confronted by two men in his yard at Cinema Road, Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara around midnight on Saturday. He was shot to his abdomen by the men who later escaped.

T h e m a n ’s m o t h e r, Yvonne Isaacs, who lives with Thomas, told this newspaper at the scene of the robbery yesterday that her son is in a critical, but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

She said her son, known to many as “Lebee” and “Keptado”, complained of pains in his side yesterday, but he has experienced similar injuries in the past following attacks, as she expressed optimism about his condition.

Saturday night was the second time in two months that Thomas was attacked.

The man’s worried mother recounted that on Saturday night, Thomas was preparing to visit a female acquaintance when he was attacked by two men. She said that the man spoke to her shortly before he left the house to go to his car, but since the volume of TV was high she could not hear what was occurring in the yard.

“He go out the yard and was by the car in the yard and I heard a loud bang and soon after he come in the door and said he got shot,” Isaacs said.

She said that after her son was wounded, she handed his car keys to a neighbour who came to their assistance and Thomas was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Surgery was performed on him soon after and he was admitted to the ICU as the night progressed.

OTHER ATTACKS Isaacs said that her son has been operating his shop for almost 25 years at the corner where the Cinema Road intersects the East Coast Demerara Public Road.

She said some 17 years ago, her son was shot close to his groin when he was attacked while at his shop. At the time the shop was on the opposite side of the road. Sometime after, he was attacked again by several men, one of whom shot him in the region of his groin. Earlier this year, he was stabbed by two men who attempted to rob him at

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Lebert Thomas his shop.

“Then two months ago he lost a lot of blood when they used an ice pick and stab him, I just fed up and as long as the police don’t stop these boys, this thing will continue,” an agitated Isaacs stated.

A brother-in-law found a shell casing and a live round in the yard where the incident occurred, leaving the family to believe that Thomas was lucky to be alive yesterday. In addition, a resident of Cinema Road saw two young men, one he described as being tall and the other short, running through the street shortly after the gunshot was heard at Thomas’ residence. However, his mother said he does not have any issues with anyone as she pondered why he was a prime target for intruders.

She said that Thomas had applied for a firearm licence on several occasions, but his applications have been unsuccessful.

TEEN PURSE SNATCHER Meanwhile, a 15-yearold lad was apprehended near Coop Cresent in Linden on Saturday night after he snatched a young lady’s bag.

The police said around 21:30 hrs that evening, Nazeema McLean of Rainbow City, Mackenzie was at Co-op Cresent, Linden when the teenager snatched her handbag containing her valuables, including her cell phone, house keys and cash.

He attempted to escape but public-spirited persons in the vicinity pursued him and handed him over to the police.

The stolen articles have been recovered, the police reported.

And in the city Saturday morning, a police ‘Operation Dragnet’ patrol stopped and searched a man at Princes Street and found an unlicensed .32 revolver and 19 matching rounds in his possession.

According to reports, the suspect was previously charged with unlawful possession of another firearm in June this year and that matter is before the courts.

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Christmas spirit in Rose Hall Town FIRST Lady Sandra Granger yesterday joined residents and members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club to launch their first ever ‘Christmas Village and Christmas Tree Light-up’ at the Rose Hall Town Primary School, in Region Six, East Berbice.

The First Lady praised the initiative, noting that it captures the true reason for the season as well as advertises the local producers.

“I want to commend the club and the management for this novel idea.

I want to commend them also for acknowledging and recognising the importance and reason for this season -- that Christmas is about the birth of Christ, about hope, about sacrifice; and that is why we are joyful at Christmas. I also want to thank the club for bringing out the commercial aspect in collaboration with the Minister of Tourism. I hope ‘The Christmas Village’ can be a happy birthday in years to come in Rose Hall,” the Ministry of the Presidency quoted the First Lady as saying.

She also recognised the efforts of the students from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Training Centre, who pooled their skills and creativity to make the entire Christmas tree from recycled plastic bottles and other materials.

“I commend the ingenuity of the GuySuCo trainees, with their sustainable Christmas Tree which is both imaginative and environmentally friendly,” she said.

Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes, also attended the event.

First Lady Sandra Granger and Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes, enjoying the Christmas Village presentation in Rose Hall Town, Berbice

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the GuySuCo Training Centre employed considerable ingenuity to create ‘The Sustainable Christmas Tree’, which was made entirely from recycled materials

First Lady Sandra Granger (first right) flips the switch to light the Christmas Tree, as Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes (first left), and another representative wait with eagerness for the lights to come on

Roraima Airways spreads Christmas cheer LOCAL carrier, Roraima Airways, in keeping with a 20-year tradition and in the spirit of the Christmas season, on Saturday feted the indigenous village of Santa Mission in grand style.

This event, which was started in 1994, has become one of the major Christmas activities of the villagers.

Addressing the jolly occasion, company representative Dellon Murray, said the party this year was the biggest.

“Today (Friday), we added 20 more gifts to the usual 60 we distribute annually. Those gifts cater for children between the ages of four to 12 and are presented by our Santa Clause. Apart from gifts give away, food, drinks and entertainment are also provided with Santa Clause, our main attraction.”

Roraima also sponsors the refurbishment of the Santa Mission Primary annually, in the month of August and source books for the school’s library.

Upon arrival at Arrow Point, the children sang a Christmas song for the staffers of Roraima Airways, after which they went on a hunt to find Santa, as they do every year.

After finding Santa, the children were presented with gifts, and participated in a number of activities before having lunch with the goodly gent.

Murray disclosed that it is important for the company to give back to the community and, most of all, the children, because it is a joy for the company to be able to put smiles on faces of numerous children every year.

A child collects his gift

Santa sharing a moment with the children

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Prime Minister attending Mercosur summit

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay for the 49th Heads of States Summit of Mercosur which opens today.

Guyana is being represented by Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Waddell.

This country is an associated member of the South American trade bloc.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister was a guest with foreign ministers and ministers of finance and trade at a luncheon hosted by Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga.

According to Pan–Latin American terrestrial and satellite television network TeleSUR, this will be the bloc’s first meeting since Argentina and Venezuela’s recent elections, which saw right-wing parties come to power for the first time in years, changing regional dynamics.

Leaders from all of the participating nations have confirmed their attendance at the conference, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Venezuela and Paraguay.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet will also attend, in attempts to strengthen regional integration, even though Chile is not an official member of Mercosur.

This will be the first Mercosur -- or Common Market of the South -- meeting since Argentina’s general election, which saw Mauricio Macri and the right-wing Republican Proposal (PRO) party take power, TeleSUR reported.

ELEVEN mothers received the best gift from President Granger this Christmas - the gift of compas-

sion - following his decision to pardon those women (who committed non-violent, non-cocaine and non-human trafficking offences) and have them home in time for the holidays. Unlike the previous such move, in which he pardoned 100 male prisoners for non-violent crimes, this move was met with much warmth and approval by the public. Could it be because they were women? Or perhaps, it is easier to be compassionate towards mothers? Perhaps it’s a bit of both, but either way, this got a thumbs up all around.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo flanked by host Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga (right) and Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira at the luncheon hosted by Minister Loizaga

It said the elections are expected to cause a shift in the bloc’s dynamics, in which most countries involved have left leaning democratic governments, with close ties to Venezuela.

Macri has already presented some challenges for the trade bloc after he promised last month to expel Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro from the group.

Macri, who is a known friend of Venezuelan opposition members, claims President Maduro is wrongfully jailing opposition members.

The Argentinian President is expected to hold firm on his stance against President Maduro, since the Venezuelan President and the ruling United Socialist Party

of Venezuela lost control of the National Assembly in elections earlier this month.

Some of Macri’s national policies may prove to be conflicting with the Mercosur trade bloc. In his short time in office, he has already decreased export taxes and changed import rules in Argentina in order to open up the South American country to foreign companies.

South American leaders today are expected to discuss ways to facilitate stagnant intra-regional trade, which may involve reducing trade barriers and advanced integration mechanisms.

Some of these include discussing trade possibilities with other mega blocs such as the United States,

the European Union, China, Russia, Southeast Asia and India, according to reports by Diario Bae. Mercosur’s full member states are also supported by six associate nations from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana and Suriname.

Collectively, the group has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$4.58 trillion, and is home to some 275 million people, almost 70 per cent of South America’s population.

The Mercosur trade bloc has its roots in the 1991 Treaty of Asuncion, when the nations of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay set up a common market to ease tariffs and spur commerce.

Electricity upgrade for Mahdia, Port Kaituma A CONTRACT has been awarded for the procurement of two electrical transformers; one is destined for Mahdia, in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), while the other is for Port Kaituma in the Barima/ Waini district of Region 1.

Electricity services provided to these two hinterland communities need upgrading.

The supply contract was awarded to Tels Engineering Services under the Ministry

A Christmas Gift

of Public Infrastructure’s Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU).

The contractor has to procure the items from Howard Industries of the USA at an approved cost of $973M. Head of the HEU, Horace Williams, explained that the two new transformers will, in time, render the ones currently serving the two communities redundant.

He said that, at the moment, there is only one transformer in place in each of the

two communities, and if either or both were to break down, then both communities would be completely out of power.

“The idea,” he said, “is to bring in these two new ones to work as backup, so that when they are installed, the residents can continue to receive service without disruption in the event of any breakdown.”

The two new transformers are expected to arrive by mid-March next year, Wil-

liams said, as he explained that their delay is because they are not shelf items.

“They have to be built from scratch (and) according to our specifications, so the seller will send us the designs and drawings. We, in Guyana, have to approve of them first, and only then can they be built and sent to us,” he explained.

Delivery is expected 16 weeks after signing of the contract which was awarded two weeks ago.

Disappearing Act So Jagdeo is not the only magician among us, CFO of the Ministry of the Housing Taslim Baksh has performed some sort of disappearing act according to reports, as the probe into the scrap metal trade deepens. But in a strange turn of events, Baksh is actually featured on the front page of the Guyana Times newspaper challenging Christopher Ram’s findings. So the big question is - how far are the authorities really looking? Is he hiding from everyone else except the Guyana Times? Show yourself Taslim, the public is confused.

Lisa for the win!

The country took some time off its political woes to pay attention to the happenings in Sanya, China on Saturday as our local celebrity Lisa Punch continued to sing and shine her way through the competition. After much bated breath, our Queen ended up making it to the top 10 and was featured in yet another solo performance as she was watched by over a billion people. This was easily the most talked about event of the weekend and Guyanese could not have been more proud. This is the second year in a row that Guyana has made it in the top ten at this international pageant. My only concern is for next year’s delegate. Lisa and Rafieya have set the bar super high for her - she better at least make the top ten too next year or don’t come home at all.

Pressure!

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Resurgence in global wood production GLOBAL production of all major wood products is showing its largest growth since the global economic downturn of 2008-2009, according to new data published by FAO. In 2014, growth in wood products, including industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels and pulp and paper, ranged from 1 to 5 percent, surpassing the pre-recession levels of 2007.

The fastest growth was registered in Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Wood industries were among the hardest hit by the recent global economic downturn in 2008-2009. We are seeing now the highest growth of the global wood industries in the last five years, which is important to national economies and the wellbeing and livelihoods of millions of forest-dependent people worldwide,” said Thais Linhares-Juvenal, head of the FAO’s Forest Economics and Statistics Team.

FAO publishes the Statistical Yearbook of Forest Products annually. It aims to provide countries with information and tools to assess the contribution of the forest products’ industry to global and national economies and sustainable development,

and to improve their forest management and forestry policies.

NEW RECORD Production of wood pellets, which are used as fuel, set a new record in 2014, growing by 16 percent over the previous year to reach 26 million tonnes, mainly driven by increasing consumption in Europe. Europe and North America accounted for almost all global production (60 percent and 33 percent

respectively). Europe registered by far the largest consumption (78 percent) followed by the US (12 percent). Trade in pellets from Northern America to Europe (mainly the UK) increased by 25 percent in 2014 from previous year.

Production and consumption of wood pellets in Asia more than doubled in 2014 versus the previous year.

South Korea has emerged as the fourth largest wood pellet importer after the Unit-

Nageer: ‘Why only... from ending up under such pressure in the first place,” the social activist pointed out.

And on that note, she said greater attention has to be paid to financially empower women, youth and other vulnerable groups so as to give them an alternative to the crooked path.

The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) did not oppose the decision by President David Granger to free 11 convicted mothers from prison for the holidays, but it expressed unease about the procedures followed by the President.

On Friday last, during his weekly interview programme “The Public Interest,” the Head of State announced his intention to

pardon 11 mothers who are in prison for minor offences, saying it was “an act of compassion”.

“I don’t see why a 19-year-old should be sentenced to 14 months in prison for stealing a cell phone. I know there are other factors, but I intend to do this every Christmas for young mothers and every Independence Day for young persons,” President Granger said.

This announcement comes some seven months after he had pardoned 60 young persons, also convicted of minor offences.

And that announcement was supported by several bodies, including the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).

From page 2

PROCEDURES However, the GBA had contended that while it supports the principle of pardon, there could be no unqualified endorsement of the President’s action, unless the procedures which facilitate such arrangements were followed.

“As their convictions would have been a matter of public record, it is reasonable to expect that their pardons should also be made public. While the pardoned persons may very well deserve their release from prison, utilising the presidential pardon in such a mysterious manner and without setting out specific criteria is a dangerous precedent,” the association warned.

Additionally, the body argued that what causes

ed Kingdom, Denmark and Italy, helping drive up wood pellets production in many countries in the region, especially Vietnam, China, and Thailand.

Wood pellets have been used by European and other countries, including South Korea and Japan, to meet their renewable energy goals.

The demand for wood pellets as a green energy source has increased significantly since 2008, and is expected to grow as more and more countries

commit to mitigation actions on climate change.

more than a little concern over the pardons by the President was the manner in which they were done.

“As a matter of law, the publication of the names of persons who benefit from a presidential pardon is a necessary corollary to the exercise of such power,” the GBA said.

Following President Granger’s announcement on Friday, the GBA is once again calling for clarification on the procedures employed to determine who would have qualified for this ‘act of compassion’, and whether it should be regarded as a pardon or a commutation of sentence.

According to GBA President Christopher Ram, the body does not oppose this ‘act of compassion by the President’, since he is entitled to do so based on provisions in the Constitution.

Article 188 of the Constitution states, “The President may – (a) grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offence under the law of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; (b) grant to any person a respite, either indefinitely, or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; (c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any person for such an offence; or remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on any person for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the State on account of such an offence.”

Although there are legal provisions to facilitate such an arrangement to free persons from prison, and the President acted within the ambit of the law, Ram observed, there was no clear

SURGE IN PRODUCTION Production and consumption of wood-based panels and sawnwood continues to grow strongly in all regions as well. Global production of panels and sawnwood increased by 5 percent and 4 percent respectively. Woodbased panels was the product category that saw the fastest growth in production, due

to the rapid and consistent growth in the Asia-Pacific region (mainly China, which accounts for 49 percent of global production). Overall, production surged by 62 percent in the Asia-Pacific during 2010-2014, while it grew modestly by 9 percent in other regions over the same period.

Production of paper stagnated in Europe and declined in North America in 2014, but grew modestly in Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

After a slight decline in paper production in China in 2013, paper production and consumption resumed growth there last year, driving the overall growth trend in the Asia-Pacific.

South America has gradually emerged as the world’s leading exporter of wood pulp, with new pulp mills being built in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Last year the region accounted for 30 percent of global wood pulp exports. In 2014, Brazil overtook Canada for the first time as the world’s fourth largest country in fibre furnish production - wastepaper, other fibre pulp and wood pulp used to manufacture paper - after the United States, China and Japan. disclosure as to the procedures employed.

PARDON OR A COMMUTATION He reasoned that it must be known whether this was a pardon or a commutation of sentence, since, in the case of the former, the police would be required to remove from the records the offence(s) which led to the conviction of the person now being freed.

In the case of a commutation, Ram added, the sentence would still be listed in the records despite the person being freed. “If these procedures are not disclosed, then the police would not know how to act,” the GBA President said.

He maintained, however, that this move by the Head of State is not one which the association is opposed to, but there must be clarity on the process and procedures.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Detective, traffic rank cop top honours

By Leroy Smith

THE Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division on Friday rewarded one of its most outstanding and hard-working Criminal Investigation Department ranks, Detective Corporal Derwin Eastman, as the ‘best cop’ of the division.

Constable Kevin George of the Traffic Department was awarded the ‘runner-up best cop’ of the division.

As part of the incentive given for his hard and dedicated service, Eastman received one round trip to Aruba, one round trip to Curacao, one wrist watch, a dinner for two at Duke Lodge, a trip to Arrowpoint Nature Resort for two, and two mobile phones.

For this year, Eastman was able to make more than 300 arrests, which covered investigations into murder, possession of illegal weapons, cannabis, robberies, and break-and-enter offences.

Kevin George, who has five years of service within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), received $100,000, a wrist watch, a trip to Kaieteur Falls for two, dinner at Cara Lodge for two, a Smart television from Courts Guyana, and two wrapped gifts from National Hardware.

Thus far for the year, George has effected 825 cases and was able to issue 536 tickets for traffic offences -- all of which have already been paid by the defaulting drivers.

In addition to the two high-flyers of the division, other senior and junior officers were rewarded with momentary and other gifts for their work in the areas of administration, management, crime-fighting, traffic duties, community liaison and community relations.

Stakeholders who have been facilitating the police in the various communities were also rewarded.

Top Cop Seelall Persaud presenting ‘the best cop’ with a prize sponsored by Gizmos and Gadgets

Courts Marketing Manager presenting the Smart television to ‘the runner-up best cop’

to be the case, as it is done on merit.

He also spoke of an additional 52 ranks who will be posted to the division in an effort to boost its performance under the Operation Dragnet, which is presently ongoing.

The top cop also welcomed the initiative of the Commander for striving to expand the social crime prevention programmes within the division, which would see additional communities within the division benefiting.

He stressed that the issues which continue to affect the division are three main

Commander Hicken presenting a certificate to a stakeholder who has been assisting the division in its community projects

‘A’ Division Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, thanked the ranks for their hard work and dedicated service to the people of Guyana, and encouraged them to continue performing their duties in the best interest of the GPF and the nation.

He advised them to remember that, at all times, they need to be guided by the Standing Orders of the GPF. DON’T BE DISCOURAGE His message to the other ranks who were not rewarded was that they should not be discouraged, since everyone

cannot be at the top of the ladder. He called on them to continue working hard and striving for the best position in the areas they work.

Hicken said it is his hope that, in the New Year, the division would work even harder to promote the Guyana Police Force’s community-related activities and social crime-prevention programmes. He also vowed to ensure that, once he is still in the division in the New Year, the work the division has been doing with the communities would be expanded.

The event was also graced by several senior officers of the GPF administration,

Some senior officers assisting in serving the ranks

including Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud.

The senior officers used the opportunity to serve their junior counterparts with meals, which were prepared by the division’s mess hall.

Also present were various stakeholders, who have been working with the police and, more particularly, the division over the years.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud acknowledged that ‘A’ Division is the most highly tasked division

in the country, and it delivers on its services to the people.

COMMENDATION He admitted, too, that there are lots of demands on the division and its ranks, given the activities which take place within the division, and he commended the police serving within ‘A’ Division for being able to manage.

He spoke of additional resources which were pumped into the division last year, and said that will continue

ones: crime, traffic and noise nuisance, which add to or take away from the lives of ordinary law-abiding citizens.

The Commissioner said those issues will not just die away, but police ranks have got to work very hard to bring them under control and reduce the instances.

In closing, he gave the division a gift of $400,000 for its efforts during 2015, and encouraged the ranks to keep up the good work.

Business Bureau reaches out to Lindeners THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) will mediate with commercial institutions on behalf of registered entrepreneurs so as to enable them to secure special provisions when they take loans.

This was announced when the Linden Chamber of Commerce (LCC), in collaboration with the SBB of the Ministry of Tourism, recently held a sensitisation meeting with current and

potential entrepreneurs.

The meeting to edify participants of the benefits of accessing loans through the SBB was held in the Linden Business Centre.

The special provisions include six per cent discount on the interest rate, and assistance with 40 per cent of the collateral required for the loan, the ceiling of which has been set at $30M. A client who has registered with the SBB will be

given a referral that deems him/her qualified for the subsidised terms.

However, it is important to note that the SBB is not a direct lending institution, but its officials are cognisant of the high unemployment rate in Linden and the stringent criteria to access loans from lending institutions.

Approximately 50 interested entrepreneurs attended the meeting, and immediately registered with the SBB

after being informed of the numerous benefits that the SBB offers. Most of those entrepreneurs said they did not fulfill eligibility requirements to access loans at commercial institutions such as the banks.

The Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) was launched only last week with the mandate to provide financing for entrepreneurs; and an SBB official has said that LEN should not be

deemed to be competing with SBB, as the conditions that obtain at either institution are far different from the other.

For instance, LEN offers direct financing, while the SBB does not. Additionally, while LEN’s borrowing ceiling is $1M, SBB refers persons to borrow up to $30M. During the President’s last visit to Linden, he urged residents to become entrepreneurs, as bauxite production can no longer sustain

Region 10. “LEN has opened a new door for self-employment within the region, as this profession (entrepreneur) encourages one to save,” President Granger articulated.

Many Lindeners have taken the President’s admonition seriously; 40 persons have already received loans from LEN, while 50 others have already registered with the SBB at its last meeting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Night Shelter residents get Christmas treat CORPORATE Guyana stepped in tangibly this week to bring Christmas cheer to residents of the Night Shelter managed by the Ministry of Social Protection.

The Ministry of Social Protection on Thursday hosted a Christmas luncheon for residents, courtesy of the Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO).

The company also donated a hamper, a release said.

Harris Paints donated 20 gallons of paint to repaint the shelter, while Continental Agencies Limited also pitched in with another 12 gallons of Torginol Paint, which helped to brighten sections of the building for the celebration. On Wednesday, Courts Guyana Inc. donated a heavy-duty washing machine to aid with laundry for residents of the shelter.

The Night Shelter provides rest and a meal for the homeless.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, addressing residents of the Night Shelter on the jolly occasion

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, in accepting the corporate goodwill, lauded the entities for their kind gesture and for selecting the Night Shelter.

She reminded the audience that the ministry is not a revenue-generating body, and hence depends solely on

monies provided in the annual budget. This is insufficient to achieve the many things the ministry sets out to do, thus the support from Corporate Guyana is invaluable.

Extending best wishes to the residents, staff and members of the corporate entities present, the minister noted

that this is the season when it is common for people to tangibly express their sentiments; and in this light, the Night Shelter residents must not be forgotten.

“Today’s gesture shows that you are high on our agenda of priorities,” she said, adding “when I came here first, I recognised that this place is not one where humans should be; and so we placed the issues on top of the agenda at the ministry…you are never forgotten.”

The minister has, since her visit, instituted several measures to ensure a massive

cleanup and ‘fix it drive’, to make the conditions at the shelter tolerable. Supporting this drive were Starr Computers and Survival Supermarket, which donated cleaning supplies and toiletries.

Minister Lawrence noted that while gifts are good, it is important that everyone reflect on, and embrace, the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Managing Director of Demerara Tobacco Company Limited, Maurlain Kirton, noted that the company’s contribution is part of its exercise of corporate respon-

sibility, having been in existence for 81 years in Guyana.

“We try to meet the needs of people who cannot provide for themselves,” Kirton said.

Meanwhile, Retail Services Manager of Harris Paints, Nicole Griffith, said her organisation responded to a request from the shelter’s administrator, Sheila Veerasammy, but looks forward to continuously working with the institution to make it more hospitable.

In appreciation, several residents sang songs and carols to entertain the gathering.

Lusignan Learning Centre gets $2M

President David Granger presents a $2M cheque to Administrator of the Good Hope-Lusignan Learning Centre, Annette Roopchand, while Ministers Annette Ferguson and Amna Ally look on

IN keeping with a promise he made to the residents of Lusignan, President David Granger yesterday handed over a $2M cheque to the Good Hope-Lusignan Learning Centre to support its work in 2016.

The President made the presentation during a visit to the centre to spread holiday cheer to children in the community. He was accompanied by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure,

Annette Ferguson.

“This is our commitment to ensure that the work of the Learning Centre continues into the next year. I am very happy with the results that have been coming out of this Learning Centre year after year… as far as I am concerned, this Learning Centre is helping you to help yourself,” the Head of State said.

President Granger also assisted in the distribution of toys to hundreds of children from Lusignan and its

environs, as well as at Buxton-Friendship.

At both locations, he encouraged residents to continue to maintain an atmosphere of peace and goodwill as Guyanese prepare to celebrate Youman Nabi on Thursday and Christmas on Friday.

At the Wilson Gas Station tarmac in Buxton, the President thanked Morris and Jocelyn Wilson, who for several years have been instrumental in ensuring that Turn to page 18 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Males still shun teaching

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) last Thursday graduated 506 teachers, but only 12 per cent of the graduating class were males.

The low number, however, reflected an increase from the nine per cent who graduated last year.

Of the 506 who graduated, 104 were trained in Early Childhood Education, 196 in Primary Education, 192 in Secondary Education and 14 as Technical Instructors.

Additionally, 24 per cent of those teachers were trained in English; 18 per cent in Mathematics; 14 per cent in Pure Sciences, and 13 per cent in Agricultural Science.

Art Education, Spanish, Industrial Technology and Home Economics each recorded less than five per cent of the graduates.

Delivering her report at the 81st graduation ceremony, CPCE Principal Viola Rowe said the college has recorded tremendous successes.

She pointed out that during the period September 2014 to August 2015, the college experienced significant successes under the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project (GITEP), particularly in the area of Human Resource Development.

During this period, lecturers completed intensive training programmes in pedagogical practices in critical areas such as Mathematics, Science, Multi-Grade Teaching, Teaching of Reading and Writing, Guidance and Counselling, English as a Second Language, and Special Education Needs, Rowe said.

Principal Viola Rowe delivering her report at the college’s 81st graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (GINA Photo)

TRAINING “Ten staff members completed studies at the master’s level, while nine members continued to pursue their programme of study. With the exception of one staff member, who received a scholarship made possible by the Government of India, all other staff members received Government of Guyana scholarships through the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Project,” Rowe disclosed.

Significantly, she said, CPCE was able to extend its teacher training access by an additional four satellite centres, set up at Kwakwani, Kamarang, Moraikobai and Charity; bringing the total number of active satellite centres to 17.

These new centres complement those at Mabaruma, Moruca, Port Kaituma, Anna Regina, Vreed-en-Hoop, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town, Bartica, Mahdia, Annai, Lethem and Linden.

CPCE will soon take

The 81st batch of graduates of the Cyril Potter College of Education

the requisite steps to extend the Trained Teacher’s Certificate (TTC) Programme and the Teacher Upgrading Programme (TUP) in areas where those are most needed, such as Kato and Paramakatoi in Region 8; and Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, Berbice in Region 6, she revealed.

Moreover, a plan of action will be designed to attract students to enrichment-skill areas such as Art Education, Music Education, Information Technology, Physical Education and Modern Languages, she said.

The one-year-long Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programme will also be reviewed to accommodate instructors from Business and Science departments of technical institutes and practical instruction centres, and university graduates who are in the schools as untrained teachers, Principal Rowe disclosed.

“Our current Special Education Needs’ (SEN) offering will also be reviewed to make it applicable to the needs of our students. We envision, therefore, adopting the mainstreaming approach in the delivery of teacher education and training for students with special needs.

“Additionally, we project to design short courses to equip in-school assistant teachers of SENs with basic methodologies peculiar to their area of work and interest,” she added.

CHALLENGES Rowe nevertheless revealed that recruitment of part-time staff with the right mix of skills to supervise distance students on their inschool practicum attachment remains a major challenge for the college.

In an effort to reduce the impact of such a shortage, she said, a decision was taken to have full-time staff facilitate the process, thereby allowing students to achieve the required number

of contact hours under quality supervision.

“We also found it challenging to recruit qualified and experienced staff to facilitate the areas of Physical Education, Music Education, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT),” Rowe said. As a result, she said, CPCE was unable to offer those disciplines as specialisation. However, all students benefited from general course offerings in those areas.

14

Squatting on the Plum Park reserve

By Shauna Jemmott

C

REATIVITY is a striking characteristic of the Greater Georgetown community of Plum Park!

A veritable paradise within an otherwise regular community, Plum Park is located at the anterior of Sophia. And though residents have battled victoriously for progress, they are now seeking the hands of government to take them a little further, with new infrastructural installations.

Plum Park is a blessed place. Located near the national exhibition complex, the U-shaped community of just two blocks has more than a hundred households, residents say.

Fertility is widely evident from beginning to end, and as you

cruise the community, kitchen gardens and fruit farms unfold, even amid a number of trees still rooted deep, standing tall within a meadow where sheep and cows spend their days under the watchful gaze of their minders.

ITS ORIGINS One look around the community and one might find it hard to believe how it came into being, and to become the sanctuary it is today.

Plum Park began with Edmond Moore. He and partner, Tyrone Fordyce, visited the block at the front of Sophia, initially to try their hand at farming, but later decided to seek residential accommodation as they became tired of being somebody else’s tenants.

At the time, Moore was renting a house on Duncan

Street, Campbellville, and as his family began to extend, he thought it wise to make more important use of the money he was paying to live there, as additional needs arose within his household.

It was almost a jungle, but Moore and Fordyce, together with a few others who developed an interest in the place, cut down the vegetation, built up the swampy areas and squatted for a while, naming the then newly formed community Plum Park.

Following a few visits to the Ministry of Housing, then government minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey endorsed a proposal for what was then nothing more than ‘a squatting area’ to be legally regularised into a residential community.

Serene Pl GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

“we have a new government; so, we’re kindly asking and calling to the government. As the people who living in Plum Park, to the government of this day, we need help from them; we need road lights… In case of any fire or anything of a serious nature... we walking pon mud; we need help!

Plum Park need help!”

as calm, quiet and cool, but says that now that the area is becoming popular, residents have been forced “to be very careful,” largely due to the lack of adequate street lighting among other security measures and necessities.

“We need good roads; we need lights, good communication, and we good to go,” Jemmott said, adding: “These house lots must be well prepared for people.

People live on these lots for a very long time, and they’re still not regularised. Now that this new government in, we hope that they do something, and that they speed up on it; it’s overbearing, and it’s time they get busy with it.”

Just behind her house is the Plum Park reserve on which many still squat, and are calling out for their own lands, so that they, too, can enjoy the liberty of having their own transported land and legally recognised homes.

GROWING POPULARITY Jillian Jemmott, popularly called ‘Ann’, said she moved into Plum Park two days before Christmas back in 1998.

She describes Plum Park

STILL WAITING One man who has been living on the reserve with his family for 23 years now said that although he’s made several efforts to improve his lot, he’s

Jillian Jemmott shares a joke with a neighbour who is helping her pack up some wood in her yard. Her great-niece Jasmine stands aside

With a few small shops and one big grocery store, residents do not have to travel far for stocks.

Moore, who became the village’s first chairman, explained that the community got its name from the plum trees, which were AMAZINGLY QUIET the dominant species of vegePlum Park is a beautiful place; tation in the community at the an amazingly quiet ‘green’ space. time of its founding.

And if residents were to have their way, and with the government’s help, it will become the idyllic, upscale neighbourhood they’ve always dreamed of.

“At this stage,” Moore said,

lum Park GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

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-- in need of more development

still waiting to be blessed.

“Government can find lands and let houses be built on them... They need to pay their bills; get their things in order; they need to get their transport,” a neighbour of his interjected.

Wynette Jacobs explained that while a majority of the community’s residents work in the public service and other commercial offices around the city, some eke out a living by rearing poultry and cattle, with a little fruits and cash crops thrown in on the side.

Surprisingly, littering is unheard of in Plum Park, as residential compounds and streets alike are kept spic and span, with flower gardening being a common activity.

And while the Plum Park Development Community is fairly young, having only been formed four months ago, its secretary, Trevonne Williams, says that its prime objective is to take charge of things around the community, while that of his colleague youth leader, Leroy Moore, is to make a list of the many things the community still needs, which he feels can be realised with the help of the government.

Plum Park, according to Williams, is separated from A-Field Sophia by two canals, and his group is now positioned to take progress to a whole new level.

“The mission of the group is to develop the area in terms of infrastructure,” he said. “We are trying to put water and proper roads and drainage in place, and are working towards the development of a recreational park.

“One of the objectives of the group is to pursue infrastructural development, and push for the official naming of the area as a city community.”

While residents have done many things over the years for themselves by way of self-help, such as the maintenance of drainage and other infrastructural works, there is no adequate facility to accommodate recreation, though the area has a football team.

Bottom-house school

“We have no community centre; no health centre; no police outpost,” Williams lamented, adding that residents seeking medical attention and such other services have to go all the way to Campbellville, which is some distance away, to get it.

FACILITIES The group has identified an area where the facilities at reference can be erected, which is not far away from the only institutional structure the area boasts.

“The only access we have is to the agriculture school, where students from different schools around the city visit to do practical work,” Moore said.

And while on the subject of agricultural training, he is calling for the restoration of the Guyana National Service (GNS), which he says has always had the capacity to empower youths, equipping them with skills for the workforce.

“Year go, year come, is one thing all the time! We need job creation within the community itself,” Moore said, adding: “It had the li’l national service; now there’s nothing for youths to fall back on. Youths used to establish themselves; learn a li’l trade, so that when they go out in the working arena, they could able to do certain things for themselves, and even build things within the community.

“If government could create something within the community itself, it would be good.”

Moore said while citizens work in unison with “a little self-help programme” cleaning drains, and such, there is no financial assistance, and neighbours have to put together resources to provide meals.

“This place needs development; it needs street lights.

You will find li’l petty robbery in here. Young ladies working and coming home late, nuff of them get rob… and it could be worse... That is why we does keep cleaning up the place on a regular basis. But if we could get help from the government,

it would be real nice.

“When the rain fall, the place does flood and get muddy, but people still go through... But if we could get a proper road and a proper drainage fix for here, it would be really good,” he said, adding: “As a young community, we really trying.”

These three girls were caught by photographer Samuel Maughn dancing along the walkway in Plum Park

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

Star Wars on course for debut record Star Wars: The Force Awakens is on course to smash the record for the biggest box office debut weekend in North America, Disney has said.

Ticket sales are estimated to have made US$238M (£159.7M) - the previous record was held by Jurassic World, which took US$208.8M in June.

The Force Awakens has taken an estimated US$517M (£347M) globally in three days.

That is just behind Jurassic World, which broke the

record with US$525M. Jurassic World had the advantage of opening in China on the same weekend it opened everywhere else, whereas The Force Awakens won’t debut in the world’s second biggest cinema-going territory until 9 January.

The new Star Wars film also set a new opening night record in the US and Canada.

The Force Awakens made US$57M (£38M) on Thursday night - beating the previous record of US$43.5M held by Harry Potter And The Deathly Hal-

lows: Part 2 in 2011.

“Our sole focus has been creating a film that delivers that one-of-a-kind Star Wars experience, and director JJ Abrams, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and the Lucasfilm team have outdone themselves,” Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement.

The film also set a new opening day box office record in the UK and Ireland.

The £9.64M tally beat the previous best of £9.48M set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

The Star Wars European premiere took place in London

Midnight screenings on Thursday morning accounted for £2.4m of ticket sales.

Analysts say the space saga could become the biggest selling movie of all time.

The latest film returns to “a galaxy far, far away” some 30 years on from the

action of 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

It sees original trilogy stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprise their Han Solo and Princess Leia roles alongside younger franchise newcomers. (BBC Arts and Entertainment)

British duo John Boyega and Daisy Ridley take lead roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Monday, December 21, 2015 - 13:30 hrs Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 21, 2015

$83M spent on dental health service

PUBLIC Health Minister Dr George Norton has disclosed to the senior citizens at Uncle Eddie’s Home in Tucville, Georgetown that government had, in 2015, allocated $83,549,000 for dental health services.

He urged them, therefore, to recognise the critical importance of practising good oral health, even as Dr Shameer Ali examined them, and those who so require are set to receive dentures.

“We are, of course, in the most joyous and festive season; and giving back to citizens with specialised health care is by far one of the best gifts,” Dr Norton said.

Oral health, he said, is important, regardless of age.

It is a human right, and is essential to the general health and overall wellbeing of a person. The mouth, he disclosed, can reflect the state of a person’s general health; and equally, oral diseases can have an impact on a person’s general health.

Maintaining good oral health is vital to sustaining general health, and vice versa, Dr Norton disclosed.

“The government recognises the importance (of maintaining good oral health), and as such, had allocated the sum of $83,549,000 in 2015 for dental health services.”

There are 58 public

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton

dental health centres across Guyana, and approximately 90 per cent of the Guyanese population have access to dental health services. The remaining 10 per cent are from mainly hinterland areas, which are difficult to access.

Excluding the batch of dentists who graduated from the University of Guyana in 2015, there are 69 registered dentists, 39 of whom are public practitioners.

Dr Shameer Ali committed to continuing public awareness of the importance of proper oral hygiene.

“We vow to expand our medical outreach programmes, hence making special and frequent visits to homes like Uncle Eddie’s Home,” he declared.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday December 21, 2015

Recruitment Lusignan Learning agency to be Centre ... strengthened From Page 12

EFFORTS are being made to update and expand the operations of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), so that it can better serve the public and contribute to the Administration’s effort to minimise unemployment in Guyana.

The unit intends to expand its services to Regions 1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 with a view of increasing its presence throughout the country. Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, during a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), said that this process would be driven by a survey to determine the true state of unemployment locally.

“We are looking to deal with unemployment in the country; and at the end of our five years, we can give you accurate statistics, because the statistics department is up and functioning.

We are expanding all those departments, so that we can get real numbers; and not just numbers out of the sky, like what was happening.

We ought to have a decent arrangement, and we are talking about transparency, and the government is definitely hoping for that,” she explained.

It is believed that the local unemployment figures are high, and mostly young people are falling into the category

children in that community experience the joy of the festive season.

He also spoke of the

importance of family, saying that it is for this reason that he made the decision to pardon 11 mothers from

the New Amsterdam Prison, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

The women, who were

imprisoned for non-violent, non-drug-related crimes, will be released to their families tomorrow.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes of unemployed. According to Minister Broomes, expanding the role of the CRMA across the country would bring job seekers and job providers into contact with each other.

“We have been placing persons, and we want to place more persons; and now the companies, they are excited. In fact, it was well underplayed.

They never knew that there is a recruitment and manpower section, and lots of Guyanese do not know about it, so they are not going in. So, now, the companies, they are happy to know that they can just call and get qualified persons to fill their vacancies,” Minister Broomes revealed.

The CRMA, traditionally known as the Labour Exchange or Employment Bureau, is the unit within the Ministry of Social Protection that is responsible for the recruitment and placement of human resources, in keeping with vacancies advertised by employers.

A brave little girl engages President David Granger’s full attention, while the others look on, during his visit at the Good HopeLusignan Learning Centre

Little girls queue up to receive a Christmas gift from President David Granger, who was assisted by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, to distribute toys at Buxton

A large crowd gathered at Wilson Gas Station in Buxton to catch a glimpse of the President

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

Mayor Green calls on Corporate Guyana to support sports ––as Boxing Hall of Fame unveiled

GEORGETOWN’S Mayor Hamilton Green on Saturday called on Corporate Guyana to support sports when the Boxing Hall of Fame was unveiled at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Callender Street and Independence Boulevard.

Mayor Green in delivering the feature address at the opening of the Pictorial Archives of some of the greatest Guyanese boxers past and present stated that sports can do wonders for a country and urged more corporate Guyanese businesses to come on board and support sports.

The Georgetown Mayor opined that Guyana has what it takes to win more world boxing titles and that Guyana’s boxing is the best avenue to move forward.

He mentioned that the City of Georgetown has always produced talented boxers and said the initiative by former Guyana and Continental of Americas Welterweight Champion, businessman and boxing enthusiast Maurice Pyle will motivate Guyana’s youths.

Mayor Green emphasised that young people must have heroes to look up to and it is his hope that the initiative inspire Guyana’s young boxers. “They can look up to the Mohammad Ali’s, Terrence Ali’s and even the Michael Parris’s and Andrew Lewis’s.

Guyana Olympic Association’s president K. Juman-Yassin in his address said the venture of establishing the Boxing Hall of Fame is a good one and it is his hope that the young boxers take note of the photographs in the archives and try to emulate those achievements.

According to Juman-Yassin unless boxers and coaches are employed in their field on a full time basis, the sport will remain in the doldrums.

Juman-Yassin congratulated the members of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School’s Steel Orchestra for their fine rendition of music on the historic occasion, and the importance of the project, and stated that he would like to see more Guyanese world champions.

The former Chief Magistrate also emphasised the fact that local boxing is in the doldrums and that boxers need to be taken

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care of.

Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) president Peter Abdool in his brief remarks said the Boxing Hall of Fame is something that should have been done 20-30 years ago to honour Guyana’s great boxers.

“Today (Saturday) is about everyone that contributed to the sport and this includes the boxers, coaches, managers, promoters and officials,” Abdool stated, adding, “It’s a celebration of professional and amateur boxers.”

Guyana Boxing Association president and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Steve Ninvalle congratulated Benjamin on making the Boxing Hall of Fame a reality and pledged his association’s support wherever needed.

The Boxing Hall of Fame had been in the making for the past two years and thanks to Benjamin and Pyle, today it is a reality.

Among those boxers that were honoured in the first phase of the project are: the late Andrew Lewis, Guyana’s lone Olympic medalist Michael Parris, Wayne `Big Truck’ Braithwaithe, `Visious’ Vivian Harris, Leon Moore, Gwendolyn O’Neil, Shondell Alfred, Peter Abdool and Benjamin.

The unveiling of the Hall of Fame attracted a reasonable number of persons, but the majority was from the Albouystown community.

Former Guyana heavyweight champion Pamela London did the honours of cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion.

The project was sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with corporate Guyana.

Among the corporate entities that gave the venture financial and other support are: Abdool and Abdool Insurance, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Ramchand Auto Spares, Dr. Max Hanoman, Modern Optical Services, Germans Restaurant, Attorneys-at-Law Joe Harmon and Euclin Gomes, Claude Raphael Real Estate, Eddy Grant, Lawrence Atherly, Guyana’s Football Federation’s (GFF) president Wayne Forde, Ansa McAl and Phillip Fernandes of John Fernandes Limited.

11:40 hrs Little Acorn CHEMSFORD CITY 10:20 hrs Imperial Aviator 10:50 hrs Etaad 11:20 hrs Supersta 11:50 hrs Cold As Ice 11:20 hrs Bank Of Gibraltar 11:55 hrs Tempuran 12:25 hrs Elle Rebelle WOLVERHAMPTON 12:05 hrs Krystallite 12:40 hrs Innocently 13:10 hrs Flowers Of Venus 13:40 hrs Lucky Lodge

14:10 hrs Hazel Blue 14:40 hrs Roman De Brut 15:10 hrs Hercullian Prince 15:40 hrs Castanea AMERICAN RACING TIPS Philadelphia Park Race 1 Dragon Tattoo Race 2 Decision Point Race 3 Resolute Babe Race 4 Sweet Henrietta Race 5 Kobel Race 6 Trinni Heart Race 7 Broad Lover Race 8 To the Flag Race 9 Mischevious Sophie

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

Barca sweep to another title in one-sided contest

By Brian Homewood

YOKOHAMA, (Reuters)-Barcelona swept to the Club World Cup title by outclassing South American champions River Plate 3-0 yesterday, with Luis Suarez scoring twice after Lionel Messi had broken the deadlock in a one-sided contest.

There was a hint of handball about Messi’s goal, although it did not appear to be intentional, as the Argentine brought down Neymar’s pass and cleverly flicked the ball past Marcelo Barovero.

Uruguay forward Suarez took his tally in the tournament to five goals after his hat-trick in the semi-final win over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, and 24 goals in

as many games this season.

The European champions, fielding six South American players, were especially dominant in the second half when they repeatedly sliced through the River defence looking as if they could score with almost every attack.

Messi, Neymar and Suarez seemed to take it in turns to run at the bewildered River defence and the Brazilian, in particular, over-elaborated in his attempt to get on the scoresheet. › A victory created the unique Barca way, says Luis Enrique The match emphasised the gap between club football on the two continents with nearly all the top South American players

now based in Europe.

River’s team, made up mainly of journeymen with only a smattering of international caps between them, cost around 5 million euros (3.65 million pounds) in transfer fees, compared to an estimated 80 million euros that Barcelona paid for Suarez alone.

Backed by 15,000 fanatical supporters who had made the trip from Argen-

tina, they made a promising start as Rodrigo Mora and Lucas Alario both got into good shooting positions, only to produce weak efforts which were easily saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

“We had a game plan that we executed for 36 minutes until Messi’s first goal, from then on we started to lose our shape,” River coach Marcelo Gallardo told

reporters. “ We ’ r e u p s e t w e couldn’t give the supporters this satisfaction (of winning). “When you play a phenomenal team like Barcelona, you have to recognise their supremacy.”

Messi had already been denied by Marcelo Baravero before scoring the opener, although replays suggested the ball may have touched his arm as he brought it un-

der control.

River enjoyed some possession after halftime, but only until Sergio Busquets sent Suarez clear of the River defence to score the second four minutes into the second half.

The third goal in the 68th minute was a gem as Neymar planted a cross on Suarez’s head and he placed the ball past Barovero.

Finn strengthens England Test credentials with four for 34 PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa (Reuters)-Steven Finn bowled himself into contention for a return to England’s lineup after taking four wickets yesterday on the opening day of the last warmup game before they begin the Test series against South Africa on Boxing Day. Finn was only drafted into the squad last week, but underlined his credentials against South Africa A by taking four wickets for 34 runs at the City Oval.

England bowled out their opponents for 136 runs and scored 64 without reply before bad light curtailed the game and stumps were drawn.

Finn, who was forced out of the Test series against Pakistan in October after injuring his left foot, was flown over to South Africa after impressing for England Lions in two comeback appearances against Pakistan A in Dubai.

His showing on Sunday will have increased his chances of joining James Anderson and Stuart Broad in a three-pronged seam attack for the first test in Durban.

Ben Stokes, who is also making his way back from injury, took three wickets.

England will resume today with Alastair Cook unbeaten on 36 and Alex Hales on 28.

Albion Community Centre Cricket Club AGM set for today THE Albion Community Centre Cricket Club will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, December 21st, 2015, commencing at 16:15 hrs at the Albion Community Centre Main Hall.

High on the agenda will be the President, Secretary and Financial Reports for the year 2015 along with the election of Office Bearers for the year 2016.

Most of the current Executives inclusive of President Pastor Lloyd Kanden are expected to return to office.

The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club is one of the top Club Clubs in Guyana, having copped the Guyana Cricket Board’s “Club of the Year Award” for a third straight year, last Friday.

Barcelona celebrate winning the FIFA Club World Cup Final with the trophy. (Reuters / Thomas PeterLivepic)

Khawaja scores ton in Thunder’s one-run win HAS Usman Khawaja really just missed a month of cricket? The apparent ease with which he compiled a match-winning BBL century for the Sydney Thunder suggested a man who was in rare form, which Khawaja had been in early November when he scored hundreds in back-to-back Tests against New Zealand.

Australia’s selectors will be thrilled that his time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury has not affected his touch.

(Scores: Sydney Thunder 6 for 178 (Khawaja 109*) beat Melbourne Stars 5 for 177 (Pietersen 76, Faulkner 45*) by 1 run) Khawaja is expected to walk back into Australia’s team for the Boxing Day Test against West Indies after his unbeaten 109 from 70 deliveries for the Thunder, an innings in which he showed no fitness concerns after a month out of the game.

He batted through the Thunder innings for his first Twenty20 century as they posted 6 for 178, and in the end it proved enough for the team’s second consecutive win at the start of the BBL - though only just.

Kevin Pietersen nearly led the Melbourne Stars to a remarkable heist at the MCG, where he struck a highly entertaining 76 from 42 deliveries that pushed the Stars close to their target.

They needed 51 from the final four overs but Pietersen drastically reduced the required rate by plundering three sixes off a Gurinder Sandhu over that brought 27 in total, and left

the Stars needing just 27 off the final three overs.

However, in the penultimate over Pietersen skied a pull off Clint McKay and was well caught at fine leg by Fawad Ahmed, which gave the Thunder a sniff once again after Pietersen seemed to

Usman Khawaja scored the first century of his Twenty20 career. take the match out of their hands.

But the renowned finisher James Faulkner remained at the crease and with 10 needed off the last over, Thunder captain Michael Hussey entrusted the responsibility to his most experienced bowler, Jacques Kallis.

Kallis dug the ball in rather than giving Faulkner length, and two runs came from each of the first three deliveries of the over.

But a pair of dot balls followed, including one that Faulkner missed as he tried to scoop Kallis over the wicktekeeper’s head, and he could

manage only two runs from the last ball as the Stars finished one run short of the Thunder, on 5 for 177, with Faulkner on 45.

Andre Russell had given the Thunder a good start to their bowling innings by removing both openers, Luke Wright and Marcus Stoinis, in the sixth over, and he finished with 2 for 28 from his four overs. But the key to the Thunder’s win was unquestionably Khawaja, who was playing his first match in any format since the second Test against New Zealand at the WACA in mid-November, when he suffered his hamstring injury.

He scored runs all around the wicket and his placement was exquisite. He struck 12 fours and three sixes, mostly from regulation cricket shots but also with the occasional touch of T20 flair, such as when he scooped John Hastings for a boundary over the head of the wicketkeeper.

Khawaja brought up his hundred - the first of this BBL summer - from his 62nd delivery, and he was pleased with how his hamstring fared.

“I’m really happy with the way it felt,” Khawaja said. “The test was how it would feel when I went back into the field, backing up, and it felt really good. T he longer I was out there the more I started trusting my body. I was a little bit anxious at the start but the further on I got through the more happy I felt. I’ll keep trying to tick all the boxes and … fingers crossed I’ll be right for the rest of the summer.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

Williamson ton steers NZ to five-wicket win over Sri Lanka

(REUTERS) Kane Williamson scored his fifth century in eight Tests in 2015 to guide New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka before lunch on the fourth day of the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton today.

The victory gave Brendon McCullum’s

Kane Williamson secured victory with his undefeated 108 on the 4th day. side a 2-0 series sweep over the tourists after they won the first test in Dunedin by 122 runs.

Williamson finished 108 not out, taking his run tally in 2015 to 1,172 -- the most by a New Zealander in a calendar year -- at an average of 90.15.

The hosts reached their victory target of

189 with five wickets down, wicketkeeper BJ Watling finishing unbeaten on 13 alongside Williamson and scoring the winning run with a sweep for a single off Milinda Siriwardana.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera took 4-68 to go with his first innings haul of 5-47.

New Zealand held a slight advantage when they resumed on Monday on 142-5 but both sides had the chance to win the match with Williamson always the player most likely to determine the outcome.

The 25-year-old, whose right knee was heavily strapped during his innings on Sunday, resumed on 78 not out with Watling yet to score having faced the final two balls on day three.

Williamson, however, dominated the strike to dash Sri Lanka’s hopes of victory and brought up his 13th test century when he pulled Chameera behind square for his fifth boundary of the day to move to 102.

The shot moved him to 1,166 runs, surpassing the 1,164 his captain McCullum scored in 2014, as well as reducing the target to 20.

Neither side truly got to grips with the wicket throughout the match as short-pitched bowling produced steepling bounce that resulted in numerous mistimed pull or hook shots to fielders in the outfield.

The hosts capitalised on a spectacular collapse by Sri Lanka on Sunday, when they

Windies coach laments stingy tour match in Australia MELBOURNE, (Reu t e r s ) - We s t I n d i e s coach Phil Simmons has lamented a lack of match practice for his embattled team ahead of the second test against Australia.

The C0aribbeans, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after being trounced in the series opener in Hobart, were given only a two-day tour match in the leadup to the traditional Boxing Day test in Melbourne despite having 13 days to fill.

The match against Victoria XI, played in scorching hot conditions in the port city of Geelong against a team of amateurs, also ended early on Sunday due to a downpour.

“When I saw the amount of days in between I asked that we have at least a four-day game,” Simmons told local media after the game ended with the hosts 1693 in reply to West Indies’

first innings declaration at 303-8.

“When the last MOU

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons (memorandum of understanding) came back it ended up a two-day game.

“I would love to have had a four-day game where we could bowl properly and play a proper game, like we did up in Brisbane.

“ T h a t ’s w h a t I would have been happy with... a two-day game is not ideal.”

Victoria state’s top cricketers were unavailable due to their commitments in the domestic ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 tournament, leaving Jason Holder ’s team to play against a grab-bag of players cobbled from local clubs.

“I would have loved a first team but the Big Bash has just started so it was always going to be hard,” Simmons said.

“You’d always prefer to get better games.

“When people come to us now... our A team will always play the visiting team and that’s the sort of competition I would like when we go outside the West Indies.”

The Boxing Day Test starts on Saturday, with the third and final match of the series in Sydney from Jan. 3.

took all 10 wickets for 62 runs either side of lunch to set up their modest victory target.

The two teams now embark on a five-

match one-day series that starts in Christchurch on Dec. 26 before two Twenty20 internationals.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 292 (A. Mathews 77, M. Siriwardana 62) New Zealand 1st innings (Overnight: 232-9) M. Guptill c Mathews b Herath 50 T. Latham c Karunaratne b Chameera 28 K. Williamson c Lakmal b Chameera 1 R. Taylor c Chandimal b Chameera 0 B. McCullum c K. Mendis b Herath 18 M. Santner c Chandimal b Pradeep 38 B. Watling c Vithanage b Lakmal 28 D. Bracewell not out 35 T. Southee c Jayasundera b Chameera 4 N. Wagner c Vithanage b Chameera 17 T. Boult c Herath b Pradeep 0 Extras (lb-3 nb-7 w-8) 18 Total (all out, 79.4 overs) 237 F a l l o f w i c k e t s : 1 - 8 1 T. L a t h a m , 2 - 8 3 K .

Williamson,3-86 M. Guptill,4-89 R. Taylor,5-128 B. McCullum,6-168 M. Santner,7-196 B. Watling,8-201 T. Southee,9-232 N. Wagner,10-237 T. Boult Bowling: S. Lakmal 16 - 4 - 48 - 1(nb-1 w-1), A. Mathews 11 - 7 - 25 - 0, N. Pradeep 17.4 - 4 - 39 2(nb-5 w-1), R. Herath 22 - 1 - 75 – 2, D. Chameera 13 - 3 - 47 - 5(nb-1 w-2) .

SRI LANKA 2nd innings D. Karunaratne c Southee b Bracewell 27 K. Mendis c Santner b Southee 46 U. Jayasundera c Watling b Bracewell 0 D. Chandimal c Guptill b Wagner 4 A. Mathews c Watling b Southee 2 M. Siriwardana c Boult b Wagner 26

K. Vithanage c Bracewell b Wagner 9 R. Herath b Southee 0 D. Chameera run out (Boult, Wagner) 2 S. Lakmal not out 1 N. Pradeep c Watling b Southee 0 Extras (b-4 lb-2 nb-3 w-7) 16 Total (all out, 36.3 overs) 133 Fall of wickets: 1-71 D. Karunaratne,2-71 U. Jayasundera,3-77 D. Chandimal,4-87 K. Mendis,5-110 A. Mathews,6-123 M. Siriwardana,7-123 R. Herath,8-131 K. Vithanage,9-133 D. Chameera,10-133 N. Pradeep Bowling: T. Boult 7 - 1 - 30 - 0(w-1), T. Southee 12.3 - 2 - 26 - 4(nb-1), D. Bracewell 8 - 1 - 31 - 2(nb-1 w-2), N. Wagner 9 - 2 - 40 - 3(nb-1) NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 189 runs) T. Latham c Pradeep b Chameera 4 M. Guptill c Karunaratne b Chameera 1 K. Williamson not out 108 R. Taylor c sub b Chameera 35 B. McCullum c Mathews b Chameera 18 M. Santner c Chandimal b Lakmal 4 B. Watling not out 13 Extras (nb-2) 2 Total (for 5 wickets, 54.3 overs) 189 Fall of wickets: 1-4 T. Latham,2-11 M. Guptill,3-78 R. Taylor,4-130 B. McCullum,5-142 M. Santner To bat: D. Bracewell, N. Wagner, T. Southee, T. Boult Bowling:D. Chameera 17 - 1 - 68 - 4(nb-1), S. Lakmal 12 - 4 - 20 – 1, R. Herath 11 - 0 - 48 – 0, N. Pradeep 12 - 1 - 43 - 0(nb-3), A. Mathews 1 - 0 - 4 – 0.

Watford shock Liverpool, goal-shy West Ham held

By Steve Tongue LONDON, (Reuters)- Nigerian international Odion Ighalo scored twice as a buoyant Watford won 3-0 at home to Liverpool yesterday to consolidate seventh position in the Premier League, only one point behind the top four.

In the day’s other game, West Ham United stayed eighth after a fourth successive draw -- the last three of them goalless -- when they were held by managerless Swansea City, who are still in the bottom three.

The lacklustre defeat by Watford was a bad blow for Juergen Klopp’s side, who would have overtaken them with a win but remained ninth, having taken only one point from three games.

Not since April 1987 have Watford, promoted to the top flight this season, won four successive games at this level of English football.

“It was an amazing victory against an amazing team,” Quique Sanchez Flores, Watford’s manager, told the BBC. Yet the Spaniard was keen not to get too carried away with his side’s progress.

“We should be humble, we have a lot of matches to play,” he added.

“Four wins back-to-back is massive and starts our so-called tough run that everyone’s talking about,” jubilant captain Troy Deeney added on Sky Sports.

“We’re just doing our stuff and people have got to be worried to come here now.”

Deeney and Ighalo have now scored 17 of the team’s 21 goals between them

this season. The captain, who plays just behind his team-mate, offered an insight into their understanding when describing the first goal.

“I was fighting for the ball but I know he’s going to make a run. He makes it easy for me because he’s so quick and strong.”

“I know when he gets the ball, he will play it behind the defence,” added Ighalo, which was just what happened.

The predictability of the move did not please Klopp, who criticised his team’s “bad reaction” to conceding twice in the opening quarter of an hour.

He insisted the first goal should not have been allowed, however, claiming that goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, standing in for the injured Simon Mignolet, had both hands on the ball before Dutch full-back Nathan Ake knocked it over the line.

“I think it’s a foul, it was a wrong decision, but our reaction was really bad,” he said.

“We lost our mind and lost a very easy second goal, when we can defend better.”

That one did not reflect well on centre-half Martin Skrtel, who seemed to have forced Ighalo wide from Deeney’s pass but allowed him to score from a wide angle.

Skrtel limped off before halftime and Divock Origi came on hoping to make an impression as dramatic as last weekend’s when his goal in the sixth minute of added time earned Liverpool a draw against West Bromwich Albion.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

GBA closes off year with Woodpecker presentation THE Guyana Badminton Association presentation for the Annual Woodpecker Products Christmas Singles was held at the Guyana Olympic House on Saturday.

The GBA is extremely happy that Ms. Fernandes continues to support Badminton, bringing this event into the fifth year.

Persons receiving tro-

phies at the Under-11 boys’ singles level were Omar Samad (1st place), George Ramlall (2nd) and Wang & Ethan Biachini (3rd) while at the Under-11 girls’ side, Gabriela Pertab, Emily Choo-A-Fat and Amelia Balram finished in that order.

Yianni Carpenter collected the first place trophy for the Under-13 Boys Ti-

Two more teams axed from GFA knockout-league NEW Amsterdam United and Rosignol United are the two most recent to advance to the next round of the Banks Beer/ Georgetown Football Association (GFA) following wins on Saturday evening at the Monedderlust (#5) ground, West Coast Berbice.

In Game One, the Black Water United side were not able to handle the might of New Amsterdam United, the latter providing a goal-scoring spectacle for the fans in attendance at the #5 ground.

The Jamaul Butts hat-trick (56th, 71st, and 88th) was enough to lead the New Amsterdam side goal-scoring frenzy in the second half, but it was Keon Williams who opened the floodgates in the 28th minute when his strike penetrated the goal-keeper.

He returned in the 33rd minute to add to his goal tally and the team’s second, before Jermaine Samuels 44th-minute strike inserted the demoralising factor.

The second half brought Butts hat-trick and eventually saw Leonardo Adams 89th-minute score ending the proceedings of the game.

In Game Two, the Rosignol United side benefited from some sloppy play and a bit of luck in their match against Cougars FC which ended 3-0.

Shane Gangoo in the 28th minute scored the first goal before Adrian Bess (41st minute) gifted Rosignol their second goal by scoring into his own net.

Cougars situation would worsen towards the end of the game when Jason De Younge in the 88th minute made the same mistake as his earlier compatriot, scoring the second own goal of the game.

Matches continued last evening with Santos FC and Blackpearl FC playing Game One of the evening’s double-header after which Riddim Squad FC faced Houston Stars FC and took the Georgetown Football Club ground. (Stephan Sookram)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 21, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Rohan Kanhai & Ian Chappell (2) WI vs AUST, 1955

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which two made their Test debut against Australia?

Alvin Kallicharran; Tony Howard; Elquemedo Willet; Larry Gomes; Faoud Bacchus (2) Who is the first Australian to make a Test debut ton against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Winners of the GBA’s Woodpecker Tournament pose with their prizes tle ahead of Jadon Oodit, while on the distaff end, Siya Persaud and Sudarshani Sooknarine took the top two spots, and joint

third place was shared by Sarah Samad and Angelie Balram.

Akili Haynes picked up the first place trophy for

the Under-15 Boys Division ahead of Tyrese Jeffrey (2nd) and joint third place in Ransell Ransaroop and Isaac Mallampati.

On the ladies’ end of things, Priyanna Ramdhani and Priyanka Shivnauth picked up first and second respectively.

Madholall among top awardees at Restoration Warriors presentation TORONTO, Canada – FORMER Guyana Chronicle sports journalist Ravendra Madholall was among the top awardees at the inaugural Restoration Warriors presentation, dinner and dance held recently at the Twilight Family Restaurant & Bar, Scarborough here.

Already the recipient for the third highest score in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), Madholall’s aggregate of 415 was also good enough to earn him the title of the Leading Scorer for his club.

So dominant was the E s s e q u i b i a n ’s p e r f o rmance, Navin Misir ’s 252 was a distant second, while Chris Baiju Chandrashekar occupied the third spot with 216, which included the lone century for his team, an even hundred.

Madholall, who also

serves as manager and Public Relations Officer (PRO),

which included a top-score of 92 while Misir also count-

Ravendra Madholall receives one of his awards from club official Jenny Tajpaul. struck four half-centuries

ed three knocks of over 50.

The versatile Madholall also starred in the bowling department, his 11 wickets being just one short of Doodnauth “Chilo” Manbahal who finished the season with 12 while Misir was again in the picture with 10, including a hat-trick.

Apart from the top awardees being presented with trophies, all the players, officials and main supporters were also decked out with medals.

President of the club Naresh Bodo, in brief remarks, praised his players for their fine showing during the season and urged them to continue their great work in the 2016 season.

The OSCL was represented by treasurer Kim Sue, who congratulated the club and players for their fine efforts in only their first season and assured them of the league’s support.

Knicks win fourth straight, Rockets beat Clippers THE New York Knicks claimed a fourth straight NBA win, overcoming a tired Chicago Bulls 107-91 on Saturday.

Carmelo Anthony’s 27 points helped the Knicks to their victory against a Bulls team coming off a four-overtime game against the Detroit Pistons.

Joakim Noah had a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who are 15-9.

Arron Afflalo finished with 18 points for the Knicks.

The Houston Rockets were too good for the Los Angeles Clippers in a 107-97 victory.

Dwight Howard (22 points and 14 rebounds) and James Harden (18 points and 11 assists) had double-doubles.

Blake Griffin had 22 points for the Clippers, but his team were unable to recover after being outscored

38-17 in the first quarter.

Kobe Bryant was sidelined for the Los Angeles Lakers, who went down to the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-78.

Kevin Durant contributed 22 points for the Thunder.

John Wall’s 27 points and 12 assists saw the Washington Wizards past the Charlotte Hornets 109-101 and the Memphis Grizzles claimed a 96-84 win against Indians Pacers.

(Sportsmax,com)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 21, 2015

GABF president makes monetary donation to LABA Christmas Basketball championships THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) through its president Nigel Hinds has responded to a last minute request by its affiliate, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) for financial assistance for the staging of the Malta Supreme Christmas Open basketball championship which is heading towards the final four playoffs.

Beverage giants Banks DIH, through its Malta Supreme brand, are the major sponsors of the annual tournament, but according to the association there was need for additional funding and they approached the GABF who responded immediately.

Receiving the cash donation was the LABA’s Assistant Secretary Ms. Danica Barker-Chase in the presence of Committee Members Shanna Chester and Ashton Angel (Jr.).

B a r k e r- C h a s e t h a n k e d Hinds for the donation and noted the GABF had always been willing to assist the regional body whenever they were asked to do so.

Meanwhile, the GABF boss also took the opportunity to donate two basketballs to the association for use in the championship and made a cash donation of $10,000 to each of the players from Linden who recently played for Guyana against the Antigua and Barbuda All

Star team recently.

Those receiving the stipend were Terron Welch, Michael Turner, Dennis Niles, Harold Adams, Keon Cameron and assistant coach Kevin Joseph, which was a promised appreciation for the sacrifice made by the players, according to the federation president.

The championship is nearing the end of the preliminary round play to determine the semi-finalists set for December 28.

The final game in the round between Retrieve Raiders and Half Mile Bulls will see the clash of the unbeaten clubs who are tied on eight points after winning their four games in the six-team champion ship.

Currently the unbeaten clubs in the Malta Supreme Christmas Open basket all-championship are Retrieve Raiders and Half Mile Bulls, who are battling for the top spot with eight points after winning their four games played so far out of five games.

In the third spot is Victory Valley Royals who also have eight points, but have completed their five games, and Amelia’s Ward Jets are on seven points, being the teams to have reached the final four after Block 22 Flames and Bankers Trust Falcons were eliminated.

The game on Wednesday will determine the top two finishers, as in third

position are Victory Valley Royals also on eight points after completing their five games and the fourth placed side is Amelia’s Ward Jets.

Meanwhile, the LABA Executive Committee will meet tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge to discuss the completion of the current championship and that meeting is set for 19.00 hrs.

GABF president Nigel Hinds makes the donation to Ms. Danica Barker-Chase, with Ashton Angel (Jr.) and Shanua Chester looking on

GABF president makes monetary donation to LABA Christmas See story Basketball on page 27 championships

Mayor Green calls on Corporate

Guyana to support sports

––as Boxing Hall of Fame unveiled

See story on page 23

These photos show some of the better Guyanese boxers (past and present) on display at the Boxing Hall of Fame Pictorial Archive situated at the Andrew `Six head’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Callender Street and Independence Boulavard and which was opened on Saturday.

President Forde speaks of projected plans for football in 2016 … improving the Elite league included

BY RAS WADADA PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde told the media, in his first interaction since assuming the leadership, that plans for next year will be implemented, while assuring that the annual year end football will be regularised.

“We had strong representation from our members and they wanted to have their own tournament. Now our thinking is very simple on the matter. “ Each sub-association should be given the opportunity to raise funds and it is expected that the executives of those sub associations take the initiative to raise their own funds, and if the most lucrative period for them to do those fund raising activities exists in the December period and at year end, then we think it’s only fair to give them that opportunity.

“However, this year, we have made it absolutely clear

to everyone of the Member Associations( MAs) who are running tournaments…they have been given very clear guidelines and one is that we want to see their finances and we have set a date in January. “ It is important for the executive committee to be satisfied that these activities are profitable. We don’t want MAs to be applying for tournaments and at the end they are in the red, they have creditors pursuing us, because as it works creditors will come to the GFF so the tournament they are running must be viable.

“We are also planning to engage all of the sub-associations during 2016 because we believe a more structured approach is necessary for the end of year. “ We have a few ideas that we will take to them, and hopefully with their involvement in the conversation, we will come up with an idea and a structure that will be very, very practical.

“ I think this year will be the litmus test as to whether each sub association running their own tournament is the formula we really need. The good thing about the approach that we are taking is that whatever decision comes out of that whole process they will be a part of it and that is the kind of ‘buy-in’ that we hope to have as we go forward in the decision-making process”, Forde explained.

“In another couple of weeks we are going to constitute an ad hoc committee that is going to be a tournament steering committee and we are hoping to have quite a few regulations coming out of that committee. “ When we look at some of the common challenges that private tournaments find themselves in, we realise that it is not the fault of the organisers of these tournaments. “ It is because we have not as a federation laid down clear regulations and guidelines regarding the criteria

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GFF president Wayne Forde for applying… the conditions that need to be met by the organisers, a good comprehensive contract that lays out the rules… and that is why we find ourselves in the same problems year after year,” the President suggested.

The football boss was also loud in praises for the Elite League while informing that revision and recommendations will be addressed shortly, “We have constituted a review committee for the Stag Elite League and they are tasked with looking at

the league, dissecting the league and coming up with recommendations as to how we can improve the league.

“There are a few things that we can all acknowledge, and one is that the competitiveness of the league was beyond our expectations; it’s a very, very high-volume league from a footballing stand point. “ Crowd attendance compared to what we had a year or two ago was very impressive and I am very pleased, but there are several aspects of the Elite League that trouble us as an executive, and one in particular is that we are going to be working very hard with the committee to find a solution for, is how to sustain the clubs that are part of the Elite League. “ Anyone that is involved in the business of football from the club level can definitely appreciate the challenges in taking a club through a league for a couple of months. It is very, very costly and very, very challenging, and we believe that the GFF needs to take a leadership position in finding a sustainable model

that will help these clubs to endure the cost and the other implications in making it through a league.

“League football is where development of players occur but league football is also very costly, and to leave clubs alone to carry that burden, given our understanding of the situation in Guyana in terms of the support that corporate Guyana has given to the sport in the past, is that we are hoping to improve, it is unreasonable and it is one of the key things that we want to address. “ We have asked the review committee to come up with some practical ideas and suggestions as to how we can address these problems,” Forde declared.

The President also mentioned that plans are in the pipeline to stage an International Friendly here in Guyana, next month end, for the Golden Jaguars against a Caribbean nation, and that the senior Men and Women national teams will be involved in the Guyana 50th Independence celebrations next year May. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015