Chronicle 12 23 2015

NO H1N1 DEATH No. 104410

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23, 2015

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‌ suspect flown out of Guyana for treatment

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Free all political prisoners ‌ Argentina tells Venezuela

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Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo (second from right) poses with other South American leaders attending the Mercosur Summit in Paraguay

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

Mercosur Summit

Free all political prisoners …Argentina tells Venezuela

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Waddell, pay rapt attention during a plenary session at the Mercosur Summit

AT A summit marked by strong differences between Argentina and Venezuela, Mercosur signed a statement in defense of the “unrestricted support of human rights”.

Earlier in the day, there was a serious exchange between Argentine President Mauricio Macri, who demanded all political prisoners in Venezuela be set free, and President Nicolas Maduro’s foreign minister, who replied that Macri was ‘meddling’ in Venezuela’s affairs and was applying a ‘double-standard’ on the issue.

“I want here, today, to specifically demand before the heads of state from Mercosur member countries, the soon liberation of all political prisoners in Venezuela, because members of Mercosur cannot abide political persecution for ideological reasons or for thinking differently”, stated Macri in his speech on Monday, which also broke away from the usual arid politeness among its members.

According to a report from the summit secretariat, Macri added that his administration was happy to see the Government of Vene-

zuela accept all the results from the recent legislative elections which the opposition won, and at the same time, he asked “for prudence from the political opposition following the election”.

However, Macri emphasised that his “vision of democracy is not only in the ballots. Democracy is a way of life, a pact to live together.”

The Argentine President’s statements were rebuked by Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, who attended the summit in representation of Maduro.

She accused Macri of meddling in Venezuelan home affairs. “You are meddling with Venezuela’s domestic affairs”, said Rodríguez, who also accused Macri of defending and endorsing “this political violence”, while showing pictures of armed people which, she said, were taken during the socalled “peaceful marches” of 2014.

With the pictures in her hands, Rodriguez challenged Macri: “You are defending this person, and this has been done specifically by you. You are defending this type of violent

demonstrations, this kind of political violence”.

And “if we are to talk about human rights, let’s be sincere, we’re in the first line for this debate”, because Venezuela “is a model country when it comes to human rights, and there is no other country in the world with a social network in support of the needy and those who, for decades, have seen their rights abused”.

Macri was the only Mercosur leader to bring up the issue of political prisoners in Venezuela. Other presidents congratulated Venezuela for the recent legislative election and the fact that the government had accepted the result, an overwhelming victory for the opposition.

Macri’s stance did not come as a surprise, since for weeks the Argentine president had anticipated that at the Mercosur summit he would demand the democratic clause be applied to Venezuela. Following the December 6 election and the government’s acceptance of the result, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra had said there would be no attempt to enforce the clause.

Other attendants of the summit, besides Macri and Rodriguez, included (the host) Paraguay’s president, Horacio Cartes; Brazil’s Dil-

ma Rousseff, and Uruguay’s Tabaré Vázquez. Also present was Evo Morales from Bolivia, a country in the process of integration to Mercosur; Michelle Bachelet from Chile, associate member of the group; and Guyana’s Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, another associate member.

All the leaders signed a declaration reiterating “the importance of the defense and strong thrust to the values and full compliance of democratic institutions; and the protection, promotion and unrestricted respect for human rights”. The text adds that the commitment is necessary “to consolidate democratic processes, an essential condition for any integration”.

The declaration also praises the fact that it has been ten years since the Asuncion Commitment Protocol for the promotion and protection of human rights in Mercosur.

Furthermore, “the full compliance of democratic institutions, respect for hu-

man rights and fundamental liberties, indispensable pillars for the development and integration process of the region”, were praised.

Other issues in the agenda of the summit referred to the ongoing negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union to establish a free trade agreement, but apparently it was not mentioned in the final declaration.

Paraguay, which hosted the summit, was hopeful that in its six-month presidency, a date could have been announced for the exchange of tariff reduction proposals between Mercosur and EU, in advance of the trade agreement.

“Mercosur is ready to begin the proposals’ exchange process”, said Cartes and his foreign minister Eladio Loizaga, but they also admitted that the task will now be the responsibility of Uruguay, which holds the rotating chair for the next six months and anticipates that this would be the main objective of its mandate.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in friendly exchange with new President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri. The Argentine President had earlier urged the Mercosur Summit to demand the release of political prisoners in Venezuela

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

India toughens rape laws for juveniles THE Indian Parliament has passed a bill which allows juveniles between 16 and 18 years of age to be tried as adults for serious crimes like rape or murder.

At present, those under 18 can be sentenced to a maximum of three years in a reform facility.

The move to change the law gathered momentum after the youngest convict in the notorious 2012 Delhi gang rape was recently released from detention.

The parents of the victim were among those campaigning to change the law.

On Tuesday, the Juvenile Justice Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha - the upper house of the parliament.

The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha - the lower house - in May. It will now have to be signed by the President to become law - which, correspondents say, is a mere formality.

The new law will not apply to the youngest 2012

public outcry in India and forced the authorities to introduce tough new laws to deal with crimes against women.

Her mother, Asha Devi, said she was “satisfied” at the bill’s passing. “But I am sad that my daughter did not get justice,” she added.

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

fifth died in prison.

But the youngest of her attackers, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was sentenced to three years, and was released recently.

During his trial in a juvenile court, there were calls to try him as an adult, and protests were held over the weekend against his release.

Since his release, the rapist has been housed with a charity because of fears over his safety.

On Monday, India’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal to stop his release, saying it “shared” the concern of most citizens but its hands were “tied” by the law. (BBC News)

Many in India have been demanding tougher punishment for juveniles

rapist, but it will be used in future cases involving juvenile offenders above 16 years.

Authorities say the number of juvenile crimes have been increasing - last year, 38,565 cases were registered, including many cases of rape, murder and acid attack.

The supporters of the new law say tougher punishment will act as a deterrent. However, critics say that India is a signatory to

the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates that all children under the age of 18 be treated equally. They say the new law will violate the convention.

Jyoti Singh, a 23-yearold physiotherapy student, died after being brutally raped by five men and one minor on a moving bus in 2012.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

Panama orders arrest of ex-leader PA N A M A’ S S u p r e m e Court has ordered the arrest of former President, Ricardo Martinelli, who governed the Central American country from 2009 to 2014.

Mr Martinelli is accused of using public funds to illegally spy on more than 150 prominent people. Among those he allegedly spied on are trade union activists, politicians, lawyers, doctors and business people.

Mr Martinelli denied the allegations, saying they were part of a vendetta by current President Juan Carlos Varela.

The court ordered the arrest because Mr Martinelli failed to appear at a hearing earlier this month.

Ricardo Martinelli left Panama in January, just days before the Supreme Court launched a corruption investigation

U.S. ramps up for Cuba access ..

DESPITE clear evidence of the pent-up desire in the North American market – the largest source market for tourists to The Bahamas – for access to a slowly opening Cuba, tourism officials in The Bahamas seem to be taking the news of restored commercial airline service between Cuba and the U.S. more or less in stride.

Last week, the U.S. and Cuba agreed to restore scheduled commercial airline service between the two countries for the first time in more than five decades, exactly a year after they started the process of normalising relations. The aviation agreement will not go into effect immediately, but, once implemented, will allow U.S. airlines to sell tickets on their websites for flights to Cuba. The airlines must first apply for permission from U.S. regulators to fly specific routes.

Charter flights operated by U.S. carriers already connect the countries.

The beach in the resort town of Varadero, Cuba The United States and Cuba have agreed to allow 110 round-trip flights on U.S. airlines to Cuba per day, according to Thomas Engle, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. That includes 20 flights to Havana and 10 to each of the other nine international airports in Cuba.

Engle said nothing is expected to stop the agreement, although there was no timeline for implementation.

Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe, who returned

from Cuba over the weekend, said the move was not unexpected.

“Normalising airlift was expected as the U.S. and Cuba strengthen relationships.

“Tourism is the leading industry in that island destination, with more than 62,000 hotel rooms,” he said.

And how will The Bahamas compete?

“We are working closely with Cuba in advancing multi-destination marketing.

“We must continue to increase airlift to The Bahamas.

I am pleased with the new lift that will service Eleuthera and Abaco, beginning this weekend.”

Although the agreement will eventually make it easier to travel back and forth between the countries, the U.S. ban on general tourism to the Caribbean island remains in force. That is to say, U.S. travellers still must meet at least one of 12 criteria to visit, such as being Cuban-American or taking part in educational tours or journalistic activity.

(Caribbean News Now)

He left Panama in January, days before the Supreme Court voted in favour of having him investigated over separate corruption allegations. He is believed to be living in Miami, Florida.

The court did not give any details about how his detention would be sought.

On Monday, Mr Martinelli tweeted [in Spanish]: “First round of the political trial: without having been properly documented, without charges, without proper notification and without sentence, my provisional arrest has been ordered.”

The Supreme Court launched an investigation

into the alleged spying ordered by Mr Martinelli in June.

It came after dozens of people alleged they had their phones tapped, and that the administration of Mr Martinelli prepared dossiers against them containing intimate information.

Among the alleged victims are high-ranking members of the opposition Revolutionary Democratic Party, as well as lawmaker Jose Luis Varela, who is the brother of current President Juan Carlos Varela.

Investigators said the wiretaps were carried out by members of Panama’s National Security Council.

(BBC News)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Learning and benefiting from Cuba/USA relations PRESIDENT Barrack Obama’s announcement, last Thursday, that Cuba and the USA have agreed to resume commercial flights is another progressive step in international relations, and is a continuation of normalisation of the relationship between two long-time adversaries.

In announcing this decision, Obama informed that the restoration of commercial flights comes one year after his announced intention to normalize relations with Cuba, and he made known that the shift in foreign policy means: “We are advancing our shared interests and working together on complex issues that, for too long, defined — and divided — us.”

While the legacy of the Obama presidency will take some time to be written, he will doubtless be given credit for removing vestiges of the Cold War politics that still existed between those two countries. In that there has been advocacy on both sides of the debate for and against continuing the isolation policy, Obama has opted to ease/ remove restrictions one by one in a welcoming sign for global human relations.

In examining history, it would be discovered that building human relations/bridges or bringing about change requires engagement. Emancipation, though fought for as against being granted, was not achieved without engagement by the enslaved, their advocates and enslavers. The same can be said for ending indentureship and colonialism.

This is a lesson for many who still harbour the old hatreds of an era gone by –- an era wherein the major players have long gone to the great beyond, and cannot speak to what they are being accused of.

Within the Guyanese society, some are still locked in the Cold War hostility and are disinclined to look at new ways to bring about harmonious relationships with their fellow citizens. The times have changed and old hostilities or closed-door approaches towards each other can never lend to building relationships and working with each other for the common good. Political engagement can take place only in a society that creates space for expression and involvement of all, not when the approach is taken that one will not engage the other, or give and take, because it has to be all or none; the world is moving ahead and leaving those with such a mindset behind.

Yet, in spite of internal isolationist positions, at the external level, Guyana has maintained a long-standing, cordial and working relationship with Cuba since the Cold War era. This relationship has seen engagements that have resulted in trade and sharing of expertise between the two

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

I have not read about marijuana legalisation!

Dear Editor, ROOPLALL Dudhnauth’s missive published in the Stabroek News of 12.12.15 under the caption “Marijuana should not be legalised” is riddled with distortions, half-truths, and inaccuracies, and is definitely not suited for the public discourse.

Editor, while in our fledgling democracy freedom of expression and speech is a constitutional right, it does not, at the same time, allow individuals such as Dudhnauth the right to superimpose his personal views publicly, without providing circumstantial and supportive evidence. Eg: “we learnt from several current press reports that government is considering the legalizing and decriminalising of the use and sale of marijuana for medicinal and personal purposes in Guyana”.

Which government is the individual speaking about?

Surely, it cannot be the coalition government in this country, since the Minister of Public Security was publicly quoted as saying “the laws relating to sentencing have to be reviewed”. Dudhnauth, from all indications, is not aware that repealing the laws in relation to “decriminalizing”, first and foremost, will entail a bill being tabled in Parliament, subject to a “Select Committee” input/delib-

eration! Further, a common consensus from civil society is absolutely needed.

While the individual has included some scientific data in presenting his case, it is at best overindulgence, and, in the terminology of the Rastafarian, is a “Babylonian concept”.

Why, for instance, can someone legally obtain marijuana for consumption in coffee shops in Holland after perusing a catalogue and selecting the weed of your choice? Maybe their expertise should be sought towards providing the relevant assistance to have a similar system in Guyana, which can generate taxes for the National Treasury. That aside, brother Dudhnauth, are you a Hindu, as your name suggests? If so, are you aware that the Annual Pilgrimage of the River Ganges -- which attracts millions of persons, including numerous persons from overseas -- is preceded by “Holy men dressed in their traditional garb of saffron robes with locks on their heads, openly smoking marijuana from a chillum/ chalice? Then, after chanting, they undress and bathe naked, which paves the way for the pilgrimage or ritual to begin! Also, it must be noted that this tradition has been ongoing for centuries, and was not changed by the former colonial rulers,

countries, which have served both countries well. Now that commercial flight will be resumed to Cuba, it is not unrealistic to project that it is only a matter of time before the USA lift restrictions on tourist flight. Where there is openness for commerce, it creates openness for recreation and other pleasures.

Out of curiosity, given the historical relationship between the USA and Cuba, the reputed exotic beaches and culture, there will be movement by forces to deem it an attractive destination, including pointing out the possibilities of income/ revenue generation for USA and others.

Another factor is this: Given Cuba’s close proximity to the USA, when tourism becomes possible, that country will be an attractive destination for persons in North America and Europe, and will pose challenges to regional tourism.

Countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) may have to examine the likely impact the resumption of commercial flights will have on trade in the Region; and project, also, the likely impact resumed tourist flights will have on our tourist industry. It does no harm in futuristic planning to examine these possibilities, and what measures may be required to ensure that goods and services from CARICOM can be competitive, have new opportunities to enter other markets, and serve new communities.

With the lifting of the trade embargo, state governments

England, or the Indian Parliament! So why, in Guyana, can the draconian law not be repealed and marijuana be decriminalised?

By the way, is Dudhnauth comfortable with repealing transgender laws, which are being advocated by an immediate past minister of the previous government? In choosing the lesser of two evils, which one would the brother choose?

Would the brother, if he is God-fearing, support same-sex marriage? In addressing the “side effects of marijuana”, which was advocated by the individual, I must say that, as a previous consumer of ganja, so too was Bill Clinton, a former president of the USA, and two prominent cricketers, who received “knighthood”!

In my 30-odd years of association with ganja, which goes way back into 1977, I have never experienced the “side effects” advocated by Dudhnauth. Neither did I ever inter-mix ganja with anything else that is unnatural. Occasionally, I utilized hashish and gum, both of which are derived from the ganja plant and involve no chemicalization! Never have I “free-based”, or taken any psychopathic substance, not even in the dentist’s chair, since I have never extracted a tooth. I didn’t turn a junkie or a drug-addict -- falsifications that are wrongly associated

with the use of ganja. In my latter years of ganja use, consumption was until after 6 in the evenings, and not in front of my children. There is no place like home.

However, why I felt it for “Durdy” Butts is, apart from his previous football background, because he was imprisoned for a period of 3 years (trafficking) for the 46 grams (approx. 1 ½ ozs) of ganja he had on his person.

On more than one occasion, 2 ozs (60 grams) were placed in the Kuchie cup of a chalice for consumption in the company of 4-5 brethren.

Biblical reasoning, black history and consciousness, the politics of the late Bro. Walter Rodney, the WPA, Marcus Garvey and conscious Reggae music were the order of the day; while cooking and eating were prerequisites which, of course, entailed a strict vegetarian diet! On the other hand, the use of cocaine; Lucifer, Son of Death (LSD) and other chemicalized psychopathic substances leaves the user thinking there is “no rest for the wicked”, because the user has no desire to eat, rest, communicate or meditate.

God is forgotten, since the idle mind becomes the playground for the devil.

Brother Dudhnauth, with the concept of each one to

see Page 7

and businesses in the USA have been leading missions/delegations to Cuba on matters relating to trade, healthcare, education, and so forth. These questions need to be asked: In the context of improving Cuba/ USA relations, what does a globalised environment mean for Guyana and other small states? And how best can this country best position itself to derive more benefits from international economic trade? Guyana has an embassy in Cuba, will it see a re-alignment of focus where economic trade will play a more pivotal role in international relations?

Mr. Carl Greenidge, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Trade, has a long and distinguished public service resume. Having served in the nation’s State Planning ministry, he was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs who oversaw the Economic Recovery Programme. Mr. Greenidge was Deputy Secretary General for the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and Deputy Senior Director of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery. No doubt, given his vast experience and the deepening and strengthening of USA/Cuba relations, what it means for Guyana in the sense of how our national economic interest can be pursued is not lost on him.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

President Hoyte Cease the remembered for witch hunts selfless service

I HAVE seen the sustained attacks on Winston Brassington in certain sections of the media, and from the supporters/operators of the APNU+AFC regime, for his work as head of NICIL. From the beginning of this government, an alleged witch hunt began against several persons who were perceived to be supporters of the former PPP/C administration and those who worked dedicatedly during its tenure.

The ‘forensic’ audits were allegedly designed as a tool to harass and denigrate persons who worked with the PPP/C government to build our country.

Winston Brassington has been attacked and demonised, and has not even been given the chance to defend himself.

The audit conducted on the operations of the Marriott Hotel by Mr Anand Goolsarran was most unprofessional, and should engage the attention of the professional bodies of accountants in Guyana. This was exposed thoroughly at a NICIL press conference. Even though Mr Brassington provided all the explanations in his preliminary report, the responses were mainly ignored in a final report that was not sent to NICIL. Clearly, the APNU+AFC operatives are not interested in the truth; they are not interested in transparency and natural justice. What they want is to create trumped-up charges, and to attack the integrity of persons who clearly acted professionally in the discharge of their duties.

The real problem is that they shouted so much about corruption at NICIL and they are now unable to prove any of their charges. They are fast losing credibility, and their vindictive nature is being exposed for all to see. This is the reason why they have descended into mudslinging and slander.

This behaviour of deliberately using the media to slander and libel people and seemingly to even scores is also an abuse of Freedom of the Press. It undermines democracy and harms our country. Many honest and talented Guyanese who are not members of the APNU or AFC will think twice before offering their services, knowing that they could be subjected to such defamation and abuse by unscrupulous persons in the regime and the media operatives who support them.

I therefore call on the regime to cease the witch hunts, and instead focus more on building the nation.

Regards, DONALD RAMOTAR Former President

PRESIDENT David Granger has described former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, as an example of selfless service to the people of Guyana, and as a man who had possessed an acute awareness of the need to change the course of direction of the country, which had been on the verge of bankruptcy.

“Guyana remembers Desmond Hoyte, its second Executive President, a patriot, with affection and respect,” President Granger said in his address at a simple ceremony held on Tuesday morning at the Botanical Gardens to commemorate Hoyte’s 13th death anniversary.

At time of the General Elections of December 1964, Guyana was stagnant after seven years of maladministration, the Head of State said, noting that the country was financially bankrupt, economically backward and socially broken.

“Our first Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, bore the brunt, repairing the damaged state. He led our country into Independence; built colleges, schools and the university; constructed a new airport, bridges, highways; and rehabilitated our sea defences; (He) initiated the vital Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Scheme (and) inaugurated huge housing settlements,” the President said.

Mr Hoyte served faithfully at the President Burnham’s

From right: Former Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin; President David Granger and ministers of government at the Commemoration of the 13th Death Anniversary of former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte tection and preservation of side, eventually ascending to the office of Prime Minister and later to the Presidency; making him a part of the continuum even as it prepared him to confront the challenge of change, President Granger said.

“His execution of the portfolios of Minister of Home Affairs, of Finance; of Works and Communications; of Economic Development and of Regional Development was an education in national leadership and international statesmanship. Desmond Hoyte, during his presidential

I have not read ...

From Page 6 teach one, kindly, edify me on the relationship between Ganja and the River Ganges, and vegetarianism within Hinduism that is compatible to Ital within the Rastafarian Culture. At the end of the day, I still seek knowledge along cultural lines towards our collective efforts to better serve humanity! Gone are the days when the idiom of “A good coolie is a dead coolie” was advocated! By a similar token what would have been the reaction if it was also advocated “A good black man is a dead black man”? Surely, this was never our parental upbringing;

by extension, my offspring would not be taught that!

Why, in our native land, is there a “fuss and fight” over frivolous issues, such as marijuana decriminalization, while our traditional motherlands (Africa & India) are progressing comfortably? Is the brother aware that within incense manufacturing from India, “7 African Powers” is made there, in addition to another, which advertises a “ganja plant”? Should the latter be banned from entering Guyana?

Regards LESTER SEALEY

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President Granger pays his respects to former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte

septennium, from 1985 to 1992, was able to employ his considerable experience, to deploy his personal expertise and to apply his abundant endowments and talents in the highest Executive office.

He continued to build on the foundation of the previous 21 years,” President Granger said.

Hoyte’s tenure as President of Guyana coincided with the eclipse of the world socialist system to which Guyana subscribed. To this end, he positioned Guyana to take advantage of the economic reforms that swept the western hemisphere in the last decade of the 20th century, the President said.

“He promoted sustainable development and the pro-

the environment. He opened the door to shared governance, which facilitated coalition-based alliances. Desmond Hoyte, today, remains an exceptional example of selfless service to the people of Guyana. His courageous economic choices have now become part of economic orthodoxy.

His legacy is unassailable,” President Granger said.

The event was attended by several members of Government, including Minister of Governance, Mr Raphael Trotman; Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Basil Williams; and former Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mr Robert Corbin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

Umana Yana begins rebirth

By Ravin Singh

THE foundation and floor of the historic Umana Yana, which is currently being rebuilt, have been completed and are currently in their curing stages, Advisor in the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Mervyn Williams, has said.

Speaking with Guyana

Chronicle yesterday, Williams said that part of the project is overseen by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The Ministry of Public infrastructure is, on December 31, expected to hand over the project to the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, which will then begin erection of the structure.

All materials which are needed from indigenous settlements have been sourced, except those which are available only at Masakenari, a village in the Deep South Rupununi.

“Materials from Moraikobai have been obtained through the efforts of Colin Andrews, who is the former toshao; and also, the materials which were needed from St Cuthbert’s Mission, Toshao Lennox Shoman assisted the Ministry in this regard,” the ministerial advisor said.

He also explained that additional materials which need to be sourced from Masakenari will be transported to Georgetown when they are ready for use.

The completed floor of the new Umana Yana

Some of the materials which have been sourced for the reconstruction of the historical Umana Yana Toshao Paul Chikema, who will be responsible for this aspect of the project, has visited the site and has indicated that the team is ready to commence work. Boasting that all works are currently on schedule, Williams said the design of the structure remains the same. The design will mirror the previous structure, but will have increased space between the floor and roof. This, the advisor said, is to allow for freer passage of the incoming Atlantic breeze.

Also, expertise from the Public Infrastructure Ministry will be sought, as the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry mulls having the

Please see page 9

Wednesday December 23th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Thursday December 24th, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Friday December 25th, 2015 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

No H1N1 death - suspect flown out of Guyana for treatment

By Svetlana Marshall A 50-year-old Guyanese national is now receiving medical attention overseas, after developing symptoms similar to that of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu).

This is the first and only suspected case of the virus that the Public Health Ministry is investigating here in Guyana for 2015, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said yesterday.

It was explained that the individual, after returning to Guyana from China, developed the symptoms (body aches, chills, cough, fatigue, fever and headache) within a two-week period. According

to Dr Persaud, the 50-yearold man was admitted into a private city hospital, but was later transferred to another private medical institution.

The Public Health Ministry was subsequently informed.

“We have since taken a sample, and that sample was sent for investigation,” the CMO said. According to him, the sample, taken over the weekend, was sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Laboratory in Trinidad. The results are expected early next week.

“CARPHA has indicated that, within five working days, the results will be returned.”

Even though the Public Health Ministry has been

monitoring the situation, it has not, over the last 12 months, confirmed an H1N1 case in Guyana.

However, as the Ministry awaits the results, it is collecting critical data on the relatives of the suspected H1N1 patient.

“We will be monitoring close relatives and persons who would have come in contact with him, but at this point, there is no need for screening because a case has not been confirmed,” Dr Persaud explained.

He said that even in the absence of 29 confirmed H1N1 cases in Trinidad and Tobago, the Public Health Ministry has had an active disease surveillance system

Umana Yana begins rebirth From page 8 facility powered by solar energy.

According to Williams, this reconstruction of the shed is a major undertaking by the ministry, given that the building represents the historical, current, and projected cultural contributions of the Indigenous people to Guyana.

“It is the wish of the President, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and his team that we have this benab reconstructed, and that is what we are working towards,” Williams said, adding that the completion is slated to coincide with Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Constructed by the Wai Wais in 1972, the 55-foot Umana Yana had been a conical, palm-thatched hut (benab) erected as a VIP lounge and recreation centre for the NonAligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Guyana in August of that year. The landmark structure served as the venue for a number of historical and cultural events for over four decades. In December last year, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister at the time, Dr Frank Anthony, announced that the PPP/C government would have pumped $50 million into the 2015 budget for reconstruction of the Umana Yana, which he had said would be housed at a different location.

in place, particularly at the main ports in Guyana – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Ogle International Airport.

“Of course you know that most of last year and early this year we were focused on Ebola. Prior to that, it was Chikungunya… and most recently, it was the Zika Virus,” he pointed out.

In dealing with the

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud H1N1 virus and any other influenza, the Public Health Ministry has been using the “Keep Ebola and other Infectious Disease out of Guyana Strategy”, by implementing precautionary measures. That strategy focuses on six main areas: coordination and control; rapid detection, isolation and risk reduction; points of entry; clinical management; laboratory diagnosis; and information, education and communication.

“So we monitor all incoming flights, and what is mandatorily required is that the flight attendants provide, upon arrival of every commercial flight, general flight declaration. A significant part of that flight declaration is a health declaration for them to provide if there was any sick patient on board, if there was coughing, or if any of the passengers would have experienced fever,” the CMO explained.

It was further pointed out that the Ministry has taken a decision to boost its medical team operating at CJIA Medical Centre.

“We now have four medics on staff, and they are screening persons who are coming in with high temperature, and they even do follow-ups.”

At your service It seems that all the money spent on audits by the government is at least achieving one goal: everyone is scrambling to declare their innocence and credibility.

NICIL’s CEO, Winston Brassington, is one example after he called a press conference to clear the air about the government holding company, following audit reports of several breaches and other shortcomings made under the PPP administration. Brassington put up a convincing poker face, stating that he isn’t worried about his position at NICIL, and calling himself a servant of the government.

How quaint, servants still exist in these days. Way to dust the blame off your shoulders Brassington - by admitting that you were a mere puppet. Onlookers are saying that Brassington got a lot of belly – in more ways than one - and that he is ensuring that he won’t be the only one to be taken down when that time comes. But that’s the question lots of people are still asking: Will that time ever come?

Not all milk is good milk Many took to social media to partake in the sharing

of a report in which the Government Analyst - Food and Drug Department advised consumers against purchasing powdered milk in unlabelled, transparent bags - a habit that is perhaps decades-old to Guyanese. Retailers were also warned to stop repackaging milk, as it does not represent the true nutritional value of the product, among other health violations. Perhaps what made this post so interesting is the memories it recalled from many a Guyanese childhood. Many others welcomed the reintroduction of order to the industry, but some wondered about the pockets of the poor man - a majority in our beautiful country.

Since packaged milk is supposedly a must, and we are to do away with this nostalgia-inducing custom, will the cost of packaged milk then be made more affordable? I never said I had the answers, folks.

Jagdeo feeding the poor Imagine the former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has

put on his compassion garb and has been up and about, feeding the poor and the needy across the country. Seems like all those labels given him: greedy, heartless, etc. etc might just not be true. The Right Honourable Opposition Leader has been making the rounds with his sidekick, Clement Rohee, hosting Christmas parties at Better Hope and Bath - seems like the PPP will stick to familiar turfs in their Christmas hustings, unlike the President, who was seen in Buxton and Lusignan. Cheers everybody!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

West Dem doctor dies in car crash DR CLEMENT Sukdeo died on Monday night after he lost control of his motor car while driving along the Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara and it ended up in a trench.

The accident occurred at about 23:35 hrs, and Dr Sukhdeo was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore, told the Guyana Chronicle that the doctor was at the wheel of motor car PRR 8096 at the time, and he was alone in the vehicle.

The Traffic Chief said Dr Sukdeo’s vehicle ran off the road and went into a trench, and he rather suspects that the doctor died from drowning and not from injuries received. The matter is under investigation.

Relatives at Dr Sukhdeo’s Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD residence refused to speak to the media yesterday, but this newspaper understands that the 69-year-old doctor was on his way home after he had gone to visit a friend in the city.

The Traffic Chief disclosed that, for this year, police have recorded 102 accidents, with 120 deaths; and for the corresponding period last year, the tally was 126 accidents with 136 deaths. He noted that 15 children were killed in road accidents for both 2014 and 2015.

The Traffic Chief is again urging all road users, especially drivers, to stop speeding and be attentive on the roadways, since pedestrians are the highest category of road users who have lost their lives in road accidents, while private vehicles topped the category of vehicles which were involved in the most road accidents.

President David Granger and Santa distributing Christmas gifts to children in Bartica, Region 7, yesterday

Great things in store for Bartica - President Granger

PRESIDENT David Granger has declared that there is a lot in store for Bartica, Region 7, during a toy drive at the Bartica Secondary School yesterday.

Referring to the official naming of the communi-

ty as a town in 2016, the President said, "Bartica is going to be a rich, green town. It is going to be a prosperous town, and all of you… will be able to enjoy a good life in years to come. May God bless you, and Happy Christmas!"

The President added that, befitting the season, his visit was one of peace and goodwill, and he emphasised that Christmas is a time for children.

Some 400 children received Christmas presents, compliments of the Government of Guyana, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

The Head of State was accompanied by Minister of

Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, who was instrumental in organising the countrywide toy drive.

Also assisting the President was Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

Minister Ally, in an invited comment, said that spreading cheer to children at Christmas is something the People's National Congress has been doing since they were in opposition.

"We believe that our children across the country must enjoy the Christmas.

Many of them cannot afford it, and so the President himself promised a good life for all, and we have taken a cue from that. We've gone in all

10 administrative regions, in various communities and we have been distributing toys, having little Christmas parties, sharing goodies and so on," she said.

The minister added that government has received significant private sector support to ensure that the toy drive is a success. She said that while all 10 administrative regions would be reached this year, the government hopes to reach more communities in coming years.

President Granger has, so far, personally distributed toys at Baracara and Sandvoort in Region 6; and Lusignan, Buxton and Georgetown in Region 4.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

API likely to be paid in first crop

By Rabindra Rooplall

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is aiming to make Annual Production Incentive (API) payments during the first crop in 2016, as the Corporation will be receiving revenue from sugar sales during that period.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and GuySuCo have so far refused to make any compromise on the matter. Earlier this month, the two parties met with the mediator, Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer Charles Ogle, to discuss the API dispute. GuySuCo stuck to its offer of 85,000 tonnes sugar for a day’s pay, and GAWU held firm to its position that more must be given to its workers.

The union said it had “observed that this year (2015), for nearly three decades, will be the first time sugar workers would not have been able to obtain a wage increase, and obtaining a compensatory and acceptable API payment. Indeed, the workers would encounter a bleak and grim period during the end-of-year holidays, including the commencement of the New Year”, the union’s missive said.

The Chief Labour Officer informed the meeting that he would provide a brief to Ministers Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes, who would then have the opportunity to advise on the way forward, including engaging the parties with respect to finding a settlement.

Meanwhile, GuySuCo has surpassed its production target for 2015 by over 300 tonnes, while three estates are still grinding; and so the corporation is likely to see a significant increase in sugar production. Those estates -- Albion and Rose Hall in Berbice, and Enmore on the East Coast – ceased grinding on Monday.

GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Errol Hanoman, has attributed this production to the dedication and hard work of both the workforce and management. He is hoping that this sort of record-breaking performance is the beginning of the “improving trend of the corporation”. However, he emphasised that “it can only be maintained if the union, the workers and management work together”.

GPSU wants cleanup of cleaners’ pay THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has written Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, in hope of resolving a problem that has been dogging the public sector for years.

The matter at reference has to do with the low wages being paid sweeper-cleaners in the sector, said to be “way below the minimum wage”.

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde, told a press conference yesterday that the reason the union took the course of action it did was because nothing seemed to be happen-

ing, even after being engaged in a series of consultations with President David Granger and key ministers of the government.

As such, it was felt that writing the minister on the matter would help serve as a reminder of the injustices being meted out to these workers, who have been playing a critical role in keeping the environment of public buildings clean.

FOR YEARS “We have been pursuing the sweeper- cleaner issue for several years,” he

Man dies after blows from wife FORTY-FIVE-year-old Harrichand Mahadeo of Truli Island, Essequibo River succumbed yesterday to injuries he sustained during a brawl with his wife, Gaitree Lakeram, who is one year his senior.

The argument the two were involved in on December 17 turned into a fight that ended with both suffering injuries. Lakeram was reportedly treated and sent away, while the badly wounded Mahadeo was hospitalised.

Legal advice was subsequently obtained on the matter, and they were both charged with attempted murder.

Mahadeo took self-discharge from the hospital on Sunday, and went back home. The couple appeared in court on Monday and were each placed on $100,000 bail, but remained in custody as they were unable to raise the money.

While in prison, Mahadeo complained of feeling unwell, and was taken to the Suddie Hospital, where he succumbed yesterday morning.

Police are investigating the incident.

said, “and felt relief when it was reported in a press conference by Dr. Roger Luncheon that a Cabinet decision was taken to correct this injustice; and that, effective from July 2013, sweeper-cleaners would be recognised with the Public Service, consistent with International Labour Organisation guidelines.”

To help the new administration have a better grasp of the importance of correcting this flaw, which was developed under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Yarde said the Union would have submitted the outstanding implementation of the Cabinet’s decision to President Granger in its first correspondence.

In that missive, Yarde said, it was explained to President Granger that, under the previous administration, a decision was taken at the level of Cabinet to upgrade the status of sweeper-cleaners.

FOLLOW-UPS Yarde said that, subsequent to a meeting with the President, there were several other follow-up meetings with members of the APNU+AFC government.

Over time, he said, the GPSU would have met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Minister of State,

Joseph Harmon; Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Industry and Business, Dominic Gaskin; and the Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Alley.

But it was all to no avail,

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde he said.

“It is disturbing and of serious concern to the Union, at what appears to be a reluctance to correct this situation and put an end to this (abusive) and most unfair treatment of this category of workers.

“I genuinely felt that this matter would have been resolved a while ago, and it hurts to think of these workers experiencing another Christmas of discontent.

“And this situation prevails apparently because of

the unwillingness of strategic elements in the Administration, (who) are uncaring for these workers and (are) shortsighted in not recognising the implications for the young potential students whose school lives would be in an environment entrusted to these workers.”

In the letter to Minister Sharma, dated December 17, 2015, Yarde called for the status of these employees to be upgraded, noting too that they must be employed on the permanent establishment and paid in keeping with the Public Service minimum wage.

Though uncertain of the number of sweeper-cleaners his union has on its roll, Yarde said he knows for certain that in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), there are 113.

Another concern of his is that though these sweeper-cleaners were contracted to work six hours a day, they often work eight hours. This being the case, he feels that, by right, they ought to be paid in full.

He said that even after the government had announced in the 2015 Budget that this category of employee would be paid at a rate of $312 per hour, sweeper-cleaners are still receiving less than $202 per hour. And this is in spite

of the National Minimum Wage Order taking effect on July 1, 2013 and stipulating that every person employed in Guyana shall be paid no less than $202 per hour.

It’s a point, Yarde said, he belaboured in his letter to the minister. “They must be paid the difference in salary,” he wrote, “with effect from the introduction of the minimum wage, i.e. July 1, 2013, since they were short-paid… and must be granted annual leave, which must also be retroactive for at least two years.”

He also pointed out in the letter that because sweeper-cleaners are not considered permanent employees but rather contractual employees, they have not been paying NIS. Noting that this oversight has to be corrected, Yarde said he told the minister in his letter: “NIS must be paid for these employees. However, an investigation must be conducted, and correction be made so that all employees must be able to benefit from a NIS pension at the time of retirement.”

As the GPSU awaits a response from Minister Sharma, Yarde made it clear that the union would not “give up the struggle”, and hopes that good sense will prevail.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

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Spring tide to lash Guyana’s coast

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has advised that all necessary precautions should be taken during the spring tide period of December 22, 2015 to December 29, 2015.

Above-normal levels are predicted for this impending period, the ministry said in a release.

The Sea and River Defence Department considers the following areas to be particularly at risk of possible flooding as a result of storm surges which may induce overtopping of sea/river defence structures: ESSEQUIBO COAST: Johanna Cecelia; Cullen to Perseverance; Charity & along the Pomeroon River banks; WAKENAAM ISLAND: Zeelandia/Moor Farm, Marionville/Bendorff, Good Success/Sarah; LEGUAN ISLAND: Thierens/Success, Maryville, Cane Field/Amsterdam, Endeavour to Blenheim; EAST BANK E/BO: Parika, Look Out, Salem/ Sparta; WEST COAST DEMERARA: Rotterdam to Crane; Anna Catherina to Leonora; CITY TO EAST COAST DEMERARA: Water Street, Georgetown; Kingston, Georgetown to Ogle, E.C.D; Mosquito Hall/Unity; CORENTYNE/EAST B/CE: Bush Lot to Maida; Scottsburg; and along the East Bank of the Berbice River.

According to the ministry, the highest tides are expected to be on Friday, December 25, 2015 at 3:47pm at a height of 3.10 metres; and Saturday, December 26, 2015 at 4:28pm at a height of 3.08 metres.

In addition to the mentioned locations, all persons residing along the banks of rivers and low-lying coastal areas are advised to take all necessary precautions against possible flooding.

Precaution should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels. Use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this period is not advised. Contact Telephone Nos. 226-0650, 226 -1070, 226-4368, 225-7420, 619-3552, 654-4226, 654-4227, 662-4927 for further information.

Grove man on bail for robbery RECENTLY released from prison, 35-year-old Shawn Scipio of 87 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of breaking into Beron October’s home at Grove, EBD on December 14, and stealing one wallet, Gy$37,000 and US$100, all property of October.

Although denying the allegation, the unrepresented Scipio indicated he was willing to compensate October for the items.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones said the accused was released from prison one month ago, and, for that reason, made no objection to substantial bail being granted.

The accused was placed on $20,000 bail, and the matter was transferred before the Providence Magistrate for January 21, 2016.

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Orphans treated in the spirit of Christmas

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

One of the many face painting activities children participated in

Some of the orphans who received gifts in the presence of Disney characters (Delano Williams Photo)

SEVERAL non-governmental organisations joined forces on Monday to spread Christmas season joy to orphans as part of their annual activities.

The activity was hosted at the Carifesta Sports Complex at Carifesta Avenue in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The four-day event concluded in Berbice on Monday, and organisations that contributed to the event included: The Give Foundation, Project Hope, Save Abee, Enforcers Car, Team MMR, and Lets Talk Lakshmi.

At the event there was a bouncy castle, females dressed in beloved cartoon characters, merry go round, trampoline, Santa Clause, games to win prizes, and a ferris wheel.

According to President of Enforcers Care, Sureain Sawh, a total of 23 orphanages spread between Demerara and Berbice were targeted, and children were treated to gifts, snacks and entertainment.

The persons involved in the charitable acts are from New York, Canada, Florida, Canada and Guyana.

Meanwhile, President of Save Abee, Asha Tilak, said many children from various orphanages converged at the Carifesta Sports Complex to interact with each other.

“We feel it’s our duty to make them feel special for the Christmas holiday, and for them to be a part of something more like a family interaction,” she said.

She noted that Save Abee also has a computer school at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, and students there are taught Math and English.

“We will be opening another centre in January 2016 at Meter-meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara,” she disclosed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

Work on new Port Kaituma Hospital moving apace CONSTRUCTION of a new hospital at Port Kaituma in the North West District is coming along nicely, and completion of the facility, which costs just under $4M, can be expected sometime in the new year.

The work site was recently toured in an unexpected visit by Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who wanted to have a first-hand look at what was being done at the location.

The visit was prompted by a community meeting Minister Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, shared in the region, at which persons spoke of several issues surrounding construction of the facility.

Those issues included the lack of a morgue at the location, the state of the road to the hospital, its distance from the airport, and the quality of healthcare that residents expect to receive when the facility is completed. Residents also said they were concerned about the hospital’s distance from Central

Port Kaituma, and they raised the issue of cost of passage to get to the hospital, opining that the passage would make it very difficult for medivac operations from the hospital to the airport.

Central Kaituma is so situated that once a vehicle is en route to the airport, that vehicle would have to reverse to facilitate passage of another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, since the road is not wide enough to facilitate passage of two vehicles side by side at any given time.

It was suggested that an alternative road should be constructed from the hos-

pital to the airport if the region is to effectively execute medevac exercises from the hospital when that facility has been completed.

There is also, at the hospital construction site, a structure which the ministry hopes to use as a storage bond for hospital supplies; while a little section below the hospital is being considered for housing of hospital staff, especially those who would be dealing with maternity issues.

It was suggested to Vice President Allicock that the proposed storage bond be

Please turn to page 18

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

Indigenous producers receive quality a THE first group of Indigenous producers from Region Nine who, via a partnership between the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Institute of Applied Science and Technol-

ogy (IAST), have been able to benefit from assistance to improve their standards of production, have been participating in enhancement and quality assurance training at

the IAST laboratories. Â Last Tuesday, 15 persons were flown to Georgetown and taken to the labs for training, where they were introduced to the technology being used to

improve the textures and scents of the soaps and lotions that they produce.

They were also taught to utilise materials in their environment to achieve the same

standard as those produced in the laboratory.

The Ministry and IAST had, in November, committed to undertake projects aimed at increasing the earning power of Amerindian producers, in keeping with the Ministry’s goal of empowering communities to

enhance the lives of their citizens.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms Amna Ally, said social cohesion and national unity cannot be achieved without economic and financial stability. As such, she said, the Ministry is engaging stakeholders to determine what is needed to support

Some of the products made by the indigenous p

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

assurance training community empowerment.

At that first meeting with farmers and producers, Professor Suresh Narine, Director of the IAST, had committed to flying 15 members from the working groups to the IAST labs in Georgetown, so they may see first-hand the enhancement meth-

producers of Region Nine

ods that are being used to add value to their products.

The IAST and the Ministry have since been working with the Macusi Research Unit (MRU) and Medicine from Trees Women’s Group to add value to their products by adding scents and flavours to hygiene and beauty care items such as soaps, body lotions and oils; making them into attractive shapes and sizes to ensure access to higher-priced markets.

The partnership has already seen farmers and other producers being able to better develop and market their products, and boost their earning power.

In an invited comment, Dr Narine said that, over the past decade or so, there has been a movement of indigenous products and knowledge into the market place. However, he noted that, to compete with the outside world, quality and consistency must be assured.

QUALITY “The personal care market place is a market place that is high profits and high value, but it’s an appropriate place to move our botanicals into, not just crabwood oil but other botanicals. When you take cultural anthropology and medicinal anthropology like botanicals and you put (them) into modern products, you are marrying modern science with ancient cultural practices, and it’s very important in that transformation that you pay attention to quality, to expected standards that the world has for those products. It’s important to make a high-quality product that is safe and has attributes beyond the additives. That is what the market place is about,” Dr Narine said.

According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, Dr Narine noted that the groups have been working with these materials for a very long time, and the role of the IAST “is just to help regularise their methods to ensure that the products they make meet international standards”.

“So what we have done is, we have taken all of their raw materials from their communities and we have optimised (them).

We have ensured that the soaps can be made safely, reproducibly, and with quality. We added food grade colourants to make it more appealing, and fragrances from plants that are grown locally.

We also developed liquid soaps, single-use personalised bars, moulded soaps with different patterns, and liquid soaps which are carefully controlled in terms of (their) viscosity, and so on,” he said.

The group was also taught the science of soap making, how to deal with variables, branding for the products, how to maximise profits, maximising raw materials and labour, cost-toprofits ratios, and how to draft a business plan to access funding.

Additionally, on a monthly basis, random testing will be

conducted by the IAST, to ensure that quality control is maintained, and technical support will be given until the producers can meet that standard.

With regard to peanut butter producers in the region, the IAST will be providing the necessary equipment to repair broken machinery to put production back on track.

Several other projects are expected to be undertaken in the New Year.

Two women from the Macusi Women’s Group pay keen attention to the demonstration

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

From page 15

Work on new Port Kaituma Hospital ...

The rear of the hospital shows need for landscaping, even as the water tanks are already in place

Vice President Allicock and his Advisor, Mervyn Williams, in discussion with persons at the construction site of the new Port Kaituma Hospital

The road to the hospital. The proposed storage bond can be seen at extreme left renovated to accommodate the staff of the hospital, while the area earmarked for the staff could be used as the storage facility, as that seems more practical and would likely save the government a huge amount of money.

The proposed storage bond is virtually intact, having a roof, walls, ventilation and other facilities; it was previously used by the Barama Company as a sport club for senior workers.

After listening to all suggestions, Minister Allicock said he understood the views being given with respect to the proposed switch in focus for the two areas, and promised to mention those to the subject ministers.

He declared that, for the storage bond to be upgraded to the proposed accommodation for staff, work would have to be done on its roof and sanitation blocks, and the facility would have to be sectionalized so that each staff member can have his/her own quarters as obtains in a dorm.

The minister was told that lands adjoining the hospital have been earmarked for construction of houses for hospital staff, but if the storage bond should be converted into living quarters, staff accommodation would cost the government significantly less.

It was also observed during the visit that several scope of works are yet to be completed at the hospital site, including landscaping, some amount of plumbing, and fencing of the compound. The Vice President and his team were not able to access the interior of the building, as the visit was impromptu and the contractor was not at the location at the time.

This area below the maternity ward is proposed for staff accommodation (Photos by Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

PUGWU demands recognition at Oldendorff THE People’s United and General Workers Union (PUGWU) is calling on the Ministry of Social Protection to ensure that the Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc (OCGI) lives up to its promise to sign a long-awaited union recognition agreement with its members without further delay.

General Secretary of the PUGWU, Micah Williams, said that after four years of delays, the agreement should have been signed on November 19 last. At the request of Oldendorff the signing was pushed back to December 19th.

Oldendorff Carriers commenced operating in Guyana in 2006 under an 11-year contract with one of the company’s long-term customers, RUSAL, via its affiliate, Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI).

The operation forms a complete logistics solution facilitating barging, offshore loading, and ocean trans-

portation of about 2.0-2.5 million tonnes per annum of bauxite from mines located some 131 nautical miles up the Berbice River in Guyana.

Meanwhile, in a letter dated December 16th, Paul Scott Jones, Project Manager OCGI, said that Saturday, December 19, was not a good day for the signing, as there was a very important company function which he could not miss.

He wrote: “We propose the 29th of December (Tuesday) at 14:00 hrs to sign, at which time we can have both OCGI signatories present.”

REINSTATEMENT CLAUSE Williams, who expressed disappointment at the delay, said also that in addition to this, the company had indicated that it was no longer in agreement with a reinstatement clause which had been agreed to earlier.

“This clause states that if an employee is dismissed following an allegation and

then subsequently found not guilty, he should be re-instated. The company is now asking that this clause be removed from the Collective Labour Agreement, saying that it is not necessary,” Williams said.

He said that this was contrary to all that was agreed on at the last conciliation meeting between OCGI and PUWU, held on Tuesday, December 15, at the Ministry of Social Protection.

“We feel that the reinstatement clause is a very important clause,” he said. He questioned whether this was not a deliberate attempt by the company to further delay the signing of the agreement, and expressed the hope that the Ministry of Social Protection would take action to defeat any possible delaying tactics by Oldendorff in the days approaching December 29.

Oldendorff workers have been without trade union representation for the past four years. The PUGWU has,

in the past, accused the company of employing a large number of Guyanese workers on short-term contracts of one month, three months, six months; and even after many years of service, many are still not permanently employed.

The OCGI short-term contract does not guarantee any long-term employment.

The contracts contain clauses that provide for OCGI to terminate workers’ employment at any time without any reason being given; and as such, the contract does

not guarantee job security.

The union, in its generally accepted draft Collective Labour Agreement (CLA), provides for all workers to be permanently employed after serving a three- month probationary period with satisfactory performance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

Man remanded on gun/ammo charge EDWARD McCollen of Lot 67 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge alleging that, on December 20 at Georgetown, he had in his possession a .22 revolver without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The 27-year-old was also accused of having on his person 19 live rounds of .22 ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The unrepresented accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and requested to be granted bail, stating that he had been beaten by police officers and had not been shown any of the items allegedly found on his person.

He contended that he was at August Beverages on Princess Street, conversing with some females when police ranks tackled him from behind and knocked him on his head, which made him lose consciousness.

“I wake up in the lock-up with blood on my clothes, and the officers ain’t telling me nothing. Next thing ya know, they carry me in Campbellville Police Outpost,” McCollen alleged, as he also said he had suffered from a serious medical problem.

But the prosecution’s facts, narrated by Corporal Deniro Jones, alleged that ranks on mobile patrol saw the defendant at the beverage place with the gun, and he tried to chat with the females to divert the lawmen’s attention.

Jones said that when the officers approached McCollen, he told them he was a serving member of the Police Force, but the ranks confiscated the gun with the ammo in its chambers.

Jones contended that the accused was aggressive with the officers, causing them to use force, hence he was knocked unconscious.

He also noted that McCollen had previously been arraigned in Court Five on a similar charge.

McCollen was refused bail and was remanded to prison, while the matter was transferred before Magistrate Judy Latchman for January 18.

Driver on bail for threatening language

FORTY-FOUR-year-old Edgar DeVeria of Lot 21 Stone Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown appeared before City Magistrate Annette Singh, charged with assault using threating language, committed on Michel Halley on October 20.

The facts of the matter were not stated.

Represented by legal counsel, DeVeria pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his counsel asked the court to place his client on reasonable bail, which was not objected to by the prosecutor.

He also asked that the arrest warrant which was ordered be recalled, since an arrest warrant had been ordered and his client had presented himself to the police.

The magistrate recalled the warrant and placed DeVeria on $10,000 bail. He is expected to return to court on December 30.

Pretender remanded

COLLIN Peters, a member of the City Constabulary until last October, when he was dismissed on grounds of bad conduct and absenteeism, was remanded by City Magistrate Alex Moore after being arraigned before him charged with obtaining by false pretense.

The charge alleges that on December 16, at the Treasury Department of City Hall, Peters, with intent to defraud, obtained from Ajoda Persaud Republic Bank cheques for $58,400 by falsely pretending that he was a serving member of the City Constabulary.

Particulars of the case detail that Peters went to the Treasury Department, produced his identification card, signed the document and uplifted the cheques from Ms Persaud, pretending he was an acting service member of the constabulary when he was not entitled to any such payment from his former employer.

He is expected to make his next court appearance on January 22, 2016.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

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Sudoku

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 23, 2015

Crossword

Yesterday’s Results

Yesterday’s Results

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

‘Teamwork,’ discipline,

main reason for Jaguars’ success

– Johnson

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE Guyana Jaguars is a team which surely doesn’t believe in the individual milestones of players. Rather, its members are focused on integrating well as a team and gelling closely.

The premier reason behind their profound success during the first half of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional four-day tournament has been that they have played extremely well as a team.

The players have complimented each other well, and by doing their tasks with ease, it has just made life easier for the other members. At least this is what the team captain, Leon Johnson feels.

Johnson in an exclusive interview has attributed teamwork and discipline for the team’s success so far.

“Teamwork obviously is the main attribute for our success, but having said that, I think we were well disci-

plined in all three departments of the game, batting, bowling, and fielding.

We never rely on any particular player in the batting or bowling.

Everyone has got a responsibility and each delivers when called upon,” Johnson said.

The Guyana Jaguars has raked up five outright wins in as many matches, and are on top of the points table with 85 points, 22 points ahead of Barbados Pride.

However, while Johnson has hailed teamwork, he had some special words for left-arm spinner Gudekash Motie.

The 20-year-old in his debut season is the leading wicket taker, with 34 scalps, inclusive of four five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket haul.

“Motie has done well. He has shown that he belongs to First-Class cricket. He has gelled with the team perfectly in the absence of Bishoo,” Johnson pointed out.

Meanwhile, the second half of the tournament resumes after the conclusion of the NAGICO Super 50 tournament, which will be played between January 7 and 24.

WICB upholds ban against Narine

…spnner will take no part in NAGICO Super 50 tournamnet EMBATTLED West Indies spinner Sunil Narine will take no part in this season’s NAGICO Super50 tournament after the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) rejected a request from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) for the player to be allowed to play.

Narine was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after it deemed his action illegal, however, the WICB had vowed to support the spinner, giving the player and the TTCB hope that he would still be able to play some form of cricket.

Last season Narine bowled Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to victory, taking six for nine in the final against the Guyana Jaguars.

The WICB, though in full support of Narine, has said it is not willing to run its affairs contrary to the dictates of the ICC. “The WICB did not think it wise to allow Narine to take the field until such time as a test is done which shows that

his action is legal. It would be contrary to the ICC’s findings if the Board allowed him to play without allowing him to prove that his action was legitimate,” a source was quoted in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian as saying.

Though Narine cannot play for the Red Force, he will be allowed to play domestic cricket and could turn out for the Queen’s Park Cricket Club. Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic competition begins right after the Super50 ends.

Narine’s ban has come after he was called for an illegal action for the third time in his career.

The spinner was called in the Indian Premier League, then in the now defunct Champions League, before his most recent summoning for his action against Sri Lanka.

Narine had taken a break from bowling to work on his action and had only just returned to international cricket when he was banned. (Sportsmax.com)

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

No place like home for McCullum’s final bow … NZ captain retiring from all forms of international cricket before World T20

WELLINGTON, (Reuters)-The romance of finishing his career by leading New Zealand into one last battle against Australia on home soil persuaded Brendon McCullum to bow out of international cricket before next year’s World Twenty20.

The 34-year-old announced yesterday that he would be retiring from all forms of international cricket after the twoTest series against the Australians in February.

The need for New Zealand Cricket to name their squad for the World Twenty20, which takes place in India next March and April, denied him the chance to simply walk away after the second Test at Hagley Park, but he is still determined to go out on a high.

“I think there’s something romantic about finishing playing in front of New Zealand crowds,” he told reporters in Christchurch.

“Also to finish in Christchurch, which is my established home, that was my focus there.

I knew I could steel myself for a couple more battles and they’re ones I’m looking forward to.”

McCullum’s chronic back problems are well documented but the former wicketkeeper said that was not the reason for his decision to call time on his career.

“Look, my body’s been a bit sore for a while but that’s international sport,” he said.

“But that’s not it. I think, in the end, the time has just come.

“I love playing cricket but I guess all good things come to an end. I guess the team’s just about ready for the next

person to take over ...”

That next person looks certain to be Kane Williamson, who will lead the side to the World Twenty20.

Williamson scored a century to drive the Blacks Caps to victory over Sri Lanka on Monday, passing McCullum’s New Zealand record for runs in a calendar year and moving to the top of the test batting rankings in the process.

“He’s a genius, he’s going to hate me saying this, but number one batsman in the world says it all,” McCullum added.

“He’s a consummate professional and a champion fella and he’s still only 25. He’s going to be one of the best players the game has ever seen, but again he’s going to hate me saying that.”

After what he described as a “really great year”, which included the run to the 50-overs World Cup final, McCullum is looking forward to his compatriots coming out in force for his final two tests in Wellington and Christchurch.

“The World Cup captivated BRENDON New Zealand,” he said. “The McCULLUM playing numbers and the support we built up because of the way we played should see some great crowds for us.”

The explosive batsman said he would focus more on career highlights after his 101st test but was most proud of the culture in what he described as the best New Zealand team he had ever played in.

“It’s up to others to decide what the state you’ve left the team in but hopefully I’ve left it in a better position than when I took over,” he said.

Djokovic and Serena Williams named ITF players of the year LONDON, (Reuters-)-Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were named men’s and women’s world champions for 2015 by the International Tennis Federation yesterday.

The Serb ended the year as men’s world number one for the fourth time after taking three majors the Australian, Wimbledon and US Open, as well as finishing runner-up to Stan Wawrinka in the French.

Williams also narrowly missed a calendar-year grand slam, winning the Australian, French and Wimbledon and reaching the her home US Open semi-final.

Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, and India’s Sania Mirza were named women’s doubles world champions, with Jean-Julien Rojer, of the Netherlands, and Romania’s Horia Tecau taking the men’s

Six wickets for Moeen Ali as England win warm-up game PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa (Reuters)-Moeen Ali took six wickets as England cruised to a comfortable innings and 91 run win over South Africa A on Tuesday to successfully conclude their preparations for the Boxing Day Test.

Ali’s spin skittled out the opponents for 187 runs on the last day of the last warm-up game as the home side offered scant resistance after resuming on 35-2, 243 runs behind the tourists who had proven rampant with the bat on the second day at the City Oval on Monday.

England declared on 414 for six in reply to the home side’s first innings tally of 136.

Ali finished with MOEEN ALI figures of six wickets for 77.

Seamer Steven Finn took two quick wickets to add to the four he took in the first innings and should be enough to earn him a place in the England side for the first test against South Africa, which starts in Durban on Saturday.

England began yesterday with a wicket with their first ball as Mark Footitt, also fighting for a test place, had night watchman Marchant de Lange caught at short leg by James Taylor.

After Test players Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw put on 67 runs for the fourth wicket, Ali made a breakthrough by trapping De Kock leg before wicket for 53 and Rossouw not long after in a similar fashion for 32.

Finn then took two wickets in a single over as South Africa A slumped to 110 for seven.

The last three wickets fell to Ali with wicketkeeper Dane Vilas, dropped by South Africa after the recent test defeat in India, unbeaten on 30.

BACCUS ELECTED AS NEW PRESIDENT OF ALBION

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Serena Williams of the U.S. dance Gangnam Style during the Kids Tennis Day at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 12, 2013. Reuters/Damir Sagolj/Files award.

Hingis thus became an ITF world champion

again 15 years after being crowned singles champion.

Dalma Galfi, of Hunga-

ry, and USA’s Taylor Fritz were named ITF junior champions.

IMTIAZ Baccus was elected as President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, when that entity held its Annual General Meeting last Monday at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall.

Baccus, a retired Senior Laboratory Technician at GuySuCo – Albion Estate, who previously served as the Club’s Vice-President for over fifteen years, replaces Lloyd Kanden who did not seek re-election due to ill health, after being at the helm of the Club for the past thirteen years.

Businessman, Romeo Singh, was elected as the Club’s new Vice-President after serving as Committee Member in the year 2014, while former Berbice and Guyana Youth Manager and current Human Resources Manager of GuySuCo’s Albion Estate, Vemen Walter, returned as Secretary.

The Club’s new Treasurer is David Latchaya, while there is also a new Assistant Secretary/Treasurer in Joshia Dhanai.

Three Committee Members: Totaram Haricharand, Ritesh Umroe, and Fredrick Hussain were also elected.

The new Executives will meet on Wednesday, December 30th, 2015 to name the Club’s Captains, Vice-Captains and Managers of the respective teams, together with the Sub-Committees for the New Year.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

Paine’s 58-ball 87 Levi Nedd new overpowers Brisbane Heat BVA President

HOBART Hurricanes made amends for an embarrassing BBL opener with a 20run victory over Brisbane Heat at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

After losing by 95 runs and being steamrolled humiliatingly for 91 against Sydney Sixers just two days earlier, the Hurricanes rebounded with a fine all-round performance against Heat.

(Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 3 for 184 (Paine 87*, Sangakkara 43, Bailey 40) beat Brisbane Heat 8 for 164 (Floros 42, Reardon 41, Rainbird 3-37) by 20 runs).

After captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat on a flat pitch, there was no batting calamity on this occasion with the Hurricanes batting aggressively, yet smartly to notch an imposing 3 for 184.

They batted with intent but valued their wickets, with Paine exemplifying this approach by being the mainstay for the Hurricanes throughout.

Paine scored an unbeaten 87 from 58 balls, and combined in consecutive half-century partnerships with Kumar Sangakkara and George Bailey.

In their chase, the Heat lost wickets at regular intervals despite the best efforts of allrounder Jason Floros who was promoted to No.3 to counterattack Hurri-

canes’ spin duo of Cameron Boyce and Clive Rose. Floros scored an enterprising 42 from 23 but it was not nearly enough despite some late hitting from Nathan Reardon (41 from 32 balls). Despite

top order. Openers Paine and Ben Dunk made a circumspect start in a determined bid to ensure a repeat of the calamity in Sydney was not replicated.

They played respectful-

Tim Paine anchored the innings with a 58ball 87.

teasing on occasions, the Heat fell short at 8 for 164.

Dan Christian thwarted his former side with the key wickets of Lendl Simmons and Peter Forrest, but perhaps most importantly, he spectacularly caught danger man Chris Lynn (1) after the ball lingered high in the air. The juggled catch was one of four catches for Christian in the game.

The Hurricanes bowlers and fielders backed up a disciplined performance by their

ly, and in a fashion that was notably different to the explosive template of T20 cricket with only nine runs scored in the opening two overs.

But Paine soon launched and smashed a couple of brutal pull shots that rocketed out of the small ground.

After Dunk was run out by a direct throw side-on from Forrest, Paine combined with Sangakkara to give the Hurricanes the initiative. After his first ball flop in his BBL debut

against the Sixers, Sangakkara started cautiously. But it wasn’t long before Sangakkara’s glorious off-side game flourished, ensuring runs were ticking along briskly without doing anything rash.

Paine and Sangakkara complemented each other perfectly, with the Hurricanes captain’s brashness a nice juxtaposition to the stylish Sri Lankan. Just when it seemed he was about to shift gears, Sangakkara fell for a 31-ball 43 holing out off a Ben Cutting length delivery, ending the 77-run partnership off 51 balls.

While his teammates were getting thrashed around, Cutting was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 32 from his four overs, but his figures were blighted by a 13-run final over.

Bailey, who scored 62 against the Sixers in a lone hand, continued his fine form bashing the Heat attack to all parts. He treated renowned disciplined spinner Samuel Badree with disdain, punctuated by a massive six over long-on after skipping down the track.

Bailey (40 off 21 balls) holed out in the penultimate over but the damage had been done. The defeat ensured the Heat, last year’s bottom-placed team, are winless after two matches.(ESPN Cricinfo).

Papa Diack denies corruption claims

By Mitch Phillips LONDON, (Reuters)-Papa Massata Diack, the son of former IAAF president Lamine Diack and a former marketing executive for athletics’ governing body, has denied any involvement in bribery or corruption and says his father is also innocent.

Papa Diack has been questioned by French prosecutors over claims he was involved in a scheme for blackmailing athletes who failed drugs tests in order to allow them to continue to compete. France’s national financial prosecutor Eliane Houlette said last month that he played a “very active role” in the corruption.

Russian former London Marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova said she paid more than 400,000 pounds to Russian athletics officials to have a positive test covered up.

Papa Diack and three other officials have been charged by the IAAF with ethics violations, with a verdict due in

PAPA DIACK January, but he told the BBC on Tuesday: “There was no extortion of funds from any athlete.

“I’ve never met any athlete, any agent, any person in the world...asking to have

a payment.

“I deal with corporate sponsors, I deal with governments, I deal with municipal government, I deal with Olympic committees, I never dealt with any athlete or any agent, so I reject those allegations.”

Lamine Diack, who was replaced as IAAF president

by Sebastian Coe in August, is under investigation by French police on charges of corruption and money laundering. French prosecutors said on Tuesday his previous charge of “passive corruption” had now been upgraded to the more serious “corruption”.

His son said the 82-yearold was also innocent.

“He’s never been involved in any corrupt system to extort money from athletes, I totally reject that,” Papa Diack said from his home in Senegal.

“Suddenly they are just

going to destroy all he’s built over the last 16 years and all the 39 years he’s spent in the IAAF.” On Monday, French newspaper Le Monde published an email from IAAF deputy general secretary Nick Davies to Papa Diack from 2013 which revealed top-secret “brainstorming” plans to minimise the reputational damage of a series of positive tests by Russian athletes before the 2013 world athletics championships in Moscow.

The IAAF’s lawyers said that the mail was leaked by Diack and a statement by Davies denied that it was evidence of any wrong-doing.

All Russian athletes are currently banned from athletics following the report by an independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency that revealed state-sponsored doping on a massive scale.

FORMER National volleyball captain and present National Coach, Levi Lawrence Nedd, is the new President of the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA).

Nedd was elected unopposed when the BVA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Sunday at the GuySuCo Training Centre Hostel, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice for elected office bearers for the 2016-2017 period.

Nedd, who was the former Secretary of the body, replaces long-serving President Gregory Rambarran, who did not seek re-election.

LEVI NEDD A new Vice-President has also been elected in Dion Seelochan. Ian Bagot will take up the Secretary position once held by Nedd.

Rashad Razack retained his position as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary.

The Committee Members elected to serve are: Chandradat Ramdharry, Surendra Motipersaud, Ikram Khan, Jason Seelochan and Malika Jervis.

Notable Dates DESPITE knocking down Jackie Marshall in the seventh round of a contest scheduled for eight, Guyanese Clifford (Cliff) Matthew Anderson lost the bout on Points. The fight was held on December 23, 1949 at the Ice Rink in Paisley, Scotland.

Anderson was 28 years-old at the time and had suffered his second defeat in his last six fights. The fight was one of nine he had for that year. One month after the Marshall affair, Anderson made amends after defeating Englishman Les Rendel.

The Guyanese would also have nine fights in 1950 but would enter the ring 13 times in 1951. Anderson made two unsuccessful challenges for the Commonwealth featherweight title.

Both times he fought Al Phillips. On March 18, 1947 he lost by points to the Englishman. In the rematch four months later, the Guyanese was disqualified in round eight by referee Andrew Smith for illegal blows. Born in October 1921, Anderson died in December 1998.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday December 23, 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) 355 wickets (2) 355 dismissals

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who are the only two players to score Test double hundreds against the West Indies in the 1980’s?

(2) What were the series results of the 1975-76 WI/Australia Test contest?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

DDL continues its sponsorship of KMTC’s rd BoxingDay meet for 43 year

THE Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is continuing its sponsorship of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) annual Boxing Day horse race meet for the 43rd year.

The company, under its Ivanoff Vodka brand, Monday handed over the trophy for the winning horse and cash prizes for the top-four finishers to honorary president of the KMTC Justice Cecil Kennard.

DDL is sponsoring the Class `G1’ and Lower and three-and-four-year-old horses which will be contested over one mile.

The winner of the event will receive the DDL sponsored trophy along with $300,000. The other top-three performers will receive $150,000, $75,000 and $38,000 respectively.

According to Justice Kennard, since the Kennard Turf Club came into existence, the beverage company has been on

board and he is very appreciative of this, and he and the club are very grateful for the continued sponsorship.

DDL’s Brands Manager Maria Munroe said her company is happy to be on board the race meet and she assured that the company will continue its sponsorship for years to come.

According to Munroe, DDL sponsors three horse race events each year for the KMTC and this she indicated will continue.

Munroe, a national hockey player said she first attended a horse race meet on Phagwa Day at the KMTC facility, Bush Lot, Farm, Corentyne, Berbice and really enjoyed it, “It was really exciting and was more like a family outing.”

She encouraged Guyanese from all walks of life to make sure they are part of the December 26 race meet.

Justice Cecil Kennard (left) accepts the sponsorship cheque and first place trophy from DDL’s Brands Manager Maria Munroe.

IPSC Guyana hosts 2015 awards presentation THE Guyana National Rifle Shooting Association (Guyana NRA) and the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) held their first awards presentation following the first year of IPSC sanctioned shooting in Guyana.

The occasion was held on Friday evening last at the Crown Mining Supply Roof Gardens, Middleton Street, Campbellville and was graced with the presence of Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips, MSM, who is also President of the Guyana NRA. Regional Director of IPSC (Guyana), Mr. Harold Hopkinson thanked Brigadier Phillips, members and the many sponsors who have contributed through the year for their

support which made the year a successful one.

This year marked the first

IPSC rules, Hopkinson noted while stating that for 2016 they are aiming for at least

NRA also hosted a Range Officers Course.

Following are the names

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips (seated 2nd left), IPSC Regional Director (Guyana) Harold Hopkinson (seated 2nd right), Vidushi Persaud (left) and Ryan Mc Kinnon (right) along with the other awardees following the presentation of awards time in history of Guyana NRA that there were three Level One shoots under the

one competition per month as well as a Level 2 competition. IPSC and the Guyana

of the awardees and the categories in which they won: Standard (Higher Quality

Blatter to appeal against eight-year ban SEPP Blatter’s legal team have confirmed he will appeal his eight-year ban from football handed out by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

The FIFA president was banned along with UEFA counterpart Michel Platini

by FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee as a result of an alleged “disloyal payment” in 2011.

– As much as 22 rounds in magazine) – 1st, Vidushi Persaud; 2nd, Mohamed Qual-

FIFA cleared both men of corruption charges but stated that Blatter could not demonstrate “a legal basis for this payment”, prompting the decision to suspend the duo.

Blatter was quick to label the ban “unjust” and his legal team confirmed an appeal will be launched.

“President Blatter will

appeal the decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber to the Appeal Committee,” a statement released yesterday confirmed.

“While the decision announced yesterday confirmed that there was no corruption or bribery, president Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the Appeal Committee that the remaining charges

SEPP BLATTER must also fail because the evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship

ander; 3rd, Gordon Richards; 4th, Lawrence Layne; 5th, Hassan; 6th, Harold Hopkinwith Mr. Platini was in all respects appropriate.

“President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to prevail on the remaining charges and clear his name.”

Blatter had described the payment made to Platini as “a gentleman’s agreement”, insisting it was nothing untoward despite the lack of written documentation to support it.

Former UEFA general secretary Gerhard Aigner has accused Blatter of

son; 7th, David Dharry; 8th, Murtland Smith; 9th, John Ferreira; and 10th, Randy Sarjoo.

Production (Normal Gun – only 15 rounds in magazine) – 1st, Ryan McKinnon; 2nd, Rajiv Latchana; 3rd, Surujbali Persaud; 4th, Romesh Latchana; 5th, Shawn Smith; 6th, Roberto Tewari; and 7th, Fabian Stuart.

Among the IPSC sponsors for the year were Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Queensway Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc., Guyana’s Première Aviation Security Specialists and firearm Dealer, General Marine Company Limited, Hakeem Mohammed General Store - licensed firearm dealers, Dr. Karen Persram - Optometrist. having “no respect for the rules” but suggested Platini should not have been issued a punishment of the same severity.

“I don’t think you can put Blatter and Platini in the same boat,” he told talkSPORT. “Being close to Blatter meant Platini became part of his system. He was taking operational decisions and there was no more control from his executive committee over what he was doing.”

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 23, 2015

NSC doles out Christmas cheer

By Stephan Sookram THE National Sport Commission (NSC) handed out Christmas cheer to three former athletes and

administrators who gave worthwhile contributions to various sport disciplines in their younger years.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones along with

newly appointed commissioner Lavern Frazer made house-to-house donations to the persons and presented them with care-hampers in keeping with the Christmas

(from L-R) Christopher Jones (Director of Sport) and Lavern Frazer (NSC Commissioner) look on as former middle distance runner Moses Dwarka shows a picture of himself in younger days.

season.

The first, a former local and national netball player Jeanette Lovell was surprised by the initiative and thanked the NSC for recognising her.

“I’m very pleased. I can tell you that when I started playing the game, I never looked for anything; it was just a game I grew to love.

I’ve gotten so much from the game over the years (39 years),” said Lovell.

The next on the stop list was former WBA champion Pamela London who told the media, “I am grateful for this. I am a former world champion and I deserve this.”

The third stop was to national middle distance runner Moses Dwarka who also indicated his pleasure at being considered by the NSC for such a humble donation.

He reminded of his younger days when he used to play for the then British Guiana team and recounted all the joys he had suiting

Bravo stresses on confidence factor ahead of second Test

By Brydon Coverdale in Melbourne TAKE a look at the scorecard from West Indies’ tour match in Geelong at the weekend and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was as meaningless as warm-up games get.

A two-day match against a Victorian XI featuring only two players - neither of them bowlers - with first-class experience. But Darren Bravo hopes that if his fellow batsmen gained just one thing from the game it is this: confidence.

West Indies have been sorely lacking it of late. In Sri Lanka in October they were roundly defeated and none of the batsmen scored centuries in the two Tests; in fact, only Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood managed so much as a fifty.

That was followed by a tour game in Brisbane that the team lost to a rookie Cricket Australia XI, which in turn was followed by a crushing three-day loss in the first Test.

But as poor as West Indies were in Hobart, there were a couple of encouraging signs. Bravo himself scored a classy 108 in the first innings, but was let down by the complete lack of support from the rest of the batting order.

In the second, Kraigg Brathwaite found himself in a similar position, posting 94 out of a total of 148. A bit more back-up in either innings and it could have been a much tighter contest.

So, as weak as the Victorian attack was in Geelong, West Indies were still pleased that Blackwood, after making a pair in the Hobart Test, managed 69, that Brathwaite backed up from his Test effort with 78, and that Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin at least spent some time in the middle. Bravo did not bat in Geelong but was pleased with what he saw, and hopes that the batsmen will be better for it come Boxing Day. “It’s just a matter of confidence,”

Bravo said. “Coming in to this series most of our batsmen didn’t really have that confidence. We lost the series in Sri Lanka, we lost the practice game as well in Brisbane. It’s a matter of confidence.

“It’s important that whenever we go to bat we spend some time out in

Darren Bravo scored a classy 108 in the first innings in Hobart, but was let down by the complete lack of support from the rest of the batting order © Getty Images the middle. If we spend time we’re definitely going to score runs. Naturally we play aggressive cricket where batting is concerned. It’s just a matter of us spending time out in the middle and putting up a very good fight.

“It’s very important we look at the positives. In the practice game young Blackwood played pretty well, as well as Kraigg Brathwaite. The bowlers had a very good run, including Jerome Taylor.

The guys are putting in the work, it’s just a matter of us going out there and executing.”

West Indies trained at the MCG yestertday for the first time ahead of the Test, which starts on Saturday, while the

Australians will begin training today.

The Victorian fast bowler Scott Boland has been added to Australia’s squad as an injury replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile, and while Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson remain the likely attack, Bravo knows from his Hobart ton that scoring opportunities will present themselves.

“The Australian bowlers, they have a plan exactly how they want to get us out,” he said. “You respect the good balls and put away the bad balls. Yes they are a very good team but at the end of the day they are still humans.

They’re going to present bad balls and it’s just a matter of putting it away. I don’t think you should be bogged down too much. Don’t be intimidated by the Australian bowlers.

Just back yourself and your ability.

“When you’re not scoring runs it is difficult to pick yourself up. I believe the guys have that sort of resilience in them. Most of us have scored international hundreds. We have proven that we are definitely capable of playing at this level.

It is just a matter of going out there and spending some time.”

It was also easy to forget after the three-day result in Hobart that at lunch on day one, West Indies were arguably in the stronger position, having picked up three wickets after Australia chose to bat. However, they then allowed Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh to compile a record fourth-wicket partnership that batted West Indies out of the match.

“It’s very important that whenever we’re in the driver’s seat we try and stay there,” Bravo said. “I remember in the first Test match we had Australia three for 100 or something like that. We were in the driver’s seat and we let loose. We need to maintain the momentum in the game.”

(from L-R) former netball player Jeanette Lovell stands to collects her hamper from Christopher Jones (Director of Sort) and Lavern Frazer (NSC Commissioner) up to represent his homeland.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones in an invited comment indicated that they are pleased to value individuals who had an input in the sector.

“We at the NSC see the need to value those who

have made invaluable contributions to the sport sector and this is just our way of ensuring that they know we still value them,” contended Jones.

Burdette Marhsal was the fourth person to receive a hamper while a fifth is still unnamed.

Final two Banks Beer/GFA quarter-final spots to be decided tonight

By Stephan Sookram THE final two quarter-final spots in the Banks Beer/ Georgetown Football Association will be decided this evening when action returns to the Georgetown Football Club ground.

The double-header affair will firstly pit Beacon Football Club and Flamingo Football Club from 19 hours, while from 21 hours Sunburst Camtpown and Northern Rangers will do battle.

Each of the four competing teams will be vying for the final two quarter-final spots up for grabs in the tournament which will feature a few interesting matches in the zone.

Already, Western Tigers, New Amsterdam, Police, Santos, Rosginol and Riddim Squad have moved on to the next round and are preparing for their battles come Friday evening.

The tournament, which will see the winner taking home a handsome purse of $2M and a trophy, will be played at 4 venues across Guyana (Number 5 Village Berbice, GFC Ground, Guyana Defence Force Ground, and Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.)

The runners-up will take home $1M and a trophy while the 3rd and 4th place teams will cart off $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.

The final of the tournament will be played on New Year’s Day with the National Stadium Providence being touted as the venue.

In the last edition of the tournament, Alpha United defeated the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-1, thanks to a double from Gregory Richardson and a lone strike from Dwight Peters, while Pele FC stopped Western Tigers 1 – 0 for 3rd place.

NSC doles out Christmas cheer See story on page 31

Guyana secures 15 medals in

Suriname’s Invitational Swim Meet … Seaton and Persaud impress

The Guyanese contingent takes a photo opportunity at the conclusion of the meet.

TEAM Guyana returned home safely from Suriname’s VOS 2015 Invitational Swim meet where they scored a total of 15 medals.

Unfortunately, only the host nation Suriname and Guyana were the competing teams since no other country attended. Nine of those medals are Gold, four are Silver and two are Bronze.

Leon Seaton was outstanding with

four individual Gold medal performances and a Silver one, which he captured in the 200m freestyle relay alongside team mates Raekwon Noel, Randy Potter and Ejaz Mohamed.

Seaton secured Gold in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m Individual Medley (IM).

Meanwhile, Aleka Persuad had an

WICB upholds ban against Narine See story on page 27

SUNIL NARINE

…spnner will take no part in NAGICO Super 50 tournamnet

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9

equally impressive meet for the females as she copped four individual Gold medals in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 100m (IM).

Trumaine Cole accounted for the other Gold medal with victory in the Male 100m freestyle.

According to Seaton, who was also the Team Manager, all the other swimmers did

their best improving their times and gained experience, keeping with the focus of developmental swim meets.

He added that Suriname complimented team Guyana for the level of competition display and has requested an invitation to a local meet in Guyana in 2016, a request that will be taken into consideration by the Federation and swim clubs. (Kizan Brumell)

‘Teamwork,’ discipline, main reason for Jaguars’ success See story

Gudakesh Motie celebrates with Leon Johnson after he took a wicket (WICB photo)

on page 27

––Johnson

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015