Chronicle 30 10 2015

GUYANA

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

Body of slain NYPD cop returns home

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NYPD officers escort the body of their slain colleague, Randolph Holder off the tarmac of the Cheddi Jagan Airport Thursday night. (Inset is the dead cop's grandmother Elizabeth Lovell and another relative (Delano Williams photo)

Dynamic jet Higher training bursts into flames for teachers P.8

A view of the aircraft on fire yesterday during taxi at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

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…as govt honours top students

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Body of slain NYPD officer returns home

By Leroy Smith

AMID emotional scenes at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, relatives and friends late Thursday night received the body of slain NYPD officer Randolph Holder for his final journey to Guyana where he was born before leaving these shores in search of a better life in the United States.

Holder, a member of a plainclothes conditions unit uptown—tasked with dealing with ongoing crime issues was shot and killed on October 20 while trying to apprehend a suspected robber in Harlem. His body arrived on a Fly Jamaica aircraft from New York around 21:00hrs and was escorted by his colleagues from the NYPD to a waiting hearse.

At the airport crowds

of people- many relatives and friends could not hold back their tears on seeing the flag-draped casket of the young cop. His grandmother Elizabeth Lovell who cared for him and his only brother Kellon Noel was also on hand. Lovell like many of Holder’s other relatives said that he had promised to take care of her. She said Noel and Randolph had different fathers, but they were the only children for their mother Melrose Lovell, who died of cancer when she was just 38. At the time, Randolph was 17 and his brother was just seven years old. At that point, they were left in the care of Lovell, and an aunt, Maureen. They all lived in the same house, which was destroyed by fire in 2002.

Meanwhile, the airport tarmac was lined with local and foreign journal-

ists, staff members of the United States Embassy in Georgetown, airport staff and dozens of police officers and junior ranks from the Guyana Police Force.

After remaining idle on the airport’s tarmac for almost 45 minutes while another aircraft from Caribbean Airlines arrived with additional members of the NYPD activities then began to unfold to have the casket bearing the remains of Officer Holder removed from the aircraft draped with the flag of the United States of America.

Prior to removing the remains from the aircraft the NYPD ranks were briefed by Assistant Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force Clifton Hicken. The officers then lined a section of the tarmac following which members of the Guyana Police Force in their ceremonial attire followed suit in the foreground. Six NYPD Officers including one female advanced to the aircraft and shouldered the remains of Officer Holder and the Guyana Police Force Band provided a rendition of the United States of America National Anthem. The remains were taken to a waiting hearse that was also

allowed access to the airport’s tarmac; at that point relatives of the fallen police officer broke down in tears, while some had to be restrained from advancing towards the officers bearing the casket on their shoulders. Once in the hearse the ranks from the Guyana Police Force led a slow march procession off of the tarmac followed by the NYPD Officers who walked alongside the moving hearse carrying the remains of the fallen officer. The hearse then travelled to Guyana’s capital Georgetown, some 15 miles from the airport under Police escort for the Merriman Funeral Home.

Guyana’s President David Granger in expressing deepest condolences to the family of the Holder said the young officer was in the prime of his life.

The remains were taken to a waiting hearse that was also allowed access to the airport’s tarmac; at that point relatives of the fallen police officer broke down in tears, while some had to be restrained from advancing towards the officers baring the remains on their shoulder.

Once in the hearse the ranks from the Guyana Police led a slow march

procession off of the tarmac followed by the NYPD Officers and who walked alongside the moving hearse carrying the remains of the fallen officer.

The hearse then traveled to Georgetown to Georgetown under Police escort for the Merriman Funeral Home even as dozens of persons who were at the airport at the time were seen jostling each other to get glimpses of the hearse carrying the remains.

Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken spoke about the night’s proceedings: “On behalf of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Commissioner of Police and members of the Guyana Police and other armed forces we wish to express our heart felt sympathy to the people of New York, the NYPD and the relatives of Randolph Holder who met such an untimely end” Hicken noted that each time a police officer anywhere in the world puts on his or her uniform they do so to lay their lives down for the rest of the country not knowing if they will ever return home to their families or their unit in one piece. “It is because of that fact that we here in Guyana

will be giving our fullest support to the NYPD and the family of Mr. Holder, this brave young man who acted in a selfless manner when he chased that suspect on that dreadful night” Hicken added.

The senior police officer also reminded that Holder is a son of Guyana’s soil and expressed the sentiments that the decision to bring his remains back to Guyana to be laid to rest will forever remain an honour for every single police officer in Guyana both past and present and also allows this country to have yet another sense of pride that one of our countrymen was able to make a difference in the lives of so many people in a country he called his second home. Randolph Holder was killed on October 20, 2015 while chasing a suspect who was armed with a gun. The Officer who was born in Guyana and moved to the United States several years ago joined the New York Police Department, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who served as police officers in the Guyana Police Force.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Higher training for teachers promised TOP academic performers for the period 2014-2015 were yesterday awarded for their excellent performances in their various disciplines, as “they exemplify the high standards of the country’s educational system.”

President David Granger made this observation yesterday while addressing a packed audience of youngsters as well as the awardees at the National Cultural Centre.

The President also asserted that over the next 15 years teachers will all get the opportunity to achieve tertiary education, in an effort to ensure that every single teacher is trained. This should be the turning point for Guyana’s education system, he added.

“Every school must have a proper laboratory and library, students must have access to the information system, must be able to connect to the internet, every single school must have Wi-Fi, as these are the policies which will be the foundation on which we will fashion our education system and form a basis for social cohesion,” the President said.

INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY The President also noted that Guyana is in need of a properly developed education system to extend access to the “information superhighway,” so as to support the education of the entire nation.

He also made the point that “it is the duty of the state to provide education that would include curricular designs to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana and disciplines that are necessary to prepare students to deal with social issues and meet the challenges of the modern technological age.”

The education system, Granger added, must aim to ensure that students graduate with the knowledge and skills that would allow them to secure gainful employment, contribute to the development of society and be able to participate not only in Guyana, but also in a highly competitive global economy.

In that light, he charged not just the awardees but the

…as govt honours top students

The awardees showcase their awards

in the performance between regions and coastland, while better preparing graduands for the world of work.”

And observing that “a pyramid of educational division has been developed,” the President acknowledged that a large number of private schools are at the top and public schools are at the bottom.

The private/public divide has given the advantage to private institutions and opened a gap which is starting to widen. However, the gaps must be overcome, he said, and through the education system they intend to erase inequalities and inequities.

President Granger hands over the trophy to Shonta Noel for being the most outstanding student in Business Studies at CAPE

many students present to not quit, but to go on to the third level.

However, the President observed that “from the beginning to the end secondary schools have not been producing the desired results, as half the students might not even be qualified to be there, and these performances impact on the quality of results being seen.”

He then drew attention to the fact that more than half of the students who wrote English Language and Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) exams secured unsatisfactory passes, while in the core science subjects such as Chemistry and Physics there has been an unacceptable knowledge base.

‘EDUCATION APARTHEID’

The President also pointed to the troubling disparities between the coastland and hinterland regions, with regard to the delivery of education.

“The top five secondary schools being the same as they were many years ago, all located in Georgetown, is good for those students. However every region must have a secondary school that must be not only in the top five, but top 10,” said President Granger, while asserting that if they do not build a connection between Georgetown and the hinterland, there will be ‘education apartheid.’

He also urged that action be taken to avert the danger of children being separated along lines of gender, social class and geographic locations. “We must arrest the decline and reduce disparities

SPORTS Meanwhile, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine during his address to the gathering lauded the students for their remarkable performances, noting that “we want to ensure that education is going to be rounded and although we are happy that students are excelling, it is not enough as we need to concentrate on other things.”

He noted sports is as highly important so schools have been urged to upgrade their sporting facilities. Moreover, Dr. Roopnaraine identified the need for a steelpan orchestra in every school in the country to encourage the formation and training of choirs throughout the school population.

“However, examinations are important and we want to ensure that wherever they [the students] go their results will carry them further and onwards…we must ensure that they are contented and happy,” Dr. Roopnaraine said.

ABOLISHING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Happiness must be allround so the abolition of corporal punishment is a necessity, said the Education Minister.

Therefore, instead of unlawfully beating children, he urged that schools improvise and improve on counselling facilities and mechanisms which would prove to have a more positive and longer-lasting effects.

Currently, he added, they are aiming to achieve national cohesion in schools because “schools must be places of healing...as such, we must fight every inch of the way to craft strategies in education and in all areas of national life.”

AWARDEES And amidst resounding applause and cheers, the top performers received their awards.

Victoria Najab of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) school copped the award for being the most outstanding performer at CSEC, achieving 20 grade ones, while Cecil Cox was awarded for being the top student at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Also receiving awards for academic excellence were Shonta Noel, for being the most outstanding student in Business Studies at CAPE, while Shannon Woodroffe copped the best performer award for Sciences at CSEC,

among others who achieved awards for excelling in their various disciplines.

The excitement did not stop there, as not just individuals but schools also were awarded. The most improved senior secondary school between 2014-2015 was the Berbice High School while sharing the award as the best Junior Secondary School were Fort Wellington and Beterverwagting Secondary.

Primary schools were also recognised as Sparta Primary School in Region 2 (Pomeroom/Supenaam) was awarded for being the most improved primary school.

Persons were also awarded from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and Carnegie School of Home Economics, as well as for performance at the Guyana Technical Education Examination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

Bigger, better Umana Yana slated for April 2016 completion

By Ravin Singh THE rebuilding of the historical Umana Yana is projected to be completed

by April next year.

Following its destruction late last year by a fire of electrical origin, its reconstruction is expected to coincide with Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Constructed by the Wai Wais in 1972, the 55-foot Umana Yana was a conical palm thatched hut (benab) erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Guyana in August that year as a VIP lounge and

Ministerial Adviser Mervyn Williams

recreation centre.

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 $50M into the 2015 budget for the reconstruction of the Umana Yana.

But with Guyana just months away from celebrating its 50th Independence Anniversary, Ministerial Adviser on Indigenous People’s Affairs Mervyn Williams revealed to this publication that the target is now to have this structure erected before the celebrations at a new, estimated cost of over $60M. According to Williams, the task is being executed through a collaborative effort among the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Wai Wais of Masekenari in the Deep South Rupununi.

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The historical Umana Yana which was gutted by fire last year of the new Umana Yana will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Expertise from this ministry will be sought also to explore the option of having, exclusively, solar- generated electricity.

This, the adviser said, is in keeping with the energy agenda of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry which was committed to the utilisation of the sun and water as sources of energy. “If this is successful, the Umana Yana will be a city example of our intention across Guyana to source renewable energy,” Williams said.

This aspect of the project, for which the Public Infrastructure Ministry will be responsible, is expected to be completed by late December.

Then the Indigenous Affairs Ministry will be

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responsible for the architectural design of the benab through the Wai Wais with the guidance of local Toshao Paul Chikema.

“The labour force will be decided by the Toshao, who will pick the best builders from among his people,” the adviser said, adding that while he is unsure how many persons will be employed, the Wai Wai nation has committed to working through the Christmas holidays, if the need arises, to complete this monumental task.

Materials for the building will also be sourced from Masekenari, since this is the only place, currently, where the materials are known to be available. Additional materials to support other areas of construction will be obtained from St. Cuthbert’s Mission

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in Region 4 and Moraikobai in Region 5.

The adviser revealed that the design will mirror the previous structure but with an increase in space between the floor and roof. This, he said, is to allow the freer passage of Atlantic air which sweeps in from the seawall nearby.

According to him, this reconstruction is a major undertaking by the ministry, given that the building represents the historical, current, and projected cultural contributions of the indigenous peoples to Guyana.

“It is the wish of the President, the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs and his team that we have this benab reconstructed, and that is what we are working towards,” Williams noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

No fear or favour in public sector- Harmon MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has charged the Public Service in Guyana to remain impartial in carrying out its functions and responsibilities in the respective State agencies and ministries so that the Guyanese public can benefit.

Addressing a group of public servants from various ministries and State agencies yesterday morning at the Annual Conference of Personnel Practitioners, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), he pointed to the need for the sector to be modernised and upgraded to suit global trends that promote efficiency, reliability and responsibility.

A reformed sector, he added, will address the perception of corruption in Guyana.

“Your ability to give service without fear or favour, partiality or prejudice, are some of the things that we are looking for. We do not want a Public Service that is politically aligned. We are looking for impartiality, we are asking you to provide a service to all Guyanese because that is what you are there for. You are not there for a party…we are asking for professionalism and impartiality in serving the Guyanese people,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon declared.

He said that the conference had come at an opportune time since the public service is currently under scrutiny after it was discovered that there is a definite need for Public Service reform.

This reference was made in relation to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which was established

by President David Granger to examine current working conditions, salaries and other areas of the Public Service with the aim of formulating

- promises salary hike, improved environment REFORMED PUBLIC SERVICE He posited that since the government wants a Public Service which is effective, responsive and fair, it will begin the process of modernising and transforming the sector to achieve these characteristics. He noted that the operational arrangements of the new Public Service will be so fashioned, that public Minister of State Joseph Harmon interacting with servants will be introduced to public servants yesterday following the opening new technologies, especially digital technology, so that of the Personnel Practitioners Conference. the much-needed efficiency is achieved. He also promclear that the new adminisrecommendations for impletration has high expectations ised increased salaries for mentation.

Minister Harmon said that of the Public Service and so improved work performance.

“The process of moda reform in this particular public servants must be able ernising and transforming to meet these high standards sector will ensure that an the Public Service to make improved and efficient Public being set.

“This new Public Service it more responsive, fair, efService is born. has to be able to deliver in an ficient and effective cannot administratively neutral way be over emphasised. The NEW PUBLIC SERVICE “You, the participants of and has to be established use of technologies will be this conference, are proba- firmly on the basis of merit employed and the physical bly the best informed of the and political impartiality. facilities for delivery have myriad of problems that exist It must also possess expert to be improved. We will within the Public Service, knowledge and a high stan- provide you with the tools, problems such as low wages dard of academic education. we will give you the enviand salaries, poor and inad- In addition, it should consist ronment, we will provide equate training, institutional of men and women of in- the quality of remuneration deficiencies as well as the tegrity who are reliable and needed to make you more efgreat disparity in the qual- willing to give advice with- ficient public servants. If you ity of public service being out fear or favour, partiality have a trained workforce, you pay them well, they will delivered on our coastland and prejudice,” he charged. as against our hinterland. A CORRUPTION new Public Service is thereReferring to the level of fore envisaged and now required. A Public Service that perceived corruption in Guyis accessible, relevant, reli- ana, Minister Harmon reiterable, resourceful, responsive ated that the government was to the needs of the people; serious about transparency that is equally effective in and eradicating corruption all regions of Guyana, the and the Public Service was coast and the hinterland; in the place to start.

“We have a perception of all communities, rural and urban,” Minister Harmon corruption and we will begin to address that through the declared.

He said that while chal- public servant. That is where lenges are still present in this you have to begin. If we adsector even now, these will dress the public servant, we not be allowed to persist under can address that perception the David Granger adminis- that is out there because they tration, since a good life for are the ones who represent all Guyanese is what has been that agency or office of the promised. Harmon made it government,” Harmon said.

deliver on your policies and that is something we are taking very seriously,” he emphasised.

It is within this context that need for the understanding of public servants’ functions and responsibilities were underscored by Harmon.

“You the personnel officers are the engineers and drivers of the Public Ser-

relevant Public Service,” Harmon urged.

In the meantime, Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Public Service, Reginald Brotherson, told the participants that the days of fear and favour are gone and Guyanese now held high expectations of the Public Service. These expectations,

“Your ability to give service without fear or favour, partiality or prejudice, are some of the things that we are looking for. We do not want a Public Service that is politically aligned. We are looking for impartiality, we are asking you to provide a service to all Guyanese, because that is what you are there for. You are not there for a party…we are asking for professionalism and impartiality in serving the Guyanese people” - Harmon vice, of the “engine of the executive.” In this capacity, you are required to play a very crucial role in the development of a renewed and relevant Public Service.

Your traditional mandate will always be important. I invite you to discuss these issues in your deliberations with a view to adjusting your approach to your responsibilities in a way that would enable you to make the best possible contribution to the development of a new and

he said, must not be allowed to fall.

“I welcome you to an era of exciting times in the Guyana Public Service and you are guardians of the Public Service. Public service is a major pillar of government. We have great expectations of you and we will work with you.

We need a new dispensation. We need a chance for public servants to operate free and fair and without ill will,” he said.

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Guyana

The entitlement to immunity

Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

All lives should matter

THE world watched in horror as a policeman violently flung a female high school student across a classroom in South Carolina in the USA. According to reports, the student had refused a request by her teacher to leave the classroom, prompting the call to the police who was stationed in the school. The policeman, upon entering the classroom, immediately began assaulting the student.

Many groups and individuals across the USA have condemned this action by the police as yet another manifestation of the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers against African Americans. The policeman in question has since been fired from his job and the Department of Justice has mounted an investigation to determine whether the civil rights of the student were violated.

This incident is not an isolated one. It is the latest in a string of high profile incidents involving the police and African Americans which have hit the headlines in recent times. From the Trayvon Martin killing in Florida to those of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York, Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio and Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, the country has had to confront a phenomenon that has long divided public opinion. While many African American advocates and communities have claimed that these incidents reflect a larger institutional racism against blacks, others, mainly white advocates, have contended that the extreme police action in those communities result from the reality of a disproportionate high rate of crime there.

Even President Obama, who during his presidency has studiously avoided racially sensitive issues, has been drawn into the discourse. He has, for example, defended the Black Lives Matter movement against charges that its advocacy has led to an anti-police mass sentiment that has put the lives of policemen and women in danger. Only a few days ago he had cause to push back against the expressed view that the scrutiny of police action has led to a spike in crime since the police have been hesitant to do their job. It is not often that a president gets involved in a divisive issue. This is a clear indication that this matter has touched a nerve.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

THERE can be no doubt that, sooner or later, the courts of Guyana will be called upon to determine the entitlement to immunity from civil or criminal processes of former Presidents of Guyana. In my respectful submission, however, a finding for entitlement to immunity from that type of scrutiny will, in the final analysis, depend on the construction assigned to the language of commitment employed in Article 182 of the Guyana Constitution, bearing in mind that legal language is ordinarily concerned with an enhanced awareness of words in order to sharpen the perception of social phenomena.

In this context, it is important to appreciate that, given their special status,

constitutions are to be construed as always speaking so as to accommodate ever-changing social realities, as exemplified in evolving higher standards of human values, thereby requiring a teleological or purposive construction.

Consistent with the foregoing, R.M.B Antoine (Caribbean Community Law and Legal Systems 2nd ed., Routledge-Cavendish) perceived a constitution as a unique instrument which must be interpreted in light of the ideals and principles which ground it. And the courts should give meaning to it by interpreting it in a broad and purposive manner, in order to avoid “the austerity of tabulated legalism”.

In light of the foregoing, there appears to be required a clear distinction between the performance of the functions of President, in respect of which personal immuni-

ties (ratione personae) may be claimed during the term of office and even thereafter, on the one hand, and acts done or omitted to be done in a private capacity, in respect of which immunities may be claimed only during the term of office.

Consider in this context the provisions of subsection (1) and subsection (2).

In construing the provisions of Article 182, courts of competent jurisdiction will be required to determine whether subsection (1) addresses only official acts; to wit, acts designed to promote the public interest; and subsection (2), which accords immunity to acts done or omitted to be done in a private capacity.

Assuming the rationality of this dichotomous arrangement, it is not without considerable political and juridical significance

that official acts are not justiciable, whether done or omitted to be done during a term of office or thereafter; as distinct from private acts, which are only immune from curial scrutiny while the President is still in office; for example, the sale of state assets below market value to oneself, family or friends, but are justiciable after he leaves office.

While on the issue of immunities, it may be useful to learn whether a President, sitting or not, may enjoy duty free purchases of materials for the construction of premises designed for sale on the private market, rather than for personal use as a private residence.

Yours faithfully, PROFESSOR JUSTICE DUKE POLLARD

Suggested names for the National Calendar Committee Dear Editor I REFER to a letter penned

by His Holiness Swami Aksharanandaji, as published in the press, and wish to thank him for bringing clarity to the question of the date -- which is in consonance with a previous letter penned by Pandit Balbadar – for the ob-

servance of Deepavali in Guyana this year.

He has established the date October 10 as appropriate for Maha Lakshmi Puja and, of course, the traditional lighting of diyas.

I think his idea of a “National Calendar Committee” is very worthwhile, since it will allow different groups to work together

As an African American, the president is well aware of the salience of this matter in that community.

The Black Lives Matter movement has evolved as a civil rights voice of new and mostly younger activists.

Its evolution follows a long resistance tradition in the black community. The reaction to its advocacy is also not new or unexpected. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and the 1960s led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was similarly demonised, leading to a sustained series of violent acts against activists and citizens. We view these developments in the USA with much concern.

The continued violence against African Americans by law enforcement points to a clear issue of how human lives have been regarded. It is an indication that the end of legal segregation has not led to the dismantling of the socio-political architecture that underpinned that system. The age of colorblindness that followed has served to mask the continued racism that has been part of the American landscape for centuries. Now, in the era of instant technology, the underbelly of racism is being unmasked.

We do not believe that those policemen set out to

and to develop consensus on the dates that Phagwah and Deepavali are to be observed -- and even for the observance of Parbs!

I would like to propose the following names as respectable and learned persons within the Hindu community.

They can perhaps serve as convenors for a one-year period: former Justice Nandram

Kissoon, Roopnarine Satram (attorney), Purshottam Persaud Shivraj, Ravi Dev and Nowrang Persaud.

I look forward to hearing the views of other members of the Hindu community.

Yours sincerely, CHRISTOPHER M. PERSAUD

intentionally inflict violence on African Americans.

Rather, they are simply doing what is normal. After four centuries of institutionalisingblack inferiority, it is not unexpected that ordinary citizens have been socialised to take that inferiority as a given truth. Hence, anti-black racism is generally instinctive and often unconscious.

Perhaps the very success of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s has ironically led to a facilitation of what Professor Michelle Alexander calls “The New Jim Crow in an age of colorblindness.” We now know that the formal end of a social phenomenon does not mean the cessation of that phenomenon. Institutional racism is not individual racial prejudice; it is the linkage of collective racial prejudice to the power structures in the society.

And the criminal justice system is a very powerful structure that understandably mirrors the innate racism that still haunts the wider society. Black lives matter does not and cannot mean that other lives do not matter. It is simply an acknowledgement that black lives have not been treated with the kind of sanctity of other lives. This recent incident on South Carolina clearly brings out this uncomfortable truth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

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At candlelight vigil...

Minister Lawrence leads charge in breast cancer fight

By Clestine Juan

“I WILL rise! For I have won the victory!”

Strong words of affirmation coming from Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence last evening at a candlelight vigil to raise awareness on how to beat breast cancer and stay alive.

The event, held in the foreground of the Public Buildings, seat of administration of the Government of Guyana, was organised by the Ministry of Social Protection in conjunction with several Non-Governmental

Organisations (NGOs), and saw close to 200 persons in attendance.

It began with a walk from the St. George’s Cathedral, just off Church and Carmichael Streets but closer to North Road in down-town Georgetown, and ended in the vigil at the Public Buildings, as part of a global drive to raise awareness about the complexities of breast cancer.

Observed every year in the month of October, the idea is to encourage early detection as one way of beating the

On the move: The symbolic ‘cancer walk’ from the St George’s Cathedral to the Public Buildings (Photos by Delano Williams)

Lighting the candle, symbol of life and hope. Third left is Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence

disease.

As Minister Lawrence explained, the simple act of lighting a candle, a symbol of life, is a way of encouraging women to be strong and fight the good fight. And, noting that men are also afflicted by cancer, she said that they too need to be vigilant and empowered.

Speaking at the vigil also was cancer survivor and member of the Periwinkle Cancer Club, Bridgett Calendar, who explained that she has battled with cancer and won, and has remained cancer-free for over 10 years now.

Calendar further encouraged those diagnosed with cancer to “keep fighting and embrace it, for victory is sure.’’

Also, present was one Dr. Hart of the Ministry of Public Health, who identified chronic non-communicable diseases as a major health challenge, and that of the lot, cervical cancer has emerged as one of

the areas in which the ministry can make a significant impact.

Early screening, she said, can help identify people who are at risk of developing cancer, so that with early intervention, they can either beat the disease entirely or prevent it from getting out of hand.

The evening was filled with a variety of musical

renditions and testimonies from cancer survivors, and perhaps as a covenant among themselves, those at the vigil were encouraged to dunk their hands in a pink paint-like substance and leave their palm print on a white banner as a poignant reminder of the pledge they made.

The covenant

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Murder accused Dynamic jet bursts into flames at to know fate on Florida Airport Monday

By George Barclay MURDER accused Morris Kowlessar, called ‘Little,’ who is accused of pushing Ganesh, called ‘Butta’, from a pavilion to his death at a West Demerara Sports Ground in 2012, will know his fate on Monday.

On that day, Madam Justice Roxane George will sum up the evidence to the jury, following which she will hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.

The trouble started on the morning of March 18, 2012 with an altercation between both men at a rum shop. Later in the day, according to the evidence, ‘Jutta’ was lying on the top floor of the pavilion when the accused threw him off. He died from injuries which included a fractured skull and an injured spine.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel Sandil Kissoon had made a no-case submission in the absence of the jury.

Justice George, however, called on the accused for a defence.

The accused began with an unsworn statement from the dock, in which he claimed that he was innocent.

Mr. Kissoon, in his ad-

dress to the jury, urged them to find that the prosecution had presented a case with a single eyewitness – Butnaraine Pertab – whom he claimed was not worthy of belief because of his inconsistencies and admissions of mistakes.

He told them that the accused had admitted that he had been drinking from the night before, and on the morning of the killing.

Counsel also asked the jury to find that there was no record of the alleged oral statement in the police records.

He requested that they should find that the case for the State had fallen to pieces, and that they should return a verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused.

Prosecutrix Miss Orinthia Schmidt, in her final address to the jury, asked them to return a verdict in accordance with the evidence.

Referring to defence counsel’s claims that the prosecution had given different accounts about how the deceased had exited the pavilion, she said that whether he was canted, pushed or thrown from the pavilion, the accused was the person responsible for his death.

The case continues on Monday, when the judge will sum up the evidence and hand over the case to the jury for their consideration and verdict.

DYNAMIC International Airways Flight 405 yesterday caught fire at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport moments before departure to Caracas, Venezuela.

As reported by NBC South Florida news, “the fire occurred on Dynamic Airways Flight 405, which was scheduled to depart at 12:30 hrs to Caracas, Venezuela”.

Reports further indicated that multiple crews responded to the fire and doused it. One passenger was seen being carried out on a stretcher.

The news organ said that

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials reported that the Boeing 767 caught fire while taxiing for departure.

“An aircraft that was behind it reported that fuel was leaking from the plane before the fire started.”

Passengers evacuated the plane by sliding onto the runway, officials said. It is unknown how many passengers were aboard the plane.

The airline is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. It began operating flights from Fort Lauderdale to Caracas in July.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s

A view of the aircraft on fire yesterday during taxi at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Dynamic International Airways Personal Relations Officer, Gerry Gouveia, via social media, said he was saddened by the incident.

“I am saddened by the breaking news of the engine

fire on one of the aircraft on the runway.”

He added: “I am told the cabin crew did a splendid job during the evacuation, and investigations are currently under way.”

Senior cops being interviewed for promotion THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has commenced interviews with senior police officers ahead of the annual end-of-year promotion of ranks from sergeants up to assistant commissioners.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the interviews started earlier this month, and over the last few days, senior superintendents, superintendents, deputy superintendents, assistant superintendents, cadet officers and inspectors have been visiting the Kingston office of the Police Service Commission to be interviewed by the interviewing panel.

Another senior officer makes his way into the PSC compound to keep his interview appointment for promotion

Over the years, there have been many claims among senior ranks that the process at arriving at the promotions was less than transparent, and may have been politically influenced.

Earlier this year, when the promotions list was released, observations were

A police inspector leaving the interview room of the Police Service Commission

made about what was described as the “wanton superseding” of many officers within the force, whose seniority and performance had been overlooked to favour others.

The members of the PSC, however, during an interview with this newspaper back then, had stated that several factors were taken

into consideration before they acted on the recommendations of the Guyana Police Force.

According to the established complement of the force, there should be four deputy commissioners, 12 assistant commissioners and several other senior ranks, including senior superintendents. At present, there are vacancies for four additional assistant commissioners, as there are only eight at this time.

The Assistant Commissioners are Balram Persaud, David Ramnarine, Christopher Griffith, Brian Joseph, Sydney James, Clifton Hicken, Leslie James and Marlon Chapman.

Meanwhile, last year, the PSC deviated from the norm of acting on the recommendations sent them by the commissioner of police. The commission took a decision to interview every single police officer from the rank of inspector to senior superintendent.

Move on to push steelbands THE interim committee for the establishment of a National Steel Band Association will tomorrow convene a meeting with members of the local steelband fraternity to discuss the way forward.

The meeting will convene at 11:00 hrs at the National School of Music, Brickdam and College Road, Stabroek.

Among the issues to be discussed will be: ● The constitution of the association ● Membership of the association ● Objectives of the association ● Role of the government in the development of the

art form.

The main objectives prompting the establishment of the National Steel Band Association are to: 1. Provide a governing body that will preside over the affairs of steel band in Guyana 2. Develop programmes to foster the expansion and continued development of the art form 3. Develop and implement educational programmes for the upward mobility of members of the fraternity 4. Establish partnerships with stakeholders within the private sector, and establish funding streams to support programmes of the association.

Rudy Bishop, chairman of the Interim Committee, says that while there has been some amount of progress in the development of steelpan in the school system, the art form is practically non-existent in the community setting. The committee will seek to formally establish the body to work with the government towards establishing a vibrant community-band programme. The group is willing to play a meaningful role in any project the government may have as it relates to steelband development for the 50th Independence celebration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Open Government Summit…

Prime Minister complains about Venezuela’s trade embargo THE Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Mexico opened on Wednesday with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo informing delegates that neighbouring Venezuela has imposed a trade embargo on Guyana.

The Guyanese Prime Minister and First Vice-President told the gathering, which included Mexico’s President, Pena Nieto; ambassadors, social partners and ministers, that Venezuela has refused to buy Guyana’s rice and sell fuel to this country. He noted that the coalition government of six parties, which came to power about five months ago, has been faced with the twin battle to re-establish democracy in Guyana and to protect its national sovereignty.

Guyana is a small country with vast resources, he told delegates, pointing out that its border with Venezuela was settled in 1899

through an award by an international tribunal, but the neighbouring country has sought to re-assert a false claim to five-eighths of Guyana, which includes all of its vast forest and mineral resources as well as exclusive maritime zone.

Following ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in the Liza-1 well in the Stabroek Block, approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, Venezuela has expanded its claim to include Guyana’s Atlantic front. This new area claimed by Venezuela includes Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and also intrudes on the EEZ of Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados and a chain of other Caribbean islands.

ExxonMobil is a U.S.-based oil and gas company.

Venezuela’s latest claim came in the form of decrees by that country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. The first decree claimed the waters

that include the area where Exxon is drilling, in addition to the earlier claim of the Essequibo, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s land mass.

The second decree, which replaced the first, does not specify any coordinates in relation to boundaries, but makes clear that Venezuela is ready to use military force to defend its new maritime boundary. Guyana has condemned both decrees, contending that the claim by Venezuela to this country’s EEZ has no basis in international law, and pointing out that the 1899 Tribunal Award had put to rest that country’s claim to the Essequibo.

CLEAR VIOLATION “Venezuela has also sought to block oil exploration off Guyana’s coast and gold extraction in our own territory, all in clear violation of international law and treaty obligations. Guyana claims territory from no one.

Guyana does not imprison political opponents or practise blackmail or bullying diplomacy. We seek to be part of a community of nations that respect the rule of law, and to align with transformative movements like OGP,” Mr Nagamootoo told the conference in Mexico City.

TRANSPARENCY Meanwhile, on a different note, he said partnerships on the core tenets of transparency, civil participation, and the fight against corruption are a celebration and a strengthening of democracy. Importantly, the Prime Minister said it allows for the development of both the citizens and the country.

During the elections campaign this year, Mr Nagamootoo borrowed from the Ten Commandments the law Thou Shall Not Steal. “Today, I find in this partnership and in the objectives of the OGP much that could help

us to fight corruption; and so we feel that we have found good company. We undertake to follow all the procedures hereon to become a member of OGP, and to seek endorsement and full approval of our candidature,” the Prime Minister said.

For Guyana, being at the summit is a kind of homecoming, Mr Nagamootoo said, pointing out that it is where this country needs to be in the near future. “We look forward to being the 70th member in the 70th year of the United Nations, once we conclude the consultation process and find sponsorship and support for our candidature…We are fully committed to the rule of law, open democratic governance, open justice, the free media and accountability,” Mr Nagamootoo said.

The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight c o r r u p t i o n , a n d h a rness new technologies to strengthen governance.

The summit provides a wonderful opportunity for members of the open government movement to consolidate and build momentum, to reflect on what is working and what is not, and to lay out a framework for further co-operation, exchange and action.

UG now on better financial footing – but needs to ‘stand on its own feet’ – Education Minister

By Svetlana Marshall EDUCATION Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine says the University of Guyana is now in a better financial state than in previous years, but the institution needs to gain financial independence.

Dr. Roopnaraine, speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday during an exclusive interview, said that UG is currently exploring a menu of measures that would pave the way for a high inflow of cash.

In September 2013, the university was described as an institution with major financial irregularities, based on an audit conducted by experts from the University of the West Indies. In addition to the financial discrepancies, Guyana’s premier tertiary educational institution had incurred a debt of $482M. However, the Education Minister is hoping that UG would soon become self-sufficient, thereby removing the need for government to provide an annual subvention. “I am looking forward to the day when the university will be able to stand on its own feet…

It should be able to generate the kind of funds to keep it afloat,” he opined.

The University of Guyana

But shortly after his appointment as Education Minister, Dr. Roopnaraine, in acknowledging that the development of the University of Guyana had been stymied due to inadequate funding, said it must be adequately funded by the government.

While admitting to this commitment, he maintained that UG should be a thriving institution that has the ability to effectively generate its own funds. And according to him, steps are currently being taken to move the university in that direction.

FUNDING AND CONTROL “Funding goes hand in hand with control, and the university must be controlled

through the council, and it is not the government’s business to be controlling the council.”

Influencing the direction of the university on its financial management or curriculum delivery must be done through the government’s representatives on the council, the Education Minister said.

Currently, the Education Ministry is being represented

by Technical Adviser within the Ministry of Education, Vincent Alexander, and Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd.

POST OF VICE-CHANCELLOR Questioned about Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi’s expression of interest to extend his tenure, Dr.

Roopnaraine said this willingness has not been expressed to his ministry, but the request will be reviewed if it is made official.

“When the time comes, should Professor Opadeyi indicate his willingness to extend [his tenure], then that will have to be considered. That’s all I can tell you, and it has to be considered by the council.”

However, he said it is likely that the post will become vacant before year-end, if one is to take into consideration Dr. Opadeyi’s outstanding leave. “We could be in need of a vice-chancellor later in this year, although his contract ends in early 2016.”

On Tuesday, Dr. Opadeyi told the Guyana Chronicle that he is willing to have his services retained as the vice-chancellor, but under certain conditions, one of which is improved salaries and benefits for the staff. He recalled that “it was due to the poor salaries and benefits of lecturers that resulted in the series of strike actions earlier this year.”

Nevertheless, he said: “We must be able to attract and retain highly qualified teaching staff. When you have staff whose salaries are not up to

the market rate, there will be agitation.” According to him, it was “agitation” that led to the five-week protest which ended in March after a 10% interim increase was given to the staff.

The Education Minister expressed similar sentiments, noting that in developing the university, mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that the wages and salaries of lecturers are competitive.

At present they are not, and this is an issue Dr Roopnaraine said is not limited to the university, but other critical sectors within Guyana.

“The wages and salaries are not competitive when compared with the global market price. Our people leave here and go abroad and earn two or three times more than what they’re earning in Guyana.”

But underpaid lecturers and a shortage of lecturers are not the only problems at the university, as students and lecturers alike have been forced to work under what the Education Minister describes as “terrible conditions.”

PHYSICAL UPGRADE “I believe that a number of rooms are being worked

Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

on as we speak, but the whole place needs a physical upgrade. There is no question about that; there is a real need to upgrade the facilities at the university.

There is much work to be done in relation to the infrastructural improvement of the university,” he noted.

H o w e v e r, t h e p ro gramme that is currently in place will improve the standards of the university, making it into an institution that students can truly be proud of, the Education Minister added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Gov’t pushing for Phase 11 of MMA project THE government is pushing for construction of the long-awaited Phase 11 of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary water control project, which has been allowed to lie dormant for the past 20-odd years.

A massive Phase 11 of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/ Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA) Scheme envisages damming of the Mahaicony River by extending the existing Abary River conservancy dam between the Abary and Berbice rivers westwards up to the watershed between the Mahaicony and Mahaica rivers.

The dam will serve to create a new conservancy which will provide flood control for coastal lands between the two rivers, and provide irrigation, thereby opening up an additional 200,000 acres of land for agricultural development.

MMA/ADA General

Manager Mr Aubrey Charles disclosed on Wednesday last that on the urging of the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, the MMA/ADA had last week completed a preliminary project document for the MMA Phase 11 works for funding.

In addition to the extension of the Abary River Conservancy dam and the consequent damming of the Mahaicony River 30 miles inland, the project also envisages construction of a main irrigation canal from the conservancy to feed secondary canals, which will irrigate the lands on either side of the watershed between the two rivers.

When Charles disclosed the push for Phase 11 by the government through the MMA/ADA, the disclosure was greeted with loud applause by the large crowd of farmers and their families, who attended the authority’s

Open Day observances to celebrate Agriculture Month 2015.

“That would be a very, very good development for Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice),” one enthused farmer said.

Charles said the preliminary project document is to be handed over to the Minister of Agriculture for action.

He said that due to the cost, government will have to seek international funding to make Phase 11 of the project a reality.

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT The MMA water-control project was conceived for facilitating the complete agricultural development of over 450,000 acres of land lying between the Mahaica and Berbice rivers on the northeast coast of Guyana.

The idea was, and still is, to provide water control

for the coastal areas up to a distance of some 30 miles inland by impounding the floodwaters in large conservancies located in the upper reaches of the rivers.

Additionally, construction of appropriate civil engineering infrastructure provided drainage and irrigation (D&I) services to the areas nearer to the coast.

This Phase had been started in 1978 and was completed in 1985.

Its completion facilitated flood control and irrigation for some 50,000 acres of land between the Berbice and Abary rivers.

These lands have since been used to facilitate rice production and open-range livestock rearing, making Region 5 the largest cattle-farming region in Guyana.

Overall, through the Phase 1 alone, the MMA/ ADA Scheme was also responsible for over 80 per

cent of the paddy harvested nationally for the second crop 2015, maintaining its status of being the largest rice-producing region in the country.

The MMA/ADA Phase 11 project, once activated, will bridge a 30-odd-year hiatus between the completion of Phase 1 of the project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed under the administration of the then Burnham government.

The MMA/ADA project envisages a Phase III, which will involve the damming of the Mahaica River by extension of the Phase II dam further westward, with similar benefits for even greater levels of agricultural production within Region 5.

Charles said he is certain that Phase 111 will be put under the spotlight after the completion of Phase 11.

Charles announced the recruitment of two young

MMA/ADA General Manager, Mr Aubrey Charles

civil engineers who returned from training in Cuba a few months ago, as well as three locally trained survey technicians.

He said that the increase in staff at that technical level will serve the MMA/ADA well, once funding and the greenlight for the ambitious Phase II project is received.

Haitians nabbed in drug bust at Lethem Interdicted cop found THREE Haitian nationals were yesterday morning nabbed in Lethem with a large quantity of marijuana as well a stolen motorcycle, police said in a release.

In the statement, police said that between 03:00-

06:00 hrs yesterday, ranks of Lethem Police Station conducted searches on several houses at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi. During the search, a parcel containing 784 grammes of cannabis was found in a yard, a stolen motorcycle was recovered,

and five persons–including three Haitian nationals, one female and two males–were arrested. They are presently in custody, assisting the police in their investigations.

Meanwhile, in another statement, the police said that at approximately

18:30 hrs on Wednesday, ranks of Lethem Police Station, whilst conducting a search on a motor vehicle at the Guyana/Brazil Multi-Complex Crossing, unearthed six 20-gauge cartridges and a shotgun component. The occupants of the vehicle, two Guyanese and three Brazilian nationals, were arrested and are in custody assisting the police with their investigation.

with illegal gun, ammo AN interdicted policeman was yesterday arrested after being caught with an unlicensed firearm and matching rounds, the Guyana Police Force has confirmed.

In a statement, the GPF said ranks of the Bartica Police Station, whilst investigating reports of indecent assault and discharging of a loaded firearm which occurred at Puruni Landing,

Upper Mazaruni River on October 27, 2015, carried out a search on a house at Puruni Landing, at about 13:30 hrs yesterday, and found an unlicensed .38 revolver along with three live 38 rounds and three .38 spent shells.

The suspect, an interdicted police rank, was detained and is assisting the police with the investigation. A ballistics test of the firearm is being carried out.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Roberts freed of Rachpaul murder ORVIN Kevin Roberts walked out of the High Court a free man yesterday afternoon, when, after three hours of deliberation, a 12-member jury returned a not-guilty verdict in relation to the murder of 84-year-old pharmacist Harold Rachpaul, committed in 2011.

In response, a seemingly relieved Roberts thanked trial judge Justice Navindra Singh, after being told that he was free to go. The accused also openly expressed gratitude to his attorney, Nigel Hughes, who was not present in court.

Roberts was followed by his relatives, including his mother and sister, who all took turns at hugging him.

In the courtroom, the relatives of Rachpaul were very quiet and seemed to be in a state of shock.

It was alleged that between August 18 and 19, 2011, Roberts murdered Harold Rachpaul in the

Orvin Kevin Roberts was set free yesterday

course or furtherance of a burglary committed at his Lot 74 Robb Street home, which also housed his drugstore.

Roberts was arrested three years after the murder.

Police witnesses testified that five prints were lifted from the inside of drawers of a safe which

was in the drugstore, and that Roberts’s left index finger matched those prints retrieved at the crime scene.

When he led his defence on Thursday, Roberts proclaimed his innocence, as he gave a detailed report from the time he was arrested and taken into custody.

Local sympathisers disappointed over U.S. ‘no’ vote on lifting of Cuba embargo DESPITE a recent relaxation of restrictions and the resumption of diplomatic ties, the U.S. continues to vote against lifting the trade embargo imposed on Cuba more than 50 years ago.

Guyana and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, however, continue to be numbered among the 191 nations calling for an end to the blockade, says President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM), Haleem Khan.

His comments come in the wake of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly voting overwhelmingly on Tuesday, for the 24th consecutive year, to adopt a resolution that renews the call for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. against Cuba.

Expressing his disappointment at this latest development in U.S.-Cuba relations, Khan told the

Guyana Chronicle yesterday that he was, however, heartened that by a vote of 191:2, the Assembly welcomed the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries as of July, and President Barack Obama has exhibited a willingness to work towards the complete lifting of economic sanctions against Cuba.

Noting that the resolution was first passed in 1992, Khan said that at the time, the resolution had received 59 votes in favour as opposed to three against. At the time also, 71 countries had abstained from voting while 46 did not participate in the vote. Hence there has been a gradual shift to a near-unanimous vote in Cuba’s favour, and this is a clear sign of the widespread disapproval of the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

Washington broke diplomatic ties with Cuba and imposed a comprehensive trade embargo on the Communist-run Ca-

GCSM President, Haleem Khan

ribbean island more than 50 years ago, during what was then called “The Cold War.” Its policy today appears to be influenced by domestic politics in Florida, where Cuban exiles have opposed any conciliation with Cuba’s former president, Fidel Castro, or current president Raul Castro, who took over from his brother in 2008.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

China donates $80M in equipment to GPHC – paves way for establishment of trauma centre

By Svetlana Marshall IN demonstrating its unwavering support to the development of Guyana, the People’s Republic of China, through the Jiangsu

Provincial Commission of Health and Family Planning, on Thursday donated G$80 million in equipment to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), paving the way

for establishment of a trauma centre there.

To mark the official handing-over, Guyana’s Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Junior Minister

of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings; GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alan Johnson; and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Zhang Limin; along with the leader

of the Chinese delegation, Lan Qing, participated in a signing ceremony at the GPHC Resource Centre.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Cummings said the donation comes at a time when Guyana is on the cusp of unprecedented development.

She noted that since the APNU+AFC government took office, it has embarked on nationwide implementation of a number of initiatives that are strategically designed to boost the country’s development.

“Every sector in Guyana is experiencing positive reform [that is] intended to provide tangible benefits to all Guyanese, regardless of their location, ethnicity, social or economic status,” she said.

She added that one of the major sectors currently under reform is the health sector.

She said the sizeable donation by the People’s Republic of China, which will contribute significantly to the trauma centre, comes at a critical time.

It was pointed out that trauma centres and trauma systems are vital community assets. And with that in mind, the minister extended

appreciation and gratitude to the Jiangsu Provincial Commission of Health and Family Planning.

“Guyana and China have a long and proud history of their exemplary relations and close cooperation in a number of areas, like education, culture, trade, and health.

China’s long-term humanity support and commitment to Guyana has been rapidly flourishing since diplomatic relations between the two countries have been established,” she said, in recognition of the support Guyana has received from China over the years.

According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, trauma is defined as an injury or a wound to a living body caused by the application of external force.

As such, a trauma centre is a health facility that is optimally prepared to provide comprehensive health care for critically injured patients.

Minister Cummings said that what is notable is that the operation of a trauma centre is extremely expensive. As a result, some areas -- especially rural regions -- are unTurn to page 13 ►

Friday, October 30, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, October 31, 2015 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

China donates $80M in...

From page 12

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, shake hands following the signing of the certificates of donation at the GPHC Resource Centre. Vice- President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, and Leader of the Chinese Delegation, Lang Qing, look on

derserved by trauma centres due to the lack of adequate funding.

Making reference to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Minister Cummings pointed out that, for too long, trauma has been one of the leading health problems of the world.

“Every day, 15,000 people die from injuries; and for every person who dies, several thousand more are injured,” Dr Cummings pointed out, as she stressed the importance of having an efficient and effective trauma centre.

DEEPENING RELATIONS Minister Greenidge also acknowledged China’s contribution to the development of Guyana. The fruitful partnership, he said, serves as further evidence of the strengthening and deepening of the excellent relationship between the two countries.

He pointed out that this close relationship has always manifested itself in material support through training programmes and technological development, such as the provision of laptops for the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative, and the construction of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

China has also assisted Guyana in the rehabilitation of the electricity sector. He said that, as a developing country, China continues to make tremendous efforts to share its skills and resources with other developing countries in the world.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Limin said, “As we develop

One of the pieces of medical equipment donated by the Chinese Government to the trauma centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (Photo taken from GINA)

ourselves, we couldn’t forget those medium and small developing countries and under-developed countries.”

He said that Guyana and China will continue to make further progress in bettering the lives of Guyanese. Qing, who also serves as Director of the Jiangsu Health Bureau, congratulated the GPHC for the establishment of a trauma centre.

Head of the GPHC Orthopaedic Department, David Samaroo, said that shortly after Guyana had developed diplomatic relations with China, China began sending teams of doctors to work in Guyana. The 11th batch of Chinese doctors is currently serving in Guyana.

In addition to sending Chinese specialists to Guyana, the Chinese Government, in 2009, donated a set of laparoscopic instruments to the Georgetown Public Hospital. This donation has aided in establishment of a Laparoscopic Centre at the

GPHC. “They did not only send the instruments, but, at the time, they also trained our local surgeons as to how to use these laparoscopic instruments,” he noted. Today, laparoscopic surgeries are frequently done at the GPHC. Also, in 2009, the Chinese Government played a critical role in opening of the Ophthalmology Centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

And in 2014, instruments totalling G$15 million were handed over to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“Today [Thursday], we are the recipient of a much larger donation, amounting to G$80 million…. This equipment will be used to launch our trauma centre and complement our services here at the Georgetown Public Hospital,” he said.

The supply of equipment includes anaesthesia machines, C-Arm, ultrasound knife, and an operating microscope.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 30, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

TSC/GTU promotion talks flop, courts to make decision ATTEMPTS to find a reasonable solution to the 2015 promotion list for teachers have collapsed, leaving the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to take the matter before the courts after the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and the union failed yesterday to reach a compromise.

In early July, the GTU filed an injunction against the TSC, objecting to the publication of the final list of teachers promoted in 2015.

The injunction was granted by Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, preventing the TSC from issuing and publishing promotions for 2015.

The matter was brought to the High Court by Attorney-at-law Roysdale Forde, who is representing the GTU. NO CONFIDENCE The union felt that the TSC had strayed from its rules and regulations in the way it processed promotions.

However, subsequent to a meeting yesterday, between President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, and Chairman of the TSC, Leila Ramson, Lyte said the union now has no confidence in the commission or its chairperson.

“We were trying to see if the matter could have been resolved outside of the court, so we have had a few meetings with the Minister of Education and his advisers pertaining to the way forward.

The minister and his team were serving as mediators to the TSC. They were trying to provide a level playing field so we could have interacted through one representative from the TSC. When that did not work, we were asked to meet with the TSC,” Lyte explained.

The union met yesterday with Chairperson Ramson and Deputy Chairperson Allan Munroe, but according to the GTU President, unfortunately, nothing came out of the meeting.

“It was requested by the union for us to have a complete review of all the ap-

President of the GTU, Mark Lyte

Chairman of the TSC, Leila Ramson

plications made; the TSC seems to be willing to look at specific ones, and we are saying that there is enough time, since the process takes about two months, having received all the various applications from the various regions,” he said.

“Most of the work is almost finished, since they have all the spreadsheets and all the applications and everything; so it’s just a matter of pulling them and going through.”

Noting that the commission is reluctant to pursue this approach, Lyte said the TSC chairperson indicated that her commissioners are not prepared to do so “at this point and time,” so there was no agreement made between the two bodies, and the court will have to make the decision.

forms when teachers apply for promotion.

Although some teachers may have scored the highest possible points, they were refused promotion because of reports from regional officers or head teachers that they needed more supervision, while persons with fewer points were promoted instead.

“The TSC receives the form from the central ministry and acts on just the comments instead of the points, which is an accumulation of the years of experience and qualifications of a teacher. So the TSC basically deviated from the rules,” the GTU President declared.

“Our position is that all the applications received by the TSC and the school board secretariat should be reviewed, and we believe they have enough time to review them in time for the teachers to be promoted in January, since the process takes two months,” Lyte noted.

He further observed that if the TSC commissioners are tired, the relevant authorities or President David Granger should appoint a new commission “that has the energy and vigour to review the matter and cases. Based on what came out, we don’t have confidence in the present commission.”

NO DUE PROCESS Pointing out that the GTU has enough evidence to prove that many eligible teachers were not promoted for various reasons, Lyte said it is the union’s belief that due process was not followed.

According to him, the commission has been making decisions on the basis of “comments” penned by respective Regional Education Officers (REDO) and officials at the Education Ministry on the application

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

Dharmic Sabha m

… as calls ring out for unity among th

The grand Diwali motorcade to the LBI Ground is billed for November 10

By Tajeram Mohabir THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and the Guyana Pandits’ Council are both appealing to the Hindu community to remain united, even though divisions persist on the date for celebration of Diwali.

Spiritual leader of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Pandit Jagmohan, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, called on all Hindus to pray with faith and devotion. He is confident that their prayers will be answered.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindyha Persaud, who was present during the interview, said the Dharmic Sabha, which has been in existence for over 40 years, has always engaged the wider Hindu community, and has even reached out to those opposed to it.

“I want to say that the Hindu community is united, has been united, and will always be united; and I

Pandit Rudra Sharma

will not like to see a date issue divide the Hindu community, since devotion is something very personal.

“The sabha has always kept the Hindu community together. We do not feel that this is a time for acrimony, hatred or aggression, but (we feel it is) a time for peace and unity,” she said.

President of the Guyana Pandits

there should ill-feeling t this time.

“Diwali i fying festiva don’t want filled with a or hatred. I w and pandits b iator the us. open pub

B poin vem clar for date Cou T cale the Gob

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 30, 2015

motorcade billed for November 10

he faithful Council, Rudra Sharma, made a similar appeal on Tuesday. He also called on Hindus throughout Guyana to be united as the country celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on November 10th -- the nationally declared date.

Sharma told the Guyana Chronicle that Diwali is the celebration of love and togetherness, and light over darkness.

A c c o r d i n g l y, he pointed out that

not be any rancour and towards each other at

is one of the most unials in this country. We people’s hearts to be any iota of negativity want to see our swamis behave in a very concilry manner, and sit with Sabha and not exclude Our doors are always n,” Dr Persaud told this blication.

AN ODDITY But Pandit Jagmohan nted out that while Nomber 10 had been dered the national day the celebration, the es given by the Pandits’ uncil are a bit odd.

The Pandits’ Council endar has Diwali on 1 0 t h a n d 11 t h , a n d bardhan puja on the

of the lot -- will be held on November 10, the eve of Diwali, as has been the custom.

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha President, Dr Vindyha Persaud

12th. “Diwali occurs on the last day on the dark half of the month, and Gobardhan occurs on the first day in the bright half of the month. Where has the 11th gone?” he asked. He related to this publication that instead of receiving answers, the Dharmic Sabha has received aspersions.

Dr Persaud also noted that while National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had reported that some 90 swamis and pandits supported the November 10 date, the Dharmic Sabha has signatures amounting to close to 6,000 supporting November 11.

According to Pandit Jagmohan, he has been around for some time, and will be more than “willing to meet the 90 wise men that Minister Ramjattan is speaking about.”

Swami Aksharananda, in a letter to the press, praised Minister Ramjattan for consulting widely on the date for the important Hindu festival. “It is perhaps the first time since Diwali has been made a holiday that so many groups have been consulted by the minister concerned.

The best and most informed judgement on this and other issues can only be made when the views of all are examined. No single organisation should entertain the ambition of dominating the entire Hindu society.

None should be given de facto monopoly,” he said.

Notwithstanding the disagreement over the date for Diwali, the East Coast motorcade -- the largest

The motorcade in Essequibo is billed for November 6; those on the East Bank and West Coast are

billed for November 7; and the one in Berbice is billed for November 10.

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Aura’s Halloween party ALL those wild stories you would’ve read as a child are set to come alive tomorrow nite as the Aura Bar and Lounge presents ‘Goosebumps: The Sounds of Halloween’ at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Patrons are in for a roller coaster ride of haunted proportions, replete with classic ‘goosebump monsters’, evil-looking dummies, headless ghosts, mummies, werewolves and many other characters. It will definitely be a world of horror that will thrill the living daylight out of the entire family.

Other attractions include live entertainment by the best in the Werewolves’ family and the Evil Dummies.

The event will be spiced up with the best selection of goose-bump-raising music by Deejay Specs out of Trinidad and Tobago.

Apart from the scary scenes, one can cool off with drink specials all night long. Tickets for the event cost $2500, and are available at the Pegasus Hotel’s front desk.

There will be special prizes for the scariest and sexiest Halloween costumes. Be sure not to miss this event, as we celebrate Halloween in Guyana.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

T

HERE’S nothing more beautiful than the sight of a pretty little ‘country lass’ enjoying the blissful beauty of the tropics.

This young lady just couldn’t resist climbing atop one of the beautiful rocks at Rockstone (Region 10) to enjoy the scenery in peace. Or so she thought.

Our Buzz cameras, always in action, found her and disturbed her reverie; just for a moment.

She was startled for a bit, but recovered quickly and flashed us one of her winning smiles, which was her way of saying, ‘Take as many pics as you want, dudes…”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

Come party all night with...

‘The Unstoppable’ Beenie Man

WITH the launch of his red hot album set for November 10, 2015, the folks down at the 704 Nightclub are throwing a party in honour of Jamaica’s Dancehall King, ‘Beenie Man’.

Fans are urged to come out in their numbers to the ‘Beenie Man Unstoppable Listening Concert’ tonight, and enjoy ‘de dancehall vbyz’, since Slingerzy Family, DJ Puffy, and DJ Feelings will be taking things to screeching heights as usual.

Fans can also enjoy X-Tra Beer specials all night as they ‘rock tuh de rhythm’ of the dancehall icon.

Admission has been set at $2000. The event is sponsored by Pulse Taxi Service, Star Party Rentals, Guinness and others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

Macka Diamond for Umbrella Resort Sunday ALL roads lead Sunday to the Umbrella Resort on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway for “Carnival on the Highway” featuring Macka Diamond.

Macka Diamond is a Jamaican singer and song-writer. Born Charmaine Munroe in the Jamaican capital, Kingston and raised down south in Portmore, Macka Diamond was influenced by female artistes such as Mama Nancy, Lady Ann, Lady Junie and Lady G, who were big-name entertainers in their time.

With Lady Junie’s help, she got the chance to record “Don Girl”. After a string of singles, including collaborations with Captain Barkey and Wickerman, she would eventually change her name to Macka Diamond with her 2003 single, “Tek Con”, in protest of Vybz Kartel’s chauvinistic track, “Tek Buddy”.

She started to create some buzz back in 2012 with the release of the album, “Don’t Disturb Mi’, and has never looked

Dancehall diva, ‘Macka Diamond’

back since.

The artiste is expected to perform live from 16:00h.

Also adding some flavour to the carnival-like event will be a football competition, which will see Sparta Boss and Bent Street clashing head-on for a cash prize of $200,000.

This match is sponsored by Blue Iguana Sports Bar; game kicks off at 13:00h.

There will also be a ‘Miss Good-looking’ contest starting from 15:00h. Most importantly, there will be a dance contest for ladies and ‘fat men’.

To add to the attraction, the event will also see dancers from Jamaica, Guyana and Brazil heating up the stage.

Music will be provided by Slingerz Family, DJ Killa Feelings out of Afrikan Vibz and Deejay Puffy. Admission to the event cost $2000. Gates open at 10:00h.

Tips for the dudes with ‘Doctor Fixit’ 10 things men should never do on a first date

6. Pay with meal vouchers Way down the line, this is frugal and fine. On a first date, you just look like a cheapskate. So do not ever commit a ‘first date suicide’ by doing this.

FIRST dates can be very scary. They’re basically job interviews, but with a panel of one, and slightly better coffee.

And while, as a single man, I sometimes feel like the blind leading the blind, giving advice to other men, I can definitely help single men improve their chances. To me, it seems pretty obvious what to do; or rather what not to do..

Here’s 10 things men should never do on a first date:

7. Talk about your ‘ex’ If a topic comes up and you can’t help but mention them, that’s not so bad. But to continue to rattle on and on about your ‘ex’ is a great turnoff. If you guys are enjoying a cheerful conversation, stick with that. Changing the subject so you can rant about your ‘crazy snob of an ‘ex’ is pretty bad for sure. She’s a woman, too; they tend to feel for their clan.

1. Try to get her drunk It’s one thing to be generous, but it’s awful to obsessively top up her glass.

Take a deep breath and relax; you don’t need to be wasted for the lady to find you attractively funny.

8. Judge her meal choices You should be a good judge of her meal choices, because snide remarks about vegetarians, disgust at her wheat intolerance and probably well-meant comments like ‘I like a girl with a healthy appetite’ would be certainly hard to swallow.

2. Get really drunk yourself Nerves are understandable, but try to stick to a couple of glasses of wine. Because if you don’t, you may end up doing lively conversation, and not contribute to boredom, with you or saying something you will have to regret for a lifetime. talking about yourself all the time

9. Say, ‘So, why is a beautiful girl like you still single?’

Don’t ever utter that dudes! It’s an entirely stupid pickup line, and it can cost you quite a lot. If you do this, then don’t be surprised if she replies, “Because I have a terrible personality, have 12 toes, always kill and eat my prey after mating...”

3. Look at your phone more than her 5. Be rude to the waiter/taxi driver/couple at the next table It’s hard to get to know her you if you’re obsessively Dates can be stressful, but try not to take it out on others.

WhatsApping whoever, and not paying attention to the lady. Such attitude will not only shock the young lady, but may Now, that’s a dumb move! have her so horrified she may just make an excuse that she is going to the washroom and never return. If she does not do 4. Talk about yourself the whole time that, you should not be surprised if she hurries from the car It never hurts to take along some questions to help you get without a good night kiss or a goodbye… Or refuse to take a balanced conversation. That would naturally engage her in your calls after.

Buzz Woman of Substance 2015...

10. Smell bad Be sure to turn up for a first date well shaven, showered and pampered with nice-smelling but not overpowering perfume. I don’t think I have to tell you what will happen if you arrive looking filthy, or reeking of sweat and so on.

The delightful Candasy Layne The electrifying Candasy Layne IT IS not often that we feature a woman who has been making positive strides in society, fusing her beauty and classic intelligence to make a difference.

The delightful Candasy Layne is a young lady with the makings of an international beauty ambassador;

hers is a face that will definitely take Guyana places internationally.

While she is not immediately contemplating pageantry, she just might take a swing at the Miss Guyana World pageant come next year, since she possesses the ideal package that can maybe bring the crown to these shores.

Candasy Layne, who participated in the 2007 edition of the Miss Guyana Talented Teen Pageant and placed second in the ballroom dancing segment, has since furthered

her endeavours to become an international flight attendant.

She is FAA-certified, having been trained at an FAA facility in Las Vegas.

This bubbly lass enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures around the world. She also likes exploring, watching movies, photography, interior decorating, and cooking.

She is a source of empowerment and inspiration to her peers, and is known for having positive solutions.

Ms. Layne has a passion for

volunteerism and planning events. She is also the proud owner of an Online company, and consultant to the Organo Gold Group of Companies.

Her favourite quote is, “Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. You don’t need a fan club to achieve your goals; be your own motivation.”

Join us next Friday when we give you a full feature on her growth and aspirations in the Pepperpot Supplement of this publication.

The makings of an international beauty ambassador

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

The men behind the musical magic

PRODUCERS Burchmore Simon, Simeon Browne and Andrew King ,better known as “Drew Thoven”, are three of Guyana’s top producers. They have worked separately in producing outstanding music, and also themed up together to work on the upcoming Christmas Album set to be released on November 8 under Kross Kolor Records.

The founder of Guyana’s Music Network and the CEO of Kross Kolor Records, Burchmore Simon was given the name “Man with the Golden Touch” because of his cultural influences and artiste development skills.

Mr. Simon is naturally gifted and says he started getting into music at six years old. He formed a band called the EC Connection, and has survived almost 16 years as a professional

The Buzz Artistes of the Week

New talent emerges from Kross Kolor Records JOVINSKI, China and Shivaine are Kross Kolor’s youngest but promising future artistes. Though they are different in many aspects, they have one thing in common: And that is music in their veins.

Sixteen-year-old Jovinski found music after his brother died; he coped by listening to music, which easily filled the gap, according to the young artiste.

He is articulate and a very hard worker when it comes to music. He’s not afraid of experimenting, and is a firm believer that the impossible can be made possible.

He was first made known to the public when he performed ‘Tic Toc’ by the duo, X2 (Adrian Dutchin and Jumo Primo) which would have gained him recognition in the eyes of Jumo, who later recommended that there’s a place for him at Kross Kolor Records.

By signing on to Kross Kolor, Jovinski has already recorded his first two singles, “Too Young” and “Hello”, which made everyone, especially the young girls, fall in love with him.

The young artiste also made mention that he’s the youngest of nine children. and that he, a brother, and two of his sisters are the musically gifted ones within the family.

He’s the winner of GTT’s Kid Stage Competition.

Sueann “China” Campbell, born 1999, showcased her talents through modeling, swimming, and dancing but most importantly through music. “I love singing and rapping” says the 16-year-old rising star.

The young star took part in modeling and swimming in her younger days, before came to realise that music was really her passion. It wasn’t until August last year when she auditioned for the Centre Stage Competition and stole the hearts of the judges with her rapping

Burchmore Simon, Simeon Browne and Andrew King musician.

The name “Burchmore Simon” speaks for itself, because this outstanding producer has made many contributions to the development of Guyanese music.

Mr. Simon is responsible for the formation and recognition of various talent developments, such as Adrian Dutchin, seven-time Road March and three-time Soca Monarch; Vanilla, fourtime Road March Queen; Jumo Primo, three-time Soca Monarch; and Tennicia Defreitas, 3 times children’s calypso and 2 Time Junior Calypso winner That list also includes Cellink Kids stage winner Jovinski and many more. Kross Kolor Records has officially been ranked as the top recording studio in Guyana and it has so far been the crowning glory of Burchmore’s achievements.

Simeon Brown, Born April 17th is nicknamed as “Lil Jay” and is a gifted producer who can truly be referred to as a go getter. He is the eldest of four (4) children and said growing up with his grandmother he truly learned the value of hard work. Mr. Browne got into music from a very young age where he began singing at church and expressing his writing skills.

He excels in his writing skills because he sees himself as being a writer more than singer and also thought himself how to play the keyboard. In 2011 Simeon Browne joined the Kross Kolor label because he thought his potential wasn’t fully recognize and wanted to expand and explore and felt Kross Kolor was the perfect match to do so. From since signing on to Kross Kolor as an arranger and producer, he has worked with some of Guyana’s top artiste such as, the duo x2, VANiLLA, Big Red to name a few. He is an avid songwriter and also someday wishes to become one of Guyana’s leading producers.

Drew Thoven is a young upcoming producer, musician and writer. He started producing professionally about 1 year ago, arranged tracks over the past 3 years and has been involved in film scoring for under 2 years. When asked which artiste inspired him to emerge into the music production field, Mr. Thoven stated that there wasn’t any one thing but everything that he was listening at the time. He works closely with Kross Kolor producers and artistes.

Simon, Simeon and Drew have all enjoyed working on the “Christmas With Us” album, and knows once they continue down the path of producing great Guyanese music it will get international success.

Speed Dating hits Guyana From left are China, Jovinski and Shivaine skills, that Kross Kolor saw And just like her rethe potential in her. cord label colleague, China, In time, they signed her to Shivaine also auditioned the label, and even though her for the Centre Stage Comtalent was rapping, the label petition, where she also introduced the young artiste impressed the judges. to various genres that would She was however work well with her vocals. forced to withdraw from Shivaine Bhola, mean- the competition because while, was born in neigh- of prior fulfilments. By bouring Suriname but raised impressing the judges, she in Guyana until age nine when was remembered for her she migrated to the United performance and was seStates of America. It was lected among a few to have while living in the US that she the opportunity of being found her true passion while a mentored by the founder singer in the Martin Kellogg of Guyana Music Network, Middle School’s Choir.

Burchmore Simon.

In 2011, she took part in Jovinski, China and a regional contest, which was Shivaine look forward a first attempt for her at any to sharing their music competition. Shivaine and with you on Kross Kolor’s her mother decided in 2012 “Chirstmas with Us” alto move back to Guyana after bum, which will be availthe loss of her step-father to able in stores and Online cancer. from November 8.

WHY settle for just one date when you can have the pleasure of meeting over 15 eligible bachelors or bachelorettes, all in one night?

Speed Dating Guyana has partnered with Banks DIH 6 Degrees North wine to transform the dating culture in Guyana. By hosting a series of speed-dating events, one every three months, the duo hopes to revolutionise the way Guyanese find love and friendship.

With the tag line “Because love only takes a few minutes!” Speed Dating Guyana is creating a fun, modern and pressure-free way for singles to connect: They provide the atmosphere; you provide the conversation!

And by teaming up with Guyana’s premier wine, each speed-dating event (called a

cycle) is guaranteed to have an air of sophistication and class.

Speed Dating involves a series of short, equally timed dates that allow every bachelor and bachelorette the opportunity to interact with each other.

Dates end at the sound of a bell, and new ones begin immediately after, following a system of rotation which is guided by the host.

You secretly score your

dates, then select the bachelors or bachelorettes with whom you would like to share your contact details after the event.

To register, and for more information, contact Speed Dating Guyana at speeddategy@gmail.com, or on +592-600-8142.

Like their Facebook page, ‘Speed Dating Guyana’ for event updates and tips on how to prepare for each speed dating cycle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 30, 2015

The Buzz Hottest Babes…

Tazmein Coates:

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STORIES BY ALEX WAYNE

The Perfect Package

The uber-talented Tazmein Coates

OUR babe this week possesses the rare combination of beauty and brains which she wears quite nicely with an air of simplicity and humility.

Tazmein Coates is one of the ‘sistas from the hood’ who has battled the twin hurdles of poverty and pain to evolve as

one Guyana’s most promising television talk-show hosts.

With an ever-growing fan club at the President’s College, Queen’s College, Bishops High School among other secondary institutions, she is often dubbed the ‘Guyanese Ophra Winfrey’.

And her sense of style and fashion and winning personality charisma may certainly motivate you to associate her with the internationally renowned ‘Queen of Talk Show’. At least, she is fashioning her strides, and taking notable tips from a true ‘Wonder Woman’ of the modern world.

Tazmein enjoys dancing, public speaking, modeling and interacting with people in general and not just her peers, and her natural streak of adventure sometimes propels her into intense exploring or sightseeing.

Presently, she is the host of the ‘Togetherness, Love and Care (TLC)’ show that is viewed by teenagers far and wide across Guyana. She has also acquired quite a following from among the mature and elderly for her selective topics, interviews and choice of discussions.

Her show airs live every Saturday from 18:30 to 19:30 hrs on HGPTV, Channel 67.

This diva is just gracing our pages with her sultry presence, folks, so please don’t expect a phone number.

Sorry fellas! De gyal done get she husband a’ready.

This lass certainly has a vivid flair for fashion

Music in history...

Buddy Bolden, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton

By Milton Bruce THE people who pioneered the “ring shout” music since the days of slavery, preserved with their creation they called “syncretism”, the blending of cultural elements.

This blending of cultural elements was the womb that nurtured jazz music.

People like Buddy Bolden (1868-1931), who played the cornet and was affectionately known as “The Elusive Father of Jazz”, continued the pioneering until he passed the baton to Sidney Bechet (1897-1959), who was the first Jazz man to be recognized for introducing the soprano saxophone into Jazz music.

Bechet was also a composer, and played the alto

saxophone and the cornet.

His recordings are numerous.

His greatest delight, he said, was getting an opportunity to play with his friend and idol, the Duke of Ellington.

Following right on their heels was Jelly Roll Morton, a Creole. He was being described at the time as New Orleans’ greatest Jazz composer. The depth of work that he produced with his group, the ‘Red Hot Peppers’, were described as classic. He was pushing the music to definitely new heights. However, Morton’s contribution was never given the accolades he though they deserved.

Commentators complained that Morton’s behaviour left much to be desired; he was often criticised for his fancy gems, his flashy

wardrobe, and flashy dressing, emphasising how he is a braggadocio loud mouth, plus his underworld connections.

All of this, of course, has nothing to do with his music and his ability to play the music. His contribution to the music cannot be dismissed just because of those shortcomings. His body of compositions, recordings, piano rolls, and his lucid commentary on Jazz is special to listen to.

In the 1920s, Morton was recording extensively with his band. Taking advantage of the Louisiana decree of 1894 (that anyone with African ancestry was a Negro), Morton legitimately accepted Black musicians as his peers. He also recorded with the likes of cornetist,

King Oliver; trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Clarinetist Johnny Dobbs and Drummer Baby Dobbs. Unfortunately with the advent of the great depression in America, Morton’s career halted.

In 1938, he wrote a letter to Down Beat Magazine (the gospel of jazz music). Some people called it a long-winded epistle. “My contributions were many: The first glee-club in orchestra; the first washboard was recorded by me; bass fiddle, drums. I produced the fly swatter (they now call them brushes).”

When all was written, Morton earned his place as the most consummate craftsman of the traditional New Orleans style. During this period, African-Americans were vacating the South in droves. Over half-a-million people left the South for more tolerant communities. This exodus, which was called ‘The great migration’, encompassed the entire range of the Black society.

After the closure of “Storyville”, the red-light district in New Orleans, musicians, especially Black ones, were on the move. White musicians were on the move also.

Their move was not because of racial anxieties; they were moving to Chicago to tap into

that new market. The Original Dixie Land jazz band found it easier to interest recording companies in their music. However, the popularity of the initial recordings revealed the potential of the African-American musician.

After then, it was difficult for White bands to get engagements, or even to record. Group organiser of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Paul Mares, recalls, “We did our best to copy the colored music we heard at home in New Orleans; we did the best we could, but, naturally, we couldn’t play real colored style.”

Just as Morton’s career was on the decline, Joseph King Oliver began to rise.

As his rise continued, the questions began: Was he the best cornet player in New Orleans? He was given the sobriquet of “King” after he had won an open contest against other cornet players the likes of Freddie Keppard and Manuel Perez. Oliver claimed that early into his career, he was influenced by

Buddy Bolden.

He also left for Chicago when “Storyville” closed.

Replacing him in Edward “Kid” Ory’s band was the hottest young cornet player in town by the name of Louis Armstrong.

In the jazz idiom, King Oliver stands out as New Orleans’ cornetist par excellence who left behind an impressive body of recordings. The Creole Jazz Band created by Oliver in Chicago was swinging; his was the hottest band in town.

After getting the gig at the famous Lincoln Gardens in 1922, Oliver sent a telegram to 22-year-old Armstrong, requesting his immediate presence in Chicago. The duets of Oliver and Armstrong were legendary; they put Chicago on the jazz map of the United States and the world.

In 1923, the Creole Jazz band made the first series of recordings by a Black jazz group.

Until next week.

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Braithwaite, Russell inspire rain-hit win COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – A sensational cent u r y - p a r t n e r s h i p b etween all-rounders Andre Russell and Carlos B r a t h w a i t e p ro v i d e d West Indies with a major boost ahead of their three-match One-Day International Series against Sri Lanka.

The pair added a boundary-studded eighth-wicket stand of 193 off 99 balls which included 16 fours and 13 sixes, as Windies defeated the SLC President’s XI in a 50-over warm-up match at

Colts Cricket Club yesterday.

They came together with the Windies in trouble on 109-7 and saw the visitors to 318 all out off 48.4 overs. The last 18 overs yielded 209 runs.

Brathwaite, 27, is a strongly-built six-footer, and smashed the ball to all parts of the field. He made 113 off 58 balls – his maiden List A century - and hit 82 runs in boundaries.

Russell who is also 27, was equally entertaining and powered his way to 89 off 54 balls with six

Andre Russell square-drives during his innings of 89.

sixes and six fours.

The home side reached 103-3 off 21 overs when rain and bad light brought the match to an end. West Indies won by 43 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis Method.

“When I went to the crease we were in quite a bit of trouble at seven wickets down for just over a hundred so I knew my job at that time was to support Russell and try to rebuild the innings,” Brathwaite said.

“I decided to give him as much of the strike as possible and basically sit back and watch the ‘Andre Russell show’. But I started to hit a few in the middle of the bat and decided to take it from there.”

Brathwaite added: “This was a good win for the team as we look forward to the three One-Dayers against Sri

Lanka.”

Full squad: Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.

Schedule of matches November Sunday 1: 1st ODI – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (day/night) We d n e s d a y 4 : 2 n d ODI – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (day/night) Saturday 7: 3rd ODI – International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele (day/night) Monday 9: 1st T20 International – International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele Thursday 12: 2nd T20 International – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

GFF Stag Elite League …

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Keenland Race 1 Pablo Del Monte Race 2 Titanium Race 3 The Truth Or Else Race 4 Closing Bell Race 5 Protonico Race 6 Cymric Race 7 Liam’s Map Race 8 Harmonize Race 9 Wedding Toast SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:35 hrs Wild Night Out 09:10 hrs Spectacular Jet 09:45 hrs Zoo Biscuit 10:25 hrs Kemar Kavur 11:00 hrs Clifton Surf 11:35 hrs Enkidu

Pele face Buxton in feature tonight THE eleventh round of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League will commence tonight with a double-header at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, tonight.

In the curtain-raiser, the Guyana

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newmarket 08:25 hrs Clear Cut 08:55 hrs Clowance One 09:25 hrs Priceless 10:00 hrs Mobsta 10:35 hrs Return Ace 11:10 hrs Brittleton 11:45 hrs Afjaan 12:20 hrs Terhaal UTTOXETER 08:45 hrs Nolecce 09:15 hrs Onefitzall 09:50 hrs Out Of The Mist 10:25 hrs Arthamint 11:00 hrs Garde La Victoire 11:35 hrs Lady Of Longstone 12:10 hrs Cruise In Style IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 13:50 hrs Intense Stylist 14:20 hrs Medicean El Diablo 14:50 hrs Downforce 15:20 hrs Tamadhor 15:55 hrs B Cosmos 16:30 hrs Twistsandturns 17:00 hrs Honor Oak

Defence Force (GDF) will tackle Slingerz FC from 18:00hrs then Buxton clash with Pele in the feature which is scheduled to kick off at 20:30hrs.

On Wednesday night, Alpha United eased past Fruta Con-

querors 2-0 after battling to a goalless first half.

However, Delon Lanferman and Stellon David scored once each in the second half, to add another three points to Alpha’s tally and put them in second spot with 19 points; one more than their rivals Slingerz FC (18 points).

It was Frut a C o n q u e ro r s ’ fourth loss of the league as the Tu c v i l l e - b a s e d slipped to fifth place with 12 points behind the GDF (14 points).

Alpha United’s Delon Lanferman and Gregory Richardson are tied with eight goals.

Stellon David’s goal is in contention for the E-Networks goal-of-the-month award.

In the match that followed, a double from Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and lone strikes from Dexroy Adams and Colin Nelson led Slingerz FC to a comfortable 4-0 win over Buxton United, to move into third on the points standings.

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Jiwanram priming for Group One battle PAUL JIWANRAM

AS THE days count down to the much anticipated Caribbean Race of Champions/Caribbean Motor Racing Championships final leg, competition is heating up, especially in the Group One division.

One competitor, Paul Jiwanram, is pulling out all the stops for this event and feels that this is his time to shine.

A part of the newly-formed ER (Emran and Rayman) racing team, Jiwanram says that he is confident of putting on a good show come November 14-15.

Jiwanram, speaking to Chronicle Sport said, “Well, we finished building back the car on Saturday; we went up Sunday to do some testing and to get some seat time and it was good.”

“Personally, I’ve been working out at home, trying to stay in good shape for the races because competitive driving is nothing easy, especially this time around when the field is going to be hot,” continued a fired-up Jiwanram.

He said, “It will be a good race because of the number of cars in the group.

Well, how the car is working now and

with a little more practice I know I can attain podium.”

The Group one driver singled out team mates Daniel Deokie and Azaad Hassan as well as Shameer Mohammed as competitors in his class, whom he will need to keep an eye on, if he intends to stand atop the podium on race day.

Jiwanram’s sponsors are HAB International, ER General Automotive Services, and R. Jiwanram Printery Inc and Smart Aid 24hr Pharmacy.

Meanwhile the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club has indicated that there will be a mandatory drivers’ briefing today at the sports club.

According to the club, the meeting is to help drivers understand some of the newer terms that are expected to be used on race day, as well as to act as a refresher course to drivers who may have forgotten basic protocols.

The meet will be sponsored by Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, Fly Jamaica and Rent-ATent. (Stephan Sookram)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday October 30, 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: Sujeewa DeSilva & Thilan Thushara Shiv Chanderpaul & Jimmy Adams

Today’s Quiz:

What is the highest score made by a SL player in a Test innings?

How many runs Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara made in Tests?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 30, 2015

National Secondary Schools Cricket Leagur

Singh, Arinda power Camille’s Institute to victory … No. 8 Secondary also victorious

FORMER National Under-15 batsman Bhognarine Singh stroked a stylish century, and spinner Alex Arinda took a five-wicket haul to lead Camille’s Institute to a comfortable 62run victory over Soesdyke Secondary in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary Schools Cricket League (NSSCL), sponsored by Digicel and Banks DIH. Camille’s Institute posted 252 all out in 25.5 overs at Thirst Park, batting first.

Singh punished all the bowlers, smashing 12 fours and eight maximums, before being dismissed for 115. The only bowler to stand out amid the destruction was leg-spinner Neeraj Khan, who took the last six wickets to fall, including the prized wicket of Singh, to end with 6-58.

In reply, Soesdyke got off to a flying start as they posted 110 for the first wicket in just 12 overs.

Openers Noel Bradford and Ronaldo Blair topscored.

However, with the intro-

duction of Arinda in the 14th over, Camille’s Institute regained control of the match, restraining Soesdyke on 190 in 22 overs.

Arinda finished with 5-49 and he was supported by

BHOGNARINE SINGH Sachin Lim who claimed 3-44.

In the West Berbice District matches, No.8 Secondary came up against Ash Secondary at the De Edward ground, won the toss and

decided to bat first.

No.8 reached 303-9 from their allotted 30 overs, as Dishan Phillips top-scored with 53 which included nine fours and two sixes, while lower order batsman Chitram France contributed a valuable 40 runs laced with six fours and a six. Jamal Hemerding was the pick of the bowlers for Ash Secondary with 3-25.

The losing side never looked capable of pulling off a victory and were bundled out for just 64, giving No. 8 Secondary a 239-run victory.

Just Trevitte Carmichael and Charles Scott were able to reach double figures, scoring 13 each while Phillips returned to dominate with the ball and took 6-34 and Nigel Deodat 3-13.

The tournament continues today with three more matches; St George’s and St John’s College will clash at the Everest ground while Zeeburg will take on Sarswat and St John’s Secondary will meet Stewartville, both at the Zeeburg ground.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott to miss England games ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has said that Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will

Both players went off in Tuesday’s 3-0 League Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

They are set to miss Ar-

THEO WALCOTT miss the Gunners’ next three games and two England internationals with injury.

senal’s games against Swansea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich in the Champions League and friendlies versus

Spain and France.

“They are out until after the international break,” Wenger said.

“Nothing has changed since after the game. They are out but the scans were yesterday - it’s 48 hours afterwards. We hope they are light injuries.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22, suffered a hamstring problem after five minutes at Hillsborough and 26-yearold Walcott, who came on in his place, went off with a calf problem after 19 minutes.

England will play friendlies in Spain on November 13 and at home to France four days later.

“We are short now with the injuries,” added the 66-year-old Frenchman, who has six other first-team players out.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 30, 2015

International Goodwill Tournament

Six countries register 49 boxers

FORTY-NINE overseas boxers from six countries have so far registered to participate in next month’s International Goodwill competition, organised by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association and the Guyana Olympic Association.

Barbados is first in the line with 21 registered boxers. South American country French Guiana is sending a team of 10 boxers while Cayman Islands yesterday included two more fighters, bringing its total to eight.

The St Lucian team would be headed by President David `Shakes’ Christopher and will comprise six pugilists while St Maarten and St Vincent and the Grenadines have registered two boxers each. President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, said that he expects to have at least 70 foreign boxers registered when the exercise comes to an end this weekend.

Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas,

Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela are still to send in their team list. According to Nin-

President of GABA Steve Ninvalle valle, a large contingent is expected from Trinidad and Tobago.

The GABA president disclosed that he was contacted on Wednesday by Trinidadian Floyd Trumpet who explained that parents of boxers intend to travel to Guyana for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Barbados and Jamaica are expected to send referee/judges to officiate in the tournament. Barbados has registered two officials while Jamaica has signalled intention to send one.

The International Goodwill tournament is scheduled for November 26-29 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It is expected to have the largest gathering of Caribbean countries in Guyana for a boxing competition in decades, and is geared towards serving as a nursery for the production of boxers for elite competitions staged by AMBC and/or AIBA. Also, the tournament would give the region’s technical officials an opportunity to get much needed practice in preparation for moving forward in the AIBA training programme.

Notable Dates ON October 30, 1959 Caesar Barrow stopped Kid Chocolate II (Elmer Yearwood) in round two at the Wrightson Road Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

The fight produced the 11 straight victories for Barrow. It was the second meeting between the skilful pugilist from Guyana and Kid Chocolate in two months of that year. Barrow had defeated Chocolate via a unanimous 10-round decision in August of the same year.

Barrow joined the professional ranks on April Fool’s Day of 1955 as a 21-year-old and took Joe Primo as his first scalp. The talented Barrow defeated Primo by points at the end of the four-round contest.

Born on March 4, 1935, Barrow was a skilled lightweight boxer who stopped 46 percent of his opponents.

He won the vacant Guyana lightweight title on May 22, 1960 after knocking out Emmett `Six Seconds’ Smith in the fifth round at the GFC ground. In 1964 Barrow came up against another skilled fighter by the name of Lennox Beckles.

The latter was in a no-nonsense mood and won the contest via a first-round knockout. Barrow had 19 victories and seven defeats in a career that lasted 10 years..He lost six of his last seven fights and died in July 2005 at the age of 70.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 30, 2015

Tour of Guyana Five-stage cycle road race

‘Lone Soldier’ Geron Williams in sight of victory

By Michael DaSilva GERON ‘The Lone Soldier’ Williams is very much in sight of winning this year’s National Sports Commission’s (NSC) fivestage cycle road race after placing fifth in the first stage and second in stage two.

Williams, the only cyclist representing the Continental Cycle Club, coming against Team Coco’s with nine members including foreign riders, Team Alanis with eight members, Team Gillette Evolution with five members, Team Suriname with five riders and Team United with another five

… one second behind race leader

riders, along with other team riders, rode a remarkable two stages yesterday, to finish one second behind two Team Coco’s riders - Colombian Carlos Ospina and Barbadian Darren Matthews.

Ospina, who is based in Miami, USA and Matthews are tied on four hours 50 minutes. Williams will go into today’s Stage one second adrift.

Alanzo Greaves of Team Alanis is two sec-

Geron Williams crosses the line second in Stage two of the Tour of Guyana Five-stage cycle race. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket

Mentore 78 pushes Hopetown into West Berbice final

KEMOL Mentore stroked a brilliant unbeaten 78 to push Hopetown Primary into the final of the West Berbice District in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-organised Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket.

Hopetown defeated Belladrum in the first semifinal by 25 runs. Hopetown batted first and amassed 154-3 in their full complement of overs.

Mentore’s 78 was the cornerstone of the huge total set

by Hopetown as he smashed eight fours and six sixes.

Mackordell Walters contributed a blistering 30 which included five fours and a six.

In Belladrum’s reply, Coin Noble struck an unbeaten 41, which included four sixes, and Russell Wilson, who made 32, decorated with four fours, led the chase but in the end the Hopetown total proved too much as Belladrum could

get only 129 before their overs expired.

Meanwhile, in a second-round match of the New Amsterdam/Canje District, Rose Hall Primary defeated Sheet Anchor Primary by 55 runs. Rose Hall posted a challenging 145-5 as Vivic Cyril scored an impressive 30 not out.

Sheet Anchor Primary never really challenged the total, as they managed only 90-8 when their 14 overs expired. Parsram Doobay and Farvesh Mohabir had figures of 2–9 and 2–6 respectively to dismiss any hopes of an upset victory.

The next fixtures will see No.5 Primary and Blairmont Primary clash in the second semi-final of the West Berbice District at the No. 5 ground, while Redeemer Primary will take on Rama Krishna Primary at the Racquet Centre.

KEMOL MENTORE

onds adrift of Williams.

Marlo Rodmond of Jamaica follows next with Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal, Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman, Paul DeNobrega, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Mark Harris occupying the other spots at the top of the order going into today’s third stage, which begins at Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara and ends at Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo.

In yesterday’s first stage which wheeled off from outside the Corriverton Police Station, Corentyne, Berbice, there was a five-man break which included Ospina, Jamaul John, Andrew Hicks and Marlon Williams after eight miles into the race, but approaching the Canje bridge, Geron Williams and Eastman connected to the leaders and they stuck together for the remaining two miles until a bunch sprint started, and Ospina finished just ahead of Matthews, Greaves, Leal, Geron Williams and Eastman respectively.

They all had a bunch time of one hour 37 minutes 58 seconds.

But according to the rules of the event, Ospina secured a bonus time of ten seconds, while the other top five finishers received seven, five, three, two and

one point respectively.

The same bonus time was in place for the second stage and will also be in place for stages three, four and five.

In stage two which started at Rosignol and ended on Carifesta Avenue, Hicks and Jamal Eastman of Jamaica went on a break but was sucked in back five miles later, and from then onwards there was a `cat and mouse’ game with several cyclists attacking one another.

After crossing the Mahaicony Bridge, Team Coco’s riders’ were dominating things up front, but Marlon Williams was able to connect along with Matthews, and the duo went on a break but were caught at Strathspey and the `cat and mouse’ game started again, until Colombian and Team Coco’s member Jaime Ramirez broke away, dropping Marlon Williams in the process going through Plaisance.

Geron Williams and a bundle of other riders caught up with the leader but Ramirez staved off their challenge and crossed the finish line ahead of Geron Williams.

Marlo Rodmond finished third, Matthews fourth, Greaves fifth and Leal sixth.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Braithwaite, Russell inspire rain-hit win

Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket

Mentore 78 pushes Hopetown into West Berbice final

Carlos Braithwaite celebrates his maiden List A century against SLC President’s XI.

PAUL JIWANRAM

See story on page 28

Six countries register 49 boxers See story on page 30

See story on page 27

Jiwanram priming for Group One battle

International Goodwill Tournament

KEMOL MENTORE

See story on page 31

Tour of Guyana Five-stage cycle road race

‘Lone Soldier’ Geron Williams in sight of victory

See story on page 31

… one second behind race leader

Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina of Colombia cops the first stage ahead of his teammate Darren Matthews of Barbados.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015