Guyana chronicle 07 02 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103732

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2013

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

At engineering conference…

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President decries poor supervision of infrastructural projects Page 2

––blames infraction on ‘coziness’ between engineer and contractor

President Donald Ramotar addressing stakeholders in the engineering field yesterday (Photo by Adrian Narine)

PPP says ...

Page 3

Job well done, Mr President!

––In commendation letter for acquitting himself admirably at CELAC meet

SWAT Unit goes into training Page 8 at Police Officers Training Centre

Resourceful Spanish teacher Page 8 creates her own bit of history –with launch here of self-inspired Spanish alphabet card

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

At engineering conference…

President decries poor supervision of infrastructural projects ––blames infraction on ‘coziness’ between engineer and contractor PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, at the Fourth Annual Engineering Conference yesterday, called for greater supervision in that field and remarked on the relationship between engineers and contractors. “Sometimes I think there are too much cozy relationships between contractors and engineers… I’m tired of excuses; we have to save money and save time…too often we hear contractors give excuses for delays; we see sinking bridges and

eroding roads,” he lamented. The Head of State was delivering the feature address on the occasion hosted by the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG), at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), under the theme, ‘Building Guyana’s Future step By Step’. Noting that there remains too many variations in engineering undertakings, he stressed the need for quality work to be delivered on time and within

“Sometimes I think there are too much cozy relationships between contractors and engineers… I’m tired of excuses; we have to save money and save time…too often we hear contractors give excuses for delays, we see sinking bridges and eroding roads,”

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister Robeson Benn at one of the exhibits yesterday budget. He nevertheless saw the hosting of such a confab as a good opportunity for the creation of synergies and the sharing of experiences between

professionals and students, and welcomed the ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Public Works and UG on major development projects. He further underscored the importance of encouraging more people to become engineers, and made it clear that those already in the field are quintessential to the process of economic development. He

added that sustained economic development is dependent on engineers. BECOMES NECESSARY “This is where engineering becomes necessary to develop the quality of what will be at the centre of this drive… In the last two decades, we have

seen many projects that have transformed the local landscape,” Ramotar observed. He referred to major completed road works, such as the Berbice River Bridge, the expansion of the water supply system and the local electricity distribution grid, as well as major buildings, including the ongoing Marriot Hotel, the modernisation at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and more drainage and irrigation works. He pointed out that, given Guyana’s development trajectory, this is “an exciting” time for engineers, particularly since they have the opportunity to be a part of it. The President noted that Guyana continues to perform well economically, as compared to other countries still reeling from the shocks of the global financial crisis. He recalled that, in 2013, Guyana recorded an average five per cent growth in the economy, the highest in the Caribbean region. The President explained that, in moving forward, the movements on the international scene must be kept in mind, as a factor that informs the possibilities Guyana can explore in its advance. He said some of these opportunities can be optimised by pursuing projects like a

See page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

PPP says ...

Job well done, Mr President! ––In commendation letter for acquitting himself admirably at CELAC meet

“THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would like to take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency Donald Ramotar, who led Guyana’s Delegation to the recently concluded 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Havana, Cuba. “President Ramotar, who was one of the many Heads of State from the thirty-three member countries to be present, represented Guyana with distinction, and has once again ensured that this country continues to have a voice on the international scene and to contribute meaningfully to resolving of global issues. “CELAC was created in December 2011 with the aim of deepening Latin American and Caribbean integration. This integration has always been foremost within the PPP, and the Party has on numerous occasions advocated for such. “Moreso, the theme under which the Summit was held, “Eradication of hunger, poverty and inequality in Latin America and Caribbean States”, is something which is synonymous and is the hallmark of the PPP’s thrust since its inception. “Our Party Founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and all of its leaders, including President Ramotar, have vehemently pursued the eradication of poverty, hunger and inequality. This ingrained characteristic of the PPP is reflected through the billions of dollars which the PPP-led government continues to allocate in its budgets for the development of the social sectors and the improving of living standards for all. The testimony to these successes is overwhelming and is evident across the country. “While there is inequality and abject poverty in of the CELAC member States, the PPP administration, through the prudent management of its successive Presidents, has been able to drastically reduce these societal ills, resulting in Guyana now been classified as a developing country as against a bankrupt and highly indebted poor country as it were in the region in 1992. “Then, it was classified as the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere;

a classification which cast a shameful veil on all. While the PPP would be the first to admit that there is more to be done, today, all must be proud of the tremendous strides Guyana has made in improving the lives of all of its peoples. “It would therefore be remiss of the Party if it does not once again note the great disservice which the Opposition has imposed on Guyanese by misusing its combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly to scuttle the many transformative projects that the PPP-led Administration has moved to realise, and which would propel the nation’s development and by extension, eradicate poverty and hunger. “The Party will not relent on its push to move Guyana’s development forward, and would ensure, through its work, that the nation does not return to the days of bankruptcy and despair. It is the Party’s fervent hope that

the Opposition would come to realise the harm they continue to cause the nation though their petty and vindictive politics. “It is therefore heartening to note that Guyana’s participation at the international fora like CELAC is a vindication of the valiant efforts of PPP-led Administration, since 1992, to rebuild this country’s image, which was one of shame and stigmatisation during the time the Opposition was in office. “Today, not only can Guyana boast of robust and meaningful participation in the international fora, but being able to take the lead in many of these events. Over the last few years, Guyana was a Chair of the Union of South American Nations (UNISUR), Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), host of the Summit of the RIO Group, host of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting and continues to

Neighbour charged with $160,000 jewellery larceny RYA N R u p e r t c a l l e d Ryan, of Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who is charged with larceny of a $160,000 gold chain from the person of his neighbour, Hardat Latchman, pleaded not guilty to the offence on Monday. The defendant told Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, at Albion Court, Corentyne,that the allegation stemmed from his rebuke of the virtual complainant, who was becoming friendly with his wife. Latchman related to the Court that he was celebrating his birthday on June 16, 2013 and having a few drinks of alcohol when the defendant entered his yard through the opened gate, pulled open his shirt, removed the jewel and hurriedly left the scene. However, questioned by Defence Counsel Ian Anamayah, the virtual com-

plainant denied that after the defendant had rebuked him for attempting to be friendly with his wife, he and his family became aggressive and, subsequently, fabricated the story of larceny from the person. Ryan was placed on $80,000 bail and is expected to return to Albion Court onFebruary 22.

be a leading voice on the global issue of climate change. The advocacy for the latter resulted in Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, being conferred with the “Champion of the Earth” award by the UNEP, a vindication of the respect earned on the international scene. “These positive developments were not by coincidence, but as a result of the hard work by the PPP Administration to not only place Guyana prominently internationally, but to ensure that its voice is heard. President Ramotar, while attending the CELAC Summit in Havana, signed the declaration which now designates Latin America and the Caribbean region as a “Zone of Peace”. The PPP has noted that during the President’s address, not only did he welcome the declaration, but called on CELAC to let its voice be heard with regards to what he described

as neo-colonialism and oppression that exits in Palestine. The President was adamant that wherever colonialism is weakened, it helps the Region in its own struggles. “The PPP would also like to welcome the Declaration making Latin America and the Caribbean a “Zone of Peace”, and once again congratulate President Ramotar for his efforts and that of his delegation, which included Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Minister of Housing and Water and with responsibility for Tourism, Irfaan Ali, for the successful representation in Havana. “The Party, while cognisant that CELAC is a young organisation, knows that its success will redound positively to Guyana and Guyanese. Further, in the context where the President used the opportunity at the CELAC Summit to highlight the situation in Palestine, the Party

would like to reiterate its call for a peaceful political resolution to the situation in Syria through dialogues. “The Party also notes that while in Havana, President Ramotar was among the few Heads of State and Government who were invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Mariel Port Facility, and to participate in the annual midnight march to celebrate the birth anniversary of Cuba’s national hero, Jose Marti. “This is indicative of the strong and meaningful relations that exist between the government and people of Cuba and the government and people of Guyana. The PPP, as a party, has always enjoyed good relations with Cuba and continues to do so, and would also like to congratulate the government and people of Cuba for successfully hosting the Summit.”

Defendant not given reason cop-assault charge dismissed MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus has dismissed an assault with intent to prevent lawful apprehension case, after ruling that the policeman who instituted the charge never told Jamal Munroe the reason for him being arrested. Consequently, she ruled the arrest was unlawful, and threw out the charge at the New Amsterdam Court. On January 14, 2013, the defendant was stopped along the roadway at Palmyra by Police Constable Sidwell

Fredericks, who claimed he was bitten on his arm while executing his duties as a peace officer. Fredericks, in his evidence, stated that he had asked the motorist to exit his vehicle,when the defendant assaulted him. Another traffic rank, Corporal Ronald Ali, said a warrant was issued for the defendant. However, the Magistrate ruled that there was no evidence from Fredericks that there was a warrant for Munroe, and that was why he was being apprehended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

At prayer breakfast, Obama talks faith and foreign policy Obama said religious freedom, protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, was under threat around the world and he singled out China and Burma, also known as Myanmar, as countries that needed to do better on the issue. “When I meet with Chinese

I stress that realizing China’s potential rests on upholding universal rights, including for Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists, and Uighur Muslims,” Obama said to applause.

pastor and due to false rumors he was a Muslim. WASHINGTON- (Reuters) The president reflected - President Barack Obama briefly about his religious jourpressed for greater religious ney at the breakfast - highfreedom in China and offered lighting his Christianity - and prayers for U.S. prisoners in emphasized its role in his life “GRATEFUL” North Korea and Iran yesteras a community organizer in Obama, a Christian, does day during remarks at an anChicago and his later career nual prayer breakfast in public service. that highlighted his “I’m grateful not only Christian faith. because I was broke and the Obama, who atchurch fed me, but because it tended the breakfast led to everything else. It led at a Washington hotel me to embrace Jesus Christ with his wife, Michelle, as my Lord and Savior. It led used the high profile me to Michelle, the love of event to renew calls for my life, and it blessed us with the release of two men two extraordinary daughters,” held by U.S. adverObama said. saries in Asia and the “It led me to public serMiddle East. vice. And the longer I serve, “We pray for Kenespecially in moments of trial neth Bae, a Christian or doubt, the more thankful I missionary who’s been am of God’s guiding hand.” held in North Korea for The Obamas do not at15 months ... His famtend services regularly in ily wants him home. Washington, though they And the United States will continue to do ev- U.S. President Barack Obama applauds as he and First Lady occasionally walk across the erything in our power Michelle Obama attend the National Prayer Breakfast in street to a church near the to secure his release,” Washington, yesterday (Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque) White House on special occasions. Obama said. The national prayer “We pray for Pasbreakfast is billed as an event not talk frequently about his tor Saeed Abedini. He’s been leaders - and we do a lot of busiwhere Republicans and Demown faith, which was a big issue held in Iran for more than 18 ness with the Chinese, and that in the 2008 presidential camocrats set aside their political months, sentenced to eight years relationship is extraordinarily paign because of inflammatory in prison on charges relating to important not just to our two differences to focus on faith remarks by his former Chicago his Christian beliefs.” countries but to the world - but and religion. By Jeff Mason

SAC Capital’s Martoma found guilty of insider trading By Nate Raymond NEW YORK-(Reuters) - Mathew Martoma, a former portfolio manager at billionaire Steven A. Cohen’s SAC Capital Advisors hedge fund, was found guilty yesterday of engaging in what prosecutors called the most lucrative insider trading scheme in U.S. history. A federal jury in Manhattan found Martoma guilty on all three of the conspiracy and securities fraud charges that he faced over a scheme that allowed SAC Capital to make profits and avoid losses of $275 million. The verdict was the eighth insider trading conviction of a current or former employee at SAC Capital, a $14 billion hedge fund that has long been in federal authorities’ cross-hairs. Martoma gave no apparent reaction as the verdict was read. His wife, Rosemary, sat up in her seat in court as the verdict was read, with tears going down her face. They exited the court holding hands. As news photographers snapped pictures, Martoma walked stone-faced out of the courthouse and into a waiting SUV with his wife and defense team. They did not speak to reporters. “We are very disappointed and we plan to appeal,” Richard Strassberg, Martoma’s lawyer, said through a spokesman. No sentencing date was immediately set. Martoma, 39, faces up to 45 years in prison. The verdict came after a different jury in the same courthouse in December convicted Michael Steinberg, a portfolio manager at SAC Capital, on five conspiracy and securities fraud counts for his role in a separate insider trading scheme. SAC Capital last year agreed to pay $1.8 billion in criminal and civil settlements and plead guilty to fraud charges stemming from insider trading by its employees. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is meanwhile seeking to bar Cohen from the financial services industry for failing to supervise Martoma and Steinberg. The conviction continued an unbroken winning streak at trial for federal prosecutors in New York, who have secured guilty pleas or verdicts against 79 individuals since October 2009 as part of a broad crackdown on insider trading on Wall Street. “This unbroken string of wins for the government in insider trading cases will have huge impact,” said Thomas Gorman, a defense lawyer at law firm Dorsey & Whitney. “It’s getting widely circulated, so it does have a chilling effect of those in the trading business considering insider trading.” “GRAIN OF SAND” Martoma, who worked in SAC’s CR Intrinsic Investors division, was accused of seeking out confidential information from doctors involved in a clinical trial of an Alzheimer’s drug being developed by Elan Corp Plc and Wyeth, now owned by Pfizer Inc. Based on a tip Martoma received a doctor about negative trial results for the drug, SAC Capital in July 2008 began selling its $700 million position in Elan and Wyeth before the data was made public later that month, prosecutors said. “Martoma bought the answer sheet before the exam - more than once - netting a quarter billion dollars in profits and losses avoided for SAC, as well as a $9 million bonus for him,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said. During the trial, prosecutors said that most of the trading took place in accounts controlled by Cohen. They also said that Martoma had a 20-minute phone call with Cohen after receiving information about the negative results. While Cohen has not been criminally charged, Sidney Gilman, the doctor who tipped Martoma, said at trial that an FBI agent on approaching him the first time had called Martoma a “grain of sand” in what was an investigation of Cohen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Brazilian ‘Mensalao’ banker Pizzolato arrested in Italy

THE former director of Brazil’s state-owned bank, who was sentenced in Brazil for corruption and money-laundering, has been arrested in Italy. Henrique Pizzolato, who has dual Brazilian and Italian citizenship, fled to Italy in or-

der to avoid a 12-year prison sentence. There had been an international arrest warrant against him. Brazil wants to extradite Pizzolato but Italy is unlikely to agree as he holds Italian nationality.

Pizzolato says his trial was political and has denied the charges.

DUAL NATIONALITY Pizzolato, former marketing director for Banco de Brasil, was arrested in the small town of Maranello in northern Italy

Mexican Catholic order Legion of Christ apologises to victims THE Legion of Christ Cathofrom Father Maciel,” reads the forced Father Maciel to leave. The new leader is Father Edustatement. lic order has for the first time ardo Robles Gil, from Mexico. “That is what we want to apologised to the victims of Since 2010 the order had offer today, expressing our solisexual abuse carried out by been run by the Vatican, who darity to all the victims.” its founder, Father Marcial will continue to keep a close eye Father Maciel was disciMaciel. on its activities. plined by the Vatican in 2006. In a statement, the order Two Vatican advisers have Pope Benedict ordered him to condemned the “reprehensible stop exercising his ministry in been appointed to serve as govand objectively immoral bepublic and to retire to a life of haviour” of the Mexico-born ernors in the Legion of Christ. prayer and penitence priest. The order has a conservative Father Maciel, who was Father Maciel led the order profile that attracted donations close to the late Pope John from its foundation in 1941 until 2006, when Pope Benedict ordered him to retire. He abused seminarians as young as 12, and died in 2008 aged 87 without ever being convicted of his crimes. A Vatican investigation also found out that he had fathered several children by at least two women, and used drugs. “We want to express our deep sorrow for the abuse of minor seminarians, the immoral acts with men and women who were adults, the arbitrary use of Pope John Paul II (right) gives his blessing to Father his authority and of materi- Maciel (left) in 2004, two years before the Mexican al goods,” said the Legion priest was ordered to retire. of Christ in a statement. ‘WAITED IN VAIN’ The Roman Catholic order apologised for not believing in the beginning in the testimonies of the victims and later, for its “institutional silence”. “We regret that many victims and people affected had to wait in vain for an apology

Paul II, always denied all the allegations. The order has said in its statement that its essential features “do not originate in the person of the founder”. The public apology was announced as the order chose its first leader since the scandal

from many wealthy Catholics, particularly in Mexico. It operates in more than 20 countries and has nearly 1,000 priests, running schools and charitable institutions across the world and a Catholic university in Rome. (BBC)

on Wednesday extradition. Chief of the local police Italy is unlikely to accede as investigation unit Carlo Carit does not extradite its own citrozzo said Pizzolato had been izens and Pizzolato has Italian detained because “there was as well as Brazilian nationality. an international arrest warrant against him” and because he had been using “a false document”. Pizzolato reportedly entered Europe with a passport belonging to his brother, who died in a car crash in the 1970s. Pizzolato was convicted in Brazil in August 2012, but was allowed to remain free while he appealed against the verdict. Brazilian police believe he left the country while the ap- Former chief-of-staff Jose Dirceu peal was under way, in in November as he could not be located when officers came to Brazilian newspaper Folha arrest him after his sentence was said Pizzolato could only be confirmed and his arrest warrant arrested if Brazil could get the issued on 15 November 2013. Italian courts to open a case A day later, Pizzolato’s lawconcerning the Mensalao crimes yer released a letter from his and if, after the retrial, he was client saying he had fled to convicted. Italy “in the hope of getting That, however, would be another trial there, free of media extremely difficult, according pressure”. to international law experts On Wednesday, Pizzolato interviewed by Folha. was arrested at his nephew’s flat in Maranello, where he is POLITICAL SCANDAL believed to have been hiding Pizzolato was one of 25 for months. politicians, businessmen and Brazilian Justice Secretary bankers convicted in the big Jose Eduardo Cardozo said political corruption trial known he would ask for Pizzolato’s as Mensalao, or big monthly

allowance. The Supreme Court found that politicians from the Workers Party were making regular

(right) turned himself

payments to members of the governing coalition in exchange for their support in Congress. The scheme used funds from government bodies, such as Banco do Brasil, for which Pizzolato worked. Pizzolato was the only one of those found guilty and sentenced to jail terms in the Mensalao trial who did not turn himself in. The others - which include Jose Dirceu, the former chiefof-staff of ex-President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva - are serving long prison sentences.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

GUYANA

Is APNU running scared? --It certainly looks that way

EDITORIAL

ANY reaction to today’s Kaietuer News article attributing comments to Joseph Harmon, M.P., in relation to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill cannot begin without this factual reality: The PNC/APNU ownership of the copyright to political violence in Guyana is unchallengeable. Fearful of the consequences of its own non-support for the Bill, the opposition is being driven to all sorts of machinations. Harmon, by his public utterances, has introduced the possibility of PNC/ APNU utilizing its well-established brand of violence and intimidation, as desperation mounts on its part. The stinging condemnation by a majority of Guyanese over APNU/AFC’s non-support for the passage of this a Bill is indeed having a negative impact on the psyche of the opposition. The territory of violence and intimidation rightly belongs to the PNC/APNU as history would have recorded repeated episodes of violent incidents under that party’s directorship, as recent as the Linden unrest in 2012. Apart from Harmon’s cheap shot at politics, he has again high-

lighted the reality of the opposition being averse to criticism, even when it results from its own reckless and callous actions. Harmon’s latest ‘fictional piece’ offends the rights of the majority of Guyanese to disagree with the opposition’s non-support for the Bill. To equate this right to that of violent intent is highly disrespectful. We could hardly be convinced that any fear can penetrate the minds of those in the opposition, especially taking into consideration their behaviour in relation to threats to social and economic stability; practice of racial politics; budget cuts that affect the livelihood of thousands of Guyanese; scaring away of investors; and support for criminality among other ills. Could it be that the opposition is using Harmon to signal those in its rank and file to be the first to instigate violence as the means of diverting attention from the opposition gloom and doom blow moment?

Agents provocateurs extraordinaire Hats off to the Chinese HATRED is the tool Guyana’s opposition used to create stratagems to drive their own agendas, and this has agonised and caused destruction to this nation time and again. This is the sad history of our beloved country: The perennial intention and implementation of strategies to set Guyanese against their fellow Guyanese to make Guyana ungovernable by politicians hostile to the PPP/C Administration. Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s Party has always reached out to embrace political colleagues on the other side, the latest attempt being President Donald Ramotar’s attempt to engage the opposition in tripartite talks to find consensual positions on solutions to problems affecting Guyanese, and to drive Guyana’s development trajectory upward, as is the case recently with the Budget consultations, and the deliberations on the legislation to combat money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). However, the joint opposition has rejected this call for consensual positions by the President, and has instead sown the seeds of insurrection in their supporters. When they move on with their comfortable, and even luxurious lives, with their children absolutely safe, their supporters are always left in mourning. Who are the criminals here? Certainly not the ordinary opposition supporters, who have, as usual, merely been used as cannon-fodder to foster the self-serving agendas of their leaders. Even as Linden was burning, AFC’s, Gerhardt Ramsaroop was promising to rile the people up even more. The regional chairman for Region Ten had incited PNC supporters, saying that the people have to fight back and hurt the Government. However, they are not hurting the Government but their own people. In Wismar on June 23, 2012, PNC/APNU’s, Aubrey Norton subtly first, and then overtly, incited Lindeners to violence, calling on that party’s supporters to create havoc by blocking access to the interior residential, lumbering and mining areas, and to utilise their skills to challenge the Government’s decision to stop subsidising electricity in that town in a staggered way. He adjured the gathering, “We have to be prepared to do what is required to achieve our objective. We stand at the gateway to the interior; I say no more... Let me tell you, this Government does not understand reason, so the only solution to this Government comes from pressure, more pressure… We have to put them in the pressure.” The result of destruction, mayhem and murder is history. Norton reiterated that the task at hand was to ensure that Government backs down. But who suffered? In 2003, at the height of another PNC campaign to destabilise a PPP government, Freddie Kissoon had written in an article titled, “Opposition abuses the trust of some of its supporters by teaching them the art of self-destruction”. In this article, Freddie wrote about the captive audience the extremists within the opposition had in the youths of Buxton. This is what he had to say: “These youths were being taught by men who were politically ignorant, extremist and essentially racist. The voodoo theory they taught the Buxton conspiracy was simply the language of self-destruction... Self-destruction is essentially what occurred in Buxton (and Linden), and the opposition extremists attempted to spread this to other parts of Guyana. Thankfully, they did not ultimately succeed.” There is a reason why these extremists have almost taken up home in Linden of recent times, and that reason is because they consider that this traditional stronghold of theirs is ideal for them to restart their sinister campaign of terror and destruction.

CANDIDA ELLIS

community in Guyana!

I WISH to extend best wishes to the Chinese community in Guyana on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated in mainland China and the entire Chinese Diaspora under the theme, “Year of the Horse”. The horse is noted for its strength, endurance and loyalty, which traits to a significant degree, characterise the Chinese people in the pursuit of their life and existence. There can be no doubt that the Chinese have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution to Guyana’s development. Today, they have moved beyond the traditional Chinese restaurants, and are

well entrenched in the business and commercial sectors. The Chinese community in Guyana must be commended for their hard work, entrepreneurial skills and discipline. Their thrift, work ethic, and simplicity of lifestyle are also worthy of emulation. Contrary to what is being peddled in some quarters, the Chinese are not “taking over” but are taking advantage of business opportunities that exist in the country, for which they ought to be commended.

The lawless behaviour of PNC/APNU Attorney-at-Law, James Bond, who incited supporters to participate in an illegal procession post-elections in defiance of police orders in December of 2011 is also a case in point. Thank God for then Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene and the professionalism of the Guyana Police Force for rejecting the opposition’s racist “kith and kin” rhetoric and instead stayed true to their mandate of protecting and serving the people; all the people of this nation, or else Guyana’s capital city would have been in a worse state than Linden is in today. Kudos are due to our Police Force, which did its duty at great risk to the lives of ranks. They stood their ground in the face of much provocation and danger to protect the peaceful citizens of Guyana. The catastrophic occurrences in Linden and Agricola in early 2012 have been the tragic outcomes of opposition’s “peaceful protests”. The police acted on their mandate and prevented anarchy from taking root after the several assaults on property and persons in the two communities had escalated to dangerous levels. They patiently stood sentinel in the broiling sun during the peaceful period of the protest in Linden, even when the Linden bridge, which was the main artery to the hinterland communities, was blocked for hours. However, when peaceful, law-abiding citizens started complaining bitterly about police inaction while they were prevented for hours from going about their business, with traffic backed up on both sides of the road in long queues, the police requested removal of the barriers to the bridge. Instead of complying with the law, the police came under assault by the protesters. They were attacked by the violent and unruly crowd, pelted with stones and glass bottles, which the protesters had evidently amassed beforehand for just such an eventuality, which they had provoked for hours, while the police had stoically endured the haranguing and taunts, until commuters lost patience and upbraided the police for unprofessional conduct and for standing by while law-abiding citizens were held to ransom by what they called “the unruly rabble”. The sad and tragic outcome is directly attributable to the agents provocateurs of the joint opposition and their media counterparts. But then, the opposition supporters are merely the usual pawns, described by Ramjattan of the AFC as “collateral damage”, as they pursue their self-serving quest for power. As Freddie Kissoon had articulated in 2003, “It is frightening what the violent youths of Buxton were educated in. They were told

the most untruthful things about the Government, the business-class and the East Indian community.” But after Buxtonians had rejected their calls for a return to violence, they moved their campaign of “divide and conquer” to Linden. The unfortunate turn of events which occurred in the mining town of Linden on the night of July 18, 2012 is truly unfortunate and deeply saddening for all Guyana. The real tragedy of the loss of lives and the tragedy of the retardation of development that would ensue from this fiasco is to be laid squarely at the foot of the joint opposition and their satellites in the media who are hostile to the PPP/C Government. The professional protesters, who seem to be suffering from a syndrome of attention deficit, have predictably been used as pawns by the opposition collective of leaders to sow the seeds of insurrection. The extremists had their little mobs go around destroying the facilities that serve and benefit their families and communities; and while the inciters return to their safe and comfortable homes and their luxurious lifestyles, the residents of Linden, like those in Buxton, were left with the detritus from the opportunistic meanderings of the tsars and tsarinas of terror. But why should they care of the lives they leave behind, torn, shattered and destroyed? After all, these people are merely “collateral damage”. Prior to the 2011 elections, Tacuma Ogunseye had said, “We have to go there and cast all our votes; but if, at the end of the day, we fall short, we have to move to Stage Two; and Stage Two must be a massive rebellion of African people throughout the length and breadth of this country... “Given the ethnic and political history of our security forces, it is very unlikely that the PPP/C Government can militarily defeat an African armed resistance.” As Martin Luther King (Jr) once said: “I have decided to stick with love; hatred is too great a burden to bear.” When will Guyanese learn and chase away these incitors to race-hate when they come to their communities beating their war-drums? The answer is: Only when all Guyanese begin appreciating and respecting each other, and join together in efforts to build our country, so that all of us, as a united nation, can live in peace and strive together for prosperity in this country that is our collective patrimony by all of our ancestors.

HYDAR ALLY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

President decries poor supervision ... From page 2

deep-water harbour, road projects that link Guyana to its continental neighbours, cheap energy through the Amaila Falls Hydropower project and continued attention to improving the local human resources capacity. Ramotar acknowledged the challenges, but maintained that Guyana must move to improve and not be discouraged by them. “We still have too many people who are poor,” he insisted. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also addressed the hundreds gathered, stating that the conference is an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on past efforts and reform their current approach. Hinds said the gathering makes a contribution to informing aspirations, in pursuit of which all stakeholders must work to address existing problems and apply new technologies to the move forward. STELLAR PERFORMANCE UG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi underscored the fact that the mistakes of engineers are ones that stay with them and, hence, the need for stellar performance is of the utmost importance at all times.

A section of the final year engineering students from the University of Guyana during one of the lighter moments of yesterday’s conference To this end, he lauded the opportunity the conference presents in bringing new ideas to the fore for discussions. Opadeyi remarked on the importance of collaboration and the immeasurable impacts it can have in improving aspects of engineers’ approaches. He also called for Government to commit a small percentage of income from major projects to the development of local human resources. Such investment will go a long way towards ensuring that major projects can be main-

tained by local professionals, he said. Minister of Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn echoed similar sentiments and agreed that the conference is a forum for both holistic and peer review, in the advance of engineering undertakings. He, too, called for engineering stakeholders to do the best, by working together to optimise on available opportunities. Benn recognised the presence of an abundance of local talent in the field and acknowledged the necessity for syn-

ergies. ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS “There are engineering solutions to the challenges we have in the current environment we occupy,” he said. The Minister said advances in the engineering sector are in the interest of improving the livelihoods of all Guyanese. “We are poised for a leap forward,” he remarked, alluding to the state of the current political climate and the need for resolutions in this sphere to

It’s like comparing cheese to chalk I REFER to a letter penned by one David Hinds in the January 31 edition of the Stabroek News as well as the Kaieteur News, which seeks to justify the riotous display of a bunch of hooligans at Linden to the Number 48 protest. He is making a deliberately fictitious comparison that the predominantly Indo-Guyanese community of Number 48 Village was treated differently from the Afro-Guyanese at Linden: That because of their ethnicity, and by extension their assumed support for the PPP/C Party, the former were singled out for special treatment. But this is far from the truth, because if someone is to carry out an honest assessment of the incidents at the two places, the facts of the two scenarios would certainly reveal a totally different story. In my analysis of the facts, I shall lay down the main reasons for my disagreement with Hinds’ remarks. Let us view the facts objectively:

(1) Evidence shows a people who were severely affected by armed thefts and murders through home invasions and when they sought redress from the police they were either slow to respond or they did not show up at all. Further to the issue - and this can be verified from firm circumstantial evidence, that some police ranks were in league with some of the very same criminal elements. (2) Faced with such extreme provocation, the People of Number 48 Village mounted a peaceful protest to gain the attention of Central Command. This is a stark contrast to Linden where the residents there were politically motivated into carrying out an armed unrest. If one judges from the facts Linden’s so called protest turned out to be nothing less than mayhem an unprovoked situation that became deadly. The people of Number 48 Village were peaceful, whilst those from Linden were not. (3) The villagers in the Number 48 incidence had no

weapons. They were unarmed civilians who kept up a vigil with blocked roads until help arrived. Linden’s mobsters were well armed who, in the ensuing confusion shot three of their very own. Their unbridled fury which knew no bounds led to the demise of three of their numbers and much destruction to private and public properties, including the school that educated their children and a building belonging to the bauxite company that provided them with jobs. The facts concerning the three murders were established by expert testimony from a ballistics expert of their choosing. (4) The Government was forced to pay out huge sums of axpayers’ money as compensation to the people of Linden in spite of all the heinous crimes they committed. They did this so as to restore peace and stability to a community who were tired of the death and destruction. On the other hand those residents on the Corentyne will never be able to recoup from the

heavy losses they sustained at the hands of some rogue cops and other criminals.

support the local development thrust. In line with the Minister’s comments on possibilities for the future, several major presentations were featured for stakeholders’ comments. Among these were the benefits of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the aviation maintenance programme, the challenges facing the CJIA expansion, the impact of sea level rice on the Coast and the benefits of the e-governance project. Additionally, the conference poster presentations and

exhibits were undertaken by the Ministry’s Central Transport Planning Unit and the Sea and River Defense Division, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, the Maritime Administration Department, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., CARITRANS Services Ltd., JARIC Environment Safety and Health Services Ltd., Design Perspectives, Great Wall Construction, DipCon Engineering Services Ltd. and final year University of Guyana (UG) students.

So, in his diatribe of a letter, Hinds is trying to equate a situation of violence and naked aggression against that of a peaceful people’s protest. It is ludicrous to even entertain the thought of a comparison between the two and I am at a loss to understand what Hinds is really talking about. We have examined every piece of evidence in both

areas and thus we can safely conclude that Hinds is trying desperately to avert the shame of an embarrassing piece of history to the parties he support, using the delusional escape ruse. The victims of their perfidious actions are always their supporters. Neil AdamsT. King

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

SWAT Unit goes into training at Police Officers Training Centre By Michel Outridge

THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has launched the training programme for ranks who would be involved in the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) corps of the Guyana Police Force. This programme was launched yesterday at the Police Officers’ Training Centre at Camp and Young Streets in Kingston, Georgetown. Minister Clement Rohee said the team was established in fulfillment of Government’s commitment to the citizens of Guyana, and is not intended to oppress or suppress members of the public, but rather to discharge its lawful responsibilities. Rohee added that the SWAT team will not be used as a ‘political tool’, and is simply launched to fulfil certain professional responsibilities, based on the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operation Procedures (SOPS). He explained that there will be no political interference in

down significantly, because the GPF is equipped to perform. He said there must be no ‘comfort zone’ in serious crimes, since there is no crime statistics we can live with, and the GPF must adopt the “value for money” strategy by producing good results for the benefit of citizens. Rohee noted that the MoHA has delivered the much-needed resources to the GPF. He said that from 2004 to 2013, the MoHA has expended G$1.2B for land and water transport and G$2B for specialised equipment for the GPF. Rohee said that despite the controversy swirling around establishment of a SWAT team, the Government went ahead with its formation, since a policy decision had been taken by the Government after committing itself in the PPP/C 20062011 manifesto. Despite ‘talk’ surrounding the formation of this SWAT team, Rohee said, “It will prove useful for the people of Guyana, who are the ultimate beneficiaries, and its establishment was justified many moons ago”. He said: “I am not an expert

in light of sporadic situations emerging. He said that if not managed effectively, these situations can evolve into acts of terrorism, therefore the SWAT team is vital for the organisational structure of the GPF. He added that the SWAT is a specialised group drawn from the GPF to deal with hostage/ rescue, resolving high risk situations, and suppressing acts of terrorism. The selection process was based on several criteria set out by senior management of the GPF, which are as follows: age, health, mindset, years of service, experience, and conduct. Brumell pointed out that the most important aspects of the unit are discipline, training and professionalism. Speaking on behalf of TEG, Retired Ambassador Dennis Hays, who is the Director of TEG, said that when society has a dedicated, well-trained force, it can anticipate and act in situations to resolve violent situations in a professional way with the use of minimum force.

The SWAT team members are flanked by (sitting) Force Training Officer Paul Williams, TEG Director Dennis Hays, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell yesterday following the launching

Resourceful Spanish teacher creates her own bit of history --with launch here of self-inspired Spanish alphabet card By Ravin Singh

A section of the packed auditorium at the launching of the SWAT training programme at the GPF Officers’ Training Centre yesterday (Photos by Sonell Nelson) the operations of this SWAT team, because the SWAT is part and parcel of the GPF, and falls under the direct command and control of Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell. Explaining how the chain of command works, Rohee said the Home Affairs Minister gives general orders and directives, but the Police Commissioner fulfils the mandate of the Force. Rohee said the Government of Guyana and the MoHA are not comfortable with the current crime rate, especially serious crimes committed with the use of firearms. He said the current crime rate must be brought

on security, and I don’t have a wealth of information on security matters…. But this [SWAT Team] is not a backward movement. The Guyana Police Force does not move backward”. Under the theme “Training with the focus of maximising vision, skills and art for enhancing leadership for a modern GPF”, 27 ranks drawn from the GPF began official training by the contractor, The Emergence Group (TEG), to design and implement the unit. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell remarked that there was the need to establish the SWAT team

Hays noted that, through rigorous training, the team will be able to handle such situations, make quick assessment of any situation, and apply its training to achieve the desired result. He said the SWAT team would be trained to resolve issues by employing the lowest levels of force, and the most suitable persons have been selected for the training. Also making remarks was Permanent Secretary of MoHA, Angela Johnson, and Senior Superintendent/ Force Training Officer, Paul Williams.

COMING out of many challenges was the launch yesterday of the first Spanish alphabet card created here by Mrs Ann Allyson Gilford-Benn, B.A., at the National Library’s Conference room. Started late last year by Mrs. Benn, the project was motivationally driven by the lack of Spanish alphabet cards in bookstores across the country. After opting to teach at Mae’s School, an associate of Mrs. Benn recommended that she incorporate the use of a Spanish alphabet card into her teaching strategy to solidify the foundation of the language, and assist in pronunciation. Having failed to acquire one of the alphabets from local bookstores, Mrs. Benn decided

to make one of her own and designed it with crayons. This, however, proved unsuccessful, since she wanted something of higher quality. Thus, Mrs Benn set out on a venture to make the first ever Spanish alphabet in Guyana. She was determined to transform her dream into reality despite facing many challenges along the way. ”My first foundation is the Lord, because He has kept me until now. My second foundation is my parent (father). He was always concerned about my education,” Mrs Benn said. She also acknowledged the support of her son, and her friend Denise Harris, who both played instrumental roles in her achievement. Being a graduate of the University of Guyana, she charged: “If you are doing something, do

it with all of your heart.” This initiative will greatly impact many primary and secondary schools across the country, since this new implementation will foster hope for a stronger foundation in learning the foreign language. Efforts are also being made to have these alphabet cards available in the more remote areas of the country, so as to give those less fortunate students equal opportunity to develop a basic understanding and love for Spanish. Many have described the event as a historical one, and are pleading with the media to make the public aware of copyright laws. Mrs. Benn is also pleading with persons to buy the original alphabet card directly from the producer, at a cost of only G$1000.

Mrs. Ann Allyson Gilford-Benn at the launch of her project, yesterday. Seated at the headtable (from right) are Mrs Denise Harris, Pastor Yvonne Osman and Pastor Floyd Benn

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

PNC/R denies having links with criminal underworld --But ‘Brey’ begs to differ; even has incriminating evidence to prove it

OLD Kai has a message for the opposition: It is better you shut your mouth and let certain issues go, as they will do more damage to you the longer they are in the limelight. Case in point: The recent comments by PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, who alluded to the nexus between the opposition parties, specifically the PNC/R (which is now disguised as APNU) and the criminal underworld. That party’s former Member of Parliament and one-time Mayor in Linden is now serving a life sentence in a US jail for plotting to blow up the JFK International Airport. This fact was laid bare by Rohee, as concerns continue to pile up regarding the motive behind the deliberate delay by the AFC/APNU partnership in passing the ammended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. Rather than keep their mouths shut and try their best to ignore this damaging revelation, in the hope that it will soon pass over so they could get back to their scheming ways, the PNC/R chose to issue a statement attacking Rohee for his comments. Amazingly, the PNC/R also denied any involvement or support for criminals, or any criminal network or enterprise! So, what this means, then, is that their action of publicly draping the National Flag over the casket of notorious criminal, Linden ‘Blackie’ London, at the Square of the Revolution a few years ago, did not actually happen! Or that that party’s Chairman representing the criminals in Court during the crime-wave, including the one accused of killing the little girl, Christne Sukra ,on the East Coast, did not happen either! And neither did the same PNC/R Chairman and others representing the

drug dealers to get them to escape justice, turning up at the Police station the moment a drug accused is arrested to secure their release, and in the process thwarting the investigative efforts to get at their accomplices, including the ‘big fishes’, did not happen! And what about the infamous recording of the former Police Commissioner now turned APNU Member of Parliament (Shadow Minister of Security) and PNC/R Chairman (Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs) discussing how they will plant drugs on a woman; the disappearance of a large sum of foreign currency (legitimate or illegitimate) from Congress Place; or diverting Police attention from the real perpetrators of the Agricola massacre? Were those just a figment of the nation’s imagination? In hindsight, it is now very relevant to question whether that large sum of foreign currency which disappeared from Congress Place was acquired through some illegitimate process, and intended to finance something. All that is relatively recent. Now, let’s look back in time at the discovery of the X13 terrorist plan by the PNC at Congress Place in the 1960s, which detailed an elaborate network designed to destabilise the PPP Government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. It is opportune now to start republishing excerpts of that report, so the nation can be reminded, and the youths can be aware, of what we are dealing with; more so, if you live by the adage that ‘the PNC can never change its stripes despite all its name changes’. In all of this, the PNC/R, in its statement, steadfastly maintains that the PPP General Secretary was way off the mark, as the party is innocent of any wrongdoing; rather they cannot even harm a fly, as they are lily white angels.

Remarkably, in a strange twist of fate, while the PNC/R was claiming innocence, its former General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Aubrey Norton, was accusing executives of the party of being involved in illegal activities, the evidence of which, he claims, he is in possession of. Very damning indeed! Old Kai wonders how they will explain this away. This revelation further serves to confirm the contention of the PPP General Secretary, and brings us right back to the AML/CFT Bill. It has been several months now, and more than one missed deadline which has placed Guyana on an international financial blacklist, and yet the opposition cannot tell this nation what exactly their concerns are with the Bill, and why are they taking so long to address them. In actuality, the actions of the opposition in the Sub-Committee tasked with reviewing the Bill (once again), where they have a majority, would be a good lesson for aspiring drama students. If they are not staging planned walk-out of meetings because the snacks are not enough, they are suddenly more busy than the President, so they cannot attend meetings; or when they are actually at a meeting, the previous day happenings in ‘The Young and the Restless’ takes centrestage of discussion rather than the nation’s business. Just imagine! Our taxes are paying these people in APNU and the AFC, providing them with all the perks, so that they can mismanage and deliberately sabotage our affairs! Their delay in passing this Bill is an attempt to protect their vested interests. Old Kai is now wondering how much more ‘foreign currency’ they have to ship out of Congress Place before they decided to support the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism Bill.

Well-heeled drunken driver fingered in Wednesday night’s fatality at Liliendaal By Leroy Smith THIRTY-seven-year-old Lavena Williams-Tull of 180 Linden Drive, Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara was struck dead on Wednesday night by a Nissan Titan, GMM 4626, on the Liliendaal Public Road in the vicinity of Ocean View Hotel. The pickup was at the time being driven by Hafraz Mangroo, who resides in Pradoville 2 at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, and whom police were allegedly able to confirm was under the influence of alcohol at

Dead: 37-year-old Williams-Tull the time of the accident. Yesterday, the police announced that the driver had tested positive for alcohol above

the legal limit for drivers. The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the driver of the vehicle is a relative of a minister of the Government, and has another relative who is a prominent lawyer. It was reported to this publication that the dead woman worked as a receptionist at the City Holiday Inn at Liliendaal, opposite where she was killed. The woman was reportedly awaiting transportation to take her home when she was hit by the vehicle. At the time of the accident, it was raining heavily, and there were pools of water on the roadway. At least one eyewitness stated that he was driving behind the vehicle when he observed the speeding driver jump the red light at Conversation Tree on the Rupert Craig Highway, but as he approached L a v e n a Ocean view, the vehicle began to hydroplane. The eyewitness said he then heard an impact and realized that the vehicle had struck someone.

Upon investigating, he realised that a woman had been flung from the roadway in front of the hotel into a corner almost to the entrance to the hotel lobby, spanning a drain. Speaking with this publication at her home yesterday afternoon, the mother of the dead woman said she was at home when she got a call from her son-in-law informing her that he was not getting onto his wife’s phone. The woman then recalled that, shortly after, the man called back to inform the family that he had received information to the effect that his wife had been involved in an accident and was dead. Ms Irmin Greene said she could not stomach the news and the sight it conjured in her mind, hence she instructed the other persons in the house to go and check on the situation. They travelled to the Georgetown Public Hospital and confirmed the grim news. A relative, Gillian Williams, told the Chronicle that when she visited the hospital, she saw her sister’s body lying on a bed with blood dripping into a bed pan. The shaken woman recalled that her sister had multiple broken limbs and

bones were protruding from various parts of her body. Robert Williams, father of the dead hotel worker, said the police invited them to witness the post-mortem which is schedule for this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He said they were advised that, after the PM, the police would be able to proffer charges against the driver. The young man is likely to be slapped with three charges, namely: Driving under the influence of alcohol; causing death by dangerous driving; and dangerous driving. Traffic ranks returned to the accident scene with the errant driver yesterday, and

were taking measurements and notes as they continue their investigations into the matter. The driver is likely

The mother of the dead woman speaks to the Guyana Chronicle newspaper

Hafraz Mangroo, driver of the ill-fated vehicle, stands with Inspector Ashram of the Police C Division at the scene of the accident yesterday afternoon. (Photos by Leroy Smith)

to appear in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Monday before Magistrate Alex Moore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Three charged with bird cage theft THREE accused bird cage thieves were each ordered to post $10,000 bail after they pleaded not guilty to simple larceny charges before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at New Amsterdam Court on Monday.

Tomeshwar Judmohan, 25, of Lot 222 Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Micheal Baldeo, 18, of Lot 251 Topoo, Albion and Kevin Ramnarine, also 18, of Hampshire Village, all of Corentyne, allegedly, stole the cage valued $20,000, property

of Rajendra Persaud. Police said the virtual complainant, a businessman, hung his silver and wooden cage in front of his store, at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, too. However, when he checked two hours later, he discovered that it was missing.

Following a report and subsequent investigations, by ranks at Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, the defendants were arrested and charged. The case has been transferred to Albion Court for February 11.

In New Amsterdam …

Magistrate instructs allegations of Police assault be reported MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Monday instructed that allegations of assault on accused persons by police ranks be brought to the attention of the Divisional Commander prior to the launching of an investigation. She gave the instruction in New Amsterdam Court, after robbery defendant Eon Mickle, alleged that he was assaulted in the face by a named rank. Police had alleged that the defendant, in company with others, being armed with a cutlass, robbed Lim Kang, a restaurateur, of $300,000 cash, an Acer laptop, two cartons of cigarettes, Digicel and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) phone cards, valued a total of $705,000.

However, Mickle denied the charge and said, after his mother informed him that the police were searching for him, accompained by his brother, he cycled to Central Police Station, where he met the investigating policeman. He said, after his brother was told to go, he was hand-

cuffed behind his back and the police rank began slapping him in the face. “Then he told me to go to the back, took out his gun, put it to my head and threatened to shoot me. An officer came in the room and asked the identified rank:”Why you playing with a gun to the boy’s

head? Use a baton and a condom instead.” Questioned by the magistrate, as to whether an identification parade was held, the defendant responded in the negative. He was denied bail and the case was fixed for report on March 4

Attempted felony defendant on alarm, and public-spirited per$100,000 bail sons apprehended James. FORTY-YEAR-OLD Dwayne James (no address given), who was allegedly caught with his hand in the bag of a customer in The Button Store at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, on January 10, 2014, has been charged with attempting

to commit a felony. He appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at Albion Court on Tuesday, but pleaded not guilty to the offence. Police said the customer, Bibi Shafeea Hussain, raised an

He denied the charge that he attempted to steal from the woman’s person, and was put on $100,000 bail. Police said the virtual complainant went into the store to purchase a length of elastic when the defendant entered and stood next to her. As she was about to pay for the item, she saw the defendant’s hand in her bag, which contained $25,000. The case is to be called, again, on February 25.

Fish vendor fined for bricking other woman ROSE Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice fish vendor, Onita Buhoop, was fined $50,000 for assaulting a shopper who jumped over her tub whilst it was on the ground at the market. The incident occurred on September 17, 2013, when Indranie Hassan walked by and jumped over the tub. Buhoop became annoyed, armed herself with a brick and pelted the unsuspecting virtual complainant to the head, injuring her. After finding the defendant guilty, Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh granted her two weeks to pay the fine, after she informed the Court that she had to bury her mother and granddaughter within the last fourteen days.

Court changes pleas of marijuana defendants TWO East Canje youths had their guilty pleas changed on Monday, after they explained that the quarter-gramme of narcotic police found at a home did not belong to them. Nineteen-year-old Mustate Amad and Jagdish Jamat appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Court, also in Berbice, where they were put on $10,000 bail each. Police had charged the duo with having leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis(marijuana) on January 25, at West Canefield. But Jamat informed the court that following the police officers’ visit to his home, they did not tell him that they found anything until the morning before he was charged. Asked by the Court why he pleaded guilty, Amad said he did not want to be victimised by anyone. It was then the Magistrate changed the defendants’ pleas, and transferred the case to Reliance Court for March 19.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

PROFESSIONAL cricketer, Delbert Hicks was freed of an assault charge on Tuesday after the medical certificate issued to the mother of his twenty-day-old baby did not support the evidence. Gaitri Seenarine, then four months pregnant, had alleged that on August 22, 2013, whilst she was three months into her pregnancy, Hicks armed himself with a cricket bat and inflicted injuries about her body, following a misunderstanding at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice. But the defendant, in his defence, said he had left the home earlier the day, and on his return, opted to leave again because the woman was nagging. “She did not want me to return to the road, and was quarrelling. But I told her we can’t continue living like this; I told her I will take my things and leave. “But she locked the

they said I was behaving disorderly. I went to the police,” Hicks said. He said, although he has since moved from the home, he would telephone her and he also visited her at the hospital after she

Cricketer freed of child-mother assault

Taxi driver shot in South Ruimveldt, car stolen A TAXI driver from Diamond Housing Scheme was shot in South Ruimveldt on Wednesday night when two men attacked him and hijacked his motor car. Police reported that at about 20:45 hrs on Wednesday, taxi driver, Dwayne Estwick of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara, was attacked and robbed of his motor car at Kiskadee Drive, South Ruimveldt, by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. He was shot and injured to his buttocks during the incident. One of the men had hired Estwick at Stabroek Market to go to South Ruimveldt. There the other man joined him and they then attacked and robbed the taxi driver. Estwick has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital while the motor vehicle has not been recovered as yet. Meanwhile, in a separate incident at about 18:30 hrs on Wednesday, police ranks who stopped and searched a motor vehicle at Lethem found an unlicensed .38 Taurus revolver with six rounds. Two Brazilian nationals have been arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

door, leaving myself, her mother and herself outside. She took my bat, which is usually hung outside, and gave me several lashes. I took away the bat and slapped her. “The police came, and

Police file on probe into alleged sodomy of teen with DPP By Michel Outridge POLICE Commissioner, Leroy Brumell, updating the media yesterday on the progress of the probe in which a 16-year-old boy had allegedly been sodomised by three policemen stationed at the Stabroek Market Outpost on January 28 last, said the file is with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice and direction. Brumell added that the ranks fingered are still under open arrest, and are at Force headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, pending the outcome of the matter. Even though the complainant failed to pinpoint the cops during an identification parade facilitated by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the matter engaged the media and a cross section of citizens after the youth took to the rooftops of the Stabroek News and Police Consumers Co-op buildings on Robb Street last week to protest the actions of the ranks. The report, received on January 28, said that at about 21:00 hrs on January 26, the police trio took a 16-year-old into the Mobile Outpost at Stabroek Market area and sodomised him. It was reported that the teen had done a stint at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, and was frequenting the usual hangout spots of commercial sex workers in the city. In November 2013, while in custody for break and enter and larceny at Timehri Police Station, East Bank of Demerara, Colwyn Harding also alleged being brutally beaten and sodomised by a rank using a condom-covered baton. He has gone to Jamaica to be further medically examined and attended, after being discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) following a surgical operation for a strangulated hernia.

delivered their child. Handing down his decision, Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh said he found that the general presence and demeanour of the virtual complainant revealed her as an aggressive

person. With respect to the medical certificate, the Court stated that the doctor cannot say that the complainant was cuffed in the abdomen and said the defendant had to defend

himself in the heat of the moment. “The slap was in his defence. However, the medical does not support her story. Case dismissed,” the magistrate ruled.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Ptolemy Reid Centre looking for more teachers By Telesha Ramnarine

Cynthia Massay

THE staff of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre is very happy with the new building that they recently occupied through a $50M investment by Government. But they are looking forward to having more teachers. The edifice, at Lot 131132 Carmichael Street, Georgetown, was commissioned by President Donald

Ramotar last January 20. H o w e v e r, b o t h t h e School Administrator, Ms. Cynthia Massay and its Headmaster, Mr. Anand Mangru, said they need additional teachers, who are specifically trained to deal with children suffering disabilities, as Guyana has very few. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Massay said the institution has partnered with Peace Corps Guyana and is, consequently, expecting a Peace Corps member there soon. She hopes that education specialist will assist in crafting the school’s curriculum for special needs. “We are happy with the new building. We had outgrown the old building, so we needed something more conducive to learning. The building reaches international standards and has all of the needed features,” Massay acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Mangru, who has been the Headteacher for the last ten years, also expressed his happiness with the present building. Very comfortable “We are very comfortable and we feel very proud of where we are working,” he remarked, recalling that it was very difficult to get the children upstairs in the previous building. A ramp was there but it was dilapidated and porters had to assist the children to reach where their classes were being conducted. “The old building was congested, so we thank God for the new building,” Mangru declared, noting that the present accommodation is at ground level and access is very easy for the children, also from various angles. There are two fans in each classroom and every child has a small cubicle to lodge their belongings.

Furthermore, Mangru said the washroom facilities are better accessible for use. He said the centre, currently, has seven teachers, although more are required to deal with the number of children in the school. Sixty-five students are registered but all of them do not attend school each day. The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre was originally established, by the Ministry of Health, in January 1967 to provide rehabilitative services for children who suffered residual paralysis following the 1960 and 1964 poliomyelitis epidemics. With control of that disease and, therefore, the subsequent reduction of those types of cases, the Centre developed into an organisation providing comprehensive programmes in rehabilitation for children with various kinds of physical and other developmental disabilities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

UG hosting annual Career Day February 14

THE University of Guyana (UG) will host its annual Career Day on Val-

entine Day, February 14, with Valedictorian Eileen Selina Marray addressing

the opening ceremony. The theme this year will coincide with the institu-

Agriculture Minister ...

Spring rice crop expected to be another record breaker By Clifford Stanley ANOTHER record-breaking rice crop is expected, with some 220,000 acres currently under cultivation, and harvesting is to begin in the next two months. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy made the disclosure about the spring crop figures earlier this week, and said that he believed that a record production of 550,000 tonnes for 2014 is not impossible. Production last year amounted to 535,000 tonnes and there are some who say that production this year may actually reach 600,000 tonnes given the increased capability of farmers to achieve higher

yields per acre, he said. The autumn crop of 2013 produced 271,000 tonnes and was the largest single crop ever in the history of rice production. Total production in 2013 amounted to a record breaking 535,000 tonnes. Dr. Ramsammy said that given the larger acreages being cultivated and improved farming techniques being practised by rice farmers, the industry looks set for yet another record breaking year and a major contribution to the economy. He said that farmers are being continuously encouraged to carry out crop husbandry practices that will produce as much paddy as possible per acre because the

cost of production for one acre must now lead to more production per acre. He disclosed that the government’s target for the industry for 2014 is 470,000 tonnes. However, he clarified, “That is a conservative target but we’re going with all the constraints that we could have.” “We have to ensure that we can sell our rice. We will have to deal with markets that are there and for those who think that there aren’t markets, there are plenty markets but also our farmers are used to a market that provides a particular price and so this is our challenge right now,” the agriculture minister added.

tion’s 50th anniversary thesis ‘Honouring the past, moulding the present, transforming the future.’ The opening ceremony will commence with remarks by Marray, who was UG’s Valedictorian at the 47th Convocation on November 16, 2013 at the Turkeyen Campus. She was one of the top Caribbean Seconda r y E d u c a t i o n C e rtificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advance Proficiency Education (CAPE) candidates in the years 2008 and

2010, respectively, resulting in her becoming the 2013 Valedictorian. Last year, Career Day attracted some 40 private and public sector organizations, which partnered with the university to educate students on the various career opportunities and requirements for employment within the different fields. However, this year, the aim is to attract even more institutions, in addition to UG students. According to a UG press release:“Open/Career Day is an opportunity to get first hand information about the academic life - admission requirements, undergraduate programmes, graduate study, tuition cost, accommodation and the social life, particularly the sports, clubs etc, of the campus.”

This is also an opportunity to interact with the University’s current undergraduates and staff and grasp vital and necessary information on facets of UG life. Exploring one’s career path and learning about an area of interest is an advantage that Career Day holds for its participants. The press release said there will also be a ‘Talent Splash’ during the event, from 15:00hrs to 17:00hrs on the UG tarmac. “It is a cultural presentation initiated by the Public Relations Division and it focuses on various talents/skills that students have and would like to showcase. Moreover, the auditions commence today, Friday, February 7, in the Education Lecture Theatre at 13:00 hrs sharp,” the release stated.

Standards Corner...

Making your gold jewellery standard compliant THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to play a critical role in promoting standardisation in the Jewellery Sector. In this regard, the Bureau is responsible for the development of standards, which will help to regularise operations in this sector. The GNBS also operates a Product Certification Scheme, under which manufacturers, including gold smiths and jewellers, can benefit by choosing to implement standards in their businesses, providing they have access to testing facilities and are keeping the necessary records. The standard Specification for Gold Articles, GYS 50:2010, which is a CARICOM Standard, stipulates marking requirements. The Standard requires that all gold jewellery be marked or labelled with the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identification mark and the assayed purity, either in karats or parts per thousand. Conforming to the requirements of the Gold Standard prevents fraud and deception arising from misleading labels. It also gives guidance to manufacturers and helps

them provide adequate labelling information, which guides consumers during the purchase of gold articles. In addition, it provides information to Goldsmiths and Jewellers on the manufacturing process for gold articles, using the short cut fire assay method, and serves as a guideline for good manufacturing practices. With respect to the testing of gold jewellery by a recognised test method, the Standard clearly outlines the procedure for the modified fire assay or cupellation method of testing. Prior to any marking or labelling of purity on these articles, either of these stipulated methods should be used. Thus, complying with this CARICOM Standard would assure customer confidence in the quality of jewellery manufactured, and create greater business opportunities within the CARICOM market. The GNBS is encouraging goldsmiths and jewellers to participate in its Product Certification Scheme, which is voluntary. By far, the benefits outweigh the cost of being a part of the Scheme, so as to take advantage of it, and access the numerous benefits to be derived. For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065, and 219-066.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

413 animals impounded by Stray Catching Units in January THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) has said that a total of 413 animals were impounded in January by the Georgetown and Berbice Stray Catching Units, and this number comprised of 208 cows, 89 goats, 22 horses and 94 sheep. The Georgetown Unit accounted for 88 cows, 58 goats and 33 sheep, while the Berbice Unit accounted for 120 cows, 31 goats, 22 horses and 61 sheep, the MOHA said in a statement. The Georgetown and Berbice Stray Catching Units are targeting the East Bank of Demerara, the East Coast of Demerara, the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, and the West Coast of Berbice and the Corentyne area. CATTLE OWNERS During the month, the ministry received complaints of cattle destroying kitchen gardens, digging up pipes, breaking fences, upturning garbage containers, attacking small children, aggravating dogs, and destroying sea defense, especially on the East Bank of Demerara. Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Ministry is again appealing to cattle owners to exercise proper supervision of their animals during their grazing period in order to enhance the welfare, well-being, and safety of persons and properties. The ministry in its continued effort to enhance traffic safety on the roads in Guyana commenced its 2014 Stray Catching Programme on January 2.(Michel Outridge)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

GWI improves bill delivery system

GUYANA Water Inc.(GWI) has acquired a private contractor for the delivery of water service bills as part of its current Customer Services Improvement Programme, the company said in a release. GWI Customer Services Manager, Jeannette Thomas stated that this is meant to correct the current challenges experienced by the company in delivering bills to customers via the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). “Bill payment must be a priority for our customers. To ensure prompt delivery of bills GWI plans to implement a new system of using private bill delivery contractors which would also eliminate the possibility of bills being lost in the post,” the release quoted Thomas as saying. She also explained that the new initiative is part of the overarching theme of enhancing customer services at GWI with the aim of encouraging customers to make prompt payments. “Every effort is being made to encourage our customers to honour their payments,” stated the Customer Services Manager. “In 2013, we launched bill payment reminders via text messages and now our managers and team leaders are in the field meeting with our customers and learning about their challenges in making payments

on time. This is also the reason why we have intensified promoting our Wallet-Friendly Payment Plan which allows customers to pay according to what they can afford in small, flexible payments.” In addition, while GWI account holders currently receive quarterly service bills, the company has commenced plans to implement a new system of monthly meter readings and monthly delivery of bills by midyear to provide more convenience for customers. DISCONNECTION GWI has assured that customers can expect prompt bill delivery by the second quarter of 2014, and the company is urging every account holder to ensure payment is made promptly as the ‘removal of service for non-payment’ campaign is expected to continue indefinitely. The company said that due to non-response in 2013, it was forced to commence removing the entire service of customers who refused to contact the office or make any effort regarding payments. This exercise has intensified and customers are urged to query any outstanding service payments since they will be required to reapply for a new service if disconnected.

Number 76 Housing Scheme in Region 6 expected to be energised today GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has said that the construction of the $22.6M extension to Transmission and Distribution (T&D) network at Number 76 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice, in Region 6, is expected to be completed and energised by today. According to a GPL press release, on completion of the nine kilometres of primary and secondary network, electricity will be available to 300 house lots that make up the scheme, benefitting approximately 1,230 residents. GPL said that the project is funded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) of the Ministry of Housing and is being executed by Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. to meet GPL’s construction standards, while the network design and verification of construction is being done by GPL engineers. The power company added that construction, which started in June 2013, was delayed due to the late delivery by the supplier of critical line hardware and a shortage of acceptable Wallaba poles. APPLICATION FORMS GPL said that residents who wish to apply for service can collect application forms from the GPL commercial offices at Corriverton and Chesney. The utility company added that application forms must be signed in the presence of an authorised GPL Customer Service Representative and submitted along with copies of proof of ownership (transport/ agreement of sale) or tenancy agreement, certificate of inspection and a national identification card or passport. (Michel Outridge)

–campaign to collect customer debt continues

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

UNESCO helps National School of Music promote traditional art forms --with timely donation of key tools of the trade By Alex Wayne THE National School of Music on Brickdam, Georgetown has received a series of instruction manuals, a steelband, and music players to aid in resuscitation and promotion of the steelpan and masquerade art forms in Guyana. This gesture came as part of a US$18,000 grant made possible by the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The grant would be used to purchase equipment to provide training, CDs and manuals in the designated art areas. The project seeks to train forty youths in the area of music, with specific emphasis on the steelpan and masquerade band art forms. Students will now have access to the best available human resources, and be exposed to an environment that is conducive to learning as a result of this gesture. In delivering opening remarks at a special handing over ceremony held Wednesday at the National School of Music (NSC), Administrator Andrew Tyndall noted that the event represents the second phase of the UNESCO-sponsored initiative geared at uplifting the two art forms in Guyana. He added that steelpan and masquerade are important to the sustenance of Guyana’s rich

culture, but the Culture Ministry has noted a decline in those two areas over the years. Tyndall said the Culture Ministry crafted the plan with the initiative to revitalise masquerade and steelpan practice; and he emphasised that two manuals have so far been completed to dictate the elementary techniques of masquerade. Moreover, a CD has been created to promote training in the practical aspects of the art forms. That aside, two masquerade bands have already been completed in Regions 10 and 2, and livid images are to be introduced to be utilised as part of the training programme. Director of the National School of Dance, Ms Linda Griffith, in addressing the gathering, noted that the masquerade art form is dying and the amount of bands now available has been greatly reduced. She said masquerade is a beautiful cultural art form which has, over the years, promoted Guyana positively on international shores. Ms. Griffith disclosed that the Culture Ministry has noted that the masquerade art form is not being passed down to today’s youths. She said that Minister Frank Anthony has been constantly urging youths to take up the mantle from their elders, thereby ensuring that the art form is targeted and promoted around Guyana.

Region Two’s masquerade enthusiast, Larry Mc Kenzie, receives his manuals from Dr. Frank Anthony at Wednesday’s presentation teach masquerade, and some mony was Minister of Culture, In Regions 2 and 10, enthuthirty students have already Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank The Unit of Allied Arts siasts Larry Mac Kenzie and benefited from the elementary Anthony, who said that though has also been targeted as faJerome Cumberbatch have been aspect of this exercise. there have been challenges with cilitators for several regional tasked with the responsibility of In her address, Secretary the masquerade art form, the programmes, which will soon teaching the art form to youths, General of the Guyana National ministry has tried to encourage get underway. thus ensuring the tradition is Commission for UNESCO, Ms. youths to become involved. To date, twenty-five dance maintained. Inge Nathoo, noted that through He said that many have teachers have been trained to its core functions as a standard ‘looked down’ on this art form, setter, capacity builder and maybe because they were not catalyst for international co-opaware of its rich historical and eration, the entity will sustain traditional value and imporand strengthen its leadership on tance to Guyanese heritage. culture by pursuing its action The minister added that if the at international, regional, and culture is allowed to diminish, country levels and by further Guyanese will eventually lose mainstreaming the culture ditheir identity. mension in national and interHe emphasised that this national development policies project is of vital importance and strategies. since, in times gone by, there She promised that particwere no instruction manuals, ular attention would be placed and the masquerade tradition on effective implementation was just viewed by many as ‘a and monitoring of normative group of dancers performing instruments by member states without much significance’. in their national implementation He noted that appreciation and support to capacity-buildof the masquerade techniques ing; strengthening policy, legal will provide more knowledge, and institutional environments; citing that teachings of the enhancing knowledge managetechniques is geared at raising ment, and promoting best pracawareness and ensuring the art tices, including through a more form is embraced. He informed systematic use of technology. that manuals and DVDs would She concluded that in combe used to ‘spread the word’, munities where the art forms and dance teachers would be could thrive, research has shown utilised to properly train stuthat there was a lack of access dents in the two areas. to instruments. As a result, the The minister expressed project seeks to provide the confidence that such methods platform for the transfer of would eventually get more knowledge, and to develop a people involved in masquerade. new community steel band in In concluding her reRegion 3, and two masquerade marks, she reminded that a bands in Region 10. massive Masquerade Flounce Beneficiaries of this initiaOff’ will be hosted this Sunday tive were selected from Regions at 15:00 hrs in Ann’s Grove 2, 3, 4 and 10, with a gender Village, East Coast Demerara, inclusiveness that saw 40% of and all are urged to attend Minister Frank Anthony receives the masquerade manuals from UNESCO’s Inge Nathoo as the the participants being females. and support the Guyanese National School of Music’s Andrew Tyndall and National School of Dance’s Linda Griffith look on Closing yesterday’s ceretradition.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Children’s Mash....

Brilliant choreography, spectacular costumery the order of the day --as the curtains come down on dance, masquerade contest

W E D N E S D AY m a r k e d the close of the Dance and Masquerade segment of the Georgetown leg of the annual Children’s Mashramani Competitions, with school seniors bringing their ‘A-game’ to the stage of the National Cultural Centre. With brilliant choreography and vibrant costumes, Secondary Schools across the city vied with each other to take the coveted Number One position from more than 60 entries. Yet again, the NCC was

filled to capacity, rendering hundreds of children seatless, such was the overwhelming support each school got; but unfortunately, the regulation stipulated one teacher and twenty students per school. Nevertheless, this did not put a damper on the hype, especially as the group performances began. The costumes were brilliantly displayed, as well as the passion the students performed with, and it can be acknowledged openly that the competition was rigid. The competition continues today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Complex with the Physical Display segment of the contest. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

Flashback by St Winefried’s Secondary

‘Return to Kaya’ by Brickdam Secondary

‘In Search of El Dorado’ by North Georgetown Secondary

‘Africa Tradition Lives’ by Lisa Walcott of South Ruimveldt Secondary

Tutorial High in action

Life’, as portrayed by The Business School’s Shontel Browne

Indian Tassa Drumming performed by Charlestown Secondary’s Jasmine Callendar

MC, Mr Travis Chase

Classical Indian by Cummings Lodge Secondary’s Chitra Mohabir

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

CONTACT NO: 604- 3518/ 616-0301 When the 704 Sports Bar opened its doors recently in the heart of the city, it came with a rush of relief for very sophisticated patrons who were all dreaming of a Sports Bar that reeked of glitz and glamour even as it oozed enticing serving of ultimate comfort and classy style. They all got more than they bargained for, since the owners had thoughtfully infused mesmerising decor with the customary ‘entertainment intrigue’ that is associated with the very elite in society. Those that gathered at the grand opening came out in fine style and splendour, showcasing riveting fashion and radiant smiles, the perfect ambience for the occasion. For those who were not there, do not hestitate to drop in and savour the stirring beverages or exotic cocktails. Don’t waste time rolling around the city, drop in and you will definietly join the roller coaster as you indulge in the ‘704 Experience. Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ... See you there folks.. Here are some of the invitees and well wishers who made the opening a memorable experience..

Beaming with satisfaction as she heralds the dawn of the perfect Sports Bar.

Glitzy fashion and dashing good looks were the order of the day at the spanking new 704 Sports Bar.

Welcoming smiles for a sports bar with a unique difference.

Darling, I envy you . Whatever you are having there surely Some ladies just know how to make a looks delicious. Dare to share, please.....? grand entrance.

As expected, John rocked the scene with elite fashion.

Janella Lewis, the diva of all divas.

Make way for the curvy and bootlicious ladies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Five Guyanese in the International Chutney Monarch semis FIVE Guyanese are among the 43 semi-finalists in the 2014 Lotto Plus Chutney Soca Monarch competition which commences this weekend in Trinidad and Tobago; but, unfortunately, the newly crowned Guyanese Monarch, Pooran Seeraj, will not participate in the competition for a number of reasons beyond his control. Those who are slated to represent Guyana at the international level are Terry Gajraj, Dave Lall, Jerry Singh, Marissa Deodat and Junjeezy. Guyana’s Chutney King, Pooran Seeraj expressed his disappointment at not being able to represent Guyana at the international competition. He said that while he is not sure who is to be blamed for his non-representation, he is certain that it is

Pooran Seeraj

too late to travel to the island to participate. He noted that if he were to participate, it would have meant that he had to be in Trinidad to participate in the rehearsals and getting his stage setting in order. Nevertheless, he wishes the competing artistes the best of luck, especially the Guyanese. This year’s competition is expected to be one of the most keenly contested semi-finals, and will be the first time the competition has seen the participation of so many non-Indo Trinidadians. The Lotto Plus Chutney Soca Monarch is carded for Saturday, February 1, at the Rienzi Complex in Couva, and will feature 14 non-Indo competitors out of the 43 contestants. It also features seven collaborations

between chutney and soca artistes. There are competitors from five different countries competing on Saturday. They come from the United States of America, Canada, Guyana, Switzerland and, of course, Trinidad and Tobago! The youngest contestant is 21 years old, while the eldest is 70. This has to be the most diverse of all competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, and is a true representation of the diverse and multi-cultural society that we live in. It represents ‘real unity’ through music and competition. Saturday’s semi-final is

carded to kick off at 20:00h. It will be carried ‘live’ in the twin-island republic, and will be streamed to the world via ‘bpartofit.com’. Text voting, online voting and ‘live’ judges will decide who goes to the Grand Finale at Skinner Park in San Fernando. Voting will be open to all networks in TT, Guyana, U.S.A. and Canada. Among the 43 in the semi-finals are Reshma Ramlal, KI Persad, Nishard Mehru, Rick Ramoutar, Ravi B, Omadath Maharaj, Prophet Benjamin, Neeshad Sultan, Sally Sagram, Anand Yankaran, Adesh Samaroo, Veekash Sahadeo, De Hunter, Rikki Jai, Olatunji and Saleem Beharry.

De Hunter Terry Gajraj

Rick Ramoutar

Adesh Samaroo

Route declared for Buxton/Foulis Mash 2014

VILLAGES on the East Coast of Demerara are feverishly preparing for the much-anticipated Buxton/Foulis Mash festivities, and promoters have just announced the official route mapped out for the Mash Tramp and Costume Parade. Speaking exclusively to Bombshell, Promoter Ian Havercone announced that, this year around, a large contingent would be coming from Plaisance village and will join the awaiting revellers at the Buxton Railway Line. They would then ‘tramp down’ to the Melanie Damishan Market Square and circle the entire Buxton Village before congregating for the ‘Night Time Revelry’ at the Buxton Community Centre Ground. The Buxton/Foulis Road Parade and Soca Bacchanal is slated for Sunday, March 16, 2014; and while the promoter remains tight-lipped about his choice of international artiste for this year’s festivities, Bombshell has managed to garner from him that he has planned a thrilling line-up of local artistes, while two surprise international acts are expected to perform. Music for the event will be supplied by Fusion Sounds, Stereo Sonics, Determine Sound System and TRS Sounds. A riveting faceoff is expected between the Super Ray and Venom one-man bands. Sponsors for this exciting event are, so far, Star Party Rentals, 94.1 Boom FM Radio, HGP TV, ANSA Mc AL Trading, NCN, Junior & Sons Art Shop & Auto Window Screen Repairs, and Money Max Jewellery.

Mash 2014 is in the air

Vanilla vying for the Carib Soca Monarchy tomorrow night in N/A

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts

THE semi-finals of this year’s Carib Soca Monarch are set for tomorrow night at the New Amsterdam Stelling Road in Berbice, and a line-up of very talented Guyanese artistes would be vying for the coveted crown and title. Amongt them is the sensual and very captivating Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, who has twice placed second in the contest with her songs ‘High’ and ‘Rude’. This being her sixth year into the competition, she has plans to demolish all opposition this time around, and cart off the prestigious crown for the Kross Kolor Records camp. Vanilla is entering this year’s competition with the song ‘Yada Yada’, chosen by her team, and in sync with her desire to do something totally out of character. The song was written by Wilbur Levans, Burchmore Simon & Melissa Roberts. The arranger is Irvin Ace Loctar and the producer is Kross Kolor’s CEO, Burchmoore Simon. The song is also a collaboration between Kross Kolor Records and Studio 578 of St. Lucia. Vanilla will also be entering the Road March Competition, but she has not yet decided whether to choose ‘The Rhythm’ or ‘Yada Yada’ for that segment. Bombshell wishes this bombshell all the best of luck and success in her endeavours. And good luck to her fellow contenders as well! The songs can be downloaded at http://www.gtriddim.com/231

Mash Adult Calypso Competition set for tomorrow at Bartica Queen Dairy

Lord Canary

Winfield James

WITH preparations for Mashramani 2014 all up and running, the Mash Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is engaged in last minute preparations for the 2014 leg of the Adult Calypso Competition, slated for tomorrow night at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. From interviews with the shortlisted, and judging from the messages behind the songs coming from the Calypso hopefuls, this year’s competition promises to be extremely riveting. While the very talented Essequibian Edward Perez has dropped out of the competition because of migration, nineteen individuals will now compete for the Calypso Monarch title.

Some of the faces that will battle each other tomorrow for the 2014 Adult Calypso crown

Bombshell’s hottest Babes...

Nickeshia Alexander

The scorching Caribbean Temptress

Recently crowned Junior Calypso Monarch, Shontelle Gittens, is now automatically carded to perform amongst the adults for a swipe at a second crown and title. Bombshell wishes her the best of luck and success as she battles the dons and divas of calypso.

Nickeshia Alexander is a cauldron of broiling sensual fire JUST when we thought Guyana was free of volcanic explosions, we got a rude awakening when we bumped into the likes of the scorching siren Nickeshia Alexander. A trailerload of sensual good looks and melodious vocal power, this diva who hails from the sandy hills and dusty dunes of the mining town of Linden enjoys travelling, reading, dancing, modelling and, of course, singing, which really is her strong point. No stranger to the stage or pageantry, she managed to be in the line-up of the top four finalists of the 2013 Miss Guyana World Pageant, and was a force to be reckoned with at the recent GT&T Jingle and Song Competition. She best describes herself as “a woman who exudes the ‘liquid joys’ of the Demerara River that churns through the Linden Town”. She raves of her magnetic beauty, her tropical sensuality, and her cherry lips that drip the intriguing story of spectacular desirable womanhood. She is good in the kitchen, mystical on the dance floor, dazzling in pageantry, and is a firestorm on the fashion runway. This surely is our ultimate ‘Caribbean Temptress’. Well, guys, I know you have been waiting. And momma always says, “Good things come to those who wait”. The funny thing is this: Has she been waiting for you? If you are so desperate to find out, then explore Guyana a bit more. You may just bump into this ‘rare morsel’ somewhere around. Good luck in your endeavours!!!bean siren Nickeshia Alexander

Hits & Jams to hosts first ever Sports Day! EVERYONE has been waiting for it! I am talking about the Hits and Jams Day of Sports, which will feature exciting and much-anticipated events in which everyone’s favourite radio and television personality, deejay, entertainer, artiste, media personnel, and many more will be competing. With not only a variety of categories to battle in, Hits and Jams Entertainment is also providing numerous activities in which to participate, such as cricket, basketball, football; and various levels of races, such as 100M, 200M, 400M, three-legged race and lime-and-spoon race. This day of fun will be hosted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the GNS Ground, Carifesta Avenue. Persons from all across Guyana are invited to come along; and if you believe you have what it takes, come out and battle in a suitable category.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Let’s tell it like it is...

Where is the prize money for the Big Time pageant contenders? THIS column seeks to expose and correct the acts of many individuals in society who seem to think that they can rip-off innocent citizens either through their carefree attitudes or intentional efforts to mislead. Whatever you do, be careful that you do not mistreat or abuse your fellow human beings, because if you do, the Bombshell will be right around the corner just waiting to carry your story. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! This week, we bring you a very juicy story about the “missing cash incentives” for contestants who paraded in the first ever Mr. African Roots Male Pageant that was staged earlier this year by dancer-turned-promoter, Kelton Jennings. Well, from the inception, the promoter had indicated in several interviews that he was encountering severe difficulties in acquiring much-needed sponsorship for the pageant, because of the stigma attached to such events here in Guyana. And, of course, I rightfully advised him to drop the thing altogether, but he would not listen to a word I said. Ole people she dat “When you see people ears hard, dem does feel de heat in de long

run”. Well, the pageant was staged at the Umana Yana amidst much controversy, and hardly anyone attended. You see, this boy promoter had the gall to stage the pageant on a night when everyone was preparing for the Machel Montano show, which was being hosted at the National Stadium on the said date. How naïve! Well, de show come and done and everybody went home, but sadly without their prizes. If yuh ask me what happened, ah would say dat only Jennings could answer dat question. According to the top four finalists, the promoter began to ‘cry out’ that the event ain’t mek money, and dat he would pay dem later. Well, people, sadly, to date, only the winner and the first runner-up have received part payment, according to reports. And from wha ah hear, de promoter had to borrow de money tuh pay dem both. The winners are very angry, and one has so far posted really nasty stuff on Facebook giving vent to his anger, frustration and disappointment. Well, in a prior interview with the promoter, he told me

that the contestants failed to sell tickets given to them, and that just a sprinkling of patrons attended the event. He acknowledged that he had borrowed two separate sums of cash and paid two of the finalists, and he promised he would pay the others bit by bit from his salary. How sad and disgusting!!! Well, he seems to be angry that the contestants have approached the media, but I have said to him: “Boy, you were warned on several occasions that you were not equipped or have the experience to host an event of that magnitude, but you would not listen. Yuh ears hard suh yuh gaffa feel de squeeze!” The pageant was staged on July 27, 2013, and some eight dashing males faced off at the Umana Yana. A king was crowned and three runners-up were adjudged, but they are all still waiting to be paid for their efforts. What a shame! This promoter needs to understand that when people work that hard in a pageant, they expect to be paid. They have neither time for your crocodile tears nor desire to listen to your lamentations. You should have modestly done like the promoters did who were attempting to

R u n , promotah, run! De angry mob ah come!

bring the legendary comedian ‘Mr. Brown’ to Guyana: Drop the whole thing, since there was no corporate sponsorship!!! Nobody could have killed you for that. At the pageant, the contestants competed in Creative Wear/ Swimwear, Evening and Work Attire, and also battled in their Presentation Attire and

Talent Presentation. The winner of this pageant, according to the promoter, should have received $150,000 in cash and prizes, while the runner-up should have taken home $100,000 in cash and prizes. The third place winner should have been awarded $75,000 in cash and prizes, while the person in fourth po-

sition was expecting to receive $50,000 in cash and prizes. It’s just too bad that none of them has received even 50% of the promised sums, as they reported. I hope the promoter takes this as a learning experience and never again attempt such a venture unless it’s properly planned and orchestrated.

Below rates for February 6, 2014 Currency

Buying

Selling

G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

205.98375 335.40334 186.24298 278.49003 101.62031 75.27431 31.84442

208.43594 339.60468 188.39203 282.01383 102.63906 76.02894 32.16366

For Friday February 7, 2014 -10:30hrs For Saturday February 8, 2014 -12:00hrs

Wayward teen put on one year probation A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD orphan, who slapped her peer after receiving a derogatory text message, was put on probation for a year last Friday, by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. During that period, she is to receive professional counselling and guidance after Welfare Officer Shalika David reported that the probationer lacks proper supervision. In addition, the report said the teen is uncontrollable and unstable and does not have a fixed residence. While her neighbours said she is quiet and friendly, she needs to be saved from a seemingly wayward lifestyle since this behaviour, if left unchecked, would lead to her detriment. Police said that on November 20, 2013, the teenager unlawfully assaulted Tamara Boucher. The virtual complainant had been walking along Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, when the defendant approached her and dealt a slap to her face and a cuff to her abdomen. In her response, the teen said the complainant had sent a text message on her phone, alleging that she was a prostitute and, when she saw the messenger, she questioned her as to her reason for sending the message before slapping her.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

You are rarely surprised by the unexpected behaviour of others, as you’ve come to realise that anyone is capable of anything. A family member suddenly announces that they’re about to take off in a wild new direction of some kind, and while you may be taken off guard a bit, you’re still likely to encourage them to go for it. They should be incredibly grateful for the support.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

You’ve got to raid your bank account a bit in order to take care of a pressing financial issue for a friend. This doesn’t mean you don’t have your own matters to attend to, obviously -- just that, once again, you’re putting their problems first. If you feel that they deserve it, then by all means help out. If you’re likely to just end up blaming yourself for enabling them, make this the last time.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You know exactly what you really want -- it’s something you’ve been wishing to have for a long time. You’ve likely been saving pennies, working overtime, depriving yourself of the most basic daily pleasures and flipping through random websites to find a hot deal. Today is a great day for you to find it, so make sure you have the cash on hand and you can do some in-person comparison shopping.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’re feeling especially chatty and friendly -- which means you’re much more easily tempted than usual to let a hot secret slide. If it’s your own and you don’t mind the world knowing, go for it -- sharing a confidence can be a great way to bond. If it’s shared or someone else’s entirely, think twice before you have at it. Why risk a current relationship to entice a new one?

Leo July 23 - August 22

The movie ‘City of Angels’ posits a whole legion of angels surrounding us at all times, right there by our sides every time a difficult or taxing situation comes up. They (invisibly) hold our hands, (silently) offer us words of comfort and help us make decisions that would be too tough for us to handle alone. Don’t be too surprised if you feel the tingly presence of a benevolent guardian today.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

There are many great books out there that suggest that there really is no such thing as a coincidence -- or that they are actually series of symbolic events that we’re occasionally sensitive enough to notice. When you see just such a pattern occurring, don’t question your sanity, because you’re absolutely right. It may inspire you to answer to that pressing question you’ve been asking yourself.

Libra September 23 - October 22

It’s time for you to get away, and you know it -- in fact, you’ve known for some time now. You’ve never been fond of doing anything alone, though, especially when it involves recreation. Before you think about making reservations (which need to be for at least two), you really should spend some time deciding which entertaining companion(s) to invite along for the adventure.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Someone close has told you something you were beyond hoping you’d ever hear, and you’re much happier than you appear. Now that the universe has provided the last thing on earth you’d ever have expected, it’s polite to return the favour by doing something equally wonderful and unexpected for someone who needs it. What goes around comes around -- and today’s good deeds are sure to be well rewarded in the future.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Don’t get too comfortable, and don’t make any plans that can’t be changed on the fly. You’re just not in the mood to carve anything in stone today, so just for now, why not make sure everything is flexible, including the companions you’re spending your time with over the next couple of days? After all, cooperating with the universe is at least half the battle, as far as you’re concerned.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Everyone who knows and loves you expects your absence every now and then -- even when you’ve made plans -- when duty calls. It does so today, and your job is to do the right thing and make a call of your own: An apologetic, polite call to the person you’ve got to disappoint, letting them know that you’re just as sad about all this as they are. A rain check that’s set in stone doesn’t hurt.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

People do see you as quirky, erratic and highly unpredictable -- and you’re more than a little bit proud of owning those labels. You’re even more so right now, but that doesn’t mean those closest to you are quite as delighted, even though they have to admit that those qualities are the reasons they adore you. Be nice if you have to cancel the evening’s plans suddenly!

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Those closest to you don’t ordinarily expect you to say or do highly erratic things. You put their feelings right at the top of your priority list, and you almost never do anything that could hurt them or make them feel unimportant. Right now, however, the universe throws something in your direction that is just too good to refuse, even if it means acting totally out of character. Go for it! When was the last time you allowed yourself to be completely free-spirited?

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Kathy Cross first woman umpire on ICC panel NEW Zealand umpire Kathy Cross has become the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires’ panel - she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires for 2014. Cross is now eligible to officiate in World Cricket League Divisions 3 to 6. She had umpired in the Women’s World Cup in 2009 and 2013, the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the Women’s World T20 Qualifier in 2013. “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of international umpires,” Cross, who is a member of the New Zealand Cricket Reserve Panel 2013-14, said. “Being the first woman on the panel is a great honour and I look forward to the opportunities this selection will afford me, and to working with the Associate and Affiliate panel.” ICC umpire and referees manager Vince Van Der Bijl said: “She is an excellent role model for aspiring umpires and she has shown her umpiring prowess at the Women’s World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013. “Her appointment is another significant milestone in the ICC’s Females in World Cricket Strategy and will hopefully

Kathy lead to more high level female officials coming through the ranks.” Cross and Vanuatu’s Nigel Morrison have joined Sameer Bandekar, Mark Haw-

Cross thorne, Wynand Louw, David Odhiambo, Buddhi Pradhan, Sarika Siva Prasad, Richard Smith, Ian Ramage and Courtney Young in the panel for 2014. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Jacobs to lead Vice-Chancellor’s XI against England ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Off-spinning all-rounder Steven Jacobs has been appointed to lead a University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI in a warm-up match against England later this month The Vice-Chancellor’s XI will play England at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday, February 25. The 25-year-old is a former West Indies Under-19 player and is captain of the CCC team for the ongoing NAGICO Super50 Tournament. The squad also includes three players who have represented the West Indies at the international level - opening batsman Adrian Barath, and wicketkeepers Devon Thomas and Chadwick Walton. England play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 matches against the West Indies from February 28 to March 13.

SQUAD: Steven Jacobs (captain),

English Kempton 09:30 hrs Santo Thomas 10:00 hrs Fourth Act 10:30 hrs Ultragold 11:05 hrs Easy Beesy 11:35 hrs Une Artiste 12:10 hrs Court Victory 12:40 hrs Third Act Wolverhampton 13:00 hrs Sir Geoffrey 13:30 hrs Hot Sugar 14:00 hrs Jolly Red Jeane 14:30 hrs Brunello 15:00 hrs Oratorio’s Joy 15:30 hrs Hallouella 16:00 hrs Fleetwoodsands South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:45 hrs Chill factor 09:25 hrs Oats 10:05 hrs Celtic Fire 10:45 hrs Daresay French Racing Tips Pau

Nicholas Alexis, Adrian Barath, Jonathan Carter, Kyle Corbin Miguel Cummins, Akeem Dewar, Paul Palmer, Raymon Reifer, Dawayne Sealy, Devon Thomas, Chadwick Walton.

08:30 hrs Cape De Paris 09:05 hrs Van Hootel 09:35 hrs Paris Toujours 10:05 hrs Medela 10:40 hrs Aigrette De Loire 11:10 hrs Kolinka Irish Racing Tips Greyville 10:35 hrs Dazzling Gem 11:15 hrs Peter Piper 11:50 hrs Ilitshe 12:25 hrs Sun Is Up 13:05 hrs Cherished 13:40 hrs Candy Moon 14:15 hrs Bewithmee 14:50 hrs Festival Of Fire 15:25 hrs Cinema Scope Dundalk 13:45 hrs Political Policy 14:45 hrs Flare Of Firelight 15:15 hrs Iron Major 15:45 hrs Lily’s Prince 16:15 hrs Gold Falcon 16:45 hrs Little Arrows 17:15 hrs Hareth

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

First Test in Auckland ...

Williamson and McCullum score fighting centuries CENTURIES to skipper Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson have lifted New Zealand from a precarious start to a solid position in the first cricket Test against India

in Auckland. The Black Caps, sent in to bat at Eden Park, reached 329-4 at stumps on the opening day. McCullum remained unbeaten on 143, while Corey

Brendon McCullum eventually reached his eighth Test ton by charging Ravindra Jadeja for six over long-off.

Anderson was not out 42. Williamson got to 113 before he was caught behind off seamer Zaheer Khan while trying to glance a leg-side delivery. He and McCullum came together with the Black Caps struggling at 30-3 and they swung the momentum around with a 221-run stand. After negotiating their way to lunch, they lifted the tempo, as cloud cover gave way to sunshine and a green-tinged pitch appeared to settle. McCullum was content to find his way early on before producing some controlled aggression. He brought up his eighth Test century by lofting spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a six over long-on. Williamson got to his fifth Test ton 10 balls later. His innings continues his excellent form against the tourists, against whom he scored half-centuries in each of the five

one-dayers. He had a let-off on 32, edging a Mohammed Shami delivery to first slip, where Murali Vijay spilled a knee-high catch. But Williamson showed plenty of fine strokeplay, such as a classy cover drive for four that brought up the hundred-partnership. He and his skipper added 125 during the middle session, with McCullum showing his increasing aggressive intent when he cut seamer Ishant Sharma for successive fours. Williamson followed up in the next over by hooking a Shami delivery for six to bring up the New Zealand hundred. He again cleared the rope to reach his 50, top-edging a Khan bouncer over the short fine-leg boundary. India skipper MS Dhoni, who won all five tosses against McCullum in the one-day series, continued that run as the two-Test series began. Dhoniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to bowl got early reward with openers Hamish Rutherford (6) and Peter Fulton (13), and danger man Ross Taylor (3) all out cheaply. During a cold, windy morning session, a lively Ishant claimed two of the wickets to fall.

Kane Williamson celebrates his own century - his sixth consecutive 50-plus score in international matches.

NEW ZEALAND first innings P. Fulton lbw b Zaheer 13 H. Rutherford c Rahane b Sharma 6 K. Williamson c Dhoni b Zaheer 113 R. Taylor c Jadeja b Sharma 3 B. McCullum not out 143 C. Anderson not out 42 Extras: (w-3, lb-5, b-1) 9 Total: (for four wickets, 90 overs) 329 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-23, 3-30,

4-251. Bowling (to date): Shami 22-666-0, Zaheer 23-2-98-2 (w-1), I. Sharma 21-4-62-2 (w-2), Jadeja 20-1-81-0, Kholi 1-0-4-0, R. Sharma 3-0-12-0. India - MS Dhoni (captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kholi, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

Second and final Test in Chittagong

Shamsur, Kayes maiden tons take Bangladesh past follow-on

Imrul Kayes and Shamsur Rahman add 232 for the second wicket with both batsmen hitting maiden tons on the third day in Chittagong.

(REUTERS) - Maiden centuries by Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes took Bangladesh past the follow-on mark but late strikes from the spinners put Sri Lanka in the driving seat in the second and final Test in Chittagong yesterday. Bangladesh, needing victory to level the series, reached 409 for eight wickets in their first innings at stumps on the third day, still trailing the visitors by 178 runs. Mahmudullah (30) and AlAmin Hossain (three) remain at the crease for the hosts. Resuming at 86 for one wicket, opener Shamsur (106) and number three Kayes (115) batted through the first session to launch a gritty reply from Bangladesh, who had been battered by a triple-century from Kumar Sangakkara in Sri Lankaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first innings. The 25-year-old Shamsur, in his second Test, got to his hundred first with a boundary through cover off Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews. Kayes, 27, playing his first

Test for over two years, survived some nervous moments in the nineties before cutting paceman Suranga Lakmal to the point boundary to complete his century. Kithuruwan Vithanage, at point, first dropped an easy catch off Ajantha Mendis with the left-hander on 95 and then gleefully accepted another later in the over, only to find out that the bowler had overstepped for a no-ball. Both Shamsur and Kayes played casual shots to gift their wickets to Mendis after a 232-run partnership. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera then dismissed Mominul Haque (13) for the first of his three wickets as Bangladesh wobbled at 259 for four. The innings was stabilised

by a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket between all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (50) and captain Mushfiqur Rahim (20), before both were dismissed by Perera with Bangladesh still shy of the follow-on mark at 350 for six.

SRI LANKA first innings 587 Bangladesh first innings (o/n 86-1) Tamim Iqbal b Lakmal 0 Shamsur Rahman b Mendis 106 Imrul Kayes b Mendis 115 Mominul Haque lbw b Perera 13 Shakib Al Hasan c Karunaratne b Perera 50 Mushfiqur Rahim c Silva b Perera 20 Nasir Hossain c Chandimal

Nasir Hossain (42) added a vital 46 runs with Mahmudullah to take Bangladesh past the follow-on figure of 387 but edged Mendis to Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps with just over three overs left in the day.

b Mendis 42 Mahmudullah not out 30 Sohag Gazi lbw b Mendis 0 Al-Amin Hossain not out 3 Extras: (b-8, lb-1, nb-21) 30 Total: (eight wickets; 115 overs) 409 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-232, 3-252, 4-259, 5-319, 6-350, 7-396, 8-396. Bowling (to date): Lakmal 23-568-1, Pradeep 15-2-96-0 (nb-13), Mendis 27-2-84-4 (nb-8), Perera 39-4-119-3, Mathews 11-1-33-0.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

England call up uncapped PM Cameron says there is a Ali, Parry and Gurney (REUTERS) - England called up the uncapped Moeen Ali, Stephen Parry and Harry Gurney for this month’s oneday tour of West Indies in the first squad to be named in the post-Kevin Pietersen era. Worcestershire all-rounder Ali, a left-hand batsman and offspin bowler, and Lancashire’s Parry, a left-arm spinner, were also named in a 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March. Nottinghamshire left-arm fast bowler Gurney was only selected for the Caribbean tour. Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad will also lead the side for the three-match one-day series in the absence of the rested Alastair Cook. England will also play three Twenty20 matches against West Indies before heading to Bangladesh. “Both Moeen and Stephen have been very consistent performers for Worcestershire and Lancashire and both counties

‘powerful argument’ for keeping Pietersen

HARRY GURNEY and their coaching staffs must take credit for their continued progress,” national selector James Whitaker said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement yesterday. “Harry Gurney, under the guidance of the excellent coaches at Trent Bridge, has performed well for Nottinghamshire in limited overs cricket - showing good control with the white ball and, as a left-arm quick, brings some variety to the tour party.” Parry has played just six first-class matches, but has appeared in 56 Twenty20 games.

MOEEN ALI England won the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Pietersen, who had been expected to play in the World Twenty20, was told his England career was over this week. Squad for West Indies tour Stuart Broad (captain), Eoin Morgan (vice-captain), Moeen Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, Joe Root, Ben

STEPHEN PARRY Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright Squad for Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh Stuart Broad (captain), Eoin Morgan (vice-captain), Moeen Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Stephen Parry, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Luke Wright.

THE Prime Minister David Cameron has waded into the row over Kevin Pietersen’s sacking from the England cricket team, and agrees there is a “powerful argument” for keeping him in the side. Speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire, the PM stressed he would leave decisions to team selectors. But branding Pietersen “remarkable”, he expressed sympathy with the views of Piers Morgan, who has been leading criticism of the move. “I am an enormous fan of

Kevin Pietersen and I have had some of my most enjoyable times watching him tonking the ball all over the park,” Cameron said. “His average is remarkable. It is not often I have a sympathy for Piers Morgan but I thought he was making quite a powerful argument this morning on my radio. “But I will let the England selectors pick the England team. I think I had better stay out of this one.”

Selector James Whitaker unable to explain Kevin Pietersen decision

… ‘Legal restraints’ prevent him giving reasons over sacking … ‘Not at liberty to say’ why England batsman was dropped THE reasons for the sacking of Kevin Pietersen still remained unclear after the England selector James Whitaker said he was “not at liberty to say” why the batsman had been dropped. In an interview with Sky Sports on the back of the announcement of the England squad to tour the Caribbean, Whitaker said he was not able to give an explanation for the decision because of ‘legal restraints’. “I am not at liberty to say,” he emphasised. Advised that the public was

still waiting for an explanation, he said: “I can imagine that that is the case but unfortunately I’m not in a position to reiterate what the reasons have been.” In an appearance that was interrupted when his mobile phone went off causing Sky to switch back to the studio while he dealt with it, he suggested that for England it was an “interesting and challenging time” and admitted that it was “a surprise to be going into an ICC competition without one of our leading run-scorers” but pointed out that “the players and the manage-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: David Holford; Arthur Barrett; Inshan Ali; Tony Howard; RaphickJumadeen Fidel Edwards Today’s Quiz: Andy Roberts took 202 Test wickets. Who was his first victim? Sachin Tendulkar ended his career with 49 ODI hundreds. How many were made against the West Indies? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Prime Minister David Cameron Asked whether Cameron was supportive of the England captain, Alastair Cook, the prime minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “Whenever an England team takes the field, the prime minister is absolutely right behind them and their captain, of course.” The spokesman dodged the question of whether the PM had confidence in the England cricket team’s management, telling reporters: “When it comes to decisions around the management of the England game, that’s one for the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). (The Guardian)

England selector James Whitaker at right ment group are well rehearsed in coping without him”. He added: “The ODI team and the England T20 team have played a number of matches over the last 12 months or so without Kevin and performed very well so we would still hope that’s going to be the case going forward.” SHAW PARK, Tobago (CMC) – The NAGICO Super50 match between Barbados and ComHe said: “Yes, it was a tricky decision, but in another bined Campuses and Colleges scheduled for Shaw Park in Tobago was abandoned yesterday way it gives opportunities for as a result of rain. players to play in that environPersistent rain across Scarborough forced officials to abandon the Zone B match around the middle ment. “Sometimes when perforof the afternoon without a ball being bowled. mances go against us you have Officials, at one point, were hoping play would start after the scheduled lunch interval after the to evaluate what is going on,” covers were removed when the rain subsided around mid-morning. he said, adding that: “We will But another deluge forced the covers back on leaving a wet outfield. always review our options of players available to play for Barbados now move to seven points in Zone B while CCC are in second position on six points. England.” (The Guardian)

Barbados vs CCC match abandoned because of rain

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 7, 2014

RHTY&SC cricket teams and FFP assist Berbice Amateur Basketball Association THE eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) with support from Food for the Poor (Guy) Ltd last Tuesday made a timely donation to the recently resuscitated Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA). The teams - Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under -17 and second division Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under-21 and first division - donated twelve basketballs along with knee wraps, office material, refreshment utilities and educational packages that would be used as prizes for a junior basketball tournament. Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC Hilbert Foster stated that the cricket teams of the club decided to assist the Basketball Association after had been informed of its formation via the national media. The veteran sports administrator stated that while the RHTY&SC does not have a

basketball team, it has over the years assisted numerous clubs and schools with uniforms and basketball gear in an effort to develop the game. Basketball, Foster noted, is the fourth most popular game in the Ancient County after cricket, football and volleyball and he issued a challenge to the new executives of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association to work hard to promote the game in every village and township in Berbice. Of importance to the RHTY&SC is the usage of the game to promote sports as a safe alternative to a life on the road for youths and Foster urged the BABA to always promote the ‘Say No to Drugs and Yes to Education’ message to every Basketball player under its watch. The RHY&SC Secretary/ CEO in handing over the donation to the BABA president Keith Myers and secretary Petra Forde also committed his club to sponsoring a youth basketball competition in May/June 2014 and also used his office to obtain

a donation of trophies for the BABA from Mr Ramesh Sunich for the hosting of a competition to launch the 2014 season. He also pledged future assistance from the RHTY&SC and its cricket teams for basketball once the club was satisfied with the direction the sport was going. BABA president Keith Myers showered praise on the RHTYSC and the eight cricket teams for coming on board to assist the association despite not being approached. He stated that the presentation took place less than two hours after he received a surprise phone call from the RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO. The BABA, Myers stated was only recently re-formed and is now trying to get itself in order to start functioning. The contribution from the RHTY&SC was most welcome and he pledged that his administration would take basketball to another level in Berbice. He wished the cricketers of the club, success in the future. Meanwhile, the

Edwards ‘shocked’ at his expulsion from the Barbados team

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC)- Former West Indies vice-captain Kirk Edwards says he was shocked at the decision to expel him from the Barbados team for refusing to sign for match kits leading into the NAGICO Super50 tournament under way in Trinidad and Tobago. Edwards, who travelled with the team to Trinidad, was withdrawn ahead of Barbados’s opening game with the host country on Sunday which they won by 28 runs. Fingers are being pointed at the manager of the Barbados team Hartley Reid, whom the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has criticised over his handling of the issue. “I was never made aware that I have any behavioural problems. I just had a good report from the ‘A’ team, specifically the West Indies Cricket Board president and they all get good feedback on me and nobody ever said to me: ‘Well, Kirk, we have a problem with your behaviour or what’s not’.” said the former Barbados captain. “So it came over to me like a shock at first. But I’ve been through many things like this … so I said to myself things do happen, so get over it and move on.” Edwards had reportedly re-

Kirk Edwards fused to sign for the match kits on the grounds that they were substandard. The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) stipulates that players sign a document agreeing that the two match shirts and two match trousers must serve them for two years, and that the cost of replacement will be taken up by the player in the event of any damage or loss of items within the period. WIPA president Wavell Hinds had criticised Reid for rejecting a request by the association to sign on behalf of Edwards. “A champion is never defeated. I consider myself a champion and if something happens today, you got to get back on your bike and ride again,” said Edwards in an interview with Barbados Today after a two-hour net session at Kensington Oval on Wednesday.

“You have to think about the next thing all the time – that is how I see it. I’m very grateful for the support I have been getting from the people . . . and I’m very excited to get back out there and represent them properly.” Edwards, 29, a current West Indies Test and One-Day player, was replaced as the Barbados captain for both the NAGICO tournament and the forthcoming first-class four-day championship of which Barbados are the title-holders. The removal of Edwards as captain of the Barbados team has been reported in some media here as ‘mysterious’ following a successful and winning stint in that role in 2013, praise for his leadership of the West Indies A team from head coach Junior Bennett, and recognition of his leadership potential by the WICB. “That is how I see it. It is all about strong leadership. The reason for leading is that you have to have the ability to stand up to (and for) your players,” said Edwards. “If you aren’t, then you can’t make that happen, that is why then you won’t be a good leader. So I am proud of how I go about my business.” Batting all-rounder Kevin Stoute is leading the side in the NAGICO tournament, while Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite will be at the helm for the four-day championship, which is set to start February 28.

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hands over the donation to BABA president Keith Myers and secretary Petra Forde. Members visited the Betsy RHTY&SC cricket teams and its founder the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic

Youth Group also fulfilled the special request of 21-year-old handicap Ms Diana Prass.

Ground home of Ms Prass and handed over a large supply of food and personal items.

Lower Corentyne and Central Corentyne schools book GBTI Under-15 semi-final berths THE Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS) and Central Corentyne Secondary have booked their semifinals place after defeating Port Mourant Secondary and Manchester High respectively in the first round of the RHTYSC/GBTI Under-15 tournament. Playing at the Area ‘H’ ground, both matches were affected by the rain and reduced to twenty overs per side. Central Corentyne batting first versus Manchester High scored 112 all off their allotted overs with Jaawan King 25, Shawn Campbell 13 and Govindra 12 being the principle scorers. Bowling for Manches-

ter Samuel Lowe claimed five wickets for 30 runs, Sudesh Ghamandie 2 for 25 and Lynden Lowell 2 for 13. In reply, Manchester needing to score a revised target of 57 off ten overs after a heavy rain shower were 41 for 7 when the overs expired. Lyndon Lovell top-scored with 10 while Ryan Ragnauth 2 for 10, John Mankarran 2 for 3 and Govindra Sydney 2 for 9 were the best bowlers for Central Corentyne. Port Mourant Secondary School were shot out for a paltry 44 in 16.3 overs by Lower Corentyne Secondary as only A. Singh with 17 reached double figures. K. Harapaul 4 wickets

for 2 runs, G. Kempadoo 2 for 5 and R. Kasinanth 2 for 6 were outstanding with the ball for LCSS who in reply, reached 46 for 4 in 10 overs to win by 6 wickets. G. Kempadoo returned with the bat to top-score with 13 not out while Junior Sinclair scored 12. D. Nandram claimed 2 wickets for 10 runs in a losing case. In the semifinals, J.C. Chandisingh will clash with Winifred Gaskin Secondary while Lower Corentyne would play Central Corentyne Secondary School. The final of the GBTI Under-15 cup is scheduled for next Thursday at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

Jamaica to send strongest team to World relays

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) - Jamaica says it plans to send its strongest team to the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas set for May 24 and 25. President of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) Dr Warren Blake says the best team will be selected despite the absence of a trial prior to the inaugural meet. “We will be selecting the team the same way we have done with the Penn Relays that comes on a month before and the World Indoors,” said Dr Blake in an interview with The Observer. “We write to the coaches and the athletes’ reps and get in touch with them and they will recommend which of their athletes will be available and then we choose the best team out of what is available at the time.” The first edition of the 2014 IAAF World Relays will serve as a qualifying competition for the 2015 IAAF World Championships. More than 1 000 athletes and team officials from 40 nations are expected in the Bahamas for the event. The top-eight teams to place in the 4x100m and 4x400m events will automatically qualify for the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015. Led by sprint sensation Usain Bolt Jamaica have swept the 4x100m relays at the Olympic and World Championships since 2008 and are expected to dominate once again.

Sport CHRONICLE

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Selector James Whitaker unable to explain Kevin Pietersen decision See Story on Page 34

Persaud rubbishes Matthias claim of bogus letter ‘I wrote the letter and the GFF president is aware of such’ - Persaud By Rawle Toney Vice-President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Ivan Persaud on Wednesday sent shockwaves through the local football fraternity, with his bold letter which asked for Christopher Matthias to vacate his post as president with immediate effect. Persaud’s letter called Matthias a dictator and chastised him for his hosting of illegal meetings and ordinary congresses, unconstitutionally suspending the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), as well as allowing the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) to run an unsanctioned Banks Beer Knockout tournament. When contacted for a response to Persaud’s announcement, Matthias said “We are fully aware of Persaud and

his accomplices’ missive and the GFF will respond very shortly.” However, one day later, the GFF president is now questioning the authenticity of the letter which was dated February 2, 2014. “Having examined the two documents within our possession, the GFF is unable to ascertain, with any certainty, if Mr Persaud is indeed the author of same. Notwithstanding the signature which appears on the documents, the grammar, vocabulary, and style of writing are not characteristic of Mr Persaud,” Matthias said. He went on to state that “unless and until Mr Persaud personally and publicly identifies with the selfsame documents, and provides specificity as to the contents therein, then and only then, would the GFF be able to provide an informed

Jacobs to lead Vice-Chancellor’s XI against England See Story on Page 31

Steven Jacobs

response.” “But that’s nonsense, I wrote all the letters myself and submitted them to the GFF myself,” Persaud said, when contacted by Chronicle Sport, relating to Matthias’ claim of the letter that was published in all the daily newspapers was bogus. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Persaud said, “I took four copies of the letters into the Federation (GFF) and I had Mr (Noel) Adonis sign them, which he did. I left two copies of the letter (and I kept two), which was published in its entirety in various newspapers. It was made public because it has my signature, so I don’t understand how he can say something like that.” Chronicle Sport also contacted Adonis who verified that indeed Persaud brought the letters to him and he fixed

his signature on them, also writing ‘Read’, along with the date of which he saw the letter – February 3, 2014 . “Yes, I am aware of the letters, I signed them; the signature is mine as well, because it was copied in the letter that was meant for Mr Matthias. I cannot answer the questions asked in the letter because it is not for me to do such; you will have to contact the person whom the letter was addressed to,” Adonis said. Meanwhile, Persaud also mentioned “when he won, everyone gave him the support, especially myself, Collie (Hercules) and Rawlston (Adams). We said we’re going to work to change the game of football in Guyana. But he has led us astray. “We found out he lied about plenty things. When Guyana didn’t attend the Beach Football tournament, he told people that

GFF Vice President Ivan Persaud we wouldn’t be fined, then, it came to us that Guyana was fined US$22,000. When FIFA sent the money, that amount came short and we were told why. Not to mention the fact he never went to Zurich and told us that he was there.” Asked about the alterna-

tive measures he would take if Matthias fails to acknowledge his letter, Persaud said, “I can’t tell you that right now, because what I want is for him to first at least respond to my letter and stop beating around the bush. When that happens, you will be the first to know what’s happening next.”

Jamaica’s Dope Control officer fails medical exam three times KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Jamaica’s leading dope control officer, Dr Paul Wright, has confessed that on three occasions he failed a medical examination which would have qualified him to study for a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of the West Indies. Dr Wright’s revelations came while he was being cross-examined in the anti-doping hearing of Olympic silver medallist Sherone Simpson in Kingston on Wednesday. He appeared as a witness for the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in the hearing which began on Tuesday. “In fact, you were unsuccessful on three occasions, is that correct?” asked Simpson’s lawyer Kwame Gordon. “Yes, sir,” Dr Wright confirmed. “And that exam is the exam that determined if you are qualified to do a Bachelor of Medicine (degree), and you failed that exam on three occasions?” Gordon quizzed. “Yes, sir,” Dr Wright replied again. However Dr Wright informed the hearing that he was able to train as a medical doctor and graduated in 1976 with a diploma in sports medicine from Leipzig University in East Germany. “Why did you not do the MBBS? Is it because you have failed on three occasions and could not do it?” Gordon probed. “Yes sir,” said Dr Wright. The hearing, which started on Tuesday, wrapped up all the normal proceedings with the final two witnesses, Dr Wright and Catty Rattray-Samuels, a former JADCO director, taking the stand. The hearing continues February 25 where both Gordon and JADCO attorney Lackston Robinson are expected to present their final submissions to the three-member Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Lennox Gayle, Dr Jephthah Ford and Peter Prendergast. Jamaica’s leading dope control officer Dr Paul Wright

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014