GUYANA No. 103795
FRIDAY APRIL 11, 2014
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER
President calls on Granger to apologise to Guyanese
PRICE: $60
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- for insulting ‘drug money’ comment
President Donald Ramotar
Opposition again puts Amerindian development in jeopardy $4.4B allocation for Housing and Water - cuts Ministry’s Ministry approved Education $1.1B capital budget $32.3B budget approved Page 2
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Opposition votes against funding 8 Specialty Hospital,CJIA expansion
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Home Affairs $19.5B allocation Page 8 approved unopposed
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Opposition again puts Amerindian development in jeopardy - cuts Ministry’s $1.1B capital budget
GOVERNMENT’S effort towards Amerindian development this year has again been placed in jeopardy as the National Assembly last evening only approved $454M of the $1.554B that was set out for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for 2014. In general, the National Assembly has not approved the maximum amount of $1.1B which was allocated for the Amerindian Development Fund’s (ADF) projects and programmes, which specifically target and encourage self-sufficiency, and economic and social development in the hinterland. This places in peril the provision for the Secure Livelihood and Youth Entrepreneurship which targets the transformation of economies of Amerindian villages and hinterland communities through several forms of economic diversification.
The allocation for the ADF also covered a $796M provision for the continuation of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) and its expansion to Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. This YEAP programme which was introduced in 2013 and launched in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 was funded under a budgetary provision of $200M. YEAP addresses youth development and empowerment, and also speaks to the focus of ensuring secure indigenous livelihood by developing the capacity and capability of the youth, to match and support the development of enterprise initiatives needed or being embarked upon within their communities and region. The funding under the ADF also covered the construction of village offices and multi-purpose buildings, purchase of sport gear,
musical instruments, drip irrigation systems, tractors and implements and support for other projects and programmes including eco-tourism. The combined Opposition did not approve the funding on the grounds that the development measures being rolled out for the Amerindian people were being used instead by Government to manipulate Amerindians in spite of Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai explaining the benefits. In fact, the House was told that using the US$6 million allocation to the ADF in 2013 would have seen an initial 26 out of 188 villages commencing the implementation of community development projects (CDPs). Each of the 26 villages was given $5M for their investment in a socio-economic project which aims to transform their village’s economy. Of the $454M that was approved for the ministry, the allocations would provide mainly for improving transportation needs of the hinterland communities. Approved was $13.5M
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and PS Nigel Dharamlall in the National Assembly, yesterday. for the purchase of water transport, inclusive of boats and engines and $20M for the purchase of Land transport vehicles such as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles. Also approved was $66.6M for to the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, $6M for rehabilitation of the Amerindian Hostel building in Georgetown and $3M for the purchase of office furniture and equipment including
air conditioning units, desk, chairs, filing cabinets, fans and refrigerator. The Opposition’s disapproval of the 2014 ADF provision, however, as per the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman’s ruling, remains just a proposal, that will be decided when the members sit in plenary. When the consideration of the National 2014 estimates began on Wednesday, the Speaker proposed guidelines for the consideration of the estimates including constituting a sub-committee of the Committee of Supply with no less than seven members, four from the Opposition, and three from government, and to be
chaired by the Speaker. The purpose of this Committee will be to examine proposals for amendments and to find consensus or agreement where possible, and thereafter to report to the Committee of Supply. Amerindian Development was affected in 2013 when the National Assembly cut the funding to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), affecting the solar electrification programme for small cottage industries in the hinterland and the construction and upgrading of access roads through many Amerindian villages in Regions 7 and 8, among others. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
President calls on Opposition leader to apologise to Guyanese - for insulting ‘drug money’ comment
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has issued a firm call on Opposition Leader David Granger to apologise to all “honest and hardworking Guyanese” for his grossly insulting statement that Guyana is being developed with “drug” money. The President, in an interview yesterday with Director of the Government Information Agency (GINA), Neaz Subhan, reacted to recent comments made by Granger about Guyana’s economic performance being tied to the illegal and illicit drug trade, deeming it “a gross insult to all hardworking Guyanese”. He noted that these are general statements being made by the political Opposition without any proof to substantiate them, adding that, “I would like him (Granger) to point out among the line items, where is it that the drug money is”. During his contribution to the Budget debate this week, Granger expressed the view that narco-trafficking is responsible for growth in Guyana. According to President Ramotar, this is an insult to the people of Guyana who are working hard to improve their own lives, taking advantage of opportunities provided by Government and, by extension, contributing to the economic development of the nation. The President made it clear that there are many examples of this in all sectors of the local economy. President Ramotar said that he can point to the several investments such as those made by the rice farmers Opposition Leader in particular. “They David Granger
invest about $28 billion in the economy alone; is he (Granger) calling rice farmers drug people?” These farmers invest heavily, annually, in equipment such as tractors and other agricultural equipment, at around $2 billion, rice millers spend around $10 billion also, he noted. He cited unionised sugar workers whose wages amount to $20 billion per year, the tourism sector which comes up to around $35 billion annually, and new house owners who spent around $50 billion last year. “These are people who have been mortgaging things, going to the banks; the banks themselves would not have been giving them loans if they thought that they were drug traffickers,” the President contended. The private housing developers spent about another $100 billion in developing housing schemes, upper end type of housing schemes, and people who worked in gold mining sector last year alone provided about $120B to the economy, he stated. “Where is the drugs in all of this? This is why I think this is a major insult to a lot of the hard working people,” Mr Ramotar declared. It was pointed out that government’s wages bill for public servants amounts to $38 billion annually while pensioners’ grants and public assistance amounted to about $8 billion last year. “How could they talk about drugs fuelling this economy? This is obviously an attempt, on the part of the Opposition to besmirch the good name of our country, to attack the good name of our country, to try to prevent foreign investors, without any facts”. The President further explained that commercial banks loaned about $185 billion to the private sector last year and all of this was invested into the local economy. US$214 million or Gy$43 billion was invested by foreign companies in 2013, while remittances made a contribution to the economy of $66 billion, the President added. For President Ramotar, an apology to the people of Guyana is needed from the main political Opposition party, particularly Granger. “He has pointed to nothing. Let him point to which building or business he knows that are narco driven in this country. What I know is what I’m telling you here about the investment in our country so I really find this very obnoxious and a total lack of appreciation for the hard working people
President Donald Ramotar of this country,” President Ramotar declared. He contends that levelling such damning accusations besmirches the good name of not only the Guyanese people, but also besmirches the image of Guyana and affects its ability to attract foreign direct investment. “With no backup of such accusations and a sense of decency an apology must be given,” the President said.
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Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk quashed - but remains Acting Town Clerk By George Barclay
ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., yesterday, quashed Carol Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk of the Georgetown Municipality. And, according to the judge, she is now an Acting Town Clerk of the Municipality. Justice Chang ruled that the Local Government Minister did not have the power to appoint Sooba and therefore the appointment was illegal. The Chief Justice was delivering his decision in the High Court in relation to an application from Public Relations Officer Royston King for Writs or Orders of Certiorari, calling on Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud to show cause why his decision to appoint Carol Sooba as Town Clerk in preference to other candidates who were more qualified for the job, should not be quashed. The respondent Norman Whittaker, minister within the Ministry of Local Government with specific responsibility for all municipalities, including the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, deposed that he was personally involved in and had personal knowledge of all matters, processes and procedures which led to and touched on and concerned the appointment of Carol Sooba to the position of Town Clerk for the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, having acted from July 2012 to December 2013 – to the satisfaction of the Minister of Local Government. She was able to expose many corrupt and undesirable practices conducted in the course of the administration of the City Council and had caused remedial and policy changes to be made. But in coming to his decision the Acting Chief Justice noted that under Section 95 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 provides: “(1) There shall be a Local Government Service Commission consisting of a chairman, a deputy chairman and three other members; and the Commission shall have such functions as are vested in it by this Act or any other law.” “(2) In the exercise of its functions, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any authority. Section 96 provides: “The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from amongst such persons as appear to him to be suitably qualified and the Prime Minister shall appoint one of its number to be chairman and another to be deputy chairman.
According to the Chief Justice, it is clear that Section 95 establishes as a statutory body a Local Government Service Commission. Since the establishment of the said Commission must necessarily precede the appointment of its members, the fact that the appointment to the Commission has not been made by the Prime Minister (now the President) under Section 96 does not at all mean that there is not in legal existence a Local Government Service Commission. Since the office of Town Clerk is a local government office the emoluments of which exceeds $18,000 per annum, it is the Local Government Service Commission which has the power to appoint a person to that office. Once Section 95 has come into operation the power of the minister to appoint any Local Government Officer to any office, the emoluments of which exceed $18, 000 per annum, immediately ceases since such a power immediately vests in the said Commission. Looking at the Act on the Basis of the 1973 and 2011 MS CAROL SOOBA Revised Editions of Laws of Guyana without regard to the words in brackets appended to the long title to the Act, the origin of which is unknown, the Court makes the finding that Section 95 of the Act was in operation and therefore the Local Government Service Commission was in existence at the time the Minister purported to appoint Carol Sooba as Town Clerk. Therefore, under Section 326 (4), the Minister’s power to perform the functions mentioned in section 116 (1) had ended at that time. It is the finding of this court that the Minister acted ultra vires the provisions of the Municipal and District Council’s Act , Chapter 28:01 and his decision to appoint Carol Sooba as Town clerk must be quashed. However, this does not prevent Carol Sooba from continuing to perform the functions of Town Clerk as the de facto Town Clerk. It needs a direct challenge by quo warranto to the authority of Carol Sooba to bring her de facto authority to an end. The decision of the Minister of Local Government appointing Carol Sooba as Town Clerk for the Municipality of Georgetown is quashed by Certiorari as being ultra vires the provisions of the Municipal and District Council Act Chapter 28:01, Order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari made on the 13th December 2013 made absolute. No order as to costs was made.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Teenaged taxi driver hangs himself
KENRICK LALL, 18, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, was found hanging by a fellow worker yesterday at about 02:30hrs at the White Diamond taxi base, where he was employed. The dispatcher who came upon the body is a popular DJ in the village and he identified himself as Selector Gavin. He told this publication that he woke up from a nap and went outside where the drivers usually gathered and he found Lall hanging from a beam. DEAD: Kenrick Lall The mother of the deceased said that Lall, who is her only son, was loved by his relatives. “I don’t know why he did this; he loved his work and his family, Why did he kill himself,” she said. (Asif Hakim)
The taxi base where Lall’s body was found hanging
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY April 11, 2014
Argentina hit by general strike over high inflation and taxes
The strikers formed picket lines and blocked some roads in the capital, Buenos Aires
(BBC News) PUBLIC transport in Argentina has been severely disrupted by a huge nationwide strike against the economic policies of the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Most buses, commuter trains and metro lines across Argentina did not operate. The 24-hour strike was called by unions amid public discontent over high inflation, taxes and wages. The government said the stoppage was “anti-democratic” because it affected those who wanted to go to work. “The right to strike is enshrined in the constitution, but also the legitimate right to
work,” Jorge Capitanich, the chief of the cabinet of ministers, told a news conference. Airlines were forced to cancel flights and ports came to a near standstill. Many shops also closed because commuters could not get to work. Some, like Rosana, had to walk miles to get to work. “My colleagues of course can’t get to the office,” she told the Associated Press news agency after her 70-minute walk. “You can’t get there without public transport.” Many public-sector workers took part in the stoppage, which affected services and school classes. Unions say they want high-
er pay and lower taxes, and blame the Argentine government for an annual inflation rate of more than 30%. Protesters also formed human chains and blocked the main access routes to the capital, Buenos Aires, and other cities. There were some incidents of violence and arrests after police tried to break the picket lines. The unions said more than a million workers had taken part in the stoppage. “The strike is going to be broadly observed because people are unhappy,” said Hugo Moyano, a union leader who organised the protest. “The strike had to take place because the government does not address our demands,” said another union leader, Luis Barrionuevo. This is the second general strike President Fernandez de Kirchner has faced in her twoterm mandate. The last one took place in November 2012 and partially paralysed Buenos Aires and other cities.
Raving tributes as Robinson passes on (Trinidad Guardian) PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says a full state funeral is to be held for former president and prime minister Arthur NR Robinson who died Wednesday after ailing for months. Persad-Bissessar made the disclosure following a 45-minute visit to Robinson’s Ellerslie Park, Maraval, home , where she met with his daughter Ann Margaret Robinson and his granddaughter Anushka. Robinson, 87, who was this country’s third prime minister and president, passed away at St Clair Medical Centre at 6 am. He was taken there one month ago and died from kidney failure. Persad-Bissessar could not give the date of the funeral but indicated that it would be in Tobago as
it was Robinson’s wish to be buried in the island of his birth. “Those dates have not been worked out because Mr Robinson’s wish was to be buried in Tobago and the Jazz Festival is coming up so we will factor that in when we meet,” she added. The Prime Minister said she would remember Robinson for his courage and his call to the army to “attack with full force” against the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen insurgents, when he and other Cabinet ministers were held hostage during a six-day siege at the Parliament building in July 1990. She said the nation should be inspired by his courage, grit, brilliance, family life and his determination. “Attack with full force we must never forget,” she said.
Norman Girvan dies (Trinidad Guardian) JAMAICA-BORN professor emeritus Norman Girvan, one of the region’s most renowned economists, passed away Wednesday, according to a brief statement from the University of the West Indies. Girvan, who was born in 1941, was until recently a professorial research fellow at the Institute of International Relations at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. In 2010, he was appointed as the United Nations Secretary General’s personal
Norman Girvan representative on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. Since 2009 he has been a member of the United Nations Committee on De-
velopment Policy. He also served as secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States, professor of development studies and director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies, and head of the National Planning Agency of the Government of Jamaica. Professor Girvan has published extensively on the political economy of development in the Caribbean and the Global South. He was the recipient of several honours and awards. Funeral arrangements are to be announced.
Regional bodies working together to fight fraud (Barbados Advocate) FOUR entities in the Caribbean responsible for the non-bank financial sector have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will ensure even greater levels of due diligence are in place to thwart any illegal activity from taking root in the countries they represent. Chairman of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Sir Frank Alleyne, speaking just before he and officials of the securities regulators in Jamaica, Trinidad and the Eastern Caribbean, signed a MOU for the exchange of information and co-operation and consultation at the FSC’s Warrens office, maintained that the scams that have taken place across the world have occurred because of a lack of due diligence. To that end, he contended that in this region efforts must be made to ensure that the fallout from such scams will become a thing of the past. “Whether countries are large or small, we have to collaborate if we are going to protect
the public interest… We have to protect investors; there must be confidence; they must have a certain level of confidence when they put their resources in a particular enterprise. The commission is integral …to ensuring that the information which is made available to the investing public is accurate and is reliable,” he said. With that in mind, he said while only four entities have signed the MOU to date, this is only the first step for the Caribbean Group of Securities Regulators and the other members will sign in due course. The group which was set up following a meeting of the Council of the Securities Regulators of America in 2002, seeks to provide a forum to discuss and resolve regulatory issues important to the Caribbean securities market development and regulation. Sir Frank explained that the MOU is very specific in terms of the steps which have to be taken as it relates to requests for information.
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GUYANA
EDITORIAL
Trotman erred in overruling Chief Justice’s ruling AFTER a lengthy address to the National Assembly following a meeting with key members of Government and Opposition last Wednesday evening, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman obviated the ruling of Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, handed down in the High Court on 29th January of this year, that the Legislative Assembly has no mandate to cut the Budget, which is the sole responsibility of Government. One cannot ignore the possibility that this could have been the outcome of a pre-arrangement between Trotman’s colleagues in the Opposition parties – PNC/ APNU/AFC, the latter in which he previously held a leadership position. Of course the reaction of the Opposition to Trotman’s conclusions was great and enthusiastic acceptance, expressed by cheers and desk-thumping. There is the belief by the public that this is a dishonourable decision, because the Speaker is not being impartial in this, given the fact that he has appealed the Acting Chief Justice’s ruling. A Notice of Appeal of Chang’s decision was filed in February by lawyer and Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, on behalf of Trotman, who was listed as the appellant in the court, with the Attorney General being listed as respondent. However, President Donald Ramotar yesterday stressed the supremacy of the Constitution over all three branches of Government and posited that Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang’s ruling that the National Assembly has no mandate to cut the National Budget, but only to approve or disapprove of the estimates is as determined by the laws of the land, which the National Assembly is sworn to uphold. President Ramotar is adamant that the Speaker’s conclusions are erroneous and that the Acting Chief Justice’s ruling must be upheld in the House. The Opposition has arrogated this right to themselves since 1992, so in a desperate effort to retain jobs, continue development and sustain - even accelerate economic growth in the county, the Government was forced in 2012 to seek judicial intervention to reverse the vindictive actions of the joint Opposition in truncating the estimates presented in the National Assembly in this, the tenth Parliament. For approximately two decades the PPP/C has worked unremittingly to reverse the destruction and
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Consensus reached after meeting sparked by AG’s letter to Speaker THE consideration of the estimates for the 2014 National Budget began over two hours late on Wednesday due to a series of events regarding the Parliamentary Opposition’s right and efforts to cut the estimates. A meeting held in Speaker Raphael Trotman’s chambers addressed a letter from the Attorney General Anil Nandlall which addressed a motion tabled by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge and seconded by Alliance for Change Leader Khemraj Ramjattan. The motion which was submitted to the Speaker on Tuesday, sought to address the format in which the estimates were presented. It also called on Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh to withdraw the estimates of the 2014 National Budget so that changes can be made. AG Nandlall in the letter requested that the Speaker deem the Motion inadmissible and accordingly, restrain its tabling. He reminded the Speaker in the letter that Article 218 of the Constitution reads, “The Minister responsible for Finance or any other Minister designated by the President shall cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly before or within ninety days after the commencement of each financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditure of Guyana for that year.” The AG further pointed out that thus it was the exclusive responsibility of the Minister of Finance to prepare and present the National Estimate of Revenues and Expenditure on or before March 31. “I submit that the Motion is, ipso facto, violative of the Constitution, in as much as, it seeks to direct the Minister in respect of how estimates are to be prepared; but more fundamentally, it seeks to cause the Minister to embark upon a course of action which will, ineluctably, collide with Article 218of the Constitution by requesting, at this late hour, that the Minister withdraw and re-submit the estimates, the re-submission of which will manifestly be outside of the constitutionally mandated time-frame of ninety days from the beginning of the financial year. That the Motion itself was delivered to the Clerk of the National Assembly after the expiration of that ninety days period is axiomatic,” the AG pointed out in the letter. He further suggested that the Motion therefore, “is not only ipso facto unconstitutional but if deemed admissible
and passed, would inexorably catalyse the majority in the National Assembly to act in a manner which is violative and ultra vires of the letter and spirit of Article 218 of the Constitution. That the relief which it seeks is a course of action that is patently in breach of the Constitution.” AG Nandlall also reminded that several members of the Judiciary in recent times have indicated that the National Assembly cannot act contrary to and in abrogation of the
devastation visited upon Guyana and Guyanese by the former PNC regime, with magnificent success, with socio-economic development in this country poised to catalyze dramatically within the immediate future. But the gains in the nation seem today to instead be on the brink of a downward trend as the Government of President Donald Ramotar’s administration has found itself in a quandary when the PPP/C lost its parliamentary majority to a vengeful joint Opposition in the November 2011 general elections. The ludicrous irony of persons who had no input into Guyana’s wealth creation, even those who destroyed Guyana and left it a deeply indebted country, arrogating to themselves the right to abridge that wealth disposition to the nation and drive the workers of the country into joblessness, sent shockwaves rippling throughout the country as the implications of the budgetary cuts post-2012 Budget presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh slowly sank into the unbelieving minds of the nation. Even the private sector was distressed because, apart from other constraining factors, consequent upon the Opposition’s vengeful actions, disposable incomes would be severely reduced in many families and government-run institutions, thus hampering purchasing power, with severe, deleterious ripple effects on the business community. The stunned disbelief of government MPs was replicated in the faces of even Opposition media operatives who could not believe the socio-economic dislocations the Opposition collective was prepared to visit upon the nation, merely for vindictive spite, and for showing the
government, in Granger’s own words, “who is boss”. The catastrophic consequences to national development that would be occasioned by the ruthless budgetary cuts could not have been allowed by Government to prevail, because of the severe, negative socio-economic impacts on the people of the country; and thus the Donald Ramotar administration was constrained, in the face of the collective Opposition’s merciless recalcitrance, to move to the courts to seek rectification and a reversal, or a nullification of the Opposition’s budgetary cuts of 2012 and 2013. This was granted in a ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang pre-Budget Day of 2014. Chang ruled that the Constitution disallows the Opposition from cutting National Budgets, which is the mandate solely invested in the Government. However, the Opposition continues to flout the law. So far, up to last evening, allocations in the 2014 budget in the Health and Amerindian Affairs sectors have been ‘butchered’ by the Opposition in the National Assembly. And in view of their actions, pronouncements and threats, there is expectation bordering on fear in the nation that they will continue their vengeful trend of holding the nation hostage to their glory-hunting, power-seeking, self aggrandizement ploys in their continuum of dramatics in the National Assembly. In their minds, as contemptuously alluded to by Ramjattan, Guyanese people are merely “collateral damage.”
HOUSE SPEAKER RAPHAEL TROTMAN
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANIL NANDLALL
Constitution of Guyana. “I believe that we have matured beyond the thinking that the National Assembly can act contrary to and in abrogation of the Constitution of Guyana. That we have several rulings in recent times from the Judiciary reinforcing this jurisprudential fact, is a matter of public notoriety,” AG Nandlall sstated. “In the circumstances, I respectfully request that you deem this Motion inadmissible and accordingly, restrain its tabling. It is with profound regret that I inform you that if my request is not heeded, another bout of litigation shall be the consequence,” he added. “I solicit your most magnanimous judgment in this matter,” Nandlall concluded. Speaker subsequently reported that a course of action was agreed to during the meeting, which saw Greenidge and Minister Singh both making statements to the House indicating that the Motion could be withdrawn.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
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President declares…
Sugar still has a bright future in Guyana
- says $6B allocation crucial to sugar industry’s turnaround By Vanessa Narine
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, yesterday, encouraged other sector stakeholders to take an example from Wednesday’s protest by sugar workers outside Public Buildings in Georgetown and defend their rights. The demonstration was against threats to cut the $6B injection for the sugar industry, an allocation described by Government as critically important to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). It was the source of some controversy but was unanimously passed in Parliament after a grueling hours-long questioning directed towards Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. The Head of State declared that the clear message sent by sugar workers to the National Assembly won the day. He emphasised that the industry is an important one, particularly, considering the thousands who depend on it, both directly and indirectly, employees, their families and the wider communities. FACING SUGAR Mr. Ramotar said the disposition of the combined Opposition towards the industry seems to be predicated on a “misunderstanding” of the challenges facing sugar. “It began with Europe abandoning the protocol where the 36 per cent was cut,” he said, referring to the 2006 arbitrary reduction of price for sugar sold to the European Union (EU). President Ramotar said it has taken almost one year before the EU accompanying measures came on board with the disbursement of support funds to the ACP sugar producing countries, including Guyana. The toll, according to major stakeholders in the sector, is that of the price cut on the sugar industry which was significant. Recently, the EU Commission in Georgetown summarised that, from 2007 to 2011, 91.5M Pounds (Sterling) or G$21.5B have been disbursed to the Guyana Government. For the years 2012 and 2013, the disbursements are said to be about 45M pounds (Sterling) or about G$10B. The EU pointed out that only a small portion of the total disbursed had been received by the sugar industry for financing the Enmore Packaging Plant and few budgetary support. Another major challenge cited by the President is that of climate change. He acknowledged: “This is a real problem…science has told us that there are real impacts”. Mr. Ramotar explained that, as a result of climate change, weather patterns have changed and are affecting the industry’s output. For example, in comparison to when they were used to 120 opportunity days, workers now have to make do with 80 or less days. A comment made by Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, in Parliament on Wednesday night, dismissing climate change as what he called an “excuse” was also addressed by the President. Greenidge charged that Guyana has been involved in sugar for hundreds of years now and should be able to anticipate and plan for issues like weather. SIMPLISTIC PLASTER However, the President rubbished that simplistic plaster to what is a much more complicated situation. He stated that such a remark indicates either a clear lack of understanding or ignorance of the matter at hand. Mr. Ramotar underscored the issue of a diminishing labour pool, given the advances in areas of other opportunities for Guyanese people, hence the need to move to mechanisation, as another challenge that is being addressed. “These are real problems and we need real solutions,” he said. The President said no one is denying the challenges facing the industry, nor is anyone disillusioned about what needs to be done, which is why he reiterated that the $6B allocation was quintessential to the industry’s turnaround. That sum is expected to cover expenditures that include mechanisation, through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B; tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost $1B; fac-
tory upgrading on all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B and works to field infrastructure for bettering field to factory access and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors, etc., to account for the remainder of the allocation. BRIGHT FUTURE “Sugar still has a bright future,” he argued, stating that the industry will return to its glory days of being the leading contributor to the Guyanese economy. The production in the 2014 first crop is expected to meet its target of 70,000 tonnes of sugar in the next few weeks, he said. The sugar industry employs about 16,000 people during its peak periods and also facilitates about 1,500 cane farmers. It is also the nation’s largest net foreign exchange earner and a large proportion of its multi-billion-dollar revenue is circulated, thus enhancing many business enterprises. Many villages and communities surrounding the sugar estates benefit from the industry’s expansive drainage network, too. Despite its challenges, the industry, according to Govern-
‘ALWAYS ON THE SIDE OF WORKERS’: PPP/C Members Priya Manickchand, Clement Rohee, Zulfikar Mustapha and Faizal Jafarally were among those speaking to protesting sugar workers outside Public Buildings on Wednesday.
ment, remains relevant to the health of the national economy. In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 percent of the total, valued at US$112.2M and the industry contributed 3.9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
On Budget cuts…
President Ramotar reiterates correctness of CJ ruling - insists ‘the Speaker is wrong!’ By Vanessa Narine PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar reiterated, yesterday, that the Constitution is the overarching legal framework within which
President Donald Ramotar
all three branches of Government operates. He maintained that Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang is correct in his interpretation of the Budget cuts in the National Assembly. The CJ had ruled that Parliament has no right to cut the National Budget when he handed down his decision in the High Court last January 29. In the preliminary ruling of June 2012, the judge held that the Assembly has a role to either approve or disapprove of the National Estimates but not to reduce them. The Head of State’s comments on the issue followed a statement by Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, defending
the right of the House to amend the 2014 Estimates, which are, currently, being reviewed in detail by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply. “The Speaker is wrong,” Mr. Ramotar insisted. On Wednesday, Mr. Trotman outlined several guidelines on procedures to be adopted by the National Assembly in proposing amendments to Budget 2014, in light of what the CJ had ruled, which he acknowledged must be respected. NOT IMPINGED The Speaker said: “Every effort will be made, always, to respect the High Court’s opinions, provided that the independence of the National Assembly is not impinged.” “It is critical to note that, when the Committee of Supply considers the Estimates and approves of them, whether after making amendments, that is, through the process of proposing
reductions of line items in accordance with Standing Order 76 or by the process of non-approvals of line items or not, this function neither equates to, nor constitutes the approval function required by the Constitution in Article 218,” he said. The Speaker insisted that the functions of the
Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang
Committee of Supply and the National Assembly, as
against those of the Minister of Finance, representing the Executive, are not mutually exclusive, though it must be conceded that, at times, the lines of distinction become blurred. Mr. Trotman also suggested the establishment of a sub-committee within the Parliamentary Committee of Supply. However, after an hour-long meeting with Government and Opposition representatives, on Wednesday night, there was still no naming of such a committee. Additionally, a Notice of Appeal against the judge’s decision was since filed in February by attorney-at-law and Leader of Alliance for Change (AFC), Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, on behalf of Speaker Trotman, who was named as the appellant in the Court. The Attorney General is a respondent in the appeal against Justice Chang’s controversial 2012 Budget cut decision.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Provision of specialised healthcare President lauds Gov’t MPs presentations on Budget 2014 for Guyanese threatened - combined Opposition votes against funding Specialty Hospital
THE combined Opposition yesterday signalled that they are ficer of the GPHC, Michael Khan were grilled by the Opposition against specialised health care for Guyanese through their about money set aside for training and infrastructural upgrade. The disapproval of funding for the much anticipated Specialty HosHealth Minister and his team did not fail to provide the House with pital. The Opposition voted against the $910 million which was the relevant answers. allocated for the project in the 2014 National Budget. The GPHC was allotted $5.3B while the Ministry of Health – In so doing, the Opposition in reality voted against funding for Administration received a total of $850M. the provision of other regional and clinical services. This will affect Most of the questions directed to the minister were related to the the Ministry of Health, buildings, procurement of drugs, equipment doctors’ quarters, land and water and transportation services – amtransport, furniture and other bulance. medical equipment. The sum of $21.5 billion has The Specialty Hospital been allocated for the Health Secproject falls under the Ministor in the 2014 budget. Of this try’s Capital Expenditure, under amount $2.4 billion is budgeted which a number of other projects for construction and upgrade of are stated and as such those dehealth care facilities countrywide velopmental projects suffered the including the Port Kaituma District same fate. Hospital, Linden Hospital ComHowever, Speaker of the plex, Kwakwani Hospital, the acute House Raphael Trotman excare facility at the National Psychiplained that the votes were only atric Hospital, and the Georgetown proposals and when members sit School of Nursing. in plenary, a final decision will Some $382.7 million is allobe made on the sums. cated for the purchase of medical On Wednesday, the Speaker equipment and $117 million is announced that the Opposition allocated for the purchase of 12 can only propose amendments ambulances which represents a after which it would be up to the Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran and his team answer- 40 percent increase in the national government to accept or reject ing questions from the Opposition during yesterday’s fleet. In relation to primary and the proposals. specialised health training, over sitting of the House. (Adrian Narine photo) Meanwhile, the proposals $428 million has been allocated to will be examined in a sub-comtrain 20 additional post graduate mittee that the Speaker suggested be established to consider the residents and upgrade over 4000 providers. proposed amendments to the Budget. That committee comprises In keeping with Government’s focus on maternal and child four members from the Opposition and three from the government. health, Government will continue to prioritise resource mobilisation Further APNU’s Chief Whip, Ms. Amna Ally had indicated for improving maternal health and efforts will be made to accelerate her party’s approval for the other projects which fall under capital the achievement of this goal in collaboration with our developmental expenditure except the Specialty Hospital, but the Speaker of the partners. House informed Ms. Ally that the Specialty Hospital Project could In 2014, the sum of $50 million is allocated to commence not be separated. the extension of the maternity facility at the GPHC to ensure However, the Current and Capital expenditure for the Georgeincreased bed capacity, while $22.6 million is allocated for the town Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) have been approved. establishment of maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Chief Executive Ofto cater for antenatal high-risk mothers. (GINA)
$4.4B allocation for Housing and Water Ministry approved
- following intense grilling MINISTER of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali piloted the allocations for his Ministry safely through the Committee of Supply last night resulting in the approval of it $4.4B allocation. Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Veersammy Ramayya questioned the Minister about the water supply at Rose Hall, Corentyne and how much would be spent on improving it. Minister Ali responded that there are plans for a water treatment plant for Region Six, which is under design at the moment. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP, Annette Ferguson requested that the list of roads under the Community Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP) be provided. This Minister Ali committed to providing. APNU Basil Williams then argued that promises are not being committed to under the CRIP, and demanded that a complete list be provided regarding all roads and bridges falling under this programme. Pointing to a number of bridges which were not
on the list, he insisted that they should be accepted and incorporated by the Minister under his programme, which the minister did not agree to. Under the CRIP project an allocation of $1B will go towards the completion, construction and rehabilitation of community roads aimed towards improved access and living conditions. The sum of $484M has been allocated to the Community Infrastructure Improvement project which will go towards the rehabilitation and maintenance of community infrastructure projects including drains, culverts, bridges and parapets. This is aimed towards improved drainage and irrigation systems and improved environment. Infrastructure development and building with an allocation of $3.1B is aimed at the completion of roads, drains and structures and pure water distribution network at Zeelugt, Phase III. This amount will also include the construction and upgrade of roads at Charity, Onderneeming, Lust-en-Rust, Ocean View, Windsor Forest, Parfait
Harmonie, Tuschen, Zeelugt, Meten-Meer-Zorg, and Zeeburg/DeWillem among other villages in other areas. The Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS) has been given $850M, while the Georgetown Sanitation Programme has been allocated the sum of $532M. The Ministry’s budgetary allocations will target the development of new housing schemes, consolidating existing schemes, increasing the provision of turnkey homes, expanding the construction of core houses, increasing access to affordable housing and financing for housing, integrating new housing areas with existing Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC), and increasing occupancy. Further, the Ministry will be allocating 5,900 new house lots and will process and distribute 4,100 land titles to new landowners during the course of the year while housing scheme development will continue at Eccles, Diamond, Anna Catherina, Uitvlugt, Bath, and No. 77 Village, among others. In addition, another 100 houses will be constructed through the continuation of the public-private turnkey initiative, while 50 police
officers, nurses and teachers will be allocated land to construct their homes. Also planned for the housing sector is the completion and distribution of 176 more core houses, disbursement of 134 coastal home improvement subsidies valued $26.8M and an additional disbursement of 54 hinterland subsidies valued $54M, benefiting a total of 1,248 people. Under the water sector, $190M has been allocated for the upgrading of water supply systems in Waikerabi, Haimacabra, Phillipai, Arau, Aishalton, St. Ignatius, Jawalla, Kurutuky, Cabora, Santa Rosa, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Pipang and Kaikan. The improvement of the coastal water supply system has been allocated the sum of $1.1B which will target wells in various areas including Cotton Tree, Bartica, Eccles, Hague Backdam, Melanie and other areas. The Linden Water Supply has been allocated $80M targeting the supply of water to One Mile Extension, West Watooka, Green Valley, South Amelia’s Ward and Christanburg. (GINA)
- bemoans Opposition’s lack of verifiable facts By Vanessa Narine
THE 2014 Budget debates, which ended on Tuesday night with a fiery conclusion from Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, went a long way in detailing the work of the current Administration and its plans to continue to take Guyana along a path of sustainable progress. This was according to Guyanese Head of State, President Donald Ramotar, who praised Government’s Members of Parliament (MPs) for a job well done. He noted that the presentations made by the ruling party’s MPs were not only detailed, but included facts that are easily verified as well as supported by international independent agencies, a stark contrast to the presentations of the speakers from the combined Opposition (APNU and AFC). The President said, “Our MPs did extremely well and have given a complete picture of the work in the different sectors and of the economy.” He added that the presentations reflected the fact that MPs are on the ground and in touch with the Guyanese people and are working hard to deliver on the promises made to the nation by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration. President Ramotar contends that the Opposition seemingly had difficulty criticizing Budget 2014 because it was a good plan and hence, unfortunately, its members resorted in many instances to personal attacks and retorts. “Generally it was a good debate,” he said, noting that “good comments” from the Opposition were few and far apart. Government’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Gail Teixeira, last week echoed similar sentiments.
Home Affairs Ministry’s $19.5B allocation approved unopposed A HISTORICAL event occurred in the National Assembly last night when the entire Home Affairs estimates for 2014 was approved without a single question asked by the parliamentary Opposition. Of the $19.5 B allocated for the sector, sums have been allocated for training to be conducted for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit. A sum of $382.6M has been allocated to train the joint services, while $413M is budgeted to train and equip community policing. The latter allocation has generated some interest by the parliamentary Opposition during the debate. The sum of $1.2B has been allocated for the completion of the Forensic laboratory and the fire training school and the continuous upgrading of physical infrastructure across the joint services in locations across the country. A sum of $1.1B has been allocated to support land, air and sea operations of the joint services while another $1.1 B is allocated to effectively equip the forces to serve and protect citizens. Further, the sum of $380M has been allocated for Citizen Security, which will go towards the completion of the Forensic Laboratory, and the provision of equipment. This targets the reduction of the levels of crime, violence and insecurity in the country. Under Part II of the programme, the sum of $120M will go towards institutional strengthening and modernisation of the administrative structure of the sector. The sum of $413M allocated towards Community Policing will go towards the purchase of vehicles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, motorcycles, furniture and equipment. This is aimed towards improved security in communities. The allocation under police stations and buildings will see the sum of $254M going towards the completion and construction of police outposts at Santa Cruz, Hogg Island. Further rehabilitation and repairs will target the New Amsterdam and Brickdam police stations in addition to the barracks at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and police station at Golden Grove and Turkeyen. Additionally, the sum of $218M has been allocated towards the purchase of arms and ammunition, fingerprint, ballistic, and other equipment. The Guyana Prison Service has been allocated the sum of $212M going towards works at the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons. A further $40M is earmarked for the purchase of communication equipment among other items. The Police Complaints Authority has been allocated $930, 000 for the purchase of a refrigerator and a switchboard system. The Guyana Fire Service’s allocation of $92M will see the construction of fire stations at La Grange, Land of Canaan and Corriverton. The Customs and Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) has been allocated the sum of $16M that will be directed towards the purchase of vehicles, electronic monitoring equipment and drug analysers.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...
NAGAMOOTOO, RAMJATTAN EXPOSED AS CHARLATANS - Nagamootoo’s comment about ‘ethnic mobilisation’ is an attack on the rights of sugar workers to represent their causes and a despicable effort to silence them
OLD Kai has been vindicated as I had contended all along that the likes of Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan did not have the interest of sugar workers at heart and someday soon they will be exposed as charlatans. That day came on Wednesday April 9, 2014 when in a fit of panic and desperation, Moses chose the weak way out by trying to dilute the cause which brought out hundreds of sugar workers outside Parliament. They say a good leader is judged not
has come out publicly in full support of the position adopted by the APNU and together they had questioned the PPP/C Government allocation of $6 billion to the industry for it to continue its modernisation plan. They even hinted that they would not support the assistance package. But then they were greeted by hundreds of sugar workers on Wednesday, strong in their cause, firm in their conviction, that they just like any other citizens were entitled to assistance from the State. They
After all these years of pretending to be concerned about the plight of the working class and specifically the sugar workers; here it was finally in the open that Nagamootoo was blind to their cause, deaf to their cries, stone hearted to their plight and all he could muster was ‘ethnic mobilisation’.
by his actions when it is smooth sailing but rather through the storm. Moses encountered the storm outside Public Buildings on Wednesday but he was not up to the challenge. He fell way short! When confronted with a situation which called for mature leadership and diplomacy, Nagamootoo panicked and that is when he showed his ‘true colors’. He was only capable of seeing the workers’ ‘ethnicity’! After all these years of pretending to be concerned about the plight of the working class and specifically the sugar workers; here it was finally in the open that he was blind to their cause, deaf to their cries, stone hearted to their plight and all he could muster was ‘ethnic mobilisation’. These sugar workers left their homes and work to come outside of parliament because they had a concern and justifiably so. The APNU has publicly articulated a position which calls for the closure of the industry, including abandoning all forms of sugar cane production. They have abandoned their initial suggestion of ethanol production saying it would not be profitable. The AFC
have worked hard and in bygone years, the profits from their industry were taken away from them, it was used to fund other projects and even pay public servants. It was used to service the unsustainable debt racked up by the PNC Government. Now these very people are publicly saying that sugar does not deserve a lifeline, when sugar for many years was a lifeline for this country in a dark era. They have been supported by the AFC leaders, the very leaders who would go into the sugar belt and proclaim how they were concerned about sugar workers. The AFC even promised workers a 20% wages and salary increase were they to be elected into Government at the 2011 regional and general elections but now when it was time to approve monetary support to the industry which will directly benefit these very workers, the AFC was hesitant; it was now clear that they had no intention of ever honoring their promise to sugar workers. Another confirmation of this dark truth was when AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan
‘SHAME MOSES’: Angry sugar workers venting their frustration at AFC Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo outside Public Buildings on Wednesday. went on Capitol News and proclaimed how the PPP/C Government was doing everything for sugar and nothing for Lindeners, which amounted to ‘racial discrimination’. The Linden unrest subsequently followed where the AFC leaders were a key contributor to what was to transpire. Up to that point the Government had been allocating $3 billion to subsidize electricity costs for residents in the mining township and a few other areas in the region. Fast-forward to the 2014 budget, where there has been absolutely no comment by either the APNU or AFC members on the $3 billion allocation to Region 10 to meet electricity costs but they have not missed an opportunity to attack Government’s allocation to the sugar industry. However, in the end the sugar workers with the PPP leadership by their side came out victorious once again despite
the odds. The hundreds of workers sent a clear message to the Opposition in the National Assembly and it apparently stopped their plans to vote against the allocation. The workers have now realized the grave threat posed by those who pretended to be their friends but are actually working to undermined them. They have managed to overcome the sinister plans by the AFC/ APNU this time around but they need to strengthen their resolve and return to their industry, determined to surpass production targets and prove the Opposition wrong. Sugar workers need to show that the calls for the closure of their industry were wrong and Old Kai is confident that they will do so. In the meantime, Moses Nagamootoo owes sugar workers an apology for trying to demean their cause by attacking their ‘ethnicity’; if not he is not worth sitting in the National Assembly and should resign immediately.
Abusive language, damage to property charges dismissed - as mother opts not to testify against son ABUSIVE language and damage to property charges against a 26-year-old farmer were dismissed yesterday by Magistrate Alan Wilson after no evidence was offered by his mother. The matters were first called before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Andy Batson, of Lot 43 West La Penitence Housing Scheme, Georgetown, denied both charges.
Particulars of one charge states that on April 7 at West La Penitence Housing Scheme, he made use of abusive language to Donna Mohabir, where a breach of the peace may be occasioned. The other charge stated that on the same day, he damaged one television set and a remote together valued $36,000, belonging to Mohabir. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the facts are as charged and did not object to bail. Meanwhile, his attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat informed the court that the accused had replaced both the
television and the remote. Bail was granted in the sum of $20,000 and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Wilson for report and fixture. However, when the mother and son appeared before Magistrate Wilson, Mohabir decided not to offer any evidence against her son in either of the matters. Both cases were dismissed and Batson was placed on six months bond to be on good behaviour, with an alternative of two weeks imprisonment.(Geeta Rampersaud)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
$32.3B Education Ministry allocation approved unanimously ... as Minister tells of Guyana Learning Channel being the envy of other Caribbean states By Clifford Stanley
T HE G u y a n a L e a r n i n g Channel continues to be the envy of other countries in the Caribbean, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said in the National Assembly Wednesday night. She said the Learning
several questions from Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Education Minister, Amna Ally, as well as other Opposition Parliamentarians. This was shortly before the estimates for current and capital expenditures of $32.3B for the Ministry of Education was passed unopposed.
of uploading programme information to satellites and then downloading the programme to receivers countrywide. The contract caters for National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) to pay to TVG the equivalent of US$15,000 monthly, plus VAT.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand addresses the National Assembly
Channel was, to date, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, and some CARICOM members states had even approached the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, to seek advice on how they can replicate this type programme in their own territories. She made the comments while responding to one of
Minister Manickchand had been asked about the cost of the channel which is a satellite communication network that facilitates the production and nationwide broadcast of educational programmes. The network reaches all communities in Guyana and the service is provided by Television Guyana (TVG) which is said to be the only company in Guyana that has the capability
Minister Manickchand disclosed that construction of three new secondary schools will begin this year, under the Secondary Education Improvement Project. These are the Good Hope Secondary that will provide for 800 students from the Good Hope/ Lusignan area, the Yarrowkabra Secondary that will accommodate 800 students from the Upper East Bank De-
merara area, and the Parfaite Harmonie Secondary which will provide secondary education to one thousand children in Region 3 . The sum of $55M, Minister Manickchand said, has been allocated for construction work to commence on these three schools and they are expected to be completed by mid-2016. Among other allocations approved is one for $488M for the purchase of exercise books and text books for both primary and secondary school children. Minister Manickchand said that the significant allocation is to be used to provide exercise books for every child in the country, and purchase and procure text books for both primary and secondary school children. She said, “What we want to do is to make sure by this provision this year is that every single primary school child has basic text books in Maths, English, Social Studies, Sciences and a Reader, and that every single secondary school child has the relevant Maths, English and Science text, and some foreign languages text books.� She disclosed also that under Education Subventions and Grants, the sum of $3,490,447 has been allocated to cater for the more than 188,000 students who will each receive $10,000 as a cash grant for the very first time in the history of Guyana. Manickchand said the modus operandi for distribution of
the grant is yet to be finalised, but the aim will be to distribute it smoothly, with transparency and accountability. The sum of $205M has been allocated to the NCERD for purchasing of mini science kits which can be substitutes for a complete science lab; for management training of Heads and Deputy Heads of schools to enable them to better manage their schools; for scripts for the learning Channel which have a local bias; and for training in Spanish and Portuguese, among other elements of its mandate. The budget also provides, under the National Education Policy, the sum of $30M which will be used to purchase a number of vehicles, including two 29-seater buses which will be used to transport children living on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway to and from nursery, primary and secondary schools at the Kuru Kuru educational complex. Minister Manickchand disclosed that a few years ago the International Labour Organization (ILO) funded a partnership between the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education to provide transportation and meals for children living along the highway, so that they were more likely to attend school. She said that programme was massively successful but the funding had come to an end. Government will however be taking up the slack by purchasing the buses to continue
to take these children to school. Government, she said, will also continue to provide meals for them. The children of the David Rose Centre for the Handicapped who have special education needs, and who generally have difficulties with using the public transportation system, will also be provided with a bus by the Ministry of Education for transportation to and from school. The sum of $30M had also been allocated to train teachers on how to use Readers developed by the Ministry of Education for primary and secondary school children. Minister Manickchand explained that the prohibitive cost of text books has prevented government from giving a text book to a child, thus possibly limiting the learning that the child can have. As a result the Ministry had embarked on writing some of its own Readers, including an entire Nursery series called Roraima Readers, and a series called the Atlantic Readers for children from Grades 1 to 6. The Readers, which are being tested now, have flash cards, wall charts and other visual learning aids which are aligned with not only the curriculum, but with international literacy standards and guidelines. The sum of $30M will be used for training of teachers and stakeholders about how they can use the Readers effectively.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
FLOW OF TRIBUTES FOR NORMAN GIRVAN By Rickey Singh GLOWING tributes continued to flow across the Caribbean, yesterday, on the passing of the highly respected Jamaica-born regional economist and passionate advocate for economic integration and unity, Dr Norman Girvan. He died on Wednesday in Cuba where he was receiving delicate emergency medical attention. The admirable 72-year-
Prof. Norman Girvan
old intellectual, long-serving distinguished academic of the University of the West Indies, former Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and fervent collaborator with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has been in a state of critical paralysis from injuries suffered from a fall some three months ago while hiking in Dominica. Accompanied by his wife, Jasmin, Dr Girvan was flown from the pri-
Work of Guyana’s National Assembly highlighted in new TV programme
-made possible through USAID’s Leadership and Democracy Programme SUNDAY nights will soon see a new source of information and public debate with the debut of a TV programme that will focus on what is happening at the National Assembly of Guyana and what the political parties are seeking to accomplish on behalf of the Guyanese people. According to a statement from the United States (U.S.) Embassy in Georgetown, ‘This Week in Parliament’ is a new television programme made possible through USAID’s Leadership and Democracy Programme. It will be aired on TVG-Channel 28 on Sunday nights from 19:15 hrs to 20:15 hrs, beginning on April 13, 2014. In addition to providing viewers with information on current legislation and issues being debated in the National Assembly and
its committees, the programme will offer viewers a moderated ‘Discussion Panel’ comprised of invited MPs from all major political parties represented in the Assembly. The panel will review legislation before Parliament and share their parties’ positions on key bills and broader issues facing the country. Each week, viewers will be invited to submit questions to the panel relating to the selected topics of debate. The U.S. Embassy said each programme will also highlight a youth organisation operating in Guyana and offer a ‘vox populi’ segment where the members of the public will be able to express their views on issues that matter to them and which they would like the National Assembly to address. The programme is produced by the International Republican Institute (IRI).
vate medical complex in St. Clair, Port-of-Spain, late last month to Havana where arrangements had been completed by the Cuban Government for intensive medical attention. Girvan’s body is expected to be cremated in Cuba and the ashes taken to his native Jamaica and all campus territories of the UWI. A variety of programmes are being considered to facilitate paying of tributes to the life and work of the
renowned scholar whose name is indelibly linked with efforts at promoting and sustaining regional economic integration and functional cooperation. CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, noted in his message of “deep sadness” that Girvan’s “life’s work was underlined by unremitting dedication to a vision of an integrated Caribbean…His ideas and ideals placed him in the upper echelons of Caribbean
intellectuals…” While actively involved in his academic commitments and cooperating with CARICOM on specific projects, Girvan was also serving as the Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on the ongoing quest for peaceful resolution to the age-old boundary dispute pertaining to Venezuela’s claim to some two thirds of Guyana’s demarcated 83,000 square miles of territory.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Dr. Shahabuddeen’s One dead, another hospitalised after books gift to UG lauded Berbice accident - he donated some 430 books worth in excess of $2M By Telesha Ramnarine FORMER Attorney General and Vice-President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen has donated some 430 books, worth in excess of $2M, to the University of Guyana (UG). The presentation was made, on his behalf, by his son Mr. Sieyf Shahabuddeen in the foyer of UG’s Library, at the Turkeyen
Campus, East Coast Demerara. Accepting the collection for UG was Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Phillip Da Silva. Dr. Shahabuddeen was also previously a judge of the International Criminal Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for then Yugoslavia. The donation covers all areas, mainly law, from West Indian Reports, Laws
of Guyana, Criminal Law, etc., and the literature also contains some of Dr. Shahabuddeen’s personal works that he authored and published. His son remarked that, for an avid book lover, it can be hard to part with your collection, but this is, nevertheless, being done because of wanting to share with the younger generation. He also observed that
The mangled car which Ambekar was driving when he met his death By Asif Hakim ONE man was killed and another had to be hospitalised after a fatal accident that occurred about 21:10hrs on Wednesday at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice. Dead is 30-year-old Donald Ambekar, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. Police investigations are continuing but it is reported that Ambekar was driving motor vehicle PRR 6417, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when he lost control and it collided with a lorry, resulting in his death and injuries to the other occupant. Ambekar was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice and the injured man, identified as Sookdeo Sahadeo, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Mr. Sieyf Shahabuddeen (at centre) making the presentation to UG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Phillip Da Silva, in the presence of Librarian Gwyneth George. UG was the brainchild of late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan and pointed to how many people have derived benefit from the tertiary institution and have gone on to be very successful in life. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor agreed it is a good thing that the younger minds will be able to enjoy the collection. UG Librarian, Ms. Gwyneth George told the Guyana Chronicle that the contribution is invaluable because some of Dr Shahabuddeen’s work is now out of print. OPPORTUNE TIME “UG is always building on its collection, especially works on the CaribSee page 13
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
PNCR extends sincere condolences on passing of ANR Robinson
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has joined the rest of the region in mourning the passing of former President of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson, SC, OCC, TC, also known as A.N.R. Robinson. Mr. Robinson died on Wednesday April 9, 2014 at the St. Clair Medical Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old. The PNCR said it has followed with close interest the outstanding career of Mr. A.N.R. Robinson. Educated as a lawyer and lettered in economics, he became a member of the Federal Parliament in 1958. Later, he was Minister of Finance and then Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Eric Williams Administration in 1961. As political changes took hold in Trinidad, A.N.R. Robinson first formed his own political organisation, the Action Committee of Democratic Citizens (ACDC) and
Dr. Shahauddeen’s books gift ... From page 12 bean and Guyana area. It comes at an opportune time when the idea of a law school is in the air, again, because we would need to augment the collection in that area and build on it if we are ever thinking of a law school. “We also have to think of a law library and a solid law collection for our students,” she said. George acknowledged that the collection is very valuable and will add to the research and the literature in not only the legal but in every field being taught in Guyana. “In this period, when there are not so many nice things being said about the university so often, it is really touching to know that someone will donate such a valuable collection. This collection is valuable because it comes from a distinguished son of Guyana and it has extremely valuable information about our constitution, our law, our history, just about everything,” she admitted.
then combined subsequently with other Opposition forces and formed the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) and triumphed at the elections in 1986. The PNCR recalled that, as Prime Minister, A.N.R. Robinson was a constant advocate for Caribbean unity and development. Indeed, it was the paper he presented to the Heads of Government Conference at Grand Anse, Grenada in 1989 entitled, ‘The West Indies Beyond 1992’, which would form the basis for the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians and the Caribbean Economic Conference. He also advocated the establishment of a West Indian Commission, which was set and chaired by Sir Shridath Ramphal.
And in the tradition of outstanding West Indian thinkers who have contributed to the establishment of global institutions, A.N.R. Robinson played a role in the International Criminal Court. His political skill and his knowledge of local and regional politics ensured that he held three of the highest offices in Trinidad and Tobago: Chairman of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), from 1981-1986; Prime Minister from 1986-1991; and President from 1997-2003. He was the recipient of a number of international and regional awards including Caricom’s highest award, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) and Tobago’s highest award, the Tobago Medal of Honour. The PNCR tenders its sincere condolences to his immediate family, his extended family, friends, relatives and all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
‘Hope Canal’ to be commissioned in June By Clifford Stanley
THE Northern Relief Channel (NRC) of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) at Hope/ Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, is to be commissioned in June. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who made the disclosure in the National Assembly Wednesday night, said no further delays in the commissioning are expected. Responding to questioning by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Joseph Harmon, the minister maintained that the project will be completed within the budgetary allocations of $3.6B. The EDWC/NRC is anticipated to be the answer to the flooding experienced
in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary areas during rainy periods and has four components. Those are: * the over 10-kilometres channel from the EDWC; * a bridge across the public road; * a conservancy head regulator with three gates, and * a sluice at the canal’s Atlantic end with eight gates. Minister Ramsammy had said, in January, that the channel, which will be the last aspect to be completed, is 95 percent done and cannot be fully realised
until the project is ready to be operational.
FULLY UTILISED In his update on Wednesday, he pointed out that the bridge across the public road had already been built and was being fully utilised. He reported, too, that the conservancy’s head regulator is 95 percent complete with 100 percent completion awaiting a part which would make it ready to operate. According to him, “Work on the outer sluice at the Atlantic end is about 75 percent complete right now.” He assured that the Min-
istry of Agriculture is working with the contractor on a system which sees the work divided into tranches with specific deadlines. The EDWC Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour is being built with Government of Guyana resources, an entirely local workforce of Guyanese contractors, engineers and workers. The undertaking began in 2011 with an estimated 18 months completion schedule but has been dogged, mainly, by technical difficulties encountered during the construction of the eight gate sluice at the canal’s Atlantic end.
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Salvaging operations underway for truck that fell into Essequibo River THE Transport and Harbours Department, yesterday, indicated that efforts are underway to salvage the truck that fell off M.V. Kanawan on April 9 onto the Essequibo river bed. However, it said salvaging operations are being hampered by unfavourable tidal conditions, but operators are tackling this problem. The truck, GKK 9195, was at the time transporting 12 tonnes of cargo when it unfortunately slipped into the Essequibo River between the ferry and the floating ramp while disembarking at the stern draw door of M.V. Kanawan at Supenaam Stelling ‘roll on, roll off’ facility. A total of nine small vehicles, three canter trucks and nine small wheel-base trucks and seven full size trucks were being transported from Parika to Supenaam. According to the T&HD, it is apt to note that there was no damage to the Supenaam facility and it is in operational order. The T&HD and MARAD are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. The T&HD noted that during the incident, passengers were able to disembark the vessel approximately one (1) hour after the incident through the starboard (right) side of the vessel. The other vehicles were able to disembark the vessel at 20:45hrs on April 9, 2014 after the door was raised from the water. The T&HD was also able to maintain its schedule from Parika at 12:00hrs (12.00 pm) with the use of the M.V. Makouria. However, the Department was unable to provide the 12:00hrs (pm) schedule from Supenaam due to the two Chinese vessels being out of operation as a result of the incident. It should be noted, however, that the M.V. Malali had made an unscheduled trip to Supenaam which departed at 10:00hrs from Supenaam, therefore, the inability of the Department to provide the 12:00 hrs service should not have caused much inconvenience especially for vehicular traffic. It was also noted that the two roll-on roll-off ferries were able to restart normal operation for the 01:00hrs schedule yesterday (April 10th, 2014).
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
PUC resumes hearing on Craig complaint against Digicel
By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC) resumed hearing, on April 9, about a complaint by Mr. Leonard Craig against U-Mobile (Cellular) Inc. trading as Digicel. The company is a mobile provider and the issue is with respect to the provision of a prompt, prior to a voice mail service, for which charges were levied on customers. The resumed session was, again, held in the Woodbine Room of Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown. At the continuation, Craig reiterated that he has exhausted all his options for a direct resolution of the matter and is now seeking intervention of the PUC. Craig is complaining that, whenever he makes calls to another Digicel number, if the called party does not answer - is already on the phone or for any other reason does not take the call, he is routed to a voice prompt for which he is charged G$1.20 or more on every occasion. “This voice prompt is merely a notice that the called party is not available or that my call is about to be transferred to a voice
mail (VM) service,” he said. DELIBERATELY UNFAIR Craig described the practice by the cellular service provider as deliberately unfair and deceptive and calculated to earn it profit by cheating customers. He continued to give his background information and concluded: “I am arguing that Digicel has drawn unsuspecting customers deliberately into a paying relationship that the customer has no desire to pay for and, if you tally the quantum of calls terminated to voice
mail because of only the four rings, then Digicel is literally relieving thousands of customers their hard earned cash that they have no desire of surrendering.” Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Stephen Fraser, for Digicel, submitted that it adopted a standard voice mail protocol like networks worldwide and “after circa twenty seconds of an unanswered call, this is about four rings, it defaults to the voice mail system if the called party has one set up.” The lawyer argued that the charges imposed on a voice call is different and does not encompass voice
mail service, which is separate and customers of Digicel have a choice whether they wish it or not. “Digicel has chosen not to have a voice prompt,” he said. G u y a n a Te l e p h o n e and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. R.K. Sharma and Mr. Jean Evlyn, together, presented their views on the complaint . NO BILLING They, collectively, related that during the prompt, no billing takes place until See page 15
The PUC Commission, officials from GT&T and Digicel and Mr. Leonard Craig at the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Georgetown school becomes first accredited by U.S. ‘AdvancED’
By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally GEORGETOWN International Academy (GIA) continues to be the first school in Guyana to be accredited by AdvancED, a highly recognised umbrella accreditation body dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide and which is based in the United States. The accreditation status was officially extended on April 9, after a committee of AdvancED scholars completed an in-depth on-site review of the institution and the announcement was made at a press conference held in its Prashad Nagar auditorium within the city. Director of GIA, Dr. Kelly Mekdeci announced, delightfully, that: “Our accreditation has been renewed and we have obtained a very high score from AdvancED. “We are, presently, the only school in Guyana that is accredited in the United States (U.S.) by AdvancEd which is the largest accrediting body.” She said, further, that contrary to what the general public might think, GIA has almost 50 percent Guyanese attendance. Head of the AdvancEd review team, Dr. Darell Barringer stated: “The school has created an environment conducive to learning and does a tremendous job in preparing students for the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century.” He congratulated Dr. Mekdeci and the GIA community for its growth, both in terms of facilities and
intellectually. DIRECT STANDARDS Barringer also explained that there are five direct standards to which the school had to apply itself and was graded on those, resulting in it scoring within the top 20 percent of the accredited schools worldwide. He also indicated that AdvancEd has accredited schools in 72 countries and those would carry a seal that is recognised worldwide. This makes it quite simple for students who would wish to further their studies in a different country, Barringer stated. In 1998, GIA became the first in Guyana to be accredited by AdvancEd accreditation agency in the U.S. and it continues to be Guyana’s only such. That signifies a high level of achievement and adherence to educational standards consistent with schools in the U.S. and other parts of the world, Barringer assured. After an exhaustive nine months internal review of benchmarks, by AdvancED’s education team, relating to leadership, governance, curriculum and teaching methods, as well as an external analysis of the school, reviewers have certified that GIA exceeds standards set by the U.S. accrediting body. The GIA strives to be a 21st Century learning community for global citizenship, committed to world class excellence and empowering well rounded individuals educated for success
PUC resumes hearing ... From page 14
the customer’s private message or the beep to leave a message. Their recommendation is “that we try to harmonise our approach to voice messages and customers are using both services and bound to be confused afterwards.” This was complemented by the Digicel representatives as “workable” and they applauded the recommendation. The previous hearing was held on February 20, 2014, also in the Woodbine Room of Cara Lodge. Craig is seeking compensation in excess of $60,000 for thousands of calls he claims were unfairly terminated via voice prompt notices; cost for time and effort invested and expenses incurred in making this challenge, as well as legal or other costs that may be associated with appearing before the Commission to present his case
in life. Its mission is to provide opportunities and challenges for each student to succeed as a lifelong learner and responsible citizen in a changing world.
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From left, ‘AdvancED Accreditation Team’: From left, Dr. Kem Hussein, Mr. Joe Atherton, Dr Kelly Mekdeci, Dr Darell Barringer and Ms Jacqueline Urresta.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Post-mortem Businessman robbed of $10M while about to make bank deposit at Rose Hall confirms - getaway motorbike recovered in backlands By Jeune Bailey Vankeric A CORENTYNE businessman was robbed of two deposit bags containing $10M on Wednesday morning, as he was about to exit his minivan in the vicinity of Republic Bank in Rose Hall Town, Berbice. Ramlingum Mangalee, 43, of Lot B30, Albion Front, left his home shortly after 07:00hrs to make his regular deposit at the bank, about two miles away. On his arrival there, he parked the vehicle on the southern shoulder of the road and was about to exit the vehicle when a pillion rider on a motorcycle, that had no licence plates, whipped out a handgun and fired a shot before snatching a bag containing $3M. Another bag containing an additional $7M, belonging to the businessman’s younger brother, Subrannie, was on the rear seat of the vehicle and that too
was grabbed by the bandit who was whisked away on the waiting motorcycle. However, Mangalee chased after the bandits undaunted by the gunshots they fired in his direction. The three-mile chase took him into Chandisingh Street, then west into Cemetery Road and into the Police Outpost Dam before heading into the backlands, where the men abandoned the motorcycle. Mangalee was unable to pursue the men in his motor car, PPP 1632, as the road there was impassible. He then drove to the Rose Hall Police Outpost, where he made a report, and ranks returned with him to the backlands, where the motorbike, minus registration number plates and lights, was recovered and taken into custody. The unmasked bandits were not located up to press time, but police are continuing their investigations.
youth picnicking at Blue Lake in Linden died by drowning By Asif Hakim JEMEL Thompson, 22, who met his demise while picnicking with Qualfon employees at the Blue Lake Creek in Linden on Sunday, April 6, died from drowning, according to the post-mortem performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was reported that the group of some 45 persons had gone on a picnic at the lake and were having an enjoyable time, but later a young man who was said to be under the influence of alcohol was not in sight and it was surmised that he may
Jemel Thompson who plunged to his death while reportedly trying to save another man
have fallen into the creek which was below a hill. Responding promptly to the apparent emergency, Thompson and another friend who were considered good swimmers plunged into the creek, but after swimming half way the friend turned back after he sensed some danger. Another friend Tisheree Hopkinson who was at the creek told this publication that she saw when Thompson’s body began sinking. She immediately alerted the other friend who was in the water about the incident and he turned back, swimming with a passion to try saving Thompson, but his body had already disappeared. About one hour after he disappeared, Thompson’s body was found and he had no signs of a heartbeat or pulse. In the meantime, the young man who had a fall was found alive with minor injuries.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
New Non-Resident High Commissioner from Barbados accredited - vows closer political, economic and social ties
NEWLY-APPOINTED Non-Resident High Commissioner of Barbados Mr Robert Morris, on Wednesday, presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar and vowed to fulfil commitments made by his Government to enhance cooperation in several areas. Receiving the High Commissioner’s letters, President Ramotar said that his accreditation is a testament to the strong bonds of friendship between the sister CARICOM states since the establishment of formal relations on June 5, 1969. “Our countries shared valuable contacts and exchanges long before that. While together we form part of the family of the Caribbean Community, and are therefore jointly committed to the ideals of the regional integration movement, I am formally of the view that growth and development, and indeed integration itself, can be buttressed by efforts aimed at greater integration and collaboration at the bilateral level”. The president said that he was pleased at the renewed
President Donald Ramotar greeting non-resident High Commissioner of Barbados Robert Morris efforts being made following the 2013 Guyana Barbados Joint Commission meeting. He added that the challenge is to endeavour to cement benefits for our peoples and the Region. He noted that the opportunities available for collaboration between the two countries’ private sectors are vast, “once we are willing to be bold in our undertaking”. High Commissioner Morris said that the two countries have a long standing relationship, “characterised by shared history, family ties, common desires and a determination to nurture Caribbean unity”. He noted that it was on the basis of bettering regional integration that an agreement was signed between Guyana and Barbados in 2002, to deepen bi-lateral cooperation, That agreement aims, among other things, to strengthen traditional ties of friendship and association. It also expands the common determination to deepen the relationship between the two countries in the areas of trade investments, marine affairs, tourism, air services, education, agriculture sports and youth affairs”. He said that he is currently meeting with stakeholders, with a view to fulfilling commitments made by his government to deepen and strengthen the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries. The High Commissioner’s appointment comes after last year’s visit by Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator, Maxine McLean, who was an official guest at the 2013 Guy-Expo and also co-chaired the second session of the Guyana/Barbados Joint Commission, which engaged the Private Sector Association of Guyana, and toured the Santa Fe based Simpson Agriculture Project, an investment made possible by the Jagdeo Initiative.(GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Special Envoy for UN Affairs pays courte
- as milestone year in CARICOM/Japanese relat
President Donald Ramotar with Japanese Ambassador Ken Shimanouchi
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar received a courtesy call Wednesday from Special Envoy for UN Affairs, Ambassador Ken Shimanouchi, at the Presidential Complex. The visit was to apprise the President of activities scheduled for, what has been designated Japan/CARICOM Friendship Year, according to the ambassador. He said that issues of
bilateral affairs were discussed, along with areas of cooperation between Japan and CARICOM as a group, and multilateral issues. “We have designated 2014 Japan/ CARICOM Friendship Year, and we are holding very important events between Japan and Caricom”, he said. As part of activities, a Foreign Ministers’ meeting will take place, in Tokyo, later this year, according to
Ambassador Shimanouchi. “We launched the year in February two months ago in Tokyo with the presence of 14 young diplomats from the CARICOM Secretariat and CARICOM member countries, at the invitation of the Japanese government”. There will be cultural events hosted by the Japanese in various CARICOM territories, he added. This year marks the 20th
anniversary of bilateral consultations between Japan and the regional grouping, which are held annually. These consultations have been of great importance to both sides, the ambassador said, “and we would like to further upgrade this relationship”. The CARICOM-Japan Public-Private Joint Economic Mission was a forum in which CARICOM promoted investment opportunities to Japan in areas such as energy, and Information and
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
esy call on President
tions is celebrated Communication Technology (ICT). Guyana’s efforts at adaptation and mitigation in the fight against climate change have also been augmented with the Japanese government playing a supporting role in the fortification of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). The support of the Japanese is based on a US$6.7M Joint Declaration on Enhanced Co-operation in Environment and Climate Change issues that
were made between the two countries, after former President Bharrat Jagdeo and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in 2007. The accord has led to several visits by Japanese engineering experts who have assessed and proposed the application of technological innovation to the effort of strengthening the EDWC. The commissioning of a $1.6B Water Treatment Plant
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PI into murder of female taxi driver set for May 27 By Geeta Rampersaud
at Queenstown, Corriverton, Berbice, Region 6, two years ago, is also an outcome of the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Co-operation in Environment and Climate Change issues. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is one of the key organisations through which the cooperation programmes are being realised.(GINA)
THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the February murder of a female taxi driver off the Soesdyke-Linden highway, allegedly committed by a labourer of Yarrowkabra was set for commencement on May 27. The accused Sylvester ‘Rambo’ Bristol made another court appearance yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The PI date was set after Police Corporal Bharat Mangru informed the court that all investigations regarding the matter are completed. Bristol who appeared in court on February 18 last was not required to plead to the charge, particulars of which said that between February 15 and 16 at Soedyke, East Bank of Demerara, he murdered thirty-one-year-old Savitri Palmer. The accused is not represented at present by an attorney-at-law. Palmer’s body was discovered in a clump of bushes two miles from where her vehicle had been found at the back of a resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The woman reportedly left her Soesdyke home at about 20:30 hrs on Saturday night with the intention of dropping two persons at a loam pit in Timehri, and had taken along her son for the ride.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Are you here for the first time? If so, its a shame.... Because you would have been missing out on the royalties and spices of an extremely riveting entertainment supplement. Nevertheless, its better to be late than never... So sit back, relax and enjoy an exciting fusion of variety, fun and ultra excitement as you familirise yourself with the likes of the Entertinment Bombshell. If you are a regular reader, then do enjoy and note that we thank you for your support and patronage. Have a hyped weekend, folks...
Telephone Contact: 227 5216 or 616 0301
Tickets available for HJTV/Mc Neal Enterprises ‘Easter Fiesta’
WITH ALL the buzz that has been generated around the coming of the HJTV/Mc Neal Enterprises ‘Easter Fiesta’, fans can now rest assured that tickets for the event are available and selling like ‘hot cakes. Speaking to promoters yesterday, Bombshell received word that tickets are available at a series of locations, laced with spicy arrangements to satisfy the party whims and fantasies of patrons. General Admission Early Bird tickets will be sold at $2500 from April 09 to April 14, 2014. However folks, if you don’t cash in on this deal, you will then have to purchase the same ticket for $3000 from April 15 to April 18, 2014. Don’t sit around and waste time, because the very tickets will be hiked to $4000 apiece by April 19 and 20, 2014. Presently, Early Bird VIP tickets are being sold for $15,000 from April 09 to April 18, 2014, but will soar to $20,000 if you choose to make your purchases after these two dates. Thinking of your comfort, and having your welfare at heart, promoters have ensured that ticket locations were given the ‘spread out arrangement’ to ensure maximum customer access. This event is set for April 20 (Easter Sunday) at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara. TICKET LOCATIONS Fans can pick up their tickets at Dave’s Sports Bar (East
Bank Demerara), Electronic City Outlet, King’s Jewellery World, Kay Kay Gas Station in Mahaica, Gizmos and Gadgets, Andrew Supermarket, and the Digicel Cell Smart location in Linden. Other ticket locations include Asmin’s (Georgetown), Nigel’s Supermarket, August Beverage, the White Castle Fish Shop, Giftland Officemax, Matts Record Bar, and the Digicel Outlet at Regent and Light streets, Georgetown. Folks, I sincerely hope that by now you dons and divas have sorted out your best outfits, or have already cashed in on the provocative Easter pieces I am seeing around town. You certainly don’t want to look shabby while your ‘fashion rivals’ are donning the ‘hottest of the hottest’ in designer brands. Carded to perform are dancehall icon ‘Sean Paul’, reggae
KI
superstar ‘Jah Cure’ and the 2014 International Chutney Monarch, KI. To add more heat to the already broiling volcano will be the JMC 3 Veni Band out of Trinidad. Come on folks, this is the best entertainment fusion ever!!! So hurry down to the various ticket locations and cash in on these smashing ‘early bird deals’. You sure don’t want to incur extra expenses by waiting to purchase tickets at the last moment.
Manu Birthnite Bash slated for National Park -brand new ICT Toyota car up for grabs
THE National Park is rapidly becoming the location for various party concepts and live shows, and on Easter Saturday, April 19, 2014, the venue will be transformed to a ‘dancehall fiesta’ as Good Vibes Entertainment brings to the forefront the much-anticipated ‘Manu Birthnite Bash’. The hype of this event is centred on dazzling performances by international artiste ‘Busy Signal’. A local platter has also been prepared with ‘entertainment hotties’ like reigning Carib Soca Monarch Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson, dancehall sensation ‘Hector Jory, Fojo, Soca Queen Shelly G and the popular Super Ray One Man Band. How more lucky can fans of ‘Manu’ get? Folks, promoters are putting up for grabs a brand new ICT Toyota car as a gate prize for a certainly lucky patron. Added to that, fans can win other consolation prizes, which come as part of the ‘birthnite surprises’. Early bird tickets are being sold for an amazing price of $1000., and the event is powered by Mackeson, HJTV, Star Party Rental, Marcus Trading, HGP TV, M. Lewis Gold and Diamond Investment, and August Beverage. Early Bird tickets will go on sale from today and tomorrow at an amazing price of $1000 at Giftland Officemax, Central Point Mackeson Bar (Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara), Harry’s Stall (Vendor’s Arcade), Plaisance Linetop Bar, and M. Lewis Gold Investment (Duncan Street, Georgetown)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
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The ladies soliciting corner…
Bombshell’s Hottest Dudes
Compton Babb is a lady’s heartthrob
YES, GIRLS, he is hot, he’s cute, he’s enticing, and he is certainly everything the modern day girl would dream of. Well, dream on girls, because our hunk this week is the dashing and quite attractive Compton Babb, a very popular figure in the world of charity and entertainment. This dude works out daily to maintain his superb, sculptured body, and he believes in ensuring he looks good every time. He enjoys football, athletics, reading, and interacting with interesting and creative individuals. While his motto is to “Always live life to the fullest” he is doing so in the company of his wife and family. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaaa! Yes, you grovelling females, Your luck and chances just went blank, and this cupcake is not here to engage in your maddened gnashing of teeth and digging out of eye balls to see who will be the first conquest. I can almost see you turn blue with disappointment. Too bad, girls. “He done get a wifey ahready”. So the only heartthrob he will be is that of his beautiful wife. Try again, girls… Better luck next time!
This dude is certainly career-minded.
The little Atomic bomb from the countryside
My, my, my…. What an intoxicating morsel
Bombshell’s Hottest Babes…
Shellon Fraser is a little Atomic bomb from the countryside PETITE but provocative; almost tiny but tantalizing; somewhat secluded but still suave, she is definitely ‘pretty and priceless’, as she best describes herself. Who could have ever imagined that this peppy little damsel from Central Mahaicony would have emerged from the lush, green pastures of the countryside to become one of the hottest divas in the world of Guyana’s runway fashion? From becoming a finalist in the popular Guyana Model Search Competition to blazing a trail in last year’s Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant, this hottie ignites fires the moment she comes under the lights of the cameras and the loud cheers of her many admirers. Shellon Fraser enjoys singing, modeling and travelling, and is indeed a versatile dancer with surprising electric moves for a woman of her structure. While she is presently a receptionist at the Princess International Hotel, Shellon has her sights on rocking the international runways in Paris and the world beyond. Now, come on guys, stop pestering me… You need to understand that not every woman featured in this column is looking for a man. Why can’t you men just admire and move on? Why does it always have to be about soliciting, when more than half of you have your wives at home? But you never know when luck can strike for you. So try again next week… I am not too sure, but I think that girl would be looking for Mr. Right. And you heard what I said men? Mr. Right…. Not Mr. Sleep Around. Bye……
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Bombshell’s Profile Personality
‘Lucky B’ coming into his dynamic own in international fashion designing MANY would remember Carlos ‘Lucky B’ Williams as that somewhat disturbed kid who was desperately trying his hand at music in Guyana. And let’s be honest here, he failed miserably at that as well. But that must not have been his calling, as we all sometimes miss our intended paths or get lost in a tangled maze in trying to find our ‘true calling’. Guyana’s Carlos ‘Lucky B’ Williams, like so many others, made a few blunders until he landed the jackpot. I guess he never even dreamed he possessed a dazzling designing talent, and when he did, he was brutalized by the hateful claws of many established designers, who just would not move over and give ‘fresh faces’ a chance to shine. But ‘Lucky B’, as he is more popularly known, persevered despite the hateful critics, and is quite a force to be reckoned with on the fashion front in the United States of America and in several Caribbean
Guyana’s Carlos ‘Lucky B’ Williams poses with models displaying his excellent designs
locations, where his talents were acknowledged and allowed to shine. It’s a pity his star could not shine locally, because of harsh criticism from others, who, when you come to think of it, really could not better this lad at designing, or even singing, which he was not good at. Today he has nursed the wounds inflicted on
Robbie on the next cover of GEM Magazine PULSE Entertainment’s CEO, Robbie Singh, along with his newborn son Aryan, will grace the cover of the next edition of GEM. In an exclusive Q&A and pictures seen only in GEM, Singh, who is celebrating fatherhood for the first time, discussed his experiences so far, and some of the plans he has for his many business ventures. Singh heads one of the most popular entertainment/ promotion companies in Guyana. His company is responsible for bringing international artistes the likes of Machel Mantano, Peter Ram, Patrice Roberts, and for staging signature events Cooler Fete, Construction Party, Summer Fete, and numerous other concept parties. Singh also manages the Image Marketing, Millennium Reality, Movietown DVD Club and Arcadia, a video games store. The April/May issue of the GEM magazine will also reveal the ten finalists in the magazine’s 10-year anniversary Cutest Baby Contest for newborn to 18-month old babies. The contest was a collaborative effort between GEM, Ansa McAl Limited, Geddes Grant and Distribution Services Limited under their pampers’ brands -- Huggies and Johnson Baby respectively. Issue 62 of GEM, with other exciting features and pictures, will hit the newsstands by the middle of this month.
his persona on these local shores, and has persevered to become one of the more creative and stylish male designers to have evolved from the tropics. Let’s go back a little… If we can step back a little, we would remember him launching the ‘She Stush’ fashion line in December 2008, which was actually his
fifth collection since being encouraged by veteran designer Sonia Noel to showcase his talents at the Guyana Fashion Weekend event. He previously had actually started playing around with a few designing ideas in his small stall inside the Bourda Mall, and the results were astounding. Quite soon, many were flocking his stall to access the new fashion
craze, and quite soon the ‘Stush Fashions’ became the ‘in thing’, especially amongst the males far and wide. In 2008 he added model scouting to his resume, and organized a supermodel face-off competition at the Aracari Resort, which generated much buzz, and young women desirous of being the next big thing in local modelling circles began lining up. According to Lucky B, there were indeed plans to take the show on the air, but
all did not go as planned. Not long after, he retired from the music industry to focus on his designing. And that was indeed a good thing, because today he is creating shockwaves with his catchy and colourful pieces. Here are photos to showcase his excellent work in the field of designing. Bombshell applauds this talented lad, and wishes him success in all his endeavours.
Better Hope Overseas Family Reunion set to sizzle
THE ‘Easter Fever’ has gripped Guyana in its frenzy, and the village of Better Hope (East Coast Demerara) will be in the thick of the festivities, as folks there prepare for the much-anticipated ‘Better Hope Overseas Family Reunion’. Bombshell was informed that the event is slated for Saturday, April 19, at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground, and the action, beginning at 12:00 hrs, will eventually explode in a blinding kaleidoscope of festivity that comes to an abrupt halt at midnight. Highlights of the event are spectacular performances by guest artiste and Karaoke King, Anand Persaud, while chutney queen, Shanti Singh, will set the
place on fire. There will also be a floodlight cricket competition and domino contests. Food and drinks will flow in abundance.
Mind you folks, the food and drinks are for sale, so be sure to walk with enough money in order to effectively support a very
worthy cause. Music will be supplied by the Super Terry One Man Band out of New York, and by Revolution Sounds.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
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Bullettin!!! Bullettin!!! Bullettin!!!
‘Dancing Enchanters’ set for Monument Gardens
You Shouldn’t Do That!!!
WELL, FOLKS, I know you are planning your weekend entertainment; but as you do so, please remember that the jackpot event of the weekend is dubbed ‘Dancing Enchanters’ and it’s produced by the talented folks at Nachgana Academy of Dance.
These “drummers” torment the lives of persons using the pavement on Regent Street, especially by the East Coast Bus Park.
Hooligans are creating a menace under the guise of culture
EVEN as many agencies and organisations are desperately trying to sustain and enhance our rich Guyanese culture, there are some individuals who are definitely bent on destroying its significance. And amongst those culprits are the untidy and smelly youths who are now plaguing our streets with the African drums, pretending to be supplying traditional music when they are instead more interested in soliciting ‘fast money’ from passersby. I don’t care who takes personal offence with what I have to say, because this situation is getting from bad to worse. It turns my inside out with grief when I am in the city and see these young men playing their half-hearted, senseless music on sometimes two small drums, which their money boxes far exceed in stature and prominence. And as if to rub salt in the proverbial wound, those who operate at the corner of Regent and Camp streets are almost demanding that citizens put money in their boxes. The ones outside of the Kwality Outlet on the East Coast Bus Park are the worst of the lot. While three play drums, the group has now employed two others who block the passage of citizens using that area, and would not move unless monies are thrown into their boxes. They sometimes pull and tug at individuals, making bigger nuisances of themselves and likely driving fear in the minds of citizens who are going about their lawful business; and it’s quite apparent that such actions anger those persons. If that is the way they want to promote our culture, may the police investigate this unwelcome development before some mischief befalls some hapless tourist, much to the collective embarrassment of the Guyanese citizenry. I can only imagine the police taking swift and condign action to stop this thing before it’s too late, and the ‘stinkers’, who are rapidly becoming a menace in the streets, become emboldened to take things to the next level.
This exciting event is billed for the Monument Gardens (Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown) on Saturday, April 12, 2014. What are you waiting folks? Get out those designer outfits and get ready to enjoy an evening of elegance as you are enticed by the Nachgana Academy Dancers. Now, don’t get lazy on me. This is indeed the calendar event of the year, and you sure don’t want to miss it.
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Below rates for April 10, 2014
Currency
Buying
Selling
G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$
205.48500 344.90657 188.79321 284.90495 101.86969 75.45903 31.63753
207.93125 349.22053 190.97056 288.50461 102.89094 76.21551 31.95470
For Friday April 11, 2014 -14:30hrs For Saturday April 12, 2014 -14:30hrs
Schools close for three weeks
- from today THE Ministry of Education wishes to advise the public that all public schools will be closing on Friday, April 11, 2014 (today) for the commencement of the Easter break. This break will last for three weeks. School doors will reopen on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. “We would like to take this opportunity to wish the students preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment on April 16 and 17, 2014 the best of luck. And, an enjoyable Easter to all,” the Education Ministry said in a statement.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday April 11, 2014
Aries March 21 - April 19
You will start to see real positive change in a troubled relationship today -- and it might be in a direction you weren’t expecting. Expect to have many more discussions about your future together, because things are no longer what you thought they were going to be. The two of you need to come up with a roadmap of where you are going to go together -- and more importantly, where you are not going to go. Get ready to enjoy a healthier, much more balanced period.
Taurus April 20 - May 20
If you have been struggling with planning an event or party, it’s time to cut yourself some slack. Get a team of your favourite people together to help you out and things will start to feel fun again! Other people have great ideas and a great attitude about what’s on tap, and their positive vibes will help you see this endeavour in a brand new light. If you put yourself in charge of everything, you’ll never have enough time to enjoy the festivities as they happen.
Gemini May 21 - June 21
You may be feeling extra sensitive to criticism right now, so if you need a place to feel safe and completely accepted for who you are, turn to your family for the comfort you need. And if you can’t physically be in the same room with them, just make a short phone call to see how they are doing. They are always ready to tell you what you need to hear in times like these, and can help you see the positive value in any negative words you have been hearing.
Cancer June 22 - July 22
You’ve got a lot of things going on, but today is the perfect day to clean up all the tasks on your list! First, you have got to delegate as much as you can to family members, coworkers or friends -- it’s not cheating, it’s smart management. Then, call in some favours and see who can help you out at the last minute. Remind them that they owe you in the charming and disarming way that only you can. What’s left to do after that will take you less than half the day.
Leo July 23 - August 22
Isn’t it romantic? Well, it definitely could be -- you have the stars on your side and in your eyes. Set your sights on a cutie you feel a definite connection with, and just start talking. Remember to breathe and be yourself, and you just might feel that connection turn into a spark. If you’re attached, it’s a great time to rediscover what exactly it was that drew you two together in the first place. Take a trip down memory lane
Virgo August 23 - September 22
Cloudy days are going to be far behind you for a while -- today things are crystal-clear and easy to navigate! You will have all the time you need to organise your plans and get back in touch with someone you’ve been playing phone tag with for far too long. Call them up and spend as much time as it takes to get caught up. Use this slower day to start prioritising the tasks that are coming down the pipe -- you’ll be able to get a great head start and keep the good times going even longer.
Libra September 23 - October 22
If you need to deliver some negative news to someone today, take them out to lunch or dinner to discuss things. Not only will the comforting food make them much more receptive to what you have to say, but being in a structured situation will encourage more discussion -- no one’s going to stomp away when they haven’t finished their dessert. You two need to talk this thing out, and figure out how things should move forward. Oh, and you should pick up the tab!
Scorpio October 23 - November 21
A tough challenge lies ahead of you today, but everything will be fine if you just take your time with things. Don’t think of all the many different details at once -- you will only get overwhelmed! And whatever you do, don’t make any specific promises. The last thing you need are unnecessary deadlines hanging over your head. Show the people involved that they can trust you to get the job done. How? By being calm and confident -- even if you don’t feel that way.
Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
Being cheerful is always nice, but today someone else’s optimism is going to bug you for some reason. Maybe you’re just so set on being grumpy that you don’t want to talk out of it. Or maybe this Cheerful Charlie (or Charlene) just rubs you the wrong way in general. Either way, you need to steer clear of them and their sunshiny mood. You are not capable of being swayed, but they don’t know that -- and they are not going to stop trying. So get away from them. Feel what you want to feel.
Capricorn December 22 - January 19
It’s a wise idea to team up today -- whatever you want to do will be more enjoyable and more rewarding if you do it with someone else. Combining forces is always a good way to get further faster -- and have loads of fun while you’re at it. You have been going it alone for some time and doing a heck of a great job with it, but now it’s time to mix it up and explore other ways of doing things. You need someone else’s perspective to inform your actions.
Aquarius January 20 - February 18
Today, when you find yourself in situations that usually make you nervous, take a moment to gather your thoughts. Try to stay loose and you’ll feel more grounded -you’ll be able to see that you have no reason to feel intimidated or uncomfortable. First impressions are always important, but today that’s even more so. And if you can stay cool and calm, you’re sure to make people notice you in a whole new way. And you’ll be perfectly poised to take advantage of a gigantic opportunity.
Pisces February 19 - March 20
It might not sound logical, but the more you keep your distance from one of your troubled friends, the healthier your relationship with them will be. They are going through some dramas that you should not become a part of. It would be good for both of you to get some distance from each other so that each of you can feel free to do whatever you need to do. Even if you’re getting along like a house on fire, it’s time to give them some space and let them deal with their issues on their own.
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Prosecutor tells Pistorius: Defending ‘Your version is a lie’ champions shock... By Ed Cropley PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - A South African prosecutor accused Oscar Pistorius yesterday of lying and altering his story when the Olympic and Paralympic athlete described the night he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year. The double amputee sprinter, once revered across the world for his triumph over physical adversity, faces life in prison if convicted in the Pretoria High Court of the murder of Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law graduate and model. Pistorius, known as ‘Blade Runner’ due to the prosthetics he wears on the track, says he shot Steenkamp in a tragic accident, firing at what he thought was an intruder hiding behind a toilet door in his luxury Pretoria home on
February 14 last year. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, whose reputation as one of South Africa’s toughest attorneys has earned him the nickname ‘The Pitbull’, cross-examined Pistorius while looking through photographs of the couple’s bedroom taken after the shooting. In a period of fierce questioning, Nel pointed out a series of objects in one picture which ran counter to Pistorius’ account of events. In response, the sprinter accused the police of tampering with the scene but Nel ridiculed this suggestion. “Let’s sum up: A policeman moved the two fans, put the duvet on the floor, opened the curtains wider than they should be before the photographs were taken,” Nel said. “Your version is so improbable that nobody would ever think it’s reasonably possibly true ... Your version is a lie.”
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel gestures as he crossexamines South African Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius during his ongoing murder trial in Pretoria, yesterday (Credit: Reuters/ Marco Longari/Pool) Pistorius says after he shot Steenkamp, he ran out onto the balcony and screamed for help. However, in a picture shown to the court, a duvet and a large stand-up electrical fan clearly block his route to the balcony door.
With no direct witnesses, Nel’s main task is to pick holes in Pistorius’ testimony and cast doubt on his assertion he believed a burglar was in his house, a common fear in crime-obsessed South Africa. Witnesses in nearby buildings have testified to hearing a woman’s scream before the sound of shots, which the prosecution hopes will help prove that the couple had a heated argument before Pistorius intentionally killed Steenkamp. “ANYBODYBUT YOURSELF” During much of the 19day trial, Nel has sought to portray Pistorius as an arrogant hot-head who is reckless with firearms and refuses to take responsibility for his actions. “You will blame anybody but yourself,” Nel said to the 27-year-old track star, cross-examining him about a separate incident in which Pistorius is accused of firing a pistol in a packed restaurant. Pistorius said the gun was given to him by a friend under the restaurant table and went off by itself. Police Captain Christian Mangena gave evidence earlier in the trial, saying the weapon could only fire if the trigger was pulled. The athlete said he could not explain how the gun went off and questioned his own defence advocate Barry Roux’s decision not to cross-examine Mangena on his evidence. “Now you blame counsel Mr Roux,” Nel said, prompting Roux to shake his head at a colleague. “You are lying,” Nel said, holding Pistorius in a stare. “You just refuse to take responsibility for anything.” In a dramatic opening to his cross-examination on Wednesday, Nel shocked the Pretoria court when he confronted Pistorius with a graphic photograph of the dead Steenkamp showing the side and back of her skull, her hair matted with blood and brain tissue. Pistorius broke down and sobbed as Nel pushed him repeatedly to take responsibility for killing Steenkamp.
From back Page and Hubbard to add 41 for the third wicket, before Renee, who struck seven fours in his 47, top-edged a pull off Rajendra Dhanraj, for which Kemol Savory took the offer running around to square leg. When Avinash Dhaniram was caught at long off by Jacques off Tariq Dharamlall for 5 at 108 for 5 in the 29th over, Georgetown probably felt they could destroy the home team’s batting for less than 200, but Hubbard and Daniel Basdeo had other ideas. The pair posted 92 for the sixth wicket, with Basdeo
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contributing 44 scored off 50 deliveries with three fours and two sixes before he was caught by substitute Clitus Johnson at short third man off Tevin Imloch in the 45th over at 200 for 6. Despite the fall of wickets, Hubbard raised his half-century from 92 balls with three fours at 205 for 6 in the following over, even as he proceeded to add 31 valuable runs with Paul, who struck two sixes and one four in his 11 balls unbeaten 23. L i k e We st De m e r a r a , Georgetown lost a wicket in the first over, that of Sunil Singh who had his leg stump knocked back by Paul, but Rutherford displayed a no-nonsense mood by hitting Basdeo for 4, 6, 4 in the second over, followed by another six in the fourth over of Georgetown’s innings. Paul was also struck for two fours by Rutherford, who along with Imloch posted Georgetown’s 50 from 5.2 overs, before a good catch by Richie Looknauth at midwicket, who was earlier struck for 4, 6, 4 by Rutherford, sent back the Demerara Cricket Club left-hander at 63 for 2, with his contribution being a 23-ball 44, decorated with four fours and three sixes. Imloch followed next, caught by Nicoloi Reddy at extra cover off Paul for 14, while Georgetown slipped further into disarray at 68 for 5, having lost the wickets of Dhanraj (03) and Cleon McEwan who was run-out for 2. Dharmlall 23 (69 balls, 2x4) and Savory 27 (68 balls, 2x4) tried to repair the damage with their 54-run sixth-wicket partnership, but when the former was lbw to Reddy at 122 for 6 and the latter went two runs later, Georgetown were definitely staring at defeat. Despite an unbeaten 25 scored off 27 balls with three fours from Jacques, the lower order found it difficult to handle the spin of Hubbard, coupled with the fielding display of the home team, and surrendered off the first ball of the 43rd over when Shalim was caught by Ewart Stewart off Persaud for 11. At Enmore, the overs were reduced to 41 overs per side due to seepage from early morning rains. East Bank took first strike and managed 156 for 9 of their allotted overs, with Ryan Shun and Deonarine Seegobin being the significant scorers with 36 and 37 respectively. Albert, who was later declared the man-of-the-match did the damage capturing 5 for 34 off his nine overs, before East Coast reached their target of 157 in 35.5 overs, losing seven wickets in the process, with Brian Sattaur leading the way with 61 (7x4, 2x6) while Vishwanauth Ramlakhan made 52, even as Eshan Alli took 4 for 37.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY April 11, 2014
Associates to get a shot at Test cricket ASSOCIATE teams will have the opportunity to play Test cricket, with the ICC Board approving an ICC Test Challenge, which will take place every four years between the lowestranked Test team and the winner of the ICC Intercontinental Cup. The inaugural Test Challenge will take place in 2018, with the intention of giving a context to the Intercontinental Cup. The Intercontinental Cup, spread out over two years, is a first-class tournament played among the Associate teams. According to the new proposal, the side ranked 10th in the ICC Test rankings on December 31, 2017, or at the conclusion of any series in progress at that time, will play two fiveday Tests at home and two five-day Tests away against the winner of the upcoming Intercontinental Cup.
The next Intercontinental Cup will run from 2015 to 2017, and the next edition from 2019 to 2021. The second ICC Test Challenge is scheduled for 2022. Since the Intercontinental Cup’s inception in 2004, Ireland have won it four times, with Afghanistan and Scotland winning one each. The new proposal will give promising teams like Ireland a chance to take their international cricket to the next level. “The ICC Test Challenge now opens the door for Associate Members to play Test cricket and in doing so gives even greater context to the ICC Intercontinental Cup which will now be a pathway to Test cricket,” ICC chief executive David Richardson, said at the end of the two-day board meeting in Dubai. The Test challenge is not,
ICC chief executive David Richardson however, intended to be a relegation process for any Full Member who may be defeated in the contest. Full Member nations will not, it is understood, lose their status and voting rights and their FTP arrangements are also expected to be completed. The Board has agreed to set in place the Test
Brazil will stage best World Cup, Blatter tells Rousseff SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) THREE stadiums and several airports are not ready, and other promised infrastructure shelved, but the 2014 World Cup will “be the most successful of all-time”, the head of FIFA told Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff yesterday. Rousseff said she spoke with Sepp Blatter on the phone for 10 minutes and accepted his invitation to attend FIFA’s 64th Congress in Sao Paulo on June 10, two days before the World Cup kicks off in the city. “Blatter told the president he is ‘certain that the World Cup will be the most successful of all-time’,” Rousseff’s office wrote in a blog post. Blatter told Rousseff that with just 63 days until the tournament kicks off, 2.5
Flashback: Brazil President Dilma Rousseff (L) poses with FIFA president Sepp Blatter after delivering a statement at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, January 23, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Thomas Hodel) million tickets have been sold, or almost 75 per cent of the total available. Three months ago, Blatter told a Swiss newspaper no country had ever been so behind schedule in organising
a World Cup in all the years he had been at FIFA. In December Blatter appealed to “God, Allah, whoever” to help ensure all 12 stadiums would be finished on time.
challenge and its structure, format and principles will be passed through following at the ICC’s annual conference. During the previous ICC Board meeting on February 8, the Board had gained the necessary votes to approve a large number of sweeping changes relating to the governance, financing and structure of international cricket. One of the cornerstones of the new financial model is an extended Future Tours Programme (FTP) which will now run until 2023, and while it may still be monitored by the ICC, it is expected to comprise bilateral memorandum of understandings that are binding. “The FTP is a very
important piece of work as it gives Members longterm certainty in relation to both their playing schedule and financial planning,” Richardson said. “Significant progress has been made but there is still work to be done to develop a balanced calendar of tours and finalise these agreements.” The ICC Board also authorised the drawing up of the necessary constitutional amendments which will be placed before the Full Council at the ICC Annual Conference to be held in Melbourne at the end of June. These amendments refer to the creation of a new commercial arm of the ICC as well as the changes in the administrative structures, pertaining to
the chairmanship and the creation of a new allpowerful panel called the Executive Committee. In other developments, the ICC has agreed to retain the format of the World T20 for the next edition, to be held in India in 2016. For the next tournament, the top eight Full Members on the ICC T20I rankings, as on April 30 2014, will automatically qualify for the second round, while the ninth and 10th ranked Full Members will get automatic places in the first (qualifying) round. Six qualifiers will progress from the 14-team ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2015, which will be staged in Ireland and Scotland from July 9 to August 2 2015. (ESPN Cricinfo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY April 11, 2014
Interest remains as final round of Regional 4-Day matches begin today ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Interest will remain high in the Regional 4-Day Tournament, when the final round of matches open today. Fans will be keen to follow the battle for final place in the semi-finals and the destination of the WICB President’s Trophy. The top three teams entering the final round of matches – Trinidad & Tobago, Windward Islands and Barbados – have all secured a place in the last four – but the last slot in the semi-finals has come down to a straight shoot-out, when Combined Campuses & Colleges host Jamaica at the Three Ws Oval on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Two points separate the two sides, but they will each enter the contest in different frames of mind, as CCC gained a timely boost of confidence with their victory over Windwards, while the Jamaicans slumped to a heavy defeat against T&T in the previous round of matches. CCC should temper their enthusiasm however, and Jamaica should not hold their heads too low when the two teams consider their history in this tournament. The Jamaicans remain the only regional side that the CCC have never beaten in the Regional 4-Day Tournament and they have never even conceded a first-innings lead in any of the eight matches that they have played previously. The visitors have also won every time they have played at the Three Ws Oval. To show that they mean business, Jamaica have drafted the West Indies pair of batting stylist Marlon Samuels and leftarm fast bowler Sheldon Cotterell into their squad, following their exploits at the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament that ended last Sunday in Bangladesh. In the other two matches: The spotlight will fall on T&T and Barbados – two of the three teams that have already qualified for the semi-finals – as the Windwards are idle this week. T&T will be eyeing as many points as possible to secure their first Regional 4-Day title in seven years, when they face
with their victory over the Guyanese in the previous round. Barbados have won each of their previous three matches against Leewards in the R4D – notably, a sequence that started with a six-wicket win three years ago at the VRCG.
Marlon Samuels
Guyana on foreign soil at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The Red Force, who are a shoo-in to host one of the semifinals, have got the better of the Guyanese in eight of their last nine R4D matches, including three wins. They have boosted their chances with returning West Indies World T20 batsman Lendl Simmons, while the Guyanese have been shaken with illness or injury, sidelining key spinner Veerasammy Permaul and experienced batsman Assad Fudadin. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and allrounder Christopher Barnwell will replace them. Similarly, Barbados will be looking to collect as many points as they can when they play Leeward Islands on the road at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (VRCG) in North Sound, Antigua, to see if they can pip their long-standing regional sports rivals for the WICB President’s Trophy. They, however, need to secure one point to formalise their right to host the other semi-final and must be wary of their opponents, whose confidence received a shot-in-the-arm
Squads GUYANA (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Shimron Hetmyer, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph, Amir Khan, Zaheer Mohamed, Vishal Singh TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (from): Rayad Emrit (captain), Jonathan Augustus, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Amit Jaggernauth, Ricky Jaipaul, Stephen Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Marlon Richards, Lendl Simmons LEEWARD ISLANDS (from): Kieran Powell (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Jahmar Hamilton, Yannick Leonard, Javier Liburd, Anthony Martin, Jaison Peters, Orlando Peters, Akeem Saunders, Jacques Taylor, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge, Kelbert Walters BARBADOS (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute COMBINED CAMPUSES & COLLEGES (from): Steven Jacobs (captain), Ryan Austin, Kyle Corbin, Akeem Dewar, Kavem Hodge, Jermaine Levy, Kevin McClean, Paul Palmer, Floyd Reifer, Raymon Reifer, Shacaya Thomas, Chadwick Walton, Jomel Warrican JAMAICA (from): Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Brian Buchanan, John Campbell, Jon-Ross Campbell, Sheldon Cotterell, Damion Jacobs, Andre McCarthy, Nikita Miller, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor.
50-member squad in training for GCA competitions NACRA men’s rugby championships continue this weekend THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has selected a 50-member squad to start preparations for the upcoming North America and Caribbean Men’s 15s Rugby Championships 2014. According to GRFU vicepresident Robin Roberts, The 50-member squad started their preparation last Tuesday at the National Park under the guidance of head coach Laurie Adonis who will be assisted by Hutton Ogle and Alfred Granger. Training sessions will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 16:00hrs and on Saturdays the 50-member squad will play games among themselves. Guyana are down to face
Head Coach Laurie Adonis Barbados in that Island on May 17 and then Trinidad and Tobago here in Guyana on June 7. These games will determine the team from the South
Caribbean to play against the North Caribbean winners in the final of the NACRA championships. The players called up by the GRFU are: J. Rahaman, C. Butts, R. McArthur, R. Gonsalves, A. Corbin, W. George, R. Dey, E. Chase, D. Schroeder, A. Fraser, G. Broomes, R. Cummings, C. Powell, A. Jarvis, L. Adonis, L. Greaves, C. Kitt, C. Lewis, J. Archibald, B. Bailey, T. Daniels, A. Crawford, F. Joseph, T. Bascomb, R. Hutson, K. David, D. Fordyce, J. Tyrell, P. King, G. Williams, T. McAlmont, J. Felicien, K. Jordan, K. Lopes, F. Thompson, L. Craig, O. Charles, D. Anderson, R. Cole, L. Crozier, M. Sobers, D. Gordon, T. Henry, M. Friendz and M. Bollers.
THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has announced fixtures for their HADI’s World Incorporated first division (two-day) and Noble House Seafood second division (two-day) Competitions to be played this weekend at the various venues.. In the HADI’S World matches scheduled for Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Police Sports Club will take on DCC at the Eve Leary ground while GNIC will clash with GYO at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground. Starting time for these matches is 09:30hrs. In the Noble House Seafoods second division matches also on Saturday and Sunday in Zone A: MYO will challenge Everest at MYO ground while Transport Sports Club will come up against St Stanislaus College at the GYO ground. Zone B matches GDF will oppose GCC at Camp Ayanganna ground and Malteenoes Sports Club will clash with Third Class at the Turkeyen ground. All matches start at 11:00hrs Meanwhile, the points for Carib Beer T20 (first division) and Noble House Seafoods (second division have been released.
CARIB BEER T20 Zone A – GCC 69 pts – Police SC 38 pts – GYO 44 pts – Transport SC 19 pts – GDF 12 pts Zone B – DCC 62 pts – GNIC 21 pts Malteenoes SC – 15 pts Everest C.C 6 pts – NOBLE HOUSE SEAFOODS Zone A UG 85 pts – – Transport SC 51 pts – MYO 40 pts – Everest CC 33 pts – Police S.C 16 pts St Stanislaus College – 7 pts Zone B – GYO 66 pts – Sophia CC 19 pts Third Class CC – 40 pts – DCC 54 pts – GCC 42 pts Malteenoes S.C – 4 pts GDF – 0 point
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY April 11, 2014
New approach paying dividends, says skipper Sammy
Toronto fans still hopeful for opening Limacol CPL m atches By Frederick Halley
Darren Sammy CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy says his blistering batting performances in the recently concluded World Twenty20 in Bangladesh have stemmed from a new clarity in thinking. Speaking to CMC Sports in his first interview since returning from Bangladesh with the West Indies team, Sammy said that he had taken a new approach to his batting in T20s. “Right now, when I go to the wicket I have a clear idea of how I want to play,” said the Windies skipper, while witnessing the final of the Secondary Schools Under-19 competition at the Gros-Islet Playing Field. “It’s something I have developed. In the absence of Kieron Pollard and these guys, my role is to finish the innings whether we are batting first or chasing runs.” Sammy played two scintillating innings as he helped West Indies advance to the semi-finals of the tournament. He smashed an unbeaten 34 from 13 balls against Australia to get the Caribbean side home with two balls to spare and
returned against Pakistan to belt a career-best 42 not out off 20 balls, to lay the groundwork for the Windies’ 84 run triumph. They lost to eventual champions Sri Lanka by 27 runs on the Duckworth/ Lewis method in the first semi-final, after rain and hailstorm ended play prematurely with West Indies 80 for four off 13.5 overs, chasing a target of 161. “I am very proud of the team. We went to Bangladesh with one mission to retain the title and although the weather played a part which we had no control over, yet we lost by 27 runs and had 27 dot balls,” he pointed out. “I still believe we would have gotten home. That’s the kind of self-belief we had in the dressing room at this present moment. I am very proud to see how we went about playing in this tournament. “But it is not only the cricket but the team spirit. The unity was very evident out there on the cricket field.” Sammy finished the tournament with a strike rate of 224.44 and was included in the ICC World Team-of-the-Tournament.
TORONTO, Canada Cricket Canada’s chances of hosting the opening ceremony and early matches in the second edition of the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were still hanging in the balance as of yesterday. One thing is however certain; should the organisers and Cricket Canada finalise an agreement, there will be no matches at the picturesque Toronto Cricket Club ground. According to an article in this week’s Share newspaper here, the club has rejected an offer to host the first round contests. The report pointed out that the club was approached but its vice-chairman of cricket, Howard Petrook, pointed out that ”it takes about six to eight months to get city permits and other contracts approved to host a tournament of this magnitude.” A check with an official of Cricket Canada confirmed that negotiations are still ongoing between the CPL and his entity but these are at a standstill at the moment since new executives were
installed only last week.. And while outgoing president Ravin Moorthy has acknowledged that he is in possession of an unsigned contract, new president Vimal Hardat said he had not seen it. Hardat told Share “I honestly don’t know anything about it, I have absolutely zero knowledge.” Should the two sides come to a mutual agreement, the first round matches will be staged at the Maple Leaf Ground in King City but it is unsure whether the opening ceremony will also take place there since this venue is approximately 40 km north of Toronto. Moorthy had earlier disclosed that Cricket Canada had been working with the CPL over the last six months to bring the tournament to Canada and discussions had been progressing satisfactorily. It was also revealed that organisers from the Limacol CPL were in Toronto earlier this year forming part of a negotiating team, working out the feasibility of hosting matches and staging the opening ceremony.
Cricket Canada new president Vimal Hardat The CPL website is still to disclose any information on the 2014 fixtures and any updates on the opening ceremony. This year’s draft was completed on April 3 in Jamaica while the tournament gets under way on July 10.The semifinals and final are set for the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in St Lucia. In the meantime, and with Summer fast approaching, fans here are still optimistic that the two sides will reach an amicable agreement. The inaugural tournament, which was staged exclusively
in the Caribbean and Guyana, saw the Jamaica Tallawahs emerging victorious in the final against Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. The other participating teams are Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Antigua and Barbuda Hawksbills and St Lucia Zouks. Among the big-name international stars drafted this season are England’s discard Kevin Pieterson (St Lucia Zouks), New Zealand’s Corey Anderson and Martin Guptil and Pakistan’s Mohamed Hafeez (Guyana Amazon Warriors), world record-holder Sri Lankan Mutthai Muralitharan and Pakistani Ahmed Shehzad (Jamaica Tallawahs) and New Zealander Ross Taylor to the T&T Red Steel.. Well-known commentator Jamaican Simon Crosskill described the tournament as the “biggest party in sport” during the CPL Player Draft event, pointing out that fans can now look forward to all the drama, action and entertainment in July and August when it returns.
Perreira reminisces on his career as a cricket commentator JOSEPH `Reds’ Perreira on Wednesday evening reminisced on his career as a cricket commentator at a forum held at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion. Addressing a handful of persons, Perreira informed that he came to Georgetown from the Pomeroon in 1945 and lived at Russell and Howes Streets, Charlestown (Shell Yard). He said leading up to the 1950s his career in radio commentary started and George DePeana was one of the athletes (track) who really caused him to go into radio commentary. `Reds’ as he is familiarly
known, reminisced on the century Peter Bailey made at the world-famous GCC ground. He also reminisced on the roles that Clyde Walcott, Everton Weeks and Frank Worrell played in lifting the standard of cricket in the Caribbean and the many runs they made against visiting teams while thrilling the large crowds at the different venues. He said the trio along with Jeffrey Stollmeyer energised his interest in the game of cricket. He remembered that at 11 years old his father had a radio which he passionately listened to cricket commentary but his real
Joseph `Reds’ Perreira. at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion Wednesday night
upbringing came from Case Cup, Wight Cup and Rajah Cup matches. “I used to borrow my sister’s bicycle and attend those matches on weekends” Perreira said and recalled that every weekend there used to be cricket matches being played at all the grounds in Georgetown. He said by age 49 he was studying to enhance himself and then came the tour of India to the Caribbean where he was given the opportunity of a lifetime and he grasped it with both hands and never looked back.
Sport CHRONICLE
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Toronto fans still hopeful for opening Limacol CPL matches Page 35
CB/DFGI Inter-association U-19
Defending champions shock Georgetown By Calvin Roberts INDEBTED to a solid all-round performance from Malcolm Hubbard, backed by a disciplined fielding display, defending champions West Demerara inflicted a shocking 60-run defeat on Georgetown in their second round Demerara Cricket Board/Diamond Fire and General Insurance Company-sponsored Under-19 Inter-Association encounter at the Wales Community Centre ground yesterday. Asked to bat first in the contest which was reduced to 48 overs aside due to a delayed start, following seepage on the pitch, West Demerara who lost their first round game to East Coast last Tuesday, scored 231 for 6, with Hubbard leading the way with an unbeaten 56. In reply, Georgetown were bowled out for 171 off 42.1 overs, despite a pugnacious 44 from Sherfane Rutherford, as Hubbard returned with the ball to claim 4 for 26 while Travis Persaud (2 for 10) and Kevin Paul (2 for 44) offered support. At the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast made it two out of two, following their three-wicket win over East Bank, thanks to a pugnacious half-century from national Under-19 opener Brian Sattaur and controlled bowling from Vivian Albert who claimed five scalps. At Wales, the game got under way one hour late and West Demerara were left in a state of shock when it did, after seeing the demise of Kelvin Shewpersaud who was run-out off the first legal delivery of the match, when he attempted to steal a single to point. Renaldo Renee and Persaud repaired the damage by adding 58 for the second wicket, before Persaud, who was given a life by Tevin Imloch off the final delivery of the first over from Carlton Jacques, was bowled by Steven Sankar’s first delivery of the 13th over, contributing 18 with three sweetly timed fours. Chetnarine Pooran (1) was next to go, bowled by Michael Shalim one run after Persaud was dismissed, enabling Renee
(PLEASE SEE PAGE 32)
East Coast get past East Bank
West Demerara man-of-the-match Malcolm Hubbard sends down one of his deliveries in the latter stages of Georgetown’s innings. The non-striker is Georgetown skipper Michael Shalim.
JADCO ruling ‘patently unjust’, says Powell
mission yesterday, and says he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Following the judgement by the three-member disciKINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaican Asafa Powell has described as “unfair and patently unjust” an 18-month plinary panel, the sprint star took to the popular online social drugs ban handed him by the Jamaican Anti-Doping Com- network Twitter to thank his fans for their support but to also object to the suspension. “This ruling is not only unfair, it is patently unjust. Panels such as these, I understood, were assembled to allow athletes, who consciously or unconsciously come into conflict with the rules of sport, a chance at equitable redemption. Unfortunately, this was not the case,” Powell said in a statement. “This is the first time in nearly 12 years of being in the ASAFA POWELL sport and over 150 tests, that I have had an adverse finding … it is for a stimulant … a stimulant that is only banned during competition and experts have declared has no performance-enhancing effects. “Sanctions for a stimulant and this kind of infraction usually range from public warnings to a ban of three months, six months in the most extreme cases; I was and am still more than prepared to accept a sanction that is in line with the offence. Instead; 9 months later; what has been handed down is
… to appeal 18-month drugs ban
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clearly not based on the offence or the facts surrounding it.” Powell, who had tested positive last June at the National Championships, reiterated his argument that he took a legal supplement – Epiphany D1 – which contained the stimulant oxilofrine, though this was not listed among the ingredients. He had also claimed during hearings in January that Canadian physical trainer Chris Xureb provided him with the supplements that contained the stimulant. The JADCO panel said yesterday that the sprinter had been “negligent” and “at fault”. Powell said he was hoping his appeal before the CAS would provide him with a reprieve. “I want to reiterate that I have never knowingly taken any banned substances, I did all the necessary checks before taking Epiphany D1 and it is my hope that The CAS will prove to be a more open and fair avenue for the review of all the facts in my case; facts and truth that were not taken into consideration at my initial hearing,” he said. In February, Jamaican elite sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown was cleared by the CAS, after she was suspended following a positive test for a banned diuretic. FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014