Guyana chronicle 14 02 14

GUYANA No. 103739

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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

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Guyana’s fate rests on FATF’s decision

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- Opposition’s positions perplexing, inconsistent, says Teixeira

His Excellency President Donald Ramotar yesterday met with key stakeholders from the Private Sector and the Christian religious community, in separate meetings at Office of the President and later at State House, to update them on Guyana’s situation in relation to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill.

(Sandra Prince photos)

Hope Page 16 Canal Bridge opens to traffic from tomorrow

Four in custody over killing of murder Page 3 witness

Hughes’ credibility takes another 3 beating Page

India’s parliament erupts in chaos as Lawmaker uses pepper spray Page 7

NIGEL HUGHES

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Guyana’s fate rests on FATF’s decision - Opposition’s positions perplexing, inconsistent, says Teixeira THE Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was expected to announce its decision on Guyana at the end of its plenary and working group meetings in Paris, France (late last night/early today Guyana time).

This is according to Presidential Advisor on Governance, Ms Gail Teixeira who was at the time standing in for Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Office of the President.

As it stands, Guyana ranks number one on the list of delinquent countries that are under review by the international watchdog body. On February 5, the only other delinquent country in the region, Belize, which was also blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) at the same time Guyana was placed in that category, passed seven pieces of legislation in its bid to comply with the necessary requirements.

Teixeira said that in the case of Belize, the Opposition rarely supports the Government on any issue; however, given the importance of complying with recommendations of CFATF and by extension FATF, and because of the dire consequences that non-compliance can lead to, both Parties were able to find common ground in the national interest.

FATF has the authority to make a decision on any country that is not compliant. It does not have to await the assessment and or the views of regional bodies; in Guyana’s case, the CFATF. She said that should FATF

grant Guyana an extension, it will because it recognises the unique position that the country is in where the Government is prepared to pass an amendment Bill, but is being delayed simply because the Opposition wants to adjust the Principal Act. This unique situation is further compounded by the fact that the first Bill was defeated in November last year. However, given the fact that Guyana has missed consecutive deadlines, and that the Parliament has been

MS GAIL TEIXEIRA toying with this matter for over a year, FATF can decide that it’s high time to review the country.

“Whichever decision is taken we are not out of hot water…we are already listed as a country that is not in compliance and advisories have been sent out by both CFATF and FATF…we will continue to be in a situation where the arrangement with foreign transactions are positioned in the global context of financial and banking and insurance systems…and Guyana will be put under additional precautionary measures,” she said.

Teixeira, who is also the chairperson of the select committee to which the amendment Bill has been referred, said that if Guyana is granted more time, it is also because of efforts of very key international leaders who have come out and made public statements urging the political Parties to pass the Bill.

Among these leaders are Secretary General of the Organisation of American States

(OAS) José Miguel Insulza and CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRoque.

Teixeira said that Insulza does not normally do this with non-compliant countries and that this is a rare move by the OAS to encourage the Parties involved, and even agreed to assist the country to come into compliance as soon as possible.

BILATERAL COMMITTEE The Presidential Advisor said that the Government is perplexed by the positions taken by the Opposition. On February 8, the APNU made a proposal to establish a bilateral committee to examine the Bills that were not assented to by the President, and then they will allow the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill to go forward.

The Government responded that if they are willing to support the Bill and ensure its passage on February 10 when the House met, then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is the Leader of the House will announce the establishment of the said bilateral committee on that same day. Teixeira informed that this communication involved the highest persons on both sides.

On February 9, a letter was received by the President from Opposition Leader David Granger calling for both sides to work to reach a mutually accepted conclusion on this matter. Later on that same day when the committee met, the Bill was approved by both sides.

AMENDMENTS The Opposition had also proposed amendments to be made to the Principal AML/ CFT Act and the Government requested for these amendments to be put into writing in the interest of time.

Section 37 of the Principal Act deals with the police, and customs officers controlling/intercepting the movement of currency (which includes cash, precious metal, cheques, money orders, etc) see page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Embattled AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes’ credibility takes another beating - as he clutches Harding matter in bid to extricate himself from heat, public outrage over his alleged shady business

FACED with increasing public outrage over his alleged involvement in a property scam, the embattled Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes is trying to extricate himself from the heat he is now confronted with by clutching to the Colwyn Harding matter.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a statement yesterday, said it has observed that since the public revelation of the court action brought against him by the owner of Mae’s school, Nigel Hughes has been dodging the media and avoiding public appearances until Wednesday (two days ago) when he suddenly surfaced to announce a controversial ‘finding’ in an external medical examination on Harding.

The PPP said “his ramblings on the Harding matter further brings his credibility into serious questioning; especially coming days after the Police Complaints Authority reported there was no evidence

- PPP again calls for his resignation of sodomy in the matter”.

The AFC Chairman is attempting to reinvent himself as the ‘good guy’ by clutching to this matter which has already been publicly pronounced on and is being dealt with at the level of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

“In one of the most profoundly astonishing and self-serving comments of recent, the AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan publicly down-play the plight of over 300 students whose education is at risk because of the ethical misconduct of Hughes. Ramjattan comment was interrupted to suggest his party has not considered this matter to be important much less to be considered,” the PPP stated.

“The public is aware of the numerous scandals of corruption, lack of transparency, lack of accountability, unethical conduct and other improprieties implicating the leadership

Guyana’s fate rests ... from page 2 at the borders of Guyana.

The amendment proposed

by Deputy Speaker and APNU MP, Basil Williams is that this power/authority should not only be exercised at the borders, but within the country as well.

Written amendments were also submitted by ANPU MPs Carl Greenidge and Jaipaul Sharma on February 9 to the same section of the act dealing with governance issues and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

“Two distinct amendments, different in nature by members of the Opposition…the atmosphere on Sunday was that we had this amendments in writing, we proceeded to finish the amendment Bill and there were no changes to it, the Bill was approved. We then moved to the Principal Act and it was pointed out to them that they cannot go on an excursion into the entire Principal Act,” she said.

The Opposition was also reminded that these sections of the Principal Act, which they want to amend, were never mentioned by CFATF for any changes whatsoever.

OFF THE AGENDA On February 10, the President spoke to Granger indicating that the amendments proposed by his Party should be sent to the CFATF and FATF to ascertain whether they are in compliance with set guidelines and norms.

He assured the Opposition Leader that if those amendments are in conformity with CFATF/ FATF then they will be passed

in the House, but if they are not they will be deemed null and void. However, to date, there has been no response by the Opposition Leader with regards to this matter.

The committee is set to meet again on February 19 by which time the drafting of the amendments should be completed. Teixeira said that given all the reneging that has taken place over the past few days; the proposed bilateral commission is more than likely off the agenda.

“The behaviour of the Opposition is at the least level, inconsistent and perplexing,” Teixeira declared.

NO INTEREST With regards to the AFC, its leader who sits on the committee has shown a modicum of interest thus far. He had made it clear publicly, that he has no contention with the Bill, but insists that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) be established.

This matter is currently being addressed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which has already put out advertisements soliciting nominees from various entities including political parties.

“Even if FATF says that Guyana will be given more time, we do not have infinite time to play with. They would want to see good faith efforts and some movements in the Parliament and so therefore we cannot go through this charade indefinitely,” the Presidential Advisor said. (GINA)

of that small political party,” the PPP added.

It alluded to the “ongoing mass migration of members from the AFC” which continues to negatively impact that party’s existence. The PPP noted that several of the corruption scandals levelled against the AFC leadership came from among its membership as well who observed the trend of a pervasive disregard for principles of transparency and accountability by that party leadership.

The striking irony is that while the AFC lectures Guyanese on the need for transparency and accountability as a country, its own house from deep within is infested with corruption. The PPP condemns the double-standards being exhibited by the AFC and its cronies. “The AFC is in no position to lecture any stakeholder in Guyana about rooting out corruption when it is unable to

NIGEL HUGHES do the same within its rank and file,” the party argued.

The PPP said it remains

concerned over the future of the students of Mae’s school and increasingly so as they prepare to write CSEC examinations shortly.

The PPP also alluded to the AFC continuing to do nothing about continuous reports against its Chairman’s involvement in various forms of fraudulent activities, misconduct and improprieties.

Apart from this latest allegation that he sold a property to a popular city school despite taking out a mortgage which he failed to pay, and the ongoing litigation on the matter, Hughes was involved in several other scandals. The party recall the allegations of conflict of interest when it was revealed that Hughes and his wife Cathy were in the employ of Sithe Global, the company which developed the Amaila Falls Hydro Project which the AFC rejected.

Hughes was also embroiled in another controversy surrounding his deliberate failure to disclose his relationship with the jury foreman in the Lusignan massacre trial whilst representing one of the accused.

The PPP said it is well

advised of Hughes’ links to criminal elements and the underworld. His bare faced representation of their interests in the courts when litigation is brought against them is a well-established fact. The party recalls his involvement in the removal of footage from the gas station where a citizen was gunned down at Buxton.

A g a i n t h e P P P u rg es those citizens who may have fallen prey to Hughes’ alleged racketeering acts to lodge a report with the Guyana Police Force which should investigate all allegations keenly. “Our party will never allow any politician to trample on the fundamental rights of ordinary citizens,” the PPP declared.

It said “if the AFC has a shred of decency left it must distance itself from Hughes and rebuke his actions”.

“If the Ramjattan and Nagamootoo driven alliance has any integrity remaining, it must stop dodging the issue surrounding the constant controversies involving Hughes and demand the resignation of their Chairman,” the PPP suggested.

Four in custody over killing of murder witness

By Jeune Vankerick FOUR persons are in police custody following the slaying of a murder witness at the Canefield Nursery School in East Canje on Thursday morning.

The bloodied body of Kenneth Khanai, 56, of Gangaram Village, another East Canje location, was discovered by Headmistress Deomattie Bhowandin at approximately 07:45hrs, as she entered the school building.

Prior to the discovery, the teacher on approaching the building questioned why the pupils were outside the locked building when the school should have been opened for classes.

However on opening the door, she made the startling discovery of Khanai’s lifeless body, lying on a table with a gunshot injury to his forehead and his left upper back.

Teachers and curious students along with their parents were horrified at the sight of the man who was the school’s security guard. School sessions were adjourned for the day.

Khanai had been employed

by Home Safe Security Services, which has its head office at New Market Street, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, this reporter was informed that Khanai’s Supervisor had visited the school location at 21:30hrs, at which time he reported that all was well.

…at Canefield Nursery School According to information received, Khanai had requested to be within the school building while on duty and was given a key as the learning institution was without a guard hut. Within the building an undisturbed mattress was discovered.

However, neighbours said that around 02:00hrs on Thursday morning, three gunshots were heard in the vicinity of the school, but no other sound was heard.

Rohan Khanai, brother of the deceased, who is also a security guard with the same company, reportedly said that they were specifically trained on how to respond to a call.

“My brother was called by someone he was familiar with.

He responded to the call by opening the window, from where he was shot at a close range to his forehead. He hurriedly turned to escape his assailant, when he was again shot at his upper back on his left side. My brother knew his killer,” he emphasized.

According to the surviving Kanhai, he was on his way home when he was informed about the incident.

“There was a large crowd at the school. As I entered the building I saw my brother lying

Murdered: Kenneth Khanai motionless on a school table. I entered through another door where I saw policemen. I also saw two spent shells.”

Meanwhile, Khanai, alias Puri, was charged for having an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Further he was charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder, in that he allegedly harboured and assisted Ramdhanie Persaud, called ‘Prackask’ or ‘Prack’, who allegedly murdered his reputed wife Bibi Shameena Deen on March 20, 2012 .

Prior to instituting the

charges on Khanai, police went to a farm owned by the now deceased man, at Besscut New Forest, East Canje where they found a .38 special revolver, 2316- gauge cartridges and seven live 12-gauge cartridges.

A ballistics check had revealed that the weapon was used to kill Deen, a mother of two teenage sons.

Khanai, at the time of the discovery of the weapon, had told investigators that his cousin Ramdhanie Persaud had the gun and ammunition there.

The now deceased was previously employed by the Region 6 Administration as a pump operator but following his court matters, he was thereafter employed by Home Safe Security Services.

Khanai had been married to Jagwantie Jidayal for thirty years, and their relationship produced one child who lives overseas.

Meanwhile, three men and a lone female are currently assisting police with their investigations. One of the detainees is reported to be the ‘right hand man’ of remanded prisoner Ramdhanie Persaud, called ‘Prackask’ or ‘Prack’. Investigations are continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Syria ‘failure’ looms, mediator seeks U.S., Russian help (Reuters) - WARNING that “failure” was staring him in the face, the Syria peace talks mediator said on Thursday that the United States and Russia had promised renewed support to keep their rival Syrian allies talking.

U.N. diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi met senior diplomats from Washington and Moscow in Geneva, hoping the co-sponsors of

the three-week-old negotiating process could bury their own deep differences over Syria and prevail respectively on the opposition and Syrian government to move ahead and compromise.

“They have kindly reaffirmed their support for what we are trying to do and promised that they will help both here and in their capitals and elsewhere to unblock the situation for us

Congo armed groups wielding machetes reportedly execute 70: U.N. (Reuters) - ARMED groups wielding machetes have reportedly executed 70 people in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo “to spread terror”, the U.N. peacekeeping mission said on Thursday.

The mission, MONUSCO, said it had received reports of gross human rights abuses including the reported summary killings at Nyamaboko villages I and II in Masisi territory of North Kivu province.

It did not give a time for the killings and said it was investigating.

Mission chief Martin Kobler said in a statement he had “serious concern over the allegations of the gross human rights violations deemed unacceptable. Any person involved in such acts should face justice”.

He said the crimes had been “committed mainly by armed groups to spread terror”.

Millions of people have died from violence, disease and hunger in eastern Congo since 1996 in conflict fuelled by foreign powers and a struggle for the region’s deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt and uranium.

Much of the fighting has been in North and South Kivu provinces, which border eastern neighbors including Uganda and Rwanda.

because until now we are not making much progress in this process,” Brahimi told a news conference.

Asked after his two-hour meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov whether the whole process had failed, he said: “Failure is always staring at us in the face.

“As far as the United Nations is concerned we will certainly not leave one stone unturned if there is a possibility to move forward. If there isn’t, we will say so.”

A standoff between Russia and the Western powers over U.N. resolutions on aid for Syria has done nothing to loosen the deadlock in Geneva, while continuing fighting has left tens of thousands under siege and hoping for relief from abroad.

Russia said it had presented a draft U.N. resolution on fighting “terrorism” in Syria and its own plan for improving aid access, throwing down a challenge to Western states in the Security Council which proposed another formulation that Moscow says would open the way for Western military intervention.

In Geneva, where a second round of peace talks has made little progress since Monday, Western diplomats and the Syrian opposition delegates complained that President Bashar al-Assad’s government was refusing to discuss proposals for a transition of power and hoped Russia would press it to do so.

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Homeless people bundle up at the McPherson Square Metrorail stop near the White House after the region was pounded with snow overnight around Washington, February 13, 2014. REUTERS/Larry Downing

Storms taking toll on families, schools in U.S. Northeast

(Reuters) - A WINTER storm that froze the U.S. southeast in its tracks pushed north on Thursday, with driving winds and heavy snow snarling travel and closing many schools from Washington to Connecticut, creating havoc for winter-weary parents.

Hundreds of thousands of Georgia, North and South Carolina residents hit by a heavy blast of ice a day earlier remained without power as the storm made its way up the coast, closing much of Washington and threatening to drop up to 18 inches of snow in some areas.

The repeated storms are taking a toll on schools and families, as snow-related cancellations left parents scrambling to find child-care options and administrators looking at making up lost days by extending classes into the summer.

New York City Public Schools, which have taken only one snow day this year, proved a glaring exception and remained open.

Jane Mills, who was walking with her 6-year-old granddaughter in Brooklyn, said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that public schools were open.

“It’s a danger to the students traveling in buses or cars. It’s a danger to teachers commuting,” said Mills, a former teacher from Nashville, Tennessee.

About 5,771 domestic U.S. flights were canceled and another 1,235 were delayed on Thursday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.

About 1,000 people spent the night on cots and mats at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, the airport said. Across the state in Durham, motorists stuck in traffic that resembled the gridlock mess in Atlanta two weeks ago found refuge for the night at a mall.

“This is one of the toughest storms North Carolina has seen in decades,” Governor Pat Mc-

Crory told WSOC-TV. The storm system, which has dumped heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from eastern Texas to the Carolinas since Tuesday, was blamed for at least 15 deaths in the South.

The decision to keep New York City schools open drew criticism from teachers and some parents, who said it was unwise to expect children to travel in dangerous conditions.

“Having students, parents and staff traveling in these conditions was unwarranted,” said United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew. “It was a mistake to open schools today.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended the decision, saying the city was not facing the kind of overwhelming snow that would make it impossible for kids to get to school.

“It would be very, very easy to call off school constantly,” he said. “It is our obligation to run the school system. We have a state mandate to reach a number of school days.”

Many other districts around the region kept students home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Venezuela student protest ends in deadly violence (BBC News) AT LEAST three people were shot dead as violence erupted during anti-government protests in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Wednesday.

The violence broke out after some 10,000 demonstrators had gone home following a mainly peaceful rally.

Two people died after gunmen on motorbikes opened fire on the remaining crowd. A third died in later clashes.

The march was the latest in a series of mass protests against the policies of President Nicolas Maduro.

Thousands heeded the call by student and opposition groups to protest on Wednesday

Archbishop on gay rights: Free to love like a brother

(Trinidad Express) ROMAN Catholic archbishop Fr Joseph Harris has said Dr Fr Stephen Geofroy used an “unfortunate turn of phrase” in expressing support for rights for the gay community.

He also said the Church has always “held there should be no discrimination based on sexual orientation”.

Harris was responding to Geofroy, who expressed support

on Monday for the gay community, saying their rights, including the right to love whomever they want, should be included in the Constitution. He spoke at a consultation on the draft constitution at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Sport and Physical Education Centre, St Augustine campus.

He said the matter should not be debated further and Government should be all-embrac-

3 bodies found (Newsday) THE murder count for the year reached 66 following the discoveries of a headless corpse in Valencia, a body in a drain in Belmont and a decomposing body wrapped in plastic in San Juan.

Police said that up to late Wednesday , the body of a man which was found in a drain in Belmont was unidentified. Police reported that at about 6 pm on Tuesday, residents of Maryland in Belmont heard several gunshots and notified police. A patrol unit was sent to the area but officers saw nothing out of the ordinary. They returned to the station.

Wednesday at about 9 am, residents walking along Belmont nean Cemetery Street when they saw the body of a man lying face up in a drain.

Acting Senior Superintendent Michael Roban, Inspector Lawrence and others visited the scene.

Later, in an unrelated incident, police were called out to a building along Saddle Road San Juan yesterday afternoon, after residents detected a foul stench coming from the home of 59-year- old Edward Nyack.

At about 2 pm, a party of officers from the San Juan Police Station visited the scene.

The officers, after calling out Nyack’s name and getting no answer, forced their way into the man’s house.

On entering the house, the officers found Nyack’s body wrapped in plastic from the head to his knees. Officers at the scene included Inspector Morgan, Sgt Aslim Hosein, Cpl Seecharan and WPC Cum-

mings.

Up to late Wednesday , the scene was still being processed

by Crime Scene Investigators.

While police sources said they could not say how or if taxi driver Nyack was murdered, the fact that his body was found wrapped up in plastic and his Nissan Laurel car missing, makes his death suspicious.

In the third incident, the nude, headless body of a man was found down a precipice off the Old Valencia Road near a quarry Wednesday. Up to press time, the man’s head could not be located.

Police reported that at about 3 pm, officers received a phone call from an employee at the quarry informing officers that a body was seen down a precipice.

ing towards its citizens.

In a telephone interview Wednesday , Harris said: “It is unfortunate; he used an unfortunate turn of phrase when he said people should be free to love whom they want to love. I hope, therefore, when he was speaking about people being free to love, he was talking about love in the platonic (brotherhood). Love is platonic. The Church has always said homosexual acts are not allowed. It is against the natural law. There should be no discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

Harris added: “I would hope when he said “you are free to love”, it was understood to be in the Christian way. I don’t think he was talking about sexual activity.”

But Harris was adamant the Church does not support samesex marriages.

“If you are talking about same-sex marriages. The Church has spoken about it. And it does not agree with same-sex marriages. That cannot be allowed,” said Harris.

Asked about the Church’s policy on gay priests, Harris said: “There are priests whose sexual orientation is towards their own sex. All priests are called to celibacy. But as long as a priest is not acting out his orientation, he is okay.”

CHAOTIC SCENES A crowd of demonstrators,

many of them students, marched to the federal prosecutor’s office to demand the release of 13 protesters who they say were illegally detained in previous marches.

A small group of protesters stayed behind after the end of the main march and clashed with the security forces.

It was at that time that a number of armed men on motorcycles shot at the crowd, triggering a stampede.

Anti-government protester Bassil da Costa, 24, was hit by a bullet and killed.

Also shot in the ensuing chaos was government activist Juan Montoya, who is believed to have been taking part in a

St Lucia opposition calls for hospital deaths investigation (Jamaica Gleaner) ST LUCIA’S opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has called for an investigation into recent incidents of sudden deaths at hospitals across the island.

In a statement yesterday, the UWP said Health Minister Alvina Reynolds, must account for serious gaps in the Public Health System which may be resulting in the deaths of patients.

The UWP claims there are major concerns with regards to health and safety, medical procedures and technical competence of some surgeons and other medical personnel.

President of the party’s Women’s Arm, Petra Jeffrey-Nelson said several critical pieces of equipment have malfunctioned or are not functioning, which has resulted in casualties and other major health complications at the island’s main health institutions.

Last week the St Judes Hospital confirmed that it was conducting an investigation into the death of a 41-year-old woman a few hours after giving birth to twins.

rival, pro-government rally.

It is not clear whether the two victims were hit by the men on motorcycles or by other assailants.

The president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, blamed the killing of Mr Montoya on “fascists”, without further clarifying who they might be.

A third man was shot dead during anti-government protests in the east of the capital.

‘NO COUP D’ETAT’ President Nicolas Maduro condemned the incidents, which he blamed on a “neo-fascist upsurge”.

The president called for peace, but stressed there would be no impunity for those who engaged in violence, “There will be no coup d’etat in Venezuela, you can be absolutely sure of that, let the whole world know that,” he said in a TV and radio broadcast.

Opposition politicians meanwhile called for new protests.

“Just as we condemn the violent incidents, we say to all Venezuelan families that we have to remain ready to continue fighting, calmly but with determination,” Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma said.

“You have to know, Mr Maduro, that whatever you do, what started today will not stop until change is achieved in peace and with democracy for all Venezuelans,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

GUYANA

Let Gov’t get its own overseas expert to examine Harding EDITORIAL

Granger’s recent statement an unmistakable appeal to anarchy Court cases, such as the Constitutional type are always expected to be ones facilitating passionate debate, particularly because of their peculiar nature. But, irrespective of whatever decision is handed down, their judicial decisions are always expected to be respected. If not satisfied, the losing party will be expected to appeal to a superior court for a further review.

In the meantime, though, the latter party is expected to await the outcome of such an appeal, without resorting to statements that seek to reduce the stature of the principal judge, and the judiciary as a whole.

This needs to be reminded of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger, against whom and his coalition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), the recent ruling on the legality of the Opposition cut to Budget 2012, went against.

Apart from his defiant statements of refusing to accept the Honourable Chief Justice’s ruling, he has further made the disrespectful statement “that the Chief Justice is not God”.

Such a position, definitely sarcastic, seeks to make short shrift of this very eminent Office, in addition to an attempt at denigrating the stature of the very Honourable Chief Justice.

This is unbecoming of the Leader of such a very important constitutional office, as Opposition Leader, and especially from someone who was once commander of the nation’s armed forces, and who more than anyone else, should understand the meaning of strict adherence to rules, much less respect. One must therefore enquire whether this is the same Granger who has been a perennial critic of the capabilities of law and order in Guyana. His very view, threatens the fabric of a secured and protected society that he so constantly advocates.

As a former, very senior military chieftain, he should remember what compliance with orders means, even when in disagreement. It is just another of Granger’s known contradictions, which are unbecoming of a Leader of the Opposition, but not altogether surprising given his known penchant for irrationality.

It is even surprising of such a statement, emanating from his person, given the many prominent lawyers within the general political Opposition and who are aware as to the judicial remedies for such situations, though unique. Surely, he ought to have been advised of such a recourse, but more so paying due cognisance to the judicial process and norms.

All political leaders should be reminded as to the grave undertaking that their office represents much less the serious implications of statements that are found to be distasteful and disrespectful. It denotes the quality of their leadership, which cannot serve as appropriate example to their many constituents. To the very young, it sends the incorrect perceptions of what respect for their country’s laws are all about; and, undoubtedly this is what Granger’s statement would have done.

In its entirety, such a statement by Granger is firstly, disrespectful, for which an apology ought to be made to the Honourable Chief Justice. Secondly, it is an unmistakable appeal to anarchy, and must be unreservedly condemned by all law abiding Guyanese.

THE Colwyn Harding so-called sodomy case is proceeding just the way I predicted. I clearly stated in a previous article that all the loud speakers in this matter - Nigel Hughes being the chief spokesperson - have realised that they simply do not have a case.

They do not have a case because this matter was purely based on an allegation seemingly neatly crafted by Hughes to extort money from poor taxpayers. There must be firm evidence for which this case was screaming its heart out or lack thereof.

Like I said earlier, this case is based on pure hearsay coming from a lawyer who should not be practicing in our courts because of his past involvement in illegal transactions of several kinds not least being jury and (alleged) evidence tampering. But he is persisting in trying every nefarious strategy to the very end in a case that lacks credence.

From the outset I stated that mere allegations cannot see the light of day in a court of law and that his claims would have to be substantiated by a medical report. That medical report must come from a creditable medical personnel who would have conducted a comprehensive examination of the patient. After public and private doctors failed to authenticate Hughes’ charges, having knowledge of this he shopped around for a “suitable medical personnel” to corroborate their story and has come up with an “expert”. Is this the Cuban trained “doctor” who graduated himself from paediatrician to ballistics expert to forensic specialist; is this the expert they are talking about? Then we are in for a sick joke that seems to be getting better by the day.

Or is it one of their colleagues from CARICOM, which always supported the PNC? There is no way any justice should look into those allegations for medical reports; and I urge them to treat that report with the contempt it deserves. I make this statement on the guaranteed certainty that credible Jamaican doctors would never corroborate the baton insertion claim - that soap opera report is coming from the discredited “local expert”. Even if I should remotely believe, which I do not - that the Jamaican doctors are inclined to substantiate their story then the local investigators must have a forensic look at those documents. Nigel Hughes is known to go to

any lengths to win a case, especially one in which he stands to gain big bucks and discredit the police and Government at the same time; and there is no reason why he is not doing it again. Examine that report carefully. Better yet, Government should get its own expert from a non-affiliated expert.

In any event, the Jamaican doctor in question would have to be grilled in a court of law and from what I am getting from the press, Hughes is basing his hopes on the local “practitioner”. The local practitioner is a pied piper who would make up a report at the drop of a hat. Is this the smoking gun Hughes and company is bringing to the Guyanese public? Is this all they’ve got? Then, they need to think again because we are not going to be coerced into doling out millions on a case that has no validity; we are wiser now.

Like the Linden case when independent expert testimony did not validate their story but supported the Government’s findings, yet the Government doled out millions from the public purse, and one wonders how much their lawyers received; because these incidents are quickly becoming very successful get-rich schemes at the expense of taxpayers. That money from the treasury has been sacrificed at the altar of peace. However, I strongly suggest that this is not going to happen again; we are not going to fall for this nonsense. That bogus testimony coming from a bogus doctor should not get a hearing in our courts.

This matter reminds us also of the rape allegation brought against former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, when a similar trick was played out, destroying a man’s professional reputation and his career, stressing his mother to her grave, and him into a heart attack that ultimately led to, not only his death, but the deaths of other innocent persons. Talk about blood on their hands. And if I may add, some of the same actors in the Harding case were also on stage in that case also. They did not get their fables right then as it is now.

In closing I must state that this Harding sodomy allegation must be seen in the same light and treated the same way as the lies were in the Henry Greene case.

NEIL ADAMS

On political cabals and criminals RELATIVE to the news report captioned: ‘NY Mafia bust uncovers Guyana cocaine plot,’ the U.S. ambassador must be gloating over this, patting himself on the shoulder saying PPP not only will look incompetent but corrupt too, without taking into consideration that it is the people whom he supports who are driving crime in Guyana.

Guyana will be blacklisted not for money laundering only but being a drug transshipment point also; such a shame and total disgrace to know Guyana is now on the world map for all the wrong reasons, after Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had put us on the world map for all the right reasons.

These drug cartels don’t operate on their own with their loved ones, but they need real big ones in very high offices to carry out and ply their deadly trade.

Drug barons need people with authority in high places like passport office, immigration office, customs office and airport personnel, police and army to get their goods to enter and exit this country; and everyone knows whose supporters proliferate in these places.

Blame must fully go to the ruling party PPP/C because they are the ones who are doing the hiring of these people in those places.

Innocent, hard-working educated people will not take these jobs, so the Government has no other choice but to hire Opposi-

tion supporters who know they have the backing of crooked top brass and Opposition top lawyers if caught.

Guyanese are waiting for Minister Rohee and his SWAT Team to take action now.

If the ordinary Guyanese knows who these cartels are, then it is more than likely the security services know them also.

Another issue I want to raise is Cathy Hughes, of Fip Motilall fame, saying that only three breathalyser kits are functioning. Cathy Hughes didn’t get this information out of thin air, or had a dream to ask these questions, so this clearly shows there are police feeding her these information so she can bring it to parliament to boil, then roast and toast PPP/C Minister Rohee and make the AFC look good.

On the suggested amendments to the money laundering bill these people are so transparent even the blind can see through them.

Let us say Government agrees with PNC/APNU to give Police, Customs officers and the Anti Narco Unit these powers PNC want for their people to stop, search and seize, will the Opposition agree that Government should pick the Police officers, Custom officers and the Anti Narco Unit team?

PNC over the past twenty-one years has placed themselves in a position to now govern Guyana through threats and

blackmail, holding the nation to ransom.

Police, Army and the majority of Government workers vote overwhelmingly for PNC, despite they are all well paid and well fed by this administration, when they were starving and homeless under PNC administration. They should compare the way they live now to how they starved and wore rags under PNC misrule for 28 long, hard, suffering years.

They don’t care if their people get ‘white yaaz mouths’ and ‘swell belly’ from being malnourished, or sleep in the streets; all they want is a PNC ruler.

I am no political guru but I think the Government should not attach any other bill the Opposition is asking for to the money laundering and terror bill. I am all in favour of compromise on any issue, but you cannot compromise with the PNC, and when I say PNC that includes the AFC. The PPP will be destroyed if they attach any Opposition bill to the money laundering and terror bills, and they need to ensure that Ramjattan does not get anything out of this, because he will soon go by the way side like their ruler in waiting, Nigel Hughes.

Hughes is pegged to take over from Ramjattan, because no one; and I say this with authority, no one votes for Ramjattan. The first time around,

disgruntled PNC supporters voted for former diehard PNC member Raphael Trotman. Second time around disgruntled PPP supporters voted for Nagamootoo; but he talks a good talk – latest is that he called President Ramotar’s bluff to call elections.

That is real bluff from a drowning man. Kick the bluffmaster when he is down so that the current of his wicked acts pull him deeper under the water until he drowns.

Once Ramjattan says he is calling a bluff that’s the end of him. I am a gambler and I know when a man is on the ropes, so let him choke himself slowly now on his sins against Guyana.

If the Government gives in to any of Ramjattan’s threats they will build his stature; but on his own he has no support base.

The Government does not listen to the cries of the honest citizens of Guyana. GDF ranks have been going AWOL for years, but a PPP Government has to understand that the GDF was formed, not to defend Guyana from invasion by its powerful neighbours, the UN will take care of that in the event it happens; but the GDF and other para-military organisations were formed to keep Burnham and the PNC in power in the event of an East Indian uprising, because the UK -US- Burnham (PLEASE SEE PAGE 7)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Gov’t optimistic overseas law enforcement officials will liaise with local counterparts - after drug smuggling conspiracy uncovered

THE recent reporting of a multi-national drug shipment conspiracy involving the Mafia, Columbian and Guyanese alleged drug dealers and smugglers, has resulted in President Donald Ramotar directing that Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee contact his foreign counterparts to ascertain the extent of local involvement.

Asked about responses from overseas law enforcement authorities, Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira indicated that no such response has been forthcoming thus far, as she addressed the media

at a press conference yesterday at Office of the President while standing in for Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon.

She stated that it has always been a challenge, particularly for developing countries to get certain types of information from others, in particular cases. “From my own experience, as a former Minister of Home Affairs, sometimes you have information, but the information isn’t always shared with you”.

She cited the 2009 Money Laundering Act where due to a lack of certain regulations in place, requests to trace money were denied

by overseas law enforcement officials citing privacy laws. She added that the response times are certainly not what government would like, in some cases, but she is optimistic that government would be informed with some alacrity and not be dependent on what is read or gained via the media, “so that we can examine who was involved here but unless we have that information it’s difficult”.

Dozens of persons have been arrested in the United States of America, Canada and Italy as part of an international drug fighting operation.

India’s parliament erupts in chaos as Lawmaker uses pepper spray NEW DELHI (AP) — A lawmaker sprayed pepper spray inside India’s parliament yesterday, creating chaos that left his colleagues coughing and crying as they were ushered from the hall, in a protest over a long-contentious proposal to create a new southern state.

Lawmakers had been set to vote on whether to create Telangana state from the mostly poor, inland districts of Andhra Pradesh. For months as it has been drafted, the plan has inspired passionate protests and arguments for keeping the state unified. A key point of contention has been the proposal to include wealthy tech and industrial hub Hyderabad within Telangana.

To stop the bill from coming to a vote, Congress party lawmaker L. Rajagopal from Andhra Pradesh unleashed pepper spray from the main speaking zone in the parliament.

“I have a lot of respect for Indian democracy. I want to prevent the bill. So I pulled the mike,” Rajagopal told reporters outside parliament.

Several members attempted to subdue Rajagopal, leading to a scuffle on the parliament floor before he was eventually expelled from the day’s proceedings.

One parliament member was rushed to a hospital, but no information was available about his condition by late evening.

Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the session, calling the turmoil “a blot”.

Indian policemen detain a supporter of the creation of a separate state “I am too much in pain at what has happened,” she said. of Telangana out of existing Andhra Pradesh state as he shouts slogans One top Congress party official, Digvijay Singh, called it a “sad day in the history of parliaduring a protest outside Vijay Chowk square in New Delhi, India, yesterday. ment” that had “put Indian democracy in shame”.

(AP Photo)

On political cabals ...

(FROM PAGE 6) co-conspirators and the entire world knew that Dr. Cheddi Jagan could not lose any free, fair and transparent election.

President Ramotar must be asked bluntly if the GDF can stop Brazil or Venezuela from invading and taking over Guyana, and he should tell Guyanese what purpose the high-maintenance GDF is serving.

Guyanese are constantly reminding the Government that these people are joining the police and army for their own agenda. To put it bluntly, some are joining the police force just to get power, authority, a uniform, a badge and licenced guns to commit criminal acts.

The authorities should see what traffic police are doing to innocent motorists on the streets of Guyana, especially in Georgetown and the highways.

The criminals join the GDF to get weapons training and some military planning on how to lock down a major public road, like they did twice on the East Bank public road - once for slaughtering people and once for beating, robbing, and sexually molesting citizens. Why do you think they were masked?

The President said “…those who stay away from their duty without just reasons are imperiling the future of the Army and affecting the security of the country, while at the same time shortchanging taxpayers whose money was spent to train them”. Mr. President, what about those who report for duty, only to commit criminal acts instead?

The joint Opposition has a many-pronged strategy to defeat the PPP Government, and among them is the newly-minted blackmail through the courts to get taxpayers’ money, or frighten away investors through the same methodologies; such as the case of the beauty queen former Princess Hotel employee, who is seeking large compensation from her former employer; with next on the agenda being Nigel Hughes seeking $100M through a fabricated sodomy allegation.

This thing is becoming a joke now: Big baton in a criminal’s anus and now this beauty queen is looking for her dues too; and guess who is the lawyer in all their cases? Employers got to be on full alert now in hiring PNC supporters; and the Police must videotape everything they do now when arresting PNC supporters.

Government and the security services, as well as employers must always remain one step ahead of criminal lawyers and supporters of some political parties.

TED KING

Russian Ambassador writes Guyana’s Opposition Leader on AML/CFT Bill (TAKING into consideration the ongoing debates in Guyana on the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, please see attached a copy of the letter from H.E. Nikolay Smirnov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the Leader of the Opposition Mr David Granger.

Yours faithfully, Denis V. Kopyl Press Attaché of the Russian Embassy in Guyana) ** The letter follows: Dear Mr. Granger, I am confident that the situation around the Amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act in Guyana has not only been on the front burner of the local political agenda but it has captured attention of countries around the region and the world.

Largely this is due to the fact that the issue of Anti-Money Laundering is of concern to many developed countries. The issue has been actively discussed at the G8 Summit at Lough Erne, United Kingdom in June 2013 and G20 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia in September 2013.

From July 1, 2013 the Russian Federation has been presiding at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Our country strongly upholds efforts of the organization aimed at effective implementation of FATF standards and encourages other countries to take measures to ensure they meet these standards.

I have noted concerns expressed by the Government of Guyana and various stakeholders, including Private Sector Commission and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, international experts about the lack of agreement in the Parliament on passage of the proposed amendment to the AML/CFT Act. Being a friend to the people of Guyana and not having any intention to take sides in this matter I hope that you as the Leader of the opposition will take into consideration the reasons expressed in favour of the bill.

Yours faithfully, NIKOLAY SMIRNOV

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

STANDARDS CORNER

KAYMAN SANKAR – a giant has fallen

KAYMAN SANKAR RICE magnate Kayman Sankar passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 87.

In a tribute to the prominent Essequibo rice farmer and miller, General-Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., described Mr. Sankar and his achievements, thus (excerpts): “Guyanese icon and pioneering entrepreneur...great son of the soil – in figurative and actual terms...took rice farming in Guyana into the age of mechanisation....his sole and innovative endeavours were often the catalyst for many improvements in the agronomic enterprises of this country...”.

Seeraj noted that like other pioneering giants in and out of Guyana, Kayman Sankar was so poor during childhood and formative years that he was forced to truncate his education and formulate his own opportunities for wealth-creation and advancement, never depending on others but his own efforts, strength, and self-sacrifice, even while supporting his family on subsistence wages – all achieved without any enabling factors then extant to aid him in any way.

However, perseverance,

determination to succeed (mainly to propel his loved ones out of a life of penury and provide them with better lifestyles than he ever enjoyed); frugal spending and clever management of the pittances he earned by simultaneously doing a multiplicity of jobs – no matter how menial, to acquire the wherewithal for investing in wealth-creational ventures – ultimately in rice production paid off - and a legend was born. If one can describe ‘humility’ in conjunction with ‘magnate’, then they would be describing Kayman Sankar, because, although he rose to unimaginable heights, he never lost sight or feel of his groundings and thus was

iar, the Woon-a-Tai’s; et al started from very humble beginnings.

However, these men (and women – Lyla Kissoon, for example) of vision and leaders of men were not content with their lot. They were not content to sit back and cry about their lack of opportunities, but they were determined to carve their own destinies; thus Guyana has many epic stories of real heroism: Heroes who changed socio-economic landscapes without guns, without destroying lives, livings, or anyone’s properties. They achieved all that they did through unrelenting sacrifice, back-breaking toil, thrifty lifestyles, prudent management of the pittances

national markets for local products – thus creating empowering avenues for many other micro-investors to produce and market local products, with the snowball effects of generating jobs – directly and indirectly for thousands of Guyanese, thus making provision for thousands of Guyanese families to have better lives where they can dream of rich futures for their offspring.

They also bolster the nation’s fiscal paradigm through the taxes they pay and the foreign currency they earn, and in a multiplicity of other ways.

So kudos to Guyana’s pioneering giants. You will never die, because you

Icons, role models, legends: These words can be used to describe all Guyana’s pioneering giants of industry. The iconic Sattaur Gafoor, who created an empire out of the hardware business his father Abdool Gafoor established, never wore shoes before he was eleven years and does not possess formal education; Toolsie Persaud, Glen Khan, the Mings, the Vieiras, Edward B. Beharry, the Kissoons, the Gajraj’s, John Fernandes, Peter D’Aguiar, the Woon-a-Tai’s; et al started from very humble beginnings. However, these men (and women – Lyla Kissoon, for example) of vision and leaders of men were not content with their lot. They were not content to sit back and cry about their lack of opportunities, but they were determined to carve their own destinies; thus Guyana has many epic stories of real heroism. very humane in his dealings with his fellow humans. He was a veritable giant of industry and commerce; and a great human being and role model.

Icons, role models, legends: These words can be used to describe all Guyana’s pioneering giants of industry. The iconic Sattaur Gafoor, who created an empire out of the hardware business his father Abdool Gafoor established, never wore shoes before he was eleven years and does not possess formal education; Toolsie Persaud, Glen Khan, the Mings, the Vieiras, Edward B. Beharry, the Kissoons, the Gajraj’s, John Fernandes, Peter D’Agu-

they earned, commitment to endeavour – bravely venturing into uncharted territories (literally and figuratively); but more importantly, with a vision to carve and create synergies that catapulted them and their dependents into unimaginable spheres of success – breaching frontiers and horizons to touch the skies.

These champions of commerce and industry have, in the course of their own strivings, also enhanced and uplifted the lives and lifestyles of others, through job and wealth creation; and contributed immensely to the general socio-economic development of Guyana through acquisition of inter-

will live on forever as long as society perpetuates and generations to come are nurtured from the fruits of your own endeavours and achievements.

On behalf of the Chronicle newspapers, ‘Observer’ would like to salute today a man of great stature, who reached the skies through nurturing God’s gifts of the earth; and extends condolences to Beni and the rest of the Sankar family, and to the nation at large on the passing of a legend and an icon – a man whose legacy will endure forever, a true Guyanese patriot and hero.

Integrating standardisation into the school system STANDARDS have become the most important subject among members of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), which include Standards Bodies, such as the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

Many public and private enterprises are also taking the necessary steps to implement standards to build stakeholder confidence and reap all the added benefits. However, finding employees with the requisite or even minimal knowledge in the area of standardisation continues to be a challenge. To this end, there is consensus and the belief of many that the subject of standardisation should be integrated in the National educational curricula as it is done in many developed and developing countries.

This approach aims to develop a culture of recognising the benefits of standards to different sectors of society. ISO alone has developed in excess of 19,500 standards from food to management to IT and much more. The GNBS has in its possession over 500 standards. The experts in Standardisation are of the view that if standards are taught at the university level, it will equip graduates with the tools necessary to promote the use and implementation of standards in businesses. This will enhance the competitiveness of businesses through their adoption of a quality culture which ultimately can facilitate access of goods and services to lucrative markets.

ISO is organising a series of regional events aimed at supporting developing countries in defining programmes targeting universities and at developing or strengthening courses on education about standardisation in their countries. The final outcome of this process will be an ISO publication highlighting guidelines and good practices for introducing/supporting educational programmes on standardisation in universities.

Recently, the GNBS participated in a Regional workshop under the theme ‘Enhancing collaboration between NSBs and Academia’ sponsored by ISO in Brazil which focused on the sharing of experiences as it relates to the implementation of the subject of standardisation in the educational curricula. Countries like Korea, Brazil and Argentina have successfully integrated standards in the curricula at the University level and Korea from the Nursery level.

If standards are implemented in academia, the following benefits will be realised.

1. At the nursery and primary levels: a. the child will know that standards exist for basic things they play with or use on a daily basis. For example there are standards for toys, traffic lights, television, shoes, clothes, safety signs, etc. b. the child will know what happens if there are no standards.

2. At the secondary and university levels: a. the graduate will be familiar with the management system standards applicable for managing different types of businesses b. the graduate will be familiar with the benefits of implementing standards c. The graduate will be familiar with standards available for different products.

3. The role of standards in everyday life will be better recognised facilitating better conformance to standards by businesses.

4. The functions of the National Standards Body and other sources of standards will also be known.

Integrating of standards in the educational curricula will also increase the demand for quality goods and services, compliance to regulations and reduced customer complaints.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards will participate in the University of Guyana Career Fair 2014 which would be held today (Friday, February 14) under the theme ‘Honouring the Past, Moulding the Present, Transforming the Future’. The GNBS views its participation in this event as another opportunity to impart information relating to Standardisation to visiting students and teachers of Schools and the University.

For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065 or 219-0069.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

As pressure takes its toll, APNU leaders are forced to publicly admit their incompetence - Word is that Cupid will not be going anyway near Congress Place as he tries to avoid all their internal bad blood on Valentine’s day OLD Kai almost froze recently when he was informed that the main Opposition had finally cracked from all the pressure of its political missteps, more so of recent vintage. With all their lies being exposed, it appears that they have been left with no option but to try out something called the ‘truth’. This however, turned out to be a short-term experimentation as after their admission of incompetence, they went straight back to their nefarious ways.

It appears the pressure Old Kai has been exerting on ‘Dem Boys’ over at Kaieteur to be truthful and to stop taking orders from Granger is partly paying off, but we will have to wait and see if like APNU, it will be a short term experimentation over there.

Nevertheless, the mouthpiece of the Opposition is telling the nation that “many supporters of the political faction (APNU) are of the view that some (APNU) Shadow Ministers are not serving their purpose (incompetent) while others are purely relying on the strength of others (hopeless).”

No doubt mediocrity will breed crass behaviour as is also being confirmed by the ‘Once Upon a time’ paper, “It is the opinion of some political activists that some of the (incompetent) Shadow Ministers interfere too much in the work of their colleagues (who are hopeless)…” This infighting was always expected, what else you would expect when they appointed a ‘professional protestor’ as a Member of Parliament or someone such as Vanessa Kissoon who was reportedly caught lying before a public commission of inquiry and made no apology about it. What Granger and the PNC sowed in 2011 is what APNU is reaping today!

On another note, if they cannot maintain respect and understanding among themselves, how can Granger then go with a straight face to the media and preach about a ‘social contract’ and all the glorious wonders of his ‘Partnership for National Unity’? It looks like a Wild West operation over in the land of APNU but then again, it is not like this would come as a surprise to the average Guyanese. Many Guyanese no doubt are now hitting their heads against the wall, questioning themselves as to why they had to go and put their X next to that APNU ‘hand’ on Election Day. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine that the APNU hand will put a ‘hard slap’ across their faces.

The situation is so tense that even Cupid staying very far from Congress Place or Granger on Valentine’s Day. Cupid was overheard saying that Granger’s green shirt and his eternal sneer reminded him of the Grinch. He said he is not going over to shoot ‘love arrows’ at anyone as they seem immune based on the way they have been acting in Parliament, especially Greenidge whose mouth you always hear before you see him.

Remember, these are also the same people who would have the Guyanese population believe that they are genuinely ready in the event a National Elections is called or for that matter Local Government Elections. This is not intended to get anyone comfortable or overconfident as I will bet my last dollar that whenever we have another election, the PNC which is APNU will begin to stir up their support base with their usual race hate messages both covert and overt; hoping their supporters will forget their incompetence and vote for them purely on the basis of playing on their misplaced ethnic fears which has been bred into them by the Opposition.

However, the APNU/AFC combined one seat majority in the National Assembly has served to show all Guyanese how uncaring they really are, even to their own supporters. We will never forget when the people went and begged the Opposition to save their jobs and not cut funding for their agencies and in return the Opposition had the temerity to tell those poor people that they were just ‘collateral damage’. The victims have said that they are patiently awaiting the Opposition to come to them during election time and on voting day, they will show them who really will be affected by ‘collateral damage’.

In all of this, imagine these people are still trying to make excuses and shift the blame for their inadequacies. The token Vice Presidential Candidate of the APNU, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine from the WPA (which did not even have the capacity to contest the 2006 elections) is quoted as saying, “We don’t have in the Opposition the capacity to deal with some of these issues and we have to get a system that can allocate resources.”

You want what: Resources? Taxpayers are already giving each one of them a duty free ‘fancy’ vehicle, a salary; other perks every month while they waste time in our National Assembly and engage in acts that will seriously affect the interests of our people. Not con-

tented, based on what Dr. Roopnarine is saying, they apparently want more resources from tax-payers to fund their ‘self-admitted’ incompetence. This is the height of brazen and recklessness behaviour and confirms that not satisfied with their drama in Parliament, they now want to openly control Government. Old Kai must thank Dr. Roopnarine for confirming the contention of the PPP/C all along, in that the PNC (disguised as APNU) is looking for any and every way to regain the reins of Government and begin a new wave of entrenched dictatorship under Burnham’s prodigy, David Granger.

Old Kai also had a good laugh, even though it is serious business. Roopnarine apparently wanted to give the impression that APNU has policy documents, “but I would say if you look at APNU’s manifesto, you will see clear policy guidelines in a number of these areas, but as it relates to an updated plan on specific issues like security, I would say that it is probably in people’s heads and not properly documented. I believe that is something we will have to look at. We will have to bring forward our policy papers again and update them in the light of experience, and what has been happening, and put out a set of renewed policy documents.”

Did you spot the many contradictions in his statement? These people cannot bluff Guyanese anymore, what manifesto and policy document is he talking about? After much queries and chastisement, they belatedly managed to announce couple days before November 28, 2011 that they had come up with a manifesto or at least that is what it was supposed to be. The document was only fit for the Eccles dumpsite as it was all gibberish, while they also copied and pasted content from the PPP/C manifesto and claimed it as their own ideas. These individuals had over a year to plan for election and what are their alternative ideas should they be elected to Government. But they failed to put a plan on paper to show the Guyanese people, indicating just how unprepared they were.

Now, over two years later, they still have not found time to focus on their ‘documents’ and cannot identify their alternative ideas to that of the PPP/C but the excuses still keep coming at a rapid pace.

Old Kai can only hope that all Guyanese have now seen them for who they really are.

Essequibo businessman invests US $1.5M on coconuts, plantains ESSEQUIBO businessman and rice miller, Mr. Roopan Ramotar has invested US$1.5M in a 200 acres farm, at Hackney Canal in Lower Pomeroon River, to drain, build infrastructure and cultivate coconuts and plantain on a large scale.

His aim is to boost the agriculture industry and production in the Pomeroon, said Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh who visited the location on Monday.

He said he is very pleased and impressed with the progress Ramotar is making and added it is very good to have the Private Sector involved

in such development.

Ramotar, in an interview with the press, said he purchased the plot some five years ago from a farmer and expended the large sum to drain the water logged site, clear thick jungle like vegetation, build infrastructure and start cultivation.

According to him, when he first paid a visit to the place after purchasing it, his heart was broken when he saw the swampy condition but, being a man with vision, determination and a big heart, he expended heavily to transform the jungle like location into the beautiful farm that it is today.

Ramotar said he used his own excavators to dig drains and impolder the very fertile

site before embarking on large scale cultivation of coconuts, plantains, bananas, citrus and other fruit crops.

He said he is currently constructing wooden revetment to prevent his farm from eroding into the Hackney Canal which is a tributary to the Pomeroon River.

He is also building houses for his farm workers that will last a lifetime and they are painted in yellow and would have every convenience, including water tanks on wooden supports.

WATER COCONUTS Ramotar said his farm will be based on diversification of crops and his vision is to

produce ten million water coconuts annually to feed his water coconut bottling plant that he will set up shortly.

He intends producing coconut water from the Pomeroon for the local and foreign markets that will be bottled in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through a partnernership.

For the thousands of plantain trees he has cultivated, Ramotar said his aim is to produce plantain chips under the brand ‘Rooster’ which is connected to his popular name ‘Fowl Cock’.

He said the ‘Rooster’ plantain chips are already in the making and production is expected to start within

another two months at Land of Plenty on Essequibo Coast, under the management of his wife.

He said plantain flour will be another product to be produced.

One of the advisers is a plant pathologist while the other has 24 years of experience working with a Canadian food agency.

Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, Mr. George Jarvis, who accompanied Minister Baksh on his visit said the farm Ramotar is developing is a model one and he is really impressed with the infrastructural work.

Jarvis said coconut is now doing very well because of

Government’s massive investment in the industry and its search for new markets.

Minister Baksh said, when this Government took over from the People’s National Congress (PNC), in October 1992, coconuts were battered for food in the Pomeroon but the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government turned that around and, today, there is great demand for Guyana’s coconut water and dried nuts locally and internationally.

He said more factories are going up in the Pomeroon to bottle coconut water.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Using GDF floating base...

Agencies sign MOU to counter smuggling, other contraband - Army, Police, CANU, GRA, GEA to collaborate more in fight to stop smuggling scourge

By Michel Outridge

MINISTER of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee and the heads of five agencies, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for use of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Floating Base, in the Pomeroon River, to counter fuel smuggling and other contraband.

The ceremony took place in the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown boardroom, where the others involved were GDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud; Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell; Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur; Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit (CANU) Chief James Singh and Head of Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Mahender Sharma.

Rohee, who is Chairman of the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband, said that it helps and contributes, to a large extent, to the strengthening of cooperation and collaboration amongst the various constituency signatories to the MOU for its establishment under the command of the Cabinet.

He said much has been achieved since the Task Force was established, the most important being the enhanced collaborating and cooperating among the agencies in which they can act in unison under its purview.

Rohee said, in Guyana, inter-agency collaboration is of great importance to foster efforts in national security for joint operations under the command of the GDF. He said that, within a few

months time, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is seeking to have its own floating base which will be strategically placed to fight fuel smuggling and other contraband in Guyana.

AN INTERVENTION In opening remarks, Ma-

He added that this can certainly assist in removing the tools of criminal gangs and to deprive wrongdoers of potential proceeds of their crimes.

Atherly said: “In unity there is strength and the more the Task Force agencies and their operations reinforce each other,

local problems but can be rather national and international in scope, as criminal elements do not confine their activities to any geographic area.

Atherly said that intelligence gathering and dissemination in identifying all levels of fuel smuggling, contraband,

to prevent, detect, suppress, investigate and prosecute criminal offences or violations of the law, including but not limited to fuel smuggling, trafficking or contraband.

Atherly declared: “We must send a powerful message to fuel smugglers, pirates, poachers and

Heads of GDF, GPF, GRA, CANU and GEA collectively signing the MOU yesterday. jor General (ret’d) Michael Atherly said the MOU is an intervention by the national policy makers to increase the capacity of members of Task Force agencies to respond to the evolving nature and methods of criminal elements operating in the nation’s waterways and, indeed, within the nation at large.

the more they share information and resources, the more they harmonise operations, establish priorities and focus energy across the spectrum of criminal activities, the more productive will be the outcome of their conduct.”

He noted that fuel smuggling and contraband trafficking are not simple, with not only

trafficking and other related activities are essential for coordination and to prevent duplication of efforts.

He pointed out that, accordingly, five agencies of the Task Force will further join forces to achieve better results and the MOU will provide the participating parties additional means in dealing with common interest

the likes…across the length and breadth of Guyana.”

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION Deputy Chief of Staff Persaud said the GDF is heartened by the ceremony which is a step closer to the operation of inter-agency coordination intended to form one plat-

form and a common space to provide resources and appropriate responses to matters of national security, internal peace and stability and, simultaneously, contributing to national wealth.

The Colonel said the GDF recognises that the other major participants are joined in unity for this national cause and it is a sacrifice, as they make their respective contributions at making, albeit in a very small way, Guyana safe and secure.

He added: “I am reminded that you don’t have to serve the military to be identified with issues of national security and our sister services, GPF, GRA, CANU and GEA, are all now reassured that the muscle, and those empowered to police our waterways, that is, the GDF Coast Guard, to assist in overcoming the challenges presented by those intended to flout the laws, GDF looks forward, early, for more such initiatives in which shared responsibilities can have the effect of greater compliance.

“We are ready and willing to support the Minister’s vision in this particular instance, as well, as any like initiatives and, no doubt, share the view inter-agency coordination and cooperation is the way to respond to common threat,” Persaud stated.

He said the leadership of the GDF stands firm on its resolve to work with any individual or group who considers Guyana’s national interest as being sacred and paramount above all others.

The Heads of the participating agencies affixed their signatures to the documentation yesterday.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment agencies attend two-day seminar on standardised data collection THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), yesterday, concluded a two-day seminar on the implementation of a standardised data collection system for Drug and Alcohol Treatment agencies in the Caribbean.

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee opened the seminar on Wednesday at the Guyana Police Officers’ Training Centre at Camp and Young Streets, Georgetown.

In his opening remarks, Rohee said that too often data collection is sporadic or is done in a disorganised manner and cannot be relied on. However, he emphasised that at all times it must be verified because at the end of the day there are institutions and international organisations that rely on this

data for decision-making and policy formulation.

Minister Rohee stated that representatives of more than six CARICOM countries would have been attending the meeting in Guyana to share details, and called for more coordination of data collection in this Region and that systems should be in place to facilitate this.

He also stated that the data collection exercise must take into consideration certain national peculiarities, since, what may be relevant in one country, will not be in another, but this should be standardised for common use at the policy making level.

DANGERS The minister said that ‘romancing of narcotics’ has its own dangers. “We need to keep the interest of young people

of our country or the future generation, at all times because whatever we do now in this social problem will have a serious impact on the thinking of our young people.” He added that, “if as we say young people are our future we must choose the correct path in this subject.”

Meanwhile, former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Major General (ret’d) Michael Atherley, who is Head of the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons in the Ministry of Home Affairs, in giving a brief overview, pointed to the changing economic climate in the Caribbean and further afield against the background of the increasing availability of drugs and the global drug abuse problem and its associated ills.

See page 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Drug and Alcohol Treatment agencies ...

From page 11 Atherley said that here in the Caribbean “we are hit hard by the recent fallout of violent crimes, and a regional report by the International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has indicated that Latin Amer-

ica and the Caribbean Region have among the highest crime rate of any Region in the world.”

He noted that the complexity of the problem has been compounded by changing patterns of drug abuse, supply and trafficking. “There has also been an increase in the social and economic fac-

tors which make young people more vulnerable and likely to engage in drug use and drug related risk taking behaviour”, he added.

Atherley said, however, that extensive efforts have been and continue to be made to suppress the illicit production, use and trafficking of drugs.

OAS Representative Designate, Mr. Jean Ricot-Dormeus with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee at Wednesday’s opening of the two-day seminar. (Sonell Nelson photo) He pointed out that judging from past experiences of law enforcement efforts targeting the supply and control of narcotics, it now seems that the most effective approach clearly consists of comprehensive, balanced and coordinated approaches - encompassing supply, control and demand reduction re-enforcing each other, together with the appropriate application of the principles of shared responsibility. In addition, there is now a need to intensify efforts at demand reduction and to provide adequate resources towards this end.

PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR It is significant and satisfying, Atherley said, that so many of the participants at the seminar represent the public health sector and so programmes for the reduced demand for drugs should feature more prominently as part of comprehensive strategies to reduce all substance abuse.

OAS Representative Designate, Mr. Jean Ricot-Dor-

meus of Haiti said he was pleased to be a part of the important sub-regional seminar of CICAD, the first of its kind in Guyana in a long time.

He also highlighted the involvement of the OAS and Guyana in hosting this seminar and congratulated Home Affairs Minister Rohee for endorsing the seminar along with the support from his ministry.

Jean Ricot-Dormeus also pledged his support in working with Guyana during his stint here as the OAS representative and thanked the Canadian government for their support. He observed that the seminar benefits Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and next month another workshop will be held in The Bahamas for the region.

Jean Ricot-Dormeus explained that the seminar is about sharing best practices and building capacity and developing effective procedures for strengthening security and fostering development.(Michel Outridge)

Second draft of National Youth Policy expected to be completed soon THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has announced that there is still time for input into the drafting of the National Youth Policy. In this regard, another consultation was held yesterday at the Ministry’s Boardroom by the Youth Steering Committee where the participants, most of which are Guyanese based non-profit organisations and youth centred agencies, were able to review and discuss the existing draft of the policy.

While yesterday’s session was reportedly “small”, the See page 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Culture Ministry welcomes U.S. rock band Filligar to Guyana AS part of its continuing cultural engagement that has brought jazz musicians, dance groups, a classical pianist and a flautist to Guyana over the last three years, the Embassy of the United States of America in introducing Music of America has brought another musical contingent to Guyana – this time Filligar.

Fillagar is a rock band consisting of four talented and accomplished musicians, and has been described as one of the best young bands in America. They have been selected by the U.S. Department of State and cultural ambassadors representing the American people and their cultural values. The band’s latest record, hexagon,

was named ‘Best New Music’ by American Songwriter Magazine while their previous release, The Nerve, was nominated ‘Best Rock Album’ at the 2012 Independent Music Awards.

Fillagar has had the opportunity to share the stage with acclaimed American artists such as Counting Crows, The Black Keys and My Morning Jacket.

Yesterday, the band members along with Ambassador Brent Hardt introduced the group to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony at his Main Street Office where he welcomed them to Guyana.

While in Guyana the group will be performing at the Ru-

pununi Music and Arts festival and engage in a range of musical exchanges and activities in Georgetown. These include workshops with the National School of Music, educators and a public concert at the National Cultural Centre on February 18, 2014.

The four member band consists of the three Mathias brothers and Casey Gibson.

Guitarist and lead vocalist Johnny Mathias, Bassist Teddy Mathias and drummer Pete Mathias are all graduates of Dartmouth College while classically-trained pianist, Casey Gibson is an Economics major, and minor in Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology at Hamilton College.

Minister Frank Anthony meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt and members of the visiting rock band Filligar, during a courtesy call on the minister yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Mashramani exhibition opens at National Museum

MASHRAMANI is not just about the flag-raising, road parade and competitions but the celebrations include a commemorative aspect. In this regard, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport launched its annual Mashramani Exhibition at the National Museum on Tuesday last.

The vibrantly coloured displays illustrated aspects of the mash celebrations including masquerade, the parade, flag-raising and depictions from the various ethnic groups’ folklore. The exhibition will conclude on March 8, and it is anticipated that many citizens particularly school children will visit the exhibition.

Apart from that exhibition, another one will be opened at castellani House where the attention will be on Guyanese sculptures.

The Republic Lecture Series by Clem Seecharran is another commemorative activity on the Mash schedule. Mr. Seecharran is also well versed in the history of cricket, and will be engaging cricket enthusiast in a special lecture in that regard.

In his presentation, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony noted that the exhibition strikes a balance between the celebrations. He added that there has been noticeable growth in

the exhibitions over the years.

The minister emphasised that the exhibitions are important because some youths are not fully aware about their country’s cultural heritage, as such the exhibits give them a good opportunity to learn more about Guyana.

Minister Anthony highlighted that Guyana’s cultural heritage is unique and is a form of identification for citizens.

Dr Anthony made reference to the fact that there has been a notable improvement in quality of the exhibition in showcasing Guyana’s history and charged the public to assist in the preservation of our culture. “What makes us unique is our culture…aspects like our folklore. That is why we need to preserve it,” the minister said.

Minister Anthony also encouraged teachers to take their students to see the exhibition since children play a vital role in our cultural environment. He also highlighted an ongoing school programme where teachers can request for exhibits to be taken into schools to be displayed.

The public is invited to visit the exhibitions and participate in the other activities on the Mash calendar. (Ravin Singh)

Photos show some of exhibits on display at the ongoing Mashramani Exhibition at the National Museum

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Second draft of National Youth Policy ...

From page 12 ministry said a much larger consultation/symposium will be held on February 18 where senior officials from the public sector, development agencies and civil society will be able to make their inputs.

While addressing the gathering, Permanent Secretary, Alfred King noted that the consultations started in 2013 with support from the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) who provided financial and technical support.

The process included regional consultations, Facebook blasts and an online survey.

To date a preliminary draft of the policy has been completed and the second draft is expected to be completed by the February 17, 2014.

PS King emphasised that attention is on ensuring that the consultations reach as many youth stakeholders as possible.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony explained that while

the existing policy is dated there are some aspects that are applicable today. One of the areas in that policy the minister asked the gathering to consider is the definition of youth. Another area is the coordination of youth work.

This aspect is part of the existing policy. However, it was not implemented.

The minister pointed out that rewarding youths for their contributions should also be considered. Other important areas are male marginalisation and social issues including teenage pregnancy and unemployment.

Dr Anthony recognised that the preparation of the new youth policy has had some starts and stops which was due to the consultants recommending things that were not relevant to Guyana. Nevertheless, that has passed and CYP is funding two persons from Barbados to work with the ministry and the steering committee.

While several consulta-

tions were previously held, Minister Anthony stressed the need for additional contributions. “We do not want a document that is not reflective of the peoples’ views,� he said.

In this regard, he urged the gathering to make comments and suggestions on areas of the draft document they view to be lacking.

The minister noted matters concerning youths are vast and some may fall out of the remit of the ministry. Nevertheless, partnerships with other ministries and agencies are welcomed.

The youth policy, when completed, will represent a mainstreamed and integrated policy response to youth transition phases, and will reflect a network and coordinated commitment on matters related to adolescents and youths throughout Guyana.

Upon completion, the ministry will make recommendations and seek the approval of Cabinet before taking it to Parliament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Cabinet grants no objection to supervisory consultancy services for CJIA expansion project

By Telesha Ramnarine CABINET, last Tuesday, granted its no objection to a contract worth close to US$6M for the provision of supervisory consultancy services for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira made the announcement at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President in Georgetown, while filling in for Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon.

The massive modernisation project at CJIA, Timehri is moving apace on schedule, Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Ramesh Ghir, said recently. Work has commenced on the final design of the terminal building, and is expected to be completed in March.

Between now and then, four stakeholder meetings are scheduled to discuss the designs.

According to Ghir, to date, over 4,500 truckloads of sand have been dumped in the excavated area as works progress on the extension of the runway. The

GAIL TEIXEIRA excavation and backfilling commenced on a test section of 160 metres by 160 metres, which was aimed at ensuring that the correct design techniques are adopted for the entire runway extension.

The project features three

Hope Canal Bridge opens to traffic from tomorrow THE National Drainage and Irrigations Authority (NDIA) said it wishes to advice the public that the long-awaited Hope Canal Bridge, component 2 of the East Demerara Water Conservancy- Hope Canal Project, will be commissioned tomorrow.

According to a statement from the NDIA, opening the bridge is the first step in the “operationalisation procedure for this facility” and it is expected that the other components will soon follow.

Immediately after the Commissioning of the Bridge, NDIA said the structure will be opened to traffic and the diversion road which vehicles were using to traverse the East Coast Highway in the vicinity of Hope will now be closed to facilitate remaining works.

NDIA is urging all road users to comply with traffic signs and road rules and to make use of the completed Hope Canal Bridge.

At the same time, motorists are reminded to be vigilant and to travel at a safe speed at all times since the bridge is in close proximity to the Hope Secondary School.

“The closure of the bypass road which was used as a diversion route will enable work to continue towards bringing the other components of the project to fruition. We (NDIA) have embarked on a plan to ensure that the remaining components are completed in the shortest possible time,” NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth said.

BACKGROUND The Bridge which was constructed at a cost of approximately $349M, has a length of 74.4m and a 47m sloped approach on both sides. It has the capacity to accommodate two lane traffic and sidewalks on both sides. It was constructed by DIPCON Engineering.

The project has four components:- the Northern Relief Channel and Associated Drainage Structures, the Conservancy Head Regulator, the Public Road Bridge and the High Level Outfall Sluice. Construction work on the EDWC Northern Relief Channel began in 2011. However, due to several constraints the projects have had to be extended. Thus far, works are ongoing at a pace to ensure that the project is completed.

The US$15M East Demerara Water Conservancy-Hope Canal project is funded entirely by the people of Guyana. When completed, it will significantly reduce the vulnerability of flooding in Guyana’s low-lying coastal areas which are currently threatened by sea level rise as a result of Climate Change.

In the past, residents of Hope, Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary and surrounding communities suffered tremendously as a result of flood, hence the need for such a critical project.

It is anticipated that with the completion of Hope Canal the frequent opening of the Lama and Maduni Sluice during the rainy season would not be necessary.

components: construction of a new terminal building measuring 16,000 square metres, which will have eight passenger boarding bridges and two elevators, as well as closed circuit television (CCTV) and departures control systems; extension of the main runway by 3,500 feet to a final length of 10,500 feet, which will increase CJIA’s capacity to facilitate the landing of Boeing 747-400 aircraft; and construction of eight international parking positions.

A draft relocation plan has been prepared, and a meeting was held to address the way forward with those who would

be affected. There are, presently, no major challenges being dealt with, and works are progressing smoothly, Ghir informed.

President Donald Ramotar recently declared that modernisation works have the potential to attract more airlines, once Guyana’s capacity to accommodate them is improved.

Alluding to the fact that the Panama-based Copa Airlines has already announced the commencement of its service to Guyana in July this year, the Head of State noted that Guyana is already attracting increased foreign interest.

Meanwhile, the contractor,

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is continuing its works.

The joint Parliamentary Opposition, last December, opposed a $65.4M allocation in a Statement of Excess financial paper tabled by Finance Minister Ashni Singh.

However, given that the minister acted in accordance with the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Opposition’s non-approval had no effect.

The project faced a similar challenge when the 2013 Budget was cut, but in mid-Sep-

tember last year, CJIA Board Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, said the modernising programme is being propelled by a US$20M mobilisation advance made under the 2012 Budget.

Government has signed a design-and-build contract to the tune of US$138M with the Chinese contractor, CHEC, which has 32 months to complete the job. It is being partially funded by a US$130M loan from China, with the rest coming from the local public treasury, and is scheduled for completion in August 2015.

ANSA McAL holds first drawing of Hard Guava Season promotion for 2014

By Michel Outridge OF the 26 entries which were drawn in the second annual ANSA McAL Hard Guava Season promotion, the names of 25 fortunate persons were revealed on Wednesday.

Mohanie Satrohan of Section ‘A’, No. 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice proved to be extra lucky, as her name was pulled twice.

This first drawing was held at Ashmins Supermarket on High Street, Georgetown. The second drawing will be held on Saturday February 15, 2014 at Jaigobin’s Supermarket in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, where the remaining five entries will be pulled, ensuring that for every day of the month of January, someone wins US$100.

The names of the first drawing winners are as follows: Mohanie Satrohan of Section ‘A’, No. 70, Corentyne Berbice (name pulled twice) Monica Singh of Caneville, Grove, E.B.D. Hardai Kemraj of Cummings Lodge Shawn Thomas of Non-Pareil, E.C.D Deslyn Braithwaite of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice Lavern James of Kuru-Kururu Squatting Area, Linden Highway Natasha Kellman of Vigilance North, E.C.D Bhagwandai Rohaman of Galzier’s Lust, Mahaicony, E.C.D Vandi Persaud of Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice Maharani Seelall of Fourth Street, Alexander Village Joseph Anthony Daniels of Bachelor’s Adventure, E.C.D Una Harding of Lodge Housing Scheme Christine Piper of Robert Road, Sparendaam, E.C.D Samaya Simon of St. Cuthbert’s Mission Kelvin Roberts of A & B Cemetery Road Kerisa Perreira of Middle Street, Sparendaam, E.C.D Aubrey Glasgow of Plum Park, Sophia Hyacinth Melville of Kaneville, Grove, E.B.D

Angela Dias of Grove, E.B.D Shirley Barry of St Magdalen Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice Abraham Ramsami of Hampshire Settlement, Corentyne Kamanita Persaud of Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown Rajesh Totaram of Non Pareil Carlos Simpson of Camp & Princes Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown Colin Duggan of Bent Street, Georgetown To enter the competition, persons were required to enter one packet/label of either MAK-C, ARIEL, TRINCHLORO, BUMBLEBEE, LUCOZADE or SWINGER product. The promotion was held for the month of January.

A shopper at Ashmin’s pulling the name of a winner on Wednesday

Hundreds of parents descend on school after ‘child fall in septic tank’ rumour

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric PA N D E M O N I U M b ro k e out at St Therese’s Primary School on Wednesday after a pupil reported that a fellow student had fallen into a septic tank in the compound of that institution.

Hundreds of parents flocked Region 6 lone Grade ‘A’ Primary, which has a student population of over 900 students, in an effort to determine the whereabouts of their respective child/children.

Ranks from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service, along with representatives of the Regional Democratic Council and the Department of Education, descended on the school’s Vryman’s Erven location as word of the ‘disaster’ spread like ‘wildfire’ in the Ancient County.

The police were forced to cordon off the area as the worried parents rushed over to the learning institution from various areas, forcing the relevant authorities to lock the gate in

their quest to keep the situation under control.

The Fire Service ranks immediately commenced searching the septic tank, aided by a ‘junkie’. After about an hour, the searchers came up empty handed, and a physical count made of the students present on that day proved that all were accounted for.

The rumour reportedly began circulating during the midday break when a boy alleged seeing a fair-skinned student who was playing next to the

well accidently fell into the opening.

The pupil alleged he had made failed attempts to rescue the child, and consequently alerted other students and teachers.

However, although the situation was classified as a rumour, immediate action was taken to seal the opening of the manholes in the school compound.

Certain persons have opined that “the child” may have been “a visitor from the spirit world”, and as such, parents are appealing to religious leaders to visit the learning institution in order to prevent a recurrence of the visitation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

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Govt. has received no indication that US-funded LEAD project is on hold --Gail Teixeira

By Telesha Ramnarine

PRESIDENTIAL Advisor on Governance, Ms Gail Teixeira, yesterday, said Government has received no indication from the Americans -- officially or unofficially – to suggest that the Elections and Political Processes (EPP) Fund’s Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project has been put on hold, as has been requested by the Government.

However, she informed that there has been an unofficial agreement to begin talks on the project sometime next week.

Filling in for Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon during the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Office of the President in Georgetown, Teixeira was questioned on the project. She responded: “We have received acknowledgements to our letters and correspondence on the issue, but we have no indication that the LEAD project is on hold. We have no indication that that is so.”

The private sector in general has supported implementation of the $300M USAID-funded LEAD Project. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has been the latest stakeholder to publicly pronounce on the issue. But Teixeira, in acknowledging the private sector’s right to express its opinion, said: “We have no problem with the private sector expressing support for the project; but, as a Government, we are looking at the project from a different angle. They have a right to their opinion, as we do. They may not see the problem with the content; they are in their right to express that, but the fundamental issue is that we were not consulted.”

Teixeira has stressed that the problem is that the project’s implementation breaches the usual protocol that characterises relations between USAID and the current administration. She said: “The problem with the LEAD project is that it is a breach of the normal bilateral relations, as well as, that the content has concerns for the Government, concerns which we expressed.

“This is the first time in 20 years that a project has not gone through that process. It has never happened between 1992 and 2012, and we are not agreeing to it because of the rejection of the Government’s participation.”

Teixeira questioned why the Government was not involved in the consultations on the project.

According to her, the Guyana Government and the American Administration have worked together in past decades on US-funded projects.

The Governments of Guyana and the United States are expected to meet on the controversial project, according to Dr Luncheon. He, however, maintains that talks will commence once the project’s implementation is suspended so as to allow for genuine consultation.

Luncheon has stressed that there would be no consultation under duress.

The move by USAID to implement various aspects of the project has been described as an affront to Guyana’s sovereignty, expressly following comments by US Ambassador Brent Hardt, who indicated that the project would go ahead despite Government’s expressed rejection.

20-yr-old charged with murder at age 10 …freed by DPP yesterday

TWENTY-year-old Ryan Adams, called Orlando Andrews, of Buxton, East Coast of Demerara, who was charged with murder at the age of ten, but was not arrested until he was 14, was freed of the charge by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday.

He had been incarcerated for 10 years. Attorney-at-law, Mr. James Bond appeared in court for Andrews.

Before discharging Andrews, Judge Franklyn Holder told him, among other things, “Go, and walk the straight and narrow path.”

Earlier, Prosecutrix Mrs. Judith Mursalin told the judge that because the evidence on the record did not support the charge, the DPP had decided to enter a nolle prosequi (withdrawal of the charge against the accused).

Before discharging him, the judge noted that the young man must have been standing there with mixed emotions.

“You are going home without a trial after 10 years’ incarceration. You might be wondering whether the body of evidence against you that caused the magistrate to commit you to stand trial in 2010, is the same as it is today. If it is, then why only now you have been freed in this matter.”

The judge added: “Andrews I would suggest to you that you make good use of your new found freedom. Follow the straight and narrow path that leads to joy and peace of mind.

I beg you don’t be persuaded to do wrong. Don’t be influenced by those who will make you do wrong things. You are still a young person,” the judge advised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Relatives of policeman in baton-rape saga still ‘very afraid’ …after being terrorised by gunmen

By Michel Outridge

THE relatives of police Constable Devendra Singh, who is under close arrest following the baton-sodomy allegation by a detainee at Timehri Police Station in November, said yesterday that since the incident last Friday night when two men invaded their home, they are still very afraid.

Leila Singh of Mon Repos, East Coast of Demerara, told this publication that since the home invasion they are forced to lockup early and now they have to put on lights inside and outside their home as a form of security.

Singh said that since Friday night numerous calls are being placed to their landline telephone by persons who refuse to answer and this situation is quite distressing.

The woman noted that she is very afraid to go about her usual business of vending because she is fearful for her life as she feels the men may return to complete what they had previously set out to do since last week’s attempt failed.

On February 7, 2014, two men showed up at the Singh’s home and entered the house through the unlocked door. They demanded that Singh go into the house after she had seen them

on her back verandah but she ran to the front verandah and managed to secure herself by locking the door.

Her 16-year-old daughter was also there lying on a bed when the men came but shouting for help failed to alert neighbours because loud music was being played in the neighbourhood. However, she placed a call to a relative, who informed her husband and he showed up after which the men left.

While the men were inside the house they repeatedly told her to keep quiet and demanded that she should go inside to meet them or they would kill her. It was at that point, Singh

made up her mind to jump from the verandah with her daughter because she did not want to be harmed by the men.

Singh said she preferred her limbs to be broken than to be raped and for such an experience to befall her young daughter, who is also very tramautised by the incident.

When contacted yesterday, ‘C’ Division Commander, Christopher Griffith told this publication that he was not aware of such a report but would enquire. However, the police at Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast of Demerara, only responded after Singh told them she was the aunt of Devendra Singh.

Members of the Community Policing Group (CPG) also responded but the men escaped after running through the backyard. They exited through a neighbour’s unfenced yard and left in a waiting white Toyota Raum vehicle.

Giftland Officemax among 29 companies/organisations billed for today’s UG Career/Open Day

By Shivanie Sugrim GIFTLAND Officemax is billed to participate in the Career/Open Day being held at the University of Guyana today, along with some 29 other companies/organisations, which aim to foster a variety of offerings for UG students.

According to a UG press release, the Public Relations Division has already made full preparations for today, and 29 companies, alongside Giftland

Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary…

Ministers slotted for regional flag-raising ceremonies

By Telesha Ramnarine

GUYANA will be observing its 44th Republic Anniversary on February 23, and Cabinet has approved the annual flag-raising ceremonies in the 10 Administrative Regions, Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira informed yesterday.

She was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Office of the President in Georgetown, filling in for Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon.

Region 1 (Barima/Waini) will see the presence of Minister Robeson Benn; Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Ali Baksh; Region 3(Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Jennifer Webster; Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), Bheri Ramsaran; Region 5(Mahaica/Berbice), Juan Edghill; Region 6(East Berbice/Corentyne), Anil Nandlall; Region 7(Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Pauline Sukhai; Region 8(Potaro/Siparuni), Norman Whittaker; Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Nanda Gopaul; and Region 10(Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), Gail Teixeira.

The activities in Georgetown at Parliament Building will begin at 07:00 hrs “We hope that there will be a good attendance,” said Teixeira.

Officemax, will be participating throughout the event.

Marketing Manager, Delroy Dash of Giftland Officemax has confirmed that they will be involved in the entire event, with a variety of displays. They plan to use the event as a ‘recruitment drive’ and capture information on prospective employees.

Moreover, they will be offering students VIP shopping cards, with 15% discount on stationery items. They are also hoping for opportunities to promote a greater bond with UG and to assist in upgrading the classrooms and dorms.

The other organisations that are participating in the UG Career/Open Day are: The Civil Defence Commission, Guyana School of Agriculture, Air Services Limited, Banks DIH Limited, Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry Limited, Environmental Protection Agency, Government Technical Institute, GTM Group of Insurance Companies, Guyana Geology & Mines Commission, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Rice Development Board, Guyana Sugar Cooperation Inc., Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Guyana Water Inc., Institute of Internal Auditors, Guyana Chapter, Qualfon Guyana Inc., Go-Invest, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Harris Paints, The Guyana Oil Company Limited, Accountancy Training Center, Guyana Defence Force, Macorp, and Guyana Energy Agency.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

President Ramotar and the newly commissioned GDF ranks

President Ramotar commissions 24 GDF ranks

RECENTLY commissioned participants of the Standard Officers Course Number 46 received their instruments of commission yesterday from Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar.

The commissioning took place at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown.

The new officers are expected to execute the functions of their offices in a just manner and, according to one senior officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), it is hoped that the process of training has instilled in the soldiers, the qualities of serving correctly and efficiently and be effective ambassadors of the Army and the State by extension.

In the presence of the Head of State, it was pointed out, by a senior GDF rank, that the newly commissioned ranks are ready to conform to the standards required to ensure that the Force can fulfill its constitutional mandate while, at the same time, maintaining their own integrity.

Yesterday also saw a number of warrant officers entrusted with the same responsibilities to the state in their roles as the traditional backbone of the Army in discipline, administration, coordination and leadership.

The rank of warrant officer is the highest in the corps of non-commissioned officers of the GDF and those sworn in yesterday received the desired levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education to develop themselves in the execution of their functions. (Leroy Smith)

Sophia murder case begins today THE Sophia murder case begins today. The matter was called up yesterday but it was put off to today after defence counsel, Mrs. Bettena Glasford applied for an adjournment on the grounds that she wanted time to study the depositions.

Justice Franklyn Holder granted the application.

The accused Godfrey Stewart, called ‘Dougla’, is accused of having between 13th and 14th March, 2010, murdered Jacqueline George, his reputed wife.

Appearing for the accused are attorneys-at-law Mrs. Bettena Glasford, Brenden Glasford and Mr. Maxwell Mc Kay. Mrs. Judith Mursalin is prosecuting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

CONTACT NO: 604- 3518/ 616-0301

Bombshell artiste of the Week

Sammy Baksh has ‘come again to reign’ as he once did

Sammy Baksh is a very talented Guyanese musician SAMMY Baksh, the iconic Guyanese singer with a career dating back to the early nineteen seventies, is back home; and he says he has brought with him several hot new compositions of rock-reggae fusion, the genre popularized by such great artistes as Slightly Stoopid and UB 40.

Baksh told the Bombshell last week that he and his band intend to hold live shows countrywide in Guyana this year, starting with one at the National Stadium at Providence.

The Band is also likely to use Guyana as a base for forays into Suriname, Brazil and French Guiana.

Baksh said he is home to work out the details.

Baksh left Guyana in 1994 to live in New York. He is still remembered among the older folks here, and is still highly regarded for his hit tunes, among them a ballad released in the 1980s titled “To be lonely”.

Baksh was a popular artiste in Georgetown, and performed with several local stars at the Camoa Nightclub on America Street, a hot spot in the city in those days.

He also toured extensively with the Yoruba Singers before leaving for the USA. In the years since “To be lonely” was released, Baksh

sang in night clubs in Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Canada and many other countries, achieving popularity with such tunes as “Who’s Gonna Love You”, “Look out for Judy”, and “The sun won’t shine on Me”.

Baksh has done “numerous gigs” and studio recordings with his New York-based band, Sammy Baksh and the Prodigal Sons, throughout the United States.

Last week he told Bombshell that he started his career while still a youth living in Kitty by singing ballads. His music, however, became heavily influenced by artistes such as Bob Marley and the Jamaican reggae band Third World. He was privileged to meet Bob Marley in Jamaica in the early 80s. Baksh said:”He’s (Bob Marley) one of my favourite artistes of all time. His is the kind of lyrics I have always aimed for.”

Baksh has also learnt much from touring with Third World, which observed its 40th anniversary last year.

Baksh said that, over the years, he has changed his style of music from ballads to reggae fusion -- a genre of reggae that mixes reggae with other genres, such as pop, rock, Rhythm and Blues (R&B), jazz & drum and bass.

Some bands which have popularized the genre in-

Sammy Baksh again walks the pathway of fame clude the Dirty Heads, Pepper, Third World, Rebelution, Police, Iration, The Expendables, Bad Brains, UB 40, Papafish, Soldiers of Jah Army, and Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Baksh says his music is also influenced by the rock band

RUSH, which has a heavy focus on guitars as against synthesisers. “Right now we play tunes that are more guitar-centric; something along the lines of Hotel California by the Eagles.

You will remember that apart from winning the Grammy Award for the best song of the

year in 1977, that song also won an award for the extended section of electric guitar interplay between band members Don Felder and Joe Walsh,” he said.

Baksh disclosed that he is currently trying to get ITunes to market his music worldwide. He said that his

band, currently in the United States, is going to be in Guyana for a period of time for the planned tours. “The Band will come when the arrangements are finalized. They will leave at the end and return again for more ‘gigs’ as the occasion demands,” he said.

DVD recordings, including the popular Nelson Mandela tribute song and video “Prison to President” by lead singer Desmond Lewis, aka “Dowieman”.

Dowieman, Romeo Starke, Brandon Harding and a host of artistes performed on Thursday, February 6, at the REGGAE FEVER to commemorate Bob

Marley’s 69th birth anniversary at the Pegasus Hotel.

Despite the sudden torrential downpour on that night, the show was staged successfully. “Lovers’ Rockaway” will afford interested persons a chance to enjoy a repeat of aspects of the Reggae Fever show.

‘LOVERS’ ROCKAWAY” celebrates Valentine’s Night at Pelican Inn VALENTINE’S Night 2014 will be celebrated with a dance event called “LOVERS’ ROCKAWAY” at the Pelican Inn at 49 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust on Friday, February 14 from 21 hours (9 pm).

“Lovers’ Rockaway” will feature Dowieman and Romeo Starke of the Reinforcement Band (from Suriname); GT&T Jingle & Song 2011 winner,

Brandon Harding; RasAbna Hakim; Mario K; and Benji Diamond & Gad I, among others. Music will be supplied

by RasBenji of Foundation Sounds out of London, England. Admission is only $500.

The Reinforcement Band from Suriname has a track record of touring Holland and other European countries. The group has several CD and

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14 2014

Flashback….

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13 vying for Carib Soca Monarch Title

-Shelly dubbed ‘Queen of the Night’ with raunchy lyrics and sultry sexiness THE 12 finalists who would be competing for the coveted crown and Gy$1.5M in prize money against the reigning Carib Soca monarch, Jumo Primo, on Saturday night at the National Park in Georgetown are Shelly G, Passion, Roger B, Kemmy, Bones Man, Vanilla, Lil Red, Lady T, AJ, Avalanche, Ace and Mysterious.

Those who did not make the grade were Ahazula, Maxwell, G Money and Notoya London.

Immediately after the final 13 had been announced, one of the contestants fainted in jubilation and had to be escorted off stage.

The winner of this competition will represent Guyana at the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015.

Meanwhile, at the semifinals, held last Saturday night at the New Amsterdam Stelling Road, 2009 Soca Queen Shellon “Shelly G” Garraway stormed into this year’s finals with an outstanding performance, Outperforming most of the competition with her raunchy lyrics. Garraway also added spice to her performance with her eye-catching outfit, which had many ogling at her dangerous curves.

Forced to recreate the party atmosphere after “G Money” poured cold water on it with his lacklustre performance, Garraway, the 2009 queen with “Daggering”, stormed the stage to dish out her piece, “Party Animal”.

She had the crowd in the palms of her hands as she delivered to perfection.

Berbicians turned out in their numbers to witness an evening of intense rivalry as contenders in the 10th Annual Carib Soca Monarch battled to secure a place in the finals, slated for next Saturday at the National Park tarmac.

The venue was transformed into flashing multi-coloured lights beaming through the dark skies; music to its loudest; well decked women in the skimpiest outfits; artistes adding their final

Abigail James delivered s o m e scorching ‘ b u m p a instruction’ during her performance.

Shellon ‘Shelly G’ Garraway was indeed the queen of the night.

touches to their ensembles; the atmosphere charged for a fabulous evening.

It is well known that people in the so-called Ancient County come out late to party, thus it would have severely impeded a prompt start. The proposed starting time was 21:00h, but by 22:00h, the crowd had only started to build up; and soon after, the members of the Heat Waves Band – namely, Jackie Hanover, Calvin Burnette and Mark Batson -- created a carnival like atmosphere as they dished out several genres of music, ranging from soca to dancehall to reggae.

After a spectacular 45-minute performance from the Heat Waves Band, the rain drops were a precursor to a heavy downpour, turning the atmosphere into a perfect night for a j’Ouvert party for some. Others scampered for cover wherever there was a shade, even if it meant under the stage.

The heavy downpour forced members of the band to disconnect their equipment and store them under tarpaulins on

standby, but that did not stop the deejays from heating things up with their excellent music selection.

The night’s proceedings were emceed by well known dancer Leslyn Lashley. First to take to the stage was Clifton “Passion” Adolphus, who belted out “Cost Of Living” a little off-key, but that did not stop the crowd from having a good time.

Another artiste, Natoya London, appeared on stage and performed “Mass”, which from all indications did not impress the audience; and the same thing could be said of the performance from Colbert “Magga Man” Dublin, who sang “Log On Pon a Bumpa”.

Jackie Hanover of the Heat Wave Band teased the audience during her performance; a hyped Roger “Roger B” Bowen performed “Love”, denouncing hate and crime, but with a touch of soca rhythm. He was followed by a stiff Kemmyanna “Kemmy” Garnette, who performed “Designated Winer” but she did not do much justice to the song.

However, the next performer, Orlando “Bones Man” Johashen, was full of energy and undoubtedly had the audience enjoying every bit of his performance.

Following suit was Berbician Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, who dished out “Yada Yada”.

The crowd was a bit jaded with her performance, but after a little prompting, they switched gear into gyrating mode.

Also creating some vibes was Jonathan “Lil Red” King with his tune “Who Are We?” which was seen as the best entry in the Carib Soca Monarch, but he did not perform to his fans’ expectations.

He was followed by Timeka “Lady T” Sinclair, who exploded with energy and charm as she captivated the attention of the audience with “Hit the Road”.

Many believed that her presentation might have been the best for the evening.

Her fans turned up in their numbers and supported her to the fullest. Her performance undoubtedly gave her the edge over her competitors.

Eleven to battle for Mash Adult Calypso crown THE Mash 2014 Adult Calypso semi-finals was staged last Saturday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, and from a talented line-up of nineteen contenders, a lucky ten were shortlisted to battle the reigning monarch, ‘De Professor’ this weekend for his crown.

The Mash 2014 Adult Calypso finals will be staged at the Bank DIH Thirst Park Tarmac this Friday with much pomp and fanfare, according to folks at the Mash Secretariat.

While the competition is Bartica was said to be one that ignited sizzling, ‘calypso flames’ amongst the contestants, promoters are promising an even better show come Friday night.

Those to compete this Friday are Derrick Mangal, performing ‘Dem want meh tuh Change;

Karen Bennett, doing ‘Why dem ban de Calypso’; Garfield Campbell, to render ‘Bus Ride; and Roger Hinds, to perform ‘I ain’t singing about That’.

Carded to compete also are Dario Barrow, with ‘De Hamma Man’; Dawn Edwards, with ‘Deh ban Dat’; John Marcus, singing ‘Don’t cry Amelia’; Kenroy Fraser, singing ‘Tell dem leh deh Know’; and reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, Shontelle Gittens, with ‘Chinese Tekking Over’.

The talented Malcolm Corrica (Lord Canary) did not perform at the semi-final leg since he was hospitalised over the weekend. Reports reaching this newspaper suggest that he has had a leg amputated as a remedy to save his life from a threatening illness.

Edward Perez (Young Fyah) dropped out of the competition because of personal reasons, according to sources.

Those who failed to make the final cut last Saturday were Winfield James, Jon Persaud, Tiny Duggan and Martin Byrnes.

The calypsonians will be backed by Mingles Sound Machine.

Guest artistes will include Tennisha De Freitas and X Factors Dance Troupe.

The winner will receive $600,000 first prize with $400,000 going to the first runner-up, $250,000 to the second runner-up and $100,000 to the third runner-up.

Starting time is at 20:00 hours.

Reigning Calypso Monarch, ‘De Professor’

Abigail ‘AJ’ James and Ernesta Nelson also performed well, with Ernesta getting the edge of James. They performed “What Can You Do With You Bumpa” and “Ridiculous Wining” respectively.

As the competition winds down, National Communications Network’s (NCN) Quacy “Avalanche” Coates hit the stage with “Spartan”, which did not go down well with the audience due to the fact they could not have heard the words clearly.

Levar “Ahzula” Gittens was also not too impressive, as he appeared on stage in dark shades and a bandana tied

around his head to perform “De Bouncing Stop”. At last year’s competition, he performed “Same Thing”, a version of Bunjie Garlin’s “Ready For The Road”.

This year, with something saucier, Kwesi “Ace” Edmondson dished out “Still In The Game”. And indeed, from his performance, he has a right to say so. His stage act was superb, and he is one of the favourites to win the competition.

T h e l a s t t w o p e r f o rmances for the evening were from Compton “Mysterious” Boyce, who did “Spin Them”; and Ivelaw Maxwell, who belted out “Iron Supplier”.

Jamaica’s ‘Boystown Football Club’ to battle against Guyanese teams

BOMBSHELL has received information that the popular Jamaican ‘Boystown Football Club’ will challenge Guyana’s Alpha United and other teams in Guyana in a ‘football fantasia’ made possible by Vizion Sound Studios in collaboration with Georgetown Football Association (GFF) On Wednesday, 5th March, 2014, there will be a match between Slingerz and Buxton United, while Boystown Football Club will clash with Guyana’s Alpha United at the GFC Ground, Georgetown On Friday, March 17, the Slingerz Team will battle against Alpha United, while the Jamaican team will take on Buxton United at the Buxton Ground, East Coast Demerara.

On Sunday, March 09, Buxton United will face off with Alpha United, with Boystown Team would take on Slingerz at GCC Ground, Bourda.

On this same date a celebrity game will be hosted, with Guyanese entertainers clashing with entertainers from Jamaica.

On the showbiz side of things, Vizion Sounds will also be staging the Natural Togetherness Live Show on March 29, 2014, featuring the best of Guyanese artistes; while on April 26, 2014, the entity will table the Super Cat One Man Band doing battle with Super Ray One Man band, but this Showdown will be at a venue to be announced later.

Boystown Football Club

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Meet Guyana’s James Bond: the man on a Mission Impossible EVER since the song “Wine Pon meh Button” has been released, it has been creating some stir on the airwaves and at dancehall parties. Many thought that the singer was from one of the Caribbean islands, but he is actually from the village of Plaisance, on the East Coast of Demerara.

MI Bernard, also called ‘James Bond’, the 33-yearold father of three, is ecstatic about the great reviews of the song, which have put him on the music chart in Guyana.

Born to Colin Clark and Coreen Bernard, this budding artiste is ready and rearing for fame.

His song is known and loved by the young and old, and is being played on every music cart in the city, besides in minibuses and even in the barber shops, among other places.

MI Bernard refers to himself as “Mission Impossible”, claiming he is on a mission to be one of the best dancehall artistes in Guyana.

Although he dropped out

of school at an early age, this young man gained his knowledge while socialising in the “ghetto”, which, after what is has produced in him, is not a bad place after all.

His mother brought him and six siblings up at their Lot 17 Prince William Street, Plaisance home during tough times, but this did not diminish his passion for music. At the age of 12, he started to sing on street corners in his village, and would do so on busy days at the market square, becoming successful in drawing an audience. During those years, he met Roger Gullen, who encouraged him to take up the art form after he recognised his potential.

Gullen promised to create the beats to go with his song, but Bernard did not take him seriously and went along his merry way. After sometime, he met another influential person, Marlon Duke (Rain Drops), now his sound engineer, who offered to mix some of the sounds to accompany his voice.

They eventually established a bedroom studio and started to experiment. His first tune, “Skin to Skin”, made it to the radio and was heard by other deejays, promoters and entertainers, including Roger Gullen. In light of his success with the tune, Gullen erected the Amazonian Records Studio at Plaisance/Industry New Annex where all the recordings are done. This has definitely contributed to his success thus far.

He is presently ready to release two other songs, which he is certain will create the same buzz as “Wine Pon meh Button”. These are “Man Lie” and “Gal let’s sex”. These songs, he explained, are done with the intention of getting the ladies closer to him.

With respect to the “button” song, he explained that he was MI Bernard, also called “James Bond” at a party in the village where he met a young lady and they started to dance. During the dance, he realised that his pants had become slack, and when he he noted, gave him the idea to whom he hopes to meet one day. looked down, he realised that write such a song, which has its While he is concentrating his button had fallen off. This, connotative meanings. on becoming “big” in the local The rhythm is basically music industry, he has no plans dancehall, and it was composed to go abroad, but to stay in his by his sound engineer, who built country and develop his musical from scratch this most definitely career. loved song.

The buzzing artiste is exHis greatest mentors in mupected to perform at his first sic include Richie Spice, Mamajor show at the Guyana Footvado and Christopher Martin, ball Club ground on February

Promoter discloses route for Mash 2014 Buxton/Foulis Tramp & Costume Parade

PROMOTERS have just announced the official route mapped out for the Buxton/Foulis Mash Tramp and Costume Parade 2014, for which villages on the East Coast of Demerara are feverishly preparing. These much-anticipated Mash festivities, referred to by many as the Buxton/ Foulis Road Parade and Soca Bacchanal, are slated for Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Speaking exclusively to Bombshell, Promoter Ian Havercone announced that a large contingent from Plaisance Village would be coming this year to join the awaiting revellers at the Buxton Railway Line, from where they would ‘tramp down’ to the Melanie Damishana Market Square, and circle the entire Buxton Village before congregating for the ‘night time revelry’ at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

While the promoter remains tight-lipped on his choice of international artiste to perform for this year’s festivities, Bombshell has managed to have him divulge that he has planned a thrilling line-up of local artistes, while two surprise international acts are expected to perform.

Additionally, music for the event would be supplied by Fusion Sounds, Stereo Sonics, Determine Sound System, and TRS Sounds. A riveting face-off is expected between the Super Ray and Venom One Man bands.

This event has attracted several sponsors, among which are Star Party Rentals, 94.1 Boom FM Radio, HGP TV, ANSA Mc AL Trading Ltd, NCN, Junior & Sons Art Shop & Auto Window Screen Repairs, and Money Max Jewellery.

23 with Aidonia and his Guyanese Colleague, Lil Million.

He is also slated to perform at the Buxton Mash Jump Up, and will be travelling to Essequibo and Berbice shortly to entertain his audience there.

On this note, he is also expected to release his first soca song, called “Soca Animal”, in time for Mash 2014.

Courts launches Mash band for 2014 COURTS (Guyana) Limited launched its Mashramani Band 2014 last Friday, with Marketing Director Molly Hassan declaring that the company is elated to again be participating in the Mashramani Road Parade.

Ms Hassan explained that Courts would not have a float this year, but would place revellers on the road to form its Mash contingent.

The company official disclosed that it would take a number of local soca artistes to Berbice to participate in this year’s competition. The artistes performed their renditions for the large gathering of persons who came out in support of their number one furniture store. MC Adrian Dutchin entertained the crowd and encouraged persons to come out on Mash Day and gyrate with Courts.

Persons desirous of participating in the Courts’ activities on Mashramani Day can make contact with the mega store’s Main Street office for details on how to acquire their costumes

A section of the Courts Guyana Mash Band

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14 2014

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Tell it like it is...

IS SUH WE GON BUILD WE COMMUNITY??

WELL, ah don’t know wha really happenin in dis world today, and de more we see dese appalling things happening, de more we wandah how close we deh tuh Judgment Day. All dese people wha yuh see deh bout de place usin de Devil’s playfield and pretending dat dem promoting God, dem gon live to face de full wrath ah de Creator.

Imagine, de adda day ah deh sitting at a popular recording studio when ah very populah reggae artiste arrive wid a set ah promotional flyahs…. Natrally, ah tek one wid de hope dat it was something ah coulda publish in de Bombshell. When I get home and read de thing, I nearly fall into a coma.

De flyah talked about bettering our society. Well, dat catch meh eye, because ah began tuh think dat it was something of human interest. When ah read on, ah get de shakk ah meh life. It was a flyah promoting free entrance to a certain show.

Well, it talked about some big time ministah coming to Guyana. And we ain’t gon call he name, because dat gon be a whole drama by itself.

Reading on, ah almost fainted becaws, accarding tuh de flyah, dis supposed Christian forum, which should be completely holy and sacred, gat some ah Guyana’s most celebrated soul divas and reggae and dancehall artistes performing tuh….

How disgraceful!!! If dese people trying fuh use such ah forum tuh bring de youths tuh God, well deh failing miserably.

Somebaddy should tell dem dat a positive and complete holy forum is what will win de youths to de Creator. De youths will come fuh all de fun and de worldly entertainment, and just forget about it after.

Those dat are predestinated seeds of God will be drawn to a completely clean and holy forum, not tuh a chaotic event well camouflaged with worldliness to attract numbers. Remembah, folks… We all gat tun answer fuh all a we deeds on Judgment Day. Come on, people; don’t be falsifiers and pretenders. Make the thing holy and let God do His work!!! And wait, can you believe this? De flyah talking about a talent show tuh… And who yuh think deh putting pon stage? Some ah dem lawless dancehall artistes wha deh bout de place pretending dat deh arrive…

Well, dis is shacking….

If dese people are divinely ordained or directed by God to put on such an event with the hope of winning souls, then nail me to a tree and let me dry up in de tropical Caribbean sun!!!

Ah hope deh know in deh wild and so-called efforts to promote de Creator, as deh claim, deh can very well be sending many souls to Damnation!!!

Eh-eh, and yuh could win prizes at de event tuh. How

Oh gracious me!!

Is suh dem serving gawd?

Well ah tell yuh, de artiste line-up was lik de Dirty Dozen terribly misleading!

Well, we can’t force anybody against their will to do what is right, since they are all entitled to their own opinions and beliefs. But we can’t get murdered for speaking out against the wrongdoings of many, who mess up the whole idea of ‘Christianity’.

What a way to better our society….

De so-called bigtime ministah look more like a small-time bandit

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GDF regrets delay in payment of benefits to Camp Groomes survivors

- says payment will be made effective from January 1st this year THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has taken note of an article in the Tuesday February 11, 2014 edition of the Kaieteur News titled, ‘Camp Groomes survivors still await word on meaningful compensation’, and wishes to assure the claimants that their benefits are forthcoming.

The army, in a statement yesterday, said a proposal for the injured soldiers to be paid benefits as if they have already retired was approved by the Defence Board. However,“a recomputation resulting in improved benefits for them, is currently being verified to ensure payment, shortly”. The further amendments, which were necessary to give them more money, resulted in the delay, the GDF said, adding that their benefits when paid will be effective from 2014-01-01.

High ranking officials of the GDF met with the survivors yesterday morning and explained the delay in processing.

Additionally, the ranks were assured that the Force is in touch with all involved agencies to have the process completed by February 28. They were each given an advance payment to take care of their expenses until they receive the promised gratu-

itous payment. In the meantime, the Force is prepared to continue addressing the welfare concerns of the soldiers until they are in receipt of their benefits.

Th e Gu y a n a D e fe n c e

Force said it regrets the inconvenience caused due to the delay and will seek to make any interventions to ensure a speedy conclusion of this matter. The Force wishes to assure the soldiers that it values the contributions which they have made and remains committed to its serving and past members.

Aries March 21 - April 19

Do not jump and run at the sound of someone else’s alarm today -- your sense of urgency is different from the next guy’s. Base your actions on what you think is most important, not on what you think other people think is most important! It’s not about being selfish; it’s about not letting the agendas of others influence your life. Now more than ever, you need to maintain a sense that you are in full control of your life.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Your ability to accept differing opinions and ideas is strong, but it could be stronger. Luckily, there will be no shortage of opposing viewpoints around you today -- listen to them and be tolerant. Don’t debate ideas. Rather, pay attention to what other people are saying, and then figure out whether you are in the majority or in the minority. Where you fit will dictate how much power you have to make changes in your work or school environment.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Pluck the nuttiest idea out of the back corner of your mind, knock the dust and cobwebs off of it, and mull it over today. Chances are, if you turn it over in your mind enough times, you will see a new possibility you’ve never noticed before. As soon as you do, you can put this idea into action! Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to move forward. When you’re hot, you’re hot, and today your mind will be more active than an electrical storm!

For Friday February 14, 2014 -05:00hrs For Saturday February 15, 2014 -05:30hrs

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Today you will see how successful many of the people in your life are. Unfortunately, this might awaken the green-eyed monster lurking deep inside of you. Their new homes, fancy cars and designer wardrobes are all things you could have -- but are those things really going to make you happy? Don’t focus on material goods now. Instead, work toward fulfilling goals in your life.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Your confidence is an important tool in life, and today it’s vital for you to appreciate the value you bring to the world. Cherish who you are, because there is no one else on earth who has your unique blend of sophistication, intelligence and compassion! If you don’t start patting yourself on the back more, you could become easy prey for people who like to manipulate or con others into doing the work that they should be doing.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You have every right to brag to friends about your latest accomplishments, but you really shouldn’t -- at least not today. Too many of your friends with fragile egos might react negatively. It’s not that they won’t be happy for you -- they will -- it’s just that your exuberance might remind them too much of their lack of good fortune. Be sensitive to this, and choose to share your pride with family members instead. They’ll love to hear you pat yourself on the back!

Libra September 23 - October 22

Sure, a lot of the small details of an upcoming event are still up in the air, but the stars say that those details won’t really matter in the end. Everything will work out well, so your job is done here! Let go of all that planning and organising, and move on to more enjoyable tasks or projects. You have a new person in your life: it’s a great day to spend some time with him or her. You share many things, not the least of which is a curiosity about each other.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Today you will definitely have the energy and strength to go the distance. So don’t shy away from any type of challenge, no matter how out of your element you may feel or how high the stakes may be. It’s time to just go for it. This is a form of self-education and a wonderful way to show people what a good sport you are. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, so just roll with it and see what happens.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Your luck continues to be very good today, and you are getting used to having things go your way. This feeling of confidence is a huge boon to your creativity, so make sure you find some time to work out all your brilliant ideas. Put your thoughts down on paper, record your latest song, finish knitting that scarf, or just whip up that fantastic cake recipe you’ve been saving for so long. Once you start exercising your creativity, your happiness will skyrocket even more.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

You’ll witness an ugly exchange between two people you respect today. One of them feels more deserving of the praise the other one received. You know what it’s like to feel overlooked, so you could be useful in helping heal the bruised ego in this situation. Make a subtle overture of support, but don’t step right in and start telling people what’s what.

Offering your help is all you can do -- you can’t make people accept it.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

If you spend too much time performing too many experiments, you aren’t going to end up learning very much. Too many contradictory conclusions will be formed, and you’ll be farther behind than when you started. Today, spend your time thoroughly exploring just one idea -- test your theory out, and then go over all the findings a few times. You’ll enjoy the single-mindedness of such focused work and -- more importantly -- you’ll quickly see what the next steps should be.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

It might feel as though you’re not quite living in reality today -- the universe is sending you lots of fantastic energy, which will definitely be a welcome (and very entertaining) notion. However, whenever your daily routine is put on its ear, you have to expect a period of mild discomfort. Luckily, by the middle of the day, you should be well into the groove of the whimsical nature of the day and at ease with the unusual (if not downright odd) activities going on all around you.

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CA let Andrew Symonds down over infamous Monkeygate affair - Ponting HE was the bustling all-rounder who had the world at his feet, but Andrew Symonds’ career was brought to a premature end after his trust was shattered by Cricket Australia (CA), according to former Test skipper Ricky Ponting.

Symonds was never the same after the Monkeygate affair in 2008, when Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was handed a three-Test ban for racial abuse before being cleared on appeal.

The influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was on full display during the controversy, with Ponting and Symonds left disillusioned at the lack of support they received from CA S y m o n d s ’ Te s t c a r e e r petered out later that year, while his stint with Australia’s one-day and Twenty20 teams was over by May 2009 following a string of off-field incidents.

Ponting believes the CA administration of the time bowed to the powerful BCCI over an issue it should have stood strongly against.

“I knew how powerful Indian cricket was - everyone did,” Ponting told the Nine Network’s The Bottom Line in an interview to be aired at 16:00hrs on Saturday.

“But at the same time, I know how powerful racism is in society as well.

“And I know as an Australian cricket captain, or a

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member of society in Australia, I have to do whatever I can to make sure that doesn’t happen anywhere around me.

“I was told every day, every week by Cricket Australia that we had to stamp it out of the game.

“And (when) it did (happen), I had to make a stand against it.

“I followed the instructions to the letter. I did everything I was expected to do. I know there are a lot of administrators in Cricket Australia who can’t say the same thing.

“And that was the start of the end for Andrew Symonds “His career spiralled downhill after that because I know for a fact that he didn’t feel like he could trust the people he needed to trust.”

Ponting also feels CA erred in appointing South African Mickey Arthur as coach in 2011.

Arthur lasted just 19 months in the job before being replaced

by Darren Lehmann, who led Australia to a 5-0 Ashes win this summer.

“Mickey might be one of the great cricket coaches in the world, but he wasn’t the guy, the personality, the coach that Australian cricket needed at that time,” Ponting said.

“We needed to bring the old, hard-nosed Aussie way back, and that certainly wasn’t the way Mickey was trying to coach our team.”

(Herald Sun )

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Edwards and Smith power Barbados into Super50 final

By Calvin Roberts in Trinidad and Tobago Compliments of Carib Beer, Regal Stationery, Wartsilla, Romaine Car Wash and GT&T THANKS to an incisive spell of fast bowling from a pumped up Fidel Edwards, backed by a robust innings from Dwayne Smith and a resilient one from Kraigg Brathwaite, Barbados booked a place in the final of the West Indies Cricket Board NAGICO Super50 tournament with a seven wickets victory over Malta Supreme Guyana at the Queen’s Park Oval last night.

Scores in the match: Malta Supreme Guyana 181, Barbados 182 for 3.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first on a track that still possessed some preparation moisture, Malta Supreme Guyana lost Trevon Griffith (07), Ramnaresh Sarwan (00) and Assad Fudadin (04) all to Edwards (4 for 16) to be 22 for3.

Griffith survived a confident lbw appeal from Edwards first ball before turning one to Kevin Stoute at short mid-on, Sarwan was given out lbw to one that was going down the leg side while Fudadin chased a wide ball and got an edge through to Suleiman Benn at second slip.

Leon Johnson pulled a short ball from Jason Holder to long

-defeat Malta Supreme Guyana by 7 wickets leg for four, but was lbw to the bowler in his next over, leaving Malta Supreme Guyana palpably placed on 26 for 4 in the 10th over of their innings.

Skipper Christopher Barnwell (37), Narsingh Deonarine (58), Anthony Bramble 34 and Veerasammy Permaul 19 fought back for their team, who were eventually bowled out for 181 off 49.4 overs, with Holder supporting Edwards with 2 for 35.

Barnwell and Deonarine started the recovery with boundaries off Holder and Carlos Brathwaite, posting the 50 from 16.4 overs, while they both got boundaries off Ashley Nurse, followed by a six from Barnwell off the same bowler, which realised their 50 runs partnership.

A sweep by Deonarine off Kenroy Williams in his first over for four, signalled confidence oozing from the Albion left hander who was overlooked for the upcoming series against Ireland in Jamaica next week.

However, in his attempt to hit Williams back over his head, Barnwell skied one to deep long off where Holder came around and held the catch, even though he collided with Smith after doing so, breaking the 65 runs partnership.

Barnwell faced 54 balls and struck four fours and one six after being given a life by Nurse off his own bowling and was quickly followed by Royston Crandon (00), before Deonarine pulled Williams for four to a wide midwicket area, to post Guyana’s 100 from 32 overs, with his score being 32 and Bramble 1.

Deonarine reached his 50 from 100 balls with six fours and celebrated with a four off Smith, before he punched Holder straight to Nurse at backward point when on 58 (108balls, 7x4) at 146 for 7, ending his 55 runs partnership with Bramble.

Rain interrupted Malta Guyana Supreme’s innings at 17:07hrs with the score reading 159 for 7 off 46 overs for 23 minutes, with Bramble who hit Benn over long off for six on 27 and Permaul 4.

After the break, two sixes

by Permaul off Benn and Holder followed by a Bramble four also off Benn brought some life to the Malta Supreme Guyana innings, before they were both run out by Edwards who induced Ronsford Beaton (00) to chip one straight to Benn, to culminate the innings in the penultimate over.

Unlike Malta Supreme Guyana, Barbados got a raucous

Goodwill amateur tournament boxes off tonight THE Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Goodwill tournament will box off tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall beginning at 18:00hrs with 12 fights featuring boxers from St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and hosts Guyana.

According to the association’s president Steve Ninvalle, the St Lucian contingent arrived in Guyana just after 17:00hrs yesterday, while the boxers and officials from Trinidad and Tobago were expected to arrive at 20:30hrs and 22:30hrs respectively.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Ninvalle informed that the visiting boxers will pay a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at 10:00hrs this morning before squaring off later in the evening.

Ninvalle said the opening ceremony will be held from 18:00hrs, after which the goodwill tournament will commence.

Also speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday via telephone, GBA’s technical director Terrence Poole said the weigh-in and medical examination of the visiting boxers will be done today from 08:00hrs at the Ocean View International Hotel, where

the boxers will be housed for the three-day tournament.

Poole said the local boxers were weighed in and medically examined yesterday and they are all anxious to get into the ring against their Caribbean counterparts.

Poole said he is optimistic that the locals can dominate the tournament which concludes on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as they have had a few weeks of preparation leading up to the tournament.

The locals have been under the supervision of Poole, Seibert Blake, Wincel Thomas and Cuban coach Francisco Hernandez.

According to Ninvalle, seven boxers and four officials will represent Trinidad and Tobago.

St Lucia will be represented by three boxers and three officials. The Jamaican team is made up of four boxers and two officials.

An invitation was also sent to Barbados, but they are unable to attend because they are having a tournament during the same period.

The Trinidad & Tobago team comprises Akmal Strode (52kg), Christian McDonald (56kg), Michael Alexan-

der (60kg), Jean Paul Cooper (64kg), Aaron Prince (75kg) and a lone female in Chimbre Taylor (75kg).

The team manager is Cecil Forde while the coaches are Reynold Cox and Floyd Trumpeth.

St Lucia will be represented by Linden Micillen (light welterweight), Ron Bastian (light middleweight) and Arthur Mangillur (super middleweight).

The president of the St Lucian association David Christopher, manager Brian McDonald and head coach Conrad Fredericks will accompany the team.

Jamaica’s contingent comprises Patrick Sahadeo (lightweight), Anthony Clarke (light welterweight), Kestna Davis (welterweight) and Michael Gardener (middleweight).

The two coaches are Carl Grant and Godfrey Collins.

The locals selected to do battle with their Regional counterparts are: Bert Braithwaite, Eon Bancroft and Ron Smith (welterweight), Trevon King and Dennis Thomas (middleweight), Michael April, Stephen Nedd and Junior Henry (52kg), Delon Charles (56kg), Imran Khan ande Clairmont Gibson (60kg) and females Dwon Thompson and Theresa London (75kg).

start of 81 from Smith and Kraigg Brathwaite, posting their 50 partnership from 6.1 overs with Smith who struck Permaul for two fours and a six in his first over on 35 and Kraigg Brathwaite 13.

Smith, who was later declared the Man- of- theMatch, posted his 50 by hitting Permaul over wide long on for his third six which goes along with the seven fours he struck from the 33 balls he faced, and followed it with a pair of boundaries two deliveries later, also off Permaul.

However, after going for 34 runs from his first four overs, Permaul sent back Smith lbw off the final delivery of the 12th over at 81 for 1, after facing 37 deliveries for his 61 which was decorated with nine fours and three sixes and later Stoute for 01.

Barbados got to their 100 from 18.5 overs, but lost Jonathan Carter (09) lbw to De-

vendra Bishoo, but Kraigg Brathwaite who was joined

by Williams after Carter was dismissed, got to his maiden half century at this level from 113 balls with five fours, with Barbados 171 for 3.

They sealed the win short-

ly after, ending on 182 for 3 from 46 overs, with Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 55 (122 balls 5x4) and Williams 40 (78balls 2x4, 1x6) against Permaul’s 2 for 44, earning the right to face Trinidad and Tobago in tomorrow’s final.

GUYANA INNINGS Williams 5-0-21-0, Smith 4-1-14-0 T Griffith c Stoute b F. Edwards 07 A Fudadin c Benn b F. Edwards 04 BARBADOS INNINGS R Sarwan lbw b F. Edwards 00 D Smith lbw b Permaul 61 L Johnson lbw b Holder 07 K Brathwaite not out 55 N Deonarine c Nurse b Holder 58 K Stoute c&b Permaul 01 C Barnwell c Holder b Williams 37 J Carter lbw b Bishoo 09 R Crandon lbw b Benn 00 K Williams not out 40 A Bramble run out (F. Edwards) 34 Extras (w8, lb7, nb1) 16 V Permaul run out (F. Edwards) 19 Total (for 3 wickets off D Bishoo not out 00 46 overs) 182 R Beaton c Benn b F. Edwards 00 Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-83, 3-110 Extras (w6, nb3, lb5, b1) 15 Did not bat: SO Dowrich†, CR Total: (all out off 48.4 overs) 181 Brathwaite, AR Nurse, FH Edwards, Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-15, 3-22, 4-26, SJ Benn, JO Holder 5-91, 6-91, 7-146, 8-181, 9-181 Bowling: Beaton 8-1-44-0 (w4, Bowling: F. Edwards 7.4-2-16-4 nb1), Barnwell 5-1-19-0, Permaul (w2), Holder 9-0-35-2 (nb1, w1), C 10-1-44-2 (w1), Bishoo 10-1-35-1 Brathwaite 7-0-26-0 (nb1, w1), Nurse (w1), Crandon 2-0-7-0, Deonarine 6-0-24-0, Benn 10-1-39-1 (w2, nb1), 10-0-22-0, Johnson 1-0-4-0

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Fiery Johnson puts Australia on top against S.Africa

By Mark Gleeson

(REUTERS) - Mitchell Johnson showed his fiery bowling had not cooled from the Ashes as he ripped through South Africa’s top order to leave the hosts 140 for six at the close of the second day of the first Test against Australia at SuperSport Park yesterday..

Johnson dismissed captain Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen and Faf du Plessis in a devastating early spell that helped reduce South Africa to 43-4 at one stage.

He finished the day with four wickets - and a stunning one-handed catch - to stymie the home side’s attempts at a comeback.

South Africa are 257 runs behind with four wickets remaining after bowling Australia out for 397 just after lunch.

They need 58 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Paceman Johnson proved the central figure on a day of dominance for the tourists, as they added 100 runs to their overnight score then put South Africa under pressure with the ball.

Only AB de Villiers, who was 52 not out at the close, provided any resistance for the

top-ranked Test nation.

Johnson continued where he had left off during the 5-0 whitewash of England by taking the wicket of captain Smith with his fourth ball and having Africa’s other opener, Petersen (2), caught behind in his third over.

Smith, whose hand was broken twice by Johnson in Tests in Sydney and Durban five years ago, had made 10 when he tried to evade a short ball and topedged it high, allowing Shaun Marsh to scramble backwards from first slip for a brilliant catch. du Plessis (3), promoted to No.4 in the order after the retirement of Jacques Kallis, lasted only five balls before being caught by Michael Clarke at first slip off a rising delivery in Johnson’s fourth over, leaving South Africa in trouble at 23-3.

Hashim Amla was next out, trapped leg-before-wicket by Peter Siddle for 17. de Villiers and JP Duminy offered some hope of a prolonged partnership, but after they had put on 67 for the fifth wicket, Johnson ran back from mid-off to catch Duminy one-handed at full stretch after the South African mis-timed a lofted shot off spinner Nathan Lyon.

Ryan McLaren (8) was bowled by Johnson for the sixth wicket.

Robin Peterson was unbeaten on 10 when a sudden thunderstorm brought an end to play, 30 minutes before the scheduled close.

Australia, 297-4 overnight, had waited almost an hour at the start of the day for Steve Smith (100) to get the nine runs needed to complete his fourth

Fiery Mitchell Johnson has three wickets to celebrate in his opening spell of the series.

AUSTRALIA first innings o/n 297 for four C. Rogers c Duminy b Morkel 4 D. Warner b Steyn 12 A. Doolan c Peterson b McLaren 27 S. Marsh c Smith b Philander 148 M. Clarke c Philander b Steyn 23 S. Smith c Petersen b McLaren 100 B. Haddin lbw b Peterson 0 M. Johnson b Peterson 33 R. Harris b Steyn 19 P. Siddle b Steyn 2 N. Lyon not out 4 Extras: (b-4, lb-8, w-11, nb-2) 25 Total: (all out, 122 overs) 397 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-24, 3-72, 4-98, 5-331, 6-332, 7-348, 8-391, 9-391.

Bowling: D. Steyn 29-6-78-4 (w-1),

Test century. He lasted two more deliveries after reaching the landmark.

Marsh, who was 122 overnight, eventually fell for a Testhigh of 148 in a stylish knock three days after arriving as a late call-up for the injured Shane Watson.

Johnson contributed a valuable 33 with the bat in the lower order before Australia were dismissed soon after lunch.

V. Philander 24-5-69-1, M. Morkel 22-5-73-1 (w-1), R. McLaren 20-472-2 (nb-2, w-1), R. Peterson 15-049-2, JP Duminy 12-1-44-0.

SOUTH AFRICA first innings G. Smith c Marsh b Johnson 10 A. Petersen c Haddin b Johnson 2 H. Amla lbw b Siddle 17 F. du Plessis c Clarke b Johnson 3 AB de Villiers not out 52 JP Duminy c Johnson b Lyon 25 R. McLaren b Johnson 8 R. Peterson not out 10 Extras: (b-10, lb-2, w-1) 13 Total: (for six wickets, 43.3 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-15, 3-23, 4-43, 5-110, 6-126.

Bowling: Harris 12-3-33-0, Johnson 13.3-1-51-4 (w-1), Siddle 7-0-21-1, Lyon 11-0-23-1.

Leewards make changes I’ve started better than in ahead of WICB Regional the Ashes, says Johnson 4-Day

By Mark Gleeson

ST JOHN’S, Antigua - The Leewards have made three changes ahead of the WICB Regional Four-Day tournament set to commence early March.

Two Antiguans, Rahkeem ‘Jimbo’ Cornwall and Justin Athanaze, along with Montserratian Lionel Baker, have been dropped from the squad.

They have paved the way for Nevisian all-rounder Tonito Willett, top-order batsman Lyndell Richardson of Anguilla and 19-year-old Kittitian batsman Akeem Saunders.

Coach Ridley Jacobs hopes the players can strengthen the team’s batting as they seek to improve on their dismal performances in the NAGICO Super50.

“We are hoping that the players can be in St Kitts a week before the actual tournament starts so that we can do some stuff before the games actually start,” he said.

“The problem that I had (in the NAGICO Super50) is the batting. We didn’t really apply the simple basic things that we needed to do to perform well which is to stay at the crease,

Kieran Powell has been retained as Leewards captain. during the upcoming tourkeep our eyes on the ball. The nament. discipline at the crease wasn’t “It must change because we there and I think that is somecan’t keep on going down this thing we have to work on.” road and players have to underKieran Powell has been stand that they are getting paid retained as captain while Anand they are getting paid well tiguan Devon ‘Booby’ Thomto perform, and if they don’t as will continue as vice-capperform them I guess somebody tain. would have to take their place,” The other members of the he said. team are Quinton Boatswain, Leeward Islands will Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin open their four-day campaign Hodge, Sylvester ‘Bouncing’ against CCC on March 1 at Joseph, Anthony ‘I-Roots’ Warner Park Stadium in St Martin, Mali Richards, Gavin Kitts.

Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr and The sub-regional squad will Kelbert Walters. then face Jamaica in a day/night Jacobs expects players fixture from March 7 to 10, also to perform at their highest at Warner Park.

PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson sounded a warning over his form yesterday after giving South Africa the kind of treatment England couldn’t handle in their Ashes whitewash.

Johnson took 4-51, including three for 10 in his four-over opening spell, to reduce South Africa to 140-6 at the end of the second day of the first Test at SuperSport Park.

“I started better today than at the start of the Ashes in Brisbane,” the left-armer told reporters after ripping through the home side’s top order.

“To come out and get three wickets quickly is definitely a great start.”

Johnson removed captain Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen, Faf du Plessis and Ryan McLaren as South Africa closed 257 runs behind Australia’s first-innings 397.

The Queenslander’s anticipated contest with Smith - whose hand he has previously twice broken with nasty deliveries - lasted just two balls, as Smith flayed at a bouncer and was caught for 10.

Johnson said he had a plan to bowl a little wider at the crease and use the angle.

“It is nice when a plan comes off,” the 32-year-old said.

“I think that (the broken

Skipper Graeme Smith could only fend a vicious short ball to the slips... hands) is definitely in the back of his (Smith’s) mind, but it was just one of those balls that took off.

“I think I’ll try and keep bowling like that to him and try to keep producing those kind of balls.

“When I was batting I could sense the extra bounce in the wicket, so when I started bowling I tried to hit the deck as hard as I could. I didn’t feel the

wicket was swinging but there were cracks to work with.”

Johnson said he was enjoying his role as the team’s aggressor, working not only on the batsmen but also exchanging insults with the crowd. “I’m trying to be as intimidating as possible,” he said.

Johnson took 37 England wickets in the five-Test Ashes series at an average of less than 14.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14 2014

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Future stars ready to show their talent as ICC U-19 CWC 2014 gets under way today …Tomorrow, India open title defence against two-time former champions Pakistan in Dubai and three-time winners Australia square off against Namibia in Abu Dhabi FUTURE stars will get a chance to show their talent, potential and prowess in a truly global event when the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 gets under way across the United Arab Emirates today.

The tournament has provided impetus to the careers of stalwarts like Michael Atherton, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Nasser Hussain, Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Graeme Smith as well as current stars like Ahmed Shahzad, Alastair Cook, Quinton de Kock, Shikhar Dhawan, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Angelo Mathews, Shakib Al Hasan, Steven Smith and Ross Taylor among others.

It is one of the most important and followed cricketing events in which teenagers get a taste of international experience, pressure and exposure, and also receive training and education on anti-doping and anti-corruption.

This year’s ICC U-19 CWC carries extra significance as it is taking place a year before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

As such, a lot of cricketers will be looking to excel in this tournament so that they can catch the eye of their national selectors and earn the honour of The four groups are:

Cricket Stadium, and South Africa and the West Indies going head-to-head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a match that will be covered live by ICC’s broadcast partner Star Sports.

This will be one of the 11 matches, including two quarterfinals, both the semi-finals and the final, to be televised.

India will seek to defend the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup title in a 16-day tournament in which 48 matches will be played. India, who are also the holders of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Cham-

Nasser Hussain

Brian Lara Super League quarterfinals, while the two bottom teams from each group qualify for

pions Trophy, have also previously won the crown under Mohammad Kaif in 2000 and Kohli in 2008, but unlike Pakistan, their opponents in tomorrow’s match at the Dubai International

Group A Group B Group C Group D

India Australia South Africa New Zealand Pakistan Bangladesh West Indies England Scotland Afghanistan Zimbabwe Sri Lanka PNG Namibia Canada UAE representing their countries in cricket’s biggest extravaganza which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 1 next year.

The 16 teams in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2014 have been divided equally into four groups..

The top two teams from each group will progress to the

the Plate Championship quarterfinals.

On the opening day, four matches will be played with 1998 champions England taking on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Zimbabwe facing Canada at Abu Dhabi Oval 1, New Zealand squaring off against Sri Lanka at Sharjah

Man City get go-ahead to increase stadium capacity

(REUTERS) - Manchester City have been given planning permission to make their Etihad Stadium the second biggest in the Premier League, the local authority said in a statement yesterday.

An application was made to Manchester City Council in November and it has now approved the club’s plans to take their stadium capacity to 62 170 from 47 670.

The 2012 Premier League champions, currently third in the table, want to increase each area behind the goals by up to 6 250 seats and add up to 2 000 additional pitch side seats.

Should Abu Dhabi-owned City complete their plans, the increased capacity would make the Etihad Stadium the second biggest in the Premier League behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

The stadium was built in 2000 to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games and once included an athletics track, with City moving into their new home in 2003.

Cricket Stadium, have never won back-to-back titles.

India seem to have strong credentials in this event as only

a month ago in the UAE, they won the U-19 Asia Cup when they defeated Pakistan in the final. Last year in July, they also won the Top End U-19 tri-series, which featured Australia and New Zealand, and beat Sri Lanka in August in a bilateral series as well as winning the U-19 quadrangular series, which also involved South Africa, Australia and Zimbabwe.

However, the final buildup for India has been far from ideal as they lost both warm-up matches to Sri Lanka (by five wickets) and South Africa (five wickets).

Previewing the tournament and his side’s match against Pakistan, India captain Vijay Zol said: “We are really confident about our chances in the tournament.

“We have won in the past and also the recently concluded Asia Cup. So, we are carrying the momentum with us. Every-

body is looking in good nick and working hard, and we are looking forward to playing in the tournament.

“Pakistan are a good team.

They have been doing well on the U-19 circuit, but we have managed to beat them. Recently, we beat them in the Asia Cup final that was also played here in the UAE. We are very confident about playing against them.”

Australia, who have won the title in 1988, 2002 and 2010, also lost both their warm-up matches to Zimbabwe (by three wickets) and Pakistan (by 38 runs). But, captain Alex Gregory was confident and said his boys were looking forward to the tournament.

“It’s a very special moment for all the boys. I’m sure they’ve dreamt of representing their country all their lives with the final goal of wearing a baggy green, so it will be exciting to play on an international stage and see if we can perform under pressure,” said Gregory, who is one of the 35 players, along with Zol and Pakistan captain Sami Aslam, to feature in their second successive ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup. “ We h a v e a w e l l balanced side of powerful hitters and skilled fast and spin bowlers, so we have the ability to perform well in this tournament. India beat us in the final of the last World Cup, so experiencing that loss has fed the hunger for this World Cup. “To win the ICC U-19 World Cup would be a huge achievement. Many of the boys have spoken about how much it will mean to them to win the title. However, currently we are more focused on the process to

Sanath Jayasuriya win each game than looking to the final result,” he concluded.

Apart from India and Australia, Pakistan are the other side to have won the tournament on more than one occasion. They won in 2004 and 2006 in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively, while they also finished runners-up in Australia in 1988 and in New Zealand in 2010.

Besides Sami, opener Inam-ul-Haq, left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar and left-arm fast bowler Zia-ul-Haq will also be appearing in their second World Cup. Bangladesh have won Plate Championship title three times, while Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh have won once each.

Today’s fixtures (first round): England v UAE, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi Zimbabwe v Canada, Abu Dhabi Oval 1 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Sharjah Cricket Stadium S o u t h A f r i c a v We s t Indies, Dubai International Cricket Stadium (ICC website)

Over 200 entries for annual Mash table tennis competition

OVER 200 entries from all across the country have been registered to take part in the annual National Sports Commission (NSC) Mashramani Table Tennis competition that starts today at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

With registration closing off yesterday, the organisers of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) reported that they have already received entries from Georgetown, West Demerara, Berbice, Bartica, East Coast and Linden, to participate in the event.

The competition will have its official opening ceremony tomorrow, where the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, and the Director of Sport Neil Kumar are expected to make brief remarks.

Regarded as one of the top table tennis tournaments in the country, the tournament will have two segments - the juniors and seniors - with singles and

… serves off today at National Gymnasium

Chelsea Edghill doubles competitions.

Age groups for the competition include the girls and boys under nine, 11, 13, 15, 18 and 21. There will also be the men’s and women’s singles, the junior mixed doubles and the boys’ and

girls’ doubles being contested for trophies and medals.

The singles com pet ition will be played in two stages with players battling each other in groups to amass points to move on.

The first two players of each group will then move onto the knockout round of the competition.

During the group stages and all of the knockout round except for the finals, players will have to win three out of five games to win one match while in the finals the players will have to win four out of seven to be declared the winner.

Some of the notable players expected to participate are Kaysan Ninvalle, Isaiah Layne, Cieara Sukhu, and Shemar Husbands in the 9 years and under.

The 11 years and under cat-

egory will have Niron Bissu, Nevaeh Clarkston, while in the 13 years and under Jeremey Singh, Tyriq Saunders, Terrence Rausch, Khalil Ninvalle, Amit Mookram, Brandon Jaikarran, Navendra Persaud, Jordon Conway, Selenas Jackman, and Simran Bissu are expected to be at the table. The 15 years and under category is expected to be lead by Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson, Miguel Wong, Khalid Gobin, Sheldon Atherly (Bartica), and Berbice’s Stephan Sankar on the boys’ side while Kristie Lopes, Pricilla Greaves, and Davonna Bess will be on the girls’ side.

Shemar Britton, Jamaal Duff, Stefan Corlette, Kevon Corbin, Bryton Murray (Berbice), Joshua Lalbachan (Berbice), Chelsea Edghill, and Angeli Persaud (Berbice) will be in the 18 years and under category.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14, 2014

Irshad Mohamed is new GCF boss THE leadership of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) changed hands last Sunday when Guyana’s lone national arbiter Irshad Mohamed was voted in as the new president of the local governing body.

Mohamed replaced fellow businessman Shiv Nandalall,

who did not seek reelection after serving two consecutive terms at the helm.

Nandalall had taken over from veteran chess player and columnist Errol Tiwari, who was elected to head the GCF when it was resuscitated in 2008 after almost two decades of dormancy.

GSCL Republic Cup bowls off today at four venues THE Georgetown Softball Cricket League’s (GSCL) Republic Cup tournament will bowl-off today at four venues around Georgetown.

The event, which is being staged in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, carries a first prize of $600 000 for the winning open team and $500 000 for the winning Over-40 team.

Today at the Everest ground, Regal XI face Bartica Challengers from 09:00hrs on the #2 pitch and at the same time, Wolf Warriors tackle Trophy Stall on the #3 pitch.

From 13:00hrs, Regal XI play Memorex on the #2 pitch and Wolf Warriors meet Farm XI on the #3 pitch.

Over at the Police Sports Club ground, Memorex meet DVD Titans from 09:00hrs on the #1 pitch and Farm XI come up against Speed Boat on the #2 pitch.

At 13:00hrs, DVD Titans meet Bartica Challengers on the #1 pitch and Speed Boat take on Trophy Stall on the #2 pitch.

In the Over-40 category, Regal Masters faces Savage Masters from 09:00hrs on the #1 pitch at the Everest ground and Regal Masters will be in action once again from 13:00hrs when they take on Industry Super Kings on the same #1 pitch.

Over at the Police ground, Floodlights will meet Industry Super Kings from 09:00hrs on the #3 pitch then at 13:00hrs they will meet Savage Masters.

Playing at the DCC ground, Queenstown, Mike’s Wellman will come up against Defenders from 09:00hrs on the #3 pitch and Frontline Rangers will meet Success Masters on the #2 pitch.

From 13:00hrs, Success Masters face Defenders on the #3 pitch and Frontline Rangers tackle Mike’s Wellman on the #2 pitch.

The tournament will continue tomorrow with matches at the same venues starting at 09:00hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday February 14, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Faoud Bacchus 31 ODIs Today’s Quiz: Where and when did fast bowler Michael Holding once take 14 wickets in a Test match?

Which two made their ODI debut at Bourda?

Dwayne Bravo; Curtly Ambrose; David Bernard; Ryan Hurley; Clayton Lambert Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Immediately after being elected,, Mohamed revealed that his priority is the development of chess among youths.

“We want to tap into the schools and focus more on the growth and development of the game among the youth population,” Mohamed pointed out.

That apart, Mohamed is keen on having Guyana compete at the Olympiad in Norway in August, as well as the GCF hosting the much-touted

New president of the Guyana Chess Federation Irshad Mohamed .

CARICOM championship later this year.

The new GCF head called on his executives to work in the best interest of the game’s development, while he urged stakeholders to play their part in ensuring progress is made during his tenure.

On his executive, Mohamed has George Vaughn as treasurer, Wendell Meusa as the chess trainer, Ronuel Greenidge as secretary, and Wayne Browne in charge of fundraising.

The committee members are Krishnanand Raghunanand, Maria Thomas and Ryan Singh.

Countrywide champs ASRC lead in Sunflower Jewellery dominoes REIGNING F&H countrywide champions All Seasons Racing Service (ASRC) were clinging to a slender lead at the end of the second leg of the feature three-way aggregate dominoes tournament when action in the Sunflower Jewellery-sponsored tournament continued on Tuesday at their Robb Street, Georgetown venue.

In a closely fought encounter, ASRC lead with 151 games, four ahead of Canal Six who are on 147 while International Six are just behind on 146.

The first round, played at the Everest Cricket Club last Friday, saw ASRC take top honours with 77 games while Canal Six and International Six both finished on 72, The top markers for ASRC were David Bennett and John Freeman with 15 games each while skipper Frankie Seaforth and Mark Persaud made 14 each and Errol Seaforth 13.

Chibar Seopaul and Avie Persaud scored 14 and 13 games respectively for Canal Six while the top players for International

Six were Martin Permaul (15 games), Edmund Sammy (14), Ron Callender (13) and Intikab Ali (13).

Only one game separated the eventual winners on Tuesday with Canal Six emerging top with 75 games, edging out Canal Six and International Six who both ended on 74.

Chibar Seopaul maintained his consistency for the winners, topping with 16 games while there were 14 and 13 games respectively for Ramroop Sukhai and Ramesh Ramoutar.

For International Six, Edmund Sammy had 14 games while Colin Hicken and captain Manniram Shew each had 13.

ASRC were led by Bennett with 14 games and 13 each from Errol Seaforth, Raymond Ali and Stephen Duncan.

With the teams so closely placed, a fierce final round is anticipated when they clash on Sunday at Ernest Shop, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara.

Prizes will be awarded to the winning and second-place teams, the three top players in the winning team, the best two in the second and the best in the third, The proprietor of Sunflower Jewellery, Parmannad Dindial, who is also a member of Canal Six will hand over the prizes to the respective winners.

Four Windies players retained, five sold in IPL auction BANGALORE, India (CMC) - Four West Indies cricketers have been retained to play for their respective franchises while another five have been purchased on the first day Wednesday of the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) player auctions.

Dwayne Bravo has been retained by the Chennai Super Kings, Sunil Narine the Kolkata Knight Riders, Kieron Pollard will continue to play for the Mumbai Indians while Chris Gayle has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Sunrisers Hyderabad snapped up Darren Sammy, Dwayne Smith moves from Mumbai Indians to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Ravi Rampaul, Jason Holder has been recruited to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad while spinner Samuel Badree was a bargain buy for Chennai Super Kings.

Overall, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Karthik were the biggest buys on day one of the auctions, sold for US$2.25M and US$2.01M respectively.

Sunil Narine

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 14 2014

39

Gayle back in ODI, T20 squads CHRIS Gayle made a return to the West Indies squad for the limited-overs matches against Ireland, after missing the New Zealand tour due to a hamstring injury.

Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels also made comebacks to both squads after recovering from injuries which made them miss the limited-overs leg during the New Zealand tour.

Uncapped 23-year-old fast bowler Miguel Cummins was named in the ODI squad while Ravi Rampaul was only included in the T20 squad. Rampaul had returned home from the New Zealand tour after sustaining a thumb injury. He missed the last two ODIs and both T20s.

Cummins, who plays for Barbados, has an experience of only 18 domestic games - 13 first-class, three List A and two

T20s. In first-class matches, he has 42 wickets at an average of 21.18 while in List A he has seven wickets at 18.14.

While Tino Best, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine and Chadwick Walton were dropped from both squads, all-rounder Kieron Pollard was not considered due to the knee injury he sustained last year and continues to be under rehabilitation.

Best played only one ODI against New Zealand and conceded 70 runs in nine overs.

He leaked 77 more in the seven overs he bowled in the following two T20s, with three wickets.

Batsmen Deonarine and Charles were also dropped possibly because of their recent form in New Zealand. Deonarine played three of the five ODIs and managed only 38 runs. Charles played four ODIs,

but managed 40 runs, including two ducks.

In the two T20s, both of which West Indies lost, he could put together only 23 runs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Walton, who stayed back in New Zealand after the Tests as replacement for an injured Samuels, didn’t fare any better. In the two ODIs and two T20s in which he got to bat, his scores read 17, 0, 9 and 0.

Krishmar Santokie and Dwayne Smith were recalled in the T20 squad, in place of Nikita Miller and Kieran Powell.

Left-arm medium-pacer Santokie, with two international T20s to his name, came back to the squad after nearly two years having last played a T20 in March 2012 against Australia. All-rounder Smith

also made a comeback after a long gap, with his last T20 for West Indies in December 2012.

West Indies will host Ireland for two T20s and one ODI with the first T20 on February 19 in Kingston.

West Indies ODI squad: Dwayne Bravo (capt.), Darren Bravo, Miguel Cummins, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine, Kieron Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wkp.), Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons.

West Indies T20 squad: Darren Sammy (capt.), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

GFF/Banks Beer National Premier League

Grove Hi-Tech, Riddim Squad register victories over East Coast teams

By Michael DaSilva

GROVE Hi-Tech and Riddim Squad registered victories over Buxton United and BV/Triumph respectively in the latest round of matches in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Banks Beer National Premier League.

Playing at the Georgetown Football Club ground on Wednesday evening, Grove Hi-Tech beat Buxton United 3-1 in the opening game from 18:00hrs while Riddim Squad defeated BV/Triumph 4-1 in the feature match.

In the opening game, Grove Hi-Tech made their intention known from as early as the 4th minute when Orson Francois slotted home his team’s opening goal.

Six minutes later, Francois’ team mate John Matthews found the back of Buxton United’s net from close up.

However, Buxton United reduced the score line through a Tyrone Harper 12th minute goal and thereafter the two sides fought each other for midfield dominance throughout the remainder of the first session.

With no other goals resulting, the session ended 2-1 in Grove Hi-Tech’s favour.

Delon Lanferman Both teams upped the ante in the second session and both sides missed scoring opportunities on several occasions and it was until the second minute of injury time that Grove Hi-Tech extended the lead to 3-1 through a Dominique Garnett goal.

In the feature game, Riddim Squad and BV/Triumph also battled for midfield dominance and both teams created scoring opportunities, but neither of them (teams) managed to convert in the first session.

It was not until the fourth minute of the second session that Riddim Squad opened the scoring through a Amos Ramsey

49th minute goal.

The lead was doubled in the 60th minute through a Sheldon Hope goal.

BV/Triumph responded in the 71st minute through a Shamar Fraser goal, but the celebration was short-lived as three minutes later, Jermaine Liverpool made the score 3-1 for Riddim Squad.

He then plastered the icing on the cake with an 88th minute goal to finish with a brace.

The win for Grove Hi-Tech is their second in four days, as on Sunday, they defeated Rosignol United 3-1when the two sides met at the No.5 Ground, West Coast Berbice.

In that game, Clive Matthews, Joel Dick and Garnett netted for the winners in the 24th, 55th and 94th minutes respectively.

Rosignol United’s lone goal came off the boot of Winston Benjamin in the 37th minute.

The East Bank Demerara side now move to 15 points in the standing, while the win for Riddim Squad carries them to 11 points.

On Sunday too, Den Amstel defeated New Amsterdam United 2-1 also at the #5 ground.

Mervin Henry and Delon Lanferman scored for Den Amstel in the 31st and 82nd minutes respectively, while Adrian Adonis registered one for New Amsterdam United in the 1st minute.

Also on Sunday, Silver Shattas beat Young Warriors 4-1 through goals from Dishawn Freeman and Owen Benfield in the 32nd and 91st minutes respectively and a brace by Alwyn David in the 43rd and 69th minutes.

Young Achievers’ lone goal was scored by Winston Johnson in the 1st minute from the penalty spot.

At the GFC ground, Alpha United thrashed BV/Triumph 9-0.

Manasseh Primo netted five of the nine goals in the 2nd, 21st, 26th, 57th and 65th minutes, while Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson bagged a double in the 60th and 72nd minutes. Chris Comacho scored one goal in the 45th minute and the other goal was an own goal in the 13th minute.

The competition will continue on Sunday with eight matches at four different venues.

Chris Gayle is back in the ODI and T20 squads after recovering from a hamstring injury.

GCB launches Grassroots Programme today THE 2014 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)-sponsored Guyana Cricket Board’s Grassroots Programme will be launched today at Banks DIH Thirst Park Club House and Ground.

The launch will involve the participation of the GCB staff and executives, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, president of the Guyana Teachers Union Colin Bynoe and representatives from the Allied Arts department of the Ministry of the Education.

The launch will be followed immediately by a friendly match between male and female players of ages 11-17 from Queen’s College and the Tucville community, primarily the Tucville Secondary School.

The GCB/WICB Grassroots programme will be conducted in various locations across the country, and intends to focus on those of

the targeted age group, who have an interest in cricket but currently possess limited cricketing experience.

It will also provide a continuous pathway for those with earlier exposure to the game of cricket and who may have benefited from the WICB/GCB/ Scotiabank Kiddies Cricket Programme, which was also recently launched.

This programme is relaunched after a two-year hiatus and the GCB once again expresses gratitude that its cricket programmes are gradually returning to full implementation, since thousands of kids throughout Guyana stand to benefit from the Grassroots programme, in similar fashion to the WICB/GCB/Scotiabank Kiddies Cricket Programme, which will also see the coaches gain employment.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Gayle back in ODI, T20 squads

(See story on page 39)

Edwards and Smith power Barbados into See story on Super50 final Page 35

Narsingh Deonarine cuts to the boundary in his top score of 58 for Guyana.

Man-of-the-Match Dwayne Smith pulls for another boundary in his rapid knock of 61 from 37 balls.

Well done Fidel! Barbados’ wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (#91) congratulates his fiery fast bowler Fidel Edwards on one of his four wickets during Malta Supreme Guyana’s innings yesterday afternoon. (Photos courtesy flickr.com/windiescricket)

Goodwill amateur tournament boxes off See story tonight on page 35

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GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014