Guyana chronicle 15 02 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103740

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $60

The fight to get Opposition’s support is still on as…

INCLUDING VAT

Guyana earns further reprieve over Anti-Money Laundering bill Page 3

- Gov’t thanks citizens, civil society bodies, business community, labour movement, diplomatic community, OAS, CARICOM and others for their publicly lent support to what were and continue to be ‘unique and unprecedented circumstances’

Sector Ministers, RHOs Footballer Peter and REDOs tackling Lashley killed by challenges to regional 3 2 sand truck services delivery Page

Page

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Sector Ministers, RHOs and REDOs tackling challenges to regional services delivery THE sector ministers and their senior technical officers examined the main players’ role of promoting, facilitating and supporting education delivery and primary health care at the level of the 10 administrative regions in two days of meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC). The exercise organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and which got underway Thursday,was a continuation of a series of engagements which began in early January,

and which brought together ministers of government responsible for the delivery of several programmes across the 10 administrative regions, with their technical team and senior regional officials. These include the Regional Chairmen (RCs,) the Regional Vice Chairmen (RVCs,) the Regional Executive Officers (REOs,) the Deputy Regional Executive Officers (DREOs,) the Regional Health Officers (RHOs) and the Regional Education Officers (REDOs.) In attendance Thursday were Prime Minister Samu-

el Hinds, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh. The meetings had the primary objective of identifying the prime challenges faced in the delivery of quality and timely goods and services to the residents in the regions, and as well on the measures that would be taken to elimi-

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addressing the opening of the 2014 Regional Health and Education Officers’ workshop at the Guyana International Conference Centre nate these difficulties. “I want to advocate to you that we should keep the faith and always reflect the faith that we Guyanese can and will attain a better quality of life that we are worthy of, and we will do so for us in Guyana, but that better quality of life would not come down from the skies, it will come out of our work,” Prime Minister Hinds noted. The PM said the aim is to focus on getting ‘better each day’ by looking at the ways things can be done better, with regard to the delivery of services, with improvement not only in carrying out these duties, but doing so working as a team. “Where we are today, we are quite advanced from where we were 20 or 40 years ag, and we should reflect on that, that we have brought improvements to some extent, we should feel some amount

of satisfaction about that, but we know that we have to go much further,” he said. Minister Whittaker noted that the meeting was being held at a time when the Commonwealth Heads of Government have formally recognised the role of local government in enhancing democratic governance, having endorsed the declaration of 2014 as the Year of Developmental Local Government. He said the ministry viewedthe two-day exercise as providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the role of local government in community development. “Today must not be seen as an opportunity to debate who is right and who is wrong…it’s an opportunity for us to agree, in the first instance, that we have not been delivering the services that see page 3

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Collin Croal, listen as Prime Minister Samuel Hinds delivers the feature address at the Regional Health and Education Officers workshop

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

The fight to get Opposition’s support is still on as…

Guyana earns further reprieve over Anti-Money Laundering bill - Gov’t thanks citizens, civil society bodies, business community, labour movement, diplomatic community, OAS, CARICOM and others for their publicly lent support to what were and continue to be ‘unique and unprecedented circumstances’ THE France-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has agreed that Guyana should be reviewed again in another three months on the crucially important Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, which has won widespread support from almost everyone, except from the parliamentary Opposition parties. In a much anticipated statement to the media yesterday, the Government of Guyana said it has been advised that the FATF Plenary members, during their meeting on Thursday February 13, 2014 accepted the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) (ICRG) recommendation that Guyana, et al,

be reviewed subsequent to the CFATF next Plenary’s decision in May of 2014. The Government noted that this is the substance of the CFATF public statement made in November 2013 when the National Assembly defeated the Government’s AML/CFT Amendment Bill No.12 2013 on November 7, 2013. The Government said it wishes to go on record to “thank” Guyanese citizens, civil society bodies with particular reference to the business community and their organisations, the labour movement, the diplomatic community, the Organization of American States and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and all who publicly lent support to the Gov-

ernment’s efforts in what were and continue to be “unique and unprecedented circumstances.” The Government is also once again calling on the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) leaders that the AML/CFT Amendment Bill must be passed in the National Assembly as urgently as possible before the end of this month. Following is the full text of the statement issued yesterday by the Government of Guyana: THE Government of Guyana has been advised that the FATF Plenary members yesterday (Thursday) February 13, 2014 accepted the CFATF (ICRG) recommendation that Guyana et al be reviewed subsequent to the CFATF next

Plenary’s decision in May of 2014. This is the substance of the CFATF Public Statement made in November 2013 when the National Assembly defeated the Government’s AMLCFT Amendment Bill No.12 2013 on November 7, 2013 .3n. The Government is advised that neither the FATF nor the CFATF will be issuing any Statements emanating from the Paris meeting on Guyana. The decisions of the 2013 November CFATF meeting and plan of action remain unchanged. Further, Guyana has to file a report by February 28, 2014 to the CFATF for their review and report to Plenary members in May 2014. This report will include Guyana’s plan of action to correct its deficiencies as part

of the ongoing process. Guyana is expected to attach to that report the conclusions on the AMLCFT Amendment Bill No. 22, 2013 which is before the Parliamentary Special Select Committee and a copy of the said enacted Bill to be analysed, correlated to the deficiencies to provide the report to Plenary in May, 2014. Between February and May it is expected that there will be dialogue and discussions with CFATF with regard to the preparation of the report for the CFATF Plenary. If the May Plenary is dissatisfied with Guyana’s progress, the 2013 November Statement already provides the decision for the country’s referral to FATF which is meeting in June 2014. The Government wishes

to go on record to thank Guyanese citizens, civil society bodies with particular reference to the business community and their organizations, the labour movement, the diplomatic community, the Organization of American States and the CARICOM, all who publicly lent support to the Government of Guyana’s efforts in what were and continue to be “unique and unprecedented circumstances.” The Government calls once again on the APNU and AFC leaders that the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill 22, 2013 must be passed in the National Assembly as urgently as possible before the end of February, 2014.

Sector Ministers, Footballer Peter Lashley killed by sand truck RHOs and REDOs tackling ... from page 2 people expect of us. If we do not start off with that premise, we will not make much progress,” the Minister said. He therefore challenged the regional officials to be actively involved in the exercise, to make inputs which can make a difference and which would lead to an improvement in the way things are done at the regional level, thereby enabling residents the opportunity to enjoy better quality goods and services. Wednesday’s session focused on the RHOs whilst the next day REDOs were targeted, Croal explained. The meetings addressed four broad areas: challenges encountered in delivering health and educational services, internal distribution networks within the health and education sector, record keeping and database management, and the role of the health and education programme heads within the regions. Recently the opportunity was provided for the REOs and DREOs to meet with sector ministers responsible for Local Government, Education, Heath, Public Works and Social Services on factors impeding the desired improvement in the way these services are delivered at the level of the region. (GINA)

FORMER National Player/ Coach and Administrator of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Peter Lashley known as ‘Peter Graham’, 54, of Lot 6 ‘D’ Tucville, was killed early yesterday morning when he found himself underneath a truck on Mandela Avenue, also in the city. At the time, he was riding his motorcycle on the way to work at John Fernandes Ltd. (JFL), where he was employed for many years as a gate clerk. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium. Police reported that they are conducting investigations into the fatality that happened about 06:30 hrs on February 14, on Mandela Avenue, resulting in the death of motorcyclist Lashley. Investigations, so far, re-

vealed that Lashley rode out of the Meadow Brook access road and, allegedly, failed to stop and was struck down by a motor lorry that was proceeding along Mandela Avenue. The driver of the lorry is in Police custody assisting with the investigations. At the scene yesterday morning, several onlookers were speechless after they learnt the identity of the victim as they stared at the brain matter under the truck while the dead man’s cap and helmet lay nearby. His motorcycle was taken away by the Police and lodged in their custody as several traffic cops were seen with the truck driver at the spot yesterday, taking measurements and interviewing other persons. At the dead man’s residence, his wife, Lorraine

Lashley, was inconsolable. She was in deep grief and shock as she cried loudly and had to be comforted by her four sons,

relatives, neighbours and others, who showed up at the house upon hearing of the tragedy. see page 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

UK floods: River levels rise as rain and wind sweep in (BBC News) THOUSANDS of sandbags are being piled up to protect homes and businesses as more heavy rain and gale-force winds sweep across southern Britain. With river levels expected to rise, the Environment Agency has made 30,000 sandbags available to properties near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey. Princes William and Harry have helped pile sandbags in Datchet, Berkshire. All train services west of Plymouth are cancelled for the rest of the day, and there will be no replacement buses. First Great Western said coach companies had refused to run rail replacement services in Cornwall due to the “unsafe” conditions. In Wales, more than 16,000 properties remain without power following Wednesday’s winds of up to 112mph. A man has died in hospital after being hit by a falling tree in his garden in Gwynedd during Wednesday’s storm. The Environment Agency has issued 24 severe flood warnings covering parts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey. The latest warnings are for various places along the south coast of England. The Met Office said that following the heavy rain that had fallen in many places during the day, it expected “potentially damaging” severe gales in southern England during the evening and into Saturday morning. Snow has started falling in parts of northern England, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. BBC Weather’s Peter Gibbs said that with gusts of up to 80mph likely, there was a danger of high tides bringing fresh coastal flooding. The weather is expected to gradually improve on Saturday, the Met Office says, leaving a better day on Sunday and “less intense” showers on Monday.

Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and seek temporary shelter

Mass evacuation in Indonesia as Java volcano erupts

England’s south coast, including Kingsand in Cornwall, is being battered by huge waves

(BBC News) THREE people have been killed after their home collapsed from the weight of volcanic ash, as Alice Budisatrijo reports Tens of thousands of Indonesians have fled their homes after a volcano erupted in east Java. Mount Kelud spewed ash and debris over a large area, including the city of Surabaya, about 130km (80 miles) away. Officials said two people died after their houses collapsed under the weight of ash. Airports in Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Solo shut down

because of low visibility. There are also fears that debris could damage aircraft engines. Yogyakarta airport manager Andi Wirson said the runway was covered in a 5cm-thick layer of ash. Officials raised an alert on Thursday about an hour before the volcano erupted. They urged people living in 36 villages within 10km of the volcano to evacuate. Tens of thousands fled to temporary shelters. Officials said two people died when their homes caved in under the weight of gravel

Winter storm buries parts of northeast; death toll at 20 (Reuters) THE U.S. East Coast dug out on Friday from the final wallop of a deadly four-day storm that dumped

more than two feet of snow in some places, causing chaos from the South to New England.

Five more people were killed on icy roads or while shoveling snow in North Carolina, bringing the storm’s death toll to at least 20. In New York, doctors were working to save the baby of a pregnant 36-yearold woman killed by a private snow plow in a parking lot in Brooklyn. The Pennsylvania Turnpike was littered with twisted metal from up to 50 vehicles in multiple accidents that injured at least 30 people. The road had to be closed during the morning commute, causing a 7-mile (11-km) backup, said Renee Vid Colborn, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike

DATE: 08/02/2014 N 01 07 23 28 18 25 10 DATE: 12/02/2014 O 22 28 10 13 20 26 27

Commission. “It was a chain reaction,” Vid Colborn said of two massive crashes involving up to 25 vehicles each. None of the injuries was life threatening, she said. Blue skies and temperatures in the 40s in the New York City area on Friday belied a previous night of unusual thunder snow and electrical storm in New Jersey. A bolt of lightning struck a Spirit Airlines plane flying from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but it was able to land safely at its destination, Atlantic City International Airport, said airline spokesman Jim Lynde. “Thunder snow is just a

reflection of how intense that storm was and how hard the snowfall rate was,” said Chris Vaccaro, spokesman for the National Weather Service. Snowfall measured 28.5 inches in Pilot, Virginia, about 200 miles west of Richmond, Vaccaro said. A new storm system from the central Plains was on its way Friday, expected to dump up to 3 inches on the East Coast into Saturday of the Presidents Day holiday weekend, he said. Heavy snow in and around New York City, Boston and Philadelphia, caused some schools to be closed for a second unplanned day on Friday.

and ash. Some of the evacuees tried to visit their houses on Friday morning to gather their possessions, but were forced to turn back by the stream of volcanic ash and rocks from the volcano. “The whole place was shaking - it was like we were on a ship in high seas,” one resident told AFP new agency. “We fled and could see lava in the distance flowing into a river.” The volcano spewed ash and gravel that flew as far as 200km away, officials said. The BBC’s Alice Budisatrijo in Jakarta says thick dust in villages close the volcano makes it dangerous for pedestrians and vehicles to be on the road. Mount Kelud, which had been rumbling for several weeks, erupted on Thursday evening. Officials said on Friday that the eruption was gradually subsiding. Experts say the volcano tends to quieten down after a large eruption, and more big eruptions are unlikely. The volcano last erupted in 1990, killing dozens of people. A powerful eruption in 1919 killed around 5,000 people. Indonesia lies across a series of geological fault-lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There are about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Earlier this month, Mount Sinabung on the island of Sumatra erupted, killing at least 14 people.

10/02/2014

20 12 02 13 17 08 18

11/02/2014

02 12 21 05 03 08 14

12/02/2014

01 07 05 14 10 17 13

13/02/2014

02 05 18 15 20 08 12

14/02/2014

12 14 20 15 13 03 11

8 4 6

2 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Man dies after vehicle falls 70ft off historic Natural Bridge in Riversdale

(Jamaica Observer)THE normally sleepy town of Riversdale, St Catherine was jolted into shock and grief yesterday when the motor vehicle being driven by a 60-year-old man plunged more than 70 feet from the historic rail-less Natural Bridge into a heavily vegetated precipice — a day after he celebrated his birthday. According to the police, Luke Brown, who was visiting from Canada, had stopped by a cookshop in the vicinity of the bridge to purchase breakfast and was attempting to park his Suzuki Vitara on the slope near the bridge when the tragedy occurred. “Him just come at the restaurant and ask what we have on the menu and we told him and him seh him going to park,” related Sheryl Jones, a worker at the cookshop. She told the Jamaica Observer that as Brown — who grew up in the neighbouring community of Troja and was visiting relatives — attempted to park his vehicle, several people began to scream. “All of a sudden mi see the van skid and then mi nuh see it again,” the distraught woman told the Observer. The woman said she and others watched in horror as the vehicle, with a terrified Brown still clutching the steering wheel, skidded uncontrollably backwards then made angry contact with the waters below. For many, it was a surreal moment. “I mean, we had to stand up and watch the vehicle going down. We couldn’t do anything. Nothing at all,” said Janeth Dunn, owner of the cookshop. “It’s a regular thing for him to stop by here for food when he visits,” she told the Observer. “Mi feel it, feel it bad.” But what was more painful for Dunn, relatives and residents was the difficulty faced by rescue workers to reach Brown. After the near two-hour operation, they retrieved his lifeless body, battered and bruised with several broken bones. Yesterday, the dead man’s brother, Alexander Brown, said he was at home when he received the news. “I was at my home when someone called me on my phone and told me that me brother ran off the road and that was when

I rushed from home and came here,” said the younger Brown. The tragedy took place a day after he had visited family

to celebrate his birthday. “It was just yesterday we gathered as a family and sat and spent some time together.

We were also planning to go on the road today. He was my best brother,” said the distraught Brown.

Affected workers

Source of CSO fumes discovered

Relatives of Luke Brown weep after hearing news of his tragic death in Riversdale, St Catherine yesterday. (PHOTO: KARL MCLARTY)

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Officials from the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Central Sorting Office (CSO) have located the possible cause of the fumes that forced a halt to operations at the postal facility Friday morning. Officials from the CSO said that they tracked the fumes to a neighbouring premises where a tanker with petroleum was discovered. “We have since met with the owners of the premises,” Postmaster General Michael Gentles said. Several workers were sent home and activities at the facility suspended earlier Friday after noxious fumes enveloped the South Camp Road post office building, the second time in just about a year. The problem recurred one week short of last year’s incident when several workers at the post office, as well as surrounding business places and schools, were affected by fumes in the area and had to be rushed to hospital.

300 sign up to donate organs at death By Sue-Ann Wayow (Trinidad Express) TEN kidney transplants have been performed since 2006 using organs from deceased persons, and 300 citizens have signed up to donate their organs when they die. The latest such kidney transplant took place earlier this week at the San Fernando General Hospital when two persons received one kidney each from a donor declared brain dead. In addition, 103 kidney transplants have been done using organs from living donors during the same period. In January 2006, the Ministry of Health’s National Organ Transplant Programme was launched under the National Organ Transplant Unit. The unit is based at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope. Medical director of the unit, Dr Leslie Roberts, said the last time a kidney transplant was done using the kidney from someone who died was last November at the Port of Spain General Hospital. She said it was at that hospital that the majority of kidney

transplants were done using the organs of the deceased. Roberts said to date, 300 persons who have committed to being donors when they die. However, she said there was a process to be followed before someone’s organs can be used by someone else. And family consent was a must. She said: “We want to encourage persons to become donors but we also want to encourage them to speak with their family members about it because if the family members do not give their consent, we cannot use the organs.” The unit’s website states that recipients are “chosen through a matching system which selects and matches people based on compatibility criteria. This includes blood group, organ size, serology (status of fluids in the body including

blood) urgency and waiting time. A person’s wealth cannot sway or impact the eventual decision”. It also stated the decision to become an organ donor comes into effect only when all efforts by medical doctors to save a life have been exhausted and death is iminent “or has been declared according to specific medical and legal guidelines.” Trinidad and Tobago is the only Caribbean country that has the appropriate legislation that allows transplants to be performed. It is illegal to sell organs in the country and kidneys are the only organs that can be donated since many require kidney transplants. Eventually the programme will be extended to include hearts, pancreas, lung and liver. But because of issues of space and specialised staff, concentration for the next two years

will be mainly on the donation of kidneys, Roberts said. The programme also facilitates cornea transplants. Corneas are tissues in the eye.

Until an Eye Bank is established locally, corneal grafts have to be imported from the US and the operation is not readily available to everyone.

Trained household helpers can now travel freely within region KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- TRAINED household helpers in search of employment can now travel freely within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region. They are among five new categories of workers entitled to free movement after Jamaica amended the CARICOM Free Movement of Skilled Persons Act last year. The other categories of workers are nurses, teachers, artisans with a Caribbean vocational qualification, and holders of associate degrees or comparable qualifications. According to head of the Trade Agreements Implementation and Coordination Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, David Prendergast, the domestic worker category, which is still in the early stages of implementation, includes persons with a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or equivalent certification. “This is still in the process of being fully implemented by Jamaica. It is in our legislation, but domestic workers must obtain a Caribbean Vocational Qualification issued by HEART,” he told JIS News.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

EDITORIAL

Denied access to the exchequer, Opposition still tries to rob treasury of millions

MEMBERS of the leadership of the joint Opposition have been publicly exposed, time and again, in corrupt and fraudulent practices to acquire money and/or properties; so one wonders what would happen to Guyana if they ever win an election and get their hands on the treasury – taxpayers’ money that they claim to be zealously guarding from the very Government that amassed that money through prudent spending and clever fiscal innovations. But they are not prepared to wait for the unlikely event of their ever attaining the highest executive office in the land; they have devised ways of robbing the exchequer even while they are out of that lofty office. Their forays into criminality and/or underhanded, dishonest actions to defraud and acquire cash and/or kind, especially political leverage are well-recorded, but we will rehash some of their ventures in this editorial. AFC chairman Nigel Hughes was reportedly found guilty of tax evasion last year which, in a USA jurisdiction, would have earned him serious jail time. (http://img2.blogblog.com/img/ icon18_edit_allbkg.gif) The Amaila Falls and consequential cheap electricity for Guyana were stymied by the joint Opposition; and most vociferous were Cathy Hughes and current AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes. The contractors and investors were publicly vilified and harangued until they fled. Then the truth was revealed: husband and wife duo, while publicly fighting against this vital initiative to produce cheap energy for the nation, were secretively drawing big bucks from the contractor and investor; yet their antics in and out of Parliament killed the project dead. Cathy Hughes had been contracted as PR consultant to contractor “Fip” Motilall, while husband Nigel Hughes had been appointed legal representative of Sithe Global, the investment company that had been awarded the contract to build the Amaila Falls hydro, which their party, the AFC, bitterly opposed. Hughes has been implicated in property scam allegations over the building that houses the Sidewalk Cafe. Currently, he has been accused of another fraudulent land deal, in which he is alleged to have defrauded Mayfield French, the owner of May’s Primary and Secondary Schools of millions in a seeming scam that is imperilling over 300 students, due to write exams shortly. Hoodwinking for profit and/or benefits their trusting party members and clients; and the general public seems to be the natural predisposition of opposition leaders; and this sanctimonious, hypocritical clique love to accuse others of corruption; that is, taking their “miasmic matter” and daubing it on others, a trait that former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo termed “The Corbin Syndrome”. As was noted before, all their hypocritical grandstanding and sanctimonious rhetoric are aimed at only one goal: and that is to access the powers of Government and, as a natural progression, the national treasury. Failing that, they have devised clever ways of extracting millions of taxpayers’ money out of the treasury; so let us take a look at a few of their gimmicks. An accused murderer was tortured in a police station and of course the Opposition was in full cry to denounce the police and the Government. But while the police is allowed a certain amount of force, torture is not sanctioned and so the offending police ranks

were rightly penalized. So the alleged murderer was not even brought to trial and his purported victim never received justice, because the Opposition made him the victim instead. AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan, in his saintly avatar, promised to get “justice” for what they termed “The tortured teen”; so he was no longer “the accused murderer”. Ramjattan said he was working pro bono, giving free service to a poor boy so that he could secure a future. Free? After the collective Opposition created a hullaballoo in the media, with every player, most likely including jurors and presiding officers prejudiced toward the boy, who was made to seem a victim of the state instead of a young criminal who should have been tried and punished, the verdict would have been a foregone conclusion. Fast-track to the Linden unrest in 2012, when Opposition supporters were again instigated by their leaders,including Nigel Hughes, with three of them shot by persons unknown. After demanding and obtaining a commission of inquiry that cost the nation millions and bringing in an “expert” to prove the police culpable of the killings under the direction of Minister Rohee, all their claims and allegations were debunked, even by their own “expert”; but yet, inexplicably, the Commission awarded millions of taxpayers’ dollars to people who were breaking the law and committing all kinds of atrocities. As Ramjattan did earlier, it is being surmised that their lawyer, Nigel Hughes, received a huge payout for his representation; so again people breaking the law were allegedly rewarded at taxpayers’ expense instead of being punished. Incidentally, dependants of a policeman killed while on duty receive $1 million in compensation. Their ploys to drive investors away and derail Guyana’s socio-economic development under a PPP/C watch is now legendary; and recently, one of their supporters, represented by Nigel Hughes of course, made some difficult-to-believe accusations of sexual molestation against an investor of this country, laying a groundwork for a legal suit and/or compensation package of millions. Opposition supporters beware, because soon private sector employers would no longer hire you, thanks to the crafty schemes of your leaders and their accomplices to defraud their bosses through blackmail and scams, with millions sought in compensation packages. Another criminal act allegedly committed by Nigel Hughes was his illegal removal of evidence from a murder scene, when he admitted that he removed the surveillance tape even before the police had completed their investigations, which should have earned him disbarment and jail time; but he seems untouchable by law. A charge of jury tampering should have been laid against him on the matter of a case in which he was pro bono defence attorney, when his client of years was foreman of the jury – a fact that he never divulged to the court in which a self-confessed murder in a nightmarish killing spree where even babies were blasted to death as they lay asleep was being tried. This again was another highly criminal act, yet he was never sanctioned by the court, or by his peers in the Bar Association. Now he is trying to get millions of taxpayers’ money through allegations of sodomy allegedly committed on a criminal with a history of armed robbery, who is reputed to live an alternative lifestyle. Subsequent to Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, stating that there is a difficulty at this time to prove that Colwyn Harding had indeed been sodomised, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, noted that persons — espe-

GUYANA

cially those pursuing a political agenda - ought to exercise greater care and circumspection in matters of this nature, and should refrain from making premature judgments, which seems to be a dangerous trend developing. “We cannot sacrifice due process (and) natural justice at the altar of political expediency. This is precisely what many persons did in this matter, including the Alliance For Change (AFC). These persons rendered judgment, computed their own compensation, and are demanding that the state pay this compensation at the sum of $100M taxpayers’ money. This is the height of recklessness and irresponsibility!” he declared. But the learned AG was being circumspect in his language. To make allegations that are clearly based on a lie to earn money – millions of taxpayers’ dollars, is outright fraud. As Nandlall noted, in their haste to pass judgment, the judgemental persons ignored reality. He said, “Take, for example, the sheer improbability of a baton being inserted in someone’s anus without him needing medical treatment for nearly two months, as well as the fact that the victim of such a violent assault was able to walk, attend court, and have bowel movements for two months without any apparent problems…” It certainly is highly improbable that one’s intestines can be perforated through the anal cavity and still not show or complain of any discomfort or pain up to two months after the alleged act of brutal sodomy with a large baton, without any medical examination or intervention, with the alleged victim engaging in his normal activities, including the expulsion of faeces through that same cavity – two months with no complaint, when that purported victim has suffered a hernia, all so that he can claim $100 million compensation for such an act. This smells, because perforation of one’s intestines without immediate attention could/would lead to peritonitis and certain death within a short span of time, measured in hours, certainly not months. The allegation surfaced only when Nigel Hughes was contracted to represent him in his criminal matter of robbery under arms: like the case of “The tortured teen”, this would make Harding a victim of police brutality, which would automatically demolish his criminal charges and make him a millionaire, with his lawyer receiving a hefty share of the payout – all at the expense of taxpayers. And despite local medical experts – private and public - testifying that there is no evidence to support Harding’s allegations and justify his claim of $100 million of taxpayers’ dollars, as is being pursued by Nigel Hughes, they brought in one of their (in)famous “experts”, who reports that there is veracity in the accusations of sodomy with a baton. One wonders how that doctor is so convinced that Harding was roughly sodomised by a policeman wielding a baton and not one of his “clients”. Be that as it may, Government needs to take steps that the treasury is not raped anymore by members of the Opposition and their “clients”.

Shady characters and shady actions THE news report stating that AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes’s credibility is taking another beating and that is why he is clutching on to the Harding imbroglio in a bid to extricate himself from heat from the public outrage over his alleged shady business is nothing less than fact, so let us list some actions that seem shady to the public: a) Nigel Hughes’s allegedly fraudulent activities, misconduct and improprieties, eg. fraudulent land and property deals and tax evasion; b) Hughes’ and his wife’s roles in the Fip Motilall, Sithe Global, and Amaila falls saga; c) Hughes relationship with the jury foreman in the Lusignan massacre murder trial; d) Hughes’ alleged links to criminal elements and the underworld; e) Hughes’ involvement in the removal of footage from the gas station where a citizen was gunned down at Buxton. PPP and the Government can huff and puff all it wants about Nigel Hughes, but once shady lawyers have members of the judiciary in their pockets then they are bigger than the law. Relative to the Ukraine crisis, where a Putin adviser has accused the US of meddling, we only have to look at what Brent Hardt is doing to Guyana. The US should be barking at Russia’s Putin like how they are barking at Guyana’s President Ramotar. They say monkey knows exactly which limb to jump on.

The Americans want the PNC to rule Guyana again so that America can grab some big business projects in Guyana. But Americans have to think it over billions of times if they should install their puppet PNC again, since it might cost them trillions of dollars this time around instead of 2.1 billion. The President of Guyana should have expelled the US Ambassador for what he has been doing about their nebulous ‘Democracy project’. American democracy is being played out in the Ukraine where they are training opposition forces and arming them to the teeth to go after the Government. American democracy means America must install their puppet Government the world over who can dance to the American tune. Imagine why the big, bad mighty powerhouse hates Cubans. They hate Cuba because Cubans refused to allow Americans in turning their country into an American whorehouse. TED KING

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

COMMENTARY By David De Groot

SITTING as a Member of Parliament is a distinct privilege and inherently full of prestige, but it is sad and de-motivating to observe the conduct and the manner in which the Opposition members of our Parliament have reduced the serious business of the nation to a farcical theatrical production; applying callous, cavalier and

vindictive attitudes towards advancing the progress of the entire nation. It is ridiculously unbelievable that grown adults, together as a group, irresponsibly display the puerile mentality of degenerate children; with their leaders assuming lofty positions and presenting themselves as leaders having supreme qualities to be given the responsibility of running the affairs of this country. Just imagine the depth of

mockery to which they have reduced the Parliament of our proud nation, ignoring and disregarding fundamental principles in keeping with the need to maintain even a semblance of integrity, and at the same time failing to convey the assurance that our country’s business takes precedence over any other consideration. They have abandoned astuteness and grasped flippancy in their failure to support the

Anti-Money Laundering Bill now before Parliament, despite knowing that it is legislation that is absolutely vital to this country’s best interests; and to safeguard the rectitude of our financial regulations, which is called for - not only regionally, but internationally. Compliance will make us wholesome instead of villainous at international fora; but it seems the opposition prefers to embrace the latter image as our national identity. Non-compliance and consequential blacklisting of our country will only benefit the criminal elements in the society.

Prime Minister Hinds provides some answers to Mr Da Costa IN response to the letter in Stabroek News of 13th February, 2014, please provide the prime minister an opportunity to answer the questions put: 1. Concerning repairs to Moco-Moco, there were three possible solutions considered after the landslide (i) just restore the piping (penstocks) G$60-70 million (ii) add some degree of ground engineering which would reduce the likelihood of another landslide to some extent, but would increase the cost to G$100 to G$200 million (iii) a total rebuild including relocation estimated at G$500 to 700 million. None of these was attractive. 2. We pursued electricity supply from Bonfim across the border. We were told that we would need to provide for a transmission line from a substation near Boa Vista – think of something in the order of G$500 million. At the time, some used diesel engines were being released at a number of small local generating stations on the Brazil side, for which we could make offers. More recently, it was made known that a three-way Guyana-Brazil-Venezuela agreement would be required and currently power is said to be in short supply. 3. We pursued agreement with INCOMEX for the re-development of Moco-Moco. The price offer per kWh supplied was attractive. At a personal level I would have grabbed it and I have no doubt that Mr W. Brassington would have too, but we needed the basis of their pricing to be very explicit and detailed to meet the expectations of transparency and accountability expected of us. It took a while to get to an agreement with the explicit details required, which we were ready to enter into, but by then INCOMEX had grown tired and moved on to other projects. 4. The Government policy is to provide “a degree of electrification” to every household across Guyana. It takes account of location – opportunities at that location - density of houses, income levels, etc. Individual households and communities are free and encouraged to do more for themselves according to their circumstances and everyone has the right to self generate. In practice, the policy is: i) Government would put in capital costs (the capital cost per household being reasonable). ii) Consumers/beneficiaries are expected to carry all operational costs including maintenance. This policy is realised at this time in: a) providing distributed households in the hinterland, 65 watts PV SHS systems, about 9 kWh of electricity per month; a one-off grant of about $80,000 to $100,000 now. b) for large and dense enough cores of communities, an initial power plant - diesel or hydro or whatever is available which would do the job; a pricing structure of the first 15 kWh/month at no charge, every other kWh at full operational costs with a cap at a hundred dollars. c) Government financed extensions of the GPL network from time to time, with a cap of $100,000: to $200,000: max per household benefitted. This policy in practice is not, “a one size fits all” – it provides flexibility in making use of local opportunities. 5. For persons not in a regular cash economy the 15 kWh at no charge gurantees lights for the children’s homework and a small radio. As and when money is available, some of that money could be identified and put aside for electricity at full cost, which at this time is capped at G$100 per kWh but which according to the opportunities at the location could be less. 6. Customers in Lethem over the last three years have been receiving an average operational subsidy of G$100,000 or more each year, which, with the present tariff structure is a grant of, from about $25,000: to $1,000,000: per year, from customer to customer: not sustainable; not fair across Lethem and connected neighbouring communities; not fair across Region 9; not fair across Guyana. 7. Lethem truly has been without electricity for some days but two new generators are on their way from port Georgetown. The Prime Minister is willing to take some blame for the people of Lethem (and elsewhere) not receiving the electricity service that they expect, to the extent that PM has not been insisting that the policy be kept – a lifeline of the first 15 kWh at no charge and full operational costs (capped at $100) for every kWh more. If PM had been insisting so, LMPCI (and other companies) would

be sufficiently resourced, to deliver what is intended and expected of them. It is a lesson the PM should always keep before him. SAMUEL A. HINDS Prime Minister

So what is in store for Guyana? We will be left in a financial quagmire, which will adversely affect every living Guyanese in many ways and will become more and more obvious as resultant, stringent measures gradually take full effect. What is the answer to this obnoxious scenario? It is being whispered in the public domain that new elections are imperative to rid ourselves of the Philistines that are bent on retarding the onward march of the country, which is being ably led by the PPP/C administration.

Lawlessness is endemic to Guyanese society POLICE have charged two Station Street, Kitty residents with operating unlicensed liquor bars from their homes after raids on Wednesday. You first see a couple of men hanging out drinking and playing music and then these

Police cricket and fun day was splendid I ASHAMEDLY must admit that it is the first time I attended the Police Cricket 10/0 and Fun day, titled: “Leroy Brummel 10/10 Cricket Finals and Fun Day at Eve Leary” on Sunday, 9th February. I am not a sports fan, and decided to attend because of the courtesy of an invitation by The Commissioner. I always respect invitations from the Commissioner. My late father had also instructed me to always respect the invitations of Commissioners, Ministers and Presidents. However, on arriving, the energy of the cricketers, male and female, the marathon runners, and others, along with the guests and attendees was awesome and moving. The enthusiasm of the cricketers and athletes was inspiring, and I got into the games, so much that it was difficult to contain myself, and like the others, soon I was screaming and yelling for every good hit, catch, maximus and maximums (hahah…never heard that before, I thought the ‘ Gladiator’ was there). It was difficult to leave for a few hours to attend another pre-arranged engagement. Notwithstanding, I hurried back. The action was so intense, the dynamo so overpowering, that on behalf of RK’s Security and Dragnet Satellite Tracking, I pledged $25,000 to the Man of the match, and the champion truly deserved every dollar. It was a great feeling to reward and award that young man. In future I pledge to reward/award Man and Woman of the match. I am not one to discriminate between the sexes. I have a right to, and always love to support the opposite sex.

The youths of the Felix Austin Training College were super, and it was a love to see the ‘babes giving bad bad licks to the elders and more experienced.’ But more amazing were the joys of the more experienced of the elders and more experienced to see the students win. While we shall always have some bad policeman and women, we will also have the bulk who will be professionals; those that will bring good repute and uplift to the Guyana Police Service. There are indeed certain cliques who use various Police Stations in districts as cash cows to enrich themselves and their seniors. They can be caught easily and examples made of them, especially in the traffic department. But definitely in the traffic section I have seen most professional and dynamic men and women interested in their job descriptions and to perform to the zenith. The cor-

David DeGroot

rupt and dishonest should watch themselves. Congratulations to the Men and Women who participated in the Fun Day and Leroy Brummel 10/10 cricket match. I always have an appreciation for the Police, maybe because my father retired as a Most Senior Police Officer and served with zeal, even nicknamed as the James Bond of Berbice. I studied Police Technology in the early 70s in Canada, and I am always involved in military and police work. Is it fitting to say that there is something called a Police Gene? (hahaha). Regards, and let us always support our police for law and order, peace and harmony and capture of criminals. ROSHAN KHAN CEO/Founder RK’s Guyana Security Services Dragnet GPS – Satellite Tracking

illegal rum shops open to operate on a much bigger scale later. You will then see a few more men and women joining on a constant basis then the low music will become louder and louder. When the music gets louder the more people will come for their drinks then the smell of urine stench is all over the place. Then you get the cussing and brawling and the big ones parking their vehicles on your property or blocking you from exiting or entering your property. When the crowd grows bigger it is the citizens residing around these illegal rum shops who must endure terrible sufferings. They have to put up with the urine stench, the cussing the brawling and the loud music. When residents can no longer take it they complain to the owner/s, only to be cussed out or told to “…move out from hey or go to police”. But from the time these illegal rum shop owner/s tells you go to the police you done know they have police on their payroll. Once police are on these illegal rum shop owner/s payroll residents suffer even more, because the police will turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to your suffering. This is why citizens are crying out to Government, telling them they are more afraid of police than bandits. T. KING

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

INSANITY IN VIEIRA’S ADVOCACY An appreciation to Kayman Sankar TO DUMP CONSTITUTIONAL RULE DID Mr. Tony Vieira commit treason by publicly (KN 2-12-14) advocating the illegal removal of the constitutionally elected Guyana government? Even if he inserts “Subject to the opposition and the people’s interpretation of these thoughts, it is left up to them to decide if they will ask the Guyana Defence Force to enforce the constitution by whatever means they have at their disposal”, it does not exonerate him from complicit guilt and the avalanche of horror which will ensue threatening human safety. Mr. Vieira has clearly established that Mr Vieira is not personally grounded in reality to be with us. Contrary to affirming that “we are a nation of laws not men” as the second US President John Adams elucidated, are Guyanese to be blindsided like a fool who rushes in where angels fear to tread? Whatever Mr. Vieira may be, cannot be a mystery to bring otherwise comfort by what he embraces. All such advocacies stand automatically condemned to be terminated with conscious extreme prejudice by all that is legal and justified. Picking and choosing which laws we obey or dismiss is not optional in a civilized society. Must the operational democratic system of government (Judiciary, Executive and Legislature-JEL) become compromised by every bizarre unsound state of mind by Press Freedom? “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse” (Shakespeare’s Richard III) cried a desperate unseated King Richard unable to escape, defenceless and vulnerable on a battlefield just before he met his maker. But safe in his yacht the elderly coup advocate is hardly in possession of himself or any kingdom to give away; or more so, is now a drowning man clutching at a straw. Anchoring his disagreement with the Honourable Chief Justice’s decision on the budget by clutching onto Mr Eusi Kwayana’s affirmation that “Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this constitution” in no way nullifies the Judiciary’s decision, invalidate the constitution nor does it endorse its violation. That Mr Kwayana’s opinion is based on a tiny part of the highest law of the land has significantly escaped poignant focus that it originated from within the constitution itself, not outside it. None except the Judiciary has constitutional authority to overturn or invalidate the Chief Justice’s legal decision. If “Paradise Lost” has created the migraine headache then Federalism is best for “Paradise Regained” (Milton). A negotiated honourable cure is best for all without national chaos, contrary to the armageddon which is now being openly invited to finalize the agenda of ethnic cleansing targeting some Guyanese. Is it realistic to expect targeted Guyanese to acquiesce in their annihilation in the 21st century? Mr Vieira, who came into

his own good fortune during British ownershipof the sugar industry, amassed his wealth in high management on the sugar estates. He had me almost convinced if he should know when heconstantly wrote on sugar. Where is he located either mentally, economically or in the political reality of today’s Guyana to be so otherwise is anyone’s guess. But unlike his wealth of sugar experiences, he seemingly knows little or nothing about government and how it functions. In a democracy everyone has a right to their opinion, including to more than twice dismiss “drivel” of which he is not poor. Most reluctant to originally engage the elderly gentleman in a tit for tat exchange, duty still requires reemphasizing of salient points. (1) The Guyana Constitution is the highest and supreme law of the land and nothing supersedes, alters, modifies compromises, it etc; its modification or change is only possible by the legalities specified within the same document and not by anything outside it. (2) Mr Eusi Kwayana’s quote that “Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this constitution” is directly found written in the constitution. But such sovereignty is only achieved when exercised within the perimeters of the same constitution and by no other means. Noteworthy are the clearly specified orbits where “sovereignty” is “exercised”, “through” ,“representatives” ,“ the democratic organs” ,“ established” ,“ by or under”, “ this constitution.” How many times must this be repeated by an ostensible uncultured pagan descendant that rectification is only through the Judiciary authorized by the highest and supreme law of the land? One “part” does not subsume the “whole” to it. If so then an elephant’s tusk and tail can be interpreted by imagination to materialize and overshadow the entire elephant’s massive body. What is so hard to understand that adds or undermines anyone’s “drivel” stockpile into a cascading coup? (3) The President’s assent is a pre requirement for a bill to become law in Guyana’s constitution which is a worldwide parliamentary norm. Same constitution also specifically allows him to withhold assent by giving his reason. He is not constitutionally required to do much more. (4) The1980 constitution specifies that the Finance Minister present the Budget estimates to the National Assembly, which has the power to reject or approve it. No budget means the country grinds to a stop. Since the National Assembly faces a dilemma the Judiciary is empowered to resolve it because the constitution specifies the judiciary as the deciding authority. Former Speaker Mr Ralph Ramkarran, in his conversationtreegy. com website has also explained how the Standing

Orders can be suspended to accommodate any opposition reservations and objections after mutual prior compromises from both sides. Unless they compromise to pass the budget they make the problem worse by sending the country over a fiscal cliff. President Barak Obama used the same tactic and the public backlash forced the Republicans to recapitulate afterwards. Would both sides of the legislature risk such a course in Guyana? After mutual compromises it is incorporated as the Appropriations Bill, which the Finance Minister submits to the same legislature for guaranteed approval. No recourse to the courts would be necessary; neither would court costs be incurred. (5) The National Assembly Standing orders are not laws contrary to what Mr Kwayana believes and advocates. They are rules and regulators which governs only the National Assembly’s internal operations. Standing orders are routinely suspended by the Speaker after a carried motion unlike nationwide laws done during a rare state of emergency e.g. natural disasters, for health quarantine or ensuing conflict specific to an area. (6) Lastly, the armed forces chain of command is through and only by the President as Commander in Chief as specified in the constitution. Any violent coup would be illegal and set Guyana on a point of no return into Kaieteur Falls. Winning a war may be easy, but how to win the peace should be better left unanswered, considering our history. In any event, a democratic society always holds those accountable who were responsible for their miseries long after a coup or political abnormality.Additionally, both Mr Kwayana and I have acknowledged (separately and unknown at the time) that the National Assembly includes the President to make it Parliament. But twice to my good fortune, ‘drivel” was lavishly bequeathed to me by Mr Vieira. In all fairness to Mr Kwayana, (who always insists on equality) shouldn’t he get his own share? Anyone mounting an imaginary elephant express igniting false hopes, to fill old mother Hubbard’s bare cupboard in anticipation of wealth redistribution would be so relieved. Walk the talk. APNU rejected the PSC’s written request to observe the Public Accounts Committee at work. The entire APNU/AFC opposition and even the Speaker also disallowed the Finance Minister from reading a PSC letter in the National Assembly, which was requesting the AML to be expeditiously approved. Is it a constitutional violation of the “people’s sovereignty”? Step up to the plate now. Unless “all are equal but some are more equal than others” (George Orwell’s 1984), all the usual suspects, can boldly go where none have gone before with a “civil society” challenge in court. Isn’t ‘the principle the same for all, regardless…or

are some indeed more equal than others? For baksheesh (a little extra) with this garlic pork, their court challenge can throw in presidential violation of English common laws. Ignore for the moment which party enshrined and empowered Presidential prerogatives in the constitution as law. Expecting the President to uphold the constitution after taking an oath to defend it and then subsequently signing a bill considered to be violating the highest law of the land is unquestionably a premeditative violation. Right now “we are a country of laws not men” as second US President John Adams so astutely affirmed. Replacing elected government by a military coup can never be acceptable where men and women have lost their reason compared to a functional democracy. Federalism is still the better option than complete partition. After the coup, how does sovereignty of the people become reestablished afterwards? It will follow no compass or known roadmap because we would have taken one giant leap in demonstrating brutal might is right outside the rule of law. Guyana’s military is not equipped, ethnically balanced, constitutionally empowered to adjudicate, govern in fairness or to relinquish authority except by civilian command in a democracy. A cyclical repeat of 1953, 1964, 1992 and now 2014 is our curse, where we are at heart’s ease when only empowered outsiders step in to resolve our problems.

CITIZENS and media alike praise a leader who endeavours to unify a country, raise the quality of life and fight poverty and to improve a nation as a whole. I have had the honour and privilege on several occasions to meet and talk with the great rice magnate, Mr. Kayman Sankar and I was always moved and deeply touched by the sincere way in which he expressed his beliefs and support for the ordinary rice farmers. The rice farmers and millers suffered a great loss when one of its own, Mr. Kayman Sankar died after a prolonged illness. The 87-year-old rice producer, who was also a member of the Essequibo Cricket Board, was a stalwart who championed the causes of farmers. He was well known both locally and internationally. He fearlessly represented his country and the millers and farmers at countless meetings overseas. He was indeed a true patriot to his country and to Essequibians. The late rice miller had a sound knowledge of the rice sector in Guyana, especially in milling and marketing. He had used his wealth of experience to lobby for improved prices and conditions for poor rice farmers. This country boy, who is well known as belonging to farming community, was a grassroots man. He had his own style in dealing with farmers’ problems. One of his visions for the rice industry of Guyana was to increase the income and quality of seed paddy of the small rice farmers before he fell ill, which would have resulted in an improved quality of life. One approach he took to ensure this was to encourage small rice farmers to set drying floors and seed paddy plots, which would make them independent and hence result in competition in the free-market system. This subsequently resulted in an increase in price offered by millers for their paddy. Mr Kayman Sankar has always worked assiduously at his farmers’ conferences to have unity among farmers and millers, since he believed that this was one way forward. Recognising the many challenges facing the rice farmers he continued his unstinting efforts to help to address the areas where proper management, strategic interventions, and efficient husbandry can prevail over the various anomalies within the rice industry. Essequibo and the country - the agricultural sector in particular - have suffered a great loss by his passing. He will be remembered by all as a fighter, all the way, in the interest of agriculture, especially the rice industry and the rice millers and farmers. MOHAMED

SULTAN MOHAMED

JANETTE Bulkan’s reports to Parliament lack credibility because of prejudice toward the PNC MR. Joseph Harmon, PNC/ APNU Member of Parliament and member of the Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources wants the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources to answer questions at the Committee’s next meeting, based on matters raised by Janette Bulkan and John Palmer in their five-part series on the Guyana Forestry Commission’s (GFC) 20052012 Annual Reports (SN, Tues, Feb 4th, 2014) titled “why the National Assembly should hold public hearings on the Guyana Forestry Commission.” Bulkan is aware that when she refers to the National Assembly she is mainly referring to the Opposition PNC/APNU and AFC members of the National Assembly, since they have a one seat majority and her brother Ronald Bulkan is an APNU/ PNC Member of Parliament: So this why Bulkan is using the “National Assembly”

to further her anti- Government and spiteful agenda against the GFC. It is indeed mind-boggling why a forestry expert can be so petty - engaging in mischievous agendas instead of playing a credible and constructive role in the area of her expertise. But Harmon of the Sectoral Committee is giving credence to Bulkan. Is Bulkan a forestry expert? If she is then why did she allow her brother Ronald Bulkan’s Precision Woodworking Enterprise to collapse by not providing market forecasts to prevent the company’s market shares to be devoured by competitors? The Precision Enterprise was thriving and dynamic, which won Caribbean awards. If Bulkan is a forestry expert I am challenging her to resuscitate Precision Woodworking now. Bulkan was a Chairperson of the Guyana National Initiative for forest certification (GNIFC) in 2003 to develop a National Forest Standard guided by the forest Stewardship Council (FSC) process, which failed

miserably. Is Bulkan a forestry expert? Bulkan was on a Technical Advisory Panel established by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) who raised no objection when Suriname placed the New River triangle area (NRTA) on its map when that country was preparing it readiness plans to achieve REDD Readiness. The GFC raised strong objections and the NRTA was removed from the maps of Suriname. Bulkan was subsequently removed from the FCPF of the World Bank. Is Bulkan a forestry expert? And is this the reason Joseph Harmon of the Sectoral committee is giving credence to Bulkan who attempted to give away a portion of Guyana’s territory, which is ecologically sacred to Suriname? It is better for Joseph Harmon and the Sectoral Committee to wake up when dealing with matters pertaining to Bulkan. PETER PERSAUD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

APNU caught lying once again: Concerns about the drug trade in Guyana exposed OLD Kai could not miss the drama; after all the Opposition, particularly APNU, has been desperate for something to come their way which they could use to distract from their current predicament. Granger wasted no time and with great media fanfare, he and his ‘delegation’ met the Guyana Defense Force Chief of Staff following a report that there was a reported link in an international drug transshipment ring. Then of course he expressed his ‘great’ concern about the narco-trade and its effects on Guyana. He was ‘deeply’ concerned about the negative effects of the ‘drug-trade’, saying it is scaring investors and undermining economic growth. Granger continued with his ‘crocodile tears’ and announced that ‘the revelations were further evidence that the country is drifting towards becoming a narco-state.’ So, according to Granger, we have not become a narco-state, but we apparently are drifting in that direction. His current position is perplexing, as on December, 16, 2012, Mr. Granger had come to the conclusion that Guyana was a narco-state. The headline of their APNU Kaieteur News column, read “How Guyana became a narco-state”. So which is it Mr. Granger? Kindly make up your mind and stop pussyfooting with such a serious national issue. Clearly, Mr. Granger and APNU have been caught up in their web of lies. Old people always say when you begin to tell lies, you are always under pressure to remember all of them because if you do not, they will come back to haunt you. This is a classic example. On another note, Mr. Granger would have us believe that he is earnestly searching for answers. Well here is a bit of advice, find out all you need to know about the drug-trade from your

security expert and former Police Commissioner whom you have made a Member of Parliament. He was the one who was discussing how to plant drugs on an innocent woman to frame her at the airport. Clearly, he appears to have some ‘connections’, so rather than the publicity stunts of meeting with the GDF Chief of Staff, simply get all the details from your colleague(s). On a rare occasion, I do agree with you, Mr. Granger, that the crime rate will go up as a result of increasing drug trade, especially the execution style murders such as that in Agricola, where current APNU Member(s) of Parliament were discussing how to divert attention from the real perpetrators. At the same time, you might also want to explain why it is members from your political party are some of those who represent the accused drug dealers in Court when they are charged. Don’t you think that because of the fact that your colleagues usually rush to the Police station the moment these individuals are charged, and in so doing thwart efforts by the Police to get information about the accomplices and the so called ‘big fish’, you and your party are aiding the drug trade? Can you also say if the ‘large amount of foreign currency’ which went missing at Congress Place were proceeds from illegitimate sources? Was there any amount of ‘washing’ involved as many suspect? While you are at it, please remember that it was your party which opposed efforts by the PPP/C Government to weed out corrupt anti-narcotics agents from the CANU through the use of ‘lie-detector’ tests. You simply cannot oppose efforts to improve Guyana’s effectiveness in the anti-drug fight and then conveniently be concerned about the negative efforts of the drug trade. Then there is your anxiety about armed robberies; but respond-

ing to you on this issue is like flogging a ‘dead horse’. Old Kai has already written more than a book on your party’s links with criminals, including the fact that you gave a notorious criminal a national funeral when you draped his coffin with our Golden Arrow Head. Were you not aware that by engaging in such an act, you were sending a message to the criminally intent, including the drug dealers you are so concerned with now, that Guyana is ‘open for business’ and they will get the royal treatment by your party? As pointed out earlier, the APNU leader is concerned that the negative effects of the drug trade will scare investors. This man deserves a national award for his new found concern for our private sector. Old Kai is confident that if we were to do a survey among members of the private sector, their number one fear would be the Opposition parties, specifically APNU. It was APNU which chased away the Amalia hydro investors, it was APNU which chased away the Brazilian investors, it was APNU which attacked the Marriott Hotel, the CJ Airport Expansion and the investors in the Berbice Bridge. It was APNU which refused to hear a petition by the Private Sector Commission in the National Assembly, it was APNU which teamed up with the AFC to deny the PSC and the media access to their parliamentary sub-committee meetings with the PPP/C on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism bill. It is APNU which has been dragging its feet on the amendment bill while making a number of illogical excuses for not supporting it, then after seven months with public pressure increasing, it finally decided to point out its concerns with the bill. They clearly seem intent on stalling the implementation of this bill which begs the question who or what are they trying to protect?

Granger’s view on the role of the army reveals his hypocrisy on national security ONE would have believed that, given retired Brigadier David Granger’s military background which would have given him a comprehensive understanding of security matters, he would automatically support any State initiative that seeks to combat the criminal menace that threatens the social fabric of the State, inclusive of the well-being of citizens. Instead, he has, and for purely political reasons, refused support for major strategies in this direction, even leading what can be described as a parliamentary assault on Home Affairs Minister Rohee that resulted in a gag order against this executive

for a while. Certainly, this line against the government seeking to safeguard the nation is no strange coincidence, since Granger’s pattern has been one of non-cooperation in this the 10th Parliament, as Leader of the Opposition. This was even more clearly underlined in a recently aired interview he gave on the National Communication Network on matters pertaining to the nation’s security, the role of the Guyana Police Force, and that of the Guyana Defence Force. Inevitably, he was asked about the role of the GDF. Of course, he gave the institution’s traditional function as that of being responsible for the na-

tion’s territorial integrity and the protection of the national borders, inclusive of the suppression of piracy. But when asked whether he also favoured a domestic role for the army, he responded that the army had been “misused as some form of riot squad, keeping them around Georgetown”, and, “that the only reason the GDF had been deployed in certain areas during the troubles of the early 2003-2005 was because of an apparent weakness of the Police Force”. Emphatically, he stated that “they should not become involved in the traditional role of the police”. It is known, well enshrined, that the role of the traditional

military has been purely for national defence of sovereignty, and the protection of territorial borders, which role particularly means the expulsion of foreign invaders. This is well understood, since as an armed force, its orientation and practical training prepare any such institution for the most extreme of civil dangers – war. But what if the State is threatened by violent criminal gangs which modus operandi is to commit mayhem, thereby undermining its integrity, and the concomitant safety of its citizens? Is Mr. Granger, the foremost national security strategist, still holding to his argument that the

army ought not to aid the civil force to combat and dispel such a threat? Such is his conclusive view, based on his interview. Therefore, this means that the administration should have allowed the criminal terror of the early to mid-2000, to continue unabated, without seeking the assistance of the very GDF, which according to him, should not be involved in exercises against criminal activities. What a view emanating from one who more than most ought to know better! Imagine this coming from a supposed President-in –waiting! There is no State that is threatened by such criminal terror of high intensity as Guyana

at that time; which Executive would not have incorporated its armed forces to quell such an almost anarchic situation. The traditional role of the military, as alluded to above, is not written in stone to the extent where the Executive cannot deploy its assistance in theatres of extreme security threat. One only has to draw attention to the aftermath of 9-11, when the United States Air Force(USAF) patrolled its airspace, with instructions to shoot down any commercial airline, if necessary. Also, the National Guard, a United States reserve military force, had been see page 10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Granger’s view on the role of the army ... from page 9 called out in various American states, during its civil rights upheavals in the 1960s. Then, there is the former Mexican Government of Felipe Calderon, who unleashed his military against the threat of narco-violence that threatened his country. Also, there are similar experiences in sister CARICOM States Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where, because of these two island States runaway crime, their respective armed forces have often joined their sister police forces in law and order maintenance exercises. This is what obtained in States, where the civil order is threatened – assistance of the armed forces to rein in extremes. OBSERVER must ask Granger, what is wrong with such a strategy? Once the civil order is threatened with disintegration, it is only natural that a national army be called upon to safeguard its integrity. Any State’s leader, faced with such extreme danger and who fails to seek the services of its army, is guilty of a most serious dereliction of national duty, akin to treason! And here again, OB-

SERVER must accuse Granger of gross hypocrisy, that well known characteristic of deception and double standards, as it relates to his contention that the GDF must not be involved in domestic operations. Sure thing, he would have recalled those years when the army had been involved in the very alien function of seizing ballot boxes from polling stations, for ends which are now so well enshrined in our history. He would have also recalled the very tragic culmination of this undemocratic act, on July 16, 1973, at number 63 Village on the Corentyne, when members of the GDF entered a polling station after closure and seized all the ballot boxes. In defence of the right that these boxes with their ballots ought to have remained and be counted at that polling station, in accordance with electoral rules, Bholanauth Parmanand and Jagan Ramessar were murdered in cold blood by soldiers. The inevitable question to be asked is, why did Granger and his fellow officers, not object to such a practice that had clearly not been of the type designed as army functions? Clearly, this was neither domestic or of a military nature; but, instead one that had been

wholly illegal - an activity that could never have been part of military procedures. It was a blatant act of hijacking the democratic process, thus stealing the electorates’ right of choice. The nation’s memory is very lengthy, Mr. Granger! How can Granger, who has continued to level accusations against the Government for not ‘providing proper security for its citizens’, advocate the exclusion of the GDF from operations against criminal elements, but would have been part of the military decision-making process leading up to the seizure of ballot boxes, and the murders of those valiant men? Such, ever since, would have been an early warning sign of his anti-citizenry ideology. Coupled with this recent declaration on the role of the GDF – he clearly has positioned himself on the side of the criminal gangs, and not law and order. His action is synonymous with that of the party he now leads, the PNC, known for its ingrained proclivity in support of criminal elements. Their current non-support for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorrism(Amendment) Bill(AML/CFT), speaks volumes.

GWI announces imminent disconnection campaign GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) announced, on Thursday, that it will be embarking on a massive service removal exercise in several Georgetown communities, commencing on February 17. The announcement follows a significant decrease in its Georgetown revenue for the last quarter of 2013, the utility said. GWI said it advised defaulting customers, through payment reminder letters and text messages, of the outstanding service payments. However in excess of 50 percent of the company’s Georgetown customers have outstanding balances for 2013. As a last resort, the company is removing the entire service of those with any outstanding debt for 2013 and, beginning Monday, February 17, disconnection contractors will remove the services of defaulters in the following areas: · South Ruimveldt Park · South Ruimveldt Gardens · Bel Air Park · Bel Air Springs · New Haven Bel Air · Houston, McDoom · North Ruimveldt · Lodge · Prashad Nagar The water company added that disconnected customers must reapply for a new service and pay the full cost of installation. “The service removal campaign is also being conducted via other GWI branches on East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara, East and West Berbice, Linden, Essequibo and Bartica,” a release stated. GWI advised all customers with outstanding payments to visit its nearest location, payment agency or query charges from its Customer Services Call Centre on telephone numbers 2278701/03/04, email customercallcentre@gwi.gy or post queries via social media at www.facebook. com/everydropcountsgy. More information on GWI’s service removal campaign can be found at www.gwiguyana.com

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and winner of the 8-10 Dramatic Poetry Genesia Samuels of Green Acres Primary Waramuri Primary Region 1, Don’t lose your folklore

Children show consciousness of current issues North Ruimveldt Secondary, Georgetown Anna Regina Secondary in Region 2

… through Calypso and Dramatic Poetry

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally PRESENTERS in yesterday’s Children Calypso and Dramatic Poetry segment of Mashramani events were able to educate the audience as they displayed how conscious they are concerning a number of current issues in Guyana. The renditions of the primary schools were brought to life in their performances of Guyanese folklore – Ol’ Higue, Massakura Man and Bush Dai Dai were stars in this year’s dramatic poetry. Meanwhile, the secondary school presenters put emphasis on the lifestyles of Guyana’s young people today and they also highlighted the crimes, abuse and violence this country is experiencing at present. In general, this year’s competition showcased great performances from all the regions. First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar graced yesterday’s event and was seen enjoying the children’s renditions. Mrs Ramotar also participated in the handing out of trophies for the dramatic poetry awards.

Competitions continue today with the choir presentation and steel pan competitions; and tomorrow there will be the costume and float parade.

Abram Zuil Secondary in Region 2, A Schoolgirl’s Story

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Footballer Peter Lashley killed ... from page 3 Last time One of Lashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons, Jamal said his father left home early, as usual after breakfast, for work on his motorcycle and that was the last time they saw him alive. The deceased was described as a loving, disciplined person, who loved his family, football and his job. Lashley would go to the GFC and open up the place even though he had his full time job at JFL and invested almost all his spare time in training youths and had spent many years in football and at GFC. He, once, played for Western Tigers Football Club, after which he became a coach. As news of his demise spread, there were many outpouring of words which amounted to paragraphs on the social network, Facebook and these are excerpts of some expressed yesterday. * Ras Abdalla Tafari Wadada (Alan La Rose) - former National U-19 footballer and Coach of GFC Peter Lashley left us about an hour ago as he was smashed to death by a truck on Mandela Avenue....R.I.P Peter. * Marlon Marks - the football fraternity in Guyana has lost a good man. Peter Lashley was killed this morning in a gruesome accident on Mandela Avenue. His head was crushed. Apparently, he was heading to work when a sand truck struck him down. He ended up underneath the truck. Peter was an employee of John Fernandes Limited. Peter also played football for Guyana. He was the Coach of GFC Football Club and Administrator of GFC Ground. Some people used to call him Peter Fernandes because of the amount of years he

chalked up with company. RIP Peter! Meanwhile, Police Traffic Headquarters said, yesterday, that 14 deaths were recorded from 13 accidents, so far this year, as compared with 13 deaths from 11 accidents for the corresponding period last year.

Peter Lashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mangled body under the truck.

Lorraine Lashley, wife of Peter Lashley yesterday morning being consoled by two of her sons at the scene.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

UG students bemoan condition of stray animals on Turkeyen Campus By Ravin Singh IN addition to being deemed as having an aquatic sports field, the University of Guyana is considered a home for domestic animals. The issue of stray animals occupying the Tur-

keyen Campus has been raised on many occasions by students, hoping that the relevant authorities would intervene. However, due to the failure to address this issue, the current situation is a problematic one.

And not only is this situation dangerous, but it could also embarrass those responsible for maintenance of the compound, when events are to be held. Meanwhile, the University of Guyana Annual Career Day is scheduled for today, commencing at 9:00am. Horses occupying a section of the famous â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Catwalkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Horsing around?

Post–mortem finds dead Jamaican woman had ingested ‘pellets’ suspected to contain cocaine -room companion still not caught

By Michel Outridge THE police have said that a post-mortem performed by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on the body of Jamaican national Beverley Anesta Gardner, 31, has found a number of ingested “pel-

lets” suspected to contain cocaine, but the cause of her death has not yet been given. Gardner ’s body was discovered in a room at the New York Car Wash & Hotel, located at Camp and Princes Streets in Georgetown, on January

22; but because she had been unknown locally, the police had no choice but to await the arrival of her relatives from Jamaica to positively identify the body in order to facilitate the post-mortem, and this had taken some time. The police have since

Wanted: Anthony Lloyd Neville Morrison issued a wanted bulletin for Jamaican Anthony Lloyd Neville Morrison, whom closed circuit television (CCTV) has reportedly identified as having been Gardner’s room companion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Suspects in Trevor Rose execution released on bail THE suspects in the Trevor Rose murder probe, who were arrested and held for 72 hours, have been released on station bail. The men were being sought by the Police for questioning about the execution of the designer and events promoter in January. Last weekend they were both apprehended and questioned before being let go earlier this week, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle. The Deputy Commissioner (Crime) could not say, however, at which Police station the men had been detained, how much bail was granted them and exactly when. Asked if the Police took possession of the passports of the duo, after they were placed on bail, he responded in the negative Persaud pointed out that the Police still need to uphold the law and respect the rights of persons, so their travel documents could not have been confiscated unless those were the subject of the investigation. The Crime Chief had indicated, then, that there was no evidence that the death of the designer/events promoter was drug related but the suspects who were being sought, in this case the two men recently released on bail, will help the Police with some of the information they are looking to get. Last January, Rose was killed execution style while he and a female companion were in a taxi that stopped at a traffic light on the outskirts of the city. Another car pulled up alongside the one in which the designer was travelling and opened fire on the occupants with much focus on Rose who was in the back seat with the woman. Police are continuing their investigations into the crime and more arrests are expected.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

UG students on robbery under arms charge By Geeta Rampersaud THREE students of the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus who have been charged with robbery under arms made another appearance yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The three (no addresses given) had first appeared in court on January 27, when Darien Best, 19, a former employee of Church’s Chicken; Morris Gibson, 21, employee of Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T), and 20-year-old Joel De Mendonca all pleaded not guilty to the charges, one of which said that on January 24, at Robb Street,

Georgetown, being together armed with a gun, they robbed Mohanlall Narine of a quantity of cellular phones valued at $8.19M, the property of Golyn and Sons. The trio also denied that on the same day and under the same circumstances, they robbed the same man of one Samsung Galaxy cellular phone and a gold and diamond ring together valued at $630,000. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said Gibson and De Mendonca pretended to be customers, while Best walked in with a gun, pointed it to Narine, and demanded the articles mentioned in the particulars of the offence. They put the items in a

haversack and made good their escape in a car that was waiting at Robb and King streets, but police ranks, acting on information, went to Eccles and confronted Best and Gibson when at the said time Best had the same haversack containing the booty in his possession. Attorney-at-law Lyndon Amsterdam, the defence counsel for Gibson, said his client did not go to purchase a cellular phone but a fan. The lawyer said Best had the gun, and he questioned whether Gibson’s presence at the scene should make him an accomplice. The prosecutor objected to their pre-trial liberty, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the crime. His

Chief Magistrate berates police for detaining a juvenile for more than 72 hrs –says no detainee should be kept for 72+hrs without order from High Court By Geeta Rampersaud CHIEF Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry Thursday expressed her displeasure at police ranks for keeping a male juvenile in

custody for in excess of 72 hours. The young man was charged with abusive language and was incarcerated for six days. He spent three of those days at the Grove Police Station and the re-

mainder at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost. The Chief Magistrate immediately sent for the corporal who had escorted see page 17

objection was upheld, but Gibson and De Mendonca still managed to be granted

$450,000 bail from the High Court. Best was placed on $450,000 bail yesterday by

the Chief Magistrate, and the case was put down to February 20.

Minibus driver who dislocated hip in Ruimzeight collision to be discharged from GPH By Shirley Thomas

JOMO YOUNGE

For Saturday February 15, 2014 -05:30hrs For Sunday February 16, 2014 -05:30hrs

JOMO Younge, the driver of the minibus that was involved in a crash with a motorcar on the Ruimzeight Public Road last Friday, was yesterday slated to be discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he spent the last week. Younge, of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, who suffered a dislocated hip and a fractured leg, underwent surgery on Wednesday and had two clips inserted in his hip and his leg sutured. Even though not yet fully recovered, Younge is presumed to be stable enough to be discharged. Younge and at least five others were seriously injured on the Ruimzeight Public Road around 20:00 hrs Friday when a motorcar, said to have been under the command of a drunken driver, attempted overtaking another vehicle and crashed into the bus. Both vehicles were practically written off. Along with the driver in the motorcar was Wazim Khan who suffered a broken left arm. Meanwhile, others injured who were in Younge’s minibus were: Davenand Pooldas and Davekumar Singh – both admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with multiple life-threatening injuries; Younge’s conductor, Tamara Johnson,who suffered a broken leg and other injuries and a fifth person who opted to be treated at a private hospital in the city. Younge said ranks from the Police Traffic Department visited both drivers in hospital and took statements.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

Skip the small talk today -- it’s better suited for people who don’t have anywhere near the charm, wit and curiosity that you have. As early on as possible, today, you need to get to sharing what’s on your mind and finding out what other people have to say about their lives. The exchange of ideas is going to take little if any effort, so it can be an easy day full of smiles and interesting conversations. Why waste it being safe when you can be titillated?

Taurus April 20 - May 20

It’s not possible to be friends with everyone, so why even try? Today, you should stop wasting all of your energy trying to charm someone who just doesn’t seem to get where you are coming from. Instead, put your energy toward the people who deserve your time -- the people who laugh at your jokes, applaud your successes, and are always there when you need them. Winning someone over might make your ego feel good for a minute or so, but it’s a hollow victory.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Fun, creativity and, yes, even a tiny bit of drama are on the agenda for today, and you are in for quite a ride! The only thing you will need to worry about are your errands. Make sure you start tackling them as early in the day as possible -- otherwise, you will get stuck later, when you’d rather be off having fun! Hit the ground running and you’ll create your own great energy. This is a time when you energy is increasing, and you’re going to be on a roll!

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Today, when you are thrust into the middle of a large social group with little or no warning, try to stay smiling and eager to talk. Do not put up your guard or try to size people up before you are willing to really open up to them. It is time to let your warmth and compassion be the first thing people see when they meet you, not something they have to chip through walls to get to. Connecting with others is so much easier if you show them who you really are!

Leo July 23 - August 22

Someone who is usually quite a party animal is going to be much more introverted than usual today, but don’t let it throw you for a loop. They just need to go back into their shell for a while and think some things through. Things are changing in their life, and believe it or not you are an inspiration for some of that change, so stick with them through this period. This is your chance to be someone’s personal cheerleader. Get out there and give them a hand.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Today is an exceptionally good day to make a clean sweep of things -- whether that means you should tidy up a dirty room in your house or clear up a misunderstanding that’s been causing tension between you and a friend. A fresh start is totally possible if you just start talking or working as early in the day as you possibly can. Your positive energy isn’t going to last throughout the day, and you’ll feel much better once you get this task out of the way.

Libra September 23 - October 22

You need to start listening to that nagging voice inside of your head a little bit more often! Sure, it might be telling you things that you don’t want to hear, but it knows who you really are -- and it will always lead you to what you really need in life. It may take time to get there, but soon you will be standing upon a firm foundation of self-awareness and self confidence. So ignore what other people are trying to tell you to do. Follow your gut.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

The person with the loudest voice in the room today might get the most amount of attention, but that doesn’t mean that they are right. They’re more interested in drowning out dissenting opinions than in really conveying anything of value, so feel free to ignore them. It’s a good day to work on your own, because while everyone is getting distracted by the bluster of this attention-grabber, you’ll be free to do what you want to do without any interference. This loudmouth is doing you a favour.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Don’t rush ahead with any major purchases right now. Something is coming in the near future that could make you regret any extravagant outlays of money that you make today. And examine your motivation for this sudden urge to spend -- are you trying to put forth an image of yourself that isn’t genuine? Not only is that a loser’s game, it’s an expensive loser’s game! So stop shopping and start being true to who you are -- because who you are is pretty darn special.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Asking the right questions will help you find facts that will get you much farther along in a career goal, right now. This might seem obvious, but you haven’t been talking to the people who can really give you the information that you really need. It’s time to step out of your safe circle and start trying to expand your network a little bit more aggressively. Start rubbing elbows with people who are not only fun to be around, but also influential and connected.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

You should respect and trust someone who has a drastically different opinion than you on some very important issues today. They may have a different agenda than you do, but they still have a right to it and you should not criticise them for it. So try to remove your personal feelings from all of the conversations you have today -- if you don’t, things could devolve into an argument and then nothing will get done at all. There is a time to get passionate, and a time to get serious.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Try not to be too critical of someone who has let you down recently. Showing them some compassion will be a lot more productive than giving them grief. When you talk to them today, start off slowly and then build up to the heavier issues you want to deal with. Let them know that they can trust you with the latest updates in their life without you judging them. Listen without interruption -- when they want to know what you have to say, they will ask you.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Cabinet gives green light to $113M contract for more core homes By Telesha Ramnarine CABINET on Tuesday granted its no-objection to a contract valued at more than $113M for the construction of more core homes, Presidential Advisor on Goverance, Gail Teixeira announced yes-

MS GAIL TEIXEIRA terday. Speaking at the usual post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President, in Georgetown, she said the houses will be constructed in Regions 3(Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice). Just last month, 103 residents from various housing areas in Region 3 were of-

ficially presented with keys to their own homes, courtesy of the government-led Core Home Initiative. This initiative, which is being executed under the second phase of the Low-Income Settlement Programme (LIS 2), targets single parents, the differently abled and the elderly. The latest presentation was done in Westminster Phase One; Recht-Door-Zee Phases One and Two; and Onderneeming Phase One, all relatively new communities within the Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme on the West Bank of Demerara. President Donald Ramotar paid a visit to the areas and gave a commitment that this year, the LIS 2 programme will be further expanded to Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and the hinterland to further improve the lives of all Guyanese by ensuring they have the opportunity to own a home. Noting that there are many spinoff benefits to be derived from government-led social programmes like the Core Home Initiative, such as more disposable income for families, President Ramotar said: “The core homes offer households an excellent opportunity to restructure their lifestyles.” He also referred to the hinterland housing drive and its impact on the lives of hundreds of Amerindians, noting that it is one of the many initiatives used by the administration to improve people’s quality of life. Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali said that the Core Home Initiative complements sev-

Chief Magistrate berates police for detaining ... from page 15

the juvenile to court, and inquired why the young man was kept that long in custody and was not brought to court earlier. The corporal apologised, and explained that on the very day the juvenile was charged, the police had encountered difficulties with transportation to take him to court. The Chief Magistrate said the situation was unacceptable; and further, that a detainee should not be kept in custody for that long unless there is an order from the High Court, and not for this offence. She further inquired whether the Ministry of Human Services was contacted, but the rank responded in the negative. The corporal said the juvenile was residing at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre, which was contacted to facilitate his returning to that institution after he was not taken to court, but the centre had refused to accept him. The juvenile pleaded not guilty to the charge that said he made use of abusive language to an elder at the Juvenile Holding Centre. He will remain in custody of the Child Protection Agency until March 6.

eral other government programmes, and has resulted in tremendous change in the housing sector, as it not only targets vulnerable and low-income groups, but young professionals and others in the high-income bracket.

The programme was also done as part of the Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development, which has about 8,000 house lots. Ali said that thus far, more than 32,000 people have benefited from the housing programme in that area.

From 2000 to now, m o re t h a n $ 7 B h a s been invested in the housing programme, with the average investment per household amounting to $875,000. The 103 core homes, which will ac-

commodate close to 423 persons, were completed at an average cost of $2.9M each, which gives an overall cost of $300M, with individual beneficiaries contributing $100,000 for construction.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Essequibo Coast getting more paved all-weather roads

THE Government, through the Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration, is constructing more paved all weather roads on Essequibo

Coast to provide residents with better access routes. A release, from the Regional Administration, said works on streets are currently in progress

at Anna Regina, Three Friends, Henrietta, Richmond, Danielstown, Sparta and Hampton Court. The release said the

roadways are being upgraded and paved and residents of the beneficiary villages are loud in praises for the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Progressive Party (PPP) Government

and the Regional Administration, headed by Mr. Parmanand Persaud. One resident said he

is very thankful to the government for rehabilitating and paving the thoroughfares which will benefit residents.

Government, through the Region 2 Administration, is constructing several roads in the Anna Regina township on the Essequibo Coast.

Three years imprisonment for false pretence HERMANT Narine Silchand, 39, of Champagne, Mahaicony, East Coast of Demerara, was sentenced to three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; imprisonment by Essequibo Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Wednesday. The prisoner was convicted of false pretence at Anna Regina Court for impersonating a welfare officer. Silchand was arrested by police on January 2 after he committed the offence on Vishnudatt Deonarine of Henrietta Village, also on Essequibo Coast. Police said, between April 3 and 14, 2013, Silchand pretended to be a Welfare Officer and offered to help Deonarine with a welfare matter at his home. Silchand was unrepresented in court and was found guilty after a trial at which several witnesses testified. Police Prosecutor Krishna Datt Ramana said several other persons were fooled by the convict.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

In Pomeroon…

Flood-affected farmers get seedlings from Minister Baksh GOVERNMENT, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration, has distributed hundreds of seedling plants to flood affected farmers of the Pomeroon. Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Mr. Alli Baksh, while on a visit to the region on Monday, met with farmers at Charity and handed out the seedlings to them. He said the Government wants farmers to continue farming and increase production, especially those who suffered losses to their farms due to the recent flooding in the Pomeroon. The recipients after receiving the seedlings thanked Minister Baksh and the PPP/C Government for the help and pledged to continue planting and increase production so as to contribute the national grow more food drive.

Some of the plants at Charity that were distributed on Monday to flood-affected farmers of the Pomeroon River

Owners of unlicensed bars caught in police raid SAVITA Sattaur, owner of Liquid Love Bar at Lot 12 Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was placed on her own recognisance when she appeared Thursday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer two charges. The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges, one of which said that on Wednesday, February 12, at Station Street, Kitty, she had for sale a quantity of alcoholic beverages which included Stag, Corona, Banks and Heineken beers, and Guinness and Mackeson stouts, without first obtaining a licence. On the other charge, she, being the occupier of the shop, was not licensed to sell wine or malt where same was found. Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said police were on a raid for unlicensed alcohol businesses when they found the mentioned alcoholic beverages at Sattaur’s business place. They asked her to produce her licence, and noted it had expired. Meanwhile, Ravindra Samaroo, 48, of Lot 52 Station Street, Kitty, was also charged for unlicensed selling of alcoholic beverages. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which stated that, on the same day, he also had a quantity of Guinness, Heineken and Banks beers among other alcoholic beverages. He will return to court today for sentencing, while Sattaur’s case has been put off to February 26.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mash

Daniel Wilson of Am Region 10, who gaine

Jihan Tyrnill of Mahdia Secondary School in her performance during the 14-17 dramatic poetry

Students of the Resource Unit for the Blind and Visua during their performance

Students of Success Elementary School receive their prize for placing first place in the 8-10 Calypso competition

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

final continues with dramatic poetry and calypso

melia’s Ward Primary, ed first place

ally Impaired, Georgetown,

THE second day of the final of the Children’s Mashramani competition saw Primary and Secondary schools from the 10 administrative regions and the Georgetown educational district competing in dramatic poetry and calypso. The well choreographed pieces featured topics such as Teenage Pregnancy, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and the issue of Solid Waste, as the participants captivated the audience with their performances, especially in dramatic poetry. For the 5-10 years dramatic poetry, Amelia’s Ward Primary, Region 10, gained first place, Green Acres Primary, Georgetown, came in second and Blairmont Primary, Region 5, third, while in Calypso, Stella Maris Primary, Georgetown copped first; Regma Primary, Region 10, second and Kamwatta Primary, Region 1, third. Success Elementary, Region 4 gained first place in the 8-10 years Calypso, followed by Lake Mainstay Primary, Region 2, second, and the Resource Unit for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Georgetown, third. For the Dramatic Poetry, Green Acres, Georgetown, Mortice Primary, Region 5, and Parfait Harmonie, Region 3, copped first, second and third respectively. In the 11-13 Calypso, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, came in first; Diamond Secondary, second and Anna Regina Secondary, Region 2, third, while for the Dramatic Poetry, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown copped first; L’Adventure Secondary, Region 3, second, and Anna Regina Secondary, third. In the 14-17 years Calypso, Covent Garden Secondary, Region 4, gained first place, followed by Abrams Zuil Secondary, Region 2, second, and Berbice High, third. (GINA)

Covent Garden Secondary receiving their prize for placing first in the 14-17 years Calypso category

Leah Chester of Berbice High School during her performance in the 14-17 years Calypso

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Essequibo rice farmers get Ministry assurance on payments

Minister Alli Baksh, PS George Jarvis and Vice Chairman of Region Two Vishnu Samaroo at the recent meeting in Anna Regina

THE Ministry of Agriculture is prepared to work with all farmers and stakeholders in the rice industry to ensure timely payments for paddy. The assurance was given by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jarvis, who was speaking at a recent meeting in the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) office at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. Jarvis, responding to a question by an extension officer about the long delay by millers to pay for farmers paddy,

said the deal between farmers and millers is a private one and Government cannot determine the price. He, however, assured that the Agriculture Ministry is prepared to work with all stakeholders to make sure that farmers get timely payments for their paddy. The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry of Agriculture is also prepared to offer legal support to farmers taking millers to Court for money owed for paddy but no farmer is coming forward to make use of the legal assistance. Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh,

who was also at the meeting, said farmers should confront millers in terms of getting good prices for their paddy and not picket the GRDB office at Anna Regina. According to him, the Government, in its intervention role, works through the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and the GRDB, in terms of the agreement for the purchase of paddy. The Minister, in his remarks to officers of the RPA and GRDB, called for more interaction with farmers on the ground and gave an update on the Venezuelan market for rice.

gr february 13

Staff members of the GRDBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anna Regina office at the meeting with Minister Ali Baksh and PS George Jarvis

Desilting exercise underway on Essequibo Coast WORK is in progress to clear silted up drains in residential areas and the commercial centre of the Anna Regina township. According to reports, two machines are working in the town while another is in the Supenaam area and one more at Charity, all on Essequibo Coast. The massive desilting exercise in residential and housing areas is progressing well and residents are thanking and praising the government for the project which would boost drainage across the coast and in housing schemes. At Anna Regina a silted up drain next to the old market was recently desilted by one of the mini excavators and that will eliminate flooding around the market whenever it rains heavily.

One of the mini excavator desilting a drain in the Town of Anna Regina

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

ICC Under-19 World Cup

All-round England stroll to big win … wins also for Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe

FIFTIES from Ben Duckett and Ed Barnard, followed by a three-wicket haul from the seamer Will Rhodes, paved the way for England Under-19s’ 213-run thrashing of

UAE Under-19s in Abu Dhabi, yesterday.. England, put in to bat, were dominant right from the start as the openers Jonathan Tattersall and Harry Finch raced to 71 in

Ben Duckett

11 overs to lay a solid platform. UAE fought back with three wickets, but Duckett and Barnard helped England wrest the advantage, combining for a fourth-wicket association that yielded 151 runs in just 122 balls. Both batsmen struck 12 fours, but Barnard was the more aggressive, blasting a 73-ball 93 while Duckett hit 83 off 80 deliveries. Medium-pacer Pankaj Prakash picked up three wickets for the hosts, but Duckett and Barnard’s stand helped the team reach 315 for 8. UAE had very little to show for in their chase, as they struggled to produce even a single meaningful partnership. Shivank Vijayakumar and the captain Rohit Singh were the only two batsmen to reach dou-

ble digits, as the other nine batsmen contributed just 31 runs altogether. Rhodes finished with 3 for 14 while the other two fast bowlers Josh Shaw and Matthew Fisher chipped in with two scalps each to dismiss UAE for 102 in 33 overs. A half-century from Sri Lanka Under-19s captain Kusal Mendis helped set up the team’s 49-run victory against New Zealand Under-19s in Sharjah. Sri Lanka, batting first, made a bright start as the openers Sadeera Samarawickrama and Hashan Dumindu put up 48 in 6.1 overs before Dumindu was out for a 14-ball 17. Sri Lanka, however, regrouped and were buoyed by a 97-run partnership for the second wicket between Samarawickrama and Mendis. Samarawickrama eventually fell for 67 having struck six fours, while Mendis’ 90 included 11 fours. The medium-pacer Kyle Jamieson took four wickets to hamper Sri Lanka’s progress, but handy knocks from Priyamal Perera and Thilaksha Sumanasiri pushed the team to a formidable 275 for 9. New Zealand’s top order all made starts, but none of the batsmen converted into a fifty. Robert O’Donnell top-scored with 43, and Raki Weerasundara and Luke Williamson chipped in with thirties, but New Zealand’s slow progress was hampered by wickets at regular intervals. Binura Fernando, Anuk Fernando and Lakshan Jayasinghe each took two wickets to help restrict New Zealand to 226 for 8. An all-round performance from Tinashe Kamunhukamwe helped Zimbabwe Under-19s to a six-wicket win against Canada Under-19s in Abu Dhabi. Kamunhukamwe first picked up three wickets to restrict Canada to 192, before contributing 24 handy runs with the bat to aid Zimbabwe’s chase. That Zimbabwe only had to chase 193 was mainly because of a batting collapse from Canada. After putting up 50-plus stands for the third and fourth wickets, Canada slumped from 145 for 3 to 192 for 9. Nikhil Dutta was the pick of Canada’s batsman, top-scoring with an unhurried 56 that included four fours. For Zimbabwe, Herbert Chikomba snatched two wickets before Kamunhukamwe ran through the tail. Joylord Gumbie and Tarisai Musakanda got Zimbabwe’s chase off to a flying start by putting up 95 in 16 overs, but once the pair fell in successive deliveries, the team slowed down. From there on, Charles Kunje dropped anchor, scoring a patient 42 not out to take Zimbabwe home in 43.5 overs. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GOA president calls for an alliance among Caribbean ... From Back Page gether, it would force the world governing body for the Amateur version of the sport, to be more flexible in its allocation to the amount of spots Caribbean, more so English Caribbean fighters, receive. “I know that a few years ago, it was discussed but it fell through, but I hope that the few of you gathered here, come together and put some serious thought into this. But tournaments like these and exchange like the one we’re opening tonight (last night) is what is needed amongst Caribbean associations and the GOA will always be happy to make events a reality,” Yasin said. Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony lauded the GBA for initiating

such an event, and echoed Yasin’s call for more unity among the regional associations. Anthony noted “It’s been some years since something like has taken place in Guyana where you have top Caribbean fighters for any kind of tournament; so this is a bold step by the GBA to make this happen, I want to urge you all to do well and to make the best of this event.” President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, said that his association is happy to see their hard work paying off with the hosting of the event, and with Guyana preparing to send a team to the South American Games in Chile and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Goodwill tournament is being taken very seriously, especially by the Guyanese fighters.

Ticket sales rise ... From Back Page to 6 000 tickets were sold and organisers believe all 12 000 will be taken ahead of the start today. First ball is 14:00hrs (13:00hrs Jamaica Time). “I think that whoever bat first will have an advantage if the weather holds because it means that they will have the best part of that pitch,” declared former West Indies fast bowler Colin croft. “We have seen as the tournament went on, the pitches became a little bit slower and lower so batting first might just

be the right thing to do.” Trinidad & Tobago reached the final when they beat Jamaica by seven wickets on Wednesday. Barbados qualified for the final when they also had a seven-wicket victory over Guyana on Thursday night. “It has been a long time since we have played a final back here in Trinidad and Dwayne Bravo he will be looking at his first title for Trinidad and Tobago. He has done well, he has led from the front,” said former Trinidad and Tobago captain Darren Ganga.

English Racing Tips

12:35 hrs Dungeel 13:05 hrs What A Laugh

Ascot 09:30 hrs Un Temps Pour Tout 10:05 hrs Third Intention 10:40 hrs Houblon Des Obeaux 11:15 hrs Like Minded 11:50 hrs Riverside Theatre 12:20 hrs Mountain King 12:50 hrs Royal Vacation

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:45 hrs Rodeo Sioux 09:20 hrs Serruria 09:55 hrs Umgiyo 10:30 hrs Rheims 11:05 hrs Stirling Leaves

Lingfield 09:40 hrs Monsieur Lavene 10:15 hrs St Ignatius 10:50 hrs Harwoods Volante 11:25 hrs Mia’s Boy 12:00 hrs Kiss Of Spring 12:30 hrs Club House 13:00 hrs Shifting Star Haydock 09:45 hrs Hawk High 10:20 hrs Celestial Halo 10:55 hrs Across The Bay 11:30 hrs Flemenson 12:05 hrs Toubeera

Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 09:50 hrs Leavethelighton 10:25 hrs Turban 11:00 hrs Bruff 11:35 hrs Un De Sceaux 12:10 hrs Halling’s Treasure 12:40 hrs Malt Gem 13:10 hrs Whisper Rock Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan 10:35 hrs Mutayaser 11:10 hrs Genius Step 11:45 hrs Mooqtar 12:20 hrs Al Razi 12:55 hrs Ribaat 13:30 hrs Jamhoori

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 15 2014

Sharma’s career-best haul puts India on top of NZ (REUTERS) - India consolidated their advantage after paceman Ishant Sharma’s career-best six-wicket haul, reaching 100 for two at the close of play on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand (NZ). Ishant was the pick of the tourists’ bowlers, who were given first use of the green and bouncy Basin Reserve wicket after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won his seventh successive toss. The tall right-armer took six for 51 and helped bowl the hosts out for 192 after tea. Mohammed Shami provided admirable support with 4-70. Shikhar Dhawan was on 71 and Ishant, sent in as nightwatchman after Chesteshwar Pujara was out for 19, was three not out at the close. “It was a bit of a mixed day, losing the toss and getting put in wasn’t in the plan,” New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham told RadioSport. “I thought we did all right to get to 180 to give us something to bowl at but they batted quite well there. “I think slightly,” he added when asked if India had the ad-

vantage at the end of the day. “We know that from the West Indies Test that wickets tend to get lost in clumps. “There is still a bit in it and hopefully it will keep swinging tomorrow.” Kane Williamson topscored with 47 for New Zealand after being dismissed three times and recalled twice due to no-balls. Neesham (33) and Southee (32) provided cameos towards the end. Williamson was given out once to Zaheer Khan in the final over before lunch on 15 and then again on 23 when Pujara took a good catch at forward short leg off Ishant during the afternoon session. Both times, however, television replays showed the bowler had overstepped the mark. Dhoni had earlier wasted little time asking the hosts to bat on the green wicket. Although openers Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton made a breezy start with seemingly little assistance for Zaheer and Shami, the introduction of Ishant changed the game as he bowled with hostility and forced the batsmen

to leave the hosts floundering at 26 for three. Their troubles deepened shortly before lunch when captain Brendon McCullum was well caught at mid-off by Ravindra Jadeja when driving at a full Mohammed Shami delivery. New Zealand tried to fight back in the afternoon session with Corey Anderson (24) and debutant Neesham helping the

Inshant’s fifth wicket, of BJ Watling, leaves New Zealand reeling at 86 for 6. to play. He destroyed New Zealand’s top order with three

wickets in 14 balls, dismissing Rutherford (12), Fulton (13) and debutant Tom Latham for a duck

NEW ZEALAND first innings P. Fulton lbw b I. Sharma H. Rutherford c Vijay b I. Sharma K. Williamson c R. Sharma b Shami T.Latham c (wkpr) Dhoni b I. Sharma B. McCullum c Jadeja b Shami C. Anderson c Kohli b I. Sharma B.J.Watling c R. Sharma b I. Sharma J. Neesham c Dhoni b Shami T. Southee c Vijay b I. Sharma N. Wagner not out T. Boult c Pujara b Shami Extras: (lb-2, w-8, nb-6)

hosts past 150. Their resistance ended after tea, however, when Ishant took his sixth wicket, having Southee caught behind for a 32, and Shami had Trent Boult pop a short delivery to Pujara to end the innings. New Zealand hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after their 40-run victory at Eden Park in the first game.

To t a : ( a l l o u t 5 2 . 5 o v e r s ) 13 192 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-26, 3-26, 12 4-45, 5-84, 6-86, 7-133, 8-165, 9-184. Bowling: Z. Khan 17-3-57-0 (nb-2, 47 w-1), Mohammed Shami 16.5-4-704 (nb-1, w-2), I. Sharma 17-3-51-6 0 (nb-3), . Jadeja 2-1-12-0. INDIA first innings 8 S. Dhawan not out 71 M. Vijay c (wkpr) Watling 24 b Southee 2 C. Pujara lbw b Boult 19 0 I. Sharma not out 3 Extras: (b-4, w-1) 5 33 Total: (2 wickets; 28 overs) 100 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-89. 32 Bowling: 9-4-18-1, T. Southee 5 7-0-29-1, N. Wagner 7-0-36-0, C. 2 Anderson 3-0-14-0, J. Neesham 16 2-0-8-0.

Senanayake seals dramatic three-wicket win for Sri Lanka SACHITHRA Senanayake struck a four off the final ball of the match to earn Sri Lanka a dramatic three-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 international against Bangladesh and in the process seal a 2-0 series triumph. In a low-scoring encoun-

ter, Sri Lanka looked in big trouble as they slumped to 50 for six in pursuit of Bangladesh’s 120 all out at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. However, star man Kumar Sangakkara edged the tourists closer to their target with a

run-a-ball 37 before Thisara Perera (35 not out) and Senanayake (12 n.o.) took them past the winning post. For the second time this week the match was in the balance right until the last delivery, with Sri Lanka needing two runs for the win, and Senanayake

Malik, Akmal and Fawad back in Pakistan World T20 squad

(REUTERS) - Pakistan have recalled former captain Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal for next month’s World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Malik has not featured in a Twenty20 for his country since November while Akmal returns after last playing for his side at the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. Middle-order batsman Fawad Alam, who has not been picked since 2010, is also back in the 15-man squad as is paceman Umar Gul who has played only three one-day internationals in the last 11 months due to knee surgery. “Malik, Kamran and Fawad have been rewarded for their good form in domestic cricket,” said acting chief selector Azhar Khan. “Unfortunately Mohammad Irfan has not been picked because of fitness issues.” Paceman Irfan has not played for Pakistan since in-

Shoaib juring his hip in a T20 against South Africa in Dubai in November and doctors have told him to rest for up to two months. Squad: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Shahid Afridi, Ahmed

Malik Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Sohaib Maqsood, Junaid Khan, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Talha.

was his side’s hero as he turned Farhad Reza to the boundary for the match-winning runs. Sri Lanka, the top-ranked T20I side in the world, also won another thriller right at the death on Wednesday when they clinched a two-run victory here in the opening encounter after defending a total of 168 for seven. Perera bowled the final over on that occasion, dismissing Anamul Haque for 58 off the last ball having been hit for 14 off the previous five balls, but

it was his batting which proved key yesterday. After five of Sri Lanka’s top seven batsmen had fallen for single-figure scores, Perera and Sangakkara helped get their side back into the game with a 46-run partnership the highest in the match - before the latter was dismissed by Rubel Hossain with 25 runs still needed. At that point Bangladesh must have felt the game had swung back their way, but Perera and Senanayake took it

away from them again as Sri Lanka added the T20 series to their Test triumph over the same opponents. Earlier, Bangladesh had been bowled out for 120 off the penultimate ball of their innings. Sabbir Rahman (26) and Haque (24) were the only players to get into the 20s as Lasith Malinga (three for 20), Senanayake (two for 11) and Nuwan Kulasekara (two for 32) prevented the hosts from cutting loose. The two nations will now do battle in a three-match

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

Johnson, Warner put Aussies in charge By Mark Gleeson PRETORIA, South Africa (Reuters) - David Warner took over from Mitchell Johnson as South Africa’s tormentor-in-chief as the Australian opener blitzed a quick-fire century to extend his team’s huge lead on the third day of the first Test yesterday. Australia closed the day 479 runs ahead of their hosts at 288 for three in their second innings, a massive lead with two days still to play. Warner was dropped three times in a characteristically cavalier 115 off 151 balls and featured in a partnership of 205 runs for the second wicket with Alex Doolan. Asked by reporters if he had ever had so many let-offs, Warner said: “Probably in the backyard cricket really, it’s good have a little luck on your side. “It was a hard wicket to play defensively on, so I felt it was better to play aggressively,” Warner added. Doolan fell 11 runs short of a debut Test century, caught behind by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off part-time spinner JP Duminy in the last hour of the day.

Warner scores quick-fire ton; Johnson takes seven wickets

David Warner reaches his hundred from 118 balls, punishing South Africa for their mistakes.

Shaun Marsh (44) and Michael Clarke (17) will resume on the fourth day as Australia dominated again following a seven-wicket haul for Johnson who helped bowl out South Africa for 206 in their first innings before lunch. South Africa paid a heavy price for dropping Warner when he was on 27 when substitute fielder Dean Elgar spilled a high one in the deep and when two wild slashes provided top edges for the slips that Alviro Petersen and Graeme Smith got hands to but could not hold. Wa r n e r a n d D o o l a n , whose 89 runs came off 154 balls, piled on the agony for the top-ranked Test side, whose ordinary bowling was matched by uncharacteristically sloppy fielding. Earlier, Johnson scythed through the batting order as he took three more wickets on the third day to end with figures of seven for 68. Only de Villiers provided any resistance with a defiant 91 that ensured the follow-on target was passed but South Africa’s hopes of batting on to lunch ended as he was caught

trying to blast a slower ball from Johnson back over the bowler’s head. “We are certainly not going to give up,” de Villiers told reporters. “Obviously we are in trouble. There has been only one team in this match and it hasn’t been us. “We know the declaration cannot be too far away and if we can get through the new ball, then it does get notably easier. We are going to need a

AUSTRALIA first innings 397 SOUTH AFRICA first innings (o/n 140-6) 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 c Warner b Johnson 91 JP Duminy c Johnson b Lyon 25 R. McLaren b Johnson 8 R. Peterson c Clarke b Johnson 10 V. Philander lbw Lyon 15 D. Steyn not out 7 M. Morkel c Haddin b Johnson 0 Extras: (b-14, lb-2, w-1, nb-1) 18 Total: (all out, 61.1 overs) 206 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-15, 3-23, 4-43, 5-110, 6-126, 7-140, 8-189, 9-202. Bowling: Harris 17-3-51-0, Johnson

Warner’s second-innings heroics By S. Rajesh THERE have been only four totals of more than 200 in the fourth innings of Tests in Centurion, with the highest of those being 251 for 8 by England in 2000. However, that was an unusual Test match, in that both teams forfeited an innings each, so the fourth innings was actually the second innings of the Test. In a regular Test, the highest fourth-innings score here is 228 for 9 by England, again, as they held on to a draw in 2009. South Africa’s highest is 226 for 4 against Sri Lanka in 1998, in a Test in which Hansie Cronje swept Muttiah Muralitharan to distraction, scoring 82 off 63 balls, after Murali had threatened to run through the side. Given the uneven bounce that’s already on view here, South Africa’s only hope of saving the Test seems to be the weather. The day was dominated by two Australia performances: Mitchell Johnson’s 7 for 68, and David Warner’s 115 and his double-century stand with debutant Alex Doolan. Johnson took seven or more for the third time in his Test career, after his 7 for 40 against England in Adelaide last year and 8 for 61 against South Af-

rica in Perth in 2009, in a Test Australia ended up losing. Only seven fast bowlers have taken seven or more in an innings more often in Test cricket. Since the beginning of the Ashes series in Australia, Johnson has taken 44 wickets at 13.29. Twenty-six of those wickets have been lefthand batsmen, at an average of 9.88 and a strike rate of 21 balls per wicket; against right-handers he has averaged 16.94, at a strike rate of 38. The only South Africa batsman who resisted the Australia bowlers was AB de Villiers,

who scored 91. It was a record-equalling 11th successive Test in which he scored at least a half-century. Not only did he score so many, he also looked by far the most comfortable batsman against Australia’s pace attack, achieving an in-control percentage - the percentage of deliveries he middled or left alone - of 95%. The other South Africa batsmen in the top six had a collective in-control of 81%. Australia finished with a first-innings lead of 191 and, when they came out to bat, War-

ner ensured that there would be no repeat of Cape Town 2011, when Australia were bowled out for 47 in their second innings and lost the Test despite taking a first-innings lead of 188. Warner’s century was his sixth in Tests and his fourth in the team’s second innings. Unlike most batsmen, Warner has been more prolific in the second innings than in the first, averaging 48.28 in the second innings, compared to 37.03 in the first. In the last year the difference has been even more stark: in 13 Tests, he averages 54.83 in the second innings, with three

hundreds, and 25.00 in the first, with no centuries. In the 2013-14 Ashes series, Warner was dominant in the second innings too, scoring hundreds in Brisbane and Perth, but managed only one half-century in the first innings. Doolan fell within 11 runs of a century on debut but his 89 was the third-highest by an Australian debutant at No. 3, behind Shaun Marsh’s 141 against Sri Lanka in 2011 and Bill Ponsford’s 110 against England in 1924. Warner and Doolan added

big fight tomorrow and on day five,” he added. South Africa made an early breakthrough with the wicket of opener Chris Rogers (1) in the second over as he was bowled by Dale Steyn but after that were put to the sword by Warner and Doolan. Warner was the second wicket to fall 205 runs later when his swashbuckling knock ended tamely with a catch at first slip off spinner Peterson.

17.1-1-68-7 (w-1), Siddle 13-1-33-1 (nb-1), Lyon 14-0-38-2. AUSTRALIA second innings C. Rogers b Steyn 1 D. Warner c Smith b Peterson 115 A. Doolan c de Villiers b Duminy 89 S. Marsh not out 44 M. Clarke not out 17 Extras: (b-3, lb-13, w-6) 22 Total: (for three wickets, 69 overs) 288 Fall of wickets: 1-1 2,-206, 3-243. Bowling: Philander 11-2-28-0, Steyn 13-2-60-1, McLaren 11-047-0, Morkel 11-2-38-0, Peterson 19-0-87-1, Duminy 4-0-12-1.

205, Australia’s fourth-highest for the second wicket against South Africa, and their best since South Africa’s readmission into international cricket, surpassing Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting’s 201-run stand in Durban in 2006. It was also Australia’s fifthbest against any opposition after they had lost their first wicket at 0 or 1. Australia have had two double-century partnerships in this Test - Marsh and Steven Smith had added 233 in their first innings. It’s only the second instance of two double-century stands for Australia in a Test against South Africa: at the Gabba in 2012, they had two such partnerships in the drawn Test. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Thrashing will play on Arsenal minds, says Liverpool boss LONDON, England - (Reuters) - Arsenal’s players will find it hard to shake the memory of their 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool last weekend when the two sides meet again in the FA Cup, the Merseyside club’s manager Brendan Rodgers said yesterday. Arsenal were taken apart in a whirlwind 20-minute spell at the start of the Premier League clash at Anfield last Saturday, but have an opportunity for immediate revenge in this Sunday’s fifth-round clash at the Emirates.

“We came out of the game at the weekend with great confidence and I think when you put in a performance like we did against Arsenal, who were top of the league, it can stick in their mind that wee bit more,” Rodgers told reporters. “We were outstanding on the day and it was arguably as good a performance as you’ll see. I think many people have commented on that. It’s a different game, there’s a new motivation for both teams and both teams will want to get through

into the quarter-finals.” While Arsenal face a Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Liverpool have no midweek European commitments to worry about and will field a full-strength side. “We want to win the FA Cup. That’s our objective. We’ve got no midweek game so we can go as strong as we wish to go,” Rodgers said. “It’s probably different for Arsenal, who have a massive game after ourselves in the Champions League, so

they may have to look at it differently. We won’t need to rest anybody. “We want to do it for the club. Since I’ve been here, we have changed the squad around in order to try and help us in the league. “When I have made too many changes, we haven’t been good enough and that’s seen us go out of tournaments earlier than I would want. This year, we wanted to do well in the cup competitions - hence the reason why we’ve been strong.

“We want to get to Wembley, not for the semi-final, but for the final. If we’re there for the final, then it gives us a chance to win it.” The game is likely to come too soon, however, for right back Glen Johnson, who has returned to training after missing four weeks through injury. “Glen Johnson is working very well. I’m not sure he’ll be ready for the game this weekend, but if we can have a good week next week he’ll be very close,” Rodgers added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 15 2014

Putin meets U.S. team officials, basks in Games praise By Mike Collett-White SOCHI, Russia - (Reuters) A relaxed Russian President Vladimir Putin dropped in on the U.S. Olympic team in Sochi yesterday, sipping red wine and basking in the praise of what organisers said had been a “truly great” Winter Games so far. Hosting a successful Games would go a long way to deciding Putin’s legacy, and the huge price tag, which some put as high as a record $51 billion, underlines how important it is to him and his country. Global criticism of a Russian law banning the promotion of gay propaganda among minors and threat of an Islamist militant attack overshadowed the run-up to the February 7-23 Games. U.S. President Barack Obama decided not to come to Sochi and, after criticism of Putin’s stance on gay rights, sent a delegation including gay officials. But the negativity has melted away as thrilling sporting action has grabbed the headlines, while Putin put aside strained relations with Washington to chat to the American team. The conversation soon

Vladimir Putin visits the Team USA house. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) Reuters that organisers were

turned to Russia’s much-anticipated men’s ice hockey match against the United States today. “Of course we’ll be supporting our guys,” Putin could be heard saying on state television during the previously unannounced meeting. He also heaped praise on U.S. athletes, who sit equal fourth in the medals table. “What I like in you is that you have strong competitors in almost every discipline, in almost every event you fight for medals,” he said. Sochi Olympics chief Dmitry Chernyshenko told

“modestly proud” of the Games, which hit the halfway stage today. “But we are not relaxing,” he told Reuters. “There are still many things to do until the end of the Games and the most exciting competitions are ahead.”

MORE ALPINE SURPRISES Hours after he spoke there was another shock in the Caucasus mountains on the seventh full day of competition, with Swiss Sandro Viletta ripping up the form book to win the men’s super combined race.

And, as another cloudless day of temperatures reaching 14 degrees Celsius softened the snow, compatriot Dario Cologna won his second gold in Sochi in the cross-country 15km classic race. There was an unlikely hero in the shape of 43-year-old Roberto Carcelen of Peru, who finished last but received a tremendous reception from the crowd as he crossed the line. He was met by Cologna, who had waited nearly half an hour for him to finish. “I am proud that I have managed to qualify for two Olympics and I hope it will inspire Peruvian children to take up skiing,” Carcelen said. “This was the last race of my career. I am retiring. Britain won their first gold of the Games when Lizzy Yarnold triumphed in the women’s skeleton, emulating compatriot and 2010 champion Amy Williams – from whom she rents a house in England. Darya Domracheva of Belarus became a double Sochi winner when she blew the opposition away in the biathlon 15km individual event. MORE BELARUS GOLD There was more gold for Belarus, and another upset, later

in the day when Alla Tsuper won the women’s freestyle skiing aerials event. That victory put Belarus, in seventh, one place above Russia in the medals table. Switzerland jumped to second behind Germany, who have seven gold. Russia have just two, and there was scant chance of adding to that tally yesterday after flamboyant figure skater Yevgeny Plushenko stunned the skating world by withdrawing from the men’s individual event late on Thursday with an injury. Both the host nation’s gold have come in figure skating, and the sound of a packed Iceberg Skating Palace roaring on local athletes has been one of the highlights of the Games. Plushenko may not have won anyway - Japanese teenager Yuzuru Hanyu became the first Asian to win the Olympic men’s figure skating title - but his retirement once again invited questions over whether the 31-yearold should have been at the Games at all. Many believe that honour should have gone to 18-yearold Maxim Kovtun, who beat Plushenko in the Russian nationals, but his older rival controversially secured his Olympic

ticket following a secret skate test. The issue was of sufficient importance to be debated in the State Duma parliament in Moscow. Fiery opposition lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky called Plushenko “dishonourable”, and added: “Maxim Kovtun is shoved aside and this invalid has brought shame upon us.” But Sergei Neverov, a member of the ruling United Russia party which is loyal to Putin, disagreed. “We all regret (what happened), but that is sport. We are all proud of him ... (we have) only words of thanks for his contribution to the gold medal.” The one event the hosts would love to win more than any other is the men’s ice hockey. Today, the Russians meet the United States in a mouthwatering qualifying game that will bring memories of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” flooding back. Thirty-four years ago at the Lake Placid Games, a group of American college players beat the then Soviet Union’s “Big Red Machine” 4-3 in a mismatch of David and Goliath proportions en route to a highly unlikely gold.

GSCL T/20 Republic Cup

Former Western Regal, Trophy Stall, Mike’s Wellman Tigers football coach register victories on opening day Peter Lashley crushed to death in accident

FORMER BK International Western Tigers Football Club coach Peter Lashley was crushed to death by a truck in an early morning accident on Mandela Avenue yesterday. Lashley, who got involved in football from a very tender age, was riding his motorcycle on Mandela Avenue when he met his demise. According to an eyewitness he was about to turn from Meadow Brook Drive on to Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium at around 06:30hrs when an oncoming truck collided with him, running him over. The eye witness said Lashley apparently underestimated the speed at which the truck was travelling and instead of making a sharp turn, he went wide and into the way of the truck whose driver is currently in custody assisting Police with their investigations.

Peter Lashley Lashley, who grew up in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, represented many clubs during his career as a footballer, the last of which was Western Tigers. He got involved in coaching and took over the West Ruimveldt-based team Western Tigers some years ago. His most recent post as coach was with the Georgetown Football Club (GFC). Apart from representing Guyana at the youth and senior levels, Lashley also played Masters football and represented Guyana at this level on many occasions.

REGAL, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Wellman cricket teams all registered victories on the opening day of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League’s T20 Republic Cup yesterday. Playing at the Everest ground, Regal Masters defeated their counterparts from Memorex by one wicket after posting 185 from the allotted 20 overs. Navin top-scored for the winners with 68, while K. Hasim supported with 34. Bowling for Memorex, V. Phillips grabbed 3-34 from four overs while Eon Simpson picked up 2-35. In reply, Memorex were restricted to 177-9 from their 20 overs. Raj Jafferally top-scored with 71. Balram Roopram picked up 2-31 bowling for Regal. Playing in the open category, Trophy Stall defeated Wolf Warriors by three wickets after dismissing them for 132 in 19.2 overs. Batting for Wolf Warriors, Amit Ria top-scored with 22,

(Regal) Part of the action during yesterday’s match at the Everest ground. (Adrian Narine photo) with an unbeaten 60 while stown, Mike’s Wellman defeatDinesh Vivekanand supported ed Defenders by four wickets while S. Budhu grabbed 5-19 with 28. after dismissing them for 137. bowling for Trophy Stall. Bowling for Defenders, S. Ramesh Rambarose top-scored In reply, Trophy Stall Ally took 3-36. with 48. reached 137-7 off 16.5 overs. The tournament which Bowling for Mike’s WellFazil Rafeek top-scored is being run in collaboration man, Nandram Samlall picked with 52, while Kumar Bisunwith the National Sports Comup 3-8 and Rajendra Singh dial supported with 21. mission will continue today 3-29. Bowling for Wolf Warriors, with matches at the Everest In reply, Mike’s Wellman Daynanand Singh took 3-24 and and GCC grounds beginning reached 139-6 off 16.2 overs. N. Bailey 2-20. at 09:00hrs. Greg DeFranca top-scored At the DCC ground, Queen-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 15, 2014

‘Red Force’ to face Barbados in final today for Clive Lloyd Trophy By Calvin Roberts in Trinidad and Tobago Compliments of Carib Beer, Regal Stationery, Wartsila, Romaine Car Wash and GT&T THE 1891–92 SEASON saw the first Inter-Colonial Tournament in the West Indies take place in Barbados involving Barbados, British Guiana and Trinidad. Matches took place at the Wanderers Ground, Bay Pasture in Bridgetown between September 1 and 10, 1891. Barbados beat British Guiana by 4 wickets, British Guiana beat Trinidad by 151 runs and Barbados beat Trinidad by an innings and 93 runs, with the final being contested between Barbados and British Guiana, which the Bajans won by an innings and 55 runs. During this tournament a suggestion was made by Hon. Aucher Warner that there should be a regular series of matches involving the three colonies to be played alternately at each colony. By the time of the next tournament in 1893 a cup had been subscribed for but British Guiana were unable to take part,

Sunil Narine Barbados being winners again, with the 1893 match being regarded as the first proper tournament because of the trophy being awarded. To date, Barbados have played T&T 28 times, winning 17 of those contests including their enthralling first round victory in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board NAGICO Super50 tournament at the Queen’s Park Oval two weeks ago. Today from 14.00hrs, both sides will have a go at it again, this time in the final of the same tournament, following their respective semifinal victories over a hapless-looking Jamaica and a flu-stricken Malta Supreme Guyana last Wednesday and Thursday, which can be called a repeat of the first round

encounter. While it is not appropriate to say, T&T under the astute captaincy of West Indies ODI skipper and energetic all-rounder Dwayne Bravo should be looking to avenge the first round loss suffered at the hands of their nemesis and lift the Clive Lloyd trophy, when the dust is settled. Two important individuals which will need to be looked at closely for today’s contest will be the misery of Sunil Narine against a team who have shown their susceptibility to spin bowling and the fiery pace of Fidel Edwards, Jason Holder and a still-to-feature Tino Best against the home team. In their first round matchup, Barbados’ Jonathan Carter struck the first ton at the venue by a non-national, a patient 109 which, along with Dwayne Smith’s pugnacious 83, piloted Barbados to 269 for 8 from their 50 overs, with Shane Dowrich contributing 35. Sulieman Benn then took 4 for 39 and Holder 3 for 29 as T&T were bowled out for 243, of which Denesh Ramdin stroked an unbeaten 40, while Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Jason Mohammed contributed 40, 37 and 32 respectively.

Fidel Edwards However, the Trinis played that contest without Narine their ace spinner, who showed how important his presence can be in any team, returning combined figures of 26-7-46-6 in his three matches, including his Man-of-the-Match 4 for 19 against Leeward Islands. Definitely on a track that has been offering lots of assistance to the slower bowlers, he will be a handful against the Barbadian batsmen, who can struggle to get the ball away, if Smith is disposed of early by Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo

or Rayad Emrit. Carter will definitely look to get a big score under his belt, so too will be the skipper Kevin Stoute and Kenroy Williams, while a fit Rashidi Boucher will also lend support along with Dowrich, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse and Benn. Holder and Edwards has been spot on with the new ball for the team from the Land of the Flying Fish, while Stoute has added support with his medium pace along with Carlos Brathwaite, even as Benn and Nurse complete the bowling attack with their spin variations. On the other hand, T&T have gotten starts from Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis and Adrian Barath, when used as openers, but they failed to build on them while Darren and Dwayne Bravo, Ramdin, Kevon Cooper and Rayad Emrit can add support when needed. Ravi Rampaul has been improving leaps and bounds with the new ball with support from Dwayne Bravo and Cooper, leaving Narine, Mohammed and at times Emrit and Imran

Khan (who can also contribute with the bat), with little to do in dismissing the opposition. With such accolades, today’s encounter, which will be played under the supervision of Lennox Abraham and Nigel Duguid, with Patrick Gustard and Leslie Reifer performing the duties of Fourth and Television Officials respectively, will certainly be a humdinger at the Oval. Full squads Trinidad and Tobago: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Adrian Barath, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Denesh Ramdin (wicketkeeper), Rayad Emrit, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Imran Khan, Yannick Ottley, Shannon Gabriel, Kevon Cooper; Kelvin Williams (coach) Barbados: Kevin Stoute (captain), Suleiman Benn, Tino Best, Rashidi Boucher, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper), Fidel Edwards, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Dwayne Smith, Kenroy Williams; Hendy Springer (coach)

Windies youths crash to 94-run defeat against SA in World Cup opener Powell to know his fate in two weeks

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Former world 100 metres champion, Asafa Powell, could know his fate in two weeks after a Jamaica anti-doping panel hearing his case, resumed on Wednesday. The hearing, halted in January, resumed but remained unfinished after Powell’s lawyers wanted the chance to cross-examine an anti-doping expert now working at the Winter Olympics in Russia. The Jamaican sprinter tested positive for the banned

Asafa Powell stimulant oxilofrine after the 100m final at the Jamaican national championships last June. The Jamaica Anti-Doping

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday February 15, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Thursday’s quiz: WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1976 (8/92 & 6/57) Dwayne Bravo and Clayton Lambert Today’s Quiz: Rohan Kanhai captained the WI in 13 Tests. How many the WI won? What is the highest number of sixes struck by a WI player in an ODI game to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Commission (JADCO) and Powell’s attorneys agreed to a final submission of evidence on February 26 but only after Powell lawyer Kwame Gordon objected to a report labelled “very, very significant” by Jamaica Anti-Doping Agency attorney Lackston Robinson. “We don’t think it should be entered (into evidence) at this stage because our witness would not get the chance to reply,” Gordon argued. The report from an American laboratory was ordered by Powell’s team seeking clarification that oxilofrine was indeed contained in the Epiphany D1 supplement taken by Powell. Gordon also said if the report was tendered into evidence, Christiane Ayotte, director of Montreal’s anti-doping laboratory, who analysed the report, must be available for cross-examination. However Ayottee is working on the other side of the world at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Gordon instead offered to have his expert, Wayne McLaughlin, analyse the document and submit his findings in writing when the hearing resumes in two weeks.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) - West Indies failed to press home an advantage against South Africa and crashed to a 94-run defeat in their opening game of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Dubai’s International Cricket Stadium here yesterday. Three run-outs, in the space of four overs, reduced South Africa to 110 for 7 after they were sent in by West Indies who won the toss and chose to field. A half-century from Yaseen Valli revived the innings to 198 for 9 and set the stage for a devastating spell of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada which destroyed the Windies top order batting as the young Caribbean cricketers were bowled out for 104. South Africa’s batsmen were also subjected to a pace barrage from Ray Jordan and Jerome Jones as the West Indies gained the upper hand, but the Caribbean cricketers did not give a good account of themselves in the field, dropping catches and fumbling in the outfield. Two chances were put down early, at backward point by Fabian Allen and at slip by Ramaal Lewis. Despite the let-offs, South Africa could not capitalise and lost half their side for 98 despite a third-wicket partnership of 65 between Jason Smith and Greg Oldfield. Jordan and Lewis picked up two wickets each for 45 and 44 runs respectively while Jones and Preston McSween got one

each. West Indies struggled from the start of the chase as, Rabada, the 18-yearold right-arm fast bowler, clocked around 136 kph on an average and getting disconcerting bounce on a fresh surface. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was run-out for a duck after diving and failing to make his ground when he and Shimron Hetmyer decided on a risky single on the first ball. Hetmyer, who also did not get off the mark also didn’t last the over, edging Rabada to second slip. In his next over Rabada forced Jonathan Drakes, who

SOUTH AFRICA Under-19 innings A. Markram c Drakes b Jordan 3 C. Fortuin c & b Jordan 4 J. Smith c Motie-Kanhai b Lewis 29 G. Oldfield stp.Pooran b Lewis 38 Y. Valli lbw b McSween 53 B. Bopp run-out (Drakes/Moti-Kanhai) 4 D. Bruwer run-out (Solozano/Lewis) 0 C. Bosch run-out (Allen /Pooran) 5 K. Rabada c Lewis b Jones 3 J. Dill not out 34 N. Sigwili not out 5 Extras: (b-1, lb-12, w-6, nb-1) 20 Total: (9 wickets) 198 Fall of wickets 1-3, 2-20, 3-85, 4-88, 5-98, 6-99, 7-110, 8-117, 9-179. Bowling: Jones 10-1-28-1, Jordan 10-2-45-2, McSween 10-1-43-1, MotiKanhai 10-1-25-0, Lewis 10-0-44-2.

also did not score, to edge a ball to the keeper. Rabada’s pace attack left West Indies reeling at 1 for 3 as the top order struggled to adjust to his first spell of 6-3-9-3. West Indies further crumbled to 27 for 5 after 12 overs as the pressure mounted forcing Nicolas Pooran to slash Justin Dill to second slip for 12 and Allen edging to the keeper. There was no fightback from the lower order except a top score of 37 from Lewis who hit five fours and a six. Rabada constantly tested the middle order with his pace, one of which struck Pooran’s helmet.

WEST INDIES Under-19 innings S. Hetmyer c Bruwer b Rabada 0 T. Chanderpaul run-out (Dill) 0 J. Solozano b Rabada 1 J. Drakes c Fortuin b Rabada 0 N. Pooran c Bruwer b Dill 12 F. Allen c Fortuin b Dill 8 R. Lewis b Bosch 37 G. Moti-Kanhai b Valli 19 J. Jones lbw b Bosch 0 P. McSween c Bopp b Valli 15 R. Jordan not out 0 Extras: (lb-2, w-8, nb-2) 12 Total: (all out) 104 Fall of wickets 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-16, 5-25, 6-30, 7-79, 8-79, 9-104. Bowling: Rabada 8-3-14-3, Sigwili 6-1-18-0, Dill 6-2-17-2, Bosch 7-125-2, Bruwer 7-0-24-0, Valli 1.20-4-2. Points - South Africa Under-19s 2, West Indies Under-19s 0

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 15 2014

Regional boxing representatives pay courtesy call on Minister of Sport By Michael DaSilva REGIONAL boxing officials yesterday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at his Main and Quamina Streets office. The regional boxers from St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, who are here for a four-nation goodwill tournament which commenced last evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, were all welcomed to the Land of Many Waters by Minister Anthony and president of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle, who is also the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.. In welcoming the three foreign contingent, Ninvalle said Dr Anthony is a strong supporter of boxing, more importantly amateur, and this is the reason the Guyana Boxing Association arranged for him to meet the visiting boxers. According to Ninvalle this Goodwill tournament is the first step being undertaken by the

GBA to resuscitate the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Championships. Guyana had dominated the Caribbean Championships when it was an annual event over 18 years ago. Ninvalle said together with his Caribbean counterparts who are here, he will sit and discuss how they can move the sport forward in the Region. Minister Anthony in brief remarks said Guyana is very pleased to host the Goodwill tournament and reminded that Guyana has a long tradition of producing top amateur boxers. The Minister stated that over the past two years his Ministry has been trying to revive the sport, hence the introduction of the Friday Night Fights card. Dr Anthony noted in this regard the Ministry has been working assiduously to rehabilitate boxing gyms around the country. Dr Anthony said that across the Caribbean Region

Some members of the visiting Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago boxing team along with members of the local team strike a pose with Minister Anthony (sitting third left) and Ninvalle (second left) in the Ministry’s conference room yesterday. possibility of setting up such a facility. countries to send their boxers much is not happening to deprove the sport in the Region. Dr Anthony welcomed to train. velop amateur boxing and he The Minister said he enthe visitors and expressed the He called on those execuis therefore pleased to know visages that in the near future hope that it will not be their tives from the various particithat Guyana is hosting this a training facility will be set up first and last visit to Guyana. pating countries to explore the tournament as it will only imhere in Guyana for Regional

E-Networks Inc. launches Guyana’s first reality TV Sports Show … Guyana Baseball League attracts Major League Baseball Scout

THE Guyana Baseball League (GBL) and E-Networks Inc. have partnered to usher in a new era in sport for Guyana with the hosting of the E-Networks Baseball Star; a reality television show that will be based on the search for talented pitchers in Guyana Produced by E-Networks Production Company for its cable “Channel 1”, the programme will also be aired on all major network television stations throughout Guyana. E-Networks is said to be the leader in bringing technological innovations to Guyana and the production of local television shows is an extension of its present service which brings the best in television entertainment the world has to offer. The Company, through its

Managing Director Vishok Persaud, said that it recognises the need to develop local television content and the partnership with the GBL provides an excellent opportunity to do such while providing entertainment and education to a receptive audience. “The GBL has always stressed that a large part of its mission is to provide opportunity to youths and is happy to be able to do such in a highly visible medium,” Singh said. According to the GB president Robin Singh, “the premise is simple - throw a ball at a target at speeds exceeding eighty miles per hour (80 mph) in front of an international scout representing a Major League Baseball franchise and you will have their attention and be on your way to

ET’S play ball! (L-R) GBL Robin Singh, E-Networks Managing Director Vishok Persaud, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt and Justin Prinstein, International scout for MLB franchise the Baltimore Orioles. worldwide live via E-Networks fibre optic internet connection Guyanese athletes he is excited a possible major league career.” with speeds up to 69 megabytes to see them tryout live. Justin Prinstein, Internaper second, we expect that There will be other scouts tional scout for MLB franchise the Guyanese audience will visiting during the second phase the Baltimore Orioles and head be entertained and also learn of the show when the athletes coach of the Hungarian Nationmuch about the great sport face elimination challenges. al Baseball team, will be lead of baseball and the myriad of “Videos of athlete’s perforscout on the first edition of this opportunities and careers it can mance will be relayed to scouts show and based on videos of

provide,” Singh pointed out. The GBS would be taking its talent search across Guyana with New Amsterdam being the first stop today at the Phoenix Primary School ground, then the team heads to Linden at the Bayroc Community Centre on February 18, Georgetown will have its chance at the GCC Ground on February 21, Lusignan the following day and the week-long scouting will conclude on February 22 at the Lilliendaal Baseball Field. Singh further pointed out “the scouting showcase is open to all males aged 15 to 28 and entry information can be obtained from your local baseball coach, our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ENetworksbaseballstar Tel or text 657-STAR or by email star@baseballguyana.com”

Kumar pleased with turnout of swimmers at Aquatic Centre DIRECTOR of Sport Neil Kumar said he is very pleased with the turnout of swimmers at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. In an invited comment yesterday, Kumar lauded the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) for utilising the Aquatic Centre so as to start preparation of local swimmers who will engage their Surinamese and French Guyana counterparts in the swimming aspect of the Inter-Guiana games, scheduled for May 5 to 8. Kumar said he is delighted to see so many athletes using the facility and he is even more than happy to observe that the athletes’ parents are present each day. GASA’s secretary and FINA Level 3 coach Shawn Baksh said the facility is fully utilised each day of the week after school hours until 19:00hrs each day. He said while most of the swimmers come directly after school, there are those who have to go to lessons first before practice. Baksh said the swimmers’ age ranges from five years to 22 years. He said the swimmers are currently preparing for GASA’s Annual Mashramani Swimming Championships after which they will concentrate on the IGG swimming championships then the Swimmers being taken through their paces at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. (Sonell Nelson photo) Annual Goodwill meet later in the year.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

‘Red Force’ to face Barbados in (See story page 38) n o final for Clive Lloyd Trophy

GOA president calls for an alliance among Caribbean boxing associations

RESIDENT of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) K.A. Juman-Yasin, made a call to the Amateur Boxing Associations from around the Caribbean, to form an alliance which will ensure that regional fighters are better represented at the Olympic Games and other prestigious events. Yasin’s call was made last evening, at the opening of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), GOA International Goodwill tournament which runs until tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Hosts Guyana are joined by St Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago representatives in the event which is

… International Goodwill boxing tournament opens

Jermaine Kellman (left) scores a point against Maverick Walcott in the opening fight of the GBA/GOA International Goodwill Tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The participating countries (from right) Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and St Lucia at last evening’s opening of the GBA/GOA International Goodwill tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Sonell Nelson photos) as in the case of Guyana whose should the associations from said to be important towards Apart from Cuba, the Caribonly Olympic medal came via across the region come tothe fusion of fighters in the bean does not boast a bundle of boxing. See page 34 Caribbean. medals at the Olympic Games A c c o r d i n g t o Ya s i n ,

NAGICO Super50

Ticket sales rise ahead of today’s final showdown

Barbados skipper Kevin Stoute (left) and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Dwayne Bravo proudly display the Clive Lloyd Trophy which will be up for grabs today. (Photo courtesy flickr.com/windiescricket)

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Red Day has been declared, as perennial rivals Barbados and hosts Trinidad and Tobago clash in the final of the NAGICO Super50 tournament at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of Spain today. The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has issued the call as a show of support for Red Force as officials report a significant rise in ticket sales ahead of the much anticipated showdown. “The Red Force have been the dominant cricket team in

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

the T20 format but today’s final is a chance for us to start a new streak of domination in the 50 overs with a victory in the NAGICO Super50 final,” said president of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath. “We asking all of T&T to wear red in support whether at the game, at home or in the office.” Barbados defeated the Trinidadians in their opening match of the tournament and as such home fans could prove crucial in the Red Force’s bid to seek ultimate revenge.

Officials are attempting to entice patrons by offering the first 200 lucky patrons to enter the ground today complimentary tournament magazines. “Tickets sales picked up significantly since T&T Red Force beat Jamaica to reach the final,” revealed Suruj Ragoonath, CEO of the TTCB. “We expect a very large crowd to turn out for the last match of what has been a great tournament so far.” Up to midday yesterday, close

See page 34 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014