Guyana chronicle 15 11 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 104012 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2014

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

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Negotiation team being set up…

President to invite Opposition for talks within days Page

– optimistic about change of heart in face of APNU/AFC stance

President launches Salvation Army Christmas appeal

– calls for unity and understanding Page

AG slams Opposition on boycott call of Chronicle, NCN & Guyana Times Page

President Donald Ramotar (third from left) with Divisional Commander, Major E. Cumberbatch (at left); Dr. Ashni Singh; a staff member of the Rehab programame; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Mr. Edward Boyer and Mr. Lawrence Farley, Vice President of the Advisory Board

– says press freedom not selective

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ExxonMobil to invest over US$200M in oil exploration

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Trotman says President should have dissolved Parliament Page 11

Two cops under close arrest

– for brutalising La Parfaite Harmonie man

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Prime suspect in Goodman, Nicolson's disappearance shot dead Page

Opposition playing ‘jumbie’ politics

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Negotiation team being set up…

President to invite Opposition for talks within days – optimistic about change of heart in face of APNU/AFC stance

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday disclosed that he has been working on putting together a “negotiation team” and will be making an invitation to the combined Opposition parties for dialogue within the coming days. “I have been working on my own negotiation team and very soon I will be inviting the Opposition in within a matter of days. I will be inviting the Opposition in for dialogue,” he said, speaking during a news conference at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. This move comes four days after the Head of State announced his decision to prorogue Parliament. His decision was carries out by way of a prorogation proclamation, which essentially means that the current ses-

“My motivation to get some kind of agreement moving forward…what I have done in a way is to take everyone off the hook, wipe the slate clean and have a possibility of going forward again…if we can’t then election is it.” – President Donald Ramotar sion, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution. He declined to commit to a specific timeline for talks. “We will have to see how things evolve,” the President said. OPPOSITION POSITION He acknowledged the fact that both parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC), categorically said that they will not engage in talks; however

he expressed optimism that this “first position” would change. “I would take that (their position) as being their first position and I would say that hopefully that when the emotions have been removed from this that good sense and maturity will prevail, because this is our business as politicians, we talk to each together. We have to work with each other in the interest of our society,” the President said. According to the Head of State the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue

among political parties, while keeping the 10th Parliament alive. However, Mr. Ramotar has made it clear that if these efforts prove futile, there will be a move to fresh general elections. This position was reiterated yesterday when Mr. Ramotar stressed that he has no intention of proroguing Parliament again . On that note, he also stated that he is hopeful that the six-month prorogation period will not be fully utilised. The President said: “I have absolutely no intention to recall the Parliament and proroguing it a second time to extend the life of the Government…I will not be doing that. “The prorogation has a maximum period of time for which it can last. I hope that long before that we can find

President Donald Ramotar speaking to the media yesterday (Sonell Nelson photo)

enough grounds to deal with the business of the people…. if there is absolutely no way that this will go forward then we will have to pave the way for fresh elections.” MISCONCEPTIONS OF

PROROGATION Mr. Ramotar also used yesterday’s news conference as an opportunity to address what he termed “misconceptions” being peddled, some “deliberately” by certain political factions, over what prorogation means. According to him, he nor his Government has any additional powers as a result of the prorogation of Parliament. Turn to page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

President launches Salvation Army Christmas appeal

– calls for unity and understanding PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday launched t h e S a l v a t i o n A r m y ’s Christmas Appeal with every good wish for the continued success of its activities in the country, and a commitment of Government’s continued support for the organisation. He noted that the Army’s [humanitarian] objectives run in sync with Government’s. Delivering the keynote address at the Army’s launch of its Annual Christmas Appeal at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street in Georgetown, President Ramotar extended kudos to the Salvation Army for its impactful and ongoing humanitarian work, which has spanned a century in Guyana, and said, “Once more, it is indeed, for me, a great pleasure to be here, to take this opportunity to wish the Salvation Army every success in this great humanitarian work that you have been doing for far more than a century now, and to also assure you that you can look to us for support for any type of assistance that we can give, because we see your objectives and our objectives are all going in the same direction.” The Head of State, who, in spite of his busy work schedule with matters of state still made time to attend the function, said: “I always try my best to attend activities of the Salvation Army, to let you know how much we appreciate the amount of work that you have been doing in our society.” Even as he acknowledged the various forms of assistance the Salvation Army gives to the needy and otherwise vulnerable, the President singled out for commendable mention the Army’s Drug Rehabilitation

programme, which works at rehabilitating and reforming substance abusers and salvaging them from the brink of disaster. “The help that you extend [in this regard] is one of the best types of help that I can think about. It is the help that tries to empower them [substance abusers]; to give them the capacity to be able to help themselves, and in the process to help others. That is at the core of your activities, which is also at the core of our activities…” the President said. Noting that many of the Salvation Army’s main objectives are similar to what Government is trying to do, the President proceeded to draw a parallel: “We try to help the poor; help to give support to the vulnerable in the society, and we continuously try to do that at every level of our society.” The Salvation Army’s mantra or slogan for its Christmas activities is, “Sharing is Caring”, and Government recently embarked on a massive countrywide programme dubbed.”Because we Care”, through which Government is distributing literally millions of dollars to school children to assist them in securing a sound education and to empower themselves academically. “Our excess spending on education is also to empower our youth to be able to help themselves, and in the process to develop our country. The President cited the increased allocation to our senior citizens for pensions, which have been increased from about $300 per month when the administration took office, to $13,600 per month. The means test which had hitherto applied has also been removed. The President also al-

luded to Government’s investment in its health services, to ensure a strong and healthy nation of people who can live and enjoy more productive lives for themselves and for our country as a whole. President Ramotar added it is opportune that, at this time of the year, the time of peace and goodwill, there should be such activities as would seek to mobilise and generate help for those in need. On this note, President Ramotar said, “Allow me also to say that it is some of these same motivations that have motivated many of my own actions. My recent actions to prorogue Parliament, I see it has been widely misinterpreted, but it was also to try to give an opportunity for dialogue, and hopefully that it will succeed -- to have dialogue; to have discussions; to have compromises; to have agreements; and for us to move on. I think that that would have been far better than shutting the Parliament down. The Head of State was at pains to make it clear that, contrary to what some might think, proroguing the Parliament does not give him a wider scope of powers. “Proroguing the Parliament does not give me one single ounce of power more than the presidency already has given to me,” he declared. And on ill-informed statements about spending monies during the proroguing, he stated categorically that every cent that is spent

President Donald Ramotar makes the first donation to the kettle

during this period has to be within the confines of the budget that has been passed. Further, whatever is to be spent will still have to go to the Parliament for its approval whenever Parliament is reconvened, which he hopes will be “sooner rather than later.” The Head of State concluded by saying that in this season of peace and goodwill, he hopes that the action taken by him will be able to make a contribution that favours further understanding and development in our society as a whole, and would take the country forward. He also expressed hope that we can move from strength to strength, and find ourselves in a position to help others

who are also struggling for a better life. Then came the symbolic ‘Launch of the Kettles’ by President Donald Ramotar, who was the first to make a generous donation, paving the way for others to make theirs. Other speakers were Divisional Commander Major Emmerson Cumberbatch, who gave the introductory remarks; and Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Mr. Edward Boyer. Divisional Director of Women’s Service, Mjr. Carolinda Cumberbatch presented tokens of appreciation to special guests -- President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

Others among the distinguished gathering were Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; members of the diplomatic corps; Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Mr. Michael Khan; Justice Oslen Small, and other Members of the Advisory Board. The programme was spiced with symphonious musical renditions by the Republican Steel Orchestra and the Divisional Youth Choir, and lusty carol singing headed by Divisional Secretary Mjr. Laura Augusto. A skit was also rendered by clients of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

UN says Islamic State imposing rule of terror in Syria (BBC News) THE militant group Islamic State is committing war crimes and imposing a “rule of terror” in areas it controls in Syria, a UN report says. The report, based on more than 300 witness interviews, said IS was using “extreme violence” against civilians. Men caught smoking have had their fingers amputated, while a female dentist who treated men was publicly beheaded, the report said. The group has seized

large parts of Syria and Iraq since June. ‘Forced pregnancies’ The report by UN human rights investigators, entitled Rule of Terror: Living under ISIS in Syria, is the first in which the UN closely examines tactics by IS, which is also known as Isis or Isil. In addition to interviews with men, women and children who had fled or are living in IS-held areas in Syria, the report also examined photographs and videos distributed by the group. Public executions by the

group were common, with bodies frequently left on public display “as a warning to local residents,” the report said. It added that the international community had underestimated the threat the group posed to regional stability, and that the failure to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis had “left a dangerous vacuum” that was filled by the group. The report also described: * IS fighters blocking supplies of food aid and

Millions have been displaced by the Syrian conflict medicines from reaching local populations * The raping, stoning and torturing of civilians * The sexual enslavement of minority Yazidi women, including forcing them to bear the children of IS fighters * The use of child soldiers, and gathering children for screenings of videos

showing mass executions * IS militants basing themselves in civilian houses and farms in response to U.S.-led air strikes The report was written by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. The commission was established in August 2011

by the UN’s Human Rights Council with a mandate to investigate all alleged human rights violations in Syria. The report said that other parties in the Syrian conflict, including the Syrian government, were also responsible for human rights violations against civilians and captured fighters.

Boko Haram militants ‘seize Nigerian town of Chibok’ (BBC News) BOKO HARAM militants have seized the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok, from where they kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in April. Militants attacked and took control of the town, in Borno state, on Thursday evening, residents who escaped told the BBC. Boko Haram has repeatedly targeted villages around Chibok over recent months. The group says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria. The schoolgirls kidnappings in Chibok caused worldwide outrage and sparked a social media campaign.

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Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has declared a caliphate in areas he controls CHANGED TACTICS A senator for Borno state, Ali Ndume, told the BBC Hausa service that security forces posted in Chibok, a relatively small, mainly Christian town, ran away when the insurgents

14/11/2014

attacked. Residents told the Sahara Reporters news website that the militants headed to the centre of Chibok and declared that they were taking it over as part of their caliphate.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Farmers count their losses as Flooding hits rural areas (Trinidad Guardian) FARMERS suffered thousands of dollars in losses yesterday after their crops were destroyed by floodwaters which also caused havoc in several communities and homes in Mayaro and environs. Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation chairman Hazarie Ramdeen said a team from the corporation’s disaster management unit was out in the field helping residents. “I have been receiving hourly reports. So far we have had reports of flooding in Guayaguayare, Mafeking, Rio Claro, Plum Mitan, Bristol, La Brea Village, Navet and other areas. They are giving out mattresses and trying to help where they can,” he added. In some places, after torrential rainfall, floods rose to

Members of the Chadee family were among the many residents of Sangre Chiquito affected by flooding following persistent showers yesterday

waist-height. Vice-chairman Glen Ram said the corporation was also putting things in place to help some students of the Biche High School who were stranded. “It is bad,” he said, but added an assessment of the losses and damage could only be done when the water dissipated. Mayaro/ Guayaguayare councillor Kyron James said: “There have been numerous instances of flooding, more than I have seen in a long while.” He said the Mayaro Secondary School was dismissed early after part of the road leading to the school caved in. “I drove on the road but I am not sure about the integrity of it. If heavy rains continue, there many be a possibility that more of the road might cave in,” he added.

IMF’s Martijn cautions Jamaica about next public sector wage talks (Jamaica Gleaner) THE International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Mission Chief to Jamaica, Jan Kees Martijn, says he is warning Jamaica to be careful how it approaches the next round of wage talks with public sector workers. He says the outcome has the possibility of affecting Jamaica’s growth targets. Jamaica has committed to bringing public wages to nine per cent of gross domestic product. Meanwhile, Martijn says Jamaica’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) under the IMF’s programme is on track and the country’s economic outlook is improving. Martijn told journalists at a press conference to discuss the IMF’s sixth scheduled staff review of

Jamaica’s performance under the programme that the challenge facing the country is to sustain the momentum. The IMF mission chief says there is the need to pursue wide-ranging efforts to improve the country’s business environment. Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips reported that economic growth for the June quarter was 1.8 per cent, adding that this was the fourth consecutive quarter of growth. Phillips says based on the country’s performance to date it is anticipated that the Board of the IMF will complete the sixth review under the EFF in December. He says the IMF is scheduled to disburse approximately $68 million to Jamaica under the programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Keeping Guyana calm THE situation in Guyana is one with which all nations in the Region should be concerned. Guyana is an important trading partner. Trinidad and Tobago, for instance, exported an estimated $1.1B worth of products to the country over the period 2007 to 2010; and for that period, imported $596 million in products. Additionally, both governments have recently partnered on initiatives and incentives to reduce the food import bill and boost production, with plans to make large tracts of land in Guyana available to Trinidad and Tobago agriculturalists. The announcement that Guyana’s President has prorogued the country’s Parliament has provoked strong reaction. President Donald Ramotar, 64, exercised his power under Article 70 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana to issue a proclamation proroguing the Parliament. The Par-

liament will therefore not sit for a maximum of six months, though Ramotar said he hopes to hold a sitting before that time, if a consensus can be arrived at with Opposition parties. The move came in the face of a no-confidence motion tabled by a coalition of Opposition parties, which would have been successful since those parties hold a slender one-seat majority in Guyana’s unicameral legislature. Ramotar’s Government, erroneously perceived as Indo-Guyanese, was democratically established through a transparent election of November 11. The People’s Progressive Party holds 32 seats, while the opposition parties – including the Afro-Guyanese-tied People’s National Congress – holds 33. The President’s move was not altogether surprising, as on November 4, he had indicated that if the Opposition went forward with its motion, he would

have either prorogued the Parliament or dissolved it, triggering a fresh election. An election is due in 2016. In announcing his invocation of his powers under the law, Ramotar said, “… my decision to exercise this constitutional option was not taken lightly, but it was the sole recourse that was left to me to ensure that the life of the 10th Parliament was preserved.” Ramotar said he made a “practical choice between an atmosphere of confrontation, as the no-confidence motion debate would have fuelled, or that of possible accommodation, as a prorogued Parliament can facilitate, if there is a genuine intent on all sides.” There is merit in Ramotar’s reasoning, since in a highly-charged environment, which is fostered by political parties being perceived as operating along racial lines, any move that maximises stability and leaves room for developmental continuity is

most welcome. The prorogation period has a limit and Ramotar has assured that if no consensus is reached within the mandated timeframe, he will hold an election. Such an election will, in any event, be inevitable, as the Government will be forced to reconvene parliament in order to pass a Budget. While the Opposition parties have cried foul and have said the latest move is undemocratic, the reality is that it instead represents the valid exercise of a provision of the Constitution of this country which is, at the end of the day, always supreme. At the same time, Ramotar has recognized that he will be required, even though his latest move is well-intentioned, to seek resolution of the impasse through early elections. In the meanwhile, the President has chosen an option in favour of a situation where there is a chance of

consensus, as unlikely as that might be: and a remote chance is better than none. Over recent years, the Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth. GDP has r i s e n s t e a d i l y, m o v i n g from US$5.9B in 2011 to US$6.5B in 2013. Still, the economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities — sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice — which represent nearly 60 percent of the country’s GDP, and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices, such as the price of gold. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the Government’s stock of debt reduced significantly. But many chronic

problems still exist; thus Guyana must exercise caution and calmness in this current terrain where a mature approach is needed to solving its problems – and a route to conflict-resolution must be adopted by all sides, respecting the law and balancing that with the need for expressions of the will of the electorate. To do otherwise will be an invitation to a return to the volatility that has characterised Guyana politics over the decades. That this is a preferred route for the Opposition has been made pellucid by Opposition actions of the past; and their utterances that unabatedly appeal to the baser instincts of their supporters. (Reprinted from Trinidad newsday)

President has given parliament a chance to avoid being dissolved THE Opposition parties are making out as if the decision of the President to prorogue Parliament has unilaterally shut down Parliament and silenced the voice of the people. This is not exactly true. What the Opposition parties are not saying is that if Government had not prorogued Parliament, they the Opposition parties would have passed a no-confidence motion in the Government. This would have resulted in the dissolving of Parliament. Elections would have had to then be held by February. As things stand now the President has given the Parliament a chance to avoid

being dissolved. The proclamation proroguing Parliament has a shelf life of six months. If within this period no agreement can be reached as to the way forward in this 10th Parliament, then one of the options and the most likely one would be for general elections. However, elections are likely to be called earlier, since with Parliament prorogued the Government will be unable to have its Budget approved. As such elections are likely to be held much earlier than expected. The difference between having Parliament dissolved by the no-confidence motion and having it prorogued by

the President is but a mere few months. With the proroguing of Parliament, there is but a mere pause. Parliament has not been disbanded. In the present circumstances, the President can recall Parliament. However, if the Opposition had had their way last Monday, the Parliament would have been dissolved and could have only been recalled through fresh elections. The Opposition is therefore being disingenuous and the people should not be deceived into believing that the President in proroguing Parliament has ended its existence and therefore silenced its voice. It is the Opposition who were planning

to end the life of Parliament with their no-confidence motion but they got outfoxed, and it is the shame and embarrassment that their plans were nixed that has gotten them so riled up. They are hot under the collars because they did not see prorogation coming. They should have. I have noticed that the Organisation of American States (OAS) is making some sounds and calling for parliament to be resumed early. Well, would the OAS have said the same thing if the no-confidence motion had been passed and Parliament dissolved? So what is the OAS really saying? Are they saying that it is okay for

the Opposition to dissolve Parliament but it is not okay for the President to do so? Unlike what happened in Honduras in 2009, there has been no break with constitutional order in Guyana. Guyana’s constitution remains intact and operational, and since prorogation is allowable by the Constitution of Guyana, the OAS could not have taken any decision on suspending Guyana from its membership. Constitutions of countries are not just mere laws. They are part of lineage of traditions and rights created through centuries of practice. Prorogation has historically been a prerogative of the Crown. The right to summon, suspend, dissolve or prorogue Parliament has historically been a prerogative of the Head of State. But this is prerogative

that should never be used casually. It is never desirable for a situation to arise in which Parliament has to be prorogued. It is always desirable that a Government be scrutinised by a legislature. But historically the right of the Crown to prorogue Parliament has been preserved. Even in Guyana this has always existed. In the 1980 Constitution, one of the objectionable clauses was the one that gave the President the option to prorogue Parliament if a situation arose in which he was likely to be removed by the National Assembly. That rule has since been modified but the prerogative of prorogation has remained. The prerogative of prorogation has religious

See Page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Democracy has been rescued not aborted IT borders on political blasphemy, to say the least, that religious lineage in Guyana, including known persons and entities, arisen from a comatose state, and has entered the annals of Guyanese’s politics at this late stage, bemoans the legal and constitutional action of President Ramotar as the primordial detonation that punctured democracy as they see it. To the contrary, President Ramotar must be applauded for his foresight in safeguarding and rescuing Guyana’s fledgling democracy, through the instrument of prorogation of Parliament from the cabals of the minority exploits for their own political means. It is within the discretion of the Guyanese President to invoke any constitutional provisions as he sees fit. That is not debatable. It is not unconstitutional; it is not undemocratic. To say that the prorogation instrument embedded in the constitution is not meant to be evoked, purported by Speaker Trotman, is political asinine, and an illogical reasoning to surmise. The action that necessitated the presidential decree is keeping with tradition of the President’s political party in safeguarding and championing the cause for democratic, social and economic justice long before any religious entity was vocal against the naked exploitation of the Guyanese people. Proroguing Parlia-

ment was just an extension of that steadfast commitment. The political mandate has been the President’s even with a new dispensation. The facts are indisputable. Since 1992, the President’s political party has repeatedly been anointed by the moral majority of the electorate to hold the reigns of political power and they should be granted that opportunity to govern uninterrupted. Conveniently, since the dawn of the 2011 General Elections, political deviance has been the cornerstone of the Opposition. Chiefly the People’s National Congress, (PNC) which has become the political midwife for the Alliance For Change (AFC), as a combined Opposition, sought to function outside the parameters of Parliament in the sole interest of deposing the ruling party. It is ironic that the Opposition now mourns for Parliament as a stage to raise their black flag of fear. Failed at their own planned political deviance to cease power, the Opposition now seeks to usher in their brand of backdoor politics, through employing a strategic vote of no confidence. Under the disguise of being guardian of the treasury, and illegal spending, they plot a course of constitutional assault and got juggernaut back into political barracks. Why prorogue now? The President’s political foresight recognised the urgency of

now, placing the nation’s interest over individual and party’s interest, and acted decisively by proroguing Parliament to halt the unwarranted Opposition’s orgy of obstacles from further disenfranchising the moral majority party from exercising its political mandate to govern; stemmed the tide against economic development retardation; and in so doing, the President also stopped the planned abortion of democratic values and principles. All within the confines of the authority granted. Perception is not reality. The Opposition’s sermon of political hypochondria is a cocktail of innuendoes. Personal liberties have not been abrogated; the moral majority party, coupled with a prorogued Parliament extension, continues to guarantee the rights of the people; personal freedoms have been safeguarded; democratic institutions still enjoy freedoms; the media speak without restraints; the Opposition roams without infringements; thus, prorogation has rescued the nation. In a democracy, the role of religious entities is indispensible. However, the church in recent times has drifted into silent abstinence. Thus, the church’s sermon, for the most part, can be viewed as disingenuous at this junction. The bigger questions that beg to be asked of the church, where were their concerns for social

The majority of 45 route minibus drivers are reckless, lawless

A FEW days ago, Guyanese officially welcomed Road Safety Month. It is with grave concern for our safety that I am forced to pen this letter. I am a daily user of the 45Main & Lamaha minibus route. The commonly known “pitbull minibus” that traverses the roadways is an impending catastrophe to all citizens. The majority of these minibus drivers are reckless, have absolutely no regard for human life and motor vehicle laws. I have seen on many occasions that many do not adhere to traffic lights or the stipulated speed limit. Having used this bus route for over eight years, it is evident that most of the drivers were former young, minibus conductors who are simply ‘hussling’ on the road. What is even more appalling is that our young people are waiting in droves in the mornings on the 45 minibus park by what is known as the “hot plate” for these buses to take them to school “fast.” I recognise schools such as Christ Church Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St John’s College and a number of unidentifiable private schools, but certainly these schools are within the 45 minibus route. I was reliably informed that these buses do not drop students off directly in front of their schools. No doubt such lawlessness does not take place when a police officer is stationed there. When an officer is present, I have seen that the students temporarily migrate to the front of City Hall to await their “quick bus ride.” Students themselves are to be blamed for such chaos especially given the fact that sometimes it is well after 9 am and they are still waiting for their special ride to school. At one point, I saw four students in the front seat of the minibus (exclusive of the driver of course) while the students in the back were “packed up like sardine.” If you notice, it is common that these minibuses are tinted with two small windows on each side, so it is difficult to identify how much students are really in the bus. On one occasion, I made calls to several of the public schools to express my concern but unfortunately the teachers could do nothing without names or complete descriptions of the students. I believe the school needs to be more vigilant in helping to weed out this common practice by their students. It is also my hope that the relevant police authorities step up their guard and devise a practical solution to such imminent danger. TESHANNA COX

and economic justice when the whirlwind of anti- democratic forces unleashed their political brimstones and arrested Guyana’s economic development that would bring about greater social and economic benefits for the masses? Where was the church’s eloquence of pronouncement when the Opposition choked the financial lifelines for economic developmental projects, and deprived the Guyanese people of the opportunity to elevate their standard of living? Furthermore, it would have been a confession of epic proportion if the church had publicly pronounced its concerns for the political and economic sabotage against the Guyanese people and their moral majority government.

These were the daily bread fed to the Guyanese people by a spiteful Opposition. Of equal significance, it would have even been a breath of fresh air if the church had publicly expressed its abhorrence against sexual exploitation of children, and sympathised with Mr. Welshman’s plight. For him the bell never tolled. Rather, he had his democratic rights stripped of him as was his innocent, by powerful politicians; denied the opportunity to share his story of sexual exploits by having his democratic rights extinguished by a gag order to silence his cry for justice. These and other pertinent issues the church has been silent on. It appears that certain

issues have been ascended into political heaven for eternal hibernation, not destined for resurrection. President Ramotar recognised the urgency of nowacted decisively to stem the tide to subvert the will of the electorate. He acted in the sole interest of the nation, given priority to issues of greater importance, and acted within the parameters of the powers and authority granted. Our personal grievance about the constitutional instrument is not the issue. Does the President have the right to evoke such a provision? The answer is a resounding yes! Democracy has been rescued not aborted. FAIUZE ALI

President has given parliament ... From Page 6 roots. This prerogative goes back to the issuance of Papal Bulls. The issuance of these Papal Bulls was far from democratic. It is therefore ironic that the Head of the local Roman Catholic Church in Guyana should be calling for a restoration of parliamentary democracy when the very act of prorogation has its origins in undemocratic

Papal Bulls. So powerful were these Bulls that it was one such Bull that divided the world into two parts, one half for Spain and the other for the[sic] Portugal. The rest is history, including our history. One fear by the opposition parties is that after the life of this present proclamation ends, the government will attempt to rule by decree. The Opposition should not unduly worry about

this. If this should ever happen, the response by the international community will be swift and strong. The OAS, Mercosur, UNASUR [ the Union of South American states] and a host of other international groupings are going to suspend Guyana from their membership and impose sanctions. The PPP cannot withstand such pressures. BARRY SUKHRAM

Opposition playing ‘jumbie’ politics

– Granger: ‘The same jumbie Ramotar running from will face him when House reconvenes’ “MR. RAMOTAR will find that the same “jumbie” that he has been running away from will greet him at the National Assembly.” These were the sentiments expressed by leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger, at a press briefing yesterday, which was held at his Hadfield street office. His comments follow Monday’s decision by President Donald Ramotar to prorogue Parliament, which essentially means that the current session, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution. “We are still committed to the no-confidence motion and when we resume,” Granger said. The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. As a result the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) noconfidence motion was not considered. The main Opposition, APNU had, prior to Monday, signalled its intent to support the push through of the motion. Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament, if the no-confidence motion was passed, Guyana would have been headed to early general elec-

tions within three months. According to the Head of State the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue among political parties, while keeping the 10th Parliament alive.

lost the opportunity to consult…there is no absence of understanding between the two sides. It is not as though there is a breakdown in communication.” The main Opposition party leader highlighted that APNU has met with the ruling party at least four times in 2014. Granger said: “The last meeting was Monday the 20th, which was three weeks ago. There has been dialogue. We were meeting since February, we met in May, we met again in June. So there has been no shortage in meeting and it is my view that there is no shortage of understanding on the part of the President and his team what needs to be done to get Guyana out of this constitutional quagmire.”

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Despite this, Granger yesterday said that if and when Parliament reconvenes, the first order of business will be the AFC sponsored no-confidence motion. “Whatever is stated on the Order Paper, once we assemble, we will ensure that the first item to be discussed will be the no confidence motion,” the APNU leader stressed. He added: “They (the Government) have already

NO TALKS On this note, he pointed out that dialogue has not been exhausted, but in the same breath reiterated the party’s position, that there will be no talks with the current administration unless the prorogation of Parliament is lifted. “There was room inside of Parliament for dialogues to continue. He shut the doors to dialogues. He has moved the dialogue from inside the Chambers to outside the Chambers. Well we’re all

David Granger

outside the Chambers now. We’re all being locked out,” Granger claimed. Additionally, a jointstatement from APNU and AFC, released on Tuesday after a meeting said: “The joint opposition has resolved that there will be no extraparliamentary engagement with the President on the matters which were before the National Assembly.” The President, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, have since indicated that they are still optimistic that this position will change, terming it a “first” reaction. Noteworthy too is the fact that the President Ramotar has said that if talks fail with the combined Opposition, he will not hesitate to move to early general elections, since he has no intention of re-proroguing Parliament. “I have taken this step with the hope that the time gained would be used for the benefit of our people…. were these entreaties of cooperation by my government to be unsuccessful, I would then take the necessary steps for the holding of early General Elections so that the democratic will of our people can be freely exercised,” Mr. Ramotar had said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Murder at Community Centre floodlight Cricket

Jury hears that Singh, ‘Bird Brains’ were alleged killers THE jury in the Better Hope Floodlight cricket murder trial at the Demerara Assizes heard that the alleged killers of Javed Mohamed are the accused Christopher Singh and Devendra Bushram, called ‘Bird Brains’. This information was disclosed by State Prosecutor, Mrs. Judith Mursalin in her opening address to the jury and presiding Judge, Mr. Navindra Singh. Representing the accused are Mr. George Thomas and Mr. Raymond Ali. Addressing the judge and jury, the prosecutrix said that on the night of September 11, 2010, Floodlight cricket was being played at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground on the East Coast of Demerara. According to her, “These two accused were there as well as Javed Mohamed, the deceased. “Sometime around midnight, the police stopped the music at the ground and the accused left and went onto the road, in front of the ground. “Christopher Singh, Bushram, Mahadeo Mangal called Avinash and Mangal’s brotherin-law, Jonathan Bacchus were all together on the Public Road. “Christopher Singh asked Mangal if he had a knife and when Mangal told him no, Singh searched his pockets and took out the knife that Mangal had on him; Singh told Mangal that he was going to rob somebody. Christopher then wrapped the knife on his left forearm with his T-shirt. “As Mangal and his brotherin-law continued standing on the road, he saw ‘Bird Brains’ arguing with an East Indian man who was identified as Javed Mohamed. Following the argument, Javed Mohamed walked out to the Public Road. Mohamed was dressed in a red jersey and three-quarter pants. He had on a silver chain and silver bands. He had his bag on his back. “Mangal and Bacchus headed towards the public road also and as they were walking there, Christopher Singh and “Bird Brains” were walking behind them. Javed Mohamed was

President to invite Opposition for... The President smirked at the claim that he is now a dictator. “It makes no sense, prorogation gives me no additional powers…I have no new powers,” he said, adding that to make this assertion effectively creates misunderstanding and confusion. Mr. Ramotar also took on the issue of “illegal spending” as has been talked about

frequently since Monday’s prorogation of Parliament. He made it clear that the “free spending” claim is absurd since all Government spending is done within legal framework, constricted to legal and constitutional methodologies. Mr. Ramotar also highlighted that he had two other options, in addition to prorogation: one, to dissolve

Parliament and head to early general elections; and two, to allow the debate on the AFC-sponsored no-confidence motion to go through. Regarding the latter, he contends that the Government would have won the debate on the motion, but to no useful end, since the combined Opposition, with the Parliamentary Opposition, would have won the vote.

“There were many more advantages to prorogation…I could not create a constitutional crisis if I acted within the Constitution,” the Head of State stressed. The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. Members are released from their parliamentary duties until Parliament is next summoned. All unfinished business is

standing on the northern side of the public road when someone shouted out “thief” and they observed two little boys were robbing the said man that “Bird Brains” was arguing with, the said Javed Mohamed. The boys ran off. “‘Bird Brains’” and Singh then approached Javed Mohamed and Mohamed picked up a piece of wood which was lying nearby and attempted to lash Singh and “Bird Brains.” Christopher Singh then pulled out the knife from under the wrapped T-shirt and stabbed Mohamed. The wood fell out of Mohamed’s hands and “Bird Brains” picked up the same wood and began hitting Mohammed with it. “A vehicle was approaching and a man from in it shouted out to them. Christopher Singh and “Bird Brains” as well as Mangal and Bacchus all ran off. They met up shortly afterwards at the Container Bar where Christopher Singh gave back the knife he had used to stab Mohamed to Mangal. Mangal observed that the knife had what appeared to be blood on it . Mangal and Bacchus then returned to where the stabbing had occurred and observed there was what appeared to be blood on the road. Mangal became scared and threw the knife into the trench. “Mohamed was picked up from the road and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. “On 13th September, Government Forensic pathologist, Dr, Nehaul Singh performed a post mortem on Javed Mohamed’s body and found that he had sustained four incised wounds – three to the back and one to the front which was caused by a sharp, pointed instrument at least 10 cm in length. Dr. Singh gave the cause of death as haemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds. The prosecutrix exhorted the jury to listen carefully to the evidence and then apply their combined good sense, experience and their knowledge of human behaviour to all the relevant facts of this case. The trial will continue.

From page 2

dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper, the National Assembly’s agenda, and all committees lose their power to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session. No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received presidential assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with

in the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed. “My motivation to get some kind of agreement moving forward…what I have done in a way is to take everyone off the hook, wipe the slate clean and have a possibility of going forward again…if we can’t then election is it,” Mr. Ramotar concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Prime suspect in Nyozi Goodman and Police Constable Patriena Nicolson’s disappearance shot dead - two other wanted bandits captured after shootout with police in Kitty

Nyozi Goodman who went missing

Fatally shot bandit Royston Waldron

Police Constable Patriena Nicolson

THE main suspect identified as Royston Waldron, taxi driver, of 38 Public Road Kitty, who was fingered in the disappearance of St. Stanislaus College school teacher Ms. Nyozi Goodman and the disappearance of Police Constable Patriena Nicolson, who went missing since August 9, 2013, was gunned down yesterday afternoon during a confrontation with the police in Kitty. His accomplices Seon Grant and Ronly Rampersaud were apprehended and are in police custody following the shootout with lawmen yesterday at about 14:50 hrs at Thomas and Alexander Streets, Kitty. According to reports, members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who were

occupants of an unmarked police vehicle were heading to the Kitty Police Station when they encountered the trio who were in a yellow 192 Toyota car with registration number HB 6445 belonging to Royston Waldron. The police approached the men with the aim of questioning them and were greeted with gunshots and the police responded by discharging several rounds at the group during which Waldron was shot and injured. The police, however, managed to corner the men and arrested them and while they were on the way to the hospital Waldron succumbed to the gunshot wound he received to the chest. Waldron was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where

he was pronounced dead, while Rampersaud and Grant were taken into police custody for questioning. This publication was reliably informed that Grant was wanted by the police for questioning following the theft of a steel plate from a city businessman while Rampersaud was wanted for questioning in relation to several armed robberies committed on a Chinese Restaurant and a goldsmith establishment both on Sher-

The yellow 192 Toyota car parked at the CID Headquarters

The vicinity (Thomas and Alexander Streets) where the shooting occurred iff Street and a business place on Regent and King Streets. Police yesterday recovered a .32 pistol with ammunition and four spent shells from Waldron’s car after the shooting incident. The car was lodged with the police at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary pending investigations. At the scene, an eyewitness told this publication that she saw two vehicles

and then there were gunshots and one of the three men in the yellow coloured taxi was shot and injured by several men in the other vehicle who were later identified as policemen dressed in civilian clothing. She reported that the incident took place within a few minutes and the police had the situation under control after which they were backed up by other ranks of the GPF, who assisted them. Residents of Kitty, who

had gathered at the scene yesterday were in loud praise for the police who they said acted in a very professional manner and were also pleased that the men were captured since they are of the opinion that they were on their way to commit a crime. They said that with the approaching of the festive season they are happy that criminal elements are getting what they deserve. (Asif Hakim)

Assuria Insurance donates $400,000 to police community outreach projects OFFICIALS of Assuria Insurance Company on Wednesday donated $400,000 in support of the Guyana Police Force Community Outreach projects in the Commissioner’s Conference Room, Police Headquarters, in the presence of senior officers. The insurance officials included acting General Manager Mr. Yogindra Arjune, Operations Manager, Mr. Clyde Muntslag and Agency Manager Mr. Erwin Daniels. In making the presentation Arjune said that the company was impressed with the work of the Guyana Police Force and the many community projects that have been initiated to build capacity in the youths. He added that it was their corporate responsibility to come on board in support of the Force. The acting General Manager pledged support for the continued imple-

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud receiving the cheque from Mr. Yogindra Arjune, while Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud and other insurance company officials look on mentation of the projects and expressed a willingness to assist in future ventures. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner (Adminis-

tration) Mr. Balram Persaud expressed gratitude for the donation, which he said will contribute significantly towards the realisation of the community

projects. He also noted that ultimately the initiative will not only benefit the Police Force, but the wider community as well.

ExxonMobil to invest over US$200M in oil exploration

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

– Guyana lives up to image as attractive investment location THERE are high expectations of Guyana becoming a petroleum-producing nation as ExxonMobil formally announced its exploratory offshore drilling plans. The investment, which will see the company investing US$200M was welcomed by President Donald Ramotar, as he attended a cocktail reception at the Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday evening. Expressing optimism, the Head of State said: “We’d rather prefer to have investments in our productive sector, and this investment in that regard is very important. Hopefully, they will be successful very quickly, and Guyana will join the ranks of oil-producing countries.” He said according to information reaching him, the possibilities are good and to have a company of Exxon’s reputation investing in Guyana adds to his optimism. “I think it is an exciting time, not only in our political history, but also in our economics and our investments,” the President noted. The investment was also welcomed by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud, who described it as a milestone by Esso Exploration and Guyana Production Ltd. “The vision of Guyana’s upstream oil and gas sector is of a strong, vibrant and sustainable private sector-driven oil and gas industry which will

est refiner of petroleum products in the world, had a long history of using science and innovation to bring forth energy. He emphasised that Exxon’s commitment to safety is unequalled, noting: “How we get results is just as important as the results we get” with a motto of “Nobody gets hurt.” The company is partnering with strategic organisations such as Youth Challenge and the Volunteer Youth Corps as part of its corporate responsibility push. The company’s local headquarters is located at 99 New Market Street, Georgetown. Mobilisation will begin in the first quarter of 2015, and drilling and exploration, initially at the Liza location, will commence in the second quarter of 2015. The total area allotted to Exxon covers 26, 806 square kilometres. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar (centre) and staff of Exxon/Esso Exploration and Guyana Production Ltd

contribute significantly to its socio-economic development.” Persaud explained that there are several bilateral programmes with the U.S., Canada and other multinational programmes with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist in monitoring to address many of the complex issues that are critical to a sustainable oil and gas sector, “one that deals with challenges that are currently surmised or described as a resource curse.” Other companies were also encouraged by the minister to invest, as he recognised

the approximately US$200M investment being made by Exxon. He also noted that previous investments made by CGX Energy, Repsol, Anadarko Guyana Co, Takutu Oil and Gas and Nabi Oil and Gas, were based on the rich potential of local hydro-carbon resources. “Now that ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd is close to exploration drilling, I have no doubt that due consideration is being given to issues of environmental and safety requirements and corporate social responsibilities,” the Natural Resources Minister posited.

“It is important that we manage expectations; this is a risky undertaking, and the results cannot be predicted. Even when there is a significant commercial discovery, it will take several years for the development and production of our hydrocarbons,” minister Persaud added. He concluded by reassuring of “our continued commitment to make this venture a successful one and that Guyana remains an attractive place for investment.” ExxonMobil’s vice-president for exploration, Dr. Eric Oswald, said the company, which is described as the larg-

CEO, Esso Guyana, Dr Eric Oswald; Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the launch of Esso Exploration and Guyana Production Ltd.

Climate Change Office launches LCDS quiz competition – to educate secondary school students and promote the LCDS LOW-CARBON Development Strategy (LCDS), the Office of Climate Change at the Office of the President has launched the Climate Change and LCDS Secondary Schools’ Quiz. The quiz started broadcasting yesterday on the National Communications Network (NCN), at 19:00 hrs and goes up to Decem-

ber 5. This initiative is meant to be a key information and educational tool on Climate Change, REDD and the LCDS to create knowledge and awareness among the general Guyanese population, moreso youths. In the initiative, the Ministry of Education and the students and teachers of

participating schools will be seen as important partners with the Office of Climate Change. The participating schools include, Port Kaituma Secondary, Cotton Field Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, West Demerara Secondary, St. Stanislaus Secondary, Beterverwagting Secondary, Bishops’ High,

Stewartville Secondary, Covent Garden Secondary, Bush Lot Secondary, Berbice Educational Institute, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Three Mile Secondary (Bartica), Paramakatoi Secondary, Annai Secondary and Christianburg Secondary. The Office of Climate Change has adopted this

new and innovative response to the challenges posed by Global Climate Change and the dangers it presents to the human and economic well-being of developing countries. It is in this context Guyana’s LCDS has been recognised and publicly praised in the halls of international forums as

a practical development model for Developing Countries with significant forest resources. However, many segments of the Guyanese population are not fully aware of the many facets and benefits of the LCDS to the economic development of Guyana and the global fight against climate change. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Trotman says President should have dissolved Parliament

– President maintains that option still available if dialogue fails “Prorogation is nothing new…it was not done, as the Opposition is trying to say, it is not a restriction of our democracy, the act itself is rooted in the Constitution. What the Opposition was proposing was to close down Parliament, but what I am doing is to extend the life of Parliament to give an opportunity for us to meet and talk on these matters.” – President Donald Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar

“IF the Government wanted to do something with the 10th Parliament, they should have dissolved it.” This was the contention expressed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. His comments followed Monday’s prorogation of Parliament by President Donald Ramotar and at the time the Head of State made it clear that his intention was to give dialogue a chance to address the impasses that have characterised the political arena since the 2011 elections, rather than have Parliament dissolved, as promised by the combined Opposition, via the Alliance for Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion. The act of prorogation is constitutionally rooted, as indicated in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution. “At the end of the day using the tool of prorogation, although provided for in the Constitution, was not in anyone’s best interest…(but) at the end of the day it (prorogation) has happened and we have to get ourselves out of it. I don’t believe anyone wants us to be in a perpetual state of prorogation,” Trotman opined. DIALOGUE IS ALWAYS A MUST According to him, while he does not agree with the President’s decision, he firmly supports dialogue. The Speaker said: “I would agree that there is

need for more talks…I believe that dialogue must always be on the table in any situation, even when it appears to be bleak and hopeless, there must always be the hope of reconciliation and resolution.” “While I do not agree with what has happened, I am not going to sit down and cry. The parties have to find mature and feasible ways of moving us out of the current situation.” “…if there are one or two issues affecting these issues from being addressed, we

President took his and he has come in for criticism. I took mine and I have come in for criticisms….I must protect the National Assembly and he must protect his Government. There is nothing wrong with us taking our respective positions.” The President’s decision to prorogue Parliament essentially means that the current session, the first session of the 10th Parliament, is suspended up to a maximum of six months. IMPACTS OF PROROGATION The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. Members are released from their parliamentary duties until Parliament is next summoned. All unfinished business is dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper, the National Assembly’s agenda, and all committees lose their power

Turn to page 13

House Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman

have to identify those issues and work to address them… .I believe in the political parties there is wisdom and there are people who are prepared to put Guyana first.” At the time of the prorogation announcement, Trotman came out strongly against the President’s decision. Asked about the position he took on the matter, given that the President’s act was constitutional, he said: “As a Speaker it is my job to protect the National Assembly. I don’t feel that I was harsh. I was truthful and I stood for what I believe.” “We all have our respective positions to take. The

“If the Government wanted to do something with the 10th Parliament, they should have dissolved it…at the end of the day it (prorogation) has happened and we have to get ourselves out of it.” – House Speaker, Raphael Trotman

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

– says press freedom not selective

silence will lend itself as tacit support for Dr. Roopnarine’s obvious thinking that only information that is one-sided, that attacks the Government and that is biased in a particular direction must permeate the airwaves and the print media.” Roopnarine’s comments come on the heels of a week’sold report of a senior reporter attached to the National Communications Network (NCN), Edward Layne, being verbally abused by the Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, a Member of Parliament (MP) and member of the Bar. In an allegedly expletive-laden tirade, Ramjattan refused to respond to a query from the reporter and told

AG slams Opposition on boycott call of Chronicle, NCN & Guyana Times

IS press freedom permissible for only one set of media operators? This was the question that was provoked after a call by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, for a boycott of state media agencies (Chronicle, NCN and GINA) and the privately owned Guyana Times. Speaking at APNU’s rally to protest the prorogation of Parliament last evening at Square of the Revolution, Roopnarine said: “Do not buy the Chronicle or the Guyana Times and when you see Channel 11 comes on, change it.” Attorney-General Anil Nandlall last night slammed this obnoxious call by the Opposition politician, pointing out that “press freedom is not a right that is enjoyed by a few”, with a perceived bias in a par-

‘That is a most unfortunate statement for a seasoned and elder politician to make. One would expect a much more responsible statement from Dr. Roopnarine. His remarks constitute nothing less than an assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of the press and the right of the Guyanese citizens to receive information. I do not expect the Opposition to be supportive of these news agencies, but at a minimum they should respect their right to publish and the right of the Guyanese people to receive that which is published.’ – AG Nandlall ticular direction; rather press freedom applies to all Media houses in Guyana. He said: “That is a most unfortunate statement for a seasoned and elder politician to make. One would expect a much more responsible statement from Dr. Roopnarine. His remarks constitute nothing less than an assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of the press and the right of the Guyanese citizens

to receive information. “I do not expect the Opposition to be supportive of these news agencies, but at a minimum they should respect their right to publish and the right of the Guyanese people to receive that which is published.” According to him, even more disappointing is the fact that this attack has been extended beyond state media agencies and now includes media operators who are per-

Anil Nandlall

ceived to be friendly to the government. “The attack has now been extended beyond the state media to include private media, which is perceived to be friendly to the Government.” The AG stressed that the State has a responsibility to ensure that accurate and objective information about the State’s business is disseminated and journalists working with the State, as well as in every media house, must not be subjected to any form of pressure in the discharge of their functions. He said: “I hope that the persons and organisations who came out so stridently in defence of press freedom recently will now come out with full force on this matter. Their

Rupert Roopnarine

Layne, “The PPP send you fuh ask me stupidness. Why you don't haul you ass. What the sk*** you think, calling to ask me me fu**** stupidness.” He subsequently dared the reporter to go public with the conversation. On that occasion, Head of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Mr. Gordon Moseley said: “The GPA wishes to once again call on all political parties, the governing and opposition parties, to be reminded that journalists, regardless of whether they are in the employ of the state media or the independent media, ought to be allowed to carry out their jobs in an environment that is free from fear and intimidation. “The GPA would also like to remind media houses of the responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of their workers in the execution of their duties and would like to encourage our journalists to continue to be fearless in their reporting on the issues of the day.” State media agencies over the years have been challenged by the disposition of members of opposition parties, as well as the attitudes of their supporters, which they influence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Two cops under close arrest for brutalising La Parfaite Harmonie man – and dumping him in the lockups THE Guyana Police Force on Thursday confirmed that two ranks from the West Demerara police district were placed under close arrest following reports of police brutality meted out to Sunil Lall of La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD on Sunday night. Under close arrest are a constable and a sergeant after a case of police brutality was reported by another

section of the media, in addition to an allegation of extortion. The police in a release on Thursday said the matter is also being investigated by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility which investigates wrongdoings and misconduct by serving ranks of the Guyana Police Force. Statements have already been taken from the virtual

Trotman says President...

From page 11

to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session. No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received Royal Assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with in the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed.’ Commenting on the effects of the prorogation, Trotman said, “There are a number of bills that were on the Order Paper, the hope of them being addressed now is lost. Should they be brought back if Parliament resumed they will have to start from scratch. I don’t see how the prorogation will actually help that process.” This contention was not supported by Leader of the House and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who in an exclusive interview with this newspaper explained that while all unfinished business will be dropped from the Order Paper, when they are returned it does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. “It will all start from scratch, but the matters that come back the next time around will progress rapidly because there was much work done already….we could be able to get through all this very quickly,” Mr. Hinds said. DISSOLUTION STILL AN OPTION Meanwhile, President Ramotar, in an invited comment, reiterated that his reasoning to move to prorogation was to give dialogue a

choice. However, he was emphatic that if dialogue fails he will not re-prorogue Parliament; rather he will move to general elections, as dissolving Parliament, as Trotman suggested, is still an option that he has. Mr. Ramotar said: “The Constitution gives me the power to do both, I chose this one (prorogation) because, clearly, there are advantages as it can open the door for dialogue; failing which there is nothing stopping me from doing what Trotman suggests.” The Head of State also decried much of the criticisms of his decision to prorogue Parliament. “Prorogation is nothing new…it was not done, as the Opposition is trying to say, it is not a restriction of our democracy, the act itself is rooted in the Constitution. What the Opposition was proposing was to close down Parliament, but what I am doing is to extend the life of Parliament to give an opportunity for us to meet and talk on these matters,” he said. He added: “Failing that (dialogue), we will not have an option, but to go back to the polls, but I think it is important to give Guyana a chance, and that is what this prorogation will do.” Mr. Ramotar also expressed confidence that his Government will be returned to power, even if a general election is held tomorrow. The last general and regional elections were held on November 28, 2011.

complainant who is also a contractor and father of five children. In addition, the two police ranks at the centre of the investigations and those who were on a mobile patrol when Lall was arrested were also required to give statements in the ongoing investigation. The two arrested ranks were responsible for the mobile patrol and the station at the time the incident occurred.

A press release had stated that acting Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud recently instructed Commanders of all Divisions to put systems in place to ensure that incidents of police brutality do not occur. It was noted also that such cases bring the police force into disrepute. This latest incident has brought the number of recent cases being investigated by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility to three, all pointing to misconduct and a deviation

from the standard operating procedures. Three police ranks including an Inspector and a Corporal are reported to have assaulted a constable on the job after the rank objected to the inspector addressing him with the use of expletives. The inspector reportedly tore down the constable’s jersey and caused him to be assaulted by two other ranks and placed in the Prashad Nagar lockups. Meanwhile, on Saturday last a police constable and another rank, in the presence

of several other ranks made disrespectful comments while questioning Guyana Chronicle reporter Leroy Smith who was on official duty in the Police Headquarters compound. Smith filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner of Police and several senior officers following which there was a meeting between the accused ranks and the reporter. That matter is also engaging the attention of the Police Office of Professional Responsibility.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

GPHC commissions $35.5M water treatment plant, new ward at bottom floor THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will now benefit from provision of free distilled water, after a water treatment plant costing $35.5M was commissioned yesterday. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Michael Khan, stated that staffers and patients at the GPHC will no longer have to purchase distilled water/drinking water, since commissioning of the water treatment plant means the free provision of drinking water for the entire staff of GPHC, and for the labs and the kitchen. He deemed this

a massive benefit for the GPHC. He said that instead of having to purchase 300 bottles of water a day, the health institution can now save that money and invest it into something else that can contribute to the development of the GPHC. Khan said the water treatment equipment was properly tested for a week, and was also approved by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department of Guyana. He added that the cost for the water treatment plant was totalled at $35.5M, and includes the costs for acquiring and installing the equipment. After the water treat-

ment plant had been commissioned, officials of the GPHC used the opportunity to also commission the new bottom floor of the hospital, which houses 37 beds. Khan noted that the 37 extra beds were once housed where the new Ebola Isolation area is located, but were removed to this new area and would be used as a resting area to accommodate an overflow of persons receiving medical attention in the Emergency Room at the hospital. Their function is to supplement the rooms normally used for resting emergency patients, located upstairs.

An official of the GPHC (All white clothing) demonstrates how the Water Treatment Plant is operated

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Digicel launches two exciting promotions for the festive season DIGICEL Guyana yesterday launched its Christmas promotion, titled “Gold Hunt”, in which a total of $18M in cash and prizes would be given away with much glitz and glamour during a six-week period at Palm Court (Upper Level), Main Street, Georgetown. And the cell phone giant will make Christmas golden for Guyanese this year with the Digicel promotion “Together we make Christmas better with gold”. According to Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James, Christmas will be brighter for all with Digicel, since winning a prize in Digicel’s Gold Hunt Christmas promotion will become every customer’s biggest wish. She said that Digicel will be giving away over $18M in cash and prizes to its customers. James explained that to win with the ‘Digicel Gold Hunt’, customers would simply need to top-up with $500 or more and get free credit or gold bars, and 2,000 customers will win free credit of $500 weekly. She said that customers who collect three or more gold bars will qualify for the “Digicel Gold Hunt” television show. Qualifying customers will hunt for hidden gold bars worth up to $6M in the gold pit. All participants in the television show will receive a Samsung S5 mini handset, James added. The ‘Digicel Gold Hunt’ grand prize show will be televised on NCN throughout Guyana. The promotion starts on November 14 with the first three-week qualifying period concluding on December 4. Money not won in the first show will be rolled over to the second grand prize show. The second three-week qualifying period starts on December 5 and ends on December 28. “We wanted to do something fabulous and we know (that) everyone likes gold. It’s luxurious, lasts forever, and is associated with royalty. Our ‘Gold Hunt’ will give our customers a chance to make their Christmas better. This promises to be a whole lot of fun and excitement,” Ms James has said. During the launching at Palm Court yesterday afternoon, Christmas songs were sung by Jackie Hanover; and a Flash Dance (Christmas Dub Jingle), a skit highlighting the promotion, and the presentation of prizes won by media operatives -- who had an opportunity to ‘hunt for gold’ by finding envelopes which were hidden in the building – were done.

Jacqueline James poses with bars of gold during the Digicel Christmas promotion launching yesterday.

Media operatives pose with their prizes and with Digicel Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Courts lights up to usher in the Festive Season

Clyde de Haas, Managing Director of Courts (Guyana); First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Education Minister Priya Manickchand. singing some Christmas carols with the children

APNU holds rally against proroguing Parliament -supporters urged to form ocean of rebellion, resistance Ramjattan, Nagamootoo absent from the rally SUPPORTERS of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) were last evening called upon by chairman of the coalition Rupert Roopnarine to form an ocean of resistance and rebellion which must rip through the coast and hinterland as a demonstration to the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) that freedom and democracy cannot juts be shut down. “Over the next week we want to ensure you that we will be calling on you the people of Guyana not only here in Georgetown but we must build what David called an ocean of rebellion, an ocean of resistance. We must have the resistance from the peaks of the Pakaraimas on to the Rupununi all through the coast, we must demonstrate to these people that the Guyanese peoples thirst for freedom and democracy cannot just be shut down,” Roopnarine said. In response to the deci-

A section of APNU’s rally at the Square of the Revolution sion President Donald Ramotar to prorogue the National Assembly to allow for dialogue, the APNU chairman asked of the crowd: “What is it you expect of us with respect to this decision, I believe that he will interrupt it and dissolve the parliament

and call national elections and we want to assure you and we want to assure him and the PPP we would be ready with the answer,” he said. The supporters were told that the gathering at the Square of the Revolution by the APNU and the AFC was

a test match and the meeting there was to demonstrate that there is serious work to do. Roopnarine told the gathering that they cannot afford to let this thing pass. He made it clear that the gathering outside the Square of the revolution had no plans

to march on the Office of the President as was being touted by sections of the media. “So tonight we are starting the long march and we are hearing a lot of panic, a member of the diplomatic community who wanted to be here tonight was afraid because of all the stories he was hearing that what we were planning to do was to march on the Office of the President tonight, I want to assure him that that is not on the agenda tonight, I am not assuring him that the time for that may not come but I can tell him that that is not happening tonight. We have come to discuss with you the abomination of the prorogation of Parliament which has to be met with a very firm response from the people of the country” Roopnarine told the gathering that the Guyanese people have a deep attachment to democratic freedoms have an unquenched thirst for freedom and of democracy and that they intend to if necessary

to put their lives on the line in defence of our democracy. The gathering was also told that was the beginning of the work and for the APNU and AFC to announce to the President that they intend to mobilise a broad collation of forces to fight for the restoration of democracy. The grouping spoke of its intention to enter into active discussions with trade unions, religious organisations and to ensure that every workplace and every citizen can come together to begin the discussion on the way forward to escape from the clutches of a dictatorship. Meanwhile, political observers have said that AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo’s absence from the rally is significant because, for political reasons, their absence is seen as deliberate and part of a plan between the APNU and AFC to continue to undermine the PPP support base.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Guyana Visual Arts competition revived --targeting over 200 Guyanese artists

Some of the works submitted by local artists yesterday at the E.R Burrowes School of Arts for the Guyana Visual Arts Competition 2014. The competition is being run in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports and the Guyana Visual Arts Committee.

ho, who earned the “promise medal” that accounts for the overall “best” visual arts piece, emerged. Over 200 entries were submitted in 2012, and the committee accordingly wishes to target the same amount of artists, if not more. “Art is always an im-

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, in collaboration with the Guyana Visual Arts Committee and the E.R Burrowes School of Arts, has relaunched its visual arts competition, targeting over 200 Guyanese artists. Yesterday saw a plethora of artists submitting their entries to the E.R Burrowes School of Arts, as they

patiently await the exhibition and awards ceremony slated for mid-December, to determine the winners of approximately 20 prizes consisting of cash and medals. This competition was launched in 2012 with the aim of promoting recognition for all artists in the Guyanese visual arts arena, as well as to motivate them to display their unique piec-

es. The competition accommodates six (6) categories: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and textile/fine craft, and its targeted artists are 16 years and older. In 2012, winners such as George Simon, for the painting segment; Michael Griffith, for drawing; Gary Thomas, for sculpting; Nikhil Ramkarran, for photography; and Aneeza Coel-

Collis Collinson freed of murder through no-case submission

JUSTICE Dawn Gregory on Thursday accepted a no-case submission on behalf of murder accused Collis Collinson, that the prosecution had failed to make out a case against him for the murder of Albert Joseph of Linden. Defence counsel Mr. Peter Hugh had made the submission at the completion of the prosecution’s case. Prosecutrix Miss Natasha Backer had in association with Miss M. Thompson, called eight witnesses in support of the prosecution’s case. Among the witnesses, the eye witness, the daughter of the deceased, testified that at an identification parade she had identified the accused as the killer in the felony murder between the 3rd and 7th days of January, 2011. But at the close of the prosecution’s case Mr. Hugh in his submission convinced the judge that the identification was faulty. The submission was accepted. The accused was later discharged by the judge.

portant part of society, since artists identify trends and produce an imaginary world to give society views on current conditions. Thus this (art) is an essential part of society,” stated the Chairman of the Guyana Visual Arts Committee, Mr. Alim Hosein, in an interview

conducted yesterday by this publication. Hosein bemoaned the fact that the committee is gearing up for the exhibition that will proceed until the end of January 2015, and is hoping that persons come out to support the local artists.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

NA municipality presents multimillion – expects to garner $67M from dollar 2015 budget Municipal Property Tax THE New Amsterdam municipality presented its multimillion dollar budget for the year 2015 , with the expectation of garnering $67,212, 761 from the Municipal Property Tax, which citizens are asked to pay in a bid to improve service delivery. However, questions were raised with respect to the

approval of the budget, since parliament has been prorogued by his Excellency The President Donald Ramotar. Nevertheless, Acting Town Treasurer Ms. Verna Newyear, made her inaugural presentation to a disappointing turn out of the citizenry at the Town Hall, which overlooks the main commercial area and where the tooting of

vehicles horns posed a challenge for those who listened. It was reported that notices for the hearing were dispatched to the wide cross-section of the citizenry, but , apart from the attending municipal staff, councillors and media operatives, the meeting had in its audience a representative from A.Ally General Store and the ever

faithful trade unionist Mr. Norman Semple. The annual budget of $138,907,949 which is yet to be approved by the Ministry of Local Government, has in addition , an anticipated $ 28,176,204 in revenue from the market; $ 3,401,859 from the cemetery and $10,668,605 in government subventions, along with

other investment Income and from rental of parks and playfields. In giving an analysis of the 2015 budget, Ms. Newyearsaid $54,676,905M , which represents 39.5% of the budget, will be expended on employment costs while a further $18,699,301M will be spent on capital works in the oldest Berbice township. The 13.5 % budgeted for capital works will go towards filling potholes and repairing cross streets. In 2014 ,49.89% was garnered from municipal taxes , while in 2013, 57 % of the $128.5 million garnered . The assistant treasurer noted too, that the council managed to collect $28,895,461M in taxes, and plans are on stream to solicit a vehicle through the Ministry of Local Government, which will assist in the house-to-house collection of the much needed revenue. Additionally, it is expected that monies will be accessed from the regularisation of squatting areas in Stanleytown. Speaking at the forum, Mayor Claude Henry said citizens cannot get the services they so desire if the outstanding taxes are not paid . “You cannot get what you want if you do not pay what you owe .Over $67M is outstanding .If monies are paid,

then there will be improved services,” he reiterated . It was noted that the rates payable by the citizenry, had been activated since 2006, and it is expected that the valuation team from the Central Valuation Division of the Ministry of Housing will visit the township during 2015 for reappraisal purposes . Further, the Chief Citizen has expressed concern over the increasing volume of garbage that is dumped in drains ,roadways and the interlocking drains . He urged citizens to desist from such practices which could result in the spread of diseases, including Chikungunya. “What is disheartening is that the municipal staff would clean various locations, and shortly afterwards, persons would return and dump the garbage,” he said. The 2015 budget, which has an expenditure of $138,907,949 , saw an approximately $ 6M increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the twohour programme , which was punctuated by comments and observations, was chaired by Ms. Paulette Henry and had in its attendance Town Clerk Mrs. Sharon Alexander and Deputy Mayor Harold Debydeen.

Saturday, November 15, 2014 - 12:00 hrs Sunday, November 16, 2014 - 13:00 hrs Monday, November 17, 2014 - 14:00 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Australia paceman Johnson named cricketer-of-the-year MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has matched compatriot Ricky Ponting’s feat of winning the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricketer-of-the-Year award twice, the governing body said yesterday. The 33-year-old Johnson won the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for the second time after winning the award in 2009 and was also named the ICC Test Cricketer-of-the-Year. Former Australia captain Ponting won the title in 2006 and 2007. Left-arm paceman Johnson fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep of England and a 2-1 series win in South Africa between August 2013 and September 2014, taking 59 Test wickets at an average of 15.23. “Aggressive fast bowlers are something you’d have seen back in the day with the likes of (Dennis) Lillee and (Jeff) Thomson,” Johnson said in an ICC statement. “For me, it’s nice to be able to contribute to the team and do the job that I’ve always thought I’ve been able to do. “This is something that I’ll be able to look back on in time when my career is over and be exceptionally proud of.” Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, the winner in 2012, captain Angelo Mathews and his South African counterpart AB de Villiers were the other contenders for cricketer-of-the-year honours. de Villiers won the ICC one-day international Cricketer-

of-the-Year while England’s Gary Ballance was named the ICC Emerging Cricketer-of-the-Year. Awards list: ICC Cricketer-of-the-Year - Mitchell Johnson Test Cricketer-of-the-Year - Mitchell Johnson Women’s ODI Cricketer-of-the-Year - Sarah Taylor ODI Cricketer-of-the-Year - AB de Villiers Emerging Cricketer-of-the-Year - Gary Balance Associate and Affiliate Cricketer-of-the-Year - Preston Mommsen T20 International Performance-of-the-Year - Aaron Finch T20I Women’s Cricketer-of-the-Year - Meg Lanning Spirit-of-Cricket Award - Katherine Brunt Umpire-of-the-Year – Richard Kettleborough LG People’s Choice - Bhuvneshwar Kumar ICC Test Team-of-the-Year David Warner, Kane Williamson, Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers (wkp.), Joe Root, Angelo Mathews (capt.), Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Broad, Dale Steyn, Rangana Herath, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor (12th man) ICC ODI Team-of-the-Year Mohammad Hafeez, Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli, George Bailey, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (capt. & wkp.), Dwayne Bravo, James Faulkner, Dale Steyn, Mohammed Shami, Ajantha Mendis, Rohit Sharma (12th man).

Better Schools ... He said stakeholders are going to examine a possible shift in the dates for the staging of the championships, that is, the leadup, the structure of related events and the ministry’s relationship with corporate Guyana

and the Athletics Association of Guyana. “This has to be in my view, more of a broad-based kind of engagement that can see us really seriously grooming our athletes from the most fundamental stages right through, so that Guyana now can take its rightful place with our Caribbean neighbours in having top quality athletes representing this nation at the highest level.” No time frame has yet been set for this meeting, but Mr Sam thinks it appropriate to hold such a discussion right on the heels of this year’s championships when a lot of the related events of this year’s event are still fresh in the minds of those involved. That aside, this mecca for this year’s athletics and cycling championships is the Camp Ayanganna ground. This will be the first time the Schools Championships will be staged at the Army facility. The Guyana National Stadium out at Providence is hosting cricket. Tuesday, the Swimming event will be staged at the Liliendaal facility. The traditional 40km cycle road race and the 10km male and female road races will also be staged on the morning of November 18. The official opening ceremony for

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the 54th annual event will be held at 09:00hrs on Wednesday at Camp Ayanganna. Athletics will definitely be held on the track, but if there’s rain, cycling events will be switched to the National Park, according to the organisers. The Guyana Teachers Union president is Mark Lyte. He said works are being done at the schools that will act as dorms for the athletes from the outlying districts. He said rehabilitation works are some 60 percent complete and expects all major areas to be done by this weekend. Some 15 districts are competing. They will arrive in the capital city on Monday 17th. Both Sam and Lyte are encouraging everyone to come out and support the athletes when the championships begin on Tuesday. They are also hoping the high level of competitiveness will continue. Along with the GTU and MoE, Banks DIH – with Malta Supreme and its Aqua Mist water brand and Demerara Distillers Limited’s Gatorade will ‘re-hydrate, replenish and refuel’ athletes throughout the championships. Gifltland OfficeMax and COURTS are also sponsors of the event.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

Bangladesh in driving seat BANGLADESH moved a step closer to a 3-0 series whitewash against Zimbabwe as five wickets from Jubair Hossain helped them halt their opponents’ first innings at 374 on day three of the third Test at Chittagong The tourists were replying to a mammoth 503 first-innings total from their hosts, and began day three on 113 for one. They managed to avoid the follow-on, with decent contributions coming from Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza, who moved their tallies on to 82 and 81 respectively, as well as Regis Chakabva (65) and Elton Chigumbura, the top-scorer with 88. But Jubair ultimately proved the star of the show with a maiden Test five-wicket haul that came for 96 runs. The 19-year-old’s final scalp closed Zimbabwe’s innings to leave Bangladesh’s lead at 129, and by stumps that had moved to 152, Tamim Iqbal (eight not out) and Imrul Kayes (11n.o.) unbeaten at the crease with the score at 23 for none.

Scoreboard BANGLADESH 1st innings 503 (I. Kayes 130, T. Iqbal 109, S. Al Hasan 71) ZIMBA 1st innings (o/n: 113-1) S. Raza c Mahmudullah b J. Hossain 82 B. Chari c Rahim b R. Hossain 0 H. Masakadza lbw b Sh. Islam 81 B. Taylor c T. Islam b J. Hossain 1 R. Chakabva lbw b Sh. Islam 65 C. Ervine b J. Hossain 14 E. Chigumbura c Kayes b J. Hossain 88 R. Mutumbami lbw b Al Hasan 20 S. Masakadza c Mahmudullah b T. Islam 0 T. Panyangara not out 6 N.M’shangwecMahmudullahbJ.Hossain 8 Extras: (b-6 lb-1 nb-2) 9 Total: (all out, 106 overs) 374 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-169, 3-172, 4-172, 5-209, 6-322, 7-356, 8-357, 9-360. Bowling: Sh. Islam 18-5-50-2 (nb-1), R. Hossain 9-1-46-1 (nb-1), T. Islam 30-2-100-1, S. Al Hasan 25-4-67-1, J. Hossain 20-1-96-5, S. Hom 1-0-1-0, M. Mahmudullah 3-0-7-0. BANGLADESH 2nd innings T. Iqbal not out 8 I. Kayes not out 11 Extras: (b-4) 4 Total: (for no loss, 9 overs) 23 Fall of wickets: 0 Bowling: S. Masakadza 2-0-4-0, T. Panyangara 2-1-5-0, S. Raza 3-0-10-0, N. M’shangwe 2-2-0-0.

New Era Futsal semis on tonight at MSC Hard Court Jubair Hossain takes 5 for 96 on the third day in Chittagong. Another man who made vital interceptions with the ball was Shafiul Islam. And the first of his two wickets was the opening one of the day as he brought the Raza-Masakadza partnership - which had yielded 160, Zimbabwe’s highest stand for a second wicket - to an end by pinning the latter lbw. A couple more wickets quickly followed, with both skipper Brendan Taylor (one) and Raza being ousted in the same over by Jubair, who then bowled Craig Ervine (14) soon after lunch to make it 209 for five. Zimbabwe regained some stability from there after Chigumbura came to the middle, he and Chakabva putting on 113 for the sixth wicket. It was Shafiul who then once again broke up a solid partnership via an lbw as Chakabva was dismissed. Chigumbura saw further partners Richmond Mutumbami (20) and Shingi Masakadza (nought) fall to Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam before himself succumbing to Jubair, having made six fours and two sixes within his knock from 130 balls. Jubair wrapped things up a few deliveries later as Natsai M’Shangwe (eight) was caught by Mahmudullah, with Tamim and Kayes then getting Bangladesh’s second innings off to a steady start. (PA Sport)

SEMI-FINAL action in this year’s New Era Entertainment Futsal competition will be played tonight. In last night’s quarterfinals Plantain and Cheese faced new Jammers, Show Stoppers collided with Hard Knocks, Plantain All Stars matched skills with $100 Car and Well Known were up against Russians. In the final set of qualifying matches played, Plantain and Cheese secured a 3-1 win over Silver Bullets as Jermaine Grandison got the double and D. Evans one for the winners while Colwyn Drakes got the consolation goal for Silver Bullets. Show Stoppers scolded New Jammers by a similar margin 3-1 score with Steve Brewley hitting in two goals and Kennard Simon the other, as Clarence Huggins got the lone goal for the losers. Plantain and Cheese had a 1-0 win against $100 Cars with Keon Cameron slipping in the lone goal of the game while Russians and Plantain All Stars played to a 1-1 stalemate as Carlos Grant scored for Russians and Jermaine Grandison netted for the Plantain All Stars. The final is set for next Saturday at the tournament venue, the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

WICB Task Force armed with mandate, given a month to report ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The Task Force set up to investigate the abandoned tour of India has been given a detailed mandate by the West Indies Cricket Board, and asked to report its findings by December 13. This comes as the Board attempts to accelerate the search for a solution to the latest crisis that has rocked West Indies cricket and resulted in major international fallout. A release from the

WICB on Thursday said the task force would be guided by three considerations which involve not only investigating the reasons for the players’ controversial action but also examining the relationships between the WICB, the West Indies Players Association and players, and also recommending a dispute mechanism to deal with such future crises. “(It will) investigate

Sir Wes Hall will sit on the WICB task force to investigate the crisis.

Brilliant Molino puts T&T on brink of final and into Gold Cup MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (CMC) – A Kevin Molino brace fired Trinidad and Tobago to their second straight win in the Caribbean Cup finals here Thursday night, and into the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup next year. The 24-year-old, who plays for Orlando City in the Major League Soccer, scored on either side of halftime to propel the multiple-time champions to an easy 4-2 win over spirited French Guiana at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Lester Peltier and Ataullah Guerra added second-half goals to cancel out strikes from Brian St Clair and JeanDavid Legrand, as French Guiana showed fight late on. The victory puts T&T top of Group A with six points and they can now finish no worse than second in the group. The winners and runners-up of each group automatically qualify for the Gold Cup. More importantly, T&T require only a single point from their final group game against Cuba today, to qualify for the final. Despite starting without Cardiff City star Kenwyne Jones – who scored a double in Tuesday’s opener – and goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, T&T made a positive start and were soon ahead through the superb Molino. He showed good strength in staying on his feet under pressure from a defender to shoot past goalkeeper Donovan Leon from a tight angle in the 17th minute. He was almost on the scoresheet again six minutes later when Justin Hoyte picked him out with a cross from the right but the resulting shot lacked power and was easily saved. Despite their energy, T&T still held a narrow 1-0 lead at the break and it was left to Molino again to lift them in the second half. In the 58th minute, Guerra’s powerful free kick rebounded from the body of Marc Edwige and Molino pounced on the loose

Kevin Molino scored two goals and was involved in another as T&T won their second straight game. ball to double T&T’s lead. Four minutes later, the Trinidadians went 3-0 up with Molino at the centre of play again. This time, he was floored by Marvin Torvic in the box leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot, and Peltier calmly converted. Torvic received a second yellow card for the foul, leaving French Guiana down to ten men. Undeterred, French Guiana pressed for their opening goal and soon found it when St Clair fired home from just inside the 18yard box. Legrand then brought the game to life in the 84th minute, burying a free kick into the nets from the edge of the box, to set up a tense last six minutes plus stoppage. Peltier missed out two chances to put the game out of French Guiana’s reach but Guerra put the game to bed in added time at the end, brilliantly firing home a free kick from 23 yards out.

the cause of the actions perpetuated by the players leading to the withdrawal of their services,” the WICB said in reference to the task force. “Based on the facts which emerge, the Task Force will render its opinion of the degree of culpability attributed to the WICB, to the WIPA and to the players and whether the action of the players was justifiable or considered a reasonable course of action.” The task force will also look at the WIPA, WICB

and players relationship “with a view to making recommendations on the nature and structure of the relationship between WICB and the cricketers (separate and apart from the relationship between WICB and WIPA).” Significantly, the Board has also asked the task force to “design and propose a fasttrack dispute resolution mechanism, which would apply to ongoing tours, and give the players an expedited process through which they could ventilate

any issues.” This, according to the WICB, would prevent what happened in India from reoccurring. The Task Force will be chaired by Michael Gordon QC and includes legendary former fast bowler Sir Wes Hall, a former WICB president. However, prominent Barbadian lawyer Sir Richard Cheltenham has replaced Dennis Lalor, who the WICB said withdrew in light of “a potential conflict of interest”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

WICB hopeful of ‘amicable’ ending as deadline arrives ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says it foresees an “amicable” resolution to its current impasse with the Indian Cricket Board, as the deadline arrived yesterday for the regional board to outline a compensation plan of how it will settle the multimillion claim made by the BCCI. Last month, the BCCI wrote to the WICB claiming US$42 million in damages from the abandoned oneday tour of India, and also gave the WICB 15 days in which to respond or face legal action. However, the WICB in a statement late Thursday said its president Dave Cameron had met with BCCI officials recently and had initiated talks geared towards finding a “mutually agreeable resolution”.

WICB president Dave Cameron “The WICB is pleased to report that the parties are making progress with regard to the premature end to the tour of India,” the WICB statement said. “President Dave Cameron met and had preliminary talks with officials from the BCCI while attending an ICC meeting in Dubai recently. The WICB has also officially responded to the

letter received from the BCCI. “The WICB remains confident that an amicable and mutually agreeable resolution can be had.” The board is desperately trying to avoid forking out the multimillion dollar settlement, and wrote to the BCCI last week indicating it was bankrupt and also apologising for the abrupt end to the one-day tour last month. In the letter, the contents of which were revealed in Indian media, the WICB also urged finding a resolution through the ICC Disputes Committee. The recent tour was cut short after the fourth One-Day International of the intended six-match series, when upset West Indies players refused to play over a contracts row with their union, the West

Indies Players Association. Their action also forced the WICB to cancel the scheduled three-Test series, with the BCCI unwilling to accept a replacement second string squad. A furious BCCI cast full blame on the WICB for the abandonment. St Vincent’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who mediated the dispute between the players, WIPA and the WICB, on Monday proposed what he termed a “grand settlement” to end the impasse with the BCCI. In it, he urged the WICB to undergo governance reform and improve its relationship with the players, and also urged the BCCI to withdraw its multi-million claim “in the interest of cricket in Indian and the Caribbean and world cricket”.

Stag Beer Futsal

Alpha hammer Conquerors 6-2

ALPHA United moved into touching distance of the Stag Beer Futsal winners’ trophy following a 6-2 drubbing of defending champions Fruta Conquerors at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Thursday Night. Fruta Conquerors were no match for the nippy Alpha side and faded against their more energetic opponents. Futsal king Travis `Zorro’ Grant provided heaps of misery for Conquerors and ended the night with

two goals as Alpha United remained unbeaten in four games of the competition and raced into the semifinals. Aldair Parades also scored a double for the winning side while Dwight Peters and Chris Camacho netted one goal apiece. Daniel Favourite and Eon Alleyne scored for Conquerors. In Thursday’s other quarter-final match Santos edged Pele 1-0 with a Gavin Wilson strike deciding the game. The competition continues this

evening at the same venue with Alpha United turning their attention to the red-hot Western Tigers in what could be considered a virtual final. That match begins at 09:30hrs. Santos will come up against Riddim Squad in the other semifinal game starting at 09:00hrs.. The organisers have scheduled six exhibition matches for today. The competition is being sponsored by Ansa McAl, Hits and Jams and Elaine’s Ville and has a $400 000 first prize.

Guyana wins ... President of the St Lucia Boxing Association David `Shakes Christopher labelled his election one of the most significant achievement the region has had in years. “We are beyond words at the moment. The Caribbean is going places. Respect to my brother Steve Ninvalle. I don’t think that we would be sleeping tonight.” Grenada Boxing Association president and former president of the now-defunct Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association Ralph James claimed that the result of the Congress was an accomplished mission for the region. “This has been a tremendous victory for the Caribbean. It is not a victory for Caribbean boxing but for Caribbean sport. I would put it this way; mission accomplished in round one,” James said. Vice-president of the Bahamas Boxing Association Alvin Sergeant reasoned that a new trend in the sport

Starr Party Rentals joins Payless Variety Store to sponsor 11-race cycle programme STARR Party Rentals has joined forces with Payless Variety Store in sponsoring today’s 11-race cycle programme which will be held around the inner circuit of the National Park from 09:00hrs. The event, which is being coordinated by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed will see national cyclist Alanzo Greaves defend his title in the feature 35-lap event which is open to schoolboys, novices and invitational riders. Last year, Greaves returned a time of 1h. 18mins: 07.05secs in winning the event and will be facing the likes of fellow national cyclists Geron Williams, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Raynauth Jeffrey along with Paul DeNobrega and Orville Hinds who have all been in good nick recently. Two Saturdays ago saw the return of Team Coco’s riders to local competitive cycling when Roraima Bikers staged the Troy Humphrey Memorial cycling programme at the same venue. Riders such as Jeffrey, Hamza Eastman, Christopher Holder, Mark Harris and Andre Abdool will be in action. The day’s 11-race card will also see Eastman defend his Juvenile 10-lap title which he won last year in a time of 25 mins: 50 secs, while Shameer Baksh is expected to defend his veterans’ Under-50 title

which he also won last year in a time of 12 mins :14 secs. Jamal John and Richard Charles will be going all out to defend their Boys 1214 years three-lap race and mountain bikers five-lap race respectively which they won last year, with both of them stopping the clock at 14 mins.06 secs. Greaves will be brimming with confidence come Saturday, but winning the feature event will be a humongous task since his fellow riders especially the unrelated Geron and Marlon Williams will be looking to grab the spoils. Geron Williams and Jeffrey, especially, will be using this event as preparation for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games scheduled for Mexico later this month. Head of Star Party Rentals and former Guyana national cricketer Lennox Cush decided to come on board the event with the main reason being he wants to give back something to the people of Guyana and more especially sports persons since his cricketing career benefited from Guyanese support and love of cricket. Cush as well as representatives of Payless Variety Store will be on hand to do the presentation of prizes to the respective winners of each category.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 15, 2014)

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was born. “This is a major victory for the entire Caribbean and we are justly proud. It will start a new trend and would push us further ahead in the game,” Sergeant declared. His sentiments were echoed by Secretary General of the US Virgin Island Boxing Association Carolyn Wathley who pointed out that a win for Guyana remains a win for the Caribbean. Following the election of presidents and vicepresidents of the five confederations the five remaining EC positions were contested for by 32 countries with Guyana coming out ahead of Japan, France, Spain, Hungary, Qatar, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Poland among others. Shortly after, the Executive Committee met with reelected president Ching-Kwo Wu at the KAL Hotel.

Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Bourda& Providence (2) India-192* (Delhi, 1974/75) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has taken most Test wickets at Bourda? How many? (2) What was Roy Fredericks’ highest Test score at Bourda? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 15, 2014

2014/2015 WICB/PCL

Scoreboard

Deonarine in sight of 10th first class ton as Jaguars and Leewards battle By Calvin Roberts

FORMER West Indies middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine was 27 runs away from his 10th first class ton at the end of the first day of the first round clash between Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Franchise at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday. Winning the toss and opting to bat first in the West Indies Cricket Board/Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-day first round fixture after a 15-minute rain delay, the Jaguars reached 230 for 5 off 90 overs, with Deonarine batting for 246 minutes, hitting eight fours from the 191 deliveries he faced. With Deonarine allrounder is Christopher Barnwell who was on 24, which included four well-timed fours, while 40-year-old dependable middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul had earlier contributed 45, as he added 83 for the fourth wicket with Deonar-

ine. Gavin Tonge has so far taken 2 for 39. The Jaguars reached 53 for the loss of Assad Fudadin’s wicket at lunch, with Rajendra Chandrika on 30 and skipper Leon Johnson, who took 23 deliveries to open his account and did so with a glorious extra cover drive for four off Kelbert Walters, on 17, in the face of disciplined bowling from the opposition. When the action got under way, both Fudadin and Chandrika got boundaries off the new ball pair of Tonge and Kelbert Walters, before Fudadin was lbw to Orlando Peters (1 for 31) for 6 at 14 for 1 in the 8th over. Johnson survived a testing spell from Tonge and company and even a chance off Walters, after hitting him for four to open his account, but saw the demise of Chandrika who lost his balance and was run-out by Devon Thomas for 31 (4x4) at 62 for 2. Deonarine joined Johnson and together they looked

This man loves to sweep! Leeward Islands Franchise skipper and wicketkeeper Devon Thomas watches his opposite number from the Guyana Jaguars Leon Johnson sweep at this delivery from Anthony Martin. (Photo by Adrian Narine) positive and compact at the wicket, until Johnson, who struck Yannick Leonard for two fours in the first over after lunch, was caught at the wicket off Tonge, who was brought back into the attack by his skipper. Out strolled Chanderpaul who eased Leonard through extra cover with the grace

and poise of a batsman who was intent on reminding the sprinkling of spectators at the venue, that he has 150odd Test matches under his belt, followed by two authoritative fours off Martin, who had bowled five consecutive maiden overs to keep the left-handed pair intact. Deonarine posted his

Brathwaite century pulls Barbados out of trouble

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite produced another masterful innings that culminated in an unbeaten hundred, as he pulled Barbados Pride out of trouble against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, on the opening day of the first round of matches in the historic WICB Professional Cricket League yesterday. The right-hander hit an unbeaten 115, his ninth first class hundred, as Barbados clawed their way back from 85 for four just after lunch, to finish the day on 209 for four at Queen’s Park Oval. Sent in, Barbados were rocked by a superb spell of fast bowling from Marlon Richards who claimed the first three wickets to fall to reduce Barbados to 44 for three. The right armer finished the day with three for 34. Brathwaite’s knock then became part a rescue mis-

sion, as he put his head down to play a true captain’s role. In his now typical unflappable style, the 21-year-old repelled the T&T attack to haul Barbados back into the contest. He faced 256 balls in just over five hours at the crease and struck nine fours, to frustrate the T&T outfit. He has so far shared a crucial unbroken fifth wicket stand of 115 with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who was unbeaten on exactly 50 at the close. Dowrich was a last minute replacement for the ill Shai Hope. T&T struck in the eighth over the day when left-hander Omar Phillips was caught behind by Denesh Ramdin for nine off Richards with the score on 22. The aggressive Dwayne Smith struck two fours in ten but lasted just under half-hour when he too fell to the combination of Ramdin and Richards, to leave Barbados on 40 for three.

Kraigg Brathwaite drives during his 115 not out on Friday. And T&T were sent into wild celebration in Richards’ next over with just four runs added when left-hander Jonathan Carter departed without scoring, also caught at the wicket off Richards. Roston Chase arrived to join Brathwaite and they

stemmed the fall of wickets with a solid 45-run stand which carried Barbados to lunch at 85 for three. At this stage Brathwaite was unbeaten on 41 and Chase, 24. However, immediately after the break, Chase succumbed, lbw to pacer Shannon Gabriel in the first over on resumption. He faced 36 balls in 43 minutes at the crease and struck two fours. Any hopes that T&T had of running through the remainder of the innings were quickly dashed as Brathwaite and Dowrich combined in the century stand to deny their opponents any further success. Navigating a near 40-minute break for rain, the duo were unfazed, and Brathwaite pushed on to complete his 25th first class half-century. Dowrich, too, remained entrenched and has so faced 161 balls in just over three hours at the crease, and has struck five fours.

43rd first class half-century from 100 deliveries with seven fours, three of which were crisp drives through the cover region, before Chanderpaul was dismissed, caught at the wicket by Thomas off Jacques Taylor who was extracting bounce and turn out of the track. Chanderpaul’s 45 spanned 128 minutes during which time he faced 106 deliveries and struck three fours and his wicket was followed by that of Raymon Reifer, who was lbw to Tonge for 18 that also included three fours, all off Taylor, leaving the Jaguars on 199 for 5 in the 81st over. Leeward Islands took the second new ball shortly after and instead of bringing them success, it brought pain as Barnwell, with the power and timings he is known for when batting for Demerara

GUYANA Jaguars 1st innings R. Chandrika run-out (Thomas) 31 A. Fudadin lbw b Peters 6 L. Johnson c wkp. Thomas b Tonge 31 N. Deonarine not out 73 S. Chanderpaul c wkp. Thomas b Taylor 45 R. Reifer lbw b Tonge 18 C. Barnwell not out 24 Extras: (lb-1, nb-1) 2 Total: (for 5 wickets, off 90 overs) 230 Fall of wicket: 1-14, 2-62, 3-86, 4-169, 5-199. Bowling: Tonge 15-5-39-2, Walters 13-1-31-0, Peters 12-0-31-1, Leonard 11-2-430, Taylor 20-3-53-1 (nb-1), Martin 19-9-32-0. Cricket Club, cracked one through point for his second four, a shot that left the opposition in a trance as no man moved, save to retrieve the red cherry. Two more fours were reeled off the sponsor-less bat of Barnwell off Tonge with the second new ball, before the day’s play was brought to a close under the artificial lights which came on just before 17:00hrs, even as Guyana gathered their first batting points and are 20 runs away from gaining another when play resumes at 10:00hrs today.

Mindley all-round effort stuns Windwards

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Teenaged fast bowler Marquino Mindley unearthed a devastating spell to rock Windward Islands, as Jamaica overcame an average batting effort to finish the day strongly. Playing on the opening day of their first round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League, Jamaica reduced Windward Islands to 16 for three, courtesy of 19-year-old Mindley’s blast, which yielded three wickets for seven runs. Opting to bat first earlier, Jamaica were sent tumbling for 208, thanks to left-arm spinner Alston Bobb who claimed six for 45. Lower order batsman Nikita Miller struck a top score of 57 not out to spare the hosts blushes after they were tottering at 120 for eight. Miller put on 70 with Mindley, who hit an aggressive 43, as Jamaica fought back late in the day to get their total past 200. The right-handed Miller

Fast bowler Marquine Mindley ... finished with three for seven. faced 120 balls in 130 minutes at the crease and struck three fours and two sixes while Mindley attacked from the outset with four fours and two sixes off just 46 balls. Mindley then returned to prevent the Windwards from capitalising on their strong bowling effort, removing left-handed opener Devon Smith for six, Andre Fletcher for five and Sunil Ambris, lbw without scoring. The Windwards trail by 182 runs.

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Deonarine in sight of 10th first class ton as Jaguars and Leewards battle

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Guyana wins seat on AIBA Executive GUYANA and the English Caribbean delivered a knockout blow when president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle created history after being elected to the AIBA Executive Committee yesterday on Jeju Island in South Korea. At approximately 13:45hrs (02:45hrs Guyana time) the GBA boss became the first person from the region to be ushered into the prestigious position and will serve for the next four years. In a telephone interview with Chronicle Sport the former journalist expressed joy with the results and declared that his elevation is a victory for the entire region. “As a region, the English-speaking Caribbean has never before been able to make inroads into the hexarchy of AIBA. We have been able to do that today. This, I believe, will breathe new life into the sport and create a renaissance. The Caribbean now has a voice in the most important decision forum in boxing,” Ninvalle declared. According to reports Ninvalle’s latest achievement sparked wild celebration among the Caribbean delegation at the Congress. Turn to page 30

GBA president Steve Ninvalle (in photo at the AIBA Congress) becomes the first person from the Region to be elected to the prestigious position.

Better Schools Championships in the future … says MoE a week ahead of 2014 event

By Leeron Brumell

From left: Banks DIH’s Errol Nelson, GTU president Mark Lyte, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, Event PRO Edison Jefford and DDL’s Larry Wills.

THE Ministry of Education (MoE), through its Chief Education Officer Olato Sam is promising better National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships in the future. The announcement was made at the Ministry’s Lot 26 Brickdam Boardroom yesterday at a press briefing to update the media on preparations for this year’s event.

‘At the end of this year’s event we will all sit down and craft for ourselves a plan going forward as to how we can make it even better, so I can promise the national public that we will have significant changes to what they are currently accustomed to at the end of this cycle.’ Mr Sam said a “ground-up” approach would be used to bring about “some variation” in the way the championships are organised and run.

Turn to page 27

NOTABLE DATES CRUISERWEIGHT Andre `Stone’ Purlette knocked out Jeff Williams in the last stanza of an eight-round fight on November 15, 1997. The fight was held in Lake Worth, Florida and was the 21st for the `big banger’ with 20 of the victories coming by way of knockout. Purlette went on to win the WBO/NABO heavyweight title and retired in 2009 with a record of 40 wins, four losses with 35 K0s On the same day in 1991, light heavyweight Dennis Andries knocked out Edward Neblett in the fourth round of a fight scheduled for ten rounds. The bout was the last in Neblett’s career. 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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2014