Guyana chronicle 17 03 14

GUYANA No. 103770

MONDAY MARCH 17, 2014

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

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Happy Phagwah to all readers

GTA, Tourism Ministry accord incoming passengers a rousing –on arrival at CJIA, Timehri ‘Holi’ welcome Page 3

Passengers arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) yesterday being spoilt, Guyanese style, with the offer of delectable sweetmeats... And a dash of powder, perhaps

Agriculture Minister hopeful new rice markets will 3 open soon Page

Young customs broker is latest road Page 2 fatality

National Cane Farming Committee says…

DEAD: ADRIAN HOOSAIN

Stop playing politics with 9 sugar Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Young customs broker is latest road fatality

By Leroy Smith

CUSTOMS broker Adrian Hoosain of 113 Meadowbrook

Gardens, Georgetown died on-the-spot early yesterday morning when the vehicle he was driving, PEE 2564,

slammed into a utility pole on the public road at Ruimveldt Industrial Site in Georgetown.

The dead man’s cousin,

Aleena Moonsammy, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday morning that they received word about the 20-year-old being involved in an accident, but relatives had no idea he had perished, until they saw his body at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The former student of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School was reportedly ‘sweet’when he entered his vehicle after parting company with a group of friends shortly before the accident. His friends had reportedly tried desperately to confiscate his car keys in order to prevent him from getting behind the wheel in his state of

disequilibrium, but those efforts had failed.

One person observed that no one realised that Hoosain was pinned in the vehicle after the accident, until members of the Guyana Fire Service arrived on scene and had to cut the badly mangled car open to get to him, by which time he was dead.

His cousin described him as a very outgoing and pleasant young man who was loved by all those with whom he interacted, and was very loving and affectionate with his two siblings. He was also said to be very hardworking.

Family members said that when they first heard about the

accident, they had no confirmation that Adrian was dead; and although they subquently learnt of his demise, yet still they held fast to their faith in God and prayed that it was mere speculation. Their worst fears were confirmed when they visited the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His cousin said that from looking at Adrian’s body, it appears as though he had suffered internal injuries on top of the lacerations on his face.

The mangled vehicle was eventually taken away from the accident scene and ferried to his Meadowbrook home in Georgetown yesterday.

Sugar production on target The vehicle after the accident Inset is the driver, Adrian Hoosain

-- thanks to favourable weather

By Vanessa Narine AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has said that continued favourable weather has assisted sugar production to remain on pace, and production now stands at 22,500 tonnes as at last Friday.

“This validates what I have been saying; that if we have good weather, the same workers, the same factories, and the same management are capable

of meeting our targets,” he said.

“This is very encouraging, and I am looking forward for the continuation of the present good weather… If we can have eight to ten weeks more of good weather, then I see GuySuCo producing a very good first crop,” he confided.

“The critics of the industry fail to take into consideration this major impediment, and we have to work to address… In the last few years, the one major

REMEMBERING Dr Cheddi Jagan

“I call, therefore, on all miners, foresters, industrialists and industrial workers, farmers and agricultural workers, artisans, businessmen and consumers to exercise a high level of self regulation in the course of your day-to-day activities. Your conscious effort will reduce the need for high levels of expenditure on policing efforts. Like the old popular song, I ask you to ‘Always let your conscience be your guide’.” –World Environment Day, June 5, 1994

single factor affecting sugar has been the weather,” Dr Ramsammy declared.

The target for the first crop, which ends in May/June, is some 70,000 tonnes. “Hopefully, the weather holds, and we can meet our target,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Guyana used to have, on a regular basis, two wet and two dry seasons of a particular length, but that has changed.

Sugar requires a period of 14 to 20 weeks of completely dry weather during grinding.

“There are changes that have to be made, and in the long-term strategy, the changes will have to take into consideration the fact that the regular grinding season has to respond to the weather challenges,” Dr Ramsammy said, as he stressed that all efforts are being made to address the industry’s challenges.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be getting a new board, led by a new chairperson, who has already been identified.

The life of the present board was extended to June.

Subsequently, the matter was discussed at the level of the Cabinet, and it was agreed that a new board would be established with several new members.

The sugar industry’s target for 2014 is 216,000 tonnes, with a projection that the sector would reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

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GTA, Tourism Ministry accord incoming passengers a rousing ‘Holi’ welcome --on arrival at CJIA, Timehri

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

PHAGWAH is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and sees devotees traditionally wear white on Phagwah Day and indulge in the throwing upon each other of a harmless liquid called abeer, and coloured powder.

For this year’s celebrations, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, has well and truly outdone itself, deploying staff yesterday at strategic positions in the arrival area of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to accord incoming passengers a rousing Guyanese welcome, replete with coloured powder and sweetmeats, as is the Hindu custom at Phagwah time.

Though taken by surprise, passengers graciously went along with the programme, in the spirit of the season, and also applauded the GTA and its staff for coming up with such a novel idea.

One even exclaimed, “It feels great to be in Guyana and to be welcomed in this manner!

You would have never gotten this in New York!”

First-time visitors from Trinidad and Tobago said that while they are accustomed to playing Phagwah back home, they’ve always heard that celebrations here surpass theirs, in both scale and conviviality.

“I came to Guyana specifically for Phagwah,” said Mr. Anil Ramnauth. “I heard about

all the events, and would like to experience as much as I can; and I will be leaving for Trini-

dad on Tuesday.”

According to GTA Director, Mr Indranauth Haralsingh, his

agency is always pleased to be at the frontline to extend such a warm welcome, and to share joy and goodwill to our Guyanese, as well as our visitors, returning home. Even if the passengers are not aware that Guyana is

celebrating a festival, this conveys the hospitality the country offers, he said.

Mr Haralsingh further explained that there are a lot of planned activities for Phagwah, and he would like the country

to have a safe and incident-free day.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority, I would like to wish all Guyanese and visitors a Happy Holi,” Mr Haralsingh said.

This passenger sure seems to have a sweet tooth (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Agriculture Minister hopeful new rice markets will open soon

By Vanessa Narine AS HARVESTING of the 2014 first rice crop continues, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy told the Guyana Chronicle that two additional markets will hopefully come on stream shortly to cater for the spring crop production.

He said, “We are still at the table with Guatemala and Brazil… We consider every market where rice is needed a potential market, and in the last four years, we have made progress with our exports.”

According to Dr Ramsammy, Guyana has already commenced shipping to Haiti, which is now taking some 60,000 tonnes of rice, compared to only 1,000 tonnes last year. He added that shipment of 4,000 tonnes of rice to Belize is expected to start this week.

“By any standard, the work we have done to improve our exports is impressive,” he said.

“In the last four years, our exports have increased by 100 per cent.”

The Ministry of Agriculture has adopted a three-pronged approach to improving access to rice markets: increasing the market share in countries that have agreements with Guyana; re-entering old markets where the country once had a meaningful presence; and securing new markets.

Asked about the Venezuela agreement, the minister said Guyana’s market in the neighbouring country is not in danger, despite the fact that shipping has not yet started. He said, “We have agreed on prices and volume, and all the agreements have been signed. The timing is what we have to agree on.”

Dr Ramsammy noted that

Guyana would export a volume similar to last year’s, at prices comparable to what obtained then.

FAIR PRICES To this end, the minister said that, based on this, millers are being encouraged to pay farmers a fair price. The dilemma facing the sector presently is that while production has increased, new markets have not opened up simultaneously, and this has resulted in a decrease in the prices being offered by millers.

Compounding this challenge is the fact that there are tonnes of paddy from last year’s final crop, the autumn crop, still to be sold.

Dr Ramsammy met with millers a few weeks ago and explained that he would continue to engage farmers across the country.He said those meetings

addressing prices being paid to farmers have yielded positive responses.

“The millers have been reassured that the Venezuela market is there, and some of the millers have indicated that the prices -- between $2,500 and $3,000 (per bag) -- will be treated as an advance payment, with the balance, using $3,500, as the base price, being paid retroactively,” Minister Ramsammy has assured.

He added that the prices being called for are between $3,500 and $3,700 per bag, and he called on millers to pay prices that are comparable to what obtained in the last crop, particularly given that Venezuela would pay around the same range it paid last crop.

The minister pointed out that Guyana is competing with a set world market price which it has very little influence to

change.

Some 250,000 tonnes of rice are expected to be reaped in this crop, with an average yield of 34 bags per acre.

However, Dr Ramsammy explained that the Agriculture Ministry is working with millers to reduce their input cost and increase their efficiency, to ensure they can get better prices; while work is ongoing with farmers to increase their yield per acre.

“We are producing rice and we have rice to sell, good quality rice to sell….We have to continue our work, to ensure that farmers improve their yield and millers access additional markets,” he said.

Last year, Guyana exported 398,000 tonnes of rice, and exports this year are expected to stand at 475,000 tonnes -- a 20 per cent increase.

The production for 2013 was 535,212 tonnes, which was

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy far above the original target of 413,000 tonnes, and reflected a 27 per cent increase over 2012 production. The average production per hectare is five tonnes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Crimeans vote over 90 percent to quit Ukraine for Russia

By Mike Collett-White and Ronald Popeski SIMFEROPOL/KIEV- (Reuters) - Russian state media said Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to break with Ukraine and join Russia yesterday, as Kiev accused Moscow of pouring forces into the peninsula and warned separatist leaders “the ground will burn under their feet”.

With over half the votes counted, 95.5 percent had chosen the option of annexation by Moscow, the head of the referendum commission, Mikhail Malyshev, said two hours after polls closed. Turnout was 83 percent, he added - a high figure given that many who opposed the move had said they would boycott the vote.

Western powers and leaders in Kiev denounced it as a sham.

Underlining how Moscow’s military takeover of the peninsula two weeks ago has driven Russia and the West into a crisis with echoes of the Cold War, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama spoke by telephone and, according to the Kremlin, the Russian and U.S. presidents agreed on a need to cooperate to stabilize Ukraine.

“This referendum is contrary to Ukraine’s constitution,” a White House spokesman said.

“The international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.”

The Kremlin said Putin told Obama the referendum was legitimate and he expressed concern about the Ukrainian government’s failure to stamp out violence against Russian speakers in the country.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin drew attention to the inability and unwillingness of the present authorities in Kiev to curb rampant violence by ultra-nationalist and radical groups that destabilize the situation and terrorize civilians, including the Russian-speaking population,” the Kremlin said.

It said Putin suggested European monitors should be sent to all parts of Ukraine because of the violence.

Kiev said Moscow’s buildup of forces in the Black Sea peninsula was in “crude violation” of an international treaty, and announced plans to arm and train 20,000 members of a newly-created National Guard.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Moscow that Washington would not accept the outcome of the vote in the region, which has an ethnic Russian majority and was transferred to Ukraine by Soviet rulers only 60 years ago.

The White House also warned Moscow to expect sanctions while foreign ministers from the European Union, which has major trade ties with Russia, will decide on possible similar action in Brussels on Monday.

But Putin rejected Western accusations that the referendum was illegal, saying it respected the will of the Crimean people, while his foreign ministry said it had agreed with the United States to seek a solution to the crisis through constitutional reform.

UKRAINIAN ANGER In Kiev, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk threatened dire consequences for the Crimean politicians who had called the vote, saying separatist “ringleaders” wanted to destroy Ukrainian independence “under the cover of Russian troops”.

“We will find all of them - if it takes one year, two years - and bring them to justice and try them in Ukrainian and international courts. The ground will burn under their feet,” he told a cabinet meeting.

Yatseniuk had just returned from a U.S. trip where he won expressions of moral support but no offers of weapons. Kiev’s pro-European rulers, who took power after last month’s fall of Moscow-backed President Viktor Yanukovich to popular unrest, have been as powerless as Western governments to prevent the referendum or buildup of Russian forces on Ukrainian territory.

At a polling booth at a school in Simferopol, the Crimean regional capital, dozens of people lined up outside to cast their ballots early.

“I have voted for Russia,” said Svetlana Vasilyeva, 27, a

veterinary nurse. “This is what we have been waiting for. We are one family and we want to live with our brothers.”

Vasilyeva voiced fears common among some of Ukraine’s native Russian-speakers about the consequences of Yanukovich’s exit after protests in which over 100 people were killed.

“We want to leave Ukraine because Ukrainians told us that we are people of a lower kind. How can you stay in such a country?” she said.

But ethnic Tatars - Sunni Muslims who make up 12 per-

A local Tatar television channel broadcast the count at one small polling station. It took just a few minutes for officials to stack up the papers, virtually in a single pile. One gave the result as: “166 for, 2 against, 1 spoiled”. By “for” she clearly meant the first option on the paper, for union with Russia.

Russia has the right to keep forces on the Black Sea peninsula, including at its naval base in the port of Sevastopol, under a treaty signed after Ukraine gained independence from the wreckage of the Soviet Union

would leave Ukrainian military facilities untouched.

Many Crimeans hope union with Russia will bring better pay and make them citizens of a country capable of asserting itself on the world stage. But others saw the referendum as a land grab by the Kremlin from Ukraine, whose new rulers want to move the country towards the European Union and away from Russia’s sway.

Putin defended the vote in a phone call on Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, saying it complied with

People celebrate and wave Russian flags as the preliminary results of yestertday’s referendum are announced in the Crimean city of Sevastopol..

(Credit: Reuters/Baz Ratner) cent of Crimea’s population said they would boycott the vote despite promises by the regional authorities to give them financial aid and proper land rights.

“This is my land. This is the land of my ancestors. Who asked me if I want it or not?

Who asked me?” said Shevkaye Assanova, a Crimean Tatar in her 40s. “For the rest of my life I will be cursing those who brought these people here. I don’t recognize this at all. I curse all of them.”

TWO OPTIONS Crimea’s 1.5 million voters had two options: union with Russia or giving their region, which is controlled by pro-Kremlin politicians, the broad right to determine its own path and choose relations with whom it wants - including Moscow.

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in 1991.

But Ukrainian acting defense minister Ihor Tenyukh accused Moscow of going far beyond an agreed limit on servicemen - which he said was 12,500 for 2014.

“Unfortunately, in a very short period of time, this 12,500 has grown to 22,000. This is a crude violation of the bilateral agreements and is proof that Russia has unlawfully brought its troops onto the territory of Crimea,” he said.

This figure had risen from 18,400 on Friday. “Let me say once again that this is our land and we will not be leaving it,” he told Interfax news agency.

Tenyukh later said that the defense ministries in Kiev and Moscow had declared a truce until March 21 during which Russian forces, who have been arriving by boat and helicopter,

international law, including Article 1 of the U.N. Charter which states the principle of self-determination of peoples.

“It was emphasized that Russia will respect the choice of the Crimean people,” a Kremlin statement said.

Putin has said he must protect the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine from “fascists” in Kiev who ousted Yanukovich.

Western powers largely dismiss his characterization of the new authorities as successors of Nazi-allied Ukrainian forces which fought the Red Army in World War Two. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Kerry on Sunday to encourage authorities in Kiev to stop what he called “massive lawlessness” against the Russian-speaking population.

In their second phone con-

versation in two days, Lavrov and Kerry agreed to seek a solution to the crisis by pushing for constitutional reforms in Ukraine, Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

However, Kerry told Lavrov that the United States would not accept the referendum result and said Russia must pull back its forces to their bases, a senior State Department official said.

The White House also warned Putin that he faces international isolation that will hurt Russia’s economy. “You can expect sanctions designations in the coming days,” White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer told NBC’s Meet the Press.

The administration is preparing to identify Russians whom the United States will seek to punish with visa bans and asset freezes that President Obama authorized last week.

At the United Nations, 13 Security Council members voted for a draft resolution on Saturday saying the Crimea result should not be recognized internationally, but Moscow exercised its veto while China abstained.

TENSIONS IN CYBERSPACE Tensions over Crimea appear also to be spreading in cyberspace. Unidentified hackers brought down several public NATO websites with attacks on Saturday, the alliance said.

Spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said on Twitter that the attacks, which began on Saturday evening, continued on Sunday, although most services had now been restored.

“It doesn’t impede our ability to command and control our forces. At no time was there any risk to our classified networks,” another NATO official said.

A group calling itself “cyber berkut” - named after riot police formally disbanded by the central powers in Kiev - said the attack had been carried out by patriotic Ukrainians angry over what they saw as NATO interference in their country.

Apart from Crimea, tension is also running high in parts of the Russian-speaking industrialised east of Ukraine near the border with Russia, with clashes between rival demonstrators that Moscow has seized on to support its case that ethnic Russians are being victimized.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

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Kartel’s mom says a lot of lies were told on her son

VYBZ Kartel’s mother believes that her son was set up by the police and done a further injustice when a jury on Thursday convicted him and three of four co-accused of murder.

Teresa Palmer shared the sentiment with the Jamaica Observer a day after Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) and friends Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John and Kahira Jones were convicted in the Home Circuit Court for the August 16, 2011 murder of their friend Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams over the disappearance of two illegal guns. Shane Williams, the fourth co-accused man, was acquitted at the end of the fivemonth-long trial.

Sitting on the verandah of her Portmore, St Catherine home under the gaze of a massive banner of her entertainer son, Palmer — who asked not to be photographed — displayed a range of emotions while talking about her boy and the case.

Her three adult daughters and a family friend looking on, Palmer’s face was a mixture of disgust and anger when she spoke of the trial and investigation.

She teared up as she reflected on her son’s conviction. But her eyes lit up, and she laughed at times, as she recollected his cutting of classes to go to recording studios and his love of music and reading. Palmer also recalled fondly the time when Vybz Kartel, at 11 years of age, made soup seasoned with curry for her when she was sick in bed.

“I long to see him,” Palmer said at one point, adding that her son had been insistent on her not

visiting him in lock-up over the two years he’s been there.

“He thinks I’m going to cry.

If he tells me to come I would go visit him. You know where I want to visit him?” she asked, then answered: “At his house.”

was sitting in on the interview with her mother, told the Sunday Observer sarcastically that she’s waiting to see a reduction in crime now that her brother has been convicted. Her remark is in relation to comments by

VYBZ KARTEL

Palmer said her son is innocent and that he’d been targeted because of his music and image.

“He’s not that type of person,” Palmer insisted. “They say who God bless, no man curse.

You can fight against a man like this? You [should] fight against people who come into your community and rob, rape and kill.”

She added: “I don’t know why society is fighting the man and he never took anything from them.”

Morine Nelson, Vybz Kartel’s sister, who gave character evidence in the trial and who

Security Minister Peter Bunting that Vybz Kartel’s music promoted crime.

Nelson, who is a teacher, said she’s no fan of her brother’s music, but she can’t see how people can hate him without knowing his background. She added that he’s a good father who takes care of his children and helps them with their homework.

“The society came together to silence Kartel,” she said.

“I don’t know when we will recover.”

Saying her piece on Bunting’s comment, Palmer asked

Former Finance Minister wants fixed exchange rate KINGSTON,Jamaica, (CMC) - THE Opposition Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP), spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, has called on the

a stable or fixed exchange rate because the bigger negative impact is on our debt? It is time for us to start asking where is the positive impact of this continued devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, if all we have are negatives, then I suggest

that we need to look at fixing the exchange rate, even for a period of time.”

Shaw, a former Finance Minister, added that the slide in the dollar is responsible for J$140 billion of the J$300 billion increase in the debt in the last two years.

Review of deportations commended AUDLEY SHAW, government to fix the exchange rate in the interest of economic stability.

Shaw,in a presentation at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus on Thursday, said calls for a competitive exchange rate is nothing more than a euphemism for further devaluation which he points out has brought little gain so far.

“Are we seeing more exports as a result? No, in fact exports are down, not up . That is supposed to be one of the benefits of devaluation. Shouldn’t we then be fighting to maintain

NEW YORK, (CMC) – Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has commended United States President Barack Obama for ordering a review of deportations to the Caribbean and other countries.

In a recent statement, the President said the removal of undocumented immigrants should be done more humanely.

“I believe that President Obama has heard our call to review his administration’s policy on deportation,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Saturday.

“President Obama had said that we must have a ‘humane’ policy on immigration, and I sincerely hope he will take action to address the existing policy of inhumanity,” added Clarke.

“As the representative of a community that includes people from every part of the world, I know families that have lost a father or mother as a result of deportation,” she continued. “I know men and women who have lived in fear for themselves and their children.

“The continued deportation of Americans who lack legal status has undermined the foundations of communities around this nation,” Clarke said.

rhetorically if music could influence a person to do what he or she doesn’t want to do. She said that music with “slack” and violent lyrics existed long before her son started his career.

She added that if people didn’t want to listen to his songs they had the right to change the radio station or flip the TV channel when they are being played.

“Me go church and sometimes when I hear Kartel’s music I turn up the radio,” Palmer said smiling.

“They look on him and he’s tattooed. He’s not the only one who’s tattooed... Everything he has he worked for it,” Palmer said.

The family also complained about being kept outside of the courtroom for most of the trial, which was also attended by family members of the deceased.

During the trial that started

in November, attorneys for the accused ran a defence of conspiracy, pointing to evidence which, they said, showed that the police had set up the men.

Evidence of a conspiracy, the lawyers said, could be seen in the disappearance of a control CD to verify crucial call data records, the creation of the “chop up fine, fine” text three hours after a phone belonging to Vybz Kartel was seized by the police, that the phone was being used while in police custody, the disappearance of the main witness’ original statements and a letter from the main witness who said he was forced to give his statements to the police and that he had seen Williams after he was said to have been murdered.

During the interview on Friday afternoon, Palmer and Nelson recited these things that the defence said pointed to a

conspiracy.

“I don’t like that. A lot of lies were told. They tampered with the phones,” Palmer said.

“Dem man yah no need no sentence. Dem must go a road.”

Palmer said she was praying in her house when she was informed of the verdict and had to cry when she reflected on “how unfair” the trial had been. “Me vex, man. Me vex,” she said, adding that she hadn’t eaten since the verdict.

“Dem haffi let go mi pickney, man,” she said toward the end of the interview.

“People dem sick, man.

Dem sick.”

The men are to be sentenced on March 27.

Tom Tavares-Finson, the attorney for Kartel, has said that he would be filing an appeal.(Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA

EDITORIAL Shubh Holi and Happy New Year to all Guyanese

GUYANA’s plurality of cultures makes our nation a rich cultural tapestry, and distinguishes us from the rest of the world.

The very nature of the Phagwah festival celebrates our rainbow of cultures with a rainbow of colours, as the hands of Guyanese of all races hold aloft the colours of happiness in their palms. Likewise, this spring festival, with all its implications of happiness, celebration, and coming together of peoples, is replicated by the joyful and colourful festival of Holi.

Wikipedia describes Phagwah (or Holi) as a springtime festival celebrated by Hindus in India and countries with large Indian populations, which include Guyana and Trinidad. On the day of celebration, observers traditionally wear white clothing, and throw harmless coloured water and powder, called Abeer or Gulal, on each other.

Phagwah is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

The festival can be traced back to the Hindu lore of the King Hiranyakasyapu, who attempted to kill his son, Prince Prahalad, because the lad refused to worship his father, as he was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. On each attempt made on his life, the boy was saved by Lord Vishnu’s blessings. The King’s sister, Holika (Holi derives from her name) eventually tried to kill the prince as well, by leading him into a fire.

According to the lore, Holika was immune to fire, but she perished to ashes, and the Prince emerged alive from the flames.

Phagwah is celebrated on the last full moon of winter, usually at the end of February or start of March. It also heralds the beginning of spring. Holi is an ancient Hindu festival, with its cultural rituals. It is mentioned in the Puranas, Dasakumara Charita, and by the poet Kalidasa during the 4th century reign of Chandragupta II. The celebration of Holi is also mentioned in the 7th-century Sanskrit drama, Ratnavali.

The festival of Holi caught the fascination of European traders and British colonial staff by the 17th century. Various old editions of the Oxford English Dictionary mention it, but with varying, phonetically-derived spellings: Houly (1687), Hooly (1698), Huli (1789), Hohlee (1809), Hoolee (1825) and Holi in editions published after 1910.

There are several cultural rituals associated with Holi: Days before the festival, people start gathering wood and combustible materials for the bonfire in parks, community centres, near temples, and other open spaces. On top of the pyre, an effigy is placed to signify Holika, who tricked Prahalad into going into the fire.

Inside homes, people stock up on colour pigments, food, party drinks, and festive seasonal foods such as gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other regional delicacies.

On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire.

Holi frolic and celebrations begin the morning after Holika bonfire. There is no tradition of holding puja (prayer), and the day is for partying and pure enjoyment. Children and youths form groups armed with dry colours, coloured solution, means to fill and spray others with coloured solution (pichkaris), balloons that can hold coloured water, and other creative means.

In the Braj region of North India, women have the option to playfully hit men, who save themselves with shields; for the day, men are culturally expected to accept whatever women dish out to them. This ritual is called Lath Mar Holi.

Traditionally, washable natural plant-derived colours, such as turmeric, neem, dhak, kumkum, were used; but water-based commercial pigments are increasingly used. All colours are used.

Everyone in open areas, such as streets and parks, is game. Inside

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Importance of the passage of the AML/CTF Bill 1) OVER the past two decades the PPP/Civic government has worked tirelessly to create a favourable and a stable environment for investment in Guyana. Indeed, the gains made by Guyana under the PPP/C government during that period have been widespread and have benefitted all and that includes the very recalcitrant Opposition PNC, which left us penniless and highly indebted at the time the Guyanese public voted for change in October 1992. Yes, I speak of the same PNC that almost destroyed Guyana and which now threatens to erode those gains which we have made.

It is for these and many other reasons that I am happy that a significant number of Guyanese, individually and in groups have been very vocal in calling on the Opposition to support the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.

I join with the PSC, CARICOM, trade unions, working class people including the over 1,000 Guyanese who were present at a public discourse at the Guyana International Conference Centre on Thursday March 13 and who came forward in expressing concern about the adverse effects on the Guyanese economy and its people, and by extension, the CARICOM Region if the Opposition do not support the Anti-Money Laundering Amendment Bill in the National Assembly of Guyana.

2) I welcome them to this ever growing group of concerned and patriotic Guyanese. These meetings my friends must be viewed as providing you an opportunity to express your views, to seek clarifications, to offer your support and to let the Opposition know how you feel about their reckless, irresponsible and nefarious actions. It’s indeed a show of unity.

3) Last November we were blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Task Force (CFATF) after being identified as a country with deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime. We were given a series of deadlines by which to make ourselves compliant with CFATF/ FATF standards with Feb. 28, 2014 being the latest such deadline.

The deadlines for compliance are established by the Financial Action Task force (FATF).

One would have thought that the political opposition who claim to have the interest and welfare of the Guyanese people at heart would see the negative impact and the imminent jeopardy in which they were about to place our country; since we will be subject to sanctions if we do not comply and put the required Legislative Reform in place. To the contrary, the combined Opposition seems bent once again on taking us back to the epoch of the 1964-1992 era.

That’s their political agenda. They want to demonstrate that they are powerful and that they can make Guyana ungovernable. We cannot allow that to happen!

4) The non-passage of the AML/CFT Bill will negatively affect bilateral financial arrangements with other countries. Loans and Grants to Guyana will suffer and so too will money transfers in and out of Guyana. The flow will be adversely affected. Trade deals will be much more difficult as will import and export of goods. So if my brother in the USA wants to send me a few dollars, it will be more difficult for him to do so and more difficult for me to get it; all because the risk rating of Guyana will go up.

Also, money borrowed by investors will attract a higher interest rate. Already I have been told that some banks have been reporting delays in sending and receiving monies with mandatory measures now in place to verify the identities of the persons transacting business.

5) Our international image will be blemished and this may well make travel and investment more difficult to obtain. A citizen from a suspected “drug country” will be subject to much closer scrutiny.

None of this is good for any of us. We should all be very worried. homes or at doorways, though, only dry powder is used to smear each other’s face. People throw colours, and get their targets completely coloured up. It is like a water fight, but the water is coloured. People take delight in spraying coloured water on each other.

By late morning, everyone looks like a canvas of colours. This is why Holi is given the name “Festival of Colours.”

Groups sing and dance, some playing drums and dholak. After each stop of fun and play with colours, people offer gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional delicacies. Chilled drinks, including adult drinks based on local intoxicating herbs, are also part of the Holi festivity.

Friends form groups on Holi, play drums and music, and sing and dance as they move from one stop to another. After a day of play with colours, people clean up, wash and bathe, sober up and get dressed in the evening to greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets.

Holi is also a festival of forgiveness and new starts, which ritually aims to generate harmony in the society.

Phagwah is being observed today, and the Board of Directors, management and staff of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited wish all Guyanese A Happy Holi.

6) What are the Opposition’s reasons advanced for not passing the Bill?

It places too much enforcement powers in the hands of two ministers. The Bill must be cleaned up. What do they offer as an alternative; as an improvement?

7) They tabled three amendments but many including CFATF Financial Adviser, Roger Hernandez expressed concerns that some of the proposed amendments to the Principal Act could land Guyana in danger zone.

Try as we may, though these risks were outlined, we have not to date succeeded in getting APNU/AFC to recall these amendments which include vesting police officers and customs officers with a power to seize currency from any person, anywhere in Guyana, if those officers have reason to believe that the currency is the proceeds of crime or will be used to finance crime.

Oh Judgement! Thou has fled to brutish beasts and some men have lost their reason while some others never had!

8) AFC wants the Procurement Commission to be established before they support the Bill in the National Assembly. But it is noticeable that neither Opposition party has actually objected to the provisions of the Bill itself. There is actually consensus on both sides with respect to the CFATF amendments.

9) The Opposition also wants the President to assent to Bills which they passed in the National Assembly using their one-seat majority even though we did not support them. Both opposition parties are obviously enemies of progress and therefore of the Guyanese people. The Guyanese people want progress; they want development. As I move around this Guyana, people are asking questions: they want to know if the role of the Opposition has been redefined; they want to know what manner of people are these. Where is their patriotism? Where is their love for country and its people?

10) But the Opposition remains unnerved/unchanged. But our voices must continue to be sounded and to be heard. The Opposition must put our country and its people and their well-being first. It’s mind boggling.

MINISTER NORMAN WHITTAKER

Jury hung in Mahaica felony murder

Accused Shawn Thom & Orin David to face new trial

By George Barclay THE mixed jury that tried the accused, Shawn Thom and Orin David, for the murder of farmer Lakhram Bishundial in the Mahaica felony murder, disagreed late Friday on a verdict in the proportion of six to six.

As a consequence, presiding judge, Justice Franklyn Holder, discharged the jury and ordered the two accused to face retrial before another panel of jury at a next session. They were remanded to prison.

The accused were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Mr. Trenton Lake and Mr. George Thomas. Senior State counsel Mrs. Judith Mursalin conducted the case for the prosecution.

The State’s case is that on Friday, August 20, 2010, Totaram, brother of the now deceased Lakhram, had left his De Hoop, Mahaica home and had travelled to Georgetown with his cousin Seeta to do some shopping for his wedding.

Totaram withdrew $500,000 from the Demerara Bank before he left Georgetown for his De Hoop, Mahaica home. On his way to Mahaica, he stopped his brother Lakhram, who was travelling in a lorry, at Hope, ECD; and they were conversing when the two accused pulled up on a motor cycle, and one of them demanded ‘the bag with the money’. Lakhram apparently heard the demand and said something which incensed the robber, and he shot Lakhram.

The robbers then grabbed the money bag, which was in a pick-up nearby, and made good their escape.

The two accused who were identified as the robbers were later arrested and charged. At their trial, they pleaded not guilty.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Region Two Councillors agitating for better phone service from GT&T

REGION Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) Regional Democratic Councillors of both the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Opposition grouping A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are calling on the

APNU Councillor Mr. Wazir Latif Government to take immediate action against the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) for poor landline and Internet services offered to residents on the Essequibo Coast.

PPP/C Councillor Brian Basil Persaud said the landline service is in poor state, and many phones are down or malfunctioning in terms of dial tone. He told other councillors that the Internet service is also not performing well, and many customers have to pay their full monthly fees for that which, many times, is malfunctioning.

Persaud said residents of the Upper Pomeroon River at St. Monica, Karawab and Kabakaburi are asking GT&T or Digicel to put up a tower in

the area to give them access to phone and the Internet services, but there has been no response to their call.

The councilor said the issue was already raised at the RDC some months ago, and letters were sent to both GT&T and

PPP/C Councillor Mr. Bryan Basil Persaud.

Digicel.

APNU Councillor Wazir Latiff said the landline service offered by GT&T is no good, and the RDC should put pressure on the utility to improve; but former Member of Parliament (MP) and current RDC Councillor Mr. Farouk Khan, quickly rose to remind the APNU Councillor about some history.

He said the previous People’s National Congress (PNC) Government had sold the GT&T and signed a monopoly agreement, because of which Essequibians are now getting the bitter fruit of the monopoly, which is very bad service.

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Police confront and shoot armed bandit as he tried to rob woman

By Leroy Smith ‘C’ DIVISION police on Friday apprehended Keron Cummings, a known character, after he attempted to rob a Sophia woman at gunpoint in “C” Field Sophia.

A police source has since confirmed that Cummings is no stranger to the police, having been charged on several occasions for robbery-under-arms and other offences. However, it could not be ascertained whether he had ever been convicted on any of the charges he has faced.

The police shot Cummings to the left shoulder and rib area when they were in the area as he attempted to rob the woman.

They said they had been tipped off about a suspicious man lurking in the area, and they decided to go to the area in an unmarked vehicle, thus they observed the man.

As he pointed the gun at his intended victim, police reprimanded him, but he immediately opened fire in the direction of the ranks, causing the cops to return fire. Somewhere in the exchange of fire and his actual capture, Cummings was shot.

Bandits target Lamaha Park again --residents appealing for police patrols

By Shirley Thomas RESIDENTS of Lamaha Park in Block PP, East La Penitence, Georgetown are deeply perturbed at the recent resurgence of rampaging bandits, and their concerns have been especially compounded by a lack of police breakthrough with investigations into the robberies committed over the last three weeks or so, as the attacks intensify.

Incidents have ranged from a daring daylight gun-butting assault and robbery of retired Deputy Police Commissioner Clinton Conway at his Lamaha Park home three weeks ago, to a daring daylight car-jacking, beating and robbery of a taxi driver just last week. The police have no leads in any of these crimes.

As is the trend, two men last Monday hired a silver-grey Toyota taxi at the Stabroek car

park and requested the driver to take them to Lamaha Park. The unsuspecting driver proceeded on the run, only to end up being beaten and robbed by the men, who executed a well-orchestrated plan in a bid to relieve the driver of his car.

He managed to escape the assault and hide in some bushes, from whence he called 911. The police responded promptly, but the men had made good their escape with the car, having seized the keys in the ordeal.

Over the weekend, there were two separate robbery attacks on the homes of Lamaha Park residents, committed in the wee hours of Sunday, March 9, when bandits stole items from the home of a retired customs officer about six houses east of the home of retired Deputy Police Commissioner Conway.

That robbery was not detected until an occupant of the home awoke some time later to

find the door wide open. The men had entered the building (top and bottom flats) by removing louvre panes, which they left on the ground.

And again, in the wee hours of Monday morning, two men broke and entered the home of another resident, who lives about five houses further east of Conway’s. They made a clean sweep of the household items.

Consequently, the fears have returned, since the intruders have, so far, been armed.

Thus Lamaha Park residents are appealing to the Guyana Police Force to send occasional patrols through the community, in order to make the police presence felt in hope that that would deter the bandits.

Former Deputy Commissioner Clinton Conway, who was robbed, gun-butted and fired at three weeks ago, is distraught that the police have yet to make a breakthrough in regard to that incident.

He was also pulled from a trench in which he had reportedly sought refuge. Approached by the police, the known character threw away his firearm, but police eventually retrieved it.

The man is said to be a menace in the Sophia community, and would usually rob persons of whatever valuables they have whenever opportunity presents itself, usually as they traverse the village early in the mornings or late at nights.

He is said to be a “field roamer”, moving between the various fields, robbing persons. He also reportedly had a confrontation with a woman only last week, as she refused to permit him to enter her yard to drink water from the pipe.

Cummings is presently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital, nursing gunshot wounds he sustained in that encounter and is under police guard.

UG Turkeyen campus tightens security measures to combat on-campus robberies THE University of Guyana campus at Turkeyen has implemented quite a few security measures to identify, propose, and execute management in every area at the university.

This initiative, implemented for almost two weeks running, is the brainchild of the recently employed Safety and Security Manager, Ms Patricia Phillips, who seeks to work closely with the senior officers and the security service on campus to improve all measures undertaken by the security unit.

The security measures that are presently ongoing are: installation of additional lighting; deployment of more roving guards in parking areas; and, most importantly, stricter rules regarding the entry and exit of people on the campus. Moreover, because many students and staff members have failed to walk with their identification badges, security checks have been implemented as persons enter the campus. Hence students are requested to wear their ID badges while on campus.

According to UG Public Relations Officer, Ms. Paulette Paul, “In 2013, there were several reports of robberies on the campus, and the administration has responded to calls from students and staff to put measures in place to beef up security.”

Additionally, Ms. Patricia Phillips, Security Officer, also noted that she has not received any reported incidents of robberies within the past few months, which is a plus thus far for the security team.

Ms. Paul mentioned that the university is “studying (to implement) more long-term policies” to beef up security on the Turkeyen campus. Efforts to improve these measures are still ongoing. Hopefully all attempts would be successful.

(Shivanie Sugrim)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Murder at Port Kaituma...

Investigators accompany pathologist to crime scene

By Leroy Smith

FIRE and police investigators travelled to the interior location of Port Kaituma with a Government pathologist yesterday to investigate the murder of a woman and her four children, who were burnt to death in their locked home in an act of arson allegedly committed by the woman’s husband and father of the children.

The businessman has reportedly told investigators that he was provoked to commit the act because of several stressful issues he has had to deal with recently, including a very huge debt owed persons in the area, and other huge sums owed to persons in other communities.

He, however, could not explain to investigators why, having decided to harm his family because of the stress he was

going through, he had decided to spare his own life.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed yesterday that two fire investigators, criminal investigation ranks, and the pathologist had left the Ogle International Airport for Port Kaituma to strengthen the ongoing investigation into the tragedy.

The man, who remains in police custody under guard at the Port Kaituma Hospital, is likely to accompany the team back to the city when their leg of the investigation is completed.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, in an invited comment on Saturday, praised Port Kaituma residents and its business community for containing the fire to one building. He pointed out that, from all indications, the perpetrator had intended to destroy the entire property, evidenced by the amount of

flammable liquid he had used to douse the building while his wife and children were inside.

“You have to give it to those guys (bucket brigade fire fighters), they did a good job,” the Fire Chief remarked.

The dead have been identified as Lea La Cruz, 14; Lavette

ANDRE Moti, 13, who was found on the parapet of 20th Street Foulis, East Coast Demerara, with his skull crushed on March 5, was laid to rest yesterday following a church service at Mahaica.

The body was at his aunt’s residence at Lot 726 19th Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara, at midday before being taken to the Mahaica Cemetery for burial.

The teen had no fixed place of abode and roamed the community looking for food, work and shelter. He had been left with relatives after his mother died in an accident when he was just two years old.

His body was discovered on the roadway at 20th Street in the village and the circumstances surrounding his death, ahead of his fourteenth birthday, are being investigated.

Police reported that about 06:30 hrs on March 5, aunt of the deceased, Ramrattie Ronie, 41, of Lot 726 19th Street, Foulis, said that she was alerted by neighbours that her nephew’s body was lying in the street.

The woman said the teenager lived with her until early this year when he packed his belongings and left her house while she was not there. He has been roaming the village ever since, she lamented.

The lad is the son of her husband’s sister and she described him as a cheerful individual, who used to assist her with the household chores because he did not attend school while she was at work.

He is survived by a sister in Guyana, two other siblings and his father, who resides overseas.

Villagers said that Andre was one of many children in the village who roam about and do not attend school.

that the man was planning to burn down the family home.

The police took the report very seriously, and travelled to the location; but as they approached, they realised that the building was already on fire, and that the heavy grill protecting the door had been locked to prevent

access into the building. The persons within the building had been effectively trapped.

The man, who by that time had gone into hiding, was apprehended by public-spirited citizens and taken into police custody, where he remains under guard at the hospital after suffering some degree of burns to his body.

Nigerian medical students in Guyana donate useful items and bring cheer to Drop-in Centre

By Shirley Thomas THE Nigerian Student Association of Guyana (NiSAG) brought joy to the hearts of the less fortunate children housed at the Ministry of Human Services’ Shelter for Children on Friday when

Homeless teen laid to rest at Mahaica

By Michel Outridge

La Cruz, 3; Labron La Cruz, 8; Levon La Cruz, 1; and their mother, Lurlene La Cruz, 39.

The police were made aware of the man’s intention on Friday evening when his twelve-year-old daughter, who had managed to make her way to the police station, reported

It is believed that Andre fell asleep under the truck which was parked on the parapet while he was under the influence and his head was crushed accidentally.

The driver was detained and later released on bail pending investigations.

they donated food items and a large quantity of essential personal effects.

The occasion, rife with fun and laughter, was more than just a handing-over ceremony, but ideally turned out to be a much-deserved party for the kids. It was fun galore, and there was an incredible amount of energy resonating from within the walls of the institution.

Items donated included clothing, shoes, handbags, bath towels, pampers, toiletries, beverages, snack foods, and essential food items such as milk and cooking oil, for which the recipients showed great appreciation.

The donors are medical students from the Africa state of Nigeria, who are studying at universities in Guyana, namely the University of Guyana, Texila American University, and the American International University (AIU).

The female medical students brought a large, freshly baked fruit cake which, along with other goodies, was shared among the children; while Student Chaplain Innocent Jarrell

rendered an opening prayer.

It turned out that about four of the children had birthdays in the month of March, so the ‘Happy Birthday’ song was lustily sung, and they were in for a treat. The occasion proved to be the perfect demonstration of goodwill, and a huge outpouring of love and appreciation for the children, who have been separated from their families for various reasons.

President of NiSAG, Samuel Obiegbusi, handed over the items to the matron of the children’s shelter, Ms. Lynette Roberts, in the presence of the media, staff of the institution, and the beneficiaries, comprising of girls and boys ranging from three to eighteen years old.

Brief remarks were made

by NiSAG President Samuel Obiegbusi and female Vice President Ebrys Okpako, as well as matron of the Centre, Ms. Lynette Roberts. The speakers all had words of encouragement for the children, and wished them well.

Obiegbusi urged the children to have aspirations, set themselves goals, and work

diligently towards realizing them. He reminded them that they would not remain the way they are, but can rise up and be recognized. “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability,” he stressed.

And Innocent Jarrel admonished them to render only good deeds, cautioning them that whatever a person does in life will affect them one way or other. “If you do good, good will follow you,” he asserted.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the students to have been surrounded, embraced and counselled by a group of no less than 30 young aspiring doctors, who can be looked upon as role models, particularly in a world where, according to American Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Man becomes as he behaves, and he behaves as his social environment conditions him” and “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

ANDRE MOTI

GPL successfully completes engine overhaul at Anna Regina DURING the period February 27 to March 12, 2014, the No.1 Wartsila Unit at Anna Regina underwent a rigorous maintenance process.

Cognizant of the power difficulties experienced in Essequibo, GPL pledged its unwavering commitment to those residents to continuously work to provide quality electricity, despite constraints that might be experienced.

GPL’s development plans for Essequibo extends beyond engine overhauls for existing infrastructure. In the latter half of this year, the company is proposing to complete the foundation for a new, four-megawatt, HFO-fired unit at Anna Regina, and that for a new 3 x 2 megawatt HFO-fired power station at Bartica.

Also slated for completion this year is the installation and commissioning of two new 500 kVA generating sets at Leguan, and one new 500 kVA set at Wakenaam, with a view to providing service for 24 hours all seven days of the week.

The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) would like to applaud the residents living between Onderneeming and Supenaam and Devonshire Castle and Charity, who were supportive while the company executed a successful engine overhaul at its Anna Regina Wartsila Generating plant. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

The group of Nigerian medical students during their presentation to the children of the Ministry of Human Services ‘Drop In’ Centre of Friday. At right (lifting baby) is NiSAG President, Samuel Obiegbusi. Standing at centre (close to table of goodies)is Vice- President, Ebrys Okpako, while standing just inside the door (in floral top) is Matron of the Centre, Ms. Lynette Roberts (Photo by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

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Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

Driven by desperation, AFC attempts to awake from its slumber --but does more harm than good

OLD Kai still cannot believe what he has read. Desperation is clearly making the AFC leaders delusional. This small party, which has seen its support drop by a dramatic 60% -- from 10% to 4% - is facing extinction just a few years after it entered the local political area with much public fanfare.

Faced with this reality, the small leadership cabal is suffering from a serious bout of panic attack because, at any moment, if elections should be called, that could quite possibly signal the end of the political careers of the hierarchy of this party. Remember that these are people who have been driven by ambition and an unending and unquenchable thirst for power and influence, which have apparently caused the AFC leaders to abandon all sense of rationality as they cling to anything and everything to keep their heads above water.

This is best exemplified by the party’s Sunday column in the ‘Once Upon a time newspaper’ on Guyana’s economy, written by ‘Flour boy Sase’ and ‘Hendrees boy Moses’, who apparently wrapped himself with a bed sheet for a robe and went out in his backyard to preach, thinking he could convert his neighbours; while Sasenarine decided to accompany Moses, thinking that flour will fall from the sky like Manna. They were both wrong!

They decided to piggyback on the recent APNU statement by declaring that “Guyanese need leadership and statesmanship, not propaganda trash and cuss-down pantomimes”, and this statement is coming from the the likes of “Shut yuh suh-and-suh mouth Moses”, and “Haul-u-ass Prak-a-lak”.

Of course, they have displayed excellent statesmanship by trying to gamble casino-style with the future of our country and their blackmail brand of politics on the AML/CFT Bill.

Our economy’s growth rate also came in for attack; the contribution of all our people towards ensuring Guyana recorded some of the highest GDP growth rates in this part of the world for the past few years was ridiculed by the AFC. Old Kai is mesmerized by the barefaced hypocritical nature of these people, who had the gumption to talk about investments with tears in their eyes. “Investments are down as at September 2013, and are expected to decline in 2014; and this is a real problem….”

These are the people who have refused to heed the many complaints by the private sector about how they are being affected by the AFC/APNU’s continued refusal to pass the Anti-Money Laundering legislation; they have refused to hear a petition by the Private Sector in the National Assembly; they have refused to have the Private Sector witness their deliberations in the Special Select Committee; they have attacked each and every single initiative by

the Government to create an enabling environment for more investments, such as their initial vilification of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Specialty Hospital, and the Airport Expansion Project; they have consistently attacked the private investors of the Berbice River Bridge, so much so that they publicly called for the investment to be expropriated by Government; and yet they have the gumption to talk about investors being hesitant to come to Guyana now.

This is the devious nature of these people.

They then regale us with the delirious notion that “The AFC has become, over a very short time, the conscience of our people, especially our young people; and we see urgent need for a national conversation on the way forward…” at the same time, they lamented that “the latest estimated poverty rate is closer to 40 percent of the population, with 70 percent of the hinterland residents (mainly Amerindians) continuing to live in wretched conditions.”

No one knows for sure where they derived this figure, but it is likely it could have been from another of their infamous ‘Dick Morris’ polls, which had predicted they would have won the elections in 2006.

But let us look at the facts, and their track record on these very areas they want to now give us the impression that they are concerned about.

With regard to the continued development of Amerindians, it was the PPP/C Government which began providing them with several programmes and initiatives which were cut from the budgets of 2012 and 2013 by the AFC and APNU. This is what no less than the former Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Ms Yvonne Pearson, had to say in April 2013 about the behaviour of the Alliance For Change in its members’ efforts to cut $19B of the $25B budgeted for the Low Carbon Development Strategy, which catered for several projects in Amerindian areas: “That is where the indigenous people stand to benefit.

Think about it, our electrification project, and the communities that have not received as yet. I wonder if the members of the combined opposition took the time off to go to those villages, talk to the people who have received and are expected to receive; it means a lot to those people out there, because they don’t have access to electricity, like the city. It means a lot to their children also now they can study in the nights.”

Recall now how the AFC, with Moses and Sasenarine, claims that they are the conscience of the people, especially the youths. Pity they did not remember this when they were denying Amerindian children something as basic as electricity.

But it does not end there. Ms. Pearson also spoke about their

efforts to cut the PPP/C programme of training Amerindian youths in entrepreneurship. “If we are talking about getting into business, entrepreneurship; and in the budget we were hoping to train over 200 young people, and that is also at stake. So what are you telling us? That we are not important? I would like to say that we are very much important, an important part of this population.”

The Amerindian leader then hit the nail on the head by announcing that, “With all these (AFC/APNU) cuts targeting Amerindian development, the opposition is clearly showing that they do not care for the indigenous people. The residents in the various villages have spent a lot of time planning and deciding on various projects they would want to get involved in, whether tourism or agriculture. These projects would not only sustain Amerindians, but create job opportunities, thus making life much easier for them.”

But, of course, the AFC leaders are now telling us they are concerned about unemployment, particularly in the Amerindian communities. These are the very people who glared at Guyanese they were putting on the breadline through their budget cuts, and told them bluntly that they were ‘collateral damage’.

Let us also not forget that it was the AFC which filed a motion in Parliament to cut $300M in developmental assistance being given by the PPP/C in targeting our youths in December, 2013.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai had this to say about the action of the AFC: “The financial request was a direct response to the needs identified by the Amerindian leaders themselves, to ensure children have access to an education, food and health care…

It also enables villagers to be self-sufficient in trade and agriculture through the development of roads and access paths.”

Media reports had also indicated that the Amerindian Affairs Minister had explained that the funding catered for the provision of transportation to indigenous villages, to ensure children do not have to walk or paddle miles per day in order for them to reach to school, or access health facilities. Also, due to the remoteness of villages in the hinterland, the funding would have made it easier to transport agricultural produce, as she noted that “Agriculture is the backbone for many of these villages. To deny these communities transportation is to deny them economic and food security.”

But the AFC would now have us believe that they care about the vulnerable in society. So, rather than claiming to be the conscience of society, the AFC, led by Moses, Prak, Nigel and company, has actually shown that it has absolutely ‘no-conscience’ when it comes to denying our people benefits just so they can turn around later and blame the PPP/C, in order to score cheap political points.

National Cane Farming Committee says…

Stop playing politics with sugar

THE National Cane Farming Committee has released a statement expressing strong sentiments following comments made by the Opposition parties on the current state and future of the sugar industry. Below is the full text of that statement: “The National Cane Farming Committee (NCFC) is calling on

Acting CJ grants nine petitioners $3M+ bail --pending hearing of their cases

By George Barclay ACTING Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang, SC, on Friday granted nine petitioners bail totalling $3,320,000 bail pending the hearing of their cases. The particulars are as follows: For trafficking in narcotics, Rajendra Jaichand was granted $450,000 bail; Nigel Edwards was granted $280,000 bail; Michael Anthony Dennis, $900,000 bail; and Dwayne Fraser, $950,000 bail.

For robbery with violence, Satesh Singh was granted $200,000 bail.

For unlawful possession of firearms and ammumition, Jariel Hurtley was granted $300,000 bail.

For wilful trespass, Marsla Archer was granted $15,000 bail.

For simple larceny, Patricia Moore was granted $25,000 bail; and for abduction with intent to confine, Suresh Karl Hardowar was granted $200,000 bail.

all political parties, and moreso the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to stop playing politics and political games with the sugar industry.

The sugar industry plays a pivotal role, both direct and indirect, to thousands of Guyanese; and, as such, it is very important that the sugar industry remains alive.

All stakeholders need to work closely: the union, workers, management, opposition parties in Parliament, other stakeholders and moreso the Government. GuySuCo is indeed going through a difficult stage, but the committee remains upbeat (and) wants all parties involved to work together, as this will create a positive impact on the lives of many Guyanese.”

The statement came in the wake of a call made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to cease sugar production and move into producing ethanol and engaging in aquaculture.

The press statement said the arbitrary thirty-six (36) per cent price cut in 2006 for our sugar sold to the European Union (EU) triggered the real challenge for GuySuCo, and that has been compounded with climate change and poor yields in the cultivation.

The seventeen-members NCFC Board, which is made up of members from GuySuCo, the public service, the banking sector and cane farmers, is calling on the Government to continue investing in GuySuCo and cane farming, and to request the opposition to support the role Government plays in the industry, so that the livelihood of the thousands employed by cane farmers and GuySuCo should not be at the mercy of political parties.

Farmers at Skeldon, Wales, Albion and Rose Hall have invested billions into sugar cane cultivation, and they see it important that sugar remains the flagship of this country.

For Monday March 17, 2014 -05:30hrs For Tuesday March 18, 2014 -05:00hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

CHRONICLE WEEKEND ROUNDUP with Telesha Ramnarine March 10-15, 2014 MONDAY 10 Mammoth gathering overwhelms Babu John Memorial THE vision of the ‘Father of the Nation’, the late former president, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, continues to inform the policies of his party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), with the intent to improve the lives of all citizens of Guyana. And at the memorial for Dr. Jagan, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar spoke on behalf of her husband, President Donald Ramotar (away on government business).

The First Lady’s observations were preceded by a massive march of over 300 members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) who, decked out in red, yellow and black, moved along the Port Mourant Public Road shouting: “Long live Cheddi Jagan!”

Police statistics reveal one-per-cent increase in serious crimes THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has said that based on its statistics, the offences of murder and robbery under arms for the period January 1 to February 28, 2014 compare with the same period in 2013 as follows: There has been an increase of 42% in armed robberies. At the end of February 2014 robbery under arms overall had increased by 42%, with 206 reports being recorded, compared to 145 for the same period in 2013. The statistics indicate an increase of 62% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a 12% decrease in armed robberies in which instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. However, an overall increase of 1% in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of February 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.The total number of reports of serious crimes made between January 1 and February 28, 2014 was 642, compared to 637 for the same period in 2013.

Ministry eyeing technology to monitor compliance in extractive sector THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNR&E) is reviewing a range of technology which can be utilized in early detection of illegal mining and forestry activity in remote areas in the hinterland. The options include use of satellite imagery, the use of cameras on private and commercial aircraft crisscrossing the hinterland and even the use of drones, unmanned aircraft, for early detection and effective corrective action. Minister Robert Persaud disclosed this while lamenting the current inability of regulatory agencies to effectively stamp out the illegal exploitation of the country’s natural resources during an address to stakeholders at an environmental stakeholders workshop.

TUESDAY 11 Canje fisherman fined $10,000 for ganja he uses for chest cold FISHERMAN Mark Ramotar was fined $10,000 after he confessed to being in possession of marijuana, which he said he uses for his chest cold. The 25-year old defendant of Betsy Ground, East Canje, appeared at the New Amsterdam Court before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus and pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics. Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, said that on March 2 at about 17:20hrs police on mobile patrol were in Adelphi Village, when they saw the defendant on a bicycle acting in a suspicious manner. He was stopped and a search carried out on his person revealed leaves, seeds and stems which were purportedly from the cannabis sativa plant. When the defendant was asked by the court why he had the drug, his reply was, “I does use it for my ongoing chest cold. I usually do fishing at night.” In addition to the fine, the defendant has to undergo two weeks of community service at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

Man slaps mother who told him to be home early THIRTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Trevor Sinclair confessed to slapping his mother after she demanded that he be home by 20:00hrs.

The defendant told Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Albion Court, “I am a 32-year old man and she always want me to get home at 8 pm.” But the magistrate said to Sinclair, “You are 32-years old and still at your mother’s house? If you need to remain there you must obey, otherwise you need to get your own home.” Police Sergeant Phillip Sherriff, prosecuting, said that on February 4, Sinclair unlawfully assaulted his 62-year-old mother, Carmen Rhobe. The mother pleaded with the court to give him a chance and the magistrate imposed a six-month bond requiring him to keep the peace.

Ganja accused alleges cops hit his mom after barging into his home EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Jairam Singh who allegedly had in his possession four grams of cannabis sativa denied the charge before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Albion Court. He was granted $20,000 bail after informing the court that six policemen barged into his home, but not before hitting his mother in an attempt to get to him. However, he was advised to make a complaint to the Police Complaints Authority. The case has been transferred to Whim Magistrate’s Court for hearing on April 7.

WEDNESDAY 12 Gov’t tells APNU no scaling down of sugar industry

THE main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), through their member Tony Vieira, called for the scaling down of operations at the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

He’s also suggesting that those lands used for sowing sugar cane be now used instead for fish farming and cane-derived ethanol. For that matter, he feels that Guyana should get out of the sugar business entirely, because of a number of factors militating against it, such as heavy rainfall; the need for several tons of cane to yield just one ton of sugar; and the inordinate length of time it takes to get the cane to the factory due to a shortage of labour. But the ruling party would not hear of it, and in response has made it clear that it will continue to work to ensure that the sugar industry remains relevant, and that its employees are secure in their jobs.

GNBS duo on $150,000 bail each for bribe taking QUINCY Gibson, 27, of Lot 20 Co-op Society Road, Soesdyke, East Bank of Demerara, and David Denny, 29, of Lot 849 Section A, Block X, Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD, agents of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) who are accused of taking a bribe, were each placed on $150,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. They pleaded not guilty to the allegation that, on March 6 at Guyana National Bureau of Standards office, Sophia Exhibition Centre Compound, Georgetown, being agents employed

by GNBS, they corruptly obtained from Romona Spencer for themselves $150,000 as a reward for forbearing to inspect and approve a motor vehicle to transport fuel for the said Spencer, an act in relation to their principal affairs. The case was transferred before Magistrate Faith McGusty for report and fixture on April 8.

‘Ashmins’ plans to roll out new services every eight weeks ASHMINS Trading has now added an expanded supermarket to its list of departments in response to the growing customer demands for a ‘One-Stop Shop’. Dubbed ‘Ashmins Super-Mart’, the facility was officially launched at the Company’s location at 48 High Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. The event kicked off with live steel pan music by the National Steel Pan Orchestra. Patrons were able to sample products from over 10 different companies, and were also treated to exciting giveaways. Ashmins Super-Mart promises customers a full supermarket experience, with a wider range of groceries, frozen items and haberdashery items and shopping can be done from 08:00 hours to 20:00 hours and Sundays, 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours.

THURSDAY 13 AFC joins APNU call for closure of sugar industry THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has come out in support of A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) position on scaling back the operations of the sugar industry and putting the lands to use for fish farming and cane-derived ethanol – but this position has been vehemently rejected by Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

And he declared that the party should be “ashamed” of its position.

According to him, the combined Opposition has had a long history of being anti-sugar workers.

GRA gets online with tax payments and driver’s licence– pilot programme begins THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has launched the pilot of its on-line tax payment system and its Automated Driver’s Licence Card. Officials of the GRA explained that the technological move is with the intention to avoid the upcoming congestion which is expected with the approaching deadline for submission of income property tax and other returns on April 30, 2014. Both initiatives represent another step in the GRA’s efforts towards modernisation.

Two ex-cops remanded on unlicensed firearm, ammo charge TWO ex-policemen charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition were remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman. Jarrel Huntley, 27, of Lot 140 Lamaha Springs, Greater Georgetown and George Valledares, 35, of Lot 159 Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, both pleaded not guilty to three separate charges that said on Tuesday, March 11 at Camp and Barrack Streets, Georgetown, they had one 9 mm Glock pistol, when they were not holders of firearm licences. The second charge said on the same day, they had 14 live rounds of matching ammunition. The third charge alleged that on the same day, they made use of threatening language to Surrendra Etwaroo, where a breach of the peace may be occasioned. The duo was placed on $30,000 bail each on the threatening language charges. They will return to court on March 21.

FRIDAY 14 Guyanese student wins worldwide prize for outstanding performance in law exams SECOND-year University of London Law student, Ms. Gabriella Edwards, who is studying at Nations University, was recently awarded the Oxford University Press Prize as a student who has achieved one of the best results in the world in the May 2013 Year 1 Law Examinations. The International Programme of the University of London is studied by over 52,000 persons in 190 countries of the world. The award follows Gabriella’s outstanding CSEC and A Level results, a press release stated.

Female student ingests poison to vent frustration at teacher’s

unwanted advances A FEMALE student of a private secondary school on the East Coast of Demerara remained warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital after ingesting a poisonous substance. What was equally surprising was the 16-year-old’s revelation that she had ingested the poisonous substance because a male teacher at her school had allegedly been sexually harassing her. A few weeks ago, a student of the Brickdam Secondary School had ingested carbon tablets used to exterminate rats, allegedly while she was in the school’s washroom.

She had begun vomiting and was rushed to the public hospital by teachers and students, but died hours later.

Cane harvester commits suicide after wife-chopping incident A CANE harvester recently chopped his wife at their 74 Sideline Dam, Buxton, East Coast of Demerara residence, then took refuge in a cane field aback the village after police responded to a report by his wife, 40-year-old Yonette Yaw, that he had chopped her on one of her hands and breasts. He committed suicide in the cane field by ingesting a poisonous substance.

SATURDAY 15 Guyanese woman murdered in Barbados BARBADIAN security officials are investigating the death of Onicka Malicia Gulliver, whose body was discovered in a bushy area in Vauclus, St. Thomas. The woman, a Guyanese national, had been reported missing since Tuesday by her relatives on the island.

The dead woman’s uncle, living in Guyana, told this newspaper that he had not seen or spoken to the woman for years. Authorities in Barbados said that they arrested one man in connection with the discovery, which is being treated as a murder.

WEBSOURCE now offering online shopping from Guyana WEBSOURCE, already big in Miami, United States before penetrating Caribbean markets recently, has now joined the chain of online shopping competitors in Guyana. Customers who sign up will have personal accounts which would allow them to use the online facility and have merchandise delivered to a Websource warehouse in Miami. Once ordered, the items will be sent to the Miami address and the goods will then be examined by the Websource agents there, who would determine if they are safe to be placed on commercial flights to the country where the buyer wishes to have delivery. In that country, the stuff will be cleared by Customs and the relevant paper works will be done before the items are either picked up by or delivered to the purchaser.

Sawmill operator remanded after admitting to sexual assault SAWMILL operator Raymond Evans, of Number 19 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, charged with sexual assault, has been remanded to prison until March 28. Appearing before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, he told the court he was under the influence of alcohol when he held the vagina of a Bible student. The teenager had left her Bible Class and was walking along Main and St. John Streets, New Amsterdam, when Evans told the virtual complainant ‘good night’ and then grabbed at her private part.

The magistrate ordered a probation report for his next appearance on March 28.

At Demerara Assizes…

Accused wife killer Ganesh Narine freed on no-case submission

By George Barclay MURDER accused Ganesh Narine, called ‘Kana’, who had faced a retrial for the murder of his reputed wife Krishndae Singh, known as ‘Geeta’, on June 12, 2009 at Cornelia Ida, WCD, was freed Friday on a no-case submission made by defence lawyer Mr. Peter Hugh and accepted by Justice Navindra Singh, who directed the mixed jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused.

The end of the trial came after the prosecution failed to produce an important witness, and also failed to get Narine’s deposition admitted in his absence under Section 95. As a consequence, Prosecutrix Miss Dhanika Singh had no alternative other than to close her case at that stage.

Lawyer Peter Hugh, associated with Miss Latchmi Rahamat in appearing for the defence, submitted that there was no case for Narine to answer.

The judge agreed with the submission, and subsequently discharged the accused.

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Seasoned offender to serve 12-month sentence for break-and-enter and larceny DEVON Rodney, a thirty-seven-year-old labourer, admitted before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry that between March 11 and 12, he broke and entered Hugh October’s Restaurant and Bar on Regent Street, Georgetown, and stole cash worth $108,740., plus a gas cylinder and beverages to the accumu-

lated value of $153,140.

He was consequently sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for break-and-enter and larceny.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said that at about 19:00 hrs on March 11, the virtual complainant secured his business place by the means provided and retired to bed. On

March 12, at about 06:00 hrs, he woke up to discover that a window on the western side of the building had been broken.

Carrying out a search, he discovered the articles mentioned in the charge were missing.

His surveillance camera captured the prisoner’s image, the matter was reported to the police, and the information in

Miner on $100,000 bail for allegedly robbing man of $400 ORLANDO Lawrence, a miner of Lot 643 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was on Friday placed on $100,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for the allegation of robbery-under-arms, to which he pleaded not guilty.

He told Chief Magistrate that he could not afford the quantum of bail, but she told him that although the sum involved was only $400, the offence was a serious one.

Particulars of his charge state that on March 12, at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, being armed with a knife, he robbed Sherwin Clarke of $400.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the men know each other from prison time they had each served. At about 22:45 hrs that day, Clarke was at the Ferry Stelling when the defendant approached him; took out the knife, which he placed to Clarke’s neck; and removed the money from Clarke’s pocket.

The defendant, Lawrence, told the court that Friday was his birthday, and that he works in the interior. He said that on the day in question, he had given Clarke the money to purchase something for him. Clarke left with his bicycle, but after three hours he encountered him in Georgetown, and Clarke willingly returned his money.

Lawrence was granted bail despite the prosecutor’s objection. One condition for his pre-trial liberty was that he should report to the Brickdam Police Station every fortnight, commencing on March 28.

The case was put off to April 11.

(Geeta Rampersaud)

the footage was turned over to them.

The defendant, Rodney, told the court that he was convicted for a littering offence, but the prosecutor informed the Chief Magistrate that he had been charged and convicted for several similar offences.

Rodney denied the prosecutor’s assertion, and requested leniency on the custodial penalty, but was sentenced as reported.

(Geeta Rampersaud)

Office assistant fined, ordered to do community service for possessing marijuana QUINCY Spelling of Lot 69 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, an office assistant of the Shell Gas Station, was on Friday fined $3,000 and ordered to perform community service when he pleaded guilty before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine–Beharry of having four grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession on March 12 at Freeman Street.

According to the convict, he was advised by someone to use the illegal substance and make tea for a sickness he suffered.

(Geeta Rampersaud)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Eight sch National Libr

From left are Deputy Chief Librarian (Ag) Nadine Moore; Senior Librarian Assistant Shellyann Fraser; and Supervisor for the Juvenile Department, Ms Francica Burgess.

EIGHT schools will participate this year in the Guyana National Library’s annual Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition.

Acting Deputy Chief Librarian Ms. Nadine Moore made this recent disclosure when she told the Guyana Chronicle, during an interview at the Library, that the contest will take place on April 29, and that there will also be a ‘Champion of Champions’ rivalry amongst the secondary schools.

The eight participants in the debating competition are Brickdam Secondary, Christ Church Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Mackenzie High, Zeeburg Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St. Rose’s High and West Demerara Secondary schools.

Ms Moore said the contests, which will feature several interesting topics, are to be aired, and rebroadcast, on Channel 80.

Topics include violence in society, advanced technology

and its effects on families, gangs schools, the justice system, the soci media, illiteracy, recycling, and garbag disposal.

This initiative, which started i 2009 as one of the library’s extensio activities, will be staged at the Nation Centre for Educational Resource Deve opment (NCERD). Sponsors includ Sterling Products Limited, Ansa McA and Caribbean Container Inc. The members of the winning tea will receive $20,000 each, a troph and a book; and those in the runner-u group will each get a trophy, $10,00 and a book.

Supervisor of the Juvenile De partment, Ms. Francica Burgess, to this publication that the Easter activi registration at the library will begin o March 10. On March 22, children wi begin decorating their Easter hats an baskets.

FIRST PARADE Having had their first parade la year, she said, the library is hoping have it this year on April 12.

Burgess said the Champion Read er’s Competition will be on in July/Au

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gust, and is being sponsored by Digicel. Registration begins on May 12 and closes on June 14.

The prisons will also be included in this competition, and their registration begins sometime next month. They would have three months to read their books. Their tournament will be in July, and then there will

be an overall awards ceremony in August.

Officers of the Library usually go to four prisons and do the registration, after which the participants are given their books to read. The tournament follows inside the prisons.

The prisoners who gained up to the fourth place will come

Decrease noted in use of National Library - Acting Chief Librarian

ACTING Chief Librarian, Ms Emiley King, has found that there has been a steady decrease in the number of persons who have used the Guyana National Library over the past three years or so.

She is thus encouraging the public to make better use of the library, a facility into which Government is putting a “whole lot of resources”, she said. “And when we have a facility we must use it.”

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at the library recently, she also encouraged persons to be more involved in the various activities that are organised by the library. “What is the sense of not using what you have? The library is not being utilised as it ought to be. I want to encourage parents to encourage their children to read.

“Persons still come and utilise the space and use the computers, but the young adults’ use of the library has fallen. This happens throughout the Caribbean, though. Once they are in secondary school, they don’t have time for the library anymore,” she observed.

There are some improvements that can be made at the library, King said, but finances are required. Books must be acquired, and technology must be implemented.

Finances are also needed to preserve the library and to extend the services being offered.

King said money is also needed to fuel vehicles and take officers out of town to interact with the various communities.

Ms Emiley King

out for the awards ceremony and receive cash, a book and a trophy as prizes.

Anyone from the prison who desires to join the competition can do so, even a murder accused. Of course, the latter will come out with security.

CHRISTMAS PARTY At the end of the year, the

Library will close off with a Christmas party.

Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle was Senior Librarian Assistant Shellyann Fraser, who disclosed that a quiz will be staged as well, with the main sponsor being Gafoors.

Some of the objectives of this competition are to develop reading and research skills, and

to enhance study skills. There will be a primary and secondary quiz, the primary being for Grade Six children, and the secondary for the Fourth Form students.

The primary schools participating this year are J.E. Burnham; St. Ambrose; Greenwich Park; Grove; Supply; Rosignol; New Market, and Mackenzie.

The secondary schools are St. Joseph’s High; Vergenoegen High; Friendship Secondary; Belladrum Secondary; Tutorial Academy Secondary; Berbice Educational Institute; Mackenzie High, and Harmony Secondary.

The competition will begin on April 28 and end on May 19.

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Aries March 21 - April 19

The recent compromises you have had to make weren’t exactly fun, but they have definitely created greater harmony in your life -- which you will come to see in a whole new way today. Your bond with friends and family members has been strengthened, and you have inspired people to start being more flexible themselves. Even someone who has a hard time acting selfless or regarding other people’s needs is starting to show a more generous side. You bring out the best in people.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

You might not be feeling that great as the day starts off, but the people you’re around sure think you’re looking great and they won’t be shy about saying so! Take the adoration and compliments seriously -- this is not a day to play the humble card. The flattery you receive will help you feel better physically and emotionally. So agree with other people when they say you’re looking good, because disagreeing with them will only keep you in a sour mood!

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You’re going to find yourself smack dab in the middle of a juicy drama today, with a front row seat to all of the action. While the events of this day are going to be pretty entertaining, the people involved might not have much of a sense of humour about them, so be careful not to laugh too loudly in their presence. People don’t realise how silly they can be when they get worked up over silly things. Some day, they will be ready to laugh about this -- but not yet!

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’ll be being short-sighted if all you want out of a group dynamic today is complete agreement. A dissenting voice or two might slow down the process, but these people will also bring up good points and offer some exciting ideas. So let the multiple voices in your group say what they want to say -- and make sure you put in your two cents as well! If you encourage individuality and expression in any group dynamic today, you will be a part of something beautiful and memorable.

Leo July 23 - August 22

While your love life hasn’t been exceptionally exciting lately, today that could all change!

You will experience a strong intellectual connection with someone who everyone thinks is a great candidate for a romance with you. If you are single and interested, there could be a golden opportunity to get closer to them in a major way. But if you are attached, use this spark of energy to inject new life into your current relationship. They’ll remind you how vibrant you are.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You’ll have an easy going attitude about everything today. But instead of sitting back and just going along with whatever happens, why not try to figure out why things are happening in the first place? Your brain could use a little puzzle to solve, and you will enjoy the twists and turns that it discovers as the day goes on. Minor setbacks will be fun, delays will be intriguing, and new faces will be downright fascinating. Get to know a few of them and unleash your inner sleuth!

Libra September 23 - October 22

You want to be out there fighting the good fight and causing a stir, but it can feel dangerous to put yourself in that risky situation. Think twice. Coming to the defence of other people could cost you right now. Are you prepared for the price you may have to pay? Make sure you don’t tell anyone you can help them unless you can fully commit to them. Flaking out at the last minute is no way to handle things. Think things through before signing anything.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

It could be very difficult for you to say what you really mean today, because everyone seems to be distracted. No one is capable of really listening! So try to be patient with people who just aren’t getting what you are saying. Like it or not, you have to drill your message into their thick skull and the onus will be on you to make it happen. Getting creative might help -- maybe they’ll pay more attention to a song or a rap than to an email or face-to-face conversation.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Today, everyone around is feeling fine and in the mood for good times. Everywhere you go, you’ll hear laughter, and it will be impossible not to join in and have a good time. This is a great time to get your different social circles all in one room together -- introductions need to be made. Having all of your worlds collide won’t be stressful, it will be very rewarding. There is a small world connection that you need to know about. Some folks have a juicy history.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Today, take some time to go and explore some territory that lies just past where you usually go. Be open to ideas that come from people of a different culture. You might not like them at first, but once you think them over for a while you will see that sometimes things are so wacky that they work! You’re also in a really good frame of mind to try more exotic foods and listen to some new music. Your aesthetic sensibilities are starting to evolve in a new direction.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Controversies at your job or at school are waking you up to the fact that people you like can believe things that you definitely do not like! Understandably, this dissonance might cause you some stress or discomfort at first, but once you accept the fact that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, you will be fine. Your relationships can withstand some healthy debate, so don’t hold back when it comes to disagreeing with them. Just don’t get personal about it.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Material possessions are not satisfying you right now, which is a very good thing -- you could use a break from spending money! Anything having to do with money or shopping will only remind you of debt and stress, so this is the perfect day to avoid the mall and instead hang around the house. There are one or two projects you should get started on, and if you have been itching to get back into the kitchen, today is the best day for it. Whip up a delicious dinner.

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World T20 opener…

Bangladesh get Afghan revenge, Nepal crush Hong Kong (REUTERS) - Hosts Bangladesh crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets to exact sweet revenge in the World Twenty20 opener at Mirpur, while Nepal bulldozed Hong Kong by 80 runs in another one-sided group A match in Chittagong yesterday.

Barely two weeks after being stunned by the same opponents in the Asia Cup, Bangladesh skittled Afghanistan for 72 runs in 17.1 overs and cruised to victory with eight overs to spare for the loss of one wicket.

It was an ominous sign for Afghanistan when they lost Mohammad Shahzad to the first ball of the tournament after being asked to bat first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Shakib Al Hasan was denied a hat-trick but claimed three wickets for eight runs with

Shakti Gauchan finished with 3 for 9 as Nepal cantered to victory over Hong Kong by 80 runs in the World T20.

his smart left-arm spin as only Gulbadin Naib (21) and two other Afghan batsmen reached double figures.

Bangladesh got off to a flying start before losing Tamim Iqbal (21) in the eighth over.

Fellow opener Anamul Haque (44 not out) played aggressively and brought up the winning runs with his third six to boost Bangladesh’s chances of reaching the Super 10 stage.

In the battle between tournament debutants at Chittagong, Gyanendra Malla (48) and captain Paras Khadka (41) missed half-centuries but powered Nepal to 149-8 after being put into bat.

I n r e p l y, H o n g K o n g reached 58-3 at the halfway stage before a spectacular collapse saw them dismissed for 69 in 17 overs.

For Nepal, the left-arm spin duo of Shakti Gauchan (3-9) and Basant Regmi (314) shared six wickets as slow bowlers dominated the opening day of the tournament.

Guyana and Windwards draw after Permaul’s ...

From Backpage his hat trick by hitting him back over his head for four to open his account and at the same time record his first run in four innings at the venue this year, for this tournament.

As if to show the national selectors that he has self-confidence somewhere inside of him, Deonarine drove Sebastien exquisitely to the extra cover boundary in the next over, pushing Guyana to 82 for 3.

Guyana reached their first 100 off 44.1 overs and 193 minutes of batting with the 17 year old Chanderpaul on 35 and Deonarine 30 and at tea they pushed the score to 107 without further loss, off 48 overs.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was bowled by Kenroy Peters with a delivery that kept low at 117 for 4, after adding 49 for the fourth wicket with Deonarine 38 (66balls 3x4), with his contribution to the team’s total being 40 scored off 154 balls from 224 minutes batting in which he struck five fours and one six.

Peters removed Deonarine (38) who was caught at slip by Tyrone Theophile and Christopher Barnwell (04) caught at the wicket by Lyndon James after Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s demise, to be 127 for 6.

Two fours by Bramble that were struck off Pascal, pushed Guyana to 143 for 6 and they posted the 150 from 68.3 overs, before the elder Chanderpaul was caught by a diving Theophile at point off Peters three runs later.

A hat trick of boundaries

WINDWARD ISLANDS seoond Innings (O/night 96/8)

D Smith lbw b Deonarine 00 T Theophile c Bramble b Permaul 00 S Ambris c Fudadin b Permaul 06 K Lesporis c&b Deonarine 06 R Currency not out 48 L Sebastien c Fudadin b Permaul 06 L James c Barnwell b Permaul 04 A Bobb c Deonarine b Permaul 16 K Peters lbw b Permaul 06 D Johnson b Bishoo 11 N Pascal c Bramble b Permaul 00 Extras (8b, 1lb) 09 Total (all out off 48.4 overs) 110 Fall of wicket: 1-0, 2-0, 3-07, 4-23, 5-37, 6-43, 7-81, 8-95, 9-109 Bowling: Deonarine 14-4-35-2 Permaul 23.4-6-49-7 Bishoo 112-21-1

f r o m P e r m a u l o ff P a s c a l and Peters pushed the home team, who lost both their first two matches to Barbados and Jamaica, to 171 for 7 before the umpires offered lights at 17:12hrs and Permaul and Bramble accepted same, earning Guyana three points.

Once again, Peters tormented Guyana’s batting to end with 4 for 38 (8 for 80) and Sebastien 2 for 39 for the visitors, while Sunil Ambris was named Man of the Match for his first innings ton.

GUYANA second Innings

S Chattergoon b Pascal 14 T Chanderpaul b Peters 40 A Fudadin lbw b Sebastien 22 V Singh lbw b Sebastien 00 N Deonarine c Theophile b Peters 38 S Chanderpaul c Theophile b Peters 18 C Barnwell c wkpr James b Peters 04 A Bramble not out 15 V Permaul not out 14 Extras (2w, 1b, 1nb, 1lb) 05 Total (for 7 wkts off 72 overs) 171 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-68, 3-68, 4-117, 5-118, 6-127, 7-153 Did not bat: D Bishoo K Joseph Bowling: Pascal 14-3-46-1 (1w) Johnson 17-4-29-0 Sebastien 174-39-2 Peters 19-4-38-4 (1nb, w1) Bobb 5-2-17-0

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Rosberg wins for Mercedes, Magnussen second team mate Hamilton for the championship, celebrated his first win since last year’s British Grand Prix - when he was also the beneficiary of technical mishaps to Hamilton and Red Bull’s Vettel.

“The car was just really, really quick today,” he told reporters, looking forward with relish to the next race in Malaysia in two weeks.

“A really good engine, not much problem with fuel consumption. It just all worked perfectly.”

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE- (Reu-

ters) - Nico Rosberg celebrated a dominant win for Mercedes in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix yesterday while Red Bull’s home hero Daniel Ricciardo suffered the heartbreak of being stripped of his first podium hours after the finish.

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and world champion Sebastian Vettel retired early on with reliability problems, the German’s exit ending his record run of nine successive victories racked up for Red Bull since last August.

Rosberg, Hamilton’s German team mate, capitalized on a brilliant start from third on the grid to snatch the lead before the first turn and roar to the fourth win of his career.

“Brilliant stuff, what a car you’ve given me! What a car!” the German shouted over the team radio after crossing the line.

Ricciardo crossed the finish 24.5 seconds behind but his joy at becoming Australia’s

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany holds up his trophy as he celebrates winning the Australian F1 Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, yesterday.

(Credit: Reuters/David Gray) first driver to stand on the home podium was shattered more than five hours later when stewards disqualified the 24-year-old for a fuel flow irregularity.

That promoted McLaren’s Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen to second place, making the 21-year-old Formula One’s most successful debutant since

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in Melbourne in 1996.

Magnussen’s podium was also the first by a Dane in F1.

Team mate and 2009 world champion Jenson Button moved up to third with McLaren, who failed to finish in the top three all last season, leading the constructors’ standings.

Rosberg, tipped to duel with

Sanasie donates cricket gear to Wales CDC

Ramesh Takur left receiving the cricket gear from Anand Sanasie, as other members and well wishers of the club look on attentively in the back ground.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday March 17, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Saturday’s quiz: 22.4/10/45/8 (WI vs ENG, Barbados, 1990) 31 ODIs; Nil Today’s Quiz: Who is the first WI player to hit a double-century in an overseas Test?

Who were the captains involved when the WI and England met in an Int’l T20 game for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Anand Sanasie on Saturday last donated a quantity of cricket gear to the Wales Community Centre Cricket Club, following their victory over a team from St. Cuthbert Mission in an invitational match.

Prior to making the presentation, Sanasie urged the players to ensure they take good care of the equipment and gear presented, as cricket is an expensive game and good gear comes at a significant cost.

He also scolded the senior players of the club to pass on their knowledge to the younger ones and charged the members and executives to ensure discipline and teamwork is practised at all times.

The Club’s senior team c a p t a i n R a m e s h Ta k u r thanked Sanasie for his interest in the youths’ development at Wales and assured him that the club value the timely presentation and he would personally ensure that the equipment is secured and cared properly.

FOURTEEN FINISHERS The gaping margin of victory underscored Mercedes’ superior preparations for F1’s technical revolution, which saw all teams struggle during winter testing with the new V6 turbocharged hybrid engines.

The glitches continued as only 14 of the 22 cars finished on a gusty day at the bumpy street circuit which was doused by a brief rain-shower early in the race.

Hamilton, who snatched pole position at the end of a wet qualifying session on Saturday, noticeably lacked power on his start and was called in by his team to retire on the third lap.

Mercedes later clarified his car had suffered a misfiring cylinder. “We will recover from this, it’s only a small hiccup.

There’s a long way to go still,”

Hamilton told Sky television.

“At the moment I’m not concerned about anything.”

Twelfth off the grid, Vettel also struggled at the start and retired only a few laps after Hamilton, complaining of engine performance problems.

Ricciardo, who replaced compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull after crossing from sister team Toro Rosso, had thrilled home fans after seeing off Magnussen’s late challenge.

Two hours after the race, FIA officials said they were investigating Ricciardo for “consistently” exceeding permitted fuel consumption during the race.

After deliberating late into the night, the FIA announced Ricciardo had been disqualified. Red Bull said they would appeal.

“Inconsistencies with the FIA fuel flow meter have been prevalent all weekend up and down the pit lane,” the team said.

YOUNGEST SCORER Ferrari’s two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was fourth with Williams driver Valtteri Bottas moving up to fifth after Ricciardo’s exclusion for his best F1 result.

The Finn raced from 15th on the grid and might have been on the podium but for a brush with the barrier that left him

limping back to the pits on a rim. His 10-point haul was still double what his team scored in all of last season.

Bottas’s new Brazilian new team mate Felipe Massa was unable to add to the tally, however, having been taken out of the race at the first turn by Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi, who suffered a brake failure.

Kimi Raikkonen’s eventual seventh-placed finish behind Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg capped a frustrating return to Maranello for the 2007 world champion, who started 11th on the grid after a crash during qualifying.

Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat was promoted to ninth on his debut for Toro Rosso, becoming at 19 years old the sport’s youngest points scorer, behind team mate Jean-Eric Vergne.

Lotus’s insipid race weekend finished with both Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado unable to complete the race due to reliability problems.

The race stumbled at the start, with Marussia driver Max Chilton stalling on the grid before the pre-start installation lap and his team mate Jules Bianchi then repeating the mishap.

Bianchi, along with both Caterhams, was unable to finish.

Johnson ruled out of World T20 by septic toe

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, (Reuters) - Paceman Mitchell Johnson was ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup by an infected big toe on Sunday in a blow to Australia’s hopes of snaring the one major international trophy they have never won.

The 32-year-old, the form bowler in world cricket at the moment, will be replaced by fellow left-arm quick Doug Bollinger for the March 16-April 6 tournament in Bangladesh.

Johnson fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep over the New Year and a 2-1 test series triumph in South Africa over the last few weeks but cut the big toe on his right foot in the third test against the Proteas.

The initial prognosis was that his departure for Bangladesh would only be delayed but Johnson had not made the sort of progress originally envisioned.

“We have given Mitchell as long as we can but unfortunately his infection hasn’t

Doug Bollinger called up as replacement. responded to the treatment as quickly as we had hoped with swelling remaining in his toe and foot,” Cricket Australia’s Dr Justin Paoloni said in a news release yesterday.

“It is difficult to say how quickly the infection will take to resolve and due to the high risk of infection recurrence with a return to bowling we feel it is in the best interests of Mitchell’s health for him to continue to receive intensive treatment in Perth.”

Bollinger, 32, has played

just two Twenty20s for Australia, against South Africa in 2011, but brings a wealth of experience of the shortest form of the game in the sub-continent courtesy of his time in the Indian Premier League.

“Unfortunately Mitchell Johnson has been ruled out of the ICC World Twenty20,” head selector John Inverarity said.

“This is disappointing news as it was anticipated that Mitch would have a significant impact with his pace and menace.

“Doug Bollinger has been called into the squad to replace Mitchell.

“Doug has had significant experience in the sub-continent and in international white ball cricket and his ability to bowl with good pace was a factor in his selection.”

All-rounder James Faulkner, who missed the test tour of South Africa because of knee surgery, was another injury doubt but is expected to be fit to play.

Australia open their campaign against Pakistan in Mirpur on March 23.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 17, 2014

Windies can’t rely on Gayle alone for T20 success-Sammy

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA, (Reuters) - West

Indies captain Darren Sammy cannot overstate the importance of Chris Gayle’s towering presence at the top of the batting order but insists others will have to contribute if they are to defend their World Twenty20 title in Bangladesh.

Gayle’s 140-plus strike rate in Twenty20 internationals is just one indication of his ability to dismantle any bowling attack and the onus would be on the flamboyant southpaw to provide flying starts in Bangladesh.

Darren Sammy speaks to the media on arrival in Dhaka, Dhaka, yesterday.

Sammy warned his team mates that the West Indies cannot afford to be a one-man army if they are to replicate their success of two years ago.

“Chris to me is the most destructive T20 batsman in the world,” Sammy told reporters in Dhaka.

“It’s a great asset for us having him in the side but like in Sri Lanka, when we won the title, it took a total team effort.

The key players (contributed), different guys chipped in in different games.

“It’s no difference this time, we got to play as a team, we got to gel well together and hopeful-

ly performance will come from the key players,” Sammy said, terming Gayle as an important dressing room figure who would play a “pivotal role” in their title defence.

Gayle totalled 222 runs in the 2012 World Twenty20 but Marlon Samuels (230) was the top scorer for the side in Sri Lanka.

Gayle was at the forefront, however, when the entire team broke into a Gangnam-style dance to celebrate the victory in Sri Lanka.

Sammy ruled out an encore if they clinch the April 6 final at Mirpur’s Shere Bangla National

Stadium.

“Will come up with something new probably,” said the ever-smiling all-rounder.

“Somebody will come up with something and the rest of us will follow. Chris probably has something up his sleeves, (Dwayne) Bravo, (Andre) Russell, maybe me, you never know.

“Something will come up and we’ll use it and enjoy the ceremony.”

West Indies begin their World Twenty20 campaign against 2007 champions India in a group two match in Mirpur on March 23.

Camptown FC aiming Rain ruins third for sweep of Bartica day’s play CITY side SunBurst Camptown FC will be aiming to make it two from as many when their tour of Bartica concludes tonight at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

The Campbellville-based unit would have to improve on their opening game’s performance last Saturday, which they won 1-0 against Mel Ballers, if they hope to get past Bartica’s top team Beacon FC. The less fancied Ballers were unfortunate not to come away with a deserved draw after Amlee Martindale muffed a Penalty 10 minutes from the end to level the score.

Earlier midfielder Anthony ‘Kong’ Sancho gave Camptown the lead which proved to be the decisive factor at the final whistle.

C a m p t o w n ’s p l a y e r /

coach, Troy ‘Bugs’ Prescod in an invited comment, said “Tonight’s game (March 17) against Beacon will be a good one.

Against Ballers we were up against worthy opponents and failed to put away our chances we created but tonight it will be a different ball game.

Both sides are technically sound, but we are confident of victory. It is a good opportunity for the young talents we have to prove their worth. I think fans are in for a quality match so I urge fans to come out and support and don’t miss this opportunity”.

Beacon hammered Potaro Strikers 4-1 on Saturday and will be looking to their goal scoring quartet to continue from where they left off going into tonight’s big clash.

On target for Beacon were

Keno Washington, Cleon Adams and the Welcome brothers - Kurt and Whitney. The main support for Bartica’s top side will be, Clint Kellman, Ryan Andries and the inspirational captain and goalkeeper, Kwesi Jacobs.

Camptown’s challenge will be led by midfield captain Jamal Codrington alongside, the experienced Prescod and the youthful and talented Sancho.

Roshan Sandiford will marshall the defence and Devon Forde will be the main attacking force.

Preceding the 20.00hrs kick-off will be a battle between Mel Ballers and Potaro Strikers. The quadrangular Tournament is mainly sponsored by Sky Launch Restaurant & Bar and organised by the ‘I’ Movement Promotions.

BARBADOS, replying to Combined Campuses and Colleges’ (CCC) first innings of 269, were 249 for four at the close of a rain-ruined third day of their third round first-class cricket match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at the 3Ws Oval , yesterday.

O n l y 2 . 2 o v e r s w e re bowled and Barbados added one run to their overnight score of 248 for four in the 10 minutes of play that was possible on the penultimate day.

The floodlights at the venue were switched on to facilitate a 5:20 p.m. start, before rain, which had been falling steadily

throughout the day and briefly abated, returned and ended play before the revised 6 p.m. close.

Summarised scores: CCC 269 (Kyle Corbin 55, Chadwick Walton 54, Shacaya Thomas 50; Sulieman Benn 4-66, Roston Chase 2-24, Jason Holder 2-44). Barbados 249-4 (Kirk Edwards 109, Kraigg Brathwaite 85 not out, Rashidi Boucher 29; Jomel Warrican 2-47, Ryan Austin 2-64

Pakistan to host Australia in UAE

(REUTERS)-Pakistan will host Australia in a month-long series that will be contested in the United Arab Emirates from October 3, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said last Friday.

Australia will play two Tests, three one dayers and one Twenty20 match during the tour.

Since 2009, Pakistan has had to play all its home series at neutral venues abroad due to security concerns.

“Pakistan will be hosting home series against Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe in the UAE from Oct to Jan,” a PCB official said.

Itinerary: Oct 3: T20 international in Dubai Oct 5: 1st ODI in Abu Dhabi Oct 8: 2nd ODI in Sharjah Oct 10: 3rd ODI in Dubai Oct 20-24: 1st Test in Dubai Oct 28 to Nov 1: 2nd Test in Abu Dhabi

Kraigg Brathwaite was left on 85 after rain affected the third day’s play against CCC.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Windies can’t rely on Gayle alone for T20 success-Sammy (See Story on ag 23)

Guyana and Windwards draw after Permaul’s 10 –wicket match haul

Guyana’s Anthony Bramble (wicketkeeper) and Christopher Barnwell (slip) look on as Windward Islands top scorer Romel Currency plays one past Assad Fudadin at forward short leg during yesterday’s action. (Photo by Adrian Narine) Chanderpaul got a four and six hitting Pascal for back to back 307 and 114; Guyana 213 and

By Calvin Roberts to Devendra Bishoo (1 for 21) with match figures of 10 for off Alston Bobb, realising Guyboundaries, before he lost his 171 for 7. before Permaul had Pascal 116. ana’s 50 with the six that went leg stump at 19 for 1 in the The Windwards who began DESPITE a menacing spell caught at the wicket by Anthony His haul yesterday which over midwicket off 23.4 overs, 7th over. the day on 96 for 8 with Romel of left arm spin bowling from Bramble, leaving Romel Curstarted the previous day, was of which his contribution was Once again and for the third Currency on 41 and Delorn Veerasammy Permaul, host rency unbeaten on 48 (149mins, a follow up to his first innings 17 and Fudadin 19. time in this contest, rain stopped Johnson 1, were bowled out for Guyana and Windward Is117balls, 4x4).

3 for 69, which together with Guyana lost both Fudadin play at 11:05hrs as the score114 in their second innings, as lands ended their third round Sewnarine Chattergoon Narsingh Deonarine’s 2 for 22 (77balls, 100mins, 1x4) and board showed Guyana being 28 Permaul bettered his 6 for 39 West Indies Cricket Board (14, 3x4) and Tagenarine 35, scuttled out the Windward Vishal Singh (00) who were for 1 off 13.1 overs, with Tageagainst the Combined CampusRegional four day match at Chanderpaul started posiIslands within the first 30 minlbw to Sebastien at 68, before narine Chanderpaul on 8 and es and Colleges (CCC) in 2011, the Guyana National Stadium, tively for Guyana in their hunt utes of play, yesterday.

Deonarine denied the bowler Assad Fudadin 5, forcing the with his 7 for 47 to single-handyesterday, in a dull draw. for 209 to claim a come from Johnson was first to go players to take an early lunch.

(See page 21) edly dismiss the visitors, ending Scores: Windward Islands behind win, with Chattergoon when he lost his middle stump After lunch, the younger 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

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014