Guyana chronicle 21 04 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103804

MONDAY APRIL 21, 2014

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

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happy easter monday Opposition’s ‘hold-down-slow-down’ tactics not lost on foreign investors

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President pledges continued Gov’t support for Rupununi’s development –presents cheque valued $500,000 to Lethem Rodeo committee

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GuySuCo ‘within sight’ of 74,000-tonne 2 first crop production target Page

The President sure has his hands full as he takes in the scene at the annual Lethem Rodeo

Easter Sunday morning fire Page 12 ravages North Ruimveldt home No serious injuries as vehicle turns turtle Page at Houston bypass 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

No serious injuries as vehicle turns turtle at Houston bypass

The injured driver and his vehicle

The median barrier that the errant driver breached before the vehicle turned turtle (Photos by Asif Hakim)

A DRIVER narrowly escaped death Saturday when the car he was driving, licence plate PMM 4831, turned turtle in the vicinity of the Houston bypass. Eyewitnesses told the Guyana Chronicle that the man was overtaking another vehicle heading in the same direction as he, when he suddenly decided to divert onto the Houston bypass. In so doing, he clipped the front of the other vehicle, which caused his to topple before coming to a halt on the eastern parapet of the Houston bypass, on the lower East Bank. The errant driver, who was the only

occupant of his vehicle, had visible lacerations to the head, and appeared quite bloodied. However, his immediate attention was to secure the items in his vehicle rather that rushing off to seek medical attention. A traffic policewoman at the scene took both drivers into custody to assist with the investigations. When this newspaper arrived on the scene, there were lengthy skid marks across the roadway going towards the median. The traffic on both sides of the roadway was backed up for several yards as persons slowed and stopped to get a glimpse of the wreckage. (Asif Hakim)

GuySuCo ‘within sight’ of 74,000-tonne first crop production target CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mr Raj Singh, has reported that GuySuCo’s production target for the first crop of sugar is within reach.

In an invited comment to this publication on Saturday, he disclosed that, to date, 62,000 tonnes of sugar have been produced; and once the weather holds, it is expected that the target of 74,000 tonnes would be achieved. Singh noted that, except for Skeldon, Enmore and La Bonne Intention (LBI) estates, all GuySuCo estates

are expected to complete harvesting in the first week of May. “The other estates -Skeldon and the East Demerara estates -- are likely to complete their harvesting before the end of May,” he said. The CEO reiterated that the industry depends on good weather conditions to meet

its production targets. He said climate change has altered weather patterns, and this is affecting the industry’s output. For example, he said, workers now have to make do with 80 or less opportunity days, whereas the industry used to enjoy 120 opportunity days. Accordingly, he said, climate change adaptation is a necessity. In its review of the 2014 Budget, the National Assembly approved a $6B allocation for GuySuCo, which is deemed quintessential to the industry’s turnaround in that it is expected to cover expenditures that include: conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B; and tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, to be done at a cost of $1B. Both efforts are See page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

President says...

Opposition’s ‘hold-down-slow-down’ tactics not lost on foreign investors

–that‘there’s a lot of sympathy being shown us at this point in time’ By Vanessa Narine PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar contends that the Parliamentary opposition parties’ cut of $37.4B from the 2014 Budget last week is mind boggling, considering the impact of the allocations on the socio-economic development of the Guyanese people, and the nation as a whole. Spotlighting the negative signals being sent to investors, President Ramotar said: “There is a lot of sympathy being shown to us at this point in time from many of these investors, in recognizing the efforts that are being made to hold down and slow down development (by the Opposition).” The Head of State noted that while his Government continues to engage investors to request their understanding, the current administration remains committed to ensuring development of the Guyanese people, and by extension Guyana. Several investors have pulled out of local ventures because of the political hullaballoo and its diverse impact on the investment climate. In January, Muri Brasil Ventures stated that misinformation, prejudice and hostility were the key factors in their decision to scrap a local investment venture. The company will no longer pursue its geographical and geophysical survey under the Permission for Geographical and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) in the New River Triangle area, which was granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Muri Brasil Ventures, in a statement, said: “Although the process was legal and transparent, this decision is due to the misinformation, prejudice and hostility to this proposed survey by persons and agencies which are fostering an adverse investment climate in Guyana.” That decision, made on December 30, 2013, makes the company the latest major investor Guyana has lost. However, the Head of State stressed that Government will do all it can to continue to encourage investors. “Our country is open to investment, local and foreign, so that we can improve our capacity; so we can expand on the goods and services that we give to our people,” Ramotar stressed. Of recent, the major transformational projects that have been the source of much disagreement between the Government and the Opposition parties include: The Amaila Falls Hydro-power Project (AFHP), the Specialty Hospital, and

the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion project. Over the last three years, under President Ramotar’s term in office, the parties have flip-flopped with their support of these projects. SUPPORT FOR HYDRO In the 2014 Budget considerations, both parties supported the allocation of $1.3B for the provision of the Amaila access road and related structures under the Ministry of Public Works’ 2014 budgetary allocation. However, the $16.8B for the actual project, which was listed under the Ministry of Finance’s 2014 allocation, was disapproved by the parties. The project involves construction of a hydropower plant in the area of west-central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet. Electricity produced at the plant will be delivered to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden. The AFHP is expected to result in substantial savings PRESIDENT to the nation’s coffers, parDONALD RAMOTAR ticularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil. The potential benefits of a more stable and reliable source of energy via the advancement of hydro-electricity has, last December, been spotlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an area for continued focus. President Ramotar’s position on the matter is that economies must serve the people, not vice versa; and with an expected saving of $9B in electricity subsidies, as well as savings on the $40B fuel bill, enormous contributions can be

made to the infrastructural development, particularly needed in Guyana’s hinterland to aid and accelerate economic progress. On July 18 last year, the combined opposition defeated the Hydro Electric Power (Amendment) Bill. In August, the Government brought the issue back to the National Assembly and received the support of the Alliance For Change (AFC), but A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted the bill and motion down. CONTRACTS INKED This year, $910M budgeted for the design, construction and equipping of the Specialty Hospital under the Regional and Clinical Services budget of the Ministry of Education were voted down. However, at the commencement of the 10th Parliament, the House approved allocations for the project, which resulted in the Government entering legally binding contracts for which mobilisation advances were already paid. A 12-month contract has already been inked with consultant VIKAB Engineering Consultants Limited and contractor Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited. To date, the consultant has been paid some $34.4M and the contractor was paid $878.5M. The structural designs for the project have been completed, while the architectural designs are currently being reviewed. On site, physical progress has been seen on the essential site preparation, which is some 75 per cent completed. On the building’s foundations, 361 piles have been supplied and 235 piles have been driven. Works are continuing. The Specialty Hospital was expected to deliver enhanced specialised health services to the Guyanese nation, offer reduced cost for specialised surgical interventions, and promote a healthier population. The project also features some scope for health tourism. POSSIBLE PENALITES The Government now faces a similar challenge with the CJIA works as with the Specialty Hospital, since contracts have already been inked and entered into, with monies already advanced to contractors. Guyana may lose the US$20.7M already invested in See page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Deadly gun attack in eastern Ukraine shakes fragile Geneva accord By Aleksandar Vasovic and Alissa de Carbonnel SLAVIANSK/YENAKIEVO, Ukraine, (Reuters) - At least three people were killed in a gunfight in the early hours yetserday near a Ukrainian city controlled by pro-Russian separatists, shaking an already fragile international accord that was designed to avert a wider conflict. The incident triggered a war of words between Moscow and Ukraine’s western-backed government with each questioning the other’s compliance with the agreement, brokered last week in Geneva, to end a crisis that has made Russia’s ties with the West more fraught than at any time since the Cold War. The separatists said armed men from Ukraine’s Right Sector nationalist group had attacked them. The Right Sector denied any role, saying Russian special forces were behind the clash.

Failure of the Geneva agreement could bring more bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, but may also prompt the United States to impose tougher sanctions on the Kremlin - with far-reaching consequences for many economies and importers of Russian energy. The deal signed in Geneva last week by the European Union, Russia, Ukraine and the United States agreed that illegal armed groups would go home in a process to be overseen by Europe’s OSCE security watchdog. So far, the pro-Russian militants have shown little sign of budging from public buildings in the east, though there was some hope of progress after Kiev said it would not move against the separatists over Easter, and international mediators headed to eastern Ukraine to try to persuade them to disarm. But the shootings near Slaviansk - already a flashpoint for tensions between

Ukraine’s rival camps - are likely to make that task even harder, hardening the view of the many Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine that they cannot trust Kiev. “The Easter truce has been violated,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. “This provocation ... testifies to the lack of will on the part of the Kiev authorities to rein in and disarm nationalists and extremists.” The town’s self-appointed pro-Russia mayor placed a curfew on the town and appealed directly to Russia’s Vladimir Putin to consider sending in peacekeeping troops - an outcome Ukraine tried to avoid by holding back its poorly resourced forces. Ukraine’s SBU security service accused Moscow agents of faking a “cynical provocation” at Slaviansk and the foreign ministry hit back, reproaching Russia for rushing to judgment and failing to meet its part of the

deal struck in Geneva: “The Russian side must be reminded about their obligations under the Geneva agreement to bring all necessary influence to bear on separatists to clear illegal-

A pro-Russia protester warms himself by the fire on a barricade outside a regional government building in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, yesterday. Credit: REUTERS/Marko Djurica

ly held buildings, unblock roads, lay down arms and prevent any bloodshed,” it said. Right Sector spokesman Artem Skoropadsky said it was a “blasphemous provocation from Russia: blasphemous because it took place on a holy night for Christians, on Easter night. This was clearly carried out

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by Russian special forces.” Separatist militiamen near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk told Reuters four vehicles had approached their checkpoint at around 2:00 a.m. and

opened fire. “We had three dead, four wounded,” one of the separatist fighters, called Vladimir, told Reuters at the checkpoint, where there were two burned-out jeeps. He said the separatists returned fire and killed two of the attackers, who he said were members of the nationalist movement which

has its power base in the Ukrainian-speaking west of the country and is reviled by many in the Russian-speaking east. Police in Kiev said three men among the separatists were killed and three wounded. A Reuters cameraman at the scene said he saw the bodies of two people, one with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head and face, lying in the back of a truck. One of the dead was dressed in camouflage fatigues, the other, identified by several bystanders as a local man, was in civilian clothes. The deaths were the first in armed clashes in eastern Ukraine since the Geneva accord was signed on Thursday. NO WILL TO MOVE The crisis in Ukraine began late last year when President Viktor Yanukovich turned his back on closer ties with Europe, prompting protests in the capital. They led to him fleeing Kiev, and a pro-Western interim administration taking over. Soon after, Moscow used its military to back separatists in Ukraine’s Crimea, before Putin signed a document annexing the peninsula. The United States and European Union responded by slapping sanctions on Russian officials. A local media report that in Yenakievo, Yanukovich’s home town outside Donetsk, separatists had left the town hall they had occupied for a week prompted the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine to speak of “progress”. But a Reuters correspondent later found the building flying the flag of the separatist Donetsk Republic.

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Colombia to hold ceremony for Gabriel Garcia Marquez Colombia will pay tribute to the Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez in a ceremony at Bogota’s national cathedral tomorrow. President Juan Manuel Santos will be present, but it is not clear whether Garcia Marquez’s family will attend. His relatives have confirmed, however, that they will be at a memorial ceremony in Mexico City today. The author of One Hundred Years of Solitude died on Thursday in Mexico, where he lived for more than 30 years.

Colombians feel that the man many consider to be the country’s greatest son must be honoured in his homeland, says the BBC’s Arturo Wallace in Bogota. The writer fled the country in 1981, after learning that Colombia’s military wanted to question him over alleged links with the country’s left-wing guerrillas. He moved to Mexico with his family and eventually chose to die there, our correspondent says. Garcia Marquez, who was 87, will be honoured at a memorial service on Monday at Mexico City’s Palacio

de Bellas Artes. The ceremony will be attended by Mr Santos and his Mexican counterpart, Enrique Pena Nieto. A symbolic burial will be held simultaneously at his home town of Aracataca. On Tuesday, Colombia will hold its own ceremony to honour the author, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982. The event will be shown on national television. Elsewhere in Colombian libraries and parks there Aracataca, in northern Colombia, is believed to be the inspiration for the fictional town of

Public viewing of Robinson’s body from April 29 DIGNITARIES, government officials and average citizens will get the opportunity to pay their final respects to former President and Prime Minister Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson at a public viewing at the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, beginning April 29. A statement issued Saturday from the Information Division, Ministry of Trade, said Robinson’s body will lie in State in a flag-draped, unopened casket, between the hours of 10 am to 5:45pm on April 29 as well as from 6am to 5:45pm on Wednesday, April 30. A condolence book will be available for signing on the days of public viewing. Robinson, 87, Trinidad and Tobago’s third President, died at the St Clair Medical Centre on April 9. He is survived by a daughter, Ann-Margaret,

and son, David. The statement said a State ecumenical service will be held in Robinson’s honour at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on May 1 at 9.30 am. Following the service, Robinson’s body will then lie in State in the eastern lobby of NAPA until 3 pm. The service will be preceded by the procession of a military cortege on the morning of May 1, with full honours, from the Clark and Battoo Funeral Home to NAPA. Upon completion of the ecumenical service, Robinson’s body will be escorted to the Ulric Cross Air Base by coach, with full military honours. After its arrival at the ANR Robinson International Airport, the body will be transported by coach, with full military honours, to the Union Funeral Home,

President Martelly on official visit to Taiwan

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, (CMC) - Haitian President Michel Martelly departed the country on Saturday for an official visit to Taiwan. In a statement, Haiti’s National Palace said Martelly, who was joined on the trip by new Foreign Minister Duly Brutus, is scheduled to meet with Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou and other officials. PRESIDENT Martelly’s visit comes MICHEL MARTELLY after Ma paid an official visit to the country in August 2013, as part of a wider tour of the Caribbean. The National Palace statement said the trip was aimed at “strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.” Martelly will return to Haiti on April 26.

Tobago. In Tobago, members of the public will pay their finals respects on May 2. Robinson’s body will

ARTHUR NAPOLEON RAYMOND ROBINSON

lie in State at the Legislative Chamber of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Scarborough, between 6 am and 5.45pm. A condolence book will also be available for signing on the day of the public viewing. On the afternoon of May 3, a procession of a military cortege with full military honours will follow a thanksgiving service for Robinson’s life and legacy at the Scarborough Methodist Church, the release said. A State ecumenical service for the former President will be held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Scarborough, earlier that day. Robinson’s final committal and interment will be conducted at the Scarborough Methodist Cemetery, with full military honours following the Thanksgiving Service at the Scarborough Methodist Church. An official condolence book will also be opened at Victory Cottage, Tobago on Wednesday, April 23, the statement said. (Extracted from Newsday)

Macondo, described in One a way that made the extraor- whom Garcia Marquez had Hundred Years of Solitude dinary seem routine. a long-running feud which Garcia Marquez was creEnglish novelist and resulted in a street fight in mated in a private ceremony screenwriter Ian McEwan: 1976, called him a “great in Mexico. “He really was a one-off” writer”. “His works gave literaThe Colombian ambasPresidents and fellow sador to Mexico, Jose Gawriters paid tribute to his ture great reach and prestige. His novels will survive briel Ortiz, has said that and will continue to find Garcia Marquez’s famnew readers everywhere,” ily has not yet decided he told Peruvian media. whether his ashes will Chilean author Isaremain in one place or bel Allende said: “I owe will split between his him the impulse and the native and his adoptive freedom to plunge into country. literature. In his books I found my own family, He had been ill and my country, the people I had made few public have known all my life, appearances recently. He the colour, the rhythm, was released from hosand the abundance of my pital in Mexico City last continent.” week following a lung Garcia Marquez made a brief and urinary tract infecCONTROVERSY appearance outside his house tion, but was said to be on his 87th birthday, on 6 March Gabriel Garcia Mar“very fragile”. quez’s other works include His death was anLove in the Time of Cholera, nounced on Thursday. legacy. Chronicle of a Death ForeUS President Barack told and The General in His MAGIC REALISM Obama said the world had Labyrinth. The novelist was Gabriel Garcia Marquez “lost one of its greatest vi- at times a political figure too. His friendship with the was considered one of the sionary writers”. greatest Spanish-language While, Mr Santos took former Cuban President Fidel writers. to Twitter to pay tribute to Castro sparked some controversy among literary and poThe 1967 novel One Garcia Marquez. Hundred Years of Solitude “A thousand years of litical circles in Latin America. But he insisted their was translated into many solitude and sadness because friendship was based on languages and sold more of the death of the greatest books. than 30 million copies. Colombian of all time! Such “Fidel is a very cultured Garcia Marquez was a giants never die,” he wrote. man,” he said in an interpioneer of magic realism, a “ P e r u v i a n N o b e l view. “When we’re together unique blending of the marprize-winning author Ma- we talk about literature.”(Bvellous and the mundane in rio Vargas Llosa, with BC News)

EDITORIAL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

GUYANA

Easter signifies eternal hope for Mankind

CHRISTIANITY is not about going to a special building to pray; it is not about wearing the right clothes to attend church; it is not about playing hymns on Sundays, while you rob or hurt your fellow human every day of the week; it is not about looking down on others who follow different religious paths; it is not about shopping and decorating homes at Christmastime. Rather, Christianity is about giving and forgiving; it is about tolerance and compassion; it is about reaching out with help and love to the vulnerable, helpless, and those less fortunate than we are; it is about giving with a full heart without expectation of reward, because Christianity stems from the all-embracing love of Jesus Christ for the family of Mankind. But how many of those who profess to be Christians live out the virtues and merits imparted by the foundation to the Christian religion, the supreme sacrifice made for humanity by the Lord Jesus Christ? The Lenten season, popularly called Easter, celebrates the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord who lived and died as Man so that Mankind could be saved. This Lenten season, in general, and Good Friday and Easter weekend in particular, should not merely be seen as an occasion for fun and frolic, but also as a time for reflection on how well Man has replicated the virtues of Christ, so awesomely displayed in the groundings of the Lenten season approximately 2000 years ago, when our Heavenly Father sent His only-begotten Son to be sacrificed for the race of Man. In a message, the Inter-Religious Organization stated: “During this Lenten season, we actively remind ourselves of who we are, where we came from, and where we plan to go. We redirect the minds from the hustle and bustle and, with deep contrition and humility, we say our heartfelt ‘thank

you’ to God, the Creator of this world. “We thank Him for all that He has done to reconcile humanity to Him(self), and we thank Him for His promise of assuring us that we will live with Him one day, and there find complete rest.” The message of Easter has great relevance to Guyana’s socio-political landscape, because most of this nation’s politicians profess to be God-fearing people. However, the actions of many political leaders in the National Assembly run counter to all the adjurations of every religious text known to Man, in that their every utterance and action is meant to hurt their fellow Guyanese and stymie development in this beautiful country that is the patrimony bequeathed to us by all our ancestors. David Burrowes, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Enfield, Southgate, and the Parliamentary Chairman of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, reflecting on the message of Easter and its relevance to politicians today, concludes that it is the example of Christ’s life which should motivate Christian politicians to pursue service, rather than power; truth rather than lies; and compassion rather than indifference.” Burrowes went on to expound: “May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals; but laying aside all private interests and prejudices, keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all Mankind.” It is the example of Christ’s life which motivates Christian politicians to pursue service rather than power; truth rather than lies; and compassion rather than indifference. It is Christ’s death which compels Christian politicians to love even their enemies, rather than hate; to forgive rather than condemn; to reconcile rather than divide; and to serve others sacrificially rather than oneself selfishly. It is Christ’s resurrection which gives Christian politicians hope rather than despair, and assurance of eternal life rather

than death. Now, that is a Manifesto worth reading! The evil Saul, converted to a Christ-loving Paul, wrote in one of his letters to a church in Greece, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Can the politicians who proclaim themselves to be Christians not embrace with whole hearts and minds the concepts and teachings of the underlying message of our Lord’s supreme sacrifice of self for the love of Mankind, and stop seeing attending church during this holy season as photo opportunities and occasions for politicking? And can they not do the right thing when next they meet in Guyana’s National Assembly? Pluto wrote that anyone -- even the most evil person, as exemplified by Saul converted to Paul -- is capable of change, but it requires “the turning of the whole soul toward the light.” Even more, it requires bringing light into the lives of one’s fellow humans. To date, Guyana’s opposition politicians have been visiting darkness in the lives of the people of this nation and on our beloved paradise-like Guyana. And one wonders if they would ever be able to exemplify what being a good Christian really is by turning their whole souls toward the light, and for once bringing light instead of darkness upon this country that we all call home. The Board-of-Directors, Management and Staff of the Chronicle wish a Happy Easter to all our customers, supporters, and friends; and may the spirit of the Lord Jesus forever uplift your lives.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT --Why APNU and AFC Parliamentarians behave the way they do

IT IS NOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Alliance For Change is only interested in ‘scissoring’ the budget, and not about contributing meaningfully to the 2014 Budget debate. Even its members ‘walking out’ is a well-orchestrated pretext, since they have no facts to rebut the Education Budget allocation, nor can they deny the excellent performance of the Education and Social Sector, or the social and economic development of the country as a whole! AMNA ALLY’S IDOL AND TOILET However, the Opposition Chief Whip, Amna Ally, had to remain after her colleagues from APNU had absconded from fulfilling their duties to this nation, not because of disagreeing with her ‘bosses’, but simply because she had to extol the virtues of the worst dictator in the Western Hemisphere, the late L.F.S Burnham! It simply boggles my mind why she would do that; but then, these people need to rewrite Guyana’s history in order to remain relevant to Guyanese politics and to dupe the pop-

ulace. Indeed, they are trying their utmost to fool and brainwash our young people! Instead of MP Amna Ally wasting her time going around and ascertaining which school toilet or IT lab is out of order, or does not have regular electricity, she should have made a comparison of the Education sector during the time of her ‘idol’ Burnham and the entire PNC era. She should have looked at the massive development in the Education sector. But alas! She cannot do that, because to do that would let the young people of this country become aware of the atrocities meted out to children, adults and old people during the PNC dictatorship era - the Dark Age in the history of this country! COMPARISON AND CONTRAST Let me briefly highlight a few: - Children suffered from gross malnutrition, since their main diet was ‘broken rice’ and ‘rice flour’. There was no milk powder on the empty shelves, and to have a tin of milk

you need to line up or have a PNC party card! It was ‘white mouth’ even among the adults. Over 65,000 school children are now benefiting from the National School Feeding Programme! Their parents can now afford chicken, which was a luxury during the PNC dictatorship! Getting food on the table was a criminal activity during the PNC rule of terrorism! Parents had to neglect their children because they had to join ‘Guyline’ in order to get even a pint of cooking oil and a half pound of butter. “Guyline is now gone, thanks to the PPP/C government! Many parents ran away through the ‘backtrack’ and left their children to become juveniles and criminals. Ironically, they did that to provide for those same children! Now almost everyone is given a 10-year Us Visa. Why is this so, MP Amna? They have no reason to run and hide! Guyana has recovered its status among the (PLEASE SEE PAGE 7)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Government must go ahead with its budget and let opposition go to court DESPITE the Budget cuts, the Government says it is moving ahead with the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; but the administration should not stop there. They are mandated to look after the welfare of the Guyanese people, which was re-affirmed by the Chief Justice’s ruling. And in every country the Constitution is paramount. What is alarming is that the Opposition has stated that it is ready to take action; but the Opposition should take action in court, not on the streets of Guyana, where they might kill, wound, rape, and sexually molest innocent citizens. The court has already spoken, so the Government must carry out what the peoplemandated them to do. Of the three parties the PPP/C got most votes. Case closed. The court ruled that the Opposition cannot cut the Gov-

ernment’s budget. If the Opposition tries to trample on the court like they are trampling on the Government in Parliament and want to take it to the streets, then government must act to protect all its citizens with brute force. For too long, the Opposition parties have been trampling on the innocent citizens of Guyana and it must come to a full stop once and for all - one way or another. Government will continue with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion (CJIA) project, despite the Opposition cutting the $6.5B allocated to that venture in the 2014 National Budget, says Robeson Benn, Transport and Hydraulic Minister. Minister Benn related that the project is running into delays from the confusion created last year when the allocation was also slashed by the combined Opposition.

SETTING THE RECORD ... (FROM PAGE 6) developing nations of the world. Children were selling cigarettes by the road side during the PNC days; now they are in schools or in vocational schools learning a trade. Your PNC government had opened the National Service to satiate the paedophilic cravings and lust of some of your ‘officers’. Child labour was the order of the day in order to survive. Many times it was the elder siblings who had to make the inevitable sacrifice. Food was more important than education! More children are now in schools than ever before! They are being better fed in and out of school! The school dropout rate was astronomical. Students now are encouraged to even spend their holidays doing remedial programmes in schools. Hospitals were run down and dilapidated, and the infant mortality rate was sickening! All drugs had to be bought, and bribes were the order of the day. The hospitals are now equipped with doctors, trained nurses and an adequate supply of drugs. School buildings were falling down, and children had to use the bushes to excrete! Billions of dollars are now spent on the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of our educational facilities. They now have access to the Learning Channel, access to Internet and free laptops to access information. The PNC would by now have taken us back to the pre-historic days. Many teachers ran away, while many went to other countries in search of a livelihood. Some teachers were cutting cane, catching ‘tilapia’, and planting vegetable gardens and doing whatever it takes to make ends meet! Now, every year, hundreds of teachers are being trained; they graduate and they remain on the jobs. Why? Many children went bare-footed to school, and uniforms were worn until the backs of their wearers were exposed! Children now have grants for uniforms. Many poor parents could not afford to send their children to school. They now have $ 10,000 to assist them. The Amerindian children in the hinterland were treated as aliens. Now they have well equipped schools and labs, trained teachers, and there are dormitories which are fully financed by the PPP/C Government! MP Ally, please check out the schools and dormitories at Paramakatoi and Waramadong. The beneficiaries are over 1,400 children! (But maybe the toilets are giving problems; let us know!) Many young people from the hinterland are now qualifying as doctors as well. The children had to line the road side in the scorching sun and wave like robots to Burnham and his foreign guests. Those days are gone. Children are now treated as dignitaries in this country! They don’t have to line up in the hot sun to salute Kabaka Burnham and friends! The pass rates in English and Maths were in the single digits during the PNC days. Our rate of failure at CSEC was

among the highest! Today we have won five out of eight CSEC Awards! Our English and Maths pass rates are now hundreds of percentage points higher than then. English is nearly 60% and Maths is nearly 40%, and will improve. The 2014 Budget has many strategies to drastically improve these! University students, including myself, had to face the indignity of National Service, where they were starved and literally trampled upon by their illiterate masters. Many lost their self-respect and dignity there! Now billions of dollars are pumped into both campuses, and National Service/Slavery is no more. MP Amna has a problem with the online application process and the toilet. Why do you think the UG has an administrative body? Only 5% of the budget went to education under the PNC. The PPP/C has allocated 15.9% of the 2014 Budget to Education, and MP Amna has a problem with that. I could go on forever. I call upon the PNC to make that comparison and provide evidence that your government was doing a ‘fantastic’ job in developing Guyana socially and economically! We can only condemn someone if we are better! You people should walk out of Parliament forever! Shameless and barefaced art thou indeed! COURAGE AND INTELLIGENCE Our Minister of Education is a courageous and highly intelligent woman, and she made a flawless presentation based on facts and figures; and any CSEC student will know that you cannot write a good persuasive essay unless you use evidence backed by statistics. MP Ally’s emotional appeal to houses of defecation should be thrown right there! Minister Manikchand has done an excellent job, and her refusal to apologise to Jaipaul Sharma spoke volumes of her courage to stand up for what she believed in. But alas! The AFC must empathise with MP Sharma, since Khemraj Ramjattan’s father, Teekah Ramjattan, was alleged to have performed sexual exploits with a female student during his tenure at Tagore Memorial High School on the Corentyne when he was the Headmaster there. So I do fully understand why he led his band of ‘bloodthirsty scissors-wielders marching through the exits of Parliament! CONCLUSION In conclusion, I want MP Amna Ally to reflect on the words of Martin Carter, written in the WPA paper ‘Dayclean’ in 1979. He said that ‘the PNC’s method of ensuring self-perpetuation consists of indulging in a deliberate policy of degrading people’. He further noted that “under the PNC, corruption had become a way of life in which people were made to accept that stealing, cheating, lying, bearing false witness…was a positive sign of loyalty to the regime….” APNU’s MP Ally is still displaying that “positive sign of loyalty”! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor/Region 6

But now they have the court’s decision that gives them full liberty to use their budget for the welfare of the Guyanese people; so they should go ahead. The court and the people have spoken. TED KING

What valid reasons does the combined opposition have in slashing this fund?

PERHAPS APNU had reasons for chopping the budget slated for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). However, I am very disappointed that the $4 million for the language revival programme was chopped.I am delighted to know that such a programme had existed because for decades I have encouraged Amerindians to strive hard to retain their languages and culture, in the face of increasing pressure from outsiders (coastlanders) swamping their environment. Language (and culture!) retention in Guyana (as it is elsewhere) is vital for its social, anthropological, economic and soundness, and has special relevance considering our country’s history and cultural mosaic. Carl Parker Snr.’s letter on ‘cutting the Amerindian vote’ (KN 16-04-14) failed to address the reasons why the ADF was chopped. DEVANAND BHAGWAN

CELEBRATING EASTER

THE celebration of this greatest Christian holiday of Easter usually affords us Guyanese the opportunity of making merry together, as we indulge in the customary picnicking, kite-flying and other activities in which we forget our differences in a spirit of unity and harmony. We should be truly grateful that our history has gifted us with a culture that embodies the three greatest religions of the world, and use this circumstance to enrich our national ethos so that we truly fulfil the motto of our country. But while I would encourage all my fellow Guyanese to practise their preferred religion, as this has the enormous potential of bringing us together as a community, I posit that the Almighty Creator that we worship at our separate services resides in each of us, and we can do nothing more effective towards our salvation here and in the hereafter than to connect inwardly with Him each day of our lives, as we also need to do in the physical, mental and social spheres, and use His infinite power to enhance and maintain our well-being in every aspect of our living. This would ensure that, no matter what the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we are always in a position to help ourselves and our fellowmen towards this salvation, which we all seek as the true purpose of our lives. I wish all Guyanese and Happy Holiday! ROY PAUL New York, USA

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

President pledges continued Gov’t support for Rupununi’s development –presents cheque valued $500,000 to Lethem Rodeo committee

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar and several other members of the Cabinet, including Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali on Saturday participated in the Annual Lethem Rodeo festivities in Rupununi, Region Nine. After stating how happy he was to attend the event, held annually at Eastertime, and acknowledging that it has grown significantly over the past years, President Ramotar said his administration will continue to give support toward the rapid development taking place in that region. “What we see in Lethem,” he said, “is a microcosm of what is taking place in all of Guyana; and Lethem and Rupununi is growing at a rapid pace. Today we have managed to fulfill many of what we have promised in the social sector, giving our children an opportunity to have secondary education.” The Head of State noted that as a result of the investments in human capital, many young Guyanese are afforded the opportunity of studying abroad in order to develop themselves, as this is critical for any country to concentrate on developing the economy. Noting, however, that some of Government’s efforts for development are being hindered, the President said that two cases in point were the recent Budget cuts to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), and the Ministry of Public Works’ programme, which, regrettably, will have direct impact on all hinterland communities. “The ADF was aimed at offering cheap loans to people to develop businesses,” the President said, adding: “We have new projects, and that money would have been to assist in the land demarcation project for Amerindians, and for them to develop their skills in various fields.” Noting, however, that the words of the Opposition “do not match their deeds,” in that they are in the habit of saying one thing but doing the complete opposite, President Ramotar said: “I ask each one of you to support us, so that we can work together to reverse the trend. We will do everything legally to ensure we reverse and prevent them from retarding the development of our country. The Rupununi has great potential, and we will ensure we continue along this path.” While there, the President handed over a cheque valued $500,000 to the Lethem Rodeo Committee and promised that efforts will be made to ensure better infrastructure is

President Donald Ramotar presents a symbolic cheque in the sum of $500,000 to Chairman of the Rupununi Rodeo Committee, Mr John Macedo as Minister of Tourism, Mr Irfaan Ali; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Sports, Dr Frank Anthony and other members of the committee look on approvingly in place as the rodeo becomes more and more popular. Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who also addressed the gathering, pledged his Ministry’s support toward developing sport in every form in the community.

The Minister pointed out that during last year, the Ministry was able to resuscitate and establish 20 play grounds within the Rupununi Region. Dr. Anthony added that efforts are on stream to bring professional horse racing to Lethem. (GINA)

Opposition’s ‘hold-down-slow-down’ tactics ... From page 3 the project, and could face further penalties if the project experiences more delays and there is a breach of the contract Government has with the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company. The contractor has completed tests with respect to the construction of the 1,000 metres of runway lengthening. In addition, all geotechnical, geological and other engineering evaluations have been completed. Additionally, a contract has been issued for the consulting engineers to provide oversight of the project. The project features three components: (a) construction of a new terminal building measuring 16,000 square metres. This building will have eight passenger boarding bridges and two elevators, as well as CCTV and departure control systems. (b) Extension of the main runway by 3,500 feet to a final length of 10,500 feet, which will increase CJIA’s capacity to facilitate the landing of Boeing 747-400 aircraft; and (c) the construction of eight international parking positions. Last year, several countries expressed interest in Guyana’s push to develop a new international airport, according to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn. The minister led a small delegation to the 38th International Civil Aviation Organisation’s General Assembly in Montreal, Canada. Representatives from Nigeria, Indonesia

and other African countries quizzed Minister Benn on the opportunities that could be derived from the project. In-depth discussions were also held with Princess Stella Adaeze-Oduah, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister. The project is being partially funded by a US$130M loan from China, with the rest coming from the public treasury. It is scheduled for completion in August 2015. APPEAL In the National Assembly last Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh appealed to Opposition MPs to be wary of the signals their positions on major developmental projects will send investors. He pointed out that all of the developmental partners on some of the major projects have indicated that a signal of political support would be useful in convincing their own principals to move ahead with the projects. “It is hard for Guyana to say to our partners, ‘Approve the financing for the project,’ when we in Guyana seem uncertain,” Singh said. The minister made it clear that Government has no problem subjecting any of the major projects to any degree of scrutiny by the National Assembly. He said, “We are happy to share any document, most of which we have done…. We are happy to provide any detail asked for. My appeal is: bear in mind the signal we send to

the rest of the world. “…there is no shortage of willingness to talk…that offer for questions to come remains open. We have no difficulty to continue discussion. “…when this House, last year, showed even some reluctance, that signal of tentativeness lost us several months and placed the partnership in jeopardy…. “A single signal of uncertainty can derail a project and demand a Herculean effort to keep on the rails.” Singh pointed out that it was to Guyana’s good fortune that the country was able keep its development partners engaged. “Another signal of tentativeness would do immeasurable and irreparable harm,” he stressed. Unfortunately, the Finance Minister’s appeal for the developmental projects not to be derailed went unheard. The combined Opposition, in the end, voted to cut the 2014 Budget by $37.4B, reducing it from $220B to $186.2B. Last year the combined Opposition cut the Budget by $31B. In 2012, they cut it by $21B. This year’s cuts are the largest since the commencement of the 10th Parliament, and this is the third year of cuts under President Donald Ramotar’s term in office. The Government is currently assessing its legal options, according to President Ramotar, to deal with what he has termed “unconstitutional” reductions of the 2014 Budget.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

Guyana was resurrected in 1992 –now the opposition wants to crucify it all over again

OLD KAI will be joining you in the kite flying this year. I just feel an urge to resurrect my ‘caddie-ole punch’, to remind myself just how far we have come as a nation. We can look back and say those days were fun, despite the fact that ‘belly-a-bun’, we would still run around all day in the backdams, whether it was the abandoned sugar cane lands where the Sophia housing scheme in now established, or the vast, open, fresh cut rice lands at Doch Four/Hope Estate. Monkey apple and black water; the sticky, golden brown juice from the sugar cane plant, or whatever else we could get our hands on would later satisfy our hunger. That was life growing up in Guyana during Easter in a dark era. At times we would be ‘fortunate or unfortunate’ (depends on which way you look at it) to see the ‘Kabaka’ during his ‘famous/infamous’ horseback rides around Hope Estate. Those cigars added an extra bit of touch to the opulence in our make believe world, or as Aunt Mildred would say, ‘our childish games’ late in the afternoon next to the rice fields as, with our ‘slingshots’, we waited on the approaching horde of birds. For us that was the world; it was ‘as good as it gets’. We were ignorant of the life and living that was occurring beyond our horizon. Yes, those were good days, but we did not have an alternative. We had no choice but to make the best out of our reality; it was all we knew. Easter 2014 finds our nation in a different scenario. We are rather spoilt for choices. With the exception of two, all of my friends that I have discussed Easter Monday plans with have not made up their minds. The two in Lethem, enjoying the activities in Region 9, have ensured to call

every evening to ‘remind me’ how much fun I was missing out on. A big thank you to them, but it seems they made the smart choice and I am left to rue not joining them for our safari across our hinterland. Much of that, though, was because of the devastating budget cuts against the Amerindian development fund, and the need to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who journeyed to Georgetown to oppose the nefarious plan by the AFC and APNU. The actions of the opposition were a resurrection of their past policies - to stifle every single area or sector in our country which showed potential for growth and development. For them, the only way to rule was to subjugate the masses, keep them in an unending cycle of poverty, so they will not know what exists beyond their horizon, and they will not become a threat. They will stick to their games of ‘make believe’ and focus their energies towards satisfying their immediate hunger, rather than fight for a better future. I found myself in that oppressive cycle once as a young child, and now, when I look back, I see so many missed opportunities, not only for myself, but for countless others. We could have done more, much more; we could have achieved more, much more; but we were kept in a state of subjugation. Rather than accessing an education, we were busy hauling water for many miles, and then going into the backlands to farm or fish to feed our families. We never got a chance to think about the future. We were never given the opportunity to plan ahead; it was always about constantly satisfying our immediate needs. Old Kai thought we had banished this reality since 1992 with the return to democracy and basic freedoms. Sadly, a

one-seat combined opposition majority at the start of the 2012 Parliament is gradually working to reverse those gains we have made. It is almost déjà vu for Amerindians in this country, as tools for empowerment and education to establish village economies and employment, training and travel have been taken away from them. Education at the highest level has been attacked with the cut of funds to provide students loans to read for their degrees at the University of Guyana. They have cut funding for the agency established to encourage and provide support for foreign investments in Guyana; they have cut health services; they have cut vital transportation services; they have cut even the security detail for the Head of State, unheard of in any other part of the world, and bringing new meaning to their policy of ‘making Guyana ungovernable’. Yes, the AFC and APNU are cutting away at the future of our country, the future of our people. They want to deny our youths the same way they denied Old Kai and his generation. But No! It will not happen! Old Kai and countless others will go to our graves fighting to ensure this tyranny does not cloud our country and our people again! Just as Easter Monday offers a chance of rebirth and resurrection; just as it offers light and hope; we will continue to struggle to hold these virtues true for all of our people in this blessed land of ours. Go fly your kites and proclaim your liberation! Go fly your kites as a symbol of a brighter future! I wish a Happy Easter to each and every one of you.

GuySuCo ‘within sight’ of 74,000-tonne first crop ... From page 2 with improving cane production and yield. Upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, would cost $2B; and works on field infrastructure to improve field-to-factory access, besides purchasing of equipment, tractors excavators, bell loaders, and other purchases, would account for the remainder of the allocation. The sugar industry employs approximately 16,000 workers during its peak periods, and facilitates about 1,500 cane farmers. The industry is also the nation’s largest net foreign exchange earner, and a large proportion of its multi-billion-dollar revenue is circulated locally, thus enhancing many business enterprises. Moreover, villages and communities surrounding the sugar estates also benefit from the industry’s expansive drainage network. Government has said that, despite its challenges, the sugar industry remains relevant to the health of the national economy. In 2013, sugar exports valued at US$112.2M accounted for 8.3 per cent of total exports, and the industry contributed 3.9 per cent of the country’s GDP. (Vanessa Narine)

UNFOUNDED IN EVERY WAY CERTAINLY, the combined one-seat diktat of the parliamentary opposition parties, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), has, apart from imbuing both groups with the reckless use of power and a grave distortion of responsibility, also caused an inducement of political schizophrenia. How else can one describe this opposition’s announcement that “such action blocks governmental mismanagement”? This is the height of a billion flights of fantasy! For it is quite obvious that they alone understand what national mismanagement is, especially the Peoples National Congress(PNC) segment of APNU, having superintended its reign during a period of this nation’s history that we all would like to forget. Is the combined opposition, speaking through its senior chieftain, Mr. David Granger, expecting the nation to accept its jaundiced and blinkered conclusion, meritless in

every way, that the slashing of both the current and capital budget of the seat of the nation’s Executive, so very vital to enabling it to carry out its numerous functions of State, such as the dissemination of its policies and development programmes, prevents mismanagement? Does the Opposition also want us to believe that the Ministry of Finance’s Capital Budget of $22,284,231,000, which is inclusive of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project and the Amerindian Development Fund sum of $1.1B, is about mismanagement? OBSERVER must feel a great sense of shame and embarrassment, since such a statement has come from a people’s representative of whom better had been expected on account of his academic pedigree. But, also pity, since it is quite obvious that the tainted politics of the Peoples National Congress have permeated his entire being. Not even the late Desmond Hoyte would have uttered such a statement, which is unfounded in every way!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Easter Sunday morning fire ravages North Ruimveldt home By Shirley Thomas

FIRE early Easter Sunday morning ravaged the home of a North Ruimveldt couple, reducing their hard-earned possessions to rubble and leaving them in a state of despair. Arthur and Jennifer Wong, who lived at 2927 North Ruimveldt, had just left the home when, around 8:30hrs, neighbours said they saw smoke coming from the back bedroom of the two-flat building,

Home-owner and masseuse, Ms Jennifer Wong

and within moments saw fire billowing from within. The ground floor of the building, said to have been a family property, housed CANJI Massage Parlour, operated by Jennifer Wong. The fire department was summoned and two tenders quickly arrived at the scene, but nothing was saved. Fire officials are now combing the debris to determine the cause of the blaze. However, officials have not ruled out arson as being the cause. Some neighbours have

surmised that it might have been caused by a lit candle, since earlier in the morning, there was a power outage in the area. On arrival at the scene of the conflagration, the astonished masseuse got down on her knees and appeared to be praying, but it was too late. Everything had been engulfed. Meanwhile, police ranks, after initial inquiries, whisked the couple away in a patrol vehicle to assist with further investigations.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left of the Wongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence after the fire

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

‘Impact Albouystown’ off to an encouraging start

–with business community increasingly coming on board

THE GUYANA Police Force (GPF) has been encouraged by developments that have taken place and support received since the launching of the Impact Albouystown Project on April 11, 2014. That project seeks, through law enforcement services and social intervention activities, to develop the community into what has been termed a “safe neighbourhood”. Accordingly, the GPF has partnered with a number of stakeholders, including religious and community leaders of Albouystown, to achieve this objective. In a statement issued on Friday, the GPF said part of the focus of this project is in keeping with law enforcement objectives, and this was explained by Acting Police Commissioner Mr. Seelall Persaud at the project’s official launch. Therefore, for the police to effectively confront instances of crime and disorder which have heavy emphasis on gun crimes, the Force would necessarily have to deploy foot patrols and engage in stop-and-search operations, among other activities. Patrols in the Albouystown community started on April 12, 2014. Seven men have since been arrested and charged for narcotics-related offences involving a total of 188 grammes of marijuana; an unlicensed .45 pistol was recovered during an attempted robbery on a business place at Albouys Street, Albouystown, which was thwarted by the quick response of the police. The perpetrator, who fired on the responding police ranks, has been arrested and will shortly be placed before the court. No serious crimes have occurred in the Albouystown community since the launching of the project, police reported. It was noted in one of the daily newspapers that persons complained that the police were searching the bags of children going to school. However, the GPF wishes to advise that when the Impact Albouystown Project was launched, schools were closed and no such searches took place. Police added that, in keeping with the thrust to assist youths in the Albouystown community with vocational skills training, some 60 children between the ages of seven and 16 years will commence a Foundation Course in Information Technology, on April 19, 2014 at the Guyana Police Force Zara Computer Centre at Eve Leary. They will be transported

Craig teen shot while defending home from armed burglars

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Amarnauth Ramdeen of Craig Village, East Bank Demerara was shot and injured when robbers entered his home on Good Friday at about 01:45hrs Police report that on April 18, 2014, Ramdeen was aroused by noises in his home, and on checking was confronted by three men, two of whom were armed with guns. One of the men discharged a round that struck Ramdeen in his right elbow as they escaped through an incomplete window. He has been admitted to a hospital as investigations continue.

to and from classes with the assistance of the GPF. Also, on April 22, 2014, a Cosmetology training programme for a number of females will commence at the Heavenly Light World Outreach Fellowship. The police have been very appreciative of the significant early support from the business community towards implementation of the Impact Albouystown Project. Those persons and organisations have donated cash, computers, foodstuff, cosmetics and garbage bins, and other persons from the business community have pledged their support to the project. A monthly donation of 10,000 pounds of rice is being made by a rice miller, and this would greatly assist the feeding programme presently being conducted by the religious community in Albouystown.

Moreover, the monthly donation of two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of cosmetics by another businessman will serve to support the cosmetology training programme and other activities, the police have noted. A Steering Committee, which includes senior police officers and leaders in the Albouystown community, has been established and will be meeting on a monthly basis. A significant part of the Police Force’s efforts in this initiative is aimed at empowering youths of the Albouystown community to develop skills in order to be productive and make proper decisions. “We do expect some resistance from persons who are benefiting from criminology in the community,” the GPF has said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Culture Ministry celebrates Easter

T a b o re

g to id w of oc

eb ov d th co o T po

Minister Frank Anthony bows his head in prayer

ed an P K st

Staff members gather in celebration

Baby at D died of pn FOUR-MONTH-OLD Phillip Bratt of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, the child who died at the Mothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union Day Care facility on Robb Street, Georgetown last

Tuesday, is reported to have died from pneumonia. He had been rushed unconscious from that facility to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH),

Four-month-old Phillip Bratt

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

THE Ministry of Youth Culture nd Sport on Thursday celebrated with staff the meaning f Easter through scripture eading, song and dance. It was obvious from the staff athered that Easter continues o be more than a Christian holday, but a national holiday as well, as Guyanese of all walks f life gathered to celebrate the ccasion. For Christians, Easter is a celbration of the triumph of Christ ver death, of hope over desponency. Easter reminds us, too, hat despair is not a permanent ondition, and that the greatest f problems can be overcome. This message was related through oem by a staff member. The celebration was attendd by Minister of Youth Culture nd Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary Alfred King and a large number of taff members.

of Easter

CH&PA celebrates Easter with rich cultural programme

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) of the Ministry of Housing and Water on Thursday celebrated Easter with a cultural programme which included a presentation on the significance of Easter, dances, poems and songs at their Brickdam Office. Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, addressing staff at the event, said that today, much emphasis needs to be placed on what Jesus taught. “Easter is a very significant aspect of the Christian religion and it has many

important messages, One of the greatest message we can reflect on is that of love; we must love our fellow humans and serve humanity without any inequalities, without any differentiations in the way we look at each other,” Minister Ali said. Minister Ali also wished all gathered a blessed Easter, and cautioned them to fly their kites in safe, open areas, away from utility poles and live wires.

Housing & Water Minister, Mr Irfaan Ali and staff savouring one of the many presentations on the programme

Day Care neumonia

where he had been pronounced dead on arrival. The child was the only son of his mother, Chilion Archer, an employee of the GPH. The woman told the Guyana Chronicle that the boy had been in very good

health, and she does not know what had really happened to him. “This morning I got up and prepared my son for school. He was very strong and energetic despite he had a common cold. I don’t know ex-

actly what could be the cause of death. (I am) a mother (who had been) carrying a baby for nine months (and taking) care of him for four months, and then have to lose him. “Words cannot ex-

press how I am feeling. This is my only son,” the distraught mother lamented. Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung, and is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria.

Downtown Georgetown yesterday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

–as consumers cashed in on some last-minute shopping bargains

This little tot was among the many children making last-minute runs with parents and guardians to get their kites for today’s kite-flying action

He may be visually impaired, but that does not stop him from making ‘a little extra’ for the Easter holidays

Armed and ready to roll

A few gone, but still a multiplicity of “star-points” left to choose from

This multicoloured behemoth will surely be pitting his skills against the ‘big boys’ today in the ’big kite’ category (Photos by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Jury in 2012 D’Urban St murder disagree on verdict --Anthony Morrison to face new trial

THE jury trying Anthony Morrison for the murder of his reputed wife Donna Thomas in 2012 disagreed on a verdict Tuesday. In relation to murder, the verdict has to be unanimous - all 12 jurors must be

saying either ‘Not guilty’ or ‘Guilty’. But in this particular case, eight of them were saying ‘not guilty’ while four were saying ‘guilty’. In light of the disagreement, Presiding Judge, Mr.

For Monday April 21, 2014 -09:30hrs For Tuesday April 22, 2014 -10:30hrs For Wednesday April 23, 2014 -12:00hrs

Navindra Singh had no alternative than to further remand the prisoner to prison and order him to face a new trial at the next criminal session. The case for the prosecution conducted by lawyer Miss Natasha Backer was that the accused murdered his reputed wife at D’Urban Street, Georgetown sometime between May 25 and 26, 2012. He pleaded not guilty but had made an oral confession in which he admitted cutting the woman on her hand. However, he denied causing her death by asphyxiation, as stated by the doctor who performed the post-mortem. Defence counsel, Miss Onassis Granville had made a no-case submission on behalf of her client, but this was overruled by the judge. On the resumption, yesterday, both the defence counsel and the prosecutrix addressed the jury, asking for respective verdicts of not guilty and guilty. The addresses were followed by a summing-up of the evidence with directions by the trial judge. The jury disagreed on a verdict after a three-hour deliberation.

Aries March 21 - April 19

Each person is responsible for his or her own happiness, so do not feel an obligation to put a bright smile on the face of a notorious sourpuss. Some people are happier when they have something to complain about -- you can’t cheer up someone who wants to be miserable. Stick to your optimism and your happier outlook. You have things in the right perspective -- don’t let a naysayer tell you there’s no such thing as a happy ending.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

You’re definitely up for broadening your horizons, in a number of ways. It might be education, a more public way of expressing your political or religious views or even travel that beckons you. But one way or the other, you’ll be quite busy for the next six weeks. So much so, by the way, that you might want to warn your dear ones now. Just so they won’t worry you’ve been kidnapped.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You’ve been telling yourself for weeks that this is right -- that it’s time to take that one giant step toward intimacy. Now that the official moment seems to have arrived, however, you’re not quite so sure. Well, nothing has been written in stone to start with -- and you can always decide against this if it doesn’t feel right. Don’t be afraid to stop the process right where it is.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’ve been waiting for the universe to send you someone. Not a guardian angel, exactly, but someone who’ll be able to give you advice, counsel and the benefit of their experiences -- not to mention a couple of phone numbers to call when you get where you’re going. Don’t turn down any of these offers. Whatever is extended to you now is done with an open hand and a generous heart -- just the way you’ve always done that for others.

Leo July 23 - August 22

It’s time to stop riding that one particular person so hard. Their methods may not be similar to yours -- in fact, they may be entirely different from your own -- but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong, or that they’re doing anything underhanded. Let up a bit -- and consider having a nice, honest heart-to-heart. You both might learn something from it. At the very least, you’ll put this silent feud to rest.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Passion is on the agenda -- serious passion. Now, this can go either way. It might mean you’re so infatuated with someone that you can’t even stand the thought of breathing if they’re not in the room. It might also mean you’re so furious with someone that you can’t stand the thought of sharing the same air with them. Either way, you have to find a way to deal with this. It’s not healthy.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Family members and old, dear friends will begin to play a far more serious part in your life now -- in the sense that they’ll need more of your time than they have in quite a while. You, of course, won’t mind a bit. You’ll do everything that you can to help. Just be sure you don’t hurt yourself in the process. You can’t be any good to anyone else if you’re not healthy and happy.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Every word that falls from your lips now will sound like a direct order to a well-organised army -- and the effect will be pretty similar, too. It’s not that you’re going to be barking out orders like a drill sergeant -- your tactics would never, ever be that crass. One or two well-placed syllables, however, will have the same effect. And if whoever you’re speaking with knows you well, it probably won’t take more than just one glance in the right direction.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

The endless dilemma is upon you. Do you buy it now, when it’s not on sale, because now is when you want it, or wait a while and risk losing your enthusiasm for the entire project? The answer is obvious -- at least, in your mind. You want it now, so you’ll go out after it now. The good news is that at the very least, you’ll be in the mood to shop around a bit, so you’ll definitely find the very best deal.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

This is a wonderful opportunity to figure out what you don’t want your life to be, and how you can avoid letting it get that way. So take a good long look in the mirror this morning and remind yourself that while you might not be the hottest person on earth, you are definitely right up there! Stay in control of where your life is headed, and you will always end up in the right place. Sure, it might seem like a nice idea to keep skipping down the road with everybody else, but where are they really going anyway?

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

You’re ordinarily quite fond of being up front and entirely rational, in all your dealings with others. It’s what makes your sign famous for being the very best friend anyone could possibly ask for. For the next several weeks, however, intrigue may well be the name of the game. Does this mean you’ll become involved in a secret love affair? Maybe not -- but you’ll definitely be hearing all the details about something similar.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

It’s time, once again, to reinforce your reputation as a hopeless romantic. Not that you mind or that it’s hard work to pull off. You love being in love, you love being romantic, and you’re very, very good at it! So get started. What can you do to make it the most special day of all for your favourite person?

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Racing Tips English Racing Tips Market Rasen 08:45 hrs Kelvingrove 09:20 hrs Emerald Rose 09:55 hrs Roc De Guye 10:30 hrs Desgrey 11:05 hrs Town Mouse 11:40 hrs Tayarat 12:15 hrs Countersign Yarmouth 08:50 hrs Abseil 09:25 hrs Little Indian 10:00 hrs Yagheer 10:35 hrs Piazon 11:10 hrs Needless Shouting 11:45 hrs Ana Shababiya 12:20 hrs Dancing Freddy Redcar 09:10 hrs Shirley’s Pride 09:45 hrs Adili 10:20 hrs El Duque 10:55 hrs Bousatet 11:30 hrs Easter Sky 12:05 hrs Who’s Shirl 12:40 hrs Beckermet 13:10 hrs Coiste Bodhar Plumpton 09:20 hrs Mystery Dram 09:50 hrs No Substitute 10:25 hrs Hold The Bucks 11:10 hrs Alfaamsey 11:35 hrs Walter De La Mere 12:10 hrs Ballyvoneen 12:45 hrs Sea Cadet South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:40 hrs House Of Lorraine 09:15 hrs Man From Japan 09:55 hrs Dangerous Liaison 10:25 hrs Petara 11:00 hrs Princess Salme Irish racing Tips Fairyhouse 09:45 hrs Ivan Grozny 10;15 hrs Thousand Stars 10:45 hrs Gimli’s Rock 11:20 hrs Free Expression 12:00 hrs Tammys Hill 12:35 hrs Tarla 13:05 hrs Never Complain 13:35 hrs Bosman Rule

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Liverpool go five clear, Arsenal and Everton win By Josh Reich

LONDON, England(Reuters) - Liverpool’s dream of a first title in 24 years moved closer to reality after a 3-2 win at lowly Norwich City yesterday opened up a fivepoint lead over second-placed Chelsea with three matches remaining. Arsenal beat Hull City 3-0 in a dress-rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup final to stay one point ahead of Everton,

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez (2nd L) shoots and scores his goal against Norwich City during their English Premier League soccer match at Carrow Road in Norwich, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)

who beat Manchester United 2-0 on David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park, in the race for fourth spot. Two Raheem Sterling goals and Luis Suarez’s 30th league strike of the season helped Liverpool to their 11th consecutive Premier League victory and confirmed their place in the Champions League next season. They moved to 80 points, five ahead of Chelsea who

BCCI appoints investigative panel INDIA’S cricket board has appointed a three-member investigative panel to look into allegations of corruption in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Its members are former law enforcement agency head RK Raghavan, former high court judge JN Patel and former Indian cricket captain Ravi Shastri. It comes after an Indian court urged the board to probe spot-fixing claims against 13 players and officials. The IPL is the world’s richest cricket tournament. The seventh edition of the 20-over tournament, which features eight teams of international players, began RAVI SHASTRI last week and runs until June 1. India’s Supreme Court recently ordered N. Srinivasan to stand down as chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid allegations that his son-in-law was involved with illegal betting. Mr Srinivasan was elected head of cricket’s world body, the International Cricket Council, in February. He is due to take up the role in July. Former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was installed as the interim head of the cricket board, and is responsible for overseeing the ongoing IPL tournament. The last season of the IPL was dogged by allegations of spot-fixing and betting. Spot-fixing involves players bowling wides and no-balls at certain times arranged beforehand with bookmakers. (BBC Sport)

suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by bottom club Sunderland on Saturday. Third-placed Manchester City, on 71 points and with two matches in hand, play West Bromwich Albion today. Liverpool have not won the title since 1990, two years before the Premier League began, and can move to the brink of ending that drought when they meet Chelsea at Anfield next Sunday. “At the beginning of the season, I think everyone thought it would be a struggle for us to even get to fourth,” manager Brendan Rodgers told reporters. “It shows the magnitude of the effort the players have put in to have at least guaranteed that at this stage and have Champions League football at Anfield again next season.” Sterling put the Reds ahead after four minutes when he received the ball from Suarez, shifted right and unleashed a shot from outside the box that grazed Michael Turner, giving John Ruddy no chance. STERLING PROVIDER He turned provider for the second on 11 minutes when he sent in a low cross and Suarez placed the ball inside the far post to become the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush in 1986-87 to score 30 league goals in a season. Norwich pulled one back after the break through Gary Hooper, but Sterling restored Liverpool’s buffer with another deflected effort before Robert Snodgrass ensured a nervous last 13 minutes with a second for the hosts. After a sluggish start Arsenal gradually imposed themselves on Hull, taking the lead after a neat passing move involving Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla allowed Ramsey to steer the ball home after 30 minutes, his first goal since November having missed three months through injury

It’s getting increasingly tough for bowlers, says Ajmal KARACHI, (Reuters) - Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal, widely regarded as the world’s best off-spinner, says that life is becoming increasingly tough for bowlers in limited-overs cricket. The 36-year-old believes the Twenty20 format and rule changes in 50-over matches have made a real difference. “Times have changed and there is hardly any respect for bowlers these days. The attitude and approach of batsmen has become more brazen and it has become very difficult for bowlers,” Ajmal told Reuters in an interview. “Cricket is very fast nowadays and as a bowler you are always under pressure.” SAEED AJMAL Ajmal pointed out that batsmen were now playing attacking shots unimaginable a few years back. “Batsmen can attack in T20 or 50-over cricket from the start and as a bowler you need to keep coming up with something new in every match,” he said. Ajmal, who has taken 169 wickets in 33 Tests, 182 in 110 ODIs and 85 in 63 T20s, explained that it was now commonplace for teams to get 100 or more runs in the last 10 overs of the two shorter formats of the game. “T20 cricket is made for batsmen while in ODIs the five fielders inside the circle rule has brought pressure on the bowlers,” he added. Ajmal is to play for English county Worcestershire until July when he will return home to prepare for Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka.

World Youth 110m hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde

Outstanding Jamaica sweep CARIFTA 400m hurdles final

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (CMC) – Irrepressible Jamaica won seven of a possible eight medals in its sweep of the 400 metres hurdles at the 43rd CARIFTA Games here early yesterday afternoon, to extend their dominance at the Stade Pierre Aliker. With two entries per team, the Jamaicans were going for eight medals, but Durant Crooks was forced to withdraw from the Under-18 Boys final because of a sore muscle. Nevertheless, their one entrant, Jaheel Hyde, was good enough to capture gold as he dismissed his opponents to win in a time of 51.21 seconds. The reigning World Youth 110m hurdles champion, Hyde went the full lap without any real competition, as Barbadian Rivaldo Leacock collected silver in a time of 51.37 and Kyron McMaster of British Virgin Islands, bronze in 52.85 seconds. “I knew I was the class athlete, so I just come to win the gold medal,” said Hyde, who ran 49.49 to win at the Jamaican High School Championships recently. In a rain-hit session, Kimone Green defended her title won in the Bahamas last year, with an impressive run in the Under-20 Girls event, clocking 58.47 seconds. Running out of lane one, Green had the field covered from as early as the backstretch and she accelerated beautifully, straightening and pulling away to win ahead of her Jamaican teammate Andrenette Knight who clocked 59.61 for second place. Meghane Grandson handed Martinique their first medal of the Games by capturing bronze in 60.85 seconds. In the Boys Under-20 section, Jamaica again finished one-two with Okeen Williams crossing the line in 50.99 seconds to take gold and Marvin Williams, the world youth champion, second in 51.22. Ruebin Walters of Trinidad & Tobago was third in 51.68. Jamaica also pocketed gold and silver in the Girls’ Under-18 400m hurdles final when Shenice Cohen (59.72) edged out Shannon Kalawan (59.95), with Bahamian Dreshanne Rolle taking the bronze in 60.43. Clayton Brown handed Jamaica yet another medal when he clinched gold in the Under-20 Boys high jump after he and teammate Christoffe Bryan both cleared 2.16 metres. Brown was awarded gold on count back.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Maxwell, Miller maul massive target

LIGHTNING has struck twice. After they made mockery of a 200-plus chase in their first match, Kings XI Punjab captain George Bailey said this was not going to happen every day, and that his bowlers needed to turn up. The bowlers failed to turn up again, but Glenn Maxwell and David Miller made light of another massive chase. The numbers there were staggering: between them Maxwell and Miller smashed 140 off 64 balls, smoked 12 sixes and reverse-hit and caressed eight fours. What made it better was that this came against the best defenders in the IPL: this was the first time Rajasthan Royals lost after posting 190 or more. Kings XI had got off to a sluggish start, their promotion of

Man-of-the-match Glenn Maxwell sends the ball into orbit during his brutal knock of 89 for Rajasthan Royals.

Wriddhiman Saha had backfired, and the asking rate was 10.5, to be maintained over 17 overs, when Maxwell walked. The ask was two a ball as soon as in the 10th over, and a struggling - by T20 standards - Cheteshwar Pujara would make it more difficult for Kings XI. Maxwell, though, turned it into a ‘me’ v ‘them’, farmed the strike to the tune of 45 balls to Pujara’s 23 in the partnership between them, and ran away with the game with 89 off 45. The innings was full of incredible hitting, preying on one considerably shorter side boundary and the short straight ones. He began by going after Kane Richardson in the fifth over, moments after Richardson had failed to latch onto an incredibly difficult return catch to his right. The first ball of the next over he smacked Pravin Tambe over square leg, and then eliminated - for the time being - the other big threat, James Faulkner. It began with the first ball of the over again as he flicked a low full toss for six, but he stunned Faulkner with the fifth ball of that seventh over. Faulkner had every reason to believe he had done Maxwell in with a slower bouncer, but from almost halfway down the pitch Faulkner adjusted and upper-cut him for six. Tambe and Rajat Bhatia pulled things back with their non-turning leg-rollers, and not much pace to work with. The asking rate shot past 12, and Bhatia began the 11th over with fielders deep on the leg side, and three men behind and around point in the circle. This is when Maxwell in the Mirror made his appearance. Two reverse-sweeps either side of short third man and one reverse-flick over cover later, Maxwell had gone well past his

fifty, and had also brought the asking rate back under control. The next over from Dhawal Kulkarni had a similarly strong leg-side field, and Maxwell produced his touch play again. One upper-cut, one flick, and two gentle pushes past the man at cover brought him 16 runs. And when Maxwell manhandled Bhatia for two sixes in the next over, time had come for Royals to go back to the big guns. On came Richardson, too much elevation got Maxwell, another century was missed, and Rajasthan were breathing again. They had little clue they were about to jump from the frying pan into the fire, the fire of Miller’s 51 off 19. Miller came in with 66 required off 36, which became 60 off 30 with a canny Stuart Binny over, and three quiet deliveries from Tambe compounded it even further, but now Miller began to pick his deliveries to hit. Even though Tambe bowled the next ball short, Miller smashed him over long-off for six. Pujara sort of took care of the next over with a four and three, and now Kings XI needed 37 from the last three. Richardson and Faulkner had one each left. Royals went to Kulkarni for the third. They could have gone to Binny, who had cut off all pace, and had conceded just four in his only over. They could have kept Kulkarni back for later, and given him a slightly softer scenario if Faulkner had bowled the 18th and got the asking rate even higher. But these decisions have to be made fast, and Kulkarni it was. Kulkarni’s idea was right: he was going full, he was going low, but Miller was murderous. Kulkarni didn’t miss his yorkers by much, but Miller hit him for four merciless sixes to end the contest then and there. Bailey will be pleased he has been proved wrong that such chases don’t come about every day, but he will want more from his bowlers and fielders. The bowling was listless, they dropped two catches too, and Sanju Samson and Shane Watson feasted on them. Mitchell Johnson, the leader of the attack, looked dull again, bowling just the one bouncer, with which incidentally he hit the batsman. Looking back, they will think that they had triumphed in not letting them score big fifties, but Bailey is right, these chases don’t happen every day - except when Maxwell and Miller are at their best. (ESPN Cricinfo)

First-placed Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain poses with his trophies during a photo call after the Chinese F1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Aly Song)

Happy Hamilton hails incredible Mercedes … cruises to hat-trick of F1 victories

SHANGHAI, China (Reuters) - After holding on to win what he called a “racer’s race” a fortnight ago in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton revelled in having the track to himself as he cruised to a hat-trick of victories in the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday. Hamilton, who claimed his 25th career win to draw level with British great Jim Clark and his Mercedes team boss Niki Lauda, led every single lap of the shortened 54-lap race, at times pulling

Old master Hopkins unifies light heavyweight titles (REUTERS) - American Bernard Hopkins became the oldest man to unify world boxing titles when he scored a split decision victory over Beibut Shumenov on Saturday, to add the Kazak’s WBA light-heavyweight title to his IBF crown. The 49-year-old American was awarded the fight

116-111 by two judges but Gustavo Padilla controversially had it 114-113 for the 30-year-old Shumenov, who was floored by a big right hand in the 11th round. Hopkins improved his record to 55-6-2 with 32 knockouts after dominating his much younger opponent, who suffered his second career defeat and slipped to

Bernard Hopkins celebrates his victory.

14-2-0. After a cagey opening in Washington, Hopkins took control of the contest and tellingly dictated the pace after landing a number of telling right hands through some sluggish defence by Shumenov, who fought in the 2004 Olympics. The taller Kazak stepped up his attack in the eighth, taking a couple of rounds after landing some strong lefts before being beaten to the punch by Hopkins in the 11th and dropping to one knee. Hopkins also extended his record as the oldest winner of a world title and his confident display suggested he had no plans to end a professional career which began in defeat in 1988.

away from his rivals by over a second a lap. “I’m so, so happy. I had such a great race, I really enjoyed it, particularly the last few laps,” Hamilton said. “(I was) Really trying to keep temperature in the tyres, pushing a little bit more, just to keep temperature up and the car was great.” Delighting in the formidable speed of his Mercedes, Hamilton, who crossed the line 18 seconds ahead of team mate Nico Rosberg, only lifted off briefly when the chequered flag was accidentally waved one lap early. “It’s incredible. I honestly can’t believe how amazing the car is and how hard everyone has worked,” he said. “I was just really racing myself.” It was the 2008 world champion’s first hat-trick of wins and moved him to within four points of team mate and title rival Rosberg in the championship standings. It was Mercedes’ third straight one-two finish and Hamilton was quick to pay tribute to the team he joined last year after six seasons at McLaren, who groomed him to compete in Formula One and gave him his first break. “Well, this team is on a roll that’s for sure,” Hamilton said. “The team have done a great job. We’re going to keep pushing, we’re going to keep moving forwards. “The car was really good. I couldn’t really have asked for more.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Lambert hundred puts Jamaica ahead

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert ripped up the form book and gathered his third first-class hundred to fortify his side’s position

Headley/Weekes Trophy semi-final scoreboard BARBADOS vs JAMAICA BARBADOS 1st innings 245 JAMAICA 1st innings (o.n 52 for one) N. Bonner lbw b Nurse 26 J. Campbell lbw b Benn 31 D. Jacobs c Phillips b Benn 21 J. Blackwood c Phillips b Benn 37 A. McCarthy c K. Brathwaite b Nurse 0 T. Lambert c C. Brathwaite b Benn 121 C. Baugh run-out 10 D. Bernard lbw b F. Edwards 42 N. Miller c Carter b Benn 0 J. Taylor c wkp. Dowrich b F. Edwards 0 S. Cottrell not out 5 Extras: (lb-6, nb-2) 8 Total (all out, 93 overs) 302 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-67, 3-98, 4-113, 5-125, 6-140, 7-254, 8-255, 9-264. Bowling: F. Edwards 12-0-58-2; Cummins 7-0-33-0 (nb-2); Nurse 16-4-47-2; C. Brathwaite 14-4-31-0; Benn 35-13-102-5; Carter 9-1-25-0. BARBADOS 2nd innings K. Brathwaite not out 7 O. Phillips c wkp. Baugh b Cottrell 2 S. Hope not out 5 Extras: (b4) 4 Total: (1 wkt, 7 overs) 18 Fall of wickets: 1-10. Bowling: Taylor 3-0-5-0; Cottrell 3-0-7-1; Miller 1-0-2-0 Position: Barbados trail by 39 with nine first-innings wickets standing. WINDWARDS vs T&T WINDWARDS 1st innings 248 T&T 1st innings (o/n 36 for three) L. Simmons c Mathew b Johnson 19 E. Lewis not out 47 DM Bravo c Lesporis b Johnson 0 M. Richards c Theophile b Sebastien 2 J. Mohammed lbw b Peters 19 D. Ramdin c Charles b Mathew 25 A. Hosein c Charles b Mathew 0 R. Emrit c Charles b Matthew 21 I. Khan c Charles b Matthew 2 S. Gabriel not out 0 Extras: (lb-5) 5 Total: (8 wkts decl., 47 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-33, 3-36, 4-67, 5-104, 6-104, 7-138, 8-140.. Bowling: Pascal 5-0-26-0, Johnson 10-2-44-2, Peters 14-618-1, Sebastien 10-2-28-1, Mathew 8-4-19-4. WINDWARDS 2nd innings D. Smith not out 44 T. Theophile lbw b Emrit 11 J. Charles c Hosein b Jaipaul 11 S. Ambris not out 13 Extras: (b-4, lb-5) 9 Total: (2 wkts, 23 overs) 88 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-60. Bowling: Gabriel 5-0-21-0, Richards 4-1-8-0, Simmons 1-02-0, Emrit 5-0-23-1, Jaipaul 6-0-18-1, Khan 2-0-7-0. Position: Windwards lead by 196 runs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

against Barbados in their Headley/Weekes semi-final here yesterday. Lambert shrugged off his patchy form this season to hit the top score of 121 to be the rock upon which his side built a first-innings total of 302 on the second day of the match at Kensington Oval, for a lead of 57. The 33-year-old Lambert reached his hundred from 164 balls, when he slog-swept a delivery from beanpole left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn over mid-wicket for the third of his four sixes. He put on 114 for the seventh wicket with Dave Bernard Jr that took the steam out of the Barbadians and restored stability to their innings, after they had slumped to 140 for six in the first hour after lunch. Bernard supported with 42, Jermaine Blackwood made 37, John Campbell got 31, and nightwatchman Damion Jacobs added 21. Benn was the pick of the Barbados bowlers with five for 102 from 35 overs, off-spinner Ashley Nurse captured two for 47 from 16 overs and Fidel Edwards took two for 58 from 12 overs. Batting again in their second innings, Barbados reached 18 for one, with Kraigg Brathwaite not out on seven and Shai Hope unbeaten on five. Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterell gave the Jamaicans a further boost, when he had left-handed opener Omar Phillips caught behind for two. Earlier, Jamaica, starting the day on 52 for one, were dismissed about half-hour before the close, following a pivotal hundred from Lambert that also included a dozen fours from 173 balls in 220 minutes. Left-handed opener Campbell, who was not out on 25 overnight, was lbw to Benn for 31, essaying a sweep in the first half-hour of the day. Jacobs frustrated the Barbadians for close to an hour before he was caught at silly-point, leaving Jamaica 98 for three. Jamaica stumbled to 117 for four at lunch, when Andre McCarthy was caught at mid-wicket off Nurse for a duck just before the players left the field. After the interval, Jermaine Blackwood was adjudged caught at silly point off Benn for 37, with television replays

Action on the second day of the semi-final between Barbados and Jamaica in the Regional 4-Day Tournament. (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

Windwards keep noses in front after T&T gamble

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago gambled with a bold declaration but the move seemed to be back-firing as Windward Islands ended the rain-hit second day of their Headley/Weekes semi-final on top here yesterday. Resuming the day on 36 for three in pursuit of the Windwards’ first innings of 248, T&T slumped to 140 for eight about 35 minutes after tea at Queen’s Park Oval, and opted to declare to deny the Windwards precious bowling points. Under tournament rules, the side that either wins or accumulates the most points in the semi-final will qualify for the final. Unfazed by the move, the Windwards responded well to reach 88 for two at the close, a lead of 196 runs heading into Monday’s penultimate day. Left-handed opener Devon Smith was unbeaten on 44 from 72 balls with six fours. T&T, however, ended the day level on three points with the Windwards. The visitors maintained their momentum from the follow-

Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Twice (2010 & 2013); Once (2010) SouravGanguly (KKR) & Rahul Dravid (RCB) Today’s Quiz: Who was declared Man of the Match in the last IPL final? Which two did not play in the inaugural IPL? Zaheer Khan, Dwayne Bravo, LasithMalinga, Ravi Ashwin, Dale Steyn Answers in tomorrow’s issue

suggesting the ball had struck the turf first. The Jamaicans were on the ropes, when Lambert, on 20, was dropped by Benn, and Carlton Baugh Jr (10) was run-out, backing up too far when the ball ricocheted from the hands of the bowler. Bernard came to the crease and with Lambert they resurrected their side’s chances in keeping with the religious holiday being celebrated around the world on the day, with a steady partnership that carried their side to 217 for six at tea. After the break, they put the Jamaicans in the lead before Bernard was lbw to Edwards, triggering another period of instability that left the visitors wobbling on 264 for nine. But Lambert farmed the strike in a last-wicket stand of 38 with Cotterell to reach his milestone and earn his side three valuable batting points, taking their aggregate for the match so far to six, two more than the home team. Under tournament rules, the side who either win or accumulate the most points in the semi-final will qualify for the Final of the tournament which has now been re-scheduled to start next Saturday, April 26.

Seamer Mervyn Matthew sends down another delivery during his spell of four for 19. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

ing evening, with seamer Mervyn Mathew running through the middle and lower order to finish with four for 19. Only Evin Lewis, who was unbeaten on 47 when the declaration came, offered any resistance in an innings lasting 203 minutes off 126 balls, with five fours and a six. Left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson supported with two for 44. Captain Denesh Ramdin hit 25 and Rayad Emrit, 21, but both were prised out by the incisive Matthew, in only his third game of the first class season. T&T had reason to hope when Lewis and Jason Mohammed (19) put on 31 for the fourth wicket, in a first session where only 15 overs were possible because of rain. Mohammed, who resumed on nought, had faced 31 balls and hit three fours when he was lbw to seamer Kenroy Peters, and Ramdin joined Lewis to carry T&T to lunch at 81 for four. After the break, Ramdin and Lewis pushed their partnership to 37 before they were separated, when the skipper edged Mathew behind at 104 for five. Off the very next delivery, Akeal Hosein was also caught at the wicket without scoring, as the Windwards pressed home their advantage. Lewis and Emrit put on 34 for the seventh wicket, with Emrit striking some lusty blows with four boundaries in a breezy 20-ball innings. The pair were still together when rain forced an early tea at 125 for six, but Emrit eventually fell on resumption when he gave Charles his third of four catches in the innings off Mathew. Imran Khan made just two before perishing to the combination of Charles and Mathew, triggering T&T’s dramatic declaration. Smith and Tyrone Theophile (11) then made the hosts sweat in a 45-run opening stand before Theophile and Charles (11) both fell to concede some of the Windwards’ advantage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

Suriname Easter International Badminton Tournament

Ramdhanis among Guyanese advancing to next round

THE GUYANA Badminton Association team, currently participating in the Suriname Annual Easter International Tournament at the Walter Amo Sports Hall in Paramaribo, had many reasons to smile yesterday. This was mainly due to the Ramdhani siblings, Priyanna and her brother Narayan, along with Jonathan Mangra, Ronald Chang Yuen and Hemray Beharry, all advancing to the next round in their various categories. In her Under-15 Girls singles fixture against Suriname’s Faith Sariman, Priyanna, who is a multiple titleholder in this sport on the local scene, reigned supreme with her 21-6 and 21-6 victory, before she teamed up with Suriname’s Shemara Lindvelt to defeat Kayleigh Moenne and Chaista Soemodipo-

Priyanna Ramdhani defeats Faith Sariman to reach the semifinals.

Guyana Basketball All Star Challenge set for next Saturday

THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will be hosting a Guyana Basketball All-Star Challenge come Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall the “Mecca” for Basketball in Guyana. Ravens Basketball Club is the National Basketball Club champions, this status was attained with their recent victories in the Road to Mecca, National Basketball Club Championships held in March 2014 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when Ravens defeated Retrieve Raiders of Linden in the Finals. Ravens also outplayed their opponents Kashif and Shanghai Kings in November 2013 in the 4th Brusche Basketball classic final in Linden at the Mackenzie Sports Club. Based on the outstanding performance of Dyna’s Ravens over the past year, the GABF is providing the Guyana Basketball Club ChamAKEEM KANHAI pions with an opportunity to show their courage and skills against the Best of Guyana All-Stars. The Guyana All-Star team selected by a panel of coaches contracted by GABF includes: Dwayne Roberts, Neil Marks & Lawrence DaCosta from Retrieve Raiders; Shane Webster and Alistair Webster from Amelia Ward Jets; Omally Sampson and Steve Neils from Kings; Dave Causeway and Shelroy Thomas from Bounty Colts along with Stephen Gillis, Travis Burnett and Randy Richardson from Pacesetters. The Guyana All-Star coach is Mark Agard. Dyna’s Ravens team for the Guyana All-Star Challenge will be led by National Club Basketball MVP Akeem Kanhai along with Jermaine Slater, Ryan Stephney, Rodwell Fortune, Dominic Vincente, Ryan Gullen, Marlon Rodrigues, Winston Chapman, Dellon Davidson, Dorian Lewis, Winston Chapman, Rudy James and their much loved coach Darcel Harris.

ero also of Suriname 21-1, 21-6 in their quarterfinal doubles matchup. In the Under-19 Boys round two singles action, Narayan Ramdhani made light work of Tariq Sweet of Suriname to come out on top 21-7, 21-11, even as Mangra beat Joao Troenokromo 21-11, 21-8 and in their quarter-final fixtures, Narayan Ramdhani thrashed Quinten Kertotiko 21-9, 21-7, but Mangra lost to Denzel Sweet 21-10, 21-17. In her Girls Under-19 singles quarter-finals round fixture against Suriname’s Imani Mangroe, Guyana’s Ambika Ramraj suffered a 21-6, 21-11 defeat, while she also lost her semifinals matchup in the doubles category of the same age group in which he teamed up with Krystal Peters and went under to the pair of Lindvelt and Sherifa

Jameson 21-4, 21-1. Narayan Ramdhani and Mangra gave the Guyanese contingent much to smile about after they defeated Jascha Atmodikromo and Roche Young-A-Fat 21-10, 21-8, then watched as Hemraj Beharry and Ronald Chang Yuen got past Gyan Baldew and Joao Troenokromo 21-9, 21-17, with both matches being played in the Boys Under-19 doubles category. As they have done so many times on the local circuit, the Ramdhani siblings, Priyanna and Narayan, teamed up to compete in the Under-19 Mixed doubles quarter-finals and kept the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly following their 21-9, 21-4 win over Jia Luo & Vivlane Chen, though Mangra and Ramraj lost to Mitch Nai Chung Tong and Santusha Ramzan 21-10, 21-17.

Sport

CHRONICLE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 21, 2014

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

GPF/CoP INTER-DIVISION T20…

Wills named MVP Cassey George cops another CARIFTA as TSU clinch title gold for Guyana CASSEY GEORGE

By Calvin Roberts INSPIRED by an impressive spell of bowling from medium pacer and man-of-the-match in the final, Rondell Wills, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) defeated giant-killers ‘B’ Division by nine wickets at the Police Sports Club ground yesterday afternoon, to take the top prize in the C. Persaud Dental Servicessponsored Guyana Police Force Commissioner of Police InterDivision T20 competition. Having defeated ‘E’ Division in their quarterfinal matchup the previous day, ‘B’ Division faced the Trevor Benn-led ‘F’ Division in the lone semifinal yesterday morning, following which they

… ‘F’ Division finish third

sixes and a four. In fact, Haynes, went to the wicket at the demise of Stephon Blacks (5), who was brilliantly caught by a diving Dennis Moses at extra cover off Michael Newland (1 for 6), after he added 56 for the first wicket with Carmichael. Proving that his innings the previous day in which he blasted an unbeaten 43 against ‘A’ Division was no fluke, Haynes struck the first two deliveries he received from Ryan Joe, back over the bowlers head for six, with the second coming off a noball, that levelled the scores. The ensuing free-hit was hit straight back to Joe who, along with umpire Eddie Nichols, was forced to take evasive action as the ball sped away to the boundary, sealing the win for TSU in the process. Earlier in the day, Kevis Mendonca took 4 for 14 while Benn snared 2 for 16 and Kelsey Roberts 2 for 22 for ‘F’ Division, who restricted ‘B’ Division to 105 for 8 from their 15 overs, with the match being reduced, due to seepage along with the late arrival of the Berbice-based ‘B’ Division team. Jamal Jerrick struck two sixes and one four in his topscore of 22, receiving support from Davidson 17 (1x6, Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud (right) and exclusive sponsor of 1x4) and Woolford 12, as ‘F’ this T20 tournament Cobeer Persaud, Managing Director of C. Persaud Dental Division kept a tight rein on the Services (left with shades), pose with the victorious Tactical Services Unit proceedings. However, disciplined bowling (TSU) team yesterday. from ‘B’ Division, who were led by Doris’ 5 for 14 with support from Newland and Griffith with came away with a 23-run victory and earned the right to face TSU two wickets each for 2 and 17 runs respectively, catapulted ‘F’ in yesterday afternoon’s final. Division’s for 83 in reply. They were asked to take first strike by the eventual champions, Benn led the scoring with his 12-ball 31 that included four who bowled them out for 70 after Commissioner of Police (ag) sixes and one four, before he was needlessly caught on the Seelall Persaud conducted the ceremonial bowl-off, with Wills long-on boundary by Griffith off Doris, following which ‘F’ recording figures of 4 for 16, backed by Kempton Grumble, Division’s batsmen threw their wickets away with erratic shot Quintyn Sugrim and Rawle Haynes who took two wickets each selections. for 8, 16 and 24 runs respectively. At the presentation ceremony that followed, Blacks and Doris Only Kord Griffith who topscored with 16 and was eighth man received $20 000 each, after being adjudged the players with the out at 55 in the ninth over, and Andell Doris 15 reached double most runs and wickets respectively, with Blacks scoring 117 and figures for ‘B’ Division, who at one time were precariously Doris taking 8 wickets. Benn and Ally, struck the most sixes – six placed on 41 for 7, with such batsmen as Brentnol Woolford (9), each. Emmanuel Davidson (5), Collis Cort (1) and Zamain Archibald Haynes received $20 000 for the ‘most entertaining play’ in (0), back in the pavilion. the final and Wills uplifted a trophy and $25 000 for his manIn reply, TSU raced to 74 for 1 from 9.3 overs, thanks to an of-the-match efforts. Members of the GPF top brass, including unbeaten 30 from the veteran Bertie Carmichael and a robust Commissioner Persaud, assisted with the distribution of prizes 16 from Haynes that took him three balls to accumulate - two to the respective winners. 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

GUYANA’S Cassey George earned her third CARIFTA Games gold medal in fine style last evening in Fort-deFrance, Martinique, overcoming Jamaicans Britnie Dixon and Shanieke Watson to champion the girls Under- 18 3000m as action winded down on the rain plagued second day of competition. At an event dominated by the Jamaicans, George made her country proud running a 10:03.27s to overcome both Dixon and Watson with distance to spare. Dixon crept in behind George in a time of 10:34.20s, while Watson took 10:55.42s to reach the finish line. This counts as George’s second gold medal at this year’s event, having landed gold on the opening day of competition, on Saturday, when she ruled the girls’ Under- 18 1500 in a time of 4:40.40s, once again dominating against Dixon who came third in that race. George’s medal counts as team Guyana’s third medal at the competition, with the team having also earned a gold medal in the girls’ Under- 20 400m compliments of Kadecia Baird. Baird was also expected to be on the track yesterday in the 200m, where she was also competiting against Guyana’s Brenessa Thompson. Guyana has a nine member team participating at the event. In other results chronicled yesterday Guyana’s Kevin Abbensetts finished second in heat three of four in the boys’ Under- 20 200m, where he finished 21.74s just behind Jamaica’s Jevaughn Minzie who ran the second fastest time of the heats. Minzie ran 20.81 seconds, the fastest time ,in the heats, was ran by Jamaica’s Michael O’Hara who clocked 20.52 seconds. Other Guyanese participating yesterday included Jevina Sampson and Avon Samuels in the girls’ under 18 200, Jason Yaw in the boys’ under 18 200 and Kade Pearce in the boys Under- 20 high jump. Competition at the event is expected to continue, and conclude, today. Today’s highlight for Guyana is expected to be our participation in the 4x400m girls’ Under- 18 relay, where Guyana will be represented by George, Sampson, Samuels and Natricia Hooper.

Outstanding Jamaica sweep CARIFTA 400m hurdles final

See story on page 24

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014