Guyana chronicle 22 02 14

GUYANA No. 103747

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER PRICE:

APNU amendments are ‘risky’

$60

INCLUDING VAT

Page 3

… says CFATF Advisor

No one will be spared effects of Page 3 blacklisting if AMLCFT bill not passed - Gov’t ministers tell gathering at Berbice Town Hall meeting

CFATF advisor, Roger Hernandez

Page 8

Venezuela maintains accusation against U.S.

President Ramotar meets with police top brass to address recent spike in crime …and to examine measures to reduce it PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday held a meeting at his office with

the top brass of the police force, and they looked at the recent upsurge in

crime and and mulled strategies to reduce it.

Also in photo are,

from right, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, Crime Chief Seelall

Persaud, Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, Commander ‘A’

Division, George Vyphius and Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

THE NEW HOPE BRIDGE

A student of the Hope Secondary School cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new bridge earlier this month ON Saturday February 15, the new bridge to span the Hope Canal was opened by President Donald Ramotar. The bridge was handed over to the Ministry of Public Works by the Ministry of Agriculture which had executed the project.

This bridge is one part of a

project aimed at opening another route to drain the conservancy during the rainy seasons when there is too much water in the system.

In his remarks, President Ramotar told the audience that the project was undertaken from an humanitarian point of view.

For years the people of Ma-

haica and Mahaicony rivers have been flooded out over and over again. President Ramotar told the meeting that he had gone into those areas on many occasions when they were affected.

He told the meeting how heart wrenching the situation was, given the fact that farmers are some of

Vehicles making use of the newly commissioned EDWC Northern Relief Channel Public Road Bridge, at Hope

President Donald Ramotar, centre, flanked by Government Ministers and residents of Hope during a walk over the newly commissioned bridge

the most hard-working people in the world, and when they see their crops flooded and can do nothing about it, it is extremely painful.

The whole family, the community and the country suffer. Labour is lost.

The flooding not only destroys crops but kill off livestock. The President noted how pained he was to see animals, mainly cattle, wading through flooded areas, with only their heads above water.

Many die from drowning due to cramps.

President Ramotar noted how agonising it always is to release water from the conservancy in those two rivers. The alternative would be worst, flooding the whole East Coast.

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

President Ramotar said that when completed, it is expected that it will be a big boost to the

agriculture in the area. Pointing out that he was expecting greater yields and higher production in the area.

This, he suggested, would go a far way in securing Guyanese food supply. He noted also that Guyana can also make a contribution to the Caribbean food security as well. In so doing, the economy can benefit.

He noted that the region imports more than four billion US dollars (US$4B) in food per annum. He said Guyana that could make a contribution in reducing this huge food-import bill of the Region.

The bridge is also important in adapting to climate change. All the scientific evidence shows that the world’s climate is undergoing changes.

In the US and Canada, huge snow storms and rains are creating big problems on the eastern side of the country. While in the West, California, drought is leading to the rationing of water. The drought is the worst in 500 years.

In the UK ,dramatic floods are causing great inconvenience and damage in many areas. The Thames River is overflowing due to unusually heavy rainfall.

That is why the project, when completed, will be important in preparing for the likely changes that the weather will bring for Guyana.

The bridge is now open to traffic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

APNU amendments are ‘risky’ … says CFATF Advisor

GUYANA, in no uncertain terms, has been informed that it must have the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill passed and enforced by February 28.

This was according to Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) adviser, Roger Hernandez, at a press briefing, which followed yesterday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the AML/CFT Bill, at Public Buildings.

The CFATF official made it clear that CFATF is an independent body that does not involve itself in the legislative process of its member countries.

However, pressed for a comment on the three proposed amendments by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), he acknowledged that the amendments are risky ones.

The three amendments seek to change the entire governing apparatus of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); remove the Attorney General wherever that name appears and replace it with the FIU; and vest a police officer or customs officer with a power to seize currency from any person, anywhere in Guyana, if those officers have reason to believe that the cur-

rency is the proceeds of crime or will be used to finance crime.

Hernandez explained that there are two major risks in the amendments as presented: one that Guyana could be-

CFATF advisor, Roger Hernandez come non-compliant in areas the country has already been deemed compliant; and two, that their implementations present several challenges in terms of effectiveness.

He stressed that these “observations” were made known

to all the Committee members for their consideration.

“This is definitely something for the parties concerned to look at,” Hernandez said.

The CFATF advisor added that his observations are confined to the amendments in their current form – an acknowledgement that they are still to be finalized.

Whether the amendments become a part of the Bill, whose provisions the Committee has unanimously supported, or not, Hernandez noted that the enacted legislation will be subject to review by CFATF to ensure that it is compliant with required standards.

He reiterated that the concerns over the current risks of including the amendments, as is, into the Bill have been expressed.

“Once it is passed, we will have to look at it and analyse it,” the CFATF advisor said.

Hernandez disclosed to members of the media that once Guyana is required to submit a report to CFATF on February 28, which must include a copy of the enacted Bill, which will, after analysis, be correlated to the deficiencies identified by the body at its November 2013 Plenary meeting, before a report is made in May 2014.

Also, the report has to address Guyana’s plan of action to correct its deficiencies as part of the ongoing process, as well

No one will be spared effects of blacklisting if AMLCFT bill not passed

- Gov’t ministers tell gathering at Berbice Town Hall meeting GUYANA’S blacklisting status will have implications for everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations, several Government ministers told a large gathering last evening as they called on the residents of New Amsterdam,in Region 6, to reach out to their politicians and ensure the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly by February 28.

The meeting conducted at the Berbice High School, and which saw addresses by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister in the Ministry, Juan Edghill and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, was among three planned by Government targeting Opposition strongholds, given their stance on the AMLCFT Bill. On February 19 a meeting was conducted with residents of Linden, whilst another was held today (February 21) with residents in Bartica, Region 7.

In tackling the claim by an Alliance For Change (AFC) member that the matter does not concern the ordinary Guyanese, but only the rich, Minister Singh said nothing could be further from the truth, because “they are attempting to mislead the people of Guyana into believing that their current position on the matter is not a harmful position against the people of Guyana. I am saying to you today, that if the bill proposed

by Government to Parliament in response to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFTAF) recommendations is not passed in Parliament, the implications will be grave for each and every Guyanese citizen,” Minister Singh told the Berbicians.

DIRE IMPLICATIONS The minister, clarifying the dozens of channels, through which blacklisting will affect Guyana, emphasised that the country risks becoming isolated by the international community if it

is identified as a jurisdiction that has not taken steps to fight money laundering. “No investor that raises money on the international capital market, the stock exchange or banks overseas would do business with a jurisdiction that is viewed as not having taken steps to fight money laundering, they cannot afford to do business with such a country,” he said.

The minister explained that, “no bank will lend money to an investor; no stock market will generate funds for any investor that is coming to put that money in a jurisdiction that is seen as soft on money laundering,” and therefore, the result will be no new investors for Guyana. It will also mean the pulling out of those already in Guyana.

“There is no boundary, there is no line that insulates anyone of us that says we would be protected from the adverse consequences of this blacklisting and the inevitasee page 8

as report the conclusions on the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill.

Between February and May, it is expected that there will be dialogue and discussions with CFATF and the current Administration, with regard to the preparation of the report for the CFATF Plenary.

If the May Plenary is dissatisfied with Guyana’s progress, CFATF’s November 2013 statement already provides the decision for the country’s referral to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which meets again in June 2014.

GETTING OFF THE LIST The CFATF advisor pointed out that FATF’s International

from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana.”

According to him, once the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill is put in place, Guyana will be required to report on its progress with the enforcement of the legislation.

He pointed out that getting off CFATF’s blacklist could take between 18 months and two years.

Hernandez said too that he is aware that some Caribbean entities have already “issued directives” for the appropriate measures to be taken to guard against the risks emanating from Guyana, due to the country’s non-compliance.

The CFATF advisor’s com-

invitation for a CFATF official to be present to add clarity to several queries.

APNU Committee members, at the end of the meeting, requested a private session with the officials, which lasted for approximately 25 minutes.

The APNU members were unavailable for comment after their meeting with Hernandez.

Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, as an ex-officio Committee member, sat in on the first hour of yesterday’s meeting and told the Guyana Chronicle that Hernandez made it clear that the Bill, which is of national importance, must be passed and enacted by February 28.

“The gridlock on this matter

Chair of the Select Committee, Gail Teixeira, with theCFATF advisor, Roger Hernandez, prior to yesterday’s press briefing Cooperation Review Group’s (ICRG) Review could result in blacklisting at one of three levels.

This, he noted, could affect the financial sector and the average citizen in matters ranging from opening a bank account to Guyana’s ability to access funding from international development agencies.

H o w e v e r, H e r n a n d e z stressed that, of note, is the fact that Guyana is already on CFATF’s regional blacklist, following the body’s pronouncement in November.

At that time, CFATF said, “Guyana must therefore pass the relevant legislation and implement all the outstanding issues within its Action Plan including: 1) fully criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing offences; 2) addressing all the requirements on beneficial ownership; 3) strengthening the requirements for suspicious transaction reporting, international co-operation, and the freezing and confiscation of terrorist assets; and 4) fully implementing the UN conventions.

“Members are therefore called upon to consider implementing counter-measures to protect their financial systems

ment confirmed increasing concerns of many average Guyanese since last November of increased challenges with their financial transactions, among them are use of money transfer services.

Prior to the press briefing, Hernandez was part of the twohour meeting, after the Select Committee at Wednesday’s meeting decided to offer an

must be broken….the nation has to have this legislation,” Trotman said.

Government members on the Committee contend that each of their positions, as it relates to deadlines, content of the Bill and the repercussions of missed deadlines have been vindicated by the clarifications provided by the CFATF advisor.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Ukraine peace deal signed, opens way for early election (Reuters) – UKRAINE’S opposition leaders signed an EU-mediated peace deal with President Viktor Yanukovich on Friday, aiming to resolve a political crisis in which scores have been killed and opening the way for an early presidential election this year.

Under pressure to quit from mass demonstrations in Kiev, Russian-backed Yanukovich made a series of concessions to pro-European opponents, including a national unity government and constitutional change to reduce his powers, as well as bringing forward the poll.

“There are no steps that we should not take to restore peace in Ukraine,” the president said in announcing his concessions before the agreement was signed. “I announce that I am initiating early elections.”

Within hours, parliament voted to revert to a previous constitution slashing Yanukovich’s prerogatives, sacked his interior minister blamed for this week’s bloodshed,

and amended the criminal code to pave the way to release his arch-rival, jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

With Ukraine caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the West, at least 77 people have been killed this week in the worst violence since the independent country emerged from the wreckage of the Soviet Union in 1991.

It was not clear whether the concessions would be enough to persuade protesters demanding Yanukovich’s immediate removal to lift their occupation of Kiev’s central square.

EU leaders and the White House praised what European Council President Herman Van Rompuy called a “necessary compromise”, but there was no explicit endorsement of the accord in grudging comments from Moscow.

For now, the deal, mediated by the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland and France, appears to have been a victory for Europe in its competition

Ukrainian deputies fight 21, 2014. with Moscow for influence.

The European envoys

11 die in attack by militants on Somali president’s compound (Reuters) – AT LEAST 11 people were killed when Islamist militants attacked the Somali presidential compound on Friday, blasting through a gate with a car bomb and fighting a gunbattle with guards.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was unharmed in the assault on the heavily-fortified compound known as Villa Somalia, which

also houses other government agencies. Al Shabaab, a group linked to al Qaeda, claimed responsibility.

The president said the incident would not stop his government’s work to rebuild Somalia after decades of war.

“An act of terrorism, however unspeakable, does not hide the truth that this is a marginal group on the brink of

Obama meets with Dalai Lama despite China warnings

extinction,” Mohamud said in a statement.

There were conflicting reports about what happened.

Abdikadir Ahmed, a senior police officer, told Reuters the fighting took place at the house of Somalia’s top military commander, General Dahir Aden Indha Qarshe, near the presidential palace.

A government official who declined to be named said the militants reached a mosque in the center of the compound where the president usually prays on Friday.

The chief of staff of the office of the prime minister and a former chief of intelligence were killed, along with six militants, he said.

He said the president was not at the mosque at the time of the attack although he had been planning to go.

“That is where the president normally goes to pray,” he said.

“So they were aiming at the president I guess.”

The death toll could not be immediately verified.

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during a session of parliament in Kiev February signed the document as wit- Vladimir Lukin, acknowledged nesses, but a Russian envoy that Moscow had fallen behind did not. The Russian envoy, the EU in the latest diplomacy:

“The EU representatives were in their own way trying to be useful, they started the talks.

“We joined the talks later, which wasn’t very right. One should have agreed on the format of the talks right from the start,” Lukin was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

Nevertheless, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton acknowledged that implementing the accord would be “very challenging”. Ukraine is bitterly divided and near bankruptcy.

A Reuters correspondent at the signing in the presidential headquarters said Yanukovich, 63, a towering former Soviet regional transport official with two convictions for assault, did not smile during a ceremony lasting several minutes.

Opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko, a retired world boxing champion, switched his nameplate to avoid sitting next to the president.

(Reuters) - PRESIDENT Barack Obama met exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday in a show of concern about China’s human rights practices, and in spite of warnings from China that the visit would “seriously damage” ties with Washington.

The private meeting appeared to last about an hour, although the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was not seen by White House photographers as he entered or exited the complex.

Obama reiterated his support for Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions and human rights for Tibetans, the White House said in a statement.

“The president stressed that he encourages direct dialogue to resolve longstanding differences and that a dialogue that produces results would be positive for China and Tibetans,” the statement said.

Obama also said he does not support Tibetan independence from China and the Dalai Lama said he was not seeking it, the White House said.

It was the third time Obama had met the Dalai Lama, who the White House calls “an internationally respected religious and cultural leader.” Previous meetings were in February 2010 and July 2011.

In what appeared to be a small concession to the Chinese, the visit was held in the White House Map Room, a historically important room but of less significance than the Oval Office, the president’s inner sanctum.

China calls the Dalai Lama a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” who seeks to use violent methods to establish an independent Tibet. The Dalai Lama, who fled to India after a failed uprising in 1959, maintains he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet and denies advocating violence.

China took control of Tibet in 1950. Human rights groups say China tramples on the religious, cultural and linguistic rights of Tibetans and enforces its rule using brutal methods.

The United States recognizes Tibet as part of China and does not support Tibetan independence, but supports the Dalai Lama’s approach for more autonomy, and has long urged the Chinese government to hold talks with him, said Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.

“We are concerned about continuing tensions and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China,” Hayden said ahead of the meeting.

In Tibetan regions of China, including four provinces outside Tibet, more than 120 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Chinese rule. Most have died.

The meeting came at a delicate time for Sino-U.S. relations. The United States has expressed concern about China’s increasingly assertive behavior in the East China Sea and South China Sea and Obama’s U.S. strategic pivot, or rebalancing, toward Asia, is seen as a reaction to the growing clout of China.

As part of the strategy, Obama plans a week-long visit in late April with allies Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22 2014

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Venezuela threatens to expel CNN over protest coverage (BBC News) VENEZUELA’S President Nicolas Maduro has threatened to expel the US news network CNN from the country over its reporting of recent protests there.

Mr Maduro said he would take action if CNN did not “rectify its coverage”.

Earlier, Mr Maduro said he was sending troops to the western state of Tachira, where there has been continuing unrest.

With tensions running high, the leader of the opposition, Henrique Capriles, has called for a fresh, peaceful anti-government march on Saturday.

There were reports of further clashes in the state of Tachira and in districts of the capital, Caracas.

At a news conference, Mr Capriles rejected violence and

said he was ready for dialogue, but claimed the government was not willing to listen.

“In this turbulent hour, we call on the students and on those on the streets not to fall into the trap of violence,” Mr Capriles said before showing several videos allegedly containing evidence of abuses by the security forces.

On national television, President Maduro accused his opponents of promoting violence.

He vowed to take the perpetrators of attacks against the Caracas metro, who were allegedly also caught on video, to court.

Mr Maduro also lashed out against the coverage of the protests by foreign news organisations.

“Enough war propaganda, I won’t accept war propaganda

against Venezuela. If they don’t rectify themselves, out of Venezuela, CNN, out,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the US network, only available on cable in Venezuela, told the BBC it did not have any immediate comments about Mr Maduro’s comments.

Last week, the government removed Colombian TV news channel NTN24 from channels offered by Venezuelan cable operators.

The government has been highly critical of international media coverage, while protesters say they are concerned with a lack of media freedom, says the BBC’s correspondent in Caracas, Irene Caselli.

Mr Maduro also ordered the expulsion of three US diplomats this week.

InvesTT looking to China for Billion $$ investment (Trinidad Guardian) PRESIDENT of InvesTT, Racquel Moses, says the nation’s investment promotion agency is hoping to use next week’s mission to Beijing, Shanghai to encourage companies in that country to invest in T&T’s non-energy sector.

InvesTT is leading a delegation of more than 30 entrepreneurs and business executives who are going to China to investigate the possibility of opening

up new markets for T&T goods or for new suppliers for imported inputs.

While in China, Moses says she will be looking to lure Chinese companies to invest in T&T. “We are hoping to sign several memoranda of understanding with some Chinese firms regarding investment opportunities in T&T.” The main thrust of the investment promotion agency in China will be to promote invest-

ment in a combined solar park, which Moses estimates could attract up to US$1.8 billion in new investment.

Moses says the proposal is for the co-location of four discrete yet conjoined manufacturing facilities, whose ultimate output would be solar panels for export to the regions and the hemisphere.

The facilities are a polysilicon plant, a metallurgical silicon plant, a float glass plant as well as a photovoltaic plant.

Cricketer Ryan Hinds cleared of sexual assault charges BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Barbados and West Indies cricketer Ryan Hinds was cleared of sexual assault charges at a hearing on February 17, the West Indies Players’Association (WIPA) has reported.

A statement out of WIPA Friday said that Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles dismissed sexual assault charges against Hinds after the complainant in the matter informed the court that she would not be presenting evidence.

Hinds, who was represented

by Queens Counsel Patterson

Cheltenham, was not present at the hearing.

The charges stemmed from an incident involving a then 28-year-old woman on February 19, 2012. Hinds had maintained his innocence from the outset, WIPA said.

“The dropping of these charges is an immense weight off my shoulders,” said Hinds, after learning of the outcome.

“I need to thank God for this blessing and for the immense support of my family, Mr Cheltenham my attorney, and Mr Winston

Stafford at the BCA [Barbados Cricket Association].

There were days when I thought there was no end in sight for this matter but they kept me grounded and focused throughout. I am now very keen to try and regain a place in the Barbados national team,” added Hinds.

President Nicolas Maduro accuses his opponents of violence and vandalism US President Barack country instead of “making up Obama said the Venezuelan false accusations” against US government should address officials. “legitimate grievances” of the Earlier on Thursday, a

of being behind of acts Venezuelan court ordered that detained opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez remain in custody pending further hearings.

Jamaica gets more time to pass IMF-related legislation (Jamaica Gleaner)THE GOVERNMENT has been given a one-month extension to pass the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, which is one of the structural benchmarks under the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The legislation was to be passed by the end of March.

Speaking at an IMF review press conference last week, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips, indicated that there would need to be slight modifications to some deliverables.

And Thursday Minister of Industry and Commerce, Anthony Hytlon, told the joint select committee reviewing the legislation, that the deadline to pass the law has now been moved to the end of April.

Hylton said the additional time will allow for much more in-depth review of the proposed

Act. This is the second time the IMF has granted Jamaica an extension on the deadline to pass legislation as part of the structural benchmark under the extended fund facility.

The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act will repeal the 1880 Bankruptcy Act, which was last amended 19 years ago.

In the new act, the Gov-

ernment is proposing that a bankrupt individual who makes a fraudulent disposal of his property before or after the date of the initial bankruptcy event has committed an offence.

Such a person is liable on conviction before a Resident Magistrate’s Court to a fine of up to $1 million or up to one year in prison or both.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

GUYANA

How much longer will the Guyanese people endure criminals barbarity?

EDITORIAL

Are security guards safe in work environments?

SEVERAL times, security guards have been brutally attacked and even killed at worksites, leaving one to wonder at the great risks elderly males and most often uneducated females take to earn the pittances security firms pay their employees for risking their lives.

The age ranges of security guards that are employed by private security firms begin from the late 20s, all the way to the 70s.

Many of these guards are from former military and paramilitary backgrounds, and are thought to bring the appropriate skills to an occupation that requires being disciplined, prompt, punctual, alert and responsible, given the critically precise nature of the profession. But specifically, one will find security guards mostly in the 50s to 70s age group in the service of these firms, as they are perceived to be more mature, dedicated, and reliable than their younger counterparts.

But should very aged persons, irrespective of their commitment, be employed as security guards, especially being assigned alone to locations that are rated high risk? This question may be considered contradictory, given the reasons alluded to above, as to the reasons for such employment consideration in the first instance.

One must hasten to be objective, and the fact is that security guards of various ages have been found murdered at worksites.

The case of a young female guard killed at the Uncle Eddie’s home, some years ago, is recalled.

Given the fact that aged guards would be less able-bodied in most cases, perhaps less alert, too, it would make good and rational sense for such a guard to be accompanied by another colleague. An observation was made that in all the cases where security guards have met tragic ends, they were the sole persons at their locations. This leads to the inevitable questions concerning the type of site to be protected, and the guard assigned.

It is a given that sites where there are on-going construction works, and those that are repositories for storage of materials, are natural targets for criminal attacks. It necessitates that these areas be properly secured and brightly illuminated, and that they be assigned appropriately armed guards, since the latter is going to be the first-line target in any robbery attempt. But such is far from the reality, and a survey of such places will reveal that those requirements are either not met wholly, or are partially observed, or not at all.

How rational is it to place an inappropriately armed single guard at a location where, for example, he/she is responsible for the safe-keeping of multi-million dollars worth of materials/ goods? This is fodder for any criminal.

Another instance is referred to, of a guard who lost his life at an East Coast worksite a few years ago. Not only did the location store a significant quantity of materials, but it was also improperly lit. Not so long ago his widow reported in the media as to the difficult times she has been experiencing in providing for their five surviving children since his murder.

It is manifestly unfair to the particular guard, who it seems was assumed to have been endowed with superpowers: expecting him/her to defend against deadly attacks, while in the process of ensuring protection of the particular locale, is unconscionable. It is a non-starter for proper and efficient security, and renders that

I WAS shocked, angry and upset when I heard (on Thursday, Feb 20th) that my friend Mr. Brijlall Persaud, aka ‘B-Boy’, was robbed and murdered by criminals at approximately 08:00 hrs on the busy Lombard Street, Georgetown, as he was heading to seek his legitimate livelihood for his loved ones.

I’ve known ‘B-Boy’ for over 20 years and I am not aware of anything unscrupulous about him. He was honest, friendly, peaceful, caring and a loving gentleman; he is loved by everyone whomever became acquainted with him. What a tragic loss to his family, friends and the fraternity of America Street.

How much longer are the people of this country going to endure these criminals and their barbaric practices? Good guys are losing their lives, their wives and children and family members are left to suffer while most of society doesn’t seem to care. We all need to take

a stand and co-operate with the law enforcement agencies and bring these criminal elements to face the full force of the law. I am of the opinion that if we remain silent and withhold information, very soon we may be their next targets and victims.

I hope that professionalism and good sense will prevail during the investigation of the robbery and murder of Mr. Brijlall Persaud.

We all need to work together to build a better society and ultimately a better county. My family and staff extend our sympathy to the bereaved wife, children and friends of Mr. Brijlall Persaud.

May God – The Almighty have mercy upon Mr. Brijlall Persaud and may his family be comforted by this goodness.

So sorry!

NAZAR MOHAMED

No infrastructural development in Charity, Pomeroon IT is refreshing to read Ms. Vilma DaSilva’s proposals to improve the environment of Charity, Pomeroon River, appearing in your Wednesday edition, “PPP/C Councillor proposes triple-deck market for Charity”.

I travel to Charity monthly, and find the municipality dirty, shabby and filled with pot-holed roads. It is a stark contrast to the clean Essequibo Coast which one must pass through on the way to Charity.

There is absolutely no infrastructural development taking place there, although many new private structures have been built, especially by the Alphonso family.

The main road is dusty and dirty, and shoddy patchwork is evident. The road outside the Pomeroon Oil Factory is almost impassible, given the many pot-holes that must be carefully navigated to avoid serious damage to one’s vehicle. People there are often seen dumping their trash in the river.

Ms. Da Silva recommends a triple-deck market perhaps because land space is scarce, and thus one needs to build high to compensate for this. I don’t have an opinion on this. Charity, like all village markets, has to cater for “permanent” and “transient” vendors.

For Charity, the transients operate only on Mondays, which is Market Day. So, a suitable marketplace should contain permanent structures, and temporary ones that can be dismantled and removed after Market Day. The market for permanent vendors should be different from that of the transients. For permanent vendors, it should contain conforming structures, whether in triple-deck buildings or otherwise, with well painted and maintained shops, as seen at the Anna Regina market. A tarmac would suffice for the transients. No structure should be allowed on the tarmac that cannot be removed at the end of the day.

Converted vans with drop-down sides where goods can be displayed would be ideal for such vendors. But once such a market is developed, all other shabby structures around the municipality should be dismantled.

The dumping of garbage, on the other hand, is cultural. Cultural changes are difficult, because the action is ingrained in the psyche, but can be addressed through education and harsh penalties. Making an example of those caught littering and dumping will discourage the tendency. This requires a structured programme to go after the dumpers through surveillance and other monitoring methods of the river front and market areas. Further, knowing surveillance cameras guard defenceless and open to be fatally harmed. What resistance can an unarmed guard offer to criminal attacks, where guns, cutlasses, iron bars etc., are used?

The brutal death of this septuagenarian security guard must serve as every good reason for all private security firms to re-examine their security strategic plans, which must include the welfare of those guards whose lives are at great risk each time they are on duty. It must be emphasised that sites are now attacked by criminals with murderous intentions, and rarely by petty thieves. But even they can kill, once obstructed in the execution of their criminal acts.

Finally, this editorial is not about discriminating against aged security guards, since there are practically varied social circumstances why so many of them are employed. In fact, they bring a work ethic that should be emulated by their much younger counterparts. But, as in the case of Frederick Minty, who so valiantly fought off his attackers at their initial attempt, had another guard been there, they may not have returned, much less to commit murder.

are in place will add to the discouragement of these illegal acts.

The road conditions just indicate that those in authority there have no pride in their municipality. I have already reported on the shoddy patchwork seen on the main road in a previous letter. The wharf that floated into the river has never been replaced, and I know of no plans to do so, resulting in inadequate landing space for people and goods.

Many private structures have sprung up over the past several years in Charity, but eventually these investments would all be diminished by the lack of infrastructural development and inept management. Ms. Da Silva’s proposal is just the beginning, and must be followed up with action.

LOUIS HOLDER

Is this the way to treat anyone, Amerindian or not?

I AM shocked and disappointed at the horrible and inhumane treatment of Fatima Martin, a 19-year-old Amerindian female employed by a city magistrate as a babysitter, based on allegations that she hit the child of the said magistrate, who retaliated by physically assaulting her.

And though she was forced to endure all this, the poor and powerless babysitter was sentenced to five years in prison by another magistrate. Let me ask an important question here: is this the kind of justice and protection the Amerindian people of Guyana will receive by the magistracy and police should the parliamentary Opposition (PNC/APNU & AFC) be allowed (and I hope not) to run this country?

What I do know is that, generally, the Amerindian communities of our country will never give electoral support to the PNC/APNU and AFC. But is this the reason why Fatima Martin, a poor and powerless Amerindian female from a farflung Amerindian community, was jailed for five years without legal representation?

Many Amerindian communities I have so far informed, have expressed profound sadness about the plight of Fatima Martin.

But while the babysitter was not correct in hitting the child, a proper and professional course of action should have been taken to right that wrong by the infant’s parents, and definitely not by the application of cruel and uncivilised punishment, nor taking her to court, which I believe was totally uncalled for.

Fatima Martin’s unfortunate dilemma is, therefore, just an indicator of what can happen to us Amerindians should the PNC/APNU and AFC become the Government of Guyana.

This should never happen, so I am appealing to the Amerindian communities of Guyana to strongly take note, and keep on condemning the parliamentary Opposition (PNC/ APNU & AFC), which are power hungry and Burnham-like.

PETER PERSAUD

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Carl Parker’s mouthing off is his way of marketing himself KINDLY publish this letter for me in your widely read newspaper. I read Carl Parker’s long-winded letter in the Stabroek News of Monday, February 17, 2014 under the caption, “Lethem rates were raised in 2009, with a promise of Electricity 24/7, it did not happen then; it will not happen now”.

Kindly permit me to state the following: 1. Carl A. Parker is an APNU/PNC activist and Regional Councillor on the Region 9 Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Parker is known in Lethem to be likened to a barrel that makes the most noise. Parker said in his letter that “The prime minister has been misinformed about my role and has called on residents not to follow me.” Well, the prime minister is totally correct and in order.

Can Parker say why he is not welcome in the Kwaimata Amerindian Community any longer by the senior councillor?

2. Parker, in his letter, said, “The people are my bosses, and they instruct what issues I must represent.” The few people that Parker claims to represent in Lethem are misguided PNC/APNU supporters. Many residents of the Rupununi region are aware that if Parker

cannot help himself, how can he help them?

3. Parker’s long-winded letter dealt a lot with Lethem’s electricity situation and even referred to the Moco-Moco Hydro-Power Scheme, which is currently not in operation. But the truth is that Parker is not an electrical engineer; neither is he an expert on hydro-electricity, and on this basis is not qualified to make pronouncements on the electricity situation in Lethem, which can definitely be misleading and technically not feasible. Yet Parker’s letter gives the impression that he wants to have a debate with the prime minister at a meeting in Lethem on the electricity situation, knowing fully well that he is not qualified to do so, and that his actions are merely being anti-Government and not progressive for the Lethem residents.

4. Parker, in his letter, accuses the management of the Lethem Power Company of malpractices, which is absolutely misleading and wicked. The problem with Parker at Lethem is that he is job-hunting and wants to be hired by the company. But this is Parker’s style of marketing himself, which is responsible for his being on the road to nowhere. Little things in Lethem’s public sector he mischievously

Winds of change blowing in India THE just concluded state Assembly elections in India not only rejected nationwide anger and anguish at the present Congress led UPA dispensation, but also a craving for change in terms of governance and political practice. The Aam Aadmi party surprised many by winning 28 seats in Delhi on the back of its anti-corruption drive. Six months ago, nobody thought that the fledgling AAP would be a more than a footnote in the Delhi Assembly elections. The rise of the party in Delhi has given a boost to the politics weary people’s confidence, opening a new chapter in Indian politics.

Hopes ran high that Mr Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi party would work towards bringing about systemtic changes. But the AAP government lasted just 49 turbulent days of coming to power as the Chief Minister failed to get his dream Bill-the Janlokpal- even introduced in the Delhi Assembly since both the national parties, the Congress and the BJP ganged against it. Indeed, in an enviornment dominated by corrupt national parties and media houses owned by corporates, an honest minority government was bound to face challanges.

But Mr Kejriwal, a commoner, has proved beyond doubt that much can be achieved even in one’s initial foray into politics. Braving hostility and absence of support from any seasonable politician, he has made a valiant attempt to improve the status of the aam admi.

As far as governance of Delhi is concerned, AAP has much to show in improving life in Delhi. Mr Kejriwal’s resignation proved that he has no hunger for power and is a leader who is true to his word. It has only raised his stock among the common people of Delhi who form his core support base and believe that he will come back to power with an absolute majority. Mr Kejriwal’s renunciation of his post over a point of principle has definitely bolstered the AAP’s appeal among the working classes and is likely to pay dividends.

Public opinion, especially in the media, a section of which turned hostile to Aam Admi party, is divided. The hawks are out to get Mr Kejriwal, with the media going to town criticising him for being confrontationist and non-pragamatic. It is amusing to see pro establishment elites rushing to savage AAP for being too activistic while in government. His party’s so-called populism is being severely criticised by the media. One is unable to understand why Mr Kejriwal is being subjected to such castigation merely for doing things differently from the traditional politician. Let us remember that he came into politics not to wield power but to change the system. No matter he may sometimes exceed some societal limits in his zeal to address the common man’s plight, but what matters is that he appears to be earnest in his endeavour to fulfil all his promises.

During its 49 days in charge, the Aam Admi party’s decision to slash power and water prices, followed by street protests over Delhi policing, were hugely popular with the common man. But rivals accused the party of dumping its constituency and treating governance with contempt.

Mr Arvind Kejriwal’s unconventional approach to government, unparreled in democratic India, has not won AAP many friends. The

initial euphoria that prevailed when the AAP formed government in Delhi is quickly evaporating due to its unorthodox politics: But then the AAP is known for out of the box political strategies, as seen in the Delhi Assembly elections. The AAP was not formed to tinker with the political system but to completely overhaul it from within. Therefore, Mr Kejriwal’s style of governance is bound to be different from the existing status quoist style practicised from within air conditioned secreteriats.

That said, critics of the AAP think Mr Kejriwal to be weird when he goes to Dharna and then sleeps on the footpath in cold weather.

But his roadside Dharna was neccessary to keep his commitment to people friendly government. It is for a fact that when we play by the rules in order to get justice, we usually run up against a dead end or a torturously long procedure. Sometimes it becomes neccessary to compel government authorities to take cognisance of citizen’s complaints through protest as people have lost faith in government.

Moreover, people didn’t elect AAP for business as usual, like during the Congress and BJP regimes. In fact, it is refreshing to see AAP ministers being proactive in telling the arogant and compromised Delhi police to do its duty for citizens and not softpeddle on cracking down on criminals ans rackets. With its Janta Darbar also the AAP tried a new experiment in addressing public grievances. It may have failed but it gives rise to an opporunity to discuss the issue of finding solutions for common man’s problems.

There is no doubt about Kejriwal’s sincerity of purpose and his firm stand on corruption. But there is much anxiety about the way the party comes across as playing to the gallery. He may be a crusader against corruption but he has to learn the basics of politics and governance. The AAP’s stand in the last few weeks may or may not pay off in terms of extending its political footprint and shoring up voter support. But many of its actions have raised serious concerns about its ideology, methods, visions and world view.

In fact, Mr Kejriwal was playing right into the hands of his critics by taking to the streets whereby he was ridiculed for anarchism and political immaturity. He should have taken care to concentrate on governance, gain experience and the focus on winning the confidence of the people rather than stick to the core election manifesto of an anti- corruption law.

Mr Kejriwal should realise that things cannot be changed overnight. Unless he factors in the ground realities he may not be able to make a mark in national politics. Even Gandhi Ji and Jayprakash Narayan were anarchists who disobeyed the prevailing law of the land for a cause. AAP should realise that it is not just enough to form a political party and win elections as it will be judged not only by what it preaches but also by its practice. Only then can its commendable achievement spill over to other metros of India where residents are equally disgruntled and willing to accept change with open arms.

SUNITA VAKIL (Delhi based senior journalist)

blows out of proportion, just to regain political relevance and to capture the attention of the PNC/APNU leadership through the Stabroek News. My information is that the PNC/APNU & AFC are on the decline in the Rupununi region.

5. But Parker conned the Lethem residents, whom he called his “bosses”, and what they need to do now is to quickly fire him, since electricity in Lethem is back to normalcy after a mechanical failure. Parker fooled Lethem residents that electricity will not return to them. But that is his style of irresponsible and awkward leadership in the Rupununi region.

PETER PERSAUD

Minister Rohee needs to be more forthcoming MINISTER Rohee needs to do better than say that the party supports local government elections, while stating that their appointees do not think that GECOM is ready to hold elections in August.

He asks whether the Opposition has asked GECOM if they can hold an election in August. It would have been much more productive if the Local Government Minister were to hold a meeting with GECOM and all parties and interested stakeholders, to get their official responses on when an election can be held successfully, thereby giving all a chance to ask questions and make suggestions, while agreeing on the best possible date.

Any democratic organisation should welcome constructive comments. Government officials have a tendency to make things harder for themselves than necessary. Truth and reality loses out to perception if the truth is not spoken in the best manner for anyone to understand.

Let GECOM itself state officially and publicly when it can hold an election. The only excuse not to set an election date is whether GECOM can do it or not.

Surely, after all this time, every party should be ready for an election in at least four months time. Call for any meeting by political parties should not delay the earliest date doable by GECOM. Otherwise, even though it is not true, the perception is that government is stalling.

N. AUGUSTUS

Giving credit where credit is due A FEW days ago, I penned a letter, albeit with a heavy heart, highlighting several instances where the utility companies in Guyana have failed to provide quality levels of service to citizens countrywide.

It gave me little satisfaction having to resort to airing my grievances in the public domain; I however thought it appropriate, since I was always of the belief that one voice can make a difference, and therefore effect change.

That said, it would be remiss of me not to share with members of the public my positive experiences since, and to give credit where credit is due.

I must also commend the CSRs at the water company for their diligence and responsiveness to the issues raised a few days ago; this shows that concerns raised in the public domain are being heard and addressed when they are brought to the fore.

I want to publicly express my gratitude for the feedback I have been receiving, and to encourage members of the public to visit the offices of the utility companies, bring your issues to the table, interact with the CSRs, and do not suffer in silence.

Situations can escalate when issues are not ventilated and brought to the attention of the relevant officers who can assist; I am now convinced that there may be just one person who is willing to listen and make the effort to ensure you receive the service that you rightly deserve.

C. SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Venezuela maintains accusation against U.S. VENEZUELA’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Embassy in Georgetown, yesterday, criticised United States Secretary of State John Kerry for comments following charges, by high-ranking Venezuelan officials, that his country is supporting the orchestration of a coup d’état by the Opposition.

The Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, on Tuesday in an interview, denounced the “destabilising actions” of the Opposition in her country, for “violating” the nation’s people.

She charged that the “fascist” Opposition is being supported via “interference” by the U.S. through its State Department, to orchestrate a coup d’état.

Speaking through translator Liliana Tejeda, the Ambassador alleged that the U.S. support is being offered to Opposition elements through the funding and training of youth organisations, as well as civil society, to “practice acts of violence” and create chaos.

On Wednesday, the U.S. issued a statement, from its local embassy, debunking claims by high-ranking Venezuelan officials that it is supporting the orchestration of a coup d’état by the Opposition in the neighboring State.

This was in addition to the comments made by Secretary Kerry.

NEW PLOY A statement from the Embassy rejected Kerry’s assertions, saying these “constitute a new ploy from the government of Washington to promote destabilisation attempts against the Venezuelan democracy, triggered by violent groups” over the last week.

It continued:“Obama’s Administration lies when it questions

the validity of human rights and democratic guarantees in our country.

“Institutions of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, formed in a State of Law and Justice, guarantee the enjoyment of political rights to all its citizens, in a framework of large and constitutionally enshrined civic freedoms.

“The Government of the United States lies when it denounces the detention of pacific anti-government protesters.

“The Venezuelan State has acted and will continue to do so against violent actions by small groups of right-wing extremists who, dangerously, conspire against democratic freedoms by putting at risk the life of our fellow citizens, against their freedom to peacefully exercise their rights, as well as acting against public and private property through loutish acts punishable by law.”

According to Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kerry, on behalf of his Government, comes to the defence of violent leader Leopoldo Lopez.

“The world must know that there is enough evidence that the groups who have provoked violence in the last few days are led

by Mister Leopoldo Lopez, who has been issued a legal arrest warrant so that he is brought to the authorities and there will be neither force nor coercion able to halt this decision made by the Venezuelan authorities, which is necessary to restore peace in our Homeland,” the statement said.

The Venezuelan Ministry has, since, called on the Government of the U.S. to accept its responsibility towards the Venezuelan people and the world, for allowing American institutions and individuals to finance, legitimate and encourage actions by people and groups who attack the Venezuelan society and seek to twist the democratically expressed will of our people to build their destiny in sovereignty and peace.

AUTHENTIC DEMOCRACY “The Venezuelan people and Government, along with the rest of State institutions and organizations of the people’s power, will, imperturbably, continue to exercise all actions which, within the framework of the Constitution, as well as laws and principles of authentic democracy for the people, are necessary to guarantee the normal development of society, and to defeat the violence agenda openly endorsed by the imperial government of the United States,” it warned.

The neighbouring State has also called for the “most active solidarity” from independent governments and peoples of the world, against American intervention.

Hundreds of students have spent the past week in the streets of Caracas, alternating between peaceful protests by day and pitched battles with Police at night, in the massive unrests fed by hardships that include rampant crime, 56 per cent inflation and shortages of basic goods.

The massive protest actions have left four people killed and saw three American diplomats expelled from the country.

According to reports in the Venezuelan media, the Opposition firebrand Leopoldo López, on Tuesday, handed himself in to the authorities after coming out of hiding to attend a rally of supporters in Caracas.

The Venezuelan Government issued an arrest warrant for López, who is accused of “terrorism” for his alleged role in violent anti-government demonstrations across the country.

President Maduro has also publicly claimed that López has been conspiring to overthrow the Government with the connivance of university students and the backing of the U.S. López, a former mayor of one of the capital’s districts, has denied the accusations.

No one will be spared effects of blacklisting ...

From page 3 consequence will be that Guyana will once again return to where we were prior to 1992...” Minister Singh said.

“We must never forget no matter how they dress themselves up, what new name they assume, the tiger does not change its stripes and Mr. (Carl) Greenidge was the Minister of Finance at the time who presided over the criminalising of Guyanese for choosing to eat what they wanted to. It is Mr. Greenidge that made flour an illegal commodity as cocaine and the destruction and decimation of the Guyanese economy and they want to repeat

it again...the chief architect of that destruction of the Guyanese economy is at work again... and he is attempting to repeat the destruction that he wrought on the people of Guyana. We must stand up against it,” he said.

For 10 months, APNU stalled on the implementation of the AMLCT bill in accordance with the CFATF guidelines.

It was only on February 10, they proposed to move forward amendments to the principal act and not the bill itself. The APNU is now proposing that police and customs officers be given the power to stop and search persons, on the basis

of suspicion that they are in possession of the proceeds of money laundering, and if such persons are found with $2 million worth of currency or more, it can be seized and the persons locked up.

APNU is also proposing to change the whole Government structure of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), removing the power of the appointment of the director of FIU from the minister and placing it in a committee of the National Assembly. They further proposed the establishment of an authority comprising 10 persons nominated by the National Assembly after consulting with stakeholders.

A section of Berbice residents at the consultation

“They have said that although they agree with the clause of that bill, they will not support the clause of that bill unless they get what they want, including cash seizure. That is blackmail! That is highway robbery! That is putting a gun to your head and say give me your money or else I would pull the trigger,” Minister Singh pointed out to the town hall meeting.

“The consequences, if we do not get this bill passed will not discriminate in its impact, it will not only affect and devastate the lives of people who voted for the PPP, but it will damage and it will adversely affect the lives and the business of all the citizens of this country,” Minister Nandlall said.

He said, he, Ministers Edghill and Singh attended the consultation because “it is what we believe in because we are patriots and we are serving our country and we are serving the people of our country and this is bad for the people of our country,” he said.

“The AFC boasts in Georgetown that they have broken the back of the PPP in Berbice, they have taken the votes of Berbicians, we chose New Amsterdam because traditionally it is a stronghold of APNU, we have come in their own backyard to speak to their own supporters because this

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, addresses the gathering at the Anti Money Laundering Consultation in New Amsterdam, Berbice. is not about politics...the devastating impacts will not discriminate and only affect PPP supporters,” Minister Nandlall said.

He urged that the residents utilise every mechanism to get through to their politicians that they must pass the bill as the entire country will feel the effects of non-compliance.

“We brought this town hall meeting to you because your voices must be heard on this matter,” Minister Edghill said.

He said that the way the residents’ voices can be heard is for them to urge the Opposition politicians to support the bill.

“You cannot keep quiet on this matter comrades, too late too late cannot be the cry,” he urged.

At the Linden meeting on Wednesday, residents there urged the passage of the AMLCFT bill, and thanked the government for taking the awareness session to their community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

Deputy mayor confirms why Opposition-controlled City Hall is such a failure OLD Kai is astonished at the professional incompetence proudly displayed by our Deputy Mayor of the capital city, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green.

The issue surrounds a move by the Town Clerk, Ms. Carol Sooba, to increase the fees for vending along the traditional Mashramani route as a means of bringing in much needed income to the cash-strapped operations of City Hall.

We are informed that this move is being viciously opposed by the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and some of their acolytes within the Council. In fact, according to a Stabroek News article on the issue, “Mrs. Chase-Green sees this new initiative by the Town Clerk as a way of destroying Mashramani as it was exploiting vendors who were trying to do business on that day, while adding that small vendors are now being asked to pay $10,000 and $15,000 for spots.”

Further, according to the article, Mrs. Green had pointed out that “the main reason for collecting fees for spots on Mashramani Day was for the council to earn ‘some’ cash so as to clean up the garbage after the celebration. She said the clean-up exercise costs between $356,000 and $400,000.”

Old Kai was not aware that City Hall is the new Dharm Shala! Imagine these words are coming from the second highest ranking official within City Hall who has sat there for years presiding over the deterioration of the M&CC, to the point where even the workers could not be paid several months at a time, our streets are filled with garbage, canals cannot be cleaned and roads repaired. Small wonder that the iconic building they are housed in is also falling apart.

So our question to the Deputy Mayor who loves to speak, but apparently does not think before she enunciates, is how does charging a minimal increase for vending along the Mash route equate to destroying Mashramani?

Those vendors are not out there to provide a service free of cost to revellers; they are out there to make a profit. They have seen it is profitable and like any other entrepreneur, large or small, will exploit that opportunity.

The narrow-minded approach to managing City Hall by the Deputy Mayor and her opposition colleagues is even more evident when she pronounces that their sole aim is to raise around $400,000 to clean up after Mash Day and that is it. These are the geniuses in charge of our capital City and yet we sometimes act

surprised at their inability to put proper systems in place and improve the overall conditions of our environment.

What about the fact that the sheer weight of traffic by both humans and machines along the stretch of roadway, including the slow-moving, heavy duty trucks would contribute to the accelerated deterioration of these roadways?

What about the fact that the vendors who bring their tents, machines, vehicles, etc, and set up camp literally on the edge of the canals will also contribute to the deterioration of the parapets along the stretch; and then this in turn will have further impact on the roadway?

What about trying to recoup some cost for having to pay all those City Hall staff that will be on duty during Mash Day, including the City Constabulary and the fact that they will expend more fuel having to drive around all day? Added to this is the fact that some of those very workers will also have to be paid by City Hall the following day to do the clean-up.

There are several other hidden costs which have also been overlooked by the Deputy Mayor, but there is no need to ‘stress’. Central Government as usual will step in to fix up the road when it is broken and if they do not, City Hall will ‘cuss dem’ until they do. Robeson and Ramsammy will also get their people to do the clean-up exercise, so City Hall workers can relax.

This is how the Opposition-controlled City Hall manages our city. Rather than running it with good business acumen to make it more effective, transparent and responsive to the needs of our people, we have the complete opposite.

Further, when the Town Clerk who appears like a one-woman army attempts to break away from this incompetence, she is attacked.

Fair enough, but reverting to outrageous lies to attack the woman is something which should be met with serious consequences as we are told by the Deputy Mayor that Ms. Sooba hiked the vending fees for Banks DIH from $360,000 to in excess of $800,000.

Ms. Green needs to say where she came up with that figure, as according to Ms. Sooba, it was simply an increase of $40,000 from the $360,000 original fee taking it to $400,000 for Banks DIH occupying several prime spots on Mash day.

It is an 11% increase and clearly contradicts the assertion by the Deputy Mayor that it was more than a 300% increase.

How can this individual with a clear lack of business acumen be placed in such a significant position when City Hall is in financial

shambles and is crying out for dynamic leadership to overcome this morass on incompetence?

Mashramani is not a national holiday, Republic Day is and Mashramani is one of the main activities to celebrate this landmark occasion every year.

While the Mayor and Deputy Mayor continue to stick their heads in the sand, Mashramani has now become a major economic venture. Vendors go there to make money, businesses participate in the float parade to market their enterprises and/or products, stores cash in on the big Mash sales, even costumes are now on sale, suppliers cash in, even the ‘chick chick and 3-card’ board men will go home smiling.

But according to our Mayor and Deputy Mayor, “What has happened is that spot has now become an economic venture for the council….to gain money and that was never the intention….

It is a national holiday…we can’t charge people to watch the parade. We are going to tell people don’t pay a cent.”

These two still seem lost in the past as no one is proposing charging patrons to watch the parade; Old Kai challenges them to point out where was that ever indicated.

Vendors are being asked to pay a minimal increase which is part of efforts to attract additional sources of funding no matter how small for City Hall. In all of this we are told that only Banks DIH has pulled out because it does not want to pay the $40,000 increase for the areas it would usually occupy but everyone else is still on board.

So it looks as though Ms. Sooba has once again prevailed over the dinosaurs at City Hall.

In closing, it is necessary to point out that Old Kai in the mid-90s worked in one of those very tents situated along the stretch. So I am very much aware of how much money they made since then. In fact, I was paid $5,000 for the day and no, I did not stash anything from the box even though my job was to make the change and watch everyone else. That was close to 20 years ago, so you can only imagine the revenue these days.

Old Kai will be out there and who knows, I might even land another job serving you from a tent this year. But don’t expect my fee hike will be anything like Ms. Sooba’s, it will more likely be in the Deputy Mayor’s 300% range.

Happy Republic Day to all Guyanese and do enjoy your Mashramani!

THE NEED TO PASS THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTER THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM AMENDMENT BILL THE attitude of the Opposition parties to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill clearly reveals their intention to place the interests of Guyanese in jeopardy. Not passing this bill, or passing it with amendments that do not coincide with CFATF AND FATF rules, will lead to the blacklisting of Guyana in which many international institutions will not want to deal with our financial institutions.

THE ORIGIN OF THE LAW After the attack by terrorists on several targets throughout the world but particularly the attack on the US in 2001, the international community decided to join efforts to fight illegal funds, (anti-money laundering), and

financing of terrorism (usually the proceeds of these funds go to gun running and eventually end up supporting terrorists organizations).

One of the measures that was decided on to combat those crimes was the standardizing in the main the laws dealing with this issue. All the countries in the Caribbean and most in the world have passed similar legislation.

The principal act was passed in the Parliament of Guyana in 2009. Then it got the full support of the then Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition then was Mr. Robert Corbin.

At FATF and CFATF meetings (which meet once or twice a year) the laws are examined and based on the international experience amendments are agreed on to tighten the laws in all the countries.

That is what this amendment is all about.

It is, of course, intended to prevent the drug traffickers, the money launderers and terrorists from taking advantage of any “loop holes” in any country to conduct their “business.”

THE OPPOSITION BEHAVIOUR The Opposition, instead of passing the bill when it was put in the National Assembly, insisted on sending the bill to a Special Select Committee (SSC) of the Parliament. They did so on the grounds that they had substantial amendments to make to it.

For some ten months the Opposition offered no amendments to the bill. They filibustered and wasted time. The SSC held many

meetings and the record would show that the Opposition parties only dragged their feet and did everything to waste the time and frustrate the passing of the bill.

It was only at 9 pm on the evening of Sunday February 9, that the Opposition made proposals.

It is apposite to note that the amendments proposed were not on the bill that is before the Select Committee but to the Act that was passed in 2009. This is a violation of the practices of Parliament and the Standing Orders. The Select Committee should only make changes to the bill before it. The act is not before the Committee.

Once more displaying their dictatorial tendencies the Opposition again used their razor thin one seat majority to subvert the Parliamentary procedures and bulldoze amendments.

THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT One of the amendments they are proposing is to give powers to the police and custom officers to seize any currency above two million Guyana dollars from anyone in Guyana if they suspect them of being in position of such currency.

It should be noted that currency does not mean only cash, but also jewelry, precious metals etc.

This is a major change from what obtains today. At the moment money of that amount can be taken from a person at the airport or other ports of entry if the person is in possession of such funds does not declare it at entry or exit.

This is enormous powers now being put in the hands of the police and customs officers.

This can lead to serious abuse of power which will also lead to a lot of inconvenience of people.

OPPOSITION AIM The Opposition’s line is clear. They are really ready to sacrifice the welfare of the Guyanese people. For them it seems that they want and are working to damage the economy in the hope that people will blame the Government.

It is the same Opposition, when they were in Government, destroyed our economy and established a dictatorship.

Now in Opposition they are showing the same tendency, using the one seat majority. On this matter they are not willing to consult with the people.

As they say the leopard cannot change its spots.

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Accused eye-drops thief on $80,000 bail ORANIE Gittens, 33, of Lot 249 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, charged with simple larceny, was put on $80,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, between October 29 and November 8, 2013, he stole 79 eye-drops and a quantity of insulin, together valued $502,886, property of International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA).

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the defendant was employed as a bond clerk with IPA and was arrested, along with others, but only Gittens was charged.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Gordon Gilhuys, who represented the defendant, requested reasonable sum for his surety and the case was put off to March 21.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Digicel helps construct fence for Kwakwani basketball court DIGICEL Guyana, as part of its seventh anniversary celebration, donated a quantity of materials to the Kwakwani Interest Team after a request was made to build a fence around their basketball court.

In addition to supplying the materials, 15 Digicel employees journeyed to Kwakwani to lend support by assisting in building the needed fence.

Head of the Kwakwani Interest Team and coach of the Junior Basketball Team, Ms. Anne Gordon, emphasised that she could not be more grateful for Digicel’s unwavering help.

“We appreciate everything that Digicel is doing for us here in Kwakwani, especially in the line of basketball. The fence was really needed and Digicel has always supported us and we are forever grateful. This will benefit the young people whose lives revolve around basketball,” she said.

As a major sponsor of youth basketball in Guyana, Digicel

will continue to support initiatives like this, as it can be seen as a positive step to fostering the development of youths in Guyana, Communications Manager, Ms. Vidya Sanichara said.

She indicated that this project is one of the many community outreach programmes in which Digicel Guyana is involved.

Sanichara said:“As part

of our commitment, corporate social responsibility ranks high on our agenda and, as a result, we are encouraging individuals and groups, who may seek assistance with their various charity events and activities, to use our Grant Application form, which is now available on our website at digicelguyana.com/upload/ grant_application_form.pdf

Digicel staffers as they assist in the construction of the fence for the basketball court at Kwakwani.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

‘Poison’ Pindar committed to High Court trial for attempted murder VICTOR ‘Poison’ Pindar, also called Sherwin Pindar, 41, of Lot 295 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was on Tuesday committed to stand trial in the High Court for attempting to commit murder, details of which relate that on October 21, 2013, at Leopold Street, Georgetown, the porter committed the crime on Carsdale Aaron.

That preliminary inquiry (PI) commenced on February 10 and the accused was remanded to prison during his trial, which was conducted before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

When the case was first called, Police Sergeant, Neville Jeffers, prosecuting, said that Aaron and Pindar had a misunderstanding over a lost cellular phone. A confrontation ensued, after Pindar became annoyed and stabbed Aaron several times about his body with a knife.

Aaron was hospitalised for some time after the incident, and later lost a kidney due to the injuries he had suffered at the hands of Pindar. (Geeta Rampersaud)

Man accused of hiding marijuana in crotch on $50,000 bail COLIN Accra of Lot 3809 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, on Tuesday last, charged with possession of narcotics. He was placed on $50,000 after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of that charge are that on Sunday, February 16, at Stabroek Market, he had in his possession 14 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana).

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said that on the day in question, around 08:00 hrs, police on duty at the Stabroek Market area observed Accra behaving suspiciously and conducted a search on his person, unearthing a black plastic bag containing the prohibited substance from within his crouch.

Prosecutor Grant did not object to bail, and the case was transferred to Magistrate Faith McGusty for report and fixtures on March 14. (Geeta Rampersaud)

Barbadian remanded for allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm on minibus driver BARBADIAN national, Mike Clark, facing a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Shawn McAlister, was refused bail in Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry’s court on Tuesday.

When in Guyana, Clark resides at Lot 2 Norton and Camp Streets, Georgetown.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offence, details of which state that on February 15, at Holmes Street, Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on McAlister with intent to maim or disfigure him.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the virtual complainant is a minibus driver who, on the day in question, had a misunderstanding with Clark. He said Clark armed himself with a knife and dealt Mc Alister several stabs about the body.

Attorney-at-law, Mr. Adrian Thompson, representing Clark, said his client came to Guyana for the Mashramani celebrations. Defence counsel said he was instructed that the virtual complainant hit the accused with his minibus which caused the misunderstanding.

Grant successfully objected to bail for Clark, citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that Clark is a potential flight risk, since he is a Barbadian national. The matter was re-adjourned to yesterday. (Geeta Rampersaud)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Stakeholders in more consultations on National Youth Policy

By Ravin Singh THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has embarked upon another round of dedicated consultations with various categories of stakeholders to integrate a policy document and provide specific feedback on how the content and proposals may be improved.

The objective is to optimise the government’s goal to * empower, through appropriate responses, youth (meaning adolescents from 10 years up to 29 years) and to mitigate the negative impacts of development on these Guyanese youth and * ensure, in a sustainable manner, the well-being of all young women and men in Guyana.

Specific recommendations would have already been made to

improve/validate the key strategy areas, priority targets and implementing mechanisms proposed in response to the existing and emerging youth development situations and challenges in youth development in Guyana.

A national strategic recommendation would have also been made to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the National Youth Policy that leverages the comparative advantage of all implementing partners and young people.

Among those present at the symposium on Wednesday was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who highlighted the need for the National Youth Policy (NYP).

SCHOOL DROPOUTS He made mention of the

monies being invested in the education system, yet the social problem of school dropouts is prevalent.

Anthony pointed out that youths in these times are starting families at a young age while not capable of handling such commitment.

He also saw employment as another problem youths are faced with, today and expressed the hope that, through this new implementation, these issues will not only be identified but measures will be taken to combat them.

Launched in August 2013, by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, it was an ambitious programme to deliver a modern and comprehensive NYP for Guyana.

The NYP is intended to give effect to the goal of the government to empower its young people in keeping with applicable and recommended regional and international policies and good practices on youth development.

The project comprises the provision of an independent consultant on a short-term basis, funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Programme, to conduct research and prepare the policy draft, as well as support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to assure the

effective engagement of youth and other key stakeholders in consultative processes across regions of Guyana to inform the policy development.

NATIONAL TEAMS Two national teams, a National Stakeholders Committee (NSC) and a Youth Steering Committee (YSC), were appointed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, to oversee and advise on the formulation and implementation of the policy, with the preparation of a NYP draft that recommends 11 key strategic policy areas for attention.

Also addressing the gathering on Wednesday was the Guyana/ Suriname representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Marianne Flach, who noted that her agency has supported the Government of Guyana in the process of the finalisation of the NYP and made sure that youths were provided with the opportunity to participate in the nation-wide consultations in urban, rural and hinterland regions.

“We expect that the successful implementation of the National Youth Policy will contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by enabling gov-

Minister Frank Anthony in his address to stakeholders on Wednesday ernment and all stakeholders to effectively plan for sustainable futures for young people and empowering them to play a constructive role in the social/ economic development of their country,” she said.

Chairman of the National Stakeholders Committee, Mr. Rawle Small; Programme Manager of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Ms. Dwynette Ever-

sley; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Alfred King and Guyana Youth Policy Consultant, Mr. Derek Alleyne, also made valuable contributions to the forum.

The NYP is a document being developed to guide priority interventions by the state and other key stakeholders to participate in youth development and be involved in productive life.

From left, National Youth Policy Consultant, Mr. Derek Alleyne; Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Ms. Marianne Flach, representative of UNICEF Guyana/Suriname; Programme Manager of Commonwealth Youth Programme, Ms. Dwynette Eversley; and Mr. Rawle Small, Chairman of the National Stakeholders Committee

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

NAMILCO, NAJAB Trading make donations to GPF - Force receives quantity of breathalysers, mattresses & pillows

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine symbolically receives the mattresses and pillows from businessman Mr. Mohamed Najab, as Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis, looks on.

By Michel Outridge NATIONAL Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO) has donated 15 breathalysers and 2,000 mouthpieces to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

On Tuesday last, as well, officials of NAJAB Trading Establishment made a donation of 300 mattresses and 300 pillows to the GPF. The presentations were made in the Commissioner’s Conference Room, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, in the presence of officers in the senior management team.

Managing Director of NAMILCO, Mr. Roopnarine Sukhai, said he was motivated to assist the Force with the equipment after being involved in a vehicular accident and there was no breathalyser available at the station during the investigation.

He expressed his company’s willingness to help with having the equipment recalibrated, annually, through the suppliers.

Commissioner Leroy Bru-

mell, expressing gratitude for the timely gesture by NAMILCO, admitted that it would aid, meaningfully, in traffic enforcement and the Police Force’s efforts in maintaining road safety.

FORMER POLICEMAN Managing Director of NAJAB Trading, Mr. Mohamed Najab, who is a former policeman, made what he said was an “initial donation” of mattresses and pillows to the Force, primarily for use by ranks undergoing training at the Felix Austin Police College.

He posited that, once the environment during the early period of training was comfortable, healthy and conducive to learning, it would motivate the ranks to give better performances upon leaving the institution.

At the same time, he pledged to give further assistance with mosquito nets.

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who received the donations on behalf of the GPF, expressed sincere appreciation for the gesture and said the Force is happy

over the continuing partnership with the community, as the administration seeks to advance and modernise the organisation.

Top Cop Leroy Brumell as he receives one of the Breathalysers from Mr. Roopnarine Sukhai, Managing Director of NAMILCO. The persons looking on are Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis, and Financial Controller of NAMILCO Mr. Fitzroy McLeod.

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GPL issues advisory on meter reading GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL), yesterday, urged all consumers countrywide to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the monthly reading of their meters by its authorised readers.

In its monthly operational report, the utility noted that 11.5 percent of its total postpaid customers’ bills were estimated as a result of the inability of its meter readers to gain access to for the purpose of obtaining readings, primarily because of locked gates and incorrectly positioned meters.

GPL said the highest incidence of locked gates occurs in Regions Three and Four, while villages on the West Bank Demerara get the most estimated bills.

GPL reminded customers

that the contract for provision of service requires it to have unimpeded access to the meters.

Further, the right to access for having GPL’s meter read is provided for by law under the Electricity Sector Reform Act 1999 with amendment in 2010. The Law also empowers GPL to disconnect the service, if it is unable to read the meter.

GPL, therefore, wishes to inform customers that “failure to have your meters read for two consecutive months would result in the disconnection of service.”

GPL’s meter readers operate from Sunday to Sunday, between 06:00hrs and 7:00hrs and, in cases where the customer is not at home or the meter is not visible to the reader, customers should

make special provisions to have their meters read.

For further information in this regard, GPL is asking customers to kindly contact Billing Services on telephone numbers 226-4015/16.

Customers are also urged to ensure a valid GPL Employee Identification Card (ID) is presented at all times by meter readers, pointing out that the front side of the employee’s ID should bear a visible photograph of the person, the name and designation and, on the reverse side, have the Company’s Deputy Human Resources Manager’s signature and date of employment.

GPL encourages customers, as well, to visit its website www.gplinc.com for information on the positioning/relocating of meters to facilitate readings.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

GPL announces planned maintenance schedule in Essequibo GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is continuing planned maintenance on its generating equipment with the number one Wartsila unit at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

The utility announced that a major overhaul is scheduled from February 27 to March 9, in keeping with the manufacturer’s recommendations as a part of GPL’s rigid maintenance programme aimed at ensuring efficient and reliable power generation.

During this overhauling, there will be insufficient capacity to satisfy demand during peak hours and residents on Essequibo Coast will be subject to scheduled loadshedding as follows: * Thursday, February 27, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Friday, February 28, Devonshire Castle-Charity (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Saturday, March 1, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Sunday, March 2, Devonshire Castle-Charity (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Monday, March 3, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Tuesday, March 4, Devonshire Castle-Charity (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Wednesday, March 5, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Thursday, March 6, Devonshire Castle-Charity (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Friday, March 7, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs); * Saturday, March 8, Devonshire Castle- Charity (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs) and * Sunday, March 9, Onderneeming-Supenaam (17:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs).

GPL, apologising for the inconvenience, advises customers to cut out and keep this schedule.

Guyana joins regional battle against mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya

By Alex Wayne GUYANA has joined a regional battle against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said on Wednesday.

While there have been no reported cases in Guyana, he said authorities would be waging a war against mosquitoes and be on the alert for persons complaining of symptoms.

“The ministry is coordinating with all stakeholders both locally and regionally to ensure that coordinated efforts are implemented to prevent and mitigate the effects of chikungunya on the Guyanese population.

Heightened efforts will concentrate on vector control, epidemiology and surveillance, laboratory detection of cases as well as the clinical management of cases,” Dr Persaud is quoted as saying in a statement released by the Ministry of Health.

The chief medical officer explained that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, also transmits chikungunya. He said there is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya. “We do emphasise the need for the public to recognise that their role is pivotal for the prevention and control of chikungunya,” he added.

Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and causes a dengue-like sickness. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue.

The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer.

Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is advising persons with those symptoms to seek urgent medical attention.

“Members of the public who might be experiencing these symptoms or know of someone experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek medical assistance from the nearest health facility,” said the chief medical officer.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was informed of 10 locally transmitted, confirmed cases of chikungunya on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin on December 12, 2013. The World Health Organization - International Health Regulations (WHO-IHR) confirmed that a new viral infection was actively being transmitted in the Caribbean and poses a threat to health. Since then more than 1,400 confirmed cases have been reported, from Anguilla (1 case), Aruba (1 case), British Virgin Islands (5 cases), Dominica (4 cases), French Guiana (4 cases), Guadeloupe (175 cases), Martinique (518 cases), St. Barthelemy (83 cases), Saint Maarten (65 cases) and St. Martin (601 cases). One confirmed death was reported in St. Martin.

The Health Ministry is urging Guyanese to take the necessary steps to help prevent mosquito breeding and bites by that insect by taking the following precautions: • Eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites indoors and outdoors.

• Keeping water drums and barrels tightly covered.

• Disposing of stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites.

• Ensuring waterways and drains are not blocked with debris and remain free-flowing.

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites by using bed nets, insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Man accused of CPOG celebrates 38 years voluntary service shooting paramour THE Community Policing Organisation of Guyana (CPOG) will be celebrating 38 years of voluntary service to the people of Guyana.

The celebrations will begin with a press conference on February 26 and conclude with a Youth Conference in Bartica on March 15.

Activities are planned in every Community Policing Division with the main ones being celebrated in ‘F’ Division at Bartica.

The theme for the 38th anniversary is “Safeguarding communities through strengthened community policing leadership”.

Community policing in Guyana commenced in the year 1976 with the objective of harnessing the energies of willing members of communities across Guyana, in support of the work of the police, to achieve a crimefree society and to be responsive, together with the police,

to the needs of the communities in respect of the necessity to maintain law and order.

To this end, Community Policing Groups (CPGs) were established in all police divisions within Guyana, with a view to crime prevention at the community level and protection of public property.

EXPANDED OBJECTIVES Subsequently, the objectives were expanded to embrace development of youth clubs, health consciousness, road safety, environmental enhancement and any other activity of benefit to the community.

The membership of the CPOG, currently, consists of 268 groups with 4,244 members who, over the years, were exposed to training in policing, administration, domestic violence, trafficking in persons, interpersonal violence, fire fighting, road safety and first

aid.

A release said achievements during the year 2013 were: * revision of the CPOG constitution; * splitting of the police divisions into smaller Community Policing Divisions; * revision of the processes for the election of divisional and national community policing executives; * provision of uniforms and vehicles to all CPGs; * provision of VHF communication equipment in divisions where such equipment can operate and * provision of safer vessels for river patrols The release added that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CPOG wish to thank the Government of Guyana for all the support rendered throughout the years “as we look forward to their continued support in years to come.”

dead committed to High Court trial – after PI

F O R T Y- Y E A R - O L D Jermaine Maynard (no address given), who is accused of shooting his ex-paramour Carlissa Matthews was on Tuesday committed to stand trial at the High Court for the capital offence.

When the preliminary inquiry (PI) commenced on February 10 before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Maynard was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. George Thomas.

Approximately 12 wit-

nesses testified in that PI, conducted by Police Corporal, Bharat Mangru. Based on the evidence, a prima facie case has been established against Maynard, since there is enough evidence for him to stand trial at the next practical sitting in the Supreme Court.

Particulars of the indictable charge are that between Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and Wednesday, January 1, 2014, at Croal Street in Georgetown, Maynard murdered the 20-year-old Matthews.

On Maynard’s first court appearance, Police Prosecutor Corporal,

Bharat Mangru, informed the court that the victim and the accused had shared a relationship, which ended a few months prior to the incident. He said the unlawful killing took place around 23:50 hrs, when Matthews was standing by the KFC outlet in the Stabroek area. The accused approached her, drew a gun and shot her to the head, causing her to fall to the ground. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where she succumbed to her injuries around 02:15 hrs on January 1, the prosecutor said.

(Geeta Rampersaud)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

More embezzlement charges against three Muneshwer’s employees

THREE employees of Muneshwer’s Limited appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, facing separate charge of embezzlement.

One of them, Subrina Rahamat, of Lot 2887 Well Road, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, being employed as a clerk or servant at the store, she embezzled the sum of $52,014,249, taken into possession by her or

in the name or account of her employer, between June 5, 2012 and February 9, 2013.

Another, Bibi Twahida Ali denied the allegation that between August 18, 2013 and April 13, 2013, she embezzled $6,466,869 cash taken into possession by her or in the name or account of her employer.

The third defendant, Bibi Shiroon Ali, also pleaded not guilty,

to accusations that, between July 11 and October 3, 2013, she embezzled $470,684, taken into possession by her or in the name or account of her employer.

The trio was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Nigel Hughes, who applied for them to be admitted to bail in reasonable sum and Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, did not object to the grant.

The three women were previously charged with several counts of embezzlement committed on Muneshwer’s Limited, as well.

They first appeared in Court on January 17 and were ordered to each post $150,000 surety. On that occasion, Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, who prosecuted, told the Court that, in relation to the two Alis, they are sisters and reside at Industry, East Coast Demerara, and had been put on $100,000 station bail, individually, since October and were reporting to Police at Eve Leary.

The Prosecutor said the defendants were backdating receipts and it was observed, by the accountant, that some of the dates were on National Holidays.

However, on the new charges, the siblings and Rahamat were all placed in $100,000 individually and their cases were put off to March 14.

Convicted robber pelts reporters on way to prison TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD mason Wendell Austin, of Lot 134 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced to 56 months imprisonment yesterday, by Magistrate Judy Latchman, for robbery under arms.

He had first appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge that said, on Saturday, January 4, at Longden Street, Georgetown, being in company of others and armed with a knife, he robbed Kishan Persaud of one Toshiba laptop computer, one Blackberry Bold cellular phone, one silver band and ring and $15,000 cash, together valued $216,000.

His trial commenced on January 24 and the Prosecution was led by Police Inspector Joel Ricknauth. Magistrate Latchman informed the convict that, having considered the seriousness and prevalence of the offence in today’s society and the organised manner in which the crime was committed and the fact that a weapon was used, he must serve that sentence.

Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, had said previously that, around 12:30 hrs that day, the victim was walking along Longden Street heading to Timehri Mini-bus Park, when the defendant in company of another male placed a knife to his neck and relieved him of the articles mentioned in the charge.

The incident was reported and the defendant was positively identified by the virtual complainant on an ID parade.

Austin was escorted to the washroom yesterday, while his case was put down for a while to be recalled for sentencing.

But, on his way back to the courtroom, with his hands cuffed in front of him, he bent down and picked up a piece of wood and pelted in the direction of members of the media.

Fortunately, the reporters who were standing approximately 10 feet away from the prisoner, managed to dodge the object.

For Saturday February 22, 2014 -09:30hrs For Sunday February 23, 2014 -11:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

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Upgrading of internal roads in Zeelugt North Housing Scheme THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Housing and Water - Central Housing and Planning Authority - will be executing major road upgrading works within the community of Zeelugt North Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Essequibo in Region Three.

Residents of the Zeelugt, North Housing Scheme are hereby informed that upgrading will be done to Silk Cotton Dam, Brother Dam, Mandir Street and other internal roads in the Zeelugt North Housing Scheme.

Brief scope of works and current status of this Project are as follows: Tenders were opened on January 7 th , 2014 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board The works are awaiting awards Upgrading of approximately 2km (1.2 miles) of existing roads to Asphaltic Concrete surfaces and rehabilitation works on other internal roads

Site plan showing location of proposed roads to be upgraded in the Zeelugt North Housing Scheme, EBE, Region #3: -

Attorney General foresees Family Court opening ‘very soon’

The proposed Family Court WORK is reportedly moving apace over at the proposed Family Court, and according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall, by the look of things, there could be an official opening “very soon.”

Responding to a recent query from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Mr Basil Williams, as to the latest developments with the court, Mr Nandlall told the House that as things stand, the furnishings are currently being installed.

He went on to explain that this court will be like no other here in Guyana, in that it will boast some rather unique features, such as said furnishings.

That said, he added that he anticipates that there will be an official opening very soon, though this decision rests with the judicial administration.

With an important prerequisite for the operationalising of the court being the drafting of the Family Court rules, Mr Nandlall told the House that this has already been done and has been sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly to be gazetted, as is the formality.

In terms of staffing, training was conducted early last year for judges and staff of the Supreme Court’s Registry on the use of the Family Court rules by one of the judges responsible for the drafting of said rules.

The appointment of judges, which falls under the purview of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has already been addressed, in that several persons have shown a keen interest in rendering their services and presented themselves for interviews.

When officially opened, the Family Court will be the first of its kind in Guyana; it is located within the precincts of the Supreme Court here in Georgetown.

The idea of having a Family Court was prompted by a dawning awareness that the family unit is severely under attack with the widespread societal demoralisation.

This recognition has motivated the need to place emphasis on providing an environment where adults and children can seek justice, and where family law can be dealt with in a specialised manner.

The court will handle such issues as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody, and will work closely with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Probation and Social Services Department, and the Child Care and Protection Agency. (GINA)

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Minister Frank Anthony at the street fair

A glimpse of the street fair

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Anthony expresses hope for annual Literary Street Fair

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, declared open the second Mashramani Literary Street Fair yesterday in Main Street Avenue, Georgetown.

He said he hopes the enthusiasm seen will make it an annual feature for the Mashramani celebrations.

“It is very important that we keep the reading tradition alive, because not a lot of persons know that our country has a publishing history. This year, as we celebrate our 44th Republic Anniversary, we want to focus on our folklore, especially with the present generation having access to Internet, foreign television and so forth.

“We tend to devalue what we have, if we do not understand our cultural folklore,” he remarked.

This initiative is not the first of its kind as it was initially started for Mashramani, by Mr. Petamber Persaud in 2011, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.

However, despite an overwhelming response to the first literary street fair, the idea was not followed up for two years. Nevertheless, the activities slated for this day are dedicated to reading and sharing the work of the nation’s renowned writers.

The agencies participating in this year’s street fair are the University of Guyana (UG), the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD),the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,the National Library,The Book Foundation,the Georgetown Reading and Research Centre,The Guyana Heritage Society,The Arts Journal,The National Trust and The Guyana Institute of Historical Research.

The fair caters for a book exhibition and sales, literary displays, reading and story-telling; but important books will be on sale and those needed by students during their school term will be on sale at affordable prices, while some required at the university level will also be available.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

The Fuel Marking Programme:

26 convictions and counting, smugglers beware!

PRIOR to 2003 Guyana was facing a large number of fuel smuggling and associated tax losses. non-taxed fuel was being smuggled into the country and sold illegally to retail sites, while taxed road fuels were being adulterated with low-tax kerosene. With no means of identifying which fuels were legally imported and which were smuggled, and recognizing the ruin-

ous effect of fuel smuggling on legitimate businesses, the Government of Guyana implemented the ‘Fuel Marking Programme’ (FMP)in 2003.

“Because of poor sales of diesel and gasoline compared to usage, numerous reports of fuel smuggling,coupled with local companies complaining of unfair competition with fuel smugglers it was necessary for some form of intervention to combat these problems…that intervention came in the form of the Fuel Marking Programme” said William Holder head of the FMP division.

With the technology being new to Guyana and the region at the time of its introduction, there was need for specialised legislation. The Guyana Energy Agency Act 1997was therefore amended in 2004 to provide specifically for licensing of the different classes of fuel dealers and for the marking of all legitimately imported fuel. Subsidiary legislation in the form of the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2004 was also created to regularize fuel

operations. The Act was further amended in 2005,and again in 2011,after a review of the system revealed deficiencies.

The Fuel Marking Programme was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all gasoline, diesel and kerosene were properly ‘marked’ at a known concentration at all legitimate import points and also collecting and testing samples of fuel from various parts of the

country including wholesalers, retailers, distributors, transporters, commercial consumers and any person in possession of fuel for the relevant markers.

The marking process involves adding a mixture of marker chemicals in liquid form to legally imported fuel before it is released for use or sale. At the time of its implementation, this was done manually. However, the Fuel Marking Programme was bolstered in 2010 with the addition of a mechanised system to add the chemical marker into the ‘bulk storage tanks’.

This bulk marking system utilizes self-powered injectors to automatically inject the chemical marker concentrate during discharge of fuel from the international vessels into the bulk storage tanks.

“This system of bulk marking has improved security and integrity by taking the domestic marker out of the hands of the marking staff where ‘losses’ have been experienced in the past…the change from manual to mechanical marking further enhanced the Programme whilst

minimizing impact on terminal operations” said Dr Mahender Sharma CEO of GEA. In addition to fuel related tax losses and the negative effect on legitimate businesses,illegally smuggled fuel can also affect consumers owing to the fact that usually, the illegal fuel that comes into the country is of a poorer grade than the legal one.

“We have found that often the illegal fuel is smuggled in dirty containers and it is exposed to salt water (sea water)which causes it to become contaminated…Theuseof contaminated fuel damages equipment…contaminated fuel can cause damage to fuel pumps, cause injectors to becomeblocked, damage fuel filters and spark plugs” said Dr.Sharma.

The issue of fuel adulteration not only covers evasion of taxes on fuel but also encompasses instances where tax free fuel is being utilized for unauthorized purposes. In this regard, the programme has had tremendous success.Analysis of the laboratory results of samples collected from various sites from 2007 to 2012revealedthat there was a reduction in the number of sites found with adulterated/illegal fuel.

For the years 2007 to 2010, there was a continuous increase in the number of incidents of illegal fuel being found at inspected sites. The numbers however dramatically decreased in the years 2011 and 2012, with 2011 recording a 60% decrease from 2010 and 2012 recording a 38% decrease from 2011.

This was despite there being an increase in the number of sites being sampled annually.

This consistent reduction of numbers prompted internal investigations after which, due to lack of confidence in their ability to carry out their duty, several employees’ services were terminated in accordance with their contracts. Following this, incidents of illegal fuel being found increased by 169% from 2012 to 2013, again with more sites being sampled than previous years.

The Guyana Energy Agency Act creates various offences penalizing the possession of or

general dealings with fuel smuggling. Those offences include being in possession of, storing, purchasing, transporting, and selling illegal petroleum. Owing to the fact that legislation of this nature was new to the region, restrictions in the initial definition of illegal petroleum, the lack of equipment to scientifically determine the type of fuel found to be illegal, among others, hampered the Agency’s ability to successfully prosecute persons found with illegal fuel.

Additionally, in some instances charges were filed after the statutory limitation period had expired causing the matters to be struck out. Having addressed such issues, the conviction rate significantly increased in 2012, a year in which 15 convictions were recorded.

Following the implementation of the programme, the conviction rate, representing a total of 26 convictions to date, has dramatically increased and will continue to increase in years to come. For the year 2013, there

were 35 incidents of illegal fuel and 13 prosecutions continuing before the Magistrates’ Courts in Guyana. Two convictions along with one dismissal were recorded for the year.

The preceding would not have been possible without the partnership and support of other agencies. In 2007, a Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband was convened under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate the efforts of the different law enforcement agencies in the fight against fuel smuggling and contraband. The resulting cooperation between the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) aided in several interdictions of illegal fuel and assistance in capturing, escorting and securing various transport vessels (both land and water). Cooperation from the Guyana Police Force in the detention of suspects and the GDF Coast Guard

and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)in joint operations haveproven invaluable in combating the illegal fuel trade.

The Fuel Marking Programme provides benefits in a number of areas. These include improved and sustained sales of legitimate diesel and gasoline, improved and sustained collection of excise tax, assurance of fuel quality, direct employment of about 50 persons, confidence in the industry, and in the ability of the regulatory/enforcement Agencies to stamp out illegal activity.

In addition to increased revenue, the record has shown that since 2006 the rate of fuel adulteration detected has substantially dropped each year due to the Fuel Marking Programme. Hence, the constant monitoring and maintenance of the system’s integrity, and by extension the Officers employed under the Programme, is absolutely necessary for its continued success.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Minsiter Anthony opens country’s first National Sports Resource Centre

By Tamica Garnett

IN what has been declared a milestone in the development of sports in Guyana, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, yesterday officially opened the country’s first National Sports Resource Centre, located in the compound of the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Aimed at putting higher emphasis on sports education and training in Guyana, the building is equipped with a library, conference room, a canteen, and bedroom facilities.

“For quite some time when we think about sports in Guyana we often think about what we do on the field or the court and we pay very little time to the educational side of sports, but there is an educational component to sport and we want people to understand that.

“So we took a very conscious decision that if we are going to develop sports in our country we have to break away from traditional practices and start training people in the right way.” Dr Anthony stated yesterday afternoon at the facility’s opening ceremony.

Speaking to a sizeable crowd that included stakeholders from several of Guyana’s sport disciplines, Anthony pointed out that for far too long sports in Guyana has been behind in sports development because of the lack of an institution that focused on the development of sports personnel in Guyana. This facility, which shares the same compound with squash and tennis courts, is expected to change the face of sports development in the coming years.

“What we want to do here really is a lot of training in different areas and in a lot of cases

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to things that we were never exposed to. We see a lot of hope and promise in this institution and we feel that if people come here and utilise the resources that we have we will start shaping a different type of environment for the development of sport in Guyana,.” Anthony proclaimed.

The Ministry has a lot of expectations for the facility which, according to Anthony, is expected to someday soon bud into a full blown sports institution where year round full-time training courses can be offered to sports stakeholders.

“From here our intention is that in a couple of years we will move from being just a resource centre to one where we can become like a sports institute, not necessarily housed here (at the Racquet Centre), because I am anticipating that in a couple years time we would have outgrown the capacity that we have here. The dream, the aspiration is to work towards getting towards a sports institute … so this facility is a stepping-stone in that direction.” Anthony declared.

Regarded as the beginning of many things to come, the opening of the facility is expected to be followed by the development of such things as a coaching council, an anti-doping officer and much more.

The opening ceremony also saw remarks from the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Conrad Plummer, and the Director of Sport Neil Kumar who declared that this facility marks the commencement of a “new era” in sports development in Guyana.

“A new era has begun; the stage has been set for Guyana’s athletes, coaches and officials.

The development of sports in Guyana needed a national sports resource centre,” Kumar said.

Following the opening ceremony patrons were allowed to peruse the facilities of the building, and were later treated to a sporting lecture by Professor Clem Seecharran.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22 2014

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Centurions Duminy, AB de Villiers put South Africa on top … Australia limp to 112 for four at the close; Lyon claims five for 130

By Nick Said PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters) - JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander put South Africa on top as the hosts reduced Australia to 112 for four on the second day of the second Test at St George’s Park yesterday.

All-rounder Parnell, playing his first Test in four years, and paceman Philander grabbed two wickets apiece after South Africa had amassed 423 in their first innings thanks to centuries from Duminy and de Villiers.

It might have been even worse for the tourists as wicketkeeper de Villiers dropped David Warner on 43. The left-handed opener was still there on 65 at the close of play with Nathan Lyon 12 not out.

Nightwatchman Lyon was also dropped by Duminy in the gully and received another let-off when South Africa failed to go to the television review after the umpire gave him not out when he edged a rising ball down the leg side straight to de Villiers.

Earlier, Duminy answered his critics with 123 while de Villiers struck 116 as the pair shared a stand of 149 for the sixth wicket.

Duminy, who averaged 11 in his previous seven Test innings, looked assured from the

off 201 balls.

AB de Villiers brought up his 19th Test hundred, his fifth against Australia. going to come out and play start yesterday and brought up their shots and that it would his third hundred off 199 balls create opportunities for us,” said before becoming off-spinner Duminy.

Lyon’s fifth victim, trapped “We also knew if we kept leg-before. them in the field for a long “I knew today was going time that when they came to to be a big one for me perbat there would be some tired sonally and for the team and legs and tired eyes and that luckily it worked out well,” if we put the ball in the right Duminy told reporters. area we could get wickets.”

“The most important thing de Villiers, who on Thurson this wicket was to build a day passed 7 000 Test runs and partnership and AB and I manbecame the first player to score aged to do that. We had to be half-centuries in 12 Tests in a patient and wait for the bad ball. row, reached his 19th century “We knew Australia were

Wayne Rooney signs new long-term United deal

By Ken Ferris (REUTERS) - England striker Wayne Rooney has signed a four-year contract extension with Premier League champions Manchester United that will keep their prized asset at the club until June 2019.

United announced the deal on their website (www.manutd.com) yesterday with the 28-year-old, who left Everton for Old Trafford in 2004, having a year to run on his old contract.

“I am made up to be staying at United,” said Rooney, whose new deal will earn him up to 300 000 pounds ($499 800) a week, according to media reports.

“I am convinced that this is the start of another successful chapter in Manchester United’s history.”

United have struggled since David Moyes took over as manager in the close season and tying Rooney to a new contract will come as a relief after predecessor Alex Ferguson said at the end of last term that the player

had asked for a transfer.

United, owned by the American Glazer family, are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League ahead of their visit to Crystal Palace today.

They are 11 points away from the top four, which brings a Champions League qualifying place, although they are in the last 16 of this season’s competition where they face Olympiakos.

Moyes, who worked with Rooney at Everton, said: “With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I’m absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge”.

“I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club’s long and rich history.

EXCITING TIMES “He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby (Charlton) our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club.

“These opportunities only come to special players and I’m confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach. These are really exciting times for everyone connected with the club.”

Rooney has made 430 appearances for United, scoring 208 times, and is fourth on the club’s all-time goal-scorers’ list behind Jack Rowley (211), Denis Law (237) and Charlton (249).

He has won the Champions League, five Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FIFA World Club Cup as well as the PFA and Football Writers’ Player-of-the-Year awards in 2010.

At the end of last season, Rooney denied that he had requested a move but media speculation about his future intensified when Chelsea made a bid for him in the summer.

Moyes fought to keep the striker at United and Rooney has repaid his manager with 11 goals in 28 appearances this term.

LYON HAUL He was removed with the score on 349, offering a sharp caught-and-bowled chance to Lyon who was the pick of the bowlers with five for 130.

Philander claimed the first Australian wicket when he trapped Chris Rogers leg-before for five.

Parnell then accounted for two of the heroes from the first Test, Alex Doolan (eight) and Shaun Marsh (duck), both caught behind by de Villiers.

Marsh now has five ducks in his last 14 Test innings.

Captain Michael Clarke looked fluent in compiling 19 before spooning an easy catch to Dean Elgar at cover as a ball from Philander appeared to hold up in the pitch.

Lyon then held out in brave fashion for the final 37 minutes, surviving a hostile onslaught from Parnell, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.

“South Africa bowled very well. We have to give them credit but the pleasing thing is we got to 112 so the game has moved forward quite quickly,” said Australia coach Darren Lehmann.

“It could have been worse if they had taken their chances and we were also quite pleased to keep them to 423 in the 150 overs we bowled.”

Australia are 1-0 up in the three-match series. (Editing

by Tony Jimenez)

J.P Duminy reached his third Test century, and guided South Africa past the 400-run mark even as wickets kept falling around him.

SOUTH AFRICA first innings (2145 o/n) G. Smith lbw b Harris 9 D. Elgar c Harris b Lyon 83 H. Amla lbw b Johnson 0 F. du Plessis c Smith b Lyon

55 AB de Villiers c & b Lyon 116 Q. de Kock c sub b Smith 7 JP Duminy lbw Lyon 123 V. Philander c & b Clarke 6 W. Parnell c Haddin b Lyon 10 D. Steyn not out 4 M. Morkel run-out 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-4, w-1) 9 Total: (all out, 150.5 overs) 423 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-11, 3-123, 4-181, 5-200, 6-349, 7-378, 8-413, 9-420.

Bowling: Harris 27-6-63-1, Johnson

25-5-70-1 (w-1), Siddle 34-9-96-0, Lyon 46-7-130-5, Warner 3-0-10-0, Smith 8-0-30-1, Clarke 7.5-2-16-1.

AUSTRALIA first innings C. Rogers lbw Philander 5 D. Warner not out 65 A. Doolan c de Villiers b Parnell 8 S. Marsh c de Villiers b Parnell

0 M. Clarke c Elgar b Philander

19 N. Lyon not out 12 Extras: (lb-3)

3 Total: (for four wickets, 25 overs) 112 Fall of wickets: 1-7 2-41 3-41 4-81 Bowling (to date): Steyn 6-1-33-0, Philander 6-0-26-2, Morkel 7-0-31-0, Parnell 6-2-19-2.

Pietersen pays price for Ashes ‘disaster’, says Broad

(REUTERS) - England’s dismal Ashes tour of Australia was the catalyst for changes in the side which started with the axing of batsman Kevin Pietersen, Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad said yesterday.

Pietersen was released from his England contract after the 5-0 whitewash by Australia and the decision to discard the country’s all-time leading run-scorer across all formats of the game came under intense scrutiny.

“We do have to make improvements,” the 27-year-old Broad told a news conference ahead of England’s tour of the Caribbean for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches against the West Indies.

“The decision was taken from guys who were desperate for England to improve in the future, not just in the next four or five months.

“It was heart-breaking to lose 5-0 and we lost a lot of good men in doing that.

“It’s a winter that was a disaster, but as an England side we have to look forward now. We can’t dwell on it now and we must move forward.”

England director of cricket Andy Flower stepped down after the Ashes series and South African-born Pietersen was informed of his fate by new England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton and Test captain Alastair Cook.

“I was aware of discussions towards the end of the Australia tour but I was not deeply involved,” Broad said.

“The guys that made the decision are very keen for England cricket to move forward, there are no egos involved in making decisions like this.”

England travel to the West Indies before the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March.

“It’s time for the guys in that changing-room to realise they can be match-winners and can step up now,” said Broad, who was part of the England side who won Twenty20 World Cup in 2010.

“We don’t spend a lot of time together as a T20 side, so we’ve got to make use of these next three weeks.

“We are going to Bangladesh in three weeks’ time with an opportunity to show something different.

“When you’ve lost so many games over the last six months, it hurts, so we’ve just got to get back to winning to be honest.”

England’s first one-dayer against the West Indies is on February 28 in Antigua.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22, 2014

Planet Paintball Guyana reaches out to Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony … Setting up of Paintball Association and security concerns discussed

IN 2012, Planet Paintball Guyana emerged to give some lovers of a sport an opportunity to engage each other in friendly fire. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and is forcing Planet Paintball Guyana to pioneer a structure for the sport.

For this reason the team recently met with Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony at his Main Street Georgetown office where setting up Guyana’s first Paintball Association was the most topical issue discussed.

“The best way to properly control the sport and at least make sure that it is played in a structured way is to set up an association and get affiliated to the National Sports Commission (NSC). So I would advise you to reach out to everyone who plays the game, those who frequent your facilities, and have them on board,” said the Minister.

The group’s concerns of the growing popularity of the sport in Guyana are always that of security since the markers or guns, are evolving and are now being made to resemble some of the world’s most dangerous high-powered rifle/weapons.

The Minister heard of cases where persons where stopped and locked up by the police for carrying the guns openly because of its resemblance to real weapons.

“That’s something of great concern,” noted Anthony, adding “The thing is, you have to find a way to get the people together, I do think at this stage, nothing much can be done other than talking to them and warning them not carry the weapons in the open, because it would cause the instinct of the police to react if they see something looking like a real gun. But you have to get a constitution, have them form little groups and have them affiliated.”

Minister Anthony makes a point during his meeting with Planet Paintball Guyana.

Research shows several In some countries, like holders of the game in Guyana and USA, the laws that govern Paintball Associations/FederaCyrus and Australia, the Poby March 12, though a venue is the sport are much stricter tions were formed around the lice control the sport while in yet to be named. since the game is also used by world as way of controlling some provinces of the island Minister Anthony encourthe aforementioned countries the sport. continent the law states that aged the body to keep him in Military for training. only a licensed firearm holdthe “know” during the proThe group informed the er is permitted to carry the cess of being fully attached Minister that a draft constitution weapon. to the National Sports Comis already in place and as such, In some parts of Europe mission. decided to meet with the stake-

Windies Women open NZ tour with warm-up BCCI to review India’s win over Canterbury away performances

LINCOLN, New Zealand (CMC) - Opener Kycia Knight and Stefanie Taylor scored half-centuries as West Indies Women opened their tour of New Zealand with a 52-run win over Canterbury Magicians in a one-day warmup match on Thursday.

Knight top-scored with 64 and Taylor added 57 to push the total to 218 for the loss of five wickets off 50 overs at Lincoln Green.

The visitors suffered an early setback losing opener Natasha McLean cheaply in the third over.

But a 143-run stand be-

tween Knight who retired on 64 and Taylor for the second wicket revived the innings.

Shemaine Campbelle contributed 24 while Shanel Daley was unbeaten on 17.

The West Indies restricted the Magicians to 166-7, an innings held together by Erin Bermingham who top-scored with 49.

The tourists used the match to prepare for a threematch one-day international series against the White Ferns, starting today.

The teams then contest a four-match Twenty20 series.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday February 22, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Thursday’s quiz: Dennis Atkinson-219 & 5/56 (WI vs AUST, Barbados, 1955) WI vs ENG, St. Vincent, 1981 Today’s Quiz: Where and when did left-arm wrist-spinner Inshan Ali capture his best innings bowling figures in Tests?

Which WI bowler has taken most four-wicket hauls in ODIs to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Kycia Knight Summary Scores: West Indies Women Innings: 218/5 (50 overs). Kycia Knight 64*, Stafanie Taylor 57, Shemaine Campbelle 24, Shanel Daley 17; Hana Mauafu 9-1-392, Lea Tahuhu 8-1-43-2, Amy Satterthwaite 5-0-16-0, Erin Bermingham 10-1-33-0.

Canterbury Magicians Innings: 166/7 (50 overs). Erin Bermingham 49, Kyshona Knight 27, Courtney Buckman 21, Meg Kendal 18; Shanel Daley 7-1-21-2, Stacy-Ann King 5-1-11-1, Stafanie Taylor 5-1-18-1, Shaquana Quintyne 7-1-27-1.

West Indies Women won by 52 runs.

THE top brass of the BCCI is likely to meet MS Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher to discuss India’s overseas performances which have been consistently on the decline in the last three years.

It is understood that the BCCI is concerned, but is not at all thinking about replacing the pair whose positions have come under the scanner once again after the 1-0 Test defeat in New Zealand.

“We want to take stock of the situation,” a BCCI insider told ESPNcricinfo. “We want to know what is going wrong.

We would like to know from them what is required to improve.”

According to this official, despite the public criticism of the roles of Dhoni and Fletcher in the past week, the BCCI still retained the confidence in the combination which started work formally from India’s tour of England in 2011.

Since then India have lost every overseas tour. India suffered 4-0 whitewashes in England followed by Australia, lost 1-0 to South Africa last December and the series against New Zealand by a similar margin recently. Fletcher’s overseas

MS Dhoni record says 10 defeats in 15 matches while Dhoni has lost nine out of the 14 Tests he has led India in overseas, since Fletcher’s appointment.

Fletcher’s contract is up for renewal from April 1 and there has been speculation in sections of the media about his future.

A media report yesterday suggested the BCCI had contacted former England coach Andy Flower. However, the BCCI official denied the report and called it mere speculation.

The overseas defeats have triggered a wide-ranging debate including some scathing remarks from two recent former India captains: Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. “Our reputation has been tarnished, but Dhoni needs

help,” Ganguly told TV channel Headlines Today. “I don’t know what Duncan Fletcher is doing.

“The approach needs to be right, and Fletcher needs to help Dhoni. He has clearly struggled and he needs to be more involved. He needs to plan better and the selectors have to assess and get the right squad.”

Joe Dawes, India’s bowling coach, was also pulled up

by Ganguly who felt that the Queenslander’s working style was not entirely convincing.

“I saw Allan Donald in South Africa, walking around the boundary line, talking to his bowlers. But I don’t see Joe Dawes doing that.”

If Ganguly was severe on the coaches, Dravid felt Dhoni had grown defensive in his approach abroad. “I think he’s got to realise this very quickly, that if he wants to win Test matches abroad, he’s got to risk it all,” Dravid told ESPNcricinfo reviewing the New Zealand Test series.

“He’s got to take that chance that he’s going to have to lose some Test matches. The only way you can win abroad is to take a few risks, take a few gambles.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 22 2014

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Windies storm back to beat Ireland and put history on hold KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - A herculean face-saving effort put history on hold and allowed West Indies to pull off an 11-run victory over persistent Ireland and draw the two-match T20 international series at Sabina Park here yesterday.

Captain Darren Sammy grabbed three wickets to lead a late counterattack as West Indies stormed back from a poor batting performance to deprive the visitors of a first series win against a Test-playing nation.

Ireland restricted West Indies to an embarrassing 96 for 9 in 20 overs, their second lowest total in completed innings, since making 79 for 7 against Zimbabwe in 2010.

The visitors, at one stage, appeared to be inching to victory until Sammy’s die-hard display, a three-wicket haul in the middle overs which sent their effort into a tailspin.

Ireland had slumped to 22 for three when Gary Wilson arrived and occupied the crease long enough to move the game gradually away from the hosts.

Wilson was the inspiration to the run chase with a gutsy top score of 35 and counting

four boundaries while carefully compiling his innings.

However, an unpopular decision by Sammy to bring Bravo back into the attack for a second spell paid off with the wicket of Wilson.

As the crowd voiced their disapproval at Bravo’s return Wilson went for a huge shot but ended up hitting the ball high into the air for the Trinidadian all-rounder to settle under it.

Sammy had Andrew Poynter caught for two, bowled Kevin O’Brien for three and had Stuart Thompson caught for seven.

West Indies raised their game in the field clawing their way back as Ireland subsided under a combined bowling

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Legendary former West Indies Cricket Captain Clive Lloyd wants current players to recommit themselves to the improvement of the game in the region.

Considered the most successful Test captains of all-time, Lloyd said that the players must develop a passion for cricket, and not just the money.

“We must have our best players playing in our cricket – all aspects of our cricket,” he said in a recent interview with former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop.

“You can’t just think that you want all the money. Fellas are being paid pretty well but you must have some love for West Indies cricket. And at the moment I’m not seeing how it could move forward. I would like to see more of a skill set.”

Lloyd, who played in 110 Tests and 87 one-day internationals for West Indies between 1974 and 1985, said that regional players are being overwhelmed by their opponents all in forms of the game.

“You looked at our players and you are not seeing this extra fight that is needed to compete.

We don’t seem to be competing against other nations. They seemed to be out manoeuvring us in all departments of the game, which is unfortunate,”

attempting to play square.

Smith was caught at point for 11, Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo scored 10 each, Lendl Simmons 12 and Sunil Narine 12 not out, the only batsmen reaching double figures.

Cusack finished with his best T20 figures of four wickets for eleven runs including tail-enders Denesh Ramdin and Samuel Badree for five runs each.

Sammy was awarded man-of-the-match for leading the fightback by taking three for 22 while Alex Cusack was picked as the man-of-theseries.

Both teams meet in the lone One Day International (ODI) match tomorrow.

GSA/Bounty Farm Annual Mash Squash Tournament

Khalil, Pollard and Narain advance to semi-final round Skipper Darren Sammy was the West Indies best bowler with three for 22.

Lloyd wants Windies to show passion for the sport

By Michael Bascombe

effort which saw a wicket each for Krishmar Santokie, Samuel Badree, Sunil Narine and Bravo.

The only other Irish batsman to reach double figures was Ed Joyce who scored 10.

Earlier, Alex Cusack with an outstanding four-wicket haul rocked the top order and the tail end after West Indies were sent in by Ireland who won the toss.

Cusack, a right-arm fast medium bowler, removed the openers after a 27-run stand and the Caribbean side never recovered.

Fletcher, replacement for Chris Gayle who was ruled out with a minor niggle, top-scored with 19 including two sixes and was Cusack’s first scalp, caught

he said.

“We still have people here who are interested in the game, people still support cricket and we have to because as West Indians we want our cricket to get back up that hill. But at the moment it is not there. We have one or two good players, no doubt about that, but we are not kicking on.”

The former captain is also concerned about the fitness of the young players who are representing the regional side. He said the fitness of the players is affecting the performance of the West Indies team.

“I found that our players don’t look as fit as they should be. I still would like to have someone like Dennis Waite with our guys. To me, too many of them are being injured and I don’t know why 19- and 20-year-old guys getting injured and they are not playing a lot of cricket. So I think it’s a fitness situation and we would have to try and do that over a period of time but fitness is going to be very important to us.”

Lloyd is also worried about West Indies’ selection policy and the output of the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre (HPC) based at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

“We don’t have that cohesion at the moment. We seem to be a bit sporadic with our selection and so on and I think

Clive Lloyd that comes from not winning,” he said.

“We’ve an academy now and I think when we produced someone from this academy, it’s a well-rounded player. We should not have to be working on this player’s fitness, thinking of the game, reading the game as it goes along – that’s where we are being beaten. People out-thinking us,” he added.

Lloyd, who during his captaincy West Indies had an unbeaten run of 27 matches, wants to see the utilisation of more former West Indies players to help in developing cricket in their respective territories.

He said that the top cricketing nations have used their former players successfully and West Indies should do the same.

“Look at the Australian backroom staff when they played against England a few weeks ago, all ex-Test cricketers who have done well, are now putting something back into the game.

All of the other countries seem to be utilising the people we have.”

He said: “You have Ambrose, Walsh, Richards, Greenidge, Haynes - these are guys who just finished playing cricket and they want to put something into our game, and I think we should be able to utilise their skills.”

JASON-Ray Khalil, Regan Pollard and Nicholas Narain advanced to the semi-final round of the Guyana Squash Association/Bounty Farm sponsored Mashramani handicap tournament with quarterfinal victories on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club.

Khalil, the defending open category champion and former Junior Caribbean champion, who is playing with a minus 22 handicap, defeated Joseph (plus 12 handicap) 16-14, 1015, 18-16.

Pollard, a former senior Caribbean champion, playing with a minus 16 handicap, came from one game down (0-15) to defeat Ben Mekdeci (minus 10

handicap) 15-12, 15-14 in the other two sets.

Narain playing with a minus eight handicap beat Anthony Islam (plus 12 handicap) 15-13, 10-15, 16-14.

Playing in category `A’, Madison Fernandes (plus 11 handicap) defeated Brandon Debiden 15-13, 13-15, 15-9, while Makeda Harding (plus two handicap) beat Paige Fernandes (plus 12 handicap) 15-12, 15-12, Johnathan Edwards (plus six handicap) defeated Gigmi Carpenter (plus six handicap) 15-9, 1816 and Savannah Mendes (0 handicap) edged out Zachary Persaud (plus eight handicap) 15-12, 15-11.

The semifinals were set for last evening and the final in the open category as well as the `A’ division will be played today at the same venue.

Last evening, Pollard was down to face Narain, Khalil would have come up against the winner of the Ryan Rahaman versus Lloyd Fung-A-Fat quarter-final match to decide the finalists.

In the `A’ category, Madison Fernandes was down to play Harding, and Edwards was to have met Mendes to determine the two finalists.

The Plate final is also scheduled to be played today after which a fundraising barbecue will be held.

Sexual assault charges against Barbadian cricketer dropped

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - Barbados and West Indies cricketer Ryan Hinds has been cleared of sexual assault charges the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) reported yesterday.

Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles dismissed sexual assault charges against Hinds after the complainant in the matter informed the court that she would not be presenting evidence.

Hinds, who was represented by Queens Counsel Patterson Cheltenham, was not present at the hearing.

“The dropping of these charges is an immense weight off my shoulders,” said Hinds.

“I need to thank God for this blessing and for the immense support of my family, Mr Cheltenham my attorney,

Ryan Hinds and Mr Winston Stafford at the BCA (Barbados Cricket Association).”

The charges stemmed from an incident involving a 28-yearold woman two year ago.

Hinds had maintained his innocence from the outset, WIPA said.

“There were days when I thought there was no end in sight for this matter but they (family and lawyer) kept me

grounded and focused throughout,” said “I am now very keen to try and regain a place in the Barbados national team.”

WIPA president Wavell Hinds said both the West Indies Cricket Board (BCA) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) have been notified of the result of the hearing.

“WIPA wishes Ryan every success as he seeks to rebuild his first-class and international careers,” said Hinds.

“He has demonstrated before that he has the ability to bounce back from adversity, and we have no doubt that he will do so again.”

Hinds played 15 Tests and 14 ODIs for West Indies but hasn’t represented them since July 2009.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Windies storm back to beat Ireland and put history on hold (See Story on page 35)

Minsiter Anthony opens country’s first National Sports Resource Centre

(See Story on page 32)

Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony (right), and Director of Sport Neil Kumar unveil the plaque at the newly opened National Sports Resource Centre.

A young athlete cuts the ribbon officially opening Guyana’s first National Sports Resource Centre, as Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony (far right) looks on. (Sonell Nelson photos)

Chanderpaul, Campbelle cop 2013 National Sports awards

--- Yaw, Edghill shine in junior categories

By Michael DaSilva GUYANA and West Indies cricketers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Shemaine Campbelle won the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Male and Female Sportsman and Sportswoman-of-the-Year award after deliberations by the selection panel which was made up of media house representatives as well as sports administrators/commentators.

In the race for junior sportsman and sportswoman-of-theyear award, track and field athlete Jason Yaw won the junior sportsman award, while Chelsea Edghill won the female version.

For the male sportsmanof-the-year award, Chanderpaul, who was nominated by the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) garnered seven of the 14 panelists’ nods ahead of powerlifter Winston Stoby who got five votes. The other contestant was 2012 Olympian Winston George who got two votes.

In the race for runners-up

Sportsman of the Year-Shivnarine Chanderpaul sportsman, Stoby who won a world masters gold medal last year while breaking a world record won ahead of George and squash player Alexander Arjoon.

In the race for the Sportswoman-of-the-Year award, Guyana’s distance `queen’ Alika Morgan was nominated by the Athletics Association of Guyana, Rising Stars Athletics Club and the national Paralympic Committee of Guyana, while hockey player Alysia Xavier was nominated by the Guyana Table Tennis Association and the Guyana Hockey Board of Control.

The Guyana Squash Association nominated Women’s international squash players association’s number 19-ranked Nicolette Fernandes.

However, it was Kaieteur News’ Claude David who was a member of the selection panel who nominated Shemaine Campbelle and this nomination was seconded by National Communications Network’s Aletha Grant-Charles.

When the ballots were counted, Campbelle got four votes, Fernandes two, Xavier five and Morgan three.

A second round of voting was held to determine between Campbelle and Xavier, and Campbell secured 10 votes to come out on top.

In the race for the runner-up place, Xavier secured 13 of the 14 votes cast.

For the Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year award, Yaw received eight votes as against Guyana Table Tennis Association’s nominee Sherman Britton’s four votes and Guyana

Sportswoman of the Year-Shemaine Campbell Squash Association’s Nyron Joseph’s one vote.

The runner-up spot went to Britton who received 10 votes as against Guyana Badminton Association’s Narayan Ramdhani (three votes) and Joseph (one vote).

For the Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year, GTTA’s Chelsea Edghill received five votes, Guyana Badminton

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Association’s Priyanna Ramdhani got one vote and Athletics Association of Guyana’s Cassie George received five votes.

A second round of voting was held and Edghill received eight votes and George six.

For the runner-up spot, George received 13 votes.

The Sports Team-of-theYear award went to the Guyana Squash Association’s senior team which received eight of the 14 votes, while the Guyana Powerlifting senior team received five and the Junior Carifta team one.

The non-print sport journalist award was won by Guyana Times’ Avenesh Ramzan with nine votes after only securing six in the first round of voting where Esan Griffith secured six as well.

However in the second round, Griffith only managed to secure four.

For the Sports Journalist (print award) Stabroek News’ Emerson Campbell (eight votes)

prevailed over Guyana Chronicle’s Calvin Roberts (four votes).

The Sports Association award went to the Guyana Table Tennis Association which got seven votes as against the Guyana Squash Association’s five.

The Most Improved Sports Association award went to the Guyana Boxing Association with 12 votes while the Guyana Squash Association got one.

The Female Sports Official award went to Guyana Police Force’s Inspector Amanda Hermonstine with 10 votes as against Guyana Hockey Board of Control’s nominee Lavern Fraser-Thomas who secured three votes.

Guyana Table Tennis Association’s president Godfrey Munroe with eight votes won the Male Sports Official award.

Disabled athlete Gibran Sarfaraz won the Special Award for Persons with Disability.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014