Guyana chronicle 26 03 14

GUYANA No. 103779

WEDNESDAY MARCH 26 2014

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

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Economic growth projected at 5.6 per cent in 2014 Page 3

Continued emphasis on public order and safety

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Cuban Plenipotentiary 12 Representative presents credentials to CARICOM SG Page

Another major hotel brand to announce operations soon centre

- Finance Minister

20 Budget 2014 addresses well-being of vulnerable groups Page

His Excellency Mr Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, Plenipotentiary Representative of Cuba to CARICOM presents his credentials to the CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

Records show Opposition was invited on several occasions Page 12 to Budget consultations

MINISTER ASHNI SINGH

- Finance Minister dismisses AFC claim

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Hydroelectricity in Region 7...

PM Hinds leads continuing stakeholder consultations in villages PRE-FEASIBILITY studies to determine the potential for hydropower production in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni in Region 7

(Cuyuni/Mazaruni) will begin next month and continue for one year.

The surveys, to cost US$45M, will be undertaken

Remembering Cheddi “Those who see only race/ethnicity in politics in Guyana, as others who see tribalism and religion in other countries, are not viewing reality comprehensively, objectively and scientifically. In Guyana, because of the strong foreign monopoly domination by the sugar plantrocracy, the class struggle was more intense.

And, although the two major racial/ ethnic groups are culturally different, they are not uni-class and class different as formally the case in the colonial period in East Africa. Both groups are largely made up of working people. As such, the PPP/Civic, with its working class sympathy and policies oriented to material and cultural fulfilment, can lay the foundation for unity in diversity.”

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by a Brazilian consortium at its own expense and, on the completion, would be followed by a feasibility study to last another year.

The two undertakings will determine the possibility of the development of one hydropower station with an installed capacity of 3,000 megawatts (mw) in the Upper Mazaruni and one more with installed capacity of 1,500 mw in the Middle Mazaruni, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds disclosed at a media briefing on Monday.

If feasible, both stations will sell electricity to Brazil.

Meanwhile, engineering designs for a Linden to Lethem road, costing US$10M, are also to be done.

Funding for the designing of the road has not yet been secured but is expected to come from Brazilian sources.

The projects fall under the aegis of the bilateral cooperation with Brazil on the development of infrastructure in Guyana.

BRIEFING TEAM Mr. Hinds, who has responsibility for energy, was part of the briefing team, comprising Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Ro-

drigues-Birkett, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, Ambassador to Brazil Elisabeth Harper, Dr. Mohendra Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA) and Rodrigo Oliveira, Director of the Mazaruni Project Consortium.

The Prime Minister said he had led a group, on March 19, who briefed representatives of the political parties in Parliament, the Private Sector and executives of the National Toshaos Council on the developments.

From March 20 through March 22, he led a team who outlined the projects to communities of Waramadong, Kamarang, Jawalla, Kako and Imbaimadai, mainly villages in Region 7 which are near the site of the proposed schemes.

Hinds said he would also lead another team to other communities in Region 7 on March 27, in a continuing programme to tell stakeholders about the undertakings and get their inputs for discussions on cooperation between the Governments of Guyana and Brazil.

During the media engagement this week Monday, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that Brazil, which is the sixth largest economy in the world, is fast growing and is willing to buy additional energy from anyone who is willing to sell.

SELLING ELECTRICITY She said:“So we are looking at selling electricity to Brazil. Sell electricity just like how we sell other products such as rice, bauxite and sugar. The trade off is that we will obtain revenue from these sales and satisfy our own needs for additional energy as well.”

Rodrigues-Birkett said the desired end is that, once the hydropower projects are

PRIME MINISTER SAMUEL HINDS feasible, the consortium will be able to obtain a contract from the Brazilian Government to supply energy to Brazil and get the projects going.

The construction of the road from Lethem to Linden will be tied to the feasibility of the projects, she explained.

It is envisaged that the consortium will be able to obtain financing for the projects from a rapidly growing Bank of Brazil which, in 2011 had US$369.7 billion in assets compared to, for example, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which had US$89.4 billion.

Prime Minister Hinds emphasised that the consortium will construct the hydro projects at its own expense.

“Guyana will not be undertaking any debt with respect to those projects. But we are now looking at models that can be utilised for a mutually beneficial arrangement,” he stated.

Hinds said, during the stakeholder briefings held to date in Region 7, communities had expressed concerns that the area will be flooded as was planned in the first Upper Mazaruni Hydroelectric

scheme conceived in the 1970s.

However, he said:”We informed these communities that, with the advancement of technology, there is a totally different approach to this project. The flood area of this project, if found feasible, will be less than 10 percent of that planned in the 1970s.”

“This Government would not pursue the construction of any hydroproject which would involve extensive flooding as the one envisaged in the 1970s,” he assured.

RIVER BEHAVIOUR Oliveira said the twelve month long pre-feasibility studies will comprise hydrological and topographical analyses which would include measuring and graphing river behaviour for the duration throughout the different seasons, assessing the possible environmental impact on local communities and vegetation and aerial topography, including the contour lines of the waterways.

Minister Rodrigues gave the assurance that Government will carry out another and more extensive round of consultations with stakeholders, if the studies find the projects possible.

Ambassador Harper chairs the Guyana side of the Joint Guyana/Brazil Commission for the development of local infrastructure projects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Economic growth projected at 5.6 per cent in 2014

By Vanessa Narine

*GROWTH in 2014 is projected to be 5.6 per cent (5 per cent in 2013) * Real GDP expanded by 5.2 per cent in 2013, with the non-sugar GDP growing rapidly by 6.3 per cent, reflecting the underlying strength of the other sectors of the economy. * Overall Balance of Payment is estimated at a deficit of US$21.9M in 2014 (Deficit of US$119.5M in 2013) * Total current revenue, net of GRIF is targeted to increase by 10.3 per cent to $149.6B * Total expenditure is projected to increase by 25.4 per cent to $215.9B * Returns of value added and excise taxes are targeted to increase by 6.7 per cent to $65.8B * Export earnings contracted marginally by 2.8 per cent to US$1.4B * Net current transfers decreased by 15.7 per cent to US$353.2M, due to lower receipts of worker remittances * Gross international reserves of the Bank of Guyana totalled US$776.9M in 2013 THE Guyanese economy has experienced eight consecutive years of growth up to 2013, and is projected to expand by a 5.6 per cent in 2014.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, made the disclosure on Monday in the National Assembly during his 2014 National Budget presentation.

He said: “In the first two years of the current term, self-styled new dispensation notwithstanding, our government has ensured the gains of our previous terms of office were extended on and built upon.

“Over the biennium, the Guyanese economy has continued to grow at an annual average of 5 per cent, at a time when growth in the Caribbean averaged 1.3 per cent.”

Singh maintained that amidst the challenges, including persistently unhelpful external conditions, the task before this People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been to ensure that progress and development are not stymied or slowed in our country. “(This is) a task to which we have remained resolutely faithful and at which we have still managed to accomplish much,” the minister stressed.

2014 TARGETS With growth estimated at 5.6 per cent, the non-sugar economy projected to grow by 5.2 percent.

Monetary policy primary objective, according to Singh, continues to be price stability and for the year 2014, an inflation rate of 5 per cent is targeted.

The minister reported that the overall balance of payments is es-

timated to record an overall deficit of US$21.9M in 2014, compared to a deficit of US$119.5M in 2013.

“This outturn is on account of a higher surplus of US$426.2M on the capital account, compared to US$314.8M in 2013, reflecting an increase in FDI (Foreign Direct Investments) and disbursements,” he said.

Addressing the targets for the non-financial public sector, he stated that, as it relates to Central Government operations, total current revenue, net of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) is targeted to increase by 10.3 per cent to $149.6B, with the Guyana Revenue Authority accounting for $135.3B. Singh said, “This is driven by a projected eight per cent increase in internal revenue collections to $55.8B, due to anticipated strong private sector performance at the company and the self-employed levels.

“The returns of value added and excise taxes are targeted to increase by 6.7 per cent to $65.8B, associated with higher import levels.

“Non-tax revenue collections are projected to increase to $14.4B, reflecting projected higher Bank of Guyana profits.”

He added that the total expenditure is projected to increase by 25.4 per cent to $215.9B, mainly attributed to $31B increase in capital expenditure due to acceleration of key infrastructural projects, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) modernisation project and the commencement of key targeted environmental enhancement and rural enterprise programmes.

“Non-interest current expenditure is budgeted to increase by 10.6 percent to $128.3 billion. This increase can be primarily attributed to continued investment in our social sectors,” Singh said.

In overall review, the minister explained that the deficit of the Central Government is programmed at 4.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014, totalling $32.4B. Singh said, “The overall deficit of the public enterprises is targeted at $2.1B, equivalent to 0.3 per cent of GDP. This outturn is attributed to a 6.8 percent increase in expenditure to $137.9 billion. The overall deficit of the non-financial public sector is programmed at $34.6B or 5.2 per cent of GDP.”

PERFORMANCE Of note also is the fact that FDI for 2013 totalled US$507.7M, when FDI flows elsewhere were contracting dramatically. Private sector credit has expanded by 34.6 per cent cumulatively, and Guyana’s external debt declined from 46.7 per cent to 41.9 per cent of gross domestic product.

The Finance Minister pointed out that over the same period, Government invested a total of $89.8B in the education and health sectors, and a total of $20.7B on our country’s roads and bridges network.

He said: “We have injected $9.7B into the sugar industry, and spent a further $6.2B subsiding electricity in Linden and Kwakwani.

“We have increased old age pensions from $7,500 to $12,500

monthly, continued to pay water charges for old age pensioners and introduced an annual electricity subsidy of $20,000 for the same target population, increased the income tax threshold from $40,000 to $50,000 monthly, introduced mortgage interest relief for first time home owners, and reduced the personal income tax rate from 33 percent to 30 percent.

“We have recruited over 290 new doctors, trained 6,465 teachers in information and communications technology, and distributed 10,286 new house lots.”

GLOBAL PERFORMANCE Singh pointed out that the global economy has finally started to display signs of recovery, lifting itself out of the harshest economic crisis in living memory, even if at a somewhat modest pace.

“Significant further policy action and improved policy coherence are still needed if growth and job creation are to be accelerated,” he said.

The world economy grew by 3 per cent in 2013. The more advanced economies grew by 1.3 per cent, with the United States economy leading this performance with growth of 1.9 per cent, while the economies of Japan, United Kingdom, and Canada each grew by 1.7 per cent growth.

In contrast, the economy of the Euro area contracted by 0.4 per cent. Emerging and developing economies grew more rapidly by 4.7 per cent, with China maintaining its long trend of strong growth with 7.7 per cent, while India grew more moderately at 4.4 percent.

In 2014, the global economy is projected to grow by 3.7 per cent, with 2.2 per cent growth projected in advanced economies and 5.1 per cent in emerging and developing economies.

Additionally, in 2014, the outlook for the Caribbean Region is still favourable with growth projected at 2.1 per cent and all Caribbean countries anticipate positive growth.

SECTOR PERFORMANCE “Government has aimed at creating an environment where the private sector can invest in profitable enterprise, expand production of goods and services, and create jobs.

“These efforts have resulted in a demonstrably more diversified productive base.

“It is this growing level of structural diversification, supported by our Government’s attention to stable macroeconomic fundamentals and prudent public financial management, which has contributed to the economic resilience we have achieved and that has enabled us to withstand testing external and domestic shocks,” Singh said.

In 2013, real GDP expanded see page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY March 26, 2014

Chinese families clash with police, slam Malaysia over lost plane (Reuters) - Dozens of angry relatives of passengers on a lost Malaysian jetliner clashed with police in Beijing on Tuesday, accusing the Southeast Asian country of “delays and deception” a day after it confirmed the plane crashed in remote seas off Australia.

About 20 to 30 protesters threw water bottles at the Malaysian embassy and tried to storm the building, demanding to meet the ambassador, witnesses said.

Earlier, the relatives, many with tear-stained faces, had linked arms and chanted “Malaysian government has cheated us” and “Malaysia, return our relatives” as they marched peacefully and held banners.

The relatives’ grief and anger was unleashed on Monday night after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished more than two weeks ago while flying to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

Citing satellite-data analysis

by British firm Inmarsat, he said there was now no doubt that the Boeing jet came down in the

to consult with the Malaysian government, state news agency Xinhua said on Tuesday.

Angry relatives clash with police in Beijing Tuesday

ocean in one of the most remote places on Earth - an implicit admission that all 239 people on board had died.

Bad weather in the region far off Australia’s western coast on Tuesday forced the suspension of the search for any wreckage, just as a series of satellite images and other sightings of floating objects had raised hopes that debris from the plane would be found.

Malaysia’s confused initial response to the Boeing 777’s disappearance and a perception of poor communications has enraged many relatives of the more than 150 Chinese passengers and

strained ties between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

After Najib’s announcement, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng demanded Malaysia hand over all relevant satellite analysis showing how Malaysia had reached its conclusion about the fate of the jet.

In a separate statement, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China would ask Malaysia to provide more detailed and accurate information on the plane, according to a government microblog account. Chinese President Xi Jinping will send a special envoy to Kuala Lumpur

ANGER, GRIEF A group reportedly representing families issued a statement describing the Malaysian airline, government and military as “executioners” who constantly tried to delay and deceive them.

“We will take every possible means to pursue the unforgivable crimes and responsibility of all three,” said the statement on the microblog of the Malaysia Airlines MH370 Family Committee.

The relatives protesting in Beijing held signs that said: “MH370, Don’t let us wait too long!” and “1.3 billion people are waiting to greet the plane”. They wore matching t-shirts that said: “Best of luck to MH370, return home safely.”

“We’ve waited for 18 days and still, you make us wait. How long are we supposed to hang on?” a woman surnamed Zhang told Reuters.

The protest ended after a few hours, when police told protesters to get on buses and escorted them away.

West, Russia signal line drawn in Ukraine crisis (Reuters) - RUSSIA and the West drew a tentative line under the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday after U.S. President Barack Obama and his allies agreed to hold off on more damaging economic sanctions unless Moscow goes beyond the seizure of Crimea.

Describing Russia as a “regional power” and not the biggest national security threat to the United States, Obama said Russian forces would not be removed militarily from Crimea, but the annexation of the Black Sea region was not a “done deal” because the international community would not recognize it.

“It is up to Russia to act responsibly and

show itself once again to be willing to abide by international norms and ... if it fails to do so, there will be some costs,” he told a news conference at the end of a nuclear security summit in The Hague.

After scoffing at a decision by Obama and his Western allies to boycott a planned Group of Eight summit in Sochi in June and hold a G7 summit without Russia instead, the Kremlin said it was keen to maintain contact with G8 partners.

“The Russian side continues to be ready to have such contacts at all levels, including the top level. We are interested in such contacts,” President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman,

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Dmitry Peskov, told Interfax news agency.

Obama said he was concerned at the possibility of further Russian “encroachment” into Ukraine and believed Putin was still “making a series of calculations”. He insisted Russian speakers face no threat in the country, contrary to Moscow’s assertions.

He urged Putin to let Ukrainians choose their own destiny free from intimidation, saying he was sure they would opt for good relations with both the European Union and Moscow rather than making a zero-sum choice for one against the other.

“Russia is a regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors,

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Rescuers scour Washington state mudslide rubble; toll expected to rise

(Reuters) - RESCUE workers combed through muck and rubble on Tuesday left by a devastating weekend mudslide in Washington state that killed at least 14 people and left scores more missing, and authorities said they expected the death toll to rise through the day.

Even as hopes dwindled of plucking anyone else out alive, about a dozen workers searched overnight for as many as 176 people reported missing since a rain-soaked hillside collapsed on Saturday, swallowing dozens of homes near Oso, Snohomish County Executive John Lovick said.

Compounding the sense of urgency was a fear of flooding as water levels rose behind a crude dam of mud and rubble that had been dumped into the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River by the slide in an area along State Route 530, about 55 miles northeast of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest state.

With no change overnight in the number of people missing, local fire chief Travis Hots said he expected the fatality count to rise throughout the day.

“The operational plan for the day is going to be challenging. The weather’s changed and we’ve got some rain coming in. That’s going to make it even more challenging for our folks that are on the ground not out of strength but out of weakness,” Obama said. “We (the United States) have considerable influence on our neighbors. We generally don’t need to invade them in order to have a strong cooperative relationship with them.”

Asked what was to stop a further Russian “land grab”, the U.S. president drew a distinction between an attack on members of NATO, covered by its Article

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there,” Hots told reporters.

The disaster ranks as one of the deadliest U.S. landslides in recent years, since 10 people died when falling earth engulfed homes in the coastal community of La Conchita, California in 2005.

Authorities said they were hoping the number of people listed as missing would decline as some may have been double-counted or were slow to alert family and officials of their whereabouts. Eight people were injured.

“I believe in miracles and I believe people can survive these events,” John Pennington, Snohomish County’s director of emergency management, told reporters.

But after three days, the operation was shifting from a rescue operation to a recovery mission, officials said. Rescuers failed to locate any more people in the rubble by early Tuesday.

Hots said authorities were also turning back many volunteers due to unstable ground conditions and fears of another landslide that could sweep away people searching the mud and debris. More than 100 properties were hit by the mudslide.

“The last thing that we want to have happen is people showing up in their cars and sneaking up on the pile, and they’re up there working independently on their own,” he said.

V mutual defense clause, and on non-members where the West could apply international pressure, shine a spotlight on those states and provide economic support.

The rouble firmed and Russian assets climbed on Tuesday after Obama and fellow G7 leaders held back from new sanctions and investors took the view that the crisis had been contained for now.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESSDAY March 26, 2014

Hefty fines coming for child porn

(Trinidad Guardian) MILLION-DOLLAR fines and jail terms of up to 15 years are some of the s e v e re p e n a l t i e s b e i n g proposed by Government in new legislation to deal with specific cyber crimes including child pornography. This as two new pieces of legislation—the Cybercrime Bill 2014 and the T&T Cyber Security Agency Bill 2014 — were laid in the House of Representatives on Friday by Science and Technology Minister Dr Rupert Griffith. No date has been set for the debate on the legislation, which requires a special three-fifths majority vote to be passed.

In June last year, Griffith spoke about the need for such legislation, saying it will not deal only with hacking. He said then: “We will also be dealing with legislation in areas such as electronic evidence and electronic transfer of funds of crime.” The Cybercrime Bill seeks to address child pornography via a computer system or other information and communication technology (ICT). It provides for a fine of $1 million and ten years imprisonment on summary conviction. That fine and imprisonment will increase to $2 million and 15 years respectively, for conviction on indictment.

Another clause in the bill addresses the violation of someone’s privacy by capturing and sharing pictures or videos of a person’s private area without his/her consent. That offence is proposed to carry a fine of $2,000 and two years imprisonment on summary conviction.

The fine and imprisonment on conviction on indictment are $.5 million and three years respectively.

Clause 18 deals with the issue of child predators. It seeks to “create the offence of luring, which is the use of a computer to set up a meeting with a child for the purpose of abusing the child.”

It says a fine of $1 million and ten years imprisonment will be imposed for the offence on summary conviction. A $2 million fine and 15 years imprisonment are proposed for a conviction on indictment. The legislation seeks to “criminalise the sending of multiple electronic mail messages that are unsolicited and which cause harm to a person or damage to a computer,” the explanatory note to the bill said.

State to call 74 witnesses Decision today on Tight security as Naipaul-Coolman murder trial starts (Trinidad Guardian) ALMOST eight years after Xtra Foods chief executive Vindra Naipaul-Coolman was abducted from her Chaguanas home and subsequently killed, the trial of a dozen men accused of her murder began in the Port-of-Spain High Court Moonday. The trial started with the State’s opening address to the jury, which included the harrowing tale of Naipaul-Coolman’s last days, narrated by special state prosecutor Israel Khan, SC. The jury, the dozen accused men and their two dozen attorneys all listened attentively to the narrative, despite the grisly descriptions, complex storyline and several religious and cultural references which Khan wove together in his four-hour presentation.

Khan encouraged jurors to be objective and dispassionate when listening to the evidence and told them to divorce their personal opinions from their deliberations. “Give these men a fair trial but don’t have any sympathy for them or the victim,” Khan said. He explained to jurors that during the trial, the State, in its bid to prove the guilt of the 12 men, would lead a mixture of scientific and circumstantial evidence, coupled with testimony from one of the accused men’s neighbours, who was allegedly present when Naipaul-Coolman was killed and her body disposed of.

“When you put together everything like a jigsaw puzzle you would get a clear picture of the

story of this woman’s death,” Khan said. However, he was careful to note that the State did not have the evidence to link the men to Naipaul-Coolman’s kidnapping on December 19, 2006 but instead could only prove that they were aware of it and participated in her murder and the disposal of her body. “If, after hearing the evidence, you have a reasonable doubt, set them free. If in your heart and conscience you know they are guilty, find them guilty,” he said.

Khan revealed that of the 74 state witnesses expected to testify in the trial, 65 were police officers and the rest members of Naipaul-Coolman’s family, including her husband, Rennie Coolman, and her daughter from a previous marriage, Risha Ali. The trial is expected to last well over a year, as defence attorneys representing each man are expected to cross-examine several important witnesses individually.

(Trinidad Express) THREE pitbulls yesterday afternoon attacked and mauled to death an 83-year-old woman.

Sylvia Roberts was savaged by the dogs after she stepped out of her home at Archibald Street, Tunapuna, to check on her mail.

Her screams brought neighbours who called the police. However, although officers arrived within minutes, the woman was already dead in the front yard.

Officers, who got the distress call at around 1.15 p.m. shot and killed all three animals.

The dogs are said to belong to the woman’s 43-year-old son who was at work at the time.

The Express was told that the dogs are unleashed during the day and allowed to roam about the secured compound.

Last August 26, 84-year-old grandmother Lillian Bunsee was bitten to death by a pitbull which

escaped the family’s kennel at La Seiva Road, Maraval. No criminal action was taken against anyone in that case.

Last week, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said Government would be moving for the immediate proclamation of some aspects of the Dog Control Amendment Act. The Act was passed in the Senate by 15 votes for/ 8 against/ and five abstentions. All 15 government senators voted in favour of the measure, while all six PNM senators along with two Independents- Senators Elton Prescott and Ian Roach voted against and five IndependentsSenators Subhas Ramkhelawan, Helen Drayton, Rolph Balgobin, Dhanayshar Mahabir and David Small- abstained.

Ramlogan said he gave instructions for the regulations to be prepared in consultation with

Tight security Security measures at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, were increased yesterday as the murder trial started. Security officers set up a secondary checkpoint outside the entrance to the Second and Third Assizes hours before the matter started. Visitors were told to leave their cellphones with security personnel before they were allowed into the two courtrooms. The two rooms, outfitted with video conferencing equipment, are being used for the trial to

dead foetuses

...Should they be given to their mothers?

Vindra Naipaul-Coolman

accommodate the large number of attorneys who are defending the 12 accused. The trial has been blighted with delays in the past as many of the accused had difficulties in securing legal representation before the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority intervened in 2012 to implement a special Cabinet-approved payment plan to convince defence attorneys to represent the accused in the trial.

Jury selection began in May last year when more than 600 people were summoned as potential jurors. The trial could not begin immediately after the month-long jury selection process, however, as defence attorneys were engaged in pre-trial legal arguments. Before adjourning the case, Justice Malcolm Holdip warned jurors not to discuss the trial with their friends, family and members of the public. State prosecutors will begin presenting evidence in the case today.

(Trinidad Express) A LEGAL opinion is being sought on whether a foetus should be returned to its mother with a death certificate for funeral rites, says chief executive officer (CEO) of the North West Regional Health Authority Judith Balliram.

Balliram said a lawyer was looking at the case and a determination will be made by today.

Last Wednesday, Tahia Jordan, 23, miscarried her fivemonth-old foetus—a baby boy— at Port of Spain General Hospital.

She went home on Thursday with a plastic bag with her belongings from the hospital, which contained her bloodied clothes and the foetus.

Jordan returned the foetus to the hospital. A nurse has since been suspended pending investigations.

The mother told the Express in a telephone interview yesterday that she asked the hospital for the foetus to perform a funeral and was told she would not be able to get a death certificate to have a funeral.

“They told me my baby under 28 weeks and if they give me back the baby I can’t get a death certificate...that I would have to

bury him in my yard or burn the foetus if they give it back to me,” said Jordan.

Asked who told her this, she said officials at the hospital.

Jordan said she intends to return to the hospital today with her mother Andrea Lancaster to get answers, as a friend of the family had lost twins at 21 weeks and was able to get a death certificate.

Jordan said she has a copy of this death certificate, which she will take to the hospital today.

She said she will feel more at peace if the last rites are performed on her foetus.

Jordan said when she found the foetus in the bag, her family members were present, including her one-year-old daughter and sisters.

Asked whether she was satisfied with the suspension of the nurse, Jordan said she hoped the wrong person was not paying for the actions of another.

She said the nurse on the ward was not at fault, but the nurse(s) in Casualty who attended to her when she miscarried.

Jordan said the nurse on the ward had asked her where was the foetus and she told her that the nurses had it in Casualty.

GRANNY, 83, MAULED TO DEATH BY PITBULLS the Ministry of Local Government. “I also intend to proclaim with immediate effect, some aspects of the law, for example the criminal offence for those persons who abandon their pitbulls in the streets.

He said this action would put at risk the lives of innocent citizens”.

He said the Minister of Local Government is working assiduously to address the capacity issues at the various dog pounds.

On the fact that the Independents did not sup-

port the bill, Ramlogan said the it was clear that they were not against the measure, but had reservations about the breed-specific policy behind the legislation (which only targeted pitbulls and two other breeds of dogs).

Ramlogan said to “criminalise” all dogs would be a “social disaster” and to subject all dog owners to the onerous conditions and restriction in the legislation, the financial costs and severe penalties was impractical, unrealistic and harsh.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

EDITORIAL Cheddi’s legacy of growth with a human face prevails OCTOBER 1992 indeed heralded the dawn of a new era for Guyana and the Guyanese nation, because it was on October 5, 1992 that the forces of good prevailed over the destructive elements that had driven Guyana’s socio-economic dynamics down to subterranean levels, to depths from which not even the PNC thought this nation could have surfaced, much less survive the decades of deprivation, oppression, depression and destruction so all-pervasive and soul-searing that if ever a nation could have been described as being battered to near-oblivion by its leaders it was the Guyanese people, who had become a pariah, not only regionally, but in international enclaves, to the extent that we were no longer trusted by International Financial Institutions.

But the great, good father of the Guyanese nation prevailed and rose like a veritable Phoenix to place this nation once more back on track. He recognised his mortality and knew that there would come a time when he would no longer be physically present to chart his developmental visions to culmination; so he engineered a Poverty Reduction Strategy and a National Development Strategy, wherein all his visions that he had held dear for the peace, progress and prosperity of the Guyanese people formed a nucleus of ideas that found expression in successive PPP/C manifestos and budgetary allocations as funds were released through debt reduction and/or write-offs, and prudent fiscal management over the years to the extent that when even developed nations were experiencing socio-economic retrogression, with people losing home and jobs by the millions worldwide, Guyana was achieving steady growth indices for successive years, with stable macro-economic fundamentals; food security and a plethora of other macro achievements in the various sectors, so much so that Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves described Guyana as the only shining star of the Caribbean; and plaudits are coming from international financial institutions for the PPP/C Government’s astute and prudent stewardship of the nation’s economy.

The only fault-finders of the nation’s developmental programmes are the collective Opposition cabal - the political parties, political entities masquerading as NGOs and media practitioners, et al, but the vision of Dr. Cheddi Jagan prevails and is brought to fruition in a multiplicity of ways every day in the nation as the party he had left to carry on his work and concretize his dreams

work relentlessly to optimise and accelerate development in the nation, always with the human face so that every man, woman and child is assured a bright present and an even brighter future.

And Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh’s 2014 national budget is veritable proof that the legacy of growth with a human face that Dr. Jagan envisioned, crafted and charted still prevails under successive administrative constructs of the PPP/C. The People’s Progressive Party-Civic Government (PPP/C) has provided excellent stewardship in Guyana over the last twenty-one years of the party being the first democratically elected government since independence. Since 1992 things have become so much better that most of the people take the existing benefits and improved services for granted.

Under the PPP-Civic Administration, Guyana’s economy performed exceptionally well, given the multiplicity of local and international constraints over the 21 years of PPP/C stewardship, generating positive GDP in most years. Guyana today has substantial foreign reserves, single digit inflation, booming economic indicators, a thriving construction industry and sector; bumper rice harvests; increasing exports of agricultural produce along with timber and mining products. A new wave of prosperity has gripped the hinterland, largely where gold mining is concerned.

A sustained battle at home and overseas to rescue the sugar industry against formidable odds is being won, with inexorable efforts, despite gloom and doom prognostications, along with budget cuts by the opposition naysayers. Massive gains are being made in the fish and manufacturing sectors. The commercial banking sector is thriving and expanding and is solvent in every way.

There is no economic crisis in Guyana under the PPP-Civic Government and the country has largely escaped the economic down turn that is still gripping most of the world, caused by recession in the USA, Western Europe and Japan. Through brilliant leadership and the instrumentality and vision of the PPP/C Government, Guyana has been spared the ravages of foreign recession.

One of Dr. Jagan’s primary initiatives has been dubbed the fulcrum of PPP/C achievements – and that is the ordinary people are better housed, as well as the fact that they are better clothed, better fed, better educated; are provided with better medical and health services; are better paid where wages and salaries are concerned.

The transport system is rising to the challenges posed by increasing numbers of people acquiring vehicles of their own, with which to

GUYANA

commute daily. Our highways are being overhauled and expanded to 4-lane status.

In addition, sustained efforts are being made to overcome flooding caused by seasonal rainfall and the inadequacy of drainage systems taking into consideration, huge swaths of land under cultivation, animal husbandry, housing schemes and industrial estates. It is confidently expected that the Hope Canal now under construction, will help to put an end to this flooding problem in the agriculturally strategic East Coast of Demerara area.

Social harmony and tolerance in Guyana have been nurtured and being encouraged in all spheres of life. All Guyanese, even the Amerindian communities that had been completely neglected by the previous administration, are an integral part of the PPP/C’s development agenda and share equally in the nation’s prosperity.

The rights of and opportunities for Guyanese women have been expanded and is celebrated here and abroad as a model.

The protection of our children and the enhanced welfare of our elderly and other vulnerable groups are today among the proud achievements of the current administration. Indeed, the PPP/C Government has created a more caring and compassionate society.

Under the leadership of President Donald Ramotar, the PPP-Civic Government has entered into a challenging parliamentary dispensation, whereby an Opposition configuration is intent on creating retrogression in the phenomenal growth pattern so ably charted by his predecessor, and it is to his credit, and the credit of his Cabinet that economic growth is sustained, with continued acceleration of social developmental patterns.

While recognising that there is more to be done for the country, Guyana today has never been so advanced and well-positioned as one of the regions’ shining example of good governance and lasting opportunities for the Guyanese people.

Dr. Ashni Singh’s 2014 Budget is a rededication by the PPP/C Government to hold true to the ideals and sustain the legacy of its founding father through charting the nation’s development.

Black Guyanese have contributed significantly to Guyana’s progress Dr DAVID Hinds is committed to find resolution by race alone, considering his claims that “in our multi-ethnic society with its inevitable competition for resources and the insecurities that flow from that competition. It is a mistake to ignore inter-ethnic dynamics” as advocated in a letter to SN of 3-18-14. “Our national quest for social, economic and political justice is situated in this basic challenge,” he says. How accurately does this reflect the teachings of Dr Hind’s village sage mentor Mr. Eusi Kwayana, in vivid contrast with the life of Dr Walter Rodney who subsumed race to class? Did Dr Rodney die so all would become fully emancipated to now find Guyanese in even greater tragedy with his WPA legacy now completely hijacked and crushed within PNCR/APNU? Dr Hinds explains that “in the process of “competition” (my highlight), narratives of defence and offence are constructed by groups and form the basis for the power relationships….. What often emerges is the myth of innate ethnic inferiority or superiority, which depending on the balance of power, becomes social truisms that directs action by and towards ethnic groups.” Is he referring to UWI’s Dr Kean Gibson’s scurrilous attack targeting Indians by proxy of Hindus, or former Chief Magistrate Juliet Allen-Holder’s advocacy that all Indo-Guyanese be deported from Guyana, both remarkably, without “equality “of pushback response? There is absolutely no similar evidence which can match the truisms of May 26, 1964 Wismar massacre or the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins atrocities at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek. The PNC selected May 26 as Guyana’s independence in 1966, for what purpose?

It would be most refreshing to witness considerably more which debunks “One such myth in Guyana (as) the inferior instincts for

commerce and less than sterling contributions of African Guyanese to the evolution of the Guyanese economy” considering Black Guyanese have contributed significantly to Guyana’s progress. If they are myths shouldn’t there be enough intelligent resolve to completely dump them and move on? Who keeps Black Guyanese stuck in the past can only be their outdated leadership but its repercussions affect all Guyanese.

Nearly two centuries after Emancipation, what makes black Americans so better off than in the Caribbean or in Guyana? The PNC inherited an excellent economy from the PPP in 1964. Why and who was responsible for Guyana’s decline for 28 years has always been obvious as they resurface again in today’s APNU. If “it is a mistake to ignore inter-ethnic dynamics” black magnificence cannot anytime become nullified by any vagaries of balance of power relationships; the colonial British, American foreign policy and PNC governments policies never historically favoured the allegedly “pagan” Indo- Guyanese. When all others failed, they were the last chosen to do Guyana good and only became targeted for their success. Which ethnic group can ever claim ownership of success?

For anyone to claim much less believe that African Guyanese contributions are less than magnificent is most deplorable. Under duress, they laboured to build our country’s basic foundations. Their descendants still actively guard our porous borders from tomorrow’s invaders and much more. The overzealous biased GHRA has even credited slaves for carving Guyana out of the Atlantic Ocean which would have made the Amerindian presence an after event. As an Afrocentric advocate only preoccupied with his race segmentation mission, Dr Hinds questions “If we accept that all is not well economically with African

Guyanese, what should or can be done to repair the situation?”

Persistence in power sharing demands based on race rather than Federalism requires urgent clarification concomitant with the exclusive ownership, advocacy and defence of “kith and kin: are certain to exacerbate more crushing cabinet gridlock.

In the meantime, it would indeed be refreshingly educational to know what are the underlying basis and remedies, considering Dr Hinds himself now acknowledges that Guyanese have “heard that African Guyanese cannot do business or that the emancipated Africans abandoned the sugar industry in the wake of Emancipation or that widespread poverty in the African Guyanese community is a result of laziness and preference for shallow materialism.” Dismissal alone is not invalidation to let the light shine all around. Who can easily forget, noting that Dr Hinds can still remember to point out that, “One prominent political leader (it was Dr Cheddi Jagan who) asserted some two decades ago that African Guyanese were at the bottom of the economic ladder”. Not easily forgotten are the accompanying bigoted attacks on Dr Jagan because he bewailed the plight of Afro-Guyanese; he was denounced as a racist and condemned.

Absolutely no Afro-Guyanese organisation stepped up to validate his sincere concerns but now, maybe, it catalyses Dr Hinds’ inspiration in following Cuffy the monumental rebel.

Can no other Guyanese give inspiration so that “In this regard economic equality and justice must become more than mere rhetoric”? They must be a living reality for black Guyanese we are told by Dr Hinds.

SULTAN MOHAMED

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

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AFC Councillor arrested Hammie Green for pointing finger in is shameless Region 2 Chairman’s face REGION 2 (Pomerron/Supenaam) Chairman Mr. Parmanand Persaud has warned Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Mr. Naithram about his aggressive behaviour which occurred last Friday after he was stopped from leading a rice farmers picketing exercise into the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound at Anna Regina.

At the start of the RDC meeting on Tuesday the chairman said the councillor ran up the step to the Regional Office and pointed his finger into his face saying “you...you.. “after he said no farmer will be allowed to enter the regional compound with placards.

According to the chairman the AFC councillor who was leading farmers in a protest for better prices for paddy in front of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB)

office wanted the farmers to attend a scheduled meeting with General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj in the regional boardroom but was demanding that the farmers marched with their placards into the regional compound and to the boardroom.

Mr. Persaud said it is illegal for farmers to enter the government compound with placards and because he objected to it the AFC councillor Mr. Naithram behaved in an aggressive and ridiculous manner and ran up the steps to the regional Office and pointed his finger in his face.

The Chairman said he immediately informed the Commander of the “G” Division Police about the councillor’s behaviour and ranks were quickly dispatched to the scene and the AFC councillor was taken to the police station and

detained for some time before being released.

Mr. Persaud told councillors at the meeting that he is dissatisfied with the behaviour of the AFC representative. He said Mr. Naithram has no respect for him, the RDC and the Regional Administration or even the boardroom where he sits for meeting every month to represent the public interest.

Mr. Persaud said the aggressive behaviour of the councillor who is said to be a so called leader of rice farmers has left much to be desired from him and the AFC party he represents.

PPP/C Councillor Mr. Farouk Khan said it is illegal for farmers to enter the government compound with placards and supported the strong stand taken by the chairman. He said the councillor who claims to be a leader has set a bad example and just shows what

kind of persons are in the AFC leadership.

The AFC councillor rose to his feet to counter what the chairman said, but was ordered to take his seat by the Regional Chairman after he accused the chairman of lying. However the councillor still did not take his take his seat on the order and tried to raise his voice but the chairman sternly warned him to sit again which he did. ( Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

GT Mayor says $1Billon clean-up campaign is unnecessary.

PPP should take that money and hold local government elections where this PNCR’s once would-be King ruler would be tossed in the very garbage heap he produced.

For Hammie Green to talk about tax and whatever he has absolutely no shame.

If he had his way to raise the peoples’ taxes the amount of those imaginary employed would be tripled, then the tax payers will hear the same cries over again that we don’t have money.

They are thieving the peoples’ money. It is as simple as that.

Despite paying your bribe and you start to conduct your renovations or repairs to your property, a truck load of City Hall workers will show up demanding that you show them documents.

No one ever sees that same truckload of City Hall people carrying out their duties on a daily basis to keep Georgetown clean.

This is exactly how the would-be King Ruler one time crowned “PNC Prince” would be running Guyana, stink like Georgetown.

Does the PNCR have any shame and pride?

Even their core supporters dare not say a word but to live in the stench.

T. KING

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Economic growth projected ...

From page 3

by 5.2 per cent, with the non-sugar GDP growing rapidly by 6.3 per cent, reflecting the underlying strength of the other sectors of the economy.

“It is significant to note that the eight years from 2006 to 2013 represents the longest period of uninterrupted real economic growth in independent Guyana,” he said.

While the overall performance of the economy remained strong, the sugar industry continued to struggle. Sugar production contracted by 14.4 per cent in 2013 to 186,770 tonnes, extending further the industry’s under-performance in recent years.

Singh said: “The issues confronting the industry such as labour shortages and disruptions, irregular weather, and managerial capacity constraints, are well known, and a more concerted effort is required to return the industry to a growth trajectory that would be consistent with viability and profitability.”

The rice industry, on the other hand, had another favourable year, with production of 535,439 tonnes in 2013, 26.9 per cent over the previous year’s output and setting a new record for the highest ever annual production in the history of the industry. Ongoing investments in drainage and irrigation, increased acreage, and improved yields, together favour continued annual production of over 500,000 tonnes well into the medium term.

Production of other crops grew by 4.2 per cent, while livestock production increased by 4.3 per cent.

The fisheries industry declined by 6.5 per cent, due to some overfishing, which resulted in a suspension of issuance of further industrial fishing licenses, and a reduction in operational trawler fleet.

The forestry industry grew by 5 per cent with total production of 398,964 cubic metres.

The mining and quarrying industry recorded 8 per cent growth over 2012. The gold industry achieved total declarations of 481,087 ounces, 9.7 per cent above the previous year, and a historic performance. This year’s level of declarations represents the highest level of production in the history of the industry, exceeding production levels even when OMAI gold mines were at their peak. The fortunes of bauxite were somewhat more tempered, with the industry registering an 11 per cent decline in value added production. Diamond declarations increased by 56.9 per cent, while stone production grew by 47.8 per cent, the latter reflecting the strong boom in construction activity across the country.

The manufacturing sector grew by 8 per cent. This reflected growth in the manufacturing component of rice, aided by a 5.4 per cent growth in other manufacturing, but offset partially by the decline in sugar manufacturing.

The service industries continued to record overall positive growth with 5.5 per cent achieved at the end of 2013. This growth was led by the construction sector which recorded 22.6 per cent growth as a result of vibrant expansion in private sector construction buoyed by the national housing drive and by commercial construction, as well as implementation of public sector construction projects.

Information and Communication grew by 5.9 per cent reflecting continued growth in demand with the increased availability of

information technology products and services. Wholesale and retail trade declined by 0.9 per cent consistent with reductions in imports of consumption, intermediate, and capital goods.

Electricity and water output grew by 5.6 per cent, transport and storage by 4 per cent, finance and insurance by 11.2 per cent, rental of dwellings by 5.6 per cent, while other services declined by 3 per cent.

Public administration, education, and health grew by 2.5 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 4 per cent respectively, reflecting increasing activity in the social sector.

EXPORTS Export earnings contracted marginally by 2.8 per cent to US$1.4B, mainly due a sharp decline in gold prices along with lower export volumes of sugar, bauxite and timber.

Export earnings on sugar contracted by 13.6 per cent to US$114.2M, due to an 18.7 per cent decline in export volume to 160,284 tonnes, outweighing the 6.3 per cent increase in prices to US$713 per tonne.

Rice export receipts expanded by 22.2 per cent to US$239.8M mainly attributed to an 18.2 per cent increase in export volume to 394,989 tonnes, combined with a 3.4 per cent increase in average export prices to US$607 per tonne.

Gold exports amounted to US$648.5M, a 9.5 per cent decline compared to 2012. This was due to a sharp decline in average realised prices to US$1,344 per ounce compared to $1,575 in 2012, outweighing the six per cent increase in export volume which amounted to 482,527 ounces.

In addition, bauxite exports contracted to US$134.6M, due to a 24.7 per cent decline in export volume to 1,678,971 tonnes, outweighing the 18.6 per cent increase in export prices to US$80 per tonne.

Timber exports earnings declined by 1.4 percent to US$38.5 million, primarily as a result of lower export volume.

Merchandise imports declined by 7.5 per cent to US$1.8B. Across the categories, capital goods contracted by 9.7 per cent to US$415.2M, non-fuel intermediate goods declined by 3.3 per cent to US$410.1M, fuel and lubricants decreased by 9.9 per cent to US$574.7 M and consumption goods declined by 6.1 per cent to US$437.7M. Singh also said that net current transfers decreased by 15.7 per cent to US$353.2M, due to lower receipts of worker remittances which declined by US$141.1M to US$328.2N. Net payment of services amounted to US$307.1M compared to US$204.6M due to a US$107.1M increase in non-factor services mainly due to higher royalties and license fees.

Gross international reserves of the Bank of Guyana amounted to US$776.9 million, equivalent to 3.9 months of import cover at the end 2013.

MONETARY DEVELOPMENTS The Finance Minister said: “Monetary policy continues to focus on maintaining stable prices while promoting private sector credit.

“Net domestic credit by the banking system is estimated to have expanded by 25.2 per cent to $123.9B in 2013, attributed to an increase in credit to the private and public sectors.

“Credit to the private sector expanded by 14.5 per cent, reflecting growth in all sectors. The manufacturing, construction and engineering, personal and real estate sectors grew by 22 per cent, 18.8 per cent, 17.4 per cent and 16.9 per cent respectively.

“In addition, credit to mining and quarrying also grew by 13.9 per cent, followed by agriculture and rice milling which registered growth of 13.7 and 9.9 per cent respectively.”

According to him, prices remained relatively flat throughout the year aided by Government’s continued financial support to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and other electricity suppliers in order to contain electricity prices, as well as close monitoring of fuel prices and taxes to dampen the pass through of imported price volatility.

In addition, Singh said Guyana’s continued emphasis on food production ensured an adequate supply of food commodities throughout the year and helped moderate prices.

“Altogether, these conditions resulted in consumer price index movement of 0.9 percent in 2013, the lowest rate of inflation in decades,” he said.

During 2013, the weighted average lending rate of the commercial banks increased by 8 basis points to 11.16 per cent. This reflected a marginal increase from 11.08 per cent in 2012 but, notwithstanding this movement, private sector credit continued to expand. The small savings rate declined by 36 basis points to 1.33 per cent while the 91-day Treasury Bill rate remained stable at 1.45 percent.

Transactions on the domestic foreign exchange market contracted by 5.8 per cent to US$6.4B. Key exchange rates remained stable throughout the year and, at the end of the year, the Guyana dollar was being traded against the US Dollar at $206.25 compared to $204.5 a year ago.

DEBT At the end of 2013, Guyana’s total external debt stock stood at US$1.2B, a reduction of 8.3 per cent from the previous year.

This reduction was mainly as a result of Government concluding two additional compensation agreements under the Petrocaribe arrangement which saw US$281.1M of oil debt effectively cancelled, equivalent to the value of rice and paddy exported by Guyana to Venezuela from July 2011 to October 2013.

In addition, Guyana negotiated and concluded a debt relief agreement with Bulgaria which further reduced the debt by US$2.9M. Total external debt service in 2013 amounted to US$45.9 M or 7.9 per cent more than in 2012, comprising principal repayments of US$31.6M and interest payments of US$14.3M. At the end of 2013, the total domestic debt stock amounted to $98.8B, an increase of 5.7 per cent over the previous year. This increase was largely due to the monetary operations of the Bank of Guyana.

Noteworthy, the stock of government debentures declined in 2013 by $1B, and ended the year at 20 per cent less than the previous year following the repayment of some debentures that had matured.

Government has also concluded negotiations and signed two agreements that would further reduce Guyana’s outstanding external debt by a total of US$91.3M. The first was a Debt Relief agreement that would write-off 100 percent of Guyana’s debt owed to the CARICOM Multilateral Clearing Facility (CMCF) totalling US$35.9M. The second was a further debt compensation agreement under the Petrocaribe arrangement that would effectively cancel US$55.4M of the oil debt owed to Venezuela equivalent to the value of rice and paddy shipped from October 2013 to January 2014.

“We will also continue to pursue debt relief from our non-Paris Club bilateral creditors, all with the aim of ensuring that we closely guard the very important achievement of debt sustainability into the medium and long term,” the Finance Minister said.

Burglary, robbery defendant refused bail ANFERNY Lantazar, a mason of Lot 317 Ruimveldt, Georgetown, charged with robbery under arms and break and enter, was refused bail yesterday by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges, one of which said, between March 19 and 20 at West Ruimveldt, he broke and entered the dwelling place of Rahlyn Morgan and stole one Jialing motorcycle and one Blackberry cellular phone, together valued $220,000.

Particulars of the second charge said, on February 18, at Mandela Avenue, also in Georgetown, being armed with a cutlass, he robbed Hamzie Baksh of one gold chain, a BMX bicycle, one Blackberry cellular phone and $3,000 cash.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said, as it relates to the break and enter, the virtual complainant had secured her home and retired to bed on March 19.

At 06:00 hrs the following day, she discovered the

motorcycle and cellular phone missing and the eastern door was open and she reported the burglary at East Ruimveldt Police Station.

Following an investigation, the defendant and others were found at a house in West Ruimveldt and the motor cycle from the burglary was recovered.

About the armed robbery, the prosecutor said Baksh was riding east along Mandela Avenue when the defendant stopped him, placed a cutlass to his neck and relieved him of his property.

The prosecutor, successfully, objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the crime and the penalty attached to it, adding that the defendant has previous convictions and it is likely that, if granted pre-trial freedom, he may not return for trial.

But Lantazar claimed he is only aware of one charge and was never convicted for any. Still he was remanded to prison through April 11.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

The clock is ticking for David Granger THE clock is ticking for David Granger to come clean on Aubrey Norton’s evidence of corruption within the PNC/R/ APNU. Was there more to the shooting of its General Secretary Oscar Clarke?

It has been six weeks, four days since former PNCR General Secretary Aubrey Norton announced that he is in possession of evidence of corruption within this opposition political party led

by David Granger.

That party’s membership or the nation has not read or heard one single attempt by the APNU leadership, 90% of whom are from the PNCR, to address this damning revelation.

What is it that is so secretive occurring over at Congress Place that it appears to be a taboo subject, which even Granger and his minions such as Joseph Harmon would not even touch with a ten feet pole?

Is it linked to the disclosure of Basil Williams in the infamous telephone call to the former Police Commissioner, now APNU security expert over the disappearance of a large sum of foreign currency from Congress Place? Did it have any connection with the incident involving the party’s General Secretary Oscar Clark who was shot in what we were told was a home invasion on

January 29, 2013.

In a Stabroek News article on January 30, 2013, Oscar’s wife, Linda Clarke made what in hindsight was a revealing disclosure as she noted that her husband had just left Congress Place, had picked her up from Stone Avenue, before driving to their home in Sophia.

Shortly after they entered their yard we are told that four men walked through the gate.

The gunmen had come looking for a ‘cannister’ as the article notes that “when she attempted to inquire what they were there for one of the men grabbed her, told her to go inside the house, and then dealt her a slap across her face. Once inside, she said she was made to lie on the floor by one of the intruders who stood over her to ensure she didn’t move. Linda said she heard the men continuously asking “weh de canister deh, weh it deh.” However the woman said that she was and still is oblivious to the “canister” which was being demanded by the men.”

It was during this melee that they cornered Oscar Clarke and subsequently opened fire on him; thankfully he survived the ordeal after being rushed to the GPHC. Interestingly, we have all heard the PNCR/APNU make a lot of noise about bringing the perpetrators to justice for several incidents; they have protested and took their claims to the National Assembly

and elsewhere. Alarming however is the fact that they have been silent all along on ensuring the perpetrators of this dastard attack on their very own General Secretary be brought to justice. Why the eerie silence from David Granger and company?

Even if Oscar Clarke had some sort of damaging evidence about what is transpiring in the party, we will never know after his close experience with death and the possibility that the gunmen found what they were looking for.

It is against this backdrop, that Aubrey Norton must be recognised for his courageous act of coming forward and making his disclosures about corruption within the party. Clearly, he is taking a great risk. The PNCR has an infamous history and they have been associated with some very unfortunate incidents during their existence.

To use Mr. Granger’s own words, the clock is ticking for him to display leadership and address the evidence that Mr. Norton is in possession of. Anything less would confirm that he is aiding in covering up corruption and other sinister operations at Congress Place. It would also explain why they have been so defiant in not supporting the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism amendment bill.

It is time to display leadership Mr. Granger, the nation is waiting.

The # 65 Village Community Policing Group:

More than just about crime fighting

By Michel Outridge THE Community Policing Group (CPG) at Number 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice isn’t just about working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), but has been participating in several community projects as well.

The executive members of this CPG are Abdool Nazar, Narine Ramsundar, Radica Ramanandan and Hemwattie Radha Liaison Officer Radica Ramanandan told the Guyana Chronicle that, in the first in-

stance, a bedridden man, Chaturgun (only name given) of # 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who was suffering from a stroke that had rendered him unable to help himself indicated he wanted a wheelchair to enable him to move around on his own, to lessen the burden on his relatives; and the CPG was able to source a wheelchair for the man. The group also bought him pampers, and a presentation was made to the elderly man, who was very grateful for the gesture.

In the second instance, a needy family whose sole breadwinner had died requested as-

sistance for the burial of Hubert Henry, 69, of # 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; and the CPG also financed two nights of the wake, which was held at Henry’s residence. Moreover, the CPG bought and presented to the Henry family the clothes in which the deceased was buried. Needless to say, his relatives were very thankful for this generous gesture.

According to Ms Ramanandan, the aim of the #65 Village CPG is to work with the community, and seek to assist the less fortunate in any way possible in an effort to improve their lives.

#65 CPG members presenting the donation of clothing, among other things, to relatives of the late Hubert Henry

Possession of narcotics defendant granted $40,000 bail RONALD James, of Lot 55 Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was, yesterday, ordered to post $40,000 bail on a possession of narcotics charge.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and, initially, pleaded guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on March 21, in Georgetown, he had 10 grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

But a not guilty plea was entered after James claimed he was not aware of the illegal substance, since his boss who operates a drug store gave him a bag to transport from the interior to the city.

The defendant said he was tasked to carry the bag containing cologne, deodorant, tablets etc but did not know the prohibited substance was in the medication.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, did not object to pre-trial liberty for the defendant and the case was transferred to Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty for report and fixture on April 28.

Chaturgun sits in his gift wheelchair surrounded by his relatives during the presentation of items by the #65 CPG members

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

CJ rejects lawyer’s claim to First Federation Building

-applicant had no locus standi -to pay respondent $40,000 costs

By George Barclay HAVING set up himself as a tenant of the First Federation Life Insurance Building in

October 2013, attorney-at-law Saphier Husssain had sought a Nisi Order compelling City Engineer Lloyd Alleyne to quash his decision to con-

demn the building because it was in a ruinous state and was considered dangerous to its occupants. And he was initially granted a Nisi Order

to this effect.

In his affidavit in support of the Motion, Hussain deposed that the First Federation Building is the property of the First Federation Life Insurance Company Limited, in accordance with Transport No. 1132 of 1964; and that pursuant to an Order of Court dated November 29, 1988, the Official Receiver was appointed Provisional Liquidator on March 10, 1989, in accordance with Section 148 (1) of the Companies Act, Chapter 89:01.

At some time about July 1, 1987, Hussain had entered into an agreement of tenancy with the First Federation Life Insurance Company for Room No. 2 in the First Federation Building at an annual rent of $60,000.

On January 23, 2013, a writ of summons was filed with plaint signed by the Solicitor-General as Attorney-at-Law

for the Official Receiver for possession of Room 2, which Hussain was occupying. Hussain filed a defence to the summons and plaint; and later, the Attorney-General, by his servants or agents, discontinued the proceedings (C.J. No 75/2013 –Exhibit F.) Six days after he had filed his defence, City Engineer (ag.)

Lloyd Alleyne sent a letter to the Official Receiver, in which he deemed the First Federation (concrete and wooden) Building to be “in a ruinous state and dangerous to the occupants, passersby and neighbouring buildings.” That letter was dated February 20, 2013.

In April 2013, Hussain received a copy of the letter issued by the City Engineer, sent to him by the Official Receiver.

In Hussain’s affidavit in support of Motion, the applicant deposed that he was contending that the document was fraudulent; was made with improper purpose and motives, and by using irrelevant consideration was failing to use relevant consideration; and was made with

dictation from State Agency.

It was also contended that the letter was made by a judge in its own cause, “which amounts to conspiracy to evict myself from the premises.”

The Chief Justice remarked thus: “Having regard to the status of the (applicant) as a tenant in the building, and (to) the specific public law function of the City Engineer, it does appear to the court that the applicant had no locus standi to institute these proceedings, especially as the function of the City Engineer in inspecting the building was for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the applicant himself (inter alios).

“For the above reasons, the Order Nisi of Certiorari made on the 30th October, 2013 against the named respondent -- City Engineer -- must be discharged. The court so orders.

“There will be costs to the respondent in the sum of $40,000”, the Chief Justice added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Indonesian charged with overstaying granted bail despite objection INDONESIAN Martomi Ajen, who lives at Lot 128 Premniranjan Place, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown was, yesterday, ordered to post $100,000 bail, by Magistrate Faith McGusty, on a charge of overstaying in Guyana.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence that said, between March 16, 2012 and March 22, 2014, he failed to comply with the condition subject to which his permit to stay was granted.

Police Corporal Seon Blackman, prosecuting, had objected to the grant of pre-trial liberty for the defendant, stating that he may pose a flight risk.

Consequently, the alien was instructed to lodge his passport and report to the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary until April 28.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Cuban Plenipotentiary Representative presents credentials to CARICOM SG

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally HIS EXCELLENCY Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, Plenipotentiary Representative of the State of Cuba, yesterday, presented his credentials to the CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, at the Headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat at Turkeyen, East Coast of Demerara.

At the ceremony hosted to receive the credentials, Ambassador LaRocque related: “Excellency, it is my pleasure to receive today your Letters of Credence, accrediting you as Cuba’s fourth Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean

Community.

“CARICOM-Cuba relations have been a trailblazer in South-South Cooperation.

The high level of collaboration at the political level is evidenced by the summits of CARICOM and Cuba Heads of State and Government, held every three years.

“Sir, it is perhaps in the field of human resource capacity-building that the people of the Region are most keenly aware of the support of Cuba to their development. Indeed, among the Community’s external partners, Cuba is by far the largest contributor in this area through the generous offering of numerous scholarships.

“Excellency, I wish to

reiterate the appreciation of the Community for the long-standing and mutually beneficial relations we have enjoyed with Cuba. It is in this tradition that I gladly accept your credentials.

“I formally bid you a warm welcome to the Community, and I look forward to working with you in order to further CARICOM-Cuba relations.”

Having presented his credentials, the Cuban Plenipotentiary Representative, His Excellency Mr Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante, responded to Ambassador LaRocque’s remarks as follows: “It is a great honour for me to represent the people, and to present, on behalf of the Government of Cuba, to

CARICOM credentials.

“Today, Cuba enjoys with satisfaction the privilege to have diplomatic representation in almost all Caribbean nations; and over the last 41 years, has contributed significantly to the advancement of our relations, particularly in (the areas of) health, education, sports, culture, energy and construction”.

Completing his response with a quote from the former Cuban President Fidel

Castro, Mr Marchante said: “We Cubans are proud of our Caribbean roots and the relations with the nations of the Region. We appreciate the support we have received from the governments, and we are deeply committed to those we share this history with”.

The relationship between Cuba and the member states of the Caribbean Community is a unique one, which has been forged

over several decades. Since that historic day of December 8, 1972, which saw the Caribbean states of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, the bonds of friendship and solidarity between CARICOM countries and Cuba have grown and deepened significantly; and December 8 is now celebrated annually as CARICOM-Cuba Day.

Records show Opposition was invited on several occasions to Budget consultations - Finance Minister dismisses AFC claim

WHEN Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh began the 2014 Budget Presentation to the National Assembly on Monday, members of the Parliamentary Opposition, Alliance For Change (AFC) left the chamber, claiming that there had been no meaningful consultation before the preparation of the Budget.

But following the events that led up to the presentation, it would be seen that the small party deliberately did not participate, despite several invitations and exhortations from the minister.

Minister Singh, dismissing the Party’s claim, stated , “It is a matter of public record we invited the opposition parties on several occasions, and they failed to turn up. So if there is a lack of consultation, it’s because they refused to make themselves available. There were repeated invitations made and they refused to avail themselves.”

Shortly after presenting the Budget to the National Assembly, Minister Singh pointed out that it contains a number of policies, programmes, initiatives and interventions, all of which are in the interest of Guyana and its people. “That must be the ultimate consideration.”

JUDGE BUDGET ON MERITS Minister Singh expressed the hope that any national budget brought to the National Assembly should be assessed on its merits.

A statement from the AFC after their walkout said it was in protest against the violation of the Constitution and that the “2014 budget is overshadowed by the ruling of the Chief Justice that the National Assembly may approve or not approve the estimates of the expenditure.”

The AFC also claimed that the budget was being presented by the Minister who disregarded decisions of the National Assembly, and restored funds that were not approved by the said Assembly.

But the restoration of funds allocated to two state agencies, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA) in 2012 and 2013, was done based on the legal advice received regarding the “Preliminary Ruling” of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang issued in July 2012.

On January 29, 2014, the CJ issued

his final ruling on the matter, stating that the Opposition has no right to cut the country’s budget estimates and can only approve or disapprove the entire budget.

Minister Singh had previously stated, however, that a similar claim of no consultations made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was a blatant lie and a cheap publicity stunt. This response was made to the claim by APNU’s Leader David Granger in the Kaieteur News of January 18, under the article titled “APNU says its being sidelined from Budget consultation- will force implementation of reforms if concerns not taken on board”.

The minister explained that his e-mail dated January 13, 2014, indicated Government’s invitation to meet on Budget 2014, and requested APNU Member Carl Greenidge to suggest a date. The e-mail was also copied to Granger, Lance Carberry, Khemraj Ramjattan, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and Gail Teixeira. The e-mail also contained copies of documents to be discussed.

The invitation was met with stony silence by Granger and Greenidge.

Further, in February 2014, there was still no response from the Parliamentary Opposition parties to government’s invitation to participate in pre-budget consultations; however, the opposition parliamentarians did meet with the hierarchy of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and signalled their support for the military’s budget allocation.

Government’s policy is to engage with various stakeholders, particularly with regard to shaping policy and for input on key issues. Through this mechanism, the constant exchange of views is enabled, and suggestions, issues, challenges and concerns are noted. “We are able to learn what their priorities are; we are able to explain issues and challenges so that they are better informed to formulate their own positions on issues,” the Finance Minister stated.

Consultations were held with several stakeholders, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), and all were described as a good series of engagements.(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

19 police and CANU ranks complete training programme on transnational criminals

By Michel Outridge

NINETEEN ranks drawn from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were presented last Friday with certificates on their successful completion of the five-day Jetway training programme facilitated by the Canadian High Commission.

The closing ceremony was held at Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast of Demerara.

The training programme uses a commonsense policing approach to detect travelling criminals, and has contributed to the seizure of billions of dollars worth of contraband worldwide.

This course is essentially an investigative technique that can be employed by any law enforcement agency. However, it is often tailored based on the peculiarities of individual countries.

The course for Guyana focused on interdicting the transportation of contraband and illicit drugs at

airports.

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, in brief remarks at the closing ceremony, said that the Jetway training programme was aimed at enhancing the capacity of law enforcement ranks. He noted that the course was based on a “commonsense approach�, incorporating both theory and practice to enable ranks in recognising suspicious behaviour and movements of persons involved in criminal activities.

Minister Rohee stated that the approach is quite useful for Guyana and will enhance the capacity of law enforcement officers by exposing them to best practices which can be applied because organised crime exists worldwide.

He noted that criminal enterprises are seeking to integrate themselves in society by employing persons with skills to boost their operations and here in Guyana it is necessary to be a step ahead of those involved.

The law enforcement officers with their certificates of completion and the two instructors. Seated in the front row is Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Canadian High Commissioner, Dr. Nicole Giles The Home Affairs Minister also expressed thanks to the Government of Canada and the other stakeholders who have See page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

iRadio expected to broadcast on FM band next month

By Asif Hakim

LAST week iRadio for the

first time went public when its frequency and tag lines were announced on one of the

social network sites, and it is likely the radio station will be broadcasting from next month

on the FM band. iRadio will be streaming on the 90.1 dial of the FM band with the tag line, “90.1 love FM, the heartbeat of Guyana”. However, there was no clear indication on the social media site about details on the official launching of the radio station but this is expected to be done with lots of pomp and ceremony.

Efforts to get an official comment from the persons who are said to be responsible for the management of the new radio station have been futile. This newspaper has been informed that the management of iRadio is not quite ready to ‘spill the beans’ with respect to the features of the station.

In a post on the social network, iRadio informed that it would be testing the strength, clarity and sounds of the new radio station and that was done in the wee hours of Friday morning.

This reporter who heard the testing signals found that indeed the signal and clarity proved to be equal to the competition among the existing radio stations listeners.

Persons desirous of connecting with iRadio can do so by visiting their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/iradioguyana of their website www. iradiogy.com. With the official launching of iRadio which is widely expected to be in April, it will bring the number of ac-

tive radio stations in Guyana to twelve, a major leap from the three radio stations managed by the state-controlled National Communications Network Inc. The comments on the social network on the new radio station have been many with one fan being quoted as saying “it’s about time we have a real radio, it’s about time, we haven’t have the love feeling for too long”.

98.1 Hot Fm, 101.1 Fresh FM, 102.5 FM, 94.1 Boom FM, 93.1 Real FM, Radio Guyana 89.5 FM, NTN Radio 89.1 FM the Pulse of Guyana, 89. 7FM (Berbice), 88.5 Rock FM (Berbice) and 89.3 FM (Essequibo) are the radio stations which are operating in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

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19 police and CANU ranks complete training ...

From page 13

been partnering to fight organised crime.

The minister added that cooperation between countries is vital to guarantee public safety and security and he thanked the foreign facilitators of the course which will boost the capabilities of both the GPF and CANU. The course started on March 17 and concluded on March 21 with 19 students, including one female, receiving training in the classroom and at the airport by two instructors.

Jetway is designed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to assist plainclothes law enforcement operatives in the detection of travelling criminals at airports, bus terminals and train stations.

Canadian High Commissioner, Dr. Nicole Giles, in remarks said that the activities of organised crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and contraband smuggling, pose a threat to all countries in the Caribbean and its reach extends into North America.

She added, as Minister Rohee noted, that organised crime poses a direct threat to friends and neighbours across the hemisphere, including tourists, businesses and investors.

Dr. Giles noted that criminals reach multiple countries and jurisdictions as they seek financial gain, targeting international businesses and this issue requires an international response, which must be based on collaboration and integration of a national strategy.

The diplomat said that the Canadian Jetway training programme is an example of the country’s steadfast commitment to working internationally and collaboratively with partners such as Guyana to combat international crime.

She noted that the Jetway training programme was launched in 1994 by the RCMP and contributed to the seizing of billions of dollars of contraband worldwide.

Dr. Giles said further that the beauty of Jetway is that the techniques can be applied to crimes being committed not only at airports but across the spectrum, including traffic and routine investigations, and as a result it strengthens not only border security but security at large.

She added that Jetway also helps to detect when a person is lying and the training is geared to disrupt well thought out criminal activities.

A section of the audience at Grand Coastal Hotel at the closing ceremony last Friday for the Jetway Training Programme (Sonell Nelson photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Budget 2014 measures Another ma

THE $220B National Budget of 2014 is indeed targeted towards a better Guyana for all Guyanese. Without any new taxes, it contains a number of measures which ensure that the investments needed to entrench accelerated economic growth and social development are made now, but also making certain that they are done in a manner and at a pace closely aligned with the avoidance of poverty, and instead with the achievement of prosperity.

SUGAR INDUSTRY GETS $6B TO TURN AROUND ITS FORTUNES With the commitment towards it amidst the challenges, the longterm viability and profitability of the industry is a major goal. This has manifested itself in tangible support with the provision made

for a further $6 billion to Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) help the industry achieve the reversal of fortunes that it so badly needs. The provision of this very tangible support will benefit 18,000 workers directly, including by helping to preserve their jobs and a total of 120,000 people directly and indirectly.

RICE INDUSTRY’S $500M IS TO BOOST COMPETITIVENESS This sector has served Guyana well thanks to favourable market conditions, along with supportive and facilitative initiatives

by Government. The industry has grown to a historic high, and to ensure that it retains its competitive advantage, even in harsher market conditions, Budget 2014 provides for $500M to be injected into the industry to support its efforts to increase competitiveness and resilience.

$200M FOR AGRICULTURE DIVERSIFICATION The sum of $200M has been allocated to offer brighter prospects for diversification of productive activities. With the potential existing for Guyana to meet considerably more of the domestic food requirements from local production, similarly, the potential exists for a much larger share of the Caribbean’s food import bill to be met from domestic production.

To this end, an expanded effort will be launched by Government to promote increased and more diversified food production, including by the acquisition of planting material and breeding stock for distribution to farmers along with expanded extension services.

EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT TO GET $10,000 CASH GRANT In an effort to provide additional support to parents with school age children, a cash grant will be provided to the parents of every child attending a nursery, primary, or secondary school in the public education system in the amount of $10,000 per child for the year 2014. This initiative will benefit the 188,406 families and will cost a total of $2B.

$1B FOR RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT Government’s investment in rural development, in particular in infrastructure, has seen increased business opportunities and raised quality of life throughout villages. Government intends to encourage and promote more aggressively the emergence of entrepreneurial ventures in rural communities with an emphasis on small businesses and labour intensive activities, the principal aim being job creation for young people, hence $1 B has been provided to support this initiative.

$800M TO DEVELOP TOURISM & HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE An $800M investment in the establishment of a hospitality institute is aimed at ensuring that Guyana produces world class personnel for moving forward of this industry. Tourist arrivals have also increased in Guyana and international media coverage has been strongly favourable, while important niche markets are emerging for Guyana’s tourism product.

$100M FOR DREDGING PORT GEORGETOWN The urgent need for dredging of the mouth of the Demerara River has been the subject of considerable attention from Government, and from the private sector affected by its implications for shipping access to the river channel. To support the preparatory work, Budget 2014 makes an allocation of $100M to advance the required technical and other assessments.

GPL GETS $3.7B CAPITAL EXPENDITURE SUPPORT An allocation of $3.7B will support critical capital expenditure by the company without which steeper tariffs would be unavoidable.

This support will ultimately redound to the benefit of all 170,000 of GPL’s customers and their families.

LINDEN ELECTRICITY SUBSIDISED BY $3.2B

Budget 2014 allocated $3.2 B to meet the cost of maintaining the electricity subsidy in Linden and Kwakwani so that 10,500 electricity customers in Region 10 can continue to benefit from

to announc soon- Finan

By Vanessa Narine

rates that are highly subsidised. This translates to a monthly benefit of over $23,000 for each electricity customer in the beneficiary communities.

PENSIONERS GET 50% INCREASE FOR ELECTRICITY TARIFF ASSISTANCE The value of the electricity assistance programme for pensioners will be increased by 50 percent to $30,000 per annum for each eligible beneficiary. This will result in an additional $300M of disposable income being placed in the hands of most senior citizens.

GOVERNMENT PENSION INCREASED BY 5 % Over 42,500 pensioners will benefit from a 5 % increase bringing their monthly grant to $13, 125. Pensioners are also exempted from paying water rates. $1B FOR HINTERLAND ROAD DEVELOPMENT An allocation of $1B is to be spent on rehabilitating critical interior arteries including the Linden to Lethem road.

CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN GETS $1B Citizens, businesses and institutions will be tasked with ensuring that their garbage is properly discarded in appropriate receptacles. Efforts will be made to enlist the support of the pri-

vate sector and other institutions to assume greater involvement in helping to maintain the environment in which they operate.

Government allocated $1B to this ‘Clean Up My Country’ initiative, of which, $500M will be dedicated to immediate efforts to clean the capital city. (GINA)

GUYANA’S premium hotel-room stock will be given a significant boost with the opening of commercial operations by the Five-Star Marriott Hotel in August this year.

But according to Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh during his presentation of the 2014 National Budget in the National Assembly on Monday one other major brand is likely to announce commencement of operations in Guyana soon.

He said: “It is expected that one other major international brand is likely to announce shortly their intention to open operations in Guyana.”

The minister made it clear that such operations will be a major boost to Guyana’s economy.

“This 197-room full service hotel will include an entertainment complex along with conference and banqueting facilities and a promenade,” “The Marriott is the first major international brand to come to Guyana in over 40 years and in terms of range of hotel products and quality of service the Marriott brand will raise the bar in Guyana and serve as a source of attraction for international travellers.

“It is expected that the facility will create direct employment for over 300 Guyanese and indirect business opportunities for a wide cross section of suppliers of goods and services.”

MARKETING He added that this year Government will continue to focus on strengthening institutional capacity and marketing, as well as product development.

The minister said, “A

number of policies will be developed in an effort to further advance the sector by addressing a number of areas, including cross border travel through multi-destination packaging, group travel and temporary importation of vehicles for recreational purposes such as safaris and the development of event standards.

“Over the years, Guyana has

continued to participate at European tradeshows which attract the highest numbers of nature and adventure travellers.”

“In addition to these existing shows, in 2014, Guyana will participate for the first time at trade shows in Latin America. “…in the area of marketing, government continued to reach out to the international media through familiarisation trips and social media and attracting prominent

PSC Chairman pleased w

By Ravin Singh

COMMANDING multi-billion dollar inflows into the national treasury, the private sector continues to make significant contributions towards the country’s economical growth and the generation of revenues to boost national development.

What was described as the “largest budget ever” by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, could have favourable impacts on the private sector and advance its role in the economic framework of Guyana.

Noting the important role of the private sector in Guyana’s economy, Singh, on Monday, during his 2014 Budget presentation in the National Assembly, assured that the private sector

uted to the economic resilience we have achieved and that has enabled us to withstand testing external and domestic shocks.”

RONALD WEBSTER

GERRY GOUVEIA

has been created within an environment where they can invest in profitable enterprise, expand production of goods and services, and provide the creation of jobs.

The minister said, “(Our) efforts have resulted in a de-

monstrably more diversified productive base. It is this growing level of structural diversification, supported by our Government’s attention to stable macroeconomic fundamentals and prudent public financial management, which has contrib-

EXALTED Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ronald Webster, yesterday remarked how pleased he was with Budget 2014 and exalted the recognition of the interior roads, particularly the route to Lethem.

The estimated $1B project will seek to reduce cost associated with accessing hinterland villages and produce economic advantages for the hinterland region.

Webster also favoured the proposal to allocate $500M towards the rehabilitation of Georgetown.

On that note, he added, “not only will it provide the opportu-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

ajor hotel brand ce operations nce Minister film and television producers to our shores.

“These methods have proven to be most effective and a number of documentaries were filmed in 2013 to be aired in 2014. Further, in an effort to build capacity, a total of 442 industry personnel were trained in a number of areas including customer service, frontline, housekeeping, kitchen procedures

fied, along with new projects in the priority areas of adaptation, high potential low carbon sectors, hinterland development and low carbon infrastructure.

Specific new interventions are expected to include ecotourism development.

Singh said: “Tourism remains one of the sectors in which Guyana has a strong

and community based tourism.

Singh stressed that with all these developments on the horizon, the tourism industry is poised to be a major driver of growth and job creation in Guyana looking ahead.

comparative advantage given our vast and diverse endowment of nature, our geographical location, and the advantage of a large diasporic market.”

“With these advantages in mind, Government continues to pursue initiatives to ensure the development of a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry, in collaboration with the private sector.”

This year also, several re-

2014 PLANS In 2014, sums totalling US$90.6M has been allocated for continued implementation of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) projects previously identi-

lated developments will see the foundation laid for accelerated growth in the tourism industry.

The Finance Minister contends that as a direct result of Government’s ongoing efforts to increase airlift capacity and expand route options, two new Latin American airlines announced the introduction of flights to Guyana with effect from the current year.

The Venezuelan flag carrier, CONVIASA, commenced flights between Puerto Ordaz and Timehri in January 2014. In addition, the Panamanian flag carrier, COPA, announced the introduction of flights between Panama City and Timehri from July 2014.

Singh said. “These two new services will dramatically improve the ease of travelling between Guyana and Latin America and beyond including, in particular, through connections with destinations such as on the US west coast.

“These developments supplement the introduction, in July 2013, by LIAT of a daily service between Barbados and Ogle, adding to that airport’s growing operations as a regional hub, with other airlines already offering daily services to Suriname and express courier flights to Trinidad.”

In 2013, visitor arrivals totalled 200,122 reflecting a 13.3 per cent increase over 2012, while hotel and hospitality facilities recorded an occupancy rate of approximately 76 per cent, relatively unchanged from 2012.

Also during 2013, work commenced on the development of a Hinterland Tourism Development Plan and focus continued to be placed on community based tourism by rigorously continuing the processes of inspecting and registering interior lodges, resorts, and tour guides.

$21.5B allocated to health sector –more hospitals to be built and upgraded

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HEALTH care delivery will be further advanced, as $21.5B, the second largest allocation of the 2014 National Budget, is being directed towards the Health Sector for the achievement of its strategic goals. This was disclosed during the Budget presentation Monday by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in the National Assembly.

Recently, government launched the updated National Health Strategy, Health Vision 2020, for the period 2013 to 2020. The strategy seeks to integrate the delivery of quality, effective and responsive health services and prevention measures to improve the nation’s physical, mental and social well-being.

During his presentation, Minister Singh said that government remains unwavering in its commitment to securing access for all to appropriate, promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services, without suffering financial hardship.

INFRASTRUCTURE The Health Sector expended in excess of $17.7B in 2013, including over $1.2 B on construction and upgrade of health infrastructure countrywide, and $257.8M on medical equipment. Efforts also continued to advance the construction of Guyana’s first specialty hospital, which aims to deliver tertiary level health care not previously available to citizens.

Minister Singh revealed that for 2014, $2.4B has been budgeted for the construction and upgrade of health care facilities countrywide, including the Port Kaituma District Hospital, Linden Hospital Complex, Kwakwani Hospital, the acute care facility at the National Psychiatric Hospital, and the Georgetown School of Nursing.

Additionally, $910M has been allocated for the specialty hospital and $382.7M for the purchase of medical equipment. The sum of $117M is allocated for the purchase of 12 ambulances which represents a 40 percent increase in the national fleet.

TRAINING In 2013, $364M was expended in the area of training. With the return of 278 Cuban-trained doctors, the sector’s human resources were boosted, while significant progress was made in delivering post-graduate programmes in gynaecology, orthopaedics, internal medicine, paediatrics, emergency medicine, anaesthesiology and surgery, benefiting 44 government medical officers, as well as increasing the number of skilled operating room technicians, and enhancing capability in neonatal intensive care and emergency obstetrics.

This year, in efforts to continue both primary and specialised health training, over $428 M has been allocated to train 20 additional post-graduate residents and upgrade over 4000 providers.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH In keeping with government’s focus on maternal and child health, government will continue to prioritise resource mobilisation for improving maternal health, and efforts will be made to accelerate the

with Budget 2014 nity for Georgetown to look like a tourist industry, but it will enable a boost for the morale of people living here”.

“The budget is generally a good one” he said, while keen to add that strong leadership for the implementation is instrumental in the execution of the projects.

Management is very important and regardless of political background, everyone needs to work together for a successful outcome, the PSC Chairman added.

Though the Private Sector Commission was unable to give its position at this time due to the need for in- depth revision of the Budget, Webster’s personal sentiments constituted positive feedback on the provisions, in particular the increase in subsidy for school children.

On the other hand, he added that he would have liked to see a greater increase in pension schemes.

Echoing the sentiments of the PSC Chairman was former chairman and current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Group of Companies, Gerry Gouveia.

He said, “I was quite overwhelmed at what was presented in the budget yesterday… I see a lot of components for social development and I am pleased.

Gouveia added that due to unforeseen circumstances, he was not within the boundaries of the budget presentation, but managed to get a glimpse through the media.

Credit to the private sector expanded by 14.5 percent, re-

flecting growth in all sectors.

The manufacturing, construction and engineering, personal and real estate sectors grew by 22 percent, 18.8 percent, 17.4 percent and 16.9 percent respectively.

During 2013, the weighted average lending rate of the commercial banks increased by 8 basis points to 11.16 percent. This reflected a marginal increase from 11.08 percent in 2012; but, notwithstanding this movement, private sector credit continued to expand. The small savings rate declined by 36 basis points to 1.33 percent, while the 91-day Treasury Bill rate remained stable at 1.45 percent.

achievement of this goal in collaboration with its partners.

In this regard, the sum of $50M has been allocated to commence the extension of the maternity facility at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to ensure increased bed capacity, while $22.6M is allocated for the establishment of maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica to cater for antenatal high-risk mothers.

In the area of improving maternal health, Guyana completed an MDG Acceleration Framework which focuses on the MDG Goal to improve maternal health. The framework is intended to harmonise strategies to leverage resources for achieving sustainable improvements in the quality of maternal care offered nationally and which focuses on solutions for the reduction of maternal mortality.

Recognising the growing incidence of personal and domestic violence, the provision of services in mental health will focus on the prevention and management of suicidal behaviour. In 2011, a cost of illness assessment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Guyana was conducted, and it was found that total annual direct and indirect costs accruing from NCDs were estimated at over $40B. A national commission will be established to oversee the accelerated implementation of the national plans for prevention and control of NCDs and $50M has been allocated to launch a public education and outreach programme.

In keeping with the need to combat the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, over 78,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed to mining communities which contributed to a reduction of over 1,000 malaria cases nationally. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Continued emphasis on public order and safety

By Clifford Stanley

* $1.1 billion for land, air and sea ops. * National Drug Strategy Master Plan (NDSMP) 2014-2018 to be finalised. * New National Action Plan 2014-2015 for Trafficking in persons being developed. * $413M to equip train Community Police.

GOVERNMENT has this year allocated a total of $19.5 billion dollars to continue the emphasis on ensuring that strategic planning and evidence based interventions are made towards the maintenance of public order and safety throughout Guyana.

This represents a 13% increase on allocations for last year.

During his budget presentation Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh pledged that Government will continue to prioritise resource allocations to the security sector in keeping with the vision of ensuring the safety rights and dignity of all citizens.

He said: “We will emphasise the need for competent human capital and modern technology as we strengthen the capability of our institutions and communities in a professional and proactive approach with the aim of maintaining law and order in our country.”

He said Government expended $17.3 billion on the sector in 2013 with a view to improving its effectiveness and supporting the implementation of priority actions stemming from strategic plans.

In 2014, he said government will allocate the increased sum of $19.5 billion towards continuing the upgrades of training and infrastructure.

He said that a sum of $382.6 million dollars has been allocated to train the Joint Services; training will be conducted for the Special

Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit and $413 million has been budgeted to train and equip community policing groups countrywide in an effort to restore safe neighbourhoods for citizens.

Training will also commence with staff at the Forensic Laboratory on chemical analysis, drugs analysis, toxicology and court room procedures.

A sum of $1.2 billion has been allocated for the completion of the Forensic Laboratory, the fire training school and the continuous upgrading of physical infrastructure across the country; the sum of $1.1 billion has been allocated to support land, air and sea operations

Budget 2014 addresses well-being of vulnerable groups

By Clifford Stanley THE government’s continuing concern about the well-being of vulnerable groups is very much evident in Budget 2014.

Vulnerable groups include children, youths, single parents, the elderly, the homeless and the indigenous peoples.

CHILDREN E ff o r t s t o e n s u r e t h e well-being and safety of our children continue unabated. In 2014, a sum of $382.5M has been allocated to consolidate efforts made towards the delivery of childcare and protection services.

Approximately 300 day care facilities are expected to be assessed and the staff advised and trained on regulatory requirements for licensing. In addition, training will be conducted in all regions to equip approximately 2000 parents and primary care givers with skills and information to improve their parenting capacity.

Increased emphasis will be placed on strengthening inter-agency collaboration, increasing support to families, and raising awareness to prevent, detect and address instances of child abuse.

One Stop Centres which offer psychological support and video recording facilities will be expanded.

Further efforts will continue to be directed at strengthening the skills and capacity of those children who are ready to be phased out of the formal care system and to live independently, through the operationalisation of the halfway home.

YOUTH Government will continue to support the development of vulnerable youth across the country by empowering them with skills and knowledge to improve their own livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s development.

In 2014, it is expected that over 3,500 youth will benefit from training under the National Training Programme for Youth Employment (NTPYE), the Apprenticeship Programme and the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills and training (YEST), along with other training programmes conducted by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) .

In addition, the hinterland training programme under the BIT, which is expected to target 150 persons, started in January in three communities in Region 9 - Achiwuib, Kradanawa and Annai, in order to build capacity in carpentry and joinery.

SINGLE PARENTS In 2014, the commitment to supporting the livelihood of single parents countrywide will continue.

A total of 770 single parents are targeted to benefit from government training programmes covering a wide range of areas.

Moreover, in collaboration with the private sector, training will commence on basic entrepreneurship, networking, branding promotion and advertising and packaging for the benefit of 50 single parents.

This training is expected to strengthen the capacity of beneficiaries in managing and sustaining their businesses in order to further reduce the de-

fault rates of borrowers under the Women of Worth (WOW) initiative.

ELDERLY In 2014, focus will be placed on continuing the training for patient care assistants in both private and government controlled homes for the elderly.

Emphasis will also be placed on improving the standard of care being offered at the Palms Institution, with the view to establishing best practices to be used by all private homes.

In addition, having recognised that our programmes must go beyond financial assistance for the elderly, another priority area for 2014 will be to address their psycho-social needs.

Centres for the elderly will be established in various communities in order to ensure that our senior citizens are engaged in activities that promote their physical and mental health.

HOMELESS Government remains committed to providing a sense of hope and belonging for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society, including the homeless.

In 2014, street dwellers will continue to benefit from services provided at the Night Shelter.

In addition, the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Re-Integration, commissioned in 2013, will accommodate 100 males and 80 females, and will provide services including training for its occupants in fulfilling its mandate to reintegrate the homeless

into society.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE This year will see continued Government interventions to enhance the livelihoods and development of Amerindian communities countrywide.

To this end, $796M has been allocated for the continuation of YEAP expanding to Regions 2,3,4,5,6 and 10.

Under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative, work will continue on the construction of 100 hubs in 100 villages for the benefit of 57,000 persons, and one person in each village will be trained in basic computer skills and maintenance.

In addition, over 470 students will benefit from the $66.6M allocated to the Hinterland Scholarship Programme.

OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS Efforts continued to be directed towards disadvantaged individuals through the public assistance programme and toward employment seekers through the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA).

A sum of $15.2M was spent on improved software which permits job seekers and employers to upload their applications or vacancy requests to the website.

In 2013, the website was used by job seekers and employers alike.

A total of 3,189 individuals were interviewed and 2,596 were employed. It is expected that over 3,000 individuals will gain employement in 2014 under the expanded efforts of this agency.

and another $1.1 billion allocated for equipment.

The Finance Minister also disclosed that the National Drug Strategy Master Plan (NDSMP) 2014-2018 will be finalised to enhance Guyana’s ability to combat drugs at the local, regional and international levels.

In addition, a new National Action Plan for trafficking in persons is currently being developed and will guide ongoing efforts to reduce vulnerability to the lure of traffickers, expand sensitisation and awareness, broaden the involvement of civil society and strengthen law enforcement response.

Budget Enhancing Justice * Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of Courts countrywide to be implemented * Directions on new Rules for the High Court Civil Procedure to allow citizens easier access to this court. * $238 million allocated for construction of a land court, new Magistrate Court at Sparendaam and maintenance of facilities country wide. * New rules to facilitate recourse to mediation.

For 2014 the sum of $1.8 billion has been budgeted to consolidate the advances on infrastructure, strengthening the effectiveness of the justice system and accelerating the processing of criminal depositions, already made within the justice sector last year.

In addition investments in infrastructure will continue apace with an amount of $238 million allocated to fund the construction of a Land Court, a new Magistrate’s court at Sparendaam, the completion of the No. 51 Village Court, the rehabilitation of the court rooms at the high court and maintenance of facilities countrywide.

Legislative stalemate has ‘debilitating’ consequences --- Finance Minister

THE situation created by the non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bills, according to Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, is indicative of the “gravely debilitating” consequences of legislative stalemate Speaking on Monday during his 2014 Budget presentation to Parliament, he said, “Our Constitutional framework has been put to the test.

“The boundaries of parliamentary norms and traditions have been stretched, new judicial interpretations have had to be sought and obtained, and legislative decision making in support of national development has become considerably more complicated and significantly more protracted than ever before.

“The headlines and conversations have been firmly seized and largely dominated by the more graphic parliamentary impasses, such as those on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) and the Anti-Money Laun- DR. ASHNI SINGH dering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bills.

“These instances are illustrative of the gravely debilitating consequences of legislative stalemate.”

He explained that Guyana responded to recommendations made by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) by introducing into the National Assembly an Amendment Bill, which will address more than 90 percent of these recommendations made.

Singh said, “These amendments were reviewed by CFATF and it was agreed that they would effectively address the recommendations made. Other non-legislative recommendations have been addressed, such as the creation of a national oversight committee that will provide policy and guidance on money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism to the entire country.

“We have also initiated a mechanism that will work in conjunction with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and law enforcement authorities to investigate special financial crimes.”

The Minister maintained that the FIU is working with co-operatives, friendly societies and credit unions to oversee them in the fulfilling of their obligations as reporting entities as well as in conjunction with the supervisors of gold dealers, dealers in precious metals and casinos to ensure their compliance as reporting entities.

“Efforts will continue to aim at persuading this Honourable House to enact the amendments that address the CFATF recommendations forthwith,” he said.

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee reviewing the AML/CFT Bill met yesterday, to continue its work.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Cancer, God and Grace

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Dr. BK Chandra Shekhar’s story

By Michelle Gonsalves

THE inventor of SIGFA Solutions, Dr. BK Chandra Shekhar, MA (Eco), MSc (Yoga), MSc (PsychoNeurobics), PhD (Alternative medicine), claims that “Psycho-neurobics”, a system which involves exercises of the mind to connect with the divine to maintain a free flow of spiritual energy to our nervous system, helped to cure him of cancer.

Dr Shekhar is a Guinness World Record holder in Education and Marathon Category. He is in the Asia Book of Records for inventing Mind testing Machine and 3D Healing Album. His awards and achievements

DR. BK CHANDRA SHEKHAR

include winning the ‘Sunrise Peace Mission award in 2008 in Nagpur for his contribution to public health service through Neurobics and Raj Yoga.

His bestselling books include: “Science of Mind Simplified”, “Power of the Third Eye”,” Invisible Doctor”, “Neurobic and Raj Yoga”, “Mind-Body Fitness”, Psycho-Neurobics, “Science of Healing”, “Health in your Hand” and “Lord of Success and Management, Guru-Shree Ganesha”.

The following is his story written by Nipun A. Jacob as seen on Lifepositive.com (www.lifepositive/obics/ Cancer, God and grace.htm): BK Chandra Shekhar

says he underwent the trauma of cancer so God could use him for a higher purpose.

“He chose me not because of my abilities, but for my empathy with the pain and suffering of fellow cancer patients,” says Chandra Shekhar, a raj yogi, international memory trainer, motivational speaker, neurobic expert, inventor and director of Neurobic Gym. “God never finds flaws in humans”, says Chandra Shekhar. “He helps us correct our imperfections and

guides us towards creating a healthy mind, body and spirit. As a human being, I was a victim of pessimism, which was taking me to a bottomless pit. He who has the power to turn the ordinary into extraordinary picked up the lowest of the low to be an apostle for his glory,” explains Chandra Shekhar.

On December 24, 1998, a laparoscopic surgeon at the Air Force Hospital in Gorakhpur broke the news to Chandra Shekhar – it was cancer that had enlarged his

testis. He was operated upon at the Delhi Army Hospital, after which he was shifted to Pune for post-operative care.

He remembers feeling utterly lost and hopeless.

“The cancer terrified me. Though the doctors kept assuring me that I would be saved, I was sure this was the end. When intravenous injections were injected into my veins, they made me vomit. I lost all appetite, suffered from See page 22

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Dr. BK Chandra Shekhar ...

From page 21

constipation, and felt my throat burn due to chemotherapy. Three patients in my ward died before my eyes. It was horrible.”

Why me?

At this point, Chandra Shekhar says, he asked God why he was being made to suffer. “God wants us to know our Higher Self. He wants us to enter the silence within and meditate. He led me to the moment where I could have these insights. I had to cry out to Him, and He answered. It was the third day of my chemother-

apy – January 18, 1999.

A flashlight shone on my face. I heard a sweet voice: ‘Your life is important for Me. Nothing will happen.’

I did not believe what I was hearing. However, I heard the same words and was revisited by the same vision later in the evening.

I allowed myself to have a little faith.

“The following morning, I saw the vision for the third time, and I was convinced.

I mustered the courage to declare to everyone that I was out of danger. Finally, I believed,” he says, tears rolling down his cheeks. “My suffering changed to joy.

Why had I doubted God’s existence? He is my father.

How could He leave me?

After all, I was precious to Him.” He adds, “The following day, I promised God that each breath I took from then on would be in His service.

I faced the chemotherapy with newfound courage, and my scarred soul was healed.

I refused to take pain-killers,” says Chandra Shekhar. After five months of chemotherapy, the doctors declared Chandra Shekhar out of danger.

A few days after, he was visited by the vision, and as his faith in God increased,

Chandra Shekhar began to write. In the book, Improve Your Memory Power – Power of the Third Eye, Chandra Shekhar shared his journey to wholeness. This was followed by another book, ‘Invisible Doctor’, which threw light on the process that healed him. This book, his second, was edited by Dr Gayatri Bajaj who was healed of multiple myeloma, a type of cancer, through meditation by Chandra Shekhar.

“The mad race for money and power invites suffering in diverse forms – stress, loss of hope, anxiety, depression, hate, jealousy and frustration. A correction is needed at the level of the mind first.

Negative attitudes feed off our blood,” explains Chandra Shekhar, who believes that God sends a spiritual current in the form of vibrations for our sustenance.

“His power comes in different frequencies. I meditate to relax my soul and body, and to release emotions in the presence of God. This practice leads me closer to spirituality. Meditation is the key to experiencing that spiritual current. During meditation, our cells work like inverters. Our cells convert God’s power into biochem-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014 ical energy that acts as a life-giving force. Meditation is a process that charges our body cells,” Chandra Shekhar says.

DEVI IN THE HOUSE Chandra Shekhar says his wife has been a source of selfless support. “She stood by me in the most chaotic stage of my life.

She concealed her fear of losing me. She instilled confidence in me, and never shirked her duties as a wife.

“She exemplifies the beauty of the quintessential Indian woman. She really is the Devi in my home.”

Chandra Shekhar has no children. “Earlier, the realisation of childlessness was accompanied by a feeling of emptiness. Then I saw God as a child in my arms. My desires turned into reality, and I stopped complaining about not having children.

I prayed to God to pass on the realisation to my wife as well,” he says.

Shortly after his life-changing experiences, Chandra Shekhar began teaching meditation, beginning with his colleagues. “I began conducting workshops at the army, air force, and paramilitary bases. Soon I decided to quit my job in May 2007 to undertake God’s work. I am doing what I can to spread God’s message of hope to

far-flung corners.

“It is important to recognise our hidden mental and spiritual powers,” he says, explaining why he founded SIGFA Solutions – Spiritual Incorporeal God Father -- in March 2009. SIGFA Solutions has opened 10 centres across India. Chandrashekhar and his team at SIGFA Neurobic Gym counsel students, businessmen, housewives, engineers, doctors and teachers on curing themselves of anger, fear, phobias and behavioural problems.

Participants are also taught chakra healing, harmonising relationships, memory power, and sleep management.

Who would have believed that one man’s struggle with cancer would benefit so many in the world?

Shekhar, who has conducted more than 4000 seminars in India, Nepal, Dubai, Thailand, Bangladesh, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and other countries, is currently in Guyana for a nationwide campaign to promote healing using psycho neurobics. Seminars will be held at various locations on the Essequibo Coast (Region 2: Pomeroon/Supenaam), Essequibo Islands, Berbice, Linden, West Demerara and Georgetown.

For enquiries on seminars and books, contact ISHO (Interstate SIGFA Health Organization) at 254-0078, 662-4555 and 651-3825.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Survey finds arapaima fish stocks decreased by 31% in two years

By Clifford Stanley A SURVEY has found that over-exploitation of the giant Arapaima fish in the North Rupununi has led to a 31 percent depletion of stocks over the past two years.

The agency carrying out the survey is the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). It has said there is evidence that without strong management the arapaima is still at risk of being overfished, with all the negative consequences to bio-diversity conservation, the eco-system, and the livelihoods of the sixteen Amerindian communities in the wetlands where the species proliferates.

The NRDDB report said that scientific research and ongoing stock assessments would be necessary to protect the fish, so that sustainable exploitation is possible.

Richardson Haynes, the Fisheries Project Coordinator of the NRDDB survey, stressed: “We also recognise that issues related to arapaima management can be complex, and we would like to work with, and get support from, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment; Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other stakeholders to ensure the health of this species and (its) environment.”

The stock assessment of the arapaima, which began in September 2013, ends in August 2014. The NRDDB has

been undertaking the survey with funding from the Small Grants Programme (SGP) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an international body established in October 1991 as a programme to assist in the protection of the global environment, and to promote environmentally sustainable development.

The NRDDB had re ceived the sum of Gy$9.8M to strengthen capacities of their communities to manage the Arapaima fish and fisheries of the North Rupununi wetlands via capacity building, arapaima surveys, conservation education and awareness, consultations, and development of management plans.

The Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility with respect to the arapaima stock assessment and management is being implemented by the local office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The arapaima fish is one of the largest fresh water fish species in the world, growing as long as three metres (almost ten feet) and weighing up to 200 kilograms (over 440 pounds).

The species is endemic to the Amazon Basin and is very rare.

The report prepared by Haynes disclosed that the overall arapaima population locally had increased from just over 400 fish in 2002 to 5853 arapaima in 2011.

The growth in arapaima population had allowed a pilot

harvest of fish in 2010, and sport fishing for arapaima had grown, with North Rupununi communities being a leader in this area.

A stock assessment during December 2013, however, counted 4022 arapaima, or 1831 less than the 5853 counted in 2011. The data showed that the greatest loss of the arapaima had been in the Essequibo River catchments in the North Rupununi.

The report stated: “Commercial harvesting is suspected to be the reason for this, and it is evident that, without strong management, this species is still at risk.”

Richardson disclosed that fish are an essential resource for the members of the Makushi Amerindian tribe in the North Rupununi.

He said that even though the programme funds will be used up by August, the Board would want to continue being involved in the future development of arapaima management, and to continue working with the regulatory bodies for co-management and enforcement regarding this species.

The giant Arapaima fish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESSDAY March 26, 2014

Water service disruption at Paramakatoi…

Aries March 21 - April 19

You have another day to do exactly what you know you were born to do: Mingle. By late this evening, you’ll be ready for at least a day off from socialising -- and you’ll have it. The stars make sure you get a nice break from the spotlight. Even when it comes to a sign as fiery, outgoing and personable as yourself, it’s easy to see how home might be the only place you’ll really want to be now. Don’t fight it. Think of it as a snuggle-fest.

GWI Team will be dispatched to render assistance

Taurus April 20 - May 20 For Wednesday March 26, 2014 -13:30hrs For Thursday March 27, 2014 -14:30hrs

The company says a technical team will be dispatched to the area to assess the situation and provide assistance to the community to solve the problem.

GWI wishes to provide assurance of its continuous commitment to providing technical support to ensure that the water supply system is operable in all hinterland communities.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

The urge to take yourself somewhere you’ve never been before will be strong, especially if you’ve got an equally spontaneous travel companion handy -- and when don’t you? It may not be a holiday, but you can always play hooky for a day and explore a little town a few miles away from you. Better yet, put your nose diligently to the grindstone for now, and spend the evening immersed in a pile of brochures and maps -- with your cohort, of course.

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Nation’s supplier of Water and Sanitation Services, has received a report of a disrupted water supply service in Paramakatoi, Region 8. The disruption is causing a number of areas, inclusive of government compounds, to be out of service.

The Toshao of Paramakatoi has reported that the reservoir that serves the area is leaking and requested GWI’s urgent assistance to solve the problem.

There’s absolutely nothing like the company of kindred spirits, as you well know.

Thanks to the heavens playing up your earthy, permanence-loving side and your house of friendships, you’ll be reminded of that now, via an insatiable urge to connect with like-minded others. You’re after something that you instinctively know you can only get from them: Camaraderie. There’s also a distinct possibility that you’ll come into contact with someone who’ll end up being far more than ‘just a friend.’ Wear the red.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

The stars are urging one and all to rebel, revolt, mutiny and at the very least, question authority. You, however, are especially susceptible to this influence right about now. So, about that well-deserved reputation you’ve acquired for being considerate and cooperative? Let’s just say it might temporarily be in danger. That doesn’t mean you should shut down the urge to fight City Hall -- you’re about to become pretty good at it, without even trying.

Leo July 23 - August 22

You’ve spent a good part of the past couple days staring intently into the mirror, wondering if there might not be something tattooed on your forehead that’s visible only to shiftless types. For some reason, individuals of that kind seem to be gravitating toward you with sad stories, pleas for redemption and promises to do better next time, even if you’ve never set eyes on them before. Comb your bangs back down and relax. It’s just your turn -- but we all get one. Practice just saying no and walking away.

Below rates for March 25, 2014

Currency

Buying

Selling

G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

205.98375 339.72900 183.79090 284.44296 101.74500 75.36667 31.86053

208.43594 343.98183 185.91253 288.03763 102.76500 76.12222 32.17993

Virgo August 23 - September 22

After one last day of teasing you with lingering glances that last just a tad too long to be socially acceptable, late this evening a certain person will finally be ready to say what’s on their mind. If you’re unattached and interested, stare back. (Heck, even if you’re attached, go ahead and enjoy their admiration.) In fact, stare back for even longer than they do. Think of it as a contest. Resolve to win, and see where they put their eyes next. Bet you can guess.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Right now you’re amply endowed with sensuality, charisma and an absolutely illegal amount of allure. This is not a surprise to anyone who knows you. Thanks to the stars, you’re doubly lethal at the moment -- and you really should be careful where you aim this stuff. You know how potent your charm is. Now double that by a hundred -- or a thousand.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

It’s all about strong feelings coupled with an erratic, unpredictable energy right now. You’re usually the very soul of devotion and commitment, and you love your routines more than just about anyone. But now, for some darned reason, you can’t even force yourself to do anything the way you did it yesterday -- or for the past ten months. Or even years. Don’t be scared. Maybe it’s time for a change, and the universe has devised a plan to help you out. Surf this tide.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Those who know and love you are never surprised at what tumbles from between your lips. So when you begin spouting off even a bit more bluntly than usual over the next couple of days -- which is really saying something, for you -- if you’re with the usual suspects, no one will blink an eyelash. But if you’re with folks who aren’t used to your rather frank and direct style? At least offer to escort them to a cab when you’re done speaking your mind. It’s only fair.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Your financial situation seems to be a bit shaky at the moment -- or is it only that you’re worried about it because you’ve been pleasantly distracted by more tender matters? Regardless of how or why it’s happened, return your attention to numbers, just for a bit. If the emotional situation is for real, it won’t go anywhere -- and definitely not in the time it takes to balance the cheque book, sort through credit card receipts and get your financial house in order.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

That old expression about ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve’? You’ll be living proof of it for at least one more day. You’re not ordinarily the type to spout off and you don’t enjoy it when it happens. It’s tough for you to navigate this type of thing, but for now, why not indulge yourself? Invest in a box of Kleenex. If you really want to go deep, play some Billie Holiday. If that doesn’t do it, it’s hard to say what will. Watching ‘ET,’ maybe?

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Somewhere between late this afternoon and early this evening, you’ll need to make a decision: Whether to let a secret finally see the light of day, or keep it under wraps.

Use that famous intuition of yours to make your decision. Remember to consider the future of all parties concerned. Don’t feel guilty if your ultimate decision is to open up and let the truth be told. Every now and then, clearing the air is really the best tactic -- for everyone.

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English Lingfield 10:00 hrs Drawnfromthepast 10:30 hrs Alfresco 11:00 hrs Mimi Luke 11:30 hrs Passing By 12:00 hrs Menelik 12:30 hrs Ask The Guru 13:00 hrs Teenager Exeter 10:10 hrs Fruity Bun 10:40 hrs Phoenix Flight 11:10 hrs Toby Lerone 11:40 hrs Nodebateaboutit 12:10 hrs Admiral Blake 12:40 hrs No Likey 13:10 hrs Spock Southwell 10:20 hrs Honoured 10:50 hrs On Demand 11:20 hrs Sound Advice 11:50 hrs Noble Citizen 12:20 hrs Masai Moon 12:50 hrs Day Star Lad 13:20 hrs Honest Strike South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:45 hrs Silver Bluff 09:25 hrs Philadelphia 10:00 hrs Beulah 10:35 hrs Sir Duke 11:10 hrs Badger’s Trail American Racing Tips Tampa Bay Downs Race 1 Monstrip Race 2 Falsely Alarmed Race 3 Sugadadeze Race 4 Chispi Affair Race 5 Unspoken rule Race 6 Broadway Rockette Race 7 Barrel of Love Race 8 Always Dear Race 9 Yankee Fourtune

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Windies crush Bangladesh to revive semi-final hopes

By Amlan Chakraborty (REUTERS) - West Indies revived their World Twenty20 title defence after Dwayne Smith hit a sparkling 72 and the bowlers wrecked a sorry Bangladesh to secure a 73-run victory in a lop-sided Super 10 match yesterday.

Chris Gayle (48) seldom allows his partner to dominate a stand but Smith did just that in their 97-run opening partnership to help the holders to a commanding 171 for seven

at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh made four changes to the playing XI that lost to Hong Kong in the qualifiers but still folded for 98 in 19.1 overs as West Indies bounced back after Sunday’s defeat against India to boost their semi-final hopes.

Paceman Krishmar Santokie’s (3-17) early double strikes reduced the hosts to 16 for three in the fourth over and leg-spinner Samuel Badree (415) then claimed three wickets

in one over to leave the hosts floundering.

“We were confident and this win will make us even more confident. I think we are back on track,” Smith, adjudged man-of-the-match, told reporters.

Earlier, Gayle looked uncharacteristically subdued, preserving his aggression for a late assault that eventually did not materialise.

Smith was fluent at the other end, hitting off-spinner Sohag Gazi for four successive

boundaries to bring up his half-century.

“I’m not worried about outscoring Chris. I’m just there to get partnership and get West Indies in a strong position,” said the free-scoring right-hander.

Even his top edge cleared the mid-wicket boundary for his third six before Smith fell in the next ball to off-spinner Mahmudullah, attempting a similar shot.

Gayle, then on 19 off 27 balls, went on to hit Shakib Al Hasan for a six and four in the same over but fell to

a superb catch after a run-aball knock.

Tamim Iqbal took the catch on the boundary line and lobbed the ball as his momentum took him over the rope before returning to complete the catch.

The fielder took another stunning catch at short third man, leaping to his right to land with a one-handed blinder to dismiss the scoreless Dwayne Bravo in contrast to otherwise a sloppy fielding display by his team.

“Our bowling was OK

but our fielding was not. We dropped a couple of catches and also conceded cheap boundaries. I think we gave away 20 more runs with our (poor) fielding,” rued Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim who top-scored for the hosts with 22.

West Indies had the perfect platform to launch a late assault to further swell the tally but they lost wickets in a heap towards the end, including four in the last over, to fall short of the 175-mark.

FIFA reformists halt plan to derail corruption investigation

By Mike Collett LONDON, England (Reuters) - FIFA’s self-acclaimed transparent reform process headed

by New York lawyer Michael Garcia came within hours of being sabotaged from within the organisation last week, Reuters has learned.

The position of Garcia himself and his role as the head of the Independent Ethics Commission looking into alleged corruption surrounding the voting procedure for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and the 2011 FIFA presidential election, came under threat from a number of senior FIFA power-brokers.

Members of FIFA’s executive committee have told Reuters they would have considered their positions had the investigation into FIFA’s affairs by Garcia been halted before he had completed his work.

A number of reform-mind-

Michael Garcia ed members confirmed they stopped the plan before it was even discussed in full session, after being approached in the corridors between sessions of the executive committee meetings at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on Thursday and Friday.

At almost exactly the same time, Garcia was in Zurich carrying out further investigations into FIFA’s workings.

There is no suggestion FIFA president Sepp Blatter played any role in the plan to stop what he has widely acclaimed as FIFA’s new

“transparent” reform process.

Reuters understands from sources connected to the story that the plan not only involved removing Garcia from his post as the chief investigator into alleged corruption at FIFA, but also the game worldwide.

When approached to comment on the alleged plot to end the investigation, FIFA’s British vice-president Jim Boyce told Reuters that as far as he was concerned, he would have had to consider his position

Bin Hammam

Jack Warner had any attempt to halt the investigation succeeded.

Northern Irishman Boyce, 70, who is also the head of

Adjustments made to GFF’s ...

From Backpage is billed for next month and once it gets approval, it will be made public.

“The auditor ’s report makes for interesting reading,” Matthias stated, adding “people who are

talking this and that will be surprised”.

He said when he took over as president, the GFF was indebted by some $25M but he has been able to make a few payments and the creditors are very happy.

He did not name the credi-

FIFA’s referee’s committee and steps down from the committee in 15 months time, said: “There was a bit of informal chat about the possibility that some people wanted to see Garcia removed from the inquiry and that it might be raised at the exco meeting but it wasn’t.

“As someone who has been brought up with honesty and integrity - and it was

tors but said a lot of people and businesses are owed.

A source close to the GFF told Chronicle Sport that in 1998, the GFF’s income was some $11 364 451 while their expenditure was $13 679 627 and in 2012, their income was $314 099 160 and their expenditure was $308 414 201.

a great honour for me to be asked to be a vice-president - if this had been proposed at the exco meeting or I thought for one moment Garcia would be removed in any fashion from carrying out his full investigation, I and others would be aghast and would have had to consider our positions because things at FIFA have been improving greatly.”

FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan told Reuters: “I am very happy that Michael Garcia will continue in his work. There were some questions raised about the necessity of having an Independent Ethics Committee but to be honest, I think that idea was stopped.

“There were certain people like myself who could not accept that this could happen.

“He was supported by our Congress and given a mandate and I am very happy he will continue with his work.”

FIFA did not respond to requests for a statement, while a spokesperson for Garcia’s office in New York issued a “no comment” reply to a request to establish if Garcia was aware of the plans to end his role.

DOUBLE BID Last week it was reported that Garcia had spoken to some of the 13 members of the executive committee who are still in office and who took part in voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar on the same day in Zurich on December 2 2010, and one senior FIFA source told Reuters: “I have never understood to this day why there was a double bid. It still makes no sense to me.”

The reform process was instigated following the scandals that engulfed the awarding of those finals as well as the 2011 presidential election campaign.

It was approved by Congress in June 2011 while Garcia himself was appointed in June 2012 at an extraordinary executive committee meeting.

Garcia, the former attorney

for the Southern District of New York, was empowered by Congress to “leave no stone unturned” in his quest to discover if there had been any wrong-doing regarding the voting procedures in the World Cup bidding process.

As FIFA’s first independent ethics investigator and prosecutor he was also empowered to investigate the votes-for-cash scandal that led to long-serving and high-ranking FIFA officials Jack Warner and Mohammed Bin Hammam leaving the organisation.

Wa r n e r, t h e F I FA vice-president for CONCACAF, the confederation that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, had been an executive committee member for more than 20 years and Bin Hammam was a FIFA vice-president and president of the Asian Confederation but their careers ended in the wake of the votes-for-cash scandal shortly before Bin Hammam had been due to challenge Sepp Blatter for the presidency in 2011.

Warner walked away from FIFA while Bin Hammam was later banned for life for his role in the doomed corruption bid which involved paying members of the Caribbean Football Union to vote for Hammam against Blatter in the presidential vote.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Top Indian court calls on board president to step down (REUTERS) -:India’s highest court called on the country’s cricket board chief N. Srinivasan to step down yesterday to ensure a probe into illegal betting during last year’s Indian Premier League, in which his son-in-law has been indicted, is fair.

The involvement of Gurunath Meiyappan, who is married to the daughter of the BCCI president, in the illegal betting case was proved by a court-ap-

Indian Board (BCCI) president N. Srinivasan

pointed committee last month.

The committee had been set up by India’s Supreme Court.

Srinivasan should step down to ensure the probe is not hampered, a two-member bench said, asking the BCCI to file a detailed response to their position by tomorrow.

Srinivasan, regarded as the world’s most powerful cricket administrator, is set to take over

as chairman of the International Cricket Council board in July.

Meiyappan was arrested in late May by Mumbai Police probing illegal betting on the lucrative Twenty20 IPL but was released on bail within two weeks.

Legal sports betting in India is confined to horse racing.

Local media claimed Meiyappan was chief executive of the Chennai Super Kings but the company that owns the

IPL franchise, India Cements, said he was merely a member of team management.

The scandal surfaced when former Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two other local cricketers were arrested on suspicion of taking money to concede a fixed number of runs.

Sreesanth, who had denied any wrongdoing, was subsequently banned for life by the BCCI.

NSW claim Sheffield Shield after dominating draw (REUTERS) - New South Wales won the Sheffield Shield for the 46th time after the final of the first class state championship ended in a draw halfway through day five at Canberra’s Manuka Oval Needing only a draw to claim the title for the first time since 2008 after topping the regular season standings, New South Wales were almost assured of their goal when rain wiped out all but an hour of Monday’s day four.

The Blues, who were forced to move the final because the Sydney Cricket Ground hosted the Major League Baseball sea-

son-openers at the weekend, had in any case totally dominated the match.

All-rounder Moises Henriques scored 140 to lead them to 447 in their first innings and paceman Josh Hazlewood took six for 50 to restrict Western Australia to 180 in reply.

Skipper Steve Smith’s unbeaten 103 had taken New South Wales to 197 for four in their second innings and an overall lead of 464 when the teams agreed to bring an end to play yesterday.

Western Australia, known this season as a result of sponsorship as the “Alcohol. Think

Aussie Women bowlers set up victory AUSTRALIA Women bowlers secured their team’s first victory of the Women’s World T20 by restricting South Africa Women to a paltry total in Sylhet. Ellyse Perry led the chase, remaining unbeaten on 41 when the winning runs were scored with eight balls to spare.

South Africa failed to get any partnerships going after winning the toss. The 31-run stand for the second wicket between Dane van Niekerk and Trisha Chetty was their highest. They slumped to 74 for 6 then lost three more wickets for five runs, and were restricted to 115 for 9 in 20 overs. Chetty’s 30 was the top score for South Africa while Rene Farrell, Erin Osborne and Julie hunter took two wickets each for Australia.

Australia stumbled early in their chase, with their top three falling inside eight overs. They were in some trouble when Alex Blackwell was dismissed for 24, with the score 56 for 4, but Perry remained firm thereafter.

She hit six fours in her 29-ball 41 and added an unbeaten 60 with Jess Cameron, who made 27, for the fourth wicket.

They saw their team through to a six-wicket victory. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Again Warriors”, were looking to win the Shield for the first time in 15 years.

Their former Test batsman Marcus North, who scored 886 runs at an average of 63.28 and took 13 wickets with his off-spin over the championship, had already been named Player-of-the-Year.

New South Wales celebrate their Sheffield Shield victory over Western Australia on the final day in Canberra.

SRI Lanka’s selectors have reconciled with Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, after their displeasure at not being informed of the senior players’ Twenty20 retirement plans which had played out in public. Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said he had spoken to both players at length and sorted out the issue.

“I had a very good chat with Sanga and Mahela. There was a small miscommunication from their part also, but nothing like that will happen again,” Jayasuriya said. “They have never had any problems with the selection committee, and they had always wanted to be in touch with me. But after this we had a very good talk.”

Both Jayasuriya and fellow-selector Pramodya Wickaramasinghe had publically expressed dismay at learning of the retirements through the media.

Sangakkara had told a lo-

and the board before finalising the timing of his ODI retirement.

In a response to a local report on Jayasuriya’s reaction on learning the news second-hand, Jayawardene had said he had decided to announce his retirement just ahead of the tournament in Bangladesh, and also “in an informal manner as I had always planned”.

Both players had repeatedly suggested they would wind down their international careers over the next 18 months, with the 2015 World Cup likely the see the last of them in ODIs. Neither Sangakkara nor Jayawardene has made substantial contributions to Sri Lanka’s World T20 campaigns so far, but the team have won both their matches, with a victory over England tomorrow likely to secure a place in the semi-finals.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Jayasuriya reconciles with senior players

Sanath Jayasuriya says miscommunication is to blame for his public disagreement with the senior players.

“Sanga said he didn’t mean to officially announce cal paper “I won’t be playing his retirement, and he only T20 internationals after (World said it was his last tour,” JayaT20)],” in the days before the suriya said. “So I know what team departed for the tournahappened, and we understand ment, before Jayawardene aneach other.” nounced his retirement through In the same interview in the ICC’s Twitter Mirror camwhich Sangakkara had spoken paign, around 24 hours after of quitting T20s, he had said the team touched down in Banhe would consult with selectors gladesh.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Austin, Dewar spin CCC to crucial victory C AV E H I L L , B a r b a d o s (CMC) – Spin duo Ryan Austin and Akeem Dewar shared eight wickets to propel Combined Campuses and Colleges to a seven-wicket victory over Guyana in the Regional FourDay tournament on Monday here.

Off-spinner Austin ended with the flattering figures of four for 22 from 26.5 overs and leg-spinner Dewar grabbed four for 61 from 26 overs, as the Guyanese were bowled out for 173 in their second innings on the final day of the fourth round match at the 3Ws Oval.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul gathered the top score of 43 for the visitors, whose captain Leon Johnson supported with 36, veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine’s dad, made 26 and fellow left-hander Chandrapaul Hemraj got 22.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul tried to weave a spell and snared two wickets, as the CCC then lost three wickets en route to a modest target of 46 for victory.

First-innings century-maker Chadwick Walton formalised the CCC’s first victory of the season, when he swung a delivery from leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo high over mid-wicket for six.

The result earned the home team 18 points, including three batting points and three bowling points, and winless Guyana collected four points comprising two batting points and two bowling points.

In the next round, CCC

travel to Port of Spain and face hosts Trinidad & Tobago at Queen’s Park Oval, while the Guyanese have drawn a bye.

Starting the day on 82 for one, Guyana were setback in the first half hour, when Johnson was caught at leg-slip off Dewar and Narsingh Deonarine, the fourth of six straight lefthanders in the top-order, was caught behind for a first-ball duck.

The Golden Arrows were 86 for three and this brought Hemraj to the crease to hold the CCC up for the next hour with the younger Chanderpaul.

But Dewar, extracting variable bounce and turn from the worn pitch, had the younger Chanderpaul caught at leg-slip, giving Corbin the second of close catches behind the stumps, as Guyana reached 139 for four at lunch.

After the interval, Hemraj continued the fight with the elder Chanderpaul, taking their side to the 150-run threshold before Austin had him caught at slip about 15 minutes into the second period.

This triggered a collapse that exposed the remainder of the batting and brought an end to the Guyanese resistance about an hour later.

The elder Chanderpaul was caught behind four overs later, when he inside-edged a delivery from Austin onto his pads and the ball ricocheted behind the stumps to ‘keeper Walton.

Christopher Barnwell was caught at slip for 11 off Dewar

…Guyana crash to second defeat of the season

Shakaya Thomas was named man-of-the-match for his blistering 172 in the CCC first innings. from a delivery that leapt from a full-ish length and took the glove and Bishoo was bowled for a first-ball duck offering no stroke to the next delivery from the CCC’s Jamaica-born leg-spinner.

There was a bit of good fortune for Guyana two balls later, when mid-on fielder Kavem Hodge dropped Permaul

on nought off the same bowler.

But Austin put Anthony Bramble out of commission, when he had him caught behind for eight, essaying a forcing back-foot drive, and brought the innings to a conclusion when Hodge redeemed himself by holding a swirling catch at deep square leg to remove Raun Johnson for a duck.

Trinidad and Tobago mourns first Olympian PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting fraternity is mourning the loss of the country’s first Olympic medallist, weightlifter Rodney Wilkes.

Wilkes passed away over the weekend at the San Fernando General Hospital, aged 89.

He won silver in the featherweight class of weightlifting at the 1948 Olympic Games in London and followed it up with bronze in the 1952 Olym-

pics in Helsinki, Finland.

“I have always admired Rodney Wilkes for believing in himself while pursuing what was not a popular sport in the 1940s, largely training himself, receiving little reward for his efforts but quite humbly beating the best in the world to become this country’s first Olympic medallist,” Sports Minister Anil Roberts said in a press release on Monday.

“Wilkes’ historic feats at the Olympic Games as well

as his other achievements at international level are not forgotten by those of us in the sport industry who believe that his efforts are an inspiration to those who dreamed of success in their chosen sport.”

Wilkes was honoured at the inaugural Spirit of Sport Awards (SOSA) in 2011 with a Lifetime Achievement Award which was accompanied by a monthly stipend to cover his living and medical expenses.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday March 26, 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 yesterday’s quiz: Australia’s Shane Watson (249 runs) Netherlands and United Arab Emirates Today’s Quiz: Who top-scored in the T/20 World Cup Final 2012?

How many runs he scored?

Which two teams played in the first ever T/20 World Cup Final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Rodney Wilkes won two Olympic medals for Trinidad and Tobago.

GUYANA 1st innings A. Fudadin c wkp. Walton b Williams 71 T. Chanderpaul c wkp. Walton b Austin 8 L. Johnson b R. Reifer 34 N. Deonarine b Williams 19 C. Hemraj c Walton b McClean 11 S. Chanderpaul b R. Reifer 8 C. Barnwell c McClean b Austin 22 A. Bramble not out 64 D. Bishoo c Alleyne b Austin 6 V. Permaul lbw b Austin 2 R. Johnson b Austin 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-4, w-4, nb-5) 17 Total: (all out, 102 overs) 263 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-105, 3-137, 4-150, 5-162, 6-169, 7-209, 8-217, 9-257.

Bowling: McClean 14-3-36-2 (nb-4); Williams 17-2-55-1 (nb-1, w-2); R. Reifer 20-8-45-2 (w-1); Austin 2910-71-5; Jacobs 12-7-9-0; Dewar 8-1-27-0; Thomas 1-0-2-0; Hodge 1-0-10-0.

CCC 1st innings S. Thomas lbw b Permaul 176 A. Alleyne c Johnson b Deonarine 12 K. Corbin lbw b Bishoo 20 R. Reifer c wkp. Bramble b Hemraj 17 C. Walton c Fudadin b Johnson 107 S. Jacobs c T. Chanderpaul b Permaul 4 K. Hodge lbw b Bishoo 9 A. Dewar lbw b Permaul 2 K. McClean c wkp. Bramble b Bishoo 33 R. Austin not out 1 Extras: (lb-8, w-2) 10 Total: (9 wkts decl., 130.2 overs) 391 Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-150, 3-196,

4-278, 5-288, 6-301, 7-310, 8-377, 9-391.

Bowling: R. Johnson 16.2-1-84-1 (w-2); Barnwell 17-1-73-0; Permaul 39-8-88-3; Deonarine 21-4-36-1; Bishoo 35-4-95-3; Hemraj 2-0-7-1 GUYANA second innings A. Fudadin lbw b McClean 8 T. Chanderpaul c Corbin b Dewar 43 L. Johnson c Corbin b Dewar 36 N. Deonarine c wkp. Walton b Williams 0 C. Hemraj c Corbin b Austin 22 S. Chanderpaul c wkp. Walton b Austin 26 C. Barnwell c Corbin b Dewar 11 +A. Bramble c wkp. Walton b Austin 8 D. Bishoo b Dewar 0 V. Permaul not out 3 R. Johnson c Hodge b Austin 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-11) 16 Total: (all out, 84.5 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-84, 3-85, 4-116, 5-150, 6-153, 7-169, 8-169, 9-173.

Bowling: McClean 14-3-36-1 (nb-4); Williams 6-0-25-1 (nb-7); R. Reifer 5-1-10-0; Jacobs 7-3-14-0; Austin 26.5-13-22-4; Dewar 26-8-61-4.

CCC 2nd innings (target: 46) A. Alleyne not out 18 S. Thomas lbw b Permaul 2 K. Corbin b R. Johnson 9 R. Reifer c S. Chanderpaul b Permaul 11 C. Walton not out 9 Extras: (lb-1, nb-1) 2 Total: (3 wkts, 11.3 overs) 51 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-22, 3-38.

Bowling: Permaul 6-1-16-2; Deonarine 2-1-10-0; R. Johnson 2-0-15-1 (nb-1); Bishoo 1.3-0-9-0.

Points: CCC 18, Guyana 4.

Windwards go second after run chase ends in victory KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Windward Islands staged an intelligent run chase to beat Jamaica by three wickets in their fourth round Regional Four-Day match here Monday.

Starting the final day at Sabina Park on 31 without loss in search of 254 for victory, the Windwards were propelled by a top score of 81 from the in-form Sunil Ambris, while Tyrone Theophile chipped in with 30 and Devon Smith, 29.

Once again, Jamaica’s spinners proved relatively ineffective with champion left-arm spinner Nikita Miller grabbing three for 59 and off-spinner Tamar Lambert, two for 37.

The victory gave the Windwards 16 points and propelled them into second in the standings on 45 points, one behind Barbados who beat Trinidad and Tobago by an innings on Sunday.

Jamaica, meanwhile, walked away with three points and lie third on 38 points.

The Windwards suffered an early setback when they lost Theophile at 49 for one bowled by Miller. Smith failed to hang around as well and departed with the score on 72, leaving the Windwards to rebuild.

When Keddy Lesporis was lbw to Miller for 19 at 100 for three, the game was still open but a series of small partnerships then put the Windwards ahead.

Ambris put on 63 for the fourth wicket with Romel Currency (22), 28 with Lindon James (15) for the fifth wicket and 31 with captain Sebastien (11) for the sixth wicket.

The 21-year-old Ambris, who got his maiden first class century against Guyana earlier this month, faced 186 balls in just under 4-1/2 hours at the crease and struck eight fours.

When he was seventh out at 223, the Windwards still had work to do but Delorn Johnson’s breezy unbeaten 21 settled the issue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 26, 2014

Fitness Express maintains support of Hugh Ross Classic THEIR commitment towards the continued development of sports in Guyana was once again expressed in tangible terms when Fitness Express manager Jamie McDonald welcomed Hugh Ross Classic Guest Poser Jeff ‘Classic’ Beckham to Guyana.

Fitness Express sponsored the ticket and fees for Beckham to be in Guyana on the invitation of long-time friend and buddy, Hugh Ross.

Yesterday, at Fitness Express, located at 47 John and Sheriff Streets, Campbellville, Ross extended gratitude to McDonald for his unflinching support to the classics noting the significant part Fitness Express has been playing in the growth and success of the show over the years.

“I am humbly grateful to Mr McDonald, Fitness Express and staff for their partnership over the years. The Hugh Ross Classic Committee is really appreciative of your largesse and words of encouragement.”

McDonald in response thanked Ross and his committee for allowing his entity the opportunity to be on board once again.

“Fitness Express, ever since

… 2-hour visit, interaction with fans on tomorrow In brief remarks Beckham expressed gratitude to Fitness Express for agreeing to sponsor him. He noted that this is only the second time that he has travelled out of the USA and already has been experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Guyanese fans.

“I’m having a wonderful time here and would like to thank Hugh for inviting me down here. I would like to encourage everybody to come to Fitness Express store and ask whatever questions they want. You can come punch me in my arms and have your photos taken, I’m cool, I’m just looking forward to see and interact with all you

Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald (centre) is f l a n k e d b y J e f f ‘ C l a s s i c ’ B e c k h a m ( l e f t ) a n d H u g h R o s s . it opened four years ago have made it a priority to be deeply involved with bodybuilding and powerlifting and the strength sports in general, in Guyana, so any time an opportunity comes up we are always on board to help out in any way we can.

McDonald noted that he

had no hesitation in agreeing to bring Beckham to Guyana especially since the IFBB Pro is very knowledgeable about the sport, nutrition and fitness.

“In addition to his guest-posing at the HRC Show, on Thursday (tomorrow) Jeff

will be at our store between 14:00hrs and 16:00hrs and will answer any questions that customers or members of the general public pose to him about fitness, bodybuilding and nutrition in general. We are very excited to have him here for this as well.”

Grenadian striker helps Alpha United advance in CFU club Championships

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Grenadian striker Kithson Bain has scored again as Guyana’s Alpha United beat former champions Jamaica’s Harbour View one-nil last Sunday to record their second straight win in Group Three of the Caribbean Football Union Club Championships under way in Jamaica.

Bain scored in the 11th minute of play to hand Alpha the advantage which they maintained throughout, following their opening success - a shocking two-nil victory over Trinidad

and Tobago’s Defence Force on Friday.

It was Bain’s second goal of the tournament, adding to his conversion three minutes after the interval against Defence Force.

His effort against Harbour View adds another three points to Alpha, taking them to the top of the three-team group with a maximum six points.

“This was not a team that we could take lightly. We came here to qualify and what we did on the field of play had to be in line with that commitment,”

Kithson Bain scores in the 11th minute of play. said Alpha’s coach Wayne Dover.

“In basketball it is said that offence wins games but defence wins championships. So we had a commitment to fulfil.”

The defeat knocks Harbour View out of the tournament and their match scheduled for

yesterday against Defence Force was of academic interest, since the top Trinidad club have also been knocked out.

By virtue of winning their Group, Alpha will next face Valencia FC of Haiti in the final round on April 18 for a place in the semis.

Bates, Mackay set up big NZ win AGGRESSIVE half-centuries from Suzie Bates and Frances Mackay, the New Zealand Women openers, set up the platform for their team’s dominating performance in a Group A match against Ireland Women in Sylhet.

The two added 116 in 15.1 overs for the first wicket before an onslaught from Sarah McGlashan boosted the total to 171.

New Zealand ransacked 55 runs from the last five overs with McGlashan clearing the boundary three times in her unbeaten 13-ball 34 but it was the century opening stand that set the tone for New Zealand.

Bates and Mackay started the innings in a steady fashion, scoring 28 in the first five overs but a hat-trick of boundaries in the last over of the Powerplay added impetus to the innings.

Bates reached her half-century

Star Party Rentals inaugural 11-race cycle programme on this Saturday THE inaugural Star Party Rentals 11-race cycle programme will be staged on Saturday around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:00hrs.

The feature event is a 35-lap for schools boys, novices and invitational riders.

Juveniles will do battle over 10 laps while veterans under and over 50 years of age as well as those over 60 will contest five-lap events.

BMX boys and girls, six to nine years old, will compete in a two-lap affair while BMX boys nine to 12 years old will

compete over three laps and mountain bikers will clash in a five-lap race.

For the feature 35-lap event, Ray Leal, Raynauth Jeffrey, Warren McKay, Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Godfrey Pollydore among others will be

seeking to cart off the top prize.

Linden Blackman, Kennard Lovell, Eon `Dumb Boy’ Jackson, Virgil Jones and Raymond Newton will do battle in the veterans’ Under-50 event, while Anthony Farriah is expected to take the spoils in the veterans Over-60 five-lap race.

guys.”

Tickets for Saturday’s show are on sale at the National Cultural Centre at $1 500 each. Show-time at the same venue is 19:00hrs. Weighin time for athletes will be 10:00hrs on Saturday also.

Saturday’s showdown will feature defending champion Kerwyn Clarke whose quest to retain the overall crown will not be an easy task as he would have to get past the likes of old rival Devon Davis, Marlon Bennett, Alfred Jordon and new Novices King, Sylvester Andrews.

A mouth-watering show is in the making.

Managing Director of Star Party Rentals and former national cricketer Lennox Cush as well as a few of his staff members are expected to witness the day’s activity and make the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Suzie Bates in 37 balls with a boundary too - her eighth.

Mackay, who had been the quieter of the two, picked up her scoring after the dismissal of Bates in the 16th over but was out soon after reaching her half-century. McGlashan, though, used the strong start as a springboard for a dominating finish. She smashed two of her three sixes in the last over of the innings.

Ireland, despite losing their first wicket early, made a steady start, reaching 50 in the eighth over, but once Clare Shillington was caught and bowled by Mackay, their innings never picked up pace again. Cecelia Joyce was unbeaten on 39 when Ireland ran out of overs. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Fitness Express maintains support of Hugh Ross Classic (See Story on page 35)

Windies crush Bangladesh to revive semi-final hopes Page 32

The West Indies players celebrate the wicket of Tamim Iqbal. (Windiescricket.com)

Adjustments made to GFF’s GOAL project proposal to MCY&S THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was asked to make four adjustments to its proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) for 10 acres of land in the Leonora, West Coast Demerara area for its long-awaited GOAL project.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, GFF president Christopher Matthias stated that while the MCY&S is willing to have the GOAL project set up on the 10 acres of land just behind the synthetic track that is being constructed, the GFF would have to contribute to the construction of an access road that would lead from the public road to the facility.

Matthias who only returned on Thursday evening from a Football International Federation Association (FIFA) Development Committee meeting said discussions on the GOAL project in several countries including Guyana were held and the major con-

Asked about Guyana’s GOAL project, Matthias who took office as GFF president on April 12 last year said his Federation has already submitted all that was required by the MCY&S for the GFF to acquire 10 acres of Land in Leonora, but the Ministry subsequently requested that the GFF make adjustments to the Memoran-

GFF president Christopher Matthias cern of those in attendance at the meeting was the development of youth programmes.

He said it is the belief of most of the committee members present on that day that most countries place their emphasis on their senior national teams, and not FIFA’s concern on youth development.

He said 2015 will see FIFA concentrate and provide more for youth development.

dum of Understanding that was signed by the two parties.

Among the adjustments are: contributing to the construction of the access road to the facility, managing the project, accepting that the 10 acres of land will be released to the GFF in three phases and that the GFF would have to maintain the facility since the

government would not be able to do that.

Matthias further explained that US$1.5M would be needed to construct the facility but that amount could be raised through FIFA funding.

He said he is expecting a feedback on the project by the end of the month, but noted that FIFA might not approve

the requests made by the MCY&S. Asked about the forensic audit that was done since he took office last year, Matthias said the audit for the years 2011 and 2012 have been completed and they will be presented to the GFF Congress which

(See page 32)

$960M proposed for sports development in 2014 Budget THE sum of $960M is proposed to be spent on upgrading infrastructure for sports development and sporting activity this year.

The proposed allocation was disclosed by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during his presentation of the 2014 national budget last Monday.

He said: “With regard to sport development, a sum of over one billion was spent in 2013 to advance work on the athletic track at Leonora, the warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre and to develop and upgrade other sports facilities countrywide.”

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

“In 2014 Government will continue to place the focus on improving the quality of facilities available throughout the country as well as offering quality programmes in the area of sports for both athletes and officials.”

He said that of the $960M budgeted for the

sector $344M is expected to be spent on continuing works at the Leonora athletic track and the warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre and another $300M is expected to be spent on the grounds enhancement initiatives started in 2013.

(Clifford Stanley).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014