Guyana chronicle 28 03 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103781 FRIDAY MARCH 28 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Vibrant expansion in construction sector led Guyana’s economic growth in 2013 Page 3

Finance Minister: No effort spared to Page 2 safeguard integrity of financial systems GT hosts annual Science Page 8 and Technology Fair at QC

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Couple attempting to ship cocaine in fake awaras busted 11 Cocaine in fake awaras

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$231M allocated in Page budget for hinterland 11 airstrips maintenance -an increase of over three-fold over last year Massive farewell for Leroy Brumell today…

Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell

Deborah Backer funeral today

‘Many tried to make me leave the force Page 12 before my time’

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A senior QC student explains the functioning of a solar powered system

DEBORAH BACKER

Finance Minister: No effort spared to safeguard integrity of financial systems ByVanessa Narine

THE stability and strength of any financial system are an indispensable prerequisite for the overall health and well-being of an economy, says Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and the current Administration has spared no effort in safeguarding the integrity of local financial systems. Addressing the matter Monday during his Budget 2014 presentation to the House, Dr Singh said, “Our Government

has spared no effort to ensure that the required regulatory and supervisory capacity and capability are in place to safeguard the integrity of the system. “In this regard, efforts need to be made constantly to preserve the robustness of the regulatory and supervisory system, and to promote growth of the sector and access to its services.” BANKING SECTOR

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Highlights: * Capital adequacy ratio in banking sector remained high at 23 per cent * New Insurance Act and attendant regulations to come in 2014 * GT&T Mobile Money Guyana attracted 62,000 transactions valued at $255.4M * Publication of cumulative financial prudential ratios for industry fosters more disclosure and transparency

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Remembering Cheddi “Democracy can only prosper in an environment of economic, social and ecological development. Poverty atrophies the vigour and initiative of the individual and deprives the society of incalculable human resources. If left unattended, the expansion of poverty with hunger and the hopelessness it engenders will undermine the fabric of our civilization and the security of the democratic state, thus threatening world peace.” August 2, 1996

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Vibrant expansion in construction sector led Guyana’s economic growth in 2013 By Vanessa Narine

GUYANA’s economic growth was led by the construction sector, whose vibrant expansion in private sector construction, buoyed by the national housing drive, among other factors, resulted in a 22.6 per cent growth in 2013. Consequently, some $4.4B have been allocated to the Housing Ministry in the 2014 Budget to advance that ministry’s programmes and plans. During his budget presentation in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh stated that Government’s vision for the housing sector is to further the realisation of better living conditions for Guyanese through the development of sustainable and viable communities. “We will not stop until every Guyanese is able to have access to adequate and affordable shelter,” he declared. “To this end, continued attention will be placed on developing new housing schemes, consolidating existing schemes, increasing the provision of turnkey homes, expanding the construction of core houses, increasing access to affordable housing and financing for housing, integrating new housing areas with existing neighbourhood democratic councils, and increasing occupancy,” Dr Singh disclosed. ESSENTIAL SOCIAL PROGRAMMES Housing & Water Minister Irfaan Ali told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the allocations will aid delivery of “essential” social programmes to benefit the Guyanese people. And, to this end, he called for reasoned debates that consider the impact the programmes and interventions

budgeted for will have on the Guyanese population, more importantly in regard to improved livelihoods. A total of 5,900 house lots, and processing as well as distribution of 4,100 land titles to new landowners are expected to be delivered in 2014.

than 90 single-flat concrete houses were constructed, besides the 55 homes completed under the Young Professionals Housing Programme, which surpassed the 48 homes targeted. This year, the housing sector is expected to see the completion and distribution

HIGHLIGHTS: * Construction sector recorded growth of 22.6 per cent * $4.4B allocated to the housing sector in 2014, an increase over $3.2B in 2013 * $2.4B allocated in 2013, and $2.5B set aside in 2014 for the water sector * $544.6M to ensure a safe and efficient sanitation system * Solid Waste Management Bill for Parliament this year In 2013, a total of $3.2B was spent to conduct eight OneStop-Shop outreaches, which contributed to 4,417 lots being allocated and 5,326 titles being processed. Housing scheme development is expected to continue at Eccles, Diamond, Anna Catherina, Uitvlugt, Bath, and No.77 Village, among other places; and through continuation of the public-private turnkey initiative, another 100 houses will be constructed and an additional 50 police officers, nurses and teachers will be allocated land to construct their homes. Last year, several new housing schemes were developed or consolidated with existing ones, benefitting over 30,000 persons; and through the public-private turnkey housing initiative, more

of another 176 core houses; disbursement of 134 coastal home-improvement subsidies, valued at $26.8 million; and an additional disbursement of 54 hinterland subsidies, valued at $54 million, benefiting a total of 1,248 persons. In 2013, under the Core House Pilot, 127 core houses were completed, enabling an additional 580 persons to benefit from improved housing; while an additional 153 subsidies were disbursed under the coastal home improvement programme, valued at $30.6M, resulting in improved living conditions for 627 persons. Also, another 130 hinterland home improvement subsidies, valued at $107.2M, were granted, increasing access to affordable shelter by

the most vulnerable communities.

WATER In 2013, some $2.4B were allocated to expand safe, adequate and affordable water coverage across the length and breadth of the country; and this year, the figure budgeted for this venture is $2.5B. Emphasis will be placed on the replacement of electro-mechanical equipment and infrastructure, continued construction of new water treatment facilities, network extension,

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and on metering. The $2.5B is expected to facilitate drilling, construction and completion of wells in Cotton Tree, Hope, Mon Repos, Sparendaam and Sophia; the construction of water clarifiers and filters at Bartica and Eccles, the upgrade of service connections in East Berbice and Linden, and the installation of transmission and distribution mains in areas such as Vergenoegen, Victoria, Crabwood Creek, Angoy’s Avenue and Bartica. Also, another two water treatment plants will be com-

pleted at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward, benefitting more than 30,000 residents in Region 10. Additionally, water supply improvement works will be done in the hinterland communities of Waikerabi, Santa Rosa, Arau, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Aishalton and St. Ignatius, benefitting approximately 20,000 residents. Of note, also, is that with electricity charges soaring to approximately 60 percent of production costs, the Guysee page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Ukraine wins IMF lifeline as Russia faces growth slump (Reuters) – UKRAINE won a $27-billion international financial lifeline on Thursday, rushed through in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, while Moscow’s economy minister acknowledged that his country’s growth would slow dramatically as funds flee abroad. The International Monetary Fund announced a $14-18 billion standby credit for Kiev in return for tough economic reforms that will unlock further aid from the European Union, the United States and other lenders over two years, effectively pulling Kiev closer to Europe. Raising the political temperature, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, released from jail last month after her arch-rival Viktor Yanukovich fled from power in Kiev, announced she would run again for president in an election on May 25.

A Russian soldier (L) guides a Ukrainian tank, which is to be loaded onto a train, in northern Crimea March 27, 2014. (Credit: REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis)

The declaration by the flamboyant Tymoshenko, 53, set up a contest with boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko, who has also announced his candidacy, and other figures who have emerged to contend for top posts after four months of political turmoil.

For Friday March 28, 2014 -14:30hrs For Saturday March 29, 2014 -14:30hrs For Sunday March 30, 2014 -14:30hrs

Tymoshenko, who appeared without the blond peasant hair braid that has been her trademark for years, pledged to fight “lawlessness” and said she hoped to recover Crimea. But she remains behind her two rivals in opinion polls. The IMF deal was a boost for the pro-Western government that replaced the Russian-backed Yanukovich last month, prompting Moscow to seize Crimea. “The financial support from the broader international community that the program will unlock amounts to $27 billion over the next two years,” an IMF statement said. The IMF said it did not see a need to restructure Ukraine’s debts for now. The Ukrainian parliament later backed a law accepting the austerity measures demanded by the IMF, after initially voting against it. “The decision we have to take is extremely unpopular,” far-right nationalist leader Oleh Tyaynibok told parliament. “But if this decision is not taken then (President Vladimir) Putin in Moscow will applaud that the coalition has been split.” President Barack Obama said

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the IMF agreement was a major step forward that would help stabilize Ukraine’s economy. China, which failed to back its ally Russia in a vote on Crimea at the United Nations this month, said it would play a “constructive role” on aid for Ukraine, but stopped short of saying whether it would participate directly. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development could direct up to a billion euros a year into Ukraine over the next few years, while the EU could provide 850 million euros within three months. The Ukraine crisis has triggered the most serious East-West confrontation since the end of the Cold War a quarter of a century ago, deepening the slump in Ukraine’s economy, centered on coal and steel production, gas transit and grain exports. Without IMF-mandated austerity measures, the economy could contract by up to 10 percent this year, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk told parliament, explaining why his government had bowed to the Fund’s conditions. “Ukraine is on the edge of economic and financial bankruptcy,” he said.

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Possible debris off Australia a ‘credible lead’ for missing Malaysia jet (Reuters) - AIRCRAFT and ships ploughed through dire weather on Thursday in search of objects floating in remote seas off Australia that Malaysia’s government called a “credible lead” in the trans-continental hunt for a jetliner missing for nearly two weeks. The large objects, which Australian officials said were spotted by satellite four days ago in one of the remotest parts of the globe, are the most promising find in days as searchers scour a vast area for the plane lost with 239 people on board. A Norwegian merchant ship arrived in the area on Thursday, but officials cautioned it could take days to confirm if the objects were part of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777. Malaysia’s government said the search would continue elsewhere despite the sighting in the southern Indian Ocean. The area where the objects were spotted is around 2,500 km (1,500 miles) southwest of Perth, roughly corresponding to the far end of a southern track that investigators calculated the aircraft could have taken after it was diverted. “Yesterday I said that we wanted to reduce the area of the search. We now have a credible lead,” Malaysian Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. A search for the plane that began in the tropical waters off Malaysia’s east coast has now switched to the vast, icy southern oceans between Australia, southern Africa and Antarctica. Two Royal Australia Air Force AP-3C Orions, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion were involved in Thursday’s search which was called off late in the evening and will resume on Friday. There have been many false leads and no confirmed wreckage found from Flight MH370 since it vanished from air traffic control screens off Malaysia’s east coast early on March 8, less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. Hishammuddin said the information on the objects received from Australia had been “corroborated to a certain extent” by other satellites, making it more credible than previous leads. The larger of the objects measured up to 24 meters (79 ft), long and appeared to be floating in water several thousand meters deep, Australian officials said. The second object was about five meters (16 feet) long. Arrows on the images pointed to two indistinct objects apparently bobbing in the water. “It’s credible enough to divert the research to this area on the basis it provides a promising lead to what might be wreckage from the debris field,” Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore John McGarry told a news conference in Canberra. The satellite images, provided by U.S. company DigitalGlobe, were taken on March 16, meaning that the possible debris could by now have drifted far from the original site. Australian officials said an aircraft had dropped a series of marker buoys in the area, which will provide information about currents to assist in calculating the latest location. The captain of the first Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion plane to return from the search area described the weather conditions as “extremely bad” with rough seas and high winds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Kamla takes charge ...assumes Glenn’s portfolio

(Trinidad Express) IN addition to her duties as Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar Wednesday assumed a new ministerial portfolio—that of Minister of the People and Social Development. She explained her reason—so close is that ministry to her heart and so critical it is to her vision. This follows her sacking of Glenn Ramadharsingh on Tuesday night, in the wake of allegations of misbehaviour on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Tobago. She would take charge, for now. In a release issued Wednesday the Prime Minister stated : “The Ministry of the People and Social Development remains something very close to my heart. It was a promise I made to the nation that was delivered in 2010 and the work of the ministry is important to my vision of poverty eradication, the achievement of social justice and empowerment of people”.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

The Prime Minister added: “Given the strategic importance of the ministry to my Government’s overall objective of eradicating poverty and enhancing the quality of lives and citizens who are differently-abled or disadvantaged by their circumstances, I will

assume charge of the ministry, while I consider an appropriate replacement.” Wednesday evening, after the International Women’s Day Tea which she hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, the Prime Minister told reporters there was precedent for her taking over the portfolio as in the past Patrick Manning had held the portfolio of Finance Minister while he was Prime Minister. She said also that Basdeo Panday had held the portfolio of National Security minister while he too was Prime Minister. She added that she did not expect Ramadharsingh to become a “rogue” MP. The Prime Minister also recognised Ramadharsingh’s contributions and service to the Government. Ramadharsingh had managed this ministry from May 2010, following the People’s Partnership victory at the polls.

Bail with curfew for teen accused of killing sister (Trinidad Guardian) THE teenager accused of killing his sister with an unlicensed gun was ordered yesterday to report to school regularly and be back home by 6 pm as part of his bail conditions on a charge of manslaughter. The 15-year-old, who is charged with unlawfully killing his 14-year-old sister, Murchannah Lavia, on March 19 was granted $90,000 bail when he appeared before chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar yesterday. His identity cannot be revealed as he is a child under the law. The teen’s court appearance came the day after his sister was laid to rest. Police are yet to recover the gun in the case. As a bail condition he has to report to the West End Police Station twice a week and has a 6 pm curfew. The Fourth Form pupil is also ordered to report to

Barbados to scrap mandatory death sentence for murder (BBC News) THE government of Barbados has announced plans to abolish its mandatory death sentence for murder. Attorney-General Adriel Brathwaite said he expected strong opposition to the plan, as many on the Caribbean island believe the death penalty is an appropriate punishment. Barbados has not executed anyone since 1984, despite the legislation. Amnesty International and other human rights groups say the provision is too harsh and breaches international law. Mr Brathwaite has said the government will engage the population in a big public debate before the proposal is tabled in parliament.

“Barbadians generally feel that once you commit murder you should forfeit your lives, but that is until one of their family members is involved,” said Mr Brathwaite. “I know it will be a battle but .... I believe that it is a better path for the country,” he added. Most English-speaking countries in the Caribbean allow capital punishment, but legal executions are rare in the Region. The last execution was carried out in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2008. The previous case was in The Bahamas in 2000. French, Dutch and British dependencies in the Caribbean have banned capital punishment.

his secondary school or, if changed, an educational facility promptly and regularly after the chief magistrate was told he had missed school for two weeks before the date of the offence. Court prosecutor Sgt Timothy also told the magistrate he had been suspended twice from school for disrespecting a teacher and for fighting. Ayers-Caesar also ordered he must see a probation officer so that he, and by extension his family, could receive counselling. The boy, who was brought to court shortly after 10 am yesterday sat with his

head bowed for most of the appearance and was seen fighting back tears. The boy’s attorney, Allan Meiguel, said his client lived at Block 9, Stoer Drive, Petit Valley, which had degenerated into a crime hotspot. He added his client and his sister were “inseparable” and “the reality of the situation has come to bear on him.” “In reality this child is in need of counselling and love from his family. There is no useful purpose in having him in prison. The family does not need to lose both children,” Meiguel said, adding his client is asthmatic.

EDITORIAL On good sense, patriotism and opposition politics

BUDGET Day has come and gone, with the great expectations from the Guyanese people largely fulfilled; that is, if the joint Opposition’s axes and scissors do not prevail over the Constitution. However, utterances from the combined opposition is once more casting a dark shadow over the nation as they continue to threaten to cut the budget, despite the court ruling that determined that this does not lie within their mandate. Their stated intent to disregard the dictates of the law and parliamentary diktat is casting a pall of gloom because of the fear – especially in hinterland communities that once again funding for the development of hinterland communities will be vindictively targeted, as the LCDS was, for no other reason than the LCDS was the brainchild of Former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, with whom leading members of the Opposition seem to have a queer obsession – queer being the operative word, with pun intended. Yet the hope that the collective Opposition will allow their good sense and any iota of patriotism they may have remaining to prevail over partisan, vindictive and opportunistic politics so that the business of the country can move on smoothly; as this country is still reeling from the aftermath of Opposition grandstanding and politicking post Budget Days 2012 and 2013, especially the events post-Budget 2012 that left this country with mammoth loss of personal and state property, great suffering and trauma in hinterland communities and sections of the sector, also in members of the public not inclined to violence who were caught up in the ensuing storm; and, worse of all, the tragic loss of lives. President Donald Ramotar had cautioned the opposition against LCDS budget cuts, stating that he is hopeful patriotism will triumph over partisanship. The President said: “The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) exists on a foundation built by the people of Guyana, but this foundation can be damaged or destroyed…we all have a responsibility to make sure this does not happen.” Nevertheless the scissors were wielded with a ruthlessness that left this country

gasping and Amerindian communities hopeless. The hinterland communities of mainly indigenous peoples of Guyana have preserved Guyana’s rainforests, hence, Guyana can today bargain on the international market, as structured in the LCDS, for funds that will help in adaptation and mitigation efforts in Guyana’s struggles to prevail against climate change. However, the Opposition had fought against the LCDS and had even managed to delay the release of the Norway funds to Guyana. Their budget cuts of 2012, especially of the entire LCDS allocation, shocked even hard-core journalists and detrimentally affected a wide swath of national developmental programmes, especially in the hinterland. The president had said then that as long as there is a reasonable attitude on the part of the Guyanese leadership, particularly on the political front, despite the threats being uttered, “...then we can deliver on the ambitions of the LCDS in the years ahead.” But the President’s optimistic expectations were crushed under the might of the Opposition six-votes, one-seat majority. Reasonable expectations do not always fructify in reasonable eventualities: Certainly not with Guyana’s collective Opposition. What is occurring and recurring in Guyana’s tenth Parliament is a farce of tragic proportions. The LCDS has already earned millions of US dollars for Guyana from its pact with Norway since its launch. According to the Headof-State in an earlier interview with the Guyana Chronicle, in 2009, within the context of the LCDS, Guyana’s vision was to ensure that the standing forests remain of far more value than dead forests. He related that more than 11,000 indigenous families now have electricity for the first time from clean and renewable sources and that very soon the solar panel project will also reach the riverine communities. Norway pays for climate services, said President Ramotar, but added the “vision of LCDS goes much further. “Thousands of young Guyanese are experiencing the early stages of our new low carbon economy in a very real way,” said President

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Ramotar, in reference to the booming call centre industry locally, which he said aptly demonstrates that Guyanese can compete with any of the other countries in the world. “This year, (2012) we will see the big transformative investments of LCDS starting to bear fruit,” but that was a vain hope as the entire LCDS budgetary allocation was slashed, leaving the entire nation shocked. According to the President, despite Opposition’s antics that succeeded in driving away investors, Government will forge on with transformative projects, such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric project, which, coupled with an upgraded distribution network, will provide a steady source of clean renewable energy. The hundreds of millions of dollars spent each year on importing fossil fuel, particularly for the generation of electricity, can be invested elsewhere for the social well-being of Guyanese. The Amaila Falls project will see Guyana propelled to the status of being the top user of clean energy, while eliminating 92 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, all these projects can be derailed if the Opposition’s anti-developmental strategies hold sway. One can only hope that the threats already uttered will prove to be empty for the sake of this nation, for which the erstwhile Members of Parliament have been elected to make determinations toward the general good of the larger society, and not to pursue their personal agendas.

PPP/C has presented another people-centred budget

THE PPP/C administration has once again presented a budget to the National Assembly which from all indications can be described as a people-centred budget. This is the largest budget presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and comes at a time when the economy has shown strong indications of buoyancy and resilience. This is the eighth year in a row that the economy has registered positive growth even though other countries in the Region have been recording sluggish growth rates. There are several aspects in this year’s budget estimates that are noteworthy. The first has to do with the emphasis placed on addressing the needs of the poor and vulnerable in our society. This is reflected in the increase in old age pensions and in increased subsidies for electricity. It would be recalled that the government had earlier subsidised the payment of water tariffs for pensioners. The Opposition parties would no doubt seek to downplay the importance of the increases and subsidies given to our senior citizens but the truth is that a significant number of pensioners are better off for this gesture on the part of the government. One interesting novelty in this year’s budget is the financial allocation provided for parents and guardians of children who are attending public schools at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. This is a highly commendable measure which is likely to result in higher levels of school enrollment and attendance. Guyana has already attained a relatively good enrollment and attendance level at the nursery and primary levels even though nursery education is not compulsory by law. One significant achievement by the current administration has been the phased introduction of universal secondary education which saw the conversion of several community high schools and primary tops into discrete secondary schools. There is yet another dimension that I thought should not go unnoticed and, that is, the allocation of some one billion dollars to keep the surroundings clean and healthy. Half of this allocation would be utilised in the city of Georgetown which in conjunction with the other measures taken by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Local Government and the City Council itself should translate in a much cleaner environment.

The waste disposal and garbage collection problem remains a major challenge to policy-makers and it is envisaged that with the increased budgetary and surveillance measures now in place the garbage situation would see marked improvement. The budget seeks to further consolidate on the macro-economic fundamentals of the country with the aim of increasing further the economic pie. The overall objective is to increase the overall prosperity of the country and by extension all the people of Guyana. At a more philosophical level, the budget and the budgetary measures contained therein seeks to give meaning to the over-arching thrust of the PPP/C administration, which is to create a just and egalitarian society where the fruits of our collective labour are equitably distributed. From the very inception of the PPP/C administration a commitment was made by the late President Cheddi Jagan that a new approach to development would be embraced, which would at all times be people-oriented and fair to all stakeholders including the business community which was described as the engine of growth. The current administration of President Ramotar has remained faithful to this ideological mantra as had been the case of all previous PPP/C administrations before him. Indeed, the projected growth rate of 5.6 percent is the highest for over a decade and speaks to the high level of optimism and confidence reposed in the economy. The opposition parties in an attempt to score political points will seek to downplay the key elements and components of the Budget Estimates when the debate begins in a few days. One hopes, however, that when the dust is finally settled there will be maturity and good sense on the part of the combined parliamentary Opposition. The national budget is in effect an annual work plan of the Government. The successful implementation of that plan requires the support of all Guyanese which includes the parliamentary opposition. The last thing Guyanese would want to see is a repeat of what transpired last year when the opposition parties used their one-seat majority to derail the government’s development agenda. Congratulations are in order for President Donald Ramotar and his entire Cabinet for crafting yet another transformational budget which will positively impact not only on the economy but on the lives and well-being on each and every Guyanese. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and his budget team have once again

lived up to the high expectations Guyanese have in their ability to put together a high quality of work. HYDAR ALLY

AFC walkout was a publicity stunt APART from its ability to stage drama and desperation for publicity, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has a serious credibility problem. The AFC parliamentarians walked out at the start of the 2014 budget presentation by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh last Monday to register their protest against not being consulted in the preparation of the budget. I recall that the AFC leaders were repeatedly invited by Dr. Singh to participate in the Government’s 2014 budget consultations and they refused to show up, similarly and equally true for those of the People’s National Congress (PNC)/ A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leadership. Two days later, the AFC has announced its intention to participate in the budget debates commencing next week. What does this mean? In the first place the AFC walkout of parliament was a publicity stunt as they wanted to steal the moment from the budget presentation but it backfired. Convinced as they are that their participation would be meaningless because they were not consulted in the preparation of the national budget, then it would be useful for their individual and collective credibility to abstain throughout the 2014 budget debates as well. There has been absolutely no change in the fact that the AFC did not participate in the 2014 budget consultations, so it should remain faithful to its position, as it did at the start of the budget presentation to avoid reducing themselves from active participants in national decision-making to one of a passive listener. KWAME Mc COY

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A slanderous tongue comes from a disappointed, malicious person THE slanderous tongue comes from a disappointed and malicious person. We live by information, not by sight; we exist by trust and faith in others. As our ears are the area and gate of truth so are they the front door of lies and propaganda. The truth is generally seen and rarely heard of; it seldom comes in fundamental sincerity and purity, especially from afar. Sometimes favourable, sometimes unfavourable. Therefore, receive with caution from the one that praises and with more caution from the one that blames. Honourable Former President Bharrat Jagdeo - history will judge you with distinction even though your critics are so brutal and relentless in their unorthodox personal attacks. They have caused you, the PPP/C and your constituency great pain but history will vindicate you as one of the greatest leaders of this nation. Take comfort from the lessons of our predecessor and the harsh treatments which they were afflicted with by their people: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, etc. History asserts them all to be the best of the human species who ever lived on planet earth. Honourable Sir, your contributions to this nation are enormous. You put Guyana on the road to development and prosperity with global recog-

nition and goodwill. You give us destiny and hope in a confident future, you have made us all proud. You are the best of the best. This is accredited with being honoured with 6 (Six) Honorary Doctorates and the “Champion of the Earth” award. HANA MOHAMED

M&CC struck by Ms. Backer’s passing A few days ago, we were struck with the very sad news of the passing of Ms. Deborah Jan Backer. Sentiments expressed by those, who knew and interacted with her reflected on the charm and the grace with which she managed to go about her daily tasks, in and out of the National Assembly. For us, at City Hall, where she served as a City Councillor for three years from 1994, the late Ms. Backer will be remembered for her active involvement in assisting workers at the Georgetown Municipality. In 1996, Ms. Backer seconded a motion moved by the late Councillor Desmond Moses, for employees of the Council to be given lands to build their own homes. The motion read: - Whereas there are over four hundred and fifty (450) employees of the Mayor and City Council who do not have homes of their own. - And whereas many of those employees have large families who are at the moment living with different relatives. - And whereas many of those employees spend several hours of the working day, on a daily basis, in search of house and lands. - And whereas the Council’s work is affected to a great degree. - Be it resolved that Council approves in principle the allocation

Widening of Independence Boulevard would help ease traffic congestion I am wondering if any of $13.7 B to be spent on roads and bridges, will include Middle Road and Independence Boulevard. It was good to read, according to Minister Singh, Ministry of Finance had allocated $13.7B on roads and bridges in the 2014 budget. It was also mentioned that a feasibility study was completed for the construction of a bypass road from Ogle on the East Coast to East Bank which will open new areas for development and investment and create a second route to reduce the congestion for the East Bank of Demerara traffic. This is very good and I am sure Guyanese will welcome this new development, whenever it starts and hopefully it can be completed within the time frame and not as the many other projects. I would like the relevant ministries to look at developing two other roads which will help reduce the traffic:(1) Widening of Independence Boulevard (Punt-trench), I believe this can be a four-lane, of which, traffic from (Cemetery Road to La-Penitence Road/Market). (2) Upgrade and re-pave Middle Road and all of the cross roads (pickets), which will run (North/ South) from Middle road to Independence Boulevard. This will surely reduce traffic and quick access for many households and drivers coming from both directions. A. WHYTE

of lands it owns, and which can be used for residential purposes to employees of the Municipality - Be it further resolved that this Council pursues urgently dialogue with the Minister of Housing for the allocation of house lots for employees of the Mayor and City Council. Although, the Council was unable to achieve that project, it raised awareness of a crucial need of Council workers. This encourages Council to do a similar project in another area – Guyhoc by the late Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams. That project is now with the Ministry of Housing. This intervention was vital to the interest of our workers. More particularly, it represents the care she had for them. This is an important observation because, the nature of the tasks our workers are called to do, sometimes, earn them, very ugly remarks and unkindness from some who do not appreciate the vital role they play in keeping the city. The poor state of the City’s coffers and truncated training of workers interact to promote poverty and despair among some workers, who believe that they could not own their homes. Therefore, she, by that intervention, underscored her view of the importance of city workers and the need for the Council to do more for them. We remain grateful for her contribution to the Council and the City as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, children and those who loved and cared for her. Dominus vobiscum ROYSTON KING Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

Suseran’s telephone line was fixed on March 24

IN response to Mr. Suseran’s letter in the Guyana Chronicle, of March 25, GT&T wishes to indicate that his telephone line was repaired on Monday March 24, a day before his letter appeared in the press. Mr. Suseran reported his fault on Saturday March 22. The continued disruption of his service resulted from the non-payment of his January telephone account. This was settled on March 25 and both his landline and DSL services were restored. ALLISON PARKER Public Relations Officer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

GT hosts annual Science and Technology Fair at QC

THE Georgetown Department of Education yesterday held its leg of the annual Science and Technology Fair in the auditorium of Queen’s College on Camp Street, here in the city. The event saw participation from several schools from within the Georgetown Educational District in a display of many items which students, aided by their teachers, prepared and constructed, using various formulas and techniques. The day’s event, which kicked off at 10:00hrs sharp, commenced with a prayer and official remarks from Education Ministry Officials, who later toured booths at the exhibits. The Science Fair yesterday was just one of several such events being organised and held by schools and other educational institutions across the country. Just Wednesday, the Government Technical Institute (GTI) held its Science and Technology Fair on its lawns. That event was commissioned by Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand. And earlier this week, there was yet another Science and Technology Fair, held this time around in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice). The fairs are gearing for top schools to take part in a National Science Fair to be held later this year. (Leroy Smith)

These youngsters from St Anne’s Primary were promoting the use of products made of fruits

Finance Minister: No effort spared to safeguard integrity ... From page 2 Reporting on the measures taken in 2013, Dr Singh said the banking sector remained strong, adequately capitalised, profitable and with high excess holdings of liquid assets. “The strength of the deposit-taking sector as evidenced by its capital adequacy ratio remained high at 23 per cent, surpassing the minimum eight per cent benchmark by 15 per cent as at close of 2013 and two per cent higher than the end 2012 position. “The commercial banking sector continued its aggressive branch expansion drive with the establishment of branches countrywide particularly in the interior locations of Guyana. “New branches were opened at Lethem in Region 9 and Port Kaituma in Region 1, while another bank would soon be establishing its presence in Region 6 at Port Mourant. “Work is also continuing apace in the capital city on the construction of two new head offices for two of the smaller banks.” INSURANCE And, despite the significantly negative impact on the industry’s financial strength after the collapse of CLICO in 2008, the insurance industry has since rebounded successfully, as evidenced by the significant increase in assets, capital, and net premiums from the amounts reported in 2008 when the CLICO crisis hit the industry. “For the year ended 2013,” the minister said, “the insurance sector was adequately capitalised in keeping with the requirements of the Insurance Act 1998. “Both the long-term and general insurance sectors had assets in excess of liabilities by 72.3 per cent and 103.8 per cent respectively. This was complimented by the sectors’ ability to meet their expenses from growth in net premiums. As a result of the industry’s 2013 performance, positive growth in assets, capital and net premiums are also projected for the year 2014.” He stated too that the industry’s capital also recorded a positive rebound after the CLICO debacle, showing an increase of 115 per cent above the $11.3B as at the end of 2008 to $24.3B. “The insurance sector is presently quite solvent and stable,” he said, “even though the concentration of assets is centred on only few companies. The systemic failures by CLICO have reinforced the need for enhanced regulation in the insurance sector. Drafting of the new Insurance Act and attendant regulations are currently being finalised and it is anticipated that this act will become law before the end of 2014.” BANK OF GUYANA Turning his attention to the central bank, the Bank of Guyana (BOG), the Finance Minister pointed out that efforts are ongoing to bring about more transparency in the financial sector, such as the publication of the cumulative financial prudential ratios for the licensed financial institutions and the industry on its website. This is in addition to the quarterly financial indicators that have

been published over the years. In order to further strengthen its supervisory function, the Bank of Guyana in 2013 issued Supervision Guideline No. 13 (Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) to the licensed financial institutions. Drafting has also commenced on legislation for pensions to provide more effective supervision and regulation of pension schemes, which will help to ensure the sustainability of the system. According to Dr Singh, “A significant development within the financial sector was the licensing of the first credit bureau in Guyana. “The milestone licence was issued to CreditInfo (Guyana) Incorporated in July 2013. All the commercial banks, two major utility companies and one microcredit provider have signed up to participate in the credit bureau. It is anticipated that the use of the credit reports generated by the credit bureau would contribute to significantly reducing the cost of borrowing while at the same time greatly increasing access to credit by a larger segment of the population thereby promoting a more efficient and stable credit market.” He stated too that a further enhancement to the financial sector was the introduction of Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T). The service is marketed to reach a large segment of the unbanked population by providing mobile payment services such as money transfers and bill payments, payment of salaries and pensions through the use of mobile phones. Over 3,000 users have taken advantage of this technology, performing 62,000 transactions valued at $255.4M. Notably, the service has been found to be popular with persons who have prepaid meters with GPL and can now purchase their electricity directly over the phone. Singh said, “The payment system is currently being reviewed to ensure that it remains efficient and effective. “Commercial banks are in the process of linking their point of sale (POS) terminals and their automated teller machines (ATMs) and it is anticipated that by the end of this year any ATM/POS would be capable of accepting any card issued by any local bank. “The Bank of Guyana has agreed to provide settlement services to facilitate this electronic switch which should see greater use of electronic services offered by commercial banks.” Additionally, as it relates to the United States’ Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the Government has indicated to the United States, Guyana’s availability to commence negotiations on an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for implementation. “The Guyana Revenue Authority has been identified as the conduit of financial information between Guyana and the US Inland Revenue Service (IRS),” the minister said. He stressed that Government’s attention to prudent public financial management, in addition to stable macroeconomic fundamentals, has contributed to the economic resilience Guyana has achieved, which has enabled the country to withstand testing external and domestic shocks.

Vibrant expansion in construction sector led Guyana ... From page 3 ana Water Inc. (GWI) has completed a comprehensive energy audit, and will commence implementing initiatives dedicated exclusively to replacing and re-engineering the electro-mechanical features of its pumps and equipment to bring them in line with modern energy-efficient technologies. Of the $2.4B allocated to the water sector in 2013, $649.1M were spent to begin construction of two new water treatment plants, the installation of over 30 kilometres of transmission and distribution mains, and the upgrade of 1,500 service connections, benefiting residents of Linden. Additionally, works continued on drilling of several wells, including exploratory drilling at Mabaruma. Works also commenced on the installation of transmission and distribution mains in Regions 3,5 and 6; and $160M were spent on the Hinterland Water Supply Programme, benefitting more than 15,000 persons. SANITATION The sanitation sector received an allocation of some $544.6M to ensure a safe and efficient sanitation system is established for the management and disposal of municipal solid waste and sewage, in order to protect the health and well-being of citizens. In 2013, a sum of $546.5M was expended towards the continued rehabilitation of the Georgetown sewer system, along with the rehabilitation of 24 pumping stations. In the area of solid waste management, commitment to address the detrimental impact of improper waste disposal was further reinforced by the enactment of the Environmental Protection Regulations of 2013, more popularly known as the “Litter Enforcement Regulations”. Government has developed a draft Solid Waste Management Act which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to improve the conditions for waste management countrywide, establish a National Solid Waste Management Division within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and develop waste management plans which will tackle the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste. This year, efforts will build on these successes, with the completion of the sewer system in Central Georgetown, the sewer outfall in Georgetown, and the sewerage pumping station at Tucville. The draft Solid Waste Management Bill is also being reviewed, and is expected to be tabled in the House later this year. Additionally, $1.1B have been budgeted for the completion of civil works, and for operational expenses at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, which processes 320 tonnes of solid waste daily. A pilot programme composting and public awareness campaign on management and disposal of solid waste is also expected to come on stream. The Housing and Water Minister has thus adumbrated the importance of the budgeted works to the people of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana

Initial thoughts on budget 2014: Gauging public reaction Old Kai must congratulate the Donald Ramotar led administration for a well thought out national budget which caters for all demographics in society. It truly was a remarkable presentation. This was indicative and patently evident when at first, the historic figure fell like a rock on the sinister agenda of the AFC. They became so confused, they simply bolted from Parliament. In reality, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the APNU and AFC to come up with areas to attack the annual budget presentations of the PPP/C. President Ramotar seems to come up with more and more ingenious initiatives which never ceases to catch the Opposition off guard. Last year, Opposition Leader David Granger was forced to admit that the budget had “… a little bit for everyone…” unfortunately, his party teamed up with AFC to illegally cut a significant portion thereby denying assistance to some of our citizens. This year, he has stated that it is a “repair and maintenance” budget. Technically, it is true, as had his party not destroyed this country’s economy and reduced it from the most progressive when they came into office to the second most poorest in the Caribbean when they left office in 1992, we would not have had to devote so much resources towards investing in infrastructure across the country. Guyanese would have been much better off economically, so we would not have had to devote so much resources to the social sectors. Education at all levels would have been universally accessible across the country, so we would not have had

to continue using such a large portion of our resources to ensure we develop a more educated population. In each and every sector, you get the idea. But that is not all, when they came out of Government the progress that we have made since has consistently come under attack by these very people. The most recent being the instigation of violence in Linden where a significant portion of both public and private infrastructure was destroyed, so of course our nation will have to devote resources to repair or rebuild what should have still been standing including the One Mile Primary School. This feeble attempt to attack the budget aside, Old Kai has been gauging the reaction by Guyanese, particularly Opposition supporters and I must say, it does not look that good for the Opposition leadership. Old Kai was liming at Stabroek Market when he overheard a group discussion of the budget. One known Opposition instigator from Linden shouted that the 500 to 600 dollars increase in old age pension, can’t do nothing. To my surprise, his colleagues responded that it was a similar figure which was enough for some Lindeners to protest against an increase in their electricity rates in 2012. The APNU cheerleader found the quickest way to exit the conversation. In a minibus heading up the East Bank of Demerara, the front seat passenger was overheard saying that the $10,000 assistance was not enough for parents to send their child to school. The minibus driver responding by asking rhetorically:‘You want government to mine your children now?’ In reality, it is virtually impossible to please an individual much

less an entire country. However, we are thankful that whereas there was a period when an impending budget presentation was feared because it brought increased hardships; today, every budget introduces a new initiative which will benefit Guyanese in some way or the other. Some seem to take this for granted but I wish to remind that if the opposition forces do get their way, these benefits would evaporate as they did once before in our history. They have clearly articulated their plans to deny Guyanese benefits and they have publicly displayed this mindset by cutting the budget in the last two years, including an attempt to force a 22% electricity tariff increase on citizens. It was President Donald Ramotar who stepped in and prevented this increase from being passed on to the average citizen, it was President Ramotar who introduced electricity subsidies for pensioners and who has now increased that figure by 50%. In all of this one thing has clearly escaped the detractors of the PPP/C and its economic policies and that is the fact that whereas our nation depended on international loans to largely finance our budget in the past, we have reached a point where our economy is generating enough resources for the government to rely less on international borrowing. This means that less of our future resources will be devoted to paying back loans and will instead be ploughed right back into our economy. This has already manifested with the increasing expenditure on the social sectors and the many initiatives meant to target the more vulnerable demographics in society. (To be continued)

Budget 2014 is positive; Multilaterally Intermeshed AML/CFT concepts are sound- PSC Chairman Legislation a Critical International Obligation MINISTER of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on March 24 presented the largest budget in the history of the country to the National Assembly, valued at $220B Budget and themed ‘By Guyanese A Better Guyana for All Guyanese.’ Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ronald Webster in an invited comment yesterday, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the Budget is very positive and the concepts are sound. One of the key measures in the Budget that is appreciated by the PSC Chairman is the funding for port Georgetown. Webster said that “the private sector has been pushing for a very long time for development work to be done in the Demerara Harbour, dredging the channel from the bar in and the general development of the port. The budget recognises the need and there is a $100M for preliminary work that is positive,” he pointed out. Another encouraging aspect in Budget 2014, Webster pointed out is the investment in hinterland airstrips that is Chairman of the Private essential to the development Sector Commission, Ronald of the tourism industry. He Webster noted that overall in the Budget there is a major investment in infrastructure, including interior roads and this is positive. Webster however, said that one of his concerns with the budget is the continued subsidy on energy. “I would have preferred to see those subsidies being reduced over time and the money being invested in subsidies being put into old age pension schemes, possibly a restructuring of National Insurance Scheme (NIS) because from a private sector standpoint I think that would provide opportunities for investment in the energy sector, once it is operating on a level playing field,” he said. “But overall I think that a lot can be done with the proposals in the budget, but there must be leadership,” he said. He said that leadership, essentially in municipalities will be essential with regards to cleanup of Georgetown and other municipalities. Webster said that the country’s clean-up initiative is critical from a commercial standpoint and a moral position for the country, “but somebody, some group has got to run with it and make sure it happens.”

By Ron Cheong PASSING the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) act is critical to the future well-being of Guyana and to all Guyanese. Guyana has an international obligation to enact legislation, which is constitutional; harmonized with the laws of other member countries in its group; able to pass peer review by those countries; and in accord with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) guidelines (which in turn are based on guidelines issued by their parent body, the FATF based in Paris). “The whole purpose of the exercise is to create a network of laws and rules that are common to every country. The act requires you to collaborate with all countries of the world to share information.” So said Guyana’s Attorney General at a forum on the subject in Toronto last week Friday. According to the Attorney General, Guyana is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that has not enacted the requisite legislation – a consequence of the combined opposition stalling the AML/CFT bill, with its one-seat majority in the house. This disruption of the country’s business, however, is not just another one of the run of the mill counterproductive actions by the opposition that people have come to expect. Blocking the government’s efforts to the meet requirements mandated by the CFATF runs the significant risk of setting in motion a series of worldwide processes and sanctions, which start almost imperceptibly, but have long lasting effects that are extremely difficult to reverse. This would devastate the local economy and the livelihood of Guyanese – not to mention the harm to CARIFTA and the ripple effects on foreign direct investment from countries like Canada, which has a stake in the mining industry. The lenses through which AML/CFT is viewed today emerged out of the huge paradigm shift that occurred following the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States. There was an overnight change in the perspective of the world community with regard to security, terrorism and the financing of terrorism through the drug and arms trade. The United States quickly responded with the US PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism). Other developed countries followed with their own new legislation or amended existing statutes to deal with new realities. Regulatory bodies with international reach and sweeping powers also reacted in like fashion. The cumulative results of the actions taken by these influential economies and global regulatory bodies has been a network of standards applicable to both developed countries with sophisticated information systems, and developing countries with less technology, and fewer resources, and different legislative architectures. These standards continue to evolve and to be further buttressed by

treaties, resolutions, conventions and input from other interested bodies. Work is ongoing to refine, better integrate regulations, and to make changes to counter elaborate new methods manufactured by those seeking to circumvent the regulations. The leading agencies that set standards include The United Nations (UN); The Financial Action Task Force (FATF); The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision; The International Association of Insurance Supervisors; The International Organisation of Securities; and The Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence units. Other bodies involved include the powerful International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Commonwealth Secretariat, and the organisation of American States (CICAD) to name a few. CFATF conducted a review of all the Caribbean and Latin American countries under their supervision in 2010 to address concerns that the legislation on the books of regional countries was not producing convictions or even charges. The reviewed examined each country’s policy position, legislative architecture and technical facilities with regard to its ability to meet AML/CTF requirements. The body issued their findings and recommendations/requirements to regional countries including Guyana in 2011. Minister Nandlall said that Guyana has since satisfied most of the non-legislative requirements, but has seen the legislative component of the requirements continuously blocked in the house. He said that in 2012 the government engaged a consultant to draft amendments to legislation on the books required by CFATF. The amendments were brought before the house in April 2013 where it has since been tied up by various delaying tactics. The country consequently missed an original May 2013 CFATF deadline and now a February 2014 deadline to submit its amended AML/CTF bill to the governing body. This failure by Guyana’s legislature places the country in serious jeopardy of being blacklisted by the FATF. Blacklisting by the FATF would trigger a circular disseminated all over the world advising that Guyana is an unsafe country to do business - and carrying with it all the associated stigma of terrorism, money laundering and drug and arms trading. Furthermore, any country, which continues to do business with Guyana, can themselves come under scrutiny and possible sanctions. The minister said that financial institutions are already beginning to take precautions. Much more documentation is being required from businesses and individuals who have to prove that their transactions are not related to money laundering or terrorism. Several ordinary Guyanese have related to him stories of hardship and delays in being able to receive lifeline remittances. He said that remittances for last December were down over fifty percent. To put this in context of the extent to which remittances are important to Guyana, the World Bank reports that annual remittances to the country totalled US$469 million in 2012.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

D’Urban Park Lions pay tribute to Deborah Backer By Shirley Thomas THE Lions Club of D’Urban Park, on Sunday held an Evening of Reflections on the life of the late Deborah Backer, PMJF (Past Melvin Jones Fellow) at the Guyana Girl Guides Pavilion, Brickdam, Georgetown. Lion Deborah Backer, credited for her outstanding contribu-

tion to Lionism, was instrumental in forming the SS D’Urban Park Lions Club and on December 1, 1993 was installed Captain of the 25 member organisation. She served as Charter President of that Club from 1993-1995. After a life of yeoman service to the organisation, Lion Backer died in active service on March 14, after just under one

year of terminal illness. Sunday’s forum in her honour saw scores of Lion members from other Clubs joining the Lions Club of D’Urban Park; Lion Backer’s husband, Mr. Steve Backer, and other immediate family members; International Lions Officers; members of the legal fraternity and other friends and well- wishers for a well-de-

served Evening of Reflections. There were also power point presentations, graphically highlighting her dynamic work and contributions to Lionism. Reflections on the Life of Ln Deborah Backer’s stewardship were rendered by Ln. Dawn Gregory and MJF Ln. Mena Carto. Others offering reflections included Ln. Shabir Hussein and other International Officers; Lion Zeleena Laurie MJF; Ln. Sadie Amin, MJF; and Ln. Maxine Cummings, PMJF, 1st VCG. Also officiating was Ln. Joycelyn Josiah.

Ln Dawn Gregory, left, and Ln Mena Carto offering reflections on Ln Deborah Backer’s stewardship

Mr. Steve Backer, husband of the deceased, seated at right, and other immediate family members at the Evening of Reflection at the Girl Guides Association on Sunday

In a deluge of tributes and reflections, Ln. Deborah Backer, dubbed ‘Captain Forever’ of Durban Park Lions, was remembered by Ln. Joycelyn Josiah as a friend, trail blazer and indeed a captain who never abandoned the ship. And as was admitted, “No matter who was at the helm, Debbie was the ‘Captain Forever’.” Others remembered her as dynamic, jovial, charismatic, and a humble individual who demonstrated loyalty to the letter, and moreover, a great organiser. Her popularity, willingness to give of her time and substance to Lion-

ism were rated as incredible. But yet, she was deeply committed to her family. She was a live-wire and had a great way of bringing people together with her laughter and tremendous wit, Ln. Dawn Gregory recalled. An active and influential member of the Lions, Attorney- at- Law, as well as Parliamentarian and until recently, Deputy Speaker of the House of the National Assembly, she was nonetheless a very private person, leading Ln. Gregory to describe her as a very ‘private’ public figure. Ln Backer was remembered as a woman of many parts, of

many achievements and with an amazing sense of humour. Down to earth, contented, reliable, honest, she was a no-nonsense person and was known to ‘tell it like it is’. Meanwhile, International Officer, Ln. Pinkerton, referring to Backer as a stalwart in Lionism, added that the loss will run deep. Having been endowed with all the attributes of Lionism, he said Ln. Backer will be greatly missed as an excellent tail twister who could evoke laughter and one who carried a ‘twinkle in her eyes’.

Deborah Backer funeral today FORMER Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Deborah Backer will be laid to rest today. On the day of the funeral, the body of the late former executive member of both the PNCR and APNU will lie, briefly, in the forecourt of the Public Buildings before it is taken over to St. Andrews Kirk opposite, also in Brickdam, for the funeral service, thence to the place of burial, at Le Repentir Cemetery, in Georgetown too. Deborah Backer had served the PNC for almost three decades and was recently honoured on International Women’s Day for her service in the National Assembly.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Couple attempting to ship cocaine in fake awaras busted A 41-YEAR-OLD shipper from Mahaicony, East Coast of Demerara, and later his wife, were detained early yesterday morning following a drug bust at a cargo company holding area at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), when ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) inspected a consignment of fresh fruits destined for Canada and discovered a ‘whitish’ substance in a quantity of awaras that were stored among mangoes. A test later confirmed the presence of cocaine, and,

Cocaine in fake awaras. upon closer examination, ranks discovered that some of the ‘awaras’ were fake and were hidden among the real ones

which were packed in boxes. Ranks are also looking for several other suspects as the probe widens.

$231M allocated in budget for hinterland airstrips maintenance -an increase of over three-fold over last year * 500% increase in allocations for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) * 243% increase in allocation for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips * $773.9 million budgeted for dredging equipment, ferry vessels, and spares and rehabilitation of stellings.

THE allocation of $231.1 M for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips this year represents more than three times the amount allocated last year. The sum represents a 243% increase on the $67.2 million allocated and spent in 2013 and is indicative of the government’s continuing commitment towards bridging the spatial divide between the populated coastal areas and the natural resource-rich hinterland communities, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said during his presentation of the national budget Monday last. He also disclosed that $6.6 billion dollars have been budgeted to facilitate construction works on the new airport terminal building for the CJIA up by some 500% from the $1.1 billion allocated and spent last year. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) engineering division at Timehri will be relocated to facilitate the expansion of the CJIA. River transport will be upgraded via the allocation of $773.9 million for dredging equipment, ferry vessels, spares, and for the rehabilitation of stellings. Dr Singh had revealed that in 2013, a total of $1.1 billion was expended on the expansion and modernisation of the CJIA ; $67.2 million was disbursed for the maintenance of hinterland airstrips, and $80 million was spent to procure an Automated Dependent Surveillance Broadcast to bring the precision and reliability of satellite based surveillance to the national airspace. The sum of $682.6 million was spent for the docking of several ferry vessels, the acquisition of spares, and the rehabilitation of stellings. He said that the allocations past and present are necessary to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient airlift and riverine transport services. (Clifford Stanley)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Massive farewell for Leroy Brumell today…

‘Many tried to make me leave the force before my time’ By Leroy Smith NEXT week Tuesday will be officially the last day for Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell on the job. Today a massive farewell parade is planned for the outgoing commissioner who has

served the Guyana Police Force in many areas and more recently as its acting Police Commissioner before being sworn in as the 30th Police Commissioner in October of 2013. Speaking to ranks of the Police “A” Division on Wednesday, Brumell made it clear that

he came into the Guyana Police Force without enemies and when he leaves on Tuesday he wants to leave without enemies. Further he assured that today at his farewell parade he will not be embarrassing anyone or making any deliberate statements to insult anyone when he delivers

Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell his farewell speech. Recalling his days as a police officer, the outgoing Top Cop pointed to several transfers to various parts of the force and divisions years ago. Speaking to his junior ranks on Wednesday he also recalled being demoted for two years while he watch other ranks who were below him pass him to be named senior officers although he had been serving before them. While not fussing he was quick to point out that it was all part of the job and it comes with the kit. “I had bad times in the Guyana Police Force. There were those who did me all sorts of things for me to leave this work,” Brumell recalled. He even told his ranks that when the pressure was high on him, whenever he sat with a pen or paper, his wife would walk up to him and snatch it, trashing the paper and taking a hold of the pen. He explained that she always thought that he was writing his resignation. However, Leroy Brumell assured that he was stronger

than those who tried to make him leave the force and with the encouragement and support from his wife he was able to make it to the end. Brumell recalled that when he was in charge of the Narcotics Branch of the Force his work caused him to step on many persons toes. He even pointed to one case where he was out on private business when he was approached by a known character with dealings in the underworld. He said that the individual informed him that he (the drug dealer) heard that Brumell was going to be transferred. Brumell said that what was very surprising was that the utterance of the man was news to him but the next week he was transferred to Berbice. The Top Cop who has been a member of the Guyana Police Force for more than 30 years explained that one of the most moving times for him in the Guyana Police Force was when he was sworn in as the Police Commissioner of Police. He told his officers that the reason he cried that day was because he never expected to ever be confirmed as the country’s Commissioner of Police. Brumell told his officers that he is ensuring that he leaves a clean slate for the next man who will be taking over from him. He said that when he took over the helm of the Police Force because of the circumstances, he was forced to deal with a huge backlog of matters left by his predecessor. He assured that all files are being cleared out so that the new Commissioner of Police will be able to have a clean transition and nothing that comes to his desk will be left over work or unfinished work. In speaking of how he in-

tends to end the day on Tuesday, Brumell said that he will have breakfast with all his senior divisional officers and commanders and staff of headquarters, he said that will be followed with a maximum of 30 minutes with the new commissioner alone before making his way out of the Guyana Police Force Headquarters. On Wednesday Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that Leroy Brumell has done a good job in the Guyana Police Force and is leaving the Force untarnished unlike others. He said that the legacy of Leroy Brumell will be the recently commissioned Special Weapons and Tactic Unit SWAT team. Meanwhile, as Brumell leaves the Guyana Police Force there are some cases which will always be remembered as the cases that occurred during his tenure. Those are the execution style killing of designer Trevor Rose for which no one has been charged; the gunning down of a man by a national cricketer who was later freed and ordered re arrested due to lax police work; the shooting of Dameon Belgrave at the White Castle Fish shop by police who were operating outside their jurisdiction; the shooting of a young Agricola teen by a group of police two of whom have since fled the country and are on the International Wanted List; the freeing of a man who was charged by the police for the execution style killing of one of their own but who was reportedly tortured by the police while in custody and the most recent case where a businessman was freed after the police failed to convince a civilian witness to show up for court. Brumell plans to spend more time with his family and do a bit more exercising when he leaves office on Tuesday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

FITUG supportive of Budget 2014

PRESIDENT of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Mr. Carvil Duncan has declared that the 2014 budget, like those in the past, places continued focus on the working-class, poor and elderly. FITUG said it recognises that the 2014 budget comes on the heels of substantial reform arising from the 2013 among which included increasing the tax threshold by $10,000/month to $50,000 monthly; a reduction of the income tax rate from 33.3 % to 30%; the introduction of the mortgage interest relief; continued support to electricity customers within GPL, Linden and other communities; and support to the sugar sector, to name a few. When taken alongside the 5% increase in wages/salaries paid in 2013 as against a recorded 0.9% inflation rate for the same period, we are pleased that employees of the public service would have benefitted from a real wage increase and at the same time supported by various measures to reduce the cost of living. “FITUG recognises that the challenge of balancing the demands of expanding Government services through

investments in the social sectors and infrastructure as against budget measures to increase the level of disposable income, particularly for the working class. The FITUG is pleased to note the reduction of the external debt to 41.9% of GDP, stable exchange rate, low inflation rate, continued growth rate, robust foreign direct investment, and continued expansion of credit, all signaling a well-managed macro economy.” “We wish to highlight, in our view, some important measures contained in Budget 2014”:1. Support to the Sugar Industry— an injection of $6 billion into the industry to assist the company meet its financing requirements of its transformation plans is welcome at this critical time. The beneficiaries are 18,000 workers and their families. 2. FITUG is extremely happy – that its proposals for an increase in electricity assistance by 50% to old aged pensioners from $20,000 per annum to $30,000 per annum was positively considered. The assistance will certainly assist in reducing the electricity charges that will have to be met by each pension-

er who is a GPL customer, and will have the effect of increasing the disposable income of our senior citizen population by over 300 million. 3. Budget 2014 cater for Old Age Pensioners – which was increased to $12,500 per month, an increase of 25% in 2013 to be increased a further 5% percent to $13,125 per month. The annual impact of this increase will bring the overall old age pension bill to a total of $6.6 billion in 2014. 4. Support to the Guyana Power and Light Inc.—Budget 2014 provides capital transfers to GPL totalling $3.7 billion to support that company in meeting its capital requirements as its seeks to expand reliability and improve efficiency. The allocations to the electricity sector will benefit over 170,000 of GPL’s customers and their families and avoid tariff increases. 5. The support of Linden & Kwakwani Electricity — has taken budget 2014 allocates sums totalling $3.2 billion 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

the very low tariffs that exist. 6. Coupled with the Education Grant—at a total cost of over $2 B, the $10,000 education grant for each child, will have a direct effect on bringing disposable income into the family. Coupled with existing school feeding programmes, uniform support, and investment in the education sector, the budget continues to focus on our youth and development of our up-

coming workforce. 7. Training and Creation of a Hospitality institute at a cost of US$4 M. Budget 2014 contains many references to training. In 2013, app 3500 persons being trained with computer proficiency under the OLPF programme, over 2300 persons trained under the NTYPE and BIT with plans to train over 3500 in 2014, to training of single parents, and the many other references to training. Additionally, FI-

TUG welcomes the commencement of the US$4 M investment in the establishment of the hospitality institute that will improve the standard of personnel serving the travel and tourism industry. “FITUG wishes to support the 2014 budget which comes on the heel of substantial benefits to the working class, poor, and elderly announced in the 2013 budget, to further expand and improve on these benefits.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

A strange but wonderful new friend has just entered your world, and you’re loving every minute of your time together. They may end up being more interested in you than as just friends, though, so if you’re not thinking along those same lines, you had better mention that early on. Otherwise, you could end up having to come up with some explanations -- to yourself in the mirror, that is -- sometime in the future.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 You’re not all that crazy about change, but you know that it’s an important part of life. You can dig your hooves in and just say no with the best of them, of course, but you know when to let go. At the moment, you’re feeling oddly willing to give a new situation a go even if you don’t have to. Don’t worry about losing your edge -- that’s not the case. You may, in fact, be gaining a new kind of edge. It’s called ‘flexibility.’

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Prepare yourself for something you’d never have expected in a million years: The chance to start over with a brand new partner. Whether they fall into the romantic, platonic or professional category doesn’t matter -- the point is that you’re letting a new person into your life with no strings attached. What could possibly be better? Open yourself up to all new possibilities right now.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

People who are a bit too intellectual make you nervous sometimes -- not that you’re any kind of dummy! You do tend to operate on the sensory, feeling level, and when you cross paths with someone who ignores those instincts, you tend to back off. The new person in your life isn’t just living in their head. They’re probably quite game to learn all about their emotional side. Show them what it’s all about.

Leo July 23 - August 22

It’s time for a whole new season of drama, probably related to love or money. You’re certainly no stranger to this sort of thing, so seeing it unfold doesn’t exactly startle you. You may, however, be surprised by your weird indifference to the whole scene. Even if you’re ordinarily quite fond of a little in-flight turbulence, you should find yourself trying to keep calm. Write it off to maturity.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Today’s energy is all about your interpersonal relationships -- especially romantic ones. If you’re already with someone, you sense this immediately by the intensity of your encounters together. If you’re unattached, the same still holds true: You end up being quite attracted to someone who also can’t take their eyes off of you. Yes, love certainly is grand -- but intense attraction isn’t too bad either.

Libra September 23 - October 22

You’re a real expert when it comes to relationships, so if anyone can counsel someone else on romance, it’s you. Still, since you’re almost certainly involved in a very intense situation yourself right now, you might want to take a break for a little while -- at least long enough to figure out this latest challenge. That way, when you’re asked for advice next time, you’ll be able to offer it with a clear conscience.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

You are almost certainly someone who loves a good mystery. You’re good at it for sure, and you get the sense you always will be. You tend to stick with people who can keep up that sense of mystery, too -- in fact, you tend to gravitate toward them, on all relationship levels. Right now, someone who’s holding their cards close arrives, and you are sure to be totally fascinated. They’re likely to be tickled to meet someone who might actually be able to appreciate them.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

It’s easier than ever for you to attract a new lover, if that’s what you want. Just one glance or witty comment is all it takes right now, and you know it. The good news gets better -- without really knowing you, the object of your affection can’t help but be fascinated. You may not even think you’re interested at the moment, thanks to recent circumstances, but if you give them half a chance, they’ll prove you wrong.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

You love to hang out with those who aren’t afraid of themselves -- people who stand up and speak before spoken to, say what’s on their minds no matter what and let the rest of the world know that they’re not afraid to be different. Expect to cross paths with someone just like that, and when they come along, your only mission is to let them know that you’re not just interested -- you’re extremely interested.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Family members have long been a source of confusion in your life, though who can’t day that? It does seem extra crazy for you, though. On the one hand, you want to stay close to them, because you know you should. On the other, you want to rebel against them, because you feel you should. Watch for that same tension to take over your life today. You need to find a happy medium and please yourself most of all.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

You’ve got an intense love/fear relationship with those you find exciting and exotic. You’ve even been known to turn an ordinary human into a deity of sorts by focusing solely on their best qualities. Does that mean you can’t decide what’s a real love affair and what’s not? Of course not. Seeing the best in the ones we love is the number one prerequisite for staying together. Keep up the good work!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

L-R Mr. Asif Sahid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Parts Manager MACORP and Mr. Lyndon Bentick- Sales Manager MACORP holding the winning entry

Ryan Pereira wins MACORP raffle trip to U.S.

MACHINERY Corporation of Guyana (MACORP), last Friday, hosted the drawing of its raffle and presentation of the prize to one of the lucky customers. It was held at the Providence, East Bank of Demerara Head Office, where one of the customers who purchased mining and construction equipment from the company, during the latter half of 2013, had the chance to win a visit to the Caterpillar Office in the United States (U.S). On behalf of Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP), Mr. Asif Sahid, MACORP Parts Manager, pulled the entry to give Mr. Ryan Pereira the opportunity of visiting the U.S. MACORP was establised in 1994 by GECOLSA, a wellknown Caterpillar dealer in South America with operations in Colombia, The Bahamas and some other countries with related businesses. MACORP was made the only authorised Caterpil-

lar dealer in Guyana and throughout its years of operation here, it has been very active in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development, contributing directly with technical support and

equipment supply to the most important productive sectors, mining, agriculture, road construction, basic industry, marine, forestry and electric power generation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

GTI hosts Open Day as it celebrates By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

THE Government Technical Institute (GTI) on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, launched its Open Day, yesterday, under the theme, “Transforming Technical and Vocational Education for the 21st century”, in the presence of Minister of Education Priya Manickchand. Coinciding with the Open Day, the vocational institute is

also celebrating its 63rd anniversary as it continues to offer education and training to young people and adults in technical, commercial and scientific fields relevant to the needs of the national economy. The general public got the opportunity to view and interact with GTI’s staff and students as they displayed and demonstrated a number of items built by them. The students also benefitted from career talks that had

been scheduled and facilitators from different agencies apprised the students on what is required, and the path they should take to ensure they have a bright future. “I am extremely pleased to be here and join with GTI to launch their Open Day. On Monday the budget was read by Honorable Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh and you would have known that the Ministry of Education and by extension our children of Guyana are getting

the ‘lion’s share’ of the budget through the allocations to the ministry,” Minister Manickchand stated at the Open Day ceremony.

EIGHT CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF POSITIVE GROWTH The Education Minister further emphasised: “This year the ministry will be receiving in excess of $30 billion to make sure we can ably prepare our next generation to lead and manage our country. It is really easy for us to say we believe in educating the nation’s children and we love Guyana and we love our children and so we believe in development and moving the country forward, but it is very hard to fulfil the pledges and promises if the circumstances are not right. Guyana today can invest in every sector because our macro-economic situation is very healthy and for the first time in a long time we have had eight consecutive years of positive growth in our country.” Manickchand reiterated

how pleased the ministry is regarding the progress of GTI as she declared the event open. Meanwhile, Principal of GTI, Mr Carl Benn in his statement expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Education for investing heavily in the re-tooling and refurbishing of classrooms, workshops and laboratories. Benn also commended a number of private companies who have already committed themselves to work with GTI as they would have adopted workshops and laboratories, and supplied tools and equipment. He however, called on other companies to follow suit and partner with GTI in order to meet the needs of the students. Courts (Guyana) at the open day ceremony made a monetary donation of $630,000 to GTI. The Guyana Technical institute (GTI) began operations in May 1951 in a temporary accommodation in the Queen’s College compound. For the academic year 2013/2014, the total enrollment of students reached 1,844.

- Courts

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

63rd anniversary

(Guyana) donates $630,000

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, along with GTI Principal Carl Benn, cuts the ribbon to declare the event open.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand interacting with students of GTI.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Telephone Contact: 227 5216 or 616 0301

Here we are agin folks as I bring you this week a broiling cauldron of entertainment bulletins, updates, juicy gossips, stirring stories and all the goodies that make up the riveting Entertainment Bombshell. If you are here for the fisrt time, enjoy the exhilarating journey into my mind’s eye, and join us next week for more good stuff from the entertainment supplement that really matters

Sean Paul, Jah Cure Beres Hammond et al coming for Easter Sunday

Beres Hammond

Sean Paul Jah Cure

WHILE many have been wondering if they are indeed going to get a taste of the ‘double inferno’ promised by HJTV and Mc Neal Enterprises for the Easter weekend, Bombshell has received word that everything is in place for the mega-stars’ entrance to Guyana for this Easter Sunday. Speaking to promoters yesterday, Bombshell was informed that on this date the National Stadium will come alive with spectacular performances from reggae icon ‘Jah Cure’, dancehall sensation ‘Sean Paul’, alongside KI and the JMC Treveni Band. Since last year, the HJTV/Mc Neal Enterprises collaboration has been proving its worth, hosting several mega-shows that have created quite an impact on Guyanese. From riveting shows that featured Lover Boys ‘R Kelly, ‘John Legend’ and reggae phenomena ‘Morgan Heritage and Beres Hammond, the

duo continues to shine as the best in putting on local entertainment initiatives. While we may have become accustomed to the stage packaging of overseas artistes, and may be able to predict the outcome of their shows, this time it will be difficult, since each artiste

will be bringing something extra special to the Easter Sunday proceedings. Come on, folks! Get out your hottest ensembles and get ready to bump, grind and wine to riveting music until dawn. The energy will hit you like ‘entertainment wildfire’.

The stage is set for staging of Sheron Cadogan-Taylor’s ‘Shattered Dreamz’

COME APRIL 19 & 20, 2014, the National Cultural Centre will come alive as Horizon Arts Productions brings to the platter the riveting theatrical masterpiece, ‘Shattered Dreamz’. Written by the entity’s Director/Producer, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, the play depicts the life of a young aspiring lawyer (played by Sean Thompson) who was led astray by someone he trusted (played by Johann David), much to the disappointment and disbandment of his family. The revelation crushes his mother (played by Nuriiyyih Gerrard) whose naivety contributed to her son leading a double-life. His father (Rene Chester) had been noticing the changes in his son’s behaviour and had become very vocal about it, but the mother had refused to believe that her ‘baby boy’ could be involved in something that bad. The play highlights how easy it is for parents to become so wrapped up in loving and spoiling their kids that they become oblivious to behavioural patterns that signal their child/children might be Producer of heading down the wrong path, thus ‘Shattered Dreamz’, causing those parents to become Sheron CadoganTaylor enablers. The play depicts the bitter consequences for both parties when this happens, and underscores the need for parents to be united in their approach to discipline. Despite the serious messages in the play, the promoters are promising two evenings of gratifying entertainment for the entire family. Other members of the cast include Mark Luke-Edwards, current Best Actor; Leon Cummings, Clement Stanford, Max Massiah, Jennifer Langevine, Nelon Benjamin, Abigail Brower, Kim Fernandes and Gregory Eastman. The play is directed by HAP’s Artistic Director, Mariatha Causway. Sheron Cadogan-Taylor recently copped the Best Director Award at the conclusion of the National Drama Festival 2013.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

The ladies soliciting corner…

Bombshell’s Profile Personality

Tiqui$$a (Tequila) poised to take flight GUYANA certainly needs to get ready for the likes of this super-talented East Indian diva who is posed to invade the music arena in an unprecedented fashion. When Bombshell bumped into this little hottie just recently, we were totally enthralled by her singing style, liquid husky undertones, and a tropical melody like that of a proverbial hive of Caribbean honey bees. What certainly left us dumbstruck was that this ‘petite Indo sista’ was attempting and succeeding at the most unthinkable. Well everyone seems to think that the genres of Pop, Dancehall and R&B are reserved only for artistes of African descent, and I certainly don’t blame them. But I want those who feel this way to get ready and make way for the talented Lesa Khan (stage name Tiqui$$a) who is poised to take flight in these genres of music like no one else can.

Shawn is full of unconditional love, but it’s already taken, ladies

Bombshell’s hottest, cutest dudes!!!

Shawn English: A man of unconditional love THERE are some guys around town who are just too good to be true. And while many may have proved that good looks certainly come with their flaws, Bombshell definitely has to make an exception in the case of its hot and cute dude this week. Because while this popular Guyanese singing sensation, Shawn English, is an almost irresistible dude, he tops all the other dudes with pleasant attributes that match his excellent good looks. Shawn has a big heart, a dashing smile; and yes, my ladies, a heart-stopping, captivating presence and the body to match it. But above all that, he has tons of unconditional love to give, unlike many ‘gamers’ in our town today. He enjoys reading, interacting, singing and travelling, and has already made a major breakthrough in the Guyana music industry. Secure in his ‘musical treasure chest’ is a GT&T Jingle and Song Competition crown. Amongst his accomplishments, Shawn is poised and has his sights on becoming a ‘big hit’ on the international music scene; and from all signs so far seen, Shawn is getting there one day at a time. Isn’t he cute, ladies? I know you will agree… Well, hear nah: All of you who have your boyfriends at home and were hoping for a number to practice the usual infidelity, I am sorry I have to disappoint. Shawn is certainly not selling what you may be hoping he was. This dude is strictly musical…. So draw tight those petticoats, my ladies, and try again next week for the next available catch. Sorry to inform, but this dude is already taken…… Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!

Linden Town Week 2014 Update THE Linden Town Week of activities will officially commence with an opening ceremony on April 27 at the Linden-Georgetown minibus park, Mackenzie. The events will be observed through to May 4. Major events include a mega gospel concert on April 28, followed by a senior citizen’s luncheon on April 29 at the Egbert Benjamin Hall and Conference Centre, Mackenzie. Also included in the activities for that day are students’ debating, spelling bee and scrabble competitions. Wismar creole night which will be held along Burnham Drive and Poker Street, on Friday, May 2. On May 3, an art exhibition will be held at the Egbert Benjamin Hall and Conference Centre. This will be followed by the farmers’ exhibition and the job fair. This year instead of having the pageant on the Saturday 26th April. The Linden Town Week showcases the history, culture, and achievements of Lindeners and attracts persons from all walks of society each year.

Let’s welcome this Indo Musical Sista When she began performing her rap and original pieces, I was completely bowled over; and I marvelled at her talent, which I instantly knew had to be God’s gift with which she came into this world. LET’S GET TO KNOW THIS NEW SENSATION She was born in Georgetown on October 16, 1994, and was raised in the city. She has one sister and three brothers, among whom she is the vocal powerhouse. It was quite evident that she would soon pursue a career in music, but none was prepared for her choice of genre of music. While in her early teens, she joined the X-Nation Inc. here in Guyana. They are more than ready to bring a new flava to the ever changing music industry. She is versed in almost any genre of music, and calls her package the ‘X-Fusion Deal’. A very down-to-earth and hardworking artiste, she markets her music through the social media and by walking daily to do door-to-door sales. Through persistence and self-determination she reaches her fans and makes new ones, as she is backed and supported by the X-Nation Group. Her pathway is certainly not without obstacles, and she faces it every day when persons pop the question, “What is a pretty East Indian girl like you attempting by performing dancehall, pop, and rap music?” This sort of music was crafted into her arsenal by her mentor, ‘DJ Time-X Futuristic’, who made her live the dream that her voice could more than just sing chutney, pop and R&B songs, which are her forte. She has lots to bring to the table in the field of arts and entertainment; and, by the way, she also does Graphic Designing. Talk about being talented? She aims to soon open her own fashion company, ‘Tiqui$$ Fashion and Fantasy’. With a scorching new album in the making and stirring The talented Lesa Khan, aka Tiqui$$a singles already circulating, this diva is one to watch out for. Watch your tracks you already well established music faces!! Come on, folks; let’s follow her on Twitter@DaRealTiquilla and on Facebook@Firstlady Tiquilla. Take a hike to Reverbnation@Tiqui$$a or hop over to Soundcloud@ Tiqui$$a Official. THE X-NATION INC. This entity is a vibrant upcoming entertainment group with a stunning versatility, but a pronounced dancehall background. This group also possesses the ability to perform any genre of music, inclusive of Pop, Dancehall, Soul, R&B, and many more. Members include Time-X Futuristic (CEO), Lesa Khan (First Lady), and ‘Flash’.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Bombshell’s Hottest Babes

Nadata Vancooten reeks of sensual fire

SOME PEOPLE are of the view that being curvy is not beautiful. And thought I hate to rightfully correct them at this forum, I just have to do so. Listen up, you ultra-slim hotties!!! Curvy women are indeed beautiful, and are certainly downright sexy to boot. And while you ‘slim gals’ are known to blaze memorable trails, the curvy divas can even be hotter. To prove my point, I present the delightful and ‘sensual baby doll’ Nadata Vancooten, who is here to let you haters eat your venomous words. An erotic cupcake with luscious Guyanese curves, this damsel packs a wallop with her show-stopper body and the provocative charms to match it. While she enjoys modelling, dancing, traveling and interacting with people, she believes that the strength of a woman lies in her ability to please and ultimately satisfy the every need of her better half. Securing to her belt not so long ago the HJTV ‘Feel the Beat’ championship title, she later took he sauciness to the hinterland town of Mahdia, where she sizzled the area to cart of the first ever Miss Gold Rush Pageant queen’s title. Yes, you dirty-minded married and so-called committed men. Here you are gawking and drooling while your poor wives are toiling relentless at home to set the house and keep your meals warm for you. Well dudes, save yourselves the energy. The dashing Nadata is not looking out…. “She done gawn an get a bhaifren’ arredy!” Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Haaa!…… Try again next week boys, you may be lucky that time around.

You Shouldn’t Do That!!! Nadata Vancooten reeks of sensual fire

Selfish drivers continue to endanger the lives of other road across the rear wind screen of users his vehicle, but when I glanced

Alana Seebarran appointed Ambassador for Suicide Prevention

AS THE American University of Research continues its mission to address the worrying issue of suicide, Ms Alana Seebarran, Miss India Guyana and Miss India World 2012, was last week appointed Ambassador for the university’s Suicide Prevention and Self Awareness Mission, which commenced last February. Ms Seebarran will act as spokesperson for Suicide Prevention and Self-Awareness with youth, participate in fund-raising activities, and accept donations for the mission on behalf of the university. She will also create links with suicide prevention and other interested organizations. The decision to appoint Ms. Seebarran stemmed from the positivity she has portrayed in representing Guyana locally and internationally. Ms. Seebarran is also presently a part of the Ms. World Organization in its sensitization on bullying and suicide. The international beauty was presented with a certificate of Ambassadorship by the university.

How can anyone not be enticed by such luscious, tempting Caribbean curves?

I HAVE no idea when the chaos and recklessness on our roads will ever cease, and I feel deeply for the innocent road users who, in going about their business, unfortunately have to come into contact with crazy drivers who are doing all sorts of nonsense on our roads today. Take, for instance, the minibus driver I happened to come across just the other day when I was at the Stabroek Market Square. The words “Jesus is Love” are emblazoned boldly

ALANA SEEBARRAN

Yuh silly maan, like yuh senses deh inside yuh shoe soles or wha.

on top of the vehicle, I asked myself this question, “Is the Creator loving what this silly driver is doing?” Now, come on folks, this man had the interior of his vehicle packed to capacity with vegetables of all sorts, and on the roof of the bus were all sorts of wooden tables and benches barely strapped on by one single piece of weather-worn-looking canvas belt. Good heavens!!! Tell me what would have happened if the driver of this bus, which was headed for the East Bank Demerara Highway, had to brake suddenly, or swerve to avoid another vehicle or a pedestrian? Let’s momentarily let our imagination run wild. Imagine all those benches and tables crashing from their ‘precarious perch’ on top of that bus and pitching ‘helter-skelter’ onto a highway where there is always a busy flow of traffic. May the Good Lord help us all… And you mean to tell me all dem police officers wukking around de Georgetown/Stabroek area ain’t see dis bus as it was leffing de park? I wonda is wha dem really looking fuh when dem deh pon duty. Well we ain’t got fuh ask weself dat question again…. This driver should be seriously reprimanded (if not castigated) for exhibiting such an appalling degree of irresponsibility, thereby endangering the lives of others.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

NQC/GT&T‘s 12th annual National Qaseeda Competition 2014

Hassan Bacchus takes male version,Fareeda Nabbi takes female version of title GUYANA’S leading Muslim institution, the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex on the West Coast of Demerara, came alive over Saturday & Sunday last as the best of Guyana’s Qaseeda singers converged there for the 12th Annual National Qaseeda Competition 2014 (Muslim songs in praise of Prophet Muhammad SAS), sponsored by telecommunications giant the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co. Ltd. (GT&T). Proud to be host for the twelfth year of this prestigious event, the Complex again received corporate support in the form of additional support from the F&BA Amin; H. Mohamed General Store, and M. Ali & Son Enterprise. This activity which was part of the itinerary to mark Eid Milad un Nabi 2014, hosted by the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman. Hassan Bacchus of the Mon

Repos Masjid sang his way into the hearts of the judges as he captivated the crowd and carted away the coveted first place in the senior male category of the competition. His counterpart in the female senior category was Fareeda Nabbi of ACIC; while Haadiyaa Mohamed, also of Mon Repos, took the Junior Female title, and Muzzammil Bacchus of Mon Repos took the Junior Male title. Bacchus overcame stiff competition from Mohamed Shahid of ACIC (2nd place), Ameer Baksh of Berbice (3rd place), and Imam Hussain of Zeelugt (4th place) in showing that he would be staking a strong challenge for the top position at the International Qaseeda Mehfil to be staged in Suriname in August. The event again benefited from judging of an exceptionally high standard, led by Ustad Ajib Mirza. Naseeba Nabbi, Nazeema Mohamed and Amina Umar

Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) receiving trophy for its excellent hosting and facilities from Ms Nichola Duggan of of GT &T

claimed 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions respectively in the female junior category; while Bibi Shameena Waheed, Shakila Wahab, and Zamilla came in 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively in the female senior category; and Irshad Amir Khan and Shazad Abdool claimed 2nd & 3rd positions respectively in the male junior category. This competition was held to select persons from Guyana to participate in the International Qaseeda Mehfil to be hosted at Hedayatul Islam’s Complex in Suriname on August 23 & 24, 2014, and the audience was treated to a competition of top class singing of songs in praise of the Holy Prophet (SAS). This is the 12th national competition, but the event has been promoted by these organisations for decades. Convenor of the event this year was President of ACIC, Hakeem Khan. Hadji Sarafat Ali, Chairman of the International Qaseeda Mehfil 2014 (Suriname), led his country’s delegation to the event. Ms. Nicola Duggan of GT&T represented the companies at the event. She was in high praise of the organising of the event, and pledged GT&T’s continued support in the coming years. Convenor Hakeem Khan disclosed that the sponsorship will carry over to the international event in Suriname, as the sponsors’ banners and advertisements will be carried to the event by the Guyana delegation. Over 150 persons from Guyana will attend the event. Participants were required to render songs lasting no more than 4 minutes in the Uurdu language. Points were awarded for choice of qaseedas, manner of dress, pronunciation, melody etc. At the end of the contest, prizes and trophies were awarded to the participants.

From right are: Runner Up Naseba Nabbi; Third placed Naema Mohamed; and 4th place Amina Umar in the Female Junior Category receiving their trophies from Ms Nichola Duggan of the GT&T

Let’s Tell It Like It Is… Promoter claims Indian Soap Stars became greedy and sabotaged her THERE seems to be much controversy surrounding the recent “Bollywood Live with the Stars Concerts” that were scheduled for three locations in Guyana over the last weekend. Christina Persaud, the American businesswoman who claimed she had invested millions of dollars into hosting of the show, is contending that she was forced to cancel the Berbice leg of the show because the Indian Soap Stars and their associates who had travelled to Guyana with them became greedy. According to Ms. Persaud, had she continued with the Berbice leg of the show, she would have been in serious financial problems. The woman explained that, from the inception, the approach of the stars was very unprofessional and left much to be desired, and her claims can be authenticated with the very rude display of manners the stars had given to media operatives who tried to approach them for interviews at a press conference at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport when they arrived on March 19, 2014. Well, apparently the Travel Span airliner arrived earlier than expected, and as such, the stars were forced to wait for clearance for a few minutes, and this had angered them, even though it was no fault of the promoters. And even though the stars had complained of being desperately hungry after travelling first class, where food is in abundance, they had rudely refused snacks, juice and water offered to them by the promoters, leaving the media and organizers aghast at their behaviour. Ms. Persaud is refuting claims carried in a section of the media that the artistes were not paid. She said it is a ‘blatant lie’ and an attempt to tarnish her character. She explained that the artistes were not paid for the Berbice show, and that is because the Berbice show had been cancelled. This promoter is raving that she had wired US$30,000 to India before the artistes arrived here; and that during prior show transactions, the artistes had agreed to perform for US$1,800 per show. The promoter insists that she sent US$30,000 to India before the team arrived in Guyana. According to her, since in India, the artistes agreed that they would accept US$1,800 for each show, and that amount was paid to them before they performed at the first show at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. Ms Persaud explained that when it comes to the show at the Providence National Stadium, the artistes allowed their greed and unreasonable attitudes to get the better of them. The promoter is now alleging that the stars saw the massive crowd at the Stadium from their hotel room (Princess Hotel) and demanded that they be paid more The ZEE TV Soap Stars in action (Inews money. photo) Persaud said she refused, and then the entire night became chaotic for her, as the organizers and the artistes began to operate outside of the agreed plan of action for the night’s activities. She said the stars ordered several meals from the hotel without utilizing them. Persaud talked about food having to be dumped after being ordered by the stars. According to her, the lavish and unreasonable expenses were left for her to deal with, as she further accused the stars of bullying her into paying for their spas and other treatments at the hotel. Bombshell was also told that the stars sought to seek monies for every single engagement they were asked to be part of, including a press conference and meetings with senior government officials, including Guyana’s Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali. The promoter has expressed her deepest regret to the people in Berbice and those who were inconvenienced as a result of the cancellation of the show. She assured that she is no fraud, and that what had transpired was just a “simple case of miscommunication and sabotage by a group of egotistic individuals, who portray themselves as professionals on television but really care about no one else but themselves, and about fleecing persons they do business with.”

The promoter and her business partner (Inews photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

Hercules lashes out at ECB for ... From back Page some dogs or even stray animals would have endured. “I am 100% disgusted at the way they treated my team, East Bank Essequibo, prior to playing the Busta final. The authorities of the ECB handled us as if we are small boys who don’t have any sense of pride or even understanding when it comes to certain things with the game and this nonsense must stop,” said Hercules. He added, “We arrived at the Anna Regina Hostel the evening before the game and the sight that met our eyes was not nice or even befitting for humans. The place was in a mess, with faeces from rats, bats and other animals greeting us, while the rooms were not clean and the toilets lacked any toilet paper for persons who needed to ease their bowels. “In addition to that, when the dinner came, there was no spoon to take out the food, with the players having to use a plate to do such.” However, if Hercules thought it would have been over in the morning prior to the game, the sight that met his eyes was not conducive for a team of 13 players and a manager, plus one guest player for the opposition who shared a room at the hostel. “While we overlooked the state of the hostel the night before, what they give us for breakfast was definitely an insult to us as humans, for we had a small bowl of eggs, 3 loaves of bread with nut butter applied to it sparingly and a bucket of semi-warm tea, that had the colour of the Essequibo River,” stated Hercules. He said some of the play-

ers jokingly felt that the contents of the bucket was taken from the river, with the necessary ingredients being extracted and added, then warmed up before being brought to them to use as breakfast. “Whether you are an athlete or not, breakfast is always viewed as the meal of champions, but what was brought to

ALVIN JOHNSON us for breakfast, certainly left much to be desired about where we are going when it comes to hosting teams and at the same time further developing cricket in Essequibo. Half of my team played without a proper breakfast. Even Anthony Ifill, the guest player for Central who shared a room with me at the hostel, did not have breakfast and if he had not bought 12 butter-flaps which we shared amongst ourselves, we would have taken the field on empty stomachs.” He added, “Literally we did take the field on empty stomachs as the players were looking for something solid and proper to eat but got none and when I approached Mr Christiani and spoke to him about the breakfast, letting him know it was not enough, he said there is nothing he can do about it. “This is not right; my players could not warm up properly before the game because they did not have a proper breakfast. Some of us lay on the benches to reserve our strength before the game started, while we had to wait until 13:30hrs to get a proper meal.”

ENGLISH Lingfield 10:00 hrs A Little Bit Dusty 10:30 hrs Divine Rule 11:00 hrs Club House 11:30 hrs Elpida 12:05 hrs Multitask 12:40 hrs Triple Dream 13:15 hrs National Service Newcastle 10:10 hrs Katchenko 10:40 hrs Edmund 11:10 hrs Vodka Red 11:40 hrs Rossini’s Dancer 12:15 hrs Bygones Of Brid 12:50 hrs Mr Supreme

While acknowledging the fact that Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, the sole distributors of Busta products in Guyana is doing his best to aid with the development of the game through the sponsorship, Hercules questioned the motives of the ECB officials. “They would come out at Executive meetings and tell us how many thousands of dollars was spent on meals and accommodation, but who they were feeding and accommodating is another story; for the treatment we got as a team was not worthy of such at all and I say again, the nonsense must stop. “They need to do a better job when it comes to accommodating teams. Some of us play overseas and are accustomed to certain hygienic conditions and treatment that are worthy of human beings, not the type my team and I have experienced last Sunday morning,” said Hercules. Despite the treatment, they went on to win the game by nine wickets and lift the trophy for the first time in seven years, a feat that saw Hercules being congratulated by president of the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Association and present manager of the Guyana cricket team, Alvin Johnson. “You know what was more insulting to us, was that Mr Christiani after he had finished packing out the trophies to put them on display looked at me with a chuckle and said the runner-up trophy would look wonderful in my hands after the game. Those words made me feel that they planned to do what they did to us as it relates to the meals and accommodation, probably with the hope of weakening us before the game, but we rallied and won and I wish for the Guyana Cricket Board to conduct an investigation into these allegations, as I would like to see players being treated better in the future,” said Hercules.

10:10 hrs Tetelestai 10:45 hrs Mentalist IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 14:15 hrs Fine Cut 14:45 hrs Doux Douce 15:15 hrs Wateed 15:45 hrs Slipper Orchid 16:15 hrs Lily’s Prince 16:45 hrs Marty’s Mgic 17:15 hrs No Wunder

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Pure Attitude Race 2 Horatio Race 3 Happy Recap SOUTH AFRICA RACING Race 4 Santa Elf TIPS Race 5 Hackleton Fairview Race 6 Elmra 08:10 hrs Can-Can Inn Race 7 Platinum Bombshell 08:55 hrs Laurie’s Dancer Race 8 King of Broadway 09:30 hrs Lielums Race 9 Di Lissa

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

South Africa survive Dutch fright to win by six runs By Sudipto Ganguly

England opener Alex Hales celebrates his century against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Hales heroics spark brilliant England victory

(REUTERS) - An extraordinary century by Alex Hales rescued England after they dropped several catches in the field as the team kept alive their bid to reach the World Twenty20 semifinals with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka yesterday. Hales lashed six sixes in a remarkable and unbeaten 64-ball 116 in Bangladesh, the final one way over mid-wicket in the last over by Angelo Mathews giving his side victory with four balls to spare after being set a huge target of 190 in the Group One Super 10 clash. Put in to bat at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Sri Lanka lost opener Kusal Perera in the second over but Mahela Jayawardene (89) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (55) cashed in on some dreadful fielding to steer their team to 189 for four. England then made a woeful start to their reply, slumping to nought for two after paceman Nuwan Kulasekara removed Michael Lumb and Moeen Ali for ducks in the first over. Hales and Eoin Morgan (57) then produced a dazzling 152-run stand for the third wicket in 15.2 overs, dragging Stuart Broad’s side back into the match with some ferocious hitting. Earlier, Jayawardene was on nought when he was lucky to be given not out by TV umpire Steve Davis after Lumb seemed to take a good diving catch at cover. To make it worse for England, Jade Dernbach spilled a catch offered by Jayawardene on 19 and Tim Bresnan dropped Dilshan as the Sri Lankan pair forged a 145-run partnership for the second wicket. Bresnan gave Jayawardene another life when he spilled a straightforward catch on the boundary in the 15th over. The previously out-of-form Dilshan unfurled the famous ‘Dilscoop’ in the third over, bending forward to scoop a Bresnan delivery soaring over the wicketkeeper’s head for a massive six. Jayawardene was the more fluent of the two as England struggled to stem the flow of boundaries, but Hales’ heroics in the English response brought smiles to their faces.

(REUTERS) - World Twenty20 powerhouse South Africa survived a major scare when they scrambled past rank outsiders Netherlands by six runs in a Group One Super 10 match in Bangladesh yesterday. The Dutch, who posted the lowest T20 international score of 39 in Monday’s rout by Sri Lanka, looked ready to pull off the biggest upset of the tournament before imploding when set for victory. Chasing 146 to win in Chittagong, opener Steven Myburgh (51) gave them a flying start as he thumped eight fours and two sixes in a 28-ball knock. However, after Myburgh played a ball from spinner JP Duminy on to his stumps the Dutch produced a series of rash shots and lost wickets at regular intervals. South Africa’s leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed 4 for 21 while pace spearhead Dale Steyn picked up two for 19. “We obviously let this one go,” said Dutch captain Peter Borren at the presentation ceremony. “We played across the line to Tahir and you’ve got to play him a bit straighter. “It’s a bit of a shame our batters couldn’t get the job done. As miffed as I am with the fact that we didn’t get over the line I am also proud with the way we stepped up after our game the other night.” Earlier, Ahsan Malik’s 5 for 19 restricted South Africa to 145 for nine after they were put in to bat, after opener Hashim Amla gave the South Africans a brisk start with his 22-ball 43 which contained seven fours and a six. They then lost wickets in clusters against Malik’s medium pace bowling and struggled for momentum towards the end of the innings. “We are making it hard for ourselves. It’s a great sign when your side isn’t playing at 100 percent and you still manage to get across the line,” said South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, also referring to the tense two-run win over New Zealand.

“We are playing at about 50-60 percent...that was a great fightback. Netherlands played fantastically today. You have to give them credit. Obviously they didn’t pull through a game they should have won but they stepped up to the plate.”

Stephan Myburgh takes 33 runs off Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s first two overs in Netherlands’ chase, yesterday. (Getty Images)

Defending champions looking to reverse history against Jamaica ST JOHN’S, Antigua - Reigning champions and current leaders Barbados will have to strongly reverse recent history to keep their title defence on track, when they face Jamaica in the fifth round of the Regional 4-Day Tournament, starting today at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The Barbadians have lost their previous three matches against the Jamaicans, including twice at the match venue two years ago, although their previous victory was four years ago at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad. The visitors’ previous victory in Jamaica came seven years ago, when they prevailed by an innings and 31 runs, and they can lean on this, as well as their hosts’ defeat in the previous round of matches as motivation. Second-placed Windward Islands, brimming with confidence following their stirring, seven-wicket victory over the Jamaicans in the previous round, will meet Leeward Islands at the Queen’s Park Stadium in St George’s, Grenada. Contests between the Windwards and Leewards are always compelling – and this should be another intriguing battle. The last seven matches between the two sides have each produced a winner, with the Leewards holding a 4-3 edge. The Leewards can also take confidence in the knowledge that they were triumphant on the previous three occasions they played in the Spice Isle in 2001, 2005 and 2008 – so the Windwards will have their work cut out to defend on home soil. There will be an extra-special reason for West Indies fans to follow the happenings in the

day/night fixture between Trinidad & Tobago and Combined Campuses & Colleges at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The match will mark the return of West Indies international Kieron Pollard to competitive action, following a six-month lay-off to recover from a knee injury, which required surgery to repair. Pollard is known for his exploits in the shortest version of the game, but the 26-yearold harbours visions of one day playing Tests for West Indies. This match provides him with a platform not only to fortify the process of his physical rehabilitation, but also to remind fans of his ability in a longer format. For the record, he has played 24 first-class matches – all for T&T in the R4D – and has scored 1 421 runs at an average of 38.40. His tally includes three hundreds with a top score of 174 against Barbados five years ago at Guaracara Park in Trinidad and seven half-centuries. On a broader scale, T&T were set back when the Barbadians crushed them in the previous round and will be looking to strongly rebound on home soil, where they have won twice already this season. CCC are a side that T&T would relish playing to stay on course for a top-four finish, having beaten the visitors in their previous three meetings in the R4D. Squads JAMAICA (from): Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Brian Buchanan, John Campbell, Jon-Ross Campbell,

Damion Jacobs, Andre McCarthy, Jamie Merchant, Nikita Miller, Jerome Taylor BARBADOS (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (from): Rayad Emrit (captain), Jonathan Augustus, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Amit Jaggernauth, Ricky Jaipaul, Stephen Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Richards COMBINED CAMPUSES & COLLEGES (from): Steven Jacobs (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Ryan Austin, Kyle

Corbin, Akeem Dewar, Kavem Hodge, Jermaine Levy, Kevin McClean, Raymon Reifer, Dawayne Sealy, Shacaya Thomas, Chadwick Walton, Jomel Warrican. WINDWARD ISLANDS (from): Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris, Miles Bascombe, Romel Currency, Lindon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Nelon Pascal, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile. LEEWARD ISLANDS (from): Kieran Powell (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Jahmar Hamilton, Yannick Leonard, Javier Liburd, Anthony Martin, Jaison Peters, Orlando Peters, Akeem Saunders, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge, Kelbert Walters, Tonito Willett.

Pacers edge Heat in high-quality encounter (REUTERS) - Indiana and Miami performed at a play-off level in a battle that saw the Pacers rally in the final minutes for an 84-83 victory over the defending champions Heat last Wednesday night. In a see-sawing showdown, Miami’s Chris Bosh missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer after Indiana guard George Hill missed two free throws with 2.3 seconds to play. Indiana, 33-4 at home this season, had consecutive field goals from guard Evan Turner with 2:03 and 1:30 left, and the Pacers took a one-point lead that they never relinquished. LeBron James led all scorers with 38 points. Forward Paul George led the Pacers with 23 points and Indiana (52-20) now hold a three-game lead over the Heat (48-22) in the race for the East’s top play-off seed. In other results, Spurs 108 - Nuggets 103, Raptors 99 Celtics 90, Pelicans 98 - Clippers 96, Bobcats 116 - Nets 111 (overtime), Suns 99 - Wizards 93, Timberwolves 107 - Hawks 83, Cavaliers 97 - Pistons 96.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

DCC erects floodlights around venue … celebrates same with matches tonight

Paul Wintz THE LANCE GIBBS Street, Queenstown-based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has partnered with the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) in the installation of floodlights at what is now known as the Demerara Cricket Club Sports Complex, as part of its ongoing development programme. The floodlights have been partially commissioned with three poles erected, and a similar number to be completed shortly

Travis Dowlin and the Club, in collaboration with the GFSCA, will be testing its recent installation tonight, with two cricket matches involving both hardball and softball from 18:00hrs. The hardball match will be 15 overs per side, involving DCC ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, with the toss set to be spun at 17:45hrs, since the match is expected to be over at 19:30hrs to facilitate the start of the softball fixture five minutes later between GFSCA and Parika Softball Stars.

Former Guyana and West Indies opener Travis Dowlin, along with the club’s NAGICO Super50 stars, West Indies T20 player Christopher Barnwell and Paul Wintz, will feature among the next generation of players for the club in the hardball fixture. For the softball, well-known softball icon Ricky Deonarine, Karamchand Ramchand and Ramesh Sunich, Managing Director of Trophy Stall which is located in Bourda Market, Hadi’s City Mall and South Road, Bourda, and others will be featured. To this end, the president and executives of the DCC believe that this important project to have lights at the venue, making it the first cricket ground in Georgetown to have same, can only augur well in the general development of players at the club and by extension players in Georgetown. “We see this as a shot in the arm for cricket in the city and we are eternally grateful for the contributions made by the many business persons associated with the Floodlights group.

GCA competitions continue this weekend FOLLOWING a lengthy lay for several reasons including the inclement weather, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will continue their competitions this weekend, with several matches being played at the first and second division levels. In the Hadi’s World City Mall Inc. first division twoday competition which starts tomorrow, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) will travel to Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) to face the home team, with Mario Nicholls and Deon Feassal umpiring. At the world renowned Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, GCC will host their nemesis and defending champions Demerara Cricket Club, with Shannon Crawford and Ryan Banwarie being the men in charge with both matches commencing at 09:30hrs. Two fixtures in the GCA/Carib Beer T20 competition will be played tomorrow with the Police Sports Club ground being the venue.

Christopher Barnwell “Additionally, we anticipate the positive spinoff of our youngsters both at DCC and in the City being exposed to playing under lights at a very early age. This can only help in the developmental process of the game we all love, the club said in a press release The Club has extended a cordial invitation to all cricket-loving and sporting fans to be at the venue this afternoon to witness the action and at the same time enjoy the cool refreshments which will be on sale.

In the first match which bowls off at 09:00hrs, the home team will take on Transport Sports Club while the second fixture will pit Guyana Defence Force opposing Gandhi Youth Organization, with Cyril Garnath and Clyde Layne calling play in both fixtures. In the Noble House Sea Foods second division two day competition, University of Guyana will host Everest under the watchful eyes of Joseph Jeffery and Chetram Persaud, DCC will journey to GYO with Ashok Brijcoomar and Leyland Liverpool doing on field duties and Third Class will play Sophia at GDF; Nolan Hawke and Anthony Ramsahoye will be the match officials and all matches start at 11:00hrs. From page 31

Homraj - the most exciting...

Pollard set for return following knee injury PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard will make a return to first class cricket today, after nearly six months out of action with a knee injury. Pollard has been picked in the Trinidad and Tobago squad which will face Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at the Queen’s Park Oval in the fifth round of the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Kieron Pollard

The right-handed batsman last played in the Champions League Twenty20 in India last October but has been sidelined ever since, missing the West Indies tours of India and New Zealand. He also missed the Caribbean Super50 as well as the current Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh. News of his return to action will be welcomed by the West Indies who welcome New Zealand and Bangladesh to

the Caribbean starting in June. Pollard turned out for club side Queen’s Park in the Premier Division last weekend and showed his rustiness by failing to score but blasted an unbeaten 44 on Wednesday to help Queen’s Park to victory in the T20 competition. He is one of two changes to the T&T side with experienced off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth also joining the squad.

Under-pressure India board chief offers to step aside (REUTERS) - N. Srinivasan, regarded as the world’s most powerful cricket administrator, offered to step down as the Indian board president yesterday, in the wake of a fixing and betting scandal surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL). Earlier this week, India’s highest court called on Srinivasan to leave his post at the BCCI to ensure a fair investigation into the scandal in which his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, has been indicted for illegal betting. Yesterday, the Supreme Court put forward former India captain Sunil Gavaskar as Srinivasan’s replacement and said the Chennai and Rajasthan franchises should be kept out of the IPL pending the completion of probe due to their role in the scandal. The BCCI, whose lawyer told the court that Srinivasan was ready to step aside, has been asked to respond to the proposals today. Meiyappan was arrested in May last year by Mumbai Police

probing illegal betting on the lucrative Twenty20 tournament but was later released on bail. 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. Srinivasan, set to take over as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) board in July, heads India Cements. The scandal surfaced when former Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two other local cricketers, all playing for the Rajasthan franchise, 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.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali (left) presents young Ashkay Homraj with his Berbice Cricket Board Most Improved Cricketer of 2013 Award.

The RHTYSC, he stated has invested heavily into Homraj’s career and would continue to do so and expressed hope that those in authority at the Berbice and Guyana cricket level can do the same as he is a special talent. This year, the club appointed Homraj as the captain of the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team, replacing former national Under-19 skipper Shawn Pereira in that position, while he (Homraj) recently captured the Berbice Cricket Board Most Improved Cricketer award for 2013. Homraj, who is a very disciplined and reserved individual, expressed gratitude to the management of the RHTYSC for the confidence they have in his ability and nurturing it and specifically mentioned Foster for being a role model to him and guiding him along the correct path. He also mentioned office manager Moonish Singh, club coach Winston Smith and teammates Pereira, Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Royston Crandon, Khemraj Mahadeo and Brandon Prasad for their support and encouragement.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 28, 2014

GFRC donates first set of books to NSRC Chronicle Sport’s Adrian Narine was on hand to witness one of the two first-half goals being scored by St George’s Roddy McGloggan (not in picture), during his team’s semifinal matchup against Bishops’ High yesterday.

St George’s, Christ Church set up one semi-final clash for tomorrow … Dolphin and Lodge meet in the other By Calvin Roberts FOLLOWING their quarterfinal wins over Bishops’ High and Queenstown Secondary at the Georgetown Football Club ground yesterday, defending champions St George’s and Christ Church have joined Lodge and Dolphin Secondary Schools in the semifinals of this year’s Milo-sponsored, Petra Organisation-organised Under-20 Schools Football Championships. Playing in the first game of the double-header feature, St George’s on the back of Roddy McGloggan’s brace, followed by solitary strikes from Curt Rohee and Orin Moore, defeated Bishops’ 4-2, even as Lonsdale George’s 5th minute goal was all that mattered in the clash between Christ Church and Queenstown. In tomorrow’s semifinal action which will be played at the Ministry of Education ground, the home of the tournament,

Lodge Secondary will oppose Dolphin in the first matchup from 14:00hrs while yesterday’s winners will face each other in the second semifinal which kicks off at 16:00hrs. Shaquille Moseley, who enjoyed a wonderful game at the top for Bishops’ was the first to find the back of the net in another pulsating encounter, that has been the story of the tournament so far, doing so in the 13th minute of the first half. Seven minutes later, McGloggan nullified the lead with his first of two goals, while he gave the defending champions the lead with his second goal 10 minutes after scoring his first, as they took the lemon-time break with a 2-1 advantage. Four minutes into the second half of the 70-minute contest, Rohee underlined St George’s intentions of defending their championship with his goal while Moore scored with a wonderfully taken free kick, beating his opposite number

Dale DeMendonca to his far right to make it 4-1. Bishops’ fought gallantly with their more illustrious opponents and were able to make it a twogame possession in the 61st minute, when Moseley was brought down in the box after making a solo run from inside his own half, with the ensuing penalty kick being scored by Nathaniel King. But despite their numerous efforts to find the back of the net with the aim of further reducing St George’s lead, Bishops’ could not execute the act and the final whistle came, handing the defending champions the win. In the feature game, Queenstown fought tooth and nail with Christ Church, before and after George’s goal but could not snare the equaliser, due to some stout defensive work by their opponents, making tomorrow’s semifinal action two mouthwatering games that must be witnessed.

Roy McArthur presents two of the books to Dr Frank Anthony (2nd left), in the presence of GFRC president Alfred King (right), Director of Sport Neil Kumar (left), and other referees attached to the GFRC

FOLLOWING its historical commissioning ceremony last month, the National Sports Resource Centre (NSRC) received its first set of text books yesterday morning, when the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) made their donation of a quantity of books and DVDs to Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony. Witnessing the ceremonial handing-over ceremony were Director of Sport Neil Kumar, GFRC president Alfred King, along with other referees attached to the GFRC including Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith and Roy McArthur. The facility, which is housed on Woolford Avenue and houses a library and conference room, which was incidentally first used by the GFRC, is being set up to fully serve the country’s athletes, sports administrators and to an extent media personnel. In presenting the donation to Dr Anthony, King said the body is keen on developing the referees’ competence, through the hosting of workshops and seminars, as well as other developmental programmes. He however noted that the council is more than just about churning out quality referees for the game

Homraj - the most exciting young batsman in the Ancient County HE FIRST came to the limelight when he blasted a brilliant 75 off just 33 balls for Number 70 versus the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Pepsi team in the Neal and Massy Intermediate tournament two years ago. At that time the 18-year-old Ashkay Homraj was relatively unknown in the Ancient County of Berbice but today he is viewed as the most promising and feared youth batsman who has the capacity to destroy any bowling attack Last weekend he blasted 150 off

just 84 balls against a hapless Big Star team in the Elizabeth Style Under-19 tournament with 21 fours and nine massive sixes, four of them in one over and the following day, he scored a magnificent 180 off 82 balls with 16 fours and eight sixes at the Area ‘H’ ground. The venue was packed as fans turned out to specially watch young Homraj who is highly rated by cricket coaches as the next major cricket star from Berbice. Last year he made his debut for Berbice at the Under-19

level and performed so well that he gained selection on the National team, gaining the attention of cricket fans at the Demerara Cricket Club when he dispatched the first ball of the match against Essequibo for a straight six. An attacking batsman by nature he is well known for using his feet well against spinners and is hardly contained against any type of bowling. On debut for Guyana, he scored a brilliant century against the Windward Islands in the West Indies Cricket Board Regional

Under-19 tournament and he also had several vital innings for Guyana in the few matches he played, after being bypassed for the earlier rounds. Secretary/CEO of Homraj’s club, Hilbert Foster, who has been involved in the administration of cricket for the last 25 years, said the highly talented youth is the most exciting talent he has ever seen, adding that he is gifted naturally and has the potential to develop into an all-time great if nurtured properly. Turn to page 30

of football and revealed that the GFRC recently concluded its five-year strategic plan, copies of which are now available at the Resource Centre. “We would have taken time out - the entire executive team - to put together a five-year strategic plan for referees’ development. And in the document you’d recognise that we understand fully our responsibilities as it relates to recruitment and training, mentoring of the referees, as it relates to strengthening the structures, on how we manage referees, mobilising resources and of course providing technical support for the development of our assessors and instructors,” King explained. Dr Anthony commended King and his executives for seeing the need to make the donation, noting that other local associations, boards and federations should follow suit. He also encouraged the local governing bodies to house the materials they would receive from the respective governing bodies at the NSRC. The minister also announced that the Sport Ministry will be hosting several courses during the coming months with specific focus on anti-doping.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Thursday’s quiz: (1) Australia and India (2) England’s Stuart Broad (Durban, 2007) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams played in the inaugural ICC T/20 World Cup? (2) How many times Chris Gayle has captained the WI in T/20 World Cup matches? How many the WI have won? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Sport CHRONICLE

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Pollard set for return following knee injury Page 30

Windies looking for dominance against Aussies … says skipper

Flashback! Guyana’s Ryan Hercules is seen here bowling for Berwick, a Melbourne suburban area in Australia in late 2012.

From left, West Indies’ Krishmar Santokie, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Andre Fletcher, skipper Darren Sammy and Dwayne Smith, complete a light jog during one of their training sessions, prior to today’s game against Australia. (Photo courtesy flickr.com/windiescricket) DHAKA, Bangladesh – World Champions West Indies will look for a repeat of their ICC World T20 2012 semi-final performance when they meet Australia in today’s third match of the ongoing ICC World T20 2014 tournament. Two years ago, West Indies made over 200 in their 20 overs to hammer the Aussies by 74 runs as they went on to win the title and skipper Darren Sammy yesterday said they will be looking for similar dominance when the two teams meet at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. First ball is 15:30hrs (05:30hrs Eastern Caribbean Time/04:30hrs Jamaica Time). “Once we play to our full potential - so far in this tournament, we have not played to our full potential - we will be very destructive. We were destructive in that semi-final last World Cup,” Sammy said. The captain was speaking to reporters after a full training session yesterday morning at the Dhaka Academy. “I expect a tough match. It will be a good contest. We have Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine, the Number 2 and Number 1 in the world in T20 bowling rankings at the moment. Badree has been getting wickets up front for us in the first six overs. It is something he will hopefully continue doing. It won’t be an easy game.” Looking ahead to today, the captain added: “The Australians are a good side. We give them that respect. But at the end of the day, it is

another cricket match where it is a contest between bat and ball. The team that handles the pressure better and executes properly normally comes out on top. And we are hoping that it will be us tomorrow.” Sammy also touched on the form of openers Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle. In the opening match against India they added a solid partnership wicket and then posted 97 in the victory over Bangladesh. “Chris is hitting the ball well; (Dwayne) Smith is hitting the ball well. They have put on good runs. Chris has not been his explosive self that we are used to and we still scored 170 against Bangladesh. Once we back ourselves and play like we know how to play T20, things will go according to plan.” Teams Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey (capt.), Brad Hodge, Brad Haddin (wkp.), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Doug Bollinger, Brad Hogg, James Muirhead, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dan Christian, Cameron White. West Indies: Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy (capt.), Andre Russell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Krishmar Santokie, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Ravi Rampaul, Sheldon Cottrell.

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Hercules lashes out at ECB for inhumane treatment at Busta finals

… calls for end to mediocre treatment of cricketers By Calvin Roberts CAPTAIN of the victorious East Bank Essequibo lineup and former national Under-19 fast bowler Ryan Hercules has lashed out at the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) for the inhumane treatment meted out to his players prior to the playing of the final last Sunday. Speaking with Chronicle Sport,, the 26-year-old Hercules believes that the treatment meted out to his team who overcame such to win the ECB/Busta tournament, was worse than what (PLEASE SEE PAGE 28) THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2014