Guyana chronicle 30 04 14

GUYANA No. 103813

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 2014

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

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KILLED Rodney Page 3

Karen De Souza takes the stand yesterday

- Karen De Souza tells COI hearings

Mayor Page 10 misleads media about use of gas

…he claimed $100,000 for fuel just 12 days after his vehicle was filled with 30 gallons

President calls for Page 8 formation of genuine community policing groups

Father severely beaten by step-son

- in Family feud at Leonora

Page 10

Teenager ends Page 8 life after parents rebuke his default on debt payment Jagnarine Paul

Young mother discharged from hospital with overlooked pad still inserted in her Page 8

Reputed wife on trial for murder of dead cop found in septic tank Page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Rodney COI hears of House of Israel breaking up WPA meetings, beating up supporters

… while the police just looked on

By Telesha Ramnarine THE Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the death of former leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney, yesterday heard how the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acted in conjunction with the House of Israel to break up peaceful pickets held by the WPA and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Lawrence Edward Rodney, 73, the eldest of the Rodney siblings, took the witness stand at the second day of the COI hearings in the Supreme Court Law Library. The COI was ordered by President Donald Ramotar last February 6 to investigate the death of Rodney.

The witness, led by Lead Counsel to the Commission, Glen Hanoman, related how the GPF was at the time acting as an arm of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and was being used to intimidate any enemy of the ruling party. He noted, though, that there were

some professionals in the force which created a kind of balance.

The police, known then as the ‘Brown Clothes,’ was also used to break up strikes organised by workers and trade unions, and the HOI acted in concert with them.

Asked why he concluded the police was in league with the HOI, Rodney said whenever the House of Israel disrupted meetings held by the PPP and WPA, the police never approached them. In fact, the police had strong reservations about restraining the House of Israel, he said.

Rodney also told the Commission that during 1977 and 1978, he witnessed this type of behaviour by the police on several occasions, at meetings at Kitty Market, Merriman’s Mall, and La Penitence, opposite Twins Drugs Store, among others.

He said whenever the House of Israel came out in public, their general posture and demeanor showed their loyalty to the PNC Govern-

ment. They also carried such slogans as: ‘Down with the WPA’ and, ‘We don’t want Rodney’.

There is no doubt that preferential treatment was given to the House of Israel, Edward Rodney disclosed.

Whenever they disrupted meetings, they were known for throwing bricks and beating people with sticks, and cutting wires.

According to Rodney, Gregory Smith, also known as Cyril Johnson, was also a member of the House of Israel. He said he knows this because he once saw him walking on Russell Street, dressed in the uniform of the HOI. Furthermore, Edward Rodney said from the first instance he met Smith, he had a strong impression that Smith was part and parcel of a group that was out to disrupt meetings.

The House of Israel was based in Alberttown, but had branches throughout the country. Edward Rodney described them as “local bullies”. For example, known for selling plantain chips, they would become furious when someone refused to buy from them.

Their colours were red, black and green, as were those used by the PNC. Rod-

Members of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry during the second day of the hearing yesterday. ney specifically recalled the name of a Deacon, Joseph Hamilton, who was very active at the time at the House of Israel branch in Triumph.

According to Rodney, the HOI, which came into existence about 1971, was used to break up meetings of WPA. WPA speakers, for instance, had to be surrounded by groups of persons so HOI members would not get to them.

Today, House of Israel is not so prominent, but it is still there, at the corner of Sixth and Light Streets, Alberttown.

Rodney said the main purpose of HOI was to mobilise black people as Jews.

It was formed when the notorious Rabbi Washington came to Guyana. He was a fugitive of the United States justice system. It was a sect and so certain information could not be known to outsiders, Rodney explained.

Rabbi Washington, who hosted the House of Prophe-

Lawrence Edward Rodney, 73, the eldest of the Rodney siblings, took the witness stand at the second day of the COI hearings in the Supreme Court Law Library, yesterday. (Adrian Narine photo) sy programme on television, was definitely affiliated with the PNC, Edward Rodney said. It was almost impossible for any entity or individual who was not pro government to conduct such a programme.

The main Opposition party, the PPP, could not have access to the radio programmes, more so the WPA that was formed many years

later, Rodney said.

The HOI marched alongside major parades of the PNC; and at massive rallies held by the PNC, there was usually a contingent of the HOI. Rodney said he never heard of the House of Israel breaking up PNC meetings as they did with the WPA and PPP.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

PNC -Gov’t killed Rodney Karen De Souza tells COI hearings

By Telesha Ramnarine COORDINATOR of Red Thread Karen De Souza, who was associated with the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in the 1970’s, yesterday said her initial opinion after she learned that party founder Dr Walter Rodney was dead was that he had “finally” been killed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government.

De Souza, the third witness called in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the circumstances surrounding the death of Rodney, recalled arriving on the scene moments after Rodney was killed (assassinated) in a white car on Friday, June 13, 1980.

She was led by Counsel Latchmie Rahamat before Commissioners Sir Richard Cheltenham, Ms. Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, and Mr. Seenath Jairam.

Asked to explain why she thought the PNC was responsible for Rodney’s death, De Souza referred to the “very serious adversarial posture of the WPA and the PNC,” and “the fact that at more than one of the PNC rallies, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham had been uttering threats about making ‘wills’ and so forth; that people in the worst possible alternative should make their wills…and that the steel of the PNC was sharper than any steel that the WPA might have.”

De Souza said some of these threats were made at the Square of the Revolution at what might have been a PNC anniversary rally.

Furthermore, the fact that two other party members were killed before Rodney also fueled her feeling about the PNC’s

involvement. Ohene Koana was shot in Shirley Field Ridley Square and Edward Dublin in Linden. Both of these murders occurred prior to 1980.

An inquest was held into the Koana killing and, “the public attitude of the government was this is what happens when you oppose us.”

No one was ever charged with these murders to the best of De Souza’s knowledge.

She informed that the WPA was totally opposed to many of the policies and behaviour of the PNC and hence the WPA was no friend of the PNC. She recalled how when she attended WPA meetings in 1979, some were broken up by the ‘Death Squad’, a unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), also referred to as the ‘Special Branch,’ ‘Quick Response’ and ‘Black Clothes.’

The ‘Death Squad’ wore plain clothes and was particularly vicious, De Souza said, adding that the attackers were usually armed with police bat arms and hockey sticks and they had no problem using them on persons who were unarmed.

Other WPA meetings were broken up by the House of Israel (HOI).

De Souza described the HOI as a religious group that broke up meetings.

“I certainly assume that they were affiliated with the PNC. The adversarial relation between the PNC and WPA and the fact that the police who broke up meetings were under the instruction of the PNC; that the HOI was also breaking up meetings… my assumption therefore was that they were under the same instructions,” De Souza said.

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Karen De Souza flanked by lawyers Glen Hanoman and Latchmie Rahamat, yesterday Meanwhile, when she was taken back along memory lane to the day of Rodney’s death, De Souza said she was living at Lot 45 Croal Street, Georgetown and heard a banging on her door from Rodney’s brother, Donald. He was bleeding and was in clear distress when he told her that he and Walter were driving down John Street when something terrible happened. He wanted to know who else was at home and wanted her to go to the scene of the accident.

Before he arrived, though, De Souza recalled hearing a loud explosion at about 8 pm.

Minutes later when she arrived on John Street, close to Hadfield Street, De Souza said she saw a crowd that was made up mostly of the ‘Death Squad’. The roof of the white car was blown off and she recognised Rodney’s body in the front of it.

Because she was quite

Home Affairs Ministry extends condolences on passing of Ron Webster THE Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to extend profound sadness at the passing of Mr. Ronald Webster, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, on Sunday, April 27th, 2014.

As a senior executive of the Private Sector Commission including that of Chairman, Mr. Webster was a strong supporter of Security Sector reforms in general and the modernisation process of the Guyana Police Force in particular. He performed an integral role in the recruitment of civilians for the Strategic Management Department of the Force.

Additionally, Mr. Webster partnered with the Ministry of Home Affairs in many of its initiatives that were aimed at providing enhanced citizen security in Guyana.

The Ministry of Home Affairs extends its condolences to Mr Webster’s sorrowing relatives and friends in this time of their bereavement.

petite at the time, De Souza said she was able to get very close to the car, at the passenger’s side. She couldn’t

recall seeing any member of government or House of Israel there. Also, there were no marked police vehicles

and ambulances when she got there.

The hearings continue today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Ukraine separatists seize second provincial capital, fire on police (Reuters) - HUNDREDS of pro-Moscow separatists stormed government buildings in one of Ukraine’s provincial capitals on Tuesday and opened fire on police holed up in a regional headquarters, a major escalation of their revolt despite new Western sanctions on Russia.

Russian share prices rose in relief at the mildness of the newly announced U.S. and European sanctions, which amounted mainly to adding a small number of names to existing blacklists while putting off threats to take more serious measures.

Demonstrators smashed their way into the provincial government headquarters in Luhansk, Ukraine’s easternmost province, which abuts the Russian border, and raised separatist flags

Firm says plane debris found in Bay of Bengal (Reuters) - A PRIVATE company said it had found what it believes is wreckage of a plane in the Bay of Bengal that should be investigated as possible debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, CNN reported.

The Joint Agency Coordination Center managing the multinational search for the missing plane dismissed the possibility, saying it continued to believe that the plane came

“The regional leadership does not control its police force,” said Stanislav Rechynsky, an aide to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, referring to events in Luhansk.

“The local police did nothing.”

The rebels also seized the prosecutor’s office and the television center.

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reuters.com/syr88v) GeoResonance says on its website that it offers a unique and proven method of geophysical survey that detects electromagnetic fields suggestive of subsurface deposits.

Flight MH370, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, went missing in March en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

GeoResonance could not be immediately reached for comment.

U.S. tornadoes kill 30, threaten more damage in South

Pro-Russian activists storm the regional government headquarters in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, April 29, 2014.

REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

over the building, while police did nothing to interfere.

As night fell, about 20 rebel gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons and threw stun grenades at the headquarters of the region’s police, trying to force those inside to surrender their weapons, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.

down in the southern Indian Ocean off Australia.

The Bay of Bengal is located between India and Myanmar, thousands of miles from the current search area.

The wreckage was reported by Australian geophysical survey company GeoResonance.

“The company is not declaring this is MH370, however it should be investigated,” CNN quoted GeoResonance as saying in a statement. (link.

(Reuters) – AT LEAST 30 people across six states were killed in tornadoes unleashed by a vicious storm system that leveled towns and was threatening to cause more mayhem in heavily populated parts of the U.S. South on Tuesday.

In Arkansas and Mississippi, the hardest hit states, more than 23 people were killed and more than 200 injured over the last three days by tornadoes that reduced homes to splinters, snapped trees like twigs and lifted trucks into the air.

Deaths were also report-

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ed in Oklahoma and Iowa on Sunday, and Alabama and Tennessee on Monday.Makeshift shelters have been set up for thousands of families forced out of their homes while the National Guard, local police and residents who had lost all their possessions sifted through the

rubble looking for more victims.

“People were running around screaming, trying to find their kids. There was nothing left,” Melba Reed said as she described the aftermath of a tornado in Louisville, Mississippi, a town of about 7,000 in the central part of the state.

Six hurt, suspect dead in Georgia FedEx facility shooting

(Reuters) - A FedEx Corp package handler armed with a shotgun opened fire at a shipping facility in suburban Atlanta early on Tuesday, injuring six people before killing himself, apparently with his own weapon, police and hospital officials said.

Three people were in critical condition, two of them with life-threatening injuries, after being shot by the unidentified gunman just before 6 a.m. EST at a FedEx warehouse near the airport in Kennesaw, Georgia, about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta, police and hospital

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officials said.

FedEx employee Liza Aiken told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution she was correcting addresses on packages when she saw a 19-year-old colleague dressed all in black and armed with a knife, gun and a cartridge belt strapped across this chest.

“He had bullets strapped to his chest like Rambo,” she told the newspaper. “He looked like he was heading into war.”

Aiken said she previously had reported the man to her superiors after he pointed a work laser at her eye.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Traffic disruptions in Port of Spain as...

Final tribute to Arthur N.R. Robinson begins

A traffic advisory tells of temporary road closures and no parking zones

(Trinidad Guardian) SEVERE traffic disruptions

hit Port-of-Spain today as former President Arthur

NR Robinson began his final procession.

Rio 2016: IOC vice-president says preparations are ‘worst’ ever (BBC News) PREPARATIONS for the 2016 Rio Olympics are the “worst” ever seen, according to International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates.

The Australian said the IOC has taken “unprecedented” action by placing experts in the local organising committee to ensure the Games go ahead.

“The situation is critical on the ground,” he said.

The news comes as Brazil faces a race to be ready in time for the Fifa World Cup, which starts in 44 days.

Coates, who has been involved in the Olympics for nearly 40 years, has made six trips to Rio as part of the commission responsible for overseeing the preparations.

He added that one of the experts embedded in the local

committee was a construction project manager.

“The IOC has adopted a more hands-on role,” said Coates. “It is unprecedented for the IOC but there is no Plan B. We are going to Rio.” He said that, in his opinion, this was “a worse situation” than in 2004, when there were concerns about preparations for the Athens Games.

“It’s the worst that I’ve experienced,” he added. “We have become very concerned.

They are not ready in many, many ways. We have to make it happen and that is the IOC approach. You can’t walk away from this.”

Preparations for the 2004 Athens Games were marred by delays in construction and service delivery, but the venues and infrastructure was ultimately delivered in time.

Coates said that construction has not even started on some venues in Rio, which will host South America’s first Olympics, while infrastructure is significantly delayed and the city has “social issues that need to be addressed”.

He added that Rio organisers have the same number of staff - 600 - as London did at the same stage in their preparations for 2012, but did not have the necessary experience.

Coates, who was involved in the organisation of the Sydney 2000 Games as head of the Australian Olympic Committee. said it was proving difficult for the IOC to get the answers they needed.

“No-one is able to give answers at the moment,” he said.

Robinson, 87, who was also a former Prime Minister and the first chairman of the Tobago House of Assembly, died on March 9 from kidney failure and is to be buried in Scarborough on Saturday after two state funerals—one in Port-of-Spain on Thursday and the other in Scarborough on Saturday.

A traffic advisory issued by the Ministry of Communications said there would be temporary road closures and no parking zones in certain parts of the city with effect from 6 am Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday.

Details of the funeral arrangements were given by

public relations officer of the T&T Coast Guard, Lt Commander Kirk Jean-Baptiste, at the National Security Operations Centre, Knowsley, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

He said there would be a procession from Clark and Battoo Funeral Home on Tragarete Road to the Parliament, Tower D, Waterfront Complex, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, where the body would lie in state today and tomorrow.

The body will be transported on a gun carriage in a slow-walk military procession from Clarke and Battoo Funeral Home at 6.30 am east on Tragarete Road, south along

St Vincent Street, east on Knox Street and south along Abercromby Street to the Red House, where the Eternal Flame will be lit and then proceed south along Abercromby Street to Independence Square and west on the Brian Lara Promenade to the Waterfront Complex for public viewing.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other dignitaries will view the body from 8 am to 10 am. Members of the public will be allowed to view the body from 10 am to 5.30 pm today.

Tomorrow, the body will be taken in a vehicular procession to the Waterfront Complex for public viewing.

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Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

So, who is running things?

Recognising the ‘nature of the beast’ PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, in a feature article published in this newspaper last Monday, chastised Guyana’s political Opposition for its blatant anti-national and anti-developmental thrust, accusing it of deliberately trying to sabotage the development of the country and the bright future of the Guyanese citizens.

He also lamented the fact that the combined Opposition, comprising the APNU and AFC, would not yield to reason or allow better sense to prevail in allowing for the passage of the crucial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, in order for Guyana to avoid becoming internationally blacklisted.

“The Opposition simply does not care about the dire consequences its callous and vindictive actions will have on Guyana and the future of our citizens…,” the President told this newspaper’s Editor in an invited comment.

“The Opposition is blatantly pursuing an anti-national and anti-developmental agenda, one that is obviously aimed at destabilising the country and sabotaging the future of our people,” the President declared.

To add credence to his accusations, President Ramotar pointed to several huge developmental projects that have major transformational benefits for the Guyanese people, all of which are aimed at catapulting the country further along its unwavering growth trajectory.

But President Ramotar has been in the socio-political fray for decades, and should by now recognise ‘the nature of the beast’, and he should be cognisant of the fact that the PNC’s track record in this country has always been one of visiting mayhem, destruction and economic debilitation upon Guyana, with no remorse or mercy, even for the people who voted for them, and a visit to the epoch of their stewardship of Guyana should be a reminder to the President, if indeed he needs one, that the beast is accustomed to devouring the nation.

Even now, clothed as it is in its new configuration as APNU, with the AFC hanging on to its coat-tails for some relevance, the PNC has not achieved a new avtaar with its name change.

The older folks can easily recall the general decay and malaise in the country during the PNC era in Government, for which that party was directly responsible.

As the saying goes, a rose by any other name is still a rose; but roses provide pleasure at every level, and in no way ‘encounters with this particular beast’ can be described as pleasurable. And a skunk renamed still has a stench that is so odiferous that it becomes ineradicable.

So, Mr. President, why lament because the beast is running true to form and visiting devastation in the land? Why have expectations of progressive, patriotic actions when you are fully aware of the nature of the beast?

THE President can roast the stubborn Opposition for not putting the country first in the wake of a looming ‘dark future’ if Guyana misses the AML/CFT deadline, but it will never make a difference, because you cannot reason with people who have no conscience.

The President can toast, roast or beg the Opposition all he wants and nothing will change, because they have historically been anti-developmental and unpatriotic; uncaring of anyone but their own selves.

The President should know that once a party banned foods from its citizens, then he must stop talking about what the Opposition is doing to its citizens.

President Ramotar has indicated that it is also an unmasked intention of the Opposition pushing for, and wanting, ‘snap elections’. If the President thinks that he has the majority of citizens behind his PPP party, then he should call a snap election and let the citizens of Guyana decide which political party they want to lead them.

The PPP must know that the Opposition will not help to make it look good, even if they destroy the country, which they have done in the past,

and continues to do. Why is it so hard for a PPP President to understand that? It is now time for the PPP to stop holding the nation to ransom. Yes! It is the PPP that is doing this to its citizens, by waiting for the PNC to change and help the PPP make the country and people develop!

That is what the PNC means by ‘slo fiah mo fiah’ and ‘make country ungovernable’. Well, this is another version of ‘slow fiah, mo fiah’ and ‘make the country ungovernable’.

PPP is waiting for the Police and Army to change; PPP is waiting for those at City Hall to change; PPP is waiting for those PNC supporters they hire to work in the public sector to change.

You guys now seeing who holding Guyanese as hostage??? PPP has to stop waiting, and start acting decisively! They should have fought tooth and nail on election night to make sure all the votes were counted. PPP has shown, time and time again, that it is very much afraid of PNC and its politics of blackmail. So, who is running things?

TED KING

An unending saga of mudslinging and bad-mouthing by a very corrupt man TODAY’s letter marks the first of a two-part series on the ‘Green versus Sooba’ saga, which will open the eyes of the public to a disgraceful Mayor and equally disgraceful goings on in the Georgetown City Council.

There is nothing new in Hamilton Green’s behaviour as it relates to the recently appointed Town Clerk, Carol Sooba.

I say recently appointed Town Clerk for the simple reason that she was appointed by the government to see to it that some semblance of order comes to a stinking city, both by way of physical and financial clean-up.

This has evoked the ire of Hamilton Green, who has embarked on a campaign to harass, discredit and besmirch her character. He is on a campaign by way of which he ultimately hopes to see her complete removal from City Hall.

In the immediate present and foreseeable future, this is not going to happen, so Green is furious. He has had it over the top with “this woman” who seeks to expose his wrongdoings, but yet still will not move. Although the Chief Justice ruled that Sooba’s appointment was illegal, it did stop short of a complete removal of the Town Clerk; this has added insult to “Green’s injury”, so the saga continues.

But let us look at two critical issues here, and I will ask a question to begin the first. Is Sooba a threat to the safety and/or security of the City of Georgetown? The answer comes back a resounding ‘No!’ The Town Clerk poses no threat to the city; in fact, she is there to ensure that the city gets back to its glory days, and the way to go about it is to expose all those who are standing in the way of progress. One such great obstacle is a decrepit and backward-thinking mayor who requested the Town Clerk to forgive the millions owed by him and his pompous cabal. Because she bluntly refused to be a party to that corrupt transaction, she is forever hounded by him and his deputy.

You see, dear readers, Hamilton Green wants a Town Clerk he can control and manipulate while the city suffers; Sooba will have none of that, so the two are on a collision course.

There is an unending saga of mudslinging and bad-mouthing by a very corrupt man, and I will pause at this stage to issue a timely word of advice to the Town Clerk: Be very wary of Green, who is known to have very dubious relations with women! I say no more.

Let us backtrack for one moment and look at his relationship with former Town Clerk, Beulah Williams.

For her keen sense of pride and development for the City of Georgetown, she was called a ‘Head Heifer’.

Beulah is a full-bodied lady who was very clean and keen on her duties in lifting the city out of the pit it has found itself in.

At first glance, this should be considered a commendable act; one worthy of note. But not so in Green’s book. In his book, she was a ‘Head Heifer’ or a ‘cow’ who wanted to take over the reins of power at City Hall. Green meant that no woman should stand in his way; hence she was castigated for doing her job with such a sick comment.

Beulah has left, and now we have Sooba, another no-nonsense Town Clerk, who is also called derogatory names, one of which is ‘a rodent’. So, there is nothing new about Green’s behaviour. Once you are about doing your duties to the best of your ability, you will pose a threat to a corrupt mayor. Whenever that perception is uppermost in his mind, all decency is cast aside, and politics of the gutter takes precedence.

Clearly, this is what we see taking place at City Hall.

NEIL ADAMS

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

The PS was right; the APA is in cahoots with the Opposition PLEASE publish this letter, which is in response to a Stabroek News story captioned, “PS says ‘threats’ to Amerindian Leaders taken out of context” (Sat, April 26, 2014).

Permit me to state the following: The Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA), Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, is totally correct when he said that the comments he made to Amerindian Leaders and Community Support Officers (CSOs) at the International Convention Centre were taken “out of context”; and moreso the so-called “threats”.

The hundreds of Amerindians gathered at the Convention Centre will definitely agree that the PS’ comments are taken out of “context” as a result of the “leaked” audio recording by an Opposition slave.

The Amerindian communities are currently being misled that their Community Development Plans (CDPs) are projects of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The PS of the MOAA simply informed the Amerindian Leaders and CSOs that this is not so. And that while the CDPs are Amerindian Community Development projects designed by themselves, they are Government projects through the MOAA, funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) of Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The UNDP is the partner entity of the CDPs working in collaboration and harmony with the MOAA for project implementation, ensuring that its safeguards are upheld.

As a member of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC) of Guyana’s LCDS, I fully support the PS that the CDPs are not UNDP’s projects. The PS is reported to have said, “The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) was misleading people with its statements that the Ministry was manipulating the Amerindians,” and that the APA was “in bed with the Opposition”.

I fully agree with the PS, and to add that the APA, like the Opposition, currently holds an Anti-Amerindian Development agenda, which was condemned by the massive Amerindian picketing demonstration outside Public Buildings.

But if the APA was not in bed with the Opposition, why was it not a part of the Amerindian picketing demonstration outside Public Buildings, protesting the unjustified cut of the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) by the Opposition, which will severely affect the livelihood of Amerindian communities? Neither was a statement issued, including a statement on voting against the LCDS initiatives allocation of $18.5B, which will also severely affect the Amerindian communities of Guyana.

The PS of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is a Public official firmly committed to the development of the Amerindian communities of Guyana, and welcomes all Amerindians at his office seeking his assistance. In fact, all the staff members of the Ministry of Amerindians Affairs, including the Hon. Minister, are very busy people, dealing on a daily basis with the matters of our First Peoples of over 180 Amerindian communities. Anyone can challenge me on this, including the APA, which has absolutely nothing constructive to say about the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, but to spew hogwash to anti-Government sections of the media.

PETER PERSAUD

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Guyana’s future inextricably linked to mastery of science and technology –says PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

By Vanessa Narine GUYANA’S future is inextricably linked to utilization of advances made in science and technology, according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Mr Clement Rohee.

Addressing a press conference held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown on Monday, Rohee said: “It is in this context that the Party urges our students, teachers and education administrators to spare no effort to encourage and create an environment that is conducive to the development of the full creative and innovative potential of our students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, including that of the University of Guyana.”

Rohee congratulated the students and teachers who participated in this year’s National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, hosted under the theme, ‘Science, Mathematics and Technology: Providing Solutions for the 21st Century’, and at the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

He noted that the Fair brought out the best talents, creativity and innovativeness of our students.

He said, “From all indications, the Fair was highly successful, for which the Ministry of Education deserves full commendation.”

ACROSS THE BOARD ADVANCE Pointing to the success in schools countrywide, and not only in Georgetown and other central areas, as had been the trend in previous years, Rohee said, “It is clear that the huge investments made by the PPP/C Administration in the development of our human resource potential is impacting positively with regard to greater accessibility of quality education to the children of Guyana.

“It is also indicative of the fact that the several interventions made over the years by the Education Ministry at the various levels are yielding dividends.

“Gone are the days when only a few city schools shone at national and regional examinations. Today there is a much better spread of student performance throughout the country, including coastal and regional schools.”

This year, the Abrams Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast emerged winner of both the Oral Presentation and Best Project categories of the competition.

“This is a most laudable performance, given the fact that the school, until recently, was not considered as one of the high achievers both by national and regional standards,” Ro-

hee said, as he underscored the fact that the school was successful in producing the overall best CXC student in Guyana and the Caribbean, and has now excelled at the 2014 National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair. “(It) speaks to the enormous strides the school has made in terms of its performance as a high performing secondary institution, not only in the region, but the country as a whole; for which the Regional Administration, Education Department, Parent/Teachers Association (PTA) and students must be given credit,” he said.

Rohee extended the party’s congratulations to the Taymonth Manor Primary School for copping the top spot in the Oral Presentation for primary category. He also congratulated the winners in the secondary category, which included Queen’s College, Mackenzie High School, and of course the Abram Zuil Secondary School.

He said, “The Party has taken note of the fact that Region Two has emerged as the best region in the competition,” and he urged the region to continue striving for excellence in quality of education delivery.

The fact that the Anna Regina Multilateral School, the venue of the competition, has twice produced the top CXC student in the Caribbean is indicative of the strides made in education delivery in the region and the country as a whole, he said.

QUINTESSENTIAL Rohee stressed the importance of focus in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) area.

He said, “As a country, we cannot overemphasize the importance of science and technology to national development; and every incentive should be provided to our students to pursue studies in this critical area of development.

“As is known, we live in what is regarded as the knowledge society, and our capacity to apply the latest advances in science and technology will determine the pace of our growth and development.”

To this end, Rohee made clear the ruling party’s commitment to advances in this field, quintessential to the development of the nation as a whole.

He said, “The PPP (party) commends the PPP/C Administration for its One Lap Top Per Family Programme, which will provide students with the ability to acquire, process and transmit information and knowledge so vital for their individual and, by extension, collective growth and development.”

The National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair ended last week.

PPP recognises returns on investments in youth and sports from improved performances of athletes

By Vanessa Narine “…THANK YOU for continuing to represent Guyana and making us proud.”

Those were the words of the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, Mr Clement Rohee, last Monday as he used the forum of a press conference held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown to salute the Guyana team which participated in the recently concluded 43rd CARIFTA Games, held in Martinique.

“Congratulations are extended in particular to Cassie George, who won two Gold Medals in the 1500m and 3000m competitions, and to Kadecia Baird for winning a Gold and Silver Medal (in) the 400m and 200m respectively”.

Although he singled out Cassie George and Kadecia Baird for their outstanding achievements at the Games, Mr Rohee nevertheless extended accolades to all the persons who had comprised the Guyana contingent at the Games.

He said: “The PPP also congratulates all the other athletes who represented our beautiful country, as Guyana finished fourth overall out of the 16 countries that participated in the competition…”

According to him, the growth and success of Cassey George and Kadecia Baird, as well as other outstanding and budding Guyanese sportsmen and women, is testimony

to the heavy investments the PPP Government has made towards development of our young people and sports in general.

He disclosed: “We believe that these investments are bearing fruit, and that the PPP/Civic-led Government will be further motivated to invest more in the development of our young people, who displayed unwavering commitment to keeping Guyana on the world map.”

Rohee also cited the investment into ongoing works on the world class synthetic athletics track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara as another undertaking that will boost local athletes.

He said: “Our growth in sport over the years vindicates the PPP’s position that investment in young people is a worthwhile one. One will recall the comments of nay-sayers when the Providence National Stadium was being built, and (their) predictions that it will become a ‘white elephant’.

“Today we see Guyana hosting major international sporting events: the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2010 World Twenty20 Games, (and) numerous international football matches, among other (events).”

Rohee continued his address at the press conference by stressing the PPP’s steadfast commitment to the development of Guyanese youth, and to the creation of opportunities in the field of sports and athletics.

8

President calls for formation of genuine community policing groups - Says no vigilante justice would be tolerated

By Leroy Smith

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has made it clear that while his administration fully supports the work of community policing groups and the investments to establish these outfits, “vigilante justice” will not be condoned, nor would those wishing to practise it be tolerated.

The President pointed out that the Guyana Police Force should be looking for genuine community policing groups which would complement the work of the Police Force at the level of the communities.

He made these comments last week while addressing the Police Officers’ Conference at Eve Leary.

President The President said the Force Donald Ramotar should ensure that much training is done with the members of the community policing groups, so that they fully understand their roles and the importance of effectively communicating with the police and police stations in the fight against community-based crime.

He said that one of the ways this can be achieved is if, at the level of the GPF leadership, there is an embracing of the

reform process; since junior officers and other stakeholders would be happy to support the reform process, once there is evidence that the leadership of the Force is comfortable with the changes which would, in the long run, cause the Force to be more effective, efficient and relevant.

The President told the officers and heads of the other services that once the police have the trust of the communities, crime solving will improve. He warned that there can be no substitute for good community-police relationship if one eyes effective crime solving and fighting.

Communities must be involved in their own security, the President stated, as such an approach would help to build and sustain public confidence in the police, which would redound to the building of public trust in the Force and its members.

The strategy of community policing has, over the years and in other parts of the world, proven to be the right approach, the President said. He made it clear also that, with such an approach, the police can expect greater intelligence gathering and sharing as a result of its relationship with the communities.

He called for establishment of community groups in areas which have not seen the presence of such a formation, and pointed out that the more involved the community gets with its security, the more discouraged would be instances of criminal activities by those who may want to carry out their various unlawful acts.

President Ramotar also noted that the Government has long held a favourable view of community policing, hence its re-establishment.

Reputed wife on trial for murder of dead cop found in septic tank

By George Barclay THE jury in Justice Dawn Gregory’s court at the Demerara Assizes heard yesterday that missing policeman, Igriss Bobb Blackman, was found dead in a septic tank near to his West Bank Demerara home, and his reputed wife, Desiree Jeffers, has been indicted with his murder.

Jeffers has pleaded not guilty, and is alleging that Blackman was not killed at her home at La Parfaite Harmonie, but by three men outside of the home.

According to the prosecution’s case, conducted by lawyers Misses Natasha Backer and Mercedes Thompson, the accused has claimed as her property a blood-stained knife and a sledge hammer that were found by the police.

But investigators say the 62-year-old Jeffers, who is being represented by Attorney-at-law Peter Hugh in association with lawyer Miss Latchmie Rahamat, has so far refused to give a written statement.

Witnesses testifying at the trial state that the search for the missing policeman

began in January 2011, after Blackman had been interdicted from duty and was reported missing.

Wo m a n P o l i c e S g t .

Corene Campbell of the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station testified to being connected with the investigation into the death of the 34-year-old policeman, who had been reported missing from his home.

She said that before Blackman’s body had been discovered in the septic tank, investigators had visited his West Bank Demerara home, where he was reported to be tied up in a room; and during the ensuing search, police had cause to break open a room after the accused, who lived in the same house, had said that was the room which Blackman used, but the keys had been misplaced.

The room, when broken and entered, yielded nothing; but success came for the police when Ptolemy Blackman, brother of the deceased, placed a long stick into the septic tank and was able to fish out the deceased, whose feet had been tied, and whose head and face had also been wrapped with a white cloth

which had red stains.

The body, wrapped in a multi-coloured carpet, was later identified as that of Igriss Blackman.

The police photographer and the fingerprint expert were at the scene, and they took pictures and samples for investigative purposes.

Police Sgt. Ron Nedd, who had seen what appeared to be a red substance dropping from a room on the top flat of the home to a cabinet on the lower flat, called the attention of the accused to what he had seen, cautioned her, and suggested that that might be the place where Blackman had been murdered.

According to him, the accused replied, “I don’t know what you are talking about!”

At that stage, Officer Terrace Paul told the accused that he had reason to suspect that she, in company with Delroy Franker and two Rastas, had murdered Igriss Blackman on January 14, 2011.

He then cautioned the accused, and she replied, “I know nothing about that!”

After further investigations, the accused was charged with murder.

Hearing of this case is

continuing before Justice Dawn Gregory at the Demerara Assizes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Young mother discharged from hospital with overlooked pad still inserted in her

By Shirley Thomas A slimly-built 25-year-old woman who gave birth to her first baby at a regional hospital on Easter Monday is lucky to be alive after a sanitary pad, plugged into her presumably to reduce bleeding, remained in her and went unnoticed for seven days.

The mother and her baby were discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, and the young wife and her husband were overjoyed to welcome a baby boy into their family; but their euphoria was soon interrupted by the crying need to investigate suspicions that arose as to whether something radical had gone amiss after she began experiencing great discomfort and severe pains.

The young woman’s mother said that as her daughter’s pains became more unbearable, she eventually began giving off an offensive odour; at which stage the elder woman personally took on the job of cleaning her daughter.

The baby’s grandmother was petrified when, one day, she noticed what appeared like the end of a pad protruding from within her daughter’s limp and fragile body, which by then was too weak and shaking to be left unattended.

The woman said she rushed her daughter back to the hospital on Sunday, and explained to the staff what was happening to her daughter for the last five days since being discharged. She confessed that the mood at the hospital was instantly transformed into one of complete professionalism, and her daughter was showered with tender care.

The young mother was immediately whisked into the treatment room, where the pad was removed and disposed of. She was also injected with antibiotics, and given blood transfusion and saline, among other treatments; and, to date, remains warded at the institution, where she is well taken care of.

The elder mother wishes to make it clear that she is in no way castigating personnel at the hospital concerned, but wishes to highlight this misdemeanor so that young medical staff would be on their guard and not make the same mistake, which could have resulted in the death of her daughter.

She thinks it fortunate that she had returned her daughter to the hospital in the nick of time.

Staff at all health care institutions, would you please remember this article as you discharge your duties on a daily basis?

Teenager ends life after parents rebuke his default on debt payment

By Shirley Thomas NINETEEN-year-old Kevin Holligan of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara was found hanging from a tree in his parents’ back yard last Saturday morning.

He is said to have been an employee of Banks DIH Limited who had lived with his parents and had reportedly borrowed an undisclosed sum of money from his mother. He had presumably been unable to repay her, defaulting on his promise to repay.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that Holligan had eventually repaid a portion of the money after he had been chided by his mother, but the balance had not been forthcoming.

After his default had been rebuked on another occasion by both parents, Holligan apparently became annoyed, or frustrated, or both; because he climbed a tree and ended his life by hanging himself.

There are reports circulating that another young man living in the same area had, a few months ago, attempted to hang himself, but had been intercepted by someone who had noticed him.

Ironically, a few weeks ago, two other lads living in the same neighbourhood had attempted suicide, but their attempts had also been aborted.

On learning of their plan, Kevin Holligan had reportedly frowned on it, had asserted how foolish it was of the young men to have attempted to end their lives, and had said that he would never do such a thing.

Whatever the extent of the pressure that caused him to buckle and change his mind regarding suicide, only he knew; but ‘village elders’ are contending that the spate of suicides and attempted suicides rocking the village represents a curse brought on by a ‘suicide demon’, which must be exorcised from the village in order for the curse to be broken; and that now is the time for action to be taken in this regard.

“Every day could be a day too late,” they contend, as they reach out to the nation for corporate prayers to break this curse.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

PNC RUNNING SCARED!

OLD Kai had to deviate from the intended continuation of exposing the PNC/APNU’s effort to stifle the ‘Impact Albouystown’ project.

What was so important for this digression? It is the suspicious movements by the PNC over the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. More than suspicion, the pronouncements by the party’s leadership indicates that outright ‘panic’ has stepped into its ranks.

This is clearly evident, based on the pronouncements of the PNC Chairman, APNU’s shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. Williams told reporters that while the person who is testifying is pardoned, “there is no mention of what happens if he fingers a third party…”

This was in response to comments made by the Chairman of the Rodney Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham, that the “COI is not about investigating men; they have nothing to fear from testifying, because no prosecution can follow… We are here to find out the facts of the unnatural death of Dr. Walter Rodney, which remains an unsolved issue, and I appeal to all who have information to come forward and share that information with the Commission.”

Based on this revelation, even the average citizen will question Williams’ concern on behalf of the PNC/APNU as to what will be the fate of the guilty, if the evidence exposes a third party as being responsible for the death of Dr. Rodney.

Media urged to operate with sense of ‘balance and restraint’

- during Rodney COI hearings THE media, both print and electronic, were urged to bear in mind the importance of operating with a sense of “balance and restraint” during the ongoing hearings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that was ordered

by President Donald Ramotar into the death of brilliant historian/politician, Dr. Walter Rodney.

At the opening session of the COI in the Supreme Court Law Library on Monday, Commissioner of the COI, Sir Richard Cheltenham, observed that the media have an important role to play but there is always the danger in a COI that evidence may be distorted or exaggerated.

Consequently, reputations may be damaged and/or destroyed, he said. “This is a public inquiry and we consider it important that the public should be involved as much as possible in the work of the Commission. In that regard, the Media, both print and electronic, have an important role to play. We welcome their participation and look forward to their support.

“Thus far, their coverage of our activities has been beyond criticism and we look forward to the media continuing to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner,” Sir Cheltenham said. (Telesha Ramnarine)

Why is he so concerned? Does he have information which may implicate a silent third-party in Rodney’s death? By his statement, is he not admitting that Dr. Rodney was indeed the victim of a plot? He clearly has some amount of information to have offered such a concern: Why not share it with the Inquiry panel?

Their panic has rendered their arguments pathetic, as no better description can be made of Williams’ effort, on behalf of the PNC, to discredit the work of the COI, even before it has started, and the possible statements of members appearing before it.

Panic in the PNC/APNU camp is an understatement!

Regarding the fact that the COI will be allowing ‘hearsay and opinion evidence,’ Williams contends that “this poses a threat, and is dangerous, since the incident is an old one, and memories are also old.”

How can someone’s memory be ‘old’? What about the wife, kids and other relatives of Rodney who have had to relive that dreadful memory almost every day of their lives? Are their memories of the incident old? It is possible for someone to have a memory of an incident which occurred in the past, but contending that the individual’s

Guyana’s tragic division over a needed Money Bill ENERGISING and creative as it may be, the history of multi-party parliamentary democracy is also littered with examples of bitter, divisive confrontational politics that could result in very harmful consequences for the nation state.

When that State is also a member of a regional economic integration movement, then such politicking could also negatively impact on the other innocent partner countries.

This is the regional scenario that has emerged for Caribbean Community member countries as a consequence of an unprecedented political problem in Guyana, where the government has failed to secure, for more than a year, parliamentary support from an Opposition coalition to approve a crucial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

The coalition of Opposition parties have repeatedly used their one-seat majority in the 65-member National Assembly to block passage of the Legislation. But the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the regional watchdog body against financial crimes, does not recognise this as being intrinsically related to the required provisions of the legislation demands that are repeatedly being made by the parliamentary Opposition. Rather, it has much to do with unrelated local political issues, for instance, the scheduling of local government elections.

CFATF representatives have been travelling to Guyana to broker an accord with the Government and Opposition. The latest such initiative was undertaken just this past weekend when the CFATF’s two-member delegation made clear that a

Doctor’s temporary unavailability may force State to close its case - as robbery/rape of lactating mother trial continues

By Jeune Bailey-Vankeric

STATE Prosecutor in a robbery and rape trial, Ms Renita Singh, may be forced to close the prosecution case, after her final witness, Dr Mahase Chandra Persaud, reportedly indicated that he would be out of the jurisdiction for six weeks.

The medical practitioner is expected to explain the medical terminologies written on a certificate earlier tendered as an exhibit in the trial, currently being heard before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Berbice Assizes.

Given the nature of the expert’s evidence, however, Justice

memory ‘is old’ could only be construed as a baseless attack on those who will appear before the Commission. It is an attack on their integrity, and it must be condemned by all who want to finally get the facts regarding what really occurred on that fateful day inside motorcar PBB 2349.

The decision by the PNC to refuse to participate, even though they may have very useful information as they were controlling the reigns of the dictatorship over our people at the time, is telling in itself. It gets even more interesting when we are informed that the PNC has put together a legal team “since the reputation of many is on the line.”

That ‘many’ can only refer to the PNC, and quite possibly their minions during that period. So, if they are afraid that their reputation will be tarnished, why not appear before the COI and clear their name, once and for all?

One would reasonably expect that they of all stakeholders would have been eager to clear their name, if they were confident that they had no part to play in the death of Dr. Rodney.

Alas! They have chosen not to participate, and further, are making all manner of excuses to distract from the inquiry and even further attempt to attack the credibility of information provided by witnesses, even before hearing what that information is.

Panic in the PNC/APNU camp is an understatement!

Reynolds has opined that the case could be stalled until mid-June, while another trial could be imposed in the interim.

But before that decision could be made, he said, the State Prosecutor must confirm with her superiors as to the way forward.

On trial is Beesham Gopaul, alias Thakoor, who is alleged to have robbed and raped a lactating mother at her Corriverton, Corentyne home on June 24, 2008.

Earlier in the trial, Rural Constable Rowena Craig , told the 11-member jury that she was instructed to take the alleged victim to the Skeldon and New Amsterdam Hospitals before returning to

“dark future looms” for Guyana to avoid being fully “blacklisted” by May 29 for “non-compliance as a cooperative jurisdiction” in the global battle against money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other financial crimes.

For its part, the Government of President Donald Ramotar, which has received widespread support from the local private sector, trade unions and civil society organisations, has been lamenting to regional and hemispheric agencies that the Guyanese nation as a whole was being “held to ransom” by the Opposition’s unwavering political demands that have “nothing to do with the kind of legislation required by the CFATF, or the international community’s financial institutions”.

Following earlier separate initiatives by both CARICOM and the Organisation of American States (OAS) to inspire cooperation by the government and opposition for passage of the required legislation before being “blacklisted” as a “non-cooperative jurisdiction”, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, officially communicated her government’s readiness to help broker a co-operation accord between the opposition alliance and President Ramotar’s administration.

However, by the time of last weekend’s departure of the two-member CFATF’s mediation delegation, there were no glimmers of hope for Guyana’s escape from the looming “blacklisting” as a non-cooperative jurisdiction in the challenging international struggles against money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other financial crimes.

It’s a tragic financial management division for Guyana, with possible related fallouts for CARICOM partners. (Reprinted courtesy of the Barbados Daily Nation) the former.

Craig said that on her first visit to the Skeldon Hospital, she was told that the doctor was at lunch; and that after travelling over 40 miles to the New Amsterdam institution, she was told to return to Skeldon.

She said that it was only after she returned to Skeldon that the doctor examined her charge, and issued her a certificate.

Questioned by Defence Counsel, Carolyn Artiga, the witness said the doctor had instructed the victim to undergo a pregnancy test, as well as tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. She said, however, that she couldn’t say whether the accused had had similar tests done in terms of sexually transmitted diseases.

Responding to questions from the jury, the witness said after being told by staff at the New Amsterdam Hospital that there were no gynaecologists available, she subsequently went to the Springlands Police Station where she was advised by the Station Sergeant on duty to go back to the Skeldon Hospital.

The trial is continuing.

10

Mayor misleads media about use of gas

…he claimed $100,000 for fuel just 12 days after his vehicle was filled with 30 gallons

By Ravin Singh GEORGETOWN Mayor Hamilton Green, at a press conference on Monday reported to the media that acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, had written him requesting possession of the Statutory Mace, the highly valuable ornamented metal staff which is in the Council Chamber during statutory meetings.

The Mayor revealed that on numerous occasions Sooba had written letters to him requesting the mace, but he ignored them, because “the Mace belongs to the Mayor”.

The Town Clerk however explained to this newspaper that constitutionally, she has the protective custody of assets belonging to the Acting Town Clerk, Mayor and City Council.

Carol Sooba She continued that the Mace has always been in her office until the last statutory meeting, after which the Mayor opted to have a constable transport it to his office.

Sooba further explained that it is not a hidden fact that apart from monies being missing at the M&CC, other valuables have vanished. She even pointed out that the Mayoral Chain, which the Mayor is supposed to be wearing on special occasions, has “vanished”.

As such, the Town Clerk claims that she is refusing to “take any chances” with valuables belonging to the M&CC. LIVING OFF THE COUNCIL She said that recently Mayor Green requested $100,000 as a refund for gasoline which he claimed he paid for. But Sooba claimed that a mere 12 days

prior to his request for the refund, the Council had fuelled his tank with an excess of 30 gallons of gasolene.

She posited that this absurd behaviour by the Mayor has led to the conclusion that the Council has to take care of the Mayor and all his needs.

“Anything wrong with the Mayor, or anything he needs, the Council has to provide that for him,” she said.

RACIAL PRACTICE CLAIMS REFUTED The Town Clerk also refuted a statement by the Mayor made at his press conference that she (the Town Clerk) acts in a racial manner.

According to Sooba, the examples highlighted Mayor of Georgetown,

by Green that she hired Hamilton Green Indo-Guyanese staff after she had fired Afro-Guyanese staff were “nonsensical”. She explained that the circumstantial issues surrounding the removal of two staff members were not a decision made by her, neither were the appointment of the new staffers.

Contrary to reports also made by the Mayor that the Town Clerk had crashed her vehicle, Sooba explained that on Monday morning her driver was involved in an accident with a Buddy’s Taxi Service car, and the bumper and grill of her vehicle were damaged.

She stressed that she was not in the car at the time, as the driver was on his way to pick her up.

She was made aware that the driver of the taxi was charged for dangerous driving and was also advised to desist from using the vehicle until the damage was rectified.

Father severely beaten by step-son - in Family feud at Leonora

By Shirley Thomas A FAMILY feud at Leonora on Monday night escalated into a blood bath, with a 37-year-old father and two of his teenaged sons being badly wounded.

And at least one of the teenagers has been admitted to hospital.

The father, Jagnarine Paul, was rushed to the West Demerara Hospital around 21:00 hrs on Monday, bleeding profusely, with multiple wounds to his head, allegedly inflicted by his step-son, Christopher Sookram, 22, with whom he had an arguJagnarine Paul, with injument.

Also wounded were ries to his head, outside the Paul’s two sons: Ryan West Demerara Regional Paul, 17, and Joshua Hospital Paul, 18. Ryan was beaten on his head by the aggressor, Sookram. Ryan is

said to have suffered a fractured skull, resulting in injuries to his eyes. He was yesterday afternoon transferred from the West Demerara Regional Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital, with blurred vision.

Meanwhile, Joshua, who was also beaten by Sookram, sustained injuries to his ribs and was treated at West Demerara Regional Hospital and sent away.

The patriarch, Jagnarine Paul, who has since been discharged from hospital, told the Guyana Chronicle that his step-son Sookram was a bully and would regularly beat his two step-brothers, injuring them severely. On this occasion, he said the problem stemmed from a word of caution he attempted to give to a girl whom Sookram had recently befriended. Paul, on learning of the relationship in the making, was said to have cautioned the young woman, telling her, “If he ah beat he buddy and step father, you must look out for what he would do to you!”

On learning of this development, Sookram went to his step-father’s house and accosted him. Before Paul was able to say anything for himself, Sookram allegedly drew an object he was holding behind his back and began beating Paul mercilessly.

On seeing this, Paul’s two sons, Ryan and Joshua, ran to their father’s rescue, but they too were soundly beaten

by Sookram.

The mater was reported to the police who went after the accused.

Meanwhile, doctors at the GPHC were yesterday battling to save 17-year-old Ryan’s sight.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Tributes continue to flow for the late Ron Webster

Ron Webster: A man of quiet purpose THE sudden passing of Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman, Ronald Webster has created a void in the business sector. The Board of Directors and members of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) are deeply saddened and we extend our condolences to his grieving family, and particularly to the members of the PSC. Mr. Webster could be credited for singularly strengthening the vital relationship between Government and the private sector, advocating for Tax Reform and the revision of import/export mechanisms. He was also at the forefront of the Private Sector’s outreaches to both Government and the Opposition, mediating and appealing for passage of the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, which remains at the top of the national agenda.

The two terms which Mr. Webster served as head of the leading Business Support Organisation (BSO), the PSC, can be described as successful and fruitful. He will be better remembered by the business community for his relentless advocacy in the legislative and executive arms of government.

At the GMSA, he has left behind poignant reminders of his quiet determination, which enabled the PSC, the GMSA and other BSOs to improve the capacities of local manufacturers, services providers and operators in the commercial, shipping and other sectors, to expand, provide more jobs and contribute to social and educational development.

His company, Caribbean Containers Inc (CCI), the only paper/pulp-based manufacturer in the Caribbean, was an active member of the GMSA. Mr. Webster served as our President in 1992. He was a vocal proponent for greener production methods with care for the environment, and ensured that CCI led this initiative from production to export. His company’s participation in the just-concluded IDB-sponsored GMSA Energy Efficiency Project stands as ample evidence of this.

Ronald Webster was a gracious man; respectful of others; and was always careful to honour his invitations.

GMSA deeply regrets his loss, and we take this opportunity to also extend our condolences to his staff at CCI.

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA)

Webster played a vital role in reshaping our nation THE Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) has noted with regret the passing of one of Guyana’s patriots, Mr. Ronald Webster.

On behalf of the President and Executives of CIOG, we express our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.

Mr. Webster made a significant contribution to the development of our country, and played a vital role in highlighting many reforms that was required in our society.

His entrepreneurship in his business, and more recently his Chairmanship of the Private Sector Commission, invigorated and encouraged development and progress in the Private Sector.

Many of Guyana’s private, public commissions and boards benefited from his dedication and expertise, which resulted in many significant developments and achievements to the benefit of our people.

The CIOG joins with the Guyanese people in mourning the passing of Mr. Ronald Webster, and pray for patience and perseverance for his family.

The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Book of Condolence for Ronald Webster remains open definitely be missed.

Gouveia also expressed heartfelt condolences to the Webster family, acknowledging that the deceased had a steady, mature hand and was a very balanced leader of the Private Sector.

“He measured his words, he measured his leadership and he brought a very high level of maturity to the Private Sector. He served the Private Sector for decades.

He was former President and he brought real truth to the concept of private-public partnership,” Gouveia said.

Webster’s career began in the

Booker Group of Companies where he was the youngest Managing Director.

He held that post too at Technology Investments and Management Inc.He, later served as President of Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association following his appointment as Vice-Chairman of the PSC (1998-1999).

Among his many stewardship undertakings as Chairman, he served the Bauxite Industry Development Company Inc; on the Board of the New Guyana Marketing Company and the Board of Guyana Ge-

ology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Before then, he was a director on the Board of the National Agricultural Research Institute, now the National Agriculture Research and Development Institute; director on the Board of Aroaima Mining Company and Chairman of the Board of Kwakwani Utilities Inc until his death The Condolence Book will remain open from 10:00 hrs for the next three days and will be available for signatures up to 16:00 hrs daily.

Ambassador of the United States of America, Mr. Brent Hardt, observing a moment of silence after signing the Book of Condolence for Ronald Webster at the Private Sector Commission, yesterday.

By Ravin Singh A BOOK of Condolence was opened yesterday at the Private Sector Commission (PSC) office on Waterloo Street, Georgetown for its late Chairman, Mr. Ronald Webster.

Leading the signatories was current PSC Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Persaud, and he was followed by Immediate Past President of the Georgetown Chamber

of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Clinton Urling; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerry Gouveia and other Private Sector personnel.

Persaud emphasised that the PSC is grateful for the service of Webster, adding that he was a patriot who served with distinction and had guided them with all his wisdom.

“Today we will greatly

miss him for what he would have done for us and we would like the public and Guyana to understand that Ron did a good service to our country and we will continue building on his legacy,” he said.

British High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Ayre, echoed the sentiments of Persaud, noting that Guyana has lost one of its most forthright and competent Private Sector leaders, who will

Current Vice-Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Persaud, signs the book of condolence as other members of the Private Sector look on (Sonell Nelson photo)

Tributes continue to flow for the late Ron Webster

Dynamic, articulate, and committed ––The measure of man that was Ron Webster

THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is saddened at the passing of an outstanding son of Guyana and a dynamic, articulate, and committed member of the Private Sector, Mr. Ronald Webster.

His role as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) was marked with deep commitment to the development of Guyana, fairness, and a conscious understanding of the social, economic and political realities facing our country.

His decisions were always guided by what was just and Minister Irfaan Ali right for Guyana; the Private

Sector will be without one of its finest assets with the passing of this outstanding Guyanese.

Mr. Webster’s role in enhancing Guyana’s competitiveness through his work at the National Competitive Council (NCC) and the Project Steering Committee, tasked with implementing decisions of the NCC, was most outstanding.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has lost a genuine partner in development. Personally, I have lost a friend and an experienced asset that I constantly sought out on matters of the private sector, and more particularly, as it relates to the sectors I represent.

To the family, we pray that God grants you the strength in this no doubt difficult time, and may you find peace in knowing that Ron made an exceptional contribution to his country and in service to humanity.

MOHAMED IRFAAN ALI Minister of Housing and Water Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (Ag)

Webster’s death an ‘irrecoverable loss’ to the business world THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is truly shocked and saddened at the passing of Mr. Ronald Webster, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC)and Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Container Incorporated (CCI).

Mr. Webster was certainly a visionary businessman, and leader in the private sector who saw opportunity where others saw none. His contributions to the development of the business environment in Guyana have been enormous, and they now present opportunities for learning for future generations.

There is no doubt that the death of Mr. Webster is an irrecoverable loss to the business world. On behalf of the Council, Executive Management Committee and Members of the GCCI, we extend sincere condolences to his family, friends and employees of the Caribbean Container Inc.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

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Carnegie hosts workshop towards meeting hospitality sector needs

By Michel Outridge

CARNEGIE School of Home Economics hosted a one-day workshop yesterday, entitled ‘Creating the Winning Team’.

It was themed ‘21st Century Strategies for Success in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry’ and attracted stakeholders from the tourist, hotel and restaurant industry at Regency Suites, in Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The aim was to expose participants to relevant upto-date cutting-edge practices so necessary in today’s highly globalised and competitive environment.

In her welcome and opening remarks, Carnegie Principal, Ms. Penelope Harris, told the gathering that this year marks 81 years for the school, and the workshop has grown out of the pressing need to meet the skills gap in the tourism and hospitality sector.

She said they have received calls in the office, weekly, from the business community and private individuals seeking trained personnel or training for their staff.

“It is our desire to meet the needs of the community and, therefore, expansion and diversification of our mode is very necessary. We aim to provide quality training in those courses which are in demand,” Harris assured.

She pointed out that

Carnegie offers courses in Front Desk Management, Housekeeping, Resort and Hospitality Management and Health and Social Care.

Harris announced that, in May, they will be hosting a workshop on breadfruit products, sponsored by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and a similar seminar on food presentation skills will take place later in the year.

Chairman of the Carnegie Board, Mr. John Seeram, said the objective of yesterday’s forum was to focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’ is offered in the industry.

RAPID GROWTH He observed that there has been rapid growth and development in the hospitality and tourism sector and Carnegie has made a significant contribution in the area of technical and vocational education delivery.

Seeram said the school conducts certificate and diploma programmes in hotel and tourism operations and management and has an internship programme with hotels as part of its training scheme.

He stated that quality in the hospitality and tourism sector involves constant delivery of products and guest services according to acceptable standards and delivering that quality is an essential

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Carnegie Vice Principal, Myrna Lee, in closing remarks yesterday; while seated at the head table is Principal Penelope Harris, Chairman John Seeram, Facilitator Phillipa Morrish and Acting Chief Education Officer (Technical) Patrick Chinedu. (Sonnel Nelson photos)

A section of the gathering at the Carnegie workshop yesterday at Regency Suites. condition for success in any emerging and keenly competitive tourism market and, in that regard, Guyana is no exception.

Acting Chief Education Officer (Technical), Mr. Patrick Chinedu, in his remarks, praised the Carnegie workshop which, he said, fits into the Ministry of Education’s holistic plan for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that responds to the workforce needs of the 21st century Guyanese economy.

He stated that the ministry has revamped the mode of technical education deliverance which, when fully

operational, will proactively be addressing the workforce needs and development of the current Guyana and beyond.

Chinedu said that, last year, the TVET Council concluded the first labour market information survey, a tool that will provide intelligence for use by the institutions for strategic skills planning and delivery.

He noted that these initiatives have opened the doors for a more serious engagement and dialogue between the training providers and employers.

EMPLOYERS COMPLAIN Chinedu admitted that, often times, employers com-

plain of not been provided with the relevant skills that match their labour force, noting that the need for constant dialogue, training and retraining of employees cannot be over emphasised.

He said: “It is unfortunate, however, that some of our employers have not bought into or understood the benefits to ensure that their employees are equipped with the relevant and updated skills training.”

Chinedu added that the Education Ministry intends to change this by forcefully embarking on a campaign of industry training provider linkages, because the need for training and retraining is even more evident in our global village where every

major activity or job is Information Communication Technology (ICT) related.

Yesterday’s exercise was facilitated by Ms. Phillipa Morris, President of Etiquette Training International, of New York, in the United States.

Some of the areas covered during the one-day agenda include rebranding/retooling; overcoming challenges, promoting the new vision internally and externally, 21st century front line training, body language skills, a new tool in hospitality, promoting ‘the team’ versus ‘the group’, hospitality language-breaking the barrier, conflict management and fine dining, among others.

T&HD responds to Kaieteur News’ provocative front page photograph THE Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) said it wishes to clarify the use and caption of a photograph that showed a section of the Parika Ferry Stelling on Kaieteur News’ front page on April 26, 2014.

According to the T&HD, “the provocative photograph insinuated that part of the stelling was deliberately left to fall apart or neglected by management so that a new contractor could be hired to pocket billions of dollars.”

However, T&HD said it would like to enlighten the public that the area highlighted on the KN front page has been cordoned off for the past six months for safety purposes because of its deplorable state. It should be noted that T&HD is seeking finances to repair the section, which had previously housed a Bond.

Furthermore, the cordoned off area has in no way disrupted the day-to-day operations of the facility.

In the meantime, T&HD said it continues to inject funds to maintain the driveway and the wharf that are critical to the stelling’s daily operations.

“It is regrettable that neither the Editor nor Reporter/Photographer of the (Kaieteur) newspaper sought an explanation from the Department, or even tried to make contact with the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), who has been extremely helpful to the newspaper’s staff/reporters,” the T&HD said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Evergreen Adventures hosts media trip to Kaieteur Falls and Baganara

THE Correia Group of Companies hosted a complimentary familiarisation (FAM) tour for media operatives last Friday, flying them to the majestic Kaieteur Falls and the picturesque Baganara Island Resort for a day of relaxation.

The FAM tour was conducted through Evergreen Adventures and Trans Guyana Airways with tour guide Collin Williams. After flying over the verdant forest for just over an hour with Captain Christopher Brown, the Caravan flew over the Pakaraima Mountain range, with a glimpse of the Amaila Falls, then over the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls.

The aircraft landed at the Kaieteur National Park, which is located in Region Eight. After a quick snack at the Visitors’ Arrival Centre, located a few feet from the airstrip, it was time to venture off on the two-hour trail to the falls. During this trek, the media got the opportunity to view the falls from three vantage points offering them extensive views and a great opportunity for pictures and ‘selfies’.

Williams informed his very excited media group about some of the fascinating flora and fauna that live in the Kaieteur National Park. He also explained that “teur” is an Amerindian word, meaning falls, hence, the saying Kaieteur Falls is redundant; it’s either Kaie Falls or Kaieteur. The word ‘Kaieteur’ means ‘old-manfall’.

As explained by the very learned guide, “This jewel of South America is about four times higher than the Niagara Falls and about twice the height of the Victoria Falls.”

After touring the Kaieteur, the media hiked back uphill to the Arrival Centre and after a few minutes of relaxation, it was time to fly to the Baganara Resort in the Essequibo River.

BAGANARA RESORT Landing at the resort revived everyone, and a quick brief on the resort and

sipping some ‘Lime Splash’ geared everyone for lunch.

The reporters were served buffet style and courteous staff catered to their drinking needs of non-alcoholic beverages. After allowing sometime for digestion, media members opted to play pools, some went kayaking in the Essequibo River, while some chose to just relax on the island shore, enjoying the atmosphere.

According to Consultant of the Correia Group of companies, Frank Willison, the tour was a way of giving back to the media as he mixed and mingled with the reporters as they relaxed.

He also indicated that media operatives are only brought to the resort when there are meetings or some important function to ‘work’, never to enjoy the regal beauty Guyana has to offer. “Every time we just calling the media to do stuff for us, but we never really give back to them and I always wanted to do something like this, so we did it,” Willison said.

The FAM tour concluded with an aerial tour of Georgetown on the return flight to the Ogle International Airport. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

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MEDIA operatives enjoying the FAM trip at Kaieteur and Baganara Island Resort.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

Most people do whatever they can to avoid stress, in any of its many forms. Some folks, on the other hand crave it -- even thrive on it. You know someone who fits that bill, someone who just can’t stand it when things aren’t overdramatic. If you wake up feeling like they’re trying to stir things up between you and someone close, listen to your instincts. You know how they operate, and your instincts are itching like crazy. Try confronting this directly.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Wednesday April 30 2014 - 05:00 Thursday May 1 2014 - 05:30

You know you’re perfectly capable of doing nearly anything, so when the action starts to pick up at a crazy pace, you’re more than game to keep up with it -gladly -- even if you have to dog two jobs for a time. You may be doing more yawning than breathing for a while, so keep an extra pot of coffee brewing, so your peers don’t think you’re out partying all night long.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You’re in the right frame of mind to truly express your feelings and let your people know what’s really going on. Does that mean you’ve scheduled a poetry slam for tonight? That just isn’t your style. You’re just finally ready to talk about that one big issue that’s been on your mind for far too long. Clearing the air should be considerably easier than you think.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

There’s a good chance that some dark feelings that you and someone close have been blocking out could pop up -- and emerge in an extremely volatile way!

This doesn’t mean that you should expect things to get worse as the day wears on, but if something does come up when you least expect it, make sure you talk it through completely and work from the heart. It’s essential to clear the air now and then.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Finances and possessions are much on your mind -- with good reason! Any financial plans or dealings meant to bring greater stability are about to work themselves out. During this process, you may find that someone you need to help you finish things off isn’t quite as talented -- or reliable -- as you’d hoped. Before you let them have it, ask yourself if you’ve really got the time to get righteous.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You’ve never been one to start fights -- especially between family members. For now, though, your own needs and those of the people closest to you might be in direct opposition. If you feel manipulated, you need to distance yourself from the situation as soon as you possibly can. There’s no better way to handle things right now, especially if you can stay away until things cool down.

Libra September 23 - October 22

If your instincts are acting up and you’re not sure who you trust now, there’s just one thing to do: Go with your gut, which has never disappointed you. Smile pleasantly (one of your specialties), and watch everything that goes down -- then track down someone you know you can trust, like a family member who’s been there for you for as long as you care to remember.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Try to decide between your current sweetie and that new hottie who’s so exciting you can hardly think clearly is rough, especially because of your extreme fondness for competition. Usually, you’d keep things under wraps, but for now, you’re irresistibly drawn to act like a sports hero -- to see which team makes the highest bid for your affections. Good luck to both of them -- they’re going to need it!

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Your favourite technique for helping to solve sizzling confrontations between friends, colleagues or family members is to start out with a little humour. Nine times out of ten, it works like a charm for you. Today’s situation may just be the one in ten, though, so you almost certainly need to go one step further and help them find some common ground.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

If it feels like trouble in Paradise, remember first of all that there’s no such thing as Paradise! Still, if anyone needs things to be kept calm, they can count on you and your famously down-to-earth demeanour. Since you’ve got both the time and the desire, go for it. What’s the worst thing that could happen? You should still look like a hero in the end.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

If you feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, just do what you do best. Think about the situation for a bit, then turn it around so you switch places with the rock. Once you make it clear who’s responsible for the new situation -- and, more importantly, who can do it all over again -- you can tell people just how it’s going to be from now on.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

A conflict so old you can’t remember how it got started may be keeping you separate (emotionally, at least) from a loved one. Since neither of you is willing to admit responsibility, the dispute could start to cause equal parts of amusement and concern in those who know and love you both. How about dropping your pride first and seeing what happens next?

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Guyana Festival for grand launch on Friday - ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana to be showcased

THE highly anticipated ‘Guyana Festival’ will be launched on Friday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, at 17:00 hrs, and all are invited to attend the exciting event and to preview the amazing array of activities scheduled for the three days of the festival.

A cultural extravaganza awaits all invitees, visitors and participants of the inaugural ‘Guyana Festival’ to be staged from August 8 - 10, 2014 at the Guyana National Stadium

at Providence.

The ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana will be presented to the world through a spectacular display of art, craft, dance, drama, music and cuisine and thousands are expected to converge at the venue to indulge in the treats available and to delight in the cultural atmosphere.

For the very first time, the fusion of the six different cultures that make up the Guyanese tapestry will be brought together reflecting a true melting pot that reflects

the Guyanese identity.

Guyana is known the world over for its warmth and the hospitality of its people and it is also recognised that the underlying beauty in the destination is reflected in the people and the depictions of their cultural differences; now for the very first time the opportunity to shine is here, the Guyana Festival…reflecting what it means to be truly Guyanese, representing the sound, soul and taste of the destination.

Man dies in accident with cow on Corentyne Highway THIRTY-SEVEN-year-old Rawle Douglas of No. 53 Village Corentyne, Berbice lost his life on the Corentyne Highway at No. 50 Village at about 1:15hrs on Sunday when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a cow.

Police investigations indicate that the vehicle was allegedly travelling at a fast rate when it collided with the cow on the roadway.

Douglas was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police have detained the vehicle driver, whose blood alcohol level was allegedly determined to be above the legal limit. (Asif Hakim)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Minibus operators continue taking advantage of many commuters

By Vanessa Narine

COMMUTERS working past 16:30 hrs, as is the case at many places of employment, continue to be taken advantage of by minibus operators.

And, as evidenced by an incident with three passengers in a Route 32 minibus on Monday night, the persisting trend is most frustrating.

Minibus operators on the Georgetown/Parika route are charging passengers as much as $100 extra, an increase from $200 to $300 to travel from the city to Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara; $400 to $500 for the trip to Parika, East Bank Essequibo and $100 instead of $60 for short drops.

The last was the source of contention for the Monday night trio who joined the Route 32 bus at Windsor Forest and were charged $100 when they disembarked at Den Amstel, both places on West Coast of Demerara.

A protest by the three men was prevented from

getting ugly by a handful of other passengers who urged the bus conductor to charge the correct fare and he con-

Minister Irfaan Ali ceded after the driver instructed him to return the overcharged sum to the trio.

UNFAIR PRACTICE One other passenger, who was among those pressing the conductor not to overcharge

passengers, commented on the unfair practice against commuters who want to get home after 18:00 hrs and have no choice, but to pay the extra fare.

In early 2013, Transport Minister Robeson Benn promised an investigation into the unregulated rise in minibus charges across the various routes at nights.

Late in 2012, there was talk of the introduction of large 30-seater buses but, to date, there has been no word on the status of that initiative.

It would be recalled that, during 2011, a major strike resulted in a number of big buses being deployed around the different bus parks and working round the clock to transport members of the public, much to the chagrin of striking minibus operators.

At that time, Minister Benn also acknowledged being told of several instances of conductors and drivers physically assaulting people who were un-

willing to yield to their demands.

Late in January this year, Acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and

However, he maintained that his ministry can only advise the travelling public not to pay more.

The first incident of higher charges was reported on Route 32 last December and operators on Route 44 followed suit a few weeks after, also demanding that passengers pay $60 more.

Then, in January, Route 31 minibus and hire car operators took strike action, leaving hundreds of workers and schoolchildren stranded, as they demanded an additional $20.

Minister Robeson Benn

NO JUSTIFICATION Minister Ali made it known that the demand is “illegal” and said: “We continue to advise consumers that they are not to pay any increases. The increases

Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali, acknowledged the escalating problem of higher charges by public transport operators.

are illegal. Consumers should report the increases to the Police or to the Ministry.There is no justification for the increases, as our advisory has said.”

He said there is a standing agreement with public transport operators, which clearly states that, in the absence of hikes in fuel prices, there cannot be higher fares.

“The Ministry of Finance is continuously making adjustments to keep gas at a certain price…there is no justification for an increase,” Ali insisted.

He reiterated his advice for commuters to report the arbitrary imposition and not pay any increase.

Unilateral fare hikes by minibus operators has been an on and off cause of concern over the last few years.

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GDF inks new Collective Labour Agreement with GLU THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has inked a Collective Labour Agreement with the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).

GDF Colonel Administration and Quartering, Captain John Flores and General Secretary of the GLU, Mr. Carvil Duncan were the main signatories. The agreement, which covers all permanent civilians employed by the GDF, was signed on April

16 last.

Captain Flores noted that the completion and signing of the agreement is indicative of the GDF’s continued respect and concern for the welfare of the Force’s civilian employees. “The GDF has great respect for all of its employees and we value the contributions of our civilian labour force. We will continue to treat with them in the letter and spirit of this

agreement and also with regard to our national laws.

Our doors are also open for consultations should any issue arise that is not covered in this agreement.”

The GLU General Secretary lauded the GDF’s commitment to protecting the rights of its civilian employees with the establishment of the new agreement.

He also commended the GDF for maintaining a very

Officials of the GDF and GLU sign the Collective Labour Agreement at the GDF’s conference room. In photo, extreme right, is GLU’s General Secretary Mr. Carlvil Duncan and GDF Col Administration and Quartering, Captain John Flores (seated second from right).

healthy relationship with the GLU. “I am happy that an agreement has been reached and concluded between the two parties,” he said. “People often wonder how it is that a union is operating in a military organisation when unions are generally associated with go-slows and strikes. With the GDF we operate on principles embracing discussions and consultations to arrive at consensus.

The GDF is worker-friendly and takes care of its people.

It also has a high regard for the union. The GLU enjoys a unique relationship with the Guyana Defence Force. The signing of this agreement shows a continuation of that relationship,” he added.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Staff Officer One General One, Lt Colonel Patrick West; Assistant Chief Labour Officer, Ms. Lydia Greene; GLU Field Officer, Mr. Michael Stevens and GDF Shop Steward, Ms. Doreth Christian. The previous agreement was signed in 1977.

UWI to hold regional forum on Internet Governance REGIONAL technology experts will share their insights on global Internet Governance issues, from a Caribbean perspective, at an upcoming forum to be hosted by University of the West Indies (UWI). Internet governance deals with the development of shared principles, policies and programmes that shape the use and evolution of the Internet.

“In the global, multi-stakeholder Internet Governance model, the Internet is seen as a borderless resource belonging to no single entity. Instead, it is managed by a global community of governments, corporations, technologists, academics, civil society and individual end users,” said Patrick Hosein, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computing and Information Technology at UWI’s St Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speakers at the forum will deliver interactive presentations and answer participants’ questions about Internet Governance. The ultimate aim is to strengthen the Caribbean presence in international fora where the future of the Internet is being determined.

The forum starts at 6:30 pm on May 1st and will be held in Room 101 of the Faculty of Engineering at the UWI, St Augustine. Registration is free and open to the public.

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Teen dies in Vriesland accident

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

- alcohol allegedly responsible for the accident

WHAT started out as a celebration ended fatally for 18-year-old Nikil Persaud of Lot 9 Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, late Sunday evening when the vehicle in which he was travelling overturned on the Vriesland public road, West Bank Demerara.

Persaud, a former student of Patentia Secondary School, had been an accountant at AINLIM. He was reportedly hitching a ride in PLL 4632 when the driver, identified as ‘Kevin Kubir’, lost control of the vehicle and it eventually overturned in a drain. Kubir has reportedly been detained by police after Persaud’s body had been transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Vriesland residents who quickly gathered at the scene recall hearing the tortured screeching of a vehicle braking and the agonising sound of a crash.

Public-spirited citizens rushed to the scene and quickly lifted the vehicle to rescue the duo. Kubir, who was cushioned by his air bag, was able to crawl out of the vehicle, while Persaud had to be lifted out.

Kubir rushed for an ambulance, which promptly responded. However several onlookers had to plead with the ambulance driver to take Persaud to the hospital, as the driver claimed that Persaud was not breathing and asserted that he does not transport dead bodies.

Kubir had apparently offered Persaud a ride as he was driving his brotherin-law’s car, which he had borrowed earlier in the evening to drop his wife home.

Kubir had been coming from a birthday celebration in Vriesland.

The vehicle’s owner, who presented himself at the scene shortly after the

accident, admitted that he was intoxicated, but said he could not answer for Kubir’s state of sobriety, when questioned by police officers who arrived on the scene.

Residents allege that the ill-fated vehicle had been speeding at the time of the accident. It first slammed into a parked Toyota AT 170 belonging

to Vriesland resident, Brian Bissoon, before landing some distance away in front of the yard of one resident, whose only given name was Gopaul.

Persaud had sustained multiple injuries and could be seen gasping for breath; but he stopped gasping shortly before the ambulance arrived.

Onlookers observe the wreckage late Sunday evening

Nikil Persaud

Another resident who helped to pull Persaud from the vehicle recollected the situation when he came: “I was watching TV and I hear the impact; and when I come, I only see one guy pin down. And them man raise up the car and I pull he out. All by he neck did cut up and them thing,” the resident said.

Persaud’s uncle, Phillip Garib, told the Chronicle he got the tragic news at around 10:30 pm on Sunday.

“He (Nikil) was walking on the road to a party and the friend (Kubir) see he on the road and pick he up.

He was driving recklessly, and the car collide with a stationary car and topple over,” Garib said as he related what was relayed to him about his nephew’s demise.

Persaud’s emotional cousin Paulina Ann Garib remembers her cousin as an inspiration and said: “My cousin is one of my inspirations. He is rather intelligent when it comes to maths, not so good in English…. He is a fighter, never a quitter. He has a big heart, loves to share and always willing to lend a hand,” Paulina said.

Persaud leaves to mourn two sisters and his father. (Tamica Garnett)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Demerara Bank Limited records $760M after-tax profit

- for first half of financial year 2014

FOR the first half of the year ended March 31, 2014, Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) recorded an after-tax profit of $760.6M, representing a 32% increase over the figure for the similar period in the previous year, when the bank recorded $577.6M in after-tax profit.

DBL further increased its total net assets to $49.5B from $45.7B recorded in the previous year; and loans & advances were significantly improved to $19.7B in March, 2014 from $16.0B in March, 2013, reflecting a rise of 23%.

Investments also increased in the first half of the year from $18.1B to $19.1B, and the Bank’s deposit base has been substantially increased from $38.3B to $40.4B. Consequent upon this demonstration of exemplary financial management, shareholders’ earnings per share (annualized) for the first half of the year increased by 31.5% to $3.38 per share.

D e merara B a n k Limited officially opened its doors in 1994 as Guyana’s first indigenous commercial bank, and has seen these promising developments of 2014 come at a most opportune time, since that financial institution would be commemorating twenty (20) continuous years of providing exemplary service and great fortitude to its customers.

Bank officials say the DBL has expanded its services throughout the country with a network of six branches, and will continue its expansion efforts which, by early 2015, will include a spacious head office.

Management of DBL credits whatever successes were achieved for the first half of the year 2014 to the commitment of the Bank’s staff, which remains a major asset to the operations of that institution.

The Bank reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that it provides its staff with quality training, which will reflect in the Bank’s progression.

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Edghill calls for better contract management, dispute settlement MINISTER within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, has urged contractors, engineers, contract supervisors and other technical officers to ensure that there is better contract management, execution and contract worth, settlement of contract disputes, and focus on contract claims and counter claims.

He made this request of the officers while addressing a forum on management of claims and resolution of disputes under FIDIC contracts and MDBs’ Construction contract.

Minister Edghill related that the training programme he was addressing represented an investment by the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) into the personnel that constituted his audience, and he said they should value the inMinister Juan Edghill vestment.

He recalled that after he had researched the programme he then realised the cost for the programme in other countries of the world; thus it is his hope that with the training the participants were receiving, the risks of conflict would be eliminated from the drafting of contracts. He said that before any contract is signed they should be in order.

Minister Edghill also made it clear that those who have benefited from the training should be able to understand how to implement the clauses to resolve and eliminate risks, since contracts and clauses are not only about rights, but also interests.

Meanwhile, programme trainer, Robert Cochrane, of the European Construction Venture EVC expressed delight in working with the participants. He reassured them that with the training, they can expect to see the execution of contracts done in a more effective and cost efficient manner, if they apply what was taught in the training.

He said the participants asked informed questions, which saw them getting the answers that made them better understand the concepts which were being taught.

Minister Edghill said one of the main points is the ability to ensure that mechanisms are in place to deal with issues.

Issues which should be looked at in the preparation of contracts are the clauses which are geared to address problems which continue to occur.

The Inter-American Development Bank representative said there is always much importance in transforming knowledge while calling for an end to mistakes in the formulating of contracts. (Leroy Smith)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Casual recuperating at home

CURTIS ‘DJ Casual’ Armstrong was discharged from the Woodlands Hospital on Friday last, and is now recuperating at home.

Casual confesses to still feeling some pain in his abdomen, but he says his arm is much better and the swelling has gone. He is happy to be diagnosed as out of danger and on the road to recovery.

Police are, however, yet to arrest the two suspects who allegedly shot DJ Casual twice during a scuffle in the parking lot of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Easter Monday.

Another man, Sean Hinds, 30, of North Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, who intervened in the scuffle, was shot to his left leg and had been admitted to the same medical facility.

Curtis Armstrong, aka ‘DJ Casual’

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Atwell to wing out ...

From back page (Bristol) will provide accommodation and meals for the management team. He will also be in Mexico for the August 24 title fight.

Bristol also lashed out at sections of the media, who, according to him, made derogatory statements and said “the priority right now is what we have ahead of us”.

Racing Tips ENGLISH 08:50 hrs Midaz 09:20 hrs Cadeaux Pearl 09:55 hrs Dalmarella Dancer 10:30 hrs Midterm Break 11:05 hrs It’s All A Game 11:35 hrs Solammaite 12:05 hrs Clubland ASCOT 09:00 hrs Magical Roundabout 09:35 hrs Musical Comedy 10:10 hrs Adhwaa 10:45 hrs Tac De Boistron 11:15 hrs Graphic 11:45 hrs Russian Realm PONTEFRACT 09:10 hrs Montefalcon 09:45 hrs Roseburg 10:20 hrs Dark Ocean 10:55 hrs Maven 11:25 hrs Mr Gallivanter 12:00 hrs Shared Equity 12:35 hrs Thecornishcowboy IRISH RACING TIPS Punchestown 10:40 hrs Highbrow Blue 11:20 hrs Le Vent D’antan 11:55 hrs Beat That 12:30 hrs Lyreen Legend 13:05 hrs Silver Concorde 13:40 hrs Pass The Hat 14:15 hrs Fletchers Flyer AMERICAN RACING TIPS Churchill Downs Race 1 Bamboneo Race 2 Blutadda Race 3 Abelha Maestra Race 4 Demure Halo Race 5 C P Hath a Way Race 6 Folloe the Kitten Race 7 Praia Race 8 Joedini Race 9 Departing Race10 Engaginglee SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:15 hrs Glam I Am 08:50 hrs Augusta National 09:25 hrs National Forest 10:00 hrs Stormy Ridge 10:35 hrs Ess El Kay 11:10 hrs Golden Fighter

He said he had serious discussions with Atwell and told him what the advantages of fighting for a world title are and also mentioned that there is always a chance for the underdog.

At this point, Atwell said that Bristol will captain the management ship.

Blackmore, in brief remarks, also said he saw Atwell fight, saw how he has been preparing, is confident of Atwell’s management team and is very impressed with what he has been seeing.

The former Guyana lightweight champion said he saw Gonzalez fight on a number of occasions and know for

sure that Atwell can get past him.

When asked about the high altitude in Mexico and the thin air he will be inhaling, Atwell informed that for the past three weeks he has been training with an oxygen mask which can increase the air or decrease it.

Abdool informed that Atwell will be fighting in Acapulco Mexico which is a mere 98 feet above sea level and not Mexico which is a few thousand feet above sea level.

Atwell is scheduled to arrive in Mexico one week prior to his title fight.

Herman Harris, the father of a former Guyana world champion

Vivian Harris who was also present said he has been there and knows what Atwell has to expect. He wished Atwell well in his endeavours.

Atwell’s coach Daniels said at the beginning of their preparation for the title fight, there were many ups and downs but Atwell has gotten over them and is about 75 percent mentally and physically fit and that come fight night, he (Atwell) will be 100 percent fit both physically and mentally.

Atwell in closing remarks said the mind controls everything and he has a way making bad things good. “I have a job to do and have been disregarding negative publicity.”

NBA bans Clippers owner ...

From back page of NBA franchises would be hesitant to back any move that could set a precedent that would undermine their property rights.

Persuading the other owners may be an uphill battle, said Robert Boland, chairman of the sports management department at New York University.

“Every owner would be worried that it would create a situation where people later came after them,” Boland said.

‘Magic’ Johnson said on Twitter after commissioner Silver’s announcement yesterday, “Now let’s hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing.”

The recording on TMZ.com included part of an argument between Sterling and a model who uses the name V. Stiviano about photographs posted to Instagram. “People call you and tell you that I have black people on my Instagram.

And it bothers you,” the voice said to be Stiviano’s says. The woman also notes in the conversation that she is of Latino and black heritage. “Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo ... broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” the voice said to be Sterling’s says.

An attorney for Stiviano declined to comment on the decision.

The league acted one day after a series of Los Angeles Clippers sponsors including auto dealer CarMax Inc, Virgin America, State Farm, Kia Motors America,

music mogul P. Diddy’s water brand AQUAHydrate, Red Bull and Yokohama Tire all announced that they were stepping back from the team.

Some advertisers had asked to move their commercials out of the national broadcast of yesterday’s Clippers playoff game against the Golden State Warriors by TNT, owned by Time Warner Inc, and the local airing on a sports channel owned by 21st Century Fox, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Silver appealed to the team’s marketing partners to “judge us by our response to this incident,” adding he was “hopeful that they would return into their business relationships with the Clippers.” Sterling bought the Clippers, then based in San Diego, in 1981 for $13 million at a time when basketball was far less commercially successful than it is today, and the franchise could now be worth as much as $800 million, Boland estimated. The team, long a perennial underdog, moved to Los Angeles in 1984 and only recently became a league powerhouse.

Sterling was sued as a property owner in 2003 for discrimination in housing by the U.S. government. The lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles accused him of telling his staff to rent to Asian tenants but not black or Hispanic people.

Silver said the decision to ban Sterling from the game had not taken his past history into account. He said, however, that when the owners vote on whether to force him to sell, “they will take into account a lifetime of behaviour.”

40

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Real thrash Bayern to reach Champions League final

By Sam Sheringham, BBC Sport REAL Madrid sailed into their first Champions League final since 2002 with an astonishingly onesided away victory over holders Bayern Munich.

Sergio Ramos scored two headers from set-pieces before Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off a counter-attack to all but end the game as a contest.

Ronaldo added a late freekick for his record 16th goal of the European campaign to seal a 5-0 aggregate win.

Real will face either Chelsea or Atletico Madrid in the final in Lisbon.

The defeat was a humiliation for Bayern, who last year thrashed Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semifinals before overcoming fellow Germans Borussia

Dortmund to lift the trophy for the fifth time.

And the result will increase the pressure on manager Pep Guardiola amid the growing feeling that, despite winning the Bundesliga in record time, he has not delivered the progress his employers were expecting.

The future of the former Barca coach will be of little concern to Real, who now have the chance to add to their record haul of nine European Cups, 12 years after Zinedine Zidane’s volley delivered their last triumph at Hampden Park.

With Zidane now watching from the Real bench as a member of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff, the Spaniards started the game with verve and purpose and were swiftly on the way to their first victory over Bayern in Munich at the 10th attempt.

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso (top) celebrates with team mates their fourth goal against Bayern Munich during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match in Munich, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Michael Dalder)

Gareth Bale had already gone close with a long-range effort after Manuel Neuer’s weak punch when a Luka Modric corner from the

right located the unmarked Ramos, who powered a header past the Germany goalkeeper.

Shortly afterwards, Real

doubled their lead via a near-identical goal as Angel Di Maria’s free-kick was flicked on by Pepe, and Ramos was once again on hand to head in.

With Bayern’s usually fervent fans stunned into silence, Real added a third on the break. Karim Benzema’s hooked pass sent Bale racing clear and the Welshman squared for Ronaldo to slot in his 48th goal of the season and surpass the previous record of 14 goals in a European Cup season, held by Lionel Messi, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jose Altafini.

The only low for Real in an otherwise perfect first period was Xabi Alonso’s yellow card for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger, which will rule him out of the final on May 24.

With Bayern needing a near-

impossible five goals, the second half was predictably flat.

Arjen Robben curled wide from the edge of the area, Franck Ribery drew a rare save from Iker Casillas with a low drive and substitute Mario Gotze could not keep his shot below the bar after turning sharply in the box.

And Bayern suffered a final ignominy in the 89th minute when Ronaldo curled a 20-yard free-kick under a jumping wall to kick-start the Real celebrations.

The victory sets up a mouthwatering final either way, with Real poised to face either former boss Jose Mourinho should Chelsea make it through, or city rivals Atletico.

That tie is delicately poised at 0-0 going into today’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Faulkner stars on his 24th birthday JAMES Faulkner was named man-of-the-match on his 24th birthday after taking three wickets in one crucial over, to spark his Rajasthan Royals to a dramatic, Super Over victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

The Royals batted first and made 152-5, and when Faulkner took the ball in the 19th over of KKR’s run chase it seemed likely the latter would reach the target.

Faulkner, who had been going for more than 10 runs an over in the tournament, not only contained KKR but took three wickets in the over – including two consecutively.

A wicket from the final ball of his over would have given the Tasmanian all-rounder a hat-trick, but despite beating the batsman it sailed just above the middle stump.

Fellow Australian Kane Richardson (1-28 from four overs) then bowled the final over, but KKR batsman Shakib Al Hasan managed to guide his side to 152-8 and tie the scores at the end of the 20 overs.

James Faulkner took two wickets in two balls to jolt Knight Ridersin Abu Dhabi

Enter Faulkner again, who was given the ball by Royals skipper Shane Watson at the start of the Super Over format.

In an eventful over, where Suryakumar Yadav and Shakib were both run-out, KKR finished on 11-2.

Rajasthan only needed 11 to win the match, as they had hit more boundaries in their earlier 20 overs (which is how a winner is determined if scores are still tied after a Super Over).

Spinner Sunil Narine was chosen to bowl for Kolkata while the Aussie pair of Watson and Steve Smith had Rajasthan’s hopes resting on their batting.

After the pair moved to 9-0 from the first five balls, which included a Watson boundary, Smith was on

strike for the final ball needing two runs.

Cleverly, Smith hit a soft push on the off side with most of the field back on the rope and he and Watson scampered through for the match-winning runs.

Earlier Ajinkya Rahane topscored for the Royals with 72 while Watson made 33 before being run-out. Smith made a very handy 19 from 11 balls at the death.

Gautam Gambhir finally found some form after scores of 0, 0, 0 and one to make 45 for KKR but it was Yadav (31 off 19) and Shakib (29 n.o. from 18) that looked likely to give their side a regulation win.

But with Faulkner’s 11-3 from two overs leading the way for the Royals, Kolkata were denied.(CA)

41

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Mentore looking to continue growth of DCC during coming year … COVERED BLEACHERS AND CORPORATE LINKAGE ON CARDS

By Calvin Roberts “A CLUB can only be vibrant and viable, through the quantum leadership of its membership. It is therefore essential that a continuous membership drive be undertaken so as to foster growth and expansion of human resources and manpower”.

Those were the words expressed by re-elected president of the Lance Gibbs Street-based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Alfred Mentore, in his President’s report for the Club’s Annual General Meeting and Election of Office-Bearers held last Thursday in the Club’s pavilion.

Reflecting on his achievements over the past year, the 42-year-old Mentore who regained the presidency without a challenge, despite Georgetown Cricket Association president Roger Harper throwing in his hat to contend for same, highlighted the selection of national Super50 skipper Christopher Barnwell to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the major one.

“Since my preferment to the prestigious position of president of DCC in 2011, I have faithfully endeavoured to honour and maintain the credentials of the club, whose primary focus and unwavering objective is the production of national and international cricketers - a feat which we have achieved with unprecedented success.

In resolute pursuit of this lofty ideal, we have continued to adopt, under my stewardship, the core values and principles of our mission to be the premier cricket club in Guyana and suffice it to say, we have achieved this distinction through the dedication, commitment and support of members of the executive committee, in particular and corpus of our membership in general,” said Mentore.

He added, “In these very challenging economic and political environments, I

drew on my professional background, extensive business and social contacts, coupled with my academic training and most of all, our

Alfred Mentore,

hardworking executive team, to make a positive impact on the club, its members and cricket as a whole.

Some of our achievements in 2013 were winning the GCA/Hadi’s World Incorporated/City Mall first division two-day and GCA/Brainstreet Under-15 competitions, while five players represented Guyana at the Under-15 and U-17 levels respectively and two made the national Undcer-19 team.

In addition to the abovementioned, the club’s coach Gavin Nedd was appointed National Under-17 coach for the Regional tournament and six players were selected for Georgetown Under-21 team and, while Barnwell was selected by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the IPL, Derwin Christian, Paul Wintz, Trevon Griffith and Barnwell represented Guyana in the Caribbean T20 tournament.”

Mentore further highlighted Barnwell and Griffith’s selection to the Guyana Amazon Warriors lineup, while Griffith was also a member of the WICB/ Sagicor High Performance Centre tour to Bangladesh and Barnwell represented the West Indies in T20 cricket.

Mentore said he intends to continue the same hard work he has put in over the

previous years once again, with the aim of producing more Clive Lloyds, Lance Gibbs, Travis Dowlins and Barnwells of the future for the club which is also known as the ‘Home of the Legends’.

“We are thankful for being blessed in the nursery department of our club, with the services of Nedd, a certified Level One coach who has been giving selflessly of his service to the club, with his production line being second to none,” stated Mentore.

One consideration of the Club’s executive committee this time around is the lapsed members who only renew their membership at the time of the AGM, an act Mentore said he will not be condoning, adding that should any member have a lapsed period of more than two years based on the Committee’s leniency, such member ought to reapply for membership.

“My personal view is that this course of action should not be condoned and any member who has lapsed for more than two (2) years, based on the Committee’s leniency and the Club’s constitution, ought to be made to reapply for membership and that is nonnegotiable.”

Presiding over the Club’s Centennial Celebrations which culminated with a ‘Black Tie Ball’ at the Hotel Tower in 2012, continuous upgrade of the Club’s facilities, forging of strategic alliances with the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, resulting in the erection and installation of floodlights around the perimeter, were all part of Mentore’s highlights during the past year.

“It is noteworthy to mention, that the contractual arrangements between the GFSCA and DCC, stipulate that maintenance of the floodlights will be undertaken by the former group who in turn will be allowed to use these

facilities at a concessionary fee and after 10 years, the ownership of the floodlights shall redound to the Club,” Mentore said.

Looking ahead to the future, Mentore outlined his plans which included building an enclosed practice facility, half court basketball court, covered bleachers to accommodate spectators, upgrading of the club house and establishing a linkage

with corporate brands such as Banks DIH and Ansa McAl. “Financing is a key component of any undertaking and hence it must be informed by transparency, accountability, efficiency and proper record keeping - underpinned by appropriate internal checks and balances, with the Club improving its financial status from ‘day to day’ existence to a situation of systematic

‘current and forward planning,” said Mentore.

Outlining that he has contributed over $1M from his personal funds to the club, Mentore called on all to put their hands on the wheel, so that the objectives and further development can be met, as he echoed the words of Sir Winston Churchill who once said, “Give me the tools and I will finish the job”.

42

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Jamaica claim Headley/Weekes Trophy GROS-ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Two promising batsmen, Jermaine Blackwood and Sunil Ambris, featured prominently with

breakthrough hundreds before Jamaica claimed the Headley/Weekes Trophy with a tame draw against Windward Islands in the Final yesterday.

Blackwood completed his maiden first-class hundred of 118, propping up the Jamaicans’ batting, as they were dismissed for 200 in their second innings about half-hour before lunch on the last day of the finale to the Regional 4-Day WINDWARD ISLANDS 2nd Tournament. innings (target: 376) This left the Windwards to D. Smith lbw b Jacobs 40 chase a highly improbable, T. Theophile b Cottrell 22 if not impossible target of J. Charles lbw b Taylor 2 376 on a docile Beausejour S. Ambris c wkp. Baugh b Cricket pitch, and Ambris McCarthy 102 used the relaxed atmosphere K. Lesporis c wkp. Baugh b to carve out his second firstclass hundred of 102, as Jacobs 8 Windwards reached 204 for R. Currency c Miller b McCarthy six in their second innings 18 when play ended an hour M. Matthew not out 0 before the scheduled close.

L. Sebastien not out 0 The result meant that the Extras: (b-6, lb-2, w-3, nb-1) 12 visitors clinched the Trophy Total: (6 wkts, 58 overs) by virtue of accumulating a higher number of points in 204 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-40, 3-98, the match. They ended with eight, including two batting 4-120, 5-203, 6-204. points and three bowling Bowling: Taylor 8-2-25-1; points, while the Windwards Cottrell 7-1-22-1 (w-2); Jacobs finished with five.

22-4-75-2 (nb-1); Bernard 5-0- The Headley/Weekes 18-0 (w-1); Campbell 9-0-34-0; Trophy was inaugurated Blackwood 2-0-9-0; McCarthy five years ago in honour of the late Jamaica and 5-1-13-2 West Indies batting legend

Scoreboard JAMAICA 1st innings 392 Windward Islands 1st innings 217 JAMAICA 2nd innings (o/n 147 for seven) N. Bonner lbw b Matthew 2 J.D. Campbell lbw b Peters 14 J. Blackwood c Lesporis b Sebastien 118 A. McCarthy c Charles b Peters 0 D. Bernard c wkp. Ambris b Peters 0 C. Baugh c Smith b Matthew 14 T. Lambert c wkp. Ambris b Peters 20 N. Miller c Lesporis b Sebastien 0 D. Jacobs lbw b Peters 21 J. Taylor lbw b Peters 0 S. Cottrell not out 8 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, nb-1) 3 Total: (all out, 58 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-51, 3-51, 4-51, 5-96, 6-136, 7-137, 8-170, 9-170.

Bowling: Matthew 11-0-35-2; Shillingford 11-1-33-0; Johnson 1-0-18-0; Peters 17-3-66-6 (nb-1); Sebastien 18-6-46-2.

58 for the third wicket with veteran left-handed opener Devon Smith and shared 83 for the fifth wicket with his elder brother Romel Currency before he was caught behind chasing a delivery from McCarthy.

Smith hit 40 and fellow opener Tyronbe Theophile got 22, but no other Windwards batsman made it to 20.

Champions Jamaica celebrate with the Headley/Weekes McCarthy ended with 2-13 trophy. (Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks from five overs and legLatouche Photography) spinner Jacobs finished with George Headley, and living Windward captain Liam 2-75 from 22 overs.

Barbados and West Indies Sebastien, bowling his off- There was a bizarre twist batting legend Sir Everton spin, to bring the Jamaica to the day when the players seemed content to end play Weekes. innings to a close.

Blackwood, a graduate of Peters was the most at tea-time with both teams the Sagicor West Indies successful Windwards meeting halfway between High Performance Centre, bowler with 6-66 from 17 their respective dressing struck 15 fours and two sixes overs, Mervin Matthew rooms for the typical postfrom 170 balls in 3 ¾ hours. grabbed 2-35 from 11 overs play shake of hands.

He reached his hundred from and Sebastien grabbed 2-46 Ground-staff had extracted the stumps and started to 159 balls, when he dragged from 18 overs. a delivery from left-arm Ambris, a highly-regarded water the outfield, but were medium-fast bowler Kenroy former Young West Indies soon informed that play Peters into square leg for a batsman, batted almost 2½ would resume as scheduled single. hours, faced 120 balls and after the break.

Under tournament rules, Blackwood shared two struck 13 fours and one six. vital tail-end stands – 33 He reached his hundred from play on the last day could with Damion Jacobs for the 118 balls when he lofted not be ended until 75 overs eighth wicket and 30 with Andre McCarthy, bowling had been bowled on the day Sheldon Cottrell for the last his uncomplicated off-spin, or 16:00hrs East Caribbean wicket – before being caught over long-on for his only six. Time (Jamaica minus an at straight mid-wicket off Along the way, he put on hour), whichever is the later.

… BLACKWOOD, AMBRIS SHOW PROMISE

GCB hosts successful Scorers Seminar … UMPIRES SEMINAR SET FOR TODAY

By Calvin Roberts THEY CAME from all across Guyana yesterday, from Port Mourant in the east to South Essequibo in the west to be a part of the firstever Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-organised Scorers Seminar which was held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s National Sports Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue.

Close to two dozen participants, including former national Under-19 cricketer Herry Greene,

umpires Eddie Nicholls, Daniel Richmond and Ava Barker, along with potential scorers, were taken through their paces by well recognised scorer Lyndon Wilson, who was ably assisted by Territorial Development Officer of the GCB, Colin Stuart.

Wilson said he was heartened by the response shown by the participants, adding that they did not come from a particular geographical area in Guyana, while highlighting the fact that there is an influx of women

into the profession.

In an invited comment, Stuart said the aim is to ensure that potential scorers learn the intricacies of the job through theoretical and practical sessions, while refreshing the knowledge base of those who are already practising the trade.

Topics that were addressed at the first Scorers Workshop were: Introduction to Basic Scoring, Equipment needed for Scoring, Symbols used in Scoring, Umpire Signals, Acknowledgement of Signals and Scoring – the

Practical Way. Upon successful completion of this first scorers workshop, these individuals will be exposed to a second Scorers Workshop which will focus on ‘Scoring, using the Box Hill method,’ which shall be followed by a third workshop, which shall have as its emphasis, ‘Computer Scoring’. The dates will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the GCB will conduct an Umpires Seminar at the same venue today from 09:30hrs, where umpires who are not certified and

AFTER CONCENTRATING on youth competition as preparations for the 2014 Under-15, 17 and 19 Guyana Cricket Board organized Inter-county tournaments, the Berbice Cricket Board will resume their first division competition, with the playing of the Ramcharitar Construction Services knockout tournament.

this seminar would be the president of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) Shannon Crawford who will be ably assisted by Nandkumar Shivsankar.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 30, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 2236055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

2013 BCB/Ramcharitar competition resumes tomorrow The postponed first round game between Bush Lot Rising Star and Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, will be played tomorrow at the Bush Lot ground in West Berbice, while three more matches will be contested on Saturday across the Ancient County.

potential umpires are invited to attend, with several Laws of the Game being expounded, including the ‘Preambles and Laws 30-39’ which cover dismissal.

The main facilitators of

Saturday’s matches will pit Port Mourant hosting Universal Solutions Bermine, West Berbice and Universal DVD Young Warriors meeting at D’ Edward, while Police will take on the winner of the Bush Lot versus Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets encounter, with all matches commencing at 09:30hrs.

(1)

KKR vs RR, Capetown, 2009

(2)

Dwayne Bravo & Michael Hussey

Today’s Quiz: (1) What were the best bowling figures recorded in the 2008 IPL tournament?

(2) Who struck most sixes in the last IPL tournament? How many?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

43

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 30, 2014

Alpha retain NAMILCO `One Love’ title with 1-0 win over GDF ... HOST CLUB FINISH IN THIRD PLACE NATIONAL champions Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United successfully defended their title, edging the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 1-0 in the grand finale of the NAMILCOsponsored Fruta Conquerors One Love tourney at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground last Sunday.

The army side created the first chance of the contest in the 29th minute, when Delroy Fraser, who was later declared the tournament’s highest goalscorer with his five goals, struck his powerful header straight at the Alpha goalkeeper from inside the penalty box.

National forward Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson answered back for the Hammers, lashing his effort off the crossbar eight minutes later, after collecting a pass inside the penalty box, as both sides took the lemon-time break with a clean sheet.

In the second half, Alpha’s Sheldon Holder and Andrew

Murray Jr. were denied sending their team into the lead, courtesy of the crossbar, with Murray Jr being presented with a oneon-one situation with the Army’s custodian in the 77th minute, when he was denied by the woodwork.

Alpha should have opened the scoring in the 97th minute of extra time, only for Manasseh Primo to strike his effort over the bar, but the defending champions eventually grabbed the winner in the 121st minute through a Mark Miller rightfooted missile into the roof of the net from outside the box.

For retaining their title, Alpha collected $1.2M and the championship trophy.

GDF for their showing collected $600 000 and the runners-up trophy.

In the third place playoff, Fruta Conquerors, led by a Dwayne Lawrence double in the 18th and 60th minutes came from behind to defeat Riddim Squad, with Delon Williams and Jahaal

Despite a 1-0 win, Dover deems it the worst performance by Alpha ESPITE winning the NAMILCO One Love Football Classic title last Sunday night, Alpha United coach Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover said it was the worst performance by his charges since he has been with the team.

Alpha United defeated the Guyana Defence Force 1-0 in the final of the sixth annual competition, organised by Fruta Conquerors at the Georgetown Football Club ground.

Mark Miller scored the lone goal of the match in the 17th minute of extra time after the two sides were locked 0-0 at the end of regulation time.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport via telephone yesterday, Dover said he feels good about the win since his aim when the tournament started was to win the title, “but we did not play well at all; we failed miserably with our midfield play. We had no control of the game, we hadn’t enough ball possession,” Dover stated.

He said the win will, however, boost the players who will take a one-week rest before resuming training for the

CONCACAF Champions League, which will be contested by Caribbean and Central American teams, and includes teams from Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama.

Dover said after a oneweek rest the players will start gym work and this will be conducted by the team’s Brazilian trainer.

He explained that in the CONCACAF Champions League which starts in August, each team will play home and away matches but he is not sure which group Alpha United will be drawn in.

Dover, who has led Alpha United to several championship titles, said regardless of which group Alpha United are drawn in, the team will do their best to come out on top “and, winning the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Banks Beer 2013/2014 National Premier League and now the NAMILCO title is definitely a boost for the players.

Meanwhile in the third place play-off on Sunday night, tournament hosts Fruta Conquerors defeated Riddim Squad 4-2 to take the third place prize.

Greaves completing the win with goals of their own in the 51th and 63rd minutes respectively.

Scoring for the losers in the 13th and 48th minutes were Sceyon Hope and Amos Ramsay, as Fruta Conquerors walked away with the third place trophy and $400 000 while Riddim Squad carted off $200 000

Minister Juan Edghill hands over the winning trophy and cheque to Alpha United captain Dwight Peters in the presence of his fellow teammates and technical staff.

and the fourth place trophy.

During the presentation ceremony that followed, GDF player Delwyn Fraser

was awarded the tourney’s most valuable player award while Lawrence of Conquerors was awarded

the highest goalscorer award (five goals) and Ronson Williams the best goalkeeper award.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Jamaica claim Headley/ Weekes Trophy See story on page 42

… Blackwood, Ambris show promise

Atwell to wing out for New York Friday

… clears air on ill-informed media reports GUYANA’S world boxing champion Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell yesterday cleared the air on what he described as ill-informed reports that have been appearing in other sections of the media over the past few weeks.

Addressing a press conference yesterday at the Millennium Manor Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Atwell who will be fighting Mexican Johnny Gonzalez on May 24 for the World Boxing Council’s Junior Welterweight title said he is saddened by the reports that have been appearing in the dailies.

He said those reports are negative and have disrupted his management team, since none of the reports has credence.

According to Atwell, it is his view that the person who wrote the articles knows nothing about what transpired between his management team and the organisers of the world title fight concerning his purse for the August 24 title fight.

Clive Atwell (right) accepts a cash donation from Millennium Manor Hotel proprietor Lance Bacchus prior to the start of yesterday’s press conference.

(Sonell Nelson proto) `The Punisher’ who holds several national titles and is also a CABOFE champion in two divisions informed members of the media that the title fight is not a mandatory defence

by Gonzalez, but rather a

voluntary defence.

This, he said, means that a fighter’s purse for a voluntary title fight depends on the boxer’s record, like who that boxer fought and where he fought his fights.

Atwell admitted that he

has only fought 12 professional bouts, winning all of them and all were fought on home soil.

He said his only recognised fight was against Venezuela’s Rafael Hernandez here in Guyana.

The boxer stressed that persons need to put aside their differences and the most important thing is for him to win another world title.

The cagey boxer stated that he has a decent relationship (business relationship) with his management team and the case at hand is to win a world title.

The champion thanked all Guyana for the support he has been receiving over the past months and that he is thankful for the interest shown by the public leading up to the May 24 fight.

Atwell stated that it is unfair to ‘mess’ with an individual’s character since this will cause an effect on the camp which puts a stumbling block on certain deals concerning purse etc.

President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool, who was also present at the press conference along with former Guyana lightweight world-rater Lennox Blackmore, head coach Lennox Daniels and boxing promoter Seon Bristol, along with Millennium Manor Hotel proprietor Lance Bacchus echoed

Atwell’s statements and said he is grateful that Atwell has gotten an opportunity to fight for a world title and said the negativity of the statements made by certain media reporters is very damaging.

He stated that the negative publicity implies that Atwell’s management team does not know what they are about.

Abdool, who is an executive of the WBC said for quite some time he has been calling on the WBC to allow Guyanese to come to the fore once again and reminded that all 12 of Atwell’s fight have been on the GBBC `Fight Nights’ cards. “Clive is now hungry and has the ability to beat Gonzalez and it is a very short journey now to the fight,” Abdool stated.

In brief comments, Bristol said he is here to give Atwell all the support he needs to achieve his aim.

Bristol, who is based in the United States said he is overwhelmed to be a part of Team Atwell and while Atwell will be training for a short time at the Gleeson’s Gym in New York, See page 39

NBA bans Clippers owner for life over racist comments … also fined $2.5M

By Scott Malone and Larry Fine

(REUTERS) - The National Basketball Association yesterday banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the game for life and fined him $2.5 million for racist comments that drew a storm of outrage from players, fans, commercial sponsors and even President Barack Obama.

Sterling, the longest-tenured owner of any of the 30 NBA teams, will be barred from any role in the operations of his team or be able to serve as one of the league’s governors, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at a news conference in New York.

Silver also urged the other owners to vote to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, a move that would require approval of three-quarters of the current owners.

Asked whether Sterling could end up as essentially an absentee owner if the league fails to force a sale of the team, Silver replied, “I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners to remove him.”

The controversy began over the weekend when the celebrity website TMZ.com released an audio recording with a voice said to be Sterling’s criticising a woman friend for associating with “black people.” The recording included

The NBA punished the Clippers owner Donald Sterling, yesterday, for racist statements he made to his girlfriend.

Sterling asking his friend not to invite former Los Angeles Laker star player Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson to games.

“The views expressed by Mr Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful,” Silver told reporters as he confronted his first major crisis since he was named commissioner in February.

An investigation concluded the male voice on the recording, and on a second recording said to be from the same conversation and made public on Sunday, was Sterling’s, Silver told reporters.

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He said Sterling confirmed it was his voice but did not apologise. “He has not expressed to me directly any other views,” Silver told reporters as the NBA responded to an uproar in a league that was at the forefront of racial integration in U.S. professional sports and where most of the players are black. Obama, the first black U.S. president, called Sterling’s comments “incredibly offensive racist statements”.

Sterling could not be reached for immediate comment yesterday.

The decision to ban Sterling drew praise from around the league. The Clippers said in a statement that the team “wholeheartedly” supports the NBA’s move, and members of the cross-town rival Los Angeles Lakers joined Mayor Eric Garcetti at a news conference in a show of support for Silver.

“I want to personally thank Commissioner Silver for bringing down the hammer, for being as strong as he could be,” Garcetti said. “You might be able to buy a team, but you don’t own this city. This is our town.”

WILL HE SELL? The ban may not be enough for some critics who called on Sterling to immediately give up ownership of the Clippers, though observers said the other 29 owners See page 39 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013