Guyana chronicle 30 06 14

GUYANA No. 103874 MONDAY JUNE 30, 2014

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

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Passing AML/CFT Bill before October would be useful ––Teixeira Page

First Lady takes post-Father’s Day celebration to the Palms

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INCLUDING VAT

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PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR GAIL TEIXEIRA

President reaffirms Page 9 Government’s commitment to fighting corruption

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PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

––cites proposed DEA office, AML/CFT Bill

Speeding vehicles ram each other at Page 6 Blankenburg, WCD

––Luckily, no one was seriously injured

First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar (third left) and PYO members helping spread belated Father’s Day cheer at The Palms yesterday

Fire ravages chowmein factory, residential buildings at Sisters Village, WBD Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

First Lady takes post-Father’s Day celebration to the Palms THE First Lady Foundation yesterday celebrated Father’s Day, albeit belatedly, with residents of The Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, Georgetown, along with youths of the Progressive Youth Organistation (PYO).

First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar, has taken the lead through her Foundation, and dedicated her time and energies owards the promotion of positive family life with the aid of the other members of the organisation.

The First Lady, in commemoration of Father’s Day, distributed food and gifts to the fathers at The Palms. The objective, she said, is to let them know that they have not been forgotten. “We (the First Lady Foundation) want them to know that they are remembered,” she said.

Since this event coincided with Ramadan, the First Lady also presented gifts to the Muslim Community to offer as Zakat al-Fitr (charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan).

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar and her indefatigable team of assistants, drawn from the First Lady Foundation and the PYO, outside the Palms yesterday after they had done distributing their bags of goodies (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Passing AML/CFT Bill before October would be useful ––Teixeira

By Vanessa Narine

PRESIDENTIAL Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, says Guyana would do well to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meets again in October.

“At any time, if the Bill is passed, it will help,” she told the Guyana Chronicle following her return from a FATF meet in Paris.

FATF, at its one-week plenary meeting, which ended last Friday, accepted the referral of Guyana from its regional watchdog, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and is expected to undertake a targeted review of Guyana, the results of which will be presented at its October meeting.

Teixeira made it clear that the passage of the Bill will not take Guyana “automatically” out of the review process, but it will help Guyana’s case soewhat, come October.

“It will not take us off the list, but it will help,” she said. “Whatever Bill we pass will still be reviewed too, but at the end of the day, it will contribute and help our case.”

FATF is expected to write Guyana this week to outline the specifics of the targetted review. “In October,” Ms. Teixeira said, “we will know the result of the targetted review... At that time, FATF will decide what measures will be taken, and we will know the severity of Guyana’s listing.”

COMPLETE REVIEW She, however, said that the international body will be undertaking a complete review of non-legislative and legislative aspects of Guyana’s AML/CFT framework. “We know that 80 per cent of what we need to do, in terms of compliance, is legislative, but with FATF coming in, they will look at everything,” she said.

Prior to CFATF’s referral of Guyana to the international body, it indicated that the country’s non-compliance with international standards would have been addressed with the passage of the AML/CFT (Amend-

ment) Bill. CFATF’s referral of Guyana to FATF was an ‘effective’ international blacklisting.

The Bill, to meet the requirements the FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRB), CFATF, was tabled in the National Assembly in April 2013, but referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee and eventually voted down by the combined Opposition in November 2013. The Bill was re-tabled in DecemPRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ber 2013, and again referred to the ParGAIL TEIXEIRA liamentary Special Select Committee, chaired by Ms. Gail Teixeira, where it has been since.

Teixeira, also Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee, said that with the FATF review, Guyana is no longer under CFATF’s scope. “Guyana is now taken out of regional review and put under international scrutiny,” she said.

However, the counter-measures advised to be taken against Guyana by CFATF, which officially blacklisted Guyana regionally, remain in force.

These include, among other counters: The requirement of enhanced due diligence measures; introducing enhanced reporting mechanisms or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refusing the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in the country concerned, or otherwise taking into account the fact that the relevant financial institution is from a country that does not have adequate AML/CFT systems and limiting the business relationships or financial transactions with the identified country or persons in that country.

NOT A FAST PROCESS As Ms. Teixeira pointed out, now that Guyana is under a FATF review, the process will not be a fast

one, but one that will take years. “The process is not a fast one; and once we are before them (FATF), it doesn’t mean you get off easily,” she said.

She used as an example of countries that were included in FATF’s most recent public statement, the case of Argentina, which only this month ended its third round of review, after being identified as a country with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies by the FATF’s International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) in 2011. “There are several countries that came under FATF’s review since 2011 and 2012, and are still being reviewed,” she said.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in a prior interview, had indicated that exiting FATF’s review could take between four and seven years, and cost Guyana millions of dollars.

NEW TERRITORY Ms. Teixeira also told the Guyana Chronicle that Guyana is now in new territory. Acknowledging that Guyana was not listed on FATF’s public system, she stated that Guyana’s unique situation resulted in the move towards a targeted review, rather than a full review by FATF’s ICRG; although a preliminary review of Guyana by ICRG was done when FATF met last week.

Teixeira noted that Guyana’s treatment by FATF is not a strange one; that rather countries in like circumstances, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been similarly treated.

The Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) of the Council of Europe issued a public statement on Bosnia and Herzegovina in light of continued lack of progress in the adoption of necessary legislation to address its concerns.

The public statement was adopted by MONEYVAL in its 44th plenary meeting (31 March–4 April 2014), under Step 3 of its Compliance Enhancing Procedures. The Committee however deferred its issue until June 1, 2014, in order to allow Bosnia See page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Passing AML/CFT Bill before October ... their AML/CFT regime with a view to encouraging expeditious rectification of the identified strategic deficiencies Guyana and the CFATF developed an Action Plan with identified target dates to address the strategic deficiencies that exist in Guyana’s national architecture to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

However, the Government and the combined Opposition have been gridlocked over the compliance in the areas requiring the passage of legislation.

Both Opposition Parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), have linked conditionalities to their support for passage of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill.

APNU proposed three amendments, which were included in the Party’s draft amendments to the Principal AML/CFT Act, which President Donald Ramotar said would be supported by his Government if the Party would agree to pass the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill but this was rejected.

Additionally, APNU’s position is an ‘all-or-nothing’ one, as the Party maintains its demands not only for

From page 3 and Herzegovina further time to adopt all necessary amendments to the preventive Law and the Criminal Code.

The necessary legislation was not adopted by the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the MONEYVAL deadline of May 31, 2014.

As a result, MONEYVAL, like CFATF did with Guyana, invited FATF to address their concerns.

VINDICATED Teixeira underscored the fact that the current Administration has been vindicated in its many calls for the passage of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill, in terms of avoiding a review by FATF. “We have said this before; we said that this was going to happen if we did not pass the Bill. And now, here we are,” she said.

In November 2011, the CFATF first brought to the attention of its members certain jurisdictions, including Guyana, with significant strategic deficiencies in

their Bill, but also restated its call on the President to give his assent to several Bills passed in the National Assembly, including the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014. The Head of State has already forwarded his explanation for his non-assent to the National Assembly.

On the other hand, the AFC, which is fully behind APNU’s position, is demanding the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which the government has agreed to, providing that Cabinet retains its no-objection role in the process; but the latter position has been rejected by the AFC. However, on May 29, after the announcement by CFATF, the AFC, in a statement, noted that it is now willing to budge on its position, and support Cabinet’s retention of its no-objection role.

Government has repeated its willingness to have the Bill passed, and has demonstrated its commitment to same, but up to the last meeting of the Select Committee, no moves have been made with the Bill.

Main conservancies below full supply level ––Dr Ramsammy reports

By Vanessa Narine AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, pointing out that the May/June rains have been less than expected, has said that the probability of Guyana experiencing El Nino conditions has increased over 98 per cent.

“The May/June rain, even though we have had rain, is below what we normally have; so all our conservancies are below full supply levels,” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.

The water level data from the four main conservancies has indicated the following: * The East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) stands at 56 Georgetown Datum (GD) over its full supply level of 58GD; and * The Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) stands at 59GD over its full supply level of 64 GD. The Boerasirie and Tapakuma conservancies, as of yesterday morning, were at full supply levels, at 61.3GD and 57.5GD respectively.

The minister added that while some rain has fallen, the amount of water needed by farmers is greater than what has been replenished. He said, “Thankfully, the amount of rain we have had has not seen the conservancies’ supply being depleted; but the amount of water we need at this time for farmers in both the sugar and rice sectors, and even for the cash crop farmers, cannot be met by the amount of rain we are having. The rain is falling, but we are withdrawing

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Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

more than the rain is replenishing.”

The Agriculture Ministry had issued an El Nino alert in May, after having consulted with its Hydro-meteorological Office and taking into consideration predictions from various regional and international forecasting and weather agencies.

A Special El Nino Working Group has since been set up to monitor and plan actions to reduce any adverse impact of a possible El Nino phenomenon on agriculture production.

Additionally, in late April, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned countries that the possibility of a severe El Nino phenomenon must

be heeded.

Climatologists and weather forecasters predicted an El Nino phenomenon for the Americas, to start in July and intensify towards October and December. The prediction as of this time is that it could be a serious phenomenon, with severe droughts in many parts of the Americas.

Guyana has been, and continues to be, a victim of climate change, but has taken steps to adapt to, and mitigate, its effects.

La Nina is above-average rainfall in an area for a particular period of time. It is generally associated with drier places, and follows a period of El Nino.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Private sector restates call for hydro-electricity

By Vanessa Narine CHAIR of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, on Wednesday, referenced recent comments made by the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Warren Smith, on the possibility of Guyana being able to export surplus hydro-electricity to the Caribbean, as well as the potential benefits for the local economy.

He also restated the Commission’s call for the development of Guyana’s hydropower capacity.

“We call on our leaders, both in Government and Opposition, to work on realising our hydropower potential, whether it is Amaila Falls or any other source,” he said at the PSC’s 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Pegasus Hotel.

In a prior interview on the subject, Persaud had said energy cost is indeed a very significant impediment to the growth of Guyana’s manufacturing sector.

However, that sector is not the only one affected by the high cost of energy, as so too is the services sector, whose providers are using more Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other enhanced techniques these

PSC Chair, Ramesh Persaud

days, such as robotics and sensors.

According to Persaud, cheap energy supply can increase Guyana’s competitiveness in the several emerging sectors, since it is more economical to establish “energy farms” as compared to paying “significant costs” for fossil fuels.

“It can be a catalyst for the transformation

of our local transportation sector, through the use of more hybrid and electric-powered vehicles, both for commuter and freight purposes,” he said, adding: “Enhanced agricultural systems due to the ability of farmers to adopt gadgets required to be powered by electricity. For example, photocells used to improve photosynthesis of crops in greenhouses and pumps used for drip irrigation.

“Advanced technologies can be adopted in classrooms making our education systems better. More advanced medical equipment can be adopted to better enhance health care. “…I could keep going on and on with regards to the advances our economy could make if we were guaranteed cheap energy.”

Stressing the need for Guyana’s leaders to ensure that the country moves at a faster pace towards the realisation of hydropower, Persaud said: “The longer they delay this, the longer it will take for our population to come out of the stranglehold of poverty and underdevelopment.”

Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking ever, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and

sustainable electricity supply. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electric current produced there would be delivered to Georgetown, and Guyana’s second largest township, Linden.

The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil.

Additionally, the potential benefits of a more stable and reliable source of energy through the advance of hydroelectricity was also targeted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), last December, as an area for continued focus.

On July 18, 2013, the combined Opposition in Parliament defeated the Hydroelectric Power (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly and, in August, the Government took the legislation back to the House Assembly and received the backing of the Alliance For Change (AFC) but A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted down the bill and motion.

However, the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has since made public its commitment to ensuring that hydropower becomes a reality for Guyana.

Quarterly sugar reports will be tabled at Parliamentary C/tee meeting

By Vanessa Narine

AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy disclosed in an invited comment to this publication that the reports on the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) operations for the first two quarters of this year would be completed after the end of June, and be tabled when the corporation appears before the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee.

“The second quarter report, as well as the first quarter report, will be completed when June ends. Also, soon after the reports are completed, GuySuCo has been requested to appear before the Economic Services Committee in early July, and that seems to be the appropriate time for the reports to be tabled,” Dr Ramsammy said.

“Rather than the minister having to come to Parliament and answer, GuySuCo will be able to present themselves to the Committee, and would be equipped with up-to-date information, having completed the reports up to June,” he added.

AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Minister Ramsammy made it clear that, contrary to recent statements in the media by Shadow Agriculture Minister of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), front-bencher Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, the submission of the reports is not late in coming.

“I promised quarterly reports in April, during the budget debates, and there is no way that the reports can be presented before the end of June,” Dr Ramsammy

said.

He also declared that politicians need to be “less reckless” with their comments, although he acknowledge the correct state of affairs.

“We are not non-complaint,” he stressed.

The promise of quarterly reports was made soon after the National Assembly had approved a $6B allocation to GuySuCo. Responding to a question from APNU’s Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, Minister Ramsammy committed to providing the Parliament with quarterly reports detailing how the $6B allocation to the sugar industry was spent.

The $6B is expected to cover expenditures that include: mechanization through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which would be done at a cost of $1.1B; tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost of $1B; factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B; and works

to field infrastructure to improve field to factory access and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors, etc. to account for the remainder of the allocation.

The sugar industry is projected to record an improvement of 15.6 percent in output to 215,910 tonnes

in 2014 and a whopping $6B has been allocated to the sector in the 2014 Budget, given the industry’s important role in national development.

Among the measures to be undertaken to ensure a turnaround of the industry are: increase volume and lower cost of production;

diversify target markets, and expand on value added production in order to survive.

In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 percent of total exports, valued at US$112.2M; and the industry contributed 3.9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

All need be involved, lest all be consumed IT is a sad indictment on the judiciary that armed robbers who violate the persons, properties, homes, and bodies of the citizens of this land are rapped on the knuckles and set free to continue their predatory practices once more.

And the negligible amounts of bail which release them to once more steal, and even kill, make a mockery of the rights of the victims; the security of the nation; and the efforts of members of the joint services, who often lay their lives on the line to apprehend perpetrators, only to see them walk the streets shortly after, openly in search of defenceless prey.

On the other side of the coin, persons who are not violent and who pose no real extended threat to the wider society are locked up with hardened criminals in environments and conditions that could very well transform them into real enemies of society, thereby inflating a rapidly expanding criminal network.

Governmental institutions such as hospitals and health centres, schools, community centres, et al -– even sidewalks -- could be kept in pristine condition if petty criminals could serve their time doing community work, instead of being clothed, fed, and housed at the expense of taxpayers.

Every day, the courts could churn out a labour force to weed yards and parapets, clean drains and canals, paint

and wash public buildings, etc. Volunteers could oversee these felons to ensure that they perform creditably, or else their terms of community service could be extended.

Rather than providing an avenue for healthy play and exercise, many schoolyards are hazards to the health and welfare of the nation’s children, so parents or retired grandparents could provide oversight services for cleaning/rehabilitation/renovation of schools and schoolyards by those offenders against society who pose no real long-term risk.

The judicial system could even invite the private sector to be partners in such an initiative, because there are many within Guyana’s entrepreneurial corridors who would welcome a restoration of standards within the various communities. Such a programme could incorporate many dimensions to address the variances of social rapprochement to the development and enhancement of individuals and the society at large.

However, we need to get the hardcore, inhumane, and murderous criminals off the streets, regardless of their age. A thirteen-year-old or a thirty-year-old pulling the trigger of a gun at point-blank range still results in the death of the victim.

For all those who protest police exercises to find and prosecute criminals, let them be warned that they, or a loved one, could be the next victim, because criminals have no loyalty. The police should also prosecute, to the full extent of the law, all who support and protect those who prey on

GUYANA

EDITORIAL others, because they are no less culpable. Many are the beneficiaries of the criminal activities, and all share in equal measure the spoils of the predators, so they should, also in equal measure, share in the punishment allotted to the predator.

Guyanese, as a collective body, should support their security forces in their attempts to eradicate the criminal elements from the society and, once more, restore law and order to the extent where citizens of, and visitors to, this country could walk the streets and enjoy the sanctuary of their homes, unmolested and free from fear.

Speeding vehicles ram each other at Blankenburg, WCD ––Luckily, no one was seriously injured

By Sandy Agasen THE quiet of the peaceful village of Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara was disturbed at around 8:30pm on Friday, when Toyota motor car #PNN 2907 and minibus # BNN 1141 slammed into each other with, fortunately, no serious injury to occupants of either vehicle.

This accident represents the latest incident of dangerous driving on Guyana’s roadways as a result of speeding, and underscores the need for drivers to exercise greater caution to avoid

seriously jeopardizing life, limb and valuable property as they daily negotiate our roadways.

Coming mere days af-

ter seven-year-old St Pius schoolboy Joseph Quallis was killed as a result of speeding, it underscores why the most recent sta-

The motorcar after the accident on Friday night

tistics emanating from the Police Traffic Department have indicated that road fatalities at the end of 2013 surpassed those of previous years.

There were over 100 fatalities from the accidents that occurred in 2013; and the same period saw reductions in other categories of traffic accidents – serious, minor and damage.

So far, pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with more than 37 having lost their lives.

In addition, over 16 motor cyclists, 12 pedal cyclists, 14 drivers of motor vehicles, three pillion riders, and 18 passengers of motor vehicles have also lost their

The minibus involved in the accident (Photos by Vanessa Narine) lives during 2013.

Speeding continues to be a major contributory factor to fatal accidents, despite police traffic enforcement activities

during 2013 resulting in more than 107,650 cases being made against errant motorists. Of that amount, more than 20,443 were for speeding.

Essequibo African Association releases programme for Emancipation celebrations

By Rajendra Prabhulall THE Essequibo African Association [EAA] has released its programme of activities for Emancipation celebrations this year.

According to a press release, the programme will start off on 16th July with a quiz for primary school children [grades 5 and 6] at the African Culture and Education Association (ACEA) building in Henrietta Housing Scheme.

The release said the programme will continue with an essay writing competition for secondary school students on 23rd July while on the 24th a clean-up campaign will be conducted.

The association said that on July 30th an African dance will be held at the Anna Regina Multilateral School at 18:00 hours while the judging of a Best Village competition will held on 30th July.

On July 31st a candlelight parade will be held from Damon Cross at La Belle Alliance to the Anna Regina car park where the

Damon monument is located.

Scores of persons are expected to march with lighted candles/ bottle lamps along the public road to Anna Regina from 20:30 hours. The members of the Essequibo African Association are expected to be accompanied by African drumming during the candlelight parade.

A number of prominent citizens will deliver addresses during a cultural show on the tarmac of the Anna Regina car park. At midnight a Libation ceremony will be held around the Damon’s Monument to usher in Emancipation Day, 1st August.

On Emancipation Day a church service will be held at the ACEA building from 8:00 am and at 10:30 hours senior citizens will be served with lunch from 10:00 hours to 13:00 hours at the Queenstown community center.

The association will also hold an Emancipation Fair at Damon’s

Square, Anna Regina from 16:00 hours.

And on 2nd August a concert would be held at the Queenstown Community Center while a fun-day will be held on the 3rd.The celebrations will continue on 11th with a Damon road race from Capoey to La Belle Alliance. A wreath laying is scheduled for Damon’s Square on the same day as well as a camp fire and barb-que at West Bury Square.

The celebrations will move to Dartmouth on the 12th August where a cultural evening will be held at the 8th May Secondary School.

The release added that on the 13th, an African Day Symposium will be held at the school, and there will be a lunch for senior citizens on the 15th at the Flora Nursery School from 11:00 hours. And bringing the curtains down on the 16th August will be the Miss Dartmouth Pageant at the 8th May Secondary School from 8:00 hours.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Fire ravages chowmein factory, residential buildings at Sisters Village, WBD

By Shirley Thomas A FIRE of great magnitude broke out in a chowmein factory at 23 Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara on Saturday night, quickly devouring the facility and

At least 12 persons are now homeless from the rampage of that fire. Those homeless are: Sukhrani Somra and her adult son, Kenrick Marks, who resided at Lot 21. The building on Lot 22 was divided into four

bachelor who occupied the adjoining apartment.

The buildings in this village are constructed in close proximity to each other, hence it was a miracle that two other buildings cramped on the affected house lots

The flattened four-apartment building to the left, and the ravaged chowmein factory, right ravaging everything in its path.

Within minutes of being detected, it had extended its consuming reach to two nearby residential buildings at Lots 21 and 22, completely reducing both to charcoal and rubble. The house on Lot 22 was burnt flat to the ground and absolutely nothing was saved; but it was a miracle that no one was hurt in the blaze.

apartments, hence Naiman Khali, her husband, three children and a grandson who occupied one of the downstairs apartments; as well as Rafena, her husband and their 14-month-old son who occupied the other downstairs apartment, were rendered homeless. The top floor occupants who were equally affected were: Nurse Monette, her husband and son; and a young (unnamed)

were not consumed in the inferno.

The homes of Robert Hamilton and his wife, who occupy a building at the front half of Lot 22; and the residential property of the owner of the Chowmein factory, whose name was given as Chu, were lucky to escape the conflagration.

The factory was said to have commenced operation last year, but the owner

SPL, CCWU ink agreement to improve employee benefits

reportedly ‘shut up shop’ about four months ago and left persons occupying the factory, but the residential building remained unoccupied.

Robert Hamilton spoke with the Guyana Chronicle.

He recalled that shortly after 23:00 hrs on Saturday night, he suddenly saw a light flash. He said he got out of bed, opened a back window and saw what looked like a ‘huge ball of fire’ in the rear section of the chowmein factory. He immediately alerted the surrounding neighbours then jumped into his car and raced down to the Wales Sugar Estate to summon a fire tender.

The fire tender responded promptly, and within minutes the tender’s hoses were deposited into the koker and the fire-fighting operations commenced.

Soon after, another unit (probably from the Central Fire Station in Georgetown) arrived on the scene and got to work, displaying gallant fire-fighting skills.

Even though the three buildings were burnt, residents expressed profound gratitude to the fire-fighters; marvelling that, given the closeness of the building, and the fact that the community was experiencing ‘land breeze’, the fire fighters were yet able to contain the conflagration to the three buildings.

Amidst billowing flames hungrily devouring flimsy and melting roof coverings, and with the occasional explosion of gas cylinders and the sound of tumbling rafters and crumbling con-

crete walls, it took more that courage on the part of the fire fighters to keep the blaze under control.

From all that was seen of the layout of the neighbourhood when reporters visited, it is evident that it took no less than the application of expert skills, matched with tremendous courage and selfless sacrifice, for the firemen to have contained the blaze to those three buildings, given the paucity of space to manoeuvre around the burning buildings.

When reporters visited, Hamilton, who is both lucky and thankful that his house did not go up in flames, had just returned from church, where he gave a testimony to thank God for sparing his family from that destruction.

He contended that the trees in the background, planted on the river embankment, would have helped to break the force of the wind and prevent the fire from spreading more dangerously.

Meanwhile, recounting the harrowing experience, Naiman Khalil, who along with her family has been camping out on only the green grass at the back of the lot, having nothing to eat, said they all have to thank God for spared lives. However, as they brace themselves to spend another night on the cold grass with their children and grandchildren, the pain of loss is evidently intensified.

Naiman recalled that when the fire started and everybody began running helter-skelter to vacate the buildings, the bachelor was in deep slumber in his apart-

ment, and so was not aware that he was under threat of fire. “We had to kick down the door to get him to wake up and get out,” she related.

And Nurse Monette had just returned home from night duties and was also asleep, but her husband whisked her and their baby away to safety.

Rafeena, who also has nowhere to go, yesterday stood under a tree at the back of the yard, pondering her next move. She said that even her money had been burned up, so she can’t buy herself food to eat.

“When we see de fire spreading, we ain’t had time to pick up anything. We had to run fuh we life!” she said.

Sukrani Somra and her son lived on the upper floor of a two-storey wooden building, the front and back walls of which were built of concrete. That building was also reduced to charcoal.

They, too, had not managed to save anything. What was not consumed by fire was destroyed with water. Fortunately, they have been able to find temporary shelter at her daughter/granddaughter’s home, about two houses away.

Sukrani who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was yesterday visited by a team of church elders and members, who prayed with them and offered much-needed moral support and words of encouragement and hope.

Unconfirmed reports are that the owner of the factory has been taken into police custody.

––sees 7.5% wages and salaries hike for 2014

AFTER weeks of intense negotiations, an agreement was reached between Sterling Products Limited (SPL), the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and the Ministry of Labour on June 18 at the Ministry’s office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The ten-page agreement was examined, then signed in the presence of all the parties concerned.

The Memorandum of Agreement, which is valid for the 2014-2015 period, includes an increase in wages and salaries of 7.5 % for the year 2014 and 7% for the year 2015. The new minimum wage is now $12,518 per week.

In terms of benefits, there were increases in the annual bursary award, meal allowance,

travelling allowance and cold room premiums. Other benefits that were maintained were paid vacation leave, employees’ health insurance, paid sick leave, education assistance, pension plan and life insurance.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramsay Ali expressed satisfaction at the work of the union and other parties in reaching the agreement. “The employees were well represented and for ten years as CEO of the company we always look for the betterment of Sterling Products Limited and the employees,” he said.

President of CCWU, Sherwood Clarke in his remarks said arriving at the final See page 11

What’s left of Sukhrani Somra’s home after the fire

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Minister calls on general public to monitor cleanup campaign the same time, improve the aesthetics around the area.”

The works to be conducted include de-bushing of the target zone, followed by de-silting of the internal drainage system, which at this point is not visible because of vegetation and silting.

Whittaker noted that the internal drainage system of the cemetery flows into the Sussex Street Canal. Similarly, the roads in the cemetery will be made accessible to facilitate commuters.

A section of the Sussex Street canal where works are set to begin

By Derwayne Wills MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker has said that the funded Georgetown component of the ‘Cleanup Guyana’ Project is set to commence by late July.

Members of the media were on Thursday given a tour of the sites where the multi-million-dollar project will be conducted. The areas will include Le Repentir Cemetery and the Sussex Street and Church Street canals, the latter two being selected as priority areas for the project.

The initiative will also focus on the Downer, Young Street, Lamaha Street, Princes Street and Irving Street canals.

Minister Whittaker noted that the aim of the exercise was for the ministry officials and other stakeholders to examine the nature, conditions and extent of the works to

be effective and committed measures of ensuring the sustainability of the works that would have been concluded.

He mentioned that the City Council of Georgetown will be tasked with ensuring that the works conducted are maintained. According to him, “Once we get this to a state of normalcy, then the City Council will have to do the maintenance.”

“That is why we are fixing some of city council’s excavators and trucks so that they can do the kind of work that is expected in terms of maintenance,” Minister Whittaker continued.

He noted, however, that the citizens of the communities ought to do their part to ensure that the projects

the roads of the cemetery will be cleared of vegetation and mud. He also noted that the foundation of the road is in excellent condition, but “They have deteriorated over the years so what we intend to do with the street is to grade and shape them.”

On site at the Sussex Street canal and the Church Street Canal, the Coordinator pointed to the canals with heavy silting, which will be removed in order to ensure the improvement of the carrying capacity, as well as storm water storage.

The invitation to bid for contracting of the project is set to be advertised in early July, and will be based on competitive bidding from interested entities. The Coordinator said that the work

are not only effective but sustainable. “We are all beneficiaries and we are all part of the monitoring,” Minister Whittaker said.

When questioned on the involvement of the Ministry, Minister Whittaker noted that at the same time, “the Ministry of Local Government, through our Solid Waste Management Department [will continue to] do monitoring.”

Coordinator for the Technical Committee of the ‘Cleanup Guyana’ project, Mr. Gordon Gilkes said that

will move progressively in the latter part of July. The target completion date for the project has been set for December 2014.

The ‘Cleanup Guyana’ Project is a joint initiative with the involvement of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ministry of Finance, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Guyana Tourism Authority, and the City Hall administration.

SUSTAINABILITY be done. even facilitated a few school The Local Government Present also at the event children who favoured the Minister stressed that the were acting Town Clerk, grounds for games of mer- completion of the project is Ms Carol Sooba, Coor- riment. “In short, we are only the first component of dinator for the Technical going to pay our respects to the beautification process.

Committee of the ‘Cleanup those who lay here and, at He stated that there ought to Guyana’ project, Mr. Gordon Gilkes, Director of the Solid Waste Management Unit, Mr. Walter Narine, and City Engineer, Mr. Colvern Venture, and other members and officials of the Ministry of Local Government and City Hall.

The vigorous and expansive project will focus on the restoration of the cemetery in its entirety. The cemetery is bordered by Princes Street to the North, Sussex Street to the South, St. Stephen Street to the West, and Cemetery Road to the East, the Minister noted. Also included in the project is the area of the cemetery east of Cemetery Road.

Whittaker recalled that in olden days, the cemetery was easily accessible Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker briefing members of the media at Le to the general public, and Repentir Cemetery

Google map depiction of Le Repentir Cementery restoration zone outlined by red border

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

The PPP/C is not starving the M&CC of funds ––as Mayor Green would have us believe

IF THE PPP/C was starving the M&CC of resources as Mayor Green contends, why did the late Cecil Griffith plead with the Government to stop ‘doling’ our money to City Hall until they get their house in order?

Don’t expect the eternal Mayor of Georgetown and one-time International Ambassador of Peace, Hamilton Green, to stop attacking the PPP/C Government and blaming it for the state of the Capital City during his tenure at the helm of the M&CC. Old Kai documented the constant conflict and mismanagement by the opposition-dominated Council during this series, and what has emerged is that Mayor Green has blamed everyone but himself for the current predicament of our Municipality. He has consistently blamed staff at the M&CC; he has blamed the PNC/R for undermining him; he has blamed some of his own members of the GGG of sabotaging him; he has now returned to the fold of the PNC/R, and in turn is blaming the PPP/C for starving him of the necessary resources to do his job effectively.

Not once has the Mayor ever accepted responsibility for what has transpired under him.

This penchant for always attempting to shift blame came to a boil in August 1999 when, during a Statutory Meeting, the Mayor was rebuked by Councillor Rameshwar Ramsaroop, who was quoted in a Cecil Griffith column in the Stabroek News as saying, “I am shocked by what you said on the GTV One on One programme.

You were very abusive to us… we want an apology”.

The councillor continued, “You have eaten the bread of

ingratitude….”

Councillor Ramsaroop concluded by telling the mayor, “I will not tolerate it….”

The mayor knows that he is virtually at the end of his political career, and is aware that he has basically run out of excuses, expect that he will stick to attacking the PPP/C in order to do damage control to his legacy.

However, he of all people should know that we live in the age of information; he can run, but he cannot hide from what has transpired at City Hall under his watch.

Now the writings of Mr. Cecil Griffith (God rest his soul), late veteran journalist of the Stabroek News, who was very knowledgeable in the affairs of the M&CC, have returned to haunt and expose Mayor Green.

In his City Hall Round Up column on August 30, 1999, Mr. Griffith explicitly warned the PPP/C Government against its penchant of providing money to City Hall to improve Georgetown, because the money was being misused.

Old Kai will quote a specific section of Griffith’s article to illustrate his contention, “…Again I warn the Head of State… be very careful in doling out funds from the national treasury to City Hall, unless a proper and workable plan is in place, and competent people from outside the council are brought in to carry out the works.”

By stressing on ‘again’, Mr. Griffith made it clear that this was not the first time he was warning the PPP/C Government to stop providing financial assistance to City Hall until it brought in competent people from outside of the Council to do the work.

Mr. Griffith was not making reference to the staff at City Hall, he was referring explicitly to the ‘Council’, of which Mayor Green is the head, and in which the opposition has an overwhelming majority over the PPP/C. It is clear that the late journalist had no confidence in the ability of the leadership of the Council to manage the resources provided by Central Government in a responsible manner. Further, the recent plan by Government to clean up the capital city without channelling the sum of some half a billion dollars through the Council is a clear example of the administration heeding the warning of Mr. Griffith.

Mayor Green did not jump up and attack Cecil Griffith when he made this suggestion in 1999, but when the Government acts along this line today, he is quick to accuse the PPP/C of trying to undermine the Council.

What we do know is that, 15 years ago, this veteran journalist had already come to the conclusion that Mayor Green and his opposition councillors had already done enough to undermine themselves, and what the PPP/C was consistently trying to do was to assist the council, even with all its limitations, simply so that the citizens of Georgetown can be provided with improved services and infrastructure.

This is the reality which Mayor Green and his allies want to keep away from citizens, and they will stop at nothing to do so. Old Kai will, however, encourage our people to carefully consider the facts to determine who really has their interests at heart.

President reaffirms Government’s commitment to fighting corruption ––cites proposed DEA office, AML/CFT Bill

By Derwayne Wills PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has called for the recognition of the Government’s reaffirmed commitment to fighting corruption as is evident by the proposed establishment of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office in Guyana, and the advocacy for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financial of Terrorism (AML/CFT).

The President was speaking Saturday at a press conference at State House, Georgetown, where he noted that in the battle against trafficking of drugs and other illicit substances, “[It] is not the task of one country because of the volume of money that is involved in it [as well as] the linkages.”

President Ramotar alluded to the recent disclosure by the Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. William Brownfield that the assassination of prominent Trinidadian Attorney-at-Law, Dana Seetahal was an action commanded from outside of the twin island republic.

Reinforcing Guyana’s commitment to the international fight, the President asserted that more international cooperation is needed to effectively be

rid of the global trafficking in illicit substances, which he recognised as the “globalised nature of the beast”.

Speaking at a recent joint press conference with President Ramotar, outgoing United States Ambassador, D. Brent Hardt observed that the DEA brings to the table the ability to build cases against major trafficking organisations. He said the “extra capacity” will strengthen what is already a “strong partnership” as the cooperation in cracking down on narco-trafficking is taken to another level.

Noting that the DEA has been working very closely with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) for many years, Ambassador Hardt said, “I have always believed that a DEA office on the ground in Guyana would allow us to take our counter-narcotics cooperation to an even higher level.”

Meanwhile, the President expressed unambiguous support for the presence of the DEA office since it also brings to the surface the question of “strengthening our financial system”, which is directly linked to the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) bill.

President Ramotar stressed that the AML/CFT bill, “Is at the core of that development.”

The AML/CFT bill is regarded by the international

community through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as being the most effective mechanism in ensuring a globalised financial system which is unsupportive of international criminal activities.

Mr. Ramotar underscored that the bill is not only an anti-corruption bill but also an ideal mechanism for ensuring the country’s effectiveness in the fight against drug trafficking and laundering of finances by criminals from illegitimate activities.

Adverse public statements against Guyana’s financial system had been issued earlier this year by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

The statement urged other countries and financial institutions in the Region, which regularly do business with Guyana to protect themselves from money laundering and terrorist financing threats emanating from Guyana. Guyana has since been referred to the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

President Ramotar stressed that to be against the passage of the AML/CFT bill is “objectively” to be in support of international criminals, terrorists and money launderers. The Head of State conclusively reaffirmed that the “Government’s position is unambiguous”, and he questioned the motives of the combined Opposition in their unwillingness to pass the bill. Since such legislation, “could give us more international cooperation to create a very inhospitable climate for those who are engaged in these types of activities.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

President Ramotar supports ongoing consultation with UG students

––over hike in tuition fees

By Derwayne Wills

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has expressed support for the ongoing public consultations with University of Guyana students in regard to a hike in tuition fees.

During a press conference held Saturday at State House, the President commented on the recent student consultations held for tuition increase, and cautioned thus, “As far as the increase in fees (is concerned), we have to study it very carefully, because we don’t want to deny anyone…that has the talent and qualification to move ahead [out of having] a tertiary education.”

On the question of increasing Government’s subvention to the University of Guyana (UG), the President disclosed that any decision in this regard should first be discussed at the level of the UG Administration before it reaches the Office of the President.

President Ramotar was particularly concerned on this point. He noted that although he may have his own recommendations for the University on, “how we could…develop some of the skills that we badly need”, specialist input on matters affecting the University’s delivery should be had, so that a “full discussion” would be effective in determining the way forward.

The Head of State asserted that the programmes which have been provided for from the Contingencies Fund in the first Financial Paper of 2014 are not only important to national development, but are also necessary for the welfare of the Guyanese people.

The first financial paper for 2014 has listed expenditures to be utilised for the payment of additional stipends and tuition fees for Government of Guyana-sponsored students.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, through a $4.6B financial paper, had restored $225M to the University of Guyana’s student loan fund. This sum, however, represents only half of

the originally allocated sum of $450M. The loan subvention, which was provided for under the Loan Agency of the Ministry of Finance, was cut from the 2014 budgetary estimates by the combined Opposition -- A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).

UG Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, in a prior interview, had noted that if the loan subvention for the University of Guyana is not restored by the National Assembly, the students would be placed in a dire situation as a result of the severe crisis that would be experienced at the tertiary institution if the decision to cut the subvention was not reversed.

The VC, at the time, was hinting at the inevitable increase of student tuition, which PRESIDENT has been compounded by the Donald Ramotar failure of the National Assembly to provide student loans for current and prospective students who were not in the best of financial circumstances to afford their tertiary education.

The University of Guyana Senior-Staff Association (UGSSA), in a battle with the UG administration, has asserted that the governing body of the university must devise a plan which would see restoration of the $450M student loan subvention, thus offsetting the looming call for the increase in tuition.

President of the UGSSA, Dr. Patsy Francis, had urged that the UG administration as well as the Council of the University, of which the Vice-Chancellor is an integral member, ought to lobby the relevant politicians to have provisions made for supplementary funding to the Ministry of Finance’s Loan

Agency, in order to curtail the looming impasse.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/Alliance For Change (AFC), together in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly, during the 2014 budget debates, voted against funding for several Ministry of Finance programmes, including the $450M allocated to the University for student loans.

Over the years, a vast majority of the student population at the country’s premier tertiary institution has benefited from student loans; and a large percentage of prospective and current tertiary-level students depend on the said loan in order to assist in furthering their educational development in order that they might make substantial contributions to the country’s development.

The University of Guyana administration, on Tuesday, held consultations with the students of the University on the impending hike in tuition fees. Although there was not an exuberant turnout, the Vice Chancellor outlined the current crisis faced by the University, since its expenditure far surpasses its income.

President of the University of Guyana Students Society, Mr. Richard Rambarran, in an invited comment after those consultations, noted that there was a general consensus that the University is in a position where it would prove unsustainable if certain adjustments were now made.

He indicated that although these increases are inevitable, the student representatives had attempted to broker an arrangement with the administration which would prevent current students enrolled at the University from paying an increase throughout the remainder of their degree programmes. According to him, this decision still remains uncertain, since the administration might approve or disapprove of the proposals.

He disclosed that student concerns were aired to the management of the University in regard to a structural adjustment in the management, and whether this would allow for a more effective management system.

UG faces pay increase demands amidst proposed tuition hike

By Alex Wayne THE atmosphere was tense when University of Guyana staffers and students met recently for consultations on the proposed increase in tuition fees.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi who was the main presenter found himself in the line of fire, facing intense interrogation, as staffers and students demanded higher salaries and better working conditions in the wake of the proposed increase in tuition fees for the first time since 1994.

While Opadeyi did not concede to all their requests, he did promise to pursue some of their demands.

The Vice-Chancellor also maintained that the institution is holding fast to their proposal pegging fees at US$1,000 per student for the academic year, so

intended to ask the Government to increase its subvention to the publicly-owned institution.

Students at the consultation held in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) demanded assurances that the level of teaching and learning conditions would be improved in a given timeframe.

Opadeyi gave the assurance that things would change for the better at the institution, emphasising that the UG administration did care about the welfare of students and staffers.

UG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi (left) and law student Glenford Denison in a heated exchange on the proposed hike in tuition fees the new tuition fee would be $210,000 rather than $127,000 which they pay at present.

Meanwhile, Chairman

of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association, Dr. Patsy Francis, who chaired the morning session of consultations with staff, dis-

closed that employees were demanding a 60% increase in salaries.

The Vice-Chancellor stated also that the institution

IMPROVEMENTS Among the planned changes are a review of the university’s curriculum, improvements to the laboratories, free internet access, use of Information Communications Technology to deliver instructional

content and a new library.

While the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged bad management of the institution in the past, he assured students that they will see significant improvements in the months to come, following an increase in the fees.

Students and staffers whopped and applauded in approval as Belizean law student Glenford Denison put the Vice-Chancellor under intense questioning as to whether the institution could not have come up with a better plan other than increasing tuition fees.

Denison also demanded that a copy of UG’s financial status be made available to justify increasing tuition fees. He also requested that the Vice-Chancellor present to students a report assessing his performance at the institution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Outgoing US Ambassador Hardt says much has been accomplished

––during his three-year tenure

By Ravin Singh US Ambassador, Brent Hardt, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, has noted that during his threeyear tenure, much has been accomplished.

He said: “It’s been a wonderful three years, and our embassy has been able to accomplish a great deal, and I’m sure we’ll continue to do so.

“And I’d like to highlight the fact that we’ve really been able to broaden our engagement with people of Guyana across the border.”

Ambassador Hardt said that while relations between countries are usually relations between governments, underlying those relations are relations between people, an area that has been a point of success in the embassy’s work.

Ambassador Hardt said, “When you think of how, in texture, the relationship is between Guyana and the US; the scope of interpersonal contacts that we have; the number of Guyanese that we have who have families in the US, who do business in the US, travel back and forth; remittances that are sent, it is a broad scope of relations!

“We’ve been able to engage so many tremendous

people in Guyana who are doing great things to try to make their communities better.

“We’ve seen university students who are eager to debate certain issues; women entrepreneurs who are looking to start their businesses; private sector groups who are looking to create a better investment climate; people active in social areas, for example, young people trying to clean up their communities and working with us...”

The outgoing ambassador stressed that this has been the “best part” of the embassy’s work, and a “key focus” of the two countries’ engagements.

SECTOR SUPPORT Hardt noted that the Embassy has worked with the Government of Guyana in several areas, including security and law enforcement, health, eco-tourism, and the environment.

“We’ve had an excellent security and law enforcement relationship that we’ve been able to deepen because of the support from the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, President Obama’s initiative launched in 2010 that has so far provided US$263M in support to the Caribbean, and Guyana being a major recipient of that,” he said.

The ambassador added that in the last year, the US has provided metal shark boats to the Guyanese Coast Guard, facilitated training

US Ambassador Brent Hardt from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and worked on improving security at Guyana’s main entry points.

“We’ve seen strengthening of port security for the containers; security initiative; digitalization of finger prints, which has already led to more cases being solved and better cross border cooperation; destruction of weapons; and markings of firearms to dealers….It is a

SPL, CCWU ink agreement ...

From page 7 agreement took a lot of work but now everyone is satisfied at the results. He said the union did fairly well in negotiations and he thanked the management of SPL for being patient. “At the end I’m very

pleased and we are looking forward for this kind of relationship in the future,” he said.

Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle commended SPL and CCWU for being able to negotiate an agreement without the need for

the ministry’s intervention. Ogle lauded SPL for what he described as their consistent efforts to maintain good relations with employees and the union, and the company’s push to ensure working conditions are continually improved.

Sterling Products Ltd CEO, Mr. Ramsay Ali and Chief Labour Officer Mr Charles Ogle at the signing of the agreement between the company and CCWU

whole panoply of law enforcement security cooperation that’s only going to get closer going forward,” he said.

Hardt stated, too, that the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has seen much work done, particularly in ensuring delivery of medications in a timely manner.

The ambassador said, “We’ve continued, over the past few years, to engage in public health through our PEPFAR programme to combat HIV/AIDS, and we’ve seen the new warehouse for pharmaceuticals that’s up and running; which is a major step forward in the management and oversight of making sure that medicines get out to people when they’re needed and they’re still good.

“We’ve seen development of the reference laboratory, which is the best in the Caribbean; and then the

reinforcement of the public health infrastructure in a way that has allowed us to reduce the incidents of AIDS here, to prevent mother-to-child transmission, save hundreds of thousands of lives, and provide care and treatment to those who need it.”

He also disclosed that efforts are being made to move towards a more technical support model, “where the investment of $170M we’ve made over the last decade will increasingly be taken over by the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Health to carry that forward.

“We’ve helped to tackle the crisis in AIDS that existed,” Ambassador Hardt said.

Hardt underscored the moves being made in the non-traditional agriculture and aquaculture, and stated that USAID offers support to continuously advance in this regard, as well as in the area of eco-tourism and in ad-

dressing social issues.

“So these are all areas and issues where I think we’ve been engaged in and been able to help encourage discussion of important issues within the country,” he said.

The Ambassador pointed also to the support given to Guyana on the economic front. “On the economic front as well, we’re doing all we can to promote prosperity and close trade investment links between our countries…

“We tried to promote entrepreneurship among women and other businesses, we had entrepreneurship speed challenge where we had young people with good ideas, and we were able to bring them together with mentors and investors,” he said.

Ambassador Hardt is expected to leave Guyana in early July.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

GDF investigating clash between locals, Venezuelan soldiers in NWD

By Alex Wayne

A TEAM of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers are investigating an alleged altercation between Venezuelan soldiers and a number of Guyanese civilians in the North West District, according to GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier, Mark Phillips.

Brigadier Phillips noted, however, that no Guyanese soldiers were involved in the incident because none of this country’s military personnel were stationed there.

The incident is said to have occurred on Friday afternoon at Bruk-Up Falls, located on the Guyana side of the bordering Amacuro River, some six hours by boat from the remote Amerindian community of Yarakita in the North West District.

According to some sources, there are reports that Guyanese authorities are also probing reports that Venezuelans also assaulted several Guyanese.

Reports from the Mabaruma Sub-Region indicated that several Guyanese men and a female trader were held against their will in the Tucupita Delta in Venezuela. Further reports said that the victims were taken from Bruk-Up Falls after a large number of Venezuelan soldiers swarmed the location and assaulted and handcuffed several Guyanese men who were in the area.

Reports suggest that GDF authorities dispatched soldiers stationed at Mabaruma to the area on Friday afternoon and confronted the Venezuelan military ranks, even as relatives of the victims reported that they were frequently being harassed by the Venezuelans. It is reported that the Venezuelans are claiming that the Guyanese were illegally operating on Spanish soil, doing mining.

However, reports from the area are suggesting that Bruk-Up Landing is located in Guyanese territory and that the Venezuelan military has been in the habit of targeting locals since many of them would cross the borders at that location for items in return for raw gold.

It is well known that for several years Guyanese have been trading between the two locations since the ‘the very rich’ Polvo De Oro area on the North Eastern side of Venezuela is within miles of the border.

Accused in the Eon Daniels murder case walks

By George Barclay BEFORE he discharged 44-year-old Ramsahai Boodoo of the charge that he had murdered Eon Daniels on July 8, 2011, Justice William Ramlal on Thursday warned him about the use of alcohol, and added: “This verdict does not mean you are not, in some way, connected with this matter.”

Prosecutrix Dhanika Singh, who had only circumstantial evidence to rely on, could not produce eyewitness testimony to show how Daniels had been fatally wounded in the abdomen. Her strongest point was the doctor’s evidence, which gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage in his post-mortem report. On the fateful day of July 8, 2011, when the two men had an altercation, the accused, Ramsahai, reportedly had a knife in his possession, while the deceased, Daniels, was seen with a pot spoon.

Defence counsel, Mr. Peter Hugh had told the jury that the prosecutor had no direct or circumstantial evidence to show that the accused Ramsahai was the person who had inflicted the wound on Daniels. And he also told the jury that the prosecution could not deny that the wound which caused Daniels’s death could have been accidentally inflicted.

In an unsworn statement from the dock, Ramshai had spoken about an argument he had had with Daniels, and he said they had grabbed each other and had both fallen. He had said that following the fall, he got up and went away.

The prosecutor had asked the jury to find, from circumstantial evidence, that the accused was the person who had stabbed Daniels, causing him to die later in hospital.

On resumption of the trial Thursday, Justice Ramlal had summed up the evidence in 2 ½ hours, and the jury took two hours to reach its unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Technical team to review 23 EOIs for new Demerara Harbour Bridge THE members of a technical team have been identified and are expected to review some 23 expressions of interest in the construction of a new Demerara River crossing.

Minister of Public Works, Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, in an invited comment told the Guyana Chronicle that the team will begin their review once final arrangements regarding their efforts are concluded.

He said, “We had gone out for expressions of interest. We have those from about 23 and there is a technical review committee that will look at these and shortlist those we would want to participate in a public/private, or whatever model we decide, with respect to costing and design and so on.”

Government had previously indicated that it would

Minister Robeson Benn

invite expressions of interest for a public-private partnership for the construction of the new bridge.

Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) General Manager, Rawlston Adams, in February this year, had explained that the feasibility study for the new bridge has already

been completed, with Versailles on the West Bank, and Houston on the East Bank being determined as having the best advantage in terms of location. Also, Good Hope on the East Bank and Patentia on the West Bank were cited as possible locations.

Minister Benn, at that time, reported that any such arrangements will be handled by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and not his ministry, since that is the agency which attends to such matters.

He further explained that the reason such an arrangement is being sought is because the Government does not have the kind of money it will take to finance the venture.

Benn also reported that a freshwater environment is the perfect habitat in which to

Demerara Harbour Bridge

relocate the current Demerara Harbour Bridge, when its replacement comes into operation, with the Kurupukari Crossing on the Upper Essequibo River being listed as the likely candidate.

The new bridge will be

Work on new West Demerara road to begin before year-end W O R K S o n t h e We s t Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo roadway from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie are expected to begin before year-end, according to Minister of Public Works, Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn.

A total of 31 kilometers of roadway are expected to be rehabilitated, while 28.5 kilometers of footpaths for pedestrians and 20 kilometers for cyclists will be developed under an agreement between the Government and the CBD (Caribbean Development Bank).

“The CBD is doing reviews on the project. The road should start by the end of the year,” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.

The partnership is the

fourth road improvement project, with a financing cost of US$46.7M and a project life of five years. The actual road improvement works are expected to be completed within two years.

At the launch of the project in March, Benn explained that the primary objective of the project is to increase efficiency and safety of road transportation along West Coast Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo corridor.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ADVANCES He pointed out that infrastructural development has a multiplying effect on socio-economic advances in the country, particularly in rural communities.

“There has been significant growth,” he said, adding that constrained infra-

structural development poses real challenges to growth.

Benn’s Ministry, as per the CDB agreement, will be tasked with maintenance, which was identified by the CDB as a risk to the sustainability of the completed works. The Government will also be expected to report annually on their maintenance works, particularly since the project monitoring and evaluation component of the agreement is key to ensuring the standard and quality of such undertakings. Additionally, a project management team will be supported by a steering committee and the Ministry, all of whom report to the CDB. The Project Coordinator is Kester Hinds, while the CDB focal person is Glen MaCarvell.

The project has several

components including: the actual road works, road safety awareness at the level of the schools and community, capacity building, engineering services and project monitoring and evaluation.

Tenders for the project are expected to go out in July. (Vanessa Narine)

made of reinforced concrete, have four lanes (some 20 metres wide) for vehicular traffic; a walkway for pedestrians; a cycle lane; navigational clearance (100m wide); navigational aids; and an estimated length of 2,250

meters.

The current use of the Demerara Bridge is estimated at 17,000 vehicles a day, a massive volume of traffic utilising the decades-old bridge. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

‘A’ Division Police lunch programme gets off the ground THE Police ‘A’ Division on Friday commenced its programme of providing lunch at the St. Anne’s Primary School in Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

‘A’ Division Traffic Chief, Superintendent Calvin Brutus, along with the officer-in-charge of the Ruimveldt Station, Deputy Superintendent Khali Pareshrsam, and Inspector Debra Small treated the students to the meal, as was promised.

Pareshrsam urged the students not to follow bad company, but to follow their dreams and work hard for what they want. He told them to continue taking their education seriously.

After ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken, had visited St Anne’s Primary School in Agricola last Monday and had interacted with the students, he

Some children begin to tuck in, as others await their turn as the lunch programme got off the ground Friday (Photo by Asif Hakim)

had urged them to take their education seriously, since it was the only way for them to be successful in the future.

He had told the students that if they do not read they cannot learn, and that they are the backbone of the upcoming society.

Commander Hicken plans to start weekend training at Agricola. He plans to provide the students with meals two times per month. He also plans to form a scout group which would organise outings to the Gardens, to Fun City, and to Buddy’s Children Play Park.

Those outings are only for the students who would have participated in the weekend training skills.

A donation of a printer, photocopy machine and a television set will be made to the school in two week’s time.

Hicken stressed the need for tight security in the school in light of the items the school would be receiving, since those things would be donated. He said that “the Agricola turn” is where most people get robbed, and he would work towards ending that situation. He further stated that the incidents of gunshots being fired every night in various parts of the community would cease because he would be visiting the school to meet with the students and parents to start the weekend skills training.

Headmistress of the school, Ms. Melissa Isaacs, thanked the officers for the meals that were provided, and said the gesture would make a change in the students’ behaviour, and that she would ensure the students strive for excellence.

Forty families benefit from FFTP ‘Whitewater’ Project

By Ravin Singh FORTY families recently benefitted from the Food For The Poor (FFTP) humanitarian project, “Whitewater Community Development Project”, where forty houses were built for them.

According to Project Manager Andrea Benjamin, a visit to the community two years prior to the completion of the project resulted in an emotionally-driven spirit to aid in the development of the community.

She said that the economic situation appeared to be dire and the housing conditions were the worst she had seen.

MILK AND CHEESE LUXURIES Parents told her that children had to walk forty-five minutes to get to school and that most days cassava bread was all they had to eat. Milk and cheese according to them are luxuries in the community.

She said also that Toshao Ernest Samuels had informed her that unemployment was an issue and most men ventured

Chuck Stoner and a young patron cut the ceremonial ribbon

into the interior in search of jobs. Some of them walk for days to get there but they are underpaid and ill-treated, she was told.

Some of the houses that were erected in the community

Benjamin noted that she was made aware that the Government had provided assistance to the community but there was much more to be done. Therefore, upon her return to Georgetown, she began enlightening people about the current situation in the community and the lack of basic necessities.

The construction of the homes was then made possible through the generous donations of Chuck Stoner and his family through Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana, and their Miami and Toronto chapters.

The project which sought to alleviate poverty included the construction of forty homes

for forty families in the community who according to Benjamin were in desperate need of a proper shelter. “The lack of walls and proper roofing exposed children to the elements of the weather,” she said.

Moreover, the community school was rehabilitated and a new library was installed, in hope of advancing educational involvement. A community centre was also developed to aid in promoting skills training. The project revealed that members of the community had expressed eagerness to teach and share with others but the lack of a facility had prevented this.

Benjamin explained that

the initiative was taken after it was realised that families were moving closer to this part which is the centre of the community since they could access health and educational facilities and prevent children from having to walk miles everyday.

“The landscape of the community has changed.

Where houses are there used to be wild vegetation. Prior to Food For The Poor’s intervention, there were few painted structures,” Benjamin said.

She described the project as one of the easiest she has done which came as a result of the dedication and willingness of the project staff and commu-

nity members.

Meanwhile, she noted, since its completion women have been more involved in their communities and homes.

“Women are eager to exhibit their contribution, whether it’s planting flower trees or decorating their kitchens. Children are delighted to have proper homes to go to,” she observed.

COMPUTERS NEXT According to her the next move for FFTP in aid of fostering development for the community is to assist in the provision of computers for the school which will enhance the learning environment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

ASL expands services preparatory to Guyana Festival in August

At Friday’s ‘presser’ are, from left, Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins and Minister of Tourism (ag), Mr. Irfaan Ali. At right is one of ASl’s many pilots (Photos by Sonell Nelson)

By Sandy Agasen AIR Services Limited (ASL) has expanded its services in recognition of the new Guyana Festival launched by the Ministry of Tourism.

The inaugural Guyana Festival,’Sound, Soul and Taste’, is slated to take place at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara from August 8 to 10.

Minister of Tourism (ag), Irfaan Ali, at the press conference held Friday at the Ogle International Airport, East Coast Demerara, recognised Air Service Limited as an important and fundamental element of the tourism sector.

“The ASL has played a very dynamic role in ensuring not only the visitors (international tourists) but also brothers and sisters in Guyana having an opportunity to see and to explore the wide array of the country’s beauty,” the Minister said.

He pointed out that ASL has consistently invested in the resources and equipment that are vital for expansion of its business. He commended ASL on the way it has recreated its business into a more dynamic and versatile product in order to bring new opportunities to the tourism industry.

He emphasised that the tourism sector in Guyana thrives off the adventure and exploration of nature (flora and fauna).

“ASL has played, and will continue to play, that integral role in the tourism sector.

ASL has contributed to local tourism, which is important to any country,” he explained.

The Tourism Minister

An aerial View of the Marriott Hotel

congratulated ASL for the tremendous work it has done for the tourism sector, and more importantly for expansion of its services in step with growth and development of tourism.

He also indicated that ASL has played an active role in ensuring the success of Guyana Festival.

“The Guyana Festival has been creating a life of its own...everyone is excited about this festival and wants to be a part of it. The festival will bring us together,” the Minister noted.

The Manager of Air Services Limited, Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martin, said ASL has expanded its services being offered in run-up to the Guy-

ana Festival.

She explained: “We are anticipating that the Guyana Festival will create an influx of visitors from the Diaspora during that time, and feel that there will be demand for these services, beginning with this thrust from the Ministry of Tourism.”

ASL’s first initiative is to extend its present weekly flights to Kaieteur Falls.

“Four Flights are scheduled every week - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays,” she said. The flight will leave at 13:00hrs, and each would last for approximately one hour. The tourist will spend two hours on the ground and a guided tour will be provided.

Mrs. Martins explained

that the ASL second initiative was offering helicopter tours of Georgetown from Sunday to Sunday. She also indicated that during the Guyana Festival, two helicopters will be posted at the National Stadium. “This will be for those who are going to the festival…so they could have the option of doing a tour from Providence Stadium over the city and back to the stadium,” she noted.

Mrs. Martins explained that, for the first time, ASL would be providing an opportunity for tourists to visit Shell Beach via helicopters in a flight that would take one hour.

She pointed out that the ASL would be introducing landscape tourism flights with helicopters for those who have already experienced Kaieteur Falls and are looking for something new.

This concept provides the experience of flying among the beautiful tabletop mountains (tepuis) and obtaining a bird’s eye view of the incredible waterfalls cascading from them.

The tourist will be given a presentation by Mrs. Martins on the geography and culture of the area prior to the trip.

The trip to Kaieteur Falls would cost US$145 per person; Shell Beach helicopter tour would cost US$400 per person, and aerial tours of the city would cost US$40 per person.

The landscape tourism tour cost will be customised, based on the number of persons.

Mrs. Arjoon-Martins commended the Minister of Tourism for his initiative with this festival. “For the first time, we’re seeing a presentation in Guyana that draws every aspect of our culture music, dance, arts and crafts, cuisine, drama and comedy in one package, at one location, with very affordable fees. We also commend him for his willingness to cooperate with stakeholders such as Air Services to promote this event.

“Initiatives such as this from the Ministry are like opening windows into opportunities that enhance our economy.” She said.

The Guyana Festival covers three days, and will feature our most celebrated legends in sports, culture, art, music, food, entertainment, and much more. Day one will feature an air show and national concert; on day two, the audience will experience the Night of the Legends, and day three will feature a national cook off, with food from every culture, followed by the Generation X Concert.

An aerial view of the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

35 officers participate in GAPSO training seminar THE Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) last week conducted a training seminar for basic security officers, the second such training exercise for this year.

The seminar, which was conducted workshop-style, had a high degree of participant involvement. It was led

by an industry expert focusing on Post Orientation/ Log Occurrences; Muster, Dress and Carriage; and Orders for Opening Fire.

Presentations were delivered by Mr. P. Boyce of West Dem Gold, Mr. O. Hope of GNIC, Mr. C. Fraser of Kalibur Security, Mr. S. Leitch of MMC Security Force and Mr. W. Braithwaite of SSAMS.

And attending the seminar were 35 security officers drawn from Banks DIH, Bank of Guyana, Sentinel Security, Kalibur Security, MMC, Guyoil and Amazon Security.

With the increasing concern about security, timely and well structured training is becoming increasingly important for individuals

Aries - March 21 - April 19 The stars are turning up the volume on all our emotions, and in your case, they are also going to turn you into a magnet for the attentions of admirers, new and old. If there's someone you've been trying to get together with, it's a given that you'll be able to make that connection now. So all you really have to do is show up, smile and see what happens. Sounds nice, huh? Enjoy.

Taurus - April 20 - May 20 Your family needs you now, and you're going to go all out to help. Even if they don't mention the problem, you'll know about it instinctively. The stars will help illuminate the situation, and expose whatever has been going on that they may have been too proud or too fearful to mention to you. Once the issue is out, you can sit them down, find out what they need and put together a plan. And who's better at planning than earthy, grounded you?

Gemini - May 21 - June 21 The stars are about to expose a tricky situation, possibly involving a sibling or neighbour, and you'll want to help. The good news is that you're very likely the only person who can help, and it's not a moment too soon that you caught wind of all this. If it's a financial problem, do what you can without putting yourself in jeopardy. The next step is to help them put together a budget, or make plans to start saving.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22 You've been feeling extremely emotional for days, and that's actually going to peak right about now -- thanks to the stars. You may need to put an end to a particular situation that's gone past the point of being productive or emotionally healthy for all parties concerned. While that won't be easy, you know it has to be done. It really is for the best.

Leo - July 23 - August 22 This is one luscious day that you won't forget in a hurry. The bright light of the stars will be putting you in a magical spotlight. As a result, you may feel the urge to change something about yourself, either physically or intellectually. Whether it's an exercise programme, or the urge to enroll in a class, you'll enter into it with your usual unparalleled zest.

Virgo - August 23 - September 22 Just when you thought it was safe to come out -- or to at least let your feelings out without fear of reprisal -- someone seems to be plotting against you. If you're genuinely worried about that, consult an earthy, grounded friend -- someone who'll be able to give you an unbiased, honest opinion. What you don't need is someone who'll tell you what they think you want to hear.

Mr. Milton Thomas hands over a certificate to one of the participants

Monday, June 30, 2014 - 05:00

and organisations involved in the protection of property and life, GAPSO said in a statement.

It is part of GAPSO’s objective to provide training and educational opportunities to its members to increase professionalism and ultimately improve the standard of service being offered. The organisation also aims to provide the knowledge and skills necessary so security personnel can carry out their functions professionally, effectively and safely.

GAPSO is an organisation that promotes and encourages the highest standards of professionalism among its members through information, education, training, membership support and networking, the statement added.

The president of GAPSO, Mr. Randy Storm in delivering his closing remarks, congratulated participants and encouraged them to follow basic security procedures.

He also expressed hopes that they would recognise the importance of the seminar which is to ensure security officers are properly trained professionals.

The seminar was sponsored by the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil).

Libra - September 23 - October 22 You've got centre stage at the moment, there's no doubt about it. The stars have brought along a full dose of admiring attention for you, most of it from one particular group you've been associating with for some time now. This will be a mixed blessing.

While you'll appreciate the good feelings coming your way, you may also be in the mood for some quality time alone with you. Well, take your bows graciously, then duck out early.

Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 The stars are about to illuminate the tug-of-war you've been feeling lately about work and career vs. personal issues. It may be time to make a decision, but not to worry.

You're ready, you're willing and you have what it takes to get the job done. Don't worry about stepping on anyone's toes, either. If you're offered a position because they dropped the ball, that's not your problem.

Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20 There's no doubt that you're going to be experiencing absolutely everything to the nth degree today. Thanks to the stars, you can at least rest assured that you'll have plenty of company. Once you express those feelings, you may also feel the need to reward yourself, and why not? If you haven't earned it, especially after the week you've had, no one has. You've proven yourself to be discreet, diligent and loyal. Now let your feelings out, and get yourself a treat!

Capricorn - December 21 - January 19 You've got something to say, and you won't be able to hold it back another second.

This has been a long time coming, but with the stars' intense emotional energy arriving this morning, keeping quiet any longer isn't necessary, and won't be possible. You're being asked to express yourself, and knowing you, you'll find a gracious, affable way to do it -- even if what emerges is a good-bye. You have to do this. Now do it.

Aquarius - January 20 - February 18 Relationships will take centre stage in your life right now. In fact, you may be either on the verge of falling in love, or on the verge of admitting that it's already happened.

Either way, rest assured that it's prime time to accept it and discuss it. The stars give you license to fully express yourself -- and today's the perfect time to let out all those emotions.

Pisces - February 19 - March 20 You've been spending quite a bit of time alone lately, and your friends are beginning to worry. The good news is that it's all about to come to an end. The stars will illuminate your newly found urge to get out there and mingle -- maybe even with an exercise class, or some type of self-help group. Take advantage of this potent energy. Share yourself with others. It's only fair. You have so much to give.

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Ninvalle to run for AIBA Executive position in November

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle will be running for an executive position when the International Boxing Association (AIBA) holds its congress in South Korea in November.

Ninvalle, along with president of the American Confederation of International Boxing Association (AMBC) Dr Domingo Salano, was one of the two persons selected at a recent meeting in Barbados that was attended by presidents of 13 Caribbe-

an countries.

The Guyanese was nominated by Barbados and seconded by the US Virgin Islands, is regarded as someone who is more than dedicated to the sustainability and development of amateur boxing.

It showed how much he was favoured after he

(Ninvalle) received votes from all 13 representatives at the meeting in Barbados.

Ninvalle said that he’s very happy with the confidence shown by his Caribbean counterparts and said that once successful at the elections in South Korea, he would work extra

hard for not only Guyanese fighters, but for the development of Amateur boxing across the Caribbean, It is the first time that someone from an English-speaking Caribbean country was nominated for what is deemed as an important position on AIBA.

Costa Rica reach World Cup ...

From Backpage one-handed stop to keep out Theofanis Gekas’s fourth spot-kick before Michael Umana fired high into the top corner to send the Central Americans into a last eight meeting with Netherlands.

“Last night, I dreamt, this, it seems untrue. I was relaxed because I dreamed it. I dreamed it but I didn’t tell anyone. I felt very confident,” said Umana.

“This is for my family.

It’s for the colleagues who got injured before coming here. They’re not with us, but they gave us a hand on the pitch.”

The Ticos, whose only previous appearance in the last 16 came in 1990, will play the Dutch in Salvador next Saturday.

An otherwise dire match was brought to life early in the second half when Bryan Ruiz calmly sidefooted Costa Rica ahead but defender Oscar Duarte was sent off on 66 minutes, allowing the Greeks to find a route back into the match.

With the clock ticking past 90 minutes, Navas could only parry a shot into the path of Sokratis Papasthathopoulos who hammered it into the roof of the net.

After an uneventful first half, the spark the match needed to ignite into a spectacle arrived seven minutes after the restart.

The Greece defence parted to give Ruiz acres of space to sidefoot a Christian Bolanos cross into the net from 15 metres.

Yet their hopes of seeing out the match in routine fashion were

scuppered when Duarte received his marching orders after a sliding tackle on Jose Holebas produced a second yellow card and opened the door for a Greek comeback.

Gekas swivelled in the box and his low shot was only parried by Navas into the path of Papasthathopoulos who fired home.

Extra time was largely one-way traffic, with exhausted Costa Rica defenders growing increasingly desperate in their efforts to keep the ball out.

Navas did well to beat away an effort from Laza-

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ros Christodoulopoulos before somehow keeping out a header from Kostas Mitroglou after the clock had ticked past 120 minutes.

Greece coach Fernando Santos was sent to the stands before the shootout started and the tension mounted as seven penalties hit the back of the net before Gekas stepped up to the spot.

The substitute hit it firmly to the keeper’s left but Navas leapt athletically to push it clear with one hand, leaving Umana to thrash his effort into the to left corner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

Sharapova primed for Wimbledon after Williams exit LONDON, England (Reuters) - The shock losses suffered by top two seeds Serena Williams and Li Na have left Maria Sharapova with a smooth passage and the Russian is primed to win her second Wimbledon title, 10 years after winning her first as a 17-year-old.

Sharapova has dropped just seven games in her three matches thus far and the imperious Russian will be confident of winning her sixth grand slam in the absence of her nemesis Williams.

The 27-year-old is on the wrong end of a 16-2 head-to-head record against the American with her only two triumphs coming in 2004, the first of which saw her crowned Wimbledon champion.

Williams crashed out 6-,1 3-6, 4-6 against France’s Alize Cornet in the third round on Saturday, her earliest exit at Wimbledon since losing in the same round in 2005.

Her defeat came a day after Chinese two-time grand slam winner Na was dumped out 6-7(5), 6-7(5) by the Czech Republic’s

Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Alison Riske of the U.S. during their women’s singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters/ Suzanne Plunkett) Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

Their defeats have opened the door for a host of women, but the top of that list is Sharapova.

Players have long talked about the difficulty of adapting to the grasscourts of Wimbledon so soon after a long claycourt season and nobody has backed up winning the

French Open with Wimbledon triumph since Williams in 2002.

Sharapova’s form, however, suggests she can match that achievement and win her sixth grand slam in the process.

“Well, this is only my second time trying to do that. Of course, the transition, it’s no secret, it’s very difficult,” she said after reeling off 11 consecutive

games to beat Alison Riske 6-3, 6-0 in the third round on Saturday.

“But I’m quite happy with the way I’ve gone about things so far.

“You never know what to expect. Each match poses its different challenges.

I’m happy I’ve gone further than last year, erasing those memories and trying to form new ones.

“A Grand Slam stage, when you’re playing for two weeks, seven matches within those two weeks, you’re always kind of rolling with each round.

“Once you get to another (grand slam), one of the toughest things is you start from scratch, you start from the first match.

“Mentally that’s always, you know, a bit more difficult because you achieve some great success, then you get on the train, come here, and right away the mentality switches that I’ve got to start from the first round.

“That’s always a quick switch that you need to make mentally. That tran-

sition has always been quite tough for me,” added Sharapova who plays German ninth seed Angelique Kerber in the round of 16.

BOUCHARD CHALLENGE Higher seeds remain but Sharapova’s biggest challenge is likely to come in the shape of rising star Eugenie Bouchard, a semi-finalist in the last two grand slams at the Australian and French Open.

The aggressive 20-yearold Canadian faces Williams’ conqueror Cornet in the next round with a potential quarter-final against Sharapova the prize.

“I wouldn’t consider myself deep into Wimbledon at this stage,” Bouchard said after beating Germany’s Andrea Petkovic on Saturday.

“I’m into the second week, which is great. But, you know, I want to go so much further. At the same time I’m focused on one match at a time.

“But, of course, Wimbledon is probably the most

prestigious tournament in the world. It’s a special place to be here and I would love to stay a really long time.”

Romania’s third seed Simona Halep, runner-up to the Sharapova at the French Open, and Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska are expected to make extended runs in the championship.

They face Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas and Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the round of 16 respectively.

Elsewhere German 2011 champion Petra Kvitova plays China’s Shuai Peng, Czech Lucie Safarova is against compatriot Tereza Smitkova, and Danish former world number one Caroline Wozniacki faces Zahlavova Strycova.

The other round-of-16 encounter will pit 2008 French Open winner Ana Ivanovic or 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki against America’s Madison Keys or Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova after both of their third round matches were disrupted by bad light on Saturday.

Departing Chile earn hero status despite Brazil jinx

By Andrew Cawthorne BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Reuters) - Chile’s so nearly conquering heroes are sure of an incredible welcome on their return from a World Cup where they eliminated champions Spain but were cruelly knocked out by Brazil for the fourth time in their history.

“The dream is over, but not the applause”, said La Tercera newspaper in a chorus of praise round the nation. “Dry your tears and come back to Chile to be received with full honours”.

One of the strongest Chile teams seen at a World Cup, ‘La Roja’ (The Red) lit up the tournament from swashbuckling wins over Australia and Spain to a heart-breaking loss on penalties to Brazil after a pulsating 1-1 draw in the last-16 clash.

It was a desperately harsh outcome for Chile, who had matched the hosts for 120 minutes of normal

and extra time, and could so easily have snatched it at the death when Mauricio Pinilla smashed a glorious shot against the crossbar.

A few centimetres lower, and Chile would have overturned a painful history of defeats by Brazil, who knocked them out of the 2010, 1998 and 1962 World Cups.

As it was, the ball bounced to safety, Brazil held their nerve for a 3-2 penalty shootout win at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao stadium, and the old nemesis did it for a fourth time.

“The shot that could have changed our lives”, lamented one headline in Chile’s Las Ultimas Noticias newspaper.

Everywhere, Chileans hailed their team’s performance in a match quickly dubbed the ‘Battle of the Mineirao’ where Brazil’s hordes of yellow-clad fans were made to sweat and agonise until Chile’s final fateful penalty hit a post.

There was special

Chile’s Gary Medel (R) is comforted by goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, after losing their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Brazil, at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Saturday. (Credit: Reuters/ Eric Gaillard) 2015 COPA praise for defender Gary AMERICA LOOMS Medel, nicknamed ‘The While Chile and Brazil’s Pitbull’, who played despite an injury and was benches were screaming at eventually carried off each other throughout the c r y i n g o n a s t re t c h e r game, the respect between in the second half af- the players - and their shared ter successfully keeping pain during the shootout Brazil forward Neymar lottery - was clear for all to see. At the end, Neymar went at bay.

one-by-one to congratulate his disconsolate and weeping opponents.

“Chile have been one of the great teams of this World Cup without a shadow of a doubt. Today luck was on our side and not theirs, but they deserve all the praise imaginable,” Brazil defender Dani Alves said.

“The way they are able to put pressure on the opposition defence is simply amazing.”

Though sometimes vulnerable at the back, not least because of their lack of height, Chile have played a high-octane, crowd-pleasing attacking game led by the tricky Alexis Sanchez.

As well as the 2-0 win over Spain, it also brought them a 3-1 victory against Australia at the group stage, though the Netherlands proved too strong and beat them 2-0.

Big crowds watched them at home and it was not only in the Mineirao stadium that tears were shed on

Saturday.

“This cup is staying in Chile, it belongs to my Chileans. I’ll make another for whoever wins the World Cup. The Chilean spirit was beautiful,” said fan Alvaro Quintana who fitted a large replica of the trophy onto a pickup and drove to Santiago’s Plaza Italia with other fans on Saturday.

Chile will at least head i n t o n e x t y e a r ’s C o p a America tournament, which they are hosting, knowing they can match the best.

Chile have yet to win in 36 attempts dating back to 1916.

That failure rankles and even their Andean rivals Peru and Bolivia have won the tournament. What they would give for a win in the final against Brazil to erase some of the pain.

“We’ll start thinking about the Copa America in the near future. For now, I’m just sad. My team left their lives out there,” said proud but hurting coach Jorge Sampaoli.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

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Late Dutch double hands Mexico second-round exit

By Gideon Long FORTALEZA, Brazil (Reuters) - Netherlands substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar set up one goal and converted a penalty in the dying minutes as they recovered to beat Mexico 2-1 in an astonishing finale to their World Cup last-16 clash yesterday.

The result condemned the unfortunate Mexicans, who were 1-0 up with two minutes to go and seemingly headed for the last eight for the first time since 1986, to a sixth second-round exit in six consecutive tournaments.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder broke Mexican hearts when he drilled home an unstoppable half-volley to equalise after a knockdown from Huntelaar following a corner.

With extra time looming, the Netherlands’ livewire winger Arjen Robben weaved into the penalty area

Wesley Sneijder (L) of the Netherlands celebrates with his teammates Memphis Depay and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (R) after scoring a goal against Mexico during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza, yesterday.

(REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo) and went down under a challenge from Mexico captain Rafael Marquez.

The Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca pointed to the spot and Huntelaar calmly sent goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa the

wrong way with a perfectly executed penalty kick.

The Dutch, who were on the back foot for much of the game, will play Costa Rica in Salvador next Saturday and will fancy their chances of making the last four.

It was a heart-breaking end for Mexico, who have now reached the last 16 at every World Cup from 1994 and always lost.

Their last quarter-final appearance was in 1986 on home soil and the only other time they made it to the last eight was in 1970, when the finals were also in Mexico.

“The tension was unbelievable, I’ve never lived through anything like that,” Dutch defender Daley Blind said. “We showed a lot of character in coming back. We couldn’t find our men with our passes in the first half, we struggled to get to the ball, but we came back stronger in the second.”

DIVING CLAIMS Robben had two earlier appeals for penalties turned down, and Mexico coach Miguel Herrera accused the Dutchman of diving.

“Three times he dived,” he said. “We’d done really well but then we sit back and we start to give chances to a team that hadn’t done anything.”

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal praised his players’ stamina on a searing, hot day at the Castelao arena.

“Until the very last minute we were fresher and fitter than the Mexicans,” he said. “My players deserve a big compliment. Not only did they have belief and faith that they could perform today, they were also fit for this match.”

Mexico dominated the early exchanges while the Netherlands’ best chance of the first half came at the end, when some sloppy Mexican defending let Robben in on goal.

As he teed up a shot, defender Hector Moreno intervened with a desperate sliding tackle and appeared

to catch Robben’s trailing foot. The Dutchman went down and appealed for a penalty but the referee waved play on.

The Mexicans took the lead just after the break through striker Giovani Dos Santos, who chested the ball down 30 metres from goal before firing a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Dutch almost equalised 10 minutes later when their big centre back Stefan De Vrij forced a brilliant reflex save from Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexican goal. He parried the effort on to his left hand post and his defenders cleared it to safety.

Then came the Netherlands onslaught and the last-gasp drama which saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and keep alive their hopes of winning the World Cup for the first time.

Brazil must improve against Colombia, says Scolari

By Andrew Downie SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil’s players had yesterday off after an exhausting win over Chile but they will be back at work early today when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will start preparing for the World Cup quarter-final showdown with Colombia.

Brazil looked over-awed and were fortunate to escape with a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Chile after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

“We will look at how we won and why we won and all the situations in which we did not complete passes or make chances so that we can improve the next match,”

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and Brazil’s Neymar celebrate after the penalty shootout during the 2014 World Cup round of 16 game between Brazil and Chile at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Saturday. (Credit: Reuters/Toru Hanai) Scolari told reporters “In every match difficul-

ties are escalating and we need to improve.”

The match was intense and exhilarating and Scolari said he would try to use the emotionally draining game to inspire his squad.

“When you win this way, with this level of emotion, you can turn it into a positive thing to show them it is down to their performance and so we try to look for their best moments and value them,” he said.

Scolari was at the helm when Brazil won the trophy in 2002 but his current squad has little World Cup experience and he said that might have been telling against Chile.

“Even the most experienced players feel the pressure in the World Cup,” the former Chelsea and Portugal

coach said.

“Everybody does, if you say you don’t you are lying.

The emotions are different; it is not a normal match. As we have so many of new players they are gaining experience little by little.”

Brazil, who play Colombia in Fortaleza, on Friday need to work on scoring goals and shoring up their toothless midfield.

Although Hulk had a goal chalked off for handball, Chile controlled much of the second half and nearly sealed a famous win when Mauricio Pinilla struck the crossbar in the dying seconds.

“We gain experience as we go on,” Scolari added.

“So let’s see if we can make less mistakes in the next

matches. If we make errors we provide chances for the opponent and we might not be as lucky and we might concede a goal like we almost did today in the 118th minute. So let’s try and work on that.

“We scored, and then we conceded due to the error on the flank and that is not acceptable today at international level,” he said.

“And then we had three or four chances to score and we didn’t because we were trying to be too precise. So then you run more risks than at any other moment. We had the goalkeeper making two or three good saves, if you are not scoring then you run risks.”

Klinsmann tells Americans to change flights to after final (REUTERS) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann has told his players to get their families to change their return flights from Brazil until after the World Cup final.

The U.S. face Belgium in the second round of the World Cup on Tuesday after emerging from a tough Group G ahead of Portugal and Ghana.

Defender Omar Gonza-

lez says Klinsmann’s upbeat assessment of his team’s chances of progressing has even gone as far as encouraging revised travel plans.

“Juergen has been nothing but positive. He’s telling us, he’s telling our families to change our flights to July 14th, 15th, because we’re going to be here until the very end,” said the center-half.

“So that just speaks vol-

umes to how positive he is, how much he believes in this team, and obviously it trickles down to all of us.

“That means that we’re all as confident as he is, and that we all believe in this team. We plan on being here a few more weeks,” added Gonzalez.

Klinsmann was criticized

by American media prior to the tournament for saying that it was “unrealistic” to

talk about the U.S. winning the World Cup. But now his team are repeating the mantra that in the knockout stage, anything is possible if the Americans can prepare well and play to their potential.

“You get to this part in the tournament and it’s clear that (it is about) whoever prepares better, whoever’s more committed on the day,

whoever makes more plays over the course of 90 minutes, whoever’s willing to have a group of guys on the field who fight and are so determined to come off the field a winner,” said midfielder Michael Bradley.

“Those are the things that count. So, for us, it’s about using the time in between these games to recover, physically, mentally, and know that when we

step on the field it’s going to be a hard game, one that tests us in every way.

“But like we keep saying we’re excited about it and we’ll be ready to go,” added the midfielder.

Caption: U.S. national soccer team coach Juergen Klinsmann (4th L) talks to his team during a training session at the team’s training center in Sao Paulo, Saturday.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

4TH DIGICEL INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL C’SHIPS

CWSS edge NSSS, face MHS in tomorrow’s regional final

… Primo nets double hattrick for MHS

By Calvin Roberts

THREE-TIME Regional champions and two-time defending National champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) yesterday afternoon put on a clinical display to dispose of New Silvercity Secondary 2-0 in their Regional semifinals fixture in this year’s fourth annual Digicel Inter-Secondary School Football Championships at the Wisburg Secondary School ground.

Over at the Bayrock ground, the term ‘leadership by example’ and the acro-

Kellon Primo nym T.E.A.M which means ‘together everyone achieves more’ were evident in Mackenzie High School’s 6-1 drubbing that was inflicted over Kwakwani Secondary School, who protested over several calls made by the referee.

At the Wisburg ground and in sweltering heat, CWSS were given the lead in the second minute of play, following a converted penalty kick from Nigel Caesar, after NSSS’ Kendolph Lewis was given marching orders by the referee for an intentional handled ball on the line, after his custodian Colwyn Davidson was beaten by the cross and eventual shot to goal.

Following a battle for supremacy in the mid-field,

CWSS, who seemed lost at times against the 10-man opposition, scored their second goal in the 34th minute, thanks to the hardworking efforts of the diminutive Jonah Simon.

Their versatile striker Shane Luckie, who last year won the Most Valuable Player award in the inaugural Kashif and Shangai Chico Elite Next Generation Inter-School tournament that CWSS won, worked his way deep into the NSSS third.

With Davidson advanc-

GOA `Discover’ open badminton tourney

Ramdhani duo win triple crown titles

NARAYAN and Priyanna Ramdhani won triple crowns when the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) staged the Guyana Olympic Association GOA)-sponsored 2014 `Discover’ Open Badminton tournament at the Queen’s College badminton courts last week.

The tournament which started on June 21 concluded last Friday with the finals in the men’s singles and mixed doubles. Narayan won the men’s singles by defeating Nicholas Ali in a very heated high-level three-setter. Narayan won the first game 21-17, Nicholas the second at 21-16 then Narayan won the third game 21-17.

The mixed doubles final involved Narayan and

GOA’s Hector Edwards and Charles Corbin pose with the Discover Open badminton winners.

Priyanna Ramdhani versus Nicholas Ali and Ambika Ramraj. The former won in two straight sets with the second ending in an exciting finish 21-9, 23-21.

Both Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ram-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday June 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; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Kensington Oval, Barbados, 2002 18 Today’s Quiz: What were the scores of the captains in the first Test of the current WI/NZ series?

How many Test matches have been played at Sabina Park, Jamaica? How many have involved NZ? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ing off his line despite the presence of two of his defenders to thwart any attempts Luckie may have at their goal, Luckie rounded the custodian and sent a gem of a pass to Simon who wasted no time in finding the back of the net to give his team a two-goal cushion.

They maintained the lead to the end of halftime and full time, thanks to the diligence of their skipper Jashawn Moore who held off NSSS strikers and thwarted

their runs by intercepting the passes, while Luckie struggled to find his footing at the top.

At Bayrock, Primo rocked the net in the 13th, 27th, 32nd, 40th, 50th and 54th minutes, to set up his school’s win over Kwakwani, for whom Chauncey Bobb got a consolation goal in the 44th minute, making tomorrow’s regional final between CWSS and MHS, a mouthwatering humdinger at the Wisburg ground from 15:30hrs.

dhani copped triple crowns by winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles in their respective categories.

The presentation of prizes to the respective winners was done by GOA general secretary Hector Edwards and the association’s vice-president Charles Corbin, who both witnessed the matches and also made some brief remarks along with the GBA president Gokarn Ramdhani.

The over-all results are as follows: In the men’s singles category Narayan Ramdhani beat Ali into second place, with Jonathan Mangra and Avinash Odit tying for third.

The ladies’ singles was

won by Priyanna Ramdhani with Ambika taking the second spot and Kara Abrams and Abosaide Cadogan occupying the third place.

Narayan Ramdhani and Ali won the men’s doubles ahead of Noel Shewjattan and Mangra, while the ladies’ doubles title was won by the pair of Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Abrams.

Cadogan and Kara Abrams placed second.

Kara Abrams, Hemraj Beharry and Ronals Chang Yuen were all presented with special prizes for being the Most Improved Players in the tournament.

The GBA has expressed its gratitude to the GOA for making the tournament possible once again.

Gayle rested, Pollard returns for Dominica T20s …Darren Bravo, Christopher Barnwell recalled BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Flamboyant opener Chris Gayle has been rested but Kieron Pollard has returned to the West Indies Twenty20 squad for the two-match series against New Zealand next weekend in Dominica.

The 34-year-old Gayle has struggled with injury in recent months but still managed to score two half-centuries in the ongoing three-match Test series.

He sought medical treatment in Germany prior to the current series but has not yet returned to full fitness.

In his absence, West Indies will have available Kieron Pollard who is now set for his first taste of international cricket in nearly a year.

Pollard, too, has been plagued by injury and only

Christopher Barnwell, returned to action in the domestic tournament for Trinidad and Tobago in April this year, before turning out for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

However, the Windies will have to do without all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, the one-day captain, who is yet to recover from the injury that made him unavailable for selection for the current Test series.

He injured his shoulder during the IPL and was limited to just one game but then picked up a hamstring injury which is yet to heal.

Stylish left-hander Darren Bravo and all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, neither of whom has played T20s for West Indies in over a year, have both been recalled to the squad.

There is no room, however, for batsmen Marlon Samuels and Johnson Charles, and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, all of whom were part of the Windies failed

campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh this year.

Samuels managed just 86 runs in five innings during the tournament and was subsequently dropped from the Test squad after a poor first Test against New Zealand at Sabina Park three weeks ago.

Darren Sammy, axed as Test captain ahead of the New Zealand series, returns to take charge of the unit.

Both T20s will be played at Windsor Park on July 5 and 6.

SQUAD – Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Christopher Barnwell, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 30, 2014

27

Roach reaches landmark but Williamson, rain dash Windies hopes BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Speedster Kemar Roach captured his 100th Test wicket but Kane Williamson’s career-best century and then torrential rain, spoiled West Indies chances of winning the decisive third Test at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

When the adverse weather ended play prematurely at 16:51hrs on the fourth day, New Zealand had reached a formidable 331 for seven in their second innings – a lead of already 307 heading into today’s final day.

The rain, which first came at 13:48hrs and then allowed just 26 balls following a 16:30hrs restart, robbed the game of a precious 42.5 overs.

Williamson, who began the day on 58, finished on a superb, unbeaten 161 an innings that formed the bedrock of the New Zealand innings and seems likely to ensure them at least a share of the series.

The 23-year-old righthander hardly put a foot wrong as he faced 271 balls in just under 6-1/2 hours at the crease, and stroked 22 fours.

Along the way, he extended his overnight fourth-wicket stand to 67 with captain Brendon McCullum who scored 25, added a further 91 for the fifth wicket with Jimmy Neesham who belted an attacking 51 and then also posted 79 for the sixth wicket with BJ Watling who hit 29.

It was the wicket of Wat-

Kane Williamson brings up his seventh Test hundred, against West Indies, at Kensington Oval. (WICB photo) ling, caught at gully by Jason off-spinner Shane ShillingHolder 45 minutes after lunch, ford wide of long on for four which gave Roach the 100th and then cutting the first ball scalp of his 26-Test career. of Roach’s next over to the He was the Windies point boundary. best bowler with four for McCullum, howev55 while debutant fast er, added just two to his bowler Jason Holder has overnight 23 before falling claimed two for 26. lbw to Roach in the day’s Resuming the day on fourth over, trapped on the 123 for three, New Zea- crease by a delivery that land gathered runs quickly came back. He consulted as Williamson showed his DRS in vain. intent from as early as the Neesham’s arrival inthird ball of the day, lofting creased the scoring rate,

the left-hander belting three fours and four sixes off just 67 balls in an hour-and-ahalf at the crease.

He took a liking to the toothless Shillingford – unable to fire his lethal doosra because of the ICC restrictions – lofting him onto the media centre at the southern end in the day’s seventh over and then clearing the ropes and wide long on in the bowler’s next over.

When seamer Jerome Taylor was introduced, Neesham struck him for a flat six over long on and then smashed left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn over the ropes at mid-wicket off the first ball following the water break.

Williamson, meanwhile, edged seamer Jason Holder to third man to move to 97 before reaching his seventh century with a couple behind point off Benn, 50 minutes before lunch.

Neesham followed him soon after, driving Holder for two to reach his half-century but then fell off the very next ball, smashing a full-blooded drive into the lap of Kraigg Brathwaite at a very short cover, with the score on 226 for five.

Any hopes the Windies had of making further inroads were quickly erased as Williamson and Watling stood firm in another half-century stand that proved a source of frustration.

With Williamson picking off boundaries at will, Watling held up the other

Kemar Roach became the 19th West Indian to 100 Test wickets on the fourth day of the third Test at Kensington Oval. (WICB PHOTO) Southee, dropped by end for nearly an hour-andBenn at slip off Roach bea-half, before falling in the fore he had scored, hung second over with the second around half-hour for seven new ball, slashing at Roach before tapping a tame reat 305 for six. turn catch back to Taylor, 20 Williamson equalled his minutes after the rain break. previous career-best of 135 Only five more delivwith a boundary to third man eries were possible before off Benn before steering Tayrain put paid to any more lor through gully for another hopes of play. to raise his 150.

NEW ZEALAND first innings 293 WEST INDIES first innings 317 NEW ZEALAND second innings (o/n 123 for three) T. Latham c Shillingford b Roach 0 H. Rutherford c wkp. Ramdin b Roach 19 K. Williamson not out 161 R. Taylor c Bravo b Holder 6 B. McCullum lbw b Roach 25 J. Neesham c Brathwaite b Holder 51 BJ Watling c Holder b Roach 29

GABF names CBC Women’s team

… Natasha Alder appointed captain

Sonia Rodney

THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has named the team to represent Guyana in the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from July 8 to 12.

Guyana Police Force Sergeant Natasha Alder was appointed captain of the team that features the experienced Shauna Chester, Philomena George and Sonia Rodney.

Shakelia Sampson from Kwakwani, Tamara Hunter, the Andrews sisters Kean and Natasha, Necosia Mitchell, Kristy Roberts, Latoya Rodney, and Ginelle Ifill are the other members of the 12-man squad.

Former National Women’s point guard Ann Guard who represented Guyana at the 1986 CBC tournament was appointed head coach and she will be assisted by Brian Carter. Herbert Adams is the manager.

The GABF, in a release, said that Laquantor Gibson, a likely starter on the team, was “mostly unavailable for training sessions, due to her participation in a training course with the Guyana Police Force, hence she was unfortunately not included in the team.

However, three Policewomen are included in the team - captain Natasha Alder, Kristy Roberts and Latoya Rodney.

Daily training sessions continue at the National Sports Hall.

The sessions will conclude on July 5 and the team will depart on July 6 for the tournament.

Natasha Alder

T. Southee c & b Taylor 7 M. Craig not out

4 Extras: (b-20, lb-1, w-7, nb-1) 29 Total: (7 wkts, 89.1 overs) 331 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-56, 3-68, 4-135, 5-226, 6-305, 7-327.

Bowling: Taylor 16-4-54-1 (w1), Roach 19.1-4-55-4 (w-1), Benn 26-1-94-0 (nb-1), Holder 10-2-26-2 (w-1), Shillingford 18-2-81-0.

Position: New Zealand lead by 307 runs.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Ninvalle to run for AIBA Executive position in November (See Story on Page 23)

Steve Ninvalle

Geron Williams is new Senior Road Race champ

By Calvin Roberts

C O M M O N W E A LT H Games selectee and Continental Cycle Club’s ace rider Geron Williams rode a tactical race yesterday morning in sweltering conditions to claim the senior category of the 2014 Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Road Race championship in a time of 4h. 25m: 02secs.

Williams took the top podium spot in a sprint away from his namesake and another Commonwealth Games selectee in Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, while defending champion Raynauth Jeffrey, who was made to work hard by his competitors especially Marlon Williams, finished third.

Other category winners yesterday morning were juvenile champions Andrew Hicks (1h. 45m: 58secs), junior champion Stephano Husbands (2h. 31: 23secs), veteran O-45 Raymond Newton (1h. 56m: 06secs) and female champion in Claire Fraser-Greene (2h. 00m: 13secs).

After being sent on their way in overcast conditions the 16 senior

… Hicks, Newton, Husbands and Fraser-Greene also victorious

Newly crowned champion Geron Williams gets out of his saddle to make the final push for the line ahead of Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, while the dethroned Raynauth Jeffrey (background) finishes third. cyclists, among whom him being joined later by point, leaving Abdool were the top three fin- Eastman and Andre Abdool and Eastman to take ishers along with Robin and they worked together such orders from Race Persaud, Paul DeNobrega, to hold a lead of close to Commissar Malcolm Christopher Holder, Paul three minutes on the main Sonoran, which when Choo-Wee-Nam, Warren peloton. taken saw Abdool pick H o w e v e r, a s t h e y ‘40’ McKay and Hamza up a puncture and being Eastman, worked together passed through Loo Creek left behind by Eastman. as a unit on the upward on the Linden/Soesdyke The saying ‘the race H i g h w a y, M a t t h e w s journey. is not for the swift but he A break by Enzo Mat- found the pace too hot that endures to the end’, thews as he made his way to handle and called it a could certainly be applied through Farm on the East day approximately three to Eastman who blew a Bank of Demerara, saw miles from the turn-back three-minute lead on his

opponents and was caught as they entered Hauraruni, as the three top finishers, along with DeNobrega, Persaud, Mario ‘Pigeon’ King and others connected.

Together they worked their way through the breezy highway on the downward journey and despite Persaud making a solo move to the front as they sped along the now busy East Bank Demerara carriageway it was all in vain as he was wheeled in.

At Diamond, Orville Hinds appeared to call it quits but being cheered on by his team handlers. He dug deep and reconnected with the pack at Eccles, while shortly after, Holder, who seemed down and dusted also dug deep and found a second wind to reconnect with the frontrunners at Houston.

J e ff r e y, w h o a l o n g with Fraser-Greene, Alanzo Greaves and Scott Savory, makes up the cycling contingent for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scot-

land, tried to make a move but a determined Marlon Williams stuck to his back wheel.

In the sprint for home, Geron Williams, who recently returned from the United States of America, outsprinted his namesake Marlon Williams, who decided to give up his personal duel with Jeffrey, who finished third.

In the Veterans category, Newton finished ahead of Shameer Baksh and Ian ‘Dumb Boy’ Jackson who were 2m: 04secs slower, while Akeem Arthur and Alonzo Ambrose all clocked the same time with Husbands, after losing out in the sprint battle to the newly crowned champion.

The same can be said for Raphael Leung and Romello Crawford, who clocked the same time as Hicks, but lost their sprint battle, while Fraser-Greene, who lost her title in this event to Naomi Singh last year, returned with a dominant bang, winning by 42m: 18secs over Teshawna Doris who was 18m: 43secs faster than the third-placer Crystal Lambert.

Costa Rica reach World Cup quarter-finals for the first time

…beat Greece 5-3 in penalty shootout

By Toby Davis RECIFE Brazil (Reuters) - Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time by beating Greece 5-3 on penalties yesterday after conceding a stop-

page time equaliser and playing 54 minutes with 10 men.

After the 1-1 draw following extra time, Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas made a superb

See Page 23

Costa Rica players celebrate the win after a penalty shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Costa Rica and Greece at Arena Pernambuco, yesterdayin Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014