GUYANA No. 103904
WEDNESDAY JULY 30, 2014
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER
Division widening in PNCR ranks
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… several members to resign
DAVID GRANGER
AUBREY NORTON
CLARISSA RHEIL
3 IT’S A POLITICAL PARTY, NOT GECOM– PNCR’S BASIL WILLIAMS Page
… Region 10 disenfranchised, calls continue for Clarke’s resignations Basil Williams
Sooba denies saying 12 Chase-Green is gay
Sharma Solomon
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ACTING TOWN CLERK CAROL SOOBA
Agri Ministry ramping up technology to better monitor weather Page 13 conditions
Stabroek News, in its push for Local Gov’t Elections, has become a political henchman for the Opposition
Army files missing
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Critical records about PNC’s violence while in Government that saw Dr Walter Rodney die in bomb blast challenging Commission probe…
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Division widening in PNCR ranks … several members to resign
WHILE returned leader David Granger appears to be pouring cold water on the extent of the division within the ranks of the People’s National Congress Reform, several long standing and ordinary members have signalled their intention to resign from the party following its 18th Biennial Congress. The Congress was marred by allegations of rigging and boisterous protests organised and led by its Linden constituents. The Congress degenDAVID GRANGER erated to its lowest of lows with party members allegedly being abused by the faction who supported Granger and his clan of hand-picked executives. The police have already indicated that an in-
AUBREY NORTON
CLARISSA RHEIL
vestigation is underway into the shooting incident which occurred at Congress Place that left scores traumatized, despite Granger’s attempt to conceal the matter. National Secretary of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), Adel Lily, has already written his resignation letter and sought to submit same during the ruckus. Lily said that he was abused and verbally threatened by several executives of the party, including members of his own GYSM Central Executive. “The list was padded,” Lily declared, stating that the Accreditation Committee met for the first on Saturday and over several days failed to address adequately the concerns raised by disenfranchised and legitimate party comrades. “People gave their lives to this party…I gave
the last five years of my life to this party…I worked hard in the fields, but now I am resigning my membership,” Lily said in a disappointing tone. He said democracy was dead within the party if members were not allowed to disagree with their leaders. Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker and PNC/R Executive, Clarissa Rheil has also expressed her desire to resign from the party. She said that Granger was too aloof and stiff to manage the affairs of a buoyant political party such as the PNCR. Rheil said that she was disappointed that Granger did not intervene personally to quell the ruckus and confusion that was overshadowing the party congress. “He and some members of his team stood and drank water on the side,” Rheil told media. She said in no uncertain terms that she was resigning from the party after deliberately postponing her decision to withdraw completely from the party. Apart from Aubrey Norton, who said that he will be making a critical decision about his future in the PNCR in the days to come, at least fifteen other party members have prepared their resignations to be sent in to their respective group leaders, the region and the national management committees. “I am fed up. Who does Mr. Granger think he is? I am an equal member to him. I do not care that he was an Army man. He knows that he does not enjoy the support of ordinary PNC people like we,” another member Shelly-Ann Mentore said. Other members accused Granger of creating the confusion and contributing to the conflict. “Granger heart cold….I slaved my life away for this party since Desmond Hoyte time and they shut de gate on me. They will need we bottom house people when the elections come. I not returning as long Granger is there,” the woman said. This new division widens the gap that already existed after long standing member and former Government Minister Dr. Faith Harding exited the party citing concerns about Granger’s leadership. Dr. Van West Charles has also reportedly walked away from the party. Vincent Alexander resigned from the party after he too had concerns about the direction it was headed. Since Granger took control of the party in 2011, it has begun bleeding and hemorrhaging from all of its major joints.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
IT’S A POLITICAL PARTY, NOT GECOM– PNCR’s BASIL WILLIAMS … Region 10 disenfranchised, calls continue for Clarke’s resignations By Derwayne Wills CHAIRMAN of the People’s National Congress Reform, Mr. Basil Williams, held nothing back when he scoffed at calls made by reputable PNCR party members Messrs Sharma Solomon, Carl Greenidge, and Aubrey Norton for the resignation of party General Secretary, Oscar Clarke. Williams had noted to the press that it is questionable why some elements would demand the same standard of accountability and rigorous electoral scrutiny from a party organisation. Almost in disbelief, the party executive bemoaned: “They are actually calling upon a party organisation… it is as though they are talking to GECOM [Guyana Elections Commission] ... There must be problems.” And, “Mr. Greenidge is probably holding the Accreditation Committee to a standard that he believes should be on the same footing as GECOM.” The Chairman then moved on to not only question the bid by Solomon for leadership, but he hinted that in order to avoid future altercations, the party ought to consider a congress held every five years rather than every two years. According to him, “We have to decide, should we extend a term to five years so we wouldn’t have to deal with this thing every two years.” Explaining that in the party’s democracy there is almost no means of stopping a challenger, he said: “Mr. Sharma Solomon surfaced two years ago but he wants to run for leader, you understand what I am saying.” “So if people have these visions of grandeur, they could give them expression within the People’s National Congress because of our democracy and democratic tradition.” CLARKE’S RESIGNATION Meanwhile, following calls made by People’s National Congress Reform party stalwart, Mr. Carl Greenidge for the resignation of PNCR General Secretary, Mr. Oscar Clarke; Regional Chairman of Region 10, Sharma Solomon has made clear the frustration of the region he represents. Speaking at a press conference at the Critchlow Labour College Georgetown, Solomon stressed the need for a certain level of accountability in the party with respect for the constitution especially by party office-bearers. According to Solomon, “Those who have accepted responsibility for matters must be held responsible for the activities that they have asked to be responsible for.” He noted that while Mr. Clarke operates in the capacities of
Chairman of the party’s Accreditation Committee- which has the responsibility of registering delegates and observers- and as the General Secretary of the Party, his role was “to ensure that we had an election that people were satisfied with.” Solomon pronounced that, “I can say to you an entire region was not satisfied.” At the conclusion of the PNCR’s 18th biennial congress, there were widespread claims of elections rigging and electoral
Regional Democratic Chairman of Region 10, Mr. Sharma Solomon fraud to which Mr. Clarke was the point man. Similarly there were attempts to exclude some party members from particular regions by refusing them entry at the premises of the PNCR Secretariat, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Solomon questioned the consistency of the position of some members in the Party when he likened their actions to be contrary to their calls for the PPP/C Administration to be accountable. “If we are to ask for local government elections and we are asking this Government to ensure that people’s rights are respected [and] that they can be allowed to appoint and elect their own local representatives, then we expect that those elections will be one where people are satisfied with the process and not dissatisfied that they are not given that right to exercise their franchise,” Solomon said. He added that the Party “cannot go to the national public and say to them this is what we expect of the Government and in our own party; we have segments of your party’s constitu-
ency [who] believe that their internal rights to exercise their franchise are not respected.” Although concerns of voting irregularities were made to the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the Accreditation Committee, of which Clarke is the Chairman, very little effort was made to address these concerns. RENOUNCING THE BALLOT According to Solomon, the decision he made to remove his name from the Leadership nominees list was reflective of his dissatisfaction with the electoral processes. He disclosed that there were three meetings held up to Thursday night “with over 250 party members in Region 10 and I expressed to those members that those concerns remained.” He added that in his address to the PNCR stronghold members on Thursday at the Harmony Secondary School, McKenzie, Linden “the concerns that we were not having the sort of responses that we deserved in satisfying the conditions that these elections were going to be held under.” “I said to them that based on the statement released, we were going to come back to them to express if we were going to move forward in some of the positions advanced.” The decision, Solomon said, was taken on the principle that because of the region’s dissatisfaction and also on the facts that the official delegates for the party were not confirmed based on the voters list and these persons were therefore not properly accredited. Solomon stated that after consulting with the Region 10 constituents, he then moved to Congress Place to make clear his reason for renouncing his nomination. However, “the Chairman of the proceedings ended the session before I could have had an opportunity to explain to Congress why I actually withdrew from [the list of] Party Leaders.” When questioned on the way forward and whether the disenfranchised group will take action, Solomon announced that the people of Region 10 continue to be the party’s stronghold as reflected in the 2006 and 2011 General Elections. He noted however that there is a need for addressing the lack of implementation of effective mechanisms provided in the party’s constitution, “where all are held accountable to the rules of the party.” Solomon told the Guyana Chronicle that if the party is prepared to lead Guyana, “the same accountability [that] we ask of the Government, we must be prepared in our party as members to ask of our leaders.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Israel intensifies Gaza EU widens Russia sanctions to target attacks after Netanyahu economy warning
Five Israeli soldiers were killed on Monday when militants infiltrated the border, while a mortar bomb killed four and a tenth died in a clash in southern Gaza
(BBC News) MORE than 100 Palestinians are said to have been killed after Israel intensified its bombardment of Gaza and warned of a long conflict ahead. Gaza’s only power plant caught fire as Israel carried out 60 air strikes, targeting sites associated with Hamas, the Islamist group which controls Gaza. UN staff members are said to be among those killed. An Israeli military spokesman said the strikes signalled a “gradual increase in the pressure” on Hamas. Power plant destroyed Gazans get power from just one local plant, as well as some supplies from Israel and Egypt. On Tuesday morning a huge plume of smoke rose
over the strip’s only power plant after one of its fuel tanks was reportedly set alight by Israeli tank shells, and the facility was forced to shut down. A fuel depot supplying Gaza’s only power station has been hit, as Martin Patience and Chris Morris report. For the last three weeks, most Gazans have been living with just a few hours of electrical supplies - now the situation will almost certainly get worse. After a brief lull in the fighting earlier this week, the violence has returned with a renewed intensity. In Gaza City you can hear the constant bombardment of areas close to the Israeli border. There have also been
large explosions in the city throughout the morning. Any sign that a patchwork of truces would lead to a more sustainable ceasefire has been dashed for now. The Israeli military is stepping up its offensive to find and destroy Hamas tunnels, as Bethany Bell reports. More than three weeks on there is in general very widespread support among Israelis for the Gaza offensive. Recent polls say almost 90% of Israelis are in favour. Some are beginning to ask whether the army and the government underestimated the tunnel threat from Gaza. Targeting the tunnels is one of Israel’s main objectives in this campaign, but destroying them is complicated. Israel says it has identified more than 30 tunnels - but the army was taken off guard last night when five soldiers were killed by Palestinian militants who came up through a tunnel into Israel. Military sources say these aren’t just single shafts but a labyrinth of underground passageways, some booby-trapped with explosives. The government says it will not stop the offensive until the tunnels are destroyed.
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(BBC News) THE EU has adopted new economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, targeting the oil sector, defence equipment and sensitive technologies, EU sources say. Russian state banks’ access to capital is also likely to be restricted. The aim is to increase the cost to Russia of its continued support for pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies charges by the EU and US that it is supplying heavy weapons to the rebels. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was also preparing further sanctions against Russia. Details of the EU move - agreed by the 28 member
states’ ambassadors - are still coming in. The full sanctions statement is expected on Wednesday, when the EU is also set to name more Russian officials facing asset freezes and travel bans in Europe. Calls for the EU to act have been fuelled by the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine. All 298 people on the Malaysia Airlines jet were killed, many of them Dutch citizens. An international team has again failed to access the crash site, amid heavy fighting between government forces and rebels there. Western governments believe the pro-Russian separatists shot the plane down on 17 July with a Russian missile. The rebels and Moscow
deny that, instead blaming the Ukrainian military. Kerry plea to Russia Speaking in Washington, Mr Kerry urged Russia and the rebels to give Western investigators full access to the crash site. “They still can’t even ensure that all of the victims’ remains have been removed, and that is an unsupportable burden for any family to have to bear, and it is an unacceptable standard of behaviour, period,” he said. “The site has to be cordoned off, the evidence has to be preserved, and Russia needs to use its considerable influence among the separatists in order to be able to help ensure this basic approach of common decency.”
Bestiality vet Oliver Lown struck off A VET who was filmed having sex with a horse and a dog has been struck off his profession’s register. Oliver Fraser Lown of Kesgrave, Suffolk was found guilty of five charges by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) disciplinary committee. Videos were found in his possession showing him engaging in sexual activity with animals, as were extreme images of animals and people, the RCVS heard. Lown, believed to be in his 20s, has never practised
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as a vet in the UK. The RCVS panel heard that in 2012 he pleaded guilty at Northallerton and Richmond Magistrates Court in North Yorkshire to seven criminal charges relating to the possession of extreme images involving people and animals, for which he was given a conditional discharge. The RCVS committee heard the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him in respect of a bestiality charge that it was considering, but the RCVS found the charge to be proven. Lown had graduated from the Szent Istvan University in Budapest, Hungary and he had been registered with the RCVS in
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2013, the committee heard. Lown did not attend the RCVS hearing in London, but he was represented by a solicitor. Three of the charges related to the discovery of images or videos on a laptop and a mobile phone at his home near Ipswich. Another charge related to footage of him engaging in sexual activity with a horse and a dog, while a fifth charge related to him sending messages that referred to sexual activity with animals. Prof Noreen Burrows, chairing the committee, said: “The material found in possession of the respondent and his own conduct... involved the abuse of animals and a total lack of respect for their welfare.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Japan gives Caribbean Trini charged with US$15m for climate killing Guyanese change projects mom in New York PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — JAPAN is providing US$15 million to help several Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries cope with the impact of climate change. The “Project for Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership” will help Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Dominica and Belize build the capacity to cope with climate change. The agreement was signed on the margins of the first ever Japan-Caricom summit here on Monday that was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and several Caricom heads of government. The accord was signed by Japan’s Amb a s s a d o r t o Tr i n i d a d and Tobago, Yoshimasa Tezuka and Richard Blewitt, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Trinidad and Tobago. The agreement aims at assisting Caribbean countries in developing and implementing climate change policies such as National Appropriate Mitigation Actions and National Adaptation Plans and to promote technology transfers in adaptation and mitigation technologies through various pilot projects such as water supply systems and/or irrigation facilities for communities and photovoltaic panels in selected countries.
It will also seek to build a regional platform for information sharing. Japan is also providing assistance to Caribbean countries, through the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), in the development of renewable energy. A “Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean Region” was signed here yesterday between the IDB, the CDB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Countries of the Eastern Caribbean region have been tackling high energy costs and are seeking to reduce dependence on fossil fuel-generated energy b y d i v e r s i f y i n g e n e rgy grids and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as a
matter of urgency. The agreement was signed by Nigel Romano, CDB acting vice-president, and Toshiyuki Kuroyanagi, vice-president of Japan International Cooperation Agency. The MOC will formalise a non-exclusive framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration among CDB, IDB and JICA to promote programmes and projects that foster cooperation among them, and explore a joint effort for further introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean region, with special focus on geothermal development. Under the agreement, the CDB, IDB, and JICA will further explore possibilities of concessional loans for the CDB from IDB and JICA, implementation of technical assistance which will help the partner countries.
Leah Cuevas is arrested
(Trinidad Guardian) A WOMAN from Siparia has been charged with killing and dismembering a Guyanese woman in Brooklyn, New York. Leah Cuevas, 42, was charged with second-degree murder and dismembering a Guyanese immigrant and mother of four, Chinelle Latoya Thompson-Browne, 27. Cuevas was denied bail last Thursday by a judge at the Suffolk County District Court. When the T&T Guardian visited Siparia on Saturday villagers along Coora Road and Mendez Village said they had only heard through
media reports that Cuevas was from Siparia but were not sure exactly from where. Residents believe Cuevas’ entire family may have migrated to the US decades ago. According to a report on the News Americas Now Web site, last Thursday prosecutor Robert Biancavilla said in court Thompson-Browne was killed during an argument on July 5 at Cuevas’ apartment building at 346 Sumpter Street, Brownsville, Brooklyn. Cuevas’ uncle owned the Brooklyn building but died last year. Since his death, Cuevas was said to have been collecting rent money from tenants. Prose-
cutor Biancavilla said on July 4, Cuevas angrily confronted Browne over non-payment of rent and utilities. Then on July 5, witnesses saw Thompson-Browne entering the apartment and then heard a confrontation. Cuevas allegedly stabbed Thompson Browne in the neck during an argument after Thompson-Browne refused to hand over money, authorities say. Prosecutor Biancavilla said Thompson-Browne pleaded for her life moments before Cuevas allegedly stabbed her with such force that she was decapitated. Her dismembered body was found later scattered across Bay Shore and Hempstead, Long Island. Two people walking to the ferry in Bay Shore discovered Thompson Browne’s torso in a vacant Bay Shore lot used as a shortcut between a municipal parking lot and the Fire Island Ferry terminal on July 8, police said.
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EDITORIAL
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Guyana
The PNC Syndrome NO! NOT by default, but as Aubrey Norton said, there were problems in the electoral process. But when has there not been problems with any electoral process in which the PNC has been involved – whether national, or internal? The ethos of all PNC engagements is indicated by a report in this newspaper: “Increasing tensions during the last day of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) 18th Biennial Congress, were tempered forcefully, if only to an extent, after a single gunshot was fired into the air. The discharge of the firearm sent delegates running.” According to the Chronicle report, a source at Congress Place said that the gunshot was considered “necessary” to temper the behaviour of some of the delegates. “Being very dissatisfied, they (the delegates) then proceeded to block the entrance to the auditorium where accredited delegates were assembling to vote. In the ensuing
Gov’t will rush in with Guyanese tax dollars A FREAK storm of considerable violence descended on the Upper Demerara mining town of Linden on Sunday at approximately 16:00hrs; and by the time it had passed, some thirty minutes later, several buildings — including the Linden/Mackenzie Sports Club and numerous homes — had been destroyed. GPL power poles and numerous trees had also been uprooted, disrupting electricity to extensive parts of Linden. There is no doubt about it: Government will rush in immediately to save these people – again, with Guyanese tax dollars, while many communities that support them across the country have problems that nobody looks in to. In the meantime, Granger is blaming PPP for Congress chaos, saying his party is not divided, which seems like a strategy to deflect the criminal mass to direct its anger toward PPP members and supporters. I hope the PPP/C takes cognisance and places security in strategic places after this Granger statement. I repeat, Granger wants his followers to go after PPP supporters to deflect what (has happened) and what is happening in PNC’s Congress Place at the moment. TED KING
confusion an explosive sound was heard, which caused momentary confusion.” Notable is the fact that the person alleged to have fired the shot is claimed by PNC Parliamentarians to be close to Granger, and they have expressed fear for their lives. Now the PNC diehards have a taste of the way PPP supporters feel every time the PNC goes on the warpath against them. But the fallout was bitter and acrimonious, with accusations of padding of voters’ lists, electoral fraud and malpractice of every kind. This has been the norm of every PNC Congress, which saw many stalwarts leaving that party because of those very contentions; among whom are Faith Harding, Vincent Alexander, Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman, among others. This is not the first time Aubrey Norton has been making those accusations against his Party’s leadership; and most likely it would not be the last, but he has been a contender for leadership
positions and the public and vociferous airing of his disaffection of the current leadership and his disgust with the electoral proceedings at Congress Place was expected. However, what was interesting was the response of one of the most vocal and supportive PNC stalwarts, Clarissa Rhiel; as well as many others. The fallout with Vanessa Kissoon is still hitting headlines; but as usual, Granger fell back on the usual PNC ploy to shift public interest away from their own peccadilloes by blaming the PPP/C – what former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo called ‘The Corbin Syndrome’. However, this strategy of drawing red herrings to cover their internal misdeeds to fool their supporters in particular, and the public in general, predates Corbin and could be rightfully deemed ‘The PNC Syndrome’. It is time for PNC supporters to recognise the nature of the beast they are clutching to their bosoms and let go before they are eaten alive.
ANSA McAl has no reason to be peeved IT often amazes me what passes for news in Guyana. The Stabroek News somehow saw it fit to highlight the Trinidad and Tobago company ANSA McAl’s unsuccessful bid to become prequalified to supply medical drugs to the Government’s health sector. Not surprisingly, immediately following that, the Kaieteur News picked up on that and ran their own story about ANSA McAl being peeved. But at least KN had the shame to publish a letter questioning the bona fides of Ansa McAl. It is a known fact that every Government in every country in the world seeks to protect its own local business community. It will therefore even pass laws to protect local investment as a whole. Further, every Government will first look for local contractors or suppliers, whether they are for products or services, to award contracts. Indeed, Guyana and any country should welcome overseas investment, but such companies will have to at least make the necessary investments within Guyana and employ Guyanese nationals. So why would a Trinidad company event want to bid to supply drugs in Guyana and supply them from Trinidad? Can a Guyanese company do likewise in Trinidad? I think not in fact, for a Guyanese company to supply pharmaceuticals in Trinidad is impossible! Same in Barbados and every other CARICOM nation.
I recall not too long ago the Trinidad Prime Minister insisting, when her country was about to give funds for hurricane relief to two countries, that the contractors should be Trinis. She maintained her stance even when challenged, and that was a time of disaster for the two countries. Did the American Government hire contractors from anywhere else but the U.S. when they were ‘rebuilding’ Iraq after the war? And this, like the Trinidad case, involved work being done in the country which was benefitting from the assistance. So at one time certain media houses are opposed to Chinese workers in Guyana, claiming that every effort should be made to employ local the local workforce. Now the Government identified a local company which actually meets the stated criteria for a prequalification process. And there’s still a problem, at least with some media houses. The Guyana Government should reconsider opening up the spending of taxpayers money to foreign companies. And as a Guyanese, I see no reason why a Trinidad company should be peeved at not having won a local bidding prequalification process. Especially when they did not meet the requirements in the first place.
ANNALISA ALLY
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Efforts being made to improve timeliness, quality of information supplied to passengers at CJIA PLEASE permit me to thank Ms. Esther Robinson for the letter published in Stabroek News dated July 26, 2014. I wish to assure that the flight information display system (FIDS) and the public address (PA) systems are functional at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The information displayed on the FIDS is supplied by the airlines and inputted by the airport staff. Quite often when there is a delay or flight cancellation, the CJIA Corporation finds it very difficult to get accurate and timely information from the airlines to update these FIDS. Unfortunately, despite several meetings and correspondence - the problem still persists. CJIA notes the concerns expressed by Ms. Robinson and is grateful for the feedback. The Corporation apologises to the public and will strive even harder to work with the airlines to improve the timeliness and quality of information supplied to our passengers. ANEKA EDWARDS Public Relations Officer Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation
A sordid affair THE whole sordid affair that took place over the weekend at the PNC Congress serves as a reminder that our political leaders are failing the people and are afraid to embrace the tenets of what true democracy is all about. How else could one describe the internal ‘jiggery-pokery’ and shenanigans to subvert a democratic process that took place at Congress Place or the ruling government’s brazen unwillingness to call a date for crucial democratic local government elections? Now we are being bamboozled and distracted by a ‘No-Confidence’ motion. This is supposed to be the panacea for all our troubles. Go to general elections and elect from the same crop of politicians. Well, I personally want to see local government elections conducted before any talk of general elections. I want to see the same vigour that our Opposition is leading the charge for a no-confidence motion applied to the call for local government elections. LGE gives the people of Guyana the best chance to start taking ownership of their communities and what matters most to them. The local level is closer to home for citizens and the consequence of effective local governance has a sharper impact on their survival and prosperity. Call Local Government Elections NOW! MICHAEL LEONARD Blue CAPS
The nation calls on PNC to condemn all criminality on innocent citizens “REGION 10 Sharma Solomon calls on Mr. (David) Granger and all party members to condemn this wanton disregard for the lives and safety of party comrades and immediate sanctions on this gun-toting menace, who must not be sheltered or protected by friends and contacts in high places.” Don’t they in the PNC know a thing, or two, or three, about sheltering and protecting gun-toting menaces and well-known killers by having contacts in high places? He said: “The Guyana Police Force (needs) to become immediately involved in investigating the discharge and display of this firearm in public with the intent to hurt, maim, disfigure or threaten unarmed persons.” Guyanese will watch these same people who are calling on police to act soon cry police brutality and police torture. Solomon and crew could cry disenfranchisement all they want, but in the end all Guyanese will see how ‘Kith N Kin’ sweet and loving and hugging up each other. “We of Region 10 are proud of the structure
put in place by Founder Leader L.F.S. Burnham.” They could not be more right to invoke the spirit of Burnham, who put in place the model and mould for election rigging to remain in power. They have no shame nor scruples nor morals left in them when they talk about their so beloved founding-leader/father, the mighty King Kabaka. They would never say he was a brute and a thug whose lust for power at all cost was larger than the country. They would never tell how their so beloved founding-father/leader came to power and how he remained in power. Notice how they never ever talk about banned foods under their King Kabaka? Notice how they never talk about debts incurred by their King Kahoona? But yet they talk about the structure their King put in place for them. They now know how it feels to be disenfranchised and now they are crying they don’t like it for themselves. TED KING
COMMENTARY
Will better sense prevail? By David DeGroot I AM troubled by the thought that my country faces the likelihood of a doomsday future. We are on the brink of catastrophic proportions and we have, with some urgency, to seriously review what is taking place before our very eyes. Our collective apparent equanimity, which we have been enjoying over the past twenty years, is being threatened by some over-ambitious aspiring political leaders; who have shown little regard for the damage being done to the entire country by their irresponsibility. They have used their one-seat parliamentary majority to wield offensively against the many progressive measures intended to improve tremendously the welfare of the people and the preparation of the country becoming a truly modern state. The government envisaged better healthcare through a specialty hospital, cheaper or less expensive energy with the development of hydropower, enhancing tourism infrastructure vide five-star hotels and improved airport facilities. In addition, the Opposition adamantly refuses to support the internationally accepted proposed bill to fight money
David DeGroot
laundering and also combat terrorism and have also deprived the Amerindian communities’ programmes regarding development and, most appalling, calling for the closure of the sugar industry. These are some of the far-reaching absurdities which the Opposition political parties are embarked upon, using the one-seat majority for selfish aggrandisement and a false sense of bravado, never attempting to embrace sensible progressive measures, which they have the clear option to propose and to correctly claim credit. Where or what are they assisting in making the country a better place? Are they not being handsomely paid as Members of Parliament to serve the people who elected them into power? What will their report card look like, come new elections? But all this contributes to the belief that my country is on the brink of disaster, which is fuelled by a press and media that harbour an intense hatred for the government party, which simply and openly sustain the relevancy of the obnoxious questionable agenda of the political opposition. Will better sense prevail in the event if new national elections are called?
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
A dark day for PNC party politics TO say that much had been expected of retired Brigadier David Granger when he assumed the leadership of the People’s National Congress (PNC), in 2011, is to put it mildly. In most quarters, his ascension to the helm of that party, after defeating Carl Greenidge in a very close contest, was greeted with great optimism. It was the consensual view that he had not been involved in active party politics; and, that the latter, in addition to being an academic, allowed him the opportunity to bring a new perspective and life to the party, especially against the background of its poor showing at the 2006 elections at which it lost six seats, in addition to a reduced majority in its traditional safe Region 10. M o r e o v e r, g i v e n Granger’s training as a historian, he would have understood the necessity for an internal house David Granger cleansing of the PNC, in terms of correcting its image after three decades of undemocratic rule. Even the internal party machinery was expected to be revamped, thereby removing the opportunities for any repeat of the 2007 shambles of an electoral challenge to then leader Robert Corbin, that had been marked by allegations of rigging. Had these basic but important steps been taken, the near anarchic situation that unfolded at the PNC party’s 18th biennial congress would not have had such an occasion. In essence, the sum total of Granger’s stewardship from the time he had been elevated to party leadership, was exposed last Sunday. As party leader the ultimate responsibility is his
to ensure that disagreements and dissent of any kind are settled quickly, with differences settled, and all united. Given the already simmering revolt of the Linden branch of the party, over the Vanessa Kissoon and Oscar Clarke clash, that eventually drew a three-month party suspension for Kissoon, advance complaints of party members from Linden not being
Sharma Solomon
Aubrey Norton
accredited for the just concluded congress ought to have been given all prominence by Granger, particularly given the fact of veteran member, Aubrey Norton’s announced challenge for the leadership. It was obvious that Norton would have needed those delegates for ballot support. But, alas, it was not to be! The pictorials carried in all of the daily media reflected on what can only be described as the darkest hour in the annals of political party history in this country. How can Granger still defend his party as being democratic when the gates to his party’s headquarters were locked, with security personnel
CAPE registration and admission to Lower Sixth started THE Ministry of Education has announced that the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) registration as well as admission to Grade 12 (Lower Sixth Form) in secondary schools in the 2014-2015 academic year has commenced, and the given deadline is August 18. Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam, made the announcement via the ministry’s website, advising that students who wish to enter one of the senior schools in the 2014-2015 academic year to pursue studies at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Level ‘can do so.’ The CEO also indicated that the senior secondary or sixth form schools are Queen’s College, President’s College, Mackenzie High School, St. Rose’s High, St. Stanislaus College,
Bishops’ High, St. Joseph High, New Amsterdam Secondary and Berbice High School. Applicants are urged to visit the ministry’s website for further information as to what subjects each school will be offering. Some of the conditions that each applicant will have to adhere to are: applicants must be under 18 years of age on January 1, 2015 and these students must have obtained Grade Three or better in at least five subjects at one sitting or Grade Three or better in at least six subjects at two sittings of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate See page 9
in attendance, leaving his challenger Norton and the prominent Sharma Solomon and delegates outside, clamouring to gain entry, for the exercise of their membership franchise? This was no accident, but instead a deliberate and orchestrated plan, designed to ensure Granger is returned to party leadership, unopposed. How can the latter claim to have been duly elect-
Vanessa Kissoon
Oscar Clarke
ed when his challenger had been prevented from being a part of the electoral process? How can he claim to support women as equal participants in the national political process, when there is a pictorial that illustrated a female party member, desperately trying to gain entry, by perhaps going over a section of the fence around Congress Place? What a dark day for PNC party politics, compliments to a leader who definitely does not believe in practicing inclusivity within the very party that elected him to its leadership in 2011, but trumpets about its necessity at State level. What hypocrisy!
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…
Granger and the PNCR leadership
‘See no evil, hear no evil!’
BLAM! The sound of a gunshot inside Congress Place rings out loud as the candidate and his supporters who are challenging David Granger for the leadership of the party seeks to ascertain why these legitimate members are not being allowed to vote. You would think that with so much security experts there, the least they could do is secure their delegates at the Congress, especially since the boast of David Granger has been that he can do a better job at securing Guyana than the PPP. If we are to go by the wild, wild west events and their subsequent explanations, even Granger would not vote for himself. The first person up was former Police Commissioner Winston Felix who, when asked by the media about the shooting, said it sounded more like a balloon popping. If someone who has spent most of his adult life in the Police Force and risen to its top position cannot tell the difference between a gunshot and a balloon popping, what kind of a Home Affairs Minister will he be? So Felix did not hear! On the other hand, Amna Ally, the PNC/R shadow Minister of Education when asked about the shooting claimed she did not see. This is not the first time her eyesight suddenly went bad as on nomination day, in the lead up to the 2011 general elections, several party supporters had thrown down the Police security barricade at City Hall and flooded into the compound, Ally was with them. Asked if she witnessed the unlawful action, Ally told the media she did not see anything. If she becomes Minister, she
might lose sight of the massive strides of the Education sector, where we are producing top students from across Guyana, who also top the Caribbean regularly. So Amna did not see, Felix did not hear. Then Granger enters the conversation, and claims how he ‘heard and saw’ but his vision and hearing would sometimes work out of sync. He said that he heard the gunshot and then claimed how he saw the man enough to know that the gunman is not from the PNC/R but then when asked who the
the party’s accreditation committee headed by Volda Lawrence of ‘Guyanese girls gone wild’ fame, in the aftermath admits that the grouping only met officially the day before the elections. Prior to that she claims they were meeting on the telephone and via emails. In a sense it is testimony to the massive strides under successive PPP/C Governments in the area of telecommunication and the internet, where today this PNC/R official can sit in her cushy office and communicate with members all across Guyana. But on the other hand, this is lazy and unacceptable, bearing in mind that the party has a history of troubles with its delegates’ list at its past congresses. Why would the accreditation committee only meet as a group the day before voting and not in the lead up to Congress, when they had two years to plan it? This is very strange behaviour and obviously the mass confusion, with people’s delegate cards being misplaced or mysteriously vanishing tells us a lot about the competence of Lawrence, who is hoping to be the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, where she will be placed in charge of several lists, including that of our citizen’s pension. Then Granger enters the fore again and claims how he did not see any rigging or attempts to rig the elections in his favour. Asked about how Sharma Solomon delegate card suddenly disappeared from Congress Place the morning of the election, his vision started to short-circuit again.
On the other hand, Amna Ally, the PNC/R shadow Minister of Education when asked about the shooting claimed she did not see. This is not the first time her eyesight suddenly went bad as on nomination day, in the lead up to the 2011 general elections, several party supporters had thrown down the Police security barricade at City Hall and flooded into the compound, Ally was with them. Asked if she witnessed the unlawful action, Ally told the media she did not see anything. If she becomes Minister, she might lose sight of the massive strides of the Education sector, where we are producing top students from across Guyana, who also top the Caribbean regularly. individual was, he claimed how his eyesight short-circuited afterwards and he could not identify the man but he knows enough to maintain the man is not from his party. We then moved on to the PNC/R elections. Having known for the past two years about their Congress,
CAPE registration and admission to Lower ... From page 8 Examinations (CSEC). All applicants must have obtained at least a Grade Three in English A and Mathematics. TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS Certain special conditions for applicants who wish to study electrical and electronic technology must have obtained at least a Grade 3 in Electrical/Electronic Technology at the Technical Proficiency Level and at least
a Grade 3 in Mathematics and Physics at the General Proficiency Level and those who wish to study Law must have obtained at least a Grade 3 in Caribbean History. Applicants who wish to study any of the following subjects: Agricultural Science, Entrepreneurship, Physical Education & Sport, Tourism and Performing Arts at CAPE as a single subject do not need a pass at CSEC. Technical qualifications from a recognised institution in the selected subject area of study will be accepted for admission.
Consideration for admission will be done on a competitive basis and only those applicants who fulfill the requirements and whose grades indicate that they have the necessary capacity for an Advanced Level Course in those subjects will be selected. Sixth Form Application Forms may be obtained from the Ministry’s website, http://www.education.gov.gy, or from the offices of the respective schools or Departments of Education and must, when completed, be submitted to the school of the applicant’s choice by August 18, 2014.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo
RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED
Army files missing Critical records about PNC’s violence while in Government that saw Dr Walter Rodney die in bomb blast challenging Commission probe…
MILITARY files with critical information concerning an intelligence army officer involved in the violence that erupted under the rule of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, when Guyana’s intellectual political leader Dr Walter Rodney died in a bomb blast assassination, are “missing”. In fact, seeking dark shadowy secrets hiding in Army files is proving to be an elusive exercise today for the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. Army Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West yesterday told the Presidential Commission probing the suspected PNC political assassination of Dr Rodney that crucial files at the headquarters of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) at Camp Ayanganna are
activists. Ex-Army chief, Major-General (retired) Norman McLean, appeared at the Commission last month, and also denied knowledge of shadowy Army conspiracies to harass, harm and silence leaders of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). Dr Rodney led a vibrant WPA into a national peaceful uprising against the PNC Government’s diktat of the Judicial and Government systems. The WPA fought against widespread State corruption, Government banning and tight control of essential food, and massive rigging of national and local government elections. President Ramotar signed the Presidential order mandating that the Commission find the facts about how and why Guyana had plunged to such a socio-political crisis that Dr Rodney suffered the Caribbean’s worst political assassination. For 34 years his death remained shrouded in mystery, speculation, and national suspicion that the PNC Government had conspired to cause his grave silence. But Army officers appearing at the Commission insist they either do not recollect the events surrounding Dr Rodney, or cannot find crucial records and files. The GDF comes up repeatedly at the Commission, and Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham yesterday noted that the Commission would seriously seek answers to those allegations and implications. Sergeant Gregory Smith, a notorious GDF soldier, stood accused of orchestrating the bomb blast that killed Dr Rodney, and for years lived in exile in French Guiana, refusing to return to Guyana to face questions. He died there a few years ago, after publishing a book on his role in the sordid affair of the Rodney assassination. Dr Rodney’s widow, Dr Patricia Rodney, and her three children sought President Ramotar’s office to make sure the Commission was convened, after two previous efforts, one in 1996 and the other in 2005, collapsed unsuccessfully. The PNC, however, objects to
The GDF comes up repeatedly at the Commission, and Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham yesterday noted that the Commission would seriously seek answers to those allegations and implications. “missing”. The Commission resumed yesterday with West in the witness box. In full Army uniform, West told the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry that GDF Chief of Staff Gary Best passed a written order to his officers that the Commission must receive full Army cooperation. Despite this, soldiers failed to find the personal file of its high-profile officer, Sergeant Gregory Smith, who for three decades stood implicated in Dr Rodney’s conspiratorial assassination. Dr Rodney died in a bomb blast explosion as he sat in his car outside the Camp Street jail on June 13, 1980. He was a key political leader of a popular national protest against the dictatorial, raucous PNC regime, which commandeered the notorious religion cult, House of Israel, to violently suppress street protests and violently harass political
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick West testifies at the COI yesterday the Commission’s convening, and adamantly refuses to participate or cooperate. Instead, its Member of Parliament and executive member, Basil Williams, appears as the Party’s defense attorney. Yesterday during testimony, Lieutenant Colonel West, who is now in charge of record keeping for the GDF, revealed a shocking state of affairs regarding GDF record-keeping. The Army officer said the GDF stored files on the “ground”, and files suffered damage, including from the massive 2005 national flood that affected Georgetown. Army headquarters, where files are stored, is at Camp Ayanganna, just across a road from the Altantic Ocean. West claimed that, while it’s “rare” for personal files on soldiers to go missing, instances do occur where files cannot be located. One such file is that of Gregory Smith. In fact, West said, the GDF cannot locate any file or record about a Gregory Smith. Some records exist showing a “William Smith, number
4141”, he said, and the Commission believes, based on evidence from previous witnesses, that this is the same Gregory Smith implicated in the Rodney assassination. Smith’s name came up several times as William Gregory Smith, but West insists that there’s no record of a Gregory Smith within the GDF today. Yesterday hearings ended on an even more interesting note regarding records and files, with PNC Defense Counsel Williams claiming that a document that Commissioner Seenath Jairam put to the witness was a “forgery”. Williams claimed that since Major General (retired) McLean had deemed the Army document a fake, it should not be used. Even as the Commission seeks to determine the conspiracies and plans and political intrigue that led to the brutally violent slaying of Dr Rodney, this question of documents, records and files is proving to be of particular challenge. See page 11
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Grateful Region 5 residents see many uses for their Gov’t laptops - 450 distributed
Army files ...
AS Government continues on its pursuit to ensure a computer literate society through its One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative, over 450 Region 5 residents Monday benefited from this programme. The distribution exercise was executed in several communities, with the largest held at the Novar Primary School where 296 laptops
are happy, we will benefit a lot from these computers, they will help to build our knowledge and expose us to a lot of things.” Bibi Shareefa expressed her joy and gratitude for receiving the laptop, which she said will aid in her communication with her children abroad. “I am happy to receive this laptop because I have a lot of uses for it. I
Beneficiaries awaiting their turn to collect their laptops
From left, Commissioners Seenauth Jairam, Sir Richard Cheltenham and Jacqueline Samuel-Brown From page 10 The GDF’s filing system sees several references to Smith’s role as an Army Intelligence Officer failing to be verified, as the files and related
Gouveia said he suspects he piloted the military aircraft that transported Smith from Timehri airport to Kwakwani the day after Dr Rodney’s assassination shocked the Guyanese people, but claimed he could not recall key details, and in fact did not even know who Dr Rodney was, until underground and overseas news reports reported on his death. Gouveia said he was not aware he was transporting a potential political assassinator, as he was following military orders. But this challenge of records and files could soon dissipate, as a foreign Government has supplied a massive amount of information related to the Dr Rodney assassination, and that violent period of Guyana’s history under the PNC Government, when freedom of the press was banned, when the Government controlled basic food to the Guyanese people and when the PNC rigged national and local Government elections, denying democracy and freedom of public assembly to Guyana. The Commission resumes today with WPA executive member Tacuma O0gunseye set to resume his interrupted testimony.
Ex-Army chief, Major-General (retired) Norman McLean, appeared at the Commission last month, and also denied knowledge of shadowy Army conspiracies to harass, harm and silence leaders of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). information are all missing, West said. Even information about a Police probe into Dr Rodney’s assassination, when Police officers requested file records of Smith from the DGF, are missing, West said under cross examination. Army pilot, Captain Gerry Gouveia, had appeared as a witness at the Commission last month, and also denied awareness and knowledge of the events he himself was involved in during the period 1978 to 1980.
were presented to residents of Novar and surrounding communities. At Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, 120 residents benefited from a similar distribution exercise. In addition, 76 laptops were distributed at the Mortice Primary School, Wash Clothes, Mahaicony, while 36 residents of Bladen Hall received their devices. Residents of these communities expressed their gratitude to the Government for this undertaking, which they pointed out will help in the areas of communication and education. Parmeshwarie Parsen, 78, said, “I am excited and happy and delighted …to learn to use a laptop.” She added that she has three granddaughters and this laptop will aid in their education. Chandrawattie Doobay meanwhile, said “I am happy and I know lots of people here
have my kids all over the world, and I can connect with them through face booking, skyping and so on.” These beneficiaries will also undergo five days of training in the basic use of a laptop. Registration and training in some of these communities commenced Monday, while others started yesterday. The OLPF distribution programme was pioneered by Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and has been ongoing since October 2011. It will continue throughout 2014 and 2015, as it aims to ensure that every household countrywide is computer literate through the ownership of a laptop and basic training. This programme also aims to ensure that 90,000 laptops are to be in the hands of Guyanese. The current phase of distribution is expected to conclude in September.(GINA)
One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) staff assisting persons during one of the distribution exercises
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Sooba denies saying Chase-Green is gay ACTING Town Clerk Carol Sooba has maintained her position that she did not directly relate to any news medium that Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green is “gay”. But she disclosed that she Chase-Green acts in a vulgar manner at statutory meetings. According to Sooba, at the press conference held on Friday July 18, she had made known to the media some of her concerns. She said that one such concern was that of constant attack from the Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, who she said, would usually make her the subject of her discussions. “Every time you switch on the television or you pick up the daily newspaper, you would see the Deputy Mayor, Madam Patricia ChaseGreen, making all kinds of comments and releases about
Carol Sooba
the Town Clerk acting ,” she stressed. The Town Clerk emphasized that she, in a laughing tone, uttered the words that she is “fearful that the Deputy Mayor might be attracted” to her. This, she said, was apparently taken out of context by some media operatives who related that she said that
the Deputy Mayor is “gay”. This, she noted, she is not responsible for. “Madam Chase-Green is not the official spokesperson for this Council. I was more so concerned why is it that she repeatedly continues with her attack on me and I was questioning whether there was something other than that” Sooba said. She continued that the Deputy Mayor would usually attack her verbally at statutory meetings held in the Chambers, and on one occasion, she (Chase-Green) “turn her back in my direction and wriggle her ass”, even though Sooba requested the Mayor to intervene, an effort which proved futile as the Mayor revealed “he is deaf; he doesn’t hear… and he is blind; he doesn’t see.” Another instance, Sooba pointed to, was that of three
statutory meetings back when “she bent and touched her toes. She noted that these constant actions constitute vulgarity and on this particular occasion, male persons who were around, bore witness to such disregard which Sooba deemed as an “exhibition of her limitations.” Commenting on the $15M lawsuit filed against her by the Deputy Mayor, Sooba maintained that she is unaware as to what she should apologise for. “I never said that she was gay” and Attorney-at-law Leslie Sobers would know what constitutes libel and what constitutes defamation” she noted. Sooba is contending, however, that the current situation is a publicity campaign by the Deputy Mayor since the Deputy Mayor resorted to circulating the writ to media houses. She is of the belief
that if it was “libellous and defamatory” Chase-Green would not have publicised the matter more. As such, she is also contending that the matter is a personal one, since she is being taken to court for what the media took out of context. She continued that at Monday’s Statutory Meeting held in the Chambers of City Hall, a cheap publicity stunt was pulled after the Court Marshal served her the writ in front of media houses who favour Chase-Green. Sooba noted that the Marshal did not seek to serve her the writ in private but rather in the presence of the media who appeared rather early that particular meeting. This she said was “cheap publicity.” Commenting on the public’s view of a degenerated City Hall, the acting Town Clerk disclosed that she has
Government will continue to work to stem migration PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar said that his Government is committed to building and strengthening the local economy and implementing various social programmes, as it has done over the past 20 years, so as to offer Guyanese citizens a better quality of life. He is hopeful that in so doing, this will stem the issue of migration. He was at the time responding to questions about Guyana’s population decline as reported in the preliminary results of the 2012 Census. The preliminary results of the Guyana population and housing census, which commenced in September 2012, by the Guyana National
Bureau of Statistics (GNBS), recorded a marginal reduction of 3,339 persons with the population count of 751,223. The report looks at the broad parameters of the population and a more detailed analysis of the findings, including ethnic breakdown of the population, and as well the composition of the foreign-born population, is still be computed. This is expected to be completed and published in the second quarter of 2015. The preliminary report pointed to fluctuation in population growth rate on account of changes in the population dynamics, such as fertility, mortality and migration, and changes in employ-
ment status. With regard to migration, President Ramotar said that this is an age-old issue that began in the 1960s and continued in the 70s and 80s. He explained that in many cases, the families of these “economic migrants” were divided, and when the opportunity presented itself to reunite, they chose to do so in more developed societies. He reminded too that this issue is by no means unique to Guyana; however, the Government can only work to further develop the country, as it has been doing, in an effort to curtail migration. “What is of note is that we do not have migration because of political persecu-
- President Ramotar
President Donald Ramotar
tion and political violation of people’s human rights, those are the things that are most important for me,” the Head
a major role to play at City Hall and while other officers, including solid waste director, City engineer, Medical Officer of Health and others are working, they rely heavily on the support the Council which they are not getting. “The mayor would sit there for hours and his Councilors, specifically the Deputy Mayor, Councillors Eon Andrews, Gregory Fraser, Oscar Clarke and Ranwell Jordan; they will all sit there and find every excuse to bash the Town Clerk for things that are of least importance, and they do not care that the business of the citizens are there to be dealt with” she lamented. According to her, “All they talk about is money and their concern with this contract and that contract. In fact I was told that I am a devil by Councillor Oscar Clarke last Monday.”
of State said. The 2012 Census marks the seventeenth national census, and a seventh post-
war National Population and Housing Census ever conducted in Guyana. It was conducted as part of the Caribbean’s regional effort coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat and in compliance with the United Nations’ mandate to execute the 2010 Global Round of Censuses. Apart from being a total enumeration of the population, it also provided an inventory of the building stocks. The preliminary 2012 census report showed that the building stocks in Guyana increased from 187,696 in 2002 to 219,509 in 2012. This represented an increase of 16.9 percent or an absolute increase of 31,813. (GINA)
Blaze under control, but firefighters keep watch on Jack’s Hill (Jamaica Observer) OFFICERS of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) were Monday evening still monitoring sections of Jack’s Hill, St Andrew, after they were able to bring under control a massive blaze that residents described as the worst ever in the area. Emilio Ebanks, communication officer of the JFB, said the fire that destroyed millions of dollars worth of crops and threatened
several houses was brought under control by a more than 24-hour operation by firefighters, assisted by personnel from the Jamaica Defence Force and National Water Commission. Ebanks said, however, that work had still not ended as there were small pockets of fire in remote sections of the community. “Fires close to most of the property have been brought under control, but there are some areas that
firefighters will continue to monitor as they cannot be accessed at this time because of the topography of the area,” said Ebanks. Jack’s Hill residents watched nervously last evening as a thick pall of smoke hung over some sections of the community. The popping sound of fire bursting through dry wood could be heard all around as thick black soot covered the roofs of some houses. “ R i g h t n o w, I d o n ’t
know how I am going to sleep tonight,” said Janet Gayle, who pointed to small pockets of fire, helped by dry bushes and thick overgrown vegetation. “The last 24 hours was one of the worst times of my life. Sunday when the fire began to spread all I could do was to watch and pray,” said Gayle, who said she was forced to spend hours trying to console her granddaughter who cried
openly as the flames surrounded their house, “I have been living in this community for quite a while, and this was one of the worst fires that we have seen in the area,” said Jack’s Hill resident Yvonne Mullings, as she nervously looked at sections of the burnt-out hillside. Michael Allen, meanwhile, said he felt helpless as he watched the angry flames around a section of his house that continued to
grow despite efforts from firefighters, whom he said bravely fought the raging inferno. R a c k e s t a B ro w n , a farmer, after a nervous and sleepless night, said he got up early yesterday morning and got rid of overgrown vegetation that was near his property. “Right now I am not leaving anything to chance,” said the farmer as he toiled away with his hoe.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Agri Ministry ramping up technology to better monitor weather conditions MINISTER of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that the Ministry, through its Hydrometeorological Office, will be installing at least 30 more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across Guyana to supplement and verify radar data. The Hydromet Office monitors weather patterns by looking at the manual and automated stations that have been installed around the country. At present, there are 14 AWS, seven meteorological observatories/synoptic stations, 60 water level stations, and 148 rainfall stations at strategic locations across the country. Minister Ramsammy said that in addition to providing short, medium and long-term forecast for farmers, the Hydromet Office provides weather conditions for aviation purposes at the Cheddi Jagan International and Ogle airports, and other airstrips across the country. This office has also been working to archive water and weather data such as the volume of water in the waterways, amount of rainfall and sunshine hours and data for construction planning. With regard to the Doppler Radar, he said that a lot of people are under the misconception that it should ensure that the country gets better long-term forecast; however, this is not the case. “The Doppler does not help us with longterm forecast, the Doppler enables us to tell what conditions exist at the moment at a particular area, and it has a limited space that it monitors,� the Agriculture Minister said. The Doppler provides information such
as the level of humidity, kind of raindrops, visibility and wind speed, all of which are important information in the safe landing and take-off of aircraft at CJIA, Ogle and other airstrips. The most effective use of the Doppler Tower is its ability to engage with other Doppler systems in the Region, such as those in Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Island and Jamaica. However, Minister Ramsammy explained that in the Caribbean, all of the systems do not work at the same time, as there is always one or two that are down. In addition to the 30 new stations that will be installed, the Ministry will be placing 40 transmitting rain gauges in flood-prone areas to enable forecasters to see what is happening on the ground on a 24-hour basis, and make adjustments to forecasts and offer the public better advice. The hydromet service has a combination of 40 transmitting water level and rainfall loggers in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and Mahaica River areas. As such, should water reach a certain level in the Mahaica area, an alarm is sent to the Ministry’s cell phones. This would in turn inform the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to ensure that sluices and pumps are monitored and operated as required to protect residents in those areas. The Ministry plans to extend this system of monitoring to all the other conservancies and flood prone areas. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud
Pork-knocker on $350,000 bail on two counts of breakand-enter and larceny TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD pork-knocker Kevin Giles of Matthew’s Ridge in Region 1 appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on two counts of break and enter and larceny, and was ordered to post bail in the sum of $350,000. The first charge alleged that on July 24, at Mahdia in the North West District, Giles broke and entered Comfort Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar and stole a quantity of items, including one driver’s license, one GBTI bank card, two Alcatel cellular phones, one pair of Gucci eye glasses, a quantity of tablets, an inhaler, two ounces of raw gold, and 15 penny weights of gold, together valued at $941,500, property of Sherlock Harper. The second charge alleged that on
the same day at the said Comfort Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, Giles also stole one Apple IPod and a purse, together valued at $165,000, property of Golyn Solomon. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not object to bail being granted Giles, but requested that same be in consideration of the value of the items, indicating to the court that none of the items was recovered. Giles’s attorney, Mr. Paul Funga-Fat, told the court that his client is willing to report to the Matthews Ridge Police Station every Friday at 08:00 hrs. Counsel said his client was charged before, but he but did not state the offence, although he said the matter against him was dismissed. The matters were then transferred to Matthews Ridge Court for August 4 for report and fixture.
Courting Frenchman fined $30,000 for illegally entering Guyana T H I RT Y- F O U R - Y E A R - O L D French national Marceino Browne yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged with illegally entering Guyana by sea at Charity, Essequibo on July 3, and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer. Browne pleaded guilty to the charge, and explained to the court, through an interpreter, that he is an
electrician with no prior or pending convictions, whose family members live in France, from where he had come to Guyana to get married. He said he had come via boat but immigration was already closed and the boat had left, so his only alternative was to travel to Georgetown from Essequibo. Browne was fined $30,000 with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment.
Man faces allegation of snatching $147,000 gold band in Croal Street ROYSTON James (no address given) was refused bail on a larceny from the person charge yesterday. He first appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the offence, allegedly committed on September 22, 2011 at Croal Street Georgetown, when he stole from Akeem Calendar one gold hand band valued at $147,000. The prosecution’s facts are that, on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) was walking in the vicinity of Croal Street, at around 18:30hrs, when the defendant rode past on a bicycle and snatched the article.
He made good his escape, but the matter was reported to the police. James was apprehended only on July 24 last, after he was picked out in an identification parade. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant successfully opposed bail on the grounds of the nature and prevalence of the matter for which James has been charged. He also disclosed that the defendant was previously convicted and finished serving his sentence only last April. Statements were ordered to be filed, even as the matter was transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, before whom James will return to be tried on August 8.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Residents to complete Barabina road revetment
Residents at the meeting at Barabina, Region 1
Residents at the meeting in White Water, Region 1
RESIDENTS in the community of Barabina, Region 1, have been given the opportunity to earn money and at the same time bring closure to their long standing road issue. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, during a visit to the community over the weekend, informed residents that the contract granted to Joshi Construction to construct the Barabina road revetment was terminated and would be given to the residents to complete the outstanding work. The decision was collectively made among the Ministries of Public Works and Local Government, and the Regional Administration, given that the road project is being executed under the Ministry of Public Works and monitored by the region. The project has faced
several delays and Minister Whittaker said that Government should have terminated the contract with Joshi Construction earlier, but “one of the last things you want to be doing is changing contractor in the middle of a project,” he said. “You want to do your best to have that contractor shoulder the responsibility and finish what they started... a contractor who signs agreeing to do a job for x dollars ought to in some way push to complete his job,” he explained. The Ministry and the region had on several occasions spoken with the contractor to complete the job. Joshi Construction has been paid only for the value of the work that it completed and therefore the balance will be warranted to the region, which would contract persons from within the com-
munity to supply the material and labour for the outstanding work, Minister Whittaker explained. He noted that the residents, through individuals, can contribute to the conclusion of the revetment work by either selling laterite or supplying their labour. Minister Whittaker pointed out that it was now in the hands of the residents to deliver the project. The Minister also updated residents on the effort to supply the community with electricity. They were informed that Cummings Electrical has been contracted to plant poles in the community, and is soon to begin the process. Whilst in the region, the Minister also met with and engaged the residents of White Water on developments in the community and the region, including
Government’s support in the education sector. These include not only providing facilities, text books and trained teachers, but assistance such as support for uniform, meals/ snacks and now a $10,000 grant to assist with transportation. Guyana has reached the stage where having achieved universal primary level education, it is now seeking to take secondary education to the children. “... There are some things we will do today and some things we will do tomorrow, but we have been making progress over the years...” Minister Whittaker said. He also spoke to the residents about ensuring the contractors on government projects deliver, and in this regard, called on the residents to engage, work with and monitor the contractors. Also highlighted was the need for the residents to diversify their production. “I have seen some farmers in Amerindian communities
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker addressing residents in White Water, Region 1
now doing cash crops...I have seen some farmers rearing poultry...there is nothing wrong with that, the worst thing we can do is put all our eggs in one basket we must not depend on one crop only, because if anything goes wrong...we are going to be in trouble, so we need to look at many other areas,” the Minister said. Residents were also up-
dated on the government movements in reimbursing those agencies and projects affected by the 2014 Budget cuts imposed by the combined Opposition. “We cannot allow the Opposition to have control and to feel happy over denying you resources that you need to continue development,” Minister Whittaker explained. (GINA)
CCET to help teachers provide psychometric tests (Barbados Advocate) MORE teachers in Barbados and throughout the region will soon be qualified to provide educational psychometric tests on both children and adults, thanks to the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET). This is coming from Chartered Psychologist and Educational Psychologist out of the UK, Alan Macgregor, who is in the is-
land to facilitate this course, which will lead to teachers’ registration with the British Psychological Society – being on the register of qualifications and test use enables those who complete this course become “test user: educational”. This UK qualification is recognised worldwide. He said that the duration of the programme depends on the participant because the course is competence
based, which means that in order to successfully complete it, participants must meet the standards and then demonstrate their competence on those standards. The course can take up to several months to complete. He said that there are some parameters here though with the participants in this course being those who have already being doing some pre-course work prior to this intensive four
day training. After these four days, these participants have up to a year to complete some assignments that would demonstrate their competence on the standards which have been set, all of which is done remotely. This is the fourth time that they have run this course here in this island which would include elements such as “the principles and basic construction of what we call psychomet-
ric tests, which is any form of tests that measure mental cognitive capacity”, stated Macgregor. “These tests show them how to measure the intellectual capacity of the persons that they are testing,” he said. “So what we are trying to establish with people is how these tests work, how they have been developed, why they have been developed and how they fit into a
context of a broader assessment of children and adults.” He stated that most of the participants are those who work with children. However, they do cover all of their bases. “Most of the people who come in our courses are working with children, but it doesn’t have to be. It is not exclusively about working with children. So that is the kind of starting point.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
German companies donate $1M in kitchen equipment for cooking classes at NOC By Sandy Agasen GERMAN companies, Eerepami Regenwaldstifung Guyana, Senior Experten Services (SES) and DenialSozial, on Monday, donated $1M in kitchen equipment to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) Programme for the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). The German companies handed over the equipment in a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport compound, Main Street. Eerepami, SES, DenialSozia and the Ministry of Culture are working together under the theme “enhancing training opportunities for young Guyanese.” Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said the partnership with Eerepami and other German Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) is an ongo-
Robert Spitzer of Eerepami (third from right), flanked by the representatives from the German companies, presents the equipment to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony (fourth from right) and the students and staff of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC)
ing one. He said, “This is one of the many activities that they have endorsed over the past couple of years.” “They have been very kind to us and at times when we have difficulties and challenges in some of our institutions, in terms
of acquiring resources, they have always willingly stepped forward to assist,” Dr. Anthony said. SUPPORT According to him, with the assistance provided by Eerepami, students have been able to gradu-
ate from their various institutions and were able to become very productive citizens. He recalled that a few years ago, the Kuru Kuru Training Centre’s only source of water was the creek, but with the contribution of the NGOs artesian ground water was made available to the school and the community. He noted that the German organisations are not only interested in training but education in general. “We had this great idea of showing people in Guyana that 10,000 years ago we had prehistoric animals that roamed the land of Guyana, when we discovered
some fossils. The discovery of a piece of bone does not really explain the story to the people, so we decided to recreate the animal. We approached Eerepami and the other guys… they were able to recruit a number of universities and professionals in Germany and in a very short time we got a 40 feet container coming to Guyana with a giant sloth inside,” he explained. The Minister mentioned that Eerepami was aware of the challenges at NOC and while reviewing the curriculum with experts, suggested cooking being implemented at NOC. Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude to the Eerepami and the other organisations for providing the resources necessary for cooking classes at NOC. He also extended his thanks to the volunteers in Germany for enabling the expansion of the NOC’s curriculum. “Young people in Germany would normally do volunteer work and raise this money. The young people over there are showing great responsibility; they are raising this money by doing voluntary work and then give it to worthwhile causes. We should be very thankful to those young people, they give up their time, and they are very respon-
sible people. They have enabled us to extend our classes at NOC,” he said. Brian King, Assistant Director (ag) of the YEST Programme, in an invited comment, said that the equipment donated was only a part of the contribution made by the companies. “Eerepami, SES and the other NGOs made a contribution of $2.5M of which $1M was given in equipment for the cooking class at NOC,” he explained. According to King, the remaining funds will be used for the refurbishment of a classroom, the establishment of catering classrooms, establishment of two child-friendly classrooms and rehabilitation of dormitories. He also highlighted that they have received a container with furniture and other items from the Food for the Poor. Robert Spitzer, the proprietor of Eerepami, indicated that his company and the other companies will continue to support the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in their future endeavours. He mentioned that cooking is a very important skill to have, “if you can cook, you can take care of yourself and your family.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Hicken meets with Diamond residents over issues affecting community At the head table from left are Neaz Subhan, Commander Hicken, Sub-Division Officer Khali Pareshram and Inspector Ray Giddings
By Asif Hakim P O L I C E ‘ A’ D i v i s i o n Commander Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken on Saturday met with residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara to discuss several issues affecting the area. Attending the meeting at the Diamond Secondary School were Commander Hicken, Officer-in-Charge of Number 2 Sub-Division, Deputy Superintendent Khali Pareshram, Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) and Diamond Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) head Neaz Subhan, Inspector Ray Giddings and residents of Diamond area. Hicken told the residents that the police are willing to help but they need to get all the resources before doing so. He said that they are working on a programme that can foster
police/community relationship and the residents need to help in order for the problems in the community to be solved. “ We c o u l d h a v e t h e young people be the leaders of tomorrow if we do it in a coordinated approach. We are decentralizing the police arrangement and it’s important that when we do this you the residents appreciate it and come out and support. Anything that is done drastically is a recipe for disaster and things need to be done gradually,”
Residents at the meeting
Hicken told the residents. A resident suggested that more day patrols should be put in place because the bandits have been launching bright daylight attacks. He said that they need the bridge that links Caneville to Diamond to be broken down because the majority of the bandits come from behind Caneville. However most of the residents are complaining about break and enter crimes when they are at work. They also reported that robberies occur on a
daily and nightly basis in the area and the “bicycle boys” continue to rob residents. After all the complaints were made, Hicken told the residents that he will work towards ending crime in the area, but the police will need the residents to assist in order for this to be
achieved. Meanwhile, persons w h o w i s h t o re p o r t a crime in their area or village can contact the Police Anti-Crime Unit on telephone number +5926588874, add BBM Pin 329BB7A2 or visit the website http://ipaidabribe. gy/.
A resident makes her complaint at the meeting
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Guyana Forensic Sciences Lab does not yet have DNA testing ability By Michel Outridge CRIME Chief Leslie James told this publication yesterday he remains optimis-
tic that the newly opened Guyana Forensic Sciences Laboratory (GFSL) would soon have capability to deal with DNA, despite
negative criticisms regarding its current lack of capability in this regard. He explained that the GPF is taking things in their
stride, and as such, are relying on the utterances of President Donald Ramotar; Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon; and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Clement Rohee, that the GFSL will be outfitted to carry out DNA testing, a move that would significantly boost the GPF efforts at solving crimes, including murders. James explained that the ability to conduct DNA testing is significant and useful in cases where there is a murder and the victim cannot be physically identified because the body is in an advanced state of decomposition. He noted that a situation in point exists in the case of the female body in advanced decomposition found at Pattensen, East Coast Demerara, whose facial features are unrecognisable, having been exposed to the elements. James said tissue samples were taken from that body and preserved to be sent overseas for DNA testing to aid the probe in identifying the victim, so surviving relatives can have closure and the suspect can be arrested and charged. The Crime Chief also
told this publication that crime sleuths took hair samples from relatives of the missing teacher Nyozi Goodman, who have been cooperating in the probe to identify the decomposing body. James said DNA is a supplementary tool to bolster operations within any law enforcement agency such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF), but he noted that it is not required on a regular basis, although DNA testing can assist the police significantly. He pointed out that several cases are before the GPF, such as those of Sheema Mangar and 89-year-old Millicent Cummings, among others, but he explained that in relation to a murder, the year-and-day method is applicable because, if there is a murder which can be solved in a year and a day, the suspect appears in court to be charged. He said that the GFSL would be DNA capable in due time, and it will be a welcome initiative to aid in several cases that are pending, since the GPF relies on overseas counterparts to do its DNA testing, which entails a process. The GFSL is retrofitted
with state-of-the-art equipment and highly specialised evidence recording systems that would keep track of all evidence submitted for analysis. It is specialised in analysing toxic substances, narcotic and pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, forged document and biological fluids. Additionally, based on a mandate given by President Donald Ramotar and the Cabinet, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with the responsibility of introducing some element of DNA testing at the GFSL.  The GFSL was officially opened on July 15, 2014. Its main building comprises two floors totalling 12,000 square feet. The ground floor houses the administrative offices, library and research area, conference room, security monitoring, evidence submission and wash room. The first floor accommodates the GFSL’s four departments -- chemistry; toxicology; document and evidence trace -- each of which has six laboratories and an instrument room. The facility also consists of a single floor service building totalling 26,000 square feet.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
New sewer system fully operational
...all damaged roads will be fixed in two weeks’ time -- GWI By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has said that after 18 months of decommissioning works done on the old sewer mains, the new system is fully operational, and all roads which were damaged during the exercise will be fixed in two weeks’ time. Orin Browne, Manager of the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme
(GSIP), told this publication that the city’s new system, spanning from Albuoystown to Seawall Road and from Vlissengen Road to Wellington Street, is working very well. He added that activation of the new sewerage system, recently rehabilitated by local contractors S. Jagmohan and Nabi Consortium under the Guyana Government/ Inter-American Development
Works being done on Camp Street, among other areas in the city, to facilitate the decommissioning of the old sewer system (Photo by Shivanie Sugrim)
Bank US$10M loan, was performed within the stipulated time, and the works are satisfactory. Browne said that activation of the rehabilitated force and delivery mains as well as refurbishment of 24 sewer pump stations were also done in an effort to activate the new sewer system. He pointed out that damage done to Camp Street, which occurred during the
works, will be repaired, and the area will be back to its original state in two weeks’ time. GWI was the executing agency for the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP). An agreement was signed between the Government of Guyana and the IDB for the sum of US$10M for improvement of the Georgetown SewerTurn to page 22
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Congress Place shooter cannot be located
By Leroy Smith
CRIMINAL Investigation ranks of the Guyana Police Force are conducting systematic searches and are questioning several persons as they seek to locate Linden Primo. Linden Primo is the man who reportedly whipped out a firearm and discharged a round in the air at Congress Place on Sunday while the Peoples National Congress Reform congress was in session. This publication has been reliably informed that the man whom the police have been trying to locate since Sunday is working with a mining company which has its head office in Guyana. However, checks at the man’s workplace as well as efforts to contact his employer have been an up-hill task for investigators who have not been able to get their hands on the man. According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle last evening, the police are still searching through their records to ascertain if the man
is a licensed firearm holder. Meanwhile the police seem to be getting the cooperation of persons inside Congress Place as part of the investigation. The police were able to question and get statements from the woman who reported the shooting incident while visits were also made to Congress Place where the police took photographs and searched for the spent shell. On Sunday Linden Primo reportedly panicked and fired a round in the air after rowdy PNC supporters who were not being allowed to vote at the party’s congress for one reason or another began pushing causing a barricade to fall. Sources inside the party said that the man acts as bodyguard to Opposition Leader and Leader of the PNCR David Granger. Meanwhile former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and PNCR executive member Clarissa Riel said that she is severing all ties with the party since the goings-on are not in keeping with her values.
New sewer system...
From page 21
age System’s operational performance. This contract was signed on December 8, 2010, and was based on the agreement that the GoG and the IDB had crafted in execution of the programme. Components of the programme included the complete replacement of the 5.5 KM Sewerage Ring Main in Georgetown; replacement of all delivery mains; purchase and installation of additional pumps for 24 pumping stations, to ensure adequate pressure; and operational reliability and improvement of electrical connections. It also included an assessment and emergency rehabilitation of street sewers in selected areas, and the purchase of maintenance and operating equipment. Further, it included the strengthening of GWI’s
wastewater management and energy efficiency, which involves management implementation strategy and staff training programmes on wastewater operation, maintenance practices and energy use. The contract also included public awareness campaigns that targeted schools and business owners. This component was significant in light of the continued abuse of the system by customers, who continue to dump solid waste, thereby affecting the efficiency of the system and results in overflows. It was imperative that these structural improvements provided by the programme be complemented by the proper use of the system by customers, in order to achieve maximum efficiency, GWI concluded.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Republic Bank’s Pan Minors Music Programme graduates another 130 students
The gathering which included Republic Bank managers in front row
Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony delivering the feature address
Students of North Ruimveldt Multilateral Camp gear up to perform
By Telesha Ramnarine ANOTHER 130 youths participated in this year’s Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited’s ‘Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme,’ and were -- last Monday afternoon -- each presented with a certificate inside the Grand Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel. This initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, was first introduced to Guyana in 2010, and to date has graduated some 766 students, Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony proudly pointed out during his feature address. The programme caters for both the beginner and more experienced steel pan players, and arranging music for the pan was included in this year’s lessons. Participants and their instructors
commenced this year’s activities in early July with the objectives of improving and developing playing skills through both music theory and practical lessons. The programme was conducted during the period of July 14-26 in Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica), 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), and was facilitated by six instructors. Students from the following groups participated: National School of Music Camp, North Ruimveldt Multilateral Camp, Buxton Camp, West Demerara Secondary, Wismar/Christianburg Secondary, and Tagore Secondary. At completion of the course, participants were Turn to page 26
Students of the Buxton Camp entertaining the gathering
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Williams blames rowdy Region 10 delegation ... justifies shot in the air for tempering aggressive crowd
CHAIRMAN of the People’s National Congress Reform, Mr. Basil Williams, has pinned the single round shot during the party’s 18th Biennial Congress on the actions of a few raucous Region 10 party members instigated by Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon and Former General Secretary, Mr. Aubrey Norton. Williams, for his part, gave his account of the events which unfolded on that day. On the ‘confusion’ at the gate of the PNCR Secretariat, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. he denounced that there had
PNCR Chairman, Mr. Basil Williams
been any such occurrences, but disclosed that, “the persons from Linden insisted
on bringing in buses more of persons than could have been accredited to the Congress.” He added that while he and a few others were in the secretariat building, “Mr. Sharma himself asked to go downstairs to talk to his comrades and when he was downstairs talking to his Comrades, we understand that several persons from Linden rushed the auditorium to gain entry.” “At that point, a woman was trampled in the process and one of the security men who was there with the Returning Officer’s security outfit… fired off a round.” “That
would have been caused by the Lindeners… rushing in at them to storm the entrance of the auditorium.” Williams denied that the gentleman was hired by the PNCR and that he had been a part of Mr. Granger’s security detail. The Chairman bemoaned that the actions of the few “could only have been for the purpose of trying to create confusion at Congress and they couldn’t do that because at the gate, they would have had to show certain identification.” Williams said however, “We can’t control the road;
that is for the Police, but there was no confusion within the presence of Congress place.” He went on to stress that although there were representatives from all 10 Regions in Guyana, “there was not a problem with 9 regions… the only region that had some problems, or thought maybe that they had, was Region 10.” When questioned on reasons why Solomon and Norton would have dropped out of the race causing such a clamour for a dark spell to fall on the proceedings, Williams said that “one of the
overriding reasons for adopting that posture was because they did a count and they thought that their chances didn’t look very good… they decided that they weren’t going to participate.” “The conventional view in the Congress was that they would not have fared well if they had contested.” Summing up the day, Williams pronounced “we had a good and orderly Congress, no chaos occurred within the presence of Congress Place, nothing within the gathering inside the hall of Congress Place.”
Community to play a greater role in ensuring value for money
– as expansion of Friendship Secondary begins on August 1
A section of the gathering who attended the Ministry of Education’s consultation
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand addressing the gathering at the Friendship Secondary School during the meeting
AS part of Government’s effort to ensure transparency and value for state funds, the Ministry of Education has been conducting a number of consultations in communities which will benefit from new educational structures or expansions to existing ones. On Monday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and other Ministry officials met with residents of Friendship and the surrounding environs as extension works on the Friend-
ship Secondary are expected to commence August 1, and has a contract deadline on February 25, 2015. The contract for the structure which will house six new classrooms has been awarded to NABI and sons Construction Company. Minister Manickchand told the gathering that the meeting is aimed at informing them of the works to be carried out and cost of the works, and for them to play a role in monitoring them to ensure value for money.
“We are embarking on a new policy where every new construction that we do, we are inviting the community and other stakeholders in the community so that we can all be interested and active participants in these projects.” The Minister noted the importance of community involvement since they will all be the beneficiaries when the project in completed. “This is a public meeting and persons were invited. You are going to be the end users, so we want to make sure that together we get the kind of product that we want.” The Minister cited a recent incident at Sand Creek in Region 9, where a school
was constructed a year ago and has already started to show signs of disrepair. As a result, the Ministry was forced to remove the children from the building. The Minister noted that the administration is trying to avoid more such incidents, noting that residents are now allowed to visit construction sites and monitor works, ask questions, and report to the Ministry if they notice any discrepancies. A plan and detailed work plan for the construction will be left with the school’s Parent Teacher’s Association and at the work site. The Minister explained that the contract was awarded to the contractor after a
fair bidding process, which went through the relevant authority; the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board. According to Minister Manickchand, over the years, the Government has had numerous experiences with shoddy works from contractors, hence the need for these consultations. “This government has made no secret of the fact that we believe education is the only way we can make your lives better, and that of your children, we have embarked on this massive education programme.” Meanwhile consultations have been held at several other communities which will benefit from new
school structures. Over the weekend, a consultation was held at Cummings Park, which will benefit from a new Nursery school to be built at a cost of $30.8M. Meanwhile the Minister took the opportunity to inform the gathering of government’s new initiative to assist parents with school age children, that of the disbursement of the $10,000 cash grant to every child in the public school system. The Minister also sought from the parents their preferred means and location of en-cashing the vouchers as she has been doing at several consultations across the country. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Trinidadian illegally renting and reselling cars has clique of local accomplices By Alex Wayne WHILE swift action by police intelligence ranks has put them on the trail of a Trinidadian who reportedly has been renting cars and reselling them locally, there is now evidence that the individual, Daniel Ali, (whose last address was Lot 57, Roraima Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara) was working along with local accomplices. His ‘partners in crime’ have been holding assets for him and even opening bank accounts on his behalf, while being well aware of his illegal practices. The story all came to light over the weekend when several car dealers turned up at the Vigilance and Leonora Police Stations with reports that Ali who had rented several cars from them had failed to return the vehicles and had in fact sold them to other persons. The Police, on Friday last, had already received three similar reports, while another was made at the Vigilance Police Station even as police there were preparing to intercept Ali and his accomplice (Steven Baboolall) who was seen in the vicinity of Vlissengen Road, Georgetown. However, although the police at Vigilance were informed of their location, no ranks turned up and the man who made the final report was sent to the Brickdam
Police Station since the rental of his vehicle was done in Georgetown. Brickdam was contacted by someone who was secretly investigating the culprits, but by the time ranks arrived at the guest house in Eccles where the duo was staying, a security guard there informed that the individuals had suddenly checked out of the location although they had paid for several more days. While the police failed to check at Room 102 where the men were staying, this newspaper was reliably informed that the security at the guest house had lied since they were indeed inside the said room with two other male friends. HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN The activities of Ali and Baboolall became noticeable when they moved into an apartment at 57 Roraima Housing Scheme (owned by the Aracari Resort), earlier this year and were observed spending lavishly and driving several expensive cars. The concern of curious neighbours was met with explanations that the men who had come from Trinidad were wealthy and were here to invest in a catering business. At that time they were overheard making arrangement for the sale of cars with ‘Rajin’, an ex-manager of the Aracari Resort who was renting an apartment at the
same building and was sharing it with a ‘male deportee’ who was rumoured to be in ‘hot water’ over something that went sour in another ‘car arrangement.’ ‘Rajin’ and his deportee friend were subsequently evicted from the premises but not before he was fingered in the disappearance of another vehicle belonging to his relatives, which he claimed he had innocently lent to another business associate. Subsequently, ‘Rajin’ was seen with the vehicle that was reported missing. When a strange man hanged himself in the yard of the very building and police began to frequent the location, Ali and Baboolall hurriedly abandoned their apartment and began operating a catering business at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara. A source explained that after some three months they returned and attempted to rent the said apartment again and seemed surprised that it was already taken by another couple. Last Thursday, Ali who had befriended our informant sent him a text that read, “I am in deep shit with Steven... I moved out and took my things by Anita, Steven is jealous... please help me.” Not knowing who the text had come from, our informant did not call the number from which the message was sent until after two
days and realised he was speaking to Ali who sounded frantic and seemed to be in great distress. The informant agreed to meet him in front of Ashmins in Georgetown and was surprised to see him driving a shiny car but noted that Ali was crying. Ali then informed our source that himself and Baboolall were in the process of lending money to villagers in Uitvlugt and would collect interest on the sums loaned. He told our informant that a resident from the village had turned up to borrow $1.5M from them and had left two cars with them until the sum would have been repaid. Ali said that Wednesday last week police came to their home and arrested Baboolall who had worded the contract that secured the loan arrangement. However, such claims have turned out to be lies as discovered later. In the meantime, the informant had no idea what was really going on until Ali asked him to accompany him on the East Coast of Demerara to collect personal items that Baboolall’s relatives were refusing to give him, since they were blaming him for the young boy’s imprisonment. Suddenly when they arrived at Non Pariel where the residents resided, Ali refused to go to the home and instead sent our informant to the relatives in a separate taxi while he and two other friends waited in another taxi by the
roadside. When our informant arrived there he received the shock of his life, since one of Baboolall’s male relatives brandished a cutlass, refused to deliver the items and summoned the Vigilance Police instead. Shocked beyond belief, the poor man was then informed that Ali and Baboolall would normally sell rented cars and had recently put the family in ‘shambles’, since they had managed to persuade a female relative of Baboolall to take them to their most recent car dealer. The poor man immediately left the scene and immediately made a report via telephone to police at Vigilance and Brickdam, and has being doing his best to help with the police investigations. Ali had told the informant that since he was very wealthy, he had recently asked a friend, ‘Anita’, a worker at the Aracari Resort to open a bank account for them in her name and would normally bank sizable amounts on a fortnightly basis. This was indeed confirmed by the woman who even said she had closed the account when Baboolall was caught by police and was keeping a large sum of cash and personal household items for the couple at her home. The household items were shown to our informant when he accompanied the distressed Ali there two days earlier. When the story blew over the weekend and the
woman was contacted she seemed angry and claimed that the two had “removed their things”, and that she had deeply regretted “helping them.” There are reports that the latest car dealer who was conned by the duo woke up early Sunday morning to find his car parked in front of his premises and the ignition keys thrown into his front yard. Meanwhile one of the associates of Ali, obviously terrified after reading a newspaper article on their wrong doings in yesterday’s Chronicle, called and informed that the couple were indeed at the guest house at Eccles when police from Brickdam had visited, and that Baboolall yesterday checked into an unknown hotel in the West Demerara region. Ali on the other hand has managed to elude the police and may be attempting to leave Guyana for Suriname using the ‘back track’ route. Relatives of Baboolall are stilling holding on to personal items belonging to him and Ali, and Baboolall who was placed on $20,000 bail on Friday at the Leonora Police Station, has failed to return there as instructed by senior CID ranks. Persons with any information on the whereabouts of Daniel Ali, and Steven Baboolall are asked to contact the nearest police station on 227-1152, 2256411, 226- 0869, 227-2272, or 911.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
GCAA reissues operation practice notice for landing on hinterland airstrips GUYANA Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has reissued a notice to aircraft operators in accordance with the standards and recommended practices of the Convention on International Civil Aviation when landing on hinterland airstrips. As per standard operation practice, pilots are being reminded of the need to follow the Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
procedurally when operating. Flight in accordance with visual flight rules is permitted if a flight crew is able to remain clear of clouds by a distance of at least 1,500m horizontally and at least 300m (1,000 ft) vertically and to maintain a forward visibility of at least 8 km. For flights in some portions of the airspace and at low altitudes, and for helicopters, the requirements are less stringent. An aircraft cannot
be flown under VFR at night or above 6 100m (20,000ft) except by special permission. According to Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, in light of recent incidents of aircraft encountering damage because of gusty winds and wind shear, a reminder of the VFR procedures was put in place. “It was something that had to be done because we are very concerned. Recently several aircraft
have encountered gusty winds and wind shear conditions that have resulted in damage to these aircraft,” Benn noted. In a press statement, GCAA’s Director-General Zulifar Mohamed emphasised that each aircraft has its own peculiar reaction in response to crosswinds, but generally a good crosswind landing begins with a good approach. “This is taught to pilots and every opportunity
must be taken to re-enforce this,” he said. The fact that the landing phase of any aircraft is very demanding; operators are advised to have their pilots follow the approved procedures in order to maintain proper approach and landing. If these parameters are not achieved, a go-around or diversion is necessary. The option of the go-around maneuver, an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach, was also highlighted. “This procedure should be a habit in everyday Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flying, so that a predetermined go-around plan is always fresh in the mind during the approach and can be executed at any time the approach is in doubt. Most importantly, in situations where meteorological conditions or terrain features would permit an approach but preclude a safe go-around, then that approach requires extra consideration and perhaps should not be attempted,” Mohamed explained. He also stressed that, “Every pilot already knows that proper planning, making wise decisions, situational awareness,
adherence to SOPs and having an alternate plan of action are all characteristics of good airmanship, which are essential for a safe flight.” KNOW YOUR LIMITS “It is important that pilots know not only the aircraft crosswind limits, but also their own personal limit and to recognise when these limits will be exceeded. The best option is to divert to another airstrip. Very often the limiting factor is related more to the pilot than the aircraft. It is therefore important to reiterate that the pilot must know his/her limits and operate within them,” Mohamed said. Operators are also cautioned to ensure that young pilots be taught the necessary skills to operate safely on the hinterland airstrips. Pilots must be given the opportunity to practice and develop these skills, and must be comfortable operating into borderline aerodromes before they are required to operate into the aerodromes as pilot-in-command by their respective companies. This notice was re-circulated as a precautionary measure. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)
Republic Bank’s Pan Minors Music...
From page 23
able to play simple pieces of music, read a simple one-line melody, and have a general understanding of the basic elements of music, and how to arrange four-part music for a steel ensemble. At the closing ceremony held on Monday last, various groups were afforded the opportunity to provide entertainment for those in attendance, which included Republic Bank and Ministry officials, instructors and parents; and the groups were praised for their performances. Meanwhile, the Culture Minister said his ministry was very pleased to be partnering with the bank over the years, and observed that this programme has provided an opportunity where children can learn something in music, as opposed to some years ago when none like it existed. The Culture Minister pointed out to the students that if any one of them was serious about continuing in the music field, they can attend the National School of Music, where practical and theory are being com-
bined, and they would have the opportunity of writing the Royal School of Music Exams there. Dr. Anthony observed that music has been placed on the backburner in a number of schools, but he said he is still hopeful that it would become one of the subjects that students can write at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Exams. “Some children are naturally talented and must be given the opportunity to discover their hidden talent, and hopefully we get future composers,” Dr. Anthony said. He reminded that the Guyana Music Festival was resuscitated so that children can now attend and showcase their skills, and that the Steel Pan Competition sponsored by Republic Bank every Mashramani is still around. Furthermore, Minister Anthony informed that the Culture Ministry would be partnering with the Lutheran Church to open a music school in New Amsterdam, but is still looking for more partnerships for this venture.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Economy records consistent growth in excess of 5% over the last five years - GGMC Board Chairman
- mining sector contributed heavily to this trend By Shivanie Sugrim CHAIRMAN of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Clinton Williams has highlighted the performance of Guyana’s extractive sector, noting that it has recorded consistent economic growth in excess of 5% over the last five years. Delivering brief comments on the sector’s performance at the Foreign Direct Investment Study Inception Workshop last week at Herdmanston Lodge conference room, Mr. Williams said that over the last five years the Guyanese economy has been recording consistent economic growth in excess of 5% and the mining sector which is led by gold and diamond mining has been contributing heavily to this trend, recording an average of 10% and 7.6% respectively. He further stated that in 2013 the sector’s contribution was 11.6% with 9.2% from gold and diamonds while the sector also recorded earnings of approximately
$170B and $133B. The representation given is approximately US$660M or 50% of Guyana’s foreign exchange earnings and to a large extent might have served as the major factor in ensuring macro-economic stability in terms of stabilization of Guyana’s foreign exchange rate fluctuation. The weighted average declaration by small and medium scale miners is projected to stabilise at approximately 454,000 ounces per annum while large scale production is factored at 127,000 to 225,000 ounces depending on start-up dates. This implies that large scale producers are expected to generate over 50% of total production by the end of the period. Furthermore, he noted that this performance was realised notwithstanding the significant variation in the international price. Moreover, he noted that gold price is estimated at US$1300 per ounce and has been adhering to a similar trend over the last six years.
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Aries - March 21 - April 19 Your social life is abuzz right now, which is feeding you valuable positive energy from other people. This is a great day to be around as many people as you possibly can be -- friends and strangers alike. Not only will it give you a nice break from your more solitary routine, it will open you up to starting new relationships or taking older ones in a new direction. Anyone who starts out as a stranger will end up being much more than that by the end of the day. Taurus - April 20 - May 20 Take yourself out tonight! Show yourself off to the world and you are sure to have a good time. If you are looking for more romance in your life, you certainly aren't going to find it at home -- even if you cuddle up with your sweetie. And if you are happy to be single, remember that as a solo act you can do whatever you want to do and go wherever you want to go. Your freedom is priceless, and it's something you should consciously enjoy more often. Gemini - May 21 - June 21 Your friends are going to be your greatest source of comfort and energy today, but that's nothing new. You all have similar ideas about what to do today, so get in touch with them as early in the day as possible to come up with a plan that everyone can contribute to. Get all of the boring stuff out of the way first -- you can't let work projects, homework or errands keep you from having fun with your favourite people. It might be tricky to juggle it all, but you can do it! Cancer - June 22 - July 22 You're going to get along really well with people left and right today -- like-minded folks will be everywhere you look! This is a good day to make plans to get to know one or two of these people better. Making plans will be easy, especially when a big chunk of your calendar suddenly gets cleared up. You've got a lot of play time coming up in the next few days, so make the most of it. Don't fritter it away by sleeping in and watching television. Get social! Leo - July 23 - August 22 You can (and should) shut out pressures from the outside world right now. Too many people are demanding too many unreasonable things of you. So today, just curl up and enjoy being by yourself for a while. Lower the volume on your life, and some helpful introspection is bound to come your way. You are feeling more introverted than usual, which is a sure sign you aren't getting as much out of being in a group as usual. Your energy is being diluted instead of enlivened. Virgo - August 23 - September 22 If a friend or family member asks you to sacrifice some of your free time in the coming weeks, try to do what you can for them. They wouldn't ask this of you unless they really needed your help, and chances are you will get a lot out of being there for them. You should take it as a compliment that they came to you first. In your work life, things are about to get busy -- so you might want to tidy up your work area so that you can be ready for the onslaught. Libra - September 23 - October 22 Lots of vibrant energy is coursing through you right now, but it's more the 'start up' kind than the 'finish up' kind. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. By initiating a lot of new things at once, you can make your life a lot more interesting without getting too overwhelmed. And it's okay if you don't actually get a lot done right now. You have more time than you think, and it's fun to play around with a few different sets of plans. Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 Today is a very good day to initiate any new thing, from a new book to a new job to a new relationship. Possibility is a profound thing right now, and nothing will excite you more than a blank canvas upon which you can draw anything you like. Your creativity is leading you to act in unexpected ways, but the people you meet today will find your unpredictability charming and unique. You are out to impress, and you are likely to succeed quickly. Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20 At work or school, you need to be honest and understand your limitations -- the people who have authority over you will appreciate and respect it. It can be tough on your ego to admit that you can't do something, but it is the only way to start learning a skill or piece of information that you lack. Get a better perspective on your place in this organisation and understand that you are more valuable the more you actually know. If you keep learning, that is. Capricorn - December 21 - January 19 No matter what you are debating doing right now, you aren't going to come to any conclusions today -- so don't push yourself too hard. Instead, use this day to do some more research on your options. Go online and find out what other people who have been in your situation choose to do -- and how they feel about their decision. Ask for advice from your friends. Making a decision about your life doesn't always have to be something you do alone. Aquarius - January 20 - February 18 Don't be shy about protecting your secrets today, even if you have to plead the fifth with inquisitive friends and family. Your business is your business, and other people can't help but meddle if they get the impression that you are looking for their input. No matter how well intentioned they may be, they still have a different agenda than you do. It's time to reassert yourself. Remind people that you are capable of running your own life! Pisces - February 19 - March 20 Even if you have a dozen different projects going on right now, you should make personal relationships your first priority today. Someone needs your advice or your time, and you should juggle your schedule to give them what they need. Helping others is also a way to help yourself see things from a new perspective. You will realise the immense value that you have in other people's lives.
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Leicestershire captain Ronnie Sarwan leaves Grace Road LEICESTERSHIRE captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has left the club after an agreement is reached to end his contract early, reports BBC Radio Leicester. The West Indies batsman, 34, has missed the majority of the last two seasons with
the Foxes because of international commitments and a back injury. Sarwan only played five Championship games this summer, scoring 184 runs at an average of 18.4. Meanwhile, one-day captain Josh Cobb has fractured his thumb.
Cobb sustained the injury in Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat by Derbyshire but no timescale has yet been set for his absence. New Zealand international Scott Styris will replace Sarwan in the OneDay Cup. (BBC Sport)
Two gold medals for Jamaica...
From Backpage
the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after Shane Brathwaite crossed the finish line in 13.49 seconds to win bronze in the 110 m hurdles. Jamaican Andrew Riley took gold in 13.32 seconds and William Sharman of Canada finished second in 13.36
seconds. The Bajan pair of Ryan Brathwaite and Greggmar Swift finished 5th and 6th respectively. Also, the Caribbean nearly swept the women’s triple jump final.
20th Inter...
From Backpage
no vision for development. The Inter-Guiana Games since being resuscitated in 1994 has grown over the years and according to Kumar has brought smiles upon the faces of many athletes not only who have participated but also those who are eager to participate in future games. Guyana’s strength currently lies in their basketball teams especially the females who proved too much for Suriname last
English Goodwood 08:55 hrs Maid In Rio 09:30 hrs Somewhat 10:05 hrs Kingman 10:40 hrs Tupi 11:15 hrs Shahah 11:50 hrs Water Hole 12:25 hrs Englishman Redcar 09:05 hrs Crikey 09:40 hrs Maggie’s Diamond 10:15 hrs Mixed Message 10:50 hrs Keep To The Beat 11:25 hrs Brown Eyed Honey 12:00 hrs Red Cape 12:35 hrs Showtime Star 13:10 hrs For Shia And Lula Perth 09:15 hrs Nathans Pride 09:50 hrs Dynamic Drive 10:25 hrs Robin’s Command 11:35 hrs Mister Nibbles 12:10 hrs St Gregory 12:45 hrs Ainsi Fideles 13:20 hrs Top Chief
Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams won with a leap of 14.21; Trinidad and Tobago’s Ayanna Alexander was third leaping a distance of 14.01 while Jamaica’s Shanieka Thomas placed fourth.
year, whipping them in their own backyard and are expecting nothing different this time around. Much more is also expected of the swimming team, since they would have had the advantage of practising at the aquatic centre on a daily basis, while athletics at the games over the years have fared well but much more work is still needed according to Kumar. The opening ceremony will take place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at 15:00hrs and Games will be declared open by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Irish Racing Tips Galway 10:00 hrs Tandem 10:35 hrs Ballychorus 11:10 hrs Gtretness 11:45 hrs Whitey O’ Gwaun 12:30 hrs Caid Du Berlais 13:05 hrs Moonbi Creek 13:40 hrs Sarafiyla 14:10 hrs Brooch South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:45 hrs Desroches 09:20 hrs Kapitan 09:55 hrs Flying Fellow 10:30 hrs Warcraft American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Virsito Race 2 Kelly’s Prize Race 3 Willet Race 4 Dash to the Flash Race 5 Oohlala Race 6 MAama Zee Race 7 Sundae School Race 8 La Madrina Race 9 Recoupe Race10 Jimmy Soul
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England pace pair leave India in trouble on third day By Liam Morgan (REUTERS) - James Anderson and Stuart Broad each took three wickets to leave India in trouble on 323 for eight, 246 runs adrift of England, after the third day of the third Test yesterday. Anderson picked up three for 52 while fast bowling partner Broad shrugged aside some indifferent recent performances to snatch three for 65. The pair were well backed up by spinner Moeen Ali who took two for 62 after being banned by the International Cricket Council from sporting the ‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Free Palestine’ wristbands he
James Anderson wore on Monday. Ajinkya Rahane and Mahendra Singh Dhoni made half-centuries but England, 1-0 down in the five-match series, are in control as they bid to win their first Test in 11 outings. Resuming on 25 for
one, the dangerous Broad quickly removed Cheteshwar Pujara (24) and Murali Vijay (35). Anderson tempted Virat Kohli (39) into a tentative prod outside off stump after lunch and the edge was snapped up by captain
Alastair Cook. Moeen then removed Rohit Sharma for 28, ending a watchful stand of 74 with Rahane. The spinner also claimed Rahane’s wicket following an elegant 54, top-edging a short delivery to substitute fielder Sean Terry at mid-wicket. The dismissal was another example of India’s batsmen being victims of their own downfall as they showed poor shot selection throughout. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja led a brief revival, displaying the counter-attacking style that helped guide India to victory in the last Test at Lord’s. When their seventh-wick-
et partnership had reached 58 Anderson bowled a beauty to Jadeja that nipped back and cannoned into his pads to leave the tourists on the ropes. Lower-order batsman Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has hit three half-centuries on the tour, fell to Broad for
ENGLAND first innings 569-7 declared (I. Bell 167, G. Ballance 156, A. Cook 95, J. Buttler 85; B. Kumar 3-101) INDIA first innings M. Vijay b Broad 35 S. Dhawan c Cook b Anderson 6 C. Pujara c Buttler b Broad 24 V. Kohli c Cook b Anderson 39 A. Rahane c sub. b Moeen 54 R. Sharma c Broad b Moeen 28
19, edging onto his pads and watching the ball loop up to Gary Ballance at slip. Dhoni struck a patient unbeaten 50 and will resume with Mohammed Shami (four) this morning as India look to scrape past the follow-on mark of 370.
MS. Dhoni not out 50 R. Jadeja lbw b Anderson 31 B. Kumar c Ballance b Broad 19 M. Shami not out 4 Extras: (w-8, b-12, lb-13) 33 Total: (for 8 wickets) 323 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-56, 3-88, 4-136, 5-210, 6-217, 7-275, 8-313. Bowling: Anderson 24-9-52-3, Broad 23-6-65-3, Jordan 17-4-59-0, Woakes 20-8-60-0, Moeen 18-0-62-2.
Hughes blasts Australian one-day record PHILLIP Hughes became the first Australian player to score a List A double-century, a six from the last ball of Australia A’s innings blasting him past the previous record set by David Warner. Hughes finished unbeaten on 202 and set up a crushing 148-run victory for Australia A over South Africa A in their quadrangular one-day series match in Darwin. For 12 years, the now national coach Darren Lehmann held the record for the best one-day score by a male Australian player, for his 191 for Yorkshire against Nottinghamshire in 2001.
That record was bettered last summer by Warner, who crunched 197 for New South Wales against Victoria in a Ryobi Cup match at North Sydney Oval. Now, Hughes has lifted the mark again. He struck 18 fours and six sixes during his 151-ball innings, including several unconventional tennis-style slaps down the ground from slower-ball bouncers, as well as the off-side slashes that are typical of Hughes. His second hundred came from 47 deliveries and remarkably it took him only 18 balls to move from 149 to 202, his double-century
Phillip Hughes goes over the top plenty of times during his double-century.
coming with a hook for six off Beuran Hendricks. Hughes walked off with the 15th double-century ever scored in List A cricket, and the first in Australia. He also ensured that he will be firmly in the thoughts of the national selectors when they choose the squad for the upcoming triangular series in Zimbabwe, especially given that Warner will be rested for that trip. Hughes has not played an ODI since last November’s tour of India. He had combined with Moises Henriques (90) for
a 220-run partnership that rescued Australia A from a slightly precarious 3 for 46, after Mthokozisi Shezi picked up a pair of early wickets, and their final total was an impressive 4 for 349. The target was always going to be a major challenge for the South Africans and regular wickets prevented them gaining any real momentum. Farhaan Behardien (67) was the only South African to manage a half-century and Kane Richardson’s 4 for 45 ensured Australia A were able to knock over the visitors for 201. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Sabella quits as Argentina soccer coach: reports By Luis Ampuero BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - Alejandro Sabella, who steered Argentina to the World Cup final in Brazil, has decided to quit as national team coach, Argentine media reported yesterday. The reports said the 59-year-old Sabella, whose side lost the Maracana final to Germany 1-0 after extra time, had told Argentine FA president Julio Grondona that he was standing down. Argentina begin preparations for their next major tournament, the 2015 Copa
Alejandro Sabella
America in Chile, with a friendly against Germany
in Duesseldorf on September 3.
Sabella’s agent Eugenio Lopez said two days before the World Cup final that the coach was unlikely to carry on and Sabella himself said on his return to Buenos Aires with the team that he was unsure he had the energy to give his best any longer. “You have to fill the energy tank which sometimes gets empty. I have to think if I’m in condition to give 100 percent,” Sabella told reporters two weeks ago. Sabella, who took charge in August 2011, led Argentina to first place in the World Cup qualifiers with a fine attack led
by Lionel Messi that topscored with 35 goals in 16 matches. His side won their three group matches in Brazil thanks mainly to four goals from Messi and Argentina’s progress through the knockout rounds to their first World Cup final for 24 years was marked more by sound tactics and a firm defence. The AFA will have to name a new coach quickly, given next month’s game in Germany and further friendlies with Brazil in China and against Hong Kong on a tour of Asia in October. Media reports put Jose
Pekerman, who steered Colombia to the quarter-finals in Brazil and was in charge of Argentina at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, among the favourites to succeed Sabella. Pekerman has yet to say whether he will continue in charge of Colombia. Gerardo Martino, who coached Barcelona last season and has therefore worked closely with Messi and Argentina’s midfield general Javier Mascherano, is also among the frontrunners. He has World Cup experience as Paraguay coach in South Africa in 2010.
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Carib Beer sponsors KMTC Emancipation …Six other races carded feature event By Calvin Roberts
HORSE owners and trainers who are desirous of entering their animals in this Sunday’s feature event on the Kennard Memorial and Turf Club (KMTC)-organised Emancipation meeting, can do so without fear, since beverage distribution giant Ansa McAl, through its Carib Beer brand, has sponsored the one mile race in its entirety. Yesterday at a simple presentation ceremony, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ansa McAl, Darshanie Yusuf, presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard, the honorary president of KMTC. Prior to doing so, Yusuf
With the Carib Beer logo emblazoned in the background, a smiling Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ansa McAl Darshanie Yusuf (left) makes the presentation of the cheque to Honorary President of the KMTC, Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard. in her brief remarks said her company was pleased to see the way the sport of horseracing has been developing over the years despite the obstacles faced,
and was not hesitant to come on board with KMTC for the upcoming event, which forms part of its calendar of events annually. “We at Ansa McAl have
seen the growth of horse racing and are happy to know that our sponsorship has contributed to this growth. We would like to thank Justice Kennard for giving us this opportunity to once again partner with the KMTC, while we are looking forward to seeing great races on Sunday.” Yusuf said it was always a pleasure for Ansa McAl, through Carib Beer and its other number of brands marketed and distributed to the Guyanese public, to play a part in the development of sports in Guyana, with horseracing being one of them. In his thank-you remarks, Kennard showered praise on Ansa McAl, whom he said has never been hesitant in coming on board to sponsor
Edwards, Eugene slow Guyana’s roll
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Enterprising hundreds from Dane Edward and Johnnel Eugene were the main attractions when Windward Islands earned a crucial 66-run victory and handed Guyana their first defeat in the Regional Under-15 Tournament on Monday here. Edwards hit 116 and Eugene supported with an undefeated 104 from 106 balls, as the sub-regional side, choosing to bat, posted a challenging 279 for six from their allocation of 50 overs in their fourth round match. The Guyanese entered the match leading the standings, but their challenge fizzled following a century-opening stand between their captain
Bhaskar Yadram and wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Persaud and they were restricted to 213 for eight from their 50 overs. Meanwhile, Guyanese coach Julian Moore expressed disappointment about losing ace spinner Sagar Hatairmani, who had to return home due to the untimely death of his mother. “That was a setback for us, but not taking anything away from the Windwards. I thought they played good cricket...I thought they batted well, but this is just a setback for us and we will get it right,” he explained. At the same time, purposeful bowling led by Nathaniel McDavid helped Trinidad & Tobago restore
their chances following the Guyanese defeat when they stopped hosts Jamaica by eight wickets at Elletson Road, and solid batting led by Micah Thornhill and Kilano Brathwaite allowed Barbados to move up after they beat Leeward Islands by 72 runs. The results mean that Guyana enter the final round of matches leading the table with 18.8 points, T&T are second with 18.7, Barbados are third with 13.4, hosts Jamaica are fourth on 13, Windwards are fifth on 12.4 and Leewards are last on 0.2. In the final round today Guyana face Jamaica at Melbourne Oval, Windwards meet Leewards at Elletson Road and Barbados play T&T at Up Park Camp.
At UWI Mona: Edwards slammed nine fours and three sixes from 110 balls and Eugene cracked 11 fours and one six from 106 balls to lead the Windwards batting. Edwards dominated a second-wicket stand of 82 with Obadele Joseph to give the Windwards early momentum before he added 92 for the third wicket with Eugene. After Edwards was dismissed, Eugene, son of former Windwards batsman John Eugene, was the glue that kept the rest of the batting going. Yadram then hit three fours in the top score of 56 from 88 balls and Persaud made 46, sharing 103 for the first wicket. Once Johann Jeremiah
horse races organised by his club, for which he was grateful since without sponsorship, no sporting event can be a success. “What we do at the KMTC is ensure fans, who turn out to our events, have a wonderful day at those meetings and thanks to Ansa McAl, it will be possible this year when we host the Emancipation Meeting on Sunday. “We have received sponsorship from a lot of corporate entities including Ansa McAl, as we aim to make this meeting a successful one and it is indeed a happy moment for us to have them on board; for as I have said before, no sporting activity can be successful without sponsorship, so indeed I am very grateful to have Ansa
McAl on board with us for this meeting once again,” said Kennard. Some of the top horses who will be doing battle for the $1M first place prize in the feature event, which caters for animals classified A and Lower with allotted weights, are: Run Nana Run, Church House Rock, Got to Go and Treacle, among others, with the second-, thirdand fourth-placed prizes being $500 000, $250 000 and $125 000 respectively. According to Kennard, the weather has been good to the venue for the past week, hence the track is in excellent condition and conducive for Sunday’s meeting, making it a very exciting and memorable one for fans and horse owners as well.
held a return catch to dismiss Persaud, the floodgates opened and the Guyanese were powerless to stop the flow of wickets, At Elletson Road: T&T captain Kirstan Kallicharran counted nine fours and one six in an unbeaten 60 from 65 balls and shared an unbroken, third-wicket stand of 76 with Cephas Cooper, as T&T successfully chased 130 for victory over Jamaica and reached their target with 163 balls remaining. McDavid had returned the flattering figures of 6-35-4, Cooper supported with 3-40 from 9.4 overs and Justin Gangoo 2-18 from six overs, as the Jamaicans, sent in to bat, were dismissed for a modest 120 in 45.4 overs. A handful of players reached double figures for Jamaica, but none them reached
20.
At Melbourne Oval: Thornhill led solid batting with 64 from 61 balls that contained 10 fours and one six, as Barbados compiled 292 for six from their 50 overs, after they chose to bat. Thornhill drove the innings early, putting on 79 for the third wicket with Joshua Corbin, whose 47 from 70 balls included eight fours. After Thornhill departed to leave the Barbadians 164 for five, Brathwaite continued to push things along, smashing 10 fours in 63 from 60 balls and leading a stand of 75 with Marco St Hill before he was dismissed in the closing stages. Leewards failed to establish any meaningful partnerships, losing wickets at regular periods and were restricted to 220 for seven in their 50 overs. (WICB)
Forty Under-19 players benefit from two-week hockey camp THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) concluded a two-week development camp which saw 40 Under-19 boys benefit from it. According to the GHB, the camp which began on July 14 and concluded last Friday at the GCC ground, Bourda, was designed to develop the individual skills of the participants in the outdoor hockey, since most of the clubs and schools train on indoor surfaces. The daily sessions started with videos of the various
techniques related to the topic of the day, followed by practical sessions on the field. Topics covered included: Moving with the ball, 3D skills, Passing & receiving, Goal scoring, Creating space, Defending, Goalkeeping and Penalty corners. The camp was run by a coaching team which included national men’s coach Robert Fernandes, national goalkeeper Alysa Xavier and national players Robert France and Andrew Xavier. The event concluded
In photo, some participants of the Under-19 hockey development camp strike a pose with some of their coaches.
with a mini world cup tournament where the players were split into four teams, representing Germany, Argentina, England and Colombia. They played a round-robin followed by semifinals and the final. Colombia defeated Germany 3-2 via sudden-death penalty shootout after the score was tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, while England breezed past Argentina 3-0. England took that momentum into the
final and got out to an early lead through Myron Phillips, before Colombia came roaring back through a Deheron Wilkinson double and one goal apiece from Rosario Ramsammy and Shemar Boston to take the title 4-1. It is the Board’s intention to select an Under-19 squad to begin training and competing in all local tournaments as part of the preliminary stages of preparation for the Pan American Junior Championships scheduled for 2016.
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Boxing competition set for `Sixhead’ Gym on Sunday TWELVE bouts are carded for the Andrew `Sixhead’ gym, come this Sunday, in the first boxing competition between Guyana and Suriname as the two countries begin preparations to make the sport a part of the annual Inter-Guiana Games. The competition will feature boxers from the Essequibo, Harpy Eagles, Tiger Eye, Forgotten Youth Foundation, and the Pocket Rocket boxing gyms who will challenge the best from Suriname in bouts set for four rounds. When the bell sounds Quancy Wright will match fists with Leon Moore, while in the second encounter Isaiah Moore will face Shaquille Wright and in the third bout Jamal Eastman takes on Christopher Moore. Junior Henry of the Forgotten Youth Foun-
Steve Ninvalle dation will step into the ring with Shaka Moore of (EBG), Travis Hubbard (HE) will later take on Joel Williamson of (PRBG). The international bouts will see Samuel Green of Suriname coming up against Tyron Lashley of Guyana in a fight set for four rounds and just after the lone female encounter will be between Guyanese Dwon Thomason and Seta Pinas of Suriname.
During an interview with president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle he lamented that while sponsorship and the interest for the sport of boxing are dying, GABA remains in full steam in its drive to give youths an activity aimed not only at replacing idle time but also at giving them a future if they do not excel in their education. Ninvalle said it is with this in mind that the association is looking to propel the sport into being part of the annual games so that Guyanese boxers can have a stronger base like all other boxing nations. When asked why the association chose the IGG games, Ninvalle stated that the Friday night fights were hugely depended on for this type of base and exposure for the young pugilists but as it
Jamaica win CUT games, breaking 13 records PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Jamaica racked up 587 points to top the table for the 5th time in six years at the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) games staged here over the weekend. The Jamaicans also accounted for 13 of the 27 championships records in two days of competition at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Jamaica’s 40-member team (20 boys and 20 girls) won 50 medals - 31 gold, 14 silver and five bronze. “Winning is a part of our DNA in sports. We always give it our best shot whenever we get the opportunity to,” declared Jamaica coach Arthur Edwards. “In the process, we established 13 new records out of the 27 established over the two days.”
Barbados finished the biennial championships second with 454 points, while Trinidad and Tobago placed third on 226. St Vincent and the Grenadines (217.50) and St Kitts (175) ended fourth and fifth, respectively. “In 2014, the better team won,” said Barbados coach Vaman Harbin. “Jamaica were the better team this year”.
The victorious Jamaica team (picture courtesy Gleaner)
is in Guyana sponsorship remains a huge problem where any sport is concerned. While many avid boxing fans continue to demand Friday Night Fights the busi-
ness community is saying, why support boxing when it only adds to the injury, pain and suffering to the other. To this end the GABA boss reiterated that push-
ing and supporting the young boxers to higher levels will continue to be first and foremost, since it pays better to be a fighter than a delinquent individual.
Judge gives go-ahead for $2 billion sale of NBA’s Clippers By Eric Kelsey
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Reuters) - The estranged wife of Los Angeles Clippers co-owner Donald Sterling can proceed with the record $2 billion sale of the NBA team despite her husband’s objections, a judge ruled on Monday, in a likely coda to a case of lingering racism in American sports. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas said the deal struck by Shelly Sterling with former Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer was permissible and could be consummated even if Sterling, who has been banned for life from the National Basketball Association for racist remarks, chose to appeal. “She had every good reason to believe that Donald agreed to the sale of the team,” said Levanas, who added that he found Donald Sterling’s combative testimony at the emotionally charged nine-day trial “often evasive and inconsistent.” The ruling was a major victory for an embarrassed NBA and Shelly Sterling, who had asked the probate judge to confirm her as the trustee of the family trust that owns the Clippers. She acted in May to have her 80-year-old real estate billionaire husband removed when neurologists deemed him to have early Alzheimer’s disease and unable to handle business affairs. Shelly Sterling, 79, cried after the ruling and told reporters outside the courtroom: “Either way we’d win. I am just doing what I had to do.” Donald Sterling’s attorneys said they would file an appeal of the decision. “He doesn’t see this as the final battleground,” said Sterling’s attorney, Bobby Samini. “This is one stage of a Donald Sterling long war.” In an unprecedented move, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling and fined him $2.5 million three months ago after his taped private comments imploring a girlfriend not to associate with black people, including NBA Hall of Fame player Magic Johnson, were published. The majority of NBA players are black, and Clippers interim CEO Richard Parsons testified that team sponsors were ready to leave, head coach Doc Rivers could quit and players would refuse to play if Sterling was able to keep the franchise he has owned for 33 years. Under Sterling, the Clippers for decades languished as a league doormat and afterthought to the marquee Los Angeles Lakers, but in recent years they have added enough talent to compete in the NBA playoffs. Sterling had vowed to block the sale he initially blessed because he said his wife improperly removed him as a trustee of the family trust that owns the Clippers. Shelly Sterling also said she believed her husband’s ban from the NBA would be lifted. During the trial, Sterling had treated her with both love and contempt, calling her a pig and liar at one stage. ‘BRINGING DIGNITY BACK’ The NBA, looking to close a chapter that brought shame to the basketball league and outraged fans, said it was “pleased” with the court’s decision. “We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. The tentative ruling will take formal effect when Levanas issues it in writing in coming weeks after he considers objections. Ballmer, known for his enthusiasm for pick-up basketball while at Microsoft, is ready to get to work, his attorney, Adam Streisand, said. “He is very excited ... about bringing dignity back to the Clippers,” Streisand said. Legal experts said the ruling was so strongly in favour of Shelly Sterling that any challenge from Donald Sterling was unlikely to derail the sale. “He can appeal as much as he likes, but the Clippers are going to be sold to Ballmer,” said Ed McCaffery, a professor of law at University of Southern California. Sterling has also sued the NBA, the league commissioner and his wife in state and federal courts, contending the team was illegally taken from him. “We expect that we’ll continue to get grenades from all directions,” Streisand said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
Digicel Schools Football tournament final
Waramadong Secondary tired of being second best By Rawle Toney EVER wondered how it feels losing to the same team over and over? Just ask the players from Waramadong Secondary School. The school from Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) will play two-time defending champions Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary (CWSS) in the final of the 2014 Digicel Schools Football tournament on Sunday, August 3 at the Guyana National Stadium. This is the fourth year the telecommunication giant is hosting the tournament and the third consecutive time the two schools will be clashing with each other in the final. Actually, their rivalry dates back to the staging of the inaugural tournament in 2011 where Waramadong lost to CWSS in their semifinal and the Lindeners went on to lose 5-3 to GTI in the final. The 2012 tournament saw ‘Multi’ hammer Waramadong 5-2 in the final. Waramadong also lost on penalty kicks to CWSS last year. This year, ironically, both schools were victorious via penalty shootouts in their semifinals to clinch a classic showdown on Sunday. “We’re tired and fed-up of losing to ‘Multi’ but I think this year is going to be different,” warned Waramadong Secondary captain Gregory Isaacs. Isaacs said that Waramadong would not be afraid of the defending champs, but respect the
fact they have been the most successful team in the competition since it started and every year his school aim is to dethrone the Lindeners. “We’re positive, the guys are all happy to be part of the tournament and making it to the final again but we hope this time around we take the trophy away. Every year they beat us and it looks like a normal thing and people will expect them to win again, but I like our chances,” said the Waramadong captain. Asked what makes ‘Multi’ different and seem to hold an advantage over his team, Isaacs said “they are taller, faster and they use their height and play
Waramadong captain Gerald Isaacs pulls off a beautiful save during the win in their semifinal over BV Secondary (Adrian Narine photo) the ball high all the time. But I think this time, if we get to control the pace of the game and be more forceful we will beat them. They are good, but I believe we are better this time” Christianburg/Wismar’s
prolific scorer Shane Luckie was singled out by the Waramadong captain as the player to watch for in the final as Isaacs stated, “He’s very good probably the best striker in the tournament, so we will have to tighten up on him getting the ball and
try to make it hard for him to score on us like before. He’s very tall and we’re short but as a team we can give them a hard time.” O n e t h i n g i s s u re , though, Waramadong are never lacking support and whenever the team play,
they receive heavy support, especially from the Amerindian community. “Of course, we expect plenty people to come out at the stadium. This is the first time some of us even going to the venue and we hear it’s a great surface and we will be able to play well there; but we’re focused and humble and ready to win that trophy; it’s about time,” Isaacs said. C a n Wa r a m a d o n g strip ‘Multi’ of their Digicel school championship title or will the Linden school add to their legacy of being the best football playing secondary school in Guyana? That question will surely be answered on Sunday.
AAG still putting together IGG team By Tamica Garnett THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) was up to yesterday afternoon still scrambling to put together a full team to represent Guyana in the track and field division of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) which begins here in Guyana this Friday. President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, speaking with Chronicle Sport via telephone yesterday confirmed that the Association still remained without athletes for certain events including the female high jump. According to Hutson, the deficiencies emanated from a lack of participation at this year’s staging of the IGG trials which were held earlier this year in May at the Guy-
… cites lack of participation at trials
AAG president Aubrey Hutson ana Defence Force ground. From Hutson’s explanation at least one of the events, at the trials, saw no one show up to compete in it, while another had just one person turning up to participate. Hutson lament-
ed the fact that the trials went on without the presence of some of the leading junior athletes, including the Games defending boys’ 400m champion Jason Yaw. “What we discovered was that there were a couple events that people did not show up for, so there are still two or three slots that need to be filled. The trials were held but we had no one showing up for the female high jump … Jason didn’t show up for the trials either but he is still our fastest junior athlete so those are things that we are working on,.” Hutson said yesterday.
As such the Association now faces the dilemma of putting together a team of athletes to sufficiently represent Guyana at the tri-nation Games. And with just three more days to go before the commencement of the Games, Hutson remarked that the Association was hopeful of having the issue completely ironed out by yesterday evening. The Association head felt that the team might still be prepared as the athletes have been in training all the while. This adds to the state of affairs that marred the hosting of trials last year when things were grossly disorganised.
The annual Games which will run for three days will see Guyana compete against athletes from Suriname and French Guiana in the disciplines of athletics, swimming and basketball. This is the first leg of the Games which usually has a second leg held in one of the other countries involving competition in another set of disciplines, namely chess, volleyball, table tennis, football, and cycling. While the Games officially begins on Friday, the track and field competition will not get under way until Saturday, starting off at 11:00hrs at the GDF ground.
CRICKETQUIZ CORNER Plans on course to professionalise First Class cricket
(Wednesday July 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: 7 matches; 6 involving the Warriors 65 sixes Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Tests and ODI games the Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors played during his international cricketing days? (2) Who is the first Red Steel player to cop the Man of the Match Award in LCPL 2014? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
K I N G S TO N , J a m a i c a (CMC) - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says plans are well on course to professionalise first-class cricket in the region by next season. WICB president Dave Cameron says the regional first-class competition is being transformed into a “franchise” structure, similar to the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament currently into its second season. “We are moving towards a structure where
we are going to have players from all over the region playing for different teams,” said Cameron, during an interview on the Line and Length programme on the Sportsmax TV Channel. “Effective August and September we are going to have players from all over the region and potentially from outside the region who will be playing for these franchises and we are still going to call them Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad.” The move to professionalizs the regional first-class
tournament is among recommendations contained in a report by WICB director of cricket Richard Pybus. In the report, Pybus outlined a structure which would see a player draft being held for regional firstclass cricket. “The draft allows West Indies cricket to level the playing field in resourcing franchise-type teams, affording all the TBs (territorial boards) the opportunity to broaden and deepen their squads,” the report stated.
“We have announced that coming this year with the new professional structure, teams will be able to select the best players from around the region. It is an interesting point, however, that these teams are going to fall directly under the auspices of the territorial boards.” The territorial boards will be allowed to retain and contract ten players with the rest going into the draft from which teams will select five players to make up their 15-member squads.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 30, 2014
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Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships
High-scoring games, the highlight on opening night THE annual Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships got off to an exciting start Monday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, with high-scoring games by both the senior and junior teams being the highlight. The Pepsi Hikers stamped their authority as favourites of the senior division with a 10-5 victory over Old Fort Vikings. With Vikings beginning on a (+5) handicap lead, the Hikers captain Robert France signalled his team’s intentions with an early goal in just the second minute. Old Fort held off the onslaught for the next ten minutes and just as time seemed to be working against the Hikers, they made another breakthrough via young Michael Harding. France drilled in two more in a dominant second half for the Pepsi Hikers while Aroydy Branford, Jamarj Assanah and Leon Bacchus each scored doubles. GCC put in a stellar performance in their senior division clash against Saints that followed. Super sub, Trevon Smith, was first on the scoreboard for GCC en route to a hat-trick which was matched by teammate Orland Semple. Mark Sargeant scored a double for the victors while Peter DeGroot and captain Devin Hooper extended the lead with one each. Saints scrambled to find a rhythm throughout the match but managed a lone goal from Joel Hunte leaving the final
score at 13-7 for GCC. Blue Steel rounded off the winners of the senior division on opening night with a 19-9 trouncing of Old Fort Gladiators. Eric Hing scored a hattrick for Blue Steel along with Keon McKenzie and Michael Craig while Kareem McKenzie added a double. The Gladiators’ lone goal came through a penalty stroke by Omar Hopkinson. The junior division saw the first upset of the tournament, as Revelation upstaged female powerhouse GCC Tigers by 8-3. Beginning with a (+8) handicap, Revelation’s defend-at-all-costs strategy paid dividends as the Tigers could only find their way into the net on three occasions. A Trisha Woodroffe single and an Ashley DeGroot double were the only goals of the match leaving the Tigers shy of making up the large 8-goal deficit needed to catch Revelation. The Old Fort Shooting Stars, the newest ladies side to enter local competition, drew some of the loudest cheers as they recorded their first competition victory in their short existence. The Stars managed to secure a 15-12 victory at the expense of Saints who gave up a monstrous 9-goal handicap at the opening whistle. Saints would chalk up 8 goals through doubles from Meshach Williams, Myron Phillips, Kirk Persaud and Shemar Boston in their effort to reel in the Shooting Stars
Pepsi Hikers’ Jamal Assanah (left) in a deadlock with Old Fort Vikings’ Chris Low during Hikers’ 10-5 victory over the latter on Monday evening.
but a late penalty for the Stars, which was converted by Minsodia Culpepper, brought vociferous applause for the underdogs. The final junior division
game of the evening saw the Spartans brush aside the Hikers ladies by 7-4 after beginning with a 2-goal deficit. Captain Marzana Fiedtkou led from the front in scoring
5 of Spartans’ six goals, with the other coming through skilful Aliyah Gordon. Hikers managed to score a lone goal midway the second half through speedy La-
tacea Chung by which time their grasp of the match had already slipped away. The competition continues tonight at the same venue from 17:30hrs.
Sport CHRONICLE
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
Waramadong Secondary tired of being second best See Story on Page 46
Two gold medals for Jamaica, James cruises into 400m final
Jamaica made a clean sweep of the women’s 400m final.
G L A S G O W, S c o t l a n d (CMC) - Jamaica made a clean sweep of the women’s
400m final while Grenada’s Olympic champion Kirani James cruised into the final
of the men’s 400 metres at the XX Commonwealth Games here yesterday.
20th Inter-Guiana Games set to start this Friday … Teams due tomorrow
Director of Sport Neil Kumar By Jaden Samuels
TEAMS for this year’s Inter-Guyana Games are scheduled to arrive here tomorrow with the opening ceremony set for the Cliff Andersons Sports Hall on Friday. The games, being held for the 20th year, will see
Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana do battle in basketball, athletics and swimming with badminton and lawn tennis scheduled to be added into next year’s games .Talks are ongoing between Guyana and Suriname to have boxing as part of the games sometime in the near future. Director of Sport Neil Kumar told Chronicle Sport yesterday that the teams have all confirmed participation and are expected here tomorrow, while the opening ceremony is set for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday.
The games will get going with swimming on Friday at the National Aquatic Centre while on Saturday basketball will bounce off at the Sports Hall, and athletics at the GDF ground. Kumar also opined that while GABA executive has tried to ban players from participating in the games this year, it must be made clear that the Ministry’s plan to improve the sport, which is currently in more than one hundred schools, will not be trampled upon by person or persons who have
See Page 42
The Grenadian 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist posted 45.15 seconds in the semi-final race glancing left to right as he crossed the finish line. “ T h a t w a s i m p re s sive from Kirani James, although that’s what we expect from him because he’s the class of the field. I know it sounds strange but I would like to see someone break my world record one day,” said athletics pundit Michael Johnson on BBC One. “At some point he has to develop power because he
has great endurance. I wonder if he will ever do that, because he could become a world record holder if he does that”. South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk picked up second place behind James in 45.41 to secure the other automatic qualifying slot for Wednesday’s medal race. Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago finished third and also qualified for the final. In another 400m semi-final race, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jarrin Solomon was second with Chris Brown from the Bahamas taking
Leicestershire captain Ronnie Sarwan leaves Grace Road
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third in 45.49. T&T’s Lalonde Gordon won the third and final semi-finals in 45.37 seconds while second spot went to Bahamas’ Latoya Williams, who ran 45.44 to join Gordon in the medals race. Meantime Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson edged compatriot Novlene Williams-Mills on the line to win the 400m women’s final. McPherson clocked 50.67 ahead of Williams Mills who finished in 50.86 while another Jamaican Christine Day left it late to nick bronze from Botswana’s Amantle Montsho in 51.09 secs. Two other Caribbean nationals Kineke Alexander of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas were 6th and 7th respectively. There was success for Grenada in the field after the Eastern Caribbean Island picked up its second medal in the history of the Commonwealth Games. Kurt Felix, slipped from second position to take bronze in the Decathlon with a new National Record of 8070 points, eight years after Alleyne Francique climbed the podium in the 400 metres. Felix’s brother Lindon Victor, who at one point was in 8th position, finished 9th in the same event posting personnel best of 7 429 points. Meanwhile Barbados won their first medal at
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Ramnaresh Sarwan WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014