Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13 04 2016

44 BILLION-DOLLAR SETTLEMENT No. 104520

WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

––DDL, GRA finally resolve long-standing dispute over Consumption Tax

48 hours to remove

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Town Clerk Royston King has given businesspersons 48 hours to remove their trailers and containers badly parked at Industrial Site. Failure to do so will result in the City Council shearing and disposing of these encumbrances in its incinerator compound on Princes Street, Georgetown (Delano Williams photo)

Prisoners US to provide City projects help put assistance ‘big jump’ out blaze in revenue Page

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–– Camp St CoI hears

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to Linden

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Prisoners helped put out blaze 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

––Camp St CoI hears

By Svetlana Marshall

EMPLOYING the bucket brigade technique, a number of prisoners broke out of the Old Capital Block of the Camp Street Prison to bring much-needed relief to their fellow inmates who were trapped in the burning Capital ‘A’ Block during the prison riot. This method proved effective in the eyes of Chriswayne La Rose, a fireman attached to the Guyana Fire Service Headquarters at Stabroek. La Rose, a sub-officer, had accompanied Compton Sparman, the Officer-in-Charge of Operations at the Guyana Fire Service, to the Georgetown Prison at Camp Street when a riot broke out on March 3, 2016. On Tuesday he appeared before the three-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) led by Justice James Patterson, and was cross-examined by the Commission’s Counsel, Excellence

The Commission’s Counsel, Excellence Dazzell Dazzell; Head of the Bar Association, Christopher Ram; Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, and Joint Services Attorney Eusi Anderson. Grilled by the Commission’s Counsel, La Rose disclosed that several prisoners had formed a bucket brigade during the inferno. Reflecting on the occurrences of March 3, 2016, La Rose recalled that at approximately 11:30h he was informed of the fire. Upon arrival on the scene with the Officer-in-Charge, La Rose recalled, he saw fire appliances in position on Camp and Bent Streets. “They had already arrived and they were making preparations to enter the compound,” he posited. Even as the firemen geared themselves for what turned out to be a raging fire in the Capital ‘A’ Division, Sparman and La Rose entered the compound. The sub-officer told the Commission that he had observed fire

and smoke emanating from the division in question.

CHAOTIC “It was pretty chaotic. There were rioters, prisoners cursing and hurling insults…they were behaving in a chaotic manner,” La Rose said, as he attempted to paint a picture of the atmosphere in the prison when he entered the compound. At one stage, he said, the hose line had to pass through the eastern fence as the firemen engaged the fire. “They proceeded to make preparations, in fact, to go up to where the fire was,” he recalled, adding that there was a slight delay as the firemen were required to receive the “go head” from the prison authorities who were on the ground. It was explained that the environment had to be deemed safe before permission was granted. Once that was done, La Rose said, the team of firefighters proceeded up the stairs, but were faced with another hurdle –- the western door of the affected block was locked. “I observed prison officers attempting to open that door. They started with a key that failed, stepped back, and after a minute or so, then advanced disc cutter, using that to try and open the door; but that failed as well.” Due to the lack of access to the interior of the Capital ‘A’ Block, La Rose said, the operational team then proceeded to use the hose line “to do some level of cooling, using the window openings”. “The window openings were grilled, so that’s where they tried to get water into the area to start initiating the extinguishing process,” he said. He noted that the fire was not extinguished. They reportedly continued for a period, up until several prisoners broke out of a neighbouring block. “There is an adjacent cell block which is pretty much at the northern end, adjacent to cell Block A; and those prisoners within that environment…were pretty much riotous…and at one point they became so riotous that they started to break the southern wall that was close to Capital A Block. They broke through it,” he explained. The firefighters were subsequently instructed to retreat, La Rose told the Commission. INTERACTION “I saw them (prisoners) speaking to the prison officials…I couldn’t really understand what they were saying because of the screams…they then climbed from the Old Capital to Capital A, and that is when we completely retreated from that area to a safe zone within that compound,” he further pointed out. Nevertheless, another attempt to open one of the doors to the Capital ‘A’ Block proved successful with the use of a key. The hose line, which was still charged at that time, was used to douse the area, but the prisoners subsequently took over, La

Guyana Fire Service Sub-Officer Chriswayne La Rose being cross-examined on Tuesday Rose said. “The prisoners took over…. They used… they had buckets, they had five-gallon containers…they used water from within their cell block…and they used it to throw water within the cell… and a number of them then entered Capital A,” he detailed. He said some of the prisoners that entered the Capital A block firstly removed two bodies. “Then when they re-entered, they started evacuating… they evacuated six inmates who were badly burned, but then (the evacuation) ceased…” La Rose said he subsequently entered the Capital ‘A’ Block, and what his eyes beheld still traumatises him to this day. “To the right, there was almost a pile of them. It was very gruesome…probably six or seven, I didn’t count…huddled together, burned badly. Looking through to the back, you could see bodies on the ground. One, it would appear that the head was removed from the body.” La Rose said he had witnessed burnt remains in the past, but never to the magnitude of those seen on March 3 at the Camp Street Prison.

Attorney Christopher Ram pressed La Rose for more answers. Drawing La Rose’s attention to the signed statement he provided to the Commission, Ram pointed out to La Rose that he said the prisoners on the first floor of the adjacent block were allowed to use the hose. Ram’s question, therefore, was: who had allowed the prisoners to use the hose? In response, La Rose explained that there were about two or three prison officers present at the time, but they had stepped back, allowing the prisoners to use the hose. “How effective would you say the role of those prisoners was in rescuing injured inmates?” was another question put to the fireman. His response was: “They were effective, they were effective.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

BILLION-DOLLAR SETTLEMENT ––DDL, GRA finally resolve long-standing dispute over Consumption Tax

THE Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has reached an amicable settlement with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to resolve a long-standing dispute over Consumption Tax that began in 2002. This settlement follows an extended legal battle between DDL and GRA arising out of the Consumption Tax assessment levied against DDL by then Commissioner General Kurshid Sattaur in January, 2009, in the sum of $5.3

billion. This assessment was immediately challenged in the High Court by DDL through its lawyers Miles Fitzpatrick, SC and Timothy Jonas. DDL in a release said it was able to recommence negotiations with the GRA for a resolution of the methodology for a calculation of Consumption Tax (and its successor, Excise Tax), and have now been able to arrive at consensus to fully and finally settle all claims by the GRA and

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

liability by DDL for both Consumption and Excise tax up to March 9, 2016 in the sum of $1.5 billion. “This sum is payable over 12 months. DDL, in good faith, very recently effected payment of $100,000,000 in compliance with the settlement terms,” the release said. In 2002, DDL had raised a legal challenge against the GRA on the methodoly adopted by the latter for the assessment of Consumption tax. In February 2005, the

High Court found in favour of DDL. The GRA subsequently appealed that decision and on July 31, 2008, the Guyana Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed GRA’s Appeal. Following the dismissal of the appeal, the GRA commenced a new assessment in August 2008 and, notwithstanding attempts by the parties at resolving the matter, on January 16, 2009, GRA issued a new claim in the crippling amount of G$5,392 billion. On DDL’s application

in 2009, the High Court issued an Order Nisi pending the hearing of the matter. DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo said that “DDL was always committed to a resolution of the matter with the GRA, despite the many failed attempts at settlement.” He added: “DDL was pleased with the enlightened approach adopted by the GRA in December 2015, which recently culminated in the settlement of the matter between the parties.”

US to provide assistance to Linden By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE United States (US) Embassy, under the Humanitarian for Assistance Programme (HAP), will be providing needed assistance to Region 10 in the form of donations, medical assistance and training, especially in the remote communities of the region. This was revealed by representatives of the programme, who visited Linden on Tuesday to formally introduce themselves and divulge to regional officials the plans they have for the region. The team, consisting of Director Eric Antinucci, Assistant Director Gabe Megda and Programme Coordinator Mark Houston, met with Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Mayor Carwyn Holland, Deputy Mayor Wanneka Arrindil, Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira, and Councillors. The team outlined its special interest in Linden, and by extension Region 10, because of the many remote areas that may not benefit from Government programmes as they should. Team members revealed that they were in possession of a lot of donations at this time, and they wanted to have communities and residents in need benefit from the donations, which comprise books, food, shoes and medical supplies. Antinucci said the team’s purpose in Linden was not only to officially introduce its members, but to gather information on what is needed in the various communities, and how assistance can be

rendered earliest. “A lot of organisations are looking to make donations…so we not only came here today for a formal introduction, but also to gather information, so when we go back to Georgetown we can hopefully bring some donations to the area, so that we can hopefully alleviate some of those common stressors in

communities at this time. He also mentioned the upsurge in cases of hypertension resulting from stress in the region, and cancer cases; thus the need for medical supplies and outreaches. Being cognisant of this reality, the team promised to organise a medical outreach in the near future, and this will benefit persons living in

the region, as he has been seeking assistance from several organisations in various sectors. BIG BOOST “This is a big boost… It’s a good for the people of Region 10, and we will build and extend partnership with this organisation,” he said.

with America,” he said. The Mayor told the team he is currently looking for ways to stimulate the economy to create jobs; enable entrepreneurship, especially among the youths, and develop the talent of the young people. He told the team, “We have much talent in Linden, and I would want to invite the Unites States of America,

Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrindel presenting a gift of appreciation to Director of HAP, Eric Antinucci (centre). Project Coordinator Mark Houston, MP Figueira (right) and Mayor Carwyn Holland (left) look on any way we can,” he posited. The Regional Chairman pointed out the need for sporting gear and equipment in riverine communities such as Malali, where youths are integrally involved in sports. In addition to sports, the Chairman revealed the need for assistance in agriculture and arts, where focus is being given to Indigenous

the hinterland communities as well. Promises were also made to align with local NGOs to provide needed assistance, since team members were told of several NGO undergoing challenges because of lack of funding. The Regional Chairman expressed gratitude for the team’s interest in

The Mayor of Linden also echoed the sentiments of the Chairman in thanking the team for opening its arms to Linden, since the new Council is looking for ways to transform Linden from township status to city status. “It is good that you came to visit us, and we can renew this and further develop this relationship that we have

with representation of the embassy, to help us harness and develop these talents.” Other areas that would appreciate assistance are training; sanitation; municipal development; early childhood education, starting with the day care system; youth empowerment, and sports development.

EXCHANGE “I would like to have an exchange done between this municipality and municipality of the Mayor of New York. I would like to foster exchanges there, where we can learn and adopt from your system for the system here in Linden,” the Mayor revealed. MP Jermaine Figueira stressed the need for job creation, agricultural and tourism development, and the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people. “The embassy can play a pivotal role in providing grants for the agricultural sector,” he declared. He also posited that the embassy can assist in providing scholarships for athletes who are often left by the wayside with no opportunity to progress in their respective sporting disciplines. The team suggested that the areas highlighted and the requests made would demand a lot of resources and would take time to come to fruition, but one of its immediate goals is to have a medical outreach that would benefit residents on a large scale. The Humanitarian Assistance Programme has benefited several communities since its launch in Guyana. Team members have been working in several regions, including Regions Six and Nine. The programme garners funds from the US Embassy and other NGOs around the world, and focuses on developing communities and assisting those of limited means.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Panama raids Mossack Fonseca headquarters

POLICE in Panama have raided the headquarters of the law firm at the centre of a massive data leak. Prosecutors said the operation had been carried out at the offices of Mossack Fonseca in Panama City “without incident or interference”. The leaked “Panama Papers” have shown how some wealthy people use offshore firms to evade tax and avoid sanctions. The firm has denied wrongdoing. It says it is the victim of a hack and that the information is being misrepresented. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela has promised to work with other countries to improve trans-

The raid was carried organised crime unit parency in its offshore financial industry. Police carried out Tues-

out by police and officials from Panama’s day’s raid along with officials from an organised crime unit. Officers set up a

perimeter around the headquarters while prosecutors entered the offices to search

for documents. Afterwards, the attorney general’s office said the aim had been “to obtain documentation linked to the information published in news articles that establish the use of the firm in illicit activities”. The statement added that searches would also take place at subsidiaries of the firm. Panama’s Government promised an investigation soon after news reports emerged more than a week ago based on more than 11 million documents from the firm. The firm tweeted [in Spanish] that it “continues to co-operate with authorities in investigations begin made at

our headquarters”. Many other countries are probing possible financial crimes by the rich and powerful in the aftermath of the leak. Mossack Fonseca partner Ramon Fonseca says the company had been hacked by servers based abroad and has filed a complaint with the Panamanian attorney general’s office. Fonseca served as a minister in Valera’s Government but stepped aside earlier this year after separate allegations linked the firm to the corruption scandal engulfing the Brazilian state oil company Petrobras. (BBC)

UK Minister admits sex worker relationship

CULTURE Secretary John Whittingdale has admitted he had a relationship with an escort but said he did not know her real occupation. He said he ended the relationship as soon as he found out, in February 2014. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it raises questions about his role in press regulation, given some

papers had the story but did not publish it. Whittingdale insisted it had not compromised his job as culture, media and sport secretary, from May 2015. Downing Street said Whittingdale “is a single man entitled to a private life” and had the full confidence of Prime Minister David Cameron.

Whittingdale told BBC Newsnight: “Between August 2013 and February 2014, I had a relationship with someone who I first met through Match.com. “She was a similar age and lived close to me. At no time did she give me any indication of her real occupation and I only discovered this when I was made aware

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that someone was trying to sell a story about me to tabloid newspapers. As soon as I discovered, I ended the relationship. “This is an old story which was a bit embarrassing at the time. The events occurred long before I took up my present position and it has never had any influence on the decisions I have made

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as culture secretary.” Labour shadow Cabinet minister Chris Bryant, who was shadow culture secretary until September last year, said: “It seems the press were quite deliberately holding a sword of Damocles over John Whittingdale. “He has a perfect right to a private life but as soon as he knew this he should have withdrawn from all regulation of the press.” Bryant added that the Prime Minister had promised to fully implement the recommendation of the Leveson Inquiry into press standards, adding: “That’s what he should deliver.” Before taking up the Cab-

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inet post, Whittingdale served as Chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee for a decade. Earlier this month the journalism website Byline reported that Whittingdale had had a relationship with a professional dominatrix and fetish escort. BBC political correspondent Ben Wright says the fact the story stayed out of the press has raised questions about a potential conflict of interest involving the man in charge of media regulation and the motivation of newspapers and broadcasters not to report it. A number of newspapers told Newsnight they did not run the story because it was not in the public interest. However, Brian Cathcart, co-founder of campaign group Hacked Off which wants tougher press regulation, said Whittingdale’s credibility had been damaged. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Double-protest outside President’s Office By Rabindra Rooplall TWO groups of disgruntled individuals on Tuesday protested outside of the Ministry of the Presidency. One group called for the dismissal of Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, while the other called for sanctions to be instituted against Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. Members and supporters of the local NGO Red Thread continued their protest against Minister Lawrence, urging her dismissal for allegedly including accused child molester Winston Harding on the APNU+AFC list of candidates that contested the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE). Even though the coalition had withdrawn support from Harding, he won election in his constituency and is now a councillor at City Hall.

Harding claims the APNU+AFC has not asked him to resign his post, and he therefore has no intention of resigning. This situation has since irked a number of coalition supporters and some NGOs. Minister Lawrence, who was responsible for the APNU+AFC LGE campaign in Georgetown, was asked about the allegations surrounding Harding when she told the Stabroek News: “This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason.” Harding was charged three times for allegedly molesting a minor, but he has never been convicted. Head of the Red Thread organization, Karen De Souza, has decried the minister’s remarks. “I really don’t understand how the Minister of Social Protection, who is also

responsible for childcare and protection, could be saying in any possible way that child abuse and molestation is a family issue. The Sexual Offences Act says that every single report of sexual abuse must be investigated,” De Souza contends. VERY LITTLE De Souza is also saying that very little in terms of policy movement has happened in regard to domestic violence, sexual offences and childcare since Lawrence has become the responsible minister. Other NGOs, such as Help and Shelter, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, ChildLink Inc and Forward Guyana, supported the protest. Responding to questions recently asked on

A section of the protestors stand in front of the Ministry of the Presidency calling for Minister Lawrence to be dismissed (Samuel Maughn photos) ‘The Public Interest’ television programme, President Granger said he had received from Minister Lawrence an explana-

PPP representatives protesting outside the Ministry of the Presidency (Samuel Maughn photos)

Anthony Boyce passes on FORMER City Councillor Anthony Boyce, known as ‘Professor Trini’ or ‘Trini Boy’, who served the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for 22 years, died last Friday subsequent to a period of illness. Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green made

the announcement to the Council at Monday’s statutory meeting. It was the first announcement after the first meeting of the new Council convened at City Hall. Everyone stood for a moment of silence in his honour, as was requested by Mayor Chase-Green. Boyce, 64, entered the

Late Councillor Anthony Boyce

City Council in 1994 under the Good Green Guyana (GGG) Environmental Group that was headed by former Mayor Hamilton Green. He served in that capacity up to the point of Local Government Elections last month. Boyce served on several committees of the Council, including the City Works Committee and the Personnel and Training Committee. Mayor Chase-Green recalled that Boyce was a rather articulate and aggressive City councillor.

tory report on the issue, and has forwarded same to the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). According to the President, any disciplinary action taken against Lawrence will have to come from the party. The simultaneous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) protest held on Tuesday saw picketers chanting: “Respect our votes!” This protest was comprised of PPP representatives from various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), who declared their annoyance with Communities

Minister Ronald Bulkan for appointing the Mabaruma Mayor and chairs of five NDCs. Justice Diana Insanally has granted an interim order quashing the appointment of Henry Smith as Mayor of Mabaruma, as was made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. Smith was sworn in by President David Granger, but will be unable to function in that capacity. PPP Executive Secretary Zulficar Mustapha said the protest was occasioned by Minister Bulkan’s arbitrary decision in naming representatives of those communities and municipality.

Inaccurate media report THE ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) says that contrary to media reports, no discussion regarding a junior Minister of Agriculture took place at its leadership retreat on Sunday, and no such decision was taken. “Further, no decision was taken for the party leader or any other AFC Cabinet member to take any issue of any new appointment in the Ministry of Agriculture to Cabinet or to His Excellency,” the party’s Public Relations Chief, Imran Khan, said in a statement. The statement said that at the retreat there were criticisms raised about how the Wales Estate’s planned closure announcement was handled, and the party’s Vice-Chair, Moses Nagamootoo, advised that the Government should meet and dialogue with the sugar workers.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Breakdown in discipline OUR various leaders are seldom unanimous, but the one thing they may agree upon is that there is generally a serious breakdown of discipline in society. The breakdown manifests itself in numerous ways: parents speak to children in the most vulgar ways, and children emulate that vulgarity. Men demonstrate unabashed disrespect for, and abuse, women in homes, offices, on roadways, in establishments, and so on; resulting in an alarming number of domestic violence cases, untold numbers of domestic and social rapes, and in suicides. The “songs” that befoul our airwaves express every anti-woman and racist sentiment that comes to mind. People drunk as the proverbial fish think nothing of jumping into cars and driving to kill. Even sober, our drivers have little or no consideration for life and limb. Our serious lack of a sense of civic duty and our indiscipline have led to disregard for human life itself. A life is cheaper than a Gy$200 short drop. In such an atmosphere, crime flourishes and simple decency perishes. This has inevitably filtered into the schools. Almost all of our political leaders have, at one time or another, bemoaned this fact, and all have advanced various remedies: “higher” training for our teachers; counsellors in schools; greater and more meaningful parental involvement in the education of children. This is all well-meaning and makes good sense, but we must move beyond well-meaning words and get to effective ACTION! We each, in our very ordinary ways, know that the re-creation of a civic society must begin in schools; that is hardly genius, although some of us say it with the ring of prophecy. We also say that teachers are the ones primarily in charge of bequeathing the future to our children. We knew this even before Christ was sent to us, or Socrates and Lau Tze, for instance. The question is this: HOW do we give our teachers a chance at “higher” training and education? As it now stands, teachers who want to attend our still-pitiful single university battle for time off to attend classes to obtain their degrees. The valid argument is that they cannot be given time off because classrooms would be left without teachers. To leave the classroom bereft of a teacher is to disenfranchise the very children those teachers are meant to teach. But then, if we do not find a way to give them time off for higher education, the children would again be the losers. It is a Catch 22 situation, and it is not as if teachers go to UG for free anyway. Tuition is expensive, and the cost has recently been doubled. What if we have a cadre of retired teachers (we still throw them away when they are 55 years old) who can be paid a modest stipend to hold the classes during prescribed hours when the regular class teachers have to attend UG for “higher” training? Let’s say this happens twice per week for two hours per day. In other places, they call them supply teachers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Temples can encourage Hindus Dear Editor,

THE festival of Holi is over, and Hindus seemed to be quite happy that many non-Hindus participated in the celebrations, although some opined that it was just another religious event that was overshadowed by alcohol and Bollywood-type entertainment. What Hindus ought to share with all mankind is the universal knowledge that is the very foundation of their culture. Our ancestors were the first to inhabit any country in the Western Hemisphere when the first ships landed in British Guiana in 1838. However, a quick comparison with the vibrancy of Hinduism in neighbouring Trinidad and Suriname would show that Hindus of Guyana have a lot of catching-up to do. Indentured servants may not have brought many books when they first came, but there is no reason why the oral method of sharing knowledge should limit the methods of learning today.

--to read more about Hinduism

In 1939, devotees at Windsor Forest imagined that the Vedas were so large that they took a painted donkey cart to pick up the book at the train station. They must have been shocked when Professor Bhaskaranand appeared holding the book in one hand. Every year, current and past presidents attend graduation ceremonies at Saraswati Vidya Niketan at Cornelia Ida, WCD, and praise the success of this Hindu learning institution, its principal and its teachers; yet Hindus seem unwilling to duplicate this success. Organisations in Guyana, and even in North America, seem unable to meet the challenge to operate a private school. While some are in the initial stages, they all appear to be struggling generally, because parents themselves seem not to appreciate the value of cultural education. While we wait for more classrooms, the temples can encourage more Hindus to

read about Hinduism. The Vedic civilization produced the first books -- the Vedas -- the first universities, and some of the greatest minds in the world; yet one would have to look with a microscope to find a library or books in many temples. Not songs, not a CD or a DVD that limits the imagination, but a book that can be read over and over anywhere without the need for electricity or a battery. Many will finance a yagna or sponsor a murti, but few are willing to finance written knowledge, even when devotees worship Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. If the temples do not wish to participate, the enlightened devotee is not prevented from taking the lead at his/her private functions at home or elsewhere. Vedic scholars have produced masterpieces in literature, philosophy, science, history, and every other field of study. These include the writings of Nobel Prize win-

ner Rabindranauth Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Dayananda and Rajagopalachari. In every home, a copy of the Ramayan and the Bhagavad-Gita should be found. The latter was described by Gandhi as a book of Universal Ethics, and by Vivekananda as a bouquet of the beautiful flowers of the spiritual truths, collected from the Vedas and the Upanishads. Once it is realised that these are the best gifts for family and friends, the demand would quickly lead to establishment of specialised book stores, libraries, and hopefully more private Hindu schools which would be open to everyone wishing to find answers to mankind’s enduring questions -- answers that are still relevant to modern technological societies. Yours sincerely, RAMNARINE SAHADEO

Excellent psy-ops by Baishanlin Dear Editor, MY career as an illustrator depends upon having a good working understanding of body language when it comes to the expressions of human and other animals. Take a second look at Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on the front page of last Sunday’s Kaieteur News in the company of the Baishanlin officials: Were I the photographer, he would have had to give me

a collaborative smile, raise his posture, remove his dark shades, and express elation. Or was he aware -- I hope -- that he was entangled by the entrapments snares and such methods used in commerce by the Chinese, which Glen Lall of Kaieteur News had written about some time ago? China conducts business in the spirit of the ‘Art of War’, using methods they helped the Koreans develop in that 1950s’ conflict. If you are not

At the same time, we may encourage teachers to read for degrees in Psychology, although we have no idea whether UG offers any such thing, and we do not know the quality of that degree, even if they have it. Many people who have degrees in Social Work happen into schools. A degree in Social Work, as is now structured at UG, does not amount to a degree in Psychology. Doing one or two courses in Psychology does not a basic psychologist make. And if the university administration had any kind of thought, expertise or imagination, they would find a way to shrink the degree time from the old four-year thing to between two and three years.

honed by mechanisms and an opposing character of your own, then you will be found wanting. I am already seeing publications that hint to the administration addressing the total depressive situation of the Minister of State. We out here are paranoid over any indication of PPP-type conduct, bringing me to the point of asking what is the volume of the compromise enacted by Baishanlin over the much-more-simplistic PPP?

To the friends of Mr Harmon: I and many others have spent the better part of the last 22 years refuting lies published through the media, using our media space. You don’t picket the Kaieteur News because it has published a picture you don’t like. If it’s libel, then sue. If not, compete, as I’m doing now. Yours sincerely, BARRINGTON BRAITHWAITE

This is also not new -- a great many good universities around the world have been doing it since the 1980s. One entire semester can be cut from the degree programme if we use active case files drawn from work done, or research done with actual children. Since this is (or ought to be) an area of NATIONAL priority, we could offer partial scholarships for those who enroll in Psychology. While this capacity-building is being done, some of our “experts” could identify teachers who have a natural gift for counselling. Let us give these counsellors (new and current) a small private space where they may speak with our at-risk children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Maybe Harmon made the right call Dear Editor, BINGO! Now we k n o w, a s I h a d s u s pected, that the reason for the venom targeted against Minister Harmon was, according to Stabroek News of April 11, 2016: “The concentrations of various powers in Minister Joe Harmon was last night cited by the Alliance For Change (AFC) as the key reason for difficulties t h a t h a v e f l a re d u p a ro u n d t h e g o v e r n ment, and it plans to raise it at Cabinet as a matter of ‘national importance’.” In reality, the AFC is proposing that the business of governance (actions on the forensic audits, jobs, health, education, infrastructure works etc.), which would bring relief to the people who elected this coalition, must be set at the back-burner to address the reconfiguration of power. What an obsession!

I am persuaded to quote President L.F.S. Burnham on the question of the coalition: “Consensus is something you have if you cannot have agreement.” What was true in 1963 as the “Sandys Solution” -- from British Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys about proportional representation between the PNC+UF -- is as true today with the APNU+AFC coalition. What does the AFC think about representation of the mass number of APNU supporters who delivered the votes on May 11, 2015? Is the AFC proposing that Minister Harmon’s portfolio be redistributed? If so, to whom? Is the AFC changing the 60-40 formula? Burnham knew that the challenge of consensus-building is a haunting and daunting task, as core principles of trust, integrity, leverage, and expectations wear thin. After witnessing the media blitz against Minis-

ter Joe Harmon on alleged corruption (of which there is so far no hard evidence), reputable forensic auditors and letter writers are calling for his removal on grounds of his association with BK, and Bai Shan Lin on that “secret mission” to China. The Government and the veterans in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have known that diplomatic protocol dictates that he should not have travelled on the same aircraft with the Bai Shan Lin delegation, since we have so many outstanding matters of national importance to resolve. More so, we should not appear to be weak and compromising, even though we are aware that China is the superpower with the greatest investments in Latin America and the Caribbean in recent times. The urgent embrace of BK also raises red flags, but we do not fully know the Government’s motive; his sizeable campaign donation seems to be partly

the basis of the relationship. However, while I hold no brief for Harmon, I would recall the concept of Realpolitik, or Political Realism, best demonstrated by the United States, the #1 superpower, in the Iran Contra Affair, in which alliances of convenience were formed to meet specific short-term objectives. So one-time military dictator and drug trafficker Manuel Noriega of Panama worked closely with the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) “as one of the primary conduits for illicit weapons, military equipment, and cash destined for US-backed counter-insurgence forces throughout Central and South America”. The United States accomplished its objectives. For those who are bent on castigating Harmon, permit me to give the public some more information about the halls of power: Ministers, Heads of Departments, and Di-

rectors are all advisors to the President. The Ministry of the Presidency may (not) have considered the optics of seizing Bai Shan Lin’s vehicles at the same time when a GoG delegation was headed to China. Which activity is in the greater long-term interest of Guyana? Should we prioritize our diplomatic relationship focusing on the benefits of China’s investments, or the shortterm repossession of assets? Isn’t it more prudent and profitable to later re-assess and/or renegotiate the more shady deals of the past Government with Chinese companies and their affiliates? I would urge every Guyanese to view President Obama’s YouTube video -- on his town hall meeting last year in Jamaica -- on the question of foreign investments, American and Chinese included, in Latin America and the Caribbean. We must be more strategic in the way we conduct business and foreign in-

vestments. As shocking as it may sound, maybe Minister Harmon made the right call, but lacked finesse. Finally, Cabinet decisions are meant to be confidential, and then issued by memorandum for action by the various officials and departments. Who would have leaked Harmon’s call, and why? Who would have passed on the picture to the media, and why? Is there a more sinister plan to remove or weaken the President’s team or the Presidency? Is it to give President Granger a basket to fetch water? It is my conviction that the AFC cannot be both government and government critic at the same time. They can’t have it both ways! With great excitement, I await news of the next Cabinet meeting, to see the cards of the Coalition. Yours sincerely, MAX WALLERSON

Serious violation of Harding’s rights to a fair trial Dear Sir, THE unexpected and shocking dismissal of charges -- on March 29, 2016 -- against Devin Singh and Roselle Tilbury Douglas, who were accused of assault causing actual bodily harm and of common assault by Devin Singh on Colwyn Harding, was a serious violation of the right of Colwyn Harding to a fair trial. The Magistrate dismissed the case even though the prosecution had not completed its presentation of evidence against accused police officers Singh and Tilbury Douglas; and de-

fence lawyers also had not completed cross-examining Colwyn Harding. As such, Colwyn Harding has been denied his right to have his case fully prosecuted according to the law. According to reports, Magistrate Daly ruled in favour of the defence lawyers’ submission regarding dismissing the charges against the accused police officers due to the repeated absence of special prosecutor Nigel Hughes and the plaintiff Colwyn Harding. Reports have confirmed, however, that Colwyn Harding had not been absent from court on more than two occasions, and

on the day of Magistrate Daly’s dismissal, neither Colwyn Harding nor his family was aware that the case was being called, until the morning of the said day, March 29, when the appointed state prosecutor informed Colwyn Harding to attend court, and said he would be sending a representative in his place to request another court date, as he was unable to be present. The important issue to bear in mind is that this case was not for a minor infraction, but for brutal and life-threatening injuries consistent with cruel and inhuman punishment, as set out in the UN Charter and Convention against

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by accused police constables Devin Singh and Roselle Tilbury Douglas. Additionally, what kind of justice system operates in Guyana when a complainant is penalised and denied his right to a fair trial because of prosecutorial delays over which he had no control? Surely there are other options available for appropriate sanctions to be instituted for court delays, without jeopardising the human rights of a complainant for fair trial? It is not as if the accused police constables were on

remand and were locked up at the Camp Street Prison. We hope that Magistrate Daly’s dismissal of Colwyn Harding’s case was not unduly influenced by the need to address the sloth in Guyana’s court system as a result of the recent unfortunate deaths of 17 prisoners. In closing, we call on the DPP and the Guyana Police Force to explain why charges of rape, as set out in the Sexual Offences Act 2010, have not been instituted against Devin Singh, who has been identified as sexually abusing Colwyn Harding using a condom-cov-

ered baton. We also call on the DPP, if this has not already been done, to appeal Magistrate D a l y ’s d i s m i s s a l o f charges against police constables Devin Singh and Roselle Tilibury Douglas. JOY MARCUS NORWELL HINDS SUZETTE FORTUNE CHARLENE WILKINSON DANUTA RADZIK MELLISA IFILL ELTON MCRAE for Colwyn Harding Support Group

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

The EPA: Recent oil spills and prospective ones By Akola Thompson THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, over the years, been no stranger to criticism. Most of these criticisms over their inadequacies are, more often than not, rightfully earned as this agency continuously fails to uphold its own mandate. We saw another instance of the EPA’s failings recently in the case of the ‘inadvertent’ oil spill caused by Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. Kiln 14. Quite naturally, the spill contaminated sections of the Demerara River and severely affected households in the area, especially those who depend on the water for their farming. Persons were reported in the media as saying that this is by no means the first instance of an oil spill in their area, and they are always the ones who lose out, as they are never compensated for their losses. Meanwhile, while these residents continue to suffer due to Bosai’s constant failings, the EPA is still “determining the penalties to be issued against the company.” Bosai has, over the years, breached many environmental regulations, with seemingly no or very little interference or penalties from the EPA. It can be argued that the EPA’s inability to properly sanction them is the reason why Bosai’s breaches, inadvertent or not, continue,

and are dealt with casually. It is for this reason that I am a bit worried about our lately discovered oil wealth by the oil giant ExxonMobil. As a country with a relatively poor GDP per capita of around $8000 annually, oil will surely put us on the path of becoming a developed nation. However, one needs to consider the possible environmental dangers which usually come hand in hand with oil. The current Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, in his 2012 budget speech, had commented upon the EPA and its inability to manage an oil spill in the event of one occurring. He commented upon this because, at the time, the EPA could not even properly manage the Bosai dust generation problem in Linden. He further made calls for the agency to be upgraded, to ensure that it would be capable of dealing with such issues when they arrive. Oil spills have begun, although they are small ones at the moment; and the EPA, as Dr Roopnaraine predicted, is not capable of managing them. One should keep in mind that Bosai is a relatively small company compared to ExxonMobil, and their transgressions have been far less. As a general principle, I view with slight suspicion anyone who does not believe in climate change, given that Exxon has, over the years, funded climate

change denials despite being aware of the connection between “the burning of fossil fuels and climate change”. I believe it is only right for us to view them with strong suspicion, especially given that we promote ourselves as a green economy. Aside from funding climate change denials, Exxon, over the years, has had several major oil spills, caused by ruptured pipelines, and those have caused lasting effects on the ecosystems. Exxon has even been accused of abusing human rights in Indonesia, not to mention that it was responsible for one of the largest oil spills in the United States of America after the ship’s hull was torn and 11 million gallons of oil were released into the environment. Up to this day, oil still remains in the areas where it has been spilt; and plant, land and marine life are still being affected. Now, I am all for second chances, maybe even third or fourth ones; but Exxon seems to have a troubling pattern of destroying the environment in places

where they operate. That reality, matched with the fact that the EPA currently does not have the capacity to enforce environmental regulations in the oil and gas sector nor monitor compliance with environmental regulations of the state, spells disaster for country. In the interest of fairness, I should mention I was made aware that Exxon would soon be holding workshops and assisting with training for the EPA. This effort must be applauded, but the question must be asked: What substantive measures are being put in place to ensure that Exxon is compliant with our environmental regulations? It has been about a year since the announcement of an oil find was made, but so far not much seems to be done to expand upon our capacity to protect our people or our country. The EPA still seems to be in that state of disinterest it was in several years ago, and while I understand the Government is ‘new’ and needs time, that argument is quickly losing its validity.

King issues ultimatum to Industrial Site businesspersons ––says Council will cut and dispose of trailers, containers if not removed TOWN CLERK Royston King has given business owners in Industrial Site, Georgetown a 48-hour ultimatum to remove their trailers and containers, which are badly parked in the area, or have them cut up and removed by the City Council. “The Council is concerned about the

materials in manageable sizes and removing them to our incinerator compound on Princes Street,” he disclosed. He explained that there is a piece of land in the same area, known as the ‘Island,’ that is owned by the Council but that has been illegally fenced off by the business owners.

Containers badly parked at Industrial Site, Georgetown careless parking of trailers and containers in the Industrial Site area, which is in close proximity to our daycare center,” King told the Guyana Chronicle. The trailers and containers are parked in a manner that is dangerous to life and limb, he pointed out. The City Council has already issued warnings to the business owners. “The Town Clerk is moving within another 48 hours, with the appropriate tools, to begin cutting those trailers, containers and other

This land is intended for the beautification of the area, King noted. He also expressed concern that the frequent movement of the trailers destroys the roads, causing depression, which in turn leads to accumulation of water and other environmental issues. King said the trailers also give off radioactive emissions which are not healthy to those children and parents of the daycare, as well as all others who are in the area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

$15M upgrade for Fort Ordnance Primary ––school to be used as emergency shelter THE Government of Canada is providing Cdn$99,023(G$15,088,500) to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to retrofit and equip the Fort Ordnance Primary School in East Berbice, so it can be used as an emergency shelter for flood affected residents. This announcement was made on Tuesday when CDC Director General, Colonel Chabilal Ramsarup (Retd) and High Commissioner of Canada, Pierre Giroux, visited the Fort Ordnance Primary School to launch the Canada-funded project termed “Enhancement of Emergency Shelter Capacity to Mitigate Flood Risk in Ordnance Fortlands”. Fort Ordnance, in Region Six, is home to over seven

hundred persons, and is frequently impacted by excessive flooding from rainfall and high tide. Most persons within the community are self-employed, and thus suffer significant losses in goods they may have stored in their homes during the period of flooding. Employees within the community are restricted from coming out of their homes to attend work during flooding. Children are particularly affected, because the school compounds are flooded, preventing access into the schools. With support from the Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Fund, the Fort Ordnance Primary School compound will be raised; the current sanitary block will be

expanded to include additional toilets and baths; additional gutters and drains will be installed; the walkway will be expanded to accommodate vehicles, and the bridge leading to the school will be reinforced. Equipment, including a refrigerator, microwaves, stoves, sinks and counters, will be installed at the school, to be utilised for feeding purposes when the shelter is activated. The project would also support the development of a protocol for the activation and management of the shelter, and the training of a shelter management committee. This is a good example of a community, with support from the CDC, coming together to strengthen its readiness

High Commissioner Giroux poses with the Fort Ordnance Primary School Head Teacher; CDC Director General, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup (ret’d), and parents of some of the students

City committees installed THE various committees of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) were on Monday put in place at the first statutory meeting of the new Council. Town Clerk Royston King proposed the names of several new committees that will cater for the environment, parks, recreational facilities and transportation, women’s health and the family, and the homeless and destitute. The Terms of Reference, relative to these new areas, will however first have to be prepared so that they can be reviewed by councillors. A motion was moved for each committee to comprise seven persons and the chairpersons for each will be identified at the level of the committee. For the City Works’ Committee, those nominated were Phillip Smith, Carolyn Caesar, Gregory Fraser, Alfred Mentore, Lionel Jaikarran, Akeem Peters and Lyndon Hilliman. Those on the Social Development Committee are Monica Thomas, Tameshwar Budhoo, Linda Gomes-Haley, Sherod Duncan, Sophia Whyte, Desiree Liverpool,

and Malcolm Ferreira. The Information Technology Committee is now made up of Akeem Peters, Malcolm Ferreira, Sherod Duncan, James Samuels, Linda Gomes-Haley, Salima

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green Bacchus-Hinds and Tameshwar Budhoo. Councillors nominated Bishram Kuppen, Andrea Marks, Sherod Duncan, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, Welton Clarke, Carlyle Goring, and Yvonne Ferguson to serve on the Legal Affairs Security Committee. The Markets’ Public Health Committee now has

serving on it Lionel Jaikarran, Sherod Duncan, Bishram Kuppen, Trichria Richards, Malcolm Ferreira, Andrea Marks, and Yvonne Ferguson. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen, Junior Garrett, Tameshwar Budhoo, Carlyle Goring, Carolyn Caesar, Oscar Clarke and Akeem Peters are the new names on the International Relations Committee. The Investment and Development Committee is made up of Junior Garrett, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, James Samuels, Phillip Smith, Trichria Richards, Ivelaw Henry and Bishram Kuppen. Malcolm Ferreira, Monica Thomas, Welton Clarke, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, Oscar Clarke, Tameshwar Budhoo, and Noelle Chow-Chee are the names nominated on the Human Resources Management Committee. Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan is now the M&CC’s representative on the Central Housing and Planning Authority Board, while Councillor Phillip Smith, also a member of the City Works Committee, is the Council’s representative on the Fire Advisory Board.

to respond to natural disasters and climate change. The Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Fund is part of Canada’s Cdn$600 million Caribbean Regional Programme. The Fund is designed to support non-governmental organisations, community groups, and government agencies within Caricom in

carrying out small-scale community projects to reduce the risks from the many natural hazards affecting the region -- such as floods, droughts, storms, and hurricanes. In addition to the CDC, the Government of Canada, through the Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Fund, is supporting the

Wowetta Women’s Group and the Kanuku Mountains Community Representative Group to increase the resilience of North and Central Rupununi against droughts. This has been done particularly through the establishment of two modern cassava processing and farine storage facilities.

Surviving cancer

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

–and other potholes in Guyana IN THE time that it takes one to book a flight, pack a suitcase (if you’re organized of course :) and board a plane to a vacation spot, I was already there. Waking up from an unknown journey to a an even more unknown destination, my eyes slowly adjusted from the nothingness that existed just a few hours before to the stark white lights of the recovery room I had just been wheeled into. Immediately I looked down at my body, I knew what I was waking up from and what was I waking up to? I felt nothing on my upper right side, even my arm was numb. The horror movie was real. I had become a mummy. The right side of my chest was swathed in white. White gauze, white cotton. I prodded at the bandage, nothing moved, I felt nothing. It was as if the right side of my chest and my right arm were divorced from my body. Yes! I rejoiced in my mind, I definitely lucked out on the good drugs - this local anaesthesia stuff was the bomb. As I floated off on the morphine family tree, the sound of someone in pain threatened my impending nirvana. A few feet across from me, a male patient not much older than myself from the way he looked writhing around in agony. He had just had steel put into his legs following an accident. ‘Why wasn’t he given the same stuff I was?’, I wondered, of course not considering at the time what it must mean to have metal inserted into your flesh. Cringe much? I didn’t have time to, all the feel good medicine was making me hazy but I vaguely remember telling a nurse that I was good and wanted to go to my room, eventually I got there. I remember seeing my parents in my hospital room when I woke up again or was it when I opened my eyes? It was hard to tell, I was in and out of many realities before I settled on the present. Upon hearing I was out of surgery and well, my grandmother comforted herself by mentally preparing all the different kinds of curry she would make for me. Yes, I love curry. Curry everything! but I was ordered to spend a curry free night in the Kingston hospital. Lucky for me, my best friend managed to shuffle a television into my already paid for (non working) television room and kept my company for the night, though to be honest I fell asleep before the TV was even turned on. I passed the night relatively well, I was still hooked up to an intravenous saline which meant I had to move in and out of the toilet whilst wheeling my refreshments along. The surgical team visited me very early the next morning. My surgeon informed me that I had lost more tissue than we had discussed due to the nature of what they saw when they removed my tumour. I wasn’t fazed. “So you got it all then?” I asked. Pause. “From what we saw I would say we got most of it,” my surgeon responded. Oh great! Was all I could think – the whole point was getting rid of that monster – never once did I think it was cancerous. Then the blow “I’m sorry but from what we saw..and in my experience”, my surgeon went on “I would say the tumour was at a grade three, it doesn’t look great but I believe we managed to get all of it, the biopsy results will confirm whether it has spread to your body but we also re-

moved some of the affected lymph nodes- so it may be in your lymphatic system.” Suddenly there was a dementor sucking all the life out of my room like a vacuum. I looked at the doctor, he was just mouthing words now. I couldn’t hear anymore. My ears rang as though they had been exposed to some serious soca all night. I looked around the room at the medical team, my eyes fixated on a young female doctor- she was crying. I was not. And I would not. But as soon as they all left the room and my best friend came back in I did. I cried for about thirty minutes that day. I would go on to cry a little bit less every day after that until I decided to accept what I could not change. As it turned out, I discovered the surgeon’s premature diagnosis wasn’t the only thing I couldn’t change. I couldn’t change the fact that after two days in this private Kingston hospital there was no soap or toilet paper in my room, luckily I had brought my own toiletries but a broken TV and no bath supplies warranted a better explanation than “ its on its way with the next nurse”. Sure, I can see the nurse wheeling a new tv in- because that’s what they do right? No TV, no toilet paper, no soap, no towels? Ok cool No food? Wtf? “How can there be no food?” I asked the nurse when she brought tea in for me after the surgical team had left and way after my 30 minute crying spree. Cancer? Ok, I can work around that but tea for breakfast? Like an entire meal comprising of just tea? No way this was happening. The nurse insisted that my doctor ordered no food for me but yet when he visited with me a few hours earlier he mentioned somewhere in the ‘you might have cancer’ conversation that there would be breakfast. I wasn’t taking this nurse at her word where my belly was involved. I called my doctor’s cell, it took him less than two minutes to confirm that I should be having a solid breakfast, he was pretty upset and told the nurse to check the chart he left. Ten minutes and a million hunger pangs later she apologized for the chart not being checked for the morning. That’s crazy, how does one forget to check the doctors’ patient charts? The funny thing is breakfast never did come, nor did lunch. My family and two friends brought me lunch before the hospital did. The hospital’s idea of lunch? Breakfast apparently! Because I got four mashed up looking cheese sandwiches. What I found extremely interesting about the meal debacle was the fact that I filled up a very detailed meal chart highlighting what I was allergic to and what I wouldn’t eat, example milk, and yet my tea was all milk and no tea. As my parents checked me out of the hospital, I was made to wait in my wheel chair for no less than forty minutes in the lounge of the ‘new’ south wing while the staff checked off my prescriptions. For someone going through surgery recovery the wheelchair wait was painfully unnecessary. Perhaps someone from the board of the aforementioned private Kingston Hospital – (where my only complaints are only administrative – has reviewed the evaluation slip I filled out upon leaving. It is my hope that this hospital may be truly sanctified again.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Bartica ready for township status THE budding community of Bartica will, on April 23, 2016, officially be declared a town, as the Government fulfils a 179-year Ordinance made by the then British Government. The Ordinance was made on April 23, 1837. As such, this is set to be an immensely historic occasion. With its first Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Council, its highly anticipated status of township and unsurprisingly renewed political will, Bartica is set to be modelled as a town to be emulated by all others. Under the guidance of President Granger, the town will be transformed to reflect a “green, clean and pristine” municipal-

One of the bins provided by the Government has been placed outside of the Bartica Hospital ity. This welcome transformation will go hand in hand with the administrative and other changes occurring there. Bartica will be the capital centre of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and its development will be driven through green, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly initiatives. This is the vision of President David Granger, and he intends to implement this vision in all the towns across Guyana. Bartica will be the flagship of this new development thrust. ‘Going green’ involves reduction and subsequent discontinuation of the use of fossil fuels, and the adoption of clean renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydropower. It also entails a comprehensive solid waste disposal system, minimising the use of Styrofoam and plastics, planting of

trees and mangroves, and clean potable water sources, among other initiatives. Most of all, focus must be placed on implementing a change in the culture of the residents, which will bring about a renewed sense of responsibility for maintaining a clean environment. Newly-appointed Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, has targeted giving Bartica its needed face-lift, which began last year under the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which he headed prior to the Local Government Elections (LGE). Parapets and drains have been cleaned, and monuments and parks have been restored with the assistance of corporate citizens, including the management of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). “Bartica was a forgotten place. This is the first time we have a President who places Bartica first; the first time we have a President who visits Bartica so often…. We are working very hard, the citizens are very receptive to the change; and we can look forward to a clean, green and pristine Bartica in the near future,” Mayor Gifford Marshall has said. WASTE DISPOSAL Among the major challenges in the overall cleanliness of the small town, and the region as a whole, is waste disposal. Marshall admits that some residents in Bartica are very delinquent in the way they dispose of their garbage. He said that systems can and will be implemented, but systems will prove ineffective if residents refuse to change their mindsets. “We have to get individuals to understand that they cannot continue to dispose (of) their garbage on the parapets, and burn it right there. They need to understand that they cannot take (their) garbage into the alleyways and leave it there. We need a mindset change, and we have a campaign to launch against it, but it remains a major crisis (for) us,” the Mayor has said. He noted that persons who ply their trade rearing cattle and other animals need to understand that the old practice of leaving their dead animals on the sides of the roadways or in streets, to be removed at the expense of the Council, will no longer be tolerated. As part of the thrust for a cleaner, greener Bartica, the town has received from the Government a compactor truck, two excavators, and a number of garbage bins to aid the efforts of the Town Council. Additionally, residents are provided with garbage bins free of cost, all in an effort to curb the garbage problem and beautify the environment. The Council is currently working with the Government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the regional authorities to identify an appropriate area for a waste disposal site; but this is also a challenge, since Bartica is essentially surrounded by water and has several streams and hills. Nevertheless, once a proper dump site has been established and a garbage collection system schedule is developed, residents can expect even more noticeable changes

in Bartica and its environs. ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR LITTERING The new Mayor has said that during the initial township phase, the Council will be lenient and choose suitable means of education and awareness of proper garbage disposal practices. In due course, more serious steps will be taken to ensure that cleanliness of the town is maintained and the effort is worthy of being emulated.

New drains are being constructed along the roadways “Laws will need to be enforced. Bartica is a small place, and it is interesting to see sometimes what sections of the business community do with their garbage… “Why would you live in Bartica and think that you can wash a front-end loader on Third Avenue Beach? People swim there!” Marshall has said. “That is our prime regatta hot spot. Why would you take your personal garbage, as a businessman, and go to a section of First Avenue and See page 12

Wednesday April 13th, 2016 - 09:30 hrs Thursday April 14th, 2016 - 10:30 hrs Friday April 15th, 2016 - 12:00 hrs

A gazebo at Third Avenue Beach was refurbished with assistance from the private sector in Bartica

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Bartica ready for township ... From page 11

Land clearing and land filling works are ongoing

President David Granger is watering the tree he planted in Bartica on National Tree Planting Day, when he called for a ‘green revolution’

dispose of it there? So there will come a time when we will have to start charging some of these people,” he reasoned. In terms of sustainability, Marshall said the new Council intends to adopt a proactive approach to its work, whereby unclogging of drains, cleaning of parapets and open spaces, renovation of facilities, and the general beautification of the community will be done on a continuous basis, rather than allow the complete deterioration and overgrowth of bushes before commencing work. The Mayor is of the view that a change

in the attitude of the people is key to maintaining the beauty of the new town. “Once citizens understand their responsibility in keeping the environment clean, and practise proper waste disposal, we will be on the right course, and we will have about 60 per cent of our work cut out,” he said. The Council will embark on a major infrastructural overhaul to ensure that its road networks, municipal market, bridges, airport and other public facilities are of a standard that is beneficial to Guyana’s first “green, clean and pristine” town. (Ministry of the Presidency feature)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Voice of the street William Samuel Bremner

By Akola Thompson GIVING up the idea of having a comfortable life overseas, as he always ended up in trouble, William Samuel Bremner decided that he would try his luck back home in Guyana. Learning, upon his return, that his mother had returned from Canada for a few months’ stay, Samuel decided to return to the home from which he had escaped at the age of 12. Despite no longer being afraid of his stepfather, Samuel related, there was a sense of unease in going back to the house, but the urge to see his mother was stronger. “The door was open, so I just went in,” he said. “My brother was the first to see me, but he didn’t recognise me, and asked me who I was.” When he realised it was his long lost brother, whom they had thought had died, there were shouts of excitement and gestures as Samuel was taken to his mother’s waiting arms. “She was just crying all the time,” he laughed, “and I ask her: ‘lady, wa you crying so for?’ But it was because she think I had died.” Asked if he had felt a

sense of betrayal that his mother was still with someone whom she presumed had caused the death of her son, Samuel said no. “They were still together yes, but they weren’t really together, she just stayed because,” he said. Knowing that he could not stay in the home because of the still strained relationship with his stepfather, Samuel opted to stay in hotels during the first few nights, despite his mother’s protestations. With his funds quickly dwindling, however, and with an ardent desire to never return to a life of crime, Samuel managed to secure a job as a buffet manager at the Pegasus hotel. According to Samuel, there was one woman there who was not quite fond of him, as she had wanted the position of buffet manager. So, one day, upon hearing him converse with a visitor in a foreign tongue, she told one of the managers that he was being disrespectful to guests. The manager summoned Samuel upon receiving the complaint, and proceeded to berate him. Samuel, feeling targeted, walked off the job and never returned. Once again in the job market, Samuel, upon the advice and recommendation

Part 3

of a friend, began working at a local mining company in the interior. However, the mining company had an ongoing disagreement with the Government over the amount of royalty to be paid, and its operations were eventually halted when it had just a couple more days of work in order to secure a significant gold find, which was later discovered by foreign miners. With the little money he had saved up, Samuel decided that, instead of working for others, he would work for himself; and so he began hunting for prospective mine claims he could purchase. Eventually, two men whom he would occasionally see around Essequibo approached him and told him that they had two mining claims to sell. “They showed me some samples and I thought it was good, but it was really my fault what they did; I was gullible,” he said, seemingly still in despair. Investing all his money, Samuel bought the claims from the men, only to realize that the land was not valuable and that they had showed him false samples. “I was bitter for a very long time over that,” said Samuel. “I was trying to make myself and other people de-

William Samuel Bremner cided they would break me.” From then on, Samuel would do odd jobs so as to keep himself clothed, housed and fed, but the anger over the worthless claims never dissipated. It was one year later

when, by pure chance, Samuel saw one of the men who had wronged him. “I went up to him,” he said, “and I asked him to give me one good reason why he had done what he did; an you know what he tell me? He tell me to go f**k myself. That was the mistake he made.” In a sudden fit of anger, Samuel said, he stabbed the man 16 times about his torso, and immediately thereafter walked to the nearest police station and turned himself in, as he believed he had killed the man. He would later learn that the man had not died, but he was charged with attempted murder and put away for close to seven years. At the end of his sentence, Samuel came out of the penitentiary a changed man. For

better or worse, prison had changed the way he thought and interacted with people. With no money, no possessions, and nowhere to go, Samuel once again found himself at the back of Stabroek Market, from whence he had run away when he was 12. “That was the point at which I really began living on the road,” he explained. He recognised many of the men with whom he used to play when they were children. “We had all grown up,” he said. “Who weren’t thieves were murderers or rapists.” Believing himself to be a failure in life, Samuel related, depression, for the first time, set in on him, causing him to go down a path from which he has still not returned.

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Driver accused of assaulting cop

A BUS DRIVER appeared before City Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday charged with unlawful assault of a police traffic officer. Terrence Park, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to him. It was alleged that on Friday, April 8 at Commerce Street, Lacy-

town, Georgetown, Park unlawfully assaulted Police Constable Critchlow, who was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station Traffic Department. Police also claim that on the same day, he resisted arrest by Critchlow. According to the charge, Park- a driver of a route 44 minibus - was caught allegedly soliciting passengers on the bus park. When the traffic

rank approached and tried to arrest him, Park resisted and held onto the officer’s waist in attempt to fight him off. A large crowd gathered to witness the brawl. The officer called for backup and was able to restrain his attacker. The defendant was granted $10,000 bail and ordered to return to court on May 9 for the commencement of trial.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Admits stealing aunt’s gold bracelet CITY MAGISTRATE Dylon Bess yesterday released a 20-year-old woman on self-bail after she appeared before him, charged with stealing her aunt’s $100,000 gold bracelet. Celeina Doodnauth is accused of stealing Davie Persaud’s bracelet between April 3 and 4 at their Ruimveldt home. She denied the allegation. According to the charge, on April 3, Persaud hid the gold bracelet inside her mattress and left the home. The next day the virtual complainant made checks for her jewellery and discovered that it was missing. The matter was reported to the police and Doodnauth was arrested. The young woman admitted that she had stolen her aunt’s bracelet. The prosecutor did not object to bail being granted and Doodnauth will return to court on May 9.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

City Hall phasing out paper work

MOVES are afoot to upgrade the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) electronically so that the municipality can eventually phase out being a “paper-based” organisation, said Town Clerk Royston King. Speaking with the Chronicle on the sidelines of the M&CC’s first statutory meeting since the installation of the new Council, King said the intention is to have the Council’s Information Technology (IT) systems upgraded so that information can be disseminated to councillors. He disclosed that shortly, more will be heard of the online posting of rates and taxes for the benefit of citizens who wish to access

such information online. The municipality is currently in talks with Mobile Money,

Town Clerk Royston King he said. Meanwhile, acting head

of City Hall’s IT Department, Adunni Christian, reported at the statutory meeting on Monday that an email address was prepared for each councillor so as to be used to communicate with the various constituents, as well as to receive official documents from the municipality. Christian was appointed acting head of the department ever since the services of its former head, Waynewright Orderson, was terminated by the City Council, King clarified. An official at City Hall had told this newspaper recently that the IT Department had to undergo some amount of investigation. It was noted that despite millions of dollars being

pumped into this department the quality of work coming out of it leaves much to be desired. “The department has not been functioning to the maximum. In 2016 though, it will be equipped with the right people,” the source proffered.

Orderson had, for many years, been heading that department. Citizens should have long been able to access their rates and taxes’ records online, but even this is yet to be done, the source pointed out. “The situation is so bad that if a cashier is using the

computer, no one else can go online at the same time.” The source said the IT Department has, in the past, been recipient of countless monetary and other grants, but questions about where all of the money goes are often left unanswered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Scott advises RUSAL to respect the laws

JUNIOR SOCIAL Protection Minister Keith Scott is seeking an amicable resolution in arbitration between Russian-owned Bauxite Company Guyana Inc (Rusal) and its workers. In a meeting with RUSAL officials Tuesday at the Ministry of Social Protection, Brickdam, Minister Scott said he expected the management of RUSAL to

respect the laws of Guyana. Present at the meeting were RUSAL officials: Manager Igor Tolpykin and V. Premyakov. Scott said since 2009 to the present time there had been trade union issues, for which there is now need for a recommitment to discussions with recognized trade unions since Article 147 gives Guyanese the right to be a part of any union of

their choice. The Minister handed over copies of the Trade Union Act and other applicable laws that were needed to be respected while executing operations in Guyana. Workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), a subsidiary of RUSAL, have complained about what they described as a “slave

Social Protection Minister Keith Scott flanked by RUSAL officials like” existence at the company’s viously called on Government tions. Several former emAroaima, Region 10 location to intervene in the operations ployees of the company, who were among 57 persons disand have called on the govern- of the company. ment to ensure that the counThe GTUC has for years missed by RUSAL in 2009, try’s labour laws are respected. been accusing the Russian called on the Government The Guyana Trades Union bauxite company of disre- to address their concerns Congress (GTUC) head, Lin- gard for its employees, in- and examine the operations coln Lewis, along with dis- cluding subjecting them to of the entity, including its missed former employees pre- working in unsafe condi- labour practices.

Hospital patient relieved of gold chain A GEORGETOWN Public Hospital porter was yesterday released on $20,000 bail by City Magistrate Dylon Bess for stealing a gold chain from a patient. Louis Benjamin of 76-79 Sophia, Cummings Park, Greater Georgetown denied that on March 23 at the hospital compound he stole a $120,000 gold chain from the person of Dellon Farley. According to the charge Farley was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was taken to the hospital to seek medical atten-

tion. The accused was one of the porters who assisted Farley in the hospital compound. Benjamin is alleged to have taken the chain from around the victim’s neck but Farley raised an alarm before the man could have escaped. The accused was arrested by the police. Eyewitnesses told the ranks that they had seen the porter remove the gold chain. Magistrate Bess granted the accused bail and ordered him to return to court on May 9.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

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Captured jaguar relocated THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has safely relocated to Hyde Park Animal Sanctuary at Land of Caanan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), a jaguar which was captured at Lake Capoey, Essequibo Coast. The EPA, in a statement issued yesterday, noted that on Thursday, March 24, 2016, it received news that a male jaguar had been caught in a trap set by residents of Lake Capoey. An officer from the agency and a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources promptly visited the community to verify the news and to ensure the safety of the jaguar. The EPA then arranged with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) to have the jaguar safely transport to Georgetown, where it has been relocated. Accompanied by a veterinarian, the team travelled to the Lake Capoey community on April 5, secured the jaguar, and transported it to the capital city. The EPA has disclosed that the number of jaguars entering Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) communities and attacking livestock has been increasing, primarily because the felines are in search of food. Given that Region Two has been experiencing long dry spells which might have forced regular prey to move closer to water sources, the EPA noted, the felines’ search for food has become more difficult. As such, jaguars may enter communities and stumble upon “easy” food in the form of domestic animals that are available there. “However, though the quest for food is often the primary reason for jaguars ‘trespassing’ onto human space, old age or injury has also been known to cause these cats to encroach into villages. When older animals can no longer hunt agile, alert wild prey, they resort to more sluggish and less vigilant domestic animals”, the EPA has explained.

Additionally, the agency has noted that young, healthy jaguars in search of new territory may accidentally stumble upon the richness of easy foods near homes, and begin to occupy these areas as their territory. Accordingly, residents have resorted to trapping jaguars which enter their communities to decimate their livestock. The EPA is advising that measures can be employed to deter jaguars from entering communities. “The most effective methods include keeping domesticated animals in well-constructed pens or corrals at night, and using motion-triggered light or loud sounds near the livestock. The surprise effect causes the cat to retreat and search for food elsewhere,” the EPA has said. Jaguars are legally protected in Guyana under the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations (WMCR) 2013. They are an endangered species and are environmentally important. The jaguar is the largest cat of the Americas. It weighs up to 100kg (220 pounds), and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy environment by helping to control the population of smaller animals that are lower down the food chain. Since their large bodies require lots of food, they tend to prey on forest dwellers such as peccaries (bush hogs), deer, tapir (bush cow), turtles, armadillos and other animals to maintain their body mass. Fortunately, there are still a few thousand jaguars left in Guyana, and these are protected. Jaguars are shy by nature, and even people who walk the forests frequently do not see them, because these predators tend to be elusive, hiding from sight and avoiding interaction. Residents are encouraged to report any incident involving jaguars. The EPA Wildlife Unit can be contacted on Tel # 225-5467/225-6048.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Gov’t favourably disposed to night courts –– to tackle case backlog

GOVERNMENT has given “favourable assurances” towards the proposed establishment of night courts. This is according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who recently updated Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, on the process. According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Prime Minister Nagamootoo informed the Chancellor in a letter that he had briefed President David Granger on the proposal for the night courts, and had received “favourable assurances”. The Prime Minister also reportedly had discussions with Finance Minister Winston Jordan regarding funding, and favourable assurances were similarly forthcoming. The Prime Minister has requested that the Chancellor supplies dePrime Minister Moses Nagamootoo tails regarding a budget for the night courts, along with the logistical arrangements to operationalise the sittings to deal with the remand issue, which has contributed to the congestion in prisons. Night courts have been proposed to expedite the backlog of cases which have resulted in several persons being held on remand, thereby Chancellor of the Judi- overcrowding the prisciary, Justice Carl Singh ons. A growing number of persons have, for several years, been held on remand awaiting trial, some for more than five years. The OPM release detailed that on March 16, the Prime Minister led a Government team to a meeting to discuss the backlog of court cases with a team from the Judiciary, headed by Chancellor Singh. The Prime Minister described the meeting as “very successful”, adding that there were “wide-ranging discussions aimed at trying to get trials speedily held, “to clear the congestion in the prisons”. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, were part of the Government team. On the Chancellor’s team were Chief Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards; Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack; and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. In the Sunday Chronicle of 10th instant, the Supreme Court advertised positions for qualified persons who, besides being legally qualified and possessing application guidelines, must not be over 50 years of age. They are needed to fill positions as Temporary Magistrates in the local magistracy. The advertisement details that employment will be for a period not exceeding six months, but this may be extended at the discretion of the Judicial Service Commission. (Alva Solomon)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

City projects ‘big jump’ in revenue

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC), projecting significant increase in its revenue collection this year, is crediting its improved financial fortune to the new revenue collection mechanisms being put in place, and existing money sources which the municipality is now better able to tap. This was the view of City Treasurer Ron Mc Calmon when he addressed the newly-appointed City Councillors during an orientation session at the Cara Lodge last week. Giving an overview of his department, while acquainting councillors with the M&CC’s various sources of revenue generation, the City Treasurer said: “We expect our revenue to increase by 11 per cent this year.” He outlined various areas where the council intends to strengthen its revenue collection. For instance, Mc Calmon said, there are currently registered with the municipality 150 properties that have changed their status from residential to commercial, but are still paying the same meagre residential rates. “Some of these people are paying $2,000 annually; $1,000, and even $800 for these properties,” he said, drawing affirmation from some veteran councillors who nodded and clapped. Mc Calmon also spoke about the valuation and re-evaluation of properties to determine the actual sums owed to the municipality. He noted that better car and bus park management, land leases, revenue from new and rehabilitated vending spaces, and revenue collection from container operators, among others, will also increase the council’s fees.

City Hall intends to convene a special team to identify those persons offloading containers within the city during the night hours to avoid paying

City Treasurer Ron Mc Calmon the sums due to the council. “So we will be working overtime (to catch) those persons,” Mc Calmon noted. Having pointed to several other existing money earners, the Treasurer said his department is responsible for all of Council’s revenue generation and expenditure, including those of other departments. Mc Calmon also urged councillors to work towards strengthening the Council’s finances with strong policies. Despite the projected increase, the Treasurer is of the view that more can be done to increase the agency’s revenue, especially with the number of projects and services that are intended to support efforts towards a green city lifestyle.

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Illegal pesticides seized from China Trading INSPECTION and Enforcement Officers of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) confiscated 83 cartons of unregistered pesticides from China Trading during inspection activities conducted recently. A statement from PTCCB noted that the seizures are in keeping with its mandate to eliminate the importation, sale and use of illegal pesticides, while reducing the availability of these unwanted products. In keeping with regulations, all pesticides imported, sold and used in Guyana must be registered by the Board. The products seized during these operations were not registered by the PTCCB. According to the statement, the pesticides confiscated have become commonly known as “Green Leaf Powder” and comprised mainly of Green Leaf Ants Bait,

Numerous cartons of illegal pesticides in the storage bond of the business Green Leaf Cockroach Bait and Green Leaf Fly Bait. “These products may be dangerous to the environment and human health, especially children, since the chemical content is unknown and may be highly toxic substances. The registration process helps to ensure that products imported do not contain chemicals that are banned or may be severely hazardous and determines the level of

Illegal pesticides that were seized during enforcement activities

toxicity,” the statement noted. The general public is encouraged to avoid purchasing and using illegal pesticides, especially in their homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, etc. In addition, street vending of pesticides is illegal and as such pesticides should not be purchased from the “man-instreet” but from a licensed vending shop. The statement further noted that enforcement activities are continuing and illegal pesticides will continue to be confiscated as part of the PTCCB’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign against illegal pesticides. Enforcement activities have so far resulted in the confiscation of 444kg of illegal agricultural and household pesticides from numerous businesses countrywide.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

St Joseph’s dialysis clinic gets overseas bookings -- from Guyanese coming for Golden Jubilee celebrations By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING the opening of its dialysis clinic to the public last month, St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital (SJMH) has been receiving bookings from a number of patients, including overseas-based Guyanese who plan to return home for next month’s Golden Jubi-

lee Celebrations. The hospital unveiled the service on March 14 this year, and according to interim Chief Executive Officer of the private medical institution, Helen Browman, on March 16, the service was realised through assistance provided by the Doobay Medical Centre on the East Coast of Demerara, which

provided the two dialysis machines to the hospital’s clinic. Speaking to this publication at the hospital in Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Browman said the service is part of the hospital’s mission to serve the Guyanese public by providing medical care to everyone who visits the hospital. As regards dialysis treat-

ment, she said, “We know that it is a big deal in Guyana, that’s why we decided to open the lab, so there is a need.” She said the hospital had previously received calls about dialysis treatment, but at the time it was only able to offer advisory services. She added that the hospital is expected to receive two addi-

tional machines this month. Speaking on the treatment, Mashaun Tyrell, the hospital’s Nursing Supervisor/Dialysis Nurse, noted that the process centres around

the removal of waste from the body when the kidneys are damaged, dysfunctional, or missing. It is used especially if the patient suffers from chronic

Region Three NDC chairs, deputies sworn in - REO warns against conflict of interest

Region Three REO Dennis Jaikarran By Rabindra Rooplall REGION Three Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikarran has warned the newly-elected chairpersons and their deputies not to be caught in the web of conflict of interest. He advised them to turn away from the temptation of corruption, especially in dealing with contractors and suppliers of goods and services. He made these remarks Tuesday as 13 chairpersons and 12 deputies were sworn in to lead the 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) within Region Three. One deputy was absent while there is still a contest for the chairmanship of another NDC as the matter is before the court. They were elected at the recently-concluded NDC elections on March 18. Jaikarran noted also that President David Granger has already indicated his interest in the effective and smooth functioning of every NDC across the country. As Regional Executive Officer, he said, “I have no alternative but to say to you that as REO representing the Government of Guyana that every day of my working life in this region I would be devoting to the NDC’s so that Region Three can grow.” TEAMWORK Underscoring that it’s time to put away petty issues and politics, he said development has to take its place ‘now’ and everyone has to work as a team. Noting that teamwork is important, he encouraged NDC officials to become team players since serious decisions have to be made. The REO also noted that it is not necessary to act in the interest of a political group since the decisions should be based on principles, on existing rules, regulations and laws governing all situations. GOOD GOVERNANCE “We have to take care of every rule, convention and regulation that point in the right direction, so that good governance can be achieved at this level… Let Region Three be the wakeup call for what good NDC management is capable of and you have to represent every single person,” he asserted. He said strong interpersonal relationships have to be developed while communicating effectively in an honest manner. “As NDC chairman and deputies, you’re going to be in a position to manage government resources… I will be auditing every single NDC, I want to establish what is the financial standing of all NDCs, their assets, where they are and how they are used since the REO is the custodian of government property in the region and the NDCs is an arm of the region.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016 diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes. When the individual reaches a stage where he/she loses proper functioning of the body, the patient is referred to the medical institution for dialysis treatment. Tyrell said that at the SJMH, the patient is evaluated by Dr Mercedes Lopez, who ensures that the patient is fit and able to undergo dialysis treatment. “Yes, he/she may need dialysis treatment, and he/ she may not have proper lab work; so we will have to build proper lab work,” he said. The medical personnel will then insert a catheter, a medical device that can be inserted in the body to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure, and the dialysis treatment begins for a sixhour period. “At a slow pace it is done, and we repeat the process,” Tyrell added. He described dialysis treatment as the second-tolast resort in regard to treatment for the ailment the person/s may be suffering from. “The last is kidney transplant, so we try everything in our knowledge; and…we come up with the process of dialysis,” he added. He said the process involves ensuring that the patient has all the necessary medication to bring back the kidney’s function to a normal level, or close to it. “Most persons -- the patient that is -- their lives revolve around dialysis,” Tyrell noted. He said the patient may rely on the machine to sustain them. “If a patient misses a session, the nurse would know, because of their condition physically,” he added. With the two machines at the SJMH dialysis clinic, only one patient can be processed at a time. This is so because the other machine is kept running as a back-up in the case of any eventuality. The machines have so far processed two persons suffering from chronic ailments, and according to Browman, many persons have booked with the hospital for treatment next month, when they come to Guyana for the Independence celebrations. ECONOMICAL SERVICE According to Tyrell, the SJMH can be described as affordable where dialysis treatment is concerned. “We are the cheapest hospital that provides dialysis,”

he said. Compared to others, with the exception of the Georgetown Public Hospital, where the service is offered free to in-patients, and to outpatients by appointment. At the SJMH, the service is provided at a cost $14,500 per session. The hospital has treated a wide cross-section of persons for other ailments, some of whom have requested dialysis treatment in the past. It was noted that, of those persons, mainly persons 30 years and older have requested the treatment. Browman noted that unofficial figures indicate there are some 7,000 persons in Guyana who need dialysis treatment. She said that in addition to the treatment, the patient can take care of their health through diet and exercise. “If you have a chronic disease, you are headed towards dialysis,” she said, adding that while persons locally may adopt a laid back attitude towards their health, this factor can lead to worsening illness. “If you are on dialysis, there is no turning back. That’s it for the rest of your life”, she said. ELDERLY CARE The hospital is planning a series of initiatives as it expands it services. These include improved elderly care, which will see the facility opening a 32-bed unit for senior citizens. Browman noted that there are currently 14 elderly persons at the hospital, and they will be relocated to the new facility when it is completed. The hospital is also working to introduce a maternity package for pregnant mothers. And this weekend, the hospital will host a Men’s Health Fair, aimed at sensitizing the menfolk of health-related issues and their treatment. The men will benefit from tests, including free blood pressure, blood sugar screening, and diet counselling, among others. In February, the hospital hosted a Women’s Health Fair, and the institution plans to host other health fairs later this year. Persons who may wish additional information on the dialysis clinic of the SJMH can contact the medical facility on telephone: 592-223-5447/592-663-9950 or via email at sjmhdialysis@gmail.com.

The St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital has been receiving bookings from a number of patients, including overseas-based Guyanese who plan to return home for next month’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations

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Commander of ‘D’ Divison Stephen Mansell with senior officers seated in front row flanked by participants of the two computer training courses, with their certificates and trophies on Monday after the graduation ceremony

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

11 in ‘D’ Division receive computer training By Michel Outridge

POLICE in ‘D’ Division hosted a graduation ceremony Monday for 11 participants, comprising both police and civilians, who successfully completed two computer training courses at the Computer Training Centre at Leonora Recreational Hall at Leonora Police Station. During the graduation ceremony there were prayers, a poem and a skit done by the trainees, who were all presented certificates of completion, while those who stood out were given trophies. Giving the course overview, Commander of ‘D’ Divison, Stephen Mansell, said that the two computer courses commenced on February 15, 2016 and participants benefitted from basic computer training such as emails, PowerPoint and Excel. The senior officer stated that two months ago the computer training centre was commissioned after the idea of assisting youths in computer training was conceptualised. He approached Food for the Poor and they responded promptly. They received a donation of desk top computers and the business community in that corridor pitched in with the materials to construct the computer room and it was also furnished by several businessmen. The ‘Most Improved’ students Corporal Mohamed, Corporal Phillips, Harry and Duncan all received trophies presented by senior officers on Monday afternoon. The two courses, which lasted 10 weeks, saw lively interaction between instructors and participants, with 14 students being enrolled, but only 11 successfully completed the computer training courses. Facilitators said the courses were well attended and the experience was good since the participants were willing to learn and had an open mind. Reflecting on the course, Corporal Mohamed said that he was very pleased to be given the opportunity to enhance his skills. Tokens were also presented to the instructors and the vote of thanks was made by Corporal Phillips, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity which has sharpened her skills in report-writing via the computer.

More modern bus shelters WITH the hope of installing more than 20 modernized bus shelters by May 26, Pyramids Outdoor Sheds and Branding yesterday unveiled a second of the shelters, equipped with Wi-Fi and garbage bin adjacent to each. The Pyramids shelter installed at Regent and Wellington Streets was branded by Assuria Guyana Inc. and launched in a simple ceremony. Government and the Mayor & City Council have granted permission for the utilization of parapets and they have embraced the initiative. Yogindra Arjune, Assuria’s General Manager stated that “the company found the initiative very exciting and a corporate responsibility, since it will be in keeping with the 50th anniversary and we want to play our part. It will serve the country well. The company wants to play its part in beautifying Guyana, and making people comfortable when they commute.” Assuria – one of the largest companies in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago established business in Guyana four year ago. The company also plans to sponsor other sheds not only in Georgetown, but around the country. Kwame Mentor of Pyramids stated that his company had collaborated with other companies to install the sheds. He said that at least five were confirmed to be installed. Assuria, Farfan and Mendes, Extra Energy Drink, Quick Access Internet Cafe and a number of other companies have indicated interest. He is calling on corporate Guyana to embrace and support bus shelters as they “populate and modernize the country one bus shelter at a time.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

DEMTOCO enjoyed ‘another good year’ By Shauna Jemmott

LAST year was dubbed “another good year” for the sale of tobacco products by Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO), in spite of a challenging business environment that was largely due to the holding of national election. The company recorded a profit before-tax of $2.85 billion, and Chairman Alan Bergin has accredited the continued success of the company to the dedication and determination of its trading partners, who continue to deliver against all odds. Speaking to shareholders and other stakeholders at the company’s 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Bergin made the announcement, much to the pleasure of all. While the overall profit for the year was reduced by $18 million compared to 2014, efforts were focused on driving the marketing strategy of Bristol, the company’s flagship brand, to mitigate the impact on sales performance. He said DEMTOCO has been supportive of efforts to tackle increased smuggling, which is occurring across other sectors. As Demerara Tobacco Company continues to uphold high standards, delivering its responsibility through voluntary international marketing principles and corporate social investment, campaigning and awareness have been heightened to curb the sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 years old. This point was highlighted by Managing Director Maurlain Kirton, who said a ‘Youth Smoking Prevention Programme’ continues to gain prominence in a heightened campaign prohibiting sales of the company’s products to minors. “During 2015, we supported this programme through visible signage and branded attire at our retail outlets across the trade,” she reminded. She said, too, that the team of distributors is trained in responsible marketing

approach, and has been instrumental in communicating the message to the public. Meanwhile, Bergin also said the company would continue to engage legislators on key issues surrounding its products, which would enable balanced regulations that would provide measures in the best interest of all. “Our wealth of experience and knowledge can provide practical solutions to help regulators address key issues surrounding our products. This will enable us to have balanced regulations that will provide measures which would be in the best interest of all. The company will continue to engage regulators and key stakeholders on this matter,” she said. Kirton, in delivering the report on the company’s performance and the annual accounts for 2015, said DEMTOCO delivered “a stable performance”, despite the prevailing economic conditions in an election year. “These conditions resulted in down-trading and increased consumption of illicit brands,” she said, and added that while the ‘Pall Mall’ brand of cigarettes maintained its position in the low price segment, serving as a catcher brand for down-trading, the sales of Dunhill and Bristol cigarettes were reduced as a direct result of contraction in core consumer income, they nevertheless remained key market choices. Overall, the volume of sales decreased by 4.1 per cent. This contraction of volume, according to Kirton, resulted in a reduction of cost of sales by $12.9 million, and the gross turnover for 2015 increased by $20.2 million. The Target Operating Model and One SAP (TaO) were launched in the last quarter of 2015 with the intention of standardising business processes and providing real time information and robust controls. “The performance this year, even though challenging, was directly influenced by the drive to manage an efficient

cost base while remaining relevant and competitive to our consumers. We focused on maintaining

our leadership position, protecting brand share and securing sustained shareholder value,” Kirton

stated. She also told the meeting that the company will continue to place

emphasis on Bristol, its flagship brand, making it readily available at the retail level.

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‘Lil Man’ on trial for niece’s murder By Michel Outridge KEVIN Rankin, called ‘Lil Man’, is being tried by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury in the Demerara High Court for the alleged October 21, 2013 murder of his two-year-old niece, Kimani Phillips. Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, testifying yesterday, gave the cause of death as haemorrhage and shock due to multiple abdominal injuries. He told the court that the child was anally penetrated, and had injuries to her head and neck as well. Dr Singh contended that the injuries may be consistent with those of a fall, or if the child had been forcibly pressed down, which caused abdominal trauma to the spleen, liver, and other body parts. Under cross-examination by defence counsel Sandil Kissoon, Dr. Singh was asked whether he could determine if the anal penetration of the child was caused by a penis or an object, and he replied in the negative. Although samples were taken from the body of the two-year-old in a post-mortem examination, Dr Singh, when questioned, said he did not receive a copy of the results of examination done on those samples. Kissoon suggested that if CPR had been administered to the child by an untrained person, the abdominal injuries could have been caused, and Dr Singh concurred. Dr Singh told the court that the anal penetration and abdominal injuries were caused at the same time. Public Health Nurse Nadine Saunders, who on October 21, 2013 was attached to the Dr CC Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, testified yesterday that she did a basic examination of Kimani Phillips. She explained that she checked for a pulse and heart rate but found none, the child was not responding, and she contacted the doctor via telephone and wrote up a referral to GPHC based on the doctor’s advice. She noted that she was not a licensed medical practitioner to certify death, and at the time she examined the child, the child’s pupils were dilated. Saunders is expected to be present in court at 09:00 today, when she will be cross-examined by the defence counsel. The child was Rankin’s niece. He was 15 years old at the time, and was home from school, having been suspended for fighting. State Prosecutor Narissa Leander contends that the accused was left at home at Lot 46 Haslington South, East Coast Demerara while his mother Diane Graham went on an errand. Graham’s daughter’s children were left in her care, and the children were taken to the front house by relatives when Diane Graham went out on October 21, 2013. The prosecution’s case is based on circumstantial evidence, which, they contend, when pieced together, would paint a perfect picture of how Rankin inflicted on the two-year-old child injuries which caused her death. Leander added that even though the incident took place three years ago, the state will call several witnesses to testify. She asked members of the jury to only consider the evidence given in the courtroom. Three months after the incident, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that Rankin be charged for murder, and he was re-arrested and arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court. It was reported that Kimani Phillips was the victim of a brutal sexual assault (sodomy) after it was observed that her anus was enlarged and she had a bite mark on her neck. However, this was disputed among some family members.

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Cricket on the rise - Jaguars captain Leon Johnson

By Stephan Sookram GUYANA Jaguars fourday skipper Leon Johnson has hailed the work of players on the field who have been taking the game to new levels by producing championship-winning performances to lift divisional titles. Johnson’s Guyana Jaguars, the two-time champions of the Professional Cricket League (PCL), along with the Guyanese players on the West Indies Women and U-19 World Cup teams were on Monday evening honoured by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). And the left-hander, who spoke as the team’s representative, contended that “Cricket is on the rise”. Johnson, a former West Indies U-19 captain hailed teammates, the management and coaches as well as other divisional players, calling on them to continue the hard work. Speaking from a personal standpoint, the GCC player said that while winning back-to-back four-day

titles means the world to the team moving forward, their only hope is to replicate those performances. Master of Ceremonies, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie, contended that the Jaguars will have the option to retain only 10 players while the rest will return to the draft which means that the franchise could field different players for the new season. He added, “Since the new draft is coming up, the players who did well over the past few years we have decided to honour them before we lose them.” The GCB secretary, also a member of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), reminded that the locals won

the U-15 as well as U-19 titles and urged the good work to continue at the lower levels in order to see a smooth transition through sides. Meanwhile Commissioner on the National Sports Commission’s board, James Bond, who represented Director Christopher Jones, cited the obvious unifying effect that the sport of cricket has on persons coming from different spheres. Meanwhile the franchise players, managers and coaches each received a solid gold Championship ring which carries a semiprecious stone on the top and has engraved the years of the two seasons that the side won the PCL. Monday night’s ceremo-

ny also featured Tremayne Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle, the Guyanese who were a part of the West Indies Women’s ICC World T20 triumph as well as Guyana’s U-19 World Cup winners Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach. The ladies of the World Cup-winning team each received a gold chain while the three U-19 players received rings as well, with the exception of Hetmyer who got a ring for being a part of the Jaguars Team and a chain for his U-19 World Cup success. Gizmos & Gadgets in turn, presented the U-19 trio with a pair of Serengeti designer shades.

Ministry of Sport to host first Relay ... From back page Festival can be a catalyst for the development of rounded athletes who are more likely to acquire scholarships. According to Fraser, the age categories and events will challenge schools to provide teams from the lower, middle and upper school. Therefore, the winner of this Golden Jubilee Relay Festival should be the school with the most balanced Athletic

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Programme. The Golden Jubilee Relay Festival will be governed by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Competition Rules 20162017. It is expected that the Golden Jubilee Relay Festival will attract Secondary Schools (one from each District). Schools must register their teams through their relevant Regional Education Department. Additionally, Tertiary Institutions, i.e. Technical Institutes, Training

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Centres and Universities may register directly at the Unit of Allied Arts. Events are as follows: The Relay Festival fits into the Ministry of Education’s overall vision for the reintroduction of sports in schools and continuous teacher training programmes with primary and secondary schools nationally. In the last five years training has been executed with secondary school teachers in cricket, football, rugby, table tennis, volleyball, track & field and basketball. This year two more workshops in rugby and table tennis will be held. In December 2015, a CSEC Teachers Course in Track and Field was executed in conjunction with the Athletics Association of Guyana. Teachers were provided with the requisite skills and knowledge to implement a Track & Field programme in schools. This event will provide an opportunity for teachers to evaluate their progress and to provide student-athletes with a unique sporting experience using the best facilities available at the National Track & Field Centre, Leonora.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

The Importance of Structural Reform

By Rudi V.Webster

DURING the last decade or so, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) repeatedly dismissed the findings of the Lucky, Patterson, Wilkin and CARICOM reports, and contemptuously rejected their recommendations to restructure the Board, reform its systems and processes, and improve the quality of its leadership. If self-interest or self-preservation is not the real cause of the Board’s defiant attitude and behaviour, one can only assume that its members do not yet understand the significance of organisational structure and structural reform, or the importance of the fundamental principles of development,

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J.Patterson improvement planning, and successful performance. The German philosopher Johann Goethe could well have been thinking about members of the WICB when he said that people only listen to, or act upon, that which

Serious heart condition forces England’s Taylor to quit at age of 26 (REUTERS) - England batsman James Taylor has been forced to retire from cricket at the age of 26 due to a serious heart condition, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.. Taylor, who plays county cricket for Nottinghamshire, withdrew from last week’s game against Cambridge MCCU with what was believed to be a viral infection. However, scans revealed he has a serious heart condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia (ARVC). “Safe to say this has been the toughest week of my life! My world is upside down. But I’m here to stay and I’m battling on!” Taylor said on his Twitter account. The middle order batsman played seven Test matches and 27 One-day internationals for England and captained the side against Ireland in May last year. “It is both shocking and saddening to hear that James’ career has been cut short in such a sudden and unexpected manner,” England team director Andrew Strauss said in a statement released by the ECB. “Throughout his career, he has constantly impressed with his determination to

they understand. As soon as a new board takes over, it should create an innovative and powerful vision for West Indies cricket that takes into account the legitimate interests of all of its stakeholders, particularly the interests of its players who must indeed be co-owners of that vision. The board must then articulate a philosophy that highlights its values and priorities, and formulate a simple but intelligent strategy to achieve that vision. It must lead by example and show by word and deed what it really stands for. It must also create a contract of expectations with the players so that the players will know exactly what the Board expects of them and the Board will know exactly what the players expect of the Board. The new board must commit to mastering the basic principles of organisational performance, to reforming its resources, structures and systems, and to seeking objective and accurate feedback to measure and monitor progress and to detect any wrongdoings and mischievous behaviour that might occur. It is imperative that the new board changes the toxic climate that currently exists in West Indies cricket. It must build cooperative and harmonious relationships

with its players and coaches, and with other people inside the organisation over whom it has formal power, authority and control (vertical relationships). Additionally, it must build cooperative, respectful and meaningful relationships with the press, governments of the region, sponsors, and people outside the organisation over whom it has no formal power, control or authority (lateral relationships). Good management of these lateral and interdependent relationships could very well be a key to the Board’s effectiveness. Most importantly, the new board must narrow the rhetoric/reality gap that currently exists by getting rid of the bad habit of focusing on inputs rather than on outputs or results. The board must also motivate its people, focus intently on implementation and build a strong network of people committed to executing, measuring and monitoring its agenda for change. The leaders and members of the current WICB would automatically perform better if they redesigned the Board’s structures and systems and aligned them to serve and support, rather than to control and dictate. Organisational design shapes people’s behaviour.

Surprisingly, the WICB has underestimated the impact that structure has on performance. Structure either limits or liberates performance potential. When placed in the same system people, however different, tend to produce the same results. If members of the existing WICB think that their performance is sub-standard they should take a very close look at the system and the structure in which they are operating. If the leaders of the WICB behave like dictators they are working in a structure that supports dictatorship. If Board members are not player-focused they are working in a structure that is not designed to serve the players. If they are not flexible and creative they are working in a rigid and autocratic structure. If members continually resist change they are not working in a learning environment that values growth and development. And if the leaders are not team players they are working in a structure that is designed for individual performance and individual rewards. Form and structure should always follow purpose and function. If the Board’s structure is not designed to reflect its vision, values, purpose, priorities, goals and strategies, its performance will suffer.

To facilitate the right design, organizations should answer the following questions fully and honestly: who are we, what do we want to become, where are we going and what do we want to achieve, what do we believe in and stand for, and why do we exist? These questions are not as easy as they seem. Organizational architects should spend some time looking at them carefully and searching for the right answers. No one structure is ideal. In today’s competitive and rapidly changing world, organisational structure must be fluid and must continually adapt to meet the demands and challenges that it faces. This is why members of the WICB must wake up from their self-induced hypnotic sleep, and realise that the Board’s current antiquated and rigid structure will not allow it to grow or flourish in today’s ever-changing sports environment. It must adapt or perish. That is the message that the Lucky, Patterson, Wilkin and CARICOM reports were sending to the WICB, but alas it has fallen on deaf ears. The observations and recommendations above apply equally to the region’s cricket boards that are also desperately in need of change and structural reform.

Rockets home in on playoff zone after early turbulence

James Taylor played seven Tests and 27 ODIs for England. make the absolute most of his ability, and it is immensely cruel that such a hardworking player will be unable to fulfil his great potential in the international arena. “The ECB will work closely with Nottinghamshire and together we will do everything possible to help James through this difficult period, and aid him in his recovery.”

(REUTERS) - Houston Rockets scripted a stunning turnaround to stand one win away from salvaging their once-shaky playoff hopes following a tumultuous season. With Monday’s blowout 129-105 victory over Minnesota, and Utah’s loss to Dallas, the Rockets (40-41) climbed back into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They can clinch a post-season berth with a victory against Sacramento in the season finale today. It is a small consolation for a franchise that reached the conference finals a year ago, but considering Houston appeared buried late last week they will gladly take the turnaround. “The fire under us, it is lit,” Rockets guard Patrick Beverley told reporters af-

Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) tries to wrestle the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) in the second quarter at Target Center. (Bruce Kluckhohn - USA TODAY Sports) ter he helped the team win a second straight game to catch Utah (40-41). “This is not how we wanted it to be at the end of the season, (but) better late than never.” Houston’s intention of repeating last season’s success was deflated early when they

lost their first three games by 20 points each. Team leader James Harden struggled out of the gate as there were rumblings that he showed up out of shape for the campaign. Coach Kevin McHale was fired after just 11 games, with the team 4-7, and replaced by

assistant J.B. Bickerstaff but that did little to fix the team’s troubles. The defensive efforts of Harden and lack of chemistry between him and centre Dwight Howard were just some of the questions surrounding the team. After their third defeat in four games on Thursday, Houston trailed eighth-place Utah by a game and a half with just three remaining. The Jazz suffered a pair of last-second defeats last week that aided the Rockets and now they are positioned to crawl into the playoffs and make the best of a rocky season. “We control our own destiny. It’s our playoffs (right now),” Harden said. “It’s our last game (today) and we have to go out there and win. We’ll figure (everything else) out once the game is over.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Vijay Mallya Richards, DeGroot excel at Guyana NRA Pistol Shoot acquired Barbados Tridents for just US$100

Sponsors of A&N Sarjoo Cambio, Sarjoo Sr and Jr (centre), pose with the top five senior and junior shooters and other competitors at Sunday’s presentation.

India businessman Vijay Mallya VIJAY Mallya, the troubled businessman, has claimed that he paid only US$100 to acquire Barbados Tridents, a franchise in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Mallya, who owes his creditors an amount of INR 9000 crore, following the shutdown of Kingfisher Airlines, left for London last month. Mallya bought the CPL team just days before he stepped down as chairman of United Spirits, and he subsequently had to relinquish his position in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise. Speaking to PTI, Mallya explained how he and other shareholders bagged the ownership of Barbados Tridents for US$100. “Everyone made a big drama about me acquiring the CPL team Barbados Tridents. It was an acquisition that was not made for any cash. The acquisition was made for just US$100,” he claimed. However, Mallya also said the cost of running the franchise would be around US$2M. “By buying the team, me and the other shareholders assumed the obligation to participate in the tournament. Now participation in CPL costs money. “So I went to the Barbados government saying I need your support. I met the Prime Minister and the government agreed to support but I paid US$100 only to buy the team. “Running the team will cost about US$2M but the Barbados government is granting subsidies to the franchise. People don’t get it and jump to conclusions without knowing the facts. There is a cost of participation such as players’ salaries and franchise fee. So I worked out all the numbers, studied the model and went to government asking for help. They were keen to help me,” Mallya added. CPL teams can only generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorship as there is no system of a central revenue, unlike the IPL. (WICRICNEWS).

GORDON Richards and Douglas DeGroot emerged as the respective Senior and Junior top shots, when the A&N Sarjoo Cambio-sponsored Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Practical Pistol Shoot was contested last Sunday at the Timehri Ranges. C`ompeting against 14 of the best senior shooters in the GuyanaNRA, Richards emerged as the best with a total hit factor of 5.20 which relegated Mohamed Qualander to the 2nd place with a total hit factor of 4.87. Rajiv Latchana placed third (4.83), Ryan McKinnon fourth (4.08) and Dr Johan DaSilva 5th with 3.97.

DeGroot with a total hit factor of 2.17 was the best junior shooter from a field of 10. Joseph Lewis (2.14), Totoram Bishundat (1.46), Gordon Pearson (1.41) and Stefan Dundas (1.02) occupied the second to fifth places in the competition. All the competitors tested their trigger skills in two stages of fast-paced shooting for overall points. Proprietor of A&N Sarjoo Cambio, Mr Sarjoo was on hand along with his son Sarjoo Jr. to present the trophies to the top five in each category. Sarjoo Sr. expressed gratitude to the GuyanaNRA for allowing him the opportunity to sponsor

the event and has committed to further sponsorship. Dale Hing, GuyanaNRA Small Bore captain conveyed the association’s gratitude to the Sarjoos for their partnership

whilst congratulating all the shooters for braving the heat to showcase their skills. Hing has stated that the next event, a .22 competition, is set for the Guyana Police Force Tactical Service Unit Range on April 23.

Douglas DeGroot (left) is all smiles as he collects his first place trophy from Sarjoo Jr.

Kohli, AB de Villiers shine as RCB Beat Sunrisers Hyderabad VIRAT Kohli and AB de Villiers strung a partnership of 157 runs off 87 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a comfortable 45-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the Indian Premier League at Bengaluru yesterday. Kohli (75 off 51) and de Villiers (82 off 42), arguably the top two batsmen in the world, set the Chinnaswamy Stadium on fire to take RCB to 227 for four. The bowlers defended the steep total comfortably on a batting beauty despite a spectacular knock from the Sunrisers captain David Warner (58 off 25), limiting the opposition to 182 for six in 20 overs. No total can be called safe on the batting beauty at Bengaluru and with Sunrisers reaching 83 for one in eight overs, the game was very much in the balance. Warner was in his el-

Player-of-the-match AB de Villiers slogsweeps for six in his 82. ement after the departure of his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (8), who was bowled by Parvez Rasool. Warner went about his business with little fuss and got to his 50 in 21 balls with a huge straight six off spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. He hit five sixes in his entertaining innings which ended with a mistimed pull off fel-

low Australian and recently retired Shane Watson. Seeing the back of Warner was crucial for RCB and soon after his prized wicket, they took three quick wickets to reduce Sunrisers to 101 for five in the 12th over. Needing almost three runs a ball at one stage, Eoin Morgan (22 not out) and Ashish Reddy (32 off 18) tried their

best but couldn’t succeed. Earlier, Kohli carried on from where he left off in the World T20 as de Villiers performed his demolition act from the other end. While Kohli, who opened with Gayle, enthralled the fans with proper cricketing stokes, the South African gave a masterclass in clean hitting. There was little that Sunrisers skipper Warner could do to contain the two champion batsmen after he put the home team in to bat on a belter of a pitch. The extent of hitting was such that even a usually economical Ashish Nehra felt the heat on a ground that has seen most sixes in the IPL. The pacer limped off the field after bowling just 2.1 overs in which he conceded 21 runs, leaving his troubled team short of options.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Real seal another epic comeback with Ronaldo hat-trick CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s fifth Champions League hat-trick inspired Real Madrid to a 3-0 comeback victory over VfL Wolfsburg yesterday that clinched a place in the semi-finals for a sixth successive season. The prolific Portuguese got the 10-time European champions, 2-0 down from the first leg, off to a perfect start by tapping in Daniel Carvajal’s cross after 16 minutes and heading a second goal less than a minute later from Toni Kroos’ corner. Ronaldo capped a 3-2 win on aggregate when he curled in a free kick after 77 minutes, his 16th goal in this season’s competition taking him within touching distance of his record of 17 in 2013-14. He also equalled Barcelona rival Lionel Messi’s record of five Champions League trebles as he took his goal tally in all competitions this season to 46. “It’s a day for celebration,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “We won with character, fight and effort and I’m very proud of the players. “The sensation is of a job well done because it wasn’t easy. It was a special night ... I’m very happy with the players because they did a phenomenal job.” Zidane’s only change from the first leg was to

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal and his hat-trick. (Reuters/Juan Medi replace the much-criticised Danilo at right back with Carvajal. Opposite number Dieter Hecking kept the same lineup that served him so well at the Wolfsburg Arena. GREAT FIGHTBACKS Real have a reputation for staging great fightbacks in Europe but they had not overturned a first-leg deficit in the Champions League since 2002 when Zidane, as a player, helped them beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Bernabeu after a 2-1 reverse. The home team’s intent was clear when defender Sergio Ramos headed the ball

NOTABLE DATES VERNON Lewis was 19 years old when he defeated Godfrey Alexander in a six-round welterweight fight on April 13, 1969. The contest was held in Guyana and was a preliminary bout on a card headlined by Lennox Beckles versus Englishman Johnny Cooke. Lewis had joined the professional rank in 1967 and his career ran until 1981. He lost a points-decision to Beckles in May 1974. Four years later, Lewis tackled Puerto Rican Wilfredo Benitez, one of the most talented boxers the world has seen. The Guyanese lost the 10-round contest, staged at the world famous Madison Square Garden, by pointsdecision. Lewis’ next fight was against another Puerto Rican. Louis Resto had defeated Guyanese Reggie Ford and Mark Harris before matching gloves with Lewis in August 1979 at the National Sports Hall. The result was a dubious split decision victory for the homeboy. It was the last time that Resto competed in Guyana. Lewis’ last fight was on October 29, 1981 against an up-and-coming Donald `Cobra’ Curry. Undefeated in eight bouts at the time, Curry (20) blasted the 32-year-old Guyanese and won by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round. Seven fights later Curry was crowned the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion.

against the crossbar early on and they soon started turning the tie back in their favour. Carvajal vindicated Zidane’s decision when he beat Julian Draxler to the ball in midfield before setting up Ronaldo’s opening goal. Wolfsburg tried to recover and they missed a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet. The 31-year-old Ronaldo, top scorer this season in La Liga and the Champions

League, had different ideas though and he sent the Bernabeu crowd wild with delight by scoring twice more. “It was a fantastic night,” said Real full back Marcelo. “The fans were phenomenal and without them we wouldn’t have been able to turn the game around. “In the Champions League you have to suffer. No team gets to the semi-finals without suffering.”naLivepic)

Heaven banking on Windies T20 stars

JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven hopes the Jamaican members of the West Indies team will make themselves more available to help grow and develop the sport in the country. Speaking shortly after the return of front line batsman Marlon Samuels and fast bowler Jerome Taylor on Tuesday, Heaven said the players were role models who could reignite interest in the sport. The other Jamaican players who were part of the victorious West Indies World Cup Twenty20 squad were explosive opener Chris Gayle and enterprising all-rounder Andre Russell. Gayle, Russell, and Taylor represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20, while Samuels has played for Antigua Hawksbills and is currently on the roster of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. “We are looking towards our Jamaican players on the West Indies team to be mentors to our cricketers, both male and female,” Heaven said. “This is so that over time, we can build a good team here in Jamaica that is not only competitive, but can contribute significantly to the West Indies.” Heaven was pleased

Marlon Samuels last played for Jamaica in 2014 about Samuels’ possible return to national representation. Samuels, who last represented Jamaica in 2014, has had difficulties representing the country since new selection policies were introduced with the installation of the last selection panel, headed by Wavell Hinds. That panel also included Wayne Lewis, Delroy Morgan, and Robert Haynes. “Marlon has said to us that he is now ready to play for Jamaica and we are happy for that,” said Heaven, who is expected to name a new selection panel within his new administration. (First Published In The Jamaica Star.)

Universal Auto Sales and Spares 11-race cycle programme fixed for Saturday

BUSINESSMAN and veteran cyclist Shameer Baksh will on Saturday sponsor the 12th annual Universal Auto Sales and Spares 11race race cycle programme around the inner circuit of the National Park. The programme, which is being coordinated by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, will get underway at 09:00hrs and will feature most of the country’s top junior, veterans, BMX, mountain bikers and senior cyclists’ vying for top honours. The feature event will be a 35-lap race and defending champion Jamal John will be seeking to make a successful defence of that title, but will face strong challenges from Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Raul Leal and Michael Anthony among

Jamal John other participants. John won the event last year, recording a time of one hour 18 minutes 08.62 seconds, but with Team Evolution’s cyclists firing on all cylinders, especially Hinds and Leal, making a successful defence will be a very

arduous task for John, who is still trying to get to the level of Hinds, Williams and Leal. Another exciting race on the day’s programme will be the 10-lap race for juveniles which was won by Raphael Leung last year with a time of 22 minutes 07.09 seconds. He is favoured to make a successful defence of his title, but he will have to be wary of Berbician cyclists’ Andrew Hicks and Romelo Crawford who are both showing good form. The five-lap race for veterans Under-50 years will see race sponsor Shameer Baksh look to defend his titlo successfully, but he is expected to get keen competition the in-form veteran Junior Niles who has been dominating this category since the 2016 season started. Stephen Fernandes of Team Evolution and Jai-

karan Sukhai of Carlton Wheelers are also expected to stake their claim in this veterans’ event. Baksh returned 11 minutes 56.08 seconds in winning last year’s race. Keon Thomas won the five-lap race for mountain bikers last year with a time of 11 minutes 56.07 seconds and will be seeking to repeat the feat on Saturday. Likewise, Brighton John who won the threelap race for boys and girls last year will try to cement his place at the top of the podium. Other races carded for the day are: two lap races for BMX boys, three-lap races for BMX Boys 9-12 years old as well as Boys 12-14 years old. Baksh will assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners after the day’s activity.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

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British cricketer shot dead in Trinidad

A YOUNG British cricketer has died after reportedly being shot during an armed robbery in Trinidad and Tobago. Adrian St John, 22, is understood to have died following an incident on Sunday night. Local media reports say that a 24-yearold male has been arrested on suspicion of murder. St John, who played for Alleyn Cricket Club in south London and for his university squad at the University of Hertfordshire, was captain of The Chris Gayle Academy in London, which opened in 2013 to “improve access to good quality education, training and employment for at risk young people in Jamaica and the UK.” Gayle tweeted: “Such sad news to hear. My condolences to his family & friends! Adrian St John was the captain of the academy. Sigh.” Donovan Miller, programme manager for the Chris Gayle Foundation, said: “I’m really finding it hard to come to terms with it, how someone could do something like that to such a lovely person.” Miller added that Mr St John had been one of the first members of the Chris Gayle Academy in London. “He wanted me to support him to go to the Carib-

Adrian St John

bean,” he said, “and to kind of push hard with his cricket.” Paul Taylor, head of the Surrey Cricket Foundation, said: “On behalf of Surrey CCC and the Surrey Cricket Foundation I would like to send our condolences to Adrian’s family as well as everyone who knew and played with him at this difficult time. He was clearly a talented cricketer and a very popular guy and everyone at the club was shocked and saddened when we heard this news.” The Foreign Office confirmed it was in contact with authorities in Trinidad following the death of a UK national. According to local media reports, the incident occurred after St John had stopped his car to pick up two friends. He was shot as he drove away after the robbery. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Former WI cricketer Franklyn Rose deported from New Zealand FORMER West Indies cricketer Franklyn Rose has been deported from New Zealand. The fast bowler, who played 19 Test matches for the West Indies between March 1997 and August 2000, was put on a plane bound for Jamaica at about 18:00hrs yesterday (New Zealand time). The 44-year-old Rose had been in New Zealand without a valid visa since 2012. Prior to that he was a coach at the University of Auckland Cricket Club. Following the expiration of his visa, Rose reportedly worked as a volunteer cricket coach at several schools in Auckland and the Salvation Army. In the last five weeks, however, he had been detained at the Mount Eden Prison. Ramya Sathyanathan, Rose’s attorney said a last-minute request was sent to suspend the deportation pending consideration of Rose’s humanitar-

Franklyn Rose ian circumstances. She said the cricketer suffered depression, which he claimed was made worse by being detained. The request was denied by Immigration Minister, Craig Foss. A deportation order for Rose was issued in 2014. During his career, Rose took 53 Test wickets at average of 30.88. He also scored 344 runs with a highest score of 69 and averaged 13.23.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

Volleyball tournament officially launched

THE Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) officially launched its Schools Volleyball Tournament at the St Rose’s High School on Church Street. Present at the launch were president of the DVA Trevor Williams, General Secretary of the DVA, General Secretary of the Guyana Volleyball Federation Robert Millington. Joining in were National Sports Commission Representative Seon Erskine and representatives from INDESCO Trading, Talk is Cheap Travel Service and Angcam Marine Supplies in addition to students from schools in Georgetown. Unfortunately DIGICEL could not be present at yesterday’s launch

L-R (sitting) Sponsors with Robert Millington, Trevor Williams Seon Erskine Jana Edghill and students. “This is monumental are also looking to spot tal- be associated with this event, to be a part of sports ventures. for us … schools are the ent of players in Demerara we implore other sport assoEach sponsor represencustodians of talent and and will be scouting talent ciations to do the same as the tative stated expressed pleaour future sportsmen and for national selections,” he DVA and implement tourna- sure to be a part of the iniwomen are in schools right finished. ments.” Erskine said. He said tiative and encouraged the now,” said Williams. “We “The NSC is pleased to NSC will always be willing players to do their best and

make their schools proud. “We welcome and support the tournament. Sport is very important and it provides opportunity for athletes,” added Millington. At the end of the tournament a Demerara team will be selected to play against a selected Berbice and Linden team. The tournament aims to bring a revival of basketball, and forwarding players towards volleyball clubs. Williams let in on plans for the official relaunch of volleyball in Linden within the next two weeks, as well as plans for the development of volleyball. The tournament kicks off tomorrow on the West Coast Demerara and on Friday at St Rose’s.

Central Shotokan Karate-do Association students graded

THE Central Shotokan Karate-do Association last Saturday successfully held its examinations under the watchful eyes of Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai and instructor Eric Hing at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion. The 27 students who sat examinations were graded from the 10th kyu (white belt) to the 3rd kyu (1st brown belt). The white belts who graded for their yellow belts (10th kyu-8th kyu) were: Abhinav Boodhoo, Jeremiah Low, Latalya Norton, Talesh Sukhram, Tristen Sukhram, and Mia Ritchie (who skipped from white to orange-7th kyu). White with yellow stripe to orange (9th kyu–7th kyu) were: Keron Prescod, Sagara Dindyal

and Zane Baldeo. Yellow belts who graded and for orange (7th kyu6th kyu) were: Akwone Caesar Che Talbot, Daniel Cameron, Reilon Smith and Savitha Singh. Orange to green belts (7th kyu–6th kyu) were: Aniyah Couchman, Ayden Doris, Dwayne Tim, Kyle Couchman, Mordecai Rutherford and Shane Sargeant. Green to blue belts (6th kyu-5th kyu) were: Darius Rodney and Sadiah Bradford. Blue to purple belts (5th kyu-4th kyu) were: Cayla Richards and Ruel Norton. Purple to brown belt (4th kyu-3rd kyu): Mekhai Ritchie, and brown belts moving up a level (3rd kyu–2nd kyu): Daniel HIng and Jayz Halley. During the course of the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 13, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Yusuf Pathan (RR) (2) Rohit Sharma (MI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who faced the first ball in an IPL game? (2) Who is the first player to hit a century in an IPL game? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

L-R (back row) Brittney and Emily Bettencourt, (sitting) Motilall Mattdain, Sensei Eric Hing, Master Woon-A-Tai, Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt, Michael Hing, and below the 27 examinees.

new week Master WoonA-Tai will be conducting instructor’s seminars at the Guyana Karate College and the YMCA dojos for all instructors who are IKD (International Karate Daigaku) members. The Association would like to extend special thanks to all the parents, family and friends who supported and gave assistance during the examinations.

Orange belts performing yokogeri keage (side snap kick) during Kihon (basic) techniques.

STAG Elite double-header set for Friday POINTS leader Slingerz Football Club will face joint third-place team Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the opening game of a double-header card of the Guyana Football Federation’s GFF/STAG Elite Beer Football League at the Buxton United Recreational ground on Friday, from 18:30hrs. The feature game which is billed for a 21:00hrs start brings

together home side Buxton United and Fruta Conquerors. Slingerz lead the points standing with 24 points from eight matches having not lost any of their matches. T h e We s t D e m e r ara-based team has so far scored 22 goals and conceded a mere three. Their goal difference is plus 19. GDF on the other hand has 14 points after winning

four of their eight matches, drawing two and losing a similar amount. They have so far scored 13 goals and conceded 12 for a goal difference of plus one. Buxton United for their part are currently fifth in the points standings with five points from their eight matches. They have won one, lost five and drawn two and have so far scored five goals and conceded 12 for a

minus seven goal difference, while Fruta Conquerors are currently placed second in the points standings with 19 from their eight matches. The North Ruimveldt-based team have won six of their matches, lost one and drawn the other. To date they have scored 20 goals and conceded nine for a goal difference of plus 11.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 13, 2016

KK Warriors record big upset in STAG/EBFA Senior League KURU Kururu Warriors recorded the biggest upset of the STAG/EBFA Senior League to date when they handed defending champions Grove Hi Tech their first loss of the season while notching up their second win via a 2-0 score line in the feature match last Sunday at the Grove Playfield. In Sunday’s opening match Soesdyke Falcons also recorded their second win in four matches when they overcame Mocha Champs 3-2. KK Warriors, also competing in the inaugural Beach Soccer League, wasted little time in establishing that they were out to grind the defending champions as they were playing minus three of their starters who were all suspended due to red card violations. Ryan Scott, who has been displaying good form in both the 11-a-side and beach soccer leagues, was once again the man who crafted what can be

… trounce Grove High Tech 2-0; Soesdyke edge Mocha kept the pressure on the defending champions. Grove did get behind the Warriors defence on a few occasions but lacked the potency upfront as they were constantly nullified. The Warriors doubled the advantage on 30 minutes when Scott fired in his and his side’s second of the match. Poor defending yet again allowed the nippy and nagging Scott to get behind the de-

Soesdyke Falcons goalscorers: From right, Collis Massiah, Troy Johnson and Marvin Joseph described as a huge win for the Linden/Soesdyke Highway-based side. Scott tormented the Grove defence for the entire 90 minutes with his first goal scored in the 6th minute when he beat goalkeeper Rondell Alleyne at the near post, the

ball squeezing into the back of the net in the little space provided at the right post.The goal brought jubilation from the KK Warriors players, reserves and coach, Dale Roberts. But though they were sitting pretty ahead, the Warriors never lost sight of the task at hand and

fending champs back line as he tapped in the ball comfortably. Grove tried their best to pull themselves back into the match but every effort was dampened by the energised Warriors as they romped to a big win but more importantly, three points. Despite losing, however, Grove still hold the number one spot in the points table on goal difference ahead of Herstelling Raiders. Soesdyke Falcons, led by goals from veteran Troy Johnson in the 25th minute, captain Marvin Joseph in the 41st minute and another seasoned

Latest Points Standings Team Grove Herstelling Agricola Kuru Kururu Soesdyke Mocha Diamond

P 4 4 4 4 4 4 2

W 3 3 2 2 2 1 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 1 1 2 2 2 3 2

GF 10 6 10 6 9 4 0

GA 5 6 4 4 10 6 10

campaigner Collis Massiah in the 58th minute, staved off a spirited late surge by Mocha Champs to win 3-2. Both of Mocha’s goals were scored by Andel Anthony in the 57th and 67th minutes,. Another potentially exciting double-header is fixed for this Sunday when Grove will have the chance to restore some lost pride. They will oppose Diamond United. KK Warriors and Herstelling Raiders will set the afternoon’s play off at 13:30hrs in the first game and this will be a keen battle.

GD Points +5 9 0 9 +6 6 +2 6 -1 6 -2 3 -10 0

GOA supports GTTA team to Dominican Republic

MEMBERS of the executive committee of the Guyana Olympic Association, late Monday afternoon paid a courtesy call on the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) team that departed yesterday morning for the 21st Caribbean Juniors and Cadets Championships. The team features at the Under-18 level - Shemar Britton, Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson and Miguel Wong while the lone U-15 player is Nicholas Romain with coach/manager Linden Johnson. The GOA committee, which included President, Kalam Juman-Yassin, Secretary General Hector Edwards and Garfield Wiltshire Honorary Treasurer, also handed over a cheque to GTTA president Godfrey Munroe at the National Gymnasium. The GOA boss, speaking briefly after the support, said that he was happy to support Guyana’s junior table tennis talents since he sees them as the future prospects to represent Guyana at Olympic Games. He also stressed the impor-

GTTA president Godfrey Munroe receives cheque from GOA member Garfield Wiltshire. Looking on are GOA president Kalam Juman-Yassin and members of the Guyana team that left yesterday for the tournamnets. tance of merging academia with sports and asked of the players to give of their best in representing the Golden Arrowhead.

Former Junior Table tennis champion and Caribbean squash champion Garfield Wiltshire and former cycling

champion Hector Edwards also offered words of encouragement to the players T h e G T TA p r e s i d e n t thanked the executive commit-

tee of the GOA for their intervention which was critical to making the team’s participation in the event a reality. The 2016 Caribbean Ju-

nior and Cadet championship is scheduled for April 12 -18 2016 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic The championship will be used as the qualifier for the Inaugural ITTF Pan American Junior Table Tennis Championships scheduled for Vancouver, Canada in June 2016, where the top four teams from the Caribbean will join four teams from Central America and six teams from South America along with USA and Canada. The association has commenced planning its activities on a 4-6-year cyclical basis aimed at mapping out a realistic and achievable pathway and sees these players as our next prospects to transition as possible representatives to Junior Olympic and Olympic Games and as senior representatives who will represent Guyana internationally in the future. Play for Guyana starts today with the team events doubles singles. The team will return on April 19..

Six Under-19 World Cup stars to play in CPL BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - Six stars from the West Indies Under-19 squad which won the World Cup earlier this year are to feature in the fourth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which starts late June. The young West Indies cricketers, retained after the

franchises completed their player rosters for the forthcoming campaign, are Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Gidron Pope, Anderson Phillip, Shemar Springer and Oshane Thomas. All six players have been retained by their home teams - Hetmyer, Joseph and Pope will play for Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Kitts & Nev-

is Patriots and Windward Islands Zouks respectively while Phillip, Springer and Thomas will represent Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs in that order. “It was hugely exciting to see so many promising players expressing themselves with an attacking mindset and it certain-

ly bodes well for the future of the game across the Caribbean,” said CPL International Director of Cricket Tom Moody. “The CPL is committed to encouraging future generations of players and followers to the game and I have no doubt that West Indies cricket will reap the benefit this season and

for many years to come”. According to CPL regulations, each franchise is invited to select one player from its home country for the fourth edition of CPL. CPL is set to bowl off from June 29 and run until August 7 and Moody expects emerging local talent to make “significant inroads” this season.

“In making their selections, the six franchises analysed and scrutinised in great depth the available talent on display and conducted internal camps to assess the players up close,” said Moody. “It wasn’t a straightforward process, which is testament to the performances of the players.”

Vijay Mallya acquired Barbados Tridents for just US$100

See Story on page 35

Cricket on the rise

Members of the Guyana Jaguars PCL team pose with managers and their newly minted rings each featuring a semi-precious stone and the engraving of the two championship years. (Samuel Maughn photos)

Ministry of Sport to host first Relay Jubilee on Friday WITH PREPARATIONS for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations underway the Physical Education Department of the Unit of Allied Arts, Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), is gearing up to host the Golden Jubilee Relay Festival at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Dmerara on Friday. In a release from the Ministry of Education, the Golden Jubilee Relay Festival is similar to other festivals or fairs held locally, regionally and internationally for high schools and other educational institutions. Similar events include Standing (L-R): The West Indies U-19 trio of Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer, and Tevin the Barbados Relay Fair Imlach. Sitting are Tremayne Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle. (See Story on page 33) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

held annually in January and the Trinidad and Tobago Schools Relay Festival held annually in February. The release went on to point out that Nicholas Fraser, Head - Physical Education Department, Unit of Allied Arts, Ministry of Education, says that this particular Festival will provide team-based athletic events for both secondary schools and tertiary institutions locally. He said, “It is important that clubs are not allowed to participate in these festivals so that student-athletes are allowed more recognition and exposure.” Fraser believes that ultimately, this Relay See page 33... WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016