Containing crime No. 104527
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
Price: $80
(VAT Inclusive)
…Muslim community urges drastic measures to contain crime
MPI takes charge …of lagging D’Urban Park project 8
Contractors were hard at work Tuesday evening as they rush to complete construction of stands and other facilities at the D’Urban Park
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Businessman killed in city ambush 5
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Gov’t wants Duncan out …of constitutional offices P.27
Missing Sophia woman 2 found dead P.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
GRUESOME DISCOVERY Body of missing Sophia woman found in Cummings Lodge canal
By Rabindra Rooplall THE slashed and decomposed body of ‘C’ Field, Sophia resident Simone Hackett was discovered yesterday morning in a canal at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. The 25-year-old mother of one was reported missing by relatives on Sunday after she had not returned on Saturday night from going to collect a package sent from Mahdia by her son’s father, and calls to her phone had
gone unanswered. Discovered by two schoolboys on their way to school, Hackett’s body was positively identified by relatives, who broke down in tears at the scene even as scores of persons flocked to glimpse the mutilated and decomposed remains. Police ‘C’ Division Commander Marlon Chapman, who was at the scene, confirmed that the woman’s throat had been slashed and three stab wounds were evident to the back of the neck. Dead: Simone Hackett
The body was clad in dark-coloured clothing when pulled from the bushy canal, and the police have retrieved a ‘chopper’ and an old sheet adjacent to the bloated body. Commander Chapman could not confirm whether the murder had occurred
there or if the body had been merely dumped at the location. Hackett was slated to be the maid of honour at her sister’s wedding the same day she went missing, and was also to celebrate her son’s birthday. She’d told relatives that the child’s father had sent her a package with a man named ‘Dexter’. “Is ‘Dexter’ the man name who was supposed to bring the package for her; is she child-father send it with him. And after that, we never saw her back until now,” one sorrowful female relative screamed. Hackett’s relatives believe that her ex-boyfriend is somehow involved in her murder, and they are urging the police to question him.
A detective retrieving a ‘chopper’ adjacent to where Simone Hackett’s body was found
IN CUSTODY “Sunday was her son’s birthday and sister’s wedding; the child-father and
Simone Hackett’s body being removed by undertakers, as residents and relatives look on (Photos by Adrian Narine)
his sister and family dem’ know something about her death. Up to now they have not called,” another female relative said. “Whoever kill her didn’t rob her; they cut up her body and damaged her up…. He had promised her a death, and he keeps giving police conflicting stories. He is in police custody in Mahdia lockups,” the female relative added. Fighting back tears, Simone’s father, Gerald Hackett, said he was heading to the West Coast of Demerara when he received the tragic news that her body was found. “She called her mother at 10:10hrs, saying that she was at UG standing up waiting for the person. She had called my phone to find out where we were, but I didn’t get to answer her because
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
…Muslim community urges drastic measures to contain crime
By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING Sunday night’s brutal murder of the elderly East Bank Essequibo (EBE) rice-farming couple Mohamed and Jamila Munir, the Muslim community has issued a call to the authorities to take drastic measures to arrest current criminal activities. At the same time, government has, through Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, extended condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the 75-year-old Mohammed Munir and his wife Jamila Munir, who perished on Sunday night in a fire set by bandits who had invaded their Lot 17 Good Hope, EBE home. The fleeing bandits had minutes earlier attacked the Munirs, who had been well-known in the Muslim community and in the rice industry, Jamila having been described as a trail blazer therein, given her efforts to develop the industry.
Munirs as “peace-loving, hard-working, generous and religiously upright individuals, as well as long-standing and ardent supporters of the GIT and the Muslim community as a whole.” It said Sunday night’s incident, along with others in the past, shows “complete disregard for the sanctity of human life and (for) people’s right to enjoy their hard earned wealth.” The GIT noted the brazen manner in which such crimes have been committed, and declared that such acts illustrate utter disregard for the law enforcement agencies in Guyana. It said such actions do not auger well for the future. The Muslim organization issued a call on the citizenry, especially the Muslim community, to work with those in authority to maintain peace and security in our land. The body expressed sincere condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the Munirs, as well as victims of past crimes.
HEINOUS ACTS OF TERROR In a release yesterday, the Guyana Islamic Trust condemned the death of the couple. “This is one in a series of brutal crimes that have recently been perpetrated against innocent people across the country, and the GIT joins with the rest of the community in condemning these heinous acts of terror,” the body noted in a statement from its East Street, Georgetown base. The GIT described the
STRONGLY WORDED STATEMENT The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (SADR) have also condemned the actions of those responsible for the deaths of the elderly couple. In a strongly-worded statement, the two bodies have called on President David Granger and the government to assure the citizenry that responsible criminal elements will face the law. “The brutal slayings of
GRUESOME... my other daughter was getting married the Sunday and she was supposed to be the maid of honour,” Mr Hackett said. He added: “Simone had also called again, lamenting she was still waiting on the ‘line top’ for the person. Since she was waiting long and didn’t see no one com-
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ing, we told her to come home.” The young woman’s mother, Mala Mohabir, also believes that the ex-boyfriend is behind the murder. “She child-father had threatened her weeks ago that he would hurt her and kill her because of the problem with custody of the
these two innocent persons, Mohamed and Jamila, must serve as an impetus for us, as a Guyanese nation, in full cooperation and stripped of all differences, to find solutions quickly to this dire situation,” the two organizations stated. The two bodies also expressed sympathy to the family of the Munirs, and pledged their support to the authorities to vigorously commence new efforts to bring the present crime situation under control. “Government must demonstrate concern and empathy through constructive and timely response. Government must also demonstrate its commitment to the safety of the population, every group in the population, through effective policing,” the two entities stated. FAMILY WAKE According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, on Monday evening Minister Ally travelled to Good Hope, EBE along with Head of the Political Division at the Ministry of the Presidency, Fredrick Mc Wilfred, where the two participated in a wake held in memory of the Munirs and offered words of comfort to the Munirs’ grieving children, grandchildren and other relatives. “I want to express, on behalf of President David Granger, on behalf of the Coalition Government, our sympathy to the children, grandchildren, and all the relatives of Brother Munir and Sister Jamila. I want to say to you that I’m sure that child… Other than that, she had no problem with anybody,” Ms Mohabir said. According to the woman, the ex-boyfriend wanted the child to live with him in Mahdia, and it was only after her daughter had put up a fight that a decision was made for the child to stay with his mom in Sophia and visit the father whenever school was closed.
Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, addressing relatives and friends at a wake held in memory of the Munirs
this was an unexpected act, but God will give you faith to carry on,” an emotional Minister Ally said. The Minister echoed earlier condemnation of the “barbaric act”, and expressed hope that “justice would be meted out to them [the bandits].” The release stated
that Sheikh Moen ul-Hack of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and Opposition Members of Parliament Bibi Shadick and Irfaan Ali also expressed condolences on behalf of the CIOG, masjids and other Muslim organisations to the Munirs’ grieving relatives.
Meanwhile, West Demerara police officials told this newspaper yesterday that they are actively investigating Sunday night’s incident. While several persons have been questioned, no arrest has as yet been made in connection with the incident.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
New York vote spoiled by irregularities DEMOCRAT Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump were favoured to win their parties’ US presidential nominating contests in New York State on Tuesday, but voting was overshadowed by official confirmation that more than 125,000 people were missing from New York City voter rolls and reports of other irregularities. New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. The city has roughly four million voters considered active for the presidential primaries. Stringer complained in a letter to the board that it was “consistently disorganised, chaotic and inefficient”. He cited faulty bal-
lot scanners, late-opening polling stations and scant staffing. Opinion polls in New York put Clinton, 68, a former US senator from the state, ahead of Brooklyn-born US Senator Bernie Sanders, 74, of Vermont in the Democratic race. The state has been the scene of some of their harshest exchanges during a long campaign. Clinton hopes to recapture the momentum she lost to Sanders, winner of seven of the last eight state-bystate nominating contests. “Any double-digit win would really reassure everybody that the (Clinton) campaign is reaching the voters who are going to be the people in November that are going to carry her to victory,” said Dan Fass, a longtime Democratic donor in Rye, New York.
Voting was overshadowed by official confirmation that more than 125,000 people were missing from New York City voter rolls and reports of other irregularities Last week, after the Democratic candidates debated in Brooklyn, Clinton aide Jennifer Palmieri
sought to play down expectations by expressing skepticism about the accuracy of some polls showing Clinton
with a double-digit lead. “We are always cautioning people to not put a lot of stock into public polls and
particularly ones that show big leads,” Palmieri said. Clinton has 1,758 of the 2,383 party convention delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination to Sanders’ 1,076 delegates, according to an Associated Press tally. A total of 291 delegates are up for grabs in New York, and a big Clinton win there could make her delegate lead nearly insurmountable. During the Democrats’ July 25-28 convention, the delegates will select the party’s nominee to the November 8 presidential election. In Democratic nominating contests, pledged delegates are awarded proportionate to the support a candidate receives in each state, while superdelegates, which make up a smaller proportion, can support any candidate. (Reuters)
Utah declares porn a public health hazard THE US state of Utah has become the first to declare pornography a public health risk in a move its governor
says is to “protect our families and our young people”. The bill does not ban pornography in the mainly Mormon state. However, it calls for greater “efforts to prevent pornography exposure and addiction”. One group representing the adult entertainment industry attacked what it called “an
old-fashioned morals bill”. Pornography, the bill says, “perpetuates a sexually toxic environment” and “is contributing to the hypersexualisation of teens, and even prepubescent children, in our society”. Further steps must be taken to change “education, prevention, research, and policy change at the community and societal level”
against what it calls an epidemic, but it does not suggest how changes should be implemented. The bill was signed by Republican Governor Gary Herbert, who said the volume of pornography in society was “staggering”. One 2009 study by Harvard Business School said that Utah was the state with the highest percentage of online porn subscribers in the US. Some studies have, however, indicated that porn may not be addictive. The bill was supported by the anti-porn campaign group Fight the New Drug. Reports have pointed out the group’s founders are all members
of the conservative Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church. Close to 63 per cent of the state’s residents are Mormon, but Fight the New Drug’s leaders have denied working on behalf of the Mormon Church. The Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry association, called for more dialogue. “We should live in a society where sexuality is spoken about openly, and discussed in nuanced and educated ways, and not stigmatised,” said Mike Stabile, a spokesman for the group. “We all should work together to prevent non-adults from accessing adult material.” (BBC)
Close to 63 per cent of Utah’s population is Mormon
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Businessman killed in city ambush GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
By Rabindra Rooplall A BOTCHED robbery yesterday claimed the life of young Wakenaam businessman Mahendra Persaud, called ‘Amar’, of Good Success, Wakenaam, and left a bandit injured on the busy roadway at Robb and Alexander Streets in the Bourda ward of Georgetown. The 26-year-old dead businessman was on one of his regular trips to the city to buy stocks for the family’s business on the Essequibo Island. This newspaper understands that the family operates a general store which is well known on the island.
A resident from Wakenaan revealed that Persaud got married only last month. Police are now on the hunt for two young men who were on a CG motorcycle and attempted to rob the young man, who had just exited a Canter truck and was making his way to a store. During the attempted robbery, Persaud was shot to the chest, and he slumped on the roadway. A car which was chasing the gunman ran over his body, exacerbating his already grave injuries. The young man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police later confirmed that a man who was seen attempting to change the number plate of the vehicle that had run over Persaud has been arrested. The driver of the vehicle has however not yet been arrested, but the vehicle has been detained by the police. The scene was one of chaos as the sound of the gunshots had many scampering to safety whlst the gunman ran up the street, firing shots wildly to clear his path. He subsequently jumped on a waiting motorcycle and made good his escape. The Guyana Chronicle understands that an armed
Police at the scene of the shooting yesterday afternoon
public spirited citizen also discharged multiple rounds at the bandit, hitting him in the fusilade. Initial investigations indicate that the businessman may have been followed by the bandits to the location. Owen Paton, an employee who was with Persaud at the time, related what transpired when the vehicle they were in stopped at a paint store. “We just stopped because we was to drop off a bucket paint for them to mix. As soon as he [Persaud] jump out the canter and throw his bag on his back is duh: the man roll up and try to grabble he bag, but they didn’t get it,” Paton told this newspaper. He explained that Per-
Dead: Mahendra Persaud saud would visit Georgetown often to purchase goods to be shipped to Wakenaam. Paton said he has been working with the businessman for the past five years. Meanwhile, a police report has noted that at approximately 10:45hrs, Persaud was with his driv-
er in a vehicle at Alexander and Regent Streets, Georgetown when he was attacked by a man armed with a gun, who demanded a bag with money that he had in his possession as he exited the vehicle. He put up a resistance and a struggle ensued, during which he was shot.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
OP-ED
Editor-In-Chief
Nigel Williams Editor
Godfrey Wray
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Editorial
The state newspaper
THE state media is evolving. It was first established in a closed society where the Forbes Burnham administration saw its role as that of a conduit between the people in promoting its philosophy. Later, with the society opened under the Desmond Hoyte administration, private media were added to the landscape even as the state media continued its role of advancing government’s agenda. Under successive PPP governments, the Guyana Chronicle also operated in service to the administration of the day. It would not be untruthful to say from the inception of state media there has been reservation about its ownership and government using same in furtherance of partisan political interest. On December 7th December 2015 in an editorial Titled ‘Role of the State media: a new era,’ it was made known that, “This newspaper is an arm of the State and will give primacy to the government’s agenda, inclusive of the views of members of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, such as the right to be heard, including dissent and response, will be held in high esteem.” This newspaper still holds steadfastly to this position. With that being said, within recent days the papers has been accused of being an instrument of dictatorship and engaging in censorship. Ironically the view was expressed in this newspaper by Dr. David Hinds, a columnist and contributor. Such allegation is worthy of examination given this newspaper is owned by the people and is in service to the people. The commitment to frank, open and honest discourse about the past and present, in an environment where ethical standards are upheld is reiterated. The right to freedom of expression does not operate in media in abstention of editorial judgment based on the paper’s policies, propriety and decorum the society is known for, may have lost, and is striving to regain. In effect, non-censorship is not unbridled, it carries with it responsibility on all sides. In our historically polarised and fractured society, the state media brings with it a duty of welding the people together in keeping with our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ and as far as possible eschewing internecine conflicts. There is no interest in litigating a past that readers in this Information Age can access easily and at their convenience engage in comparative content analyses among the different political administration. Suffice to say the change in management in 2015 has seen concerted efforts to earn the citizenry and readership respect, and be the newspaper of choice. As the papers continue to evolve it is the first time in its history contributors are allowed access to criticise the government of the day, in columns, news and editorial sections. This is borne out in evidence. For instance, less than a year ago some who today grace our pages could not have had access, much less be critical of any act by the government. The new thrust of this newspapers allow for diverse views, voices and interests are to be expressed. This is done in furtherance of making the newspaper reflective of the society, regardless
Sunday smash-up revisited WITH there being 34 road deaths, including those of three children already in the first three months of the year, it cannot be overemphasised that all, especially motorists, need to use the roadways with due care. The latest statistics from the Guyana Police Force has indicated that fatal accidents have increased by four from the corresponding period last year; but, encouragingly, the number of children who perished saw a decline. The figure went down from nine in 2015 to three from the period January to March 2016, and one would hope that this positive trend continues. For this to happen, and for accidents -- notably fatal accidents -- to be avoided, motorists would need to pay greater attention to driving defensively/responsibly. Defensive/responsible driving allows them an opportunity to evade any danger heading their way, and be on the lookout for children and the elderly, who normally are not sharp on judging speed, as they tend to average distance. If this approach is adopted, it would undoubtedly result in a halt in speeding and driving under the influ-
ence, which remain the chief causes of road accidents. The end result will be one for all to celebrate, as it would result in a dip in the number of accidents as well as fatal accidents, the latter of which continue to rob the nation of its most vital resource -- its people. Sunday’s accident, which claimed the lives of young Hansranie Persaud and her friend Rudolph Bess, could have been avoided had a driver involved at the time been using the road with due care and caution. Our editorial on Tuesday, which focused on the accident and young Hansranie, attracted some criticism, and rightfully so, as it appeared to have singled out the young lady for blame. This was not our intention, and we sincerely apologise to all our readers who found some of the sentiments expressed in the editorial to be offensive. The aim was to point out the need for greater parental supervision and for parents to have more open conversations with their children to avoid situations like Hansranie’s. No one party should be blamed for a high school student being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a
23-year-old man. In the first place, it is wrong for the latter to be involved in a relationship with a school girl aged 16. We reiterate that situations like these can be effectively addressed not only by parents and their children being open with each other, but also by the tightening of the system to squeeze out reckless drivers, who are responsible for the carnage on our roadways. In the past 10 years, some 1,360 persons have perished in road accidents, with pedestrians, motor cyclists and pedal cyclists being the main victims. From police reports, 451 pedestrians, 216 motor cyclists and 191 pedal cyclists have died during this period. Regular patrols and the use of speed guns have been helpful in tackling the problem, but more can be done. It is time that efforts be made to have all drivers of vehicles, who use the public roadways, undergo mandatory re-testing every three years. This would not only indoctrinate in them the need to use the roads with care, but it will help in identifying and lessening the number of persons who obtained their licences through underhand means.
Rice farmers are hard working
Dear Editor, THE Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) is outraged at the wave of attacks targeting the farming community generally, and the rice farmers specifically. The first assault on rice farmers was the reneging by the government of a multiplicity of pre-election promises, which are now perceived as a ploy to win the votes of the farming community. This was followed by the scandalous imbroglio of sole-sourcing of fertilizer using the farmers’ own money as a payoff for political favours. Then, seemingly in efforts to decelerate the unprecedented strides the industry has made during the last administration, the government
rescinded the former government’s waiver of VAT for heavy-duty capital equipment and imposed on the millers increased licensing fees for mills, costs which redounded to the beleaguered rice farmers. Rice farmers are a hard-working and hardy lot, and they have sustained Guyana’s food security for generations. The Munirs were no exception. Like most members of the farming community, they worked since their childhood to better their circumstances, and today, when they should be enjoying the fruits of their laborious life and great sacrifices, they have been deprived of their lives in the most brutal fashion – being burnt alive, with no hope
of help, in their own home by psychopathic predators who feel entitled to wrest by force the fruits of the hard work of others. The RPA family is mourning this great and tragic loss in the rice-farming community, and is especially outraged at the most brutal manner in which this helpless elderly couple, who had barricaded themselves in a strong room for protection, were set ablaze by the beasts who were intent on murder. It is public knowledge that the Munirs had never kept money or any valuables in their home, and conjecture is that some motivation other than robbery is driving the crime wave that is targeting this particular community
across the country. The RPA demands that the Security Minister take urgent and committed steps to find the perpetrators and protect the farming community and general populace from such murderous attacks in their own homes and in the society at large. On behalf of the RPA family, and on my own behalf, condolences are being extended to the surviving relatives and friends of the Munirs, even as outrage is expressed at this heinous act perpetrated against the Munir family. DHARAMKUMAR SEERAJ General Secretary, RPA
Any love for the Wales workforce? Dear Editor, THE Guyana Chronicle of April 17, 2016 reported that President Granger, speaking at the launch of DDL’s 50-year-old rum, said, inter alia, that: “the country’s rum industry is precious and that it
must be protected and preserved in the face of this peril. He said that workers’ jobs and the livelihoods of those who indirectly depend on the industry are at stake, while the loss of foreign exchange and excise earnings by the
of the challenges that exist, professional and environmental. Obviously navigating our role in a diverse, complex and divisive climate will not be seamless. In this climate, media professionalism faces daily challenges of competing interests of those who desire their views and recount of history be the dominant interpretation and acceptance of reality. Political
rum industry can result in severe problems in our economy.” The expression of our dear President regarding DDL’s workers has demonstrated his care and concern with respect to the employees and their
families. Will our president, whose Government has placed Wales Estate at stake, have similar love for the affected Wales workers? Yours truly, FREDRICK YUVRAJ
forces both from the government and opposition are jostling to drive the media’s agenda and define its role, and civil society and individuals competing for their voices to be heard. The above are the realities that exist but to say the present newspaper is operating as a dictatorship and turning against the people is a statement not grounded in facts.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Editorial was misdirected Dear Editor, A CERTAIN tragedy occurred on April 17th: A young man of 23 years and a young woman of 16 years, riding a motorcycle, were killed when a driver lost control of his vehicle and struck them down. In its Tuesday, 19th April publication, the Guyana Chronicle published an editorial on the incident. In that editorial, the editor dismissed the “reckless use of the roadways” and “the phenomenon of persons drinking and driving under the influence” as “nothing new”.
Instead, what he finds “very disturbing, to say the least,” is “a teenage girl leaving her home to attend a late night party without the knowledge of her parents.” By implication, the editor attributes the death of the young woman (to whom he refers with presumptuous familiarity as ‘Hansranie’) to ‘weaknesses’ which he perceives to be in her family structure. He derides “the company they keep” and “the activities they engage in”, and suggestively separates “in school” and “out of school” activities. He
pronounces on the “unacceptably close relationship” with the young man; and, with righteous indignation, declares that she “should have been busy with her books, not out late at night partying.” As if attacking the deceased were not enough, the editor then presumes to comment on her family relations, assuming without evidence that the young woman and her parents had not been ‘open’ and ‘forthright’ with each other; and assuming further that the parents should have disapproved of
Draft Tobacco Control Bill does not address taxation Dear Editor, THE Draft Tobacco Control Bill does not seek to ban smoking or the sale of cigarettes. Contrary to claims made by the Demerara Tobacco Company in the media, the draft Tobacco Control Bill does not propose to raise taxes on tobacco products, nor does it propose to prevent persons who have worked in the tobacco industry from obtaining government employment. The Draft Bill proposes that where someone seeking a government job has a tobacco-related conflict of interest, that person cannot be employed in that capacity (for obvious reasons). For example, such a conflict of interest would arise if someone who was recently employed in the tobacco industry were to seek a government job related to tobacco control. Tobacco is the single greatest preventable cause of death in the world today. Not only does tobacco harm the smoker, but exposure to second-hand smoke causes illnesses and death in non-smokers as well. The tobacco epidemic affects the economy by placing significant burdens on the public health care system to treat the chronic diseases smoking causes. Further, we cannot attribute a monetary cost to the pain, loss and suffering faced by individuals and families affected by the tobacco epidemic. The tobacco epidemic disproportionately affects the poor, and places socio-economic burdens on families for generations.
All of this is preventable with the implementation of effective legislation, policies and programmes to fight the tobacco epidemic. Guyana acceded to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) on 15 September, 2005, but has not executed any of its obligations. The objective of the WHO FCTC is the protection of the right of every person to the highest attainable standard of health; and to this end, the Convention establishes legislative and other evidence-based measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco consumption and exposure to second-hand smoke. Tobacco control has also engaged the attention of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In the Declaration of Port of Spain 2007, member states committed to pursue immediately WHO FCTC-compliant legislation. Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Suriname, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands have since all enacted tobacco control legislation. In the meantime, Guyana has no tobacco control legislation; and the WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which tracks tobacco use among youth in countries across the world, shows that the prevalence rate of youth tobacco consumption in Guyana was at 20.9% in 2010, better only than Dominica (25.3% in 2009) and Jamaica (28.7% in 2010) among all CARICOM member states. The proposed Tobacco Control legislation seeks to protect individuals from the
effects of second-hand smoke in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, public transportation; and in specified outdoor public places, including ‘minibus parks’, playgrounds and parks, spaces for sports or performance, and spaces for the service or consumption of food or drink. The Draft Bill also proposes a complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, which will significantly lower the initiation of use of tobacco products by minors, who tend to take up smoking because it is portrayed as ‘cool’, ‘macho’ or ‘rebellious’. In the absence of a complete ban, the tobacco industry will shift its vast resources to promotional means that are not banned. The Draft Bill also seeks to prohibit misleading tobacco packaging and labelling, and provides that tobacco products must bear prescribed health warnings and images. Fifty per cent of countries in the world require a minimum of fifty per cent of any tobacco product package to bear health warnings and images. These include our regional and continental neighbours – Trinidad and Tobago (50%), Suriname (50%), Brazil (50%), Jamaica (60%), Venezuela (65%), and Uruguay (80%). Yours faithfully, KESAUNDRA ALVES Former Legal Officer, Tobacco Control Ministry of Public Health
the relationship, which he imagines existed between the two young people. Incredibly, he claims the liberty and authority to lecture that “the relationship she shared with Bess was not best for her at this point in time”. The moral misdirection of the editorial is self-evident. Surely, the issue of a possibly drunk adult driver causing the death of two
innocent road users should be of far greater concern for the editor. Even worse is the insensitivity. Surely, the tragedy deserves compassion and respect for the bereaved, not callous and indifferent criticism. I have struggled to identify the editor’s motive. Is his attack directed at this young woman because of her age, her gender, her race? But in the end that is irrelevant: A family is in mourning, they are saying goodbye to a sister and daughter, taken from them by an accident not of her
making. A pompous, unfeeling and morally misguided editorial, paid for by the Guyanese public, has added the weight of shame and ridicule to that family’s burdens. I call on the Chronicle to apologize to the families of the deceased, and to take disciplinary action against the author of such callousness. Please permit space for me to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the two young people. TIMOTHY JONAS
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Revenge porn By Akola Thompson
GUYANA has, over the years, seen an increasing amount of “revenge porn” in which nude or seminude women are most often plastered across the Internet by their ex-partners. A recent study has shown that, out of ten ex-partners who threatened to reveal their ex’s nude photos Online, more than 60% of them have made good on the promise. Due to lack of proper laws to punish the perpetrators, many have had to get creative with existing laws, so as to get some semblance of justice. Often, these creative endeavours do not work, and leave the victims feeling as if they have once again been violated.
There are cases in which these persons kill themselves due to being shamed for their sexuality, and being betrayed by those they had trusted. Victims often develop coping mechanisms to deal with their feelings of worthlessness, such as isolating themselves, or drinking excessively. That is why I was particularly pleased when I learned that the Cyber Crime Bill, which touches upon revenge porn, has been published in the Gazette. Desensitisation, I know, has caused many of us to be of the belief that the offended persons deserve to have their nude or semi-nude photographs plastered across the Internet, as they were the ones who had decided to be so photographed.
I will be the first to admit that I was one such person; but it’s funny how a little age, coupled with academia and a developing love for justice, can change one’s mind drastically. Not many persons understand revenge porn; their only view on the matter tends to be that the person should not have taken a photo they would not want the public to see. You hear of the term “revenge porn” and you realise that even the name of the act seeks to disempower the victims and trivialise the serious emotional damages they face. It is an offensive term coined by the very ones who seek to shame us, and perpetuate that shame. While the word “revenge” suggests
that the perpetrator is justified in his/her actions, the word “porn” merely seeks to place that abuse in the mainstream. What it does well is display society’s stigma against nudity, especially in the case of women who are shamed for showing too much legs, torso, or even breastfeeding their babies in public. It’s one of society’s most pervasive and ridiculous concepts of morality, and it does more harm than good, as society sees it as a “deserved” opportunity to humiliate and destroy the reputations of these persons. People also tend to think of it as an isolated phenomenon, when in reality “revenge porn” belongs to an Internet milieu in which “crowd source” misogyny
can take place. They fail to realise that since “revenge porn” is an outgrowth of misogyny, which takes a number of forms Online, telling women not to send nude photos to their significant others will most likely have a limited effect. I am not saying that there should be no education on the potential dangers of sharing in our increasingly technological world. It only makes sense that one knows the potential consequences of one’s actions, whatever they may be, and the permanence of content posted Online. However, the approach that is being taken - in which girls are predominantly told not to take such photos -- neglects to comment upon the
root of the problem. We need to stop telling our girls what not to do lest boys shame them, and rather tell our boys not to shame our girls. I am not quite sure what Guyana’s stance on sexual education is, but if there is any such existing programmes in our schools, the attempt should be made at educating our children, especially the boys, on why shaming women is not okay. Members of society also need to tell each other that it is unacceptable, and change the narrative that the victim has done the most wrong; as, what we are essentially doing is becoming complicit in an act that can potentially affect us and the ones we care about.
MPI takes charge …of lagging D’Urban Park project PRESIDENT David Granger has mandated Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, to immediately assume full responsibility for the D’Urban Park Development Project, even as he assures the Guyanese public that quality work assuring safety will be among the hallmarks of the completed facility. Recent reports suggest that substandard work has been ongoing at the facility, slated to host Guyana’s jubilee celebrations in May. Reports about shoddy work and substandard materials used to construct stands at the Park surfaced in the media a few weeks ago. Key figures of the National Commemoration Commission (NCC) who were tasked with overseeing the project have refused to comment on the President’s decision to hand over responsibility for the Park’s completion to Minister Patterson. The Guyana Chronicle made contact with Bobby Vieira, who initially claimed that he had no knowledge of
the President’s decision, and asked that the reporter contact him later for a comment. However, several calls to his phone went unanswered when this newspaper called him again. As such, contact was made with Clinton Williams, who dismissed reports that he was tasked with overseeing the construction of the project. “I prefer not to talk about that project at all,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle. A release from the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday noted that the President held a meeting with Minister Patterson; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips; and Minister within the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry, where he made it clear that the safety of the users of the Park must be the first priority. “I want to emphasise the seriousness of this. Our intention is to make [D’Urban Park] the most useful,
President David Granger makes a point to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during the meeting
if not the most beautiful, in the Caribbean; so it is not something short-term, it is a symbol of nationhood… “We want it to be a space that is beautiful, safe, and open to the public. Safety must be assured now that it’s a national project, and Minister Patterson will now take responsibility for that,” President Granger said. Emphasising that D’Urban Park is now a national project, and must reflect national standards, Presi-
dent Granger said the Park reflects the national identity and takes precedence over municipal, partisan, commercial and private interests. “There were some delays because of the presentation of the Budget. As you know, last year was the financial year from the view of the Government, but we couldn’t do much work until March, because the Budget hadn’t been passed. But now I would say that there isn’t any need for apprehension.
“The project is a national project, it is not a private project. It is national [project] and that is why it is under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The concerns of safety and infrastructure are all being addressed, and [Guyanese] needn’t worry; they are going to be very proud of what they see on May 25 and 26,” President Granger said. According to the release, Minister Patterson said the Ministry’s engineers and
other technical personnel have already visited the site and analysed the work which has to be done. While pointing out that the task is not beyond the Ministry’s capabilities, he acknowledged that the current weather conditions might present some challenges. However, he assured that his team would be working assiduously to ensure that the mandate given by the President, as well as the deadline, is met. “We want to ensure that the project comes back on stream, and so the resources of the Ministry of the Presidency will be used. We want to ensure that a quality product is delivered on time, with the relevant safety measures in place. The Guyanese people can be assured that their concerns have been noted, and will be addressed to ensure that public safety is guaranteed,” Minister Patterson said. The Guyana Defence Force’s Engineers Corps will also be on hand to lend assistance where needed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
‒ and other potholes in Guyana “WELL, this is a lovely addition to the family!” I remarked, as I tugged my surgical drain everywhere I went as I walked around my house. It had been close to a week after my lumpectomy, and I was at home doing the lay in bed, post-surgery recovery, don’t- move-toomuch or everything-hurts routine. This had certainly cleared up any jokes I had made prior about ‘meh side ah hut meh’. Indeed, it was not a funny sight to behold the tubes that had been inserted into my healing cut, as well as some areas around my right upper back. A closed-suction drain is used to remove fluids that build up in areas of the body after surgery, or when an infection is present. Although there is more than one brand of closed-suction drains, this drain is often called a Jackson Pratt, or JP drain. Drains inserted after surgery do not result in faster wound healing, but are necessary to drain fluids such as blood and other matter that may accumulate after surgery. Before being discharged, I was shown by the nurses and doctor how to care for my drainage tubes (these were to remain for at least a week, or until drainage of fluids had stopped/decreased significantly). Blood and other ‘icky looking’ fluids would drain through the tubes into an
air-compressed container,. from where I would then uncompress the container and release fluids into a container for disposal. “Yeah! Of course I can do this... by myself!” I insisted to my mom after the first two days of her doing it for me. I later found out whilst attempting to clean my drain for the first time on my own that this required more mental strength than physical dexterity. It didn’t take me one minute to start feeling as though I wanted to pass out. I was fine with looking at the blood when other people emptied the drain, but lack of mental preparation made me physically freak out, and start to have a mini panic attack in the bathroom. I made it back to my bedroom; threw myself, very carefully, of course, on the bed, and yelled to my mom that I was dying. Eventually, I got the drainage bit sorted out and did it myself after that day; but it did surprise me the way the mind works. I could stare at my cut and missing flesh and not feel squeamish; but seeing the tubes was an entirely different experience. JUST THE BEGINNING This was just the beginning of my don’t-freak-out, post-surgery training. It came to pass that I accidentally pulled one of my ‘invisible’ stitches out, resulting in a one-inch gap in my healing wound. Thankfully, it didn’t re-
quire more stitches; just better care until it fully healed. My worst fear about being in pain was never realised throughout this entire process. The area operated on was numb from anaesthesia for more than two weeks, I believe. I never experienced pain. Sure, I was sore around the areas that I could feel, but nothing debilitating or unbearable. Whatever the good drugs were, I had gotten them. And they worked! Sleeping was a bit uncomfortable, as I would normally sleep on my stomach or my right side. But I couldn’t do either. This was actually the only issue that affected me; but I got accustomed to it. So accustomed, indeed, that I now prefer to sleep on my back. Use of my right arm was restricted, since they had cut into it to remove the affected lymph nodes. After less than a month of simple arm exercises, I regained full usage of my arm. Prior to all my medical debauchery, I had been employed by the State in a very demanding job, and had oftentimes wished I could just stay home and lay in bed all day for a week. Well! Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it! And I did. Knowing that you are able to move around, and choosing to laze around instead is quite different from being told that you should not. Never had I wanted to leave my room and bed so
Woman rescued after Harbour Bridge plunge By Alva Solomon QUICK action by passing motorists on Tuesday saved the life of a woman who leapt off the Demerara Habour Bridge (DHB) in an apparent suicide attempt. The incident occurred during the busy midday traffic, and DHBC General Manager Rawlston Adams told this newspaper that the woman had been dropped off by a taxi at the Peter’s Hall end of the bridge, from whence she proceeded to walk towards the pedestrian walkway on the structure. He said that, at about 12:38 hrs, the woman was observed along the first span of the DHB, and later she clambered over the rails and
jumped into the water; but two passing motorists who saw the incident unfolding sprang into action and pulled the woman out of the water, which was said to be low at the time. The woman, of East Indian descent, was handed over to the police outpost at the bridge, the ranks of whom later took her to the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment. Her identity is not yet known. Vendors at the bridge told this newspaper that the woman had hurriedly walked towards the pedestrian walkway soon after she had exited the taxi. A plantain chip vendor related that he was plying his trade in the hot midday
sun when he was informed about the incident. He said that when the dazed woman was hauled from the murky waters, she had appeared speechless. Mr Adams said the bridge has a public walkway, and persons are free to walk across the structure at their own free will. In recent years, several persons, mainly women, have taken their lives by fatally plunging off the structure, the most notable case of which began on Valentine’s Night in 2011 when Nalini DeAgrella leapt into the waters of the Demerara River. The most recent case occurred in January 2015 and was preceded by another, one month prior.
badly as I did in that seemingly unending week. I had more time than I needed to dwell upon my much anticipated biopsy results, and what it would really reveal. At this point, even after hearing the doctor’s premature diagnosis in the hospital, my belief that I was cancer-free still trumped what he had said to me. “There was absolutely no way I had cancer! I would know!” I thought. “I would definitely be feeling sick, wouldn’t I?” LUCKY TO BE ALIVE “You did a great job, Doc,” I reasoned daily with myself. “But you’re wrong about this.’ I had a lot of time for personal reflections, and I did have a few lightbulb moments that certainly enlightened me to the fact that I was lucky to even be alive. Not that I’d expected to be dead! But after going through surgery and all this unfamiliar medical stuff, I
had a new found appreciation for life, and for the human body especially. We do not know what we have until we have been threatened with its removal, or worse yet, our removal. I cannot stress enough the wonderful support of my family; the three main people in my life that have loved and cared for me, unconditionally, and continue to do so, even when I have made it difficult to do so. Friends are the family that you choose; and I have also been blessed to have strong, caring and positive people placed in my life. My friends visited often, usually filling my room up with all the things I shouldn’t be eating unless I was an aspiring diabetic. But Mom eventually wizened up and started to run damage control; the Hershey’s cookies and cream never made it up the stairs. It is good to have the foundation pulled from under
one’s feet at times, so that we may distinguish between rocks and sand, often times who is which may surprise you. In accepting myself and body after the changes I had gone through, I also started to accept people more for who they were, than for who I wanted or expected them to be. I have since found that I have been more pleasantly surprised than I have been disappointed. I applied the same theory to people as I did to my medical situation: I could not change what already was, but I could change the way I reacted to situations and people; and I have since employed that thinking in everything that I currently do. In a way, the surgery experience prepared me mentally for the upcoming biopsy results that would, in the blink of an eye, change my entire life and its outlook forever. To be continued next week.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
UG selects candidate for Vice-Chancellor
THE UNIVERSITY of Guyana announced that after an extensive and rigorous search process, the Search Committee has recommended and the University Council has approved the selection of one of the candidates as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana. According to the University in a press missive, the selection process involved first, a thorough review by the Search Committee of 20 applicants who had applied for the position, and four were shortlisted based on an assessment of the predetermined criteria for the position. The four candidates were invited for an interview process that involved interactions, first with the staff at the Berbice Campus, then the University Council and Academic community, and a public lecture. The candidates then met with the Search Committee for an interview process that interrogated their vision, knowledge of the issues at UG and proposed approach to addressing those issues.
Each interaction was scored by different evaluators, each of whom privately submitted his or her score to a single individual who computed the numbers according to a pre-determined formula. The summated scores for each of the candidates were presented to the Search Committee for review and discussion, and out of this a decision made about the candidate that best met the criteria for the position. The University noted that three of the shortlisted candidates went through the interview process. The fourth candidate removed himself from consideration for personal reasons. While the Search Committee believed that all three candidates interviewed met the basic requirements for the position, one of the candidates was adjudged best aligned with the requirements for the position. The Chancellor will announce the name of the Vice-Chancellor once negotiations have been completed, mutually agreed upon and approved by the University Council.
Concerns expressed over departure of LIAT CEO
The minister responsible for aviation in St Kitts and Nevis says he hopes last week’s resignation of LIAT Chief Executive officer David Evans will not prove too much of a setback for the regional airline. Evans, who was touted as a results-driven executive when he became LIAT CEO in April 2014, resigned following what was described as a stormy meeting with the board of directors of the airline. It remains unclear; however, what was the exact catalyst that prompted him to walk away from LIAT. He indicated at the start of his stint that he would try his utmost to turn around the fortunes of the cash-strapped
regional airline. Aviation Minister Mark Brantley is hoping that LIAT will put this apparent setback behind it and move forward. “It is our hope that that will not damage the fortune of LIAT too badly, that we’ll be able to find in quick order, someone who could manage the affairs of that airline,” he said. Trade unionist Chester Humphrey’s TAWU represents some of LIAT’s workers. He has expressed surprise at Evan’s departure, and says the airline needs to adopt a business model that will provide more stability in terms of its leadership and operations. (Caribbean News Now)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Cuba’s Fidel Castro makes rare speech
Cuba has an ageing leadership, headed up by President Raul Castro, 84
The leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, has given a rare speech on the final day of the country’s Communist Party congress. The former president, 89, acknowledged his advanced age but said Cuban communist concepts were still valid and the Cuban people “will be victorious”. It was earlier announced that Cuba’s President, Raul Castro, would remain party chief for another five years. Raul Castro, who himself is 84, is due to step down as President in 2018. But in Cuba the role of Party secretary is considered just as powerful as President, so his announcement that he had been re-elected for another five years was significant. Fidel Castro’s speech at the five-yearly congress has been interpreted by some an-
alysts as valedictory, but the Castro dominance in Cuban politics looks set to continue for some time yet. Raul Castro proposed at the weekend that 60 should become the maximum age for joining the Party’s Central Committee. Cuba has an ageing leadership - Mr Castro’s deputy in the Party, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, is 85. But he also said that there should be a five-year transition period before that comes into force. He will continue as Party leader until 2021, a move which the BBC’s correspondent in Cuba, Will Grant, says will disappoint many Cubans who had hoped that the recent thaw in relations with Washington might also usher in a new generation of reformers in the Communist Party. (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Aid to quake-hit Ecuador stepped up
Thousands have been forced to sleep outside since the earthquake
Aid agencies are stepping up help following Saturday’s devastating earthquake in Ecuador, amid concerns over the conditions faced by survivors. Thousands of people were left homeless, making them vulnerable to dirty drinking water and disease. The World Food Programme and Oxfam are sending supplies, while the UN said it was preparing a “major airlift”. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake left at least 480 people dead, more than 4,000 injured and 231 missing. The cost of rebuilding is likely to be in the billions of dollars, President Rafael Correa said during a visit to the worst-affected region. Six survivors were pulled from the rubble of a hotel near the town of Manta but despite the efforts of emergency teams hope is fading that others will be found. The smell of rotting bodies is filling the air in the worst-hit areas, witnesses said. From Tuesday, rescue efforts would become more of a hunt for corpses, Ecuador’s Interior Minister Jose
Serrano told Reuters. Focus is turning to the survivors. The quake damaged communications, transport links and sanitation, hampering relief efforts. Foreign nationals from Northern Ireland, Canada and the US have been confirmed among the dead and the death toll is likely to rise further. “I fear that figure will go up because we keep on removing rubble,” Mr Correa said in a televised address. Reconstruction costs are likely to be huge at a time when the oil-producing country is already reeling from the slump in global crude prices. Funerals for some of those killed have been held in Portoviejo and Pedernales, two towns that were the worst hit. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at a fairly shallow depth of 19.2km (11.9 miles), about 27km from Muisne in a sparsely populated area. Scientists say there is no connection between the quake in Ecuador and a severe tremor in southern Japan, which also occurred on Saturday. (BBC)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Mayor hears…
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‘Go-and-come’ treatment at City Hall irks citizens
At yesterday’s meeting at the Town Hall, Town Clerk Royston King made the introductions while, seated at the head table, are, from left, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green; her deputy, Sherod Duncan; and Chairman of the Personnel and Training Committee, Oscar Clarke (Photos by Ivan Bentham)
By Telesha Ramnarine GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green related yesterday that most of the complaints she has received over the past week have to do with the treatment of the public by the City Engineer’s and City Treasurer’s Departments. “Go and come, go and come, go and come,” is what customers are subjected to, without any consideration being paid to the time and cost that citizens have to expend, Chase-Green observed. Speaking at a City Hall meeting organized by Town Clerk Royston King to formally introduce her, Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan and the new council to all heads of departments and workers of the Council, Mayor Chase-Green, in her short address, related that over the past week, the number one complaint she received through phone calls and letters, had to do with the manner in which persons are treated when they turn up at City Hall for business. NEW PAGE “We have started a new page. We have got to do better than that,” she urged the officers. Last month, at a ceremony to bid farewell to former Mayor Hamilton Green, Chase-Green had similarly complained about the behaviour of staff in the Treasurer’s Department. “You come to the Treasurer’s Department, you’re told to come back tomorrow; come back the next day; oh, we ain’t get it yet; come back the next day. Nobody
takes the time to ask if you have the passage to come back, or if you are going to be allowed time off to come back. Sometimes you come for your salary and you hear, ‘Oh come back’. They don’t know if you’ve got to take your sick child to the doctor with that money, and I am disturbed about that.” She encouraged those present to never take personally any decision made by the council. “They are never personal, they will all be made in the best interest of the City.” She also promised to look into any situation that causes discomfort to the officers, because if they are uncomfortable, they will not perform in the most efficient way. Something as simple as fixing their chair to make them more comfortable will be looked into, she said. Deputy Mayor Duncan similarly commented that if the 800-plus officers of the council are equipped, the city will move forward. “I didn’t come for my looks. I came to work,” Duncan told the gathering. He undertook to work hard, especially at the grassroots level. Chairman of the Personnel and Training Committee, Oscar Clarke, urged the officers never to become demotivated on account of criticism. He reminded councillors that the correct way of dealing with any concern is first through the mayor and her deputy. Clarke reminded the officers of the need to be polite and disciplined, and to interact with others in a way that would make them want to cooperate with the City Council.
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No more dumping at Dakoura Creek By Vanessa Braithwaite
DAKOURA Creek, located at the Wisroc watershed in the Region 10 community of Linden, will no longer be under threat from various organisations which had previously dumped their garbage around its environs. The move to discontinue dumping was given by the officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who met with Region 10 officials and the owner of Cevon’s Waste Management, one of the entities culpable for dumping at the site. The issue was raised after residents from the area sounded an alarm regarding the indiscriminate dumping of garbage at the watershed, from which water is sourced for the entire Wismar shore. Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian had requested that
Cevon’s and other entities, such as the hospital, discontinue dumping garbage at the watershed, which practice he had described as illegal. Cevon’s owner Morse Archer has refuted the claim that his entity has been illegally dumping garbage at the watershed. His contention is that permission had been granted in the 2014 contract between his company and the Ministry of Legal Affairs to dump at the watershed. Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira, who represented the people of Linden in the meeting, said the issue was not about dumping at the site, but the way it was done. He explained that even though the contract did permit the dumping of garbage at the watershed, it had stated how dumping should be done, and Cevon’s had erred in this regard, hence breaching the
GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The Dakoura Creek, located at the Wisroc watershed, will no longer be under threat from various organisations that dumped their garbage around its environs
contract. Figueira alleged that Mr Archer blamed the indiscriminate dumping on the lack of revenue, since Cevon’s did not secure the monopoly contract to collect garbage in Linden.
Commenting on the breach, Mr Archer posited that there was no organised way in which the garbage was being dumped, and he contended that several organisations had been dumping garbage at that site, including
the Mayor and Town Council. The officials reached an agreement at the meeting to cease all dumping of garbage at the watershed, and in the interim, are intent on locating a suitable land filling site. Cevon’s, along with the M&TC,
will tentatively dump garbage at the Kara Kara dump site. The council will be putting systems in place to repair the access road to the dumpsite, so that these entities will easily reach the location. Mayor Carwyn Holland told residents that the administration will continue to fight for waste to be properly disposed of in Linden, since irresponsible dumping can result in a national epidemic. He also posited that residents should commence better and safer waste disposal methods, such as recycling, which would bring in revenue to Linden. “The garbage can benefit us, instead of affecting us,” he said. Any continuous dumping of garbage at the watershed will result in the council pursuing legal action against those found guilty.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Charged with murder of Mocha resident idence and knocked on the front door. Lanferman opened his front door to greet his visitor, but was confronted by the gunman and was shot.
Murder accused Kenkassie Lynch
KILLED: Terrence Lanferman
AFTER almost a year on the run, Kenkassie Lynch of Eccles, East Bank Demerara appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with the murder of Mocha resident Terrence Lanferman, allegedly committed on June 1, 2015. The 21-year-old welder was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleges that he shot dead the 23-year-old Lanferman in an incident that occurred at Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. Police Prosecutor Corporal Bharrat Mangru told the court that the accused was captured on April 13 and reportedly confessed to the crime. He was remanded to prison until June 1. According to the reports, Lynch also implicated a cousin, whose only name has been given as ‘Birdman.’ The Guyana Chronicle understands that the shooting resulted from a feud between ‘Birdman’ and Lanferman, but Lynch reportedly admitted that he alone carried out
the shooting. On the day in question, Lynch allegedly returned to Mocha and met his cousin, after which he visited Nelson Street, located in the same community, to conduct surveillance on Lanferman’s home, which is located in the bottom flat of a two-storey building. He then returned to ‘Birdman’s’ house, and at around 19:00 hours, the cousin allegedly gave him a handgun, and the two headed back to Nelson Street on a CG motorcycle. While the cousin waited in a nearby street, Lynch allegedly went to Lanferman’s res-
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, April 22, 2016 - 05:00 hrs
Corporal Mangru told the court that 18 witnesses are slated to testify at the preliminary inquiry (PI), which is set to commence on June 1.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Tears follow remand order A 22-YEAR-OLD McDoom resident was yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he pleaded not guilty to charges of firearm and ammunition possession. Darren Eddie of 50 Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara broke down in tears in the prisoners’ dock, and his family members in court also cried when the charges were read. The first charge alleges that on April 15 at McDoom,
Eddie had in his possession a 9mm Glock pistol and 35 rounds of matching ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. The second charge alleges that he also had in his possession 26 rounds of.32 ammunition when he was not a licence firearm holder. Eddie denied the charges, while his lawyer, Clyde Ford, made an application for bail to be granted. According to Ford, his client is a carpenter by profession and is not a
flight risk, since three other persons have also been arrested for the crime. The lawyer contended that on the day in question, police ranks went to Eddie’s McDoom, EBD home and conducted a raid. Ford noted that his client is only a tenant at the said two-storey home, where three other persons reside. “Nothing was found in my client’s possession, but yet the police charged him,” the attorney told the court.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones failed to disclose the facts in court, but strongly opposed bail being granted on grounds of the gravity of the charges and the penalties they attract. The chief magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Eddie until May 9. It is reported that ranks, acting on information, went into the village of McDoom and conducted a raid in relation to a robbery and shootout that had taken place earlier that morning at the Shell Fuel Station at McDoom, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The ranks caught a man with a 9mm Glock pistol with matching rounds, while two other men were busted with
shotguns at the McDoom home. Reports are that three armed men stormed the Shell
Fuel Station and held at gunpoint three female employees along with a security guard. They managed to rob the workers of $51,000 in cash, along with a cellular phone, before the police arrived at the scene moments later. The bandits, upon realising that they could be caught when the police arrived, began shooting at the officers. This action attracted counter fire from law enforcement official, during which one of the perpetrators was shot. The perpetrators then managed to escape from the fuel station and headed into the McDoom village. However, police ranks, in hot pursuit, were able to nab one of the gunmen at that point.
CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday placed 18-year-old gold miner Kemraj Persaud on $50,000 bail after he appeared before her unrepresented by legal counsel to answer a simple larceny accusation which he denied
committing. The allegation is that on March 29 at Port Kaituma, he stole $200,000 cash from Basdeo Persaud. The accused also explained that he resides at Grass Field, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail, but disclosed that the allegedly stolen money was never recovered. Persaud’s matter has been transferred before the Matthews Ridge Magistrate for May 3.
Darren Eddie
18-year-old released on $50,000 bail
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Farmer charged with Handed 13 years murder of Corentyne on a lesser count businessman
Murder accused Basheer Harrinauth
Dead: Shameer ‘Kazac’ Ally
THE second suspect in the Shameer Ally murder probe appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the indictable charge, but was remanded to prison. Thirty-seven-year-old Basheer Harrinauth, a farmer of Moleson Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, was unrepresented when he was arraigned before the Chief
Magistrate in connection with the allegation that, while being in the company of others on October 24, 2015, he murdered Corentyne businessman Shameer Ally, called ‘Kazac,’ at his Crabwood Creek home. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not disclose the facts, but explained that another individual, Dennis Veerasammy, had since been charged for the crime and
has been remanded to prison. Jones requested that the matter be transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where the duo could be jointly charged with murder. The matter has been transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s court for May 4. Ally’s body was, last October, discovered by police lying in a pool of blood at his home at Weld Tank Dam, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne. At the time, police were investigating a report of threatening language and damage to property, and had gone to Ally’s home. After calling out for some time without any response, the police officers ventured into the yard and made the discovery. It was reported that Ally and Harrinauth had an argument over a long-standing dispute, and Ally had gone to Harrinauth’s home and damaged several windows.
MOHAN Basdeo, called ‘Latta’, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Yesterday, before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, he was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for the October 21, 2010 murder of his reputed wife, Nafeeza (only name given). Justice Barlow started
the sentencing at a base of 25 years, from which she deducted 7.5 years for time served, and 4.5 years due to the plea. State prosecutor Siand Dhurjon presented the facts in evidence to the court. He said Basdeo stabbed Nafeeza in the back while she was holding one of their three children in her arms during
a domestic quarrel. She was trying to escape in the kitchen of their home. Dhurjon urged the court to take a strong posture against such domestic violence. The case was presented by state prosecutors Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin, while the Defence Counsel was Maxwell McKay.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The ‘Island’ to become park By Telesha Ramnarine
GEORGETOWN Town Clerk Royston King has revealed that the piece of land owned by the City Council and going by the name the ‘Island’ at Industrial Site will soon be made into a park for the benefit of children and senior citizens. Illegally been fenced off by business people for many years, this piece of City Council real estate had been occupied by trailers, large containers and derelict
vehicles. In fact, when the City Council recently demanded that the ‘Island’ be cleared, a ‘junkie’ was seen exiting one of the containers, prompting those in the area to poke fun at him for now being homeless. “It’s a replication of what we’re doing on the Merriman’s Mall,” King told the Chronicle on the sidelines of a meeting organised at City Hall to formally introduce City Councillors to officers of the Council. “In another three to four
weeks, you will see a complete transformation of that area. In another week, we will begin works on the park. We plan to put in swings, plant trees, we want to resurface the road, dig the drains, beautify the round around, and make it into a community park where children and seniors can go in the cool of the day and sit, think, play, release their tensions. “You have to remember that all these spaces are collectively owned by citizens. We are the custodians,
and the citizens expect us to protect their interests by ensuring the integrity of these spaces,” King said. He said the Council was very happy that those Industrial Site businesses have complied with orders to remove the derelict vehicles and containers from the area. “There is no trailer, vehicle or derelict material parked here. I’m very happy that those persons who were engaged in such poor environmental negative practices have been cooperating with the Council.” A team from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), including King and Chief Constable Andrew Foo, recently swooped down on business owners in the area, determined not to extend the 48-hour ultimatum they had earlier given business persons. The businesses, including Distribution Services Limited (DSL), E-Networks and Guytrac, were warned to remove their derelict vehi-
Georgetown Town Clerk Royston King
cles, containers and trailers occupying space belonging to the City Council, or have them cut in manageable sizes and removed to the Council’s incinerator compound on Princes Street, Georgetown. King had expressed concern that the containers were being used as seclusion zones for people who were perhaps intent on carrying out criminal activities.
“And we cannot accept that. It is unfair, and therefore we are taking action,” he had said. He offered that the environment for those toddlers who attend the city’s daycare was completely unhealthy. “And I am very surprised that big businesses are not particularly interested in the welfare and health of our children and those who frequent our daycare,” he revealed. The containers and trailers in question were parked in a manner that was dangerous to life and limb, King had reported, and the frequent movement of the trailers destroyed the roads, causing depression, which in turn led to accumulation of water and other environmental issues. The Town Clerk also observed that the trailers gave off radioactive emissions, which were not healthy to those children and parents of the daycare, as well as all others who were in the area.
Hung jury…
Man goes back to prison MURDER accused Lakeraj Fredericks was yesterday remanded to prison by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow after a 12-member jury remained hung in its verdict, even after further deliberations. A caution statement was admitted in evidence during the trial, in which Fredericks admitted shooting Clifton
Bonus, called ‘Mutts’, in the head following a problem over marijuana. The statement had Fredericks asking for help to bury Bonus, whose partly decomposed body was found with gunshot injuries to the head sometime in June, 2011. The 36-year-old Linden resident was indicted for the murder of Clifton Bonus,
called ‘Mutts’, on June 3, 2011. He pleaded not guilty and is being represented by attorneys-at-law Lawrence Harris and Hewley Griffith. There were no eyewitnesses testifying in this matter. Lawyer Siand Dhurjon prosecuted the case in association with Ms Shawnette Austin.
Freed of money-changer’s murder NYKOYESE Gritten, called ‘Kosi’ or ‘Elijah’, yesterday walked out of the High Court a free man after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the June, 2014 murder of money-changer Wendell Liverpool, allegedly at West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme in Georgetown. Justice Navindra Singh upheld the no-case submission made by Defence Counsel George Thomas, and directed the jury to return a formal not guilty verdict, thus the case was discharged yesterday. After the verdict was announced, a calm Gritten exited the courtroom with his family in tow, and hugged his mother and sister as they all walked away. Gritten was before Justice Singh and a 12-member jury in the High Court for the murder of money-changer
Freed: Nykoyese Gritten
Liverpool, called ‘Spence’, allegedly committed in furtherance of a robbery that had allegedly taken place at 453 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme. The state prosecutors were Orinthia Schmidt and Michael Shahoud, while the
Defence Counsel was George Thomas. The James Street, Albouystown resident was arrested more than seven months after the death of Liverpool, who was shot outside a night spot. Police had reported that Liverpool was shot in the back, buttocks and shoulder a short distance from his home. The money-changer was reportedly sitting with one of his brothers when three men on bicycles rode up to the siblings. A brief exchange of words between Liverpool and the men resulted in him being shot. After he collapsed on the roadway, the men reportedly relieved him of a large gold chain, two gold rings encrusted with small diamonds, and a gold band. Liverpool was rushed to the GPHC, where he later succumbed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
‘Lil Man’ not guilty of murdering niece
EIGHTEEN-year-old Kevin Rankin, called ‘Lil Man’, exited the High Court a free man Tuesday afternoon after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the October 21, 2013 murder of his two-year-old niece, Kimani Phillips. The trial took place before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and after the unanimous verdict was announced, Rankin stood in the prisoner’s dock with outstretched hands still clutching a Bible and said “Yes”. Justice Sewnarine-Beharry told him he was free to go. An overly excited Rankin ran out of the courtroom, kicking off his shoes in the process before sprinting down South Road with his relatives in pursuit. Shortly before the Judge told Rankin he was free to go, relatives raised their hands in the air and said “Praise God” after which they were ushered out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, the mother of the deceased child, Venice Phillips was disheartened and was in shock over the not guilty verdict. During the trial, only one police witness testified and he told the court that he was just the arresting
Freed: Kevin Rankin called ‘Lil Man’
officer and he did not assist in the probe at all. Several other witnesses testified including Rankin’s mother, an aunt, a cousin and the mother of the deceased child. The child was left in Rankin’s care by his cousin Kiana Primo after his [Rankin] mother, who usually takes care of the child, went out on an errand that day. Rankin told the court he cleaned and changed his niece after she defecated and it was then that she told him her belly was hurting after
which he called out to Primo. Rankin maintained his innocence and told the court that he did not trouble Kimani and it was his cousin Primo, who rubbed the child after she appeared to be unconscious. He said his cousin also administered CPR on the toddler. Defence Counsel Sandil Kissoon told the court that the prosecution’s case was unrepresented and no police investigation was done to indicate whether the death of the child was ever treated as murder. He said the evidence presented by the prosecution was directed to obtain conviction by omission because the police never visited the crime scene nor did they interview any witnesses. He further added that the police did not question neighbours, did not take photos of the crime scene or the contents of the house in question and no inquiry was made of how the child received injuries to the head. Meanwhile, state prosecutor Narissa Leander in closing said they have proved that the accused was the person that inflicted the injuries causing the death of
Killing followed drunk and disorderly behaviour DISTER Narine Kusranie will spend the next three years in jail for the March 2001 killing of McClean Benjamin, called ‘Buckman’ and ‘Shortman’. Before Justice Navindra Singh yesterday, he pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Justice Singh started at a base of eight years, from which he deducted five years for the time spent in prison. State Prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt told the court that Kusranie was at a wedding and was heavily intoxicated while dancing with the daughter of the deceased. The father objected because of Kusranie’s behaviour, and Kusranie lashed Benjamin in the head. The cause of Benjamin’s
death was given as asphyxiation due to compression to the neck, compounded by multiple blunt traumas to the head. In his address to the court yesterday on behalf of Kusranie, Defence Counsel Adrian Thompson said that the accused was in jail in 2009 for another matter, but prior to that, he had no other conviction and was remorseful. He told the court that Kusranie was at a wedding house at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, and because he was heavily under the influence, he acted in a certain way. Thompson asked the court to consider that Kusranie did not waste the court’s time in offering a guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter, since he wanted
to bring closure to circumstances and had expressed remorse. The lawyer also asked for a minimum sentence to be handed down. State Prosecutor Michael Shahoud told the court that a life was lost, the incident was uncalled for, and asked that the accused equip himself with a life skill, to be gainfully employed upon his release from jail and to contribute to society in a meaningful way. When Justice Singh asked Kusranie if he had anything to say, he answered in the affirmative, and told the court: “I am sorry for what I did, and I apologise to the family of the deceased, because I know what I did was wrong.”
Kimani Phillips noting that the post mortem report by Dr. Nehaul Singh indicated that anal penetration and the multiple injuries to the abdomen happened at the same time. She explained that the accused inflicted the injuries with intent to kill the child and their case was potent, overwhelming and compelling. Leander stated that wit-
ness Kiana Primo testified that she changed her statement in an effort to protect her favourite cousin, Kevin Rankin and asked the jury to consider the evidence before them since they do not have a perfect case. Three months after the incident, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that Rankin be charged for murder and he was re-arrested and ar-
raigned 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 an old bite mark on her neck. However, a post mortem revealed Kimani Phillips died from hemorrhage and shock due to multiple abdominal injuries.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Mother killed while searching for son A mother of two was killed and her partner seriously injured during an accident on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, Tuesday night. Dead is 29-year-old Shauna Rice of 651 East
Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Her reputed husband, Steve Feidtkou, is now a patient at the Georgetown Hospital in a serious condition. Reports are that the woman and her reputed husband were riding along Mandela Avenue,
Georgetown when a car slammed the motorcycle, killing her. Relatives said the couple was at the time searching for their son who was taken for a drive by another relative unknow-
ing to the family. Family members are unsure of what exactly happened. A cousin of the dead woman told the Guyana Chronicle that the couple had contacted a number of persons regarding her son but never thought that particular relative would have taken him away because of the distance between their respective homes. Rice, a Librarian attached to the South Ruimveldt Library has left to mourn her two sons Jine Fiedtkou, 7 and 6-month-old Steve Fiedtkou, her mother Ann Garraway, father Oswald Rice, and siblings Otis, Shaun and Kizzy.
Shauna Rice and her son Jine in happier times
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Women artists begin exhibition on ‘high note’ the Guyanese women. Meanwhile, Textile Artist, Ms. Hazel Davidlonge called on those present not to discard the works of art. “Even as we try to redefine what women’s work is, we should strive not to discard it. She added that in our school system, we have seen a devaluing of the arts in general. Davidlonge debunked the theory now being put forward that: “You can’t go At left, Vice President Dominique Hunter and at extreme right, President Aiesha Scotland; (third and fourth from left – Mr. Marcia De Melo Teixeira and Senora Maritza Perez, along with members of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association
By Shirley Thomas THE GUYANA Women Artists’ Association on Monday declared open its annual Art Exhibition, featuring colorful and intricately designed pieces – the original work of local women artists, under the theme: “Redefining Women’s Work.” The venue was the Brazilian Cultural Centre, Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. Held in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the exhibition was also a tribute to the late Ms. Edna Cadogan, distinguished member of the GWAA who taught for 75 years and passed this life on March 28 last at the age of 90. The tribute was given by Anna-Correia-Bevaun, Executive Committee Member/Care Committee Member of the Association. The holding of this year’s Exhibition has the
strong support of the Director of the Brazilian Cultural Centre and staff of the institution. The Exhibition was declared open by Senora Maritza Perez, wife of the Chilean Ambassador, with the feature address being delivered by Mr. Marcio De Melo Teixeira, Director of the Centro Cultural Brasil-Guiana (the Brazilian Cultural Centre Guyana). Mr. Teixeira asserted: “To us at the Centre, beginning the new term of activities with the art exhibition by the Guyana Women Artists’ Association is beginning it on a rather high note. I say this, not only because of the beautiful works that you have been able to produce, but also because having GWAA back in this house means a continued collaboration in this promotion of cultural expressions and social values for both Brazilians and Guyanese.” He noted that the exhi-
bition sets out to highlight the importance of cultural co-operation, and to value the women of this country in their role, potential and contribution to making this country benefit. In concluding he congratulated the people of Guyana on ‘Fifty years of Independence,’ stating that it was a celebration of a turning point in Guyana’s history, and a great future envisaged by men and women who embrace their identity and express it through art. Senora Perez, in declaring the exhibition open, said that it was a pleasure to be a part of the art symposium, adding that it was evident that art was an important part of the Guyanese women’s experience. She endorsed the support given GWAA in mounting the exhibition, while thanking President of the body, Ms. Aiesha Scotland for allowing her the opportunity of sharing such a wonderful experience with
GWAA Secretary, Lori Ann Jacobs displays some of the exhibits at yesterday’s art symposium
anywhere unless you’re innovative and made a strong case for ‘creativity’, which is in effect, the work of art. In closing, she passionately admonished the gathering “not substitute the computer for what you can do with your hands.” The exhibition continues daily until Friday, April 22, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m at 309 Church Street.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Harmon donates stove to Linden nursing students
MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon on Monday presented a six-burner gas stove to the students of the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden, in fulfilment of a request they had made since 2013 to the previous administration. The minister presented the stove to the students, who were visibly overwhelmed with gratitude, at a simple ceremony held in the school’s compound. Among the officials attending the simple presentation ceremony were Regional Chairman Renis Morian and newly-sworn in Mayor Carwyn Holland. In brief remarks, Minister Harmon said that after receiving the students’ request, he was also informed that there was only a small, two-burner table top stove available to them, forcing them to walk to the Mackenzie Hospital Complex to utilise the stove there. “I felt that the least I can do is to step in and provide this facility. We have to ensure that our communities develop in a holistic way.... We have to work to ensure that our collective energies work for the people of Guyana and the people of Linden. It is very important… We must not lose focus of what we have to do and that is to provide service to the people. Every small step we take in assisting human development is a step in developing our country. It is these baby steps that develop our country,” Harmon said. He then pledged to continue to support the students’ development. A student at the school, Lovern Sam, who was visibly overjoyed by the gesture, said in an invited comment that the students have been asking for a stove since 2013 and their plea appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. “We are students from various regions and we came into this building with a lack of many necessities so we have been trying to get donations. As a last resort, we opted to ask the Minister for help through a letter. We asked for the stove last
Minister of State Joseph Harmon during his meeting with new Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland. month and we had been asking the previous administration since 2013, but we never got it and we wrote to the Minister and we have it here today,” Sam said. The Regional Chairman also expressed gratitude and ap-
Minister of State Joseph Harmon presents the six-burner gas stove to a student of the Charles Roza School of Nursing, MacKenzie, Linden
preciation for the gesture, noting that it shows the Minister’s interest in the well-being of the Guyanese people. “Minister, we want to thank you for being here. I know that so many persons have been asking for things and it is nice that you can respond to the needs of Region 10 and we want to say thanks to you,” Morian said. Meanwhile, Mayor Holland in expressing similar sentiments said, “I am happy that our Minister is taking a hands-on approach to assisting us in Linden. This shows us your commitment to the smallest of things and we know that you have Linden at heart. We really appreciate this.” Minister Harmon and Holland met later at the mayor’s office to discuss the new council’s plans for the development of the town. In an invited comment, Holland said that the new council envisions advancing Linden to the status of a modern city. To this end, he said, the council, though only two weeks in office, has already started putting steps in place to ensure that this becomes a reality. “If we are to move this town to a city, we need to do several things. We need to fix our infrastructure, our human and natural resources - we need better management of those; we need a total economic revival, we need to stimulate the economy to create jobs, and we need to enable entrepreneurship. We are also looking at affordable housing and the regularisation of homes. There are also plans to promote a farmer’s market and to transform the Wismar Market to a wholesale hub,” Holland said. GREEN TOWN He also made it clear that the council is working to ensure that Linden, like Bartica, becomes a green town in keeping with the President’s vision. “It is our top priority to make Linden a green town and we have a road map. Some of the things we have in train are waste management, which we want to carefully reconstruct. We want to do waste to energy instead of simply disposing waste, develop landfill development strategies, find alternative energy solutions, we are looking at hydro-power given the many falls, which we have around,” the Mayor said. (Ministry of the Presidency)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Deputy Prisons Director refutes ‘let them burn and dead’ allegations By Svetlana Marshall DEPUTY Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, has dispelled allegations that he caused the death of the 17 inmates who perished in the fire during the March 03 Camp Street prison riot. the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, a number of inmates had testified that Samuels had ordered the doors locked, saying “let them burn and dead”, thereby preventing prisoners from escaping the inferno. The Deputy Director of Prisons was sent on six weeks’ leave in the wake of inmates’ complaints following the deadly fire at the Georgetown Prison. Samuels took the stand yesterday and made it clear that he did not lead the Task Force at the prison on the day in question. TOLL ON FAMILY According to Samuels, every effort was made to rescue the prisoners; but, to his surprise, the prisoners and media have painted him in a very barbaric way -– a situation which has now taken a toll on his entire family. Before a full house at the CoI Secretariat, Samuels was cross-examined by Prison Services Attorney Selwyn Pieters, who requested that he detail the events leading up to, during, and after the riot. The Commission comprises the chairman, Justice James Patterson, human rights activist Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons Dale Erskine. The Deputy Director of Prisons told the Commission that after returning to Bartica from the Mazaruni Prison on March 2, he was informed that members of the Joint Services had conducted a search at the Georgetown Prison and had found lots of contraband items. These included cell phones; leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be marijuana; and improvised weapons. According to Samuels, he confirmed receiving the message, making it clear that he was not mandated to give any instruction at that point. However, at about 21:00h, he received another call from the Operations Room at the Georgetown Prison, informing him that there was a fire at the Capital ‘A’ Division.
Upon learning of the fire, Samuels said, he enquired whether the relevant authorities had been informed, and was told they had. He was later informed that several fires were set, but the prison officers, with the help of members of the Fire Service,
the prison yard, Samuels said, he reportedly observed that approximately six prison officers, dressed in the Task Force uniform, were carrying a prisoner by the name of Collis Collison, who appeared very hostile to the officers.
with Standing Operating Order 25. But he made it clear that none of the firearms were used on March 3. Samuels said Superintendent Kevin Pilgrim, who was the officer in charge of the prison at the time, subse-
Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, demonstrating to the Commission how easy it is to open the door of any division under normal conditions were successful in extinguishing those fires. Questioned about his attire upon entering the penitentiary on the day in question, Samuels recalled that he was dressed in a white T-shirt that carried the Prison Services’ Logo along with a pair of jeans. He said that at that point he was not carrying a service firearm. THREATS TO PRISON OFFICERS “…after entering the second gate…there was a whole lot of noise coming from the prison yard. I heard persons cursing to the top of their voice, making threats to prison officers,” he recalled. As he made his way to
“There was a lot of noise coming specifically from the Capital ‘A’ Division,” he added, noting that the prisoners were tampering with the partition wall. “There was also the sound of steel hitting steel…. Having heard what was happening, as I looked around the prison yard, based on my assessment, I concluded that the security arrangement on the ground was not adequate to protect the staff, and by extension the public. “At that point, I instructed three prison officers to go to the front and uplift arms and ammunition and return to the prison yard…I also give instruction to one of them to bring my firearm,” he recounted, noting that his actions were in keeping
quently updated him on the situation. He said his suspicion that the prisoners were breaking the partition wall between Divisions ‘A’ and ‘B’ was confirmed during the briefing with Superintendent Pilgrim. According to the Deputy Director of Prisons, Superintendent Pilgrim had also informed him that a number of prisoners in the Capital ‘A’ Division were brought out during the search exercise, but some had put up a resistance and retaliated by breaking the wall. A decision was then taken to have Capital ‘B’ evacuated. Mr. Pilgrim went up to the Capital B Division, and at that point they refused,” he recounted, adding that
from where he was standing in the prison yard, prisoners were heard hurling death and sexual threats towards the prison officers. After the prisoners had refused to heed Pilgrim’s instruction, Samuels said, he proceeded to the Capital ‘B’ Division, where he saw that the door was open. Standing in front of the door, Samuels said, was Jermaine Otto, a prisoner who was housed in the Capital ‘A’ Block. Samuels said he drew the conclusion that Otto had gotten to Division B through the hole in the wall. Leaving the door open, Samuels said, he proceeded down the stairs; and it was while heading to the prison yard that he heard a loud noise -– the prisoners had broken a larger part of the partition. “Together with a group of officers, we went up to Capital B. Mr. Pilgrim and I spoke to the prisoners, advising them to come out…I stood in front of the Capital ‘B’ door, and at that point the area was very hostile because the prisoners were pelting left, right, and centre…. The prisoners were told to come out repeatedly, but they refused,” Samuels told the commission. At that point, Samuels said, he drew his weapon. He contended that the prisoners in Capital ‘B’ were being held hostage by Otto. Asked what propelled him to draw his firearm, Samuels said: “Because of the level of threat I was exposed to…I had to safeguard myself and I had to safeguard the ranks under my command, and the prisoners in capital ‘B’ who were being held hostage. I also had a responsibility to safeguard the general public.” Though it took some time, Samuels told the Commission, the prisoners in Capital ‘B’ subsequently existed the building, and he then noticed that a fire had erupted in Capital ‘A’. FUELLING FIRE An alarm was raised, and the prison officers were able to bring the fire under control, Samuels recalled; but the prisoners were continuously fuelling the fire by adding their mattresses. After ensuring Capital ‘B’ was cleared, Samuels
said, and recognizing that Block ‘A’ was on fire, he proceeded to the prison yard, where he then instructed that the door to that block be opened. “After a short period, I was informed that the door was not opening,” Samuels said. He said he then instructed the prison officers to reopen the Capital ‘B’ door so that the prisoners could exit through the hole they had created in the partition. “All of my instructions were given from the prison yard,” he emphasised. The prison officers, who were using plastic shields, had retreated due to the heat emanating from the block, he said. Upon realizing that the prisoners did not exit through Capital ‘B’, he instructed a civilian worker to use a power cutter to cut open the door, but that failed, and so they later resorted to using the keys for a second time. He told the Commission that, with the help of fire fighters, the prison officers had made every attempt to extinguish the fire and rescue the prisoners who were trapped in Capital Block ‘A.’ “I saw persons kicking the door, hitting it with a fire extinguisher. Mr. Pilgrim again resorted to the use of the power cutter, and it was not until continuous efforts that I saw the door opened,” he recounted. At that point, the Director of Prisons, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle and Police Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken had arrived on the scene, Samuels said. According to him, the Director was informed that some of the prisoners were trapped. While he was speaking with the officials, the prisoners complained to the Assistant Commissioner that he, Samuels, had locked the prisoners inside the blazing block. “Some of the prisoners who were not in the affected area complained to Mr. Hicken that Samuels was responsible for the death or the burning of the prisoners…that is what they said…that he give instructions for the door to be locked,” he said, but maintained his innocence. As a result, he said, he was advised by Hicken to leave the prison yard.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
NCN’s new CEO…
No ‘financial impropriety’ involved in GT&T signature issue AMIDST the controversy surrounding the appointment of Communications Consultant Lennox Cornette as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at National Communications Network (NCN) after he admitted to forging a signature in the past, the newly-appointed NCN boss says there was no financial impropriety involved in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) signature issue. Cornette, who remained silent about the issue for days, in a press release yesterday condemned attacks streaming mainly from online news sources which questioned his credibility as CEO after he had acknowledged forging a signature while being employed as Public Relations Officer (PRO) at GT&T, leading to his dismissal from the major telephone company.
Sections of the media reported that a leaked email suggested there was disagreement at the Board of Directors’ level over the approval and appointment of Cornette. However, a press release from GuyEnterprise said Cornette “emerged the best candidate for the CEO’s position, based on his diverse communication, financial and executive management background” after a successful round of interviews by the NCN Board of Directors. Cornette said the attacks on his person came from online sources after the announcement was made by the NCN Board that he had emerged as the best candidate among those who were interviewed for the post of CEO. He said the attacks, first centered on an occurrence while he was Public Relations Officer of GT&T,
descended to questioning his ability to manage NCN. Though he admitted forging the signature of then GT&T Deputy General Manager the late Terry Holder, Cornette said, “I wish to place on record that the signature issue at GT&T had nothing to do with money or financial impropriety. It was an internal matter that was dealt with internally by GT&T. This can be attested to by the company.” He said that, from what was reported in the media, it appears that from the leaked emails from the NCN Board discussion, someone was pre-selected outside of the Board for the CEO’s position. Cornette said while “all applicants were required to submit with their applications an outline of what they perceive as the mandate of NCN and how they will
enhance that mandate,” his submission, coupled with his performance at the interview, “came closest to what the Board required” in the person to be appointed for the post. “In relation to my ability to manage the national broadcaster, I have more than 20 years’ experience in management and executive management positions. I have successfully fulfilled several consultancies for national and international organizations, and I have done my Masters research on strategic marketing with the focus on corporate identity.” According to Cornette, he has enjoyed a cordial relationship with GT&T even after his departure at the end of 1999, and in May 2011 he was asked to chair GT&T’s 16th TeleGathering Meeting, which was hosted in Guyana over the Easter weekend that year. “TeleGatherng is an annual event of telecos in the Caribbean,” he said, and his name was even mentioned as the meeting’s chair in a report in Stabroek News.
In 2014, GT&T also made major contributions to the publication of Cornette’s book, “The development of Telecommunications in Guyana (1884-1994)”. “NCN is a veritable well that has been blocked up by (inefficient) operations, lack of strategic vision and direction, inconsistencies between corporate strategies and departmental goals, inappropriate allocation of resources, lack of attendance to best practices, and staff who are not adequately motivated to pursue targets and goals,” Cornette said. He noted also that with his rich background in media and communications, executive management and finance, he is enthusiastic about playing a major part in “(turning) the fortunes on NCN around”, and he has a “deep desire to serve (his) country.” As CEO of NCN, he said, he intends to “revolutionise the entity,” endeavouring firstly to “stop the financial haemorrhaging and (boost) income generation.” “I will ensure that a good strategic plan is developed. This plan aims at operational efficiency through effective coordination of the technical, administrative, programming, and market-
ing components of the organisation. A new corporate vision, objectives and major strategy components will be communicated to managers and employees,” the new CEO stated. Cornette, in an invited comment last week, called NCN “A catalyst for national development and cohesion”, and said the television/radio network also has a vital role to play in fulfilling the traditional role of the media – to inform, educate and entertain. Cornette’s professional summary on his Curriculum Vitae reads: “More than 20 years’ experience in Management, Communications, Public Relations, and Stakeholder Engagement. Specialist in developing and implementing communications, marketing, promotion, and consensus-building strategies. Strength in effective planning, project management, and strategizing. Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.” He last worked as Deputy CEO of Jaling Forest Industries Inc., a Hong Kong company which controlled over 200,000 hectares of forests in Guyana with an investment of over US$100M.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Free commercial waste collection to be reviewed ‒ Council expends $1M weekly GEORGETOWN is currently bearing a weekly $1M tab to provide free commercial waste collection, according to the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine. However, Narine is urging the newly-elected councillors to change this situation by reconsidering the provision of free waste collection for businesses. He insists that providing such a service to the corporate community is helping to drain the city’s
coffers. Narine was at the time speaking at a special orientation session to help acquaint councillors with the functioning of the Municipality. As part of his department’s presentation and their 2016 work plan, the Solid Waste Management Director pointed out that, “Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean that gives free waste collection for businesses. This is at a cost of some $1,000,000 per week for the Council.” Narine charged that in order for the Solid Waste
Management Department to increase its service provision and better its functioning, “feasible plans would have to be devised to increase income for Solid Waste services.” In the past some business people, large and small, hired homeless persons, or socalled ‘junkies’, to dispose of their waste when the Council could not adequately provide the service. These ‘junkies’ helped to strew waste about the city, adding to the garbage epidemic that had struck Georgetown. Narine suggested that
these persons should be regulated according to environmental laws and policies. He believes that those hired to dispose of waste around the city, such as horse cart and
push cart men, should be regulated to ensure that they are adhering to proper policies pertaining to the environment. Persons who are found using ‘junkies’ to dispose of
waste should be disciplined, he suggested. This matter and several other issues are said to be high on the Council’s agenda.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
OPM rejects claims it issued directives to review headlines THE Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is disturbed by media reports that are quoting the United States Human Rights Report as stating: “In August, the Prime Minister issued a directive that all headlines in the Stateowned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published. The directive was a response to a headline criticising the government.” The Office of the Prime Minister makes it clear that at no time was any directive issued by the Prime Minister, the Office of the Prime Minister, or any other government entity that headlines in any State media be scrutinised or approved before publication or broadcast. Any such claim is false, baseless, and without any merit whatsoever. “OPM further notes that: 1: The US State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2014 states as follows: (i) “The (PPP) government continued to influence print and broadcast media, and to exert heavy control over the content of the National Communications Network (NCN television), giving (PPP) government spokespersons extended coverage while limiting participation of (APNU and AFC) opposition figures. (ii) “In April (2014) the (PPP) government-run NCN suspended a newsroom producer for broadcasting a parliamentary presentation by a member of an opposition political party. The (PPP) government had instructed the NCN to broadcast presentations by the parliamentary opposition late at night, when viewership is low.” Citing excerpts from previous reports, the OPM said that, in 2013, the US stated as follows: (i) “The (PPP) government also influenced print and broadcast media, and continued to exert heavy control over the content of the National Communications Network (television), giving government spokespersons extended coverage while
limiting participation of opposition figures. (ii) “The (PPP) government banned songs that criticised (the PPP) government corruption from the (PPP) government-run National Communications Network.” Additionally, the US State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2012 states as follows: (i) “The (PPP) government also influenced print and broadcast media and continued to exert heavy control over the content of the National Communications Network (television), giving (PPP) government spokespersons extended coverage while limiting participation of (APNU and AFC) opposition figures. (ii) “The NGO Reporters without Borders criticised press freedom in the country, due largely to (the PPP government) radio broadcasting monopolies.” Again, the US State Department Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2011 states as follows: (i) “The (PPP) government’s monopoly on radio broadcasting continued throughout most of the year. Observers believed the (PPP) government attempted to censor or restrict content, and sought indirectly to censor the print media by controlling advertising. (ii) “All radio stations operating on the electromagnetic spectrum are (PPP) government controlled. (iii) “In 2009, the Court of Appeal ruled that the (PPP) government had an unlawful monopoly on the airwaves and that the National Frequency Management Unit was not adequately considering radio licence applications. (iv) “The (PPP) government’s monopoly on radio broadcasting continued, limiting the expression of opposition views, even though the National Assembly passed…a new broadcasting bill.” The OPM has opined that the former regime obviously remains unsettled by the damning indictment by the US State Department of the PPP regime’s authoritarian and Stalinist control of the state media.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Gov’t wants Duncan out …of constitutional offices PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has written to Carvil Duncan, requesting that he show cause why a tribunal should not be established, as provided for by Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana, to address the question of his removal from several constitutional offices. The offices are as follows: Chairman, Public Service Commission; Member, Police Service Commission; and Member, Judicial Service Commission. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said that Nagamootoo wrote to Duncan in view of the offences for which he has been charged, which are presently engaging the attention of the court. “Prime Minister Nagamootoo advised Duncan, in the letter, that the procedure has been invoked on the basis that the offences for which he has been charged place him in a position where it is necessary for him to defend the charges before the Court. “And further, that there is concern that during this period he will be unable to perform the duties imposed upon him by the Constitution in relation to the aforementioned constitutional offices that he holds,” the statement read. It added that the PM advised Duncan to regard the letter as his opportunity to inform the exercise of his (the Prime Minister’s) discretion to advise His Excellency, President David Granger, whether to establish the tribunal. The letter was dispatched on March 29, 2016, and the Prime Minister requested a response within 14 days of receipt. To date, the Prime Minister has received no response. On April 10, Duncan, a
former director of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) Inc, was allowed to plead to the charge which alleges that he had stolen $984,900 from the company on March 31, 2015 at Georgetown. Duncan denied the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Duncan, also President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), was allowed to plead to the charge when Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers made an application for the Administration of Justice Act to be applied. The Former Director was charged jointly with the company’s former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Aerswar Deonarine, for the unapproved transfer of approximately $27M from the PetroCaribe fund to their personal bank accounts. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Deonarine, since he has allegedly fled the jurisdiction. The prosecutor has requested a short adjournment in relation to the joint charges, since further advice needs to be sought. The matter has since been adjourned for report on April 28. On January 26, Duncan was placed on $1M bail by the Chief Magistrate in connection with three criminal offences he is accused of committing against the entity as a board member of GPL. The police alleged that Duncan stole the money from GPL on March 31, 2015 after conspiring with Deonarine to commit the act of simple larceny. Duncan is also alleged to have conspired with Deonarine to commit a felony – that is to say, between May 7 and 8, at George-
town, he conspired to steal Gy$27,757,500 from the GPL.
As a Director, Duncan signed off on Deonarine’s payments, while Deonarine
reportedly signed off on Duncan’s back pay, which allegedly represented remu-
neration for the 48 months he would have been a Director.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Finals Finally! Guyana secures CPL 2016 Semi-Finals and Final
THE Government of Guyana yesterday announced its successful bid to host the semi-final and finals of this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League. The CPL committee was asking for US$4.5 (G$932.4M) for the hosting of the Caribbean T20 showpiece with winners Guyana staving off challenges from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Though the CPL, up to late last evening was yet to confirm the news, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine confirmed yesterday that the government had secured the rights to host the event but was tight-lipped on further details. What is known is that for hosting last year, Trinidad and Tobago amassed social benefits in the region of US$15.4M dollars according to a report provided by SMG Insight, an international market research company. According to the Trinidad Guardian, the company estimated that the twin-island republic made significant economic and social benefits, which included the direct spending by CPL from hotel to local vendors, travel, media and advertising, a quoted figure of US$15.40M. When broken down, direct spending by CPL resulted in only US$3.84M, accommodation and general expenditure was listed at US$5.63M, and value produced by the T&T Tourist Board branding at matches was put at US$5.93M.
Windies cricket legends ... From back page years or more.” The Legends said the WICB could not shield itself from such vehement opposition by calling itself a private body. They agreed with the CARICOM panel’s view that the board was accountable to various governments in the Caribbean. The release also pointed out the boards in Australia and New Zealand had overhauled their governance structure for the better and that had been reflected in their various teams prospering in all forms of the game. Even the most powerful cricketing board, BCCI, the Legends observed, was under pressure from India’s Supreme Court to open up to radical reforms to its governance structure. “Inexplicably, the WICB prefers to maintain the status quo and yet, it expects to get different results while it continues to do the same things,” the release said. “We believe that revival of West Indies cricket will only happen when the Board undergoes structural adjustment, and when it improves the quality of its communication and leadership, and upgrades the management of key relationships.” The five-member review panel comprising Murray, V. Eudine Barriteau, Sir Dennis Byron, Dwain Gill and Warren Smith concluded its report on October 15, in which it described the WICB as “obsolete”. The board plainly saying none of the six territorial boards - Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands - was represented, nor its directors, clubs and representatives. Hence, it concluded, the panel’s findings were not supported by facts. Recently former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner, president of the Barbados Cricket Association, was, questioning how some members of the WICB could suddenly be called “illegal” when they were formed according to the individual constitutions of the region’s countries. Although some of these former players have voiced opposition against the WICB in the past two decades, this is the first time they have formed a united front of opposition. “We are very proud of our legacy,” the release said. “We cannot now in good conscience stand idly by and watch everything that we fought so hard to build and achieve disappear right before our eyes because of the actions of inept Board members and an incompetent Board.” (ESPN Cricinfo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Warriors shrug off Curry absence to beat Rockets (THE Sports Xchange) WITH Stephen Curry out of action due to an ankle injury Monday night, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was comforted knowing he had Shaun Livingston in reserve. Oh, and the 2015 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, too. Livingston began and ended a key fourth-quarter spurt with baskets, and supersub Andre Iguodala helped make up for Cur-
ry’s lost firepower with four 3-pointers as the Warriors won a second straight from the Houston Rockets in their best-of-seven series, 115-106. Golden State, now 2-0 in the postseason after a record-setting, 73-win regular season, were able to win without Curry, who injured his right ankle late in the second quarter of the Warriors’ blowout win in Game 1 on Saturday. He had been listed as questionable for Game 2. The reigning regu-
lar-season Most Valuable Player, who scored 24 points in just 20 minutes in Game 1, declared himself out shortly after cutting short a pregame warmup that was designed to test the ankle. “When you lost the MVP, you have concern,” Kerr said. “But we believe in our depth and in our ability to win when we’re down a man, even if it is Steph.” Curry’s status for Game 3, which is scheduled for Thursday night in Houston, remains
up in the air. “We never want to put winning ahead of a player’s career and his health,” Kerr said. “We want to make sure Steph is right and his (ankle) is fine and healthy. “Obviously, being up 2-0 does give us more cushion if we decide to sit him (in Game 3). But it will be based on his health, not the series score.” Livingston started in Curry’s place and complemented guard Klay Thompson’s 34 points with 16 of his own. He also found time for six assists in 29 minutes. “He was playing so well, it was tough to take him out,” Kerr said of Livingston. “His effort was fantastic.” Livingston’s two biggest hoops came in an 11-1 flurry in the fourth quarter after the Rockets, trying to put Saturday’s 26-point loss behind them, clung within 88-85 with 9:51 to play. Livingston began the key run with a jumper, after which the Warriors made seven consecutive free throws, including five by Thompson. Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff got nailed with a technical foul along the way, accounting for one of Thompson’s foul shots. Livingston then capped the burst with a fast-break hoop that created the Warriors’ biggest lead of the game to that point, 99-85, with 6:48 left. “They do such a good job of capitalising off your missed shots,” said Rockets star James Harden, who missed a 4-footer that could have pulled Houston within one before Livingston began the run. “So it went from a three-point lead to six, seven, whatever ... and they just built on it. It’s hard to recover from there.” Golden State were never threatened the rest of the way, beating Houston for a sixth consecutive meeting and the 14th time in their past 15 matchups. Thompson, hitting three 3-pointers and 15 of 16 from the free-throw line, led all scorers. He never attempted more than 12 foul shots nor made more than 10 all season. Draymond Green had
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team highs in rebounds (14) and assists (eight) to go with 12 points, and Iguodala dropped seven of his 10 shots en route to 18 points for the Warriors, who shot 49.4 percent from the field and hit eight of their 23 3-point attempts. Centre Andrew Bogut also helped out with 10 points (on
3-pointers, making 10 of 25, but fell well short from shorter range, finishing at 44.3 percent overall. “We like to take 3-point s h o t s, a n d t h a t h a s n’ t changed,” Bickerstaff said. “But at certain points in the game, we need to put pressure on the rim. We just have to be a little more
Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard (12) holds on to a rebound against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 115-106. (Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY) 5-for-6 shooting) and seven rebounds. “You know, there is something to the slogan ‘Strength in Numbers.’ It’s something we really do play by,” Thompson said. “We always use it every night.” Harden led the Rockets with 28 points, 13 coming from the line on 15 free throws. However, he shot just 7-for-19 from the field, including 1-for8 from 3-point range. Harden, who also had 11 assists, thought a golden opportunity slipped away. “For sure,” he said of Curry’s absence. “We played a little bit better (than Game 1) today. Just didn’t play well enough to get a win.” Harden noted two key shortcomings: allowing 23 Warriors points after 19 turnovers, and giving up 13 offensive rebounds that produced 18 Golden State points. Dwight Howard posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Rockets, who bettered Golden State in
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patient.” Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry added 13 points apiece for the Rockets, who also will host Game 4 of the series on Sunday. Down by as many as 11 points in the first half, the Rockets got seven third-quarter points from Harden and rallied within three late in the period. An interior hoop by Warriors reserve guard Leandro Barbosa extended the lead back to 88-79 in the first minute of the fourth quarter. But as occurred all night, the Rockets wouldn’t go away. Harden hit a tough jumper and Terry added a hoop and two free throws to make it a three-point game. However, each then missed interior attempts that could have sliced the deficit to one, and the Warriors followed with Livingston’s hoops and a parade to the free-throw line, finally pushing the visitors an arm’s length away. IRISH RACING TIPS Fairyhouse 11:55 hrs Master Of Verse 12:25 hrs Mick The Boyo 12:55 hrs Federici 13:25 hrs Pistol Park 13:55 hrs Fine Article 14:25 hrs Pointview Gale 14:55 hrs Turfmans Daughter AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Lady Stardust Race 2 Kiner’s Korner Race 3 Trophee Race 4 Miss Amalita Race 5 Gioia Stella Race 6 Blarney Stones Race 7 Dreams to Reality Race 8 Sweetrayofsunshine
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
WICB congratulates 'Big Three'
IN just under 100 days since the start of 2016, West Indies Cricket has three major world titles in two formats and three categories. The Under-19, Women and Men now all have world titles. It was the Under-19s in the 50-over format in February. They spanked India by five wickets to hold the distinguished title of World Champions. A few weeks later, the women’s and men’s teams decided they were not to be outdone and moved straight to the top of the pack when they wiped out Australia and England respectively. Carlos Brathwaite, the man on strike, had to face Ben Stokes, a bowler whose experience outweighed his batting but the four sixes in a row set the world on fire. That handed the men’s team, their second hold on the title in the history of the competition. The West Indies people wherever they were in the world, joined in jubilation. That
win made the West Indies team the only one to win the title twice after their win in 2012. What was even more impressive was the team had the same captain in Darren Sammy. That is by any standard, a remarkable achievement. The win in the women’s category prevented Australia from gaining their fourth hold on that championship and with careful and strategic work from captain, Stafanie Taylor and the 18-year-old Hayley Matthews, by the 10th over, gave indication that they were going to chase the imposing total of 148-5 made by the defending champions. That they did, and won amazingly. The world stood still for a while. Now the morning of April 4 when the people of the Caribbean woke up and realised that its 100-day wishes for this came through, three world titles from three teams in cricket – what a rallying that took place. Not without controversy, the region cele-
brated and is still celebrating.
WI TOPPLES BIG THREE When you summarise all that has happened, the BIG THREE were slapped on their wrists but were also soundly beaten by this fair-sized region which did their homework, practised and came to the party; while the BIG THREE are still left to wonder what happened. Contacts from those in the middle have since begun on their quest to find out “what’s happening in the West Indies?” The truth is, over the last three years tremendous effort has been made to implement the high performance programme, where a 19-point development plan is spread across the six regions and summarily consists of an expanded four-day tournament; a more comprehensive yet intensive 50-over competition and an exciting T20 competition with allowable time to ply trade by the top performers in several
IOC chief predicts successful Rio Games despite crisis By Brian Homewood
LAUSANNE,(Reuters)-International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said yesterday that the Rio de Janeiro Olympics would be “spectacular” and a “great success” despite a political and economic crisis gripping the host nation. Bach’s comments came after Rio’s Olympic chief Carlos Nuzman brushed aside complaints over power failures and other problems revealed during a gymnastics test event. Brazil President Dilma Rousseff suffered a humiliating loss in a crucial impeachment vote in the lower house of Congress on Sunday. She is almost certain to be forced from office well before the Olympic Games open in Rio on Aug. 5. The crisis has paralysed the government as it struggles to revive the economy from its worst recession in decades, casting doubt on Brazil’s ability to complete preparations for the event in time. A federal prosecutor also told Reuters on Monday that a sweeping investigation into corruption in Brazil is targeting more infrastructure projects for the Olympics than previously made public. Bach, speaking at the assembly of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), called on the IOC to show solidarity with Brazil. “We know the current economic and political situation in Brazil will continue to make final preparations chal-
lenging, but I’m co``nvinced, and we are all convinced, that the Olympic Games 2016 will be truly spectacular,” he said. “The Olympic Games enjoy strong public support from the Brazilian people and the organizers can count on the solidarity of the sporting world.” Bach said that staging the
IOC president Thomas Bach Games was a “team effort” and that “the many successful test events which have already taken place are an excellent example of this team work.” POWER FAILURES “The sport facilities are either completed or about to be finished,” he said. “We know from other host cities that the final stretch leading to the Olympic Games is always the most challenging.” “We’re all in it together,” he added. “If everyone plays their part, I am confident that these games will be a great success.” Earlier, the assembly heard that a gymnastics event being held in Rio this week,
partly as a test run for the Games, suffered from power failures, problems with the timing system and power outages when athletes were performing. International Gymnastics Federation official Ron Froehlich told the assembly that the power outages were potentially a “serious issue” and also complained of a lack of sufficient lighting in competition and training halls, which he blamed on funding problems. But Nuzman, in his address to the assembly, said: “Test events are there to detect problems raised by athletes and national federations.” Nuzman also sounded a relaxed note about the political situation. “Until today we have no involvement and no problems with any of the political or economical situations in the country,” said Nuzman, head of the Rio organizing committee. “We are not involved in this and the Games will run normally as they have until today. We don’t expect any problems in delivering the Games.” “I have no doubt we will deliver an incredible Games but it is important to remember the situation is completely different today,” he said. Brazil was awarded the Olympics in 2009 when it was enjoying a period of strong economic growth but has since fallen into its worst recession in decades. Brazil is also battling an outbreak of the Zika virus, which is linked to birth defects in newborns.
leagues worldwide. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its management of cricket in the Caribbean requires the cumulative support of the talented pool of athletes (116 – there are 11 women on retainer at different levels and 90 first class men); its technical support; the selection panel; game officials; management of its franchises, corporate partners, governments and its fan base. The business of cricket is not
without its fair share of controversy and the 2016 version remains fresh in our minds, but it is instructive that we are in a dynamic world where battle lines are crossed and drawn. The fact is the business model for cricket must meet the criteria of producing top performing athletes for top salaries with a management structure that facilitates continued growth. The Board accepts that as its mandate. The Board congratulates the players, coaches and the entire Caribbean for their
efforts in making this dream a reality. As the region looks forward to hosting the upcoming Tri-Nation series with Australia and South in June; the India Test tour in the summer; the Caribbean Premier League also in the summer and England’s women in October, we believe the opportunity for partnership with cricket is ripe with possibilities. We invite the region to come on board..(WICB article)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Spinners, Uthappa carry Annual Mayor’s Cup football KKR to top of IPL table tourney to
ROBIN Uthappa stole the show as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) moved to the top of the Indian Pre-
SUNIL NARINE
mier League table with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab yesterday. After limiting their strug-
gling opponents to a modest total of 138-8, despite the best efforts of Shaun Marsh (56 not out), the Knight Riders made light work of the subsequent chase in Chandigarh. Uthappa raced to 53 from 28 deliveries, while opening partner Gautam Gambhir - the tournament’s leading run-scorer - contributed 34 at a run-aball as the Kings XI attack toiled. A routine victory for the Knight Riders was completed with 17 balls unused, lifting Gambhir’s men above Gujarat Lions, who boast a game in hand. Marsh did his best to hold things together for the Kings XI - striking five fours and one six in his 41-ball knock - but was badly hampered by a lack of support, with Murali Vijay (26) and
Kyle Abbott (12 not out) the only other men to make double figures. Sunil Narine (2-22), Morne Morkel (2-27) Umesh Yadav (1-17) and Piyush Chawla (1-18) all returned impressive figures and Kolkata were big favourites at the half-way mark despite Andre Russell conceding 18 runs in the 20th over. The Knight Riders then seized complete control through their opening pair, Uthappa the chief aggressor as 65 runs came from the sixover powerplay - the highest total of the season to date. Uthappa’s half-century arrived from just 24 balls and by the time he fell lbw on the sweep to Pardeep Sahu (2-18), Kolkata faced a simple target of 57 from 69 deliveries. Maxwell pulled off a
superb diving catch at midwicket to ensure Sahu also picked up the scalp of Gambhir, but it mattered
ROBIN UTHAPPA
little and the Kings XI were well beaten despite Manish Pandey (12) and Shakib Al Hasan (11) falling cheaply. (Sportsmax. com)
Bribes were common part of football - Webb FORMER CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb believed taking bribes was just part and parcel of football business, plea transcripts released by a U.S. judge have revealed. On Monday the court released the guilty pleas of Webb, Argentinian-Italian marketing executive Alejandro Burzaco and Brazilian intermediary Jose Margulies, three of the 40 officials facing charges that range from money-laundering to racketeering. For his part Webb, who pleaded guilty last year and has been living under house arrest since, admitted to regretting the transactions but
saw it as commonplace in world football. “I abused my position to obtain bribes and kickbacks for my personal benefit. I be-
Former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 20, 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) Shane Watson (RR) (2) Andre Russell (KKR)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) In what year was the IPL held in South Africa? (2) Which franchise won the IPL title when the tournament was held in South Africa??
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
lieved that such offers were common in this business. I deeply regret my participation in this illegal conduct,” Webb was quoted as saying by the AFP. In the plea, Webb also revealed that he received bribes for the sale of commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2018, which will be held
in Russia and also for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches for the 2022 edition. Webb also received payments for tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2014, including the Copa America Centenario, which will be played in the United States this summer. (Sportsmax. com)
PCB disappointed with Windies refusal to tour Pakistan
THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed disappointment with the decision of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to not take up an offer to tour Pakistan later this year. The West Indies and Pakistan are scheduled to play in two Tests, five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals in September and October. The PCB had been optimistic of getting the regional team to play the T20 leg of the tour on Pakistan soil.Despite promises of steep compensation and military grade protection the WICB reportedly considered security concerns in an often volatile Pakistan as too major a consideration to take up the offer. The country has not hosted an elite cricket nation since 2009 when militants attacked Sri Lanka. All its games including the inaugural Pakistan Cricket League (PCL) have been played in the UAE. “We wanted the Twenty20s to be played in Pakistan and made an effort but the West Indies Cricket Board have refused saying they have security fears, so the full series will be played in (the) United Arab Emirates,” explained Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan. (Sportsmax.com)
kick off May 1
THE annual Mayor’s Cup Football tournament which has a total of $1.3M up for grabs will kick off on May 1 with a double-header billed for the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara. The first match of the 2016 edition of the tournament will see Mahaica tackle Eagles United from 18:30hrs while from 20:30hrs, home side Victoria Kings face Milerock. The winners of the tournament, which ends on May 29 at the Georgetown Football Club ground, will receive the Mayor’s trophy along with $700 000 while the second-place team will take home a trophy and $300 000. The third- and fourth-place teams will also receive trophies as well as $200 000 and $100 000 respectively. On May 2, Golden Grove will face Federal Winners Connections from 18:30hrs at the Victoria ground also and Ann’s Grove come up against Grove Hi Tech from 20:30hrs. Police are down to play the winners of the Mahaica versus Eagles United on May 5 at the Den Amstel ground and home team Den Amstel will clash with the winners of the Victoria versus Milerock affair on the same day. On May 7, Camptown will meet the winners of the Golden Grove versus Winners Connection match at the GFC ground and on the same day, Santos will tackle the winners of the Den Amstel versus the winners of the Ann’s Grove versus Grove Hi Tech affair. Riddim Squad are down to tackle Kuru Kururu on May 8 at the GFC ground and Western Tigers meet Agricola at the same venue. On May 14, Uitvlugt will take on Herstelling at the Den Amstel ground and Pouderoyen come up against Soesdyke. The quarter-finals will take place on May 18 at the GFC ground.
NOTABLE DATES ELTON Felix Dharry had three fights against Orland Rogers and won all. The last time the two met was on April 20, 2013 at the Princess Hotel and Casino. The USA-based Dharry took the vacant Guyana bantamweight title following a third-round technical knockout. Known as `The Coolie Bully’ Dharry became a professional in 2004 at the age of 19. He had three fights without tasting defeat but then went on a losing spree. In a two-year span starting in 2007 Dharry lost five of the six fights he contested. However, he recovered after that and has not looked back since. The December-born fighter became the World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) bantamweight champion after stopping compatriot Dexter Marques at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The fight was staged on May 28, 2011 and Dharry put Marques to sleep with one minute left in the seventh round. Marques entered the ring with a record of 8-1 and has not been defeated since. On the other hand, Dharry has improved leaps and bounds and is undefeated in 15 fights dating back to 2009. In December 2014 he added the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental title to his treasure chest following a unanimous decision victory over Nicaraguan Jose Rios. `The Coolie Bully’ has fought twice in 2015 and once this year and has a record of 20 victories, five defeats and one draw. He is currently on the road to a world title.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Renee, Perez hit contrasting Gayle flies home for birth centuries in draw … Essequibo, Select U-17 game also end in stalemate
By Rajiv Bisnauth
DEMERARA dominated the third and final day of their second round Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)-sponsored Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company Under-19 three-day cricket tournament, but had to settle for a draw against Berbice when play ended yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Demerara were scenting an incredible triumph after securing a first-innings lead of 152 and reducing the visitors to 42-2, but a rusty Berbice outfit overcame the scare. When play ended with the mutual consent of the two captains and nine mandatory overs still to be bowled, Berbice were 93-2 with Matthew Hardial on 21 and Joel Seitaram on 22. Earlier openers Ronaldo Renee and Raymond Perez hit contrasting centuries to put Demerara in total control. Renee had scored an unbeaten 165 when the declaration was made while Perez notched a sedate 113, and was the only wicket to fall during the morning session. The pair piled on 294 for the first wicket before Demerara declared at 351-2, 23 minutes after lunch. Having established their dominance during the final session on day two, both Renee and Perez began the morning cautiously. Resuming on 89, Renee eventually reached his hundred by hammering Nicholas Sewnarine for consecutive boundaries. Ronaldo Renee mixes paRenee’s century came off 186 balls with 13 fours tience with aggression and 268 minutes in the mid- during his unbeaten knock. (Adrian Narine photos) dle. His partner Perez, who resumed on 64, was a little more circumspect. However, Perez survived two chances after wicketkeeper Adrian Sukwah put him down on 76 and then spilled a mis-stumped chance when Perez on 94..That, however, did not disturb his composure and
he ultimately brought up his hundred with a single behind point from 313 deliveries. The pair continued to punish a labouring Berbice bowling attack, with Renee scoring at will, peppering the boundary and bringing up his 150 from 261 deliveries. However, off-spinner Asif Ally (1-65) provided Berbice with the vital breakthrough after a poor shot execution brought Perez’s downfall. His innings spanned 329 balls, six fours and a six in 391 minutes at the crease. Sherfane Rutherford joined Renee and together took Demerara to lunch at 311-1, with Renee on 159 and Rutherford on 16. After the interval, the intent was clear and Rutherford took over command, hitting a series of boundary before he was trapped leg-before-wicket to Raymond Vankenic (1-36) for 46. Renee, who earned the Man-of-the-Match award, Raymond Perez acknowlbatted for 470 minutes, with the aid of 18 scorching edges his teammates after reaching his hundred. boundaries. Berbice were left to survive the 65 remaining overs in the day’s play, but lost both openers, Sukwah and Sasenarine Sookhoo, by the close of the post-lunch session. Sukwah was bowled by left-arm spinner Keshram Seyhodan for four while Sookhoo was trapped leg-before-wicket to off-spinner Ershad Ali for 22. Hardial and Seitaram then halted the panic and thwarted Demerara’s slim hopes by adding an unbeaten 51 for the third wicket. Meanwhile, Essequibo and the Select Under-17 team played to a tame draw in the other second round game played at DCC. Scores in the match; Select Under-17 244 and 192-5, Essequibo 180 and 127-3. The third and final round starts tomorrow with Essequibo playing Demerara at GCC and Berbice opposing the Select Under-17 team at Wales.
Colts Under-23s experience basketball walk off Once Bitten Twice Shy By Daniel Haynes THE Burnham Court played host to the U-23 knockout tournament this past weekend with controversy gripping yet another game of basketball. The three-day tournament final came to a disappointing, premature end with Dynas Ravens walking off the court with 5 minutes left in the second quarter. This is the second time that a team have walked off the court while playing the Colts. Earlier in the tournament, both teams battled and won close games in the semi-finals to secure their place in the final. Last Saturday, Colts had defeated Eagles by 1 point in a game that went down to the wire, with Colts winning 73-72 while the Ravens had also battled Pacesetters beating them by 3 points in a game that was very physical. An exciting game was expected from both teams but it never got the finish
it deserved because of the walk-off. At this point Ravens basketball U-23 coach Marlon Rodrigues received his first technical for having 1st division team members on the supporting bench with him. Rodrigues was then called to the court by the main match official Oswald Benjamin and, in a manner unbecoming of a coach, he disrespected the official. He was then cautioned a second time to have the team member removed from the bench. However, once again he protested and raised the issue of Pacesetters supporter Stephon Gillis being within the Ravens bench the night before in the Ravens versus Pacesetters game. He was then given a second technical by Benjamin and this resulted in his team being called off the court. This time, the referees blew off the game and awarded it to Colts by default. At this point the score was 29-19 in favour of the Colts. This walk off
Ravens coach Marlon Rodrigues is the second to happen in a final game and the second time in a Colts game. In an interview, Oswald Benjamin who whistled the second technical explained what occurred. “There was a violation against a member of Ravens Ball Club who was standing in the coach’s area of Ravens. My counterpart decided to stop the game and asked for the player’s removal to which there was refusal,” said the official. He continued, “As a result of that my counterpart Mr Dexter Douglas instituted a technical
against the coach, I called the coach of Ravens and asked him to comply with the rules since having a non-player or spectator at the bench is not allowed by law. He refused to comply and subsequently took his team off the court.” Vice-president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Michael Singh, who was also present at the final said action would be taken on the guilty parties to ensure that what already seems to be a trend does not become endemic.” The game was organised to give Next Generation basketball stars exposure, according to Singh, who added, “At the moment there is a house cleaning going on and they will ensure that there is discipline adhered to for the benefit of Guyana’s basketball,” finished Singh. He also alluded to plans to give the Colts U-23 side their trophy and medals after the final of ‘Road to Mecca’. This walk-off comes less than a week before the Colts Raiders rematch on April 23.
of his child
WEST Indies batting star Chris Gayle will miss out on IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore’s next two matches after flying back to Jamaica for the birth of his child. The 36-year-old and partner Natasha Berridge are expecting their first baby and the left-handed batting star took to social media platform Instagram to signal that he was on his way to support her. “I’m on my way, Baby” read a caption for the post that featured a photo of Gayle comfortably seated on an aircraft presumably en route to Kingston. The batsman has had CHRIS GAYLE a difficult start to the new IPL season managing just one run in two games thus far. Gayle featured in a loss for the Delhi Daredevils and a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Challengers skipper Virat Kohli, however, insisted he was not worried about Gayle’s form, which he expects to pick up. Gayle is expected to miss today’s away game against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium and also the next game against Rising Pune Supergiants in Pune on Friday. The batsman has failed to put together a solid innings since last month’s World Cup where he scored a century against England. He is expected to return in time to face Gujarat Lions on Sunday in Rajkot. (Sportsmax.com)
Fruta Conquerors 'A' crowned champions of NAWF champions GEORGETOWN’S Fruta Conquerors `A’ defeated Bartica’s Striking Dolls in the final; of the National Association of Women’s Football (NAWF) `Revival’ Tournament at the Tucville ground on Sunday. Fruta Conquerors, playing at home, defeated their `B’ team counterparts by a 1-0 margin through a Kindra Thomas ninth minute goal to set up a date in the final with the winners of the other semi-final Striking Dolls, who brushed aside Piaomak Warriors of Annai 3-1 on penalty kicks after the normal time for the seven-a-side tournament ended goalless. In the final, Shenell Daniels netted a double for Fruta `A’ in the 12th and 13th minutes. Both teams received their respective trophies. In the third place play-off, Fruta Conquerors `B’ beat Piaomax Warriors 2-0 on penalty kicks, after the game ended scoreless at the end of regulation time. For their valiant effort and the distance they travelled to be a part of the event, Piaomax Warriors were presented with playing kits by the University of Guyana. The kits were handed over to the team by Challos McKennon in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe.
WICB congratulates 'Big Three' see story on page 41
Finals Finally! Guyana secures CPL 2016 Semi-Finals and Final
see story on page 39
Windies cricket legends band together to plot end to WICB
Some of the West Indies legends at the April 14 meeting in Grenada. From left: Andy Roberts, Deryck Murray, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.
A HOST of West Indies legends including Garry Sobers, Viv Richards, Wes Hall and Andy Roberts have called upon the WICB to dissolve the board, in line with the CARICOM cricket review panel’s recommendation, and appoint an interim committee as part of the structural reforms that would enable the region’s cricket to “develop and flourish”. On April 14 in Grenada, converging under the umbrella banner of Cricket Legends, Sobers and Co. met with Grenada premier Keith Mitchell, chairman of the Prime Ministerial Committee on the Governance of West Indies Cricket, which appointed the review panel in the wake of the crisis that emerged after the West Indies’ withdrawal
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from India’s tour in October 2014. Also present at the meeting were other former West Indies players – all-rounder Roger Harper; fast bowler Charlie Griffith; wicketkeeper Deryck Murray, who was also a member of the CARICOM review panel, leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, who was previously the president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), and opening batsman, Desmond Haynes. Rudi Webster, who was the team manager during Clive Lloyd’s time and worked as a psychologist with current World T20-winning captain, Darren Sammy, was an invited guest. Tearing into the WICB with the same vigour that
they reserved for their opponents in their playing days, the Legends decried the board’s “oligarchic structure” which has remained “unchanged in attitude and structure” for the past seven decades. “During the last two decades, many different presidents and CEOs have led the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and yet, its performance has declined steadily with each passing year,” the Legends said in a media release. “The Board is an oligarchic structure that considers itself answerable to no one but itself. It is one of the few sporting institutions that have remained virtually unchanged in attitude and structure in the last 70 See page 39 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016