TUESDAY 8th May, 2018
30 pirates held
No.105268
…Suriname, Guyana deepen intelligence sharing
…Gov’t commits to assisting relatives of fishermen
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Several homeless in Hadfield St. blaze AG says settlement 09 with Guy-Tract 03 saves gov’t millions PAGE
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Man charged for vigilante killing 18 PAGE
GDF probe clears Joint Services of Lindo Creek 05 massacre PAGE
The aftermath of the devastating fire Monday afternoon on Hadfield Street, Georgetown which left several persons homeless (Samuel Maughn photo)
Study begins on Diamond-Ogle road
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Gov’t commits to assisting relatives of fishermen By Nafeeza Yahya in Parmaribo PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has assured that all efforts are being made to ensure that the relatives of the victims of the recent piracy attack are given the necessary assistance from Government. Minister Ramjattan, who is on a special visit to Suriname with a high-level delegation, has met with the relatives and some of the survivors of the recent piracy attack and was able to hear firsthand the concerns of the relatives of the 20 men of which 12 are still missing and feared dead. He made the comments at a joint news conference with Surinamese authorities on Monday.
He disclosed that after speaking with the relatives and hearing their concerns and request, assistance in all forms is forthcoming even as administrative assistance is being provided currently.“ Even though I haven’t gotten affirmative answers, I am absolutely certain other forms of assistance will be forthcoming to those Guyanese that need help. I can assure you quite clearly, whatever the form as was mentioned by the Minister of Agriculture (Surinamese) moral, financial and psychological, will be provided”. He continued that several Guyanese have expressed a desire to re-locate, given that their bread winners may no longer be around. To this end he also assured that all efforts
to provide assistance will be made for a smooth transition back to Guyanese soil. Minister Ramjattan explained to the media that Guyanese are skilled in the fishing industry and given that the economic benefits are greater in Suriname, many had migrated several years ago. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Meanwhile, Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Lekhram Soerdjan, said his team too has met with members of the fishing industry of which over 90% is Guyanese and assured that additional support is eminent. “We have met with the board of fishermen, the collective and agreed that we
will get back to the council of ministers and agree about the long-term support and will get back to the fishermen on the details and will roll out how and when the support will be…” Both countries have since pledged support to the fishing industry, especially the survivors, not only shortterm but long-term, as it relates to the safety of workers on the high seas. THREE-HOUR MEETING Monday’s news conference had followed a threehour meeting between the officials and members of the intelligence agencies of both countries where intelligence was shared, discussions on best practices, increased co-
operation and preventative strategies for future occurrences of similar acts. The parties have been tight-lipped as it relates to the investigations, although promising that details will be released in due time. Minister Ramjattan has expressed his satisfaction with the efforts thus far, noting a lot more is still being done and is calling on the relatives to exercise some patience as it relates to the identification of the bodies and with information being made public. On April 27th, four fishing boats were attacked by pirates, leaving some 16 fishermen feared dead. So far five survivors have been identified and some three fishermen confirmed dead. The men were beaten, burnt
with hot oil, doused with gasoline, chopped mercilessly and tied to heavy object such as batteries and anchors and thrown overboard. In addition, their catch was looted, their boats and engines damaged to ensure they did not stand a chance at surviving. Piracy has been on the decline with a more robust effort by the current administration. At least two of the survivors who spoke to this newspaper have vowed not to return to the fishing business despite investing most of their lives in the industry. Many are also hopeful that with the renewed cooperation between the two countries, measures will be put in place to help regulate the trade and safeguard fishermen.
Gov’t requests land to build nursing college Bus driver gets four – legislation being amended to allow nurses to specialise THE Ministry of Public Health has requested 30 acres of land from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to construct a nursing college, said subject minister, Volda Lawrence. Although the local schools of nursing will provide a foundation for nurses, the college is expected to create an opportunity for those in the profession to enhance their knowledge, said the minister during her address to nurses at the launch of the activities for the Guyana Nursing Association (GSA)’s 90th anniversary celebration. “All tiers of persons within the profession can be able to improve themselves once the college is done,” she posited, adding that the institution is expected to be equipped with the latest technology and simulations. The college will also comprise a video conferencing room so that persons who have to take foreign classes would be able to have full access. Minister Lawrence said the ministry has already started to revise the existing 1947 Act which governs nurses. “We have completed the draft amendments and it was submitted to the Attorney General’s office for review before we take it to the National Assembly; we hope to do so within this quarter of the year,” she explained. The amended legislation
Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence flanked by officials of the GNA
A section of the gathering on Monday (Delano Williams photos)
will complement the college because after pursuing further studies the nurses would be able to specialise in a particular field. Once the avenue for elevation has been created, the minister urged persons to uti-
lise it and move on in order to make space for others to join the profession. “I am not asking you, I am telling you that you will have to move on because we will not keep you for 40-50 years,” she said, adding that the health sector would not be able to fully improve if the flow of personnel is not maintained. Nurses will not be left in the wilderness since the ministry will be working to ensure that there is a conducive and enhanced environment for them to operate in.
“If we give you the tools you will have no excuse; we need to take leaps because we have a long way to go in order to catch up with the rest of the world,” said Minister Lawrence. Some of the nurses, who were at the event, were in full support of the construction of the college and the amendment of the existing legislation. According to the medical professionals, the move was long overdue but will still give them an opportunity to enhance their abilities.
years for death of two persons A 24-YEAR-OLD unlicensed driver was on Monday sentenced to four years jailtime for the deaths of two of his passengers, who lost their lives during a minibus accident on the Land of Canaan Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), last month. Ronald Balgobin called “Randy,” appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and plead guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The two charges read that on April 13 at Land of Canaan Public Road, EBD, Balgobin drove minibus BWW 4542 in a dangerous manner resulting in the death of Yvonne Mohan and Ramroop Persaud. The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the minibus driver of Sophia, Georgetown, was proceeding south on the EBD roadway reportedly at a fast rate, when he lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn. The minibus turned-turtle and crashed into an electrical pole. The driver and passengers were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where Mohan was pronounced dead on arrival and on April 16, Persaud succumbed to the injures he received from the crash. In court, Balgobin explained that he was in Ku-
Ronald Balgobin called “Randy
ru-Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke visiting a friend, who is the owner of the minibus. However the driver of the vehicle did not report for work that day. “My friend ask me if I know to drive and I say yes, then she ask me if I want work the bus for she” he explained. Balgobin added that he drove the bus and picked up passengers along the EBD to Georgetown, everything was going fine until on the return trip when he attempted to overtake a truck and lost control of the minibus. “I lost control and the minibus rolled about 40 feet and after that I don’t know nothing else” he said, while begging the court for leniency. The Chief Magistrate after considering Balgobin’s early guilty plea sentenced him to four years’ jail on each count. However the sentences will run concurrently.
30 pirates held 3
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
…Suriname, Guyana deepen intelligence sharing By Nafeeza Yahya in Paramaribo SURINAMESE authorities have confirmed that 30 persons are in custody as investigations intensify into last week’s piracy attacks that have left over one dozen Guyanese fishermen dead. This was disclosed by the Minister of Justice and Police, Stuart Getrouw at a joint press conference held by the Surinamese and Guyanese Governments on Monday at the Press Centre of the Office of the President at Kleine Combeweg, Paramaribo. Also present were Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan; Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Lekhram Soerdjan and Minister of Defense Ronni Benschop; Guyana Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George, as well as high ranking officers from the police forces of both countries.. According to information, the 30 men were arrested on both land and sea, however, Minister Getrouw when quizzed on the details of those in custody, declined to comment as the investigations are ongoing and divulging details may compromise the probe. He, however, did
From left, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries; Lekhram Soerdjan,Minister of Defense Ronni Benschop and Minister of Justice and Police Stuart Getrouw, from Suriname; Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George
confirm that the status and details surrounding the investigations and those in custody have been disclosed to the Guyanese delegation. “We had a very fruitful discussion prior to the press conference this morning (Monday), where the Guyanese delegation was briefed on the actions of the Surinamese Police and they had a session where ideas and intelligence were shared, strategies were discussed to prevent future occurrences and after the press conference they will continue to meet with the Surinamese police,” he said. Minister Ramjattan has also confirmed that the two countries have been working in tandem and from his end they have supplied critical information that was request-
ed by the Surinamese. “I must congratulate the efforts being done by the Surinamese authorities [in] helping to [bring] to justice the people who were involved here and ensure there will be a continuation of the investigations.” He continued that only ‘’intelligence’’ was requested by the Surinamese from his end and he is satisfied with the way the investigations have gone thus far, noting,that a lot more is still to be done as it relates to retrieving the other bodies and identification as well. “Part of why I am here is to ensure the cooperation and sharing of intelligence between the two countries to ensure justice is done. Whatever support is needed by the Surinamese authorities [from] the Guyanese authori-
ties that support will be given so we can find the culprits, the criminals here, and the evidence so that they can be brought to justice”. Among the men in custody is one of the alleged pirate, “Crackhead” who reportedly is a key player in the execution of the attack. Information reaching the Guyana Chronicle is that the man has reportedly confessed to killing at least five of the men during the attack. Over in Guyana, the police have three persons still in custody, one in ‘C’ Division and two in `B’ Division. Minister Ramjattan has confirmed that a stay order was granted beyond the 72 hours period, as investigators need a little more time to compile the evidence to present to the court. Since
the piracy attack on the 27th of April, boat owners have docked their vessels out of fear of losing their lives and property. Many fishermen have been calling for the issuance of firearms licences to defend themselves while others have been asking for the Coast Guard to escort them out to sea. GIVE US FIREARMS “Where we are fishing the coast guard and them boats don’t reach there, so if they can go with us we can go out tomorrow and all, but unless we get security and know the people and the boats safe we won’t go out” said Hemanlall Ramsarran, the owner of the boat on which Sherwin Lovell, Ganesh Persaud, Glenroy Jones, Gowkarran Outar and
Ganesh “Vicky’ Persaud were on. Minister Getrouw told reporters at the press conference, that the concerns and the suggestions made by the boat owners, as well as fishermen, have been taken into consideration and he has requested that they remain docked for a week as they are currently working to put measures in place. He assured that while he would not disclose the details, the safety of the fisherfolk is paramount to both countries. The incident has led to a shortage of fish on the local market in Suriname with some suppliers allegedly hiking their prices by some 30 per cent. It is anticipated this may increase further if the men refuse to return to sea.
AG says settlement with Guy-Tract saves gov’t millions THE Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers on Monday explained why the state negotiated with Hareshnarine Sugrim of Guyana Tractor Equipment for the company to forego in excess of $63M following an award made in Sugrim’s favour recently. In a statement to the media, the AG’s Chambers explained that contrary to an article published by the Kaieteur News on Friday, May 4, 2018 under the headline, “Gov’t agrees to pay GUYTRACT $226M in yet another out of court settlement” the move was necessary. Sugrim in June 2015 had taken the National Drainage
and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to court via a Writ of Summons with Indorsement of Claim. Under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Sugrim was awarded a contract to supply NDIA with equipment. Cabinet at the time, subsequent to the award of the contract, withdrew its no objection to the award. As such, Sugrim began action, suing the NDIA and the AG for breach of contract. The State lost the case and Justice Diana Insanally awarded damages for breach of contract in the sum of G$226, 161,235, damages for loss of profit in the sum of G$44,602.000 as a result of the breach of the contract
on the part of the defendant. Resulting damages in the sum of G$19M and interest on any award at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum from the date of filing to the date of judgment and at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum until fully paid were also ordered by the high court judge. The AG’s Chambers said given the court’s order and the manner in which the case was conducted by former Deputy Solicitor- General Prithima Kissoon, “it was in the best interest of NDIA and the Government of Guyana to amicably resolve this matter.” The government said Kissoon in the Kaieteur News article “distorted the
facts and deliberately contrived to mislead the public about the true facts and circumstances of the case and slander the office of the Honourable Attorney General.” The AG’s Chambers contend that the matter was conducted solely by Kissoon as she prepared and filed pleadings submissions on behalf of the state. Kissoon has been accused of assisting the case for the defence without regard to specific instructions from Attorney General Basil Williams. “By the time the Honourable Attorney General attempted to intervene in the matter, Ms. Kissoon had already filed pleadings, conducted the trial, argued
and filed submissions,” the statement read, while noting that it was as a result of Kissoon’s “dereliction of duty and refusal to obey specific instructions” that the state was forced to go this route. Meanwhile, NDIA has agreed that it would purchase from Sugrim, six long broom excavators and other equipment which they needed, for the sum of G$226, 161,235 in full and final settlement of the matter. It was also negotiated that in the public’s interest, the settlement would not include damages for loss of profit in the sum of G$44,602.000.00 as a result of the breach of the contract on the part of the defendant, damages in the sum of G$19M, interest
on any award at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum from the date of filing to the date of judgment and at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum until fully paid as per the judge’s order. Based on the negotiations, Sugrim has agreed with the state to forego in excess of $63M. “Therefore, Kissoon’s accusations and insinuations against the Honourable Attorney General and the office he holds are unfounded, mischievous and without any merit.” “The settlement of this matter has saved the Government of Guyana millions of dollars and provided the much-needed equipment to the NDIA,” the AG’s Chambers stated.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
Government renews gold mining concession pact for another two years GOVERNMENT has renewed the contract enabling small and medium-scale miners to receive concessions and other duty-free benefits, this time for an extended two-year period. To mark this, a ceremony was held on Monday at the Ministry of Finance where a multi-party of Government agencies and mining associations sealed the arrangement. Over the years, gold miners have received tax reduction on fuel and duty-free concessions on imported equipment through the agreement. Representing the Government were Minister of
Finance, Winston Jordan and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Attending Government officials included Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia; acting Commissioner of the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison; and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma. On behalf of the extractive industry were: President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), Terrence Adams and President of the Guyana
Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO), Urica Primus. Speaking briefly, Jordan said that the ceremony, though simple, is important as it bares testimony to the significance the Government places on the development of the gold industry. Apart from the time extension, for the first time the signing includes the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) and additional benefits have been incorporated “This is a more elaborate and a more comprehensive agreement that, so far, contains a number of other fea-
tures,” Jordan said, further elaborating: “[Lowering of the] tributor’s tax, withholding tax on gold to the sliding scale, over a billion plus dollars has been put for roads and other tax measures that we would have had in place.” The new agreement is made possible through the 2018 budget which was adjusted to include “a number of concessions and measures” following collaborative dialogue with the GWMO and GGDMA. “We don’t do these things to get kudos, so to speak, we do it because it’s
our duty, it is what comes after hard bargaining and negotiations,” Jordan explained, adding: “I want to commend this approach to all other organizations that are representing their different constituency, that running to the press doesn’t solve anything. I think it aggravates parties on both sides…we will forever promote constructive dialogue.” The goal for gold declarations this year is 800,000 ounces, a target which the minister says he hopes will materialize as the workers do their part to ensure declarations are rightfully done
and to be compliant with the GRA. “We have done our part, we have acceded to a number of your requests, we know you may have one or two outstanding, but these should not be now standing in the way of full steam ahead, full declarations,” he said. Meanwhile, the GGDMA and GWMO presidents expressed their gratitude on behalf of their members for both the contract’s extension and its additional benefits. This is the third signing of such an agreement, the first of which was signed in 2015.
Fire at Cotton Tree WCB leaves six homeless
SIX people were left homeless and two of them hospitalized after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their home at Lot 28 Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) around 1:00 am yesterday morning.
Homeless is the Jairam family comprising Mr Jairam, 49, his wife Rajmattie Jairam 44 and four children. The family was asleep when the fire broke out and they barely managed to escape from the burning house by jumping to the ground
through a window in the upper flat. They all sustained injuries to their hands and legs. Jairam’s wife, Rajmattie Jairam and her 19-year-old daughter, Kumarie Jairam, were up to last night patients at the Fort Welling-
two-storeyed wooden building but they managed to prevent the flames from spreading to other houses in the area. The police in WCB and officials of the fire service were yesterday investigating the possible origins of the blaze. (END)
ton Hospital nursing burns about their bodies while the others were treated and sent away. The family was unable to save any belongings. Residents said that a prompt response by the fire service at Onverwagt, WCB, was unable to save the
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
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GDF probe clears Joint Services of Lindo Creek massacre …says Fineman gang suspected miners to be informants
By Svetlana Marshall THE Lindo Creek miners, whose charred remains were discovered back in June 2008, may have been victims of a fatal robbery or may have been killed because of their suspected roles as informants of the Joint Services, an investigation conducted by the Military Criminal Investigation Department (MCID) suggested, even as it cleared the Joint Services of the allegation of mass murder. For close to a decade, owner of the mining camp, Leonard Arokium, and other relatives and friends of the deceased have accused the Joint Services of mistakenly killing the miners – Dax Arokium, Cedric Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Nigel Torres, Bonny Harry, Clifton Wong and Lancelot Lee – while in pursuit of a notorious gang led by Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins in the Upper Berbice River, Region 10. But on Monday when the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) public hearings recommenced at the CoI Secretariat at Waterloo Street, Georgetown, Major Andy Pompey who spearheaded the investigation into the allegations levelled against the Joint Services, said his findings cleared the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which had carried out joint operations in the area, of any wrong doing. Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Ret’d Justice Donald Trotman, however, questioned the accuracy and completeness of the investigation on the basis that the person – Leonard Arokium – who had made the allegation against the Joint Services was not interviewed nor did any other civilian. In the presence of the four
lawyers who are representing the interest of the GDF, Major Pompey while fielding questions from the Commission’s Counsel Patrice Henry, disclosed that on June 25, 2008, he, while operating within GDF Military Police Department, was mandated along with three others to conduct an investigation into the allegations levelled against the Joint Services Teams, who were operating within the Kwakwani area back between June 6, 2008 and June 21, 2008. The other members of the investigating team were Officer Cadet Blanhum, Inspector Lowe and civilian Johnson. The team, which operated out of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Eve Leary, was given from June 26, 2008 to July 8, 2008 to complete the investigation based on the established Terms of Reference (TOR). Before a packed chamber, Major Pompey said that based on the investigation the miners were likely killed between June 11, 2008 and June 21, 2008 at a camp owned by Leonard Arokium at Lindo Creek, in the Upper Berbice River. It is believed that the miners were tortured, shot and burnt, he told the Commission. Based on the investigation, he said it could have been possible that the miners were robbed and killed, or killed under the assumption that they were informants. “Possible motive of the killers could have been 1) robbery or 2) assumptions that the miners were informants working for the Joint Services,” Major Pompey told the commission as he read one of the key findings from the GDF investigation. In keeping with the TOR, Major Pompey who was a Captain at the time, said that the investigation also con-
firmed that there were two Joint Services Special Operations Teams conducting operations in the Kwakwani area in pursuit of wanted man Rondell Rawlins and his gang. The operations reportedly com-
were similar to the type used by some members of the Joint Services,” he told the Commission. Major Pompey, however, made it clear that during the investigation all arms and
Chairman of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry – Ret’d Justice Donald Trotman (Photo by Adrian Narine)
menced from June 6, 2008. Leonard Arokium had said that he was informed by a woman, that men dressed in camouflage clothing, similar to that sworn by the GDF ranks and officers, had killed the miners. The miner had long expressed the opinion that the gang was not in the area at the time of the massacre, as he laid the blame at the feet of the Joint Services. Major Pompey and his team, based on the investigation came up with possible reasons that could have led to the allegations being levelled against the Joint Services. “There were two factors for the allegation of murder being levelled against ranks of the joint services. According to Mr. Arokium, the killers were in camouflage clothing, and spent shells recovered at the crime scene Lindo Creek,
ammunition issued to the Joint Services Special Operations Teams were properly accounted. His colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Khan, who later took the stand, told the Commission stories of missing arms and ammunition, some of which were recovered on crime scenes. Major Pompey had interviewed two GDF pilots, Mike Charles, and, Courtney Burns, along with the ranks of the two Joint Services Special Operations Teams – ‘A’ and ‘B’. During those interviews, the investigators were reportedly told that some members of Team ‘A’ were aware of the Lindo Creek Mining Camp based on discussions they had with Clifton Wong, one of the murdered miners. According to their testimonies they had never physically visited the mining camp.
“Some members of the Joint Services were familiar with Clifton Wong. It was established that Mr. Wong was transported by the Joint Services Special Operations Group ‘A’ Team on the 10th June from UNAMCO Check Point to Kwakwani. He rejoined and returned to the checkpoint at UNAMCO on the morning of June 11, 2008. He was then taken to a location between the check point and Christmas Falls area. Mr. Wong claimed that his camp was located in an area off the trail where he came off,” Major Pompey said while summarising statements given by the ranks. Based on his investigation, he told the Commission that the allegation levelled against members of the Joint Services was not substantiated, and as such the investigating team concluded the Joint Services Special Operations Group was not responsible for the mass murder. “The investigating team expressed the opinion that the allegations of murder made against ranks of the Joint Services were from pure speculation and accusation. Further, it must be noted that some members of the Joint Services rendered assistance and advice to Mr. Wong. Also, both of the Joint Services Special Operations Teams, arms and ammunitions were properly account-
ed for,” Major Pompey said as he read from the report, he had helped compile. However, he admitted that the miners should have been notified of the operations that were being conducted in the Kwakwani-Christmas Falls area by the Joint Services and given orders to evacuate immediately. Legal Counsel Henry and Commissioner Trotman repeatedly questioned Major Pompey as to why civilians were not interviewed during the investigation. He would only say that the investigating team was “restricted’ from doing such and the interviewees appeared before the team. His colleague, Lieutenant Colonel Khan, later clarified that the investigation was an internal one, noting that if interviews were to be conducted, it would have been the responsibity of the Guyana Police Force to do so. The GDF is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Leslie Sobers and Roysdale Forde, in addition to two in-house GDF attorneys, Melissa Yearwood-Stewart and Colonel Michael Shahoud.
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
Capital towns ONE of the challenges of development surrounds the important question of ensuring important public services to all citizens. This is a daily challenge for countries with very vast land spaces, comprising population centres that are very distant from the centralised services which are meant for all citizens. There is no doubt that this was one of the principal concerns when the country’s socio-economic planners gave serious thought to regionalising Guyana over three decades ago. It made sense, given the fact that Guyana possessed the resource potential that could have supported the commencement of such an initiative, with a view towards gradual growth and self-sufficiency for what would have become its demarcated geographical spaces. It is now history that Guyana has been divided into ten administrative regions, where there has been some amount of decentralisation of social services such as education, water, and public works in which the regional financial accounting system, based on disbursement from the central system, is able to cater for capital works and salaries for workers. But that is as far as making each of the ten regions self-sufficient, in terms of being able to depend on its own revenues garnered from economic activities, as had been envisaged by the regional system’s planners over three decades ago. Most significant is the fact that all of the important public services were still centralised, causing many citizens from the region’s far-flung areas having to find the time and money, and at great inconvenience, to travel to the nation’s capital city to access such services. But that was prior to May 2015. Now, three years later and with a new executive, led by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, the concept of capital towns, as envisioned by President Granger,
has begun the process of taking essential public services to citizens in other parts of Guyana. Capital Towns is a transformative concept with a multi-dimensional strategy to begin the modernisation process of each region, and concomitant economic growth and development, bringing a better quality of life to its citizens and communities. We can all recall those long lines that once snaked from within the Immigration Office to all the way outside and along the external precincts of its Eve Leary premises just to get a new passport, or have expired ones renewed. But with the decentralisation of this process, citizens are no longer required to travel long distances to the city just to submit their applications, and then have to do the journey all over again to pick up the finished product. Applications are now submitted within the respective regions, sent to the city for processing, with the finished document being sent to the respective region for the applicant to uplift. Another significant advancement has been the acquisition of birth certificates by citizens from the hinterland region. Only recently, a team from the General Registrar’s Office travelled to Region One (Barima-Waini) where its members distributed over 200 birth certificates to residents. This was after a registration process that had taken place less than three months ago. There has also been the construction of new Magistrate’s Courts in hinterland areas that will render speedy and timely adjudication to legal matters. In this vein, one has seen the upgrading of the regional health systems that will be able to cater for interventions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in healthcare. The Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Mabaruma and Lethem Regional Hospitals and the Paramakatoi Health Centre have been identified by the Ministry of Public Health to be upgraded to
SMART hospital status. SMART Hospitals are meant to be environmentally friendly, with structural and operational safety built into the facility’s state of operations. These centres seek to offer services during wet and dry seasons, which can facilitate very critical medical and surgical cases. This will enable stricken persons quick access to urgent medical attention, thereby preventing the well-known emergency flights to the city. Another input, as far as bringing public services to the citizens in other regions is concerned, has been the opening of Guyana Revenue Authority offices. These are being supported by seminars that are being held to update citizens in relation to their tax matters. It was inconceivable that Guyana could have been touted by the former PPP/C government as undergoing transformation when all of the pivotal public service functions were still concentrated in the City. This was merely talking development, with no real support base for practical results; not seeking to bring much-needed services to the hundreds of citizens who made, in many instances, tiresome journeys to access public services which are now available in their particular region. The true test of modernisation is when citizens in the particular state can have prompt and unfettered access to public services which have to do with their daily wellbeing. The visionary initiative of Capital Towns has started this process. It is developing; the results are beginning to impact positively on the lives of those that it serves. It can only get better.
This rank needs to be taught a lesson
Dear editor,
PLEASE oblige me a space in your newspaper to bring to the attention of management of the Guyana Police Force an incident that took place on May 3, 2018 at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)’s Head Office at Lot 1, Brickdam. This is an incident, which, if not addressed almost immediately if not immediately, could bring a higher degree of embarrassment to the police force by those who have taken an oath to “Serve and Protect” the people of this country. Editor, it is important to note that I have witnessed something of a similar nature by this very sergeant prior to what took place on May 3. But though not as bad as what hap-
pened on May 3, the incident was just as disturbing, and seems to be a pattern of behaviour with the person of whom I speak. Mr Editor, what I am about to say here is not an exaggeration, nor is it an attempt to bring discredit to the Force. THESE ARE FACTS! Mr Editor, on the day in question, I had the misfortune of witnessing what I deem to be a cruel and an inhumane treatment being meted out to a citizen, a taxpayer and moreso an elderly woman old enough to be her mother, by the sergeant who runs that location. Now, the ministry has two gates at its Brickdam entrance, one of which is to be used by pedestrians, and the other for the movement of the ministry’s vehicles. The pedestrian’s entrance is not seen by peo-
ple many times, and that is maybe because of the way it is situated. This elderly woman, who approached the ministry from the westerly direction, may have only spotted the gate used by the vehicles and decided to make her entry there. She was already in the compound, when, just as she was about to pass the security hut, she was greeted by a very loud voice; the loudest voice she would probably hear on earth, saying: “Hello! Get back through that gate and use the other gate!” The loudness and force of those words storming through that woman’s ears that morning no doubt caused her to immediately obey that command! You think it was finished there? NO! The loud-mouth then turned her attention to the rank who was
controlling the gate (it’s an automatic gate) and said: “What I told y’all about not paying attention to the gate eh? Y’all don’t piss me off this morning!” Editor, it is not really that big an issue if persons use the vehicular side of the gate, but it is better that they use the one **appointed them in the interest of safety. What I have witnessed a few times by the previous sergeant, she used to kindly ask them to use the other gate next time if they happen to already make they way into the compound. That approach, is one which much be given a pat on the back. Editor, we at the ministry have never had a cause to make any informal or even formal complain, about any rank who has either
worked or currently work at the ministry until they (the Police) have replaced the previous sergeant with what we are having now. Her behaviour is a disgrace to the police force. She’s not fit and proper to be in command of anyone. One may want to questioned how she even acquire her current rank. We are asking for the removal of her and to have them sent back the previous sergeant or any other. We would like to also suggest that they do not put her any place where the public has access to. The force might regret it someday. Thank you and we look forward for a respond by way of removal of that sergeant. Yours truly, Concerned MoPH employee
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
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Labour’s interest lies in the workplace and wider society
Dear Editor
THE opportunity is being taken to respond to letter titled “Unionists must work for workers not themselves” (SN 7th May, 2018). B. Winslow Parris’ letter is revealing on my fronts and the facts are herein being addressed: 1. The trade union movement in Guyana was founded and operates on the principle that Labour’s interest lies in the workplace and wider society. The proof resides in numerous laws, rules, and time honoured principles impacting the workplace and wider society that were initiated by and had the support of Labour. The movement represents workers and sees this category as past, present and potential members of the workforce, be they unionised or non-unionised. 2. Labour has a responsibility to influence the decisions that impact their conditions at work and the quality of living within the communities they reside. It’s a responsibility taken seriously and will not be shirked. For instance, the house-
wife alluded to, there is interest in ensuring the breadwinner earns a decent wage/ salary that can impact on the spending power and quality of life in the family that the housewife usually presides over. With regards to the children in the home, Labour’s interest cuts across issues such as quality public education, universal healthcare, attendance at school, providence of nutritious meals, ability to purchase uniforms and school supplies, and being educated in a safe and healthy environment where educators/teachers are not only adequately compensated but allowed to play meaningful role in shaping the child’s behaviour and knowledge to make them productive citizens. 2. No, Labour does not fall under the “Ministry of Social Cohesion.” There is no ministry of social cohesion, there is a Department of Social Cohesion that falls under the purview of the Ministry of the Presidency, and a minister assigned that departmental responsibility. 3. Labour has been relegated to a Department which
falls within the Ministry of Social Protection. Social Protection is not Labour, it in an element of Labour which represents the totality of the workers’ welfare. And yes, there is a need for a Ministry of Labour as here-under outlinedi. The historical evolution of this country shows that labour has a sordid history of exploitation, brutalisation and treatment as sub-humans. This inhumane treatment has been resisted and fought against from the moment of enslavement of the Amerindian community, the captured arrival of African as slaves, the arrival of indentured servants, and by the colonised; ii. Economists have considered Land, Labour, Capital and Entrepreneurship as the factors of production. None of the factors is possible without the production, consumption and distribution of labour. Even in the most mechanised society the presence of labour is valued and considered important, in all and every part of the developmental chain. There’s no country with our historical
Something’s got to be not quite not right – with any professional who’s willing to get in bed with PPP, and thinks glowingly of the ex-president Dear Editor LAST year Guyana ranked 100 out of 188 countries in the corruption perceptions index, with a score of 38 out of a maximum of 100 points, according to TradingEconomics.com. But this is good, compared to the seven-year average score of 27 under the PPP up to 2014. The highest score in 2017 was 89 points, by New Zealand. The index is an indicator of perceptions of corruption in a country’s public sector. But the corruption perception index can also be seen as an indicator of what transpires in the private sector, since many elements of corruption in the public sector are derived from corruption within the private sector. These range from bribery in the judicial system to under-reporting of income taxes and money-laundering. A number of cases in our court system highlight the prevalence of this issue, and without a doubt also, our certified professionals affix their proverbial rubber stamp to the under-reporting of taxable revenues, not to mention the significant issue of legalizing drug-money and other income earned from illicit activities. What is particularly fas-
cinating is that over the two decades or so when corruption and money-laundering proliferated, and even today, few cases if any of tax dodging and money-laundering were ever successfully resolved in court. Evidently, Guyana’s tax-dodgers and money-launderers have found Guyana a true paradise. Of particular interest here and one of the harsher realities we have to face, is that a few of our nation’s professionals occasionally prostitute themselves as paragons of virtue when our government’s corruption transgressions inevitably surface. One can imagine the reason for these professionals’ face-off with government on corruption is that they have probably been sidelined and aren’t receiving any gravy. Corporate social responsibility has now become central in the corporate strategy of these professionals meeting their businesses’ budget revenue targets, and is but a cheap, effective marketing instrument. One particularly vocal government critic has spread his cards on the table by jumping on the PPP’s political bandwagon in the hopes of making a hit in 2020. Conversations with this individual would reveal that cor-
ruption, not governance, is the backbone of economic development. According to him, America was built on corruption. Strenuous arguments are offered to substantiate this perception. He also speaks glowingly about Bharrat Jagdeo’s achievements, seeing corruption as an essential element to these. Still another critic has tossed into the public domain the possibility of forming a political party. While this is undoubtedly another income-generating stunt, Guyanese are left to make up their minds about his proposals. These outcomes underline the nature of some of our less virtuous paragons of virtue. Something has got to be quite not right with any professional who is willing to get into bed with the PPP and thinks glowingly of the ex-president. Guyanese have had their share of the PPP administration’s system of corruption and money-laundering, all of which are copiously documented in the press. Its two decades-plus run has cost public servants and workers much ruination. Government under its administration will be no different in 2020. Regards Lance Cumberbatch
experiences that does not see Labour taking pre-eminence. This recognition is not treated with lightly; iii. In 1953 when we elected our first government- though limited in power- among the first things Premier Cheddie Jagan did was to establish a Ministry of Labour, whose political head was a Minister of the Cabinet. That principle and value for Labour was held up until 10th May 2015. This 1953 Government had within the likes of Forbes Burnham, Eusi Kwayana, Ashton Chase, etc. What our indigenous government signaled to Guyanese, by elevating the colonial Department of Labour to a Ministry of Labour, is that the workers/citizens would no longer be treated as sub-human and an incidental factor, marking a crowning achievement to the centuries of struggles by our forebears against the notion of being mules and treatment as beasts of burden. Our ancestors fought for the right to a place at the table and to be treated as human beings with the capacity to play a meaningful
role in their development and society as a whole; iv. In 2015 when the APNU+AFC took the decision to relegate Labour to a department, as was done during the colonial era, it not only marks a retrogressive step in our evolution- though I’m inclined at this stage to think the decision was not well thought out given historical meanings, ramifications and development- deserving to be addressed through ventilation and correction; v. The trade union does not seek a new ministry to represent Labour. History has shown Labour incorporated in others ministries with equal prominence. We have had a Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Labour and Human Services, etc. prior to May 2015. It is unfair and unjust to the struggles and achievements of Labour-which is the 20th century movement that laid the foundation for internal self-government, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the presence of the current corps of political leadership- to be cast aside in a corner. How can there be
justification for a Ministry of Business (capital/employer/ entrepreneurship), a Ministry of Natural Resources (land) and none that gives pre-eminence to Labour (workers), when the success of both ministries relies on treating workers with due regard and dignity as ensconced in the Constitution and Labour Laws Of Guyana? Further, when labour is relegated it means that workers are no longer considered a vital factor in the nation’s development but merely incidental to. These realities run contrary to the slogan of a “Good Life” which Labour views as workers being a direct beneficiary of, through meaningful involvement (Article 13, 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution), and not incidental to. The trade union repeated call for a Ministry of Labour is grounded in the aforementioned principles and ensuring the well-fought for gains are being secured and advanced. Regards Lincoln Lewis
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Ashni Singh, Brassington ...return of service to fail to show be laid over to court FORMER Finance Minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Winston Brassington, failed to show up in court on Monday to answer to three charges of misconduct in public office, contrary to the public law. Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Special Prosecutor Trenton Lake, while addressing Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, explained that the unit was unable to serve a summons on either of the two defendants to attend court. The two are out of the jurisdiction. The magistrate adjourned the matter until today (Tuesday, May 8), for the prosecution to lay over a return of service to the court. If a summons is issued and it was not laid over to the defendant because they are out of the jurisdiction, a return of service will have to be submitted to the court so that the Magistrate could move on and issue an arrest warrant or take further action. SOCU said investigators have been trying since 2015 to communicate with the duo but to no avail. Both Dr. Singh and Brassington reside and work abroad. According to information sworn under oath, Dr. Singh and Brassington on Monday, December 28, 2009 by way of an agreement of sale and
Caricom urges unity at Foreign Ministers meeting in the Bahamas
Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh (left) and former CEO of NICIL,Winston Brassington
purchase “acted recklessly” when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, lands amounting to 103.88 acres, property of the State for the sum of $598, 659, 398 (Vat exclusive) without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. The second charge alleges that the duo on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 by way of agreement of sale and purchase “without due diligence” sold to Scady Business Corporation, land located at Liliendaal, ECD, amounting to 4,700 acres, also the property of the State for the sum of $150,000,000 knowing that the said property was valued at $340,000,000 by Rodrigues Architects Associate. The final charge alleges that the former finance minister and former NICIL’s CEO on Saturday, May 14, 2011 by way of agreement of sale and purchase “acted recklessly” when they sold to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc. 10, 002 acres of land located at Turkeyen, ECD, property
of the State for the sum of $185, 037,000 without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer. Brassington in December of 2015 had said he was willing to undergo public scrutiny in the courts of law, maintaining that he was a man of integrity. One of the forensic audit reports on the operations of NICIL suggests that under the PPP administration, NICIL engaged in malpractices, and had made poor decisions on behalf of the people of Guyana. The audit which was conducted by former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran had recommended criminal and/or disciplinary action against all those responsible for the interception of State revenues totalling $26.858B, in violation of the constitution. Goolsarran had said that several laws were broken. Brassington who left Guyana in December 2015 was said to be living in Florida, where he reportedly operates a business.
‘Glow Again’owner gets dim bail appeal THE owner of ‘Glow Again’ Boutique who was reportedly busted recently with over two pounds of cocaine after being under surveillance by the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), was on Monday slapped with a drug trafficking charge. Gavin Blackman called ‘Boiley’ of Norton Street, Georgetown appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to the charge. Particulars of the offence read that on May 4 at Lot 2 Norton Street he allegedly had 1.1 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. According to the CANU case presented by prosecutor Gordon Mansfield,
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Gavin Blackman
Blackman was on the unit’s radar as he is suspected to be a drug dealer. CANU ranks on the day in question were conducting surveillance on Blackman when they saw him retrieve a plastic bag from a known individual. He then went into this car and drove away. The ranks reportedly trailed Blackman to Norton Street and as he was about to enter the yard they gave
chase but the man ran up the stairs and threw the plastic bag with the drugs into the house. However, the occupant of the home saw the parcel and threw it into the neighbour’s yard. The parcel was retrieved by a CANU officer and the suspected cocaine was found inside. Blackman’s attorney, James Bond made a failed bail application on the grounds that the suspected drugs were not found in his client’s possession. The application was met with objection by the prosecutor who cited that the attorney failed to raise a sufficient reason for bail to be granted for the offence. The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Blackman to prison until June 7.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister and his counterparts in Caricom and other Heads of Delegation at the 21st Meeting of COFCOR, in The Bahamas
CARIBBEAN Community Foreign Ministers were on Monday urged to advance the objectives of CARICOM by leveraging their voices as one to derive maximum benefits for the region. CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, speaking in Nassau, The Bahamas, at the opening of the Twenty-First Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) said there was “ample evidence” to prove the Community benefitted when acting in concert on the international stage. “What we do as a Community continues to make a difference. Just recently, we were successful in pressing the case of the undocumented British citizens of Caribbean descent long resident in the United Kingdom (the Windrush Generation). We have brought global attention to issues of non-communicable diseases, graduation from access to concessional financing, climate change and the vulnerability of Small States to name just a few,” Secretary-General LaRocque pointed out. Noting that tackling a major global issue like migration, a topic for COFCOR’s retreat, required “effective multilateralism and concerted action,” he welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on International Migration, Her Excellency Louise Arbour, who will facilitate deliberations at the Retreat. Secretary-General LaRocque said other external challenges including blacklisting, the withdrawal of correspondent banking services, transnational crime, and the threat of violent extremism, must also be addressed by the multilateral system, rather
than by “individual action by countries or groups of countries in fora in which we have no voice.” As the Foreign Ministers look at CARICOM’s increased engagement in the hemisphere, he said of concern was the reality that the “major mechanisms and processes of inter-American political dialogue – the OAS, the Summit of the Americas, CELAC, UNASUR, even the GRULAC coordinating mechanism for candidatures at the United Nations in New York - are increasingly under strain, and in some cases have become dysfunctional.” “This Meeting will no doubt weigh the causes and the repercussions of this development, and its impact on the Community’s interests. However, it will also ascertain to what extent the Community is in a position to contribute to narrowing the divisions,” Mr LaRocque stated. Reminding that the Community was still recovering from the climatic disasters of September 2017, which would take years and more than US$5 billion to rebuild, he noted that the start of this year’s hurricane season - a mere 25 days away – was predicted to be equally, or even more active than last year’s. “Our charge, therefore, is to reduce vulnerability to these disasters and the effects of climate change by building a climate-resilient Community,” the Secretary-General told the COFCOR. He expressed the Community’s perpetual gratitude to partners who have supported affected countries in their efforts at recovery and building resilience. Such assistance is most welcome, Secretary-General LaRocque noted, particularly as most
of CARICOM countries are denied concessional development financing due to the use of GDP per capita as a primary criterion for access to such funds. The Bahamas, in particular, suffered three consecutive years of significant damage by hurricanes, amounting to more than half a billion US dollars, but is one of those countries affected by this denial of access due to its categorisation as an upper middle income country. With the support of the United Nations Development Programme and the Commonwealth, among others, the Secretary-General said international financial institutions are beginning to consider vulnerability as a factor in providing development financing. “This is essential if our countries are to successfully become climate resilient,” he added. As the Community prepares for negotiations for a successor to the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement, it must do so unified, he said. “We must be prepared to advocate vigorously for our position for one ACPEU Agreement containing Regional Compacts, but all negotiated at the All-ACP level. It is in our interest to promote the value of our three regions staying the course and negotiating as one.” He noted also that the Community has been actively engaging with the United Kingdom with respect to their future trade relations to ensure that there would be no disruption following BREXIT. Technical exchanges are on-going and plans are being made for a Ministerial engagement with the UK before the end of 2018 in this regard, he added. (Caricom Secretariat)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Fire of unknown origin guts two Hadfield Street properties
Man arrested after attempting to defraud NIS A 40-year-old man, who is a disablement pensioner, was arrested on Monday after he allegedly attempted to defraud the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) . According to the NIS, David Ally forged and in-
flated his payment voucher from $9,695 to reflect $90,695. Members of the Guyana Police Force were called in and he was arrested and taken to the police station, the NIS said in a statement.
Body of man of unsound mind found floating in a trench at Blairmont The two houses destroyed on Hadfield Street (photo by Samuel Maughn)
OVER 11 persons are now homeless following a fire which gutted two houses on Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown between 16:30hrs and 17:00hrs on Monday afternoon. One of the families of Lot 69--the D’Areallas--is clueless as to how the fire started when no electrical or cooking appliance was left on around the time of the fire. Speaking to the media
that it was completely up in flames and although the fire service responded, there was nothing to be saved. Apart from Lawrence and his children, his wife--Karen D’Arealla--and brother-inlaw--Patrick Hall resided in the home. “When we left in the morning, we plugged out everything. I came back home midday and I make sure everything plugged out then I left and I go to work. When I come home now, then I see the fire,” Hall said, adding: “Everything gone! Ev-
Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green comforts the family (photo by Samuel Maughn)
Occupant of the home, Lawrence D’Arealla (photo by Samuel Maughn)
was occupant and father of seven, Lawrence D’Arealla, who said that at the time of the fire one of his daughters and his two grandchildren, a 2-year-old and a 9-monthold, were at home. It was only after his daughter noticed that there was a fire in the house that she took up the toddlers and ran for safety to a neighbouring house. Around the same time, Lawrence said that he was hanging out on the pavement, not too far from his home, when he saw two youngsters run by yelling “fire”. By the time he got to the wooden structure, he said
Occupant of the home, Karen D’Arealla, upon arrival at the scene (photo by Samuel Maughn)
erything! We don’t have anything more, this is all we got.” Meanwhile, Lawrence’s wife, Karen, was making her way home with her other children and when she received word that the house
was on fire. “I don’t know nothing… it’s from work I’m coming. I just get a call that my house on fire. Everything! Everything! All we passport, everything burn up! All my children birth certificate, everything burn up,” she cried
upon arrival. Present at the scene, too, was Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green, who comforted the family and reassured them that they would be assisted in retrieving the lost documents. Speaking on the matter, Divisional Officer of Operations of the Fire Service, Gregory Wickham said that information is still being gathered on the origin and total number of persons affected by the fire. “We have two buildings that have been completely destroyed and two others have been slightly scorched. We’re still investigating and very soon media operatives and the general public will know the cause of the fire. “No one gave us any information that anyone has been harmed or been trapped in the two properties,” he updated. This newspaper was unable to locate the residents of the second house which was also completely destroyed.
THE body of a West Bank Berbice (WBB) man, known to be of unsound mind, was found floating in a trench alongside the Blairmont public road around 11:00hrs. The dead man has since been identified as Rawle Fredericks, 49, of Ithaca, West Bank Berbice. Relatives said that he was the son of the late famous cricketer, Roy Fredericks. The deceased man, popularly known as Rawlie, was a well-known figure in and around Rosignol where he could be seen wandering around aimlessly and occasionally enjoying a meal from a sympathetic person.
Reports are that he was last seen alive around 2:00 AM on Monday morning, walking west along the stelling road at Rosignol. Relatives surmised that he met his death on the public road at Blairmont while on his way to Ithaca and somehow ended up in the trench. The Police have said that there were no marks of violence on the body. The body is being kept at a local funeral home pending the outcome of a post-mortem investigation and other investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Security Guard on $250,000 bail for ‘Mad Dog’stabbing AN elderly security guard was on Monday charged before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for manslaughter…after allegedly stabbing his robber during a failed armed robbery. Peter Jansen, 56 of North Sophia was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was released on $250,000 bail. The matter was adjourned until May 28. The charge read that Jansen on May 1 at Sophia, unlawfully killed Shelton Jordan called “Skull Top” and “Mad Dog.” Jansen’s attorney Latchmie Rahaman, during her application for bail told the court that Jordon had approached her client with a knife to rob him and steal his caged-bird. Rahaman explained that her client acted in self-defence managing to disarm the robber and inflicting a
Peter Jansen
stab to his abdomen. “My client is known as a peacemaker and not a troublemaker,” the attorney stressed. The prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Mansfield, did not oppose bail being granted to Jansen but requested that he lodge his passport with the court.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Guyana Ambassador to Finland accredited AMBASSADOR John Deep Ford was last month accredited as Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Monday. In a statement to the media, the Ministry said Ambassador Ford on Wednesday, April 24, 2018, presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland, after which he was accredited as Guyana’s Ambassador to Finland. Ambassador Ford is concurrently accredited to Switzerland and was recently appointed chair of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agriculture talks. Since September 2016, he has served as Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, the WTO, and
the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In 2017, Ambassador Ford served as chair of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group at the WTO. The Ambassador has more than 30 years of experience, working both domestically and internationally as an economist in agricultural trade and food policy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated. Between 2000 and 2016, he worked at the FAO, the last four years as Regional Director for the Caribbean. Guyana and Finland often cooperate through CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). “The appointment of H.E. Ambassador John Deep Ford will further strengthen existing relations between the
Ambassador John Deep Ford presents his Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland on April 24, 2018
two countries and provide a platform to pursue additional areas for collaboration in ag-
riculture, education, maritime security, regional investment and trade, among others,” the
Ambassador John Deep Ford stands alongside His Excellency President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland
statement said. Guyana and Finland established diplomatic re-
lations on April 2, 1979. Relations between the two countries are cordial.
PSI lost over $21M in valuables to theft last year
– calls on authorities to assist in preventing clashes between security force, fishermen PRITIPAUL Singh Investments Inc. (PSI) lost over $21M in valuables last year to theft at their 1,400ft wharf at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara. The company has a minimum of 30 fishing vessels on a daily basis, and reports are that the vessels are being plundered by local fishermen who flock the area to steal under the guise that they are fishing. Corporate Secretary of PSI Vishnu Panday, has called on the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other relevant authorities, to address the issue as the company grapples with its loss. The call was made in the aftermath of former PSI security guard, Marlon Callender, being freed recently after he was found not guilty of killing 45-year-old fisherman Envil Pollard called “Elvis” or “Rastaman.” Callender was acquitted following more than one hour of deliberations by a mixed 12- member jury before Justice Sandil Kissoon, at the High Court. The fisherman was shot during a confrontation at the PSI Wharf
Corporate Secretary of PSI Vishnu Panday
at Mc Doom. Pollard was shot to the neck and groin with a shotgun. The incident occurred on January 9, 2015. However, in order to prevent such an event from ever recurring PSI is asking for the authorities to intervene and prevent any further confrontation between the local fishermen, who are accused of colluding with staff to pilfer. Panday said that as of April 2018, the company has lost $7M in valuables that were stolen from
fishing vessels and the company. “Whenever our boats come in with fish you would always find that at that time the small boats increase, and it’s virtually impossible to monitor all the vessels and see everything that is happening,” Panday said. He said that the company has placed signboards and used loudspeakers to ask the vessels to keep their distance from the company’s fishing vessels and wharf, but to no avail. Underscoring that he has spoken to officials of MARAD and the police on many occasions about the issue while seeking assistance, Panday said the company is pleading for help to avoid a clash between the company’s security forces and the fishermen. Reflecting on the unfortunate 2015 incident, Panday said, “the loss of a life and sufferings from incarceration are not [things] we can be happy about, it is a very sad state of affairs, and to avoid any clashes from ever happening again we are asking for help.” He explained that the company has 2,000 employees with NIS con-
Some of the fishermen in their boats on Monday, lurking around one of the many PSI vessels at the 1,400ft wharf at Mc Doom East Bank Demerara. (Rabindra Rooplall photos)
tributions and the company contributes to the GDP and taxes, and with consistent loss as a result of theft from local fishermen it is unconscionable for the company to accept such a position without seeking the intervention of the authorities. Panday said that PSI does not want to wait until the situation reaches a catastrophic proportion
then for it to be addressed. “We keep losing generators, batteries, pumps, company supplies, fish and millions of dollars in equipment due to theft by the fishermen,” he said. Panday noted the downtime of the vessels has not been factored in and if this is done the loss is tremendous.
Sexagenarian busted with 27 kilos of ganja Guilty man goes down for four years An intelligence-led operation by ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s Narcotics Branch Monday morning resulted in the arrest of a 60-year-old labourer with five taped parcels of compressed cannabis. The illegal substance, which weighed in excess of twenty-seven (27) kilograms, was found hidden in a freezer of the sexagenarian’s Haslington, ECD, home. The suspect is being processed for court today. The seized Cannabis
KURT Steele was Monday sentenced to four years in prison for possession of narcotics. It was alleged that on May 4, 2018 at Broad Street, Georgetown, Steele had in his possession 453grammes of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to the charge. According to the police report, ranks were on patrol when they saw the defendant on a bicycle holding a black plastic bag. He was stopped and a search was carried out and a quantity of stems and leaves wrapped in transparent bags was discovered. Steele was fined $30,000 and jailed for four years by Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Kurt Steele
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Preliminary study begins on Diamond to Ogle road – work projected to last 10 months CONSULTANCY work on the design of the East Bank-East Coast Demerara Road Link Project, which will connect the villages of Diamond and Ogle, commenced last month, and is being done by the Indian public sector firm, RITES Ltd. According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), the duration of the consultancy is 10 months, and the cost is pegged at US$1.321M. The MPI said design will serve to reduce congestion and traffic delays by providing commuters with an alternative route linking the East Coast and East Bank
corridors. “This will also alleviate traffic congestion within Georgetown, as desirous persons will now be able to circumvent the City,” the ministry noted. It says the project will also be integrated with existing roads, which will allow commuters improved connectivity into the City and along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara. The existing roads that are to be connected include the Ogle Airport Road, Aubrey Barker Road, Haags Bosch Road, Mocha Arcadia Road and the Diamond Access Road. Last July, High Commissioner of India to Guyana,
Venkatachalam Mahalingam told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the US$50M project was delayed due to challenges in identifying a suitable contracting company to execute the works. When the preliminary study is completed, the company will discuss it with the government, following which a detailed project report will be prepared for the project to be implemented. According to the MPI, topographic surveys are scheduled along the corridors mentioned, and as such, persons living along those areas are asked to cooperate with the surveying team during the execution of the works.
Lethem Fire Station almost completed RESIDENTS of Lethem, Region Nine, will now benefit from a newly constructed fire station as the Ministry of Public Security continues to ensure public safety throughout Guyana. The project which commenced on April 7, 2017 is currently in its final stage of completion. The building which is approximately 60 feet by 70 feet, will house
fire trucks along with an emergency ambulance. Works are also ongoing for fire stations at Mahdia in Region Eight and Mabaruma in Region One. Eighty per cent of the work for the first phase of the Mabaruma Fire Station is currently completed, while 95 percent of the final phase for the Mahdia Fire Station has also been completed.
Each fire station will greatly benefit residents of the hinterland communities as the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) remains committed to the protection of life and property from destruction by fire, as well as attending to other disaster-related emergencies and rendering humanitarian services in collaboration with other agencies. (DPI)
President hails work of Red Cross movement PRESIDENT David Granger has hailed the work of Red Cross movement here, saying that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been active, mercifully, in most of the world’s major human catastrophes, conflicts and crises. In a message to mark World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day 2018, President Granger said, the movement’s work worldwide and its millions of volunteers manifest the best of humanity. “It assures victims of conflict, disaster and epidemic disease that there are persons willing to risk their lives to bring relief.” According to President
Granger, the Guyana Red Cross Society has been a beacon of hope for the vulnerable over the past 70 years, noting that its programmes and projects have touched thousands of lives and relieved suffering and want through the provision of health and humanitarian services, especially in the times of emergency and environmental disaster. “The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and our own Guyana Red Cross Society could not have succeeded without the selfless service of volunteers and the generous support of individuals, organisations and corporations. I applaud the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for its 190 years
President David Granger
of service to the world. I express the appreciation of the Government and people of Guyana for its support for Guyana and the Guyana Red Cross Society. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement helps to make the world a better place,” President Granger said.
Alberttown man gets three years ganja trafficking A FATHER of six was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison for possession of narcotics. It was alleged that on May 4, 2018 at Cummings Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, Gordon Nedd had in his possession 27 grammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking The 35-year-old man pleaded guilty to the charge read to him in court.
According to the police facts, on the day in question police ranks were performing duty when they stopped motor vehicle PWW 7244 and conducted a search. The defendant was found with the narcotics in his crutch and he was arrested and taken to the Alberttown Police Station. He admitted that the drugs belonged to him. Before sentence was
passed the man told the court he did not want to waste the court’s time. He said he was sorry for his action and since he did not have any previous convictions he asked the magistrate to be sympathetic with him. After listening to his plea, Magistrate Judy Latchman sentenced him to three years in prison along with a $30,000 fine.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Min Ferguson promises to engage colleague – about repairing or replacing Queenstown high bridge MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) Annette Ferguson, last Friday conducted an assessment of the Queenstown high bridge on the Essequibo Coast. According to Bridges and Roads Engineer, Philip Amos, the 99-foot bridge which has been badly in need of repairs for years, is crucial to the transportation of lum-
ber and agricultural produce in the region. Fitzroy Fredericks, President of the Queenstown Development Association who organised the visit, said that the bridge which had been neglected by both the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the former government, is a conduit for persons travelling to Bartica and parts of North West,
Buckhall, Supenaam Creek, Capoey, Lake Mainstay and Charity. Bridges similar to the Queenstown high bridge and located in Onderneeming, Annandale, Redlock and Capoey are all in good condition. Queenstown residents told Minister Ferguson that the leadership of the RDC has continually neglected the
maintenance of the bridge, year after year, without giving any explanation, and they are now calling on the authorities to replace the wooden bridge with a concrete one. Minister Ferguson promised the residents that she will speak with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, since the bridge at reference falls under his purview as well as the RDC’s, so that together they can reach a collaborative agreement to have the bridge fixed. Accompanying the minister on her visit to Essequ-
The rickety bridge at Queenstown, on the Essequibo Coast
ibo besides Mr Amos was Mr Mohamad Juma, MOPI
River and Sea Defence Engineer.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, and engineers inspecting the bridge
CG bandit caught after robbing businesswoman of $5M A CG motorcycle bandit was captured after he allegedly robbed a businesswoman of almost $5M on Monday morning, while she was heading to a bank on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). His accomplice who was the pillion rider and who had the bag of cash in his possession managed to escape. Reports indicate that the woman who operates a gas station located at the Soesdyke Junction, EBD, left in the company of colleagues with the cash. She, however, later made a stop at Sara Johanna public road to deliver an invoice to another business when she was attacked by the two CG bandits. One of the bandits reportedly held the woman at gunpoint before grabbing the bag of money from inside her car. He then dashed over to the waiting motorcycle and fled the scene. Police recovered the motorcycle as the hunt continues for the other suspect.
The alleged bandit who was caught by police with the seized motorcycle
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Constables still taking bribes M&CC swoops down on from retail vendors Alexander Street activity
The vendors blocked business entrances, impeded traffic and caused congestion
CITY Constables are continuing to accept bribes from vendors, especially those in the retail business along Robb Street, thus adversely affecting the wholesalers’ business. This is what one vendor, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Guyana Chronicle on Monday, days after the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) swooped down to remove vendors on Alexander Street. While the City Council is claiming that the displaced vendors will first have to check with City Hall on the way forward, this publication was shown some of the vendors who were immediately granted permission to sell on Robb Street, thus joining the host of other wholesale vendors there. The rules dictate that wholesale vending should
only be done out of a vehicle. Hence, when retail vendors fit themselves in between the wholesale vendors, they can be easily recognized by the constables. But because the retailers are allowed to continue in this practice, the wholesalers are the ones who must bear the brunt. “The constables get their money; what they care about us?” said the vendor, adding: “This put pressure on the wholesalers because people now see everyone as retailers.” The wholesalers are supposed to vend between the hours of 7 am and 3:30 pm, while the retailers’ time starts from 4:30 pm and ends at 6 am the following day. The wholesale vendors are required to have no more than two pieces (basins, bags, baskets) on the ground in front of their vehicles. But
some wholesalers encourage the practice of the retailers by allowing them to place their items in front of their vehicles. This, however, can also be discerned by the constables, owing to the extra pieces that will be there. According to one vendor, though, some constables insist that nothing should be on the ground in front their vehicles. “Everybody have different rules out here. That’s why I don’t allow any retailer to put their goods in front of me. But who goes with rules here? Once you pass your money; that’s how it goes,” the vendor indignantly expressed. Meanwhile, last Friday, Town Clerk Royston King removed some 30 vendors along Alexander Street whose stalls were found to be impeding traffic and causing congestion.
Constables on Monday morning removing a basin of tomatoes
Public Relations Officer at City Hall, Debra Lewis, told Chronicle on Monday that the vendors were also blocking business entrances. “Everyone must make a daily bread and not excluding the store owners. We cannot act in the interest of only one set of people,” Lewis said. According to her, the vendors were warned again and again and were urged to visit the City Council to sort
out the issue. “We spoke to them over and over again and they refused to stop the practice. The Council, with the help of its hydraulic machines, removed their tables and pallets.” Lewis complained about the wholesalers accusing them of refusing to leave the area by the stipulated time. “They are supposed to remove at 4 daily but they don’t usually move on time and
those vending in the ‘Bourda Green’ are suffering. It’s not fair for them to continue. We’ll have to lock them up when we find them there after hours.” Lewis said the City Council workers cleared out the drains as they removed the structures. The drains were full of sand, filth and garbage, she disclosed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Clean up of GGMC compound ongoing …burning of gold being facilitated at Pure Diamond Inc. GOLD miners selling gold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) are now being referred to Pure Diamond Inc. in Campbellville following the closure of the agency’s laboratory within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) compound last month. The Guyana Chronicle
was told by staffers of Pure Diamond Inc. that the GGB operation has temporally moved into their location and is using the company’s facilities. “GGB officials are here and they are using our facilities,” the staff corrected, when asked whether the company was burning gold on behalf of the GGB. The male
staff said that miners are still required to go to GGMC compound where the relevant process is done before declaring the gold. He said miners are given certain information and a document and are then asked to visit Pure Diamond Inc. where they again engage GGB staff for the completion of their transaction. When the GGB said that
it would stop the burning of gold in GGMC’s compound due to the lingering mercury threat, they noted that the necessary arrangements were being put in place and that miners would have been informed about the locations where they would have to go to sell quantities of the metal. The GGB had to relocate its operations after high levels of mercury were detected in the GGMC compound. The chemical affected a number of workers and even caused a large number of them to be sent home on sick leave due to mercury poisoning, while others had to vacate the compound to facilitate cleaning of the mercury residue.
GGMC’s Commissioner Newell Dennison told the Guyana Chronicle that cleaning in the facility is ongoing even as additional chemicals would be used to ensure a proper clean-up of the compound. “The clean-up is unfolding and we are using all precautions necessary,” Dennison told this newspaper. He said as areas are being treated, testing is being done alongside to monitor the progress being made with remaining levels. Information from the GGB is that the agency is still trying to locate a suitable location for their lab. As it is, GGB staffers are still located at the GGMC com-
pound but no burning of the precious metal is being done there. The newspaper was told that a new location for the GGB staffers currently housed at GGMC’s Brickdam office is also being sought. The GGMC compound was described as a “ghost town” by persons close to the Brickdam location. Many GGMC staffers had refused to return to work despite the GGB lab being closed. They supported a clean-up of mercury residue in the GGMC compound after they had downed tools and abandoned their jobs in protest of the GGB operations being conducted at the GGMC facility.
Man charged for vigilante killing MOSES Singh of Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara (EBD) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was remanded for the capital offence which read that on August 20, 2016 at Pearl Village, he murdered Seon Clarke. Two years after 26-yearold Clarke was killed by a licensed firearm holder in Pearl Village, East Bank Demerara, the police on Monday instituted the charge of murder upon the 59-year-old businessman. Singh’s attorney Latchmi Rahamat disclosed to the court that her client had recently returned from the United States of America, after undergoing treatment for a health problem. Rahamat pleaded with the Chief Magistrate for her client’s medical need to be attended while on remand for the indictable charge. Prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Mansfield disclosed that the file was completed, thus Singh was remanded to prison and the matter was
Moses Singh
Dead: Seon Clarke
adjourned until May 17 for report. Clarke, 21, was shot dead by vigilantes while his friend was badly beaten because they were suspected to be bandits. Clarke had escaped from the police the said day while his accomplice took investigators to a location where they had concealed a gun. Reports were that the men were allegedly planning to rob a grocery store in Sarah Johanna, EBD, but their plan was smashed when the
alert proprietor of the store noticed their suspicious movements and called out to a policeman who was passing on the road at the time. However, around 22:30hrs on August 30, 2016, members of the community spotted the men on the Pearl Public Road and apprehended them, during which time it is alleged that one of the persons shot Clarke, while others inflicted a beating on his accomplice.
No bail for alleged phone snatcher MARK Moseley appeared on Monday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on a simple larceny charge. Police have alleged that on May 6, 2018 at Demico House, he stole one Blue cell phone worth $ 32,000, the property of Rishana Victoria but Moseley denied the charge. The prosecutor objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence. According to the police reports, on the day of question, the virtual com-
plainant was at Demico in Georgetown when the defendant snatched her phone and quickly jumped into a taxi. He was forced out of the vehicle but quickly joined a Route 47 mini bus. Police officers who were alerted stopped the mini bus and conducted a search on the defendant and found the phone in his possession. Bail was refused by the magistrate and Moseley was remanded to prison until May 21, 2018.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Lindo Creek COI: Missing GDF guns, ammunition used by criminal gang By Svetlana Marshall THE possibility of the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins Gang using military weapons and camouflage clothing while on the run was placed on ‘the table,’ when Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major, Andy Pompey, and Lieutenant Colonel, Omar Khan, took the stand as public hearings into the Lindo Creek massacre reopened on Monday. The military men appeared before the Chairman of the Lindo Creek Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Donald Trotman with their lawyers, Roysdale Forde, Leslie Sobers, Melissa Yearwood-Stewart and Colonel Michael Shahoud. The Commission was represented by Legal Counsel, Patrice Henry. Major Pompey, who first appeared, told the Commission that Leonard Arokium, the owner of the mining camp where the eight miners were killed, had said that the killers
the ground at the time of the Joint Services Operation. In the photos seen by Guyana Chronicle, the men had on civilian clothing. Initially, Colonel Khan told the Commission that the men were not wearing camouflage clothing, in response to the question put by Henry. He subsequently, when asked by his Attorney to take a closer look at one of the
Counsel Patrice Henry
Lieutenant Colonel Omar Khan
ing to him, a number of the guns were recovered at crime scenes. In responding to questions put to him by Attorney Forde, Colonel Khan recalled that in February 2006, it was discovered that a number of weapons were stolen from the GDF. The stolen weapons included AKM rifles – an upgraded
bank robbery, we recovered nine AK-47...AKM rifles of which seven [were from] the missing guns,” he noted. Colonel Khan was keen to note that the GDF had indication that the ‘Fineman gang’ was using AK-47. He said that on January 23, 2008, during a joint operations in Buxton, Corporal Ivor Williams was killed in the line of duty, and his gun went missing during the gun battle. That gun was reportedly recovered subsequent to the Goat Farm shooting in June, 2008, where two criminal elements were killed. The men were reportedly part of the ‘Fineman gang’. A 15-year-old was taken into custody after being found along the Ituni trail. The young man reportedly took investigators to a location where Corporal Williams’ weapon was recovered. Attorney Sobers requested that the young man be brought before the Commission. However, Counsel Henry objected, saying that the young man is currently in protective custody. In addition to the missing weapons, Colonel Khan told the Commission that he believed that criminal elements, particularly those linked to the ‘Fineman gang’, had in their possession camouflage clothing similar to the ones used by the GDF. However, when four photographs of two of the criminal elements were put before the Commission for verification by Colonel Khan, Attorney Forde objected to the question posed by Counsel Henry. Henry asked Colonel Khan to indicate whether the men in the photos, who were reportedly members of the ‘Fineman gang’, had on camouflage clothing. Before the Colonel could have answered the question, Forde repeatedly asked Henry before the Chairman whether those were all the photos supplied to the Commission by Major Fitzroy Warde, who was a commander on
Google Map highlighting the areas of interest (Photos by Adrian Narine)
were dressed in camouflage clothing. He also confirmed that spent shells recovered at the crime scene at Lindo Creek were similar to the type used by some members of the Joint Services. These two critical factors, he said, may have led to the assumption that the Joint Services which was operating in the Kwakwani-Christmas Falls area, may have committed the mass murder. He noted that an investigation, which took place in June and July, 2008, had cleared the Joint Services of the accusation. His colleague, Colonel Khan later told the Commission that a number of arms and ammunition from the GDF went missing. Accord-
version of the AK-47. According to Colonel Khan, the calibre of rounds used in the assassination of former Agriculture Minister, Satyadeo Sawh was of interest to the GDF. The former minister was assassinated on April 22, 2006. “Then on June 3, 2006, two months after we had the first recovery of one of those missing weapons, and it was discovered in Melanie... I think five days later, we had another incident involving high-powered weapons, it was the same calibre,” the Colonel told the Commission. Similar calibre of rounds were used at the Rose Hall bank robbery that year, he further pointed out. “From that
photos, said the belt was similar to the ones used by GDF ranks. The Colonel told the Commission that one of the men was wearing a camouflage undergarment, based on what he could see in the photo. But Commissioner Trotman begged to differ, saying that such was not visible to him. An application by Attorney Forde was also made for
Major (Ret’d) Warde to appear before the Commission. Forming part of Monday’s hearing was a demonstration by Colonel Khan, mapping out the areas of interest using Google Earth. Those areas were Christmas Falls, Goat Farm, Ituni, Kwakwani, UNAMCO trail, the Berbice River and Lindo Creek.
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GDF boxers successfully defend `Six Head’ Novices title By Michael DaSilva THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boxers made a successful defence of their Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis National Novices team title when the championships culminated at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue on Sunday night. Apart from winning the team title, one of the GDF boxers, Troy Miggins, was adjudged Best Boxer of the championships after registering two victories in consecutive nights with both fights ending within the distance. After winning four of six fights on the opening night (Friday), the military men returned the following night (Saturday) and won six of six fights with two being by the walk-over route. Going into Sunday
night’s final, the GDF gym won eight of eight division titles with seven of those victories being all GDF encounters, the other was one between a GDF fighter and an opponent from the Republican Gym. Miggins for his part was adjudged Best Boxer on show in the championship after causing the referee to stop his lightweight contest against Republican’s Deon Samuels during the third round on Saturday night, then returned the following night and battered his gymmate, Jevon Gomes, causing the referee to stop the contest within the three-round distance. There were a few entertaining bouts that brought the small crowd to its feet during the night’s proceedings; one such was the middleweight contest between Alex Murray of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym and Angel Anys of the Young Achievers Gym. From the start of the fight, Murray, who registered a third round technical knock-out victory over GDF’s Royden Grant on the first night of the championships, came out on Sunday night using his left jab and straight to good effect, keeping Anys at bay, eventually stunning his opponent with a solid straight right,
causing the referee to issue an eight-count. On resumption, Murray landed another straight right and it was another eight-count for Anys. Seconds later, Anys was the recipient of yet another standing eight-count and the referee rightfully called a halt to the proceedings. Another one-sided bout was a light heavyweight contest between Thadius Perry of the Republican Gym and GDF’s Astion Niles. Perry started off brawling with his opponent who was equal to the task and in a matter of seconds, Perry was given an eight-count. Seconds after resuming, Perry was once again tagged and the referee stopped the contest in favour of Niles. In other results, Isaiah Moore secured a points decision win against his gymmate, Junior Hyman in a Bantamweight contest of the Youth Championships, while in the Elite Class, GDF’s Kevin Issacs caused the referee to stop his flyweight contest against his GDF counterpart, Horace Ceres at one minute 30 seconds of the second round. In the bantamweight division, Andrew Griffith (GDF) won on points against Jamal LaRose (GDF), while in the
GMR&SC founding member Pat Holder laid to rest By Stephan Sookram WHAT time is it? It’s Pat Holder’s time! That was one thing that Patrick Carl Holder was remembered for, along with his contribution to motorsport as he was laid to rest. When the once popular add was recited in the St James the Less Anglican Church on David Street, Kitty, yesterday, it brought a smile to many faces; those who remembered hearing it on the local radio stations. And that was one of many memories that were shared in a moving one-hour tribute and last rights to Holder, a former racer, racing administrator and family man. Many of Holder’s friends through motor racing were on hand to honour their fallen friend who was synonymous with motorsport in Guyana. He was remembered as an outstanding family man who often contributed selflessly to charity in their times of need. Holder was one of the founding members of the current Guyana Motor Racing and Sports
Club (GMR&SC), providing guidance in the form of administrative and official duties for over 40 years between 1955 and 1998. Among some of the more notable moves that he made while being involved in racing included the decision to move the headquarters of the GMR&SC, then called the GMRC to the Thomas lands and Albert Street facility. His love for racing took him to all disciplines. It started through cycling during his teenage years. Then ‘Uncle Pat’ turned to motorcycle racing after an accident prematurely ended his career. He competed in Rallies, circuit racing and other forms of the sport in Jamaica and Barbados as well as Trinidad and also turned his interest to power boat racing. He also had a stint in horse racing. He later took over official duties as the starter of many races before passing the torch and retiring to the clubhouse, named after him a few years ago.
junior welterweight finals, Orlando Grenville registered a points decision win against his gymmate, Jeremiah Jackman. Seon Murray (GDF) secured a points decision win against his gymmate, Corlette Greenidge in their welterweight final. Osbert Robertson (GDF) won his heavyweight fight against Joram Fraser after the latter abandoned the contest in the second round. In the super heavyweight final, Coen Bobb (GDF) secured a points decision win against Shamear Mingo (GDF). Captions: :Best Boxer of the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis National Novice Championships, Troy Miggins (GDF) connects with a left to the jaw of his gymmate, Jevon Gomes on Sunday Night (Samuel Maughn photos). SMP 6057: Alex Murray (right) connects with a left jab that stunned Angel Anys to record the first of three eightcounts (Photo by Samuel Maughn). Astion Niles connects with a right hand that staggered Thadius Perry in the first round of their light heavyweight title fight, forcing the referee to stop the contest..
South Africa Racing Tips
Spirit
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Race 3 Bad Humor Race 4 G Man Is In Town Race 5 Good Impression Race 6 Sarah Elise Race 7 Gospel Carlo Race 8 Crayon Irish Racing Tips
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13:10 hrs Machiavelli
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
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36 Days to go…
Remembering the iconic 1982 showdown between Italy and Brazil Thirty-six years on, Italy and Brazil from 1982 remains one of the most talked about games in World Cup history. It pitted an underwhelming underdog against the tournament favourite and one of the greatest teams ever, and, in true football style, it was the underdog that prevailed. Having re-emerged as a potential power in the late 1970s, even beating hosts and winners Argentina during the 1978 World Cup, Italy had entered the 1982 tournament off the back of huge domestic shame. The Totonero match-fixing scandal resulted in sanctions for as many as seven clubs--five in Serie A, with AC Milan and Lazio both relegated for their part. Officials and players were also swept up in the punishments, including national team-striker, Paolo Rossi. He was slapped with a three-year ban, and it was only his suspension being cut by 12 months that allowed him to play in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. In what should have been a fairly straightforward group stage against Poland, a debuting Cameroon and an ageing Peru, Italy drew all three of their first round games. It was enough to progress to the second round, but only by virtue of having scored two goals to
and New Zealand. Only Hungary scored more than Brazil’s 10 goals in the opening round, but their inflated tally of 12 had been the result of a 10-1 victory over El Salvador, still the World Cup’s biggest ever win. Socrates, who was a qualified physician and later practised medicine after his retirement, was the captain and brightest star. Italy and Brazil wound up in Group C of the second round, alongside holders, Argentina. Gli Azzurri won their first game of the tournament when they faced the champions in Barcelona, thanks in no small part to Claudio Gentile’s infamous treatment of Diego Maradona. They prevailed 2-1, while Brazil beat Argentina 3-1 a few days later, meaning that the subsequent game between Italy and Brazil would decide which of the two made it through to the semi finals. But because of the latter’s superior goal difference, a draw would be enough for them, whereas Italy needed to win. Just as the group’s other game had been, the fixture was played at the Sarria Stadium in Barcelona, home to Espanyol until it was bulldozed in 1997. This was a huge mismatch. Italy had scraped through the first round and employed
zil’s creativity. But when Zico beat his marker with a quick turn and played in Socrates just seven minutes after Rossi’s opener, the Selecao were level. Barely any later, Rossi restored Italy’s lead. This time, he capitalised on a sloppy pass across the field by Cerezo, racing through on goal before taking an early shot
the last four of the World Cup. The Brazilian team had even agreed to give up drinking and smoking in the lead up to the tournament to give themselves the best chance and were reduced to making up for lost time as they drowned their sorrows on an ‘all-nighter’ led by Socrates
Italy’s beloved 1982 World Cup winning team
Italy’s Paolo Rossi battles for the ball with Brazil’s Junior (July 5, 1982).
Cameroon’s one. Brazil, on the other hand, were revered. Zico and Socrates were among the best players in the world and the Selecao squad was filled with supreme talent--Eder, Junior, Falcao, Toninho Cerezo, Serginho... “The Brazilian side of 1982 played the game beautifully, but there was something ethereal about them,” Andreas Campomar noted in Golazo--A History of South American Football. Hoping to replicate the generations of Pele, Garrincha and Jairzinho, Brazil had cruised through their group, narrowly beating the Soviet Union before thrashing Scotland
dirty tactics to get the better of Argentina, while Brazil were simply magical and surely destined for glory. And yet, it took just five minutes for Italy to take the lead on that famous day. Rossi headed in a back-post cross from Antonio Cabrini to score not only his first goal of the tournament, but his first international goal since 1979. He had been decidedly poor in the first round games, but both he and Italy were building momentum as the World Cup progressed. Gentile, just as he been with Maradona in the previous game, was tasked with silencing the brilliant Zico in the hope of stifling Bra-
from the edge of the penalty area. Early in the second half, Cerezo and Serginho were both denied by smart saves from Italy’s goalkeeper and captain Dino Zoff, a veteran of the Azzurri’s 1970 World Cup squad. Within seconds of the Zoff’s save to stop Serginho from equalising, Rossi could and probably should have had his hat-trick, but fired wide after Francesco Grazziani found him in acres of space in front of goal. That was Italy’s chance to give themselves a two-goal cushion and perhaps sew up the shock result. They were ruing the missed opportunity when Falcao, who played his club football for Roma in Serie A, then scored a marvellous left footed drive to make it 2-2 with just over 20 minutes to play. Cerezo had been at fault for Italy’s second goal and the Atletico Mineiro midfielder shared some of the blame for the third after a poorly directed header back towards goalkeeper, Waldir Peres, handed Italy a corner in the 74th minute, their first of the match. As the ball was swung across, it dropped to Marco Tardelli, whose shot was turned in by Rossi in the six-yard box. The score read 3-2. In the closing stages, Italy thought they had gone 4-2 up, only to see the offside flag raised when Giancarlo Antognoni put the ball in the net after a counter attack. Brazil then had one more big chance when a header from defender, Oscar, was gratefully grasped by Zoff on the goal line. Israeli referee Abraham Klein soon blew the final whistle. Against the odds, Italy had won and, more importantly, were through to
mere hours after the defeat, continuing the next day. With Brazil on their way home, Italy went on to beat Poland 2-0 in the semi-final, still in Barcelona but now at Camp Nou. Rossi, now on fire after a slow start to the tournament, scored both goals. They then met West Germany in the final in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, emerging victorious after goals from Rossi, Tardelli, whose emotional wide-eyed celebration is the lasting image of that World Cup, and Alessandro Altobelli rendered Paul Breitner’s late goal for the Germans consolatory. It was one of the single best games the World Cup has ever seen, but Italy’s win over Brazil had a much deeper impact as well, because it changed something in world football. The free flowing attacking style played and perfected by the likes of Hungary’s Magical Magyars in the 1950s, Pele’s Brazil in the 1960s and Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands in the 1970s was over, replaced by a more cautious style, an Italian style, that would come to define the next 20 years. As Cruyff went on to say in his eulogylike foreword for ‘Doctor Socrates’, “It was a huge disappointment for the whole of football because after that World Cup, teams started to play like Italy did. No one knows what would have happened had Brazil triumphed.” But try telling Italy it was a tragedy...
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
Giggs & Jones offer support for ‘father figure’ Ferguson WALES manager Ryan Giggs says he is praying that his former club manager Sir Alex Ferguson can recover from a brain haemorrhage. Ferguson, 76, remains in intensive care after emergency surgery on Saturday. The Scot gave a 17-yearold Giggs his Manchester United debut in 1991 and he starred in all 13 of Ferguson’s Premier League title wins. “Now is the time to pray and hope he can make a full recovery,” Giggs told BBC Wales. “He has been the biggest influence in my career, both on and off the pitch. “I know the operation has been a success - but he is a fighter and that is what
makes me think that he will be able to make a recovery.” Giggs’ sentiments were echoed by current Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones, who described Ferguson as being like a father figure to him. Jones was signed from Blackburn by Ferguson as a 19-year-old in June 2011 and was part of the Scot’s final title-winning squad in 2013 before his retirement in May that year after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge. “He’s taken me under his wing like a father and it was shocking,” said Jones, 26, who has made 190 appearances for the Reds. “It’s sad, but I know his character and I know he has that fight in him.
“He is such a legend in my eyes. He is the one who brought me to the club and gave me that opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. “He has got all his family and friends around him, the support from all the players and staff at Manchester United and football around the world. “When something like that does happen it’s nice that the football world comes together and shows support and we are all rooting for him.” A host of Premier League managers, including Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, sent their good wishes over the weekend to Ferguson, the most success-
Ryan Giggs(left) was one of Ferguson’s most loyal servants during his career
ful manager in the history of the British game. Wenger, who is leaving the Gunners at the end of the season, described Ferguson as “an optimistic man” with Guardiola saying his thoughts were with Ferguson’s wife Cathy and the rest of his family, including his son Darren, who is currently in charge of Doncaster Rovers.(BBC Sport)
Pakistan secure nine-wicket victory IMAM-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail hit unbeaten half-centuries to guide Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory over Northamptonshire on the final day of their second tour match. Resuming on 240-5, Northants added another 30 runs before Rob Newton was removed lbw by Mohammad Abbas for 118. That started a collapse as the hosts were bowled out for 301, Shadab Khan finishing with match figures of 10-157. (Scores:Pakistan 428 (Shafiq 186*, Haris 79, Babar 57, Crook 4-89) and 134 for 1 (Imam 59*, Haris 55*) beat Northamptonshire 259 (Rossington 90, Shadab 6-77) and 301 (Newton 118, Cobb 52, Abbas 4-62, Shadab 4-80) by nine wicket).s Chasing 133 for victory, Azhar Ali was run out for 10
Haris Sohail made an unbeaten 55 to help Pakistan secure victory on day four
by Ricardo Vasconcelos. But Imam (59 not out) and Sohail (55 not out) took the tourists through to 134-1 off 27 overs to secure the win. Abbas finished with figures of 4-62, while leg-spinner Shadab took 4-80, including the final two Northants wickets of Brett Hutton and Gareth Wade in consecutive
balls, having also claimed six wickets on day one. Pakistan play Ireland in the hosts’ inaugural men’s Test in Malahide on 11 May, before a two-match series against England begins on 24 May. The tourists drew their opening tour match with Kent after rain washed out days two and three.(BBC Sport).
County players to meet ECB on 100-ball proposal COUNTY cricketers will meet with the England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday to discuss plans for a new 100ball competition. Player representatives from the 18 counties and senior figures from the Professional Cricketers’ Association will attend the meeting at Edgbaston. The 100-ball format was proposed in April as a way to attract new
audiences to the game. It could be part of the new city-based tournament which begins in 2020. Director of cricket Andrew Strauss previously said the 100-ball proposal is aimed at “mums and kids in the summer holidays”. The proposal has received a mixed reaction from fans and players.(BBC Sport)
Notts Outlaws won the 2017 edition of the T20 Blast
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
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Legends Month: The best of Kumar Sangakkara By Adam Burnet ThERE were probably a dozen periods throughout his glorious career that it was said that Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara was ‘in the form of his life’. A delightful stroke-maker whose Test records stacks up against just about anyone, Sangakkara made runs against all opponents in all conditions. And while the prospect of playing quality pace in Australia proved the Achilles heel of many batsmen from the subcontinent, the left-handed Sangakkara found a way to revel in it. It was never more the case than in Hobart in November 2007, when the Sri Lankan master made his lone appearance in a two-Test series, making 57 in the first innings before compiling
a jaw-dropping 192 in the second, and threatening a truly miraculous heist in the process. Set 507 to win by the Australians, who led the series 1-0, Sangakkara teamed up with Marvan Atapattu (80) and then Sanath Jayasuriya (45) to ensure the tourists put in a respectable showing. In fact, at 3-265 early on the final day and the experienced pair well settled, the unthinkable was briefly being contemplated. Cue a dramatic Sri Lankan collapse of 5-25 and suddenly any anticipation had been taken out of the game. But Sangakkara was playing a different game. As he watched the procession of batsmen come and go at the other end, he ensured a piece of advice from Sri Lanka’s Australian-born coach was front of mind.
Kumar Sangakkara celebrates three figures in Hobart // Getty
“Trevor Bayliss was coaching and he said to me, ‘Sanga, the most important thing in Australia is you’ve got to understand that, even though there’s good bounce and carry, you’ve got to be right over the ball on the front foot, because if not, chances are you are
hitting gully or third or fourth slip,” Sangakkara told cricket.com.au. “So I remember making a conscious decision to take that big step down the track. And one of the things I still remember was that I drove really well; I drove Brett (Lee) and Mitchell Johnson
and Stuey Clark really well, with a good, positive stride in. “I think Trevor’s words to me really helped.” In one of the most memorable batting performances seen in Australia in the modern era, Sangakkara went at the Australians with gusto, as if deciding he alone would determine the outcome of the contest. His shot-making, based largely on the advice of Bayliss, was sublime. “I always liked pace over spin throughout my career,” he said. “And the Australian wickets, once you understand how good they are for batting, and what you have to do to find your rhythm and be in sync, you actually start to really enjoy the challenge. “Yes, they are quick, bouncy tracks, but at the same time that allows you so much more freedom to
bat, so much more opportunities in different ways to the subcontinent to score runs. “It becomes a joy – and understanding that helped me a lot.” Sangakkara’s innings was cruelly cut short on 192 when an incorrect umpiring decision adjudged him caught out when the ball had in fact come off his helmet. He was the last man to fall, with Sri Lanka still 93 short of their target, and viewers robbed of a potential grandstand finish. By the end of his career, the batting maestro’s record in Australia matched the joy he felt performing in the country: 10 innings for five fifties and that special 192, at an average of 60.33. (Cricketcom.au)
Durant guides Warriors to 3-1 lead, Porterfield targets upset as Rockets’ defense dominates again Ireland prepare for Test debut put up 26 points and 12 rebounds and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line.
Kevin Durant led all scorers with 38 points
REIGNING NBA champions the Golden State Warriors are on the cusp of the Western Conference finals after Kevin Durant inspired a game-four win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Durant – the 2014 MVP – led all scorers with 38 points on 15of-27 shooting with nine rebounds and five assists as Golden State topped New Orleans 118-92 on Sunday. The Warriors went with their vaunted death line-up of Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala and every player registered a plus/minus of plus-21 points or better as Golden State took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. “He was attacking tonight, right from the beginning and he was brilliant,” Warriors head coach
Steve Kerr told reporters of Durant. “There’s not much you can do because he’s so tall and long he’s going to be able to get a shot over you.” In Utah, it was the Rockets’ defense that controlled the game once again as Houston took down the Jazz 100-87 to go up 3-1 in the series. James Harden had 24 points, while Clint Capela finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Utah shot just 39 per cent from the floor and 24.1 per cent from three-point range. BIRTHDAY BOY CP3 STARS Chris Paul had 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Rockets. Not a bad 33rd birthday at all. Pelicans star Anthony Davis
MIROTIC FAILS TO DELIVER Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic scored seven points on oneof-seven shooting. While his 11 rebounds are impressive, the Pelicans need him for his scoring more than his ability to grab boards and he did not provide that on Sunday. Jazz forward Jae Crowder shot one for 11 from the field with five points and five rebounds. CAPELA SAYS NO! There was no way past Capela as the Rockets trumped the Jazz on the road. CELTICS (3-0) AT 76ERS (03) & RAPTORS (0-3) AT CAVALIERS (3-0) The Boston Celtics have a chance to close the series out on Monday, but the Philadelphia 76ers have been in each of the last two games, they were just unable to close it out late. While Boston could very easily win, the 76ers will not make it easy. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors are 0-7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers over the last two years in the playoffs. They do not want to go 0-8 for obvious reasons. LeBron James is just so good though they may not have any chance to pull out a win.
Ireland captain William Porterfield
IRELAND can make the most of home advantage and spring a surprise when they take on Pakistan in their maiden Test, according to captain William Porterfield. Afghanistan and Ireland were awarded Full Member status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last June, confirming them as the 11th and 12th Test-playing nations. However, the newest members of the top table have had to wait patiently for their opportunity to play in the longest format of the game. Ireland finally get to make their debut this week against Pakistan - and a confident Porterfield has warned the tourists, who selected five uncapped players in their 16-man squad, not to expect an easy ride in Malahide. “You never would have thought this was going to happen. To host a Test match against Pakistan in front of thousands of Irish fans, and millions more around the world
watching it,” the former Warwickshire batsman said in an interview with The42. “It’s nice to think we’ve contributed to Cricket Ireland moving forward and when, as a team, we look back in years to come, there will be a lot of pride there. “But our job this week is to go out and perform and showcase why we have deserved this chance and why we belong at the top table. There’s a game of cricket to be played and we’re here to win it. “They have a number of new players in their squad and there will be pressure on them too and all of our preparations have been about how best we can win the game. “It will be difficult for them to come here in these conditions and with our attack, we can put them under a lot of pressure. “Can we win? There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t beat them and take them down and make history. That’s the challenge for us now.” Porterfield will lead an experienced home team that could also include former England internationals Ed Joyce and Boyd Rankin, as well as brothers Niall and Kevin O’Brien. After the one-off game against Ireland, Pakistan face England in a two-match series that gets underway at Lord’s on May 24.(Omnisport).
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
GCB Female Inter-County Cricket…
Essequibo females skittled out for just 13 runs, in reply to Berbice’s 173 for 5 By Rajiv Bisnauth THE lack of female cricket in Essequibo was very much evident yesterday when the County’s female cricket team was bowled out for just 13 runs against Berbice in round two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Female Inter-County 50-over cricket tournament at Lusignan. It was definitely an embarrassment, not only for
the players but the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) which continues to pay little or no attention to female cricket in the County. Meanwhile, in the shortened game, which was reduced to 24 overs aside due to early morning rain, the Berbicians took first strike and piled up 173-5. Katana Mentore hit an even 50 while Erva Giddings contributed an unbeaten 45. The pair also
received support from Sheneta Grimmond who added 25 runs to the scoreboard. Maijon Bason claimed 4-27 and was the best bowler for the Essequibo team. In reply, the target was always a huge ask, taken into consideration the way the Essequibians played in round one. The lack of proper cricketing shots was definitely evident, as Essequibo fell cheaply for 13 in 9.5 overs.
GFF Technical Director participating in one-week FIFA programme THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, is participating in a oneweek FIFA Technical Director’s programme being held at the Hilton Conference Centre, Trinidad and Tobago. The workshop, being held from the 7th – 11th May, targets seven participating FIFA Member Associations including British Virgin
Islands, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands. Among the key objectives of the programme is building capacity of Technical Directors in essential areas for their daily business. It will also serve as a platform for knowledge and experience-sharing among the participants, the Confederation and FIFA.
(Tuesday May 08, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
(1) Shikhar Dhawan & Kane Williamson (SH vs RCB, April 09) (2) 12)
Mayan Markande-4/23 (MI vs SH, April
Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the losing finalist in last season’s IPL? (2) Who Who was declared Man of the Match in last season’s IPL final? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith hands over the trophy to Erva Giddings. (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)
GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix…
Championship leads for Persaud, Jeffrey, Ten- Pow By Stephan Sookram
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
Giddings was the chief destroyer with 5-5, which eventually earned her the player of the game award. She received support from Dian Prahalad, who collected two wickets. Round three of the 50-over format continues tomorrow when Demerara take on Berbice at the Lusignan Community Centre ground from 09:30 hrs.
GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood
As part of the sessions, each participant is required to produce a country-specific presentation, which speaks to roles and responsibilities, department and staffing, priorities, challenges, areas for improvement and areas for FIFA funding support. The workshop will be divided into classroom and practical sessions and also have individual and group presentations.
RAYDEN Persaud, Mikhail Persaud and Stefan Jeffrey are among the championship leaders in their respective classes following the second round of the Georgetown Grand Prix on Sunday. After two rounds of action, Jeffrey leads the Easy Cup Super with a narrow gap over second placed Steven Nobrega and Kristian Jeffrey, respectively While Kristian won all of the races Sunday, this is his first scoring opportunity of the year and he has gained the maximum 75 points in the Easy Cup Super. Jeffrey leads with 108 points at the end of yesterday after picking up two thirds and one second place finish, while Nobrega did the opposite in two second place finishes and one third to give him 105 points. The trio was involved in heated battles throughout the day, with Kristian proving the more effective when it mattered. In the 125CC Junior class, Rayden Persaud leads after two first and one fourth place finish in Round two. He has a total of 109 points, eclipsing John Phang and Elan Rahaman who have 95 and 82 points, respectively. Phang picked up two thirds and one second placed finish while Mikhail Persaud had two seconds and one third.
In the 125CC senior Class, Mikhail has taken the lead from Matthew Phang with three first place finishes. He has 125 points ahead of Phang who has 87, and Trinidad’s Zachary Boodram who has 76 and his countryman Kristian Boodhoosingh who has 74. Phang had to settle for three second place finishes despite crossing the line first in race one. He was adjudged to have jumped the start in that race and was demoted one spot to second. In the 125CC Masters, Shan Seejattan has the lead over Haniff Mohamed and Mahendra Boodhoo. Seejattan, who has 123 points, had one win and two third place finishes yesterday with Boodhoo gaining one win and one scond place finish and Mohamed with one first place finish. In the Sunburst 60CC baby cup, Jeremy Ten-Pow takes the lead in the championship from second placed Nathan Rahaman. Jeremy had three first place finishes for a total of 128 points with Nathan just behind on 122. Justin Ten- Pow is on 87 and Paige Mendonca is on 81. In the 60CC Baby Cup, Ben Phang and Nicholas Sawh are tied for first with 126 points. Phang had two firsts and one second place finish with Sawh having the opposite.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 8, 2018
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GABF eyes Darren Collison and Delroy James for CBC tournament By Rawle Toney WITH the aim of clinching the country’s first Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship (Male) title, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) is making a strong push to acquire the best players available overseas. Indiana Pacers Darren Collison and AEK Athens’ Delroy James are atop the list of the GABF’s primary targeted players, with GABF president Nigel Hinds telling Chronicle Sport that his Federation is prepared to go ‘allout’ to ensure that the best possible team is present for the June 24–30 tournament in Paramaribo, Suriname. Guyana is placed in Group A of the ten-team tournament alongside rivals and host Suriname, and Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. James, a 6’8” power forward whose older brother, Gordon, represented Guyana at the CBC tournament in 2015, just ended a successful 2017/2018 with Greek side AEK Athens, where he was instrumental in the club winning their first FIBA Basketball Champions League
Delroy James goes hard to the basket for AEK Athens during the FIBA Basketball Champions League.
Darren Collision goes to basket while being guarded by Lebron James during the 2018 NBA playoffs for the Indiana Pacers against Cleveland Cavaliers.
(BCL) title, following a 100– 94 points win over French side, Manco on Sunday. Hinds also revealed that with influential help, the GABF is making a push to solicit the services of Indiana Pacers point guard, Collison, who just ended his run in the NBA playoffs after a gruelling seven game series
with Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Collison is the son of Darren Collison and June Griffith (later Collison), who were standout athletes for Guyana. In fact, his mother attended the 1984 Olympics and is a Bronze Medallist (long Jump) at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in
Canada. Hinds said the GABF is prepared to travel to the US to meet with both players, and others who are interested in representing Guyana. “We would want to have all the overseas players in Guyana before heading to Suriname, so we will have to go to meet them and have a sit-down with them, so they could understand what’s at stake for us (Guyana),” Hinds said. Meanwhile, locally, Hinds said trials will start on May 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. As it relates to the composition of the coaching staff, the GBA president highlighted that they have received offers from coaches
overseas, but will make a pronouncement soon, but, in the interim, local coaches have been identified and a selection panel is in place to shortlist the squad. “I believe that we’re in a good position to win this tournament (CBC) when we look at the talent of players that’s available and those who are interested,” the GABF president reasoned. Formerly known as the CARICOM Basketball Championship, the CBC Championship is the ‘Holy Grail’ for the sport of basketball in the Region, and Guyana’s best showing was a second place finish when the competition was hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports
Hall in 1994. Prior to 1994, Guyana finished third in the inaugural tournament in 1981, and also gained a third-place spot in 2001 behind Captain Lugard Mohan in 2000, in Barbados. With an eight-place finish in 2007 (Puerto Rico) and seventh in the Bahamas (2011), former Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks player, Rawle Marshall (first Guyana-born NBA player), captained the side to a fifth place finish in 2014 in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The following year, 2015, a predominantly local team (with the exception of Gordon James and Keron McKenzie), finished 10th. The CBC tournament will be known as the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Caribbean Pre-Qualifier and will qualify two teams for the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Qualifiers beginning in September. The two qualified Caribbean teams will join the South American and Central American Pre-Qualifier Champions, along with the four-eliminated Round One-FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier– Americas teams.
Williamson delivers again as Sunrisers march on
INDIAN Premier League (IPL) leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad sent the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore to another defeat on Monday, as the hosts claimed a five-run victory. Sunrisers are the pacesetters after 10 matches of the 2018 edition, with their latest success moving them two points clear at the summit. Captain Kane Williamson was once again key with the bat before his bowlers thrived under the pressure of facing the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Williamson’s 56 off 39 balls moved him on to 410 runs, a total only bettered by Ambati Rayudu – who has 423. Shakib Al Hasan provided important support to Williamson but in tough batting conditions the Sunrisers could only reach 146 before they were bowled out. In response, RCB got over a middle-order stutter that saw De Villiers depart for just five to need just 12 off the last over. Colin de Grandhomme (33) looked like being their unlikely hero but he was bowled off the last ball
to leave RCB five runs short. Williamson has been in fine form throughout the 2018 IPL and was on hand to anchor the Sunrisers innings once again in front of their home fans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Seven boundaries – including two maximums – kept his knock ticking over, and although he fell in the 12th over as the momentum was beginning to build. Shakib’s 35 from 32 deliveries helped push the hosts on, but 146 still looked tough to defend. Kohli, AB fails With two of the world’s best batsmen at their disposal, RCB should always fancy a run chase but they were superbly restricted by the Sunrisers attack. Kohli looked on form as he raced to 39 – including 15 off one Shakib over early on. However, the Bangladesh spinner had the last laugh as he had Kohli caught at short third man, Yusuf Pathan taking a super one-hander. De Villiers was unable to replicate his captain’s efforts, though, as he became the 13th victim of Rashid Khan’s debut season.
Kane Williamson waltzed to his fifth fifty in this IPL ©BCCI
GDF boxers successfully defend `Six Head’ Novices title ---Troy Miggins named `Best Boxer’
Astion Niles connects with a right hand that staggered Thadius Perry in the first round of their light heavyweight title fight, forcing the referee to stop the contest.
GMR&SC founding member Pat Holder laid to rest 22 PAGE
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Best Boxer of the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis National Novices Championships, Troy Miggins (GDF) at left connects with a left to the jaw of his gymmate, Jevon Gomes on Sunday Night (Samuel Maughn photos).
GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix…
Championship leads for Persaud, Jeffrey, Ten- Pow PAGE
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The body of Patrick Carl Holder is brought out of the St James the Less Anglican church after his funeral service yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo)
The various winners of the Georgetown Grand Prix (GT Motorsports photo)
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TUESDAY MAY 8, 2018