TUESDAY 17th April, 2018
No.105247
Soldiers to testify at Lindo Creek CoI
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$50M in
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infrastructural
works for Region 7
We got this
– Mayor assures flood-hit city residents of early relief 09 PAGE
A first for Guyana Double amputee, Melroy Pyle tries out his new limb as Cynthia Massay, Director of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, and Clinical Prosthetist/Orthotist, Jon Batzdorff look on (Adrian Narine photo)
Woman killed as car slams into truck
‌family was returning from airport trip P A G E
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Woman killed as
car slams into truck … Family was returning from airport trip By Nafeeza Yahya A WOMAN, who was returning home after escorting her sister to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, died on the spot after the car in which she was travelling crashed into a parked truck on the Number 58 Public Road, Corentyne early Monday morning. Dead is 52-year-old Soorojnie Suraj called ‘Pammie’, a sales clerk of Mary’s Gas Station and of Grant 1506, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne. Her mother Khemnie Suraj, 70 and her young daughter Neha Sukhra, 15, were the two other passengers. They sustained serious injuries as well as the 25- year driver of the car, Avinash Premnauth. They were all rushed to the Skeldon Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of the vehicle while navigating a turn on the Number 58 Village Public Road. At the time of the accident it was raining heavily and there were several vehicles parked on the parapet of the road. Meanwhile, according to an eyewitness Rajin Sasenaden 36, he was in the bus
shed a short distance away when he heard the impact and as he looked out noticed a crashed car crossway on the road and heard people screaming. He explained he hurriedly rushed to scene and assisted the injured. “I run up to the car and hear the screaming they were three persons in the backseat and I take out the young girl and others came to help and take out the old lady then we realised the other lady in the back was dead. She wasn’t moving and had a big cut on her head.” Based on the eyewitness account the Suraj was sitting in the middle of the back seat and died as a result of the middle of the car caving in after making contact with the tray of the truck. The witness further related if there was anyone sitting in the front passenger’s seat they too may have died as the left of the vehicle bore the brunt of the impact. According to reports at approximately 06:45hrs yesterday, the car, a silver Toyota Spacio bearing registration HC 2217 was heading towards Crabwood Creek after returning from the airport when the driver allegedly lost control while navigating a turn at Number 58 Village and slammed into a parked lorry, pushing it several me-
The deceased Soorojnie Suraj and her daughter Neha Sukra in happier times
What remains of the Toyota Spacio HC 2217
The truck that the car slammed into
tres forward. The lorry, bearing licence plate GMM 9207 and registered to Narine Dindial of Number 45 Village then slammed into another parked lorry also pushing it several metres as a result of the impact. The relatives of the deceased said they learnt of the accident after they received a call from their niece immediately after the accident and rushed to the scene. “The little girl call and say come quick Mommy nah look nice and Grandma bleeding out. When I hear that I get crazy and take me a while to understand. When I reach I see my sister dead in the backseat.” According to relatives, Neha who was the only child for Soorojnie and her husband was treated and sent home a little after noon and it was only then that she was made aware of her mother’s fate. Her grandmother and mother of the deceased is unaware that her daughter lost
her life in the accident. She remains hospitalised nursing a shattered leg. Relatives indicated they could not relate the dreadful news of her daughter’s death as she suffers from hypertension and diabetes and given her age she may not have the willpower to recover from the ordeal. “She is sickly from before and Pammie is the one who takes care of her. She just wanted to go to see her other daughter off this is the worst thing ever for this family.” Another relative said they had to delay the message to her daughter, who kept asking for her mother and only told her when she returned home and saw the tent and preparations for the wake. The driver of the car, an auto mechanic/electrician and a close family friend of the Suraj family, remains hospitalised and is said to be complaining of abdominal pains. Police are investigating the accident.
UG student, Melroy Pyle gets mechanical arms – a first for Guyana By Alva Solomon LAST week may have been one of the best weeks Melroy Pyle has experienced since a horrific accident left him without both hands late last year. The 37-year-old father of two was the recipient of a new pair of mechanical arms, thanks to the generosity of renowned Clinical Prosthetist/Orthotist, Jon
Batzdorff , Director of the California-based non-profit organization, Prosthetika. The donation was made possible through the National Orthotic and Prosthetic Appliance Workshop at the Ptolemy Reid’s Rehabilitation Centre. It is also said to be the first time in Guyana that a patient is able to utlise the use of the arms fitted with the mechanical support. Batzdorff led a team to
Guyana last week, which included British traveller David Nicholas , Ian Carrick of RSF International Inc of Canada and England-based Laura Burgess, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist . The team met with staff of the centre as well as patients undergoing rehabilitation there. It was there that the team encountered Pyle for the first time last Monday. Cynthia Massay, director of the centre , told the Guyana Chronicle that Pyle has been receiving support from the centre since an accident Double-amputee Melroy Pyle shows off his dexterity with new his arms last December left (Adrian Narine photo)
him amputated from the elbows down. According to her, the donation came as a total surprise since the visitors “actually bring along equipment to help him on the spot.” Within a day of Pyle being fitted with the mechanical arm, the young man was signing his name, drinking water from bottles, even playing around with a cricket ball at the centre.”It was the most amazing thing,” Massay said. The arms work with a “tension mechanism “, Batzdorff told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday as the team prepared
to wrap-up their visit here. He explained that the arms are fitted with cables connected to straps which are placed on the patient’s back. Once the straps connect to the back, the muscles contract and the tension enables the patient to move the mechanical fingers as well as the arm. While recounting the accident, Pyle noted that he was left amputated from the elbows down. He said that there was nothing much the doctors could have done to save his hands, a situation which devastated the Cove and John, East Coast Demerara resident. He said that he studies civil engineering at the University of Guyana and according to him, he was Turn to page 3 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
GDF ranks to testify at Lindo Creek CoI
THREE ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are expected to appear before the Justice Donald Trotman-led Commission which is inquiring into the 2008 Lindo Creek Massacre. The three ranks are from a list of eight Joint Services ranks the Commission is seeking. In a public notice carried in local newspapers over the weekend, the Commission of Inquiry into the Lindo Creek killings said it was seeking to make urgent contact with former GDF Lieutenant, Ayodele Woolford; former Guyana Police Force Assistant Superintendent, Dwand Cambridge; Colonel Lloyd Souvineer; Captain Sheldon Howell; Major Fitzroy Ward; Private Taylor; Private Quailo and Philbert Bobb. In response on Monday, the GDF, in a press statement, disclosed that it had received a correspondence from the Commission requesting that a number of ranks be made available to appear before the Commission. According to the GDF, it has since responded, indicating that some ranks are no longer in the employ of the force. “An agreement has been reached for those available ranks to report to the Commission of Inquiry for a preliminary interview on Wednesday April 18, 2018 at 11:30hrs,” the GDF stated. The Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mel-
anie Morris told Guyana Chronicle that three of the named ranks will appear before the commission. To date, the Commission has conducted a number of public and in camera hearings with persons who were either related to the murdered men or involved in the investigation at some point. The CoI has been established to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the killings of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong, on or about June 21, 2008, and to report its findings and recommendations to President David Granger. Leonard Arokium, the owner of the mining camp in which the eight miners were found dead, had long argued that the killings were committed by members of the Joint Services, but the police on the other hand had said that the men were murdered by the then Rondell Rawlins alias ‘Fine Man’ gang. Arokium’s son, Dax, 29; his brother, Cedric called “Brother” were among those killed. Arokium was not among those who were scheduled to speak on Thursday, Guyana Chronicle has confirmed. One of the key witnesses, Courtney Wong, in an interview with this newspaper earlier this month, had said that the “truth is out there.”
Jordan plugs modernised data security
... in light of reported leakage of privileged Facebook information IN light of recent developments on Facebook, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan is urging the Bureau of Statistics to ensure that modern security measures are in place to secure all data. “Information is a valuable and powerful tool and with regard to the harvesting of Facebook information by Cambridge Analytica, it is important to ensure that data, including personal data, is secured,” he said yesterday at the launch of an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded US$440 000 National Statistical Development Strategy at the Tower Hotel. The minister’s warning comes in the wake of a CNN report quoting Facebook as saying that data firm, Cambridge Analytica, may have had privileged information on about 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge. Minister Jordan said the consequences of a data leakage could be damaging if not dire, especially if such information ends up in the wrong hands. The minister, as such, implored the Bureau to in-
clude security in their discussions which kicked off with a workshop. As the government embarks on its quest to implement the strategy with the guidance of the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (Paris 21), the minister stressed the importance of data generated by the Bureau, especially in relation to planning, policy formation and efficient leadership. In order to meet the development challenges of the 21st Century, he believes that there is need for an efficient and effective National Statistical System. “With the resources at the Bureau, we expect nothing less than sustained growth, because data is needed to guide the policy decisions of the government, which is essential to ensuring that we deliver on our commitment of a good life,” he said. The strategy is expected to boost the data collection, analysis and dissemination process, because it includes the development of a medium-term plan to develop and improve statistics across the spectrum of government agencies.
structure the beams at the building and he recalled seeing a live electrical wire some four feet away from the building. “The steel I was handling came in contact with the wire, 14000 volts, and I just thank God I’m alive”, he said. He said after her fell down, he could have heard voices. “I could have heard them saying, he alive,” he added, noting that the heat burned off his wrists. The man said that life has been different for him ever since the accident. “It is a different life because nobody plans to lose a limb. It is something new in your life,
Minister Jordan is confident that the strategy will raise the bar in terms of the availability, accuracy and timely dissemination of information so essential to decision-making. The minister and other officials were optimistic that the strategy will ensure that the data collected by Guyana is comparable to data across the world. According to the minister, the project will come to an end in March 2018, but there will be enough findings to help with the planning of medium- and long-term goals. Information is critical to
‘Lola’ back in trouble again
JUST a few weeks after being charged in connection with an assault matter, popular make-up artist Lolita Callender was on Monday back before a city magistrate to face another assault charge, this time against another popular make-up artist. It was alleged that on April 6, 2018 at Leopold Street, Lolita Callender, 27, popularly known as ‘Lola’
of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, inflicted grievous bodily harm on Onika Pompey. According to Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore both parties are known to each other but are not on speaking terms. On the day in question, there was a misunderstanding between the two which resulted in a fight. Moore explained that Pompey received injuries
UG student, Melroy Pyle gets... in the middle of the exam’s period last December when tragedy struck. The upbeat Pyle said that on December 18th, 2017, he sat a chemistry exam and around midday he prepared to go to work at a building where a contractor was undertaking works a stone’s throw away from Pyle’s classroom on the Turkeyen Campus. He said that he took the job as a means to sustain himself and family of five and he noted that it fitted well with the degree which he is reading for. Pyle said around 1300hrs on the day in question, the workers were preparing to
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan
the development of sound policies to address issues of healthcare, poverty and education among other things so Jordan said the strategy will help them to plan effectively. Chief statistician of the Bureau, Lennox Benjamin, said this is not the first IDB project geared towards the development of statistics. He noted that the IDB had funded a social statistics standard analysis project from 2005 to 2009. Benjamin said that project laid the foundation for statistical development, since several small statistical units were established at various agencies. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bureau, Nelson Modeste echoed the sentiments of Benjamin and the minister, but said that the new project is essential because Guyana will soon produce oil and restructure its economy according to the Green-State Development Strategy. As the economy becomes open for new investments, he said it is important for the bureau to explore the possibilities of having data on labour productivity.
you try to work around what happened to you,” the man noted with positive nods. Pyle said he found a way to live with his situation. “Well, I am always positive about everything,” he said. But things may change for the young man since he can now undertake most tasks on his own. He said after he was fitted with the arms, he was able to visit a Scotiabank location and was able to sign his name in order to undertake a transaction. Pyle’s wife, who is a teacher and who was also at the university, took time off to attend to him. “With
this new hand it is better for all of us because I could do things for myself. I may not be able to do everything but I can do a lot; I can actually hold a bag and walk with it,” he said with a smile. Badzdorff , who makes artificial limbs and also taught the subject , runs Prosthetika . During an interview with the team, he said that the firm provides training globally to entities which would like to have improvement in their services.”It could be learning new techniques for artificial limbs, learning how to do the prosthetic arms,” he noted. He said the process starts
about her body including bite marks. 28-year-old Pompey of Bel Air, Georgetown was also charged with unlawfully wounding Callender on the same day. Callender told the court that she lost five fingernails during the fight. They both denied the charges read out to them in court by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Lolita Callender
They were both released on $80,000 bail each and the matters were adjourned to April 17, 2018.
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with a request from an amputee or organization and the California-based entity provides training as well as repairs to prostheses.”So everything we do has to do with training; we don’t just come in and donate something and leave, it has to benefit people,” he said, noting that the organisation’s interest lies in capacity building. As regards Pyle’s condition, Massay said the doctor mentioned the man’s name during the conversations the centre had with Badzdorff prior to the visitor’s trip here. She said the latter had indicated that to perform on
the upper extremity of the amputee would have been time-consuming, given that the team only planned to spend a week in Guyana. She said that when Badzdorff arrived at the centre, he brought along the two mechanical arms. “It was an amazing moment for all of us; if you saw Melroy’s expression,” she said with a smile. Pyle said he plans to continue his studies at the University of Guyana and according to the upbeat young man , he never gave up .”I’m always positive about things,” he said in between smiles.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Mining in Marudi Mountain in doubt …as indigenous association reneges on agreement
THE Ministry of Natural Resources is maintaining that any deviation from the mediated agreement, signed onto by Romanex Mining Company, the Rupununi Miners Associated, eight Toshaos from South Rupununi and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWO) on the Marudi Mountain Area, could result in chaos. In April 2016, the Government through Minister Raphael Trotman intervened in a standoff between small miners from the Marudi Mountain area, representatives of indigenous communities and Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited, and facilitated a historic mediation process with the help of Major-General (retired) Joe Singh. The successful mediation resulted in all parties signing the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Mining Dispute Agreement’ that would guide future engagements to finalise a solution. But after reaching the agreement in 2016, the South Rupununi Indigenous Communities, represented by the
Toshaos, are now calling for mining in the Marudi Mountain Area to come to an end. Romanex Mining Company is currently operating within the area and in 2016 had called for the removal of a number of persons from an illegal landing. The occupants were removed from the landing, which was also considered illegal by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). However, the Commission in keeping with a promise made by the Natural Resources Ministry earmarked several blocks of mining lands for miners who are part of the South Rupununi Miners’ Association and former occupiers of Romanex Mining lands in Marudi, Region Nine. A block was also set aside for GWO members. The announcement was made in January 2018. The allocation was in response to the difficulties that were faced by a number of small miners after they were required to vacate the Romanex property. The Ministry had assured that it was committed to working with the
Ministry of Natural Resources’ Director of Compliance Derrick Lawrence (DPI photo)
GGMC to find a long-term solution that would see the miners enjoy the use and benefits of their own concessions. However, during a meeting with the Natural Resources Ministry last week, new demands were placed on the table, Director of Compliance, Derrick Lawrence told reporters on Monday. Representatives from Romanex Mining Company, the Rupununi Miners Associated and two Toshaos from South Rupununi met with the Natural Resources Ministry Director of Compliance and Technical Officer – Mining, Euliene Watson, last week.
Lawrence said the ministry is disappointed that the signatories to the 2016 agreement with the exception of the GWO are now reneging on the settlement which was intended to guide mining operations in Marudi Mountain Area in Region Nine. “The Ministry is of the view that Romanex can do more to accommodate the small miners. The Rupununi Miners Association should abide with the mediated agreement and take up the lands set aside for them as agreed and the South Rupununi Indigenous Communities ought not to be bringing any new
positions after the agreement was inked, such as their position that there should be no mining in the areas at all,” the Director of Compliance said. According to Lawrence, it appears that persons are attempting to derail the mediation agreement because of the resources present in the area. “This deviation seems driven by knowledge of the quantity of resources in the area,” he opined while giving the Ministry’s assurance that the resources in the area are enough to provide for all the parties engaged, if good sense prevails. The Natural Resources
Ministry remains firm in the view that the mediation is the best and only way forward on resolving the issue. “Anything else could lead to anarchy, chaos, the disintegration of order or at best, a lengthy court battle from which no one benefits,” the Director of Compliance warned. He said the ministry and the government by extension - is urging all parties to conform to process and to exercise good faith, including having a willingness to reach agreement through better understanding of each other’s positions, and compromise.
PSC honours Clifford Reis BANKS DIH Limited Chairman and Managing Director, Clifford Reis, has been honoured for his unwavering support to the Private Sector Commission Corporate Group over the past 20 years. In a release the PSC said Mr Reis was presented with a plaque by Executive Director of the PSC, Ms Elizabeth Alleyne, during a Corporate Dinner, hosted by Banks DIH Limited at the Rotunda at Thirst Park recently. Ms Alleyne said Mr Reis has been a loyal supporter of the work of the private sector locally and the PSC has recognised his sterling contribution. The vet-
eran business executive has been responsible for the stewardship of local bottling giant Banks DIH Limited for the past 29 years as Chairman/Managing Director. He is also Chairman of Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. Mr Reis expressed gratitude to the Private Sector Commission for recognising his service to Guyana and he stressed the need for the private sector and government to work together. The Guest of Honour at the Dinner was Mr Joseph Harmon, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency. Other attendees were corporate members of the PSC.
Tuesday , April 17, 2018 - 5:00 hrs
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Gov’t to roll out agriculture development plan for Region 8 THE Agricultural Development Plan for Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) will be rolled out shortly and will include the recommendations made by the villages following a recent visit by Minister Noel Holder. While many persons in the region are mainly involved in mining activities, the southern sub-region consists of many Amerindian Villages known for their agricultural productivity amidst the challenges of its location. The ministry said that in order to ensure that a
said that while cattle rearing and cassava production is the main income generating product of the region at the moment, the developmental plan will cater for additional crops and livestock. At Kamana, Toshao Jeffery Edwards and councillors met with the team at the community centre and issues such as cassava rot due to flooding the region experienced a few months ago, were discussed. A request for a cassava machine for the Community Women Project was also discussed.
other villages and even extra regionally. The ministry noted that NAREI has been running a successful ants program in the region which has since seen the reduction of the prevalence of acoushi ants on farms. According to the residents, while this has been of great assistance, they are now affected by white flies and caterpillars. Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth presented acoushi ant bait and chemicals to the residents to treat the
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder chats with a teacher of the Kamana Primary School in Region Eight.
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and other officials of the ministry during a meeting with residents at the village of Kamana in Region Eight.
more networked approach is adopted to boost agricultural production and productivity, the minister decided to visit the region. He was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd and other senior government officials and the team visited the villages of Kamana, Kurukabaru, Kanapang, Itabac, Kato, Tuseneng, Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, and Monkey Mountain, between April 11 to 15. The team also visited the villages of Rukumuta, Karasabai, Tiperu and Yurong Paru in Region 9. According to a release from the Ministry of Agriculture, crop suitability was identified as a major issue which has to be addressed if the region is to effectively tap into its potential. It noted that this will be incorporated into the developmental program. “The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to addressing whatever shortfalls you may have by giving the necessary technical support so that you can tap into your true potential as a village....the development plan which will be implemented seeks to ensure that you expand not only your traditional commodities, but looking into non-traditional,” the Minister said. According to the release, the issue of subsistence farmers was also addressed as the Agriculture Minister spoke of the potential of the region in becoming a major exporter to the coast and beyond. He
The ministry noted that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s Black Giant Poultry programme will now be extended to Region Eight. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Dr. Dwight Waldron spoke of the potential of the programme, which has recorded birds gaining 8-9 pounds over a 3-6 months period and the egg production of over 230,000 eggs annually. The birds, according to Dr. Waldron, do not require the purchase of imported feed, as they consume kitchen waste and grass. “This will ensure that you do not spend additional money and will generate financing for your village as the meat can be sold to the school as part of its School Feeding Programme,” Nedd said. The residents were encouraged to work along with the extension officers of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in embarking on new crop production. The ministry said similar issues were raised at Kurukabaru where residents requested assistance with aquaculture production. According to village councillor of Kurukabaru, Grandville Lewis, the village is looking into fish rearing and as such requested technical support from the fisheries department. The aim is to not only sell the fish to the village but, with the addition of other critical services, to supply
white flies and caterpillars. He spoke of the upcoming projects of the Institute which will be rolled out during the Ministry’s Agricultural Development Plan. “This will see our extension officers working with you to incorporate new crops, and to ensure that pest and diseases do not adversely affect your production. Our team is here to work with you on a day-to-day basis and I urge you to ensure that you are actively involved in ensuring that it is done and in a timely manner,” he told the gathering. Sustainable development plans will be employed in other hinterland regions according to the Agriculture Minister, who stated that the visit has enabled the team to have a better understanding of the concerns affecting the residents and to ensure that the issues raised were addressed. “The developmental Program will provide sufficient resources so that you can transform your village. With the discovery of oil and the thrust of the Ministry of Agriculture in moving our production base to the hinterland, the timing is right for investments in agriculture and for you to adopt new and innovative projects,” the Minister said. The team also visited the villages of Kanapang, Itabac, Kato and Tuseneng to meet with residents. At the village, huge yams, cassava and bananas produced by the
village were on display. Residents said the availability of markets is one of the greatest concerns of residents. Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Corp Extension Officer assigned to the hinterland, Jo-Lee Walton, informed the residents of efforts made by the GMC through the facilitation of produce to markets. She added that while the GMC prefers not to purchase produce from individual buyers, they can offer this facility once the farmers formed themselves into
groups/clusters. According to Walton, it takes dedication, partnership and individual effort to ensure success and has committed to working with the villages to ensure that market-related issues are addressed. The additional concerns and recommendations which were raised by residents would be incorporated into the Region’s development programme. As regards drainage and irrigation, it was noted that with the addition of
new crops, water management will be crucial and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been mandated to complete a study of the region which will include the availability of water catchment areas to supply farmers’ irrigation requirements during dry periods. According to the Agriculture Minister, the management of the system needed to be improved to give farmers the much-needed support.
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Winnie Mandela
ON Saturday last, South Africa paid its last respects to, undoubtedly, its most famous daughter and heroine, Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela Mandela. In their tens of thousands, the most famous of South African politicians, surviving anti-apartheid activists, and other leaders from the region, gathered to pay their homage, through song and praise, and say their final goodbye to an iconic figure who became apartheid’s most implacable foe. Apartheid or separateness was a brutal system of institutionalized racist discrimination that served to uphold white supremacy and domination of the majority black population of South Africa by the minority white rule. It was the most iniquitous man-made system, next to slavery, that had been inherent of laws that were designed to reduce its targeted captive segment of South Africans to an ordered life that was cruel in its least descriptive of inhumane manifestation, to one where daily, decent existence had been non-existent. As a reminder, among its most infamous of obnoxiously discriminatory dogmas, were the 1949 Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, and the Immorality Act of 1950 that made illegal marriage or sex across racial lines; and the Population Registration Act that categorized South Africans into four racial groupings. Then there was the Bantustan arrangement that decreed the forced removal, one of history’s largest, of blacks from their homes into segregated homelands called Bantustans. In fact, there were ten designated homelands that were determined to be the original homes of black South Africans. Any South African who accepted this deportation--for that is what it really was--became deprived of his/her South African citizenship. This was the system that governed the lives of black South Africans, of which another evil, the Pass Laws, brought about the shocking bloody Sharpeville Massacre in March 1960, when white South African police killed a reported 75
black South African protestors; and which treated blacks as pariahs in their own country, ostracizing them to precisely separate use of all public facilities, further degrading them to non-people. It was this extreme brutalization of human beings that had shaped the mental understanding of Winnie Mandela, who took the mantle of the continuation of the struggle after her husband, Nelson Mandela, had been imprisoned for life. A now immortalized quote of hers, in 1996, reinforces this stark fact, “I am a product of the masses, of my country and the product of my enemy.’’ It can be said that it was her husband and fellow activists who had lit the earliest flame for the first shots against the cruelty of apartheid, but it was Winnie Mandela and her indomitable leadership which fanned the flames of rebellion brighter, and which attracted a younger generation of black South Africans that epitomized the 1976 Soweto Township uprisings; the latter that began the final phase for the overthrow of a system that treated black South Africans akin to animals. Winnie Mandela, during her years of leading the struggle in what was definably a war of national liberation against an equally implacable foe, deadly in its intent of continuous perpetuation of a system of human repression, became the highest priority for racist, white South Africa security apparatus. Not only did she suffer periods of imprisonment, including solitary confinement, where there was even the denial of sanitary products, but also severe beatings and torture, forced removal and banishment. Even journeys to visit her imprisoned husband were difficult, as she had many times been forced to journey the 800 miles via road, rather than by air travel or train. In its entirety, apartheid was an entrenched bastion of human oppression that had the support of the legal and moral framework of a state that sought to uphold its racist ideology of white supremacy by any and all extremes, as evidenced
by the many executions of activists who dared challenged the system; and the many beating deaths, with that of Stevo Biko being one of the infamous highpoints of this internecine struggle to end an example of man’s inhumanity against man. No amount of international protests in the form of resolutions and peace marches, and boycotts could have ended such a murderous system. Nor was apartheid any friendly social milieu that had exuded any sense of human decency and accommodation. It occasioned the kind of challenge, a no-holds barred revolution, led by Winnie Mandela to free her fellow blacks and their country in the process, from what was another form of modern day slavery. Because of her perceived immoderate actions during her leadership of the anti -apartheid struggle, she had been the target of many forms of criticisms. However, despite such controversial views, a freed South Africa from the yoke of apartheid slavery would never have become a reality had it not been for her visionary, brave, and selfless leadership, during which she suffered immensely. She belongs to the pantheon of Southern Africa’s liberation leaders. Winnie Mandela was loved and despised, but she earned her place in history through her blood, sweat and tears in the revolution against apartheid. Despite her isolation and flaws, her role in the ANC-led liberation struggle was crucial to black South Africans liberation.
American Airlines will bring healthy competition Dear Editor, IT is good that American Airlines (AA) will operate in Guyana from December and break the stranglehold [that] Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has on our necks. American Airlines flights will be a tremendous boost for local business. More competition among airlines means we will get better service for our hard-earned dollars. For example, Caribbean Airlines allows passengers only ONE free suitcase of 50 lbs and bills them a hefty US$30 for every additional suitcase. But AA’s baggage allowance will be two free pieces of checked luggage of 50 lbs each. This will be a heavy body-blow to Caribbean Airlines; they will have to do much better. AA will also hit CAL hard by using modern Airbus A319 planes for Guyana flights. These planes have wide leather seats, in-flight entertainment, WIFI access and USB ports. Guyanese will have a much better choice than to suffer on CAL’s long, boring flights on old planes without in-flight entertainment. Make no mistake, American Airlines flying to Guyana will be a beautiful thing; I support it. I bless the thought. In fact, I hope
AA will soon start flying the Guyana-New York route or from here to London and Europe via Barbados or some other Caribbean territory. American Airlines flying here in December is a smart move because that is when the new airport is slated to open. Our oil and gas industry will begin to accelerate and, obviously, there will be more travellers to and from Guyana. Some uninformed people are cursing the thought of AA flying to Guyana. They do not understand the airline business and discuss it without understanding the issue at hand. They are bawling that Caribbean Airlins served Guyana in good times and bad and we should be grateful. I have nothing personal against Caribbean Airlines. I am a frequent-flyer and I have enjoyed the service of Caribbean Airlines cabin crews. But for a long time now the airline’s management has been treating us with contempt and it is good that AA will shake them up ‘big time’. CAL stuck with us when other airlines left, but they also took advantage of us. Don’t forget that Caribbean Airlines jacked up air fares and made us pay through our noses when our economy was almost dead, which affected our mentality,
our self-esteem and our livelihood. I would like to compliment Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes; and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson for working to get American Airlines to fly to Guyana. But why was American Airlines able to announce flights to Guyana before getting permission? It looks like AA is calling the shots. This makes Guyana look bad and weak. Guyana is an independent nation with sovereign rights over its airspace. We cannot accept any big company coming from outside to make policies for our country. It was presumptuous of American Airlines to announce flights to Guyana before getting the go-ahead from Government. Guyanese have to get their act together and take control. No one has a right to make policies for the government of Guyana and the people of Guyana without our involvement. I am a maniac for Guyana’s development, regardless of which government rules. I love my country; I love our independence as a nation; most of all I love our independence of thought as a people. We have to demand respect when we do business. That is
the way we have to deal with American Airlines and any foreign corporation or airline. I don’t like the fact that American Airlines announced flights to Guyana before getting permission, but I still support AA flying here. I am glad that American Airlines will light a fire under CAL’s tail and force it to jack up its service instead of its airfares. At this point of writing this letter, it is my understanding from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure that they (AA) have still not written and asked permission to fly to Guyana. To me, this smacks of disrespect because they think we are a poor country and will do whatever they say. In the negotiation and discussion that follow, I think that our team negotiating for Guyana needs to state this in a most pellucid manner. It is also good that Government is welcoming AA, whether or not they knew up front that the airline had decided to fly here. May this be the dawn of a bright new day for air travel in Guyana. Regards Roshan Khan Snr
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Series of criminal offences face 6 alleged gunmen ...nabbed during roadblock at Grove Public Road
THE six alleged gunmen who were nabbed last week during a roadblock at Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara in a stolen motorcar are expected to be placed before the court today, charged with a series of criminal offences. Those to be charged are: Steve Hercules, 30, of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara; Nabidigi Gobin,33 of Charlotte Street, Bourda; Reynard Khan,31, of Cooper Street, Albouystown; Mark Prince, 39, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara; Edward Skeete, 30,
of Independence Boulevard; and Marvin Blackman, 27, of South Ruimveldt. Last Thursday, the police had applied for an extension at the High Court to further detain the men as they investigated them concerning other criminal activities. On Tuesday, April 10, the six men were intercepted at the police roadblock with two 9mm Glock pistols along with 22 live rounds, one Beretta pistol with 11 live rounds, a .32 Taurus pistol with six live rounds, one
sledge hammer, two pairs of latex gloves and trade plates. The items were found on the floor of the car by the police and upon examination, the police observed that the number PVV 6204 was engraved on the windscreen and lights of the car. The motorcar was reportedly hijacked on March 25, 2018, at Princes Street, while its owner was working it as a taxi. According to reports, shortly before they were arrested, the men attempted to break into the residence of a Chinese man at
Supply, EBD. However, the man’s son who was at home at the time heard a suspicious sound coming from outside and made checks. He then saw persons trying to break into the property. He raised an alarm and the men ran from the area. The six men in police custody are no strangers to investigators, since they had been charged before for similar offences and some were recently freed of murder in the High Court.
Skeete, called ‘Pretty Boy’ and Nabadinghi Gobin, called ‘Dangles’, were freed last February at the High Court for the murder of Mocha, EBD resident, Ryan Clementson, who died at the GPHC after being attacked in the vicinity of Turning Point in Tucville, Georgetown, on July 14, 2015. Meanwhile, Blackman’s rap sheet for charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court dates back to 2009. He is currently before the court for the $1.5M armed robbery committed on the Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot in 2016. In August 2017, he was
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charged for possession of a Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol and eight live rounds of 9mm ammunition. He was also charged with a series of armed robberies committed in and around Georgetown. Additionally, in 2011, he was charged with the $5.4M heist from the office of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Mark Prince called ‘Fine Man’ and Renard Khan were jointly charged earlier this year for robbing a 66-yearold pastor of $1.8M as he left a city bank.
GPF should establish assessment centres as part of recruitment strategy Dear Editor RECENT articles in the press by Patrick Mentore, Peeping Tom, Barrington Braithwaite, Charandass Persaud and others in relation to the behaviour of law enforcement officers have titillated me to again make another clarion call for the establishment of a Behaviour Science Unit in the Guyana Police Force. Editor, please permit me to flashback on some issues and concerns I raised in the press about [the] behaviour of law enforcement officers and to posit some new thinking. No longer can you swear [in] a policeman, give him a badge and send him on the beat to perform duty. No longer can a policeman depend on his physical brawn and his political connections to survive on the job. A policeman must be adequately trained. It is imperative that he understands and appreciates the importance of good behaviour in order to efficiently and effectively carry out his mandate as set out in Section 3 (2) of the Police Act Chapter 16: 01 and what society expects from its protectors. During 1973, Harold Russell and Allan Beigel wrote, “The importance of understanding behaviour in the training of professional policemen is indisputable. Behaviour is the major phenomenon that the police officer must deal with. He must not only deal with the behaviour of criminals, but also with the behaviour of the general public, the behaviour of his family, and his own behaviour. He can no longer regard the study of behaviour as the sole concern of the psychologist and psychiatrist. He must learn more about behaviour
and the behavioural science in order to effectively and safely carry out his job.” Those words were relevant 45 years ago; they are even more apposite today for law enforcement officers. A good starting point to assess behaviour in the police force is at the recruitment level. The present recruitment process is not geared to identify inappropriate, or more so, psychological behaviour. It appears to cater for quantity rather than quality. An applicant who is highly qualified academically but is psychopathic and others with unacceptable behavioral traits can easily slip into the force because the recruitment system does not address behaviour. To prevent this unwanted entry into the GPF, the police should establish Assessment Centres as part of their recruitment strategy. At the centres, applicants are exposed to a series of activities or scenarios where behaviour is assessed by a team of trained assessors. Assessment centre is nothing new. It was used by The Allies and the Axes during World War 11 to train their spies. Tinsley (2002) contends, “ The assessment centre was, and still is, one of the best methods available for selecting suitable candidates for either employment or advancement in law enforcement agencies. “ This process will produce less recruits but will result in a better quality of ranks being enlisted in the force. However, it will put the police in a predicament as they attempt to fill the existing vacancies. It is quality versus quantity. Which one will prevail? According to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, the police are understaffed by over 600 ranks. This figure will increase sig-
nificantly when one takes into consideration First Oil and its security implications, the eminent need to properly secure our western border and other emerging security issues and concerns. All have serious manpower implications. In assessing behavior, one must not only deal with the entry level ranks of the force, but with members in all the divisions and branches. Both junior and senior ranks have displayed inappropriate and sometimes shocking behaviour. Such conduct will continue to occur if not nipped in the bud. Hence the need for corrective action. Here is where a Behavioural Science Unit can play a major role in identifying police officers with behavioural problems and establish Early Warning System (EWS) for providing intervention to correct those problems. According to Arnold (2001), “Early Warning Systems ( EWS) were developed as proactive tools and have been utilised by some law enforcement agencies with beneficial results. These systems have, to a limited degree, provided a ‘heads up’ regarding behavioral problems with police officers and afford the agency an opportunity to implement remedial action. “However, as Rhyons and Brewster cautioned: “ An early warning system is not a substitute for good supervision. Instead, it is a tool designed to help good supervisors become better.” UNESCO’s imperatives for learning rests firmly on four pillars and is applicable to the GPF. They are: Learn to live together; Learn to be; Learn to do and Learn to learn. The Behavioural Science Unit can sit nicely on those pillars in its effort to
address behaviour in the GPF. Therefore, the following areas and many more recommended by UNESCO must be addressed with the police: effective communication, conflict resolution, anger management, cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, self-esteem, emo-
tional intelligence, critical thinking, skills, capacity to act, ability to apply knowledge, comprehension, ability to research and analyse, problem solving and people skills. These areas, if sufficiently inculcated in the minds of all members of the force will go a far way
towards promoting acceptable behaviour by ranks at all levels of the GPF. Hence, the opportunity to foster greater public confidence in the police. Regards Clinton Conway
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Man gets 22 years for Linden shallow grave murder LAKERAJ Fredericks was on Monday sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment for the June 11, 2011 killing of Vernon Romaldo after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court. In handing down his sentence, the judge who started at a base of 30 years, deducted six years for the guilty plea and acceptance of the crime, another six years for time served, and two years for the plea of mitigation (remorse) and apology to family members of the deceased. Of the 16 years’ sentence, Justice Kissoon added six years for aggravating factors in which grievous bodily harm was intended and the fact that the incident took place a mere seven days after another act committed by Fredericks. Justice Kissoon told the court that he was deeply troubled that Fredericks was engaged in another act which had happened a week before he was involved in the 2011 killing of Vernon Romaldo of Land of Canaan, East Bank
Demerara. The judge stated that it was a related incident of which Fredericks was separately charged in relation to marijuana cultivation, and even though the incident was not isolated, it was premeditated and calculated on the part of Fredericks who was charged on that indictment. Meanwhile, when asked if he had anything to say, Fredericks, who was sentenced to 65 years by Justice Navindra Singh also in the Demerara High Court for the 2011 Linden ‘Old England’ shallow grave murder of his brother-in-law in 2017, begged the court for mercy on Monday morning. According to the facts of that matter, Fredericks killed Clifton Bonus, his brotherin-law on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Bonus’s body was found buried in a shallow grave at ‘Old England’ Back Dam, Linden, days after he was reported missing. Bonus, called “Mutts”, was shot twice in the head with a .32 pistol before he was buried almost three feet deep beneath groves of cannabis. It was reported that Fred-
ericks and the victim had an argument over some missing marijuana seeds, moments before he (Bonus) was shot and killed. Fredericks was subsequently arrested and charged with the crime. Fredericks, 38, a father of two, told the court that he was sorry for what happened. He stated that he had no choice that night and he bought the rum that he consumed with the deceased and admitted that he was not in the right frame of mind. He added that in jail he was baptised and stopped smoking marijuana (cannabis sativa) and had turned his life around for the better. State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, in her opening statement to the court, said that Fredericks had pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the June 11, 2011 murder of Vernon Romaldo. She added that on the night of June 10, 2011, the accused and the deceased were at the house of the sister of the latter and sometime during that evening there was a loud argument between the men. However, the sister of
done. “We have to get all stakeholders on board and let them understand the basic status (of the council). We cannot achieve this alone, we also need a big input from the residents,” Bethune said. Mayor Waneka Arrindell encouraged persons to stop dumping illegally and to be patient with the Council, which is currently limited in the area of garbage collection. The LMTC recently bought two compactor trucks and should be gifted one from BMGG. The Council also passed in its budget $1.5M to repair the two garbage trucks it currently has. With five working trucks, Arrindell is encouraging Lindeners to all be in possession of garbage bins that should be placed in front of their yards. Their garbage should be placed in garbage bags which will be collected by the LMTC on scheduled
the deceased intervened and retired to bed but was awakened by groaning sounds. When she got up to investigate, she saw her sibling lying in a chair with what appeared to be a stab wound to the left chest. The accused was nowhere to be found and the police were summoned. The cause of death was given as perforation to the kidney, stomach and spleen due to two stab wounds to the abdomen.= The state was represented by Lisa Cave and Mandel Moore while the defence attorney was Maxwell McKay.
An illegal dumpsite being cleared on the Wismar shore
days. At present, Lindeners are forced to pay a private company $1,600 per household for garbage collection. Arrindell posited that persons found dumping illegally will be fined and industrial illegal dumpers will be reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She is also encouraging business owners to dump their garbage at the Kara Kara dumpsite since it is accessible to them. The access road to the dumpsite was repaired by the Ministry of
PI into deadly brawl wrapping up THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of 21-year-old Vishal Hansraj is expected to come to an end soon before Senior
Lakeraj Fredericks: Jailed for 22 years
LMTC clearing illegal dumpsites to jumpstart solid waste management campaign THE Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) has commenced a solid waste management campaign which involves closing down illegal dumpsites in the municipalities. The campaign commenced on Saturday with illegal dumpsites being cleared on the Wismar shore. Several communities benefited including Wisroc, Block 22 and One Mile Back Road. Given its limitations in this capacity, the LMTC has partnered with Bosai Minerals Group Guyana (BMGG) to get the work done expeditiously. Dumpsites on the Mackenzie shore were cleared on Monday. Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune said that his focus will continue along the path of environmental protection and waste management and, given the council’s limitations in this regard, will be collaborating with various stakeholders in an effort to get the work
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Communities. Meanwhile, as the official start of Linden Town Week 2018 is four days away, the Council is also de-bushing various areas on the Mackenzie shore in an effort to give the township a facelift. Mayor Arrindell met with business owners at the popular ‘5 CORNER’ location, which is Linden’s entertainment hub and engaged them on their role in improving sanitation and beautifying their environment.
Debbie Hansraj
Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. On Monday, one of the final witnesses took to the stand against Debbie Hansraj, 25, of Grove, who is charged with killing her brother between April 17 and April 18, 2017 at Covent Garden Sea Dam, East Bank
Demerara. The matter was adjourned until April 23. The state is being represented by police prosecutor Demonic Bess while the defendant is represented by attorney-at-law, George Thomas. According to reports, the stabbing stemmed from a heated argument between the siblings after Vishal confronted his sister who had allegedly wounded their mother. Reports indicate that Vishal had armed himself with a knife and attempted to injure his sister, who in retaliation relieved him of the weapon and used it to stab him twice. Both of them were reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The injured man was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, after which he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed the following day.
Supenaam man found with 177 grams of cannabis and 19 grams of cocaine A sixty-three-year-old unemployed man of lot 678 Market Street, Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, is presently in police custody after a quantity of narcotics was found on his premises. According to information reaching this newspaper, a party of policemen went to the home of Leonard Paul on April 15 and conducted a search in his generator room. Police then unearthed a bulky plastic bag that contained three transparent zip lock bags. Two of the bags contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis,
and the other plastic bag contained cake-like cream substance suspected to be cocaine. The suspected narcotics were shown to Leonard Paul and he was told of the offence committed and cautioned. He was immediately arrested and taken to the police station with the suspected narcotics which were weighed. The cannabis amounted to 177 grams while the cocaine weighed 19 grams. The suspected narcotics were marked, sealed and lodged at the Anna Regina Police Station. Leonard Paul was placed in custody pending charges.
Charity duo slapped with simple larceny charge TWO labourers from the Charity Housing Scheme were on Monday slapped with a simple larceny charge. Quinton Ashby, 36, and Richard Patricks, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to them by Essequibo Magistrate Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. The charge states that on March 29, 2018, the duo stole electrical appliances valued $309,500 from Dindyal Narine. They were granted $100,000 bail each and the case was adjourned until May 14.
We got this
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
By Lisa Hamilton
CITY Mayor Patricia Chase-Green on Monday assured flood-weary Georgetown residents that the Mayor & City Council is doing everything it possibly can to bring them relief from the accumulation of water occasioned by Sunday evening’s long and sustained rains. She told them during a walkabout on Monday morning that every effort is being made by the M&CC to pull off the flood waters as early as possible, and that so far, they have succeeded in doing so in such areas as Regent Street. She also reported that engineers will be on the ground working round-the-clock, checking out the various areas, but was asking residents to ensure that they put away their household items as high as possible. She, however, explained that the sudden inundation we’ve been experiencing of late as soon as it rains is no-one’s fault, as it is one of the adverse effects of climate change which is also affecting other parts of the world, causing flash floods and sudden high tides. She noted that such an “extremely high tide” has not occurred in Guyana for the past two years, but assured residents that the majority of the city’s pumps are working well. Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle visited a number of affected residential areas in Georgetown, and the rallying call was for the authorities to do their job; that systems be put in place
to ensure that the drains and alleyways are kept clean at all times. One Light Street, Alberttown resident, who gave her name as Wendy, said that although she does her best to keep the drains in front of her premise clean, other residents who do not follow suit cause her efforts to be pointless. As such, the area is in a constant state of being flooded despite good weather. “The rain just has to drizzle and we get flood. If the sun is hot, we still get flood, the water never drains in this particular block,” she explained, adding: “All we are asking is for the government to come and clean the drains so that the water can drain off. I does pay to weed and clean out there, but I can only clean my part. “And it doesn’t make any sense cleaning just my part when all the water keeps running down all the time.” And when the make-shift bridge at the front of her yard began floating away after becoming loose by the constant waters, she said she was forced to build another. Wendy has been residing at the premises for over 30 years, and says the situation not only affects her but her children as well. “I have a daughter and a little boy upstairs. My daughter had to stay home today, and because of this, she has been absent a lot from school last year and the year before, every time the rain comes down,” she said. Another resident in the same street who owns a Boltand-Hose business has taken
– Mayor assures flood-hit city residents of early relief
On Blue Mountain Road, South Ruimveldt early yesterday
Navigating the waters in West Ruimveldt yesterday
High and dry on Fourth Street, Alberttown
On Fourth Street, Alberttown (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
it upon himself to combat the situation by installing pumps which drain the water as it enters his business. “As soon as it comes in, it goes in the ground in the pump and it goes back out... This area floods all the time; we got accustomed to it now, so we go out and meet our customers,” he said. He, too, is calling on the M&CC to look into the matter, because if the flooding becomes more persistent, his pumps may not be able to withstand the pressure. Meanwhile, on Fourth Street, Alberttown, an elderly resident told this newspa-
per that he is unable to leave his house as he pleases due to the downpour. Mirroring previous remarks, he indicated that a lack of proper drainage in the community is the biggest issue. “This happens when there is a lot of rain; at least I think the drain needs a little cleaning because as long as the tide is high, you would get flooding. But if the tide goes down, the water goes down,” he said. Mayor Chase-Green cautioned residents that blocked drains are a strain on the city’s drainage sys-
Light Street, Alberttown resident Wendy shows how the floods affect her neighbourhood
tem and persons are therefore being reminded to play
their part by keeping their drains clean.
Region One Chairman calls for gov’t support … in light of Venezuelan influx MORE than 18 Venezuelan students are being accommodated in a Whitewater Village school as Region One continues to assist them in finding relief from socio-economic hardships in their homeland. Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley told the Guyana Chronicle that Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and a team of education officials are currently assessing operations in the region and are giving some attention to Venezuelan children who have been able to access education here.
According to Ashley, a large number of Venezuelans continue to cross the Guyana border and educating their children is proving difficult because of the language barrier. “These are children with Guyanese parents who had moved to Venezuela and are now back in the Region.” Ashley related that the Ministry of Education’s team is focused on improving education delivery in the region, but now has to examine ways to help teach the Spanish-speaking nationals since it is highly likely
that more displaced children may seek schooling here. Efforts are also on the way to render humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans as the region awaits a report from the United Nations’ Refugee Agency for guidance with the type of assistance that could be rendered. The Regional Chairman explained that the UN agency had visited their health and other representatives to determine the specifics of services needed. Representatives of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also visited the region to assess the situation and offer its services where necessary. Ashley is adamant,
however, that more has to be done by local non-governmental organisations to deliver relief to Venezuelans; calling on agencies such as Food for the Poor and other donor agencies to get on board. In terms of security, Ashley said no fresh reports of the Venezuelan ‘El Sindicato’ gang, which was giving a scare to border communities, have been received. He recalled that a call was made by President David Granger to have community members, particularly young persons, join or associate themselves with security agencies such as CPGs to protect their communities.
“The police and the army cannot be everywhere. We want you to be able to protect your own community …,” Granger had told Whitewater and surrounding villagers when he visited the areas earlier in the year. The Chairman said that while such security partnerships are still in the making, it is an area that the residents are very open to. Ashley said that border communities continue to try their best with the influx of Venezuelans coming to Guyana. Ashley had contacted the government noting that local services were being pressured because of fleeing Venezuelans.
He had asked the government to provide the villages with additional medication, security and social services support. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-committee on Security, and a team had recently visited four border communities and committed more police ranks to ensuring security in those locations. He said regardless how sporadic the complaints against the ‘El Sindicatos’ are, they are a concern that have to be addressed. Ramjattan spoke of aerial surveillance and other measures to tackle security concerns at the border.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
PANCAP to host multi-stakeholder forum on response to HIV
THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, will host the Joint Regional Dialogue with Faith Leaders, Parliamentarians, Civil Society Leaders, National AIDS Programme Managers and Youth Leaders. In a release PANCAP said approximately 60 delegates, representing Parliamentarians, Faith Leaders, Youth Leaders, Key Populations, People Living with HIV and Civil Society from across the Caribbean, will meet in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, April 24-25 2018. Their major focus as stakeholder groups under the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Programme is how best to collaborate to end the AIDS epidemic. Since the inauguration
of the JFA Programme in November 2013, PANCAP has convened approximately 16 consultations with national and regional stakeholder groups, meeting separately and in some cases jointly. All groups have agreed to contribute to ending AIDS around 15 actionable recommendations included in the PANCAP JFA Road Map. Some of these actions are already being implemented. Others can be implemented immediately while a few others require further discussion for implementation in the medium and long terms. PANCAP Director, Mr Dereck Springer, referring to the latest status report on AIDS by UNAIDS, is of the view that “while there have been many successes in the areas of prevention and treatment, much more has to be done with respect to behavioural change, reducing stigma and discrimination, sustainable financing for HIV and integrated health if we
are to get to the finish line. AIDS is far from over”. Indeed, the Caribbean can celebrate the fact that seven of the 11 countries in the world to achieve the elimination of mother-tochild transmission are from this region and approximately 52 percent of People Living with HIV are on treatment today, compared to less than 5% when PANCAP was established in 2001. Scientific studies have established the 90-90-90 Targets. These reveal that if by 2020, 90 percent of the people living with HIV get tested, 90 percent of those testing positive will be treated immediately and 90 percent of those on treatment will achieve low levels of the virus in their blood so as not to transmit the disease, AIDS can be ended by 2030. TEST, TREAT AND DEFEAT This Multi-stakeholder Consultation is a continuation
of an ongoing dialogue. It is organised to give each stakeholder group an opportunity to propose how they plan to contribute to achieving the end of AIDS and what type of collaboration is required. The Regional Parliamentarians Forum, held in Jamaica in May 2017, comprising 55 participants from government and opposition parties, agreed to examine how best to implement the PANCAP Model Anti-Discrimination policies approved by the CARICOM Legal Affairs Committee in 2012. Approximately 60 Faith Leaders representing a cross-section of religious denominations from across the region met in Trinidad and Tobago in February 2017 and issued a declaration with 10 actionable recommendations. Among the recommendations was to establish a Regional Consultative Group and National Faith Leaders Network to include representatives of Key Populations to discuss
the way forward. This was followed by a joint consultation of Faith Leaders and Key Populations in Suriname in February 2018. Mr Colin Robinson, Chair of the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) and Co-Chair of the Joint Consultation warned that while we expect to encounter differences in opinions, this multi-stakeholder consultation will be meaningful only if participants put forward frank ideas and are committed to honesty. Canon Garth Minott CoChair, reflecting on the Joint consultation in Suriname said, “The agreements (from the joint consultation) will be valuable input into the agenda of the multi-stakeholder forum partnership, principles being one of the outcomes.” Among the recommendations to advance policies and programmes designed to reduce stigma and discrimination were calls to
the faith community to “create spaces of hospitality” based on human rights for all, reach out to the marginalised groups and incorporate sexual education in their programmes. Key Populations were requested to foster a spirit of appreciation for the differences among religious leaders and denominations through respectful engagement. “This multi-stakeholder consultation must constructively chart the way forward by accelerating the implementation of those common agreements while working through respectful dialogue, rather than dogmatism to overcome differences among and even within stakeholder groups. Only in this way can we contribute to ending AIDS,” said Dr Edward Greene former UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, now PANCAP Special Adviser.
Car abandoned with 100lb of ganja Garbage situation a worrying issue for Charity - ECC President – calls for illegal vending to be dealt with By: Indrawattie Natram IN light of the massive flooding at Charity village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), President of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Deleep Singh, is calling on relevant authorities to stamp out illegal vending at the Charity Market square. During an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle, Singh said that the Charity area needs to be seriously taken into consideration, since there are teething problems, including poor drainage in that community. Singh said it is time that illegal vending be addressed in a thorough manner. “Illegal vending is a sore issue at Charity; the vendors are vending over the drains… the drains are not getting to desilt…garbage is clogging the drains and thus contributing to flooding,” Singh said. Singh added that the garbage situation at Charity remains a worrying issue and to date nothing is being done about it.
This is a trench in front of the market where vendors sell, clogged with bottles
The Chamber President said that popular businesses at Charity on Saturday, including the Purple Heart and Xenon hotels and bars, were inundated with water. This he said has had a negative effect on the business community. “The flooding is evidence that Charity is unprepared for any emergencies…as soon as it rains it floods. There is irresponsible dumping of garbage as well as malfunctioning sluices…something needs to be done,” Singh added. The ECC President said while he understands that persons’ livelihoods need
to be sustained, persons can do so while abiding with the laws. He is therefore calling on the Ministry of Communities to look into the issues affecting the business community in Charity. Meanwhile, a visit to Charity revealed that the water has receded from Saturday. However, garbage remains in the drainage trenches. Vendors are of the opinion that the Charity/ Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) needs to step up and provide better drainage and irrigation.
THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) found a red Toyota car with a large quantity of marijuana on Sheriff Street early Monday morning. According to a reliable source, bales (over 100 pounds) of marijuana were found wrapped neatly with plastic in the trunk and the back seat of the car. Guyana Chronicle was told that the car bearing licence plate PKK1609 was being trailed by officers of the unit but the driver apparently noticed that he was being followed so he abandoned the car on Sheriff Street. The source said the driver of the vehicle travelled from New Amsterdam without being caught despite having to pass numerous police stations. It was reported in sections of the media that
The bales of drugs that were found in the red Toyota car (Gordon Moseley photo)
the driver of the vehicle was identified as Anthony Carmichael from Berbice. Police have confirmed
that investigations are ongoing and a nationwide search has been launched to find the driver.
CANU officers inspecting the package (Gordon Moseley photo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
C V Nunes Flooding…
Regional team visits school, makes several timely interventions By: Indrawattie Natram FOLLOWING the massive flooding that took place on Friday at the C.V Nunes Primary School, a team from the Region Two Regional Administration visited the school on Monday and met with parents and teachers. Heading the team was Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, who was accompanied by Acting Regional Education Officer, Nicola Matthews; Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit; Regional Vice Chairman, Nandranie Coonjah; and RDC councilors, Arnold Adams and Hardat Narine. The team met with the headteacher, along with the president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). An inspection was conducted around the school compound and necessary recommendations were
made to the Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit. Acting Regional Education Officer, Nicola Matthews said that she was never informed about the flooding. Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt reminded teachers and parents that there is a channel of communication and if something needs to be communicated then it must be done through the Department of Education and then be dispersed to relevant authorities. Ramdatt said he learnt of the situation via the media and as such, his visit was to get a first-hand view. During the outreach, parents raised issues such as poor drainage, malfunctioning of toilets, repairs of windows and gutters as well as illegal vending in front of the school’s compound. Immediately, the Chairman told the Regional Engineer to dispatch a team
so that an assessment can be made in terms of improving the drainage system within the school. A worker will also be sent from the Regional Engineering Department to assist with the desilting of the drains. In relation to the illegal vending, he said he will be seeking some intervention but advised that same be raised with the Anna Regina Town Council. Head of the school’s PTA, Rasheeda Persaud thanked the team for their timely visit and called for the problems, especially the illegal vending, to be fixed. She said the vending is having a negative effect on children, since the vendors are not abiding with sanitary rules. Last Friday, several students went home after the school’s compound was flooded due to intense rainfall. The school has a population of 707 children.
The team headed by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, visited the C.V Nunes Primary School on Monday. In picture are also RDC councillors, Arnold Adams, Hardat Narine and Acting REDO, Nicola Matthews
The C.V Nunes Primary School
‘You must love yourself’ - local designer advises Linden pupils FASHION designer and novelist, Sonia Noel, promoted the concept of selflove when she met with primary school pupils in Linden. “You have to love you. When you love you and you’re sure of yourself, there is nothing that (anyone) can tell you that you cannot do,” Noel said. Noel, who is currently on her ‘Living With Intention’ motivational book tour, visited the Amelia’s Ward Primary School and the St. Aidan’s Primary School in Linden on Monday to share her words of inspiration and motivation to the Grade 6 students. “Don’t try to be a follower, try to be a leader. I want to tell you today that you don’t have to be accepted in any group. You can lead, you don’t have to be doing the things that you don’t want to do just to be somebody’s friend,” Noel advised. During her motivational talk, Noel shared that she used to sell plantain chips and sugar cake in primary
school, and cake and pastries in secondary school. She even recalled throwing ‘box hand’ in primary school in order to help her single-parent mother’s financial struggles. “When I was your age, living in Bartica which was a village then, my mom and dad separated and finances were a bit scarce because dad decided he didn’t want to look at us. So I thought about what I can do to help my mom to make our lives better. One day I made plantain chips, one day I made sugar cakes,” she recalled. She added, “Every pastry that I sold and every slice of cake added to what my mom was doing. And people look at me today … that shows you, you could be anybody you want to be. You see that little girl from Bartica that sold cakes and pastries she now has four books on Amazon that sell. I’ve got a lot of awards in the Caribbean, internationally and it’s like when I get flashes. I get flashes going back to the age you are at right now. I get flashes of my life as it is
right now and knowing that everything is possible. You just have to put your mind to it and there are some changes that you have to make.” Noel noted that even though she was selling in school, she still focused on education because making something good of herself was her goal. The students who are anxiously awaiting their National Grade Six Assessment results were advised, “Don’t be daunted if your friend gets a top school and you don’t because there is room for improvement. You have to set that agenda that I may not have done well here and I get a secondary school that I really didn’t want but you could work your way up to get where you want to be.” Noel is encouraging children to read more since it is necessary, saying, “It broadens your horizons and it takes you places you probably would never go.” ‘Living With Intention’ offers readers a glimpse into the world that makes everyday a masterpiece even with life’s challenges.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
$50M in infrastructural works for Region 7 THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) will be injecting some $50M into Region Seven to execute a number of infrastructural projects including roads which are in dire conditions. The projects will be identified collaboratively by the Regional Administration and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure disclosed in a statement on Saturday. MPI is currently undertaking four projects within the region including rehabilitation of the Bartica-Potaro Road, spread across two lots: Mile 33 to Mile 52, and from Mile 52 to Mile 72; rehabilitation of roads and drains in Bartica; rehabilitation and construction of the road from Mile 4 to 5 Bartica, plus drains; and rehabilitation of Issano Road (phase 1 – White Hill). The Ministry of Public Infrastructure on Saturday completed a two-day visit to Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) with officials from the Ministry of Finance. In a meeting with the local and regional officials, including the Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and
Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall, Minister David Patterson provided an update on the visit and ongoing projects and also listened to issues being experienced by the regional administration and municipality. Minister Patterson said he was “personally disappointed” in the state of the roads within the region and urged the regional administration to clamp down on overladen trucks which contribute to the rapid deterioration of the roadway. Mr Bradford conceded that the large “bush trucks” were indeed damaging the roadways. In response, Mayor Marshall said that the issue of implementing tolls had been considered and talks are ongoing. He also noted challenges, including slothfulness and substandard works done by contractors. He added that the poor works have led to a bad impression of the ministry, the regional administration and the municipality in the minds of residents. “We want to express our disgust with the contractors who are taking advantage of the taxpayers’ dollars. We want value for our dollars,” Mayor Marshall emphasised.
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson meeting with local and regional officials in Bartica
Nonetheless, he thanked the ministry for the works that are being executed within the Region and within Bartica. “I know it’s not been easy; there have been challenges but we are very, very grateful,” he said. Meanwhile, the two-day visit was conducted by a large team from MPI, including Minister Patterson; Permanent Secretary Kenneth Jordan; Chief Roads and Bridges Officer Ron Rahaman; Hinterland Engineer Jeffrey Walcott; and Hinter-
One of the bridges inspected by the MPI and MoF officials during the two-day visit to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)
land Coordinator Gregory Rickford and a two-person team from the Ministry of Finance (MoF). “The purpose of the visit was to assess the hinterland projects ongoing within the region and to gain a better insight into what is required. Sites visited included Issano, the Amaila Falls Road and Cassandra Crossing,” MPI explained. According to Minister Patterson, the decision was taken to invite MoF officials to give its financial officials a greater appreciation of how more funding could allow MPI to realise its mission of satisfactorily upgrading hinterland roadways. The explanation was provided during a meeting held today with regional executives and the Bartica Town Council. “We were able to see what our brothers and sisters go through when travelling,” Minister Patterson told those present. He continued, “Sometimes it is difficult to explain to persons in offices what is needed and why … so we want them to see for themselves so that we are able to better represent ourselves (during presentations of MPI’s budget to MoF).” He further explained that he and his team had visited Region 8 just last week and this most recent visit was to
see the other end of the trail. “The idea is to fix the road up to these two major crossings and the last project would be to repair and rebuild the bridges; Denham Bridge (Region 8) needs specialist work and suggestions were made on what we will do with Cassandra Crossing (Region 7).” He said that between the two bridges there are approximately 10km of estimated roadway and upgrading this stretch would provide a smooth linkage between Bartica and Mahdia, a project that would better commercial activities and lower the costs of living within the two communities. He further said that it is hoped that the 10km between Bartica and Mahdia will be rehabilitated in 2019 and there are plans to include the project in MPI’s 2019 budget. VERY ROUGH TERRAIN Meanwhile, MoF’s Finance Secretary, Dr Hector Butts, speaking on behalf of his ministry, explained that the trip had been an eye-opener. “We wanted to see and assess to a large extent visually the progress that we have made for the road infrastructure in Region 7,” Dr Butts said.
Noting that the trip had been rife with difficulties, including a blown tyre, malfunctioning vehicle, stuck vehicle, and “very rough terrain”, Dr Butts said that the experience will play a significant role in MOF’s deliberations when it comes to the allocations of funds. Adding that he had seen schoolchildren travelling along the Bartica-Potaro trail in the back of a pickup, their bodies mostly covered by a tarp to protect their school uniforms from red dust,. He said the trip had also allowed him to see how the roadway can seriously impact on the livelihoods of residents. “What I’ve seen will allow us to make our conversations more wholesome. We were able to see what was on the ground but I know our conversations will be better informed; our words being used will not be disconnected. As you know, there will be competition for financing, but what I’ve seen will be taken into consideration,” Dr Butts stressed. He added that his accompanying colleague, MoF Head of Regional Planning, Mr Miguel Cho Kang, will develop a schematic to chronicle the areas for attention noted during the trip.
Death of woman on the East Bank Demerara road ...Unlicensed minibus driver remanded A 24-year-old unlicensed driver was on Monday charged with causing the death of a woman following a minibus accident on the Land of Canaan Public Road, East Bank Demerara last Friday. Ronald Balgobin called “Randy,” made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’
Court on Monday to answer to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Particulars of the charge allege that Balgobin, on April 13 at Land of Canaan Public Road, East Bank Demerara, drove minibus BWW 4542 in a dangerous manner resulting in the death of Mohan. The unrepresented man denied the charge as he stood in the prisoner’s docks with
cuts and bruises about his body. Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to the defendant being released on bail on the grounds that he was facing other similar offences. Mansfield further explained that Balgobin gave his name as “Seeram Singh.” The magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Balgobin to prison until May 7. Balgobin was then taken
before Magistrate Renita Singh to answer to three other charges: driving without a motor vehicle licence, giving false information to the police and driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He denied the charges and was granted $75,000 on all of the charges. The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the minibus driver of Sophia, Georgetown, was proceeding south on the East Bank Public
Road 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. Two passengers were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and admitted.
Ronald Balgobin called “Randy”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Experts appointed to review Gold Board’s lab operations NATURAL Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, has appointed a team of experts to review the functions of the Guyana Gold Board’s laboratory, as a result of incidents of elevated mercury emissions within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) compound and its environs, and the potential risk posed to workers and residents. Minister Trotman appointed the committee of experts on Saturday with the specific mandate to examine all aspects of the lab’s operations. The committee is also mandated to make recommendations for the lab’s efficient, secure, and environmentally safe operations, including its relocation. Suitable and secure sites for the relocation of the laboratory will also be examined. “The appointment of the committee follows on a public commitment made by the minister to have a team of experts review the operations of the Gold Board’s laboratory to ascertain whether the laboratory is functioning in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, and if not, to have recommendations made for its improved service,” the Natural Resources ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The committee is headed by Dr David Singh, who holds a Doctorate in Chemistry and is currently the executive director of Conservation International (Guyana), and includes Keith John, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, and one member each from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Gold Board. Work will commence on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, and a report will be submitted within one month, the ministry said. On Friday, an Air Quality Monitoring Report, compiled by Kaizen Environmental Services (Guyana) Limited, revealed that mercury levels within the compound of GGMC, which also houses the Guyana Gold Board and its lab, are in keeping with the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OHSA) standards. Kaizen Environmental Services (Guyana) - a subsidiary of Kaizen Environmental Services Trinidad Limited - conducted the Air Quality Monitoring tests at the Gold Board’s laboratory and its environs at GGMC compound, Brickdam on March 28, 2018. According to the report which was compiled by Kaizen and released by the Natural Resources min-
Head of the Experts Committee, Dr David Singh
istry, 10 locations within the compound were monitored and were found to be within the norm. “The mercury (Hg) levels monitored at all ten (10) locations were within the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OSHA) eighthour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL),” the Kaizen report concluded. The waiting area, laboratory, smelting room, burning room, mercury abatement site, GGMC parking lot, GGMC HR department, Main security hut and GGMC Hadfield Street security hut were
among the areas covered during the monitoring exercise conducted by Kaizen. The report was released hours after the Guyana Gold Board held a joint press conference with the Ministry of Natural Resources at Duke Lodge in Kingston on the matter. During that press conference Minister Trotman proposed that “expert’s review” of the Gold Board’s laboratory be conducted in light of additional findings that from a total of 130 GGMC staff tested, 60 persons had a higher-than-normal level of mercury.
Gov’t kick-starts consultations on revision of Amerindian Act THE Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA) will soon embark on the first phase of a series of formal regional consultations leading to the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006. The first such consultation opened at Santa Rosa, Moruca, Barima/Waini Region on Monday and will last until Wednesday and will involve representatives from eleven indigenous villages in the Moruca sub-region. According to a release from the ministry, these formal consultations follow on from the countless informal conversations involving the ministry and several villages regarding this matter, during outreach exercises across the country over the years following the General and Regional Elections of May 2015. During the three days of consultations the participants, including toshaos, village councillors, community leaders and other rights-holders and stakeholders, will have the opportunity to discuss and present their recommendations and proposed amendments to the extant legislation, the release stated. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said it expected to complete some six regional cluster consul-
tations in the administrative regions and at least one in Georgetown during 2018, at which the National Toshaos Council (NTC), indigenous peoples’ organisations and stakeholders from the natural resource sector, among others, will have the opportunity to participate and make recommendations. “The ministry encourages full participation of Indigenous Village Councils, the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) and Indigenous Peoples’ non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community leaders, stakeholders, interest groups and individuals in the consultations and throughout the revision process.” The release noted that government through MoIPA remains committed to fulfilling its pre-election commitment regarding the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006. The Amerindian Act is the primary legislation that governs the affairs of the indigenous peoples of Guyana. Government is keen to ensure that this piece of legislation is fully compliant with international law and standards which protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and that it adequately meets the current and future needs of the indigenous peoples of Guyana.
‘Big Foot’ denies being killer in South Central hotel murder AS the ‘South Central hotel” murder trial nears its end with an impending verdict on Tuesday, the state closed its case on Monday after presenting its two final witnesses. Constable Miguel Charles, who is stationed at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, and after being deemed competent in the field of photography, told the court that on November 14, 2013, while he was on duty, a request was made for a photographer to visit an alleged murder scene at 218 South Road, Lacytown. He stated that he photographed the crime scene (Room 10) with a police-issued digital camera he had in his possession, taking 17 exposures.
An application was then made by the state for the 17 photos to be marked, tendered and admitted as evidence in the trial, after which another application was made for Constable Charles to be shown the photos. He identified same by his signature and date. The police witness then explained each photo of the crime scene photographed. Under cross-examination by defence counsel Lawrence Harris, Constable Charles was asked about the time his services were requested at South Central hotel and he said it was about 20:30 hrs, but could not say who else were there. The other witness, Kiana Garnette said that in 2013, she was living in Barr
Street, Kitty and on November 13, 2013 about 21:30hrs, she and her friend Shantel John were going to a Chinese restaurant when they encountered the accused whom they both knew. She identified the accused, Brian Leitch who was seated in the courtroom, as the person who asked Shantel John if she wanted a cell phone to buy and she replied in the affirmative. The witness related that Shantel John paid the accused and she was given a cell phone after which the accused told her “Don’t answer if anyone call.”
Joseph Jagdeo
At this point the state closed its case and in leading his defence, the accused
opted to remain in the box where he gave an unsworn statement. Leitch said, “I don’t know anything about this murder. I didn’t kill anyone.” The defence attorneys said they had no witnesses after which they made closing submissions on Monday in the Demerara High Court before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury. A verdict in this matter is expected on Tuesday afternoon. Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh testified last week and gave the cause of death as haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head com-
pounded by suffocation and compression to the neck. According to the state’s case, between November 13 and 14, 2013, the accused Brian Leitch called “Big Foot” murdered hotelier, Joseph Jagdeo called “Joey” at his own place of business, South Central hotel. In his opening address, state prosecutor Mandel Moore told the court that between 13 and 14 of November, 2013, the accused murdered the deceased and stuffed his body under a bed. The state is being represented by Mandel Moore and Lisa Cave while the defence attorneys are Lawrence Harris and Hewley Griffith.
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American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Fireupthejet Race 2 Don’t Tell Lydia Race 3 Father Dennis Race 4 Funnel Cake Race 5 Cincinnati Race 6 Tico Thunder Race 7 Wanda’s Bentley Race 8 Forest Breeze South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:25 hrs Silver Master 09:00 hrs Dayonaut 09:35 hrs Rustar Dhow 10:10 hrs Streetfighting Man 10:40 hrs Royal Kiss Turffontein 10:55 hrs Absente 11:25 hrs One Dollar Massage 11:55 hrs Albacore 12:30 hrs Hurricane Lass 13:05 hrs Green Pepper 14:15 hrs Secret Captain 14:50 hrs Count Tassilo 15:25 hrs Ladies Club Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 11:05 hrs De Plotting Shed 11:40 hrs Saglawy 12:15 hrs Castafiore Park 12:50 hrs Uradel 13:20 hrs Sunsetstorise 13:50 hrs Asthuria 14:20 hrs Sizing Coal 14:50 hrs Tintangle English racing Tips Newmarket 08:50 hrs Aurum 09:25 hrs History Writer 10:00 hrs Ballistic 10:35 hrs Purser 11:10 hrs Chiefofchiefs 11:45 hrs Mildenberger 12:20 hrs Inshiraah 12:55 hrs Evergate Exeter 09:00 hrs King Calvin 09:35 hrs Garrane 10:10 hrs Wizards Bridge 10:45 hrs Choix Des Armes 11:20 hrs The Cannister Man 11:55 hrs Kavanaghs Corner 12:30 hrs Palmaria Carlisle 09:10 hrs Scales 09:45 hrs Skipping On 10:20 hrs Duke Debarry 10:55 hrs Maher Lad 11:30 hrs Skywards Reward 12:05 hrs Pistol Park 12:40 hrs Lily’s Gem
Kawauchi and Linden record shock wins in Boston Marathon BOSTON (Reuters) Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi and America’s Desiree Linden ended long droughts for their countries with stunning victories in a wet and windy Boston Marathon on Monday. Kawauchi ran down defending champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya to win in two hours, 15 minutes and 58 seconds. He is the first Japanese man to win the event since 1987. Linden, winning her first marathon, ended 33 years of frustration for American women to prevail in 2:39.54 as runners, many clad in rain tops, endured heavy rain and temperatures in the 40s (4C). An American woman had not won the historic race since Lisa Larsen Weidenbach in 1985. The 31-year-old Kawauchi, known as the citizen runner because he also has a full-time job, overtook Kirui in the closing mile after the Kenyan appeared to have the race in hand, leading by more than a minute at times. But the Japanese runner, who has competed in more than 80 marathons and led in the early stages of the race, always stayed in contention before taking control around the 25-mile mark. “I never gave up,” Kawauchi, who became the first Japanese runner to win the Boston race since Toshihiko Seko, told reporters. “I knew he was up there. I could see him. I ran my own race and I ran him down.” Regarding the weather, he added: “For me, these are the best conditions possible,” Kawauchi quipped after the race. Kirui took second place in 2:18.23 with American Shadrack Biwott third in 2:18:35. U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Galen Rupp, the 2017 Boston runner-up, did not finish. Linden, 34, surged past Kenya’s Gladys Chesir at 35km and pulled steadily away, “I’m thrilled to be here and get it done,” Linden, who had finished second in 2011 and fourth last year, told reporters. “I love this city and
TUESDAY APRIL 17, 2018
this course,” she said of the race where she made her marathon debut. TIGHT SECURITY More than 30,000 runners entered the marathon, which was run under tight security on the fifth anniversary of the 2013 bombing at the race that killed three people and injured hundreds more. About an hour into the race Linden had lost precious seconds when she slowed and waited for New York City Marathon winner Shalane Flanagan, who had taken a toilet break, to catch up with her. Linden said the act of kindness actually helped her. “At mile two, three, four, I didn’t feel like I was going to make it to the finish line,” the American said. “I told her anything I can do to help you let me know because I might drop out. “Helping her helped me, and I kind of got my legs back from there.” Flanagan, who grew up watching the race, placed seventh. Sara Sellers finished second to Linden, more than four minutes adrift on 2:44.04, as U.S. women took seven of the top 10 places. Canada’s Krista Duchene claimed third in 2:44.20 with defending champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya fading to ninth. The showing was the worst in years for African runners who have dominated the race. Only Kirui and Kiplagat were in the top 10 Swiss Marcel Hug won his fourth consecutive wheelchair division, clocking 1:46:26 to beat South African Ernst Van Dyk (1:47:14). American Tatyana McFadden, who was making her comeback, surged to a dominant victory in the women’s wheelchair race, winning in 2:04:39 over compatriot Susannah Scaroni {2:20:01). The victory was the fifth in six years for McFadden, who experienced blood clot issues during the 2017 season and finished fourth in Boston.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
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58 Days to go …
The Great Rivaldo hat-trick of 2001
IF the National Football Museum were to open an exhibition entitled ‘Hattricks’ then surely Geoff Hurst’s famous Wembley treble would be its showpiece - the combination of left foot, right foot, header representing perfection, when it comes to football’s finest art form. A quirky threesome would be next in terms of drawing the crowds - perhaps Alvin Martin’s hattrick against different Newcastle goalkeepers in 1986, or Martín Palermo’s three missed penalties in a Copa América game. How about Ray McKinnon’s hat-trick of free-kicks for Dundee United in the mid-1990s? Forgetting the gimmicks, every gallery has a critic’s choice; a connoisseur’s dish - in this case devoid of the caveats of controversial second goals, imploding opposition and weak leagues. The recommendation in my fictional exhibit! A Rivaldo treble, described by John Carlin as “the most gloriously implausible hat-trick anyone has ever scored in a top-class game”. The Brazilian’s feats in that 2001 game against Valencia should forever be placed next to a golden asterisk in the scorebooks. Such was the magnitude of the timing and the audacity of the genius. The date was June 21 and Barcelona were due to play their last game of the season after a thoroughly miserable campaign. After the resignation of Louis van Gaal, former Betis manager Lorenzo Serra Ferrer had guided the club to early European elimination and fifth place in the league when, after defeat to Osasuna, he was relieved of his role, making him one of the shortest-serving managers in the club’s history. Club legend and serial caretaker Carles Rexach stepped in, but Barça couldn’t take advantage of their rivals’ inconsistent form and, after dropping points against lowly Oviedo and Valladolid, still sat outside of the top four going into the last round of
fixtures in LaLiga. Twice champions League finalists in the 1990s, the Blaugrana now faced the very real prospect of being banished from the continent’s most prestigious tournament altogether. One game, in the famous Camp Nou, would decide their fate and, funnily enough, the opposition would be Valencia, the side sat three points clear of Barça in fourth. Los Che, managed by the much-revered Héctor Cúper, had just lost their second consecutive Champions League final, to Bayern Munich on penalties, and should have sealed qualification for the 2001/02 edition much earlier. Roy Makaay’s 69th-minute goal for Deportivo at the Mestalla in Round 37 had prolonged the agony and set up the final day showdown in Catalonia. The visitors were much fancied. In Roberto Ayala, Kily González and Pablo Aimar, they had three Argentina internationals, as well as some of the finest central midfielders on the Iberian Peninsula in David Albelda and Rubén Baraja. In contrast, Barça were in the doldrums; Dutch signings like Phillip Cocu and Frank de Boer had proved divisive and inconsistent, whilst expensive attacking signings such as Gerard López and Alfonso Pérez had made such a negligible impact that they were nowhere to be seen once Judgement Day arrived. But Rexach must have been confident. After all, he had Rivaldo, FIFA World Player-of-the-Year and Ballon d’Or winner in 1999. Valencia’s three-point lead made them favourites but, as Barça had emerged victorious at the Mestalla earlier in the season, the home side knew a win would be enough to secure Champions League football, something previously seen as a birthright in Catalonia, rather than an achievement. Barcelona, clad in their traditional blue and red shirts, got off to the perfect start, the Brazilian maestro giving them the lead from
a free-kick after just four minutes. Left-footed players have always been generously represented in the football pantheon’s upper echelons, but Rivaldo was surely one of the most accomplished, arguably on a par with the likes of Maradona, Ferenc Puskás and Lionel Messi. Here, he stepped up from 30 yards out, striking the
ery ball won, every skill attempted drew a roar from the home crowd. Here was a man trying to raise the spirits and hopes of not only the 10 downtrodden players with him on the pitch, but the 90 000 pessimistic Culés in the vast surrounding amphitheatre. With a minute to go until halftime, the Brazilian took
at the break, and the great man greeted his second with a mixture of joy, relief and frustration. It took a quick kiss of the badge to remind us that this was a team effort. Alas, Baraja equalised again just two minutes after the interval and once again, Barça were staring down the barrel. Rivaldo continued
Brazil’s Rivaldo dead ball so well it rose, dipped and swerved almost at the same time, before going in off the post. As his teammates frantically leapt on his back and slapped him around the face, Rivaldo maintained an air of calm, almost grimacing as he made his way back to the centre circle. The talisman knew that there was work still to be done. True to form, Valencia fought their way back into the game midway the first half. Baraja, signed from Atlético Madrid the previous summer, went on to secure legendary status at Valencia, specifically for inspiring them to two La Liga successes in three years with his goals from midfield. His effort here, however, was only his third for the club – a well-timed rarity for Cúper as his side looked to be in the driving seat for fourth position once more. By now, Rivaldo’s brilliance was clear for all to see: every run forward, ev-
a throw-in deep inside the Valencia half, on the righthand side of the pitch. As the ball went backwards and he ambled towards the centre circle, Rivaldo looked as if he had his mind on nothing more than an orange or two at the break. But right-back Sergi decided to pump the ball into the box and, after Ayala had half-cleared, the ball found its way to the Brazilian, who had somehow conjured a couple of yards of space for himself on almost exactly the same spot from where he’d scored 40 minutes earlier. After controlling with his weaker right, he double-feinted to avoid the backtracking Valencia midfield before striking an unstoppable drive into the bottom left-hand corner, knocking himself off his feet in the process. Santiago Cañizares, at the time the best goalkeeper in Spain, couldn’t even get a glove to it at full stretch. His defenders were just as befuddled. Rivaldo 2, Valencia 1
his one-man mission, testing Cañizares’ concentration in the 75th minute as a looping corner almost found its way into the net. A couple of freekicks were smashed into what was now looking like a solid blue wall. Catalonian hopes were diminishing by the minute. Little did we know it, but the Brazilian had one last glorious trick up his sleeve. At the 1998 World Cup, Frank de Boer had provided arguably the finest assist in the history of the game, launching the ball so perfectly towards the vivid orange shirt of Dennis Bergkamp, it was as if Neo from the Matrix had, for some reason, decided to get involved in football, manipulating the ball and the Argentina defenders as effortlessly as Agent Smith’s bullets. We all know what happened next of course: Bergkamp needed only three sumptuous touches to take the ball down, bamboozle a young Roberto Ayala and
scored past Carlos Roa in the Argentina goal. Three years on, Ayala had to deal with a completely different kind of de Boer teaser. The Dutchman dinked the ball forward to the edge of the 18-yard box, an area Rivaldo was just leaving, his back to the Valencia goal with two defenders close behind. The Brazilian arced his body slightly, the ball thumping off his chest and going skywards. The Valencia defenders realised, a second too late, that this was a man who thrived off space and required it to explode into life. Still, Rivaldo was virtually surrounded; a still photograph of the scene would look something like the famous Maradona shot from 1982, with Belgians replaced by Murcielagos. The ball dropped and, still facing his own goalkeeper, Rivaldo launched himself acrobatically in the air, hanging almost upside down before his fabled left peg connected sweetly, as he had always meant it to. From de Boer’s chip to the net bulging, the ball did not once touch the ground. Sheer pandemonium! Rivaldo, the saviour, had put in one of the all-time great performances, scoring three magical goals to save a famous club about to suffer one of the most embarrassing moments in its recent history. The overhead kick, as Smyth put it, was the “crowning glory”, not only securing Champions League qualification – to the delight of the dancing President Joan Gaspart – but also cementing Rivaldo’s reputation as a true great of the modern game. Of course, he would go on to tarnish that image in Korea and Japan – in English eyes at least – but there are some who still remember. As for those who don’t, this is the nostalgic tale of that night in June 2001, when Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira scored the greatest hat-trick of them all.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Inzamam’s nephew in Pakistan Test squad for Ireland and England tour PAKISTAN have named four uncapped players, including the nephew of former captain and current chief selector Inzamam-ulHaq, in their Test squad for the team’s upcoming tour of Ireland and England.
The younger Imam ulHaq, unlike his uncle, is a lefthander. The 22-year-old struck a match-winning century on international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in October. The other new faces in the 16-member squad are batsmen
Fakhar Zaman, Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan will fill in for slow-bowling spearhead Yasir Shah who is out with a hip injury. Yasir has taken 164 wickets in 28 Test matches since
making his debut in 2014 and has been instrumental in Pakistan’s success - especially in the United Arab Emirates. “Yasir’s absence is a big loss for us,” Inzamam said Sunday. “If we look at his numbers (of wickets) for the last two years, he has more wickets than any other bowler for Pakistan.” In the absence of Yasir, Pakistan’s spin workload will fall on Brisbane Heat leggie Shadab Khan, who has performed well in limited-overs cricket but has played only one Test match. All-rounder Haris Sohail is the other spin option for Pakistan, who could bowl left-arm spin. Faheem Ashraf is another all-rounder included, who could prove handy in batting down the order. Batsman Saad is selected primarily on his form in the last Quaid-e-Azam trophy tournament, which is Pakistan’s premier four-day firstclass tournament. Saad scored 935 runs at an impressive average of 6 8.35 in a season that was dominat-
Imam ul-Haq
ed by bowlers. Inzamam said that the selectors have tried to strengthen Pakistan’s batting line-up and also wanted to give players a chance to experience English conditions ahead of next year’s World Cup. “It’s an ideal opportunity for our batsmen to get used to English conditions because we have to play next year’s World Cup in England,” he said. Ireland will be making their Test debut against Pakistan at Dublin on May 11. The two Test matches against En-
gland will be played on May 24-28 and June 1-5 at Lord’s in London and Headingley in Leeds, respectively. Pakistan squad for Ireland and England Tests: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Saad Ali, Usman Salahuddin, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali. (AAP)
Legendary fielder Colin Bland dies aged 80 By Firdose Moonda COLIN Bland, the Bulawayo-born all-rounder who played 21 Tests for South Africa between 1961 and 1966, died at his home in London on Saturday night, aged 80. Bland suffered from colon cancer for several years. Bland played first-class cricket for Rhodesia including fixtures against New Zealand in 1961. He impressed with an innings of 98, and was subsequently included in South Africa’s Test squad. He played all five Tests against New Zealand at home that year, without significant results with the bat, but he showed off the fielding he became best-known for. In later years, Jonty Rhodes’ speed and agility was compared with Bland’s, and his groundwork was a major reason for his selection for the 1963-64 tour to Australia. According to the Wisden Almanack, Bland “demonstrated that fielding can be both a delight and an exhilarating spectacle through scientific precision.” He did not play the opening Test in Brisbane, but featured in the next four. In the
Colin Bland played in 21 Tests for South Africa.
final Test in Sydney, Bland scored his maiden Test hundred to help South Africa take a healthy first-innings lead, and draw the match as well as the series 1-1. He struck his second and final hundreds against England, the latter of those in what became his penultimate Test, in 1965. His second-innings 127 at The Oval again contributed to a draw, but South Africa’s victory at Nottingham in the second Test gave them their first series win in England. Bland was named Wisden Cricketer-of-the-Year in 1966. The following summer, he was part of the victorious squad that played in the 1966-67 home series against Australia. He only played in
the first Test in Johannesburg, where he severely damaged his left knee after crashing into a boundary board. The injury ended his international career. He continued playing for Rhodesia, and captained and coached them. In 1969, Bland moved to Port Elizabeth, where he played first-class cricket until he accepted a job as cricket and hockey coach at the University of Free State in 1971. Bland played cricket for Free State until 1973. After his playing days, Bland ventured into some coaching in cricket and squash. After his relocation to the UK, he continued to coach, and as recently as 2004 he was hired by the MCC as a fielding coach. (ESPN Cricinfo)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
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Gov’t rescues Reggae Boyz coaching crisis, Whitmore back in the fold FORMER Reggae Boy, Theodore Whitmore, is once again, head coach of the team he represented at the 1998 World Cup after an intervention from the Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Whitmore had shocked the JFF and the public by resigning with immediate effect on account of what he called disrespect and disregard. Following the resignation, the JFF president Michael Ricketts made public a salary offer that was on the table for Whitmore, who had also been hurt by a protracted contract negotiation period and uncertainty about whether or not he
Theodore Whitmore
was really wanted as the man to lead the Reggae Boyz. According to a release from the Ministry of Sport and its head, Olivia Babsy
Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, a meeting with the three parties led to the withdrawal of Whitmore’s resig-
Corriverton Jets to observe May 1 with Day of Sports THE Corriverton Jets Volleyball Club will stage a Day-of-Sports and Family Fun Day to observe May Day at the Skeldon Community Centre ground beginning at 09:00hrs. Among the activities planned for the day are volleyball, football and cricket matches as well as novelty events for the entire family. According to information received, invitations have been extended to all volleyball clubs in Regions Five
and Six, from Siparuta and Orealla on the Corentyne River to New Amsterdam and West Coast Berbice. Trophies, medals and cash prizes will be up for grabs and interested teams/ clubs can make contact with Berbice Volleyball Association’s executive member Kishan Persaud on telephone numbers 614-9571 and 6266660 for further information. Clubs/teams must register not later than April 23. The Corriverton Jets Vol-
leyball Club is one of the top clubs in Berbice and was formed in 2015. Since its formation, it has been very consistent in the Ancient County. Its female team is one of the strongest in the county and probably the entire Guyana. They won the 2016 champion club title. The club has also produced players who have represented Guyana at both the junior and senior levels.
Russia ready to cooperate with FIFA probe into racist chants MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) - Russia will cooperate with a FIFA investigation into racist abuse directed at French players by Russian fans during a pre-World Cup friendly last month, a Russian soccer official said yesterday. Soccer’s governing body had informed it about the launch of an investigation into the incident. “The Russian Football Union is ready to take an active part in it (the FIFA probe) and is already conducting an internal investigation,” Smertin said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.
A Reuters photographer at pitch level for France’s 3-1 win over Russia in St Petersburg heard monkey chants directed at French players on several occasions, including when midfielder N’Golo Kante came to the sideline for a throw-in. Russia has pledged to crack down on racism as the country faces increased scrutiny ahead of this year’s World Cup, which it will host from June 14 to July 15 in 11 cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi. There have been other reported cases of racist abuse, however, in the run-up to the
tournament. At CSKA Moscow’s Europa League quarter-final match against Arsenal last week a Reuters photographer heard dozens of supporters make monkey chants aimed at some of Arsenal’s black players. CSKA dismissed the Reuters account and said in a statement that they were “outraged” by what they called a “slanderous” report. European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, told Reuters last week that no racist behaviour had been reported to it by match officials at the game.
nation. In addition, Whitmore has agreed to an offer of US$6 000 per month plus perks. “I am very pleased with what transpired at today’s meeting between myself, the JFF and the minister. Recently I tendered my resignation and I must tell the public that I am here to withdraw it based on what transpired in today’s meeting,” said Whitmore, in his first public utterance since his resignation. Grange said the meeting,
at which she played quasi-mediator, produced what she hoped was a better relationship between the parties. “I am confident going forward that coach Whitmore and the JFF will have a much stronger and better relationship,” said Grange. The JFF president was equally confident that the nation’s football had been put on solid footing after the parties got themselves on the same page. “We amicably would have
settled whatever issues there are. I think we are ready to move on in the interest of football and certainly in the interest of developing the sport,” said Ricketts. “I am looking forward to getting back to doing what I love and that is coaching and making sure that the nation’s football is priority and we move forward with myself and the federation and the ministry to make it a success,” said Whitmore. (Sportsmax)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 League - East Bank FA
KK Warriors edge debutants Swan FC; Mocha Champs destroy Diamond United 9-0 GOALS either side of play saw Kuru Kururu Warriors defeat Agricola Red Triangle, to edge debutants Swan FC by a single point, to end as the second-best team on the penultimate day of competition in the inaugural East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League. Playing at the Timehri Red Ground on Sunday, the Warriors, held to a draw by Herstelling Raiders FC on Saturday, knew that a win would have landed them the runners-up spot to Timehri Panthers who had already bagged the title with a game still in the bag. Dwight Noble opened
proceedings in the 11th minute and the icing was put on the cake in the 60th minute when Shaquille Agard found the back of the net to cap a fine league for the Linden/Soesdyke Highway lads - their seventh win in 11 matches. Agricola were left on 19 points from their full quota of matches and had to settle for the fourth place behind Swan. In the other match Sunday Mocha Champs handed Diamond United their 11th loss in as many matches, the former winning 9-0. Shamar Alleyne landed a hat-trick in the 6th, 59th and 61st minutes. There was a brace each for Adoni Rutherford (13th, 26th) and Kester Stewart (49th, 51st).
Shamel Allen (right), Adoni Rutherford and Kester Stewart - Mocha champs Latest Points Standings Pos Team P 1 Timehri 10 2 Kuru Kururu 11 3 Swan FC 11 4 Agricola 11 5 Grove 11 6 Diamond Upsetters 11 7 Herstelling Raiders 11 8 Samatta Point/KV 11 9 Friendship 11 10 Mocha 10 11 Soesdyke 11 12 Diamond United 11
W 9 7 7 6 5 4 4 3 4 3 3 0
L
1 2 3 4 2 5 5 5 7 4 7 11
D
0 2 1 1 4 2 2 3 0 3 1 0
F
48 22 26 24 12 16 33 15 12 21 17 2
A
8 12 9 10 11 14 35 29 19 10 22 79
GD Points +40 27 +10 23 +17 22 +14 19 +1 19 -1 14 -2 14 -14 12 -7 12 +11 12 -5 9 -77 0
Dwight Noble (right) and Shaquille Agard Kuru Kururu Warriors FC
Yohance Douglas in the 25th and Jermaine Harry in the 45th minute were the other Mocha players to get on the scorecard. The curtain on what has been a very exciting league, which saw two new teams compet, will be drawn on Saturday. The final match
will bring together winners Timehri Panthers and Mocha Champs. A win for Mocha can see them jump from the current 10th place to sixth, while a win for the Panthers would further consolidate their stance at the top.
Powerhouses T&T slip as Reggae Boyz remain top in CFU BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago took a pounding in the latest FIFA world rankings released last week, as St Kitts and Nevis and Haiti also lost significant ground. T&T, the only English-speaking Caribbean side to reach the final round of qualifying for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia, fell 13 places to slip to 92nd in the world. They also surrendered
second place in the Caribbean Football Union rankings, slipping to third place as Curacao gained 11 places to replace them. T&T’s fall comes on the heels of two ordinary results in international friendlies last month when they edged Guadeloupe 1-0 in Basseterre and drew nil-all with Martinique in Fort-de-France. Today, they take on World Cup-bound Panama in Port of Spain in another friendly.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday April 17, 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) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) (2)
David Warner-641 runs (SH) Bhuveshwar Kumar-26 wickets (SH) Today’s Quiz:
(1)
How many times Mumbai Indians have won the IPL title?
(2)
How many times Chennai Super Kings have lifted the IPL title? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Trinidad and Tobago have lost ground in the latest FIFA World rankings.
Curacao with their rise, meanwhile, have moved up to 71st in the FIFA world
rankings but French Caribbean side Haiti were not as fortunate, crashing out of the
top-100 to be 108th in the world. Haiti are now fourth in
Doris likely for Aliann Pompey ... Though visiting Guyana before, if confirmed, this will be Doris’ maiden competition in the country he has been representing since 2015. This year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational will be graced with the presence of Cuban Jordan Diaz, who is touted by many in his country, as the next World triple jump champion. Quite a technician, Diaz is the World U-18 Champion and World record holder at 17.32 metres. Joining Diaz will be last year’s champion from Suriname Miguel Van Assen who holds his country’s national record in the event, as well as the
CARIFTA and South American title. Van Assen’s personal best is 16.94 metres. The Surinamese is also the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion. The triple jump at this year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational, could steal the show, since also confirming his participation is The Bahamas’ Leevan Sands. Sands won bronze in the event at the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as bronze at the World Championship and Commonwealth Games. He’s a Pan Am Games silver medallist and multiple times gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games.
the CFU rankings. There were also slides for St Kitts and Nevis who fell 19 places with Grenada tumbling 12 spots and Dominica, 10. Antigua and Barbuda enjoyed the best movement among CFU teams, climbing 15 spots to 124th in the world and fifth in the region. Last month they beat Bermuda 3-2 in St John’s before scoring late to draw 1-1 with Jamaica in Kingston. The Reggae Boyz remain the highest-ranked CFU nation at 48th in the FIFA tables.
From back page The Aliann Pompey Invitational is said to be the biggest local track event, where athletes from across the Caribbean, Central and North America, converge on Leonora for what has been the best showing of track and field in Guyana. Former 100 metres World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kim Collins is by far the highest profile sprinter to grace the event so far, doing so in 2017 where he came second behind Barbados’ Levi Cadogan blue ribbon event.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, April 17, 2018
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Narine takes 100th IPL wicket in emphatic KKR win SUNIL Narine took his 100th Indian Premier League (IPL) wicket and Andre Russell produced another blitz in Kolkata Knight Riders’ 71-run drubbing of Delhi Daredevils at Eden Gardens. Narine failed with the bat after being sent in to open but the West Indies spinner more than made up for it with the ball, taking 3-18 to reach the century landmark and claim the purple cap as the Daredevils were bowled out for only 129. Nitish Rana (59 from 35 balls) made a half-century and Russell smashed a brutal 41 from only 12 deliveries to get KKR up to 200-9, Rahul Tewatia claiming impressive figures of 3-18. Glenn Maxwell made a brisk 47 and Rishabh Pant
43, but Kuldeep Yadav (3-32) also took three wickets as the Knight Riders secured a second victory and made it a miserable homecoming for Gautam Gambhir yesterday. RUSSELL CUTS LOOSE, FIRST FOR RANA West Indies all-rounder Russell bludgeoned an unbeaten 88 from 36 balls in a defeat to Chennai Super Kings last week and cut loose again in Kolkata. The big-hitting Russell smashed six sixes, Mohammed Shami in particular coming in for some treatment, while Jason Roy was left to rue putting down a difficult chance to remove the danger-man when he had only seven to his name. Russell launched Shami
FIBA Regional Referee Training Camp set for Guyana April 19-23 WITH the aim of improving officiating in Guyana, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will be hosting the world-governing body’s (FIBA) FIBA Regional Referee Training Camp, set for April 19-23. According to the GABF, the Regional training camp is designed to improve the officiating team in the FIBA National Federations, and identify possible potential prospects at the national level to be future FIBA referees in order to support Licensing in 2019 and facilitating a two-to-six-year planning to scout national talents early. Participants will include physical education teachers, local referees, commissioners, table officials, coaches and players. Roberto Vázquez, a FIBA Referee, who officiated at the 2016 Olympic Games and 2014 World Cup, along with Ian Year-
FIBA Referee Roberto Vázquez
wood of the Cayman Islands and Frederick Bow of The Bahamas, will be the facilitators of the programme, which will be staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
for three maximums in an over before he was cleaned up by Trent Boult in the 18th. Three wickets in the last over from Tewatia came too late in the day. Rana made his first half-century for the Knight Riders, clearing the ropes four times and hitting another five boundaries in an excellent 35-ball knock. MAVI SNARES GAMBHIR, MAXWELL FUMES Former KKR captain Gambhir was given a warm welcome on his return, but his stay at the crease proved short. Shivam Mavi snared the former India opener, who chopped on from a short and wide delivery to give the teenager his first IPL wicket.
Pant and Maxwell flexed their muscles but failed to build on starts, the Australia all-rounder stomping off in a rage after slapping Yadav to Robin Uthappa at midwicket.
Sunil Narine takes his 100th wicket in the IPL and finishes with 3 for 18. (BCCI)
Sir Hilary urges ICC to sit down with CARICOM KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Renowned regional academic Professor Sir Hilary Beckles said it was critical that cricket’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), should heed the call of the Caribbean community, in helping to solve the governance crisis in West Indies cricket. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies said the Caribbean side had been a key player in the expansion of the global game, providing a “new performance culture” while also generating “a box office bonanza for five solid decades” and as such, had a role to play in ending the current impasse. CARICOM requested a meeting with the ICC during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London this week to discuss the governance crisis only to be told their representatives would be busy preparing for their quarterly board meetings in Kolkata from April 21 to 26. “CARICOM has been respectful of the International Cricket Council in its request for a discourse,” said Sir Hil-
ary, who has written several books on West Indies cricket. “The ICC knows, and should be respectful of the fact, that West Indian cricketers rescued the dying Test game after the Second World War, and gave it a new performance culture that captured the global imagination. In the process, the celebrated West Indian brand was born and has generated a box office bonanza for five solid decades.” Following the two-day Intersessional in Haiti last February, CARICOM adopted legal advice which confirmed it could challenge CWI’s right, as a private entity, to manage the public good of West Indies cricket. And the regional nation grouping said it would request a meeting with the ICC to convey what it termed the “desperate urgency” of reforming the governance structure in the Caribbean. Labelling regional governments as a “major financial stakeholder”, Sir Hilary underscored the importance of ICC approaching CARICOM’s requests with a level of “gratitude and generosity”.
Dr Norton extends congratulations to Doris for Commonwealth Games gold HONOURABLE Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, extends sincerest congratulations to Mr Troy Doris, on his astonishing achievement
at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Australia. Representing Guyana, Doris copped the much-coveted gold medal with his 16.88m triple jump.
NARINE BAMBOOZLES DAREDEVILS Narine took over as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, striking twice in his second over to leave KKR on the brink at 117-8. The spin wizard joined the 100 club when Chris Morris attempted a big hit over extra cover but made no contact and heard the death rattle. Narine then flummoxed Vijay Shankar, who was trapped leg-before two balls later, and also got rid of Shami as Delhi slumped to a third defeat out of four.
“Seeing the Golden Arrowhead being hoisted as the sounds of our National Anthem soared throughout that stadium, for the world to see, was surreal. I am sure that like myself and His Excellency, President
David Granger, all of Guyana is extremely happy and proud of this achievement,” Dr Norton said. Doris is the first Guyanese to cop a gold medal for a triple jump at the Commonwealth Games.
“The ICC sits on a mountain that is filled with West Indian gold. It should therefore be mindful of the need to hear the West Indian case from the people and their governments,” argued Sir Hilary, a former director of Cricket West Indies. “CARICOM is not asking for any special dispensation. It is insisting that as the major financial stakeholder, there has to be internal restructuring using best practices that have long been upheld by the ICC itself. “This is a necessary beginning to end the standoff between cricket officials, community and governments. The present circumstance is not sustainable. CARICOM has every right to expect from the ICC, a respectful level of gratitude and generosity. “Through our governments, it must hear the voice of reason and the cry of the community.” Sir Hilary was also careful
to reiterate that CARICOM had no interest in personally taking charge of the running of West Indies cricket, only to resolve the governance issue. “The depth of gratitude the ICC owes the West Indian people can be respected by an engagement in high level discussions with West Indian governments,” the former UWI Cave Hill principal stressed. “Their objective is not to manage West Indies cricket, but to resolve a crippling governance crisis that has driven a wedge between the people and the game they love, and for a century, invested all of what they possessed.” In a recent letter to CARICOM, the ICC said it was willing to meet in November during the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean but insisted CWI president Dave Cameron needed to be present.
Kawauchi and Linden record shock wins in Boston Marathon Page 18
Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi ran down defending champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya to win in two hours, 15 minutes. (Yahoo Sport)
Dr Norton extends congratulations to Doris for Commonwealth Games gold Page 23
Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton
Legendary fielder Colin Bland dies aged 80
Page 20
Desiree Linden of the U.S. crosses the finish line to win the women’s division of the 122nd Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. REUTERS/Brian SnyderReuters
Doris likely for Aliann Pompey Invitational on June 30 COMMOMWEATH Games triple jump gold medallist, Troy Doris, is likely to feature at the third installation of the Aliann Pompey Classic, which will take place on June 30 at the Leonora Track and Field Centre. A release from the organisers stated that they are awaiting confirmation from Doris, 29, who won Guyana’s first medal at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Australia. Turn to page 22 ►
Troy Doris in the Men’s triple jump at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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Cuba’s Jordan Diaz, the World U-18 record holder in the triple jump, will be in Guyana for the Aliann Pompey Invitational. TUESDAY APRIL 17, 2018