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GUYANA No. 104277

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

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MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2015

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Budget will breathe new life into economy—Gaskin Killings during 2000-2008 Some 61,800 to be investigated persons in Guyana have diabetes Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

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Owner shot during Vryheid’s Lust supermarket 7 robbery Page

$15B could go 11 towards small businesses Page

President David Granger addressing the gathering of the Third Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum at the Critchlow Labour College yesterday ( Delano Williams photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Killings during 2000-2008 to be investigated - ‘In due course, I will ensure that all of those mothers’ children who were killed have their deaths investigated’ - President Granger

By Leroy Smith WHILE no date has been set for the official opening of an enquiry into unsolved and unnatural deaths between the years 2000 and 2008, this issue is one of the priorities for

the David Granger Administration. Head of State David Granger on Sunday told a gathering of professors, seniors, middle-aged and young people that, “In due course, I will ensure that all of those mothers’ children

who were killed have their deaths investigated.” The occasion was the Cuffy 250 Third Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. And many in the gathering

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the Critchlow Labour College yesterday showed their support for this move with a resounding applause. In 2012, Mr Granger had drafted a motion which

sought to have the very issue addressed but it was not successful in the 10th Parliament. Back then the motion sought to open cases of every unnatural death. On Sunday, President Granger said that the opening of the cases is lawful and while he has no immediate date for the start, he has already begun discussions with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams on the matter. Among the deaths which will be investigated is that of former Minister of Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, his siblings and the security guard who were gunned down at their home back in 2006. “When you have young men being shot in the back of their heads with their hands tied, when you have so many deaths which have not been investigated, when a Minister of the Government has been assassinated and you don’t even have an inquest into his death, it is something stink, something stink and we are going to investigate those deaths,” President Granger told the gathering. The issue of a former

Minister of Government playing a part in the shipment of computers with the ability to track mobile phones was also mentioned by the President. The President also hinted at the deaths in Bartica as well as the many policemen and residents from the community of Buxton who were also killed during the period between 2000 and 2008, pointing to the three monuments erected at Bartica, Eve Leary and Buxton to remember those killed. He further noted that never before have so many policemen been killed and never after so many were killed than during the tenure of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. However, President Granger called on citizens to allow the monuments to remind them about the deaths which took place between 2000 and 2008. “We must ensure that our country must never again become so divided that we feel the only way of resolving our differences is by violent crime,” stated Mr Granger. During the period 2000 and 2008, Guyana was hit with one of the most murderous so-called crime

sprees in its history, with the reign of drug lords and hitmen, corrupt police, phantom squads and other death squads who almost brought the country to a state of anarchy. The period saw the deadly Mash Day 2002 Camp Street jail break, gunning down of unarmed youths, execution-style killings of policemen, murders of businessmen, disappearances of individuals, kidnappings, high profile robberies, hijackings and shootouts between criminals and Joint Services ranks. Subsequent tales by an informant at the time placed Government officials at the centre of some of the underworld activities, but that informant, George Bacchus, was subsequently gunned down. The killings have left many widows, orphans and other individuals with emotional scars. A dossier of the persons who were killed was produced and published to bring awareness to the unsolved murders, shootings and disappearances as sections of civil society called for inquests into those killings.

A section of the gathering at the Cuffy 250 Third Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Today is Budget Day By Derwayne Wills THE inaugural budget of the David Granger-led APNU+AFC coalition Government will be read before the National Assembly today, possibly in the presence of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Entitled “A fresh start to the good life in a green economy,” this budget is expected to disclose the prospects and vision of the newly-elected APNU+AFC Administration. Budget presentations usually last for three hours, depending on the will of the Finance Minister, but Finance Minister Winston Jordan has reassured the Guyana Chronicle that his presentation may not be that lengthy. The Minister said statements made by him and by Government officials in the lead-up to the budget presentation already reflect the intentions of the new Administration for the upcoming fiscal year. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told reporters recently that his Ministry was satisfied with the allocations given to the agency, which was formerly the Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics. Patterson expressed satisfaction after meeting with the Finance Minister and reviewing the allocations assigned to his Ministry. Although he did not specify what sums were given to his Ministry, Patterson said, “Our biggest challenge will be, of course, executing all the works within the timeframe provided, whereby the Minister of Finance has asked that we complete all our projects substantively at the end of 2015.” BERBICE BRIDGE TOLL In the spirit of Budget 2015, promises have also been made to temper the current rates paid by commuters of the Berbice River Bridge, constructed under the former People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. The bridge and its company, the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated, is a Public/Private Partnership between Government and a number of other private investors, so the Government has made clear it will not be dictating to the company to lower the rates currently

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan charged to access the bridge. The Guyana Chronicle reported in early August that Berbicians who regularly access the bridge were in high spirits on learning of the decision of the Government to offer to the Bridge Company a subsidy which would ultimately reduce the toll charged by that company. One taxi driver was quoted as saying, “The fare to just cross the bridge is $300; a return fare is double that figure. A driver plying the bridge on a double-trip will have to pay $4,400, which is equivalent to gasoline needed for the journey. With a reduced toll, the passenger will be faced with a reduced fare.” CONCESSIONS FOR GOLD MINERS With consistent coverage of the declining world price for gold, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman told the press corps during a recent post-Cabinet press briefing that the Finance

Minister had met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). The body also met with President David Granger. Coming out of the discussion, which addressed the falling price of gold on the world market, Minister Trotman said a promise of concessions in the 2015 budget was made to the group by the Finance Minister. While acknowledging that all requests from the Association could not be facilitated, Trotman reassured that the group was satisfied that “concessions are going to be offered in the 2015 budget.” While the Finance Minister is correct in that Government Ministers have hinted, time and again, about budgetary allocations, there were bandied around other claims which have put the new Administration into defence mode, although it is just three months in office. PUBLIC SERVANT SALARY INCREASES Concerns of 100% salary increases for Government Ministers were raised in the public. While Governance Minister Raphael Trotman neither confirmed nor denied that there were in fact some increases for members of the new Administration, he told the press during a post-cabinet briefing that the 100% figures quoted in the media were erroneous. These concerns were tied into a promise made by the Government to consider an “across-the-board” increase in salary for public servants. According to Minister Trotman, a study on reviewing the salaries of public servants was being carried out by Professor Harold Lutchman, who is considered quite knowledgeable on the public service. The new Administration is employing what it calls a ‘fresh approach’ to management of the country’s resources, with the aim of setting up the framework

for how Government will be approaching the governance of the economy over the next five years. This new approach, the Finance Minister told the Chron-

tween August and October. This particular clause was placed in the Standing Orders to ensure a recess of the House between August and October. The move to sus-

This translates to an almost one-year period of suspension within the National Assembly, between the last sitting in 2014 and the first sitting in 2015.

The inaugural budget of the David Granger-led APNU+AFC coalition Government will be read before the National Assembly today, possibly in the presence of the PPP/C. icle recently, includes a focus on governance, social cohesion, building safer communities, linking the coastland with the hinterland, taking care of the environment, emphasising green technology, support for the implementation of environmentally-friendly processes for the extractive sector, and the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Other budget assistance includes financial assistance to the state-funded National Communications Network (NCN), which has not received funding from the National Assembly since the APNU and AFC controlled a majority in the House between 2011 and 2015. Considerations will also be made for an increase in Old Age Pension. The reading of the budget in August, something that is not customarily done, was facilitated by a motion recently passed in the National Assembly to suspend Standing Order 9. That clause in the Standing Orders governs the functioning of the National Assembly, and was put in place to ensure that no sittings or business of the National Assembly be conducted be-

pend Standing Order 9 came as a result of circumstances attending the regular sittings of the House, which previously sat in July 2014 before its June 2015 reconvening was suspended following a decision by then President Donald Ramotar in October to stall sittings of the House to November. The House was, on November 10, suspended and finally dissolved in February 2015.

The PPP/C has not made an appearance since the convening of the 11th Parliament in June this year, about a month after that party lost the national elections. The PPP/C sat in consultations some time ago on expectations for Budget 2015. This will be the first time the party sits on the Opposition side of the National Assembly since it came to power in 1992.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Donald Trump says ‘women are tremendous’ after attack row (BBC News) Donald Trump has defended his relations with women, calling them “tremendous”, but stopped short of apologising for attacking a Fox News journalist. Mr Trump was criticised for seeming to suggest that Megyn Kelly was tough on him in a televised debate because she was menstruating. Mr Trump told ABC on Sunday that only a “sick person” would interpret his remarks that way. The tycoon is running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Mr Trump, who spoke to a number of news outlets on Sunday, he said he had an “amazing” relationship with women in business. “They are phenomenal. And I have many executives that are women,” he told

Donald Trump faced tough questioning from Megyn Kelly

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ABC’s This Week. “They are doing a phenomenal job. I pay them a tremendous amount of money. “They make money for me. They make money for themselves. And in many cases, they truly are really talented and they can be killers.” Mr Trump was one of 10 Republican hopefuls taking part in a debate on Fox News, co-hosted by Ms Kelly. She asked Mr Trump why voters should elect a man who has called women “fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals”, a question Mr Trump later said was “nasty”. On Friday, Mr Trump told CNN: “You could see there was blood coming out of her [Ms Kelly’s] eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” Many of his challengers called on him to apologise, and a major US conservative

07/08/2015

forum dropped him as a speaker in the wake of the remarks. In the ABC interview, Mr Trump repeated his assertions that he had been misunderstood, saying he had “nothing against” Ms Kelly, while declining to apologise. He also attacked rival Jeb Bush, who himself is under fire after having to backtrack on comments that the US Government was spending too much on women’s health. “What he said about women and women’s health issues was ridiculous, and I’m the exact opposite,” said Mr Trump. The billionaire businessman is ahead of the 16 other Republican candidates in several recent polls despite a string of controversial remarks since launching his campaign.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

WHO: World on verge of effective Ebola vaccine (Caribbean 360) A newly developed vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus is proving to be “highly effective”, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The positive results were obtained during a trial of the VSV-EBOV vaccine in Guinea, one of the West African countries affected by the recent outbreak. “This is an extremely promising development,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “The credit goes to the Guinean Government, the people living in the communities and our partners in this project. An effective vaccine will be another very important tool for both current and future

Ebola outbreaks.” While the Ebola vaccine so far shows 100 per cent efficacy in individuals, more conclusive evidence is needed on its capacity to protect populations through what is called “herd immunity”. The Guinean national regulatory authority and ethics review committee have therefore approved continuation of the trial. “This is Guinea’s gift to West Africa and the world,” said Dr Sakoba Keita, Guinea’s National Coordinator for the Ebola response. “The thousands of volunteers from Conakry and other areas of Lower Guinea, but also the many Guinean doctors, data managers and community mobilisers have

Over 4,000 close contacts of almost 100 Ebola patients have voluntarily participated in the trial nities on March 23 this year contributed to finding a line of defence against a terrible disease.” The Guinea vaccination trial began in affected commu-

to evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of a single dose of the vaccine by using a ring vaccination strategy. The ring vaccination

method is based on the smallpox eradication strategy. “The premise is that by vaccinating all people who have come into contact with an infected person you create a protective ring and stop the virus from spreading further. This strategy has helped us to follow the dispersed epidemic in Guinea, and will provide a way to continue this as a public health intervention in trial mode,” explained JohnArne Rottingen, Director of the Division of Infectious Disease Control at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Chair of the Study Steering Group. To date, over 4,000 close contacts of almost 100 Ebola patients, including family members, neighbours, and

co-workers, have voluntarily participated in the trial. The trial stopped randomisation on July 26 to allow for all people at risk to receive the vaccine immediately, and to minimise the time necessary to gather more conclusive evidence needed to eventually license the product. Along with the ring vaccination, trials of the same vaccine are being conducted on frontline workers. “These people have worked tirelessly and put their lives at risk every day to take care of sick people. If the vaccine is effective, then we are already protecting them from the virus,” said Bertrand Draguez, Medical Director at Doctors Without Borders.

Trinidad journalist accuses Opposition Leader of sexual harassment (Caribbean News Now) AN “investigative reporter” at the Trinidad Express, Anika Gumbs, resigned on Friday, citing “mental scarring and trauma” following an “unfortunate experience” some four months ago during an interview with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley at his residence, when, she

alleged, he made sexually suggestive remarks to her. In a letter to Express Editor-in-Chief Omatie Lyder, Gumbs said her decision to resign was not an easy task. “However, in upholding the highest standards of journalism and to avoid the Express Newspaper from being brought into disrepute, I have

opted to sever all ties with the company,” she wrote. According to the Trinidad Guardian, insiders at the Express said that they could not understand how Gumbs linked Rowley’s alleged behaviour and the integrity of the paper, as one had nothing to do with the other. Other local observers have

questioned how much further into disrepute the Express could be brought in any event, given its recent blatant political bias in its reporting in favour of Dr Rowley’s People’s National Movement (PNM), stemming in part from an alleged lack of journalistic integrity on the part of Gumbs herself.

Questions have also been raised concerning the timing of Gumbs’ allegations and resignation – four months after the last in what she described as a series of similar incidents and just one month to the day before general elections are due to be held in Trinidad and Tobago on September 7. This latest development

also comes on the heels of a controversial negative political campaign by the United National Congress (UNC) targeting Dr Rowley personally. In attempting to explain the delay in reporting the alleged incidents, Gumbs said, “At the time I thought it would have been in my best interest not to do so.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

EDITORIAL Gov’t should be more sensitive to ethnic, gender equality OVER the last week the Government found itself on the back foot as critics and supporters questioned the wisdom of three separate actions and potential actions. First, its announcement of membership to some State boards generated swift responses from at least two interest groups, along with individual activists. They observed that the boards were not representative of the country ethnically nor in terms of gender. We have to agree with that observation. Notably, the Government has said it would review the matter.

There are lessons to be learned here. This Government needs to do more consultation than it appears to be doing. It cannot make the mistakes of the previous Government. Its mandate is to correct those mistakes; not repeat them. One understands that any Government has to find places for the activists who worked to deliver for them. But that has to be balanced with competence and ethnic, gender and generational considerations. Governments in the 21st century cannot be insensitive to adequate representation of women. They

represent more than half of the population and are as competent as men are. The issue of ethnicity is equally sensitive and should have been given much more consideration in the process. The APNU+AFC Government knows how explosive ethnicity and race are. It knows that the PPP is quietly waiting in the wings for the opportunity to accuse it of racism. It has to show in deed and word that it stands for equal representation and equality in general. One of the positives to come out of this is the Government’s admission that it made a mistake. This

is a good sign, whereby the Government admits error and vows to correct it. The other issues had to deal with budgetary allocation for a raise of the salaries and per-diem for Ministers and MP’s. As was anticipated, the PPP blew it out of proportion by reporting much larger increases. We believe this was “scare tactics” at its best. But the Government should have known that the reaction from all quarters, including its own supporters, would be uncomplimentary. Yes, Government functionaries should be adequately compensated. But

that cannot be done at the expense of budgetary proposals aimed at creating employment and raising the wages of the working poor, in particular. We are sure that some of the latter is in the budget. But for a Government that rose to power on the basis of mass anti-corruption and Government waste sentiments, it might have made sense to avoid any raise of salaries

for ministers so early in its tenure. Although the Government has corrected the PPP’s propaganda, the damage has already been done. In future the Government should be much more sensitive to the sentiments in the larger society. And above all, it needs to consult more before making big decisions.

Government should not pay Rudisa Dear Editor, SINCE the May ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the Rudisa Environmental Tax matter, much has been said about what should or should not be the position of the Government of Guyana on the ruling. While states that have signed on to the CCJ, as the last instant of appeal, have an obligation to abide by the CCJ’s ruling, on the Rudisa matter I feel strongly that the government should not be rushing to settle with Rudisa. Whether Rudisa or its local sub-

sidiary, Caribbean International Distributors Inc (CIDI) was the litigant, I am going to deal with them as the same, because for all intents and purposes they are the same. First, Rudisa nor any of the other beverage manufacturers who import into Guyana, have not lost any money because of the environmental tax. They may have lost market share, but they certainly did not lose any money. Every dollar of that environmental tax which was paid by CIDI/Rudisa was passed on to the Guyanese consumers. Thus should Guyanese tax dollars have

to now pay the CCJ decision we will be paying twice, first as consumers and secondly as taxpayers. Secondly, before the Government of Guyana pays any money it should look at the implications for corporate taxes which CIDI/Rudisa should have to pay the Guyana Revenue Authority. The CCJ’s ruling was that the US$6,047,244 represented the amount of the environmental taxes which the company CIDI/Rudisa paid. This is equivalent to 120,944.880 bottles of beverages which the company, CIDI/Rudisa, imported and sold in Guyana over

the relevant period. If that company made a net profit of $20 per bottle then their profits would have been US$12 million. It would be interesting to see what the declared profits of this company were and the amount of corporate taxes which were paid. Nevertheless, even if Guyana were to pay what the ruling states then this would have to be accounted for on the revenue side of the company’s balance sheet here in Guyana. Thus the applicable corporate taxes have to be paid to our country. On this second point of the corporate taxes the government through the GRA

should make this calculation and the exposure of the state would be drastically reduced ? in fact, by much more than the reduction/favour which the company seemed to be doing for our government. On the matter of the Guyanese consumers paying for the environmental tax, this should be the basis of a class action suit which the Guyana Consumers Association should now take up in our local courts. That US$6 million could go a long way towards developing a recycling programme. Guyanese manufacturers should also look at bringing cases against their regional

competitors selling in our market, who benefit from subsidized energy costs in their home country. Finally, in the matter of cases that involve commercial/economic matters we have to assemble a competent team of economists, versed in the area of competition and antitrust matters, who will assist our lawyers in dealing with these cases. The thrust of the regional and local competition commissions is dealing with the economics and making companies behave as if they are in a state of pure competition. This is an area of economics which is new to Caricom but which has well established principles that are pretty complex, but which can be readily modelled. Yours faithfully, MANZOOR NADIR

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Some 61,800 persons in Guyana have diabetes -- says International Diabetes Federation 2014 report

--Public Health Ministry to begin targeting the disease at school level By Tajeram Mohabir WITH some 61,800 persons in Guyana diagnosed with diabetes as of 2014, the Ministry of Public Health says stronger attention will be paid to raising awareness of prevention among the youth and adult populations. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has reported that the 61,800 persons, an increase from the 60,100 affected in 2013, are between ages 20-79. It also estimated that some 15,400 persons are unaware that they have the disease and 1,025 persons died from it last year. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Guyana. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings told the Guyana Chronicle that the disease is a silent killer and key in addressing it is inculcating the importance of exercise and eating healthy in adolescents. The majority of products in the supermarkets and stores, be it the soft drinks, the biscuits, and other eatables, are high in sugar content. Regular consumption of foods high in sugar content, coupled with lack of exercise, make persons vulnerable to diabetes. Minister Cummings said the public schools will be brought under the Ministry’s radar in its bid to address this problem. “We want to target our schools, childhood obesity is also on the rise, persons are no longer exercising and eating healthy, they rely on fast foods

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and we have to change this sort of lifestyle,” she said. CHANGE IN LIFESTYLES Diabetes, Dr Cumming said, is a non-communicable disease and is preventable, but it requires a change in lifestyles of persons. “It has to be attacked from all fronts in terms of education and educating parents as well because they are the ones who give their children the money to buy a fast food or Coke,” she said. The Government intends to extend the pilot School Feeding Programme in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 to the coastland, targeting the most vulnerable. HOT MEAL “We want to provide a hot meal for them. It is going to be a balanced meal. We are encouraging education. We want

parents to read the labels of the foods in the supermarkets they buy. And importantly, we want to encourage them to consume local fruits and vegetables whether from their gardens or the markets,” Dr Cummings said. She added: “We want Guyanese to enjoy longevity because there is no sense you acquire a huge amount of wealth and you cannot enjoy it. So we have to inculcate the healthy habits in schoolchildren, parents and teachers. We have to Dr Cummings says the Ministry of Public Health will begin tackling work as a team to collectively the prevention of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases at address this scourge.” the school level. complications. because patients do not know The Public Health Minister According to the IDF, on what tablets they are taking and said a majority of the 1,025 cose levels, it said, can lead to average, a person that has why they need to take them. persons who died last year serious diseases affecting the diabetes in Guyana spends We are going to improve the probably succumbed to the heart and blood vessels, eyes, about US$372 on treatment, patient-doctor relationship so complications of the disease. kidneys, nerves and teeth. and in 2014, more was spent that they can know about the There are two common People with diabetes also have on healthcare for diabetes disease. I find that the average types of diabetes: Type 1 and a higher risk of developing in North America and the person do not know about Type 2 Diabetes. The risk infections, and it can cause carCaribbean than in any other diabetes and what it can do to factors for Type 1 Diabetes diovascular disease, blindness, region. them,” Dr Cummings said. are still being researched, kidney failure, and lower limb The Federation has also She also noted that many but a person having a family amputation. reported that some 387 milpersons with diabetes do not member with Type 1 Diabetes A preliminary report from lion people have diabetes, and rigidly adhere to their treatslightly increases the risk of the 2012 national census has by 2035, this figure is expected ment. developing the disease. indicated that Guyana’s populato rise to 592 million. The Minister told this pubThe IDF noted that exposure tion is some 748,000, and about It also noted that the lication that the importance of to some viral infections have 433,000 are between ages 20-79. number of people with Type patients taking their medicaalso been linked to the risk of 2 Diabetes is increasing in tion and the adverse condition developing Type 1 Diabetes. HEALTH PROMOTION every country; 77 per cent if they don’t will be strongly Type 2 Diabetes has been And given the fact that 61, of people with diabetes live impressed upon them. linked to a number of factors, 800 persons are affected with in low-and middle-income And aside from this, greater including family history, overdiabetes, Dr Cummings said a countries; the greatest numattention will be placed on testweight, unhealthy diet, physhuge focus will be placed on ber of people with diabetes ing and treatment, not only for ical inactivity and high blood health promotion and disease are between 40 and 59 years diabetes, but the other non-compressure. prevention. of age; 179 million people municable diseases at the public The Federation says per“So we are going to stress with diabetes are undihealth centres and hospitals. sons with diabetes are at a on primary care, whereby the agnosed; diabetes caused The Diabetic Clinic and higher risk of developing a first contact with the patients, 4.9 million deaths in 2014; Diabetic Foot Centre at the number of serious health probwe are going to speak to them, and every 7 seconds a person Georgetown Public Hospitals lems. of course we are going to dies from diabetes. treat persons with advance Regular high blood gluimprove our health literacy

Owner shot during Vryheid’s Lust supermarket robbery

THE police are hunting for two unmasked gunmen who invaded the Wisdom Supermarket at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, late Saturday evening, shooting the owner and assaulting his wife during a brazen robbery. The attack which took place at about 20:30hrs was witnessed by customers and staff. One worker said she was outside as owner of the supermarket, Haun Hua Kang, 30 years, was closing the gates when two gunmen sprung from a white Toyota 212. One of the gunmen attacked Kang while his associate made his way into the supermarket. The staffer said she, along with another staff member and two customers, rushed to the back of the supermarket, fearing for their lives, as

responded quickly. Kang is being treated in hospital. According to the staffer, the gunmen seemed to be around 26 and 30-years-old. The police were up to yesterday reviewing the footage

from a surveillance camera that captured the incident. Wisdom Supermarket was opened about three months ago at Vryheid’s Lust on the Railway Embankment. This incident

occurred three days after the murder of another Chinese national and city restaurateur Zhenjz Su when gunmen invaded his home and battered him and his wife during a robbery.

The Wisdom Supermarket they witnessed the gunmen demanding money from Kang and his wife. “The boss got nervous and panic so he didn’t fight, he just allow them to do what they had to do,” said the traumatised staffer. This publication was told that the gunmen slapped both Kang and his wife while threatening to hit Kang with a glass bottle if the money was

not handed over. Thereafter, one of the gunmen shot Kang to his left thigh and then both escaped with approximately $100,000 in cash and two bottles of Sky vodka. The staffer further said that the gunmen fired another shot into the ceiling of the supermarket before making their escape. The entire ordeal lasted for approximately one minute but the police

The part where the gunmen made their escape.

HINDS’SIGHT

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Today is Budget Day: I am looking to see what’s in it for poor people

TODAY is Budget Day. It is one of the most important days in the national calendar. It is the day when the country eagerly looks to see what the Government would do to aid their cause. In this regard, workers, business people, the unemployed, the retired and students, all have their different expectations. It is the budget that would tell us how much the Government would spend on what, where and how. This is classic Government, as one of the principal functions of Government is the distribution of common resources. Contemporary economics theory and practice favour a commitment of most of the resources to the private sector—the trickle down story that the private sector, if empowered, would in turn create jobs and wealth. Nowhere in the world has that assumption been proven to be totally true. Not even in the USA, the bastion of market economics. In the final analysis, the private sector is first and foremost interested in the accumulation of wealth. There are, of course, exceptions to that rule. But to expect the private sector to go into business primarily to look after the common good is to misunderstand basic human instincts. There has been equal failure on the part of the public sector to generate the kind of confidence across the board as far as the various social groups are concerned. The socialist experiment of three decades ago floun-

dered. Economists have weighed in on the reasons for this failure. But what is clear to me is that unbridled marketisation is not the answer to the poverty and economic underdevelopment we have inherited and accumulated. Of course some countries, which started out where we were at Independence, have moved ahead of us in macro terms. I say macro terms, because when you look closely at these countries, poverty still persists and the gap between the rich and the poor is as wide as the Essequibo River. Our biggest challenge in this country is POVERTY. When, for example 40% of your youths are unemployed, what you in fact have there is a weapon of mass destruction. Inherent in poverty are unemployment, poor education, substandard health, high crime rate and crucially the concentration of wealth in a few hands. There are too many poor people in Guyana. There are the unemployed and unemployable poor and there is the working poor. Without the aid of statistics, I know that these groups represent the vast majority of Guyanese. I am tired of watching the people who vote Governments in become collateral damage when trade-off starts. The burden to decrease and ultimately outlaw it starts at the doorstep of the Government. Not the private sector or the church or the NGOs or the trade unions. This takes me back to the budget. This year’s budget

Dr. David Hinds covers a shorter period, thanks to the foolishness and selfishness of the previous Government. I know we have to invest in infrastructure to attract investments and to make life easier for citizens. I get that. I know we have to give incentives to the private sector to induce them to invest more of their profits. I completely get that. But I want to see that balanced with investment in people, particularly poor people. I am not backing down on that. So today I will be listening to hear how much, if any, would be invested in creating jobs in the short-term for poor people. I would be listening to hear how much increase in wages, if any, the working poor gets. I would be listening to hear how much would be invested in opportunities for the creation of small business. I would be particularly listening to hear how much would be spent on improving education and health. (Dr. David Hinds, a political activist and commentator, is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies at Arizona State University. More of his writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com)

Budget will breathe new life into economy —Gaskin ––says better times for business will be had in last quarter

By Tajeram Mohabir MINISTER of Business Dominic Gaskin says that the National Budget that will be delivered today will provide the wherewithal to breathe new life into business and the economy. Mr Gaskin said the slowdown in business as reported by the Private Sector is due to the fact that a national budget has not been presented. He told the G uyana Chronicle that he believes that investors were holding back because they wanted to know the outcome of the elections, the direction of the new Government, and what’s in the budget. “The Government is one of the biggest spenders in our economy, a lot of projects are on hold, so I believe that once the budget is passed, there will be an injection of money into the economy, and I think

the response from investors will be to proceed with some of the investments on hold for the last few months or so, so I think that we can look forward to better times ahead in the short-term, in the last quarter of the year and going forward into 2016, I think that we will definitely have some improvement,” the Minister said. The Private Sector Commission in a statement earlier last week, among other things, touched on spending on Government projects and matters related to how the clearing of goods and the processing of investment agreements are affecting the business community. According to business representatives, they have noticed a drop in consumer spending and expectations. Projects are being delayed/ suspended due to the cessation of payments on some

projects while foreign and local business partners have put a hold on some investments, the Commission had noted. RELIABLE DATA Minister Gaskin said he takes the concerns raised by the private sector seriously, but lamented the unavailability of reliable data to give a thorough and objective picture of the situation. “I have said in the past that I believe proper data is needed to support the anecdotal evidence that we have, it is difficult to intervene when you don’t have proper data that you are acting on. This is not meant to deny what businesses are reporting -- an economic slowdown. But you need to have data that supports that. We have in the past not checked and published standard sets of data that will allow us to

know whether we are in a recession, depression, or up-

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin swing,” he said, reiterating that this absence does not allow for a proper analysis of

the situation. Mr Gaskin said his job is to get a better understanding of what is happening before embarking on measures to address any problem. FRESH START Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said the budget will be presented under the theme “A fresh start to the good life in a green economy.” “Everybody aspires to a good life and … Government spending has to be done in relation to that good life,” a release from the Office of the Presidency quoted him as saying. The new Administration, the Minister said, is employing a ‘fresh approach’ to the management of the country’s resources, with the aim of setting up the frame for how Government will be approaching the governance

of the economy over the next five years. This new approach includes a focus on better governance, social cohesion, building safer communities, linking the coastland with the hinterland, taking care of the environment, emphasising green technology, support for the implementation of environmentally-friendly processes for the extractive sector and the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Minister Jordan said the Government’s aim is not only to ensure that “the good life” is achieved, but also that all Guyanese are able to enjoy it in a clean and safe environment. The Budget will also address promises outlined in the APNU+AFC 100-day plan, which was disclosed in the run-up to the May 11 elections. These include pension and salary increases.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Celebrate national identity, take ownership of development

- Communities Ministry

- rejects PPP/C comments on distribution of flags, emblems

THE Ministry of Communities has slammed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) for criticising its decision to assign a flag and emblem to each administrative region. The Ministry in a statement said the utterances of the PPP/C on the matter are an indication that the party has lost its way, and is clutching at straws in a desperate attempt to remain relevant. “The PPP obviously has little understanding of the context and purpose of the

initiative, since all of that party’s 12 Regional Members of Parliament absented themselves from the forum at which the emblems were introduced, although they were, of course, invited. “For their information, the flags and emblems were proposed at the Regional Democratic Councils’ Leadership Forum (RDCLF) on July 31, 2015, which was held under the theme: “Unveiling a Vision of Regional Empowerment”. The proposal is part of the Admin-

istration’s vision and strategic direction to empower Local Democratic Organs to manage their own affairs, as stipulated in Article 74 of the Constitution,” the Ministry led by Minister Ronald Bulkan explained. It noted that the new direction will result in each region having pride of identity, pointing out that the Administration’s strategic thrust will result in each Regional Democratic Council (RDC) being expected to begin to take more ownership of their region’s

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan development, by leveraging their human and natural assets to attract investment, generate economic development, and create jobs. “Unfortunately, the PPP’s failure to see the link between

empowerment of the people and economic development has resulted in the current state of backwardness which this Administration now seeks to reverse. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana intends to move towards a future in which democracy flourishes and ordinary Guyanese have ownership of power to manage their lives in a democratic society, governed from the grassroots level instead of a central dictatorship, as the PPP regime had done. “The strategic vision of regional empowerment is not new; it has always been at the core of the coalition’s philosophy. We recall that when His Excellency President Granger addressed the Regional Chairmen following their

swearing-in, he had urged that each council fashion a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD). As the acronym suggests, Central Government intends that decision-making power should be a two-way street, with the regions being more meaningfully engaged in crafting developmental plans while Central Government provides support to enable them to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining,” the Ministry of Communities said. The Ministry also contended that the PPP/C has again demonstrated its loss of contact with reality by stating that each region having an emblem, somehow detracts from the importance of the National Flag.

Last valuation of city properties done in 1996 - Town Clerk calls for gov’t intervention

By Telesha Ramnarine THE valuation of properties in Georgetown is a sore issue affecting the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and it urgently needs the intervention of central government, according to Town Clerk Royston King. Addressing the M&CC’s most recent statutory meeting at City Hall, King said he is working with senior officers of the Council to restore Georgetown to its pristine state and he has already approached government on issues requiring their intervention, such as the valuation of properties in the city. The process of revalua-

tion of properties had com-

Town Clerk Royston King menced some years ago but

has been stymied. However, continuous assessments are done on some properties as they are erected but the Council is unable to increase rates and taxes since the last valuation of properties was done in 1996. According to the Valuation Act, the properties should be valuated every five years. Furthermore, King said the Council is losing much needed revenue since new structures are being erected in the City and assessments are not being done, while some of the residential buildings have been converted to commercial usage and are still paying residential rates.

LACK OF FINANCES King further noted at the meeting that the City Council is a service-oriented organisation and the lack of finances has severely inhibited its work programme. The Municipality has not been able to efficiently deliver critical municipal services in several areas, including road repairs and the provision of street lights. King reminded that general rates and taxes is the main source of revenue for the M&CC and that the Council is mandated by law to levy rates and to provide certain important services to the citizenry. Part 1V 201 of the Municipal and District Council

FAO Food Price Index hits lowest level in six years PRICES for major food commodities in July hit their lowest average monthly level since September 2009 as sharp drops in the prices of dairy products and vegetable oils more than offset some increases for those of sugar and cereals. Meat prices, meanwhile, remained stable. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 164.6 points in July, down 1.0 % from June and 19.4 % from a year earlier. The trade-weighted index tracks prices on international markets of five major food commodity groups: cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar. In July, the dairy price index dropped 7.2 % from the previous

month, mainly due to lower import demand from China, the Middle East and North Africa amid abundant EU milk production which has resulted in good availability of dairy products for export. The July vegetable oil price index was some 5.5 % below its June level, reaching its lowest value since July 2009. The recent slide was primarily caused by a fall in international palm oil prices due to increased production in Southeast Asia combined with slower exports especially from Malaysia, and a further weakening of soy oil prices on ample supplies for export in South America and a favourable outlook for global supply in 2015/16.

The cereal price index rose by 2.0 % from June, but was still 10.1 % below July last year’s level. For the second consecutive month, higher wheat and maize prices, in part due to unfavourable weather in North America and Europe, kept the cereal index rising, but rice prices continued to fall. In July the meat price index remained nearly unchanged from the previous month. An increase in international prices of bovine meat offset a decline for pig meat and ovine meat, while prices for poultry remained stable. The sugar price index rose by 2.5 % from June 2015, largely due to less than ideal harvesting conditions in the main producing region of Brazil.

Act 28:01 states: “Every Council shall be the rating authority for and shall have power to make and levy rates within each rating area in its Council area.” Part 1V 213 states: “The rates due in respect of a general rate shall be

payable in four installments which shall become due on the first day of February or on the last day of service of the demand note, whichever day is later, the first day April, the first day of July and the first day October.”

Monday, August 10, 2015 –– 14:30 hrs Tuesday, August 11, 2015 –– 14:30 hrs Wednesday, August 12, 2015 –– 14:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Violence being promoted to enforce illegal operations ––President Granger

By Leroy Smith PRESIDENT David Granger is of the view that some persons continue to have a vested interest in ensuring that the society remains overshadowed by crime and violence for the promotion of illegal activities. It was against that backdrop that the President called on the masses to understand how the narcotics trade works. Speaking at the Third Annual State of the African-Guyanese Forum at the Critchlow Labour College, Mr Granger said: “Many of the execution murders, many dealers of illegal narcotics have become extremely rich but that wealth is at the price of hundreds of people

and we do not know yet how many people died so the question of National Security is at one level, but unless we make this country safe for our women and children, unless we make this country secure we will always have an unstable environment.” He noted that Guyana is part of the continental landmass border with Brazil which happens to be one of the world’s largest exporters of small arms and Guyana is a victim of many transnational crimes. He also pointed out that Guyana is not in the business of coca production but happens to be a major export platform for cocaine and is also a victim of gunrunning and people trafficking.

TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES The Guyanese leader warned that it is the transnational crimes which have been pumping violence into Guyana and while many of the persons may not have understood the events of 2000-2008, they should understand how the narcotics trade works.

President David Granger Mr Granger stated that investors will refuse to come to Guyana if they feel their fishing boats are going to be raided by pirates, they will refuse to come if they feel that their gold mining operations will be attacked by bandits. He pointed out that even mothers and daughters are afraid to go out sometimes be-

cause of the threat to their lives. The President also took time to focus on the issue of old women living in some parts of the country where they are likely to be attacked and violated, as the country has become an unsafe place for many of the vulnerable citizens. This is a matter that has to be placed on the table and addressed before Guyana celebrates its golden jubilee in 2016, he added. UNEMPLOYED President Granger, however, acknowledged the fact that part of the problems facing the society has to do with the many unemployed persons. He said further that there needs to be an understanding that many of the crimes in this country are sponsored, not by the ordinary people who steal a mobile phone or engage in shoplifting, but rather by big, rich dealers who pump violence into the country to enforce their illegal operations. The President then recalled his decision to release 60 young people from jail as he had expressed the view that they should be in college, school or at home with their families. “That is why on May 26 I have no qualms about releasing 60 young people from jail. I said they should be in college and they should be in school, they should be at home with their families, not in jail – ‘how you’re going to sentence a 19-year-old boy to 18 months in prison for stealing a cellphone?’ I cannot do that – ‘go thy way and sin no more’,” he had told the young offenders. The President noted that attention must also be placed on dealing with the many unemployed young people and why so many of them are getting sucked into crime.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Outstanding land, resource rights ––Minister Allicock issues to be addressed

MINISTER of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock has pledged Government’s commitment to ensuring all outstanding land and resource rights issues affecting local indigenous peoples are resolved in an amicable and just manner. The Minister gave the assurance in a statement in observance of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The outstanding matters, the Minister said, will be addressed in keeping with the highest standards of human rights law, as he extended fraternal greeting to the indigenous peoples’ community. “The Ministry of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognises the tremendous contribution of the indigenous peoples of Guyana to our nation’s overall development and especially to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. We should all be proud that indigenous peoples serve in all spheres of professional endeavours

and at every level of nation building. In addition, the culture and way of life of our nine peoples are inextricably

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock interwoven into the beautiful mosaic of Guyana’s cultural legacy. “We also recognise the priority and importance of policies and legislation that fully protect the rights of our first peoples, particularly to their traditional lands and

resources,” Minister Allicock said. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed yesterday, is celebrated this year under the theme: “Post-2015 Agenda: Ensuring Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being”.

RIGHTS “This year’s theme resonates with the stated objectives and aims of the Government of Guyana and that of the Ministry to guarantee that the rights of the indigenous peoples in our beloved country are protected in law and in fact so that our indigenous brothers and sisters can live full and productive lives and have a bright future for themselves and children while ensuring a secure future for generations to come. On behalf of the Government of Guyana and of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2015, I extend fraternal greetings to all indigenous peoples of Guyana,” the Indigenous Peoples’

Affairs Minister said. Meanwhile, Head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Guyana, Ambas-

Head of the EU delegation in Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký sador Robert Kopecký said the European Union joins Guyana and the rest of the world in commemorating this significant day. “Today we take stock of the progress achieved towards ending all forms of

discrimination and in ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are respected, protected and fulfilled,” he said in a statement. In September last year, the EU contributed to the success of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and promoted equal participation of indigenous peoples in preparation of this meeting. SUPPORT “We supported the Outcome Document of the conference which serves as a blueprint for actions at international and national level, bringing positive changes to the lives of indigenous peoples. As follow-up to the World Conference, the EU is further developing its policy in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in close consultation with their representatives,” Ambassador Kopecký said. Despite the many positive examples of progress achieved around the world, indigenous peoples, particularly women and girls, continue to experience multiple

forms of discrimination, vulnerability and marginalisation in their lives. In support of Guyana’s commitment to the development of its Amerindian community, the EU has in recent years funded a number of programmes aimed at empowering indigenous communities, for example, promoting participation of indigenous peoples in the FLEGT voluntary partnership agreement; capacity-building for Amerindian Village Councils, villagers, indigenous peoples’ organisations and civil society; sustainable community-led development planning; capacity-strengthening for Guyanese vulnerable communities. “It is through both directly relevant programmes such as those in Guyana and elsewhere, as well as multilateral diplomacy that the EU affirms its determination to work closely with indigenous peoples, along with other partners and stakeholders in its endeavours to promote the recognition that human rights are equally guaranteed to all men and women,” the diplomat said.

$15B could go towards small businesses ––as Ministry of Business looks to improve investment, productivity

THE investment in small businesses is a crucial part of a growing economy and with a good environment, they can develop into large scale entities, with great benefits to the country. The new Government has recognised this and has put several measures in place to ensure a flourishing small and micro- business sector. Minister of Business and Investment, Dominic Gaskin, during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the Guyana Chronicle, pointed out that according to the Small Business Act, there is a particular clause that stipulates that 20% of all public contracts awarded must go to small businesses. He added that his Ministry is keen on making this happen, because it can see a large sum of money being invested into the sector. “I think we are perhaps looking at $15 billion that can be awarded to small business,” he said. However, in order to be able to award these contracts, he pointed out that it is also important to ensure that these entities be able to effectively carry out the required jobs. “To implement that provision, we have to ensure that our small businesses have the capacity to meet the requirements of those contracts, we can’t just say well okay 20% of contracts go to small businesses and then compromise on the criteria of those contracts,” said the Minister.

“I see this as a way that we can really transform the small business sector, if we deliberately go about increasing capacity within the small business sector to access a certain range of contracts… and I do believe that in our five years in office you will see small businesses accessing the public procurement pipeline, ” Gaskin also stated.

The Ministry of Business says attention will be paid to the growth and development of small businesses. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Further, the Ministry is also looking to improve the general business environment to encourage more productivity and investment. “Those business transactions that involve state agencies, I think if we can make those transactions smoother, more efficient, and perhaps even more tailored to creating successful businesses, or to the success of the businesses, I think that will automatically

improve the prospects for small businesses, so that intervention which we are currently working on is vital,” the Business Minister reiterated. With regard to financing, the Minister alluded to the grant scheme which is currently in place, saying that “There is currently a programme or project that is funded by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Norwegian funding, that is targeting small and micro enterprise development…it’s a US$10 million project, and it’s two tranches of US$5 million and I think the first US$5 million phase comes to an end in March of next year (2016), and what should be released then is the second US$5 million for the second phase. ” SMALL BUSINESS EXPO Further, small business enterprises will also have the opportunity to showcase and market their products at the Ministry’s 2015 pre-Christmas/Small Business Expo, which is slated to be held at the end of November. This Expo is designed to aid in the marketing process of local products and create more exposure for small businesses and entrepreneurs. RURAL ENTERPRISE PROJECT Earlier this year, the Minister had pointed out that “a rural enterprise development project is the way forward for rural communities… because most of the rural communities have no sustainable economy… there

is nothing for young people to do when they leave school inside of their own communities, so somehow or the other, we have to stimulate a diverse set of businesses in all our regions.” He noted that a Rural Enterprise Development Fund was set up under the previous Administration, but despite lauding the initiative, he criticised the way it was done. “I think it was an excellent initiative, is something to be pursued not necessary in the way it was.” Further, the Minister highlighted that $1 billion was allocated for this fund in 2014; but it is unclear whether the entire sum has been expended. The Minister said that if indeed a portion is remaining, this can be re-allocated for something more effective. To encourage greater participation from rural communities, the Ministry is contemplating the hosting of regional expos across the country, in an effort to further support and create exposure for small businesses in the various regions. These expos, which will resemble that of the Berbice Expo, will serve as a testing ground for the participants, to check on their products and services in their catchment areas, and later partake in larger trade shows in the country, and possibly internationally. Minister Gaskin said that with the building of capacity in both the Ministry and the Small Business Bureau, “I think we do have quite a healthy package there for small businesses.”

GSA puts out 138 more GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

- Youth involvement vital for agriculture sector development, says Holder

The graduates with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and other members and officials of GSA By Navendra Seoraj PLUGGING need for youth involvement in the agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder declared that emphasis must be placed on facilitating market opportunities through motivation, improving the imagery of agriculture and access to training. Addressing the 51st graduation exercise for 138 young

professionals at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) last Friday, who became marketable within the sector, the Minister said the depletion of youths within the sector is a growing concern, not just in Guyana but all across the world. The Agriculture Ministry, Holder declared, “intends tackling this growing concern through the Agricultural Developmental Agenda by

engaging youths in agriculture, as many of them have become less interested in this sector.” Receiving gold medals for the best overall performance at the GSA Mon Repos and Essequibo campuses were Paul Harris and Sherifa Valenzuela respectively. Prizes were distributed by newly- appointed Regional Chairperson, Region Four, Genevieve Allen, while the audience was entertained by

the Guyana Police Force Band. There has been a decline in the rural population, according to a report by the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and by 2030 6 out of 10 people will live in cities, but this will increase to 7 out of 10 by 2050, meaning that more young people are moving to towns and cities to find work, while leaving few behind to work in rural areas.

Making reference to this, Minister Holder stated that it is easy to understand why the number of young farmers is in decline, but “we have to increase youth involvement by improved and easier access to resources, by facilitating market opportunities through motivation and by improving the imagery of agriculture and improved access to training and capacity development… Improvements in the available human capital will determine the pace of growth of the agricultural society.” GSA’S ROLE Lauding the GSA for its good work, the Agriculture Minister said that the institution is seeking to train and promote capacity-building through its curriculum; farmer and enterprise development training, and particularly value-added activities such as food processing and packaging. Therefore, focus should be placed on the transformation of the institution, given the fact that the GSA is aiming to produce trained professionals to support the development of the sector by helping to create employment and guarantee Guyana’s food security. The GSA has over the years produced a cadre of trained professionals to support the development of the agricultural sector, helping to guarantee Guyana’s food security. The enrollment of the school has grown in 2014, reaching a total of 120 students as compared to an average of 31 in the first decade of the school’s establishment, and now it has a total of 164 new students for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The graduates will further enhance the farming, animal health, veterinary public health, forestry, fisheries and agro-processing sectors of Guyana’s total agriculture industry. “Collaboration with the Ministry of Education to achieve improved training at the primary and secondary school levels and linking schools’ agricultural operations to the general curriculum, and continuous reviews of the curriculum to keep teachers in sync with the changing demands and challenges of the sector will be vital,” said Minister Holder. This will enhance the national outlook, with emphasis on a sustainable low carbon trajectory and the food security needs of the Caribbean region. HINTERLAND DEVELOPMENT Moreover, the Minster said there is a need to rapidly commence shifting the nation’s major economic activities away from the rather congested coastal strip, which accommodates more than 80 % of Guyana’s population. It should be noted that while agriculture is primarily concentrated on the coast, the potential for agricultural development in the hinterland regions is significant. Government’s 2015 manifesto has benchmarked development of the hinterland as a priority, with the implementation of policies for development of the Intermediate Savannahs, as well as the Rupununi savannahs. “The Intermediate Savannahs have long been considered as the next frontier for agricultural development and several studies conducted

e graduates

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

One of the outstanding students who graduated last Friday, Sherifa Valenzuela, receiving her award from Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen by a number of competent agricultural and related professionals have indicated the vast untapped potential within the region, with corresponding challenges,” Minister Noel noted. Meanwhile, in delivering the charge to the new graduates, Chairman of the GSA Board of Directors and Chief

Education Officer, Olato Sam, urged that they be good ambassadors of the institution. The Chairman encouraged the graduates to put into practice what was taught to them in the various fields, so that they can contribute to the further advancements of the sector. “The prospects for a bright and prosper-

ous future have never been brighter…having completed your respective courses, you are now equipped with the specialized skill sets and knowledge base in your respective technical areas of pursuit and I feel you are ideally poised to reap the benefits of this new era we are stepping into,” he said.

Towards suicide prevention…

Ramjattan wants Pesticide Board to be more proactive

PUBLIC Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan last Thursday called on the Pesticide Board to be more proactive in its approach towards promoting safe, efficient and proper storage of pesticides to keep them from getting into the wrong hands. The Minister was at the time addressing the launch of the Guyana Police Force “Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Helpline”. The Public Security Minister who made reference to a 2014 World Health Organisation report spoke of the need for restrictions to the most common pesticides, including poisons and hazardous substances, since the move has worked in other countries. LOCKED AWAY Ramjattan also called on the dealers and users of these substances to ensure that they keep these in safe places and not allow them to be left lying around the house or farm. “They must be locked

help but I will wish to emphasise that clearly we go with some form of public awareness to ensure that just like your firearms, you have the safe keeping places and safe keeping regulations for these things, so too must we do with pesticides and hazardous substances,” Ramjattan stressed.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan away and the pesticides board, that is another inter-government agency that can help, must be involved in more public awareness to knock off the bad habits of these dealers and users, primarily farmers.” He pointed to Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) where most of the cases of suicide occur and where most men, particularly of East Indian descent, are the ones who commit or attempt suicide with the use of pesticides. “I am sure that there are many other things that can

UNREGULATED SALE Suicide continues to be a major problem in Guyana and despite some efforts by the authorities to bring it under control, the unregulated sale of pesticides appears to be fuelling the scourge. Guyana has no legislation governing the sale of pesticides, and the chemicals are readily available at unlicensed shops countrywide, particularly in rural areas where the problem is rampant. In 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Guyana had the highest suicide rate in the world, pointing out that the country has an age-standardised suicide rate of 44.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

GTU President calls for return of Community High Schools By Shivanie Sugrim

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte is calling for a resuscitation of Community High Schools so that students who are not academically inclined could obtain skills training for employment. Acknowledging the challenges facing the education system, Lyte, like Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, believes that the system is “creaking.” In an effort to stem this downfall, Lyte suggested that the Ministry of Education

“revisits” the education system by reintroducing Community High Schools. The rationale behind this, said Lyte, is the “obvious” fact that not all children are academically inclined, pointing directly at those children who score low marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination. “We have to accept the fact that some children are not academically oriented but more practically oriented,” said Lyte. Community High schools were geared towards providing academic and vocational training to low performance stu-

dents. The schools were equipped with training resources to provide skills training to students once they are proven to be practically inclined. In the late 1990s, many Community High Schools were converted into general secondary schools and were offering courses leading to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). Six years ago, under the former Administration, then Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh converted the remaining 19 Community High Schools to general secondary schools. STIGMATISED Students who attended the Community High Schools were often stigmatised as they were often regarded as the “slugs” in society. Hence, the rationale behind the Government at that time to eradicate the system as they felt students were being isolated from the GTU President Mark Lyte normal school system. It is this factor, according to some observers, that has contributed to a “criminal industry” and an upsurge in school drop-outs. “There were Community High Schools where students who are not academic are given a chance to learn about their special skills and come out better so that system needs to be brought back, ” said Lyte, declaring that the GTU will soon be negotiating the possibility of this with the Education Minister. Aside from the Community High Schools, the GTU President suggested that there should be “transitional classes” for those students who cannot write, perhaps a one-year programme to reintegrate the students so as to fit into a regular class. He also suggested that the Ministry should put measures in place to address the issue of large classes as this hinders interaction among students and teachers. Under the new Administration, audit teams have been sent to schools in every region in Guyana to assess their current situation and to gain information on issues that plague them. The teams were tasked also with conducting environmental audits of the schools. “ON LIFE SUPPORT” Meanwhile, the results of the audits have confirmed the Minister’s conviction that the system is indeed “creaking” and is on “life support”. In stemming this downfall, Dr Roopnaraine said the system needs to be equipped with new technologies for Guyana to see an actual revolution in terms of education delivery given that the schools utilise “outmoded” methods. Just recently, Government moved to channel the last batch of 10,000 laptops from the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project towards teachers for the better delivery of curriculum in schools. The rationale behind this is to deliver the curriculum in an electronic manner and reduce daily routines as teachers will be able to carry out their respective tasks, without any hindrances. Teachers are now upbeat about acquiring these laptops as many have deemed the initiative “laudable”, and suggested that the Government should ensure availability of Internet access once the distribution is done. Lyte, in the meantime, commended the work of the new Administration even as he expressed the hope that Government would reintroduce Community High Schools in order to regain the high status Guyana’s education system once held during the 1960s.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

IAAF criticised by London Marathon for anti-doping failure ORGANISERS of the London Marathon criticised athletics’ governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), yesterday, for its “failure to take effective action” in the war on doping. Nick Bitel, chief executive of the London race, said he was “disappointed” in the IAAF after fresh allegations made by the British newspaper, the Sunday Times, in the continuing doping storm which has thrown the sport into turmoil. Thirty-two medal winners at the world’s six top city marathons were among the hundreds of long distance runners with suspicious

blood test results revealed in a leak, the newspaper reported yesterday. It said the London Marathon was won seven times over a 12-year period by athletes who had given suspicious blood tests at some

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Kenilworth 08:20 hrs Preoccupation 08:55 hrs Alpha Pegasi 09:35 hrs Ovidio 10:10 hrs Vincente 10:50 hrs Victoria Lavelle 11:25 hrs Panga Panga ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ayr 09:00 hrs Anabel 09:30 hrs Goninodaethat 10:00 hrs Normandy Knight 10:30 hrs Tavener 11:00 hrs Milady Eileen 11:30 hrs First Sitting 12:00 hrs Iftikaar WOLVERHAMPTON 09:15 hrs Penwortham 09:45 hrs Hot Stuff 10:15 hrs Our Joy 10:45 hrs Monsieur Chevalier 11:15 hrs Noguchi 11:45 hrs Handbell 12:15 hrs Bread WINDSOR 12:50 hrs Oat Couture 13:20 hrs Ancient Trade 13:50 hrs My Major 14:20 hrs Harlequin Rock 14:50 hrs Energia Fox 15:20 hrs Shifting Star IRISH RACING TIPS Ballinrobe 12:40 hrs Ciandarragh 13:10 hrs Red Jacket 13:40 hrs Mossy Island 14:10 hrs Skilled 14:40 hrs Silken Thomas 15:10 hrs George Conn 15:40 hrs Where’s Me AMERICAN RACING TIPS Saratoga Race 1 New York Song Race 2 Conspiracy Race 3 Coordinate Race 4 One Sided Race 5 Reach your Yield Race 6 Capriana Race 7 The Big Deluxe Race 8 Mark My Style Race 9 Aussie Prayer

point in their careers. No athletes were named in the claims but London organisers said they had never been informed of abnormal blood test results at their event “between 2001 and 2012, or subsequently.” The claims prompted Bitel to release a statement saying the Marathon would “be discussing the implications of the allegations with the IAAF.” On BBC radio’s Sportsweek programme, Bitel added that, although the Marathon paid “tens of thousands of pounds” to test athletes, it did not administer the procedures and did not see the results, so were unaware of any abnormal tests. “We are disappointed,” he said. “We’re doing more than anybody else to fight doping in our sport. “What this story is really about is the IAAF’s failure to take effective action. Those athletes that have been caught have only been caught because of the tests at the London Marathon.

Participants talk before the start of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Symposium in Lausanne earlier this year. “The IAAF needs to do more to stop people from starting (races) that have blood values that are out of normal range.” Last week, the Sunday Times and German broadcasters ARD said data, leaked by a whistleblower, showed that between 2001 and 2012 a third of Olym-

pic and world championship endurance and middle distance running medals had been won by athletes who, at some point, had given a suspicious blood test. The IAAF stripped Russian Liliya Shobukhova of her medals since 2009 last week, including three victories in the Chicago mar-

athon and one in London. The IAAF has defended its drug-testing procedures strongly, refutes suggestions of turning a blind eye to doping and says it is cooperating with the independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in an investigation into the allegations.

Round 2 of Regional Super50 affected by rain RAIN affected all three scheduled matches in the second round of the Regional Women’s Super50 in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. North Windward Islands reached 27 for seven off 17.5 overs before rain halted play. In a match reduced to 36 overs, Jamaica were 109 for four off 29 overs when the match was abandoned due to rain.

Not a ball was bowled in the Barbados vs Guyana match also due to rain. The tournament continues today with Guyana playing Trinidad & Tobago at Gilbert Park, Barbados opposing South Windward Islands at National Cricket Centre and North Windward Islands going up against Jamaica at Exchange.

Arsenal stunned by West Ham

West Ham’s Reece Oxford, the man-of-the-match, had the game’s highest passing accuracy (95%), lost possession just once and made two blocks and three interceptions.

ARSENAL’S season started with defeat as West Ham won their first Premier League game under manager Slaven Bilic. Keeper Petr Cech misjudged Dimitri Payet’s freekick to allow Cheikhou Kouyate to nod in the Hammers’ first. After the break, Mauro Zarate finished from 20 yards after being gifted the ball by the Gunners defence. Arsenal had 62% of possession, but put just six of 22 shots on target, as Aaron Ramsey’s first-half effort against the bar was the closest they came. Relive Arsenal’s frustration as West Ham take the points. Of course they could not have done it without 16-year-old Reece Oxford’s top bracket performance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis National Novices C/ships …

KOs, TKOs - the order of the opening night By Michael DaSilva KNOCKOUTS and technical knockouts were the order of the night when the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis’ Inaugural National Novices championships got under way at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre (California Circle) on Saturday evening. The tournament which attracted pugilists from 10 boxing gyms from across the country saw competition in all the weight divisions, from junior flyweight to heavyweight and was scheduled to conclude last evening with the semifinals and finals in all weight categories. On Saturday night, however, it was a slugfest in most of the bouts, if not all of them, and the more favoured gyms – Guyana Defence Force and Republicans – accounted for most of the knock-out or technical knock-out victories. After 28 bouts on the opening night, the 2013 National Novices champion Gym, GDF,

won 12 fights, while the Republicans who won the championships last year finished with six victories. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) won five fights on Saturday night and the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym (FYF) won two. There was one victory each for Harpy Eagles (HE), Essequibo Boxing Gym (Essequibo) and Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ). Winning for GDF were Akeem Henry who secured a points decision over Republicans’ Devon Manroop in a lightweight contest; Colin Lewis scored a 2nd round TKO win against Troy Ridley (GPF); Royden Joseph won by a TKO at two minutes 59 seconds (2:59) of the first round against Marques Allison (GPF) in a super heavyweight bout; Michael Worrell secured a first-round (1:59) TKO win against Mahesh Singh (Republican); Milton Isaacs won a points decision over Junior Kelly (Republican) in a junior welterweight scrap; Kevin DeFreitas won by the TKO route at 1:40 of the third round against

Republican’s Lawrence Lewis; Leon Andrews knocked out Clement Polycarp (Republican) at 40m seconds of the first round and Shaquile DeYoung got a TKO win against Kumi Israel (FYF). Colin Lewis in his second fight of the night defeated his gym mate Marley Ross; Mickle Sancho beat Junior Nurse (Republican) on points and Royden Joseph in his second fight for the night upstaged Osafo Williams (Republican). In other results from Saturday night; Danny Thompson (Republican) edged Keon Williams (GDF) on points in a bantamweight contest, then secured a TKO win against Williams’ gym mate King Aaron. Israel (FYF) scored a TKO win against Keith Harris (GPF) before exiting the championships with a loss against GDF’s DeYoung, while Akeem Sutherland (GPF) whipped Kevin Ranking (Republican) then went past Henry in his second bout of the evening. Kevin Sookoo (RHJ) scored a sec-

ond-round TKO win against Winston Long (GDF) in a welterweight contest; Olphansomino Sutton got the better of Trevon Dooker (GDF) on points; Omar Sookdeo (FYF) scored a first-round TKO victory against Trevon Dodson (GDF; Eon Rodrigues registered a points victory against Miles Hinds (Republican); Junior Nurse (Republican) won by TKO over Omali Ambrose (GPF); Shaquile Wright (Essequibo) secured a points decision against Shermar Alleyne (Pocket Rockets); Kurt Allicock (HE) obtained a points win against Keshon Matthews (Republican); Glenroy Griffith (Republican) stopped Johnathon Williams (GDF) via TKO in round three; Kevin Inniss (Republican) trounced Dwayne July (GDF); Gillian Limerick (Republican) got a walkover victory over Ted Vanbrook) and Jaffar Giddon (GPF) knocked out Kevin Sookoo (RHJ) in the second round. Last night’s semifinals and finals in all division were scheduled for a 19:00hrs start.

WICB to create commercial entity KINGSTON, Jamaica – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) wants to create a commercial entity to increase the board’s revenue intake. President of the WICB, Dave Cameron, said the regional board must find other ways to improve its financial status. However, he credits the improved relations between the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) for the financial windfall. “We believe that for West Indies cricket to go forward we need to find a way to separate the commercial from the socio-political issues and so while we’ll have West Indies Cricket Board, we’ll have a separate commercial entity that will clearly distinguish our commercial rights and sell them according to commercial guidelines,” he said while addressing the latest in a series of regional town-hall meetings in Jamaica. Cameron, accompanied by vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan, said that despite the board’s effort to improve the game in the region, some territorial boards and franchises have not been professional in their operations and could be penalised for their tardiness. “I’m particularly disturbed because the new season for 2015/16 started on August 1 and there are only two franchises that actually have programmes ready for the year,” he said. “So while you put pressure on the WICB to account, ensure that you’re putting pres-

sure on the territorial boards and all the franchises to account because they are all being given a substantial amount of resources to ensure that our cricket goes forward.” He said that the formation of the Pro-

business and franchises need to run a quality professional set-up. Some of them haven’t done that and the board has taken a decision that if franchises do not comply with the standard etc. then there could be

WICB vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan (L) and president Dave Cameron. fessional Cricket League (PCL) is part of the plan to improve the game in the region. However, he warns that some franchises could miss out on the monthly allocations of US$45 000, part of which comes from the PCL Fund for Development. “We are saying that the PCL is a new

penalties. And the only penalty that we could exact is the withholding of funds.” The PCL, which now captures up to 120 players plus officials in a pool, is hailed as one of the new programmes to re-establish the sport over the next few years. This PCL, the president says, “increases

the number of first class games to 10 in a season, while leaving the window open for the IPL and the CPL, offering players an additional opportunity to maximise earnings.” Cameron also summarised a number of programmes the Board is currently involved in “aiming at being efficient and effective as we, as a region, seek to re-invest in the sport that we all love so much”. Vice-president, Nanthan pledged the Board’s continuous drive towards unity and the coordinated approach to re-engaging the general cricket community. Nanthan referred to the work of the newly-formed West Indies Retired Players Foundation (WIRPF) and the impact that the town-hall meetings should have. Nanthan continued to raise the issue of stakeholder involvement and the role each Caribbean citizen has to play. The meeting also discussed the absence of the senior team from the 2017 Champions Trophy, the role of regional governments in ensuring that cricket is taught in schools, team bonding and building for on- and offthe-field performances and how the WICB handle the overexposure of youngsters to the Twenty20 version of the game. Other issues of governance, marketing and skills development were also discussed. The next town-hall meeting is scheduled for Antigua at a date to be announced.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

Guyana’s Scott is overall winner of the United RUBAIX Race Series SCOTT Savory was declared the overall winner of the just concluded 2015 United’s RUBAIX Race Series in the United States after completing 17 races in the series. According to Guyana Cycle News, Savory won four races in the series this year and consistently placed in the top positions to win the ‘Overall’ quite comfortably. He also won the ‘Sprinters Green Jersey’ of the 2015 United’s RUBAIX Race Series. Fellow Guyanese Alanzo Greaves, who won two races in the 2015 Series, came on strongly towards the end to finish 3rd overall in the four-month Race Series. Another Guyanese, Liam Richmond, competing for Cure 8 Cycling team finished a creditable 4th overall in the recently concluded Series at the historic Floyd Bennett Field.

Despite not competing in the first eight races of the 17-race series, Richmond displayed amazing consistency in garnering six top-five placings with one win! Earlier, Chronicle Sport had reported that Richmond finished third overall but it has since been confirmed that he ended fourth overall. Cure 8 Cycling, the brainchild of Richmond, was started this year and comprises mostly Guyanese cyclists, notably Sandy Lall, Wazim Gafoor, Jaipaul Mohabir, Ricky Narine, Godfrey Pollydore, Phillip Piggott, Rameshwar Ramkissoon and Andre Simon (Antigua). Cure 8 Cycling was also instrumental in supporting the comeback of Raynauth Jeffrey during his time in the Tri-State area.

Three Guyanese in WI U-15 squad for UK tour THREE Guyanese youth players have been included in a 14-member West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Under-15 Invitational squad for a tour of the United Kingdom later this month. Guyana Times Sport was reliable informed that Joshua Persaud, Kevin St Clair and Collin Barlow are the three Guyanese to be named in the squad announced by the Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board. The tour will be played August 21-31, and was organised following an invitation from the England Barmy Army Colts. “The tour has the potential to become an annual event depending on its success this year,” Manager, Cricket Operations of the WICB Roland Holder was quoted in another section of the media. “This will provide our younger players with the opportunity to showcase their skills against their peers from another country. It will serve as a great tool for talent identification and development for our 15-yearold players.” The tour includes a series of limited-overs matches comprising 50 overs-a-side, 45 overs-aside and Twenty20, including an opportunity to play at the spiritual home of the game, Lord’s, against the Chris Gayle Academy on Monday, August 24. The captain of the WICB Under-15 Invitational squad will be named at a later date. The squad reads: Collin Barlow, Joshua Bishop, Kilano Brathwaite, Dane Edwards, Johnnel Eugene, Kirstan Kallicharran, Joshua Persaud, Nico Reifer, Dominik Samuels, Raewin Senior, Kevin Sinclair, Crystian Thurton, Sanjay Williams, Nyeem Young. Team Management Unit: Robert Samuels (head coach), Courtney Walsh (manager), Floyd Reifer (assistant coach), Beverly Nelson (physiotherapist).

Scott Savory stands at the top of the podium displaying his silverware.

ASHES 2015

Darren Lehmann safe as Australia coach despite defeat AUSTRALIA coach Darren Lehmann is not in danger of being sacked, despite losing the Ashes to England, Cricket Australia’s chief executive has said. James Sutherland was asked at a news conference if Lehmann’s job was safe and responded with an emphatic “yes”. Lehmann, who took charge in 2013, led Australia to this year’s World Cup win, but the Test team have suffered three crushing defeats in this Ashes series. Sutherland said a review would be held into the team’s overseas struggles. “After every series we Australia coach will sit down and review, Darren Lehmann and I think there is an opportunity for a reflection on (our) style of play,” he told reporters in Melbourne. “It’s not easy playing away but it’s something we have to get better at. “We want to be the best cricket team in the world and

to do that we have to be better at playing away.” England’s innings-and-78-run win at Trent Bridge gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series - meaning Australia have now lost three of their five away series under Lehmann. Sutherland also backed batsman Steve Smith to take over the Test captaincy from Michael Clarke, who announced he would retire at the end of the series. Smith captained the t e a m i n C l a r k e ’s a b sence during Australia’s series against India in December and January. “We have someone in waiting who has had experience as a captain,” Sutherland said. “In recent months he has been rated as the best Test cricketer in the world. Steven is ready for this challenge but no-one is ready-made to just walk into it.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday August 10, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 53 (2) Shane Warne (195); Dennis Lillee (167); Glen

McGrath (157); Hugh Trumble (141)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many Test matches have been played at Bourda? (2) How many ODI matches have been played at Bourda?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 10, 2015

GMR&SC Race of Champions 2015 …

Oliver, Kristian Jeffrey and Matthew Vieira reign supreme SURINAMESE Oliver Tjn-Lip-Shie, Matthew Vieira and Kristian Jeffrey were the stars of the day at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit. Tjn-Lip-Shie won all three Group 3 races while Vieira continued his dominance in the Superbike category, winning both races. Reigning Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) title holder Kristian showed his father (Kevin) who is the real ‘Jeffrey’ when he took home the two Group 4 races in style. Despite the weather forcing the cancellation of a few races, the crowd on hand yesterday were treated to a day of exciting racing as some of Guyana’s representatives on the CMRC circuit used the event to finetune their machines for next month’s leg in Barbados. For Kristian, the day was meant to show his father that the track has accommodation for only one Jeffrey. Both father and son sit behind the wheels of Mitsubishi Evolution and drive out of the same camp, but the younger Jeffrey, the Caribbean Champion and 2015 CMRC points leader, was obviously a cut above his ‘old man’ and the other competitors in the Group 4 category. In the first race, Kristian beat his father to second place and Mark Vieira was third. The other race wasn’t even close, and Kevin was only able to keep up for just three of the 15-lap race. Over in the Group 3 category, the day belonged to the Surinamese who left his Guyanese counterparts in the dust. It was supposed to be a showdown between Tjn-Lip-Shie and Danny Persaud in Group 3, but the Guyanese in his Mazda Miata was simply a tad slower than the ‘flying Dutchman’. Tjn-Lip-Shie took the first race, finishing

Ryan Rahaman leads Chet Singh in one of their Group 3 races. ahead of Ravi Singh and Adrian Fernandes then battled Persaud to take the second race ahead of the Miata. Singh finished second in the third race after Persaud’s usually dependable Mazda developed some problems. Rameez Mohamed was third. Meanwhile, over in the Superbikes, Matthew Vieira’s bike was in top form and the man in control was doing much better than the opposition. His cousin Stephen, the local Valentino Rossi, was beaten into second place in two races, while Carlos Rodrigues copped third in the final Superbike race of the day. The Group 2 category was a battle between Chet Singh and ‘wonder boy’ Ryan Rahaman. Singh won the first but Rahaman reversed the result in the other yesterday.

Oops! Sharima Khan crashes out on turn one.

Kristian Jeffrey is unbeatable at yesterday’s GMR&SC Race of Champions.

Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira in action yesterday

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis National Novices C/ships …

KOs, TKOs the order of the opening night

See story on page 21

GMR&SC Race of Champions 2015 …

Oliver, Kristian Jeffrey and Matthew Vieira reign supreme See story on page 23

Matthew Vieira waves the chequered flag after winning one of his two Superbike races.

Matthew Vieira leads the pack out of the ClubHouse turn.

Surinamese Oliver Tjn-Lip-Shie takes the chequered flag after a dominant performance in the Group 3 category.

(Samuel Maughn photos)

Kristian Jeffrey powers away from his father Kevin during their Group 4 showdown yesterday.

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MONDAY, August 10, 2015