2015 9 21

GUYANA

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

Missing girl rescued No. 104319

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

…was promised house, money by alleged traffickers

PRICE: $80

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The 14-year-old relating her ordeal to police and other counsellors

Baby killed after tyre blowout P.13

Aiden Hackett and his mother Allana Hackett in happier times (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Mom dies after C-section delivery

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Govt trying to provide relief to laid-off Toucan workers GOVERNMENT is trying its best to provide relief to the laid-off workers of Toucan Connection Incorporated, President David Granger has said.

He said that the laying off of the workers in August is of great concern to him. “I am and we are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the employment situation in Linden,” the President told Guyana Chronicle last Friday. He said government is working to see how best it can provide “relief where it is possible”. “It is a private enterprise matter and we of course are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the employment situation in this community.”

Asked whether he has seen a report on the St. Kitts based Toucan Connections matter by the Ministry of Social Protection, the President said no. “Once I get the report, I’d probably discuss

it at Cabinet next Tuesday,” he said.

Following the abrupt closure of the Call Centre, the Department of Labour was summoned to investigate the laying off of the ninety Toucan Connection workers.

That company, has been accused of breaching Guyana’s labour laws by closing its doors without giving the employees prior notice and moreover their benefits. It was discovered that the company was not paying the employees’ National Insurance Scheme contributions or the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax although monies were deducted from the salaries of the workers.

Recently, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes told Guyana Chronicle that her ministry is working to see how best the situation can be quelled. She said, a report has been compiled

and is with the subject minister Volda Lawrence. “This is not a closed matter, the workers have to be paid,” said Broomes.

Toucan Connections has said it was unaware that the severance package was the company’s responsibility.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he is hopeful that the laid off workers can receive their benefits. He said the situation is an “undesirable one” that leaves much to be desired. Morian, who wants a speedy conclusion to the matter, said he was also in communication with senior representatives of Toucan Connection. The Regional Chairman said, “I want to give them ample time to correct” the situation. According to Morian, he is working towards a “win-win solution” and wants to have an amicable solution to the problem. “I want to give them enough time,” Morian stressed, while noting that he intends to meet with the displaced workers next week. The Regional Chairman is optimistic that discussions with the company will bear fruit. Attempts to contact Ministers Lawrence and Broomes on the matter have proved futile.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

Fujitsu IT services renews business interest in Guyana

The Fujitsu IT team in Guyana to re-introduce the company’s products and services (Photo by Delano Williams)

FUJITSU Network and Security, a major international information technology services company, recently held a forum at the Georgetown Marriot to re-introduce its products and services to Guyana.

Vice-President, Sales Fujitsu Caribbean (Trinidad), Stephen Juteram, said the company is here to re-introduce its business, and that it is at the forefront of next-generation development in information and communication technology.

He noted that the company has been here for a long time, and he said a team is here to promote the company’s products and services, and to strengthen the bond locally. An overview of the company was also given.

Before the company changed its name, it was known as FORTUNE. It is now rebranded Fujitsu, a Japanese information technology company that is 80 years old and that has existed in the Caribbean for some time, according to Juteram.

He pointed out that the

company has a focus on Central America, and has since established an office in Mexico to cater to the needs of its clients worldwide.

The company has 140 data centres globally, and these utilize its products and services.

Juteram said the company also has global alliances that enable it to tap in for assistance and it manages data centres remotely and works closely with telecommunication providers in the Caribbean.

The company is probably the first of its kind to establish a data centre in the Caribbean, and its customers in Guyana include Digicel Guyana and Banks DIH, among others.

Juteram added that the company designs, builds and manages clients’ IT systems, has from small-scale to mega businesses as clients, and the clients are very happy with the quality of service the company provides. He said that excellent customer service is experienced by all the company’s clients.

In response, Lance Hinds, Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), outlined that entity’s perspective on the development of information technology, and the way forward.

He told the gathering that GCCI is the oldest private sector organisation in Guyana, and will be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. He said the GCCI is the

voice of businesses locally.

Hinds said that information technology development remains a ‘mixed bag’ in Guyana, and if the country is to be IT-driven, businesses must seek partnerships, because Guyana’s IT infrastructure is weak in some areas in relation to its Caribbean counterparts.

Hinds said that of late, the University of Guyana Computer Science Department has been providing better graduates than in past years; and although Guyana has a far way to go, harmonization is required in that respect.

Fujitsu is the world’s fourth largest IT services company. It operates, implements, manages and supports the IT infrastructure behind the technology society.

Since its inception in 1935, the company has maintained a commitment to technological innovation and uncompromising product quality by providing leading-edge, highly reliable performance information technology and communication solutions which are designed to help customers unleash the infinite possibilities of the broadband Internet for their businesses.

With about 175,000 employees supporting clients in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to clients.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

Time not ripe for unity talks-Gaskin …says forensic audits could embarrass PPP

By Tajeram Mohabir MORE THAN two weeks since Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced that the government is open for unity talks with the Opposition, Social Commentator, Ramon Gaskin says though the move by the administration is laudable the prevailing atmosphere is not conducive for such discussions. He said the impending findings of the various forensic audits could embarrass the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which can undermine those talks.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Gaskin said from the information in the public domain, it appears that the proposal by the David Granger-led Administration has not been well thought out. “The forensic audits are still ongoing; no one knows what will come out of it.

From what used to happen, there is likelihood that there would be discovery of massive fraud. The time is not right for it now,” he said, pointing out that Local Government Elections are also in the air.

Gaskin is also of the view that the government and the Opposition can and should discuss the unity government in the open and the place they can do so is the National Assembly. According to him, the National Assembly is the place such talks should be first held and not behind closed doors since the masses would want to know upfront and from the horse’s mouth, what such a government would entail.

In the interim, the social commentator said the government should focus on gaining the trust of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) by giving them full control of the seven regions they won at the last Regional and General Elections. But for now, he said while a unity government would be good for Guyana in terms of bridging ethic divides and ensuring inclusivity in governance among the major political parties, the time is not ideal now for such talks to be held.

COMMITTED President David Granger has reiterated that the government remains committed to inclusionary democracy and is prepared to consider executive power sharing with the opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). At the last General and Regional Elections, the governing coa-

lition of APNU+AFC secured some 51% of the votes cast, and Granger has since contended that it would not be prudent for the government to lock out the PPP. “We have at all times aimed at having inclusionary democracy and inclusionary government, so that the 49 per cent don’t feel locked out,” he had said, pointing out that Prime Minister Nagamootoo was on spot when he told Berbicians two Saturdays ago that the administration is open to a national unity government with the PPP. Granger said that national unity is part of the philosophy of the coalition, pointing out that there should be some form of sharing, some form of national unity and some form of inclusionary governance.

NON-STARTER The APNU+AFC Government has since put forward Nagamootoo to lead the unity government talks but the PPP has said it will not engage the Prime Minister, contending that his selection to lead the talk is a non-starter. Nagamootoo, a former PPP Executive has said he has “no axe to grind” with the PPP and stands willing and ready to lead talks on national unity with his old party.

“I have worked with Cheddi Jagan – the late President in the 70s, on the issue of a national front government.

I worked with the late Dr Walter Rodney to put a programme in place for a united government and later on it was morphed into what the WPA had called a caretaker government,” Nagamootoo had said.

In fact, he revealed that he assumed those responsibilities because it was thought by his colleagues in the APNU+AFC camp that he would be a suitable facilitator to work with a party that he had worked with for over 50 years. But the issue of personality clash, he opined, has been one of the effects of Guyana’s biggest problem, which is the lack of “political unity” and the will to bring about that unity.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon at his weekly post-Cabinet briefing last Friday said the administration is still open to the PPP for talks on a unity government and hopes that they will come onboard. He said from the voting patterns of 2011 and 2015, there is a strong indication that the people want a unity government and not one party dominating in government.

In 2011, the PPP lost its majority in the National Assembly while in 2015 they lost power to the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.

“What I can say is that the APNU+AFC Government, this administration, is ready for talks with the PPP/C any day that they are ready for us to start the conversation on a government for national unity. We do not believe that sharing of just a few Cabinet positions

President David Granger

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Political commentator Dr Henry Jeffrey

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Raymond Gaskin (Capitol News photo)

really would amount to the inclusive governance which is spoken about in Article 13 of the Constitution. We believe that it has to be much deeper, it has to be clear conversations on how it is going to work and whether in fact you are talking about inclusive governance just at the Cabinet or Executive level or you are taking it all the way down to the various levels of governance. So these are the things we have put on the table to talk with the PPP/C and we trust that in a very short time that they will be able to come back to us,” Minister Harmon said.

unity talk, as a responsible political party, the PPP should write to the government outlining its concerns.

“Let Mr Jagdeo, Mr Rohee and the PPP come to us a say we don’t want to talk to you because Nagamootoo is there, because he is Prime Minister; we don’t want to do this and we don’t want to do that. As of now, that is our

team. The Prime Minister has the fullest confidence of this administration. We believe that he is a fair and just person who is capable of leading our team in the unity talks with the PPP/C,” the Minister of State said.

Meanwhile, also weighing in on the debate, Former PPP Minister and political commentator Dr Henry Jef-

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran

FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS He also said that the administration does not intend to engage the PPP on the unity talks through the press but through face-to-face interactions across the table.

Harmon told reporters that if the PPP has issues with the composition of the government team for the

frey told the Guyana Chronicle that given the antagonism that exist with the Prime Minister and the PPP, it would not be ideal for him to lead the talks, but that is not to say he should not be part of the conversation. For Dr Jeffrey, anyone can lead the discussions, including Minister of Governance Ra-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Health workers Missing 14-year-old girl rescued sanctioned over from suspected abductors mistaken HIV results - was promised house, money, cellphone

THE health workers at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) who mistakenly diagnosed eight pregnant women as HIV-positive, have been sanctioned by the relevant authorities.

“The matter has been dealt with and some persons involved in the wrong distribution of the results were sanctioned,” said Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, responding to queries by media operatives on the matter.

Mere days ago, Minister Norton revealed that officials at the State-run laboratory were not following protocol in relation to the distribution of HIV results. He explained that the results were being distributed in “batches” and not “individually”, which might have caused a mix-up in the paperwork.

“You are supposed to give out the results individually, but we understand it was

By Leroy Smith

Health Minister, Dr. George Norton given out in batches, which is against the rules,” Norton said, adding that some persons were removed from their positions while others are facing sanctions following the revelation.

There is uncertainty, however, as to when exactly these wrong results were delivered to the women but according to Norton, the situation has been corrected and the women are now breathing a sigh of relief.

member of a faith-based organisation, the girl disclosed that she was being held by the miner, whose name was given as Alvan Isaacs, and he had promised her a house, car, mobile phone, cash and other valuables.

Police had arrested the man last Friday along with an

POLICE early yesterday morning dramatically rescued the 14-year-old missing East Bank Demerara girl from a minibus following a tipoff from her parents.

And police arrested three persons, including a 37-yearold miner, who they believe masterminded the abduction of the girl and were allegedly in the process of trafficking her to an interior location.

The teenager of Lot 12 Supply, East Bank Demerara, went missing last Wednesday and her parents were in a panic as her whereabouts were unknown.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the child was spotted in a minibus heading south along the East Bank public road and her parents were tipped off.

They later informed the police who set up a roadblock and intercepted the minibus.

When questioned about her whereabouts by the police in the presence of a

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18-year-old alleged accomplice. Investigators said that from all indications when the two men were arrested, the scheme to allegedly traffic the girl in the interior fell apart.

Sources close to the investigation told the Guyana Chronicle that the police

have since received additional information that the man has two other girls who are being held at an undisclosed location.

Reports are that after the police picked up the 37year- old man on Friday, the See Page 7

Motorcar PSS 9582 which was allegedly used in the abduction of the girl

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Vandals denude GTT of $50M

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has suffered some $50 million in losses in the past 15 months due to vandalisation of its cables throughout the country.

According to the company, the loss amounted to $36 million in 2014, and up to March of this year, the reported loss due to damage by vandals was tallied at $14 million. During the past 15 months, GTT was able to apprehend 12 persons, several of whom were placed before the court.

--in cable vandalisation during past 15 months

GTT CEO Justin Nedd Acting GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd said the cables were vandalised for the copper they contained.

The price for copper is

Mom dies after C-section delivery --Minister says ‘it was inevitable’

By Shivanie Sugrim MOTHER of two, Alexis Syfox, succumbed yesterday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being placed on life support mere days ago.

Her death was as a result of placenta accreta, a highrisk complication associated with pregnancy.

Syfox, who resided in suburban Guyhoc, had been battling for survival at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for nearly a week, and succumbed in the wee hours of the morning yesterday, leaving to mourn her husband and two children.

The cause of her death, according to Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, is placenta accreta which is a severe pregnancy condition that arises when parts of the placenta (an organ that is responsible for nourishing the fetus) grows deeply into the walls of the uterus.

While many hold the view that the Hospital is often responsible for maternal deaths, given the countless reported cases, Dr. Cummings noted that in this instance, Syfox’s scenario was inevitable.

“It was inevitable and beyond our control, since it was a case of placenta accreta, which the patient and doctors were not aware of until she was being placed on the operating table,” Dr. Cummings said.

She said, too, that the

The dead woman, Alexis Syfox patient previously had caesarean sections for both of her children, and with this being her third caesarean section, it resulted in a case of placenta accreta. Once a case of placenta accreta is suspected, an early C-Section delivery is advised, followed by a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

But in Syfox’s case, that route had to be diverted, since she bled uncontrollaby, resulting in her having two cardiac arrests, and upon resuscitation, kidney dysfunction. This was all prior to her being placed on life support.

Repeated cases of caesarean section can result in placenta accreta, and moreso in cases like Syfox’s. But Dr. Cummings believes this can be avoided, once pregnant mothers adhere to their prescribed clinic visits rather than assuming their pregnancy is “under control”.

Dr Cummings further stated that so far, the Ministry of Public Health is working assiduously to enable cases like Syfox’s to be avoided in the near future.

currently at an all-time low because of less demand in China, and according to Nedd, this happens to be a good thing for the company as there has been a reduction in theft. He said the company has been make efforts to address the problem.

“Notwithstanding, we have had discussions with the government to help us to prosecute the perpetrators of copper theft. It is something we have been

dealing with, it is extremely expensive since there is not only a cost to replace the infrastructure but it is expensive as a matter of productivity to customer.

It is a problem that we are acutely aware off but not all the variables are within our control,” he said.

Nedd lamented that aside from the dollar figure to the loss, every time a technician goes out to fix the damaged cable, it is

an opportunity cost as the technician could have been installing a service for a customer. GTT recently announced the rebranding of the company with focus on “doing more” including ensuring faster Internet speeds and improved customer services.

GTT has a base of over 400,000 subscribers and is the only company in Guyana that provides landline, mobile, Internet and

wire line services, but it has not changed its brand and logo over the past 24 years. “ We n o w w a n t t o change how we approach our customer. We thought it fit that we start a new era, start with a new brand and start with a new mantra of doing more,” Nedd had told reporters at a press briefing to announce the rebranding.

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Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Without justice there can be no peace Dear Editor AS the world today observes International Day of Peace let us not lose sight that without justice there can be no peace. As the United Nations General Assembly declared this day, 21st September,

devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples, let us look within ourselves and country to make this possible.

Peace in a global place requires all being held to the same standards and op-

erating by the same rules.

The United Nations has so outlined these. As the first prerequisite for harmony and peaceful co-existence it requires us doing unto others as we would like to be done unto us. For instance, if we desire to live then we should not kill; if we desire

to be treated with dignity and enjoy the protection of the laws, then it behooves extending similar treatment to others. As we mark this day, let there be Peace. It begins with each and every one of us.

SHARMA SOLOMON

EDITORIAL I smell a rat Whiter Inclusivity and somewhere! Courtney’s Block accountability

SINCE the announcement by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration is open for talks with the Opposition for a unity government, there has been much debate on the matter.

Talks of a national unity government are not a new discourse to Guyana since such a formula of governance was proposed more than 50 years ago by political icon and doyen Eusi Kwayana. And even though there were discussions between President Forbes Burnham and then Opposition Leader Dr Cheddi Jagan in the 1980s, the aspiration of unity government or a National Front Alliance as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would want to call it is yet to be realised.

But importantly, from the public pronouncements of the PPP, it appears that the leadership of the party has not closed the doors to such talks, though it has indicated that it will not participate with Prime Minister Nagamootoo leading the discussion from the government’s side. The PPP’s reaction of having to engage the Prime Minister in the unity talks was prompt and acerbic to say the least, and the former did not allow it to pass without a response.

From the early exchange, it was an inauspicious start to the discussion of a unity government but not the abrupt end to the vision to present to Guyana the ‘great magnificent seven’-- a coalition government including the PPP. Currently, from the look of things, the atmosphere does not appear ideal for such engagement between the government and the PPP given that the forensic audits are still ongoing and Local Government Elections are around the corner. National elections in Guyana are usually a period of strong rivalry, and added to this, no one knows what the auditors will find. It is for these reasons the atmosphere might not be the best now (1) because of the jostle between the political parties for support as Local Government Elections nears; and (2) the cordial spirit of the unity talks can possibly engineer a soft landing for miscreants discovered in the forensic audits.

All upright minds would agree that persons who commit fraud and other illegal activities while in office must be brought to book, and importantly, the administration had promised to ensure greater accountability and transparency while in power. Whichever administration is at

IN practically every ward of Georgetown there are scores of abandoned, derelict and hazardous buildings, where Building Inspectors are assigned to. But what do they do about them? Nothing! They are too busy shaking down property owners with small violations.

But alas! The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown has experienced a sudden and striking realization the Bedford Methodist School building located at Robb and Bourda Streets, Georgetown, is a threat to life and limb. Mind you this is only after a businessman with deep pockets purchased it, indicating his intention to replace it with a modern edifice.

Why the Council does not go after the demolition of the Kitty Market, which was also identified by the Guyana Fire Service as one of the countless derelict and hazardous buildings in Georgetown, and which belongs to the city with the same fervor as the Bedford Methodist School building? In fact they are so zealous to have the building taken down that they made no attempt to have the thousands of documents stored there removed before the demolition began resulting in them all being soaked and destroyed during this week’s heavy rainfall.

Not only are these many derelict buildings eyesores, owing to the fact that some of them have been vandalized, but because the majority are wooden and rotten, they pose a real and present danger due to the fact that they could fall at any time and injure passersby or anyone in the vicinity. Additionally, several have attracted squatters who range from persons with mental issues, to drug addicts to bandits, who lie in wait to rob passersby. The danger of any one of these buildings going up in flames and posing a threat to nearby houses is imminent given that their unauthorised occupants would steal electricity and light fires to cook food or to use their drugs. So the question is why all the attention and fuss on the Bedford Methodist School building and not all of the rest?

Why did the Mayor and Councillors not remove the vendors before the elections for their safety, but rather told them to paint their stalls in green and yellow.

Sincerely DEBRA GIBSON

the helm, accountability and transparency have to key on their agenda, not only in rhetoric but in action.

It is with this in mind that while a unity government is ideal for social cohesion as it allows for political inclusivity; political inclusivity must not be at the expense of accountability. Failure to achieve the latter will result in a failure of the unity government since it will allow for the festering of corruption which will breed discontent and resentment among the people. Guyanese, especially the youth who comprised over 60 per cent of the population want to see the government and the Opposition work together, but they also want to see a lean and clean government.

Dear Editor

WITH the untimely and unfortunate death of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing during the election campaign period several months ago , the nation can recall City Mayor Hamilton Green announcing his intention to take urgent steps to memorialise the name of the man who became well-known for his solo protests outside the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

In fact in addressing a large gathering at the Burnham Basketball Court, Parade Ground where Crum-Ewing’s body was taken for a public viewing, Mayor Green said that Carmichael Street between Middle, Main and New Market Streets would be named the Crum-Ewing block because “his memory and his work must not die.”

Listening to the Mayor then who declared that with the authority vested in him given by citizens, that he would be renaming that square where Courtney stopped, the Courtney Crum-Ewing block so that when, as he put it ‘the Most Honourable Distinguished and all-powerful Former Attorney General, goes to his office he will be going through Courtney’s Block. ,’makes me wonder now whether he has lost interest in the project, seeing that there is a new Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs occupying that office. I think it is sad when our politicians use the misfortune of others to advance their narrow political agendas. Clearly that promise and declaration was just a cheap empty campaign gimmick and now it back to business as usual.

Sincerely

NADINE JERRICK

When the dust is settled, and the Opposition is ready for the talks, it will be imperative that in the discussion for political inclusivity, accountability is not treated as a secondary matter. Guyana longed for a unity government since for too long the country has been divided among ethnic lines because of distrust among the major political forces -- the PPP and APNU/AFC. The solution for the way forward can be found in a unity government but one guided by rigorous checks and balance; a focus on bridging inequality by providing equal opportunities for all; and creating an environment where respect, tolerance and cultural development flourish. Only in a united Guyana can we achieve our motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Seven months on…

No closure yet for families of Burma Road tragedy

By Leroy Smith

NOTHING has returned to normalcy in the community of Burma following that horrific accident in February that claimed the lives of six schoolchildren and their teacher.

They all died by drowning after the vehicle in which they were all travelling turned turtle and ended up in a nearby trench.

On September 09, 2015, approximately seven months after the incident that shocked the country, the Guyana Chronicle learnt that the community and the relatives who were affected have still not gotten closure.

Carole Duke is the sister of Shondel Duke, 41, the teacher who was killed in the accident.

She said that since her sister’s passing, the family has been trying to make life and move on, but is finding hard to do.

Carole, who was working as a sweeper-cleaner at the same school where her late sister tauight, still works there unto this day.

“After the accident, “ she said, “I use to watch to see if I see her in the classrooms, and I use to go over early. I never went with fear, because I always go with the feeling that I would see her one day teaching still.”

A ‘DEAD’ COMMUNITY According to her, the family felt the loss even more, days before the new school term began, as Shondel was the one who would do all the purchasing of school items for the children in the family.

The community as well is now “dead”, she said, and the loss of the six children is even more acute, when you look at those walking to school in the mornings. The school is located just across the road from where Shondel Duke lived.

“I see that from since the death, the community is a dead, dead community; you

Missing 14-year-old ...

From Page 4

18-year-old alleged accomplice, who is also familiar with the child, was then reportedly approached by her since by that time she had no place to go.

She was then shuttled to various locations in an effort to evade the dragnet cast by her parents and the police. She also spent time at a friend on the East Coast Demerara, who she told investigators was her school friend.

Police have since impounded the car which belongs to the miner and was identified as the vehicle that he uses to lure girls with promises of luxury. The vehicle, a sliver grey Bluebird, PSS 9582, is heavily tinted and according to persons, it is well known for roaming the East Bank corridor.

HELPLESS Last Saturday the girl’s parents approached

the Guyana Chronicle in tears, detailing their search for their young daughter. They did indicate that they were receiving the full support of the police at Timehri Police Station who had been advising them and keeping them informed about the investigation.

The girl’s mother said that that her daughter had been behaving strangely and so she decided to keep her away from school last Wednesday. However, when the woman returned home the child was nowhere to be found and a search was launched immediately.

Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken confirmed to this newspaper that the child has been located and a member of a faith-based organisation was immediately contacted to provide counselling for her.

A female rank also ac-

companied the underage girl to a doctor who examined her for any recent indications of sexual activity.

Guyana Chronicle was informed that the 15-yearold provided the police with vital information that also led them to broaden their investigation, especially with respect to the activities of the miner.

Late last evening the police were preparing to release the 15-year-old lad but the other two suspects, the 18-year-old and the 37-year-old were being kept in custody to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the parents of the girl have expressed special thanks to Detective Constables Shaym Beharry and Critchlow who they said “really showed dedication in their efforts to locate the young lady and also acted on every lead that was provided to them by persons along the East Bank Demerara.”

The vehicle in front of the Timehri Police Station.

could know children missing from the community; you do not feel as though a school is in the community, because the number of children that use to pass you to go to school do not pass here anymore,” Carole said.

She said that while some views were expressed with respect to what really happened on that fateful day, the family has a good relationship with the entire community, including those persons who lost their children in that accident.

But deep down inside, she said, no one knows the real thoughts on their minds, given the loss they suffered. She

believes that one day, the real truth will come to light with respect to what happened to her sister and those children.

PROMISING DESIGNER Also reminiscing on the loss of a child in such tragic circumstances were Vishaa and Ronald Persaud, the parents of Martina Persaud, eight. The mother of the child said her daughter was a promising individual who wanted to be a designer and musical artiste.

“She had great potential, and now the feelings are not good at all,” Martina’s mommy said. “When you see other

children going to school, it is really hard, because the other children come here every day.”

Mrs. Persaud, who operates a small general store in the community, said that she was a fixture on the parent-teacher association, but not any more. Since her daughter died, she’s visited the school a few times more but has since lost interest in going there. Everything has fallen apart for her, she said, and it is only now that the school

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

By Ariana Gordon

two chemicals: Sodium metabisulfite and copper sulfate, and we are able to destroy the cyanide down to a very, very low level; we do cyanide destruction,” Papadakis said.

Aurora rates overall recovery ‘extremely high and effective’ CYANIDE leaching and gravity recovery are the two methods of gold recovery used by Aurora Gold Mine (AGM), which affords it an overall recovery rate of 97%.

This is according to Mill Manager Mike Papadakis, who explained that before the recovery of gold can take place, the company is required to crush rocks down “to a certain size”, then place them into the SAG Mill, where steel balls cascade the rocks and grind them so that they look like sugar or even flour when that process is completed.

“Once we grind the rocks down, we have two methods to recover the gold, one is gravity recovery…”

Papadakis said last week during a media tour of the facility.

Gravity recovery from grinding circuits is quite common in many operations globally. Effective gravity concentration effort is a function of numerous factors, including the quantity and size of distribution of the Gravity-Recoverable-Gold (GRG) present, downstream processes and water balance, among other things.

“Gold is much heavier than the other minerals, and what we have is a machine that spins extremely fast; like a washing machine on

SAG MILL at the Aurora Gold Mine

spin cycle,” Papadakis said, adding: “Gold is heavy; it sticks to the side, and the other minerals pass through.

We are able to capture the gold that way.”

The second method used to recover gold at Aurora is the cyanide method. Cyanide is added to the large tanks located at the SAG Mill to dissolve the gold.

Once dissolved, the company uses activated carbon, a coconut shell about the size of rice crispy. “So we put the three into the tank and we hold the carbon back, and it lets the ground rock pass through,” Papadakis said.

“What happens, is the cyanide molecules stick to the side of the carbon; and we are able to recover the carbon and we are able to

reverse that process, and the gold and cyanide molecules unstick and we create a high grade solution which we then send to our refinery,” he added.

Papadakis explained that in the refinery, electro-winning is done. Electrowinning, also called electro-extraction, is the electro-deposition of metals from their ores that have been placed in solution via leaching.

“The main difference,” he said, “is that instead of plating a gold sheet, we plate like a gold sludge. We are able to wash that sludge off, we dry it, melt it and we produce… And that’s what we sell on the market.”

Asked which of the two methods has the best recovery rate, Papadakis said gravity recovery will recover approximately 20-30% of gold, but “that recovery is typically governed by the size of the gold. If we get big nuggets of gold, we are going to recover more; if it is extremely fine grain, it is not as effective.”

The Mill Manager said that cyanide leaching is “extremely effective”, with 90-95% gold recovery. The overall recovery of the plant is 97%, “which is extremely

high and effective.”

CYANIDE DESTRUCTION Cyanide leaching, has over the years become quite controversial, as it opens mining pits while releasing many potentially dangerous toxins. Cyanide can have a profound impact on the environment, health and wildlife, but according to Papadakis, Aurora is environmentally conscious and disposes of cyanide in a safe manner. “ We h a v e a p r o c e s s called detoxification; cyanide destruction. We add

ON TIME AND ON BUDGET Aurora held its first gold pour at its Cuyuni-Mazaruni location last Tuesday, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer and President of Guyana Gold Fields, Scott Caldwell said the mine was constructed with approximately US$250M. He also said that the project has been completed “on time, and on budget.”

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce up to 15,000 ounces of gold monthly, with total gold production estimated at 3.29M ounces in 17 years.

But while the company has touted a 17-year lifespan, Caldwell announced that the lifespan could be increased to 35 years. “It’s going to be around a long, long time, generating some good things for the country,” Caldwell said.

He boasted of the company’s environmental and health consciousness, noting that since work commenced

in 1996, it has not lost any of its employees.

Meanwhile, Executive Chairman, Patrick Sheridan said he is extremely proud of the achievement of the company, credit for which goes to the hard-working employees.

“These jobs are going to support a family, pay a mortgage, and develop one’s skills. It is perhaps this legacy that is most important,” he stressed.

Construction of the Aurora mining camp began in 2013, with local and international contractors working together. The company said that a large Peruvian workforce was instrumental in the construction process. Some 1,200 temporary workers were part of the construction process, with 400 expatriates, 700 Guyanese and 100 local contractors.

Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canada-based mineral exploration company, primarily focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana. The projected Corporate Income Tax is US$509M, Projected Payroll Taxes stand at US$67M and projected Excise Tax is US$43M.

Time not ripe for... phael Trotman. But, he said the invitation for the talks should have been extended

by President Granger since he is the leader of the country and the coalition that won the last elections and would lead the unity government, and not the Prime Minister.

NO ARBITRATION Dr Jeffery, a political scientist, also contended that in spite of the differences between the two major political

parties, it would not be ideal for a civil society member to lead the talks, because it is not an arbitration but, a negotiation involving parties with varying interests.

He said the discussions should be led by political leaders of the two parties since they will be better able to articulate their concerns and reach common solutions, taking into consideration their various interests. Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran writing in weekly blog Conversation Tree said there were times in the history of the PPP when the national interest took precedence.

He pointed out that in August 1975, the PPP offered ‘critical support’ to the PNC Government, noting that at the time the PPP perceived that government was moving in an ‘anti-imperialist’ direction. “It had embarked on a policy of nationalisation of foreign-owned industries and was perceived to come or likely to come under attack by ‘imperialism’. In these circumstances the PPP felt compelled to protect what

From page 3

it saw were advances made by the PNC Government by showing solidarity,” he wrote.

But he said the PPP today is intent on throwing obstacles in the path of national unity in order to ensure its own ethno-political dominance.

“As Ogunsaye [Tacuma] says, the PPP believes that it can win the next elections just as it believed it could have won the last two. In order to defeat this objective, the government needs to define and coordinate its approach. The government may consider it necessary to make a formal approach to the Leader of the Opposition, broadly defining its ideas on national unity, without taking public positions from which it would be reluctant to climb down.

It needs to recognise that the Prime Minister can lead the process without being physically present at the talks.

The PPP must not be handed on a platter the opportunity to cause the failure of a drive for national unity,” Ramkarran stressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

No closure yet for families... and the community seem to be coming back together.

“She was the smallest in the home, and she was always busy and helpful. Now, like everything is lost; you can now feel the silence; it is not like before,” the woman said sadly.

The vehicle in which the children and teacher died belonged to the Persauds; they’d lent it to her to take the children to the Mashramani celebrations away from

the village on that day.

Asked if she had any regrets about anything she’d done that fatal day, Mrs Persaud said: “When I reflect on that day, my only regret is that I am the one who said to lend the teacher the car. They said they’d be back by 1:30, but they never did. I called the phone and was not getting onto her. It is because of that timing that I lent the car; and that was the biggest mistake

I ever made.”

She believes that the children and the teacher were not supposed to die on that day, as she recalled driving the car from her home with her child inside, and taking it to the home of the teacher, where the other children were present. The woman said she even helped dress the children in the clothing she’’d made them, since she is into designing herself.

She’d also watched as

The two Abel boys who perished in the accident

Ayesha Abel, Martina Persaud, Azidia Fraser, Atesha Woolford on the morning they died, posed for a photo before going to the Mashramani event

From page 7

they drove off, and recalls that they were all in high spirits; smiling brightly and waving her goodbye. It was the last she’d ever see of them.

TRYING TO COPE A u b r e y Wo o l f o r d , a miner who works in ‘the interior’, lost two daughters, Azidia Fraser, six, and Atesha Woolford, 10. The man said that the family has been trying to cope and forget the incident, and while he has been able to do so a bit, sometimes he sees his children while he sleeps.

He said that his wife seems to be the most affected person, as she still has not gotten over the loss of two of her children in such unfortunate circumstances.

Asked whether he regrets sending his children on that outing, the man said he does not. He said that in January, he went to the school to have discussions with the teachers, and told them that he wanted his children to be part of each and every activity that the school has, since he never had the chance his children were having.

“We spoke specifically about the ‘Mash’ event that was coming up, and I was excited for them to take part in it, because, as a child, I never had those opportunities,” he said. “I told them I want them to be part of it, because, growing up, I never had those opportunities to participate in school activities; and that was because my mother was a single- parent, and she had me and three others. And, you know, it was not easy for her to deal with all of us,” Mr Woolford recalled fondly.

What he misses most about his two girls, he said, is that whenever he returned from ‘the interior’, they would rush to greet him at the gate, and would continue to cling onto him until he was ready to leave to head back to his job. He said the kind of relationship he had with his daughters is something he misses a lot; and that has really changed his life.

He said seeing other children going to school is really heartbreaking, as his girls always looked forward to him taking them to school, especially on the first day.

DOUBLE WHAMMY Roberta Abel has since moved out of the community of Burma after she was struck with double tragedy after losing three of her children in that Burma Road accident. The woman, who is now living in Central Mahaicony, explained that in trying to recover from losing her three children, she remained at home for five months, and when she returned to work, she was allowed to work a few days for three weeks before the management decided to send her packing, as part of a retrenchment exercise at the Burma Rice Mill.

Justin Abel, eight, Rayden Abel, seven, and Ayesha Abel, 10, all died in the same accident on that unfortunate afternoon. According to the now unemployed woman, the fact that she is now home brings back all the memories of her children in her quiet time. She said being occupied at work was a great help in getting over the loss.

She said that the entire ordeal comes back to her now, as fresh as the day it happened. She said that she was in the community recently, but asked to leave before the children came out on the road to go to school.

“When I see children going to school, it hurt me,” she said. “When I was there to spend a night recently, I wanted to leave before the children started going to school, so I came out. This incident has changed my whole life.”

Asked whether she had any regrets regarding that day her children died, the woman said she certainly does.

“I have regrets sending my children to that event that day; I should have been the one taking them, but I decided to stay and work, so that I can make my full hours so that when I was paid on the fortnight, I would have had enough money to purchase some things I had promised all three of them,” the woman explained.

STILL EMPTY Over at the school, the feeling of loss was very evident. The class that Shondel Duke taught was still empty, but the desks and benches were all neatly arranged, as if to accommodate students and teacher.

Headteacher, Marcia Fordyce explained that since

the incident, they have received counseling for the students and themselves through the Ministry of Education, and that parents were also part of the sessions.

She said that with the exception of one case, all the other students seem to be putting the pieces together, but one child continues to ask for his teacher, and the child who was in the same class with him, but perished in the accident.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the child who is yet to fully recover has displayed extreme signs of emotion associated with the loss. However, in this September term, there has been some improvement in the child’s behaviour.

AFTERMATH After the incident at Burma Road, most of the children stayed away from school, and only began returning fully for the reopening in September.

We were told that the headteacher and another teacher at the school usually speak about the now dead teacher, but this is not done in the presence of the students.

They reminded that while Teacher Duke was around, there was never a dull moment. She was also the one who would mobilize the children to get involved in extra-curricular activities, particularly national events.

Another teacher who spoke with the Chronicle said that life at the school is now returning to normalcy but it will still take some time. No one at the school really ventures into the classroom that Shondel Duke taught in while she was alive.

However, ironically, one day before we visited the school a teacher had cause to enter that classroom to take some of the students since the chalkboard in another room was already filled with work.

The Education Ministry was to return to have a final counseling session with the children but that is yet to be conducted and the teachers have not heard anything in that regard.

Since the incident, there has been no new additions to the roll, while at least three children were transferred to a school outside the community since they continued to ask for their now dead teacher and would cry from time to time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

At Berbice Expo...

Business Minister commits to completing Belvedere Industrial Site MINISTER OF BUSINESS Dominic Gaskin has committed to having the Belvedere Industrial Site completed under a strong framework of regulations and policies.

He made the commitment Friday while speaking at the Berbice 2015 Exposition and Trade Fair at the Albion Sports Complex Ground.

Noting that the Belvedere Industrial site, which was opened over a decade ago, is still underutilised,

Minister Gaskin said: “I will get this done as early as possible, so that we can complete the Belvedere Industrial Site under a strong framework of regulations and policies and direction.”

He also observed that government was committed to having a clear, coherent and national development policy with respect to managing and operating industrial sites in Guyana.

He further stressed the

need for Guyana to have a vibrant, innovative, independent and competitive private sector that can partner with government and other stakeholders, through an ongoing structured engagement to create a longterm plan for the country development.

“Our government is committed to partnering with a progressive private sector in building a strong and sustainable economy.”

And, cognisant of the global implications of all

this, Minister Gaskin said the world is now harmonising a set of minimum targets for human development, achievable over the next 15 years, and these are contained in an agenda for sustainable development 2030 which will be signed by 193 member countries of the United Nations, including Guyana, later this month in the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“The sustainable development goals will be the new goals that Guyana will commit itself to achieving by 2030, “ he said. “There are seventeen goals representing broad areas of development and each is broken down in a set of targeted objectives.”

Goal Number Eight promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

S a i d t h e m i n i s t e r, “This Goal and all of its objective is global; its meaning is clear, and it is within this context that our government would like to frame a national economic development strategy for Guyana .. this goal speaks very strongly of creating more and better employment opportunities, particularly to our young population...”

His reason for focussing on sustainable development goals, the minister said, has to do with the fact that over the last 50 years, Guyanese have failed to develop a strong and fortified economy that it is capable of competing with the rest of the world.

To successfully reverese this trend, he said, the onus is on the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) to heighten Guyana’s presence on foreign markets, and to also increase significantly direct investment to this

country’s economy.

One of the things that events like the Berbice Exposition does, the minister said, is allow small businesses to gain access to a volume of customers they may not ordinarily encounter, thereby allowing them to showcase their products and services, and get valuable feedback, which can in turn be used to help them get their act together and thus make them more competitive.

“Many of our small businesses cannot afford to advertise; they rely on word-of-mouth recommendations to expand their customer base. This is a really important event…”

The Berbice Trade Fair also adds significant value to the region’s economy as visitors come for outside and spend their money in the region, Minister Gaskin said. (Jeune Bailey-Vankeric)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

‘D’ Division reports...

‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative a huge success

By Michel Outridge THE “See Something, Say Something” initiative by ‘D’ Division police and religious leaders has yielded successes since its launching on August 27, 2015.

The Cops and Faith project spearheaded by Corporal Michael Clarke of the Leonora Police Station and several members of the religious community on the West Coast Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo have already seen 30 arrests with several successful convictions.

Commander Stephen Mansell told this publication that so far, a total of 30 persons have been arrested by the police as a result of the community/police initiative and they are very pleased that citizens are volunteering information which has led to many arrests of criminal elements.

He disclosed that persons have been arrested for fights, violence, suspicious

persons in the community lurking around, break and enter and larceny, and noise nuisance from the Vergenoegen, Zeelugt and Tuschen villages.

The senior officer added that more calls are coming to the police from citizens and they are hoping to develop a closer relationship with the community in crime fighting since the collaborative efforts are working well so far.

He added that community-based projects such as “See Something, Say Something” is very vital to foster partnerships and develop relationships with faith-based leaders, citizens and the police.

Within recent times residents of Tuschen have suffered tremendous losses as a result of frequent break and enter and larceny incidents, especially when they are not at home.

The village is frequented by bandits, who lay wait residents while they are walking home and they

are attacked and robbed at knifepoint as well as gunpoint.

Of those arrested recently is a woman and her three underage children. It was reported that the woman is the mastermind behind many break and enter and larceny at houses in Tuschen.

It is alleged that she encourages her school-aged children, all boys, to go to homes of persons who are away at work during the day and take whatever they want, particularly things of significant value.

The Guyana Chronicle is in receipt of several photographs taken by residents when the woman and her children were being taken away in a police vehicle for questioning recently.

Mansell during the launching of the “See Something, Say Something” at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo tarmac on August 27, 2015 told residents that the initiative is a part of the GPF’s social inter-agency

project under which C-PETS — Creating Positive Environment Through Safe Communities and Partnership – was able to assist 83 youths to successfully complete a six-week skills training programme at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Institute.

Mansell said that the Cops and Faith initiative was launched by the Guyana Police Force in 2013 to reduce crime in the community.

He noted that the police alone cannot fight crime; therefore projects such as “See Something, Say Something” are geared towards building a better relationship between the community and the police. He urged residents to do their part by volunteering information

in relation to incidents of crime to police officers or to the faith-based leaders. He assured that it would assist in the reduction of crime in the division.

He said citizens need not be afraid to pass on information, since by so doing they would be playing a vital role in regard to crime-fighting.

Mansell said, “If you have information, pass it on to us or the pastors.” He reminded the gathering that crimes can be prevented if the police respond quickly and maintain law and order.

He pointed out that there is always a soft side of the police, and that side seeks to foster better relations with citizens. He described as a part of the soft side of police activity the presentation of backpacks with school sup-

plies to 60 children, in time for the new school term.

He said, “The police are not the enemy, we are here to uphold the law and maintain order, because we want to go back to the days when people can sleep with their windows open; and for that to be a reality today, we have to work together to rid our community of crime.”

Pastor Derick Anderson, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, said the Cops and Faith initiative is a collaborative effort. He said that religious leaders are working side by side with the police to reduce crime in the community; and the station sergeants of all police stations in that division are tasked to come up with community-based projects.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Allicock proves he’s

--with horseback arrival at Rupununi festival I NDIGENOUS Peoples Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock proved Friday that he has not lost touch with his roots when he arrived on horseback at the Annual Rupununi Music and Arts Festival.

The three-day Fest, which is being held at the Rock View Lodge at Annai, in the North Rupununi, saw hundreds of Guyanese and foreigners enjoying the colourful variety of exotic sights and sounds of the Guyanese Indigenous culture amidst the splendour of the Rupunini savannahs.

The event kicked off Thursday with Indigenous groups displaying their way of life through music, dance, poetry and storytelling. Minister Allicock’s grand entrance, vaquero style, was made all the more interesting by his telling of a story entitled, “Cattle Rearing”.

Live performances also came from JJ Kent, a Native American Indian from the USA; a Samba Group out of Brazil; a Surinamese named Maya; and a rock band from Georgetown.

Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes, who gave the feature address, spoke at length about the importance of music to the development of the local tourism sector.

It is the diversity of the Guyanese culture that provides the blueprint for music as a driver for tourism, she said. And music, because it is the backdrop of our lives, creates the ambiance that gives our space its uniqueness.

“When visitors hear our music, they would want to see who created it; where it was created; and what was the spectacular forces that contributed to such creation.

Music sells our image and make people want to see more of our products,” Minister Hughes said.

As for the event at hand, Minister Hughes said her ministry is about to add it to its calendar of activities in the hope of attracting even more visitors to these shores.

She also spoke of creating an enabling environment in which the talents of Guyanese involved in the creative industries can grow. Already,

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock regaling his audience about the art of ‘Cattle Rearing’

Some 40 nurses graduate from development course SOME 40 nurses graduated Saturday from a Paediatric Nurses Development Course administered by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA’s volunteer lecturer, Sumiko Yoshida, who has been with the hospital for the past four years, said the goal of the project is to improve nursing services.

She added that to achieve the goal, focus was placed on three principles.

“These included realisation of a child-friendly environment, improvement of education environment, and development of education programmes.”

Due to these principles, she noted that JICA donated educational equipment to the hospital, namely a computer, a printer, a projector, mannequins, a desk, a chair, four white boards, two cabinets and light-blocking curtains.

Yoshida also developed nursing programmes focused on emergency nursing. Patient Care Advocates also benefited from special training.

In a bid to improve the environment of the Paediatric Ward, child-friendly art was also painted on the walls by the JICA. Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Nursing Services Owen John lauded the programme and contended that paediatric nursing in Guyana is Japanese volunteer lecturer Sumiko Yoshida (left stooping) with the nurses who moving forward. graduated from the development course and ward managers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

still got it music has been enshrined in schools’ curriculum, so that persons, from a very small age, can get involved.

The ‘Rupununi’ festival also provided workshops on craft and paintings, which were conducted by representatives from the EU (European Union) Delegation in Guyana and other groups from Georgetown.

Noting that the Festival was well supported this year, Minister Allicock said that events such as these allow for Guyanese, especially the Indigenous population, to showcase their way of life, and at the same time provide the opportunity for the exchange of cultures, both local and foreign, through art, craft, music,

dance, and food. This, he said, is very important for the educational aspect of one’s development.

Present also were Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams; and members of the Diplomatic Corps. (GINA)

Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes and husband Nigel Hughes responding to the call of the pan

The Rock band from Georgetown during their thing

Baby killed after tyre blowout TEN-month-old Aiden Hackett of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, died yesterday after the Toyota Tundra vehicle in which he was one of the passengers toppled

Aiden and his mother sharing happy times together (Photos by Adrian Narine)

on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

His traumatised mother, Allana Hackett, told the Guyana Chronicle that she and one of her younger relatives, the baby and her nephew, the driver of the Tundra, who was identified as Mohamed Awaz Ali, were heading to Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to visit another relative around midday yesterday.

At the time, she was in the back seat with the infant and one of her relatives, when suddenly they heard a sound “like the tire blew out,” and then the vehicle began toppling several times.

According to her, upon gaining consciousness, she recalled seeing her relative next to her and tried to get him out of the vehicle and

Baby Aiden in happier times persons later rushed them to the Diamond Hospital.

Young Aiden was later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while the driver of the vehicle, up to late last evening, was said to be nursing injuries.

However, Allana and her relative are back home safe but in grief.

An Indigenous girl rendering a piece entitled, ‘A proud Makushi girl’

Traditional storyteller, J.J. Kent of the USA in full flow

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2015

Energy company looks to power hinterlands – provides solutions for high energy cost

By Tajeram Mohabir WITH more than 30 years in the business of providing affordable renewable energy for both commercial and residential needs, Solaris Energy is looking to expand operations here, mainly in the hinterland regions.

The company headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago with operations in Trinidad, Barbados and St Kitts; and California and New Jersey, USA, is pushing to enable a green stamp throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Sales Manager Carlton DeFour said Solaris has adopted the renewable energy line as it wants to make this more accessible to the general public. This, he said will increase the carbon footprint throughout the Caribbean.

The company wants to invest in Guyana because of its size and the fact that electricity is not easily accessible in the interior regions.

President David Granger in his address to the National Toshaos Council in August had pointed out that over the years the previous administration gave hinterland residents single solar panels which only lasted for a few hours. He said under his administration,

through a hinterland energy development programme, all communities will be powered by solar farms, which will provide electricity to all community facilities and not just houses.

DeFour said Solaris Energy solutions fits the vision of the President, pointing out that the company will bring electricity to these communities at a far cheaper cost than if the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) were to establish operations there. “We can bring solutions to them with regards to our photovoltaic (PV) energy. They can get solar water heaters which is now a big thing in the Caribbean. We can do that by using our thermal application and we can lower the energy cost throughout the country by bring energy lights and those kinds of applications to Guyana,” he said in an interview with this publication.

HIGH DISTRIBUTION COST The Sales Manager said from studies done in Guyana, the cost for energy distribution in the outlying regions is very high, pointing out that to get power to Lethem, for example, the diesel has to be transported via the roads. “What we are saying is that if we put power system in Lethem [Region Nine] that is renew-

able, using the sun which is always there, that would bring the cost down and increase access to electricity,” he said, pointing that the supply will be provided 24 hours, every day of the week.

According to DeFour, a village like Kato, Region Eight, which does not have much electricity can be powered through the establish of a mini-solar farm. This, can be done, he said with an average capital investment of US$100,000, a sum he estimates to be far less than if GPL were to put down power polls, run power lines and transport fuel for generating sets in the village. For indigenous communities in general, the Sales Manager pointed out that the cost to establish operations depend on the size of the villages, but the company can work with a cost of US$50,000 and upward. And DeFour said there is more to it. Apart from supplying electricity 24 hours, seven days a week, the electricity supplied per household is enough to power a refrigerator, television set and provide Internet access, among others.

But with the development of technology, he said electricity consumption to power an air condition unit and refrigerator can be less since today since these products powered by

Solaris Energy Sales Manager Carlton DeFour, Sales Representatives (Guyana) Wynette Turton and Director of Corporate Communications Virginia Guerrero during the interview at the Guyana Chronicle (Delano Williams photo)

solar energy are available on the market.

SOLUTION FOR BUSINESS In Guyana, a deterrent to business has been the high cost of electricity, and according to DeFour, Solaris has the solution for this constraint. He said the company has applications that cater for light and heavy manufacturing. And it enables the provision of electricity at a lower cost, but more important, the company also specialises in the design of applications to meet the needs of businesses.

Geographically, Guyana is well positioned to capitalise on solar energy as it is close to the equator which allows it to have about 12 hours of sun-

light daily. Solaris has been a regular feature at GuyExpo and the company has had discussions with the previous on a number of projects here, but none was close to finalisation.

DeFour said the company will be taking these projects to the current administration with the hope of approval. He pointed out that while no initiative was finalised, the previous government was helpful at the highest level. Solaris Energy Director of Corporate Communications Virginia Guerrero said the company has a global presence, but is headquarter in Trinidad as it loves the Caribbean which has an abundance of sunshine. Solaris Energy is an industry pioneer with more

than 30 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and installing renewable energy products. Its roots are in the Caribbean, where the sun is king and it learned to harness its power.

The company specialises in affordable, quality solar installations for residential and commercial needs. “We provide comprehensive solar services including evaluating why solar power is right for you,” Guerrero told this publication. The company has installed more than 200,000 gallons in solar water heater systems throughout the Caribbean, and manufactured more than 25,000 solar water heaters at its manufacturing plant in Barbados.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

Man United go second as Liverpool lose more ground

By Steve Tongue

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester City supporters ended a bad week by finding old enemy Manchester United closing to within two points of them at the top of the Premier League after a 3-2 victory at Southampton yesterday.

A week ago City were five points clear of their neighbours, having not even conceded a goal in five matches, and the bookmakers were slashing their title odds.

Then after a hugely disappointing home defeat by Juventus in the Champions League they were shocked by West Ham United’s 2-1 victory at the Etihad that ended a 100 percent league record.

United rubbed salt into east Manchester wounds

when they resisted Southampton’s late rally thanks to some fine saves from goalkeeper David de Gea, who had seemed certain to leave in the recent transfer window.

Instead a deal with Real Madrid broke down on the last day of the window, when United also brought in Anthony Martial from AS Monaco as the world’s most expensive teenage signing at £36.3M ($56.39M).

Having scored as a substitute on his Premier League debut against Liverpool, he added two more goals at Southampton, both expertly taken.

Graziano Pelle put Southampton ahead in the 13th minute. Martial equalised 10 minutes before half-time with United’s first shot on target, although Juan Mata should have been given offside, and the 19-year-old Frenchman put United in front following a dreadful back pass by Southampton’s Japanese defender Maya Yoshida.

Mata added United’s third midway the second half before De Gea denied Jose Fonte and Pelle gave his team late hope by heading in Sadio Mane’s cross.

ALREADY SPECIAL “I have to make a lot of compliments to my players,” United’s manager Louis van

Gaal told reporters.

“Anthony Martial is already special because we paid a lot of money for him.

A lot of people are thinking he is a great star but he is a boy of 19.”

Anthony Martial celebrates scoring the second goal for Manchester United.

Defeat put Southampton fifth from bottom with one win from six games and left manager Ronald Koeman ruing Yoshida’s error.

“We lost by ourselves,” he told Sky Sports. “The first 30 minutes we played perfect.”

Liverpool’s hopes of joining the title chase look forlorn after promoted Norwich City held them 1-1 at Anfield.

Despite having few chances in a dull first half, the home side went ahead with a goal by Danny Ings, only three minutes after he appeared as a half-time substitute for Christian Benteke.

But Norwich’s central defender Russell Martin scored his third goal of the season to equalise after a mistake by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet at a corner.

Liverpool had started the game in the bottom six and a single point lifted them only two places to 13th, seven points behind the leaders.

“It was important that we got some flow in our game and our intensity in the second half was much better,” manager Brendan Rodgers told the BBC. “In terms of numbers it’s not so good but for me it’s all about the performance.”

In the early match Son Heung-min scored on his home Premier League debut for Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to continue their climb up the table to ninth place.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with Son, who joined the London club from Bayer Leverkusen for £22.0M ($34.18M) last month.

“His performance was fantastic and the energy he showed was amazing,” the Argentine told reporters.

Gloucestershire beat Surrey in Lord’s final

GLOUCESTERSHIRE kept up their tershire and England spinner’s third Lord’s amazing winning record in finals at final defeat, all of them by Gloucestershire.

Lord’s as they pulled off a thrilling sixThey did not appear to have put enough run One-Day Cup win over Surrey on runs on the board despite a Jones-inspired Saturday. recovery from 108-5 to 220-7, in which Jade Dernbach’s superb 6-35, finished Taylor contributed 35 off 26 balls. with a hat-trick, saw Gloucestershire all out And 15 deliveries were left unused for 220 in the 48th over. after Dernbach finished off the innings by Scores: Gloucestershire 220 (47.4 ovs): claiming the wickets of Jones (50), and then Jones 50, Dernbach 6-35; Mahmood 2-28 Craig Miles and David Payne for successive Surrey 214: Sangakkara 60, Burns 56; first-ball ducks.

Taylor 3-43 Surrey lost openers Jason Roy and SteK u m a r ven Davies early Sangakkara during a superb (60) and Rory new-ball spell by Burns (56) James Fuller (2then shared a 34), but Sangakstand of 101 kara and Burns to put Surrey gradually got on in control on top.

143-2.

However, But eight just when Surrey wickets went looked to have down for 71 Geraint Jones holds the trophy after the final the game in their runs as they match of his county career. grasp, both were were all out out in the space of for 214 with three balls remaining in the 13 balls and the tail buckled under mounting final over. pressure as they suffered their sixth defeat in 11 It was Gloucestershire’s ninth win in Lord’s finals.

10 Lord’s one-day finals - and the perfect It briefly looked as if 17-year-old Sam way for Geraint Jones, who had earlier hit a Curran (37) might steer Surrey home against half-century himself, to bow out in his final the county for whom his late father Kevin game before retirement. used to play.

For dejected opposite number Gareth Batty But he holed out on the long-on bound- caught by man-of-the-match Jack Taylor in ary off the first ball of the final over, and the final over to spark wild scenes of Glouces- skipper Batty followed two balls later, tershire jubilation - it was the former Worces- picking out Taylor at deep mid-wicket.

COURTS 10K Run

Forde, Josiah-Tanner reign supreme CLEVELAND ‘The Little Kenyan’ Forde and Euleen Josiah-Tanner dominated the male and female categories respectively of the 5th Annual COURTS 10K road race yesterday.

After winning the Massy 10K run one week earlier Chronicle Sport asked him if he was confident of winning the COURTS event. He had replied, “I take one race at a time anyone can win … you see, when you start a race, you get the feeling of what the outcome might be.”

Yesterday’s result speaks for itself as Forde was hardly bothered throughout the race.

Staying with the leading bunch on the upward journey and for most of the way back to the place of origin (COURTS Main Street), Forde was part of an eightman pack who had separated from the rest of the field near the Russian Embassy.

He then changed gears at the second water station near the 6km mark at Guyana Defence Force’s Camp Ayanganna and was trailed closely by last year’s winner Cleveland Thomas, Trinidad-based Guyanese Kelvin Johnson and Winston Missigher.

Thomas who won in 32 minutes 56 seconds last year found another gear at Lamaha and Cummings streets and this motivated Forde to respond, leaving Missigher and Johnson lagging behind.

The Forde and Thomas then journeyed together until Forde changed another gear at New Market and Main streets, while Thomas

who seemed tired failed to give chase and Forde, who easily won the race in 32 minutes 45 seconds, cruised in to loud applause as he regained the COURTS 10K trophy Thomas (32m:58s) settled for second while Missigher (33m:01s) placed third. Johnson and Nathaniel Giddings (34m:01s) finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Forde did not participate last year due to Chikengunya and Dengue symptoms and was forced to watch his arch rival Thomas take top honours.

On the distaff side, United States-based Josiah-Tanner was unstoppable, winning the event for the fifth consecutive year.

Yesterday, the 40-yearold Tanner returned a winning time of 39 minutes 39 seconds, leading Andrea Foster (42m:17s) and a fading Alika Morgan (44m:38s) into the top three.

Matthew McKenzie (junior boys) and Shantell Hinds (junior girls) were also in the winners’ row.

Apart from the 10K race, there was a 3K walk/jog category and this brought out most of the COURTS employees.

Teams from Crossfit Bel-Air and Genesis Fitness also took part in the incident-free fixture.

The organizers, along with president of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, deemed the event a success, stating that it was the largest turnout in recent memory.

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20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

New Zealand forced to dig deep to fend off Pumas (REUTERS) - New Zealand had to dig deep to come from behind for a 26-16 victory over Argentina when they opened their defence of the Rugby World Cup in front of a record crowd at Wembley yesterday.

The All Blacks trailed 1612 until the 56th minute but their second-half dominance eventually paid off when scrumhalf Aaron Smith and

and elusive scrumhalf Smith wiggled his way through to crown a series of attacks close to the Pumas line.

Cane, one of several New Zealand replacements who underlined the holders’ greater strength in depth, ran through to touch down under the posts nine minutes later.

Two previous second half chances had gone a-beg-

New Zealand’s Aaron Smith before scoring their first try at Wembley Stadium, London, England yesterday. (Reuters/Darren StaplesLivepic) replacement forward Sam Cane scored tries following a first-half score by Pumas lock Guido Petti.

Flyhalf Dan Carter kicked 16 points for New Zealand and his opposite number Nicolas Sanchez 11 for Argentina who were looking to beat the All Blacks for the first time.

Another tournament upset possibly looked on the cards until New Zealand got their running game flowing as the hour approached

ging when wing Nehe Milner-Skudder knocked on at the line on the right and Richie McCaw later fumbled into touch on the left as New Zealand began to find the extra man outside.

New Zealand captain McCaw and centre Conrad Smith were both yellow-carded in the first half as the holders made uncharacteristic errors in the face of some fearsome Argentine tackling.

Argentina came back

from three early Carter penalties to score a try after a series of mauls with Petti crashing over after 21 minutes. They had withstood All Blacks pressure for 10 minutes without conceding while flanker Pablo Matera was in the sin bin.

Sanchez’s conversion added to two penalties had Argentina changing ends 1312 ahead after Carter’s fourth penalty success on the stroke of halftime.

New Zealand dominated possession and territory and looked dangerous with their offloads - particularly second-half replacement Sonny Bill Williams, but the Pumas’ defence usually read the danger and held fast for nearly an hour.

“I guess that’s what you expect first up,” said McCaw. “I thought that second half was a lot more clinical.

It’s been a while since our last game and we’ve been over here for 10 days or so, so we were itching to get out there and get started.

We’ll have to make a few improvements but that’s the nature of rugby.

“It’s a magic place to play here at Wembley, it’s one of the great grounds to play at.”

The 89 019-crowd, in which Argentina fans appeared to outnumber New Zealanders and certainly out-voiced them until the final quarter when the All Blacks asserted their dominance, was the biggest ever at a Rugby World Cup match, surpassing the 82 957 who watched England beat Australia in the 2003 final in Sydney’s Olympic Stadium

Vettel wins as Lewis Hamilton retires in Singapore CHAMPIONSHIP leader Lewis Hamilton suffered his first retirement of the year as Sebastian Vettel romped to victory in the Singapore Grand Prix.

Vettel took his third win of the year in dominant style, controlling the race from start to finish as two safety cars led to hectic action behind.

The second caution period was caused by a man wandering along the track.

Hamilton suffered a loss of power while running fourth, dropping down the field before eventually being told to retire.

His Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg cut Hamilton’s championship lead to 41 points by finishing fourth.

There are 150 points still available in the remaining six races, starting in Japan next weekend.

Vettel, meanwhile, is now only eight points adrift of Rosberg and a real threat for second place in the championship if Ferrari

can maintain this form.

Both Mercedes were incapable of challenging at the front as Daniel Ricciardo

SEBASTIAN VETTEL took second for Red Bull, ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. (BBC Sport)

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

GTA launches annual Bakewell Juniors IN HONOUR of the late Bakewell CEO, Naeem Nasir, the GTA last Friday launched the 2nd Annual Bakewell Junior Championship Lawn Tennis Tournament for enthusiastic young tennis players.

General Manager of Bakewell Mr Jacob Nanan was delighted to serve the first ball of the tournament.

In his remarks he recounted the enormous generosity of former CEO Naeem Nasir, who was a dedicated fan and supporter of sports, specifically tennis.

“Bakewell,” he said “will carry on his legacy and continue to support the development of sport.”

He reminded the juniors of the discipline that the

sport fosters and not to lose the thought that education has to come first.

President of the GTA, Grace McCalman, applauded Bakewell for upholding their commitment to come on board as a long-term sponsor stating that this is what the sport needs.

She mentioned that the tournament will help to determine which players are selected for the upcoming Inter-Guiana Games tennis team, to be held in Paramaribo, Suriname, during late October.

GTA Chairman of Junior Development, William Spangler, alluded to the current plans of the GTA to strengthen all aspects of the junior programme for higher quality outcomes.

Bakewell’s Jacob Nanan hands over sponsorship cheque to Grace McCalman while treasurer Ileana Boodhoo, William Spangler and National junior coordinator and coach Shelly Daly look on.

He stated that the GTA is in discussions with the sports authorities and that the organisation feels confident that its initiatives are being recognised favourably.

Matches started yesterday and will feature categories U-12, U-14 and U-18 for boys and girls.

The competition will run over three weekends with

matches played at the National Racquet Centre from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs and the National Park from 12:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

Matches will also be

played at President’s College tennis courts which were built by Mr Nasir during April 2010. Nearby communities will be invited to participate.

Ramnarine under fire for taking issue with TTCB PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Former West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine has come under fire for criticising the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) position on the sacking of Denesh Ramdin as captain of the West Indies Cricket team.

TTCB president Azim Bassarath and former Trinidad and Tobago Red Force manager Manohar Ramsaran have both blasted Ramnarine after he told the Daily Express that he was confused by TTCB’s stance on Ramdin’s removal.

Ramdin was axed as Test captain after just 15 months in charge and re-

placed by One-Day skipper Jason Holder ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka.

“It is unethical and highly irresponsible to be a member of an organisation and run to the media and air your views when there are processes within the organisation to have your complaints and concerns properly addressed,” said Ramsaran who also suggested that Ramnarine should have tendered his resignation before going public with his baseless comments.

“It was under his watch that regional cricket was made a laughing stock and while he advocated a militant approach to resolving players’ is-

by Jamaican Wavell Hinds.

Meantime Bassarath has lashed out at Ramnarine saying the former WIPA president was terrible during his time at the helm of the organization.

“Ramnarine must tell the national community if there has been audited financial reports during the decade when he was WIPA Former WIPA president Dinanth Ramnarine sues, the fortunes of the team hit rock bottom and are yet to recover.”

Ramnarine is an ordinary board member of the TTCB, who was replaced last year as WIPA president

Former ICC chief Dalmiya dies at 75 KOLKATA, India (Reu- Dalmiya was a key figure ters) - Former Interna- in bringing the 1987 World tional Cricket Council Cup to the sub-continent (ICC) chief Jagmohan and was elected ICC chief Dalmiya, hailed as the architect of India’s rise as the game’s financial superpower, passed away in a private hospital in Kolkata yesterday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president was admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack on Thursday.

He was 75.

“Mr Dalmiya played a significant part in positioning Indian cricket at Jagmohan Dalmiya was the global level and the elected ICC chief in astute administrator in 1997. him guided Indian cricket to greater heights,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur in 1997. said in a statement.

“The ICC extends its A businessman known deepest condolences upon for his marketing acumen, the passing away of BCCI

president and former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya,” the world governing body tweeted.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket great Sachin Tendulkar also took to Twitter to mourn the cricket administrator’s death.

“Heartfelt condolences to the family & friends of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Had met him in June. Little did I realise that it would be the last (time),” Tendulkar tweeted.

“Will always cherish his encouragement & support over the years.

Worked hard for the game of cricket & excelled as an administrator,” added the retired batting great.

president, as the answer will indicate the type of governance he presided over,” said Bassarath.

“While our good friend has chosen to gripe and snipe, we have a sacred duty to put the nation’s cricketers first ahead of personal agendas and self-promotion, and we have been reaping the rich rewards of our efforts on

the field of play at all levels.”

Ramdin’s sacking has been the subject of widespread debate a ro u n d t h e re g i o n , drawing fire in some quarters including from the TTCB president Azim Bassarath, and former West Indies manager Omar Khan.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

GDF dominate opening night, set to reclaim championship title THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boxing team dominated the opening night of the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA)/Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championship which got under way on Saturday at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre.

The soldiers won eight of the 15 fights they contested. Four of their victories were all-GDF affairs.

Defending champions of the Top Gym title, Guyana Prison Service (Republican) won five of the fights they contested.

Winning for the army were: Quincy Boyce who defeated Forgotten Youth Foundation’s (FYF) Orin Bancroft by a unanimous decision in a lightweight contest; Keon Williams beat his gym mate Jonathon Williams on points in a bantamweight contest; Courtney Lynch got a unanimous decision victory over Glenroy Griffith (Republican) in another bantamweight bout; Akeem Henry secured a walkover victory from his gym mate Shaquiel DeYoung; Colin Lewis achieved a second-round technical knock-out win against Kurt Kendall (Republican) in their welterweight clash; Marley Ross overwhelmed Miles Hinds to secure a unanimous decision in another welterweight bout; Dane July bettered his gym mate Julius Hanover in a middleweight bout; Winston Long managed a split decision win against his gym mate Trevaghn Dooker (and Mickle Sancho knocked out Lawrence Lewis at two minutes 18 seconds of the second round in a light heavy-

Dexter Wray (right) of the Republican Boxing Gym connects with an overhand right to the head of Guyana Defence Force’s Aluko Venture during their flyweight contest. The former won the bout by a unanimous points decision. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

weight contest.

Winners for Republican gym: Junior Kelly secured a split decision victory over Triston Brown (GDF) in a junior welterweight bout; Kishon Matthews defeated Michael Worrell (GDF) on points in a junior flyweight affair; Dexter Wray edged Aluko Venture (GDF) on points in a flyweight contest and Junior scored a unanimous points decision over Kevin De Fretias in a lightweight contest.

In other results, Essequibo Boxing Gym’s (Essequibo) Andrew Williams defeated Harpy Eagles’ Leslie Marques in a welterweight bout and Dewani Lampkin (FYF) beat Jamal Brisport (GDF) in a lightweight affair.

Lampkin who had disposed of Brisport came back later in the night and defeated Devon Manroop (Republican) to secure a place in the final which was scheduled for last evening.

Also fighting a second bout on Saturday night’s card was Republican’s Junior Kelly who was victorious against Milton Isaacs (GDF).

Quincy Boyce was down to meet Harpy Eagles’ Travis Hubbard in the lightweight final last evening.

The tournament, which is being sponsored in part by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, was named the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championship in honour of Blackmoore who was the first Guyanese to win a Commonwealth title. He won the lightweight title in 1977.

St Cuthbert’s Mission Carib Beer T20 wins for GCC, GNIC holds Heritage Sport

KELON Kattow in a time of 24 minutes captured the Primary School Boys event of the St Cuthbert’s Mission Indigenous Month celebration trail run in memory of Telford Taylor.

The event was organised by the Toshao Lenox Shuman, the Councillors and Sport Officer Munroe and was sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Department of Sport, under the

the journey in 36 mins while Devon Dundas (37 mins) and Paul Abrams (39 mins) rounded out the podium spots.

They were also prizes for the youngest primary school girl (Britney Punsamy), boy (Chrisley Shuman), secondary girl (Serena Clenkian) while the oldest male was Paul Abrams.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Sports Officer Munroe, councillors and winners take a photo opportunity after the ceremony.

National Sports Commission.

John Ponsamy finished second with a time of 26 minutes while Aldin Dundas’ 27-minute time saw him finish third.

In the Girls category Hilary Henry’s 25 minutes time saw her finish atop that division while Beyonce Dundas (31 minutes) came in second and Bachibu Clenkian (32 minutes) finished third.

Meanwhile in the Secondary School Boys 5 miles, Elmos William, with a time of 47 minutes gave him a top podium spot while Moses Dundas (47:02) ended second and Shawn Wong (48 mins), third.

On the distaff end, Serena Clenkian (48 mins) came in ahead of Ansa Williams (49 mins), and Nazema Wiliams (50 mins).

In the senior category, Eno David completed

Seventy-six participants started the race, with 28 in the primary division. 18 females competed.

Sports Officer Munroe started the primary school race along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones, who, in his first address to the residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission committed to supporting hinterland areas.

He said, “My ministry as well as the Government of Guyana is committed to serving the people not just in Georgetown and the coastland but all corners of the country and today this sponsorship is just a small gesture from the NSC.” The director was also treated to a cultural presentation along with a fly-drinking competition, tug-o’-war and volleyball games.

Director Jones also assisted with the presentation of prizes.

THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) continued to keep its teams in tip top cricketing shape as several tournaments in the various formats were run off on Saturday.

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) completed an 8-wicket drubbing of the Guyana’s premier tertiary institution, the University of Guyana (UG), when action In the Carib Beer First Division T20 competition continued on Saturday.

GCC, the recent champions of the Hadi’s World tournament, were put to bowl first and thanks to some good spells from Barbadian Raymon Refier (3-18), Gavin Singh (2-9) and Renaldo Mohamed (2-2), managed to have UG back in the stands after 18.4 overs for a paltry 64.

A superb boundary catch which turned a maximum into a wicket left Leon Williams, who looked on course for a big score, walking back to the stands with 16 to his name. Devon George was the only other batsman in double figures.

GCC had a shaky start to their chase, Jeetendra Sookdeo (15) and Vishaul Singh (1) were dismissed early before West Indies batsman Leon Johnson (8*) and Robin Bacchus, (31) saw them to safety.

Ray Newton racked up both wickets to fall.

In the earlier game, GNIC who won the toss restricted the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to 96-6 off their 20 overs, with double-figure scores coming from Leon Andrews (38),

Marcus Watkins (19), Damion Ross (11) and Dexter Solomon (10).

Jermaine Grovsner’s 2-4 was instrumental in the downfall of the soldiers, while support came from ex-West Indies chairman of selectors Clyde Butts, (2-13) and Collis Butts (1-16).

The soldiers looked intent on defending that 97 total. Ravi Persaud and Jeremiah Harris (2-17 and 2-31 respectively) were the obvious thorns in the GNIC’s side.

However, Test batsman Assad Fudadin, put on 36 to help David Dick (22*) and saw the team home.

GCA/NBS 40-Over Tournament Over at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, the home side completed a 5-wicket

drubbing of the Police Sports Club when the New Building Society (NBS) 40-Over second division cricket competition rolled on.

West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/opening batsman Tevin Imlach looked impressive with his controlled 76, one of the major factors in the DCC side’s win.

Raymond Perez (56) and Sherfane Rutherford (23) saw DCC’s 211-5 reply, comfortably overthrow the all-out Police score of 20; Police’s Kelvin picking up 2-39.

Earlier, Leitch’s (41), Rocky Hutson (38) Troy Benn (22) and Daniel Barker (21) were the major scorers for Police Denis Squires (3-44), Linden Lyght (2-8) and Rutherford (2-23) all contributed with the ball.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 21, 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 Saturday’s quiz: Robert Karl Nunes (WI vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928) Rohan Kanhai (WI vs ENG, Leeds, 1973)

Today’s Quiz:

How many wicketkeepers have captained the WI in Tests to date?

Who is the first player to score an ODI hundred at Bourda?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 21, 2015

John pips Leung to win Victor Macedo cycle race TEAM Coco’s Jamaul John narrowly edged his team mate Raphael Leung to win the 13th edition of the Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race yesterday.

John in company with Leung, veteran Paul DeNobrega, Warren McKay, Akeem Wilkinson and Andrew Hicks broke from the main bunch shortly after the start and opened a sizeable lead over the others who were all eyeing each other.

McKay, competing in the veteran category stayed with the leading group until he reached Dora on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway to turn back for the finish on Homestretch Avenue.

Meanwhile, the leaders rode in tandem and exchanged positions, sharing the prime prizes that were up for grabs.

They maintained the lead

and opened an approximate one-minute lead over the chasing pack.

As the leaders turned into Mandela Avenue the pace of the race increased and Leung held a slight advantage over John.

The duo then broke from the others and turned unto Homestretch Avenue and with approximately 200 metres to go Leung upped the ante but John responded immediately and they were together with 25 metres remaining. Then John surged ahead to win by a wheel.

In winning the overall event in three hours nine minutes 51.50 seconds, John also cashed in on the first junior award. Leung was second in this category.

DeNobrega finished a distant third in the open category, while Orville Hinds placed fourth, Andrew Hicks finished fifth

Jamaul John (left) edges Raphael Leung to the line to win the 13th annual Victor Macedo Memorial 70-mile cycle road race yesterday. (Photo by Samuel Maughn) and Wlkinson was sixth.

The other top three positions in the open category were occupied by Shaquille Agard, Christopher Griffith and Silvio Innis respectively.

The third- and fourthplace finishers in the junior

category were Hicks and Griffith.

John won three of the 12 prime prizes that were on offer, while Leung won four. McKay won two, while Wilkinson, Hicks and Hinds each

Sir Viv gives Holder’s appointment the ‘thumbs up’ ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Iconic former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards has hailed Jason Holder’s elevation to the Test captaincy and says it will be crucially important the 23-year-old gets the respect of his squad.

The former master batsman also rejected the idea that Holder was too young and inexperienced to carry the responsibility of the position.

“Well, I have heard maybe that some folks are suggesting that he is too young, but it is better to start at that particular age,” said Sir Viv, who never lost a series as Test captain.

“And if he gets lucky enough and we are successful, you have a long successful period of your captain being in place rather than the chopping and changing on a regular basis.”

He added: “I believe that this individual does

have the ability. Certainly, he comes over very well and you hear about the respect factor you get from other members of the dressing room and that is of vital importance because when you have that respect, it is amazing.

“People get on board with you and it’s like what they say in the sailing environment, all hands on deck.”

Sir Viv, who was speaking on the Observer Radio’s Good Morning Jojo Sports Show here Friday, said Holder had also done well to improve his game, especially his batting.

Holder made his way into the West Indies team as a fast bowler but struck his maiden Test century against England back in April and followed up with an unbeaten 82 against Australia a month later.

H o w e v e r, S i r V i v stressed that time would be the greatest judge of Holder’s captaincy.

“When you look and see what’s around him, when you look and see how he would have gone about his business as a batsman you can see there is some improvement … but certainly the signs are there and I think maybe it’s not a bad choice,” the legendary batsman said.

“We will only know when you are in the picture and he is in the picture now and we will get a great opportunity to find out exactly whether it’s a good choice or not.”

Sir Viv is the second former West Indies skipper to come out in support for Holder this week, following Brian Lara’s endorsement of the Barbadian last Monday.

The 63-year-old Sir Viv is considered the most dominant batsman of his generation, garnering 8 540 runs from 121 Tests at an average of 50.

Significantly, he led West Indies in 50 Tests and never lost a series.

won one.

McKay was the first veteran to cross the finish line.

Second was Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson and Jaikaran Sukhai finished third.

Jackson’s son, Jaleel Jackson won the juvenile

category, while Deoraj Gharbaran and Nigel Duguid placed second and third respectively.

Keon Thomas won the mountain bikers’ category ahead of Ozia McAully and Seon Budhan respectively.

American University recruits top Jamaican athletes to boost its rankings Gaye Williams breaks the Class One 100 metres hurdles record at the Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships this year.

FLORIDA, USA (CMC) - Florida State University (FSU) has recruited a number of top Jamaican high school athletes in a bid to bolster their performance at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Championships.

Among the recruits are sprinter Shauna Helps, hurdler Peta Gaye Williams and high jumper

Safia Morgan.

Gaye Williams broke the Class One 100 metres hurdles record at the Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships this year, Morgan won the Under-20 girls high jump at this year’s Carifta Games and Helps will forego her final year of high school to take up a full scholarship at the Tallahassee-based institution.

“It’s actually a very comforting feeling, not just because of the freshmen coming in. You have some seniors and juniors who are also from Jamaica,” FSU’s website quoted Helps as saying.

“I know them from

high school in Jamaica, we’ve been through numerous Champs and numerous national teams. It’s great that I come here and know that they have my back and also the freshmen have my back. It’s great all round.”

Other Jamaican athletes recruited by FSU are jumper Keneil Grant, thrower Kellion Knibb and sprinters Edward Clarke, Raheem Robinson and Chad Walker.

FSU is now expected to put in a stronger performance at the NCAA Championships in an effort to improve on their sixth-place finish last season.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

COURTS 10K Run

John pips Leung to win Victor Macedo cycle race See story on page 23

Forde, Josiah-Tanner reign supreme See story on page 19

Prize-winners of the various categories of the 5th Annual COURTS 10K road race show off their silverware. (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Alleyne rescues Fruta Conquerors ... Monedderlust in come-from-behind win over GDF

Cleveland `The Little Kenyan’ Forde crosses the finish line to loud applause as he wins the 5th Annual COURTS 10K road race yesterday.

IT TOOK a 90th minute strike from winger Eon Alleyne for Fruta Conquerors to secure a 1–0 win over a stubborn Buxton United while Monedderlust picked up three points following an exciting 3-0 come-from-behind win over the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when action in the STAG Elite League continued on Saturday at the No.5 Ground in Berbice.

Watched by a huge crowd at the West Coast Berbice venue, Alleyne showed why he is regarded as one of the top local talents on the country’s national side when he dug deep in the reservoir to pull on an inspiring performance to help his Tucvillebased club pick up their first win in the league.

Coach Calvin Allen sadly lost forward Travis Thornhill who had to be stretchered off after breaking his ankle in a play.

Fruta Conquerors will now host Monedderlust on Thursday, September 24 where they will look to climb atop the points table, while the Berbicians looking to do the same.

Playing at their home ground,

Monedderlust faced the always fit GDF team who, behind coach Denzil Thompson, pressed the

Fruta Conquerors goalscorer Eon Alleyne Berbice defence in their (GDF) hunt for goals.

After coming close to the net in several early plays, Delroy Fraser scored the game’s first goal in the 11th minute then his brother Delwyn doubled the score in the 22nd minute

to give the ‘Army’ a 2-0 lead.

Monedderlust regrouped and the tide changed in the game, with Gordon Braithwaite’s men going from being the ‘hunted’ to the ‘hunters’.

Their persistent pressure on the GDF’s defenders saw Keivin Sullivan buckle under pressure and brought Monedderlust back into the game when he scored his own goal in the 29th minute.

Heading into the second half, trailing 2-1, Travis Henry levelled the scores in the 52nd minute and two minutes later, Kevin Cotty’s strike turned out to be the winner as Monedderlust grabbed an important win.

The GDF will now head back to the drawing board for their match on Thursday against Buxton United at the Tucville ground.

With both teams losing their opening matches, Thursday’s game should be an interesting one with the two sides chasing their first win in the STAG Elite League.

(See STAG Elite points table on page 23)

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015