Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-25-2018

TUESDAY 25th September, 2018

No.105408

GuySuCo must up production ‌new chairman eyes cogeneration, higher yields

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Residents and students of Linden on Monday joined the Child Care and Protection Agency in a parade across the township denouncing child abuse and urging a more collective approach to fight the scourge (Vanessa Braithwaite photo) (See story on page 9)

$3.2B 03 Tourist Villa 07 King leased 03 North-West owner now charged land not owned ferry coming with murder

by City Hall PAGE

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CoI hears‌

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

…contract awarded for works at Indian Immigration Monument

while Lot two entailed the construction of roadway, internal drains, perimeter walkway and parking area and Lot three covered the construction of the fencing and internal walkway.

Lot one was awarded to Raffik and Sons General

PM Modi visit confirmed for December INDIA’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, state visit to Guyana is confirmed for December and government is pushing to complete the construction of the Indian Immigration Monument, Palmyra Region Six, in time for the occasion.

“I don’t have the details but I know he [the Prime Minister] is coming sometime early in December and

that of course; the Indian Monument at Palmyra we’re working very seriously to ensure that, that monument is completed. Not only in the original format in which it came but we’re also doing some extensive work to make sure that it is something that is fitting for the Prime Minister to be able to come and see when he gets here,” State Minister, Joseph Harmon

told a post Cabinet media briefing on Monday.

Harmon announced that a $38M contract has been awarded for the construction of the visitor’s gallery and

following the collapse of the initial platform last year April.

This work represents lot four of eight lots that the scope of works for the proj-

ical celebration.

The 12×12 monument is sculpted in bronze, weighing some 17 tonnes, and is a visual representation of ordinary Indian people in routine everyday life, with each bearing a significant artifact as an ode to the continued traditions

The structure of the Monument’s base before it collapsed last year April

security hut at the monument, which recommenced works on the base last month

ect was sub-divided into.

Lot one represented the construction of monument foundation, base and podium;

Building Contractors for a sum of G$28,643,897, while Lot Two was awarded to A&A Engineering Services for a sum of G$34,867,217.

In honour of the continued relationship between the two nations, this monument was gifted to the Government of Guyana by the Government of the Republic of India as a symbol of cultural and histor-

brought by our forefathers from India, translated to current livelihood and practices

by Guyanese today.

According to reports, $97 million had been allocated for the building of the structure upon which the monument would be placed. The actual donated monument is said to have cost some US$150,000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

GuySuCo must up production …new chairman eyes cogeneration, higher yields

By Svetlana Marshall NEWLY appointed Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), John Dow said it would be an uphill task to bring the sugar corporation back to affordability but he is up for the challenge.

On Monday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced that Cabinet, last Tuesday, approved the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation based on a submission by Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder.

Heading the list is Dow – the Chairman. It also includes: John Browman, Richard Cumberbatch, Paul Cheong, Fitz McLean, Vishnu Panday, Ramesh Persaud, Nowrang Persaud, Roy Hanoman and Claude Housty along with ex-officio member, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (ag) Harold Davis Jr. Dow now sits at the helm of the corporation with experience in the sugar industry spanning more than four decades, having worked in Guyana, Zambia, Jamaica, and Barbados. Hours after the announcement was made

New Chairman of GuySuCo, John Dow

by the State Minister, Dow, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, expressed the hope of having the industry return to a state of profitability under his watch, but made it clear that it is no easy task given GuySuCo’s current state of affairs and the price of sugar on the world market. “As you know, the sugar industry, because of the low price of raw sugar worldwide, is now suffering,” he said.

The challenges in the industry are not limited to

Guyana, Dow said while noting that Jamaica, Belize, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have experienced, and in some cases, continue to experience their fair share of challenges. “As you may know, Trinidad had to shut down their industry, Antigua went out of sugar many years ago…In the Caribbean really, it is only Guyana, Belize, Jamaica, Barbados that are still producing sugar, and I think that you will find that only Belize, the actual production has improved, but all the others, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana…for example Barbados had three factories up to mid-2002, they now only have one, and that is the situation, it is very challenging,” he explained to this newspaper.

The GuySuCo Chairman expressed the hope that with increased production of value added products, the sugar corporation would be able to revive itself. “Well I don’t know if we could ever attain profitability in the near future, but certainly, that it is the sort of thing we would be looking at, what can be done to improve the local

$3.2B new North-West ferry coming THE long awaited Georgetown to Barima-Waini (Region One) ferry is one step closer to reality, as a US$15.6 million ($3.2 billion) contract for the construction and supply of a passenger and cargo ferry vessel, and associated equipment, has been awarded to SHOFT Shipyard Private Limited.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made the announcement at a post-cabinet briefing on Monday, explaining that the contract took some time as the funding arrangements had to be finalised.

It was in November 2016 that the government signed a US$18M Line of Credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India for the procurement of an ocean ferry to service the Georgetown to North West District (Region One) route. The USD$18M comprises a USD$8M grant and USD$10M concessionary loan to be repaid within 20 years with a five-year grace period.

“It has taken some time because these things have to go through our public service, that is one thing and the Indian public service is also another issue. It takes a bit of time from the actual conceptualisation of a project

The MV Barima which operates between Georgetown and the North West District during a recent trip back to the city

to funding for it. So it would have gone through several phases and would have now gotten to the point where a company has been identified to construct the ferry,” Harmon explained.

The call for a new vessel for the Region One route has been a long time coming as many describe the journey on the current vessel as treacherous and the service unreliable. The vessels that usually traverse the Parika-Mabaruma (Region One) route have “exceeded their lifespan” and the service provided to the residents has been compromised, as the vessels are in constant need of repairs.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on signing the contract had noted that the acquisition of the new vessel will ensure that the

range of social and economic benefits is maximised. “This new ferry vessel will increase efficiency and operations by allowing passengers and freight to be conveyed more swiftly with fewer delays and reduction in travel time,” Jordan stated.

“Over the years, the residents of this Region have complained bitterly about the negative impact of the service on their lives and livelihoods. The introduction of this new passenger cargo ferry is to provide improved services to those residents who commute regularly between Regions One and Four.”

Meanwhile, another contract for $413M was also awarded, under the MoPI for the rehabilitation of the Leguan Ferry Stelling.

sugar industry, in the sense of getting it to a point where, hopefully, it can be self-sufficient or only need minimum subsidies,” Dow said.

He emphasised that a lot depends on the price of sugar over the next two years, and the corporation’s ability to expand in other areas such as the production of plantation white sugar and cogeneration, while improving on its current products. Sale of plantation white sugar to the local, CARICOM, and USA markets could see the corporation earning more and simultaneously displacing the importation of refined sugar regionally.

MAXIMISE OUTPUT Dow noted too, that based on his analysis, the corporation needs to maximise its output. “We need to improve our yield in the

fields – that is very important. Right now our yields are not to the level tonnes cane per hectare, it is not up to the level we would like it to be,” he noted.

Alluding to the findings and recommendations of the 2015 CoI into GuySuCo, Dow, while noting that the report is still relevant, said much work needs to be done to improve the present infrastructure. “GuySuCo has a lot of equipment that should have been replaced over the years, [they] haven’t had the opportunity to be replaced because of low capital,” he pointed out.

The GuySuCo CEO (ag), in April, told the Guyana Chronicle that if the sugar industry is to be competitive, it must be modernised, and the upgrading of the factories is critical to the process. Like, Dow, he

had noted that the factories are old, and are in dire need of repairs.

Dow recalled that it was in 1975 when he began working with GuySuCo. By 1978, he earned the position of Factory Manager at Skeldon Estate – a post he held up until 1980. In 1981, he was transferred to GuySuCo’s head office in Georgetown. From 1983 to 1987, Dow worked at the Tate and Lyle Sugar Company in Zambia before moving to Jamaica where he worked under the same company from 1987 to 1991.

In 1997, he returned to GuySuCo as Projects Director up until 2002. From 2002 to 2013, he worked at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC). He was among the Commissioners who formed part of the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo, and most recently severed as Projects Engineer and Consultant at GuySuCo (February, 2016 – February, 2018).

His appointment as Board Chairman comes after months of consideration at the level of Cabinet.

CoI hears…

King leased land not owned by City Hall MAYOR and City Council (M&CC) Town Clerk, Royston King has found himself under investigation for the leasing of land not owned by the Council to shipping company, Quick Shipping Inc. On April 5, 2016, King affixed his signature to an Industrial Wharf Lease Agreement granting the company permission to lease the location at Lot 1 Mudflat Lombard Street, Georgetown. However, this location is owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) as was revealed by Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard on Monday.

S peaking to matters under investigation at the opening of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of City Hall being hosted at the Critchlow Labour Collage, Justice Kennard listed: “…the granting of a lease to a shipping company by the Town Clerk

Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Town Clerk, Royston King

which land is being claimed

by NICIL.” Documents shown to this media house stated that the terms of the lease could last for 40 years beginning on the commencement date at the sum of $625,000 yearly. However, upon understanding that the land is owned by NICIL, Quick Shipping Inc. wrote a letter to the NICIL’s Board of

Directors on September 6, 2016 in request to lease the wharf and facilities.

Both King and Mayor Patricia Chace-Green are expected to take the stand during the final week of the CoI hearing between October 8 to10. It is also being arranged for others to testify, including representatives from Quick Shipping Inc; NICIL; other individuals and authorities.

At the end of the CoI Justice Kennard will make recommendations to the Local Government Commission after which these will be handed over to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan. Justice Kennard emphasised on Monday that the inquiry is a very important matter especially to MCC workers and members of the city of Georgetown, which is why persons with probable evidence to support the inquiry should step forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

City Hall CoI…

Staff testify of non-payment of benefits, nepotism

By Lisa Hamilton THE keenly watched Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of City Hall got underway on Monday with claims of non-payment of salaries and benefits; and ill-treatment and nepotism coming to the fore.

The CoI, headed by Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard, is being held at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) on Wolford Avenue. The first witness to take the stand was 58-year-old retired M&CC worker Jardine Hope. She stated that she is yet to be

Retired Supervisor of M&CC’s South Road Daycare facility, Jardine Hope (Delano Williams photo)

M&CC Sewerage Rodder, Kenrick Hamilton (Delano Williams photo)

paid retroactive salary in-

creases and pension increas-

Bourda Market Vendors (from left): Jacquline Hunter and Melissa Roberts

es. Hope, who racked up 35 years of service to the council, was previously employed as the Supervisor of M&CC’s South Road Daycare facility up to 2015.

She told the inquiry that although she received gratuity upon retirement in 2015, she has not yet received ret-

roactive payments for the period of January to May 2015.

Hope spoke to the Town Clerk as well as Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry on the issue during a fire drill which was in session when she visited the M&CC but the matter did not progress towards a solution.

Meanwhile, the woman’s claim for pension increases is based on the increase in pension given by the government in 2017. “My 2017 money that the government has for pensioners, we only got the increase in June month but we didn’t get the back pay from January to December 2017 money,” she explained, later adding: “When we go down to City Hall and we inquire about our pension Town Clerk would say [that] he has to pay his staff first before pensioners get their money and when we go and find out anything they say ‘you’re not on the pay slip anymore, you’re a pensioner.”

A similar testimony was made by 56-year-old Allison Collins, a former Supervisor at the M&CC Day Care facility in East Ruimveldt who worked with City Hall since 1984. Collins retired in July 2017 and, although she is receiving her pension, she is yet to receive gratuity for her over 33 years of service. In addition, she stated that she is owed retroactive payments for increases in salaries the years 2015 and 2016.

MISTREATMENT Also taking the stand was 42-year- old Stone Depo Supervisor, Julian Orgista who has worked at City Hall from August 1995 to date and believes that he has been badly treated by the council’s management.

In explaining, Orgista detailed that from October 28 to December 2, 2013, a period of 35 days; he acted as Assistant Town Clerk but is yet to be paid for his services.

The man stated that he approached the M&CC Administration on several occasions in the past about the matter and when these avenues failed under the governance Turn to page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Capital Projects going smoothly in Region 7 THE second largest administrative region in Guyana, and probably the richest in natural resources, Region Seven, has, through the Regional Democratic Council [RDC], been executing expected developmental tasks for the year 2018.

Education In a Guyana Chronicle article late last year, the Region’s Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, expressed that the Paruima Primary School in the Upper Mazaruni region, valued $27.7M is approximately 90 per cent completed. The said school is now complete and waiting to be commissioned.

Bradford shared that it will be commissioned by the end of this year.

It is anticipated that the school will have the capacity to accommodate 250-300 children. Currently, the pupils of the school are being taught in the old structure, which is not only derelict, but is also prone to flooding.

The new structure was constructed on higher ground to prevent the latter.

The contract for construction of this primary school was awarded to B&S Contracting Services last August.

Along with the completion of Paruima Primary School, an identical primary school is currently being constructed in Kamarang.

It was explained that the Kamarang Primary School is in a decrepit state, and the government, in its 2018 National Budget, approved $28M for the construction of a new primary school at Kamarang. Bradford told this newspaper that it is within their best interest to improve the quality of education pro-

Newly constructed doctor’s quarters in Isseneru

Maintenance of river defense at sections of Bartica Beach

Newly constructed doctor’s quarters in Phillipai

Completed Paruima Primary

Teachers’ quarters in Bartica Secondary compound

vided to their people, and in doing so, the necessary tools needed to ensure that every citizen receives the education they rightfully deserve, have to provided.

Additionally, in the same publication last year, Bradford told this newspaper that financial provisions have been made for a new dormitory at Waramadong and improved facilities at the Desrey Fox Secondary School, formerly known as the Waramadong Secondary School. The dormitory is now complete and has the capacity to accommodate the students that travel from afar for schooling and improvement of facilities at the Desrey Fox Secondary

School was also done.

Apart from the dormitories, some students are housed in chalets, and of the 11 existing chalets, the RDC did maintenance on eight and constructed a new sanitary block in the same complex.

Maintenance was also done on Isseneru Primary, Wineperu and St Mary’s.

In Jawalla and Chinoweing, much work wasn’t done since a lot were completed last year end.

“They have also constructed a spanking new four-apartment teachers’ quarters in the Bartica Secondary School compound, which cost approximately $27M,” Mr. Bradford said.

“We are dedicated and committed to provide the environment needed to facilitate the execution of education to the people of Region Seven.

And that includes, ensuring we have provisions for teachers who may come to the region to serve in that capacity,” the Regional Chairman said.

HEALTH In health, for 2018 the RDC saw the completion of two doctor’s quarters, one in Phillipai, Upper Mazaruni, and the other in Isseneru, Middle Mazaruni. The two doctor’s quarters amounted to approximately $10M. This along with maintenance of the health post in Phillipai, and the hospital in Kamarang were done.

The Regional Chairman shared that the region is committed to providing the best health facilities for the people and they are working towards making better provisions to serve or to meet the health

for North Ruimveldt Parents, reputed wife take the rap –‘ganja’ bust FOLLOWING the recent marijuana bust at North Ruimveldt by the Police Narcotics Branch, three family members were on Monday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrates Judy Latchman for drug trafficking.

Keith Barker, a 64-year-old taxi driver; his wife, Cheryl Barker a 56-year-old housewife; and their 25-year-old daughter-in-law Loretta Chisholm were jointly charged for having 42.5 kilograms of cannabis at their Lot 2925 North Ruimveldt home for the purpose of trafficking. All three pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Cheryl Barker was separately charged for having 628 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking, which charge she of course denied.

Loretta Chisholm was also charged for having one kilogram of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, and she, too, denied the allegation.

Loretta Chisholm, left, and her mother-in-law, Cheryl Barker

The family was represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, who made application for bail for the trio on condition that the couple’s son was allowed to take the rap instead and accept ownership of the drugs.

Todd noted that the lad, Kester King, who has a child with Chisholm, had told the police that the drugs were his, and that he was was willing to give a statement admitting ownership.

The attorney noted that on the day in question when the home was searched by the police, King was not at home and his relatives were arrested.

According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris, on the day in question, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch went to the defendants home, and while conducting a search, 42.5 kilograms of cannabis were found stashed in a barrel, while other amounts were found in Cheryl Barker’s and Loretta Chisholm’s bedrooms in black plastic bags.

The prosecutor having strongly opposed to the trio being released on bail due to the seriousness of the offence, the magistrate remanded them all to prison until October 1.

need of the people in the hinterland communities. He added that they are also working towards having health centres in each community with community health workers to tend to the people. Doctors are also identified to be placed in the communities to serve.

INFRASTRUCTURE This newspaper also engaged in conversation with the Region’s overseer, Andrew Chandler, who is also currently acting as the Senior Superintendent of the Works Department.

He shared that contractors are currently working on a trail from Waramadong leading to Kako. Chandler explained that they are trying to link the communities by road since a lot of students from Kako, travel to Waramadong for schooling.

“What they usually do is travel from Kako to Kamarang by river and that usually takes about half an hour and then it’s another hour to get from Kamarang to the Waramadong complex. The construction of the road to link Kako with Waramadong, will shorten their daily journey to school,” he said.

In addition to that, they have been maintaining drains, cleaning creeks and patching roads across the Region, the overseer said. They have also done maintenance of the river defence at sections of the Bartica Beach.

Chandler shared that infrastructural works are still ongoing, they are progressing speedily and continuously working towards the development of the region.

In 2018, a total of $255M was allotted to capital expenditure. The sum will be spent on regional administration and finance, public infrastructure, education delivery and health services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

Municipal taxes

REFERENCE is made to the Demerara Waves report of September 21, 2018 titled, “PPP promises no new taxes to Georgetown; gov’t yet to decide on paid parking, but increased property rates likely”.

This is derived and fashioned from statements made by the PPP/C councillor, Bisham Kuppen, at City Hall, especially when he said, “We know more revenues can come in there other than putting additional burdens…so we are not in a hurry to burden this country anymore, so we have to look very carefully at what they are preparing before we can agree to any concerns.”

The middle of the caption that refers to the government’s current position on the parking lot controversy is geared to give solidity, to an entirely false understand-

ing of a government that intends to foist unnecessary and unreasonable financial burdens on the citizens of Georgetown. In both instances, this is not so; since, first, as in the case of the process of re-evaluation, government has secured the services of the Canadian entity, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to aid the government’s valuation office in a nation-wide inventory and valuation of properties.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has assured that the results from such an exercise will be given to the individual local authority.

The latter will be the final determinant of the level of taxes to be applied. Secondly, it has always been a position by the government that the parking meter taxes entailed an undue burden on citizens, thus referring the matter to a

current cabinet sub-committee for further assessment.

In every respect, Kuppen’s statement is misleading; for the issue of increased taxes relates to a principled and absolutely necessary position on the part of the government, to correct not only a very flawed practice on the part of many citizens who are still paying the paltry sum for taxes on domestic dwellings that proprietors have converted to commercial properties, but which would have deprived municipalities and neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) of much needed revenue to improve social amenities in their communities. The correction of such a glaring anomaly is an important responsibility which is expected of every central government.

In fact, this shocking and deliberate act has also coincided with an absence of any re-evaluation of properties throughout Guyana for more than two decades; non-payment of both commercial and domestic taxes in the Georgetown Municipality that have accrued to billions in outstanding revenues owed to City Hall, and a similar state of affairs in other municipalities. This is unheard of in any of the sister CARICOM states, or in any other capital city, where municipalities are mandated to provide vital services.

It immediately begs the question, which must be answered by councillor Kuppen, as to where he believes the revenues for the M&CC to offer the much needed services to residents and the city in general, should originate? He is certainly aware

that the lion’s share of the billions owed comes from the business and commerce sector, and that there is a traditional obduracy to pay their debts.

Therefore, it does not need a visitor from another galaxy to understand the reasons as to the abysmal, physical environmental state of the many communities throughout the 10 Administrative Regions, especially those that were deliberately neglected by the former administration because of their perceived political alignment.

Bare coffers, as a result of grave insufficiency of finances, would have further exacerbated already abysmal community conditions.

It is not the policy of this government to interfere in the daily management of the local authorities, as there is now a Local

Government Commission (LGC) that is constitutionally mandated to administer this major pivot of our democracy. However, this does not mean that central government has abdicated its responsibility with regards to such a seminal issue, as the undue absence of re-evaluation of properties that is impacting on every local authority’s revenue stream. Again, the PPP/C councillor must be reminded that at the end of the current valuation and inventory exercise now in progress, it is the respective local authority and not central government that will determine what level of taxation that their locales will pay.

Good for bauxite workers: good for sugar workers Dear Editor, PLEASE grant me the opportunity to flag for the attention and consideration of all my fellow Guyanese, the article in the Guyana Chronicle of Wednesday, September 10th 2018, entitled, “Task Force Works Out Severance Pact for RUSAL Workers”.

In these times of rapid evolution in technologies and capabilities, taste and fashions, and in the relationships across a world trending to be more and more interdependent and more and more one, and at the same time activating and encountering social and political forces aiming at resisting and reversing such trends, we must all be concerned that there might be great and rapid changes in the work we do and by which we earn our living.

These do seem to be turbulent times and for more of us than ever before, the job we now have may leave us and for some time we may be seeking another. Workers in our traditional bauxite and sugar sectors have been facing such turbulence, more or less intensely from time to time, at least since the 1970s, starting with the nationalisation of those

sectors at that time. It has been a rough ride since then for most of our citizens working in bauxite and sugar, and everyone of us would be aware of what is ongoing presently.

We cannot but be sympathetic with the workers of RUSAL’s bauxite operations in the Berbice River, whose jobs seem to be about to be ended through events in the world at large.

And, therefore, I am supportive of and urge support to those workers: in particular what has been revealed in the article of the Recommendations of the Task Force headed by the Honourable Minister Simona Broomes and including the General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union, Lincoln Lewis (also formerly President and General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Council, and my bauxite colleague of five decades).

The Chronicle article states that the Task Force recommends that these RUSAL Bauxite Workers facing termination be paid “a similar package that was applied in the case of LINMINE in 1993 and onwards, BERMINE in 2002 and onwards and OMAI Gold Mines in 2004, which means that the minimum (severance) pay for each year of service shall

be equivalent to six weeks for each year of service to the maximum of two years’ pay in benefits”.

Allow me to say that this is roughly twice what is required in the “Termination of Employment” Law, which we, the PPP/C Administration, enacted in about 1997 as the consensus between unions, employers and the government.

The PPP/C person that I am, allow me the indulgence to flag that the recommendation quoted above acknowledges how favourably the PPP/C administration treated with bauxite workers from 1993 onwards, through 2004 onwards: from 1993 when there was no law, and twice as well in 2004 and onward as the consensus law required. I call on all my fellow Guyanese to, at least question the impression which was so often given and which they may have entertained, that we the PPP/C have been heartless when it came to bauxite, bauxite workers and bauxite communities. Further, join the demand for similar, equitable treatment for all sugar workers, who are no more, nor no less Guyanese than bauxite workers and whose communities are just as much

Guyanese communities. Prompt payment of severance is not haemorraging of our nation but our law, and it is the humane and fair thing to do. The PPP/C in much more difficult times, empathising with bauxite workers losing their jobs, paid promptly twice what the law required. So, today we support the call for RUSAL workers to be treated similarly and with no question, no hesitation, we call for similar equitable treatment for sugar workers and sugar communities.

We appreciate the acknowledgement of Mr Lincoln Lewis of the generous severance payment of the PPP/C administration to the bauxite workers. We expect the support of Mr Lincoln Lewis in our struggle for similar treatment for sugar workers, what is good for bauxite workers must be good for sugar workers also.

Regards, Samuel A.A. Hinds Former Minister Responsible for Mines and Minerals, including Bauxite Former Prime Minister and former President

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

Hotel proprietor now charged with murder – for allegedly shooting neighbour to death

THE proprietor of the Tourist Villa Hotel and Bar at Fifth Avenue Subryanville, Georgetown was on Monday charged for the murder of his neighbour, Jason De Florimonte.

The accused, Erwin Bacchus, 45, was initially charged with manslaughter, but on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecu-

tions (DPP), he is now being charged with murder.

Bacchus was placed before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman and was not required to plea to the capital offence, which alleges that on August 4, 2018 at Subryanville, he murdered De Florimonte, 30.

He was represented

by attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Glenn Hanoman and remanded to prison until October 3 for the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

According to reports, on the day in question at about 01:30 hrs, De Florimonte had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend in front of the hotel when Bacchus’s

handyman, who was standing at the hotel’s gate, intervened.

In the ensuing exchange between the two men, the h a n d y m a n re p o r t e d l y ran into the hotel with De Florimonte in hot pursuit, whereupon Bacchus, a licensed firearm holder who was on the premises at the time, shot him dead.

The deceased, Jason De Florimonte

Murder accused, Erwin Bacchus

Regulations governing NGOs need to be simplified Dear Editor, ACCORDING to a recent letter in the local media, “People of questionable character are forming NGOs and going around the world under false pretence, professing to be doing all kinds of good service in Guyana, when in reality, no one in Guyana is benefiting from these entities. In some cases, they have never been heard of here. Many of these institutions are collecting millions of dollars from members, donors, foreign and local governments, but there is no accounting of how this money is being spent.

Many NGOs in Guyana do not comply with their own constitutions, or the Friendly Society Act which governs their operations.’

The Caribbean Voice is a New York, registered NGO and not-forprofit with almost two decades of activism experience. And, from the very inception collaboration has been the pivot on which we have been operating. Thus, we have

collaborated with New York City Department of Education to sponsor an essay context for students; with NBC TV and the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry to raise funds for Caribbean hurricane victims; have held highly successful business and international awards; published The Caribbean Voice magazine and newspaper for over a decade; helped other Caribbean NGOs in the Diaspora in myriad ways, including mediating internal problems and collaborating with other NGOs on social issues activism, especially abuse and suicide.

Thus, when we decided to launch our suicide prevention campaign in Guyana, we used the collaborative approach with the National Suicide Prevention and Related Issues Conference held in August 2015, in Georgetown, and attended by over 75 stakeholders nationally. Since then we have collaborated with numerous entities, NGOs, faith-based and community-based organisations, local and

regional governments, mass-based and special interests groups and fellow Diaspora NGOs. All of the NGOs that we have worked with are manned by volunteers who are caring, passionate and dedicated, who give so much of their time, efforts and resources to make a difference in every which way and who are generally transparent with respect to both their work and the funds generated for such work.

So while there may be “People of questionable character professing to be doing all kinds of good service in Guyana, when in reality, no one in Guyana is benefiting” TCV has no experience of such. If the letter writer is aware of such, we urge that he reports them so they can be brought to task before creating significant harm. However, we are aware of entities, registered as businesses but promoting themselves as NGOs, and of a handful of individuals for whom social activism is a fashion statement and an ego-boosting excursion.

Also, we are aware that the cum-

bersome and burdensome Friendly Society Act has brought a number of NGOs to a standstill, while impeding the work of others. So, we believe that the regulations governing NGOs need to be simplified and the registration process made easier and less demanding. Thus, three persons should be sufficient for registration purpose instead of the stipulated minimum of seven. As well, the process should easily facilitate notfor-profit and tax exempt status, which is currently not the case. And, there should be a simple procedure to facilitate Diaspora-based NGOs to operate in Guyana, as well as, to set up local branches of their organisations. Currently over 100 Diaspora-based NGOs operate at some level in Guyana.

TCV also suggests that there should be oversight to ensure that registered businesses do not project themselves as NGOs or fundraise as such. In fact, we also suggest establishing a data base/registry of NGOs, so that all NGOs can be easily tracked and

monitored and so that stakeholders’ collaboration can easily be built for any aspect of activism, such as suicide or abuse prevention, for example. This database/ registry should be available to the public. All NGOs should also lodge copies of their constitutions with the relevant ministry, and user friendly mechanism should be set to facilitate complaints and quick and conclusive investigations. While we do absolutely agree that transparency and accountability must be in place, we suggest that monitoring be standardised so as not to be onerous and breathing down the neck demanding. As well, anyone who supports charity work and social activism via any NGO should not only have the right to demand accountability, but should be able to access same via the database/ registry.

Regards, The Caribbean Voice

Deliberate, conscious effort must be made to choose our leaders Dear Editor, EDITOR, I take the opportunity during this month dedicated to Indigenous heritage to make special reference to Indigenous communities.

Let it be said that as a contributor on Indigenous issues I honestly make general references only. At every level of governance nothing is more important than having the right people in the right positions if we are to foster development, forge unity and get the job done. Editor, you will agree that at every level this is crucial. Some villages, though, might have made decisions in the past that cannot be rated as the best but we're all in the process, thus the reason for this letter.

While we all have political considerations, no matter where we live, this should not be allowed to colour (or discolour) our views on community-related matters. True patriots,

we all know, place their communities, towns, regions and by extension their country first, not any political party. Nothing divides people like party politics whether here in Guyana, or elsewhere. However, no community should suffer if community affairs and interests take precedence. Guyana is due to break new ground, sir, in terms of creating an investment climate that can foster development, and it may be time enough for hinterland communities too, to take note. Sometimes it is felt that we're not part of the process, but definitely Guyana's Indigenous Peoples will benefit, directly or indirectly.

Guyana's interior, one may concur, is a hot bed for investment. It is full of great potentials and especially in Indigenous communities there are tremendous opportunities for growth and development. Investing in eco- tourism can be lucrative business, etc., so communities with the right leaders will of course have

the advantage.

Indeed, evidence in the past pointed to residents taking their councils to task to ensure their priorities were being met. This kind of climate is so crucial, too, and points to all that democracy is alive and well. In those villages are success stories, which point to one thing good leadership and placing community first is sine qua non. Not politics, mind you. People began to consider placing interest in their community first and foremost before party politics, even if it means electing someone who is not born in that community. Throughout Guyana we see examples of this. Today these very communities are enjoying success beyond measure, while others because they suffer from the divisive 'he come ya, but we born ya' syndrome, continue to lag behind.

It is disheartening to say this, but when the necessary evil like politics creeps into a little community and takes on prominence, it be-

comes akin to cancer; it eats at the very social fabric of that little community and slowly but surely kills unity, peace and ultimately stagnates development. Not to mention, everyone suffers. Refinement, courage, foresight, honesty, etc. you will agree, sir, are all qualities of a good leader, but without one's love, loyalty, passion for the community's growth and development, irrespective of the resources with which it may be endowed, human and otherwise, there is no hope.

Editor, I take this opportunity to salute communities that always placed village before personal and other interests when making critical choices. They are taking the lead. Yes, they are indeed 'blazing the trail'.

Regards.

Joseph C. Atkinson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

M&CC seethes over being left in the dark – about weekend circus arrangements EVEN as the Suarez Brothers Circus is gearing up to begin performing here from Friday, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is complaining that they are not in the know regarding certain matters that they ought to have been consulted on.

Although the circus is being held at D’Urban Park, which location the M&CC has no control over, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said Monday that the municipality should have at least been informed about the arrangements in place for garbage disposal.

Speaking with councillors at the fortnightly statutory meeting, she pointed out that not only will there be animal waste, but a buildup of garbage as well because patrons will be snacking at the facility and sanitary facilities will

be in use.

“How is it being disposed? We have to be clear how we deal with this because of our past dealings,” the Mayor said, adding that the M&CC should be informed of such arrangements well in advance.

Deputy Town Clerk Sharon Harry told the meeting that as far as she knows, no solid waste arrangement is in place at the moment, and that she is in the process of checking with the director to ensure that something is done.

Councillor Welton Clarke, who was miffed that the City Council was not included in the decision-making process, said: “We shouldn’t have to go looking for the information; it should come to us. We feel strongly that our authority should be respected; we’re on

the back foot now waiting to be informed.”

The organisers of the circus had asked the M&CC for the use of Parade Ground, and had even met subsequently with the administration. They were also meeting with other agencies capable enough to accommodate the circus.

Mayor Chase-Green gave as the reason the M&CC was slighted was perhaps because Parade Ground did not meet the expectations of the organisers and hence they settled for D’Urban Park instead.

But even so, she said, the M&CC ought to be consulted on certain issues.

The Suarez team is looking to spend some three to five weeks here, and from all indications, they also plan taking the show to Berbice, but that is yet to be con-

firmed.

The Circus is currently embarking on a Caribbean-South American Tour, and will also be visiting Suriname and French Guiana, having most recently performed in

Trinidad.

This is the third time that the Suarez Brothers Circus will be in Guyana, having already been here in 2003 and 2005.

The circus will be opened

seven days a week, with one show per night at 19:30hrs from Monday to Friday; two on Saturdays, one at 17:00hrs and the other at 19:30hrs; while Sundays and holidays will feature three sessions, at 14:00hrs, 17:00hrs and 19:30hrs.

The seating arrangement will feature three levels, which correspond with different ticket prices starting at $1,500 per child and $2,300 per adult for the bleachers, $2,000 per child and $3,500 per adult for the middle section, and $2,500 per child and $4,700 per adult for the VIP zone.

Over 100 persons are expected to travel to Guyana, while the circus is also expected to hire around 30 – 40 local persons to work during the duration of their stay.

Travelling and performing all over the world, the Suarez Brothers Circus originated in Mexico.

17 cell phones amongst contraband Chinese firm Huawei to undertake found in Lusignan Prison Holding Bays expansion of broadband system SEARCHES conducted by the Joint Services at the Lusignan Prison Holding Bays on Monday uncovered a number of illegal items, which were seized.

The search which targeted Holding Bays One, Two and Three, found the following items: 17 cellphones,15 sim cards, two tattoo machines, five pairs of scissors, 58 improvised weapons,85 grams of cannabis, $3,040 cash, a quantity of chargers, one knife, one chopper, four lighters and a quantity of

Some of the illegal items found in the Lusignan Prison

razor blades.

Director of Prisons (ag) Gladwin Samuels had disclosed, that several prison officers had been relieved of their duties after they were found to be working in collusion with each other, in order to facilitate the movement of suspected contraband into the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay area.

The Prison Director, further decrying the behaviour of such ranks, had said, “It is quite disturbing, it is quite embarrassing, to

have to face these situations on a daily basis; but this is not a situation whereby the prison administration is failing to act. The reality of it is, despite we would do vetting and so forth, these prison officers are drawn from communities…and for some strange reason, despite they’re given their dos and don’ts, they allow themselves to be sucked into the financial gains that these activities can bring you.”

The contract for the advancement of the Guyana National Broadband Project is to be performed by Chinese firm, Huawei.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Monday.

Over the weekend, China and Guyana inked a US$37.6 million agreement geared towards boosting Guyana’s broadband capabilities covering several sectors. “This is actually the continuation of the work being done by Huawei,” Minister Harmon said, noting that the signing of the documents represented the final part in the process in gaining approval of the loan through the Chinese banking system. He said the company will soon start work which is to be done under the programme.

Huawei, in the past, constructed the US$32M E-Government network on the coast of Guyana.

This network consists of a fibre optic system in Georgetown, and a 4G LTE network that covers the coastland from Skeldon to Charity. Last November, Cabinet granted a no-objection to the US$37.6 million

contract with Huawei.

On Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, signed the agreements at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, at Liliendaal.

Minister Greenidge said that the project will see the upgrading of the network to enable equitable delivery of service in education through e-classrooms, health and security through the provision of CCTV cameras to businesses and other sectors. The construction of another data centre as a backup to the primary data centre and improvements in the capacity of the government’s network will be undertaken under the project.

In July, Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) thereby creating a window of opportunity for both parties.

The agreement was signed within the framework of the

Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative. It will see Guyana benefitting significantly in the areas infrastructural development, trade and investment and other critical areas of mutual interest.

On Monday, Minister Harmon dispelled any assertions of any secrecy in the MoU. He said if there is a call for every MoU signed between government and a bilateral or multilateral agency to be made public, government will have to make a determination in that regard. ”MoUs are signed between governments worldwide,” he said. He said there was much publicity regarding the MoU signed between the Government of Guyana and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago recently, but according to him, President David Granger said that it would be made public and the next day it was available to the public.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Greenidge attends unveiling of Nelson Mandela statue at UN Headquarters VICE President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge on Monday joined Heads of Government attending the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York for the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela statue just outside of the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters.

During the ceremony, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres

noted that “Nelson Mandela embodied the highest values of the United Nations – peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity.”

The unveiling of the statue also marked the start of the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, a high-level plenary meeting held to celebrate 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela, as well as to promote his values.

(l-r) Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Mr. Carl B. Greenidge, following the unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela

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Driver in Uitvlugt fatal accident remanded THE driver, who allegedly caused the death of a pedestrian on Thursday last, on the Uitvlugt Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was remanded to prison on Monday when he appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The driver Zameer Ali, 23, of Tuschen Old Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was remanded until October 9, 2018.

Dead is 23-year-old Chapil Dave Kumar of Leonora, WCD. Police have since impounded a Toyota 192 Motorcar, PKK7495 the car that was involved in the fatal accident.

Ali pled guilty to the charge of driving an unlicensed, uninsured and tinted

Dead: Chapil Dave Kumar

motor vehicle. He is likely to be fined when he returns to court.

He was not required to plead to charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also charged for

failure to stop after an accident, failure to render assistance and failure to report an accident. To these charges he pled not guilty.

Reports indicate that the driver claimed that the pedestrian ran into the path of his vehicle. The vehicle is registered to a resident of Parika, EBE and was found to be tinted and several of its documents expired.

Reports indicate that Kumar was standing on the southern side of the Uitvlugt Public Road waiting to cross to the northern side when the motor car that was proceeding west on the southern carriageway, struck him down and drove away.

The pedestrian was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Men accused of aiding drug trafficker freed

President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, standing alongside the statue of Nelson Mandela

Pensioner killed in Cornelia Ida accident

A 71-year-old security guard of Lot 1 Public Road, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was killed on Monday morning after a vehicle struck him on the Cornelia Ida Public Road.

Police said that the pedestrian, Realino Santiago, was struck down at around 08:45hrs on Monday morning after a motorcar bearing registration PVV982, which was being driven by a 21-year-old resident of Anna Catherina, WCD, drove into him.

Investigations revealed

that the car was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the road when the pedestrian who was reportedly crossing the road from south to north, was struck down.

He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital by the driver of the car but succumbed shortly after whilst receiving treatment.

The body is presently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver, who passed a breathalyzer test, is in custody assisting with the investigation.

Dead: Realino Santiago

MAGISTRATE Esther Sam sitting at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, on Monday dismissed and freed Ian Mathias and Troy Piper, who were charged with aiding the commissioning of trafficking in narcotics, their lawyer, Jerome Khan has reported.

Khan said in a release, that he submitted that the Prosecutor led no evidence to show that his clients had aided Gavin Adams in any aspect in trafficking of narcotics. Khan in his submission, argued that the charge against the two accused were procedurally misconceived and that there was no provision for charging anyone, for Aiding the Trafficking of Narcotics under Section Five (1)(a)(i) of the Narcotics Act. The defence counsel also argued that the offence of, Aiding the Commissioning of Trafficking in Narcotics, had to be laid under Section 95 of the Narcotics Act, as the Aiding of the Trafficking of Narcotic was a substantive offence.

Mathias and Piper,

along with four others, were charged with aiding Gavin Adams with the trafficking of 11.41 kilo of cocaine at Grant Woodlands, Pomeroon, Essequibo. The allegation was that the defendants between Friday 1st September, 2017 and Tuesday 2nd January, 2018, aided Gavin Adams a resident of Grant Woodlands, Pomeroon, Essequibo, in trafficking of narcotics.

All six persons pleaded not guilty to the offence and charge and were remanded to prison, with only Khan’s client, Troy Piper, securing bail for the sum of $2.M in the High Court. That was after Khan was able to show that the CANU prosecutor misled the court in her affidavit, in answer to the bail application.

Khan argued that since Mathias and Piper, had not been jointly charged with Gavin Adams with any offence, it was not open to the prosecution to charge either of them with aiding him in the Commissioning of Trafficking of Narcotics under Section Five of the Narcotic

Act. The attorney-at-law also pointed out to the court that no caution statement was tendered into evidence, nor were copies of the note pad that purportedly was used to record contemporaneous notes, admitted into evidence and marked as exhibits.

Khan further argued that, the prosecution led no evidence to show that a boat in which Matthias and Piper travelled on to Charity contained any narcotic.

Neither were eyewitnesses present to support the prosecution’s case that the boat was used for the transportation of any narcotic from Moruca to Charity, nor was any evidence led that Matthias and Piper had any communication with Gavin Adams who was charged as the principal offender, with possession for the purpose of trafficking in narcotics.

Both Matthias and Piper were swarmed by members of their family, who erupted in celebration after the decision was handed down and they were freed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Oil and gas issues high priority for Guyana at UNGSA …Min. Greenidge to address assembly on Friday VICE President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, will today join Heads of States and government to discuss ways to make the United Nations more relevant in the 21st century.

Greenidge is leading a delegation to United Nations Headquarters in New York to participate in the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly Session, annually convened by the world body. This year, Member

Carl Greenidge, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UN Headquarters

States will frame their remarks around the theme, “Making the United Nations

relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies.”

Minister Greenidge is scheduled to address the General Debate on Friday.

Guyana’s priority issues at this year’s session are the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, climate change, green state agenda, oil and gas issues, and the reform of the UN Security Council.

Over the next several

days, the delegation, which includes Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, should be engaging with a number of partners, such as Norway and Côte d’Ivoire, on a bilateral level.

Significantly, while in New York, the team is also slated to meet with United Nations Secretary-General, Ant?nio Guterres. Before departing Guyana, Minister Greenidge indicated that the opportunity will be provided to Guyana to meet Mr. Guterres to discuss developments relating to the

Guyana/Venezuela controversy, following the latter’s decision to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Furthermore, Guyana is one of several countries elected as Vice-President of this Session. Also elected were Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Iraq, Japan, Namibia, Panama, Qatar, San Marino, Spain, Sudan and Ukraine, along with five permanent Members of the Security Council — China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States.

Accordingly, Minister Greenidge on Monday presided over the afternoon session of the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, which is being held to mark the late South African icon’s 100th birth anniversary and to promote the ideals and values that he promulgated.

Other meetings and events in which Guyana will participate in on the margins of the General Assembly Session include the CARICOM Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) and the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Woman among persons being sought in RCMP cocaine bust IN the aftermath of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recent interception of 81 kilos of cocaine on a vessel that arrived from Guyana into Port of Valleyfield Montreal, Canada, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is seeking a known female suspect.

Four people were arrested, with two of them— 36-year-old Roldan De Gorio Tito and 48-yearold Nazir Ahmad Hussain—charged with conspiracy to import drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators believe the drugs were intended to be routed to Toronto and Vancouver.

A statement from the

RCMP on September 17 noted that the security body and the Canada Border Services Agency “joined forces last weekend to carry out a major drug seizure (suspected cocaine): 81 kilos were seized by CBSA at the Port of Valleyfield. The drugs were concealed in the hold of a vessel coming from Guyana.”

The vessel underwent a customs search resulting in a number of bags being removed and the crew members being detained on the shipping vessel.

The drugs were reportedly concealed in the hold of the vessel which left Guyana from Linden.

When contacted, Deputy Head of CANU, Lesley Ramlall said the Canadian authorities provided in-

formation to the agency and the matter is being investigated.

He said the suspect that is being sought is a known female character who has been on CANU’s radar; as such additional information is being sought in connection to her accomplices.

Further, Ramlall noted that there was another cocaine seizure in Canada on September 15, made on a Fly Jamaica flight, where 12.5 kg of cocaine was found.

However, he explained that the Canadian authorities realised that the drugs emerged from Jamaica, and not Guyana, since the suitcases with the contraband were left abandoned.

Ramlall said based on investigations the flight

The drugs that were seized (QUÉBEC RCMP Photo)

came from Jamaica and was in transit in Guyana and then went to Canada where the drugs were found.

2,220 Venezuelans arrived here since April …but reduction seen in the last two weeks THERE has been a reduction in the arrival of Venezuelans here, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release on Monday.

According to the release, the National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee continues to work to find ways and means to lend greater support to Venezuelan migrants in Guyana. The Immigration Department has informed that from April to September 20, 2018, a total of 2,220 Venezuelans arrived in the country and have been documented through the special procedure identified for migrants.

However, over the past two weeks, information recorded at the various ports of entry has shown a reduction in arrivals.

At a meeting on Monday, which was held at the Department of Citizenship, the committee, led by Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, discussed the need for a structure that will allow for greater synergies between the Ministry of Health and the Police and Immigration Department, to make the process of registration, screening and immunisation more hassle-free.

Meanwhile, international partners like the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM), continue to support the government’s efforts; making available much-needed resources. In fact, the IOM has committed to providing more food items for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to distribute to the migrants.

The IOM is also developing a Displacement Tracking Matrix for Barima-Waini (Region One) and Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) and in this regard, an official report will be published by the end of the week.

The committee is scheduled to meet again on October 8.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

Linden fathers urged to step-up

…to help protect children from abuse Lindeners were urged to get involved in the fight against child abuse by speaking out and reporting such cases to the police since anyone knowing of a child being abused and not reporting same, is also actively participating in the abuse.

The admonition was given at a Child Protection Agency parade, attended by scores of residents of Linden, regional officials, Child Protection Agency officers and parents.

The parade began with a march from Burnham Drive on the Wismar shore and culminated on the Linden/ Georgetown bus park on the Mackenzie shore. Students of day care facilities assisted by their parents, braved the heat of the broiling sun to let their voices be heard as they begged abusers in their little chants, to stop hurting them.

Further, awareness was given at the rally and the audience left with a better understanding of what child protection is and how it is affecting the lives of the children in Region 10, more so with statistics showing that for 2017, the region had the highest numbers.

Melissa Chapman Registration and Licensed Officer, noted that child protection is everyone’s business and the CPA is striving to prevent, reduce and alleviate the effects of the abuse and neglect of children. Regional Chairman Renis Morian in brief remarks urged fathers to get involved in their children’s lives as this will reduce the risk of them being exposed to other guardians who sometimes abuse them. “I want to appeal to brothers in this community, our children need us, they need their fathers, I am sending out a call to our fathers, let us again, stand with our children.”

He urged the CPA to create a social media presence

since most children who are teenagers are social media savvy. “The approaches and tools that we are using are outdated and irrelevant. I feel right now we need to resource the agencies that are working for CPA with modern tools. The CPA needs an information unit that can communicate with our children and young people via the internet; it is easy to get through to them using the internet,” He also urged the agency to be furnished with the necessary transportation to have them visit the outlying areas in Region 10 more often, where child abuse is prevalent. He said the RDC is willing to play that role to assist the CPA Region 10 office in acquiring these needed tools. “The RDC would like to play a very significant role in assisting you in acquiring the necessary tools that you need.” He also urged them to get more stake holders involved in the fight against child abuse.

Attorney, Renee Mc Donald noted that during the two years she has been practising law what pains her is when the matter of abuse that has been going on for long periods, only attracts the attention of many relatives and friends when it is far gone.

She said she often wonders what were these very people doing, when the child was being abused. It is with this she urged all, to speak out whenever there is any form abuse meted out against a child. These forms, she said, include sexual, emotional, verbal, physical and even financial. “Anyone who knows a child is being abused and remains silent, is actively participating in the abuse,” Mc Donald said, while commending the E Division police on their recent stand of zero tolerance and urged them to keep up the good

work.

Deputy Commander of E’ Division, Jermaine Harper, noted that children are the primary focus of the police and they will ensure that children are not abused by bringing their perpetrators to justice. The police however, cannot do it alone, he said, calling all residents to get involved. “It takes a whole village to raise a child, not just one person…the way forward is for us to work together; work in tandem with each other and make sure we look out for one another. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.” He urged parents to keep talking with their children and to play an integral role in their lives.

The audience was also entertained through songs and dramatic poetry on the ills of child abuse. Monday’s event was the second of three days of activities in observance of Child Protection Week 2018. While there are activities planned for every region, Region 10’s activities commenced on Sunday with an inter-religious service. On Tuesday, there will be another forum where residents will be further sensitised on their role as a community to stamp out child abuse from Linden. For 2017, the CPA, recorded a total of 4,179 cases of child abuse.

Region 10 reflected by 22.1 per cent per 1,000 children.

“In every thousand children, 15 are being abused.

If you look at last year’s stats data, it also means every two hours a child is abused; every day 11 children are abused,” Child Protection Week is being observed under the theme: ‘Supporting families to prevent child abuse through education and community development.’

Gun dropped outside Albouystown night club, suspect arrested POLICE have arrested a Guyhoc Park man, who allegedly dropped a gun with matching rounds outside a night club at Sussex and Hogg Streets, Albouystown in the wee hours of Monday morning.

According to the police, ‘A’ Division ranks of the force

acted on information received and proceeded to the location at around 03:20hrs on Monday. They observed a male standing on Sussex Street in front of the club.

Police said the patrol, which was commanded by a corporal, approached the individual, who quickly dropped

an object which was immediately retrieved and found to be an unlicensed 9mm Glock pistol with twelve (12) live matching rounds.

The suspect, 24, a labourer of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, was promptly arrested and is being processed for court.

A section of the audience at the rally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

AG files application to strike out PPP LGE court action

GOVERNMENT has asked the High Court to strike out an application by the People’s Progressive Party which seeks to block the holding of Local Government Elections in several districts if Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan does not issue an order for the holding of LGE under the Local Democratic Organs Act Cap. 28.09.

The government’s application filed by the Attorney General Chambers is seeking a declaration that the court pursuant to Part 9.01 (1) of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016 lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine the fixed date application filed on September 10, 2018, which raised allegations of irregularities and illegalities questioning the validity of the Local Government Elections to be held on November 12, 2018 until after the Local Government Elections are held the election process having begun on July 18, 2018 and then by way of an election petition.

Attorney General, Basil Williams argues that the elections statutes created by the Parliament of Guyana and as set out in the Municipal

and District Councils Act Cap 28:01, the Local Government Act Cap 28:02, the Local Authorities (Elections) Act Cap 28:03 and the Local Democratic Organs Act Cap 28:09 of the Laws of Guyana do not give the High Court any jurisdiction to settle or determine any matter pertaining to the validity of the LGE 2018 until after the elections are held. “The procedure set out in Part IV and Section 146, section 147 and 148 of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act of Chapter 28:03 of the Laws of Guyana provides that the only proper procedure to dispute the validity of the election or the election of a councilor is by way of election petition to the High Court, which shall be presented within 28 days of the publication of the results of the election, under section 101 of the Local Authorities (Elections Act) Cap 28:03.”

The PPP is alleging that Minister Bulkan had failed to issue an order for the holding of Local Government Elections under the Local Democratic Organs Act Cap. 28.09, as well as against the chief elections officer for inter alia demarcating and redemarcating constituencies’ bound-

aries without consultations with electors, stakeholders and political parties.

Meanwhile, in his affidavit to support the application, Minister Bulkan said: “I am informed by the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and do verily believe that GECOM in accordance with its role as the legal entity responsible for the administration and conduct of elections in Guyana began implementation of the statutory timelines for the holding of Local Government Elections in accordance with my Order as the Minister of Communities.” He added: ”I am informed by the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM and do verily believe that the statutory timelines include: the Registration Exercise which commenced on 21st May, 2018 and concluded on the 8th July, 2018. Nominations Day which was concluded on Friday 21st September, 2018. a. Disciplined Services Voting Day set for the 2nd November, 2018; and b. Elections Day set for 12th November, 2018.

Bulkan said too that the Guyana Elections Commis-

Attorney General Basil Williams

sion has been allocated a budget of $1.2 Billion dollars for the administration and conduct of Local Government Elections 2018 and a substantial portion has been expended to date in preparation for the elections which are scheduled to be held in the next 50 days.

The hearing of the matter began last two Fridays ago before Justice Gino Persaud in the High Court. The matter will come up again this week. When the matter was called before Justice Persaud, counsel for the Attorney General’s Chambers representing

Minister Bulkan, one of the respondents in the case requested 14 days in which to file affidavits in answer to Shadick’s application. Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield is the second-named respondent who is being represented by attorney Roysdale Forde.

At the same time, counsel for Shadick, Anil Nandlall and Marcia Nadir-Sharma, called for the hearing to proceed expeditiously. Nadir-Sharma, indicated to the court that they can make submissions in the matter within

a seven-day period after the filing of affidavits by counsel for the respondents. In her application, Shadick alleged that the subject minister has failed to identify by name, boundaries, and number of members, each of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. She contended that the said decision is “unlawful, illegal, [and] in violation of the Local Democratic Organs Act, Cap. 28:09”.

Among the areas named are the municipality of Rose Hall, the municipality of Mahdia, Moruka/Phoenix Park, Kitty/Providence, Nile/Cozier, Lamaha/Yarrowkabra, Hauraruni/Yarrowkabra, Plegt Anker/ Kortberaad and Wyburg/ Caracas. The PPP alleged that in creating new NDCs and modifying and/or re-demarcating the existing internal boundaries of existing constituencies, the named respondents “not only acted unlawfully, but they did so unfairly, capriciously, whimsically and in a manner to prejudice and skew the elections in favour of one major political party and against the other.”

Linden-Lethem Road among projects for Belt-and-Road Initiative

THE construction of the Linden to Lethem Highway is among infrastructural projects the Government of Guyana hopes China will finance under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Monday, told reporters that several public infrastructure and social projects are being considered, and the construction of the Linden to Lethem Highway is among the lot. Back in July, Guyana and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century

Maritime Silk Road Initiative, creating an avenue for Guyana to benefit significantly in the areas infrastructure development, trade and investment and other critical areas of mutual interest.

Minister Harmon noted that while the MoU has been signed, and a framework is in place, the process must take its course.

“It is not as if you have the Belt and Road Initiative signed and therefore every project that you put up will receive funding, it still has to be interrogated properly to ensure that all of the requirements for funding are met,” the State Minister explained

while fielding questions from reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon noted that the Linden to Lethem Road Project has been on the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government’s agenda since it took office in 2015.

Late December, Guyana and Brazil indicated that they will be working closely with China to access a US$50B China Select Fund to help construct the road. Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has long emphasised the importance of the road link in facilitating trade. “The region of Roraima will

Trial to commence for Eon Archibald On Monday, Eon Archibald, 43, of East La Penitence, stood before Justice Sandil Kissoon to face charges for two alternative counts.

State Prosecutor Narissa Leander, presented the indictment before the court which states that for the first count; on June 4th 2015, in the county of Demerara, Archibald attempted to murder Dwayne Anthony Morris called ‘Country’ or in the alternative, wounded Morris, with the in-

tent to cause grievous bodily harm, maim, disable, or disfigure him.

The unrepresented man, who has been on bail since 2015, stood in the prisoner’s bar and pleaded not guilty to both counts.

He indicated to the judge that he will lead his own defence throughout the trial.

The judge then proceeded to adjourn the commencement of the trial for Wednesday September 26, 2018.

not only provide Guyana with markets into Brazil and into Roraima, but in terms of volume, a larger volume of movement will be involved so as to get Brazil’s products, agriculture or otherwise, into the international markets by the route that turns out to be a lot cheaper than the route that they currently

use, so it is a value to both sides,” Minister Greenidge explained earlier this year.

A l re a d y, G u y a n a and China have signed a Framework Agreement to implement the Guyana National Broadband Project. This agreement, which was signed last Saturday, will see the upgrading of the network to enable

an equitable delivery of service in the education, health, security, business and other sectors. Guyana is the 74th country to sign onto the Belt and Road Initiative, which was also signed unto by 28 international organisations.

Guyana and China established diplomatic relations in 1972.

Secondary schools for Parfaite Harmonie, Good Hope A CONTRACT for over $1.8 billion (US$8.87M) has been awarded for the construction of two separate secondary schools in Regions Three and Four.

A contract to the tune of US$4,795,595 (GYD$1 billion) has been awarded to R. Bassoo and Sons Contracting Services for the construction of Westminister Secondary School, in Region Three; while Good Hope Secondary School, in Region Four, is scheduled to be constructed

by BK International Inc. costing some US$4,082, 506 (GUY$857 million).

Westminister Secondary School, on the West Bank of Demerara, is expected to

be built to accommodate a capacity of 1000 students, while the Good Hope Secondary school is expected to have a capacity for 800 students.

In both cases the works include the construction of ten new structures, a guard booth and external works and services which include plumbing, air conditioning and electrical installation.

Only earlier this year a number of schools were constructed to ease with overcrowding in many areas.

It was just earlier this year that two primary schools were completed in Region Seven, while another secondary school - Golden Grove

Secondary, in Region Four, was completed and handed over last June to help with the overcrowding in three other schools along the East Bank area.

Overcrowding in Matthews Ridge, Region One, saw the construction of a new secondary department attached to the primary school. The new extension helped to ease the burden of parents having to send their children to Port Kaituma to attend school. Of the 13 secondary schools located in Region Three, only three are located on the West Bank of Demerara.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

CDC well prepared for Kirk THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and Hydromet Services will be monitoring the system and providing updates on Tropical Depression Kirk which would be passing close to the Low Coastal Plain of Guyana on Wednesday September 26, 2018.

There is a possibility of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and high winds, the CDC said.

According to weather network, AccuWeather.com, the weather system developed on Saturday morning. It formed at 8.3 degrees north latitude, making it the lowest latitude at which an Atlantic named storm has formed since 1902.

Kirk weakened into a tropical depression late Sunday evening but is expected to regain tropical storm status on Monday.

According to weather network, Weather.com, on Monday morning, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in the United States could not find a closed circulation of low pressure, indicating that Kirk was no lon-

ger a tropical depression, but rather a tropical wave. This was partly due to Kirk’s rapid westward movement, producing wind shear over the system that ultimately ripped it apart.

The NHC will continue to monitor Kirk’s remnant, currently giving it a medium chance of redevelopment over the next few days as it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

However, it is expected to encounter a formidable wall of wind shear – the change in wind speed and/or direction with height – as it draws closer to the Lesser Antilles later this week. This wind shear ripped apart Tropical Depression Eleven over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon assured that the CDC is well-prepared for any national emergency resulting from natural disasters. “I just want to give the assurance to all Guyanese that the Civil Defence Commission is well-organised and prepared to deal with these matters,

Data image of the Tropical Storm Kirk. (Credit/AccuWeather.com)

when and if they occur,” the minister stated.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Min-

Staff testify of non-payment ... of the then Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, Orgista said he raised the matter again with King in 2015. “I approached the Town Clerk Mr. Royston King in 2015 and he said to me “Julian I cannot help you”,” Orgista said.

Questioned further on his relationship with King, the man added: “He’s not such a person that you can reach and talk and share and that kind of thing. You really have to catch him in a good mood to sit with you so that he can listen. He doesn’t really have the time, most times.”

M&CC Sewerage Rodder, 59-year-old Kenrick Hamilton has worked for the body in question for over 20 years but states that as an unfixed worker he receives limited to no benefits. “The fixed workers does come off at 55 [retirement] and the unfixed workers got to work until 65 without any benefits…we don’t get leave passage, we don’t get mileage, we don’t get no benefits at all,” Hamilton said.

He added that the majority of M&CC’s unfixed workers are attached to the Guyana Labour Union but the body and the City Council are currently playing the blame game. Hamilton is a known spokesperson for injustice towards workers and first took the matter to several levels of authority and eventually the Social Protection

Ministry instructed M&CC to “put themselves in order.”

However, Hamilton said that this only led to certain persons being converted to the status of fixed workers.

“From 2015 to now, it’s only a selected few who have been put on the fixed and if you really check it, the set who come on at City Hall from 2015…when you check the roots its either aunty, uncle, cousin, under fixed and people who does do the nasty work can’t be on the fixed. Just now I will be 60… it breaking me heart to know that…I can’t get nothing,” the man said emotionally.

COMPENSATION Emotions continued to run high at the afternoon segment of the CoI where 56-year-old former Sanitation Worker, Alice Brant requested pension benefits and compensation for an injury she acquired on the job. ?In January 2015, during the evening hours, Brant slipped on a chain connected to a wheel barrow in the passageway at the Bourda Market which injured her foot and eventually led to her being diagnosed with a scraped spine. Brant now depends on a walking stick and daily medication and, although she followed the necessary process at the M&CC and it was recommended by the doctor that she conduct “light

-Min. Harmon

duties,” she was dismissed in 2017 “due to the sickness.”

Adding to this, although she received $766,128 as severance pay, she is yet to receive her pension scheme monies and retroactive payments for 2015 and 2016. “In January 2018 I went back to find out about my pension scheme money and I was told by the Council Welfare that GRA has to send me letter with the amount. So, I told him I didn’t throw my money with GRA, I threw it with the insurance broker so how could they send me a letter? I have to receive a letter coming from the Council through the insurance broker,” said Brant who previously worked at the City Council for 22 years.

Bourda Market vendors: 36-year-old Melissa Roberts and 52-year-old Jacquline Hunter added their public statements to the inquiry as well. Hunter, a vendor for over 40 years, is claiming compensation to rebuild her two stalls which were demolished in September 2015 incurring some 100,000 in damages to her beverage items as well as a 46-inch flat screen television.

Roberts relayed under oath that in July 2018 she was locked up at the City Constabulary from 11am to 2pm for refusing to remove her fruit stand from the Bourda Market, Robb Street

ister Harmon said, disseminates information to countries regarding storms and other impending natural disasters. “We have in

From page 4 location. After being released and still refusing to dismantle her stands which served as her livelihood, Roberts stated that her some 250,000 worth in fruits were confiscated by the constabulary.

After being asked to visit King on several occasions which were postponed, the woman said that although she was given the go ahead to resume vending in the location, her fruits eventually perished with no remorse or compensation from King. Both of the women stated that prior to this, they religiously paid their fees to the Council and have the receipts to prove it.

Hunter added that during the demolition process, "Royston King treat us like dogs."

October 12th has been given as the deadline for hearings coming from the public while the Inquiry will come to a conclusion on October 31. Justice Kennard has stated that the CoI is aimed at investigating the financial affairs of the City Council; non-payments of benefits to employees of the council; failure to remit NIS contribution and PAYE; the ?issuance of contracts; the manner in which the motion of no confidence against the Town Clerk was dealt with and the mismanagement of funds.

place a mechanism that actually steps up our preparations once we have any warnings of any impending disasters,” he informed,

noting that “even when these storms do not affect us here in Guyana the Civil Defence Commission prepares for them.”

Serial fraudster strikes again – and gets bail, too

A GROVE, East Bank Demerara fraudster was on Monday charged for incurring a debt of $1.2M at the Summertime Travel Agency and refusing to pay.

Nezia Persaud, 37, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on July 9 at Cummings Street, she fraudulently obtained from Summertime Travel Agency credit for 10 airline tickets to Barbados valued $1.2M, and refused to pay for them.

A representative from the travel agency, who was present in court, explained that if Persaud does not pay for the tickets, he will be forced to stand the cost out of his own pocket.

The man said the reason the matter reached so far was because Persaud, a professed life coach, kept pushing him

around. “All I was getting was promises and promises,” the man said.

Persaud, who readily admitted that she was charged for similar offences before, said: “It is because I’m taken as a big fraud that he went and reported the matter at the Brickdam Station.”

Magistrate Latchman released the woman on $200,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 1.

Persaud is also on $400,000 for fraudulently obtaining from one Margaret Daly on October 14, 2016 at Georgetown the sum of $1,295,000 by falsely pretending that she was in a position to construct a low-income house for her.

She is also said to have matters of a similar nature at the Magistrate’s Courts at Anna Regina, Linden and Providence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 25, 2018

Contractor offers to repair roads free of charge –transportation owners reciprocate by lowering fares significantly THE deplorable state of the roads has always been an issue for the residents of Kwakwani. Their internal roads as well as the trail from Linden have always been riddled with craters and potholes.

Not any more, though.

Residents are now rejoicing that major relief has come their way, as both the internal roads and the Linden to Kwakwani Trail have been repaired.

The internal roads span from the Kwakwani water-front area to the Kwakwani car park near the market.

According to Regional Member of Parliament Aud-

The newly rehabilitated Linden to Kwakwani Trail

win Rutherford, the internal roads were done pro-bono by the contractor awarded the contract for the Linden to Kwakwani Trail.

Laterite along with other aggregates are being used,

less trips to the repair shops, their vehicles are consuming less gas, and their tyres are enduring the smoothness of the road, so it is only fair to take the burden off the passengers.

Repairs being done to an internal road in Kwakwani

and this is expected to last a while, since work commenced after the rainy season.

Short-drop taxis are now thinking about dropping the fare from $200 to $100, given the improved state of the roads, which results in drivers meeting their destination faster thus burning less gasoline and spending less money and time in the mechanic shop. Kwakwani residents have also benefitted from employment from the project.

Regional Vice-Chairman Elroy Adolph said that for too long the residents have been suffering with the road and something had to be done to break the tension.

“This has been our Number One cry in Kwakwani,” he said. “The roads were in a terrible shape, and so we decided come hell or high water, the roads must be done to bring some sort of ease to the residents as well as the drivers.

“And so discussions were held with the contractor and he decided to help us out.”

Meanwhile, drivers plying the Kwakwani to Linden route have dropped the fare from $3, 000 to $2,500 since the road has undergone major repairs and is in a better condition. The buses are making

The time it takes to get from Linden to Kwakwani is now between one-and-a-half to two hours, as opposed to four and five hours when the roads were bad.

In more good news, the government has approved spending more than $650M from Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)’s coffers to facilitate the road projects which are critical to miners and forest operators in the gold, diamond and timber industries.

The multi-million-dollar projects are being executed by the Natural Resources Ministry with funding from GGMC, and technical assistance from the Public Infrastructure Ministry. Among those projects are the rehabilitation of the Linden to Kwakwani, as well as the Rockstone to Mabura Road.

With work commencing at the end of the rainy season, there is nothing to prevent contractors from delivering on time, and drivers and residents are optimistic that this time around, the roads will hold up, as opposed to times past, when they degenerated within a matter of months.

The repair works include ditching, excavating and section repairs of soft spots and filling with laterite.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesay, September 25, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

FROM BACK PAGE

Modric, Marta win...

LONDON (Reuters) - Real Madrid’s Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was named Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2018, while Orlando Pride’s Brazil forward Marta won the women’s award at a ceremony on Monday. Awards.

Modric won the Champions League with Real and then played a major role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final where they were beaten by France.

“This award is not just mine. It is my team mates’ from Real Madrid and Croatia. Without my coaches, I would not have won this and without my family I would not be the player I am today,” said 33-year-old Modric.

It is the first time since Brazilian Kaka’s triumph in 2007 that the men’s prize was not won by either Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi —

neither of whom attended the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Portugal international Ronaldo, who joined Juventus from Real Madrid in the close season, was second in this year’s awards with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in third place.

The 32-year-old Marta, whose Orlando Pride team reached the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoff semi-finals, had won the previous FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award five times, most recently in 2010.

The Brazilian, who led her country to the Copa America title in April, beat Olympique Lyonnais pair Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Dzsenifer Marozsan of Germany to the award.

F r a n c e ’s Wo r l d Cup-winning manager Didier Deschamps took the Men’s Coach of the Year award, with compatriot

Reynald Pedros claiming the women’s award after winning the Champions League with Lyon.

Voting for the player and coach categories was conducted by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans.

Real Madrid’s Belgium international Thibaut Courtois won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

Salah’s goal for Liverpool against Merseyside rivals Everton in the Premier League won the Goal of the Year, which is voted for by fans, ahead of Gareth Bale’s spectacular overhead kick for Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Peru’s supporters won the FIFA Fan Award and German Lennart Thy, who plays for Turkish club BB Erzurumspor, won the FIFA Fair Play Award after donating stem cells to help a leukaemia patient.

FROM BACK PAGE

CWI left scrambling...

Law, who played one Test and 54 ODIs, replaced former Windies Test bats-

man Phil Simmons who was axed in September, 2016, just five months after

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:15 hrs Pearl Of Bahrain 08:50 hrs Insignis 09:25 hrs Alyaasaat 10:05 hrs Copper Joy 10:40 hrs Big Mistake 11:15 hrs Shifting Shadows

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American Racing Tips Delware Park Race 1 Ephesians Six Race 2 Roraima Dos Race 3 Smokey Blues Race 4 Awesome Bill Race 5 Jag Race 6 Sadie’s Magic Race 7 Off the Bourbon Race 8 You Know Too Race 9 Col. North

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Kempton 09:10 hrs Finch Hatton 09:40 hrs War Eagle 10:10 hrs Makambe 10:40 hrs Alexa Rose 11:10 hrs Wing Defence 11:40 hrs Polybius 12:10 hrs Mazyoun 12:40 hrs Directory

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leading West Indies to the capture of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.

Charged with the responsibility of “improving team results” at the time of his appointment, Law has endured a difficult period with the Windies. He has won six of his 15 Tests in charge, only picking up series wins against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the six tours he has overseen.

In 26 ODIs across eight bilateral series, he has won just four matches and lost 18, without a single series success. However, under his watch, West Indies safely navigated the ICC Qualifiers in Zimbabwe last March, to clinch a spot in next year’s World Cup. Law has fared little better in the Twenty20 format where the reigning World champions have managed a mere eight wins in 19 matches, while losing 10.

Perhaps the high point of his tenure came on the 2017 tour of England when West Indies remarkably chased down 322 for victory on the final day of the second Test at Leeds, to win by five wickets.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Tiger’s back on the prowl with Ryder Cup in his sights

By Mitch Phillips PARIS (Reuters) - The spiralling interest in the Ryder Cup means the biennial golf showpiece hardly needs hyping up but the stunning return to form of Tiger Woods, culminating

in his first tournament victory for five years on Sunday, has undoubtedly added some extra French frisson to the event starting in Paris on Friday.

Europe’s top player Justin Rose finished in a share of fourth at the PGA Tour Championship to scoop the

$10 million FedEx prize but all eyes were on Woods, who has overcome four back surgeries and very public personal drama to return to the top of the game.

A year ago he could barely walk, let along swing a club and few if any

Golf fans have waited a long time for Tiger Woods to return to the pinnacle of the sport. That moment finally came on Sunday at the Tour Championship, and it was a sight to behold.(Sport 360 photo)

thought he would ever get close to the form that saw him bestride the game for so long.

Yet here he is, if not quite back to his best, then certainly back to a level capable of going toe to toe with anyone else in the game.

“My body was a wreck, I was beyond playing. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t lay down without feeling the pain in my back and leg,” Woods said on Sunday looking back to his situation before he underwent spinal fusion surgery in April 2017.

“It’s been an unbelievable season from beginning to end and I appreciate it much more now than 20 years ago.”

He now heads to Paris as part of a U.S. team seeking to win overseas for the first time since 1993. Although his ranking was so low he needed a captain’s pick to make the team, his recent surge in form and confidence means that he will undoubtedly be one of the

focal points of Jim Furyk’s team and the man the fans at the Le Golf National will want to follow.

POOR RECORD The irony, however, is that Woods’ Ryder Cup record is awful.

In seven appearances he has been on the winning team once, and that was back in 1999. Though his singles record is strong, in foursomes and fourballs he has won nine, lost 16 and halved one.

When it is taken into account that most of these matches took place when he was far and away the best golfer in the game and winning majors for fun, it is a shocking, but not that perplexing record.

During his prime years Woods was a focussed, solitary figure, able to communicate with fellow players or the media only through a fixed-smile veneer that gave nothing away and invited nobody in.

Now 42 and having hit

rock bottom in his personal and professional life, he is said to be a different person than when he won his 14th and last major 10 years ago.

Finding a partner for Woods was always a challenge for successive U.S. captains for various reasons but this time, with Woods back after missing the previous two editions, there is likely to be a longer queue with their hand up than in previous years.

“I believe this time Tiger Woods will be a definite asset,” Europe’s 2014-winning captain Paul McGinley said at the weekend. “His competitiveness is growing week by week and his rapport with fellow team members will be stronger.”

Current captain Thomas Bjorn, who had some memorable battles with Woods as a player, also welcomed his return. “For such a big event you want big personalities, big profiles... I’m excited about seeing Tiger back in the fold.”

Australia closes probe into Moeen sledge claim SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cricket Australia has closed its investigation into England all-rounder Moeen Ali’s claim that he was called “Osama” by a rival player during an Ashes test in 2015 after finding no new details, a CA spokesperson said on Monday.

Moeen made the allegation in his autobiography, which was being serialised in The Times newspaper, saying the apparent reference to Islamist militant Osama bin Laden came during his Ashes

Moeen Ali’s

debut in Cardiff.

“We have followed up with the ECB (English board) and our team management and confirmed that the incident was investigated at the time, with a response provided to Moeen,” a CA spokesman told www.cricket.com.au “Moeen elected not to progress the matter any further and we have not been able to ascertain any new additional evidence through our enquiries. “As such, the matter is considered closed.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Anil Beharry heads IMC to bring Young Warriors Cricket Club back to its former glory

IN a move to arrest the rapid decline of the Young Warriors Cricket Club, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was formed last weekend, to bring the club back to its former glory.

The Cumberland, East Canje-based cricket club only recently produced its first Test player in Shimron Hetmyer. The players and responsible members of the community called on its former players, senior administrators and former Berbice Cricket Board President, Anil Beharry, to help this process.

In an invited comment, Beharry stated that it was bleeding his heart to see how, after over two decades of progress, the club declined so rapidly within a short period of time.

He said that he was closely following the work of the club and was so disappointed that the club could not even find a first division team, in most cases, and missed out on a few junior

tournaments ran by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

Beharry added that many of the players were also fed up to see the decline of the infrastructure as well, and as such, they and members of the community pleaded with him for assistance, which he acceded to.

He said that now is the time for the club to strive further after producing a super star like Shimron Hetmyer, only the second cricketer from the Canje area, after Leonard Baichan, to play international cricket for the West Indies.

Beharry promised that he will do what it takes to first of all win back the confidence of its supporters and then produce more of Hetmyer; his brother Seon; Damodar Daesrat; Gajanand Singh; Richard and Kevin Ramdeen; Kwasi Maltay; Balram Samaroo; Loakhnath Ramsuchit; Linden Austin; Alex Algoo; Jevon Schultz and others too many to mention.

Anil Beharry (front row–third from left) surrounded by players and members of the committee.

The committee includes Suresh Sripal, Roshan Sattaur, Vishal Mohabir, Suno, Seon Hetmyer, Suresh Dhanai and Linden Austin.

Amir Khan will be the designated Secretary, Kwasi Maltay coach, Gladstone Hetmyer and Satanand Mohabir will share the work

of the manager. Austin will head the venue preparation with Sripal in charge of the finance.

Repairs and preparation of the venue commenced immediately. The committee is sourcing coloured uniforms from former players and friends of the club

living in North America.

There are also plans for the renovation and repainting of the buildings, purchasing of covers for the pitch and the use a tractor to cut the outfield.

The club is asking for assistance in any form to

fulfill their plans.

The members also promised the return of Mash Cup 2019. Contact can be made with Anil Beharry on 592-623-6875 or email abeharry1970@ yahoo.com or any other club member.

Essequibo whip Upper Corentyne by 124 runs to record third straight win ..West Berbice pip East Bank by two runs

Anthony Adams hit 51 not out and returned later to take 2 for 19 with the ball.

A MATCH-WINNING, all-round display by Anthony Adams with a well compiled (51 not out) and

2-19 lifted Essequibo County to their third win in as many games. This time they whipped Upper Corentyne Franchise by 124 runs at the Port Mourant ground when the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI)/ Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars 50-over Franchise League continued yesterday.

Esssequibo Franchise who were last year’s finalist batted first on a pitch which offered purchase to the fast bowlers early on.

By the 10 th over Essequibo found themselves in trouble losing three early wicket, that of opener Kevon Boodie who was caught off the bowling of the lively Dimitri Cameron for (13).

First round centurion Kemol

Savory then went first ball to Cameron, while Parsaram Parsotam made (20).

In came Ricardo Adams and Chetram Persaud and they steadied the ship for the Cinderalla County team as they pushed the score to 68, before Adams was bowled by off spinner Eon Hooper for 18.

Anthony Adams, the younger brother of Ricardo, then played a crucial innings for his team. He teamed up with Neiland Cadogan as they propped up their team’s total in the latter stages on the innings. Both batsmen scored freely with Cadogan clobbering two sixes i n his breezy 23. Adams was left not out on 51 at the end of the 50 overs, with Essequibo closing their

innings at 236-9.

I n r e p l y, U p p e r Sherfane Rutherford presented with trophy by Match Referee Corentyne had a nervy Arleigh Rutherford start to their run chase, torment Upper Corentyne’s kesh Motie leading the way losing two wickets to the progress. They eventually with 58. run out route by the sec- folded for 113 all out in 32.2 Javid Karim 34, Kevin ond over. West Indies fast overs losing by a mammoth Sinclair 24 and Leon Anbowler Ransford Beaton 124 runs. Clinton Pestano drews 20 offered support. bowling with a remodeled made 35, while spinner Eon Bowling for East Bank, action then pushed Up- Hooper chipped in with 31 Trevon Griffith recorded per Corentyne into further runs for their team in a 2-42. trouble with two wickets of losing cause.

In reply, East Bank his own.

Over at the Bush Lot fell short by two (2) runs.

Beaton had Jonathan Ground on the West Coast of Sherfane Rutherford went Rampersaud caught for (5) Berbice, West Berbice went ballistic in a losing cause and the prize wicket of the up against the East Bank scoring 98 runs, as he hit pugnacious wicket- keeper / Franchise. The match had the ball to all parts of the batsman Anthony Bramble to be reduced to a 32-over Bush Lot ground smacking for (3). Essequibo dominated a side match up because of seven sixes (7x6) and five the proceedings throughout early morning rain. Batting fours (5x4). Rutherford the Upper Corentyne innings. first, West Berbice reached a was adjudged Man-of the Spinners Anthony Ad- challenging 216 for the loss Match for his brilliant disams (2-19) and Chetram of six wickets off their 32 play of power hitting. (ColPersaud (3-17) combined to overs allotment with Guda- in Bynoe Jr)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Windies head coach laments lack of access to training facilties in India

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – Head coach Stuart Law has lamented West Indies’ lack of access to training facilities in India, after the regional side were forced to use the ICC Academy here to begin their preparation for the two-Test series starting next week.

The Caribbean unit have spent the last week training at the stadium here and will only travel to India on Wednesday, just days ahead of their two-day tour game against the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) President’s XI starting Saturday in Vadodara.

Law said the ideal preparation for the squad would have been using India as a training base in the build-up to the series.

“We tried to get into India but we were told there weren’t any places available for us. It would have been nice to be in India.

There would have been less travel,” the Australian told Times of India.

“The ICC Global Academy said they had cricket going and thus offered us to come over here.

We have to take what we have got.

We are enjoying ourselves.”

The BCCI said the lack of available facilities was as a result of fixture congestion, owing to the start of the domestic season.

“We have so many teams this season,” TOI quoted a BCCI spokesman as saying.

“To accommodate them at a time when the domestic season

has got underway would always be difficult.” West Indies opened a two-day practice match against a UAE XI on Sunday, racking up 345 for five with left-hander Shimron Hetmyer top-scoring with 60, Shai Hope and Roston Chase both getting 51, and Sunil Ambris, 47.

Law said afterwards the outing had been critical to the squad’s preparation, especially in acclimatising to conditions. “It was a great hit [on Sunday] for our batsmen in extreme heat,” he said.

“All the batsmen had some valuable time in the middle and our preparation has been excellent so far. The boys are adjusting nicely to the tough conditions.”

The final practice session

Chandimal installed as Sri Lanka’s captain across all three formats

teams following their exit from the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The 31-year-old Mathews was renamed as Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper in January, six months after the all-rounder relinquished the captaincy for both red and white-ball formats following a home series defeat to Zimbabwe.

Mathews, however, was unable to revive the team’s fortunes in his latest stint, which came to an unceremonious end after Sri Lanka crashed out of the ongoing six-nation Asia Cup following first round defeats by Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

“The National Selectors on Sunday decided to appoint Dinesh Chandimal as the ODI captain to lead the team in the upcoming England series,” Sri Lanka Batsman Dinesh Chandimal to lead Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement. in all formats after Asia Cup flop.

“Accordingly, they have requested Angelo Mathews to relinquish his duties as the National ODI COLOMBO (Reuters) - Batsman Dinesh Chandimal has been installed as Sri Lanka captain & T20I captain, with immediate effect.”

The decision has upset Mathews, who felt he across all three formats after Angelo Mathews lost had been made a “scapegoat” and offered to retire his role as skipper of the country’s limited-overs from limited-overs cricket, according to ESPNCricinfo www.espncricinfo.com, which CRICKET QUIZ CORNER published the all-rounder’s letter to SLC (Tuesday September 25, 2018) chief executive Ashley de Silva.

“I’m willing to take part of the blame but, COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL at the same time, feel betrayed and let down Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & if the blame is solely put on me,” Mathews Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. wrote.

83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown “If the selectors and coach are of the view that I am unfit to play ODI and T20 cricket (Tel: 225-6158) and thus not entitled for my place in the team, Answers to yesterday’s quiz: I would also consider retiring from the ODI (1) Clive Lloyd - 2344 runs (28 Tests) and T20 formats as I never want to be a burden to the team.”

(2) Sunil Gavaskar - 2749 runs (27 Tests) Sri Lanka have been grappling with a Today’s Quiz: leadership crisis over the last 18 months, (1) Which WI has taken most wickets against India during which Upul Tharanga, Lasith Main Tests? linga, Chamara Kapugedera and Thisara (2) Which Indian has taken most Test wickets against Perera have also been tried as ODI captains.

From Oct. 10, Sri Lanka will host Enthe WI in Tests? gland for five one-day internationals, a Answer in tomorrow's issue one-off Twenty20 and three Tests.

scheduled for today has been scrapped, a Windies team statement said yesterday..

West Indies are scheduled to face off with India in the opening Test in Rajkot beginning October 4, before clashing again with the hosts in the final Test in Hyderabad from October 12.

The tourists have not beaten India in a Test series in 16 years and are also without a series win on the subcontinent since the legendary Clive Lloyd’s side triumphed 35 years ago.Following the Test tour, they clash with India in five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer plays through the onside during his top score of 60 in the West Indies practice game on Sunday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Dey wins 6th Victor Macedo Memorial Cycling TROJAN Cycle Club’s Curtis Dey claimed the spoils for his stand alone win in the 16th edition of the Victor Macedo Memorial Cycling Road Race which took place on Sunday morning.

Trailing the 19-year-old in second spot was Alonzo Ambrose, while Paul DeNobrega finished in the other top spot.

The raced rolled off from Peter Rose Street, continued to Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway and concluded on Homestretch Avenue, where Dey crossed the line in a time of three hours, 16 minutes and 47 seconds in the 73-mile event.

Andrew Hicks, Ajay Gopilall, Deeraj Garbarran, Andre Green and Balram Narine rounded out the top eight spots, in that order.

Gopilall finished as the top Junior, while Adelie Hodge was second and Donovan Fraser copped third. In the Veteran’s category, Junior Niles reigned supreme while Mark Spencer and Leer Nunes were second and third, respectively.

Jude Bentley was the top Mountain Biker, as Julio Melville came second and Quincy Punch – third.

At the conclusion of the event, prizes were given to the top finishers by members of the Macedo family.

Curtis Dey The organisers also mentioned that plans are in place for making next year’s staging a bigger and better event by inviting overseas cyclists to compete.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Lower Corentyne defend132 to beat ECD by three runs ... G/town beat West Demerara by 34 runs

By Rajiv Bisnauth LOWER Corentyne managed to defend a target of 133, to beat East Coast Demerara (ECD) by three runs in the latest round of the GCB/CGI Jaguars 50over league, yesterday at the Enmore ground.

The visitors’ professionalism and efficiency suffocated a downcast East Coast Demerara team in limiting them to 130 all out in 44.3 overs.

A strong Lower Corentyne bowling unit lived up to their potential, with Raun Johnson (2-9), Man-of-theMatch Jonathan Foo (2-6), Kelvin Umroa (2-13), and Veerasammy Permaul (231), contributed two wickets apiece, in a total bowling effort. Kassim Khan (1-26),

was the other wicket-taken bowler.

Earlier, having been put in to bat on a slow surface, Lower Corentyne got off to a sluggish start and ultimately were bowled out for 132 in 44.4 overs.

Medium- pacers Javier Spenser and Bhaskar Yadram claimed three wickets each, while leg-spinner Amir Khan again was tormenting, in adding three more wickets to his impressive tournament so far.

While four batsmen managed to get a start, none could get past 25 as the hosts exerted almost complete control, over a line-up that lacked the inspirational spark to put the opposition under pressure.

Foo was the top scorer with 24, while Jason Sinclair

Man-of-the-match Jonathan Foo collects his trophy.

(23), Junior Sinclair (19), and Permaul (19), were the other principal scorers.

However, none managed to prolong for any sustained period with Spencer and

Khan doing the bulk of the damage to the visitors batting line-up early on, leaving them 78-5.

The decision by East Coast to bowl first, looked a sensible one given the conditions, and their bowlers responded perfectly.

Spenser finished with figures of 3-22, Yadram (318), while Khan ended with 3-28. Chandrapaul was the other successful bowler, with 1-17.

In a see-saw contest, the run chase was even inferior, with the hosts batsmen squandered a promising position at the half way stage of the game.

Bhaskar Yadram struck 30, Kamesh Yadram 15, Ramnarine Chatura 16, and an unbeaten 15 from injured Rajendra Chandrika, were

the only ones to show some resistance against the visitors attack.

The East Coast batting unit failed to build the sort of confidence and lost wickets on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, Georgetown whipped West Demerara by 34 runs. Batting first, the city team piled up 278-7 in 49 overs. Christopher Barnwell and Leon Johnson continued their rich form with 84 and 76 respectively.

Robin Bacchus and Raymond Perez contributed 38 and 20 to the total. Romario Shepherd and Richie Looknauth claimed three wickets apiece.

In reply, West Demerara reached 246-9. Shepherd hit a composed 65.

The competition continues tomorrow.

Josiah-Tanner to Windies women bowl their miss COURTS 10K way to 17-run win in first T20

Euleen Josiah-Tanner will now focus her attention on the Srefidensi Marathon, which is set for Suriname on November 17.

ACE long-distance runner Euleen Josiah-Tanner will miss the COURTS 10K road race that is billed for this Sunday in Georgetown.

The 44-year-old Berbice born, who now lives and competes in the USA, was hoping to participate in the race that she would have been favourite to win, but a lack of funds, due to her participation in the World Masters Championships earlier this month, has derailed her plans.

At that event, which was held in Spain, Josiah-Tanner clocked a time of 1:30:10 to cop a bronze medal for the US in the half marathon.

She finished 14th in the 10k and 16th in the 5k. The former COURTS 10K, six-time winner has now set her eyes on the Srefidensi Marathon, which is set for Suriname on November 17.

The mother of three, who had won four gold and two silver medals in the 4044 age division, at the USA Track and Field Masters Outdoor Championships in August, said that her focus is also on the Indoor World Championships, which is scheduled for Poland next March.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – West Indies were not at their best but still brushed aside South Africa by 17 runs here Monday, as they began their final preparation for the defence of their Twenty20 World Cup title in November with a comfortable victory.

Choosing to bat first at Kensington Oval, the hosts stumbled their way to 124 for six off their 20 overs but then restricted the Proteas to 107 for seven, to take an important 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series which now moves to Trinidad for the remaining games. Natasha McLean top-scored with 38 off 41 balls to snatch the Player-ofthe-Match award in her first appearance for West Indies in three years while all-rounder Deandra Dottin chipped in with 22, but the remainder of the batting flopped.

West Indies lost 20-yearold Hayley Matthews cheaply for eight in the fourth over when she sliced seamer Zintle Mali (2-24) to Laura Wolvaardt running back at cover.

McLean, who struck four fours, posted 28 for the third wicket with captain Stafanie Taylor (9) but the partnership

Merissa Aguilleira pulls off a quick stumping to send the dangerous captain Chloe Tryon on her way in Monday’s opening Twenty20 International. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

was a sluggish one requiring 32 balls, leaving the Windies stalling at 52 for two at the half-way stage of the innings.

Taylor, still seeking her best form, fell in the 10th over bowled by off-spinner Saarah Smith, missing a heave at a full length delivery.

When McLean perished in the 12th over, also bowled

by Smith playing a loose cross-batted shot, West Indies were going nowhere at 63 for three. Dottin arrived at number five to strike two fours in a 19-ball knock and help her side pass three figures.

In reply, only Marizanne

Kapp who top-scored with 30 and skipper Chloe Tryon with 23, showed any resistance as off-spinner Taylor (3-16) and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher (2-17) hurt the innings with key strikes.

In fact, South Africa were set back as early as the fourth ball of their run chase with just two runs on the board when Lizelle Lee top-edged a pull at a short ball from fast bowler Shamilia Connell, for McLean at mid-on to take a simple catch. And her partner Wolvaardt followed her soon afterwards in the fourth over for eight, missing a charge at Taylor and going stumped by

Merissa Aguilleira.

Tryon threatened with two fours and a six in a 16-ball knock but was one three wickets to tumble for 35 runs, leaving the South Africans tottering on 66 for five in the 14th over.

Kapp, who belted two fours and a six in a breezy 22ball innings, then attempted a rescue mission in a 40-run sixth wicket stand with Faye Tunnicliffe (14).

But that partnership too was a slow one lasting 39 balls and by the time Taylor bowled Kapp in the final over, the game was long gone.

Luka Modric, Didier Deschamps and Marta pose with their awards (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

Modric, Marta win Best FIFA player 2018 awards

See Page 19

CWI left scrambling for new head coach after Law resigns

CWI will be looking for a new head coach come January as Stuart Law is leaving to join Middlesex CCC.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Australian Stuart Law has quit as head coach of the embattled West Indies just eight months before the start of the ICC World Cup in England, dealing a severe blow to the regional side’s preparation for the event and leaving authorities scrambling to find a replacement.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Monday the 49-year-old would leave his post at the end of the year, following nearly two years at the helm, during which time he oversaw the two-time World champions’ qualification for cricket’s major showpiece but otherwise failed to turn around the fortunes of the struggling side.

The announcement of Law’s departure also comes 11 days prior to the start of a difficult two-Test series against powerful India in Rajkot, casting somewhat of a heaviness over the tour which also includes five OneDay Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.

Law, who took up the post last year February, will now join English county Middlesex in the New Year as their new head coach on a four-year deal.

His imminent departure was met with disappointment from Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, who rued the “timing” of the decision.

“While I regret his leaving and the timing of it, I fully understand his reasons, and along with everyone at Cricket West Indies (CWI) want to thank him

for his dedication and commitment whilst in the role and wish him the very best of luck at Middlesex,” said the former Windies Test captain.

CWI Chief Executive, Johnny Grave, also expressed his disappointment, pointing out that West Indies had made “real progress” under Law’s guidance.

“I am disappointed that Stuart is leaving as I believe that we have made real progress under his leadership,” the Englishman noted.

“I know it was a difficult decision for him and that ultimately the opportunity to work in England, where his family is now based, was a major factor in his decision. We will start the process to appoint a new head coach immediately.”

Law, who will also oversee

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the tour of Bangladesh in November which follows the full series in India, said the decision had been a difficult one but ultimately he wanted to be closer to his family.

“I have had to make the difficult decision to leave my role of head coach with CWI. It has been very enjoyable, and I believe we have made tremendous strides forward as a team during the past two years,” he said.

“I would like to thank the players, staff and the fans for their support over this period, I have appreciated it greatly. I will be taking a role with Middlesex CCC which will keep me close to my family, whilst continuing within the cricket family. I wish the players and staff of CWI every success in the future.”

SEE PAGE 19 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018