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THURSDAY 28th June, 2018

No.105319

English jumps to 60% …stellar performances at NGSA recorded in hinterland

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GPSCCU, police in stand-off 11 PAGE

…after court discharges injunction against gov’t takeover

PAHO clears 10 GGMC of any mercury threats PAGE

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Pact signed for US$17.8M renewable energy project Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative, Tetsuhiro Ike exchange the signed copies of the Grant Agreement on Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

Priest on 10 murder charge PAGE

Payout for relatives of piracy victims

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Water receding in Region Nine …inter-agency collaboration to monitor, respond BRIAN Allicock, Chairman of the Upper Takutu– Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) has reported that flood waters in the region has begun to recede, with the exception of the village of Karasabai, located in the South Pakaraimas. A special meeting to provide updates was, today, held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom with Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, the regional administration and officials from various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Communities, Central Housing and Plan-

ning Authority (CHPA), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Mayor and Town Council, among others. In an invited comment, Mr. Allicock said that he received reports from several sources during the day, indicating that the water has receded in the areas which were previously affected, including Aishalton and Lethem. “In the access road, beyond the Rupununi crossing, the water has already receded and I was told by a contractor from Lethem that he was leaving for Aishalton because he can now take in his machinery for the construction works he has to do in there. The other problem is the culvert at Aishalton, but the contractor will create a bypass

there so vehicles can move over. In the Lethem area, the water is receding and I am happy about that because even though we have people in the low-lying areas, only three families were evacuated from the area. We are happy because the water is going away and the weather report from Brazil is very helpful because we see that there is no rainfall in the Amazon area,” he said. On Monday, Deputy Toshao Andrew Albert Junior of Karasabai noted that the main concern shared by the six villages and one satellite community in that area is the fact that the flood water on the main access road has resulted in a total cut-off for villagers. This had prevented access in and out of the

Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig (centre, head of table) regional and administrative officials from government ministries, agencies and organs at the Regional Democratic Council boardroom

Youth faces more fraud charges BASDEO Persaud, who was last week charged with fraud, appeared yesterday before a city magistrate on two other fraud charges. The charges allege that on January 19, 2017 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Persaud obtained $60,000 by falsely pretending to Bigram Persaud that he was in a position to obtain a plot of land, knowing same to be false. It was further alleged that between January and August 2017 at Campbellville with intent to defraud, Persaud

obtained $400,000 by falsely pretending to Mohanie Ramadi that he was in a position to obtain a plot of land, knowing same to be false. The 22-year old man denied the charges. And the Police Prosecutor had no objection to bail which was set by magistrate Fabayo Azore at $150,000. The matter was adjourned to July 25, 2018. It was reported that Basdeo appeared last week before Magistrate Judy Latchman on similar charges.

The court heard that on April 10, 2018 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Persaud allegedly obtained from Anarada Persaud $100,000 by falsely pretending that he was in position to obtain a plot of land, knowing same to be false. According to the prosecutor, the virtual compliant went into the defendant’s real estate office to buy a plot of land and to make a down- payment of $100,000 and the balance she had to pay was $350,000. However, when the woman began to build on the site she was told that the land had not been sold to anyone. Basdeo Persaud denied the charge when it was read to him and he was released on $100,000 bail, after police prosecutor Arwin Moore made no objection.

village and to Lethem and Georgetown. He said that a request had been made to the RDC for a boat and engine to transport residents, particularly schoolchildren and emergency cases. The Regional Chairman noted that Karasabai remains affected, since the flooding is caused not only by the heavy rainfalls or the ‘wet’ season, but the water running off from the mountains and from neighbouring Brazil. The Ireng River, he said, remains high and as such, the region has responded to the request made by the deputy Toshao. “The only other place that is suffering at the moment is Karasabai in that the water is still coming down from the mountains and the Ireng. Even though the Takutu is

receding, the Ireng is still bringing in water and we are putting in place a boat and engine to transport people to the El Globo Landing or Good Hope landing,” Mr. Allicock said. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture has dispatched teams from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) to conduct on-theground assessments in the affected villages and to lend assistance where necessary, while the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be examining the affected roads and culverts to determine the extent of damage and corrective actions that must be taken. The Ministry of Public Health continues to maintain contact with the regional health facilities to ensure that there are adequate medical supplies in stock to

treat persons affected with water-borne or vector-borne diseases. The CDC continues to monitor the situation in the region and will provide support as it becomes necessary. Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman noted that the weather condition has also affected the Georgetown to Lethem roadway, making it almost impossible to traverse. He noted that the Regional administration has awarded a contract for the upgrading of the roadway from Annai to Lethem, while the Government has budgeted for feasibility studies and detailed designs for the first phase of the Linden-Lethem road, covering the section from Linden to Mabura Hill, thereby improving access to the communities. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig and other officers examine a damaged section of the roadway

External debt “well below” international threshold requirement – Min. Jordan MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan, on Monday clarified that Guyana’s external debt currently stands below 50 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the international threshold requirement set at 60 percent of GDP. He clarified further that external debt should be viewed in relative terms and not absolute, noting that as the economy continues to grow it can take on more debt. Speaking to the media prior to the sitting of the National Assembly, the Finance Minister dismissed and quashed claims that government has borrowed

some $50Billion from the Central Bank. Minister Jordan said for years, under the previous government, the Consolidated Fund was in overdraft. “The last government had to abandon the first Consolidated Fund, which is still in overdraft, created a new Consolidated Fund and all that went into overdraft.” He further explained that the coalition administration inherited a Consolidated Fund that was in overdraft, which resulted from the Gold Board’s operation, which was significantly dependent on the Fund. In addition, the World Bank

Group recently approved a US$35Million Development Policy Credit to support Guyana’s efforts to strengthen the financial sector development and fiscal management to better prepare the country to benefit from the newly discovered oil and gas reserves. Minister Jordan said the loan comes with good concessionary terms, which include a 40-year payment back period and one percent interest rate. The minister said the funds will be used almost immediately. It will also assist Guyana in transforming its oil wealth into human capital. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

English jumps to 60% at NGSA …stellar performances recorded in hinterland

RESULTS in English Language for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) has climbed to a 60 per cent pass rate, but mathematics, which made a significant come back last year, declined from 45 per cent last year to 38 per cent this year, well-placed sources have confirmed. According to the source, in the case of social studies and science, 46 per cent of the students who wrote the examinations gained 50 per cent or more. The Guyana Chronicle was told that all of the administrative regions recorded improvements in English Language with significant results in Regions, Two, Seven, Nine and 10. Official results of the NGSA will be released around 13:00hrs today. Despite the decline in maths this year, the 38 per cent pass rate is very significant, given the poor performance of students at this subject over the years. Government had injected $48M into emergency intervention to strengthen the teaching capacity of mathe-

matics at the Grade 6 level in public schools in 2016. In 2011, 62 per cent of students scored below 50 per cent in mathematics, 59 per cent in English, 58 per cent in science and 68 per cent in social studies. During the presentation of the 2017 Budget, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan revealed that of the 14,386 students who wrote the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) only 14 per cent or 2,014 students were able to achieve a pass grade in mathematics and less than 50 per cent achieved passes in English. Jordan stressed that these results represent a crisis since “over 12,000 of our children were not numerate, while more than half of those writing English could not sufficiently comprehend our official language to attain a 50 per cent score.” Students across the country have been struggling for years with mathematics and the APNU+AFC Government had deemed this a crisis which needs fixing immediately. President David Grang-

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry

er had mandated former Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine to meet with technical officers and staff of his ministry to find solutions to address the issue. Over the years, Guyana has failed to achieve acceptable pass rates in mathematics, a critical core subject. This year the Ministry of Education has contracted the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) to conduct the examination for the Grade Six students

here and it was discovered that the different assessment illustrated the deficiencies in the system. Dr Roopnaraine had presented his report to Cabinet with several recommendations, including the training of teachers in content and methodology; facilitating fortnightly cluster meetings in all regions; the recruitment of mathematics coordinators and monitors; the training of officers and school administrators to supervise the teaching of mathematics; preparing and administering a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland regions before training; the enhancement of public relations, parental involvement in the education of their children and the acquisition of support material for the students. Ahead of the March 2829, 2018 examinations, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson had assured that the Ministry of Education has been engaged in a multiplicity of programmes and activities “to ensure that the performance of our children

is much better.” Some 14,551 students registered to sit the examination. “We have been working assiduously to improve performance. Last year we enjoyed the improvement in mathematics and all the other subject areas showed marked improvements with the exception of social studies which was consistent, but the other subject areas--Science, Mathematics and (English) Language--we saw improvement, so we’re hoping to not only sustain the performance this year, but we are looking to excel,” Hutson had said. Hutson noted too that there has been a marked improvement in the ministry’s use of technology; that will also play a part in the children’s performance. “We have embarked on the use of technology in the Ministry of Education, and I can say without a doubt that we have seen a marked improvement in the use of technology, and we are a far way ahead compared to two or three years ago. We have been working with STEM Guyana, and

they’ve built an app that we have been using, allowing our children to access educational material on their devices. The Ministry of Education itself would have procured a smart classroom at NCERD and we have been interacting with children from Region 1, 2, & 3, with the assistance of E-Governance.” The CEO also mentioned one such tech-programme, the ‘Success Maker’, which allows students to do classwork on the computer. The programme only permits children to advance after they are successful at particular stages, therefore regulating and helping them to perform better.

Please join us for live updates on our facebook page facebook.com/gychronicle starting from 1pm today. Also look out for our special supplement in Friday edition of the Guyana Chronicle on the 2018 results.

NCD commissioners urged to get grassroots views …seeking out evidence-based data on what pertains in each region MEMBERS of the National Presidential Commission for Non-Communicable Diseases must go out into communities to become more familiar with what the issues are surrounding their mandate. That was the call by the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence at the opening of a capacity- building workshop at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, the aim of which is to help the com-

President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Sir Trevor Hassell

experiences and seek to see how we can assist the commission in going to another level.” Commissioners Avonie Lekha-West and Ricardo Banwarie said that they are looking to make the most of the capacity- building work-

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In the photo, from left to right] PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Sir Trevor Hassell, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, Executive Director of Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Maisha Hutton and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud along with the Commissioners of the National Presidential Commission for Non-Communicable Diseases

missioners better understand their roles and responsibilities. Lawrence told the commissioners, “if we are to counter the adverse effect of our people’s health and economic life, there is need to reach out to our communities and initiate the fight there against the chronic and non-communicable diseases. The commissioners, to my mind, need to be fully

cognizant of this roles and responsibilities and must seek to have evidence-based data on what pertains in each of the regions.” She stressed the importance of knowing what should be treated in the various regions as it is not a one- size- fits- all situation. “What are we treating? What age groups are most affected? This is information that should be shared with you, so

that you can plan in order to effect the necessary changes that are needed within these various regions.” President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Sir Trevor Hassell, told the commissioners that they have an obligation to achieve the goals of the commission, which are not unique to the Caribbean but also to the world. “What we are hoping to do is to share with you our

OPCW chemical watchdog gains power to assign blame The world's foremost chemical weapons watchdog has granted itself new powers to assign blame for attacks, despite protests by Russia. Until now, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) could only say whether chemical weapons were used - but not who had used them. Britain successfully argued that new powers were needed to deal with repeated chemical attacks in Syria. Russia said the move went "beyond the mandate" of the watchdog. It also said the organisation was facing an "artificially created crisis". The members of the OPCW, however, voted in large numbers for the measure, winning the vote by 82 to 24 - exceeding the two-thirds majority needed. Britain proposed the measure, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said it would "strengthen the ban on chemical weapons and prevent impunity for their use". Repeated allegations of chemical weapon use by Syria's government against rebels and civilians brought

the issue into the international spotlight in recent months. In April, the United States, UK, and France jointly bombed three Syrian government sites in response to the alleged chemical attacks. The Syrian government, which is backed militarily by Russia, has repeatedly denied ever using chemical weapons. International relations also frayed after the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil. UK investigators concluded that a Russian-developed military-grade nerve agent called Novichok was used in the attack in the city of Salisbury. British authorities accused Russia of direct involvement; Russia is also the Syrian government's main ally. Russian Industry Minister Georgy Kalamonov told Reuters news agency the OPCW was like a sinking ship. "A lot of the countries that voted against the measure are starting to think about how the organisation will exist and function in the future," he said. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

France’s Macron brings back national service The French government has introduced a plan to bring back national service for all 16-year-olds. It was an idea put forward by Emmanuel Macron in his presidential campaign, to promote a sense of civic duty and national unity among French youth. But some remain unconvinced of the benefits. The new national service will cover all 16-year-olds, girls as well as boys, and will be divided into two distinct phases. NATIONAL SERVICE IN TWO PARTS The first phase is a mandatory one-month placement with a focus on civic culture, which the government says will "enable young people to create new relationships and develop their role in society". Voluntary teaching and working with charities are among the options being looked at, alongside traditional military preparation with the police, fire service or army. The second phase is a voluntary placement of at least three months and up

The mandatory part of national service will last a month, while the second, longer phase will be more closely focused on defence and security.

to a year, in which young people will be encouraged to serve "in an area linked to defence and security" - but again, they could opt to carry out volunteer work linked to heritage, the environment or social care. A WATERED-DOWN PLAN It's not quite the programme Mr Macron initially had in mind. When he first floated the idea, during the 2017 race for the presidency, it was a sort of military service in miniature, with all French citizens forced to have a "direct experience of

military life" for a minimum of one month between the ages of 18 and 21. That's now been softened and broadened into what's being called a Universal National Service - partly because of concerns that it would cost too much and overburden the country's armed forces. Even now, the programme is estimated to cost €1.6bn (£1.4bn; $1.8bn) a year to run, with €1.75bn of investment up front. WHAT IS MACRON'S AIM? The goal of this new-style national service, the government says, is to encourage young French citizens to take part in the life of the nation, and promote social cohesion. Consultations will now begin, with a view to rolling out the programme from early next year. But there is still a lot of detail to be hammered out, not least the legal basis. A working group, set up to look into the scheme, has warned that the

French constitution bans the state from forcing an entire section of the population to spend time away from home, except in the case of national defence. IS THE IDEA POPULAR? Even before it was announced, 14 youth organisations objected to the "inconsistencies" in the plan, unhappy with the idea of being forced to take part in a project. "Choosing a commitment is just as important as the commitment itself, if not more so," they argued, calling for young people to be able to exercise freedom of choice. More broadly, about 60% of the population are in favour, according to a YouGov poll carried out in March, although the number dips to just below half when younger people are asked for their views. Mr Macron is the first French president not to have done military service; it was scrapped for the new intake in 1996, when Mr Macron was 18. Before that, all young French men were expected to serve for the best part of a year in the armed forces. When the old post-war draft ended, in 1997, there was a collective sigh of relief. Amid the nostalgia, many people here recognised that it had become a social exercise rather than a military one. Twenty years later, it's that social cohesion President Macron now wants to recapture. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Bahamas tourism sector enjoys ‘exceptional’ first quarter

The country’s tourism industry performed “exceptionally well” during the first quarter of 2018, with stopovers increasing by a whopping 18 per cent, and air arrivals at their highest on record. “This places The Bahamas in third place in the region, after Belize and the Cayman Islands which recorded growth levels of 23% and 20% respectively,” Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar said. “It should be noted that, with The Bahamas receiving at least 1.4 million stopover visitors per annum, this growth is tremendous when compared with that of our Caribbean neighbours.” Mr. D’Aguilar said air arrivals support the revenue-producing stopover segment of the industry, producing rooms’ revenue, which, from the large hotels alone, was up thirty-nine

percent (39%) at the end of the first quarter. Air arrivals had been boosted primarily by improved airlift seat capacity and room inventory in New Providence, and increased overall demand for Bahamas vacations over the peak Easter holiday period. “In addition, average daily rates increased by eleven percent (10.9%) over the same period and the industry witnessed a twenty-five percent (25%) uptick in room nights sold. By my estimate, this translates into an additional $90-100 million in economic impact -- all in the first quarter of this year,” Mr. D’Aguilar said. “This is indeed good news for the Bahamian economy. By all accounts, the collective marketing efforts of the Ministry and the industry, and robust growth in the Family Islands, coupled with the addition of 2,300 rooms at Baha Mar with increased employment

to 4,000 persons at that property, have all served to put this country on a more solid economic footing.” With respect to the country’s cruise sector, Minister D’Aguilar said while The Bahamas experienced a marginal loss in growth of its cruise business in the first quarter of this year, “we experienced overall growth last year in the volume of cruise passengers when the region experienced a 3.7% decline.” “However, the conundrum remains of how do we work to improve domestic production to facilitate increased cruise visitor spend? All but one of the cruise agreements have expired and the government does not intend to continue the cruise incentive model that it has operated in the past. “With all that said, Bahamas tourism is indeed seeing healthy gains and not just in New Providence, but in most of our

tourism destinations. In fact, except for Grand Bahama, Inagua, Cat Island and Exuma, eight of our major tourism destinations have all seen double-digit stopover increases in the first quarter of 2018,” Minister D’Aguilar added. Mr. D’Aguilar said while this growth represents a positive turn of events, it remains to be seen whether the current tourism model and emerging market trends can consistently deliver on rates of growth that have eluded the industry year-on-year for the past twenty years. He noted, “It must also be recognized and appreciated that our ‘good news,’ while considerably influenced by our own efforts at home, has been jump-started by a significantly improved US economy."

Galapagos' Sierra Negra volcano eruption triggers evacuation

Handout picture released by the Galapagos National Park press service showing lava flowing down the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Archipelago about 1000 km off the Ecuadorean coast in the Pacific Ocean, early on June 27, 2018.Image copyright AFP The Sierra Negra volcano on the Galapagos island of Isabela is spewing fountains

of lava and plumes of ash. Fifty people have been evacuated from the surrounding area and tourists have been barred from visiting it. The eruption started after two strong earthquakes opened up fissures in the 1,124m-high (3688ft) volcano. It comes 11 days after the Cumbre volcano, the most active on the Galapagos, erupted on the uninhabited island of Fernandina. The Sierra Ne-

gra volcano is located on the south-eastern tip of Isabela, the largest of the 18 main islands which make up the Galapagos Archipelago. The Galapagos which are located about 1,000km (621 miles) off the coast of Ecuador are one of the most volcanically active regions in the world. The Galapagos National Park authorities said tourists would not be allowed near

the volcano or the area of El Cura, but said they were welcome to visit the rest of the island. Thousands of tourists visit the Galapagos Islands every year, drawn by its unique biodiversity and its pristine environment. The variety of wildlife on the island famously inspired Charles Darwin to conceive the theory of evolution. (BBC)

Former Haitian president, coup leader dies

Henri Namphy

Former Haitian coup leader, Lieutenant General Henri Namphy is dead. Namphy died on Tuesday in the neighbouring Dominican Republic following a battle with lung cancer. Namphy, who lived in exile in the Dominican Republic, headed Haiti's military-dominated government after the fall of the Duvalier family dictatorship. He became head of the

interim National Council of Government that took charge of Haiti in 1986 when Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier fled into exile in France. He also served as president before he was ousted in a coup in 1988.His presidency lasted only last three months, and after being ousted he fled to the Dominican Republic. He was 85. (CMC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Finance Minister’s timely advice

EVERY year when the time for preparation of annual budgets which the Ministry of Finance would submit to Parliament for its approval would have arrived, the Minister of Finance addresses the heads of the Budget Agencies, reminding them of what is expected. Last week, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan spoke at the newly renovated Arthur Chung Conference "Centre and his wide-ranging address is not only of relevance to public servants, but also to the public in general. The minister outlined some broad principles and government policies which should inform the various budget proposals made: the budget was being prepared on the cusp of the first oil which will be pumped in the first quarter of 2020 and that there should be a consciousness of this and of the strategic imperatives required. One of the main government policies is that the Green State Development Strategy must be integrated into the budget proposals as far as possible. In this process, the departments should work with the private sector towards realising the Green Economy.

Another principle which should be instilled in the budget is reduction of costs and the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) could greatly facilitate in achieving this end. Phasing out the use of paper is one such economy. As an example of this, the minister pointed out that in his ministry e-copies of circulars, invitations and notifications and even e-Christmas cards are used. In making Accounts and Financial Papers, use of ICT should save paper and improve speed and accuracy. For local meetings, ICT conferencing could be used to save time. With regard to foreign meetings when officers had to travel to foreign countries, incurring travel and hotel costs and expending foreign exchange, such meetings could now be attended by conferencing. The government has been supporting agro-processing and local industry. Ministries and public servants and indeed the public as a whole should buy local products. For example, despite the fact that drinking water of the highest quality is produced by several well-established local producers, some of

whom have ISO certification, ministries and public servants still buy and serve imported water. Fruit cocktails often use imported fruits, though local fruits are easily available and are fresher, more nutritious and tasty. And the same goes for confectionery, soda crackers, beers and rums, ice cream, yogurts, margarine or several other products which are world-class; in the case of rums, indisputably the best rums in the world. In building, the minister advocated the use of local materials as far as possible. Government departments which do building should ensure that their bidding documents encourage the use of local building materials. The minister is well aware that public servants almost mechanistically request increases for their various budget heads. He called for public servants to take a page out of the books of private sector managers and evaluate and justify all spending on business principles. He referred to two sectors which absorb nearly one-third of the budget expenditure. The health sector accounts for 12.5% of the national budget and the education sector 17.2%. Referring to the health sector, the

minister rhetorically asked, "Why do we have to have increasing allocations to the health sector, while continued shortages of drugs and less hospital inspections than previous years prevail? How will the conundrum of increasing allocations but declining availability be resolved?" In similar vein, he rhetorically asked "Why with increasing allocations to education, less than 50% of our children are passing Math and English?" The minister also repeated the warning that the forthcoming oil revenues must be carefully used to develop a diversified economy and not wasted despite pressures and temptation to do so. The minister left the managers with the following charge: "Accountability, transparency and good governance must be core principles that drive us to excellence in our work ethic and work output, thus enhancing our capacity to deliver results, services and works to the people across our 10 regions". Minister Winston Jordan charges and advice are timely and relevant and we fully endorse them.

I have an axe to grind as a representative of labour Dear Editor: REFERENCE is being made to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C)elected Member of Parliament, Harry Gill’s accusation that I have an axe to grind with Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C (Guyana Chronicle hatch-job on Jagdeo is a shameless attempt to influence the CCJ third-term decision-KN, June 25, 2018). I have an axe to grind as a representative of labour, against all who try to prevent the workers’ constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association and right to collective bargaining; to ensure all workers are given a living wage; to protect and advance the rights of all workers who have been the vanguard for change in this country, from pre-independence to date; to ensure that every worker-- past, present and potential -- enjoy a life of freedom without discrimination and marginalisation; and with those who seek to use the workers in time of need and forget them when they are riding high. As a citizen of this country, I have an axe to grind with all who try to hinder my right

to freedom of expression; to want to think they can prevent me from representing those who have placed their confidence in me; or believe that I owe blind loyalty to anyone and will cower in fear. Likewise, this axe will grind for all Guyanese to be treated equally and fairly and to have equal enjoyment of the resources of this land. My axe will grind against all those who feel they can exploit the nation’s resources without all the people benefiting. My axe will grind against those who engaged in and those who seek to continue perpetuating the culture of lawlessness, crime and corruption. As a proud descendant of Africans, I will grind my axe to ensure that the gains from ancestral struggles are not lost under any government and under any leader. My axe will grind to fight against those who think they can mistreat me because of the colour of my skin, the texture of my hair, or my enslaved ancestral history. I will do this for all my brothers and sisters, but not at the expense of others who like me/us deserve equal treatment. Once health and life allow,

my pursuit for equal rights, justice, and the Rule of Law -- regardless of race, colour, class, creed -- that I see as my mandate to serve the Guyanese people. I’ll continue to grind the axe to raise the level of public discourse and accountability to a higher truth that evades this nation. Be reassured I shall grind the axe against Gill and others like persuasion with no moral compass, and those whose only interest is powered by any means necessary at the expense of the workers’ peace and stability. He represents the shameful side of this nation's politics. This issue where to disagree with any administration’s policy, programme -- or anybody for that matter-- has to be driven by personal hatred and not principled critique, even when evidence is there to support one’s argument, is the ugly underbelly of our politics, used by some to hold this nation hostage, keep us divided and under-developed. This is a known tactic successfully used to forge disunity, consolidate ethnic power, and stymie the development of all the people. As the world is witnessing the chaos of

such patterns of behaviour on the international stage, for us in Guyana such chaos, public lies and political wickedness has characterised this society from the creation of nationhood. It is time that we stop seeing this behaviour, which the world is condemning, as a norm. It has no place in a country that needs to forge national unity and engage all its citizens in a developmental thrust consistent with our motto, “One People, One Nation One Destiny.” With regard to the Member of Parliament’s allegation about ownership of a car, it is suggested in the statement that I’ve compromised the interest of the workers by taking money, this is an axe I’m prepared to grind with him personally in a court of law. The fact that this man holds office in the highest decision-making forum of this land and shows blatant and reckless disregard for research and knowledge of the facts before he speaks, should be troubling for all. Regards Lincoln Lewis

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Aurora loses two outstanding sons

Dear Editor,

RECENTLY, two men who all the people that know them would agree that they were role models, not only the people from Aurora but for the entire country. Ramjohn Mohamed Khan called Uncle Johono or Johano Majey and Gladstone Augustus Mack, familiarly called Brother Mack and Uncle Mackie, died about a month of each other with Uncle Johono being the first to be called home. Uncle Johono lived for 105 years, and Uncle Mackie for 107 years. They were

both farmers, devoted husbands and fathers, had the same number of children, 10, were community-minded, worked very hard to educate their children, and similar earning habits and religious convictions were very strong. Aurora Village, a village on the Essequibo Coast, has traditionally been and will always be agriculture-based, including rice cultivation and ground provision also greens, and other vegetables. Uncle Johona was a rice farmer, my father and him were very good friends, their rice farms were close, so as a lad in company with my father, we

would walk to and from our home with Uncle Johona, and would also visit each other’s watch- house. Those were the days when the farmer ploughed the land with his bull, planted the rice, cut it by hand, fetch with bull and slide, mash it, wind it, bag it, fetch it again then sell it; the entire process was manual. Now the entire process can be mechanical. Uncle Johono was also during all those days a member of the Church Committee, and later became the Imam of the Aurora Masjid. As for Uncle Mackie or Brother Mack, he was

a ground provision farmer whose farm land was about eight miles away from his home and the only means of transportation was by boat, and before he bought a seagull engine he would sail or paddle his boat with his produce to the marketplace. My father and Uncle Mackie were good friends too, and their farmlands were next to each other, so as a boy I was fortunate to spend a lot of time in his company. When I became a farmer decades later, I got a lot of advice from him as it relates to farming. He was always a member of the farming group

and strongly believed that together we aspire, together we would achieve. He was tireless in his advocating for better prices for farmers’ produce, yet he found the time to be at church every Sunday and in the absence of the priest would conduct services at the Methodist Church in the village. Aurora, a place to know, has produced a lot of academics, doctors, lawyers, head masters and head mistresses, entrepreneurs, etc.; but when any discussion takes place, Uncle Johona and Uncle Mackie’s names have to be mentioned. It is interesting

to note that they were other persons in the village who live close to the century landmark. The two men are at the top for many, many reasons. The number of people from all walks of life and races and religion who attended their funeral and paid tributes, expressed condolences and sympathy to their children and other relatives was a testimony to the exemplary lives both of these men had lived and may their souls rest in peace. Regards Archie W. Cordis Resident of Aurora

Jagdeo is the right target for the coalition Dear Editor, ON social media after the CCJ’s ruling in the third-term case, two issues became quite clear. The first was that support for the ruling was based mainly along traditionally perceived political lines with many contributors making it plain they were supporters of the governing coalition. The other obvious line, coming especially from perceived supporters of the PPP, was that coalition supporters were celebrating because

the CCJ had spared the coalition from having to deal with another Jagdeo presidency and with him as a presidential candidate. That interpretation of reaction from supporters of the government is way off for reasons mentioned below. As an avowed supporter of Mr. Granger and his administration, the coalition has no fear whatsoever of Mr. Jagdeo’s involvement with the PPP. He is easy to campaign against. His mere presence on the campaign

trail would have energised coalition supporters across the country and in the diaspora. They would have flown in, in droves, and vote just to keep out the Pharaoh of local politics, not forgetting the barrel full of political atrocities he committed during his terms in office. Also, Mr. Editor, my point is borne out by comments made immediately after the ruling by political commentators Freddie Kissoon and Henry Jeffrey. Both said that the mere presence of the

opposition leader immediately energises the coalition’s supporters, based primarily on his abysmal record in office, the emergence of the drug trade, the presence of armed private militiamen terrorising citizens, lawlessness of every kind and the Skeldon Estate fiasco, of course. The PPP would do well to rid itself of perhaps the only head of government in the history of this nation about whom ordinary folk hurl questions about his integrity, his lack of nationalism, lack of

loyalty to the country and his impartiality. So to those who think that the CCJ did us a favour, had better think again, as Mr. Jagdeo has made it clear that he will be at the front and centre of the 2020 campaign. This is just what the coalition wants, as there is so much to throw at him that are all true and certifiable. Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Op Ed A new era of political civility

By Imran Khan

A RECEPTION was held on June 15 at the official residence of Cuban Ambassador to Guyana in honour of the visit of Cuba’s Vice Foreign Minister, Rogelio Sierra Diaz. In attendance among others, were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and a number of PPP members, including former President Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee, Indra Chandarpal, and party stalwart and GAWU leader Komal Chand. Judging from photographs taken at the reception and reports received, the prime minister engaged and was convivial, as is his usual self, with his former colleagues. That was reciprocated by the PPP’s party stalwarts, whose association with him goes back decades. It was heartwarming to see that while

politicians might view themselves on opposite sides, they still find time for dialogue, civil discourse and the occasional friendly banter. Notably absent from that and several other receptions, including the Queen’s birthday party at the British Ambassador’s residence, was Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who seems to have an aversion to such events, purportedly looking down on the cocktail circuit and its small talk. He would want us to believe, as he told the media on Tuesday last, that he was bored with ceremonial functions, even when he was President. There may be a grain of truth in that, although Mr. Jagdeo as President certainly did do his fair share of schmoozing at such events which the then leader of the opposition invariably attended, no matter the political temperature at the time.

Perhaps they saw that such appearances are not in fact trivial, but send powerful messages to the wider population that despite differences, politeness towards, and acknowledgement of, our fellow Guyanese are important. Sadly, Mr. Jagdeo’s perpetually combative posture is often one of outright disdain and even smacks of personal animosity towards his political opponents and his critics. He seems unable to have a calm discussion on any subject without it making him bilious or resorting to personal insults. That was evident in his attitude towards reporters whom he had described as “carrion crows” and “vultures” who should all be “thrown into jail”. Reporters and those many who love them, have long memories. That is why there is spontaneous cele-

bration on social media over the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice on Tuesday that stops Mr. Jagdeo from running for a third term. His power has been considerably diminished by the fact that he now has no future as a presidential contender. He cannot even hope to be prime minister or a vice-president. He would however mount a rearguard campaign to control Jagan’s party, and to use clout to become the king-maker behind the throne. He would hijack the post of general-secretary and also hold down the seat in Parliament as leader of the opposition, the latter to access the $20million package for the Office of the Opposition Leader. The decision by the CCJ has basically shown him the political exit door. He could, as he told the media, retire to his hammock and read all the fiction he has been col-

Imran Khan

lecting, but could not find time to read. The sad story is that “Cedric Richardson”, a lowly resident of West Ruimveldt, has invested millions of dollars in three courts to get his Mr. Jagdeo to run again, when all the gentleman wanted to do was to find time for fiction! While no one wishes to interfere in the internal politics of the PPP, it is hoped

that at some point in the near future there would emerge a new leader of the opposition. And among the qualities we hope he or she would embody is simple civility. This would hopefully set a new tone for the country and could also improve relations between the President and the leader of the opposition, which has clearly lacked chemistry and any kind of a working cooperation over the past three years. The CCJ ruling has reviewed constitutional guarantees for Guyana to continue as a viable and united sovereign democratic society. A stop has to be put to the constant whining and slandering that pass off as “opposition”. We need to usher forth a new era of civility and cooperation, and for Guyana to place on its agenda the goals of national unity and social cohesion.

CCJ corrected a miscarriage of justice Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice has delivered justice which had been miscarried in our local courts. In a not unexpected ruling, it has reversed the majority of the Guyana Court of Appeal (and by extension the first instance ruling of Ian Chang Chief Justice (ag) (then) in the so called presidential third – term case (Cedric Richardson V Attorney General). It was a miscarriage induced by three Justices with political blinkers (Carl Singh, Chancellor (ag) and B.S Roy, Justice of Appeal in the CoA) under the disguise of constitutional interpretation. Permit me to stir some points which such an emphatic humiliating rejection by the CCJ of the rulings of the CoA majority, and chang, CJ (ag) raise and bring into sharp focus. Editor, miscarriage of justice such as happened deserves (if not compels) post mortem. Why, and how, could such have happened when both Chang CJ (ag) and the CoA majority, must have appreciated that their rulings were bound to be appealed and in the case of the CoA to be reviewed by the CCJ; with no real prospect of it being upheld. Or did the CoA majority seriously misread the resolve of the Granger government to uphold the will of Guyanese expressed in article 90 of the

Constitution; in preference to political self-interest. I start my forensic autopsy with this question: was not Cedirc Richardson (who had no previous legal or political profile) a surrogate for Bharrat Jagdeo in that constitutional case? Now, here was a man who knows nothing about law (much less the intricacies of constitutional law), a man who is a notorious political unknown, suddenly like RipVan-Winkle, awaking after more than a decade of that third term limit introduction in the Constitution, and seeking to have the courts declare unconstitutional an amendment/ alteration of article 90 which at that time prejudiced only Bharrat Jagdeo. Sheer common sense, logic and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence has driven me to the irresistible conclusion that Richardson was nothing but a surrogate for who – yes, Bharrat Jagdeo. Nor, was this surrogacy lost on Chang, CJ(ag) who in his judgment made no less than three references to “Bharrat Jagdeo”, Singh CJ (ag) once, Cummings – Edwards CJ (ag) then dissenting in the CoA - none. The point here, is that consciousness, like bias can be an insidious master. Did the CJ (ag) and Carl Singh, C(ag) unwittingly or otherwise, (and unlike Cumming-Edwards CJ (ag) in the CoA) allowed their judicial minds

to be influenced by this surrogacy? There is strong circumstantial evidence in support of such a view. My next step, is to point out and draw attention (again) to the Usain Bolt like speed with which Singh, C (ag) caused the appeal to be heard, and judgment delivered before his impending demitting of office. Like the Hon. Attorney General Basil Williams., SC, I too had queried, the haste to complete this particular appeal with its obvious political overtones (see KN article Saturday January 14, 2017 “AG queries haste to complete presidential thirdterm appeal”) and my letter in which I said “I myself as an officious bystander see this haste to ruling with some alarm and disquiet… it must be a matter of some considerable disquiet and intrigue that this matter is set for ruling without the fulness of oral arguments but on the basis of written submissions not submitted at the instance of the parties but ordered by the Court” (GC Wednesday January, 18, 2017 – “Did Chang have jurisdiction to hear third term motion?). So, what influenced the haste? Lacking as Singh, C(ag) judgment is in legal erudition [(contrast the logic, perspicacity and lucidity of Cummings – Edwards, CJ (ag) (then)] on one possible view, the CoA majority

predominant motive, was in biblical nomenclature – come hell or high water, to deliver a judgment which removed the electoral prejudice which article 90 caused to Jagdeo; for they must have appreciated that a CoA differently composed (both Singh and B.S Roy demiting office was impending) was not likely to rule favourably to Jagdeo , for the law was decidedly against Richardson. I come to the final point in my forensic autopsy. The overall balance sheet in seven (7) judges for the constitutionality of the third term limit; four (4) against. (albeit B.S Roy, JA gave no reasons but merely concurred with Singh, C (ag). I anticipate with amusement, attempts by some local commentators/letter writers/ columnists to impugn the obviously correct judgments of the CCJ’s overwhelming majority. I have no desire to indulge in ego, and revisit my published letters on this matter: first, “The CJ’s decision on term limits” (SN Monday July, 20, 2015); then a third letter (“CCJ would be directing itself to the soundness of submission” GC Sunday March 25, 2018) was prompted by the inexplicable confidence and persuasion exhibited by the usually logical Sherwood Lowe for Richardson’s Trinidad Senior Counsel Douglas Mendez “flip-flop”

arguments before the CCJ. I am being purposefully sarcastic when I ask if Richardson is of such means to have retained that battery of Trinidadian lawyers. Why would Richardson have such an interest in such a matter that involved no proprietary or other material benefit to him?. My forensic autopsy is done. My opinion is that the miscarriage was caused by politicization. And, I could not fail to allude en passant, to an ominous portention of the Opposition Leader, poignantly captured in the two following captions viz “Jagdeo wants to remain PPP boss-even if CCJ nixes his third term bid” (GC Sunday June 24 2018); “Jagdeo says will continue leading PPP no matter what CCJ rules” (SN Sunday June 24, 2018). I had prepared as part of this letter an open notice (as it were) to the Chief Election Officer, of his duty come Nomination Day 2020 to reject any party list naming Bharrat Jagdeo as its Prime Ministerial candidate, as defective, and the reasons therefor. However, that aspect is soundly dealt with by my learned friend Sanjeev Datadin whose opinion has my entire concurrence (KN Wednesday June 27, “ Jagdeo cannot be Prime Minister either”). Article 101 (1) is an express constitutional ineligibility which embodies that

well known rule or canon of interpretation: when anything is directly prohibited; it is also indirectly prohibited (quando aliquid prohi betur ex directo prohibetur et per obliquum). I end with this: amidst the surrogacy, constitutional legalese, judicial politicking and humiliation, and, portentions of a constitutional crisis, there is a lesson and moral which deserves to be highlighted – that President Granger is a true constitutionalist who puts the Constitution above political self interest. (the GC editorial of Tuesday June 26 might have put it differently as “statesmanship”). In the events which have happened, President Granger could have, tactfully, instructed his Attorney General not to appeal Chang, CJ (ag)’s ruling delivered on 9th July, 2015. An unappealed ruling (albeit knowing that it was palpably wrong) would have remained the law, entitling him to be the APNU+AFC presidential candidate (and President) in 2025, 2030, 2035. But President Granger did not. He resisted the human urge to, self interestedly, avail himself of the futuristic benefit of that wrong ruling. David Arthur Granger is demonstrably, a constitutionalist par excellence. Regards Maxwell E. Edwards

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Japanese grant to provide street lighting, introduce PV system THE Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding a US$17, 812, 237 project here geared at introducing renewable energy. The project will see an improvement in the efficiency of the city’s power system through the enhancement of substation and distribution equipment, as well as the establishment of a photovoltaic (PV) system and an energy management system at the CARICOM Secretariat. The grant-aid project, which was signed on Wednesday by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Mitsuhiko Okada, will be executed by the Guyana Energy Agency with the main beneficiaries being the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) and by extension, Guyanese citizens. It is expected that by 2023 or after three years of implementation, transmission loss will be reduced to about 1,600,000kwh/year through the provision of substation equipment and distribution lines, thereby leading to an improvement in the efficiency of the power system, JICA’s Chief Representative, Tetsuhiro Ike said Wednesday. In the case of the CARICOM Secretariat, which is also a beneficiary, within the 2023 timeline it is expected that the energy generated by the PV system will be 600,000 kwh/ year or more and the energy consumption at the CARICOM Secretariat will be reduced by approximately 70,000 KWH/ year. In response to the announcement, Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Albert Gordon, said the new system will help his company reduce the number of power outages. “Our top priority as we said is to reduce the number of outages and this particular project will help in terms of improving reliability and losses and also improving voltage levels. But it is part of a larger set of projects we are implementing, which will transform us into a much more reliable and efficient utility company,” said Gordon. Additionally, it is expected that the challenges faced by CARICOM member states arising from vulnerability in terms of economic globalization and the influence of global warming will be reduced. Moreover, the Japanese government expects the project, which promotes the mitigation of climate change, to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to

A few of the LED street lamps that were handed over to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

approximately 16000tons/year. Additionally, some 10, 930 units of the LED street lamps valued at US$1,329, 984 will be used for replacement of the current street lights in selected areas as well as to aid in the improvement of the country’s energy initiative, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said Wednesday at the signing and handing-over ceremony of the two Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Projects. “This assistance includes important projects such as the Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), Non-Project Grant Aid, Technical Cooperation Programmes, Technical Training, Technical Projects, and the Dispatch of Japanese expertise/volunteers in a variety of areas), amongst others. Some of them have been based in this ministry,” said the Foreign Affairs Minister. Greenidge said that both Guyana and Japan continue to demonstrate willingness to further cooperation, and strengthen the interaction for the mutual benefit of both sets of people. He described Wednesday’s signing and handing-over ceremony as “an important step in cooperation,” which is indicative of the strong relationship the two countries share. Guyana and Japan formally established diplomatic relations in 1967 and since then there has been extensive cooperation between Japan and the people of Guyana through Technical Cooperation, Finance and Investment Cooperation, and as well as Grant Assistance. “These projects, I am happy to note, are not only clear manifestations of the excellent relationship that exists between our two governments, but just as significantly have contributed to the enhancement of Guyana’s social and economic development,” said the Foreign Affairs Minister. Expressing gratitude,

Greenidge said the renewable energy projects will assist Guyana with its development trajectory in the area of green Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Mitsuhiko Okada sign the Grant Agreement Wednesday. (Adrian Narine photo)

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, receives one of the many LED street lamps provided by the JICA through the Japanese Government from Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Mitsuhiko Okada, Wednesday. (Adrian Narine photo)

economy. “Both the project for the ‘Introduction of Renewable Energy and the Improvement of Power System’ and the ‘Procurement of the Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) street lamps’ will contribute significantly to our country’s Green State Initiative,” the minister stated. Similarly, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, expressed gratitude to Japan’s government for providing US$1,330,000 for the procurement of 10,865 Gamma LED street lamps. “Since the approval of this project in 2016, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has been working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the JICA to finalise this supply project, so that these much-needed lamps would find their way onto the highways, roads, streets and communities that need them the most,” Minister Ferguson said.

The Minister disclosed that the 4716 LED street lamps will be installed throughout the 10 administrative regions in the ensuing weeks and months. A number of communities she said, have since been identified for first-time installment of the said lamps. “This transformation will significantly impact our ‘Safer Roads Initiative’ as well as the general public security of the areas. When we examine our accident scoresheet, it is quite evident that the majority of our serious and fatal accidents occur after dark. The absence of street lights in many of these areas is seen as a major contributing factor.” Ferguson noted that with the installation of more than 7,000 LED lamps along our major roads and highways and 2,000 in communities, there will be a reduction of serious crashes, damage to property, fatalities and a greater sense of security in our communities. “Moreover, the transition from HPS (High Pressure Sodi-

um) Lamps to energy efficient LED lamps will allow us to enjoy a 65 per cent reduction in our street-lighting energy consumption annually and allow us to dedicate scarce resources to other development areas. This project, may I also say, is squarely along the pathway of Guyana’s development towards a Green State,” the minister added. Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Mitsuhiko Okada, along with JICA’s Chief Representative,

Ike lauded the strength of diplomatic relations with Guyana. Also present at the signing and handing-over ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, deputy secretary-general of CARICOM; Finance Secretary, Hector Butts; Head of the GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma and other representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Public Infrastructure.

NCD commissioners urged to get... From page 3

shop. Banwarie, who represents the Ministry of Social Protection said: “Based on our work at Social Protection, I expect to benefit from it, so that I will be able to take back all the information as it relates to the clientele that we serve at the Social Protection Ministry.” Lekha-West from the Ministry of Business and Tourism said she hopes to have a better understanding of what she is required to do in her capacity. “My whole expectation from the workshop is that we will be able to understand our roles and functions in society as NCD and we will be able to integrate with the HCC in terms of how we operate and ensure that our face is out there and people understand

what we are about.” Also present at the workshop were Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Executive Director of Healthy Caribbean Coalition Maisha Hutton and PAHO/ WHO Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow. The National Presidential Commission is aimed at reducing the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease. The commission, which was launched last year, is chaired by His Excellency President David Granger.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

One-off payment for relatives of piracy victims GOVERNMENT on Friday will give a one-off payment to relatives of the men recently attacked by pirates. In an advisory issued by the Ministry of Public Security, the presentation will be made by Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The presentation will be held at 10.00hrs in the boardroom of the Ministry of Public Security, Lot 6 Brickdam, Stabroek. President David Granger had declared Monday last a National Day of Mourning and flags were flown at half-staff at several public buildings in memory of over a dozen fishermen killed at sea by pirates back in April. During Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly, a moment of silence was observed by both sides of the House in a show of solidarity for the victims of the carnage at sea in Suriname’s waters. On Monday, Ramjattan said the Day of Mourning for the slain fishermen coincides with the United Nations Day of Seafarers, and that President David Granger’s proclamation was

a fitting tribute in memory of their passing. The names of those who died and the 16 still missing and feared dead were stated for the record. During the incident, five boats with approximately 20 crew members were attacked, but nine survived the brutal ordeal. The mangled bodies of four were recovered, while 12 remain missing and are feared dead. The Romeina, commanded by Captain Deonarine Goberdan, is believed to have been the first boat to come under attack sometime around 18:30hrs. Goberdan, the father of 17, said he drifted 22 hours some eight miles away from shore and was barely able to remain afloat until reaching land and notifying police. The bodies of the two crew members that washed ashore were identified as Tillacknauth Mohabir and Mahesh Sarjoo. STILL MISSING Those of Bharrat Heeralall and another identified only as “Palam” are still missing. The Romeina, too, is still missing and believed to have been stolen by the

BEV workers to be assisted by government WORKERS recently laid off by BEV Enterprise, the seafood processing plant at Houston, are to receive help from the government. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said the government is committed to cushioning the socio-economic impact on the workers, most of whom are single-parent mothers. More than 300 workers of the privately owned BEV Enterprises will be off the job next month. At least 17 trawlers owned by individuals and one company are faced with the possibility of docking their vessels until they can secure new employment. “It was sad to hear that he [Bruce Vieira] is closing, and it was also sad for the people who are employed, largely women, and the government is in talks or are about to be in talks with him to see if not him, what else can be done to support these women,” Minister Jordan said. In addition, the Minister of Finance said the Ministry of Social Protection will also be approaching the laid-off workers to offer them guidance and assistance. In keeping with government’s policy of encouraging small business development, they will be encouraged

to become self-employed. “We have a SLED programme. Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development programme that offers…outright grants for individuals. Particularly of the kind of these women, to do startups in the various fields that they may wish to follow and of course we have the funding that we have put under the Small Business [Bureau], Ministry of Business and a number of other different funds that we have available where we hope that these individuals can access,” Minister Jordan explained. He also condemned as peddlers of doom and gloom, persons who were quick to lay the blame for BEV’s closure at the feet of government. He said Bruce Vieira is an honest and respectable man who quickly dispelled the idea that he was not receiving government’s support. “It is just that general challenges that, at my age, I don’t want to have to continue. Basically, is a long time I wanted to sell, but it is just that I decided to quit now and I have given the people proper notice. The industry has gotten too complicated and too many challenges,” Vieira is reported to have told an online news outlet recently. (DPI)

pirates. The Joshua, owned by Rosey Jones, was found submerged in water. It is believed that it was sunk by the pirates after the attack. Its captain, “Aki Bhai”, was the lone survivor of that vessel and has since gone into hiding, purportedly fearing for his life. One of his crew members was Lalta Persaud, a father of four who had migrated to Suriname over 18 years ago. The others are known only by the nicknames “Spanish Man”, “Bandara” and “Mukesh”. And while the name of the third vessel has not yet been confirmed, its crew have been identified as Ramesh Sanchara, Ramnarine Singh, Looknarine Persaud, Rajendra Bissessar. The captain, Dharmendrew Persaud, was also one of the survivors of the ordeal. The last boat believed to have been attacked sometime after 01:00h on Saturday, May 5, was the Shifanie, owned by Hemnlall Ramsarran. Its captain was Danesh Persaud of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, while crew members were Ralph Anthony Couchman, Glendroy Jones

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

and Gowkaran Outar, whose body was washed ashore at the Number 63 Beach, and the lone survivor, Sherwin Lovell. The Guyana Government, through roundthe-clock aerial monitoring and the constant presence of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has been able to see a decline in piracy in Guyana’s waters, which had reached epidemic proportions prior to 2015. In neighbouring Suriname, a prayer service was held at the Guyana Embassy on Henck Arronstraat in down-

town Paramaribo, where many of the relatives of the dead or missing seamen who live in Guyana were assembled. Here in Guyana, as the national standard flew at half-staff as decreed by President Granger, Poonai Bhigroog, President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, lauded the initiative, and called for a follow through on the promised assistance for relatives of the victims. He also commended the efforts of the local police in capturing several of those allegedly responsible for the crime, and urged fisherfolk to be more vigilant and to put measures in place for their own safety. Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen Cooperative Society, Pameshwar Jainarine, echoed those sentiments, and he, too, noted that the life of a fisherman is a very dangerous one. Said he: “I want to thank the President for putting aside today as a National Day of Mourning for the fishermen that lost their lives in the recent piracy attack, and I feel some sort of financial relief should

be given to the relatives, because, in most instances, the fishermen that passed away were the sole breadwinners of their families.” Between April 27 and May 3, five fishing vessels with a combined crew of 25 men were attacked in Suriname’s waters by a gang of pirates, allegedly at the behest of the Manohar family in retaliation for the death of one of its members, Somnauth Manohar, who was allegedly killed by fishermen in a drive-by shooting on March 30 in Suriname. Thus far, Nakool Manohar, called “Fyah”, a businessman of Number 43 Village, and Premnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad”, have been jointly charged for the murder of two of the fishermen, namely Mahesh Sarjoo, called “Vishal”, and Tilacknauth Mohabir, called “Caiman”. One Alexander Denhearte was also charged for the murder. The matter is still being investigated, and the local police have formally requested to be allowed to interrogate the suspects arrested in Suriname.

PAHO clears GGMC of mercury threat THE Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) team assessing the claims of mercury exposure at GGMC, has not found threatening levels of mercury at the complex. Last Saturday the WHO/ PAHO team orally briefed the Ministers of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Public Health, Volda Lawrence, on their findings. “The team did say though that they are not here to

certify that necessarily, but they did say that they found that the levels at the GGMC compound and its environs were below any threatening level. That I believe is a testament that the job was very well done,” Minister Trotman said. The international team of experts visited Guyana last week and, among other things, assessed the mercury clean-up efforts at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Brickdam com-

plex. The team comprised two industrial hygienists, two physicians and a mining engineer and was headed by Industrial Hygienist and head of the team, Catherine Beecham. The team visited Guyana following the mercury- exposure crisis at the complex. The Guyana Gold Board ceased the burning of gold at the GGMC complex in April following health and safety concerns. The GGB is currently sourcing alternative facilities to conduct

its exercises. Minister Trotman noted that the recent mercury-exposure situation at the GGMC complex is an opportunity to improve how the mining industry utilises mercury. “Every effort will be made and that effort has started to ensure that they are protected to ensure that we deal with mercury and its ill effects,” he said. The Ministry of Public Health will soon pronounce on the findings of the PAHO/WHO team.

Priest, computer technician charged with murdering middle-aged food vendor A MAN who was said to be a Hindu priest and another who was said to be a computer technician, appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrates’ Court in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Wednesday on the capital charge of murder. Pandit Satrohan Madray, called “Bluey” aged 31 and Computer Technician Antonio Singh Balrup, also aged 31 were charged separately with killing food vendor Saeed Hamid aged 56 at D’Edward Village, West

Bank Berbice on April 19th last. Madray’s address was given as Lot 1 Section G D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice and Balrup’s as Lot 213 A Bath Settlement Village, West Coast Berbice. Media reports earlier this month stated that Food vendor Hamid aka “Saho”left his home at Lot 41 Queenstown, Corriverton in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) around 09:00hrs on Thursday, April 19th 2018 last. He was last

seen entering a white Toyota Premio at the Palmyra bridge entrance also in East Berbice on the same date and had not been seen nor heard from since. Police investigating his disappearance got a break in the case after phone records they obtained reportedly showed that two men were in communication with Hamid at the time he went missing. Police investigators were reportedly subsequently led by the two

suspects to the back of a Mandir at D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice, owned by Madray, where a pile of what appeared to be charred human bones were found. The bones are to be subjected to DNA tests to verify the identity of the person who had died. Magistrate Rhondell Weever, who read the capital charge to Madray and then to Balrup, remanded them to prison until July 17th, 2018, pending a police progress report.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

GPSCCU, police in stand-off …after court discharges injunction against gov’t takeover By Lisa Hamilton THE embattled management committee of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union (GPSCCU) was ejected from the building on Wednesday after the High Court had discharged an injunction in favour of the Interim Management Committee (IMC). However, a standoff occurred between the police and the GPSCCU’s security after law officials, Chief Cooperatives Development Officer (CCDO) Perlina Gifth and IMC members were initially prevented from entering the building. The GPSCCU came into the spotlight a month ago when concerns were raised about the misuse of G$32M in overseas travel by the body’s managers. Investigations led to the termination of service of the GPSCCU management team by the CCDO and the appointment of the IMC in May 2018. However, the Secretary

of the ousted management committee, Trevor Benn, filed several applications at the High Court and the IMC and CCDO were later prohibited by an interim order on June 21, 2018 from assuming control of the GPSCCU. But, on Tuesday, the IMC and CCDO took to the High Court to have the interim order discharged and were successful. “We went to the court to defend that injunction and we won it yesterday. And so, there is an order that the injunction be discharged and now we would have to take over their society in respect to regulation 56:2 of the Laws of Guyana Chapter 88:01,” Gifth said. The application made to the court by the CCDO was based on the grounds that there was material non-disclosure and misrepresentation to obtain the orders granted on the application of Secretary Trevor Benn to the court. It was also based on Benn’s failure to show the

court that he was duly authorised to file the application by at least one thirds of the GPSCCU members and on his filing of the same application to two different courts. In addition, the CCDO considered in her application how the credit union and its members could be negatively affected if the interim order was not discharged. On Wednesday morning they were present at the GPSCCU along with the court marshal to issue the order when the standoff occurred. Giving the Guyana Chronicle a recap of what ensued, IMC Chairman Trevor L. Benn said: “This morning the marshal came to serve on the secretary/manager the order of the court and he was initially prevented from doing so, but he allowed them in after and the police intervened. “So the marshal was able to do his work, but the manager refused to remove himself from the office and the people were locked in for more than an hour in the

Several persons leave the GPSCCU building after the gates were re-opened on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

building.” When the gate to the building was finally opened, the IMC Chairman said: “Good sense is prevailing… We hope the manager will accept the order of the court so that we can move forward.” As the Credit Union Secretary/Manager Trevor Benn exited the building, he told media operatives that he respects the order, which is why he was now out of the building. “I saw the order and I came out the building. I would have been on my way if it were not for the detention,” he said, adding, “It’s embarrassing for me, my family, my name, my character, my integrity, everything.” At the conclusion of the standoff, a security guard at the GPSCCU was arrested by the police for previously refusing entry into the building. The police claim that they presented the court order to the female guard, but she had counterclaimed that she was

Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union (GPSCCU) Secretary/Manager Trevor Benn (Samuel Maughn photo)

not briefed on the order. On the scene, the GPSCCU secretary/manager asked the police to be merciful to the woman, as she was not a main player in the matter. “When I came in this morning I was told that a security firm was trying to come in…I don’t know the reason why she locked the gate, but

I’m asking you to be lenient with her,” he said to the police. However, this plea fell on deaf ears as the woman was escorted away by the police, accompanied by the secretary/manager, on the basis that she would be required to make a statement on whose authority she locked the gate.

A police officer tells of the fate of the security guard who initially prevented entry into the GPSCCU building (Samuel Maughn photo)

Police photographer testifies in murder PI of GDF captain THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) against former Guyana Defence Force captain Orwain Sandy, who is charged with the murder of his reputed wife, commenced on Wednesday with the testimony of a police crime scene photographer. The PI is being conducted by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman with evidence being led by Police Prosecutor Corporal Shawn Gonsalves. Sandy is being represented by attorney James Bond.

Constable Kevin Noel, who is stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Guyana Police Force was the first witness to take to the stands as the PI commenced. Noel is attached to Crime Lab and is a crime scene and fingerprint technician and also a crime scene photographer. The matter was adjourned until July 4. Sandy, who served as Special Assistant to the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence

Force, is currently on remand for the murder of Reona Payne on March 31, 2018 at First Street, Alexander Village. According to reports, Sandy after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station on Saturday, March 31. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head. The police have confirmed that Sandy used his service

firearm during the shooting. Police sources also related that the soldier had on one occasion lodged his firearm at the police station during a domestic dispute. One source said the soldier had suspected that Reona Payne was being unfaithful and was conversing with someone from overseas. It was reported that Sandy had planned to drop Payne off at her place of work when she received a phone call from the same person.

When the soldier questioned her and asked her to desist from endangering their relationship, an argument ensued and in the vicinity of the masjid on First Street, Alexander Village, Reona grabbed the soldier’s firearm and threw it out of the car. According to the source, Sandy stopped the vehicle to retrieve the weapon and Payne exited too, and after picking up the gun he fired in her direction, emptying the entire magazine.

Orwain Sandy and Reona Payne in happier times

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

CCJ to hear oral arguments in cross-dressing case today THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will today hear oral arguments in the appeal of four transgender Guyanese women who are challenging the constitutionality of an 1893 post-slavery vagrancy provision, under which they

and three others were detained, convicted and fined by the then acting chief magistrate following their February 2009 arrest here. The four transgender women Gulliver (Quincy) McEwan, Angel (Seon) Clarke, Peaches (Joseph)

Fraser and Isabella (Seyon) Persaud filed their case in 2010. They were arrested and convicted in 2009 under Part V: Offences against Religion, Morality & Public Convenience of Guyana’s 1893 Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act.

Section 153(1) (xlvii) makes it an offence for a man “in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose” to appear in female attire, or for a woman, “in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose” to appear in male attire. Other offences in the Act include roguery, practising obeah and witchcraft, flying a kite, beating a mat and grooming an animal on a public way. “While outlawing cross-dressing for both men and women, these small charges disproportionately affect and criminalise transgender women as they inhibit their freedom of expression in public. The 19th century colonial law contravenes Guyana’s constitution, which affords fundamental rights and freedoms to the individual. This case strikes at the heart of plantation colonial rule that sought to restrict the freedom of the individual and promote racial, religious, ethnic and social division amongst Guyanese,” a statement from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) said Saturday. The quartet are claiming that the 1893 law itself is unconstitutionally vague, engages in sex stereotyping, and disproportionately affects transgender and gender-non-conforming persons. They also argue that the conduct of state officials was unconstitutional. At stake also is the in-

terpretation of sections of the Guyana Constitution and how it applies international law to human rights. Of particular relevance to the rest of the Caribbean is the question of whether the law is “saved” from constitutional challenge. SASOD said the litigants will argue that the constitution’s “savings law clause” does not prevent the court from reviewing this colonial law. “The four litigants involved in the case have already had some wins. There was an important step forward in 2013 when Guyana’s then Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang, ruled that dressing to express one’s identity is not a crime. Unfortunately, his ruling did not resolve the uncertainty surrounding “an improper purpose.” SASOD also pointed to the Judicial Service Commission’s statement that the practice of a magistrate who repeatedly refused to allow transwomen with matters before him to enter his courtroom dressed as themselves, violated their right to access the courts and access justice. SASOD and the Guyana Trans United (GTU) which was formed by McEwan, the first-named litigant, now its director, are the two non-governmental organisations integrally involved in the case. The organisation noted that the GTU works to empower the Guyanese trans community to advocate for their human rights and

participate as equal citizens in decisions which affect their lives. SASOD, which has been in existence for some 15 years, works to end discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity here. It was SASOD that responded to the initial arrests and was originally also an applicant in the proceedings. “One of the policy matters before the CCJ is the decision of the trial judge to strike SASOD out of the case as this precedent may impact marginalised communities’ access to justice,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes will argue the case for the quartet. He is leading a team of pro-bono lawyers from Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, which was convened by the Faculty of Law UWI Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP). The other lawyers are Nigel Hughes and Ms. Mishka Puran (Guyana), Clay Hackett (Trinidad and Tobago) and Isat Buchanan (Jamaica). U-RAP’s mission is to promote human rights and social justice in the Caribbean in collaboration with Caribbean lawyers, civil society organisations and its students. The attorney general will be represented by Solicitor-General Kim Kyte-Thomas, Guyanese-Canadian attorney Selwyn Pieters, and Kamal Ramkarran.

‘Zipper’ to lead defence today in trafficking case FIFTY-SEVEN-YEAROLD Campbellville businessman Andre Gomes, called ‘Zipper,’ is expected to lead his defence today (June 28) before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly as the trial into the drug-trafficking charge winds down. Gomes, the owner of D&D Pawn Shop, is charged with allegedly trafficking 902 grams of cocaine on January 30 at his Lot 32 Craig Street, Campbellville, home. He had denied the charge since his first court appearance. Gomes’ attorney Mark Waldron had told the court that the alleged drug was not found

in his client’s possession, but in an alleyway which separated his client’s home. Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Konyo Sandiford had however told the court that there was an eyewitness who saw the accused handling and disposing of the drug in a black plastic bag which was picked up by CANU ranks during the raid at his home. In August 2017, Gomes’ reputed wife Naomi Persaud was sentenced to four years jail and fined $21M after 20 pounds of cocaine in a gas cylinder was found at the family’s Campbellville house.

Andre Gomes, called “Zipper”

Their grandson, national Under-19 cricketer Joshua Persaud, was jointly charged with the offence but the charge was later dismissed after his grandmother “took the rap.” CANU had later issued a wanted bulletin for the arrest of Gomes in relation to the cocaine bust.

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GUYANA Spotlight onCHRONICLE the Rupununi Thursday, June 28, 2018

Radio Stations

Lethem town

President David Granger and former Mayor Carlton Beckles unveil the plaque to officially declare Lethem a town

Lethem was formally declared a capital town and President David Granger used the occasion to call for cooperation at all levels of government, regardless of political affiliation, for the good of the region.

Five Bs school buses

Linden–Lethem road

President David Granger and President of Brazil Michel Temer leading their respective delegations in discussions on improving bilateral cooperation.

Construction of the Linden–Lethem road is closer, following the signing of a Complementary Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil, which created the "Guyana- Brazil Joint Commission to Develop Infrastructure Projects".

Konashen

Aerial view of the Konashen Amerindian Protected Area. The two school buses that were handed over at Annai for the Bina Hill Institute and the Annai Secondary School

Three 15-seater buses were handed over to communities of Annai and Aishalton under the Five Bs programme. One, transport students from Awaruwaunau and surrounding communities in the South Rupununi. In the North Rupununi, one bus transport students of the Bina Hill Institute. The second one bus benefit the students attending Annai Secondary School.

A historic signing of an agreement between the Protected Areas Commission and the Village Council of Konashen paved the way for the declaration of Guyana’s first Amerindian Protected Area under the National Protected Areas System. Konashen, the southernmost Amerindian village in Region Nine is 625,000 hectares of pristine rainforests. The Wai Wai community was also recently accredited to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, an initiative to unite Commonwealth countries through a network of information sharing and forest conservation projects across the globe.

Magisterial District Court Office

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affair Sydney Allicock being interviewed in the studio of Radio Lethem

President David Granger and Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag.), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards unveiling the plaque to open the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office.

Residents in the Rupununi can listen live to what is happening in and around their communities and their country via Radio Lethem and Radio Aishalton in addition to Radio Paiwamak.

Residents now have improved access to justice with the opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office and Courts at Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai.

Research station

Lethem Industrial Site

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Agriculture Sector Development Unit Civil Engineer, Raymond Latchman assessing the areas where the agriculture research station and reservoir will be constructed.

A total of $265M was allocated in the 2018 National Budget for the design and construction of a research station at Pirara. The facility will consist of demonstration plots, herds of cattle, poultry rearing, fish ponds, orchards and seed stock. It will also have a huge reservoir that will provide irrigation year-round, and an abattoir.

Nappi Water Reservoir

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (extreme right) and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock (in striped shirt) with representatives of Cataleya Energy Limited at the dedication site of the reservoir

The water reservoir located on Nappi lands in the Rupununi will provide residents with adequate supplies of water during droughts. It was professionally engineered and designed by JR Ranch Incorporated and is buttressed by an 860-metre dam and has the capacity to hold 4.5 million cubic meters of water.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin at the Lethem Industrial Estate back in April

Construction of the facility, which is located on the outskirts of Lethem, is right on schedule. Once completed, the business incubator will provide appropriate spaces for businesses to engage in certain types of activities and attract investments in the value-added sectors.

Rupununi Essence

(From left) Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; a young woman who is featured in the advertising campaign of the Luxury Facial Cleanser; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock display a few bottles of the cleanser and the soap.

This 100 percent organic skin cleanser line was created through a partnership between the Ministry of Social Cohesion, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and indigenous producers from the North Rupununi.

14 Department of Public Information

Flood Response

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo handing over the Civil Defense Commission sanitary goods to Regional Chairman Brian Allicock outside of the Regional office.

Several decisions were made to improve and safe-guard the lives of Guyanese including relief efforts being given to those persons affected by the flood in Region Nine in July 2017.

RACE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 2018 Spotlight on the 28, Rupununi

Rupununi Music and Arts Festival

Local and foreign artistes performing on the second night of the festival

The third annual Rupununi Music and Arts Festival was hosted at the Manari Ranch in Lethem. The festival weekend drew local and foreign patrons and performers. Patrons camped out in tents, were entertained by music and dances, sang in front of bonfires and engaged in yoga and Zumba classes. There were also persons engaged in crafts and art sales, sculpting and wood carving and capoeira.

National Village Day

Drought Wells

Lethem airstrip President David Granger examines a bottle of casareep at the Aranaputa Processors Friendly Society booth.

President David Granger declared the twoday Regional Agriculture Commercial Exhibition (RACE) open in Lethem. Among the exhibitors was a collaborative effort between the Food and Nutrition and Agriculture Departments of the St. Ignatius Secondary School that displayed various cassava dishes and snacks. Patrons also had a choice of various jewellery and adornments made from local materials found within the community by The St. Ignatius Women’s Group.

Tripartite conference on health care

The Guyana, Brazil and Suriname delegations, that attended the ACTO meeting in Lethem

The second Tri-national technical meeting of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) was held between Brazil, Guyana and Suriname at the St Ignatius Benab, Lethem. The meeting allowed for the representatives of the three countries to exchange information on the health situation of indigenous peoples in the border regions.

The Lethem airstrip

The government is negotiating with a multilateral donor to secure a US $15M loan to finance further aerodrome and airstrip development across the hinterland. Under that programme, the Lethem airstrip will be upgraded into a regional hub and international aerodrome, to receive flights originating from Brazil and other Latin American neighbours.

Lease approval

Edward DaSilva receiving his letter of approval from GLSC’s Trevor Benn

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), surprised Edward DaSilva, a resident of the town of Lethem with the approval letter for his lease after a wait of over two years. The letter was presented to DaSilva at the first public meeting hosted at the Amerindian Hostel’s Auditorium in Lethem by the GL&SC in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to address land and title issues.

Persons participating in the volleyball competition.

Residents of Lethem Town and surrounding communities including Aranaputa, Annai, Kumu, St. Ignatius, participated in a National Day of Villages activity. The event, which was organised by the Region Nine administration, aimed at fostering unity among the people in the region.

Lethem road upgrade

The underground drainage network being constructed as part of a road rehabilitation work in Lethem.

The rehabilitation works on the Lethem road network have begun. The roadway will encompass an asphaltic concrete surface for two northbound and two southbound lanes of 3.5 metres width each. It will also be equipped with sidewalks, concrete gutter, curbs and for the first time in Guyana, underground concrete drainage tubes and manholes.

Brazilian Military Attaché to Guyana, Colonel Deni Da Silva and Acting Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig along with other stakeholders at the working- group meeting.

The Governments of Guyana and Brazil have conducted reconnaissance work in Region Nine for the drilling of eight wells in eight villages. This will assist in the storage of water for the dry season (El Nino). The drilling is expected to commence in October and will last for a period of 60 days.

Calypso

A section of the crowd at the Calypso semifinals competition

Region Nine residents and persons from neighbouring Venezuela and Brazil crowded the Wadapna Ground in Lethem to witness twenty feisty contestants vying for a spot in the top ten of the Mashramani Calypso competition finals. This was the first time that the competition was taken to the region.

15 Department of Public Information

GUYANA Spotlight onCHRONICLE the Rupununi Thursday, June 28, 2018

Bina Hill Expansion

Lethem Fire Station

HEYS

Tabatinga Sport Complex

The Tabatinga Sport Complex which is being upgraded

The Lethem Fire Station

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handing over the equipment to youths of Aranaputa in the presence of Chairman of the Community, Adon Jacobus

The newly constructed female dormitory at the learning centre

Two dormitories (male and female) at a cost of $70Million as well as a $7.77Million teacher’s quarters was constructed at the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre in Annai. This is part of a major upgrade of the lone residential tertiary institution in the hinterland.

Teacher Laptop distribution

Residents of Lethem will now benefit from a newly constructed fire station. The building is approximately 60x70 and will house fire trucks along with an emergency ambulance.

Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo

Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) participants of North Rupununi communities including Fly Hill, Quitata, Toka, Wowetta and Aranaputa, Region Nine recently received equipment to begin their individual businesses. The equipment included catering kits, stoves, agriculture tools, sewing machine, and computers and printers.

Plans are apace to transform the Tabatinga Sport Complex, in Lethem, Region Nine into the ultimate recreational facility. The following features will be added a VIP pavilion, wooden stands, toilet facilities, grading of the land and the lighting of the ground.

E-Gov site

Sand Creek Rodeo

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister of Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and Head, E-Governance Agency, Floyd Levi with some of the beneficiaries from the Deep South at the laptop distribution exercise at the Aishalton Secondary School

460 teachers received laptops to better enhance their students’ educational experience. The distribution was done at three locations in the region. The teachers of the North Rupununi received their devices at the Bina Hill Institute in Annai, teachers of Deep South, at the Aishalton Secondary School, and the teachers of Central Rupununi, at the St Ignatius Secondary School.

Tiger Pond Cassava Processing Facility

Some of the products produced from the Tiger Pond Processing facility in Region Nine

Tiger Pond village, located in the Karasabai District, South Pakaraimas recently commissioned a $5M Cassava Processing facility as part of its Community Development Project (CDP). The processing facility, furnished with modern equipment, is producing cassava by-products such as cassareep, packaged cassava bread, farine, and tapioca.

The E-Government site located at the Guyana/Brazil Border Crossing to be resuscitated.

Scene from the annual Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo

Cow milking, calf and sheep roping, bareback bronco (horse riding), and bull riding were just a few of the activities that thousands of local and overseas patrons were treated to, at the 2018 Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo in the Lethem Town. Residents of Lethem will now benefit from a newly constructed fire station. The building is approximately 60x70 and will house fire trucks along with an emergency ambulance.

Kezeé Eco-Lodge

A scene from the Sand Creek Rodeo

While the Rupununi Ranchers’ Rodeo in Lethem has become a fixture on the Easter calendar of events, the Sand Creek Rodeo also provided an impressive line-up of exhilarating experiences. What started as a simple cow riding activity has grown into a popular exhibition of cowboy skills. This flagship event, which is usually held after the massive Rupununi Rodeo, attracts visitors from across Guyana and other countries.

Addressing social issues

The Kezeé Eco-Lodge located in the South Pakaraimas, Region Nine

Region Nine leaders who participated in the workshop.

The Kezeé Eco-Lodge commissioned in the Karasabai Village, aims at promoting community development and economic growth through eco-tourism. The Lodge is outfitted with four single beds and bathroom and washroom facilities. It aims to attract both local and international visitors who like to travel off the beaten track.

Forty-five (45) Region Nine Toshaos and councillors recently benefitted from a sensitisation exercise regarding their responsibilities when dealing with social issues within their respective communities. They were updated on the Sexual Offences Act, Domestic Violence, Labour, and the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Acts.

Plans are in the pipeline for the resuscitation of the E-Government site located close to the Guyana/Brazil border crossing, in an effort to provide internet access in the town of Lethem and other communities in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo. The resuscitation of the site is part of a planned effort to receive internet connection from the site, possibly over a Microwave Network to the North Rupununi.

New Tabatinga Bridge

Students from Tabatinga traversing the Tabatinga Bridge, Lethem, Region Nine

Residents of the newly established Tabatinga housing scheme and Lethem Town are utilising the state-of-the-art bridge over the Tabatinga Creek in Region Nine. The bridge was built to connect Lethem and Tabatinga, and ease traffic congestion.

Department of Public Information 16

Spotlight on the Rupununi GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Newly elected Toshaos/Senior Councillors

Deep South

Karasabai

North Rupununi

South Central

Sub District

Villages

Designation

Elected

Gender

Remarks

Katoka

Toshao

Grennison Rogers

Semonie

Snr Councillor

Denneuza Dorrick

Yupukari

Toshao

Russian Dorrick

Re-elected

Fly Hill

Snr Councillor

Uriel Charles

Re-elected

Quatata

Snr Councillor

Joseph Dorrick

Re-elected

Kaicumbay

Snr Councillor

Ovid Brown

Shulinab

Toshao

Nicholas Fredericks

Quiko

Snr Councillor

Ronald Ignatius

Meriwau

Snr Councillor

Terrance Augustine

Potarinau

Toshao

Carl Albert

Katuur

Snr Councillor

Brian Melville

Shriri

Snr Councillor

Raymond Griffith

Baitoon

Snr Councillor

Joesph Edwin

Parikwaranau

Toshao

Cyril Anthony

St. Ignatius

Toshao

Denis Benedict

Kumu

Snr Councillor

Brenda Gomes

Quarrie

Snr Councillor

Phillip Bareto

Nappi

Toshao

Guy Fredericks

Hiowa

Snr Councillor

Sylvester Francis

Parishara

Snr Councillor

Roy Andrew

Moco Moco

Toshao

James George

Yakarinta

Toshao

Massara

Toshao

Jackson Joel

Kwaimatta

Snr Councillor

Arnold Bartholomew

Toka

Toshao

Kevin Edwards

Annai Dristrict

Toshao

Delano Davis

Annai

Snr Councillor

Zacharias Norman

Wowetta

Snr Councillor

Zita Henrico

Rupetee

Snr Councillor

Arnold Moses

Kwatamang

Snr Councillor

Suresh Andries

Re-elected

Surama

Snr Councillor

Lakeram Haynes

Re-elected

Fairview

Toshao

Jackie Allicock

Rewa

Toshao

Martin Carter

Crashwater

Toshao

Rudolph Edwards

Apoteri

Toshao

Anette Scipio

Karasabai Incl - Wichabai, Cra Crana, Curicock, Jawari, Mahoe

Toshao

Shaun Kartright

Taushida

Toshao

Carlyon Francis

Kakshibai

Snr Councillor

Carlos francis

Rukumuta

Toshao

Dilbert Albert

Tiger Pond

Toshao

Charles Man-son-hing

Pai Pang

Snr Councillor

Kendell Francis

Yurong Paru

Toshao

Shevnarine Cyprian

Tiperu

Toshao

Graham Jacobs

Aishalton

Toshao

Michael Thomas

Churikadarnau

Snr Councillor

Evresto Alfred

Shea

Toshao

Francis Rufino

Karaudarnau

Toshao

Evresto Joseph

Achiwib

Toshao

Venessa Richards

Bashaizon

Snr Councillor

Sidwell Johnson

Mururanau

Toshao

Ambrose Bento

Awarewaunau

Toshao

Vitalis Alfred

Rupunau

Toshao

Laurintino Herman

Sand Creek

Toshao

Maxi Pugsley

Katoonarib

Toshao

Nicholas Cyril

Sawariwau

Toshao

Pius Thomas

Parabara

Toshao

Richard Andrew

Konashen

Toshao

Paul Chekema

Re-elected

Yurong Paru gets potable water

CDO better equip

Re-elected

Chairperson GWI Board of Directors, Patricia Chase-Greene and Managing Director, GWI, Dr. Van West Charles hold the ribbon as a student from the Yurong Paru Primary School cuts it to commission the rehabilitated water supply treatment. Other students, residents and GWI officials look on. Over 300 households in Yurong Paru, a small community in the South Pakaraimas are benefiting from potable water for the first time following the rehabilitation of the communityâ€™s water supply. The US$19,000 project entailed the procurement of materials and construction of a storage facility and a timber trestle.

Re-elected

Inter-Village Social Cohesion Workshop

Minister of Indigenous Peoplesâ€™ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handing over an ATV to Community Development Officer (CDO), Shurland Davis.

Community Development Officers (CDOs), serving the South Pakaraima and the North Rupununi were the recent beneficiaries of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) that will assist them in better serving communities in Region Nine. t

New Housing Programme

Participants of the Inter-Village Social Cohesion Exchange Programme

Re-elected

Traditional practices

128 participants from 23 villages in the South-Central District of Rupununi were encamped at the St Ignatius Secondary School for an Inter-Village Social Cohesion Exchange programme which was spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Cohesion. The one-week programme aimed at nurturing community relationships among young people and providing them with leadership and other skills.

One of the houses built under the first phase of the programme

Phase Two of the Sustainable Hinterland Housing project is on schedule. The programme is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at a cost of US$3.1M. Four villages in Region One and eight villages in Region Nine are benefitting.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Careless dumping of single-use plastics harming environment – Department of Environment THE Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Environment (DoE) is calling on citizens to refrain from the careless dumping of garbage, particularly single-use plastics, along seawalls and other public spaces. During a visit to the area aback the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, Stakeholder Management Coordinator, DoE, Aretha Forde highlighted that most of the garbage dumped at the location and many other sites comprise mainly harmful plastics. This, she noted, is harming the environment as single-use and other plastics are non-biodegradable, which means they cannot break down or decay for many years. “There is no nutrient to return to the soil, this

means when the plastic finally breaks down, it breaks down by light, by a process we call photodegradation and so those smaller pieces end up in our waterways,” Forde said. The smaller pieces of plastic are often eaten by marine life including fish, which are either poisoned by the chemicals contained in the plastic or are eaten by humans, who then become exposed to the toxic chemicals. The DoE coordinator noted that scientific studies have shown that the chemicals in these plastics can cause hormone imbalance and certain types of cancers in humans. Guyana is going ‘green’ and according to Forde, there is no room for single-use plastics and other materials similar to plastics that are

Garbage, mainly single-use plastics dumped aback the Marriott Hotel

“environmentally unfriendly.” To raise awareness, the department will embark on a series of national consultations with various stakehold-

ers, especially the private sector to inform them about the impending ban on single-use plastics. “To kick-start the pro-

Top TSA official calls on Min. Ferguson

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, meeting with Matthew Cummings, a representative of the Transport Security Administration (TSA) and other local aviation officials

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, on Wednesday received a courtesy call from Matthew Cummings, a representative of the Transport Security Administration (TSA) of the United States.

Cummings is responsible for the Caribbean Region and has been in Guyana with his team since January conducting an audit of the aviation sector, a release from the ministry said. The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of the travelling public in the United States. It was created as a response to the September 11 attack. The courtesy call comes on the heels of Guyana getting ready to host the In-

ternational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Conference November 21- 23. Representatives from approximately 192 countries are expected in Guyana for this historic and momentous occasion. The ministry’s release also made mention that Guyana will soon complete the over US$150M expansion project of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Joining the minister during the courtesy visit was Egbert Field, Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Ramis Ghir, Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; Leon Castello, Personal Assistant to the Minister and Cameba Bayley- Sundar, Aviation Security Inspector - GCAA.

Gunman arrested after being jailed in absentia HARILALL Motilall aka “Jinga Harry”, 56, of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment in absentia in May 2016 for discharging a loaded

firearm with intent, was arrested by the police Wednesday afternoon. In a release, the police said the incident had occurred in July 2014. Motilall was Wednesday afternoon

arrested at a police road block on the Cove and John Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The convict will be escorted to prison to commence his sentence.

cess, what we have learnt from experience is that there are several processes that need to be ongoing before we draft legislation,”

she pointed out. The ban on single-use plastics, which is expected to take effect within three years, was proposed to the Cabinet by the DOE. It will prevent the manufacture and sale of single-use plastics in Guyana. The department will also be working with the private sector to find suitable alternatives to the plastics, which include black and coloured plastic bags, plastic forks, spoons, cups, water bottles and single-use plastic items. “We need to get the message out to the students, they are the best carriers of positive messages especially about the environment and we need the general public to come on board,” she noted, adding that citizens will also determine the success of the initiative. (DPI)

March against domestic violence Saturday

THE United Bridge Builders Mission Inc (UBBM) is inviting the public to a Mass March and Rally against Domestic Violence and Suicide at Vreed-enHoop on Saturday. To be held under the theme, “United Against Violence and Suicide”, the event begins at 12:00 hrs with a march moving off from outside J.C’s Super Market within the precincts of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and will end at the Vreeden-Hoop Stelling, where the rally will take place. Speakers include Bonita Montaque, of Guyana and the United States of America, Founder of the United Bridge Builders Mis-

sion; Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran and other senior health and regional officials. Concerned about both the magnitude and impact of domestic violence and suicide – not only on the immediate relatives of the victims, but the Guyanese society as a whole -- the stakeholders are working feverishly to address such issues, with a view to stamping them out. The event is being held in collaboration with the Region Three Regional Democratic Council, the Ministries of Public Health, Education and Social Protection as well as the Guyana Action Committee and Linden Youth Corps.

Suspects nabbed following Goed Fortuin robbery THE police in ‘D’ Division have arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery under arms committed on the proprietor of the New Hong Kong Restaurant, located on the Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara Public Road Tuesday night. Police said that the robbery occurred about 23:00hrs

and was committed by three males who were armed with cutlasses. A sum of cash and two cellular phones were carted off by the perpetrators. The police responded promptly, combed the area and arrested one of the suspects in a latrine armed with a cutlass; he has since confessed to the crime and is cooperating with investigators.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Food safety tied to good health, food handlers told

Food safety is crucial to good health Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Coordinator Dr Colin James told some 30 participants at the opening of a two-day training programme held Wednesday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on the East Bank Demerara. According to a Ministry of Public Health release the two-day training which was organised by the Veterinary Public Health (VPH) Department of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) attracted the participants from local food- manufacturing sector who vend at the CJIA. They were coursed as a part of a menu of measures to qualify for receiving their Food Handlers Identification Cards and Certificate. Addressing participants, James said that the negative impact of unsafe food and food-borne diseases is high and growing around the world and is being blamed for some 80 per cent of deaths globally. “The negative impact of unsafe food is enormous and it also creates a vicious cycle

of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and the sick,” James said. While unsafe food and food-borne diseases constitute a significant public health problem, food diseases impede socio economic development by straining health care systems and harming national economies, tourism and trade. “Food safety incidents, or plant and animal trans-boundary disease outbreaks have had negative impacts on public health, on trade, on peoples’ livelihood and on countries’ economies over the years,” the EOC executive said. The EOC Coordinator confirmed that a large proportion of ready-to-eat foods is being sold by informal sector operators especially street vendors who offer it at low prices and provide essential services to workers, shoppers, travellers, school children and low-income earners. He added that the consumption of these foods is common in many countries especially in places where urbanisation is occurring at a rapid pace.

“The people who depend on such foods are often more

ter-borne diarrhoeal diseases kill about 2.2 million people,

man, CJIA Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO)

Trainers-and-Participants-at-the-Food-Handlers-Training

interested in its convenience than in issues of safety, quality and hygiene,” James emphasised. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food is central to sustaining life and promotion of good health. Unsafe food containing harmful bacterial viruses, parasites and other chemical substances are implicated in over 200 diseases ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. WHO estimates that every year, food and wa-

1.9 million or 86 percent, are children. James told that participants that in responding to the health challenges related to food safety, the MoPH strives to support food vendors to ensure that the foods supplied are safe and nutritious. “Your support will amongst other things help the MoPH and the Government by extension to achieve its goals of reducing the cases of food poisoning especially for travellers”, James said. Meanwhile, Andre Kell-

applauded the Ministry’s effort and urged participants to take the lessons learnt and put it into practice. He reminded those present that wholesomeness and soundness are key in maintaining international standards and guidelines as recommended by the WHO. “As international airport, vendors need to be very mindful of the travelling public because we are being constantly verify for international standards”, Kellman said. Ms Davieanie Bhim, Manager of Lotus

Restaurant said she plans to reinforce all food safety and hygiene rules in keeping with the regulations of the MoPH to ensure that her restaurant continues to produce safe and healthy foods at all times. She noted that over the next two days, a total of eight staff from her restaurant will participate in the food handlers training. Angela Melville, employee at the Eldorado Bar and Duty Free Shop praised the Ministry’s effort for always ensuring that this training is held once yearly. The second-time beneficiary said customer appreciation is top on their list, hence the shop strives to maintain healthy standards always. “When it comes to serving customer food you must be able to send that customer away very happy and want them to come back again. It was very much beneficial because it taught us how to keep our environs very hygienic”, Melville said. The Food Handler Training will continue Thursday and is likely to attract another 30 participants.

‘We’re not waiting on oil; we’re addressing energy now’ - Greenidge The Government is not “waiting on oil” or the petroleum sector before addressing the main challenges in the energy sector such as cost and efficiency, says Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge. At the time of the remarks, Greenidge was responding to several questions posed at the Annual General Meeting of the Small Business Development Finance Trust (SBDF) at the Regency Hotel on Wednesday. Present were the Board of Directors, several clients of the SBDF and Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, who was also invited to speak. Greenidge established that several of the country’s main sectors are heavily influenced by the price of energy which is higher in Guyana compared to some of its Caribbean counterparts. “We have suffered pretty severe damage because of the high cost of energy in Guyana…unless that is fixed, many of the challenges faced by agriculture, all of the challenges faced by manufacturing and processing, much of the challenge faced by the agro-industry will not be solvable without a resolution of that problem.” As such, he assured that the Government has made it one of its main priorities to make energy more afford-

Greenidge also addressed questions related to the creation of roads and other infrastructure to benefit small businesses by speaking of the number of projects the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has planned for execution. Some of these include the creation of a new bridge

that when these things are in place, you are able to take advantage of the markets…It is not only the Government that needs to do things in order to take you forward. You have to do some things yourself and of course you have to pay attention to your needs to ensure that the Government

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, speaks on the importance of small and medium enterprises (Samuel Maughn photo)

able not only through the approaching petroleum sector, but through fixing inefficiencies in the existing system. This includes the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) where there is inefficient generation of electricity and significant losses in transmission which have affected citizens for years. “Even before petroleum starts flowing, you have to fix the existing system and part of that existing system is associated with the distributional transmission of energy,” he said, later adding: “Even before 2020, we are working with partners such as the Japanese who also have provided assistance in terms of preliminary work on an energy plan to ensure that, systematically, we can look at problems of the energy sector and try and bring solutions on

stream.” But when it comes to petroleum production in 2020, Greenidge reminded that apart from natural gas which will be available for cooking, Guyanese will be able to receive some 200MW of power when the excess gas is brought onshore. “When that starts to flow, we expect that the highest priority will be given to a project that will utilize the gas that is associated with the petroleum exploitation to land it on the East Coast somewhere in the vicinity of [Mahaica] with the purpose of driving turbines that can generate electricity for domestic use,” he said. Other plans for energy production in coming years include solar power and the use of byproducts and waste source to generate electricity and hydropower plants.

Members of the audience at the Annual General Meeting of the Small Business Development Finance Trust (SBDF) at the Regency Hotel on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

across the Demerara River, several by-pass roads and the Linden-Lethem Highway which he said will help to boost the agriculture sector through both local and international means. In his remarks, the Foreign Affairs Minister encouraged small and medium enterprise business owners to take advantage of the developments occurring around them. “There is also work to be done on your side to ensure

takes account of your needs,” he said. Meanwhile, Ganga spoke on the role of small and medium-scale enterprises and shared his views on the future economic development of the Guyanese economy. Ganga stated that small and micro businesses employ hundreds of persons locally and help to form the backbone and engine of the economy. However, he said that as Guyana’s economy is ex-

pected to grow with the production of oil, the necessary stakeholders must be wary to ensure that their decisions work in the best interest of the average Guyanese. “I believe that expectations are high with the impending production of oil… The Bank of Guyana is aware of the impact such an inflow can have on the economy, including an impact on inflation and the exchange rate. “Like all Guyanese, small-medium enterprises could be impacted negatively if inflation is left to rise uncontrollably and if there is a major appreciation of their dollar,” he said. As such, Ganga recommended proper management of the new sector and encouraged small-medium enterprises to take advantage of the many opportunities which will follow. During the meeting, SBDF revealed from its 2017 annual report that last year it granted 439 loans which helped to sustain and create 2,869 jobs. Some 45 per cent of the loans financed by the SBDF went to the agriculture sector; 30 per cent to the retail trade/services sector; 10 percent to the consumer sector and the remaining percentage to fisheries, livestock, manufacturing and others.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Victim says he saw shooter pointing gun at him

LAST Tuesday, the re-trial for recaptured 2017 prison escapee Stafrei Alexander got under way before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury in the Demerara High Court. In presenting the state’s case, prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt told the court that the accused was indicted on two counts. First, was attempt to commit murder and the second was discharging a loaded firearm with intent (alternative counts) which took place on March 23, 2015 at Laing Avenue, Ruimveldt. She said on the date in question at about 12:30hrs, the accused discharged a loaded firearm at Curtis Thom with intent to murder him. Thom then took the stand, where he detailed what took place on the morning after his baby’s christening. He told the court that he was at his home at 138 Laing Avenue and he had a function in front of his yard to observe his daughter’s christening. However, at 01:00hr when the event ended, he was feeding his dogs in his backyard when the accused passed him and grumbled ‘something’, but he did not hear what he said. Thom added that he was about to open the bottom half of his back door and as he was reaching for the grill, he saw the accused in front

of him. At that point, he saw the accused pointing a gun (shiny object) at him and he then heard echoes (gunshots) and saw smoke, after which he felt a burning sensation in his chest. Thom told the court the accused Stafrei Alexander did not say anything and he fell to the ground and heard another shot after which he kept screaming for help. The virtual complainant added that he then heard five to six more shots and managed to crawl inside his house when he was shot in his back. Thom stated that when he was screaming for help he saw an Indian guy, who is a friend of the accused standing nearby in the passageway. He was empty-handed and he did not shoot at him. Thom said he knew the accused for about 10-15 years before the incident by seeing him pass by and he lived about seven doors from him. Wife of Thom, Rhonda Spencer, testified that at about 12:30hrs on March 23, 2015, she was by the back door watching her husband feed the dogs for a few minutes before she went to bed. Within a few seconds, she heard what sounded like gunshots and said: “Oh s..t I hope is not Curtis”. She saw her husband ly-

ing in the dining area of their home and he said: “He shoot me” after which she ran outside screaming for help. Spencer related that neighbours came out and helped her place Thom in a car and they took him to the GPHC. Detective Constable Jason Kyte took the stand and said he had assisted in the probe in March 2016, as he was stationed at the East Ruimveldt Outpost CID. He noted that at about 2am on March 23, 2015, he visited the scene and questioned several persons but got no useful information and made checks around the place but found nothing of evidential value. Kyte added that he went to the GPHC and contacted the virtual complainant who was a patient. He gave him certain information and he returned to Laing Avenue and made checks for the suspect, but he was not there. The police witness stated that the victim told him it was the accused who had shot him on the morning in question. Next on the stand was Detective Corporal Rawle Bacchus, who told the court in 2015 he was stationed at the East Ruimveldt Outpost CID and relative to a report of an alleged attempt to commit murder on Curtis Thom, he assisted in the

probe. He stated that on March 23, 2015, he went to the GPHC where he met Thom who was a patient who told him ‘something’. As a result, the cop took a statement from Thom and he returned to the station. In March 2015 he was at the GPHC operating theatre with Dr. London, who removed two metal objects from the body of the patient Thom, of which he took possession. He added that he placed same in two separate white envelopes, sealed it with the police seal after which he initialled it. Bacchus said he also uplifted the medical certificate in favour of Thom and lodged it. On November 7, 2015 he went to CID HQ and contacted the accused who was in custody having being arrested on November 5, 2015 by Constable Dawson at Mahaicony.

Bacchus said he put the allegation to the accused and he replied by saying: “No not me shoot he” and he refused to make a written statement when he was cautioned. The police witness noted that he handed over the two envelopes to Detective Corporal Gravesande at the Ballistics Section HQ and uplifted same. The medical certificate and the two envelopes which contained two spent shells were tendered, marked and admitted as evidence in the trial. Detective Corporal Nigel Gravesande, who was deemed a ballistic expert, said he examined two components of ammunition. There were two fired .38 special bullets and he compared one and found that both striations marks were the same of which he opined that the two fired bullets came from the same firearm.

He was shown the bullets which were marked, tendered and admitted as evidence in the trial. Detective Corporal Gravesande told the court that the two fired bullets came from a .38 revolver gun. Lance Corporal Jason Bobb also took the stand, testifying that in March 2015 he was stationed at CID HQ and was on duty when he received instructions from an officer to conduct a confrontation with the accused and the VC. He cautioned the accused after the victim related his story and he replied saying “Is not me shoot you, is Coolie Bai shoot you”. Bobb said he asked both parties to sign and he made a diary entry to which he also affixed his signature and later submitted a statement. The matter continues before the trial judge on Thursday.

Cops say barber had 28 grams of narcotics to sell A BARBER on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged with possession of marijuana. The charge alleged that on June 24, 2018 at East Ruimveldt, Kurt London had 28 grams of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The 28-year-old man denied the charge. The prosecution objected to bail, because of the seriousness of the offence. However Magistrate Fabayo Azore granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and the matter was adjourned to July 25, 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday June 28, 2018

Troy Resources considering exploring other projects MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has said the government will give its support to Australian mining company, Troy Resources, if it chooses to pursue other areas of production. The company has been exploring gold in Guyana through its “Karouni Project” since 2014. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Troy Resources, Ken Nilsson said on Monday that the gold-mining

company could go into other areas of production by the end of the year. He made the disclosure during a visit by Minister Trotman and his team, to his Karouni, Region Seven mines. “We are continually looking to see if there are any other projects in Guyana that we could actually get involved in,” he told the minister and his team. However, he stressed that this can only happen at the end

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

of the year when the company is in a better position to “free up more money.” At the moment, Nilsson said the company has been investing heavily in the training of locals, which he stressed will be good for them if the company has to move on. “They are not working for Troy Resources, they are working for themselves. Because job satisfaction and security all depends on your input,” Nilsson said about the local employees of the company. The Guyanese workforce at the company amounts to about 90 percent. Minister Trotman said the company has been doing an exemplary job over the period it has been in

Guyana. He said there was no reason why the government would not support the efforts. “… there is an intention to remain in Guyana to provide jobs, we know that 90 percent of the workforce here is Guyanese, so we are happy about that. It is about giving back, about adding value, about ensuring Guyanese have work,” the minister told DPI, continuing that the government is “prepared to sit and work with them to look for new areas for mining.” Minister Trotman said the government is “quite pleased with the company’s work ethic, noting that there are frequent engagements between the two. (DPI)

Brooks: Guyana can be game changer for Petrotrin Guyana and its eight oil finds can be a game changer for state-owned Petrotrin and TT, says National Gas Company (NGC) Chairman Gerry Brooks. He was speaking during a presentation at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce's Business Outlook breakfast meeting held on Wednesday at the Chamber's offices, Westmoorings. Brooks said Guyana's eight finds equated to 500,000 barrels of oil and 120,000 by 2018. He added the Guyanese were "shopping" in Mexico and had help from the International Monetary Fund.

"We have to go there in a very professional manner, a very engaging manner, a very thoughtful manner." Brooks said "everybody" was in Guyana and there was excellent specialised oilfield services including from Repsol. "There is a lot of expertise. There is a lot of opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago." He said NGC was leading the charge and the expectation was that there would be a mutual cooperation agreement which will find a framework for the countries to work together. "We will work closely with the State companies (in Guyana)." (Trinidad Newsday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Buttler smashes T20 record to deny Australia (BBC) - JOS Buttler hit the fastest Twenty20 international half-century by an England batsman to propel the home side to a 28-run win over Australia. Buttler, promoted to open, reached 50 from 22 balls at Edgbaston. He ended with 61 and, along with 49 from Alex Hales and Jason Roy’s 44, helped England to 221-5, their second-highest T20 total. Though Aaron Finch hammered 84 from 41 balls, Australia were bowled out for 193, with Adil Rashid claiming 3-27. It completes a miserable tour for Australia, their first trip to England since the ball-tampering scandal, in which they were whitewashed 5-0 in the oneday series. England play the first of three T20 internationals against India at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Buttler’s stellar performances across three formats of the game, which began with five successive half-centuries opening the batting in the Indian Premier League, resulted in a push to the top of the order for England. If his match-winning century in the fifth ODI on Sunday was measured, this knock on a run-filled Edgbaston surface was Buttler back to his customary brutal hitting and invention. He opened his shoulders by hitting debutant leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson for a straight six and, in the next over, took 18 runs from four Kane Richardson deliveries. No bowler was safe - leftarm spinner Ashton Agar was heaved over mid-wicket, and paceman Billy Stanlake slapped over the extra cover rope. When Stanlake was scooped for four, Buttler had beaten the 23-ball half-century made by Ravi

Bopara against Australia in 2014, and the assault only stopped when he dragged Swepson to D’Arcy Short at deep mid-wicket.

and saw his team suffer from then on. Previously on this tour, they had been given few reminders of the ball-tamper-

On a sun-kissed evening, Australia captain Finch gave away the chance to bat first

ing controversy, but Edgbaston is perhaps the most partisan of England’s home

venues. Throughout, Australia endured songs that claimed they are “always cheating”. Nothing, except an impressive spell from the slippery Swepson and Finch’s hitting, went right for the visitors. Richardson’s plight typified their evening. He dropped a simple chance at long-off when Roy was on 27, his 0-59 is the second-most expensive return by an Australia bowler and, later, he was dismissed by the first ball he faced. The reprieved Roy freed his arms at every possible opportunity, Hales mixed power with deft touches and Joe Root recovered from a slow start to make 35. Australia dragged it back late on, but by the time Jonny Bairstow swiped Andrew Tye’s final ball of the innings for six, Edgbaston was singing that football is coming home.

Williams is 25th seed for Wimbledon

(BBC) - SEVEN-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams is the 25th seed for this year’s tournament, despite being outside the top 32 in the rankings. The 36-year-old American is continuing her return to action after giving birth to her first child in September. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles winner, has played only three tournaments in the past 12 months and is ranked 183rd in the world. Slovakia’s world number 32 Dominika Cibulkova has not been seeded. On Tuesday, Cibulkova said it would not be fair for Williams to be seeded ahead of her. “I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” said the 29-year-old. “I think it’s just not fair. I have tried and I

should be seeded. If they put her in front of me then I will lose my spot that I am supposed to have.”

Simona Halep is the top seed, with Roger Federer her counterpart in the men’s draw.

Federer is seeded a place higher than his world ranking, with world number one Rafael Nadal the second

Serena Williams pulled out of the French Open in June because of injury

seed. With the exception of Williams, all of the women are seeded in line with their WTA ranking. Williams is seeded one place lower than Maria Sharapova, who she was due to meet in the fourth round of the French Open before pulling out because of injury. Her sister Venus is the ninth seed. British number ones Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund - the latter of whom is the world number 18 - are seeded 22nd in their respective draws. Because of different rules in the two draws, Andy Murray cannot be seeded as he sits outside the top 32 in the rankings. Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion is returning from a hip injury.

Auf Wiedersehen Germany! (REUTERS) - CHAMPIONS Germany crashed out of the World Cup after suffering a stunning 2-0 defeat by a tenacious South Korea on Wednesday that eliminated them in the opening round for the first time in 80 years and sent the football-mad nation into mourning. Long the benchmark of excellence in the sport, Germany’s dismal campaign ended meekly, with stoppage-time goals by Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min condemning Joachim Loew’s side to finishing bot-

tom of their group. On a warm and sunny afternoon at Kazan Arena, some 42,000 flabbergasted fans witnessed the fall of a titanic team who had made the semi-finals or beyond in every World Cup since 2002. Four-times champions and four-times runners-up, Germany were heavily backed to retain their title and add another triumph to Loew’s long list of honours. Instead, they will head home after a scarcely believable failure, having also suffered a shock 1-0 loss

to Mexico in their opener and only scraped past Sweden with a stoppage- time winner. “At the moment ... the disappointment of being eliminated is just huge. We need to congratulate our opponents,” an apologetic Loew, who has overseen a golden era in German football since 2006, told reporters. “We didn’t deserve to win the title again, we didn’t deserve to get into the last 16. “We wanted to win but we didn’t have what it takes.”

With the group going down to the wire, Germany needed victory against the lightly regarded Koreans to give themselves a chance of progressing. Yet they scarcely looked capable of scoring, let alone going on to claim another trophy. They became the fourth champions in five World Cups to fall at the first hurdle during their title defence. The German players trudged off goalless at halftime, with frowns on faces and whistles ringing out from the terraces.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Brazil make it through to Round of 16 (BBC) - BRAZIL avoided a shock result that had earlier seen Germany knocked out of the World Cup by defeating Serbia to finish top of Group E and book a last-16 tie against Mexico. They did so with the sort of occasionally dazzling performance that suggests they are growing in a tournament in which they are one of the favourites to win, as they put behind them their slow start in Russia. Paulinho had deservedly put Brazil in front with a deft finish after a brilliant run from deep saw him convert Philippe Coutinho’s through ball in the first half. Tite’s team had to protect a slender lead for a shaky 15-minute period at the start of the second half as Serbia went all out for the win they then needed. But Aleksandar Mitrovic found an opposition defender when he should have scored and saw another header saved by the unconvincing Alisson.

Thiago Silva of Brazil scores the second goal for his team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

And once Thiago Silva extended Brazil’s advantage with an unmarked header from a corner, Tite’s side

regained a measure of composure and went close to a third on numerous occasions.

Switzerland draws Costa Rica to go into next round

Serbia may feel aggrieved the second was not ruled out by VAR for a push on Mitrovic by Mi-

randa as the corner came in, but they were outplayed overall. The result ended their

hopes of qualifying from the group stage for the first time, while Brazil now head to Samara, where their last-16 tie will take place on Monday, as group winners having topped Group E over Switzerland on goal difference. Tite’s side was heavily criticised after their laboured display against Switzerland and their unconvincing performance against Costa Rica, which required two injury-time goals to claim a much-needed win for the five-times champions. In Moscow on Wednesday, they were sluggish in parts and had lost control of midfield after the restart to such an extent that Tite brought on Manchester City’s Fernandinho for goalscorer Paulinho. But Brazil have been solid defensively under Tite, conceding just five goals in 21 games going into the tournament, and despite riding their luck a little at 1-0, they undoubtedly deserved their three points.

Sweden punish Mexico (REUTERS) - SWEDEN sprang a surprise with a 3-0 thumping of Mexico, breaking their opponents’ resistance after a scoreless first half and guaranteeing that both teams advance to the World Cup last 16 at the expense of defending champions, Germany. Sweden finished top of Group F on goal difference, with both teams on six points ahead of South Korea and Germany on three apiece, after the champions went down 2-0 to the South Koreans in a shock result in Kazan. It marked a remarkable swing in Swedish fortunes after the crushing disappointment of losing to a stoppage-time goal from Germany’s Toni Kroos four days ago. “I’m so incredibly proud, moved almost, by the thought of how we performed in the match. They were so disciplined, so loyal in everything they did,” coach Janne Andersson said. For Mexico, the lacklustre performance in Yekaterinburg marked a reality check. “I have to say that we qualified because we beat Germany and Korea, but nevertheless I am very hurt,” coach Juan Carlos Osorio told reporters. “I wasn’t too happy with the way we defended at all.”

Granit Xhaka of Switzerland tackles Joel Campbell of Costa Rica during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Switzerland and Costa Rica at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - SWITZERLAND set aside politics and Costa Rica broke their World Cup duck in a thrilling 2-2 draw on Wednesday that saw the Europeans through to the next round where they will face Sweden. Pre-match attention had focussed on Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri’s “eagle” celebrations in their last game in honour of their Albanian roots, while Costa Rica had taken flak at home for failing to score at the tournament. Yet this time, the Swiss kept their focus purely on the game to keep the already-eliminated but still lively Central Americans at

bay and ensure passage from Group E. After withstanding plenty of early pressure, the Swiss took a 31st minute lead against the run of play when forward Blerim Dzemaili blasted past Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas from close range following a nod down from Breel Embolo. Costa Rica had twice hit the woodwork in a frustrating opening 15 minutes of missed chances, but finally scored their first goal in Russia when defender Kendall Waston powered home Joel Campbell’s corner in the 56th minute. That triggered mass cel-

ebrations like they had won the trophy, as players mobbed coach Oscar Ramirez who has been facing stinging personal criticism in Costa Rica. In a frenetic finale, substitute Josip Drmic restored Switzerland’s lead when he drilled home in the 88th minute, before Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz’s stoppage time penalty struck the bar and went in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back for an own goal and 2-2 draw. In between those two late strikes, Costa Rica appeared to have won another penalty before it was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Andreas Granqvist of Sweden celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Mexico and Sweden at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 27, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

After pressing hard for most of the first half and wasting numerous chances, Sweden finally found the net when left back Ludwig Augustinsson charged up the field in the 50th minute and angled home a left-footed volley. Twelve minutes later, captain Andreas Granqvist kept his concentration in the face of deafening boos and whistles from the Mexican fans to blast a penalty into the top left corner after Hector Moreno had brought down Marcus Berg. Mexico’s misery was complete when the ball trickled in off the leg of Edson Alvarez for a tame own goal on 74 minutes. “This is something I dreamed of. The insane thing is I really had this feeling that I would score at the World Cup,” Augustinsson told reporters. Granqvist, who also scored from the spot against South Korea, said: “What a performance - it could have been 5-0 or 6-0.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

Daniel Williams looking forward to challenging Kirani James at AP Invitational

Guyana Committee of Services supports AP Invitational

... eyes 400M IAAF World U-20 Championships qualification ON June 30, Kirani James, the Grenadian 400 metres Olympic and World Champion, will want to add the Aliann Pompey Invitational title on the long list of his accomplishments, but, 18-year-old Daniel Williams will be hoping to make a name for himself in his attempt to out-run the man known as the ‘Jaguar’. James, at the JN Racers Grand Prix on June 9 in Jamaica, clocked an impressive 44.35 seconds to win the 400 metres in his first race in over a year after recovering from Graves’ disease (an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones). The Grenadian’s time of 44.35 seconds is the eighthbest time in the world this year. James’ personal best in the 400 metres is 43.74 seconds, set in 2014. “I had him down to do the 100 metres and 200 metres, but he said that he wants to do the 400 metres to rub shoulders with Kirani James,” said Johnny Grave-

sande, the coach of Daniel Williams. Williams will be joined by Deshana Skeete and Kenisha Phillips on Guyana’s contingent for the July 10-15 IAAF World U-20 Championships, set for the Ratina Stadium in Tampere, Finland. Williams qualified for the 200 metres when he clocked 21.21 seconds, a personal best, in the Boys’ U-20 final at the just concluded CARIFTA Games. The qualifying standard time set by the IAAF is 21.35 seconds. However, last year, at the IAAF World U-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, Williams clocked 46.72 seconds in the boys 400 metres to win silver for Guyana; the country’s first at the championship which was the last of its kind, given the fact that it has since been cancelled by athletics world governing body, IAAF. To date, Kadecia Baird owns Guyana’s lone medal at the IAAF World U-20

Championships, running 51.04 seconds to finish second behind American Ashley Spencer but ahead of Erika Rucker (USA) in 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. “Given the fact that he’s going to Finland to do the 200 metres, I had him down to only compete in that race on Saturday, but he insisted that he wants to run against Kirani. I mean, he has a mind of his own and I think the fact that he’s that passionate about running the 400 metres, I’ll support him,” Gravesande said. The qualifying standard time in the U-20 championships for the 400 metres is 47.70 seconds, and according to Gravesande, the Aliann Pompey Invitational presents a perfect opportunity for Williams to reach the time, especially since the Linden-based athlete has been “healthy and putting in the work.” “He has been doing great even though the weather got us a little

bad in terms of using the track, but I think he’s in good shape to really put in a good time,” the award-winning coach pointed out. Meanwhile, Williams will truly have to show his worth in the 400 metres on Saturday, with Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie, the African Championships 400 metres bronze medallist, along with Guyana’s 400 metres record holder (45.25 seconds) Winston George, US-based Guyanese Stephan James, Arinze Chance, Carlwyn Collins, Dequawn Nkosi Vancooten, Brian Roman, Shawn Semple, Joshua Walcott and Kirani James all set to compete. Fly Jamaica, E-Networks, Quality Plus, Banks DIH, the Ministry of Communities and SleepIn International Hotel and Casino are among the sponsors for the event. Race time is 15:00hrs and tickets cost $1000 for regular admission, and $5000 for VIP.

Aliann Pompey (L) receives a presentation from Leslie Blacks

YESTERDAY, a presentation was made to Aliann Pompey as a show of support for the third Aliann Pompey Invitational (API) which will be staged on Saturday at the National Track and Field Centre. Executive member of the GCS, Leslie Blacks, stated that the presentation was the Committee’s way of showing their appreciation and support for “one of Guyana’s best female athletes.” The USA-based Pompey thanked Blacks and the Committee following the presentation and stated that substantial support is critical for making events of such magnitude a success. The 2002 Commonwealth Games 400m gold medallist noted that she is overwhelmed with the support the flagship event on the AAG’s calendar is receiving and stated that Saturday will be memorable for fans. The fixture continues to evolve and attract superstars in the track and field arena. This year’s Invitational is scheduled to be headlined by Grenada’s 400 metres Olympic and World Champion, Kirani James and 2018 Commonwealth Games triple-jump gold medallist, Troy Doris. Pompey added that she was glad to see the direction the sport has been going in Guyana and disclosed that the Invitational headliners, James and Doris will arrive tonight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 21:00hrs. The API is the only event of its kind in Guyana where athletes from across the Caribbean, Central and North America, converge at Leonora for what has been the best showing of track and field in Guyana. Fly Jamaica, E-Networks, Quality Plus, Banks DIH, the Ministry of Communities and SleepIn International Hotel and Casino are some of the sponsors on-board so far. Action is set to start at 15:00hrs on Saturday. Tickets cost $1000 (stands) and $5000 (VIP).

Mohamed, Mangra claim gold at Archery Guyana’s Olympic Day Competition NARDA Mohamed and Anand Mangra were gold medal winners over the weekend when Archery Guyana’s annual competition to commemorate Olympic Day shot off at the National Gymnasium. With all World Archery rules of competition and safety in place, Director of Shooting, Frederick Ewing-Chow, blew the first whistle to commence the afternoon’s competition. In the Senior Women’s Class, 4 ladies competed. They were Shereeda Yusuf, Samira Duncan, Narda Mohamed and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon. While in the Junior Class, Jessica Callender was the lone competitor. Action began with the females starting off the competition with a qualifying round, each shooting 5 ends of 3 arrows each (a total of 15 arrows) to qualify for the

final round. The 3 ladies to make it to the final round were Mohamed (46 points), Duncan (53) and Yusuf (10) points.

some extra excitement with a shoot-off of 1 end of 3 arrows each which the former won. The Junior Class saw

The male finalists from left: Nicholas Hing, Anand Mangra and Ryan McKinnon

This final round was hotly contested by the ladies, resulting in a tie between Mohamed and Duncan which provided

lone competitor, Jessica Callender taking away the Gold. In the Senior Men’s Class there were 7 competitors with Mangra taking

on Robert Singh, Ryan McKinnon, Antonio Hackette, Colin Loncke, Nicholas Hing and Umasankar Madray.

of Mangra’s 95, followed by Hing’s 88 points. The final 3-end round saw action with McKinnon, Mangra and Hing contest-

Bronze. After the competition, wheelchair-assisted and potential Paralympic archer, Uttamkumar Isurdeen,

The participants of Archery Guyana’s annual competition to commemorate Olympic Day 2018

There was heated competition during the first round with the results of the final three men showing McKinnon with 106 points ahead

ing the coveted Gold medal which ended with Mangra taking Gold (83 points) ahead of McKinnon’s 72 for Silver, and Hing with 65 for

who met with many of the Archery Guyana coaches and members, was given instruction on the use of the Olympic re-curve bow.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

‘Boxing on the River’ set for tomorrow BOXING returns to the mining town tomorrow with ‘Boxing on the River’, an initiative of boxing coach Orlando ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers, organised as part of the Linden River Festival 2018. Set for the Wismar Market Tarmac on Burnham Drive, the event will feature pugilists from the Guyana Prison Service, the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, Pocket Rocket Gym and the Carryl’s Gym. Rogers, who is the coordinator of the even, said that this year more gyms from across Guyana will be participating in the competition and it is expected to be bigger and better. “We are looking for the region to come out and support us,” Rogers said, adding, “This is the second year the Boxing on the River competition will be held as part of the Linden River Front Festival and while [sic] the support was favourable last year.” Rogers believes that more Lindeners should come out this year since more will be on offer. “We will be having the Under 16, the Juniors and Seniors which will be the elites.” Commonwealth silver medallist, Keevin Allicock, is also expected to participate in the competition. Rogers, who is a veteran boxer, is the founder of the “Pocket Rocket” boxing gym which sifts out the talent hidden in Linden youths and moulds them into becoming professional boxers. The gym has recorded several successes since its establishment. Rogers has also been appointed as hinterland boxing coach by Minister George Norton and has since established several hinterland gyms in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9.

By Elroy Stephney

Coordinator of the ‘Boxing on the River’ competition, Orlando ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers

James, Doris arrive tonight for AP Invitational KIRANI James, the 400 metres 2012 Olympic Champion and 2016 Olympic silver medallist, along with Guyana’s 2018 Commonwealth Games triple jump gold medallist, Troy Doris, will arrive tonight ahead of Saturday’s Aliann Pompey Invitational at the National Track and Field Centre. Both athletes will be competing for the first time in Guyana and are among athletes from over 25 countries competing in the third installation of the Aliann Pompey Invitational. In fact, the bulk of those athletes will arrive tonight with Doris and James. Pompey, in an invited commitment, said she’s overwhelmed with the support the meet, which was named in her honour and sanctioned by the IAAF, has been receiving, especially from regional athletes. According to the 2002 Commonwealth Games

400 metres gold medallist, to have James competing in Guyana and using the ‘AP’ Invitational on his road to recovery, speaks volume about the quality of the event, and as such, track and field fans could expect nothing short of fireworks in all the events.

into account the class of jumpers set to challenge Doris. Doris, who has been representing Guyana since 2015, will face Cuban Jordan Diaz, touted by many in his country as the next World triple jump champion. Quite a technician, Diaz

Guyana’s Troy Doris shows off his Commonwealth Gold, the medal he won in the men’s triple jump in Australia.

Pompey also noted that the triple jump has the potential to be the ‘show stopper’ taking

Simons’ memorial day of sports set for Sunday

is the World U-18 Champion and junior World record holder at 17.32 metres. Joining Diaz will be

last year’s champion from Suriname, Miguel Van Assen who holds his country’s national record in the event, as well as the CARIFTA and South American title. Van Assen’s personal best is 16.94 metres. The Surinamese is also the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion. Also confirming his participation is The Bahamas’ Leevan Sands, who won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as bronze at the World Championship and Commonwealth Games. He’s a Pan Am Games silver medallist and multiple gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games. The Aliann Pompey Invitational, the only event of its kind in Guyana where athletes from across the Caribbean, Central and North America converge at Leonora, West Demerara, for what has been the best showing of track and field in Guyana.

THE second annual Simons’ Memorial Day of Sports will be held on Sunday, July 1st at the Zorg ground on the Essequibo Coast. Among the activities planned is a 10/10 soft-ball competition featuring Zorg S.C, Reliance Hustlers, Invaders Masters and defending champions Wild Oats. There will also be a female competition as well with Capoey Junior and Senior teams, Zorg S.C and Uprising Youths taking the field. Meanwhile during the evening there will be a floodlight street ball kick out with players engaging in a 7 ‘A’ side football tournament. The teams participating will be Barca ‘7’, Simon’s ‘7’, Reliance Hustlers and Zorg S.C. These activities have been planned by the Simon’s family in tribute of the late Daniel Simon and Lucille Simon, Leyland Simon, Cleveland Simon, Carlton Simon, Elvis Simon and Stephon Simon; all of whom were residents of Zorg and were ardent sports fans. “This annual affair is to pay homage to our family members in a grand way as we celebrate their life and in the process seek to promote harmony within the society,” remarked Trevis Simon who is the coordinator of the Day’s events. He further added that the fallen stalwarts were strong advocates of team building and discipline which they demonstrated through the participation of sports; hence it is a fitting way of upholding their rich legacy. The solemn though colorful event will be preceded by a minute’s silence and will be attended by Region 2 Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Roopkumar Persaud and Essequibo’s senior Coach Forbes Daniels. Among the participating cricketers will be former National T20 All-Rounder Ramesh Narine, former national youth players Vijay Surujpaul, Rovendra Parasram and Beesham Seepersaud as well as former Essequibo senior inter-county captain Dinesh Joseph, Latchmikhant Narine and Narendra Mandolall. The Simon’s family is the sponsor with over $110,000 in prizes along with trophies will be presented to the various categories of winners. The family is also extending an invitation to the public to witness and participate in what is expected to be an enthralling day of sports.

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Asian’s Way Race 2 Fredrica Race 3 Quick Release Race 4 The Chamo Race 5 English Dancer Race 6 Copnquest Tizfire Race 7 Clairvoyant Lady Race 8 Free Kitty

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Nottingham 09:20 hrs Kuwaitiya 09:50 hrs Extra Elusive 10:25 hrs Mainsail Atlantic 11:00 hrs Jurz 11;35 hrs How Far 12:10 hrs Kingstreet Lady 12:45 hrs Kilbaha Lady

English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:40 hrs Gunforhire 09:10 hrs Starlight Mystery 09:40 hrs Red Cymbal 10:15 hrs Hateel 10:50 hrs Restive Spirit 11:25 hrs On The Warpath 12:00 hrs Bacacrat 12:30 hrs Zamjar

Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 12:50 hrs Usra 13:20 hrs Blastofmagic 13:50 hrs Artic Sofia 14:25 hrs Proud And Elated 15:00 hrs Full Disclosure 16:00 hrs Cracking Name

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 28, 2018

John looking to overcome fitness woes at GCF Seniors this weekend DESPITE the lack of preparation time which has led to fitness worries, Team Coco’s cyclist Jamual John will be giving it his all at this Sunday’s Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) National Senior Road Race. Since his breakout year (2016) in the senior category, John has consistently placed in the top tier of Guyanese cyclists despite not being able to race overseas for prolonged periods, an experience which helps propel cyclists even further. However, John will not let that daunt his spirits as he prepares to take on the likes of reigning National Champion, Raynauth Jeffrey and longtime rival, Paul DeNobrega, in addition to young blood, Curtis Dey. A combination of grit

and the will to win is what John says keep him at the top and come Sunday, he is determined to give it his all as he bids to become the new champion of Guyana’s roadways. Last weekend saw last year’s winners in the Veterans, Over-50, Ladies, Juniors and Juveniles successfully retaining their titles. Claire Fraser-Green was again unbeatable, winning her sixth successive National Road Race championship. Fraser-Green covered the 52 mile (83.69km) distance in two hours, 46 Minutes and 14 seconds (2:46:14), almost 35 minutes ahead of 2nd and 3rd placed finishers, Shenika Teixeira (Trojan Cycle Club) and Abigail Jeffrey (Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club) who were

both timed at 3:20:21. The Juveniles and Masters Over-50 covered the same distance as the Ladies, with the latter division being won again by Andy Spencer of Team Evolution in 2:26:17 with Shameer Baksh of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club taking the runner-up spot. David Hicks, another United We Stand Cycle Club member, dominated his Juvenile peers to defend his title successfully in a time of 2:29:10. Trojan CC’s Jonathan Ramsuchit had to settle for the 2nd place once again with teammate, Steve Bhinson, 3rd. Meanwhile, Briton John maintained his status as the best junior cyclist by staving off the challenge of his rivals to win back to back titles and the double; having

GBA’s Ninvalle to attend AIBA Executive meeting in Abu Dhabi

Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President, Steve Ninvalle

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), Steve Ninvalle, is scheduled to depart the ‘Land of Many Waters’ in a week’s time to attend an International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee (EC) meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The meeting, which was first set for Baku, Azerbaijan, was subsequently

shifted to the new venue two weeks ago. The EC meeting will be held from July 11 to 14 and is expected to be the last gathering of the current EC before elections, slated for Moscow, Russia, in early October. AIBA has 203 affiliated countries with over 9000 boxers and 5000 officials, but has endured a ‘topsy turvy’ period recently after the resignation of Taiwan-

ese, Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, last October. Since then the body has been run by two interim presidents, with the incumbent, Gafur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan being accused by the USA of having ties to drug trade. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since threatened to remove boxing from the 2020 Olympics if the body (AIBA) does not reform.

Raynauth Jeffrey is the defending GCF National Road Race Champion.

won the Individual Time Trials last Saturday. Warren ‘Forty’ McKay once again ruled the Veterans (U-50) category and was followed to the line by Nigel London (Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club) and Mark Spencer, in that order. This Sunday, the Senior cyclists will pedal off at 07:30hrs from the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue and follow the same route (Homestretch to Timehri, back to Soesdyke Junction and head up the Linden/Soesdyke Highway) as the juniors and masters. They will, however, proceed to Moblissa on the Linden Soesdyke Highway before returning to the starting line for the finish, a distance of 110 miles.

FIFA World Cup 2018 Fixtures for June 28 MATCHES

TIME

STADIUM

Japan vs. Poland

10 a.m. ET

Volgograd

Senegal vs. Colombia 10 a.m. ET

Samara

England vs. Belgium

2 p.m. ET

Kaliningrad

Panama vs. Tunisia

2 p.m. ET

Saransk

Auf Wiedersehen Germany! See 3 2 a P ge

John looking to overcome fitness woes at GCF Seniors this weekend

Mats Hummels of Germany reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Korea Republic and Germany at Kazan Arena on June 27, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Reinaldo Coddou H./Getty Images)

Kirani James (L) and Daniel Williams

See Page 25

See Page 27

Jamual John will be ‘gunning’ for the title on Sunday despite fitness concerns.

Daniel Williams looking forward to challenging Kirani James at AP Invitational

... eyes 400M IAAF World U-20 Championships qualification

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THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018