Chronicle 06 04 2016

FIVE CHARGED ...for allegedly killing fisherman No. 104572

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016

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The five suspected pirates charged with the murder of fisherman Hemchand Sukdeo.

From L-R: Ramesh Singh, Ganesh Naidoo, Leon Sammy, Stephan Leacock and Ramchand Latchman

Elderly man drowns after collecting pension 13 P.

Reporters shot NCN didn’t at while chasing bill PPP for ‌another bandit robbed, beaten political ads Forensic audit

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Reporters shot at while chasing bandit

…another robbed, beaten IT was chaos in the city on Friday afternoon when two journalists decided to chase a gunman who had just robbed a United States (US) based Guyanese man in the vicinity of the St. George’s Cathedral.

The journalists who were involved in the high-speed chase have been identified as Kurt Campbell and Iva Wharton. They were shot at

by the gunman, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the two media operatives decided to pursue the yellow get-away taxi with licence plate number HC3085 after witnessing the robbery.

Campbell told this newspaper that he observed the armed man clad in a grey t shirt, blue pants and orange

cap had attacked a man, who later identified himself as Steve Smith. Smith is a Guyanese citizen, who is visiting from the United States.

This newspaper understands that he had just left a city bank and was walking along Carmichael Street when the armed man pounced on him. Smith put up a fight, but was overpowered by the bandit, who managed to escape with $90,000.

According to Campbell, he and Wharton were driving in the vicinity at the time and decided to pursue the vehicle. Campbell recalled that they drove through sev-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

eral traffic lights in order to stay close behind the speeding car and immediately made contact with ‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken, who alerted police patrols.

But things took a turn for the worse when the armed man, who was at this time wearing a mask, exited the car at Crown and Oronoque Streets and opened fire on the vehicle the journalists were driving. However, the journalists did not stop and continued to trail the men when a police patrol subsequently arrived and took over the chase. Both Campbell and Wharton were commended for their bravery by Commander Hicken.

Meanwhile, another reporter, Leroy Smith, who is

Steve Smith shortly after he was robbed

attached to the Newsroom, was pursuing a stabbing incident at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara Friday morning when he was reportedly

beaten and robbed.

Smith, in a Facebook post, revealed that he was robbed of his cash, cellphone and camera.

Renaming of Act, Indigenous rights among list of amendments for Amerindian Act ‒ to be presented to Cabinet soon

By Ravin Singh AMONG the list of recommendations made for amendments to the Amerindian Act are renaming the Act and the rights of Indigenous peoples when they come into contact with economic activities such as mining.

This was revealed by Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministerial Advisor Mervyn Williams, who told this newspaper that these two recommendations, along with others which were drawn from Indigenous groups, agencies and villages across Guyana, are expected to be presented to Cabinet shortly.

He noted that since the “so-called consultations” that lead to the passage of the Amerindian Act 2006, strong views outlining the inadequacies of the existing Act have been voiced.

Having this view also, was the then Opposition who committed in the runup to general elections to ensuring that appropriate attention was paid to the existing legislative framework.

This was intended to be done

Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministerial Advisor Mervyn Williams

with a view to ensuring that it was amended to guarantee the protection of rights of Indigenous peoples. And these amendments, he said, could not be achieved without broad-based consultations which the government has embarked on since its assumption of executive office last year.

Commenting on the lengthiness of such an undertaking, Williams noted that the consultation is a process and not an event. He then examined the genesis of the recommendations made, not-

ing that at the first meeting of the Executive Council of the National Toshaos Council, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock,had challenged the council to consult and to present recommendations for amendments to the act. The minister further encouraged them to provide these recommendations with specific reference to what needs to be achieved by these amendments.

He outlined these recommendations, highlighting that the first one is the renaming of the Act from the Amerindian Act, to the Indigenous People’s Act. The second issue which the ministry will seek to amend had to do with the rights of Indigenous peoples, in the context of waterways flowing through their private lands. Williams explained that the Act does not empower Indigenous peoples to have a say in how these waterways are used, regardless of the impact of them on their villages and their lives.

“For instance, if there is waterway at point A and Continued on page 3 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Five charged for allegedly killing fisherman

By Nafeeza Yahya

FIVE men appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with the murder of fisherman, Hemchand Sukdeo.

They are 19-year-old Stephan Leacock of Lot 366 #77 Village; 23-year-old Ramchan Latchman, of #65 Village; Leon Sammy, 29, of Lot

1 #75 Village; Ganesh Naidoo, 41 of #79 Village and Ramesh Singh, 53 of Liverpool Village, all on the Corentyne Coast.

The alleged pirates were unrepresented and were not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder; they were remanded to prison and will make their second court appearance on July 6.

It is alleged that on May 28, the five men attacked three

fishing vessels in the Lower Shell Area off Nickerie, Suriname. In the aftermath of the attack, 45-year- old Hemchand Sukdeo, known as “Dread” of #55 Village, was discovered in a seine with wounds to the head.

Police, acting on information received from the captain of one of the hijacked boats Seepersaud Persaud of Corriverton, were able to detain a

boat matching the description of the one used during the attack, and the five men were on board at the time. It is also alleged that one of the men confessed to the act during interrogation.

It is alleged that Latchman, who is a father of two, was captain of the vessel at the time of the attack and is also believed to be the mastermind.

During an interview with

Dead: Hemchand Sukdeo

this newspaper, Latchman’s wife broke down in tears and related that she does not believe the men committed the

act, since she feels they are incapable of being so barbaric.

Meanwhile, the search for three fishermen continues, with little hope of finding them alive. Based on reports received, the pirates were armed with cutlasses when they carried out the attack. The captain was rescued by another vessel after swimming for almost three hours.

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is expected to meet with family members of the victims of the pirate attack as well as fishermen to listen to concerns as they relate to safety at sea.

FIU Director identified ‒ appointment awaits confirmation in National Assembly ATTORNEY General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, has confirmed that a Director has been identified for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). He refused to provide a name, but said a name will be provided when the nomination is brought before the National Assembly at its next sitting.

With the contract for the Director of the FIU having expired last December, and with the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) having refused to assume their seats in both the National Assembly and the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, the sourcing of a new Director was stalled.

“A new Director has al-

ready been identified, and will be voted on at the next sitting of the National Assembly,” the AG told reporters at a press conference held on Friday at his Carmichael Street chambers.

He said this development proves that the David Granger Administration has made strides which have “brought Guyana to the position where it can exit both the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regimes.”

CFATF has informed Guyana, through this country’s Tenth Follow-Up Report from earlier this month, that “Guyana has significantly improved its overall level of compliance and, most

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams

importantly, Guyana has duly addressed the core and key recommendations,” the minister revealed. However,

Renaming of Act, Indigenous... there is a waterway running through it, there are two bits of title documents that the village will get. They will receive one for the eastern bank and another for the western bank. The river essentially remains state property and miners are given permission to do river mining,” he said.

But although this economic activity benefits Guyana through the extraction of natural resources, the ministerial advisor highlighted that there are consequences which accompany those activities.

And those consequences, he added, cannot be averted under any legislative provision at the moment, since Indigenous peoples have no legal authority over the rivers and its uses.

With this existing situation, he disclosed that environmental and mining considerations have to find themselves within the reworked legislation, to allow for the expression of the voice and protection of rights of Indigenous peoples.

“Any amendment made has to find a balance between economic activities and rights of the people,” Williams said.

The third possible amendment, he revealed, has to do with what is considered to be a subjective provision in the Act; this involves the issuing of mining permits by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Williams explained that there is a provision in the Act

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that states that GGMC has to satisfy itself that the impact of mining in a river is not going to be harmful to the environment. However, he noted that scores of Indigenous peoples from across Guyana have made representation to the ministry, protesting the arbitrary and subjective nature of this provision.

“This is because a mining officer might conclude that the mining operation is not harmful to the environment, but that might be the only source of food for a village” he said, referencing the village of Paurima in Region Seven as an example.

In this village, he said, the people hardly rely on wild meat, and depend heavily on fish. This underscores

Guyana must still satisfy the criterion of applying to exit the follow-up process, which must first be completed in keeping with the FATF/ ICRG [International Co-operation Review Group] process.

The AG also reported Guyana being given a “clean bill of health” by the Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG) as of May, 2016, owing to the amendments Guyana made to the requisite Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation.

When this administration came to office, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) had been comprised of a director which could be removed by the President, and operated as the importance of the river to them. He questioned that if the river were to become polluted from mining activities, where would the villagers be likely to source fish from.

“If the life of a village relies on drinking water from a river and sediments are stirred up there all day due to mining activities, what will the villagers drink?” the advisor questioned rhetorically.

As such, he deemed these considerations to be of great importance to not only the Indigenous peoples, but to the development of Guyana, given the broader implications.

“So there has to be a wider consultation process that speaks to a wider national interest, with more telling adjustments to benefit the both the indigenous peoples and the country” he said.

the sole authority on the Unit.

Changes to that arrangement by this Administration, according to the Attorney General, saw the Unit being upgraded with a deputy director, attorney-at-law, and an accountant who also enjoy tenure of post subject to this administration’s amendments.

The appointment of these four officers, via changes to Section 5 of the AML/CFT Amendment Act 2015 and Section 8 of the AML/CFT Act 2009, was amended to a simple majority in the Na-

tional Assembly, and their removal followed a similar process.

Further amendments to Section 9 of the AML/CFT Act 2009 saw these four officers comprising a Committee of Management along with other managers of the FIU. While the director has been named, according to the AG’s statement, “interviews of the applicants for deputy director have also been concluded, and the process continues for the attorney-at-law and accountant.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 4, 2016

Forensic audit

NCN didn’t bill PPP for political ads

By Alva Solomon

THE National Communications Network (NCN) did not invoice the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for advertisements carried in 2011 and 2015, which amounted to more than $22M. This is according to the findings of a forensic audit of NCN which was undertaken for the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015.

Undertaken by accounting firm Parmesar, the audit indicated that, in 2011, the PPP was not invoiced for the sum of $18,204,750, representing advertisements carried on both radio and television. Of that sum, almost $13M was recorded as the amount covered for public service announcements (PSAs).

“NCN could not present a documented policy on PSAs. However, we understand that political advertisements are not approved as PSAs,” the auditing firm noted.

The auditors reported that the PPP was not in-

voiced for advertisements carried in 2015, representing a sum of $3,708,200 for both radio and television advertisements. In that instance, an expense of more than $2M was incurred by the Party for radio advertisements.

The auditing firm also reported that the then opposition APNU+AFC was not invoiced for ads totalling $20,000 in 2015, while the APNU was not invoiced for ads totalling $45,000 in 2011.

In other eyebrow–raising matters, the firm noted that NCN incurred legal fees to recover debts from defaulting customers through the courts. In

two instances involving Hits & Jams Entertainment ($7,913,193) and the Kashif & Shangai football group ($2,046,703), the court ruled in favour of NCN. However, the Board

Faizal Jaffarally, former PPP Parliamentarian and former NCN Berbice Manager

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Assembly of Prayer, a Canada-based organisation which entered into arrangement with NCN Berbice Branch in September 2012 to purchase airtime to air Christian-based programmes.

According to the report, the Assembly of Prayer was invoiced, and the money -- $591,600 -was paid into Gajraj’s personal bank account. It was reported that NCN issued official invoices and received payments of $417,600. The firm stated that the church group was defrauded of $174,000.

Trump denounces California rally protesters as thugs

(Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump denounced protesters in California as thugs on Friday after another demonstration outside a political rally of his turned violent in the days before the state’s presidential primary.

Demonstrators fought and threw punches on Thursday evening in the street outside the San Jose Convention Center,according to videos posted on Twitter and online by local and national

DATE: 18/05/2016

of Directors of the television entity, at a meeting held on March 10, 2015, decided not to enforce the judgment, and failed to recover the debts. According to the audit report, for the two matters, NCN incurred legal fees in excess of $1.2M. In Berbice, the auditing firm recommended that legal action be considered against Faizal Jaffarally, former PPP Parliamentarian and former NCN Berbice Manager; and Tishti Gajraj, a former Administrative/Accounts Clerk at NCN Berbice, to recover the amounts overcharged to

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media. Hundreds of protesters waved Mexican flags, chanted anti-Trump slogans and burned Trump hats and at least one U.S. flag.

Speaking before a packed crowd in the northern California city of Redding on Friday, Trump described the previous night’s rally as “a love fest inside. No problems whatsoever.” Then his supporters “walked out and they got accosted by a bunch of thugs,” he said.

Protesters, many angry over Trump’s rhetoric

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against illegal immigration, have gathered at Trump rallies for months. Trump, now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for the Nov. 8 election, canceled a rally in Chicago in March after clashes broke out between his supporters and protesters.

San Jose Police Department reported 300 to 400 protesters had gathered outside the Trump rally on Thursday, where police formed lines to protect atten-

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dants exiting the rally.

Much of the violence occurred beyond police lines on nearby streets and at a parking garage, a Reuters photographer said.

One sergeant suffered minor injuries after a protester struck him with a metal object. Police reported four arrests.

Over 250 officers staffed the “all-hands on deck event,” said San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia.

“In hindsight, we’d say that wasn’t enough,” said Garcia. For future events of that scope, “we would need more officers with an absolute, number one goal of keeping both parties separate as much as we can.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Argentina mulling possible Venezuela censure in OAS, Mercosur

(Reuters)-ARGENTINA is studying whether to back moves at the Organization of American States and the Mercosur trade group to censure Venezuela and block it from leadership positions in response to allegations the socialist government is behaving undemocratically, the Argentine government said Friday.

OAS head Luis Almagro, who has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of sidelining his country’s opposition-led congress and

stuffing the supreme court with loyalists, has requested an emergency meeting to discuss a possible censure of the country.

If OAS members agree that Venezuela is violating basic democratic principles laid out in the group’s charter, it could pave the way for a vote that may suspend it from the regional diplomatic body. Meanwhile, a senior Brazilian official said on Thursday Brazil may help block Venezuela from taking the rotating presidency of Mercosur in a bid to prevent

Maduro from strengthening his power.

Argentina has not changed its position on Maduro’s government, Argentine cabinet head Marcos Pena told reporters, after activists accused Argentina of withdrawing its support for the Venezuelan opposition, and does not rule out supporting a censure.

“For both the charters in Mercosur and the OAS, we absolutely have not ruled it out,” Pena said. “We think at this time the best regional contribution is to promote a

(Jamaica Observer) - WITH two pregnant women among the confirmed local Zika virus (ZIKV) cases, the Ministry of Health is putting more emphasis on expectant mothers and their partners as it intensifies activities to fight the mosquito-borne infection.

Calling it the second phase of its response, the ministry has allocated $100 million to ramp up activities.

The first phase, dubbed ‘Operation: Mosquito Search and Destroy’, focused on cleaning up surroundings to reduce mosquito breeding sites and the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito — the vector that transmits the viruses that cause dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

Speaking at a press conference to provide an update on the ZIKV outbreak, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton disclosed that Jamaica now has 16 confirmed cases of the virus, including the two pregnant women.

In fact, the 16 cases could easily jump to more than 20, as six preliminary positive results are now undergoing a second round of testing at the University Hospital of the West Indies for confirmation.

“As you know, the unborn child is at high risk of developing microcephaly once the woman has been infected with Zika virus while pregnant,” Dr Tufton said.

“As part of the second phase of our activities we will be placing more emphasis on pregnant women, their partners and those who develop severe diseases such as Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS),

while we continue to engage the population and stress the importance of taking personal responsibility.”

GBS and microcephaly are the two main possible outcomes of Zika that have concerned the global health community.

In fact, even before Jamaica confirmed its first case of the virus on January 29 this year, the Ministry of Health issued an advisory urging women to delay pregnancy because of the link between Zika and microcephaly, a condition in which an infected infant’s head is smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex.

Based on what is known about the link between the two, the risk of microcephaly is highest in the first to second trimester. The Ministry of Health told the Jamaica Observer that the two pregnant women are now in the second trimester.

“As it relates to the pregnant women, we only discovered the first case of Zika back in January, fast-forward nine months to the cycle of pregnancy and the reality is, we will begin, I think, to discover or otherwise, cases in September thereabout,” Dr Tufton said. “...We believe that come September and beyond, the risk of seeing some of those cases will increase.”

The health minister said so far, there has been no confirmed case of microcephaly or GBS linked to ZIKV in Jamaica. He said all 16 people affected by ZIKV have “fully recovered”. Dr Tufton said, too, that the pregnant women are being “continuously monitored”.

In intensifying its response

to the Zika fight, the ministry will continue to monitor pregnant women at the community level throughout their pregnancies, including providing them with educational support, Dr Tufton said. And, with an estimated 40,000 women becoming pregnant each year, he said the ministry will provide bed nets for every pregnant woman who visits State-run antenatal clinics over the next six months. So far, the ministry has secured 20,000 of those bed nets.

Meanwhile, the ministry will be employing 1,000 workers, initially for three months, to support the public health team in engaging islandwide vector control and public education activities.

Dr Tufton said there will also be heightened houseto-house surveillance, islandwide education sessions through community groups, and vector control activities through fogging and larvicial activities.

The Ministry of Health will also be working closely with health-care providers, the ministries of education and local government, members of parliament, other Government agencies, and will continue to work with international partners.

Additionally, the ministry will distribute 50,000 covers for 45- to 55-gallon drums to high-risk communities.

Dr Tufton also encouraged householders to treat water collected in these drums once per week with three drops of cooking oil, which will form a film over the water to kill mosquito larvae. He also said the ministry is looking to put fish into tanks.

Jamaica pumps $100M into battle against ZIKA

path of dialogue.”

Argentina’s new center-right president Mauricio Macri had supported invoking the democratic charter before Venezuela’s December legislative elections, where the opposition won a two-thirds majority and took control of the National Assembly, Pena said.

“There has not been any

change in Argentina’s policy on this topic.” Application of the charter carries risk, Pena added.

“The democratic charter isn’t a solution to any problem. The Venezuelan government could also use whichever of these mechanisms as a way of shielding itself against external interference,” he said.

Argentina’s foreign min-

ister has also called for dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, saying solutions to the country’s polarization could not be imported.

A week after taking office in December, Macri called for Mercosur members to support the release of Venezuelan political prisoners.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Go back to the basics

THE national events celebrating the nation’s fiftieth year of political independence are over. Guyana has come a distance from the pre-independence era, but still has a distance to go. Noted areas of improvement in the nation and people’s development are indigenous laws, institutions, and the forging of a united ethos built on indigenous identity and lived experiences. These have not, and will not, be easy, based on historical experiences, including mistrust and stereotypes held notably between and among racial groups and classes.

Guyana is not unique in the stated challenges, given that such occur in heterogeneous societies. These challenges pose problems when any aspect of diversity is used to practise or justify marginalisation and discrimination, rather than treat with it as opportunities to respect, learn, and benefit from each other. Societies that recognise diversity can be mishandled and are desirous of forging a united polity would not only put systems in place to achieve same, but would work assiduously to do so. To some extent, while the needle has moved here in legislating equality and respect for diversity, much work remains to be done to make the daily experiences inclusive and empowering.

It portends that there is need to return to the basics, acknowledge the many facets of diversity -- such as race, which remains a divisive issue -- and critically review perceptions and acts of exclusion that can hinder the ideal of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” which established the nation-state in 1966. Frank, honest and open conversations on race, though good and important, must translate to meaningful actions at nation-building. Doing this requires a multiplicity of approaches, inclusive of data gathering to prove efforts in this regard are working, diversity in representation on national issues and in events. The latter can, in some instances, see events being taken to the people in their respective communities.

There is no intent to belabour the multiple views pertaining to the jubilee activities, and concerns expressed that such fell short in representing the diversity in the society.

Suffice to say that where the main events were held in Georgetown, whose population is dominated by one ethnic group, it was a foregone conclusion that this group will be well represented, but on a national scale would be seen as being over-represented. The flag raising seating-accommodation controversy did not help in this regard.

In planning, diversity and inclusion could have been factored in, and ways sought to address them via multicultural presentations, providing or coordinating transportation for those in the outlining areas who wanted to attend events but were constrained by this factor. There was a time

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 4, 2016

Merriman Mall being mismanaged Dear Editor, THE Merriman Mall, once a nice open space in Georgetown, has now become a cluttered, chaotic and jumbled place, with just about everything going on there.

At first, when the Council prepared a section of the mall as a play area for children, most citizens were satisfied at this development, but the Council doesn’t seem to know when to stop, and went on building a presidential park, a petting zoo, and an area that resembles horse stables -which turned out to be permanent stalls for the rural kitchen gardeners who occupy them on weekends.

But the biggest travesty of all is the placement of roadside cosmetologists under little, open tents right next to a restaurant by the name of ‘Jerk Hut’. How could the City Council, which is responsible for the public health of the city, be so reckless?

Are they not the ones responsible for licensing this restaurant and ensuring that good food handling practices are maintained? Are they not also responsible for licensing the hairdressers, barbers and cosmetologists, and ensuring that good hygiene and public health practices are maintained?

So how could they place individuals responsible for providing personal care -- such as hair, nails, or makeup -- in the open air and near to a restaurant?

In most countries, performing skincare services would require an esthetician’s licence, while providing manicure and other nail services would require a nail technician’s licence. Have the persons operating these trades on the Mall been granted the appropriate licences? Have they been trained to prevent transference of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and other diseases?

To protect the public’s health in Georgetown, these aestheticians must be made familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, sanitation and infection control procedures, and skin histology and the integumentary system before being allowed to offer their services; and they certainly cannot operate on the open mall, where nail clippings, shaven hair, cotton pads and balls and soiled astringent cloths will be blowing all over the place.

with an adequate supply of hot and cold running water, and proper plumbing.

• Each cosmetology establishment shall have adequate lighting at all workstations • Walls, floors, and fixtures must be kept clean and in good repair at all times.

• The area must be made free of hair and other debris after each client has been attended to • Pedicure chairs, foot spas, and manicure tables must be cleaned and disinfected between use

• Solid waste must be stored and collected so as to avoid health hazards, rodent harborages, insect breeding areas, and accidents • Every cosmetologist must wash hands with soap and water immediately before serving a client.

What are the new Mayor and City Councillors doing about this violation of the city’s rules?

Sincerely, RILEY MATTHEWS

Long lines for pension rectified Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to the publication, in your June 2, 2016 issue, of a letter captioned “Pensioners wait for hours for money outside Blairmont (Rosignol) Post Office.”

The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) wishes to apologise to the pensioners for any inconvenience caused.

The aforementioned delay transpired on the first day of pension distribution, but was subsequently rectified.

Can the cosmetologists on the mall meet the requirements listed below?

Notwithstanding the forgoing, staff members of the Rosignol Post Office remain committed to serving the public.

Yours faithfully,

• Each cosmetology establishment must be equipped

TELESHA WHYTE Public Relations Officer Guyana Post Office Corporation

in independent Guyana when these were priority considerations when planning events of such nature.

In the outlying regions where there were flag raising ceremonies, diverse representation would have been more visible, but some factors cannot be ignored.

This nation has historical experiences of one group actively participating in national events, which is also eclipsed by partisan politics wherein to participate is considered as giving legitimacy to the incumbent government, or is seen as being supportive of the group that forms the government.

These are aspects of Guyana’s history, and efforts have to be made to advance a new way of thinking and behaviour.

That being said, the other issue attracting conversation is that of protocol. There is no denying that this country has, within recent times, slipped badly on social grace. It doesn’t make it acceptable to remain at this level, or settle for mediocrity when better -– it is known -- can be, and was, done in the past. Formal events are not picnics; as such, they should be conducted with befitting decorum in every sphere.

An invitation to formal events does not only require formal attire and attendance. Hosting of the event bears with it a menu of measures, such as ambience, décor, speech, entertainment, appropriate seating accommodation and placement of special invitees, formal silverware, plates and

glasses consistent with the menu, and professional servers.

All these communicate a language and send a message as to identity and character, right down to proper table setting and appropriate tableware.

There was a time in this society when protocol was treated with great seriousness, and state and government officials were exposed to such training. The presidential and prime ministerial guard pools in the post-impendence era had exposure to training by the Carnegie School of Home Economics, right down to how to hold a glass and silverware, which to use for what beverage or meal course, and the proper way to use a toothpick.

Evidently such standard was not only seen as befitting the political leadership and senior functionaries, but also their entourage, who were representations of them, their portfolios, and the country.

Observing protocol requires knowledge, practice and acceptance that there is a time and place for everything.

More importantly, national and state events are usually seen as showcasing the people and nation, and it is reasonable to expect that at all times the best foot and efforts would be put forward. Going forward, events and experiences of the past -- appropriate and in-appropriate -- ought to serve as teachable moments and lessons on what to incorporate and what to reject.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Was the Court Marshal present when this illegality occurred?

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is hereby made to the above caption as it relates to a female individual who, in the company of three persons, consisting of two males and another female, went to 72 Brummel Place, Stabroek on 09/05/16. The reason for their visit was to contact me to deliver a parcel sent from overseas by one of my brothers.

How foolish of the female to convey such a message to the resident. Since the previous day, I was in contact with one of my brothers by telephone, and prior to that it was via email to two of them. So, in actuality, if a parcel was being

sent, my name and contact number would have been affixed. But in the haste to have the petition delivered for a divorce, the young lady whose residence they went at was lied to. Nevertheless, out of generosity, she called my mobile and gave the individual her phone to speak. Lest I forget to mention, this is the hallmark of a so-called Christian who worships at a popular Christian Ministry.

By the way, are Christian values being preached/taught there, where a church member is going down the road of wickedness, lies and deceit? However, the individual didn’t cater for the camera affixed to the Central Baptist Church in the south-eastern

Is there something the recent to hide? --in British offer Dear Editor,

I NOTE that the British have renewed their confidence in Guyana, according to an article published in the Kaieteur News of June 1, 2016. In that article, the writer mentioned that British High Commissioner James Quinn and visiting British MP Mr James Duddridge expressed the renewed renewed willingness of the British to help the Caribbean. MP Duddridge even reminded that this willingness to be nice was piloted by Prime Minister David Cameron when he visited Jamaica last year.

Now, every rational being in the Caribbean knows that Cameron made that visit to Jamaica in an attempt to foil the Reparations quest of the Caribbean People. To date, it is the African and Indigenous peoples who have made known their intentions, but it is well known that East Indians are considering a similar move, which cause has been strengthened by the statements on reparations made by Prime Minister Modi of India.

The Jamaican people saw that British shallow attempt of presenting David Cameron to them as a spin doctor, and rebuffed it in every which way. However, the British seem to have caught some of our leaders in a SALA

WALA; and low and behold, Guyana is going to get a grant of 52 million pounds sterling.

There are many ways to kill a cat; however, my knowledge of the British is that they are very inflexible when dealing with the NATIVES. Since the David Cameron complete offer was clearly an attempt to rid us of thinking reparations, then any part of it would also carry that goal. Thus I am wondering if our leaders are hiding something from us about this newly found British willingness to be nice to Guyana!

Yours truly, ELTON MCRAE

corner, or the recording of the telephone conversation

by GT&T. Was the Court Marshal an occupant of the vehicle wherein was the impersonation of a Suppligen personnel in pursuit of conducting an interview and video shoot?

My, oh my! In dragging the name of Beepat’s, the local distributing agent, into the gutter, it surely leaves much to be desired.

By a copy of this letter, the management of Beepat’s will be duly informed, in pursuit of any legal action they may wish to take against the petitioner. Editor, little does she know, or maybe she can’t recall, my previous association with football administration, which spanned a period

of 28 years (1982-2010).

Between the years of 2008-2010, I was the Asst.

Secretary/Treasurer of the GFA, and tournaments sponsored by Beepat’s under the brands of Milo and Suppligen at the junior level were part of the Association’s Annual Calendar of Activities.

Further, on a few occasions, I had appeared on the Suppligen Sports Desk programme with host Mark Younge. So, in essence I can’t be fooled that easily with the product of Suppligen.

Finally, even before the petitioner’s attorney-at-law had dreamt of pursuing studies in the legal field, within football administration, I was exposed to, and interact-

ed with, whom many would consider a legal luminary, none other than Justice Loris Ganpatsingh, a former Chairman of the then Guyana Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee.

Additionally, one of my late brothers, formerly a Canadian citizen, had purchased for me “Roberts Rules of Law”, which have been adapted

by FIFA, IOC and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations, with Guyana being a signatory. As a consequence, I am well aware of the role and function of a Court Marshal, contrary to what was posted on Facebook by an attorney who, nevertheless, in the realm of unprofessionalism, quoted Stabroek News’ publication

without perusing the daily Chronicle for my letter. This was maybe done due to political affiliation. How sad!

Also, I am aware how reports are presented, and it’s sadder for a petition to have erroneous and misleading information.

Justice Loris Ganpatsingh would have surely highlighted all the inconsistencies, including typographical errors, and resend the document (petition). Is this applicable now? “The day when passion is accepted as a mark of womanhood, it will make the beginning of the end of feminity” Sai Baba.

they do they are being recorded.

The standard recording for most dvr is 24 frames per second (fps).

That is like taking 24 four photos in a second and playing it back, thus you get the videos; and depend on the setting of the dvr, you could record 30 fps, which is a far better quality. And when replaying, there are video editing programs available that could be used to scrutinize the videos properly, to get the best images.

Editor, there are many places that you could go to get different types of security systems to purchase, but the real shocker is when you query the prices.

Believe it or not, these people are increasing the value of a security system by four times, and those installing it are charging a tremendous amount to install; and when you look at the way they install the system, you start to wonder what is the purpose

for the cameras, because you could know that they wouldn’t get proper footage.

If this Government is serious about fighting crimes, its executives should get a mechanism in place to let citizens get security cameras at affordable rates, because the prices are jacked up tremendously. If almost everyone could install a security system, it would enhance the fight against crime greatly.

Take the recent crime committed against the M&M snackette. The robbers had on face masks to prevent people from identifying them, but I don’t believe they would walk from

their homes with their faces blocked to commit a crime, and if they do that they would draw attention to themselves.

I’m quite sure the police will be looking at nearby houses which have security cameras to see if they have footage of the criminals passing before/after they had committed the crime.

In order to help fight crime, let security systems be more easily obtainable, so that many people could get cameras and people could help one another.

Respectfully yours, NAME WITHHELD

CCTV cameras and crime fight Dear Editor,

OUR crime situation continues to haunt us, and many people are investing heavily to protect their properties and lives, or somewhat capture/ warn or identify criminals using alarms and security cameras, among other things.

Most people installing CCTV (security) cameras would install them at positions that make it impossible to identify someone, unless the person could be recognised by his/her physical structure; and in many cases, it’s impossible to so identify them.

People should not be fooled by what is shown in the CSI series. That technology is not available as yet to enhance bad footage, so to get a decent image the camera must be very close.

It doesn’t matter if people could touch the cameras, because if

Regards, SAHADEO BATES

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Broomes shuts down Konawaruk operations …urges greater safety for miners

By Svetlana Marshall MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes,has instructed miners in the Konawaruk Backdam to cease operations until safety measures are put in place, even as she made an emotional appeal for them to value their lives by putting

safety first.

Minister Broomes led a technical team from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry of Social Protection on Thursday through a tortuous trail 33 miles from central Mahdia to the notorious Konawaruk Backdam, Region Eight, where 18-year-old Ramal Williams

was killed last Sunday when a mining pit caved in.

Under a makeshift tent, approximately 10 minutes from where the incident occurred, she met with the General Manager (GM) of the Mining Operation, Eldon English, along with other miners, three of whom survived the horrific incident.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes in discussion with the GM Eldon English, who was in charge when the pit caved in killing Ramal Williams in the Konawaruk Backdam

Minister Simona Broomes being led to the pit where 18-year-old Ramal Williams lost his life

The mining pit from which 18-year-old Ramal Williams’s lifeless body was pulled out last Sunday when the sand began to slide

The men, clearly still traumatised, said they were working inside the pit when they realised that the sand began to slide from at the bottom.

English said he was not in the pit at the time but was in close proximity.

“I saw when the wall crack but by the time I get up to tell them, it de done start sliding.

When I look me ain’t see nobody,” he recalled.

English, who hails from the Pomeroon River in Region Two, started working at the operation only three weeks ago on behalf of the owner of the dredge, Keith Dover.

After giving the miners a listening ear, Minister Broomes and team not only offered recommendations based on best practices, but encouraged them to value their lives.

“One of the most painful things to see as a miner -- is to see human beings covered alive. It is a harsh reality….I know you have family, I know you have needs and you came here to get money, but value your life,” Minister Broomes said as she encouraged the miners to place major emphasis

on safety during the execution of their work.

However, she wasted no time in expressing her disappointment in the owner of the dredge operation. According to reports, since the accident occurred, Dover never returned to area.

“Workers let me tell you something, you are very very important and I don’t care, every miner, every dredge-owner will put the safety of workers first and then money,” Minister Broomes said sternly.

“Me being at the Ministry of Natural Resources, I really want to give back to the industry not in a sense of persons getting land or persons making money, but to bring a change in the lives of the people who work in the industry …And this is one of the reasons I am here today, to meet you and hear some of the challenges you face in terms of safety,” she added.

Upon visiting the scene of the accident, Minister Broomes and the GGMC officials concluded that the miners had failed to put sufficient preparations in place. As such, negligence was listed as one of the contributing factors to last Sunday’s tragedy. The miners were instructed not to work the mine until precautionary measures are put in place.

“I think it is complete negligence that caused the accident,” Minister Broomes told the Guyana Chronicle after assessing the situation from the ground.

GGMC’s Occupational Health and Safety Officer Denis Lewis explained that the miners had placed the overburden at the edge of the wall, causing it to become very heavy. “The overburden was too heavy for the face of the wall and that caused an uneven sinking. Because of

the high water table, the land shifted to the lower part and caused a stress and that stress enlarged because of the weight of the overburden,” he further explained.

According to Lewis, the miners should have been “two and a half lengths” away from the wall of the pit. “If the wall is 20 ft, you need to be 50 ft away from the wall, and so they didn’t observe that established safety standard and that caused the accident,” he said.

He said too that the overburden was so close to the wall that they could not have inspected it to see if cracks had occurred.

Lewis was accompanied

by GGMC’s Engineer Ruddy McDonald and a Mines Officer, along with other technical persons. The Ministry of Social Protection Department of Labour was represented

by Dexter Semple – a Senior Labour Officer.

In addition to the visit, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman had ordered that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) be launched to fully investigate the matter within 72 hours. A report, which will inform decisions at a policy level, is expected to be completed next week.

On March 14, Konawaruk was the scene of another mining accident which claimed the life of 19-year-old Trenton Sebastian. In April, a CoI into the death of Sebastian revealed that the “absence of controls to make the mineface safe” was a major contributing factor.

Last September, another CoI revealed that 25 deaths were recorded in 16 accidents within a 12-month period – 75 per cent of which were due to the collapse of mining pits.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

CG stalker attacks teen girl at Lowlands …mother urges swift action by police

By Alva Solomon

A LOWLANDS, East Coast Demerara mother is worried about the safety of her teenage daughter who was allegedly assaulted by a man in the community on Monday night.

According to the woman, her daughter was on her way home around 19:00 hrs on Monday when she was attacked. She said the young woman, who completed secondary schooling last year, had just disem-

barked a bus close to the “Hope turn” opposite the Hope Secondary School, when a man approached her, asking for directions.

The man told the young lady that he was looking for someone called “Mark” and even provided a description of the individual.

The victim told the Guyana Chronicle that the man continued to follow her into the dark street even after she indicated to him that she was unaware of who “Mark” was. She said

that after crossing a narrow bridge at the entrance to Lowlands, the man grabbed her and placed his arm around her throat.

The young lady said that she tried to fight off the man. “He vice me and I don’t know what happened after,” she recounted. She said she woke up in a nearby cemetery which runs parallel to the main road on entry to Lowlands. She said that the man bound her hands behind her while he tore a piece of her garment

Man stabbed to death at Plaisance THE usual Thursday night lime at the Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, turned deadly when two men who had an old grievance started to argue during which one was fatally stabbed.

The dead man has been identified as 28-year-old Orette West of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown. The police have reported that West, a bodywork technician, was stabbed to death around 00:30hrs on June 3, 2016, on the Railway Embankment in the vicinity of Plaisance.

Sleuths said West was

in the company of his girlfriend, when an argument ensued between him and an unidentified assailant over a fight they had had some time ago. As a result, the assailant pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed West in the region of the left side of his chest and escaped.

Sister of the deceased, Ginell West, told the Guyana Chronicle that she is not sure what transpired and they are relying on the police for information. She stated that West resides in a house aback their mother’s property at Guyhoc Park and she had not

see him in a while.

West leaves to mourn seven siblings and was described as a very easy-going individual, who had a lot of friends and would often socialise. Meanwhile, Commander of ‘C’ Division, Marlon Chapman, told the Guyana Chronicle that the young woman who was with West at the time of the incident gave a statement and is cooperating with the police.

According to the commander, the hunt is on for the suspect and it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended.

and tied her mouth.

“The place was dark and I tried to call for help,” she said. She recalled that the man spoke to her “as if he know me.”

The young lady added that after sitting on the ground for several minutes, the man told her that he was ready to leave and he left her sitting in the cemetery.

“He walk away and I started running out the cemetery and end up on the Line Top,” she recalled.

She said that after walking the dark Railway Embankment, residents in the area came to her assistance and telephoned her mother around 21:00hrs.

The young lady’s mother said that she immediately took her daughter to the Cove and John Police Station where a report was

made. She said that a detailed description of the man was given to the ranks there and according to her, one of the officers said the assailant is known to the police.

According to the mother, she subsequently took her daughter, who was in a muddied state, to a doctor; the medical report indicated that the young lady was physically but not sexually assaulted. On Tuesday, the teen returned to the Cove and John Police Station where additional information was recorded by the ranks.

“I can’t sleep, because I could have been motherless and that person is still out there,” the distressed mother told this newspaper.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the assailant

was seen in the Lowlands area on several occasions prior to Monday’s incident and according to a police source, the man was once arrested on several allegations of rape.

Reports are that in one instance, a young woman whom the man attacked, left the country out of fear.

Residents said yesterday that the assailant rides a Honda CG motorcycle and he would frequent the village of Victoria, which is located near Lowlands.

However, to date, the police are yet to arrest him, even though he is a known character to law enforcement. As such, the mother wants the Police Force to act swiftly in apprehending him, given that the safety of her daughter is at risk.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Suspect in Guyanese teen’s murder charged in Brooklyn … family breaks down in court

[NY Daily News] - They wanted to see the man who took their daughter away from them.

The grandfather, father and stepmother of 16-yearold Shemel Mercurius showed up at the 67th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn Friday morning to watch cops haul Taariq Stephens — the man accused of killing the beloved teen — to court.

“You see the pictures on the TV ... in articles on your phone,” the teen’s grandfather Harold Mercurius said.

“I just wanted to (see him for myself).”

Mercurius’ father Dexter Mercurius wanted to see if he recognized his daughter’s killer.

“I know this person used to live right in the neighborhood, and I wanted to see if I knew this guy - but honestly, I never knew this guy,” he

said. “My daughter’s 16 and he’s 24. I would like to know

suspect Taariq Stephens, 24, to court.

(MARCUS SANTOS / NEW YROK DAILY NEWS ) why he did this. It’s still hard for me right now.”

A motive for the killing was not immediately disclosed. Stephens said nothing as detectives escorted him to a waiting unmarked squad car.

The 24-year-old, who has more than a dozen arrests under his belt, turned himself in Thursday after his lawyer arranged the surrender with police. He was charged with murder and weapons possession.

Stephens is accused of shooting Mercurius with a submachine gun after forcing his way into her Brooklyn Ave. home Tuesday. The teen was shot in both arms, with one of the bullets punching through her right arm into her chest.

With her dying breath, Shemel Mercurius, 16, gave police her alleged killer’s first name, sources said.

Her father said he was

SHEMEL MERCURIUS thankful for the police who investigated the killing — and that Stephens had enough sense to surrender.

“Thank God for this guy turning himself in,” the dad said. “God will take it from here.”

The grandfather, father and stepmother of 16-yearold Shemel Mercurius ouside the 67th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn. (MARCUS SANTOS /NEW YROK DAILY NEWS )

Over 150 families along Soesdyke-Linden Highway get potable water MORE than 150 families along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway are benefiting from potable water for the first time.

This is after a well was drilled and a water supply system installed in their community.

Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Executive Director for Infrastructure Planning and Implementation, Ramchand Jailal, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that GWI is moving aggressively to serve communities not receiving water.

Jailal explained that GWI is

GWI Executive Director for Infrastructure Planning and Implementation Ramchand Jailal

also in the process of setting up a water-supply system at Silver Hill, another community along the highway.

“That one is presently being tested and works are ongoing and we’re hoping to have that well completed within another two weeks for residents in the area to benefit from potable water supply,” he said.

Drought earlier this year resulted in residents of Silver Hill being without access to water in their community. The residents, including schoolchildren, had to access water from tankers or creeks far away.

“It is expected that when

the new well is drilled, the residents will be relieved from their burdens,”Jailall said, adding that works should be completed within the next two months.

Additionally, works are ongoing in several communities on the East Coast Demerara, including Dazzell Housing Scheme, Lusignan, the railway embankment and President’s College road. GWI is installing additional transmission mains for persons who have no access to water in those communities.

Residents of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, are also to benefit from water supply.

Over $252 million was allocated in the 2015 budget for the provision of improved water-supply systems which will benefit over 8000 hinterland families in Regions One,

Seven and Eight. Additionally, wells will be drilled, new photovoltaic systems will be installed and water-distribution systems will be upgraded.

[GINA]

Water-supply system at Hillfoot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Three Region Five schools crowned ‘Best Kept School’

THREE schools located in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) were crowned the ‘best kept school’ in the region following the assessment of a competition which was spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Emerging victorious were Hope Town Primary School, Number Eight (8) Primary School and Mahaicony Primary School, which gained 175, 165 and 160 marks respectively.

The criteria which were employed to assess the performance of each school included: litter-free environment and cleanliness of school yard and building; awareness posters of a clean environment; ‘Go Green’ flora project initiatives; cleanliness of classrooms and staff furniture; and the cleanliness of the uniforms of teachers and pupils. 40 marks were awarded for each category, which brought the total to 200 marks.

Presentations of priz-

Teachers and pupils from the three schools that won the ‘Best Kept School’ competition pose with their prizes which were handed over by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (centre) es, which included a new computer for the first-place winner, were made during a National Youth Environmental forum which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Friday. The prizes were handed over to the Head-teachers and pupils of each of the schools by Min-

ister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

Environmental Awareness Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Latchmin Punalall, explained that the competition was held as a component of the ministry’s “A Clean Environment” project, which is currently in

its execution phase.

She noted that the bestkept school initiative is a pilot project, which was launched in Region 5 on March 12 of this year, and will be replicated in the other regions since it has registered success.

She was disappointed at

the fact that no Secondary School had made the top three, as she emphasised that students in the upper levels of the formal school system ought to lead by example.

She did not discredit the fact however, that those at the primary level had worked tirelessly to ensure that their

school registered its name among the top performing schools in the region.

Further, she urged students who were present to adopt the approach of ensuring the environment around them is kept clean, not only in schools, but wherever they dwell.

attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The 12-year-old, who is the resident of a home for victims of Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP), is in the last stages of her pregnancy and is preparing to give birth.

President of the organisation, Urica Primus, said communication between the organisation and the mother of the 13-year-old resulted in the GWMO transporting the woman to Georgetown to be reunited with her daughter and meet her six-month-old granddaughter.

Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann

Greene, and the GWMO representatives granted the woman’s request to have daughter and grandchild in her care.

The woman also informed the GWMO President and members that her husband had been chopped by another man since last year and was transported to the city through a medivac operation. The woman said neither she nor her husband had telephone access and as a result, she did not know whether he was alive.

He was later discovered alive at the hostel for indigenous peoples in Georgetown and the GWMO sponsored

a trip back home for the family.

Primus told the Guyana Chronicle that the family was involved in farming, but because of the man’s injuries, one of his hands cannot be used anymore and he is unable to farm again. His wife, who promised to continue farming to maintain her family, said the farm was greatly affected by the dry season and she is now in dire need of plant seeds.

GWMO has made contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, which will donate seeds to the family.

Meanwhile, Primus said the 12-year-old has given a

statement to the police and the Ministry of Social Protection, including the Child Care and Protection Agency and the Trafficking Unit, of her experiences as a victim of TIP. The girl, who was trafficked several times by her father, said it all began earlier last year when her mother fell ill. She was also sexually assaulted by the man.

The same man was accused of brutally raping his wife soon after she gave birth to their last child through a caesarian delivery and dragging her in their yard, leaving her to haemorrhage even as the children watched in hor-

ror, screaming. Public-spirited neighbours intervened and arranged transportation to take the woman to the Port Kaituma Hospital. She died on the way.

The girl had also complained that her 10-year-old sister had similar experiences. After the daughter was rescued, the man went into hiding with the other two children.

After numerous calls by the GWMO, the police were finally able to arrest the man, but one policeman was stabbed to death in the process, and the man was shot in the leg and arrested.

He was later charged.

Rescued Amerindian teen mother back with family

By Shauna Jemmot A REGION One family has been reunited thanks to the intervention of a passionate non-governmental organisation after months of frustration as a result of two separate incidents last year.

The 13-year-old girl had just given birth and was rescued, along with a pregnant 12-year-old by the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), and transported out of the hinterland to Georgetown last year. They were transported out of the North West District to receive emergency medical

12

Woman hospitalised after gun butted to face

By Michel Outridge

A STUDENT of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Natasha Harry, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was reportedly beaten in the face with a gun on Thursday night by her reputed husband who is still on the run.

Police said the woman was not shot in the face as was reported earlier in the media, but beaten with a gun during a domestic row at her Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway home.

Reports said the 31-year-old was hit repeatedly to the face and back by her reputed husband, after which a relative, who

resides at the same address, heard what sounded like a gunshot.

The woman and her partner were at the time embroiled in a heated argument when he began beating her. When relatives checked they found her bleeding from the face on the ground and she was taken to the Diamond Hospital after which she was transferred to GPHC. Her condition is listed as stable.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning Candacy Pitt, 31, was reportedly chopped to death at her place of work, Bygeval Secondary School, near her home, by her jealous husband. Her cousin, also a security guard at the school, was also chopped and remains hospitalised.

According to reports,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Duo remanded after ganja bust at West Coast Berbice TWO men who were apprehended by police following a drug bust on Tuesday afternoon at Washington, West Coast Berbice appeared at Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Friday and were remanded to prison.

According to reports, an alert traffic rank who was on his way to Berbice received some information and spotted a parked car at Washington Public Road, West Coast Berbice and he stopped there. However, one of two men who were standing next to the car ran away and the other threw away the car keys.

The cop managed to open the car doors and a quantity of cannabis sativa (marijuana) was found in tightly sealed packages in the back seat of the vehicle.

The suspect was taken to Weldaad Police Station where the illicit substance was weighed and it amounted to 7,200 grams, police said in a release.

The other suspect who had escaped was later apprehended in the backlands of Washington Village after the traffic rank called for backup and a search was launched.

Class of 1964-66 graduate teachers planning 50th Anniversary reunion

Injured: Natasha Harry

Pitt was the victim of constant abuse at the hands of her husband of 13 years, who often threatened to end her life and that of her family members, who live next door to her Chelsea Park home.

A SPECIAL Teachers Reunion Planning Committee is meeting to share ideas about celebrating the 50th anniversary of the graduation of teachers who were trained during 1964-66.

Graduates of both in-service and pre-service teaching training programmes are invited to participate in activities billed for July 24 to July 30, 2016.

Among the events expected are a Thanksgiving Service, an assembly at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and donations of books and equipment to the college.

Visits to past lecturers, a gala dinner,

a cultural evening and an award ceremony to honour a few graduates are also on the drawing board.

Some overseas-based graduates have already indicated their desire to be present to join their local counterparts for the reunion.

Many of these teachers are now seniors and have moved up to prominent positions in all strata of life, even though in retirement or semi-retirement.

Those interested in the reunion plans are asked to telephone Claudith Thompson on 218-1166, Mickey Anderson on 226-0314/685-4969 or William Langevine of the CPCE.

Pardon them …GHRA supports presidential pardon of female prisoners THE Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has welcomed President David Granger’s decision to grant non-violent female prisoners a presidential pardon, and has recommended that women who are found guilty of crimes should be placed in a ‘halfway house’ where they can undergo rehabilitation to regain their self-esteem.

A statement the GHRA issued on Friday noted that the presidential pardon is recognition that incarceration imposes on women injustices in ways that do not apply to men.

“The GHRA has for many years held the position that rather than prison, the overwhelming number of women found guilty of crimes require a place safe from the men who are complicating their lives. A halfway house approach is needed, where women can undergo forms of rehabilitation to restore self-esteem and learn problem-solving techniques –- solving problems badly being a major cause of why they got into trouble in the first place.”

The association is of the

view that women have no place in prison, since approximately ninety per cent are in prison for three offences: petty theft, drug trafficking, and murder – all of which are related to disordered relationships with men.

“Female drug traffickers carry the can -– so to speak -for the male king-pins, or are charged jointly with men for drugs found in homes; they steal to maintain children neglected by child-fathers, and kill in retaliating against men who are persistently violent. None of these women are a danger to society -– the fundamental reason for incarceration.”

According to the GHRA, a cursory reflection on the general issue of ‘women in prison’ quickly demonstrates that incarceration is generally unnecessary, expensive, unfair, and fruitless.

The association further noted that, in light of the present situation of prisons being overcrowded, presidential pardons on a more regular basis would be a welcome development, particularly given the judicial and magisterial sloth with respect to remand prisoners getting their cases

tried, and the ponderous procedures of the Parole Board.

The GHRA pointed to a recent study -- done by the Australian Centre for Evidence-based Sentencing -- which alluded to the high percentage of women in prison who had suffered from sexual and violent abuse in their childhood.

President Granger has defended his decision to pardon prisoners by noting that the action is not reckless. He said persons who have been involved in crimes of violence, such as manslaughter, will not be eligible for presidential pardon. “…and we are looking at persons who might have been convicted for short periods…,” he explained.

Already, 71 prisoners (male and female) have been granted presidential pardons under the APNU+AFC Administration.

It was explained that those who have been, and will be, pardoned are offenders who had been sentenced for non-violent offences or minor misdemeanours that do not involve trafficking in persons or trafficking in narcotics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Third man charged for Crabwood Creek murder

THE THIRD suspect accused of murdering Corentyne businessman Shameer Ally at his Crabwood Creek home was remanded to prison on Friday.

Twenty-eight-year-old Delroy Fraser, a cane cutter of Line Path, Berbice, was unrepresented when he made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The allegations state that while being in the company of others on October 24, 2015, Fraser murdered Ally, called ‘Kazac.’

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, did not disclose the facts but explained that two other individuals, Dennis Veerasammy and Basheer Harrinauth, had since been charged for the crime and remanded to prison.

Jeffers requested that the matter be transferred to the Springlands Magistrates Court where the trio could be jointly charged with murder.

Third Suspect Delroy Fraser

Dead: Shameer ‘Kazac’Ally

The Magistrate remanded Fraser and transferred the matter to the Springland’s court for June 15.

Ally’s body was discovered by police lying in a pool of blood at his home at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) last October.

At the time, police were investigating a report of threatening language and

damage to property and had gone to Ally’s home. After calling out for Ally for some time without any response, the police officers ventured into the yard and made the discovery.

It was reported that Ally and Harrinauth had an argument over a long-standing dispute and Ally had gone to his home and damaged several windows.

No bail for duo on robbery charges TWO MEN were on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with three robbery-related matters.

Kevin Rose, 19, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Orin Glasgow called ‘Satan’ 21 of Agricola, EBD, both denied the charges read to them.

The first charge stated that on May 13 at Bagotstown, EBD, while being armed with a knife,they robbed Vanessa Cordis of her $65,000 Samsung cellular phone, her

$25,000 gold chain, along with other items – totaling $168,000.

The men were also slapped with another charge which stated that on May 26, while being armed with a gun in the same Bagotstown area, robbed Sameer Imran Hassan of a .32 Taurus revolver along with six matching rounds of ammunition.

The men denied the third charge which stated that on May 27 at Bagotstown, while being armed with a gun, they attempted to rob Leon Jan. Rose was separately charged for having a .32 Taurus revolver along with six

matching rounds of ammunition in his possession on May 27 at Bagotstown, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. The 19-year-old mason denied the charge.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, objected to bail being granted to the two accused on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges and the fact that the gun and Cordis’ cellular phone were recovered in Rose’s possession.

Bail was denied for both accused and the matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s court for June 27.

Elderly man drowns after collecting pension THE lifeless body of a 70-year- old man from Moruca in the North West District was fished out of a river in the community on Friday morning. Dead is Augustine La Cruz, a father of three of Hurridiah in the Moruca

sub-region.

Reports are that the man went missing on Thursday afternoon around 15:00 hrs, shortly after leaving the Aquero Post Office at Kumaka where he visited earlier in the afternoon to collect his old-age pension.

It was while he was returning home that the boat overturned in the Moruca waters. His slippers and the canoe were found floating in the river. His body is lying at the Kumaka District Hospital awaiting burial.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Two on drug-recruitment charges remanded

TWO MEN appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after being charged by the police for alleged recruitment of persons to traffic cocaine out of Guyana.

Mark Sawyer, called “Marco” and Rolston Bacchus called “Biggs” denied the joint charge that they recruited Safraz Jalaladeen to traffic over 6.04 kilograms of cocaine out of Guyana from April 1- May 19, 2016.

Ranks attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were able to finger the men after Jalaladeen was busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with the drugs concealed in Kerrygold milk packets in two of his suitcases.

Two weeks ago, Jalaladeen appeared before the same magistrate and was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the offence. He had since been cooperating with CANU ranks assisting with the investigation.

Bacchus was further slapped with recruiting Kathleen DeFlorimonte and Odessa Pollard, between July and November, 2015 to traffic 12.34 kilograms of cocaine out of Guyana. The man denied the charge.

According to CANU prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford-Thompson, on Thursday, November 5, 2015, Pollard was slated to depart on a Caribbean Airlines flight destined for Trinidad and Tobago when she was bust-

ed with 12.348 kilograms of cocaine.

Thompson noted that the drugs were concealed in Kerrygold milk packets and Pollard had told officers that her mother-in-law, DeFlorimonte had packed her suitcase and had told her that the milk packets contained diamonds.

They were also charged and are currently on trial at the Providence Magistrates Court.

CANU officers, based upon the two women’s statements, were able to arrest Bacchus, who had been on their radar for a while.

The prosecutor pointed out that Sawyer is no stranger to the court or the drug world. According to her, the 26-year-old Sawyers of

Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, has similar matters pending at the Providence and Sparendaam Magistrates Courts.

Bail for the men was strongly opposed by the prosecutor, based upon Sawyer’s prevalence in these matters and Bacchus being a flight risk.

The chief magistrate remanded the duo until June 21 and transferred the joint matter to Magistrate Judy Latchman and Bacchus’s matter to Magistrate Faba-

yo Azore.

Rolston Bacchus

Mark Sawyer

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PM sworn in to perform duties of President

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo being sworn in to perform the duties of the President

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been sworn in to perform the duties of the President, who departed Guyana to attend the 7th Summit of the Association of Caribbean States’ Heads of Government/States meeting in Havana, Cuba from June 2-4, 2016.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier General Mark Phillips; and acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine were present at the swearing in.

President David Granger has been accompanied at the Summit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Director General (acting) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell.

According to the Association’s website, the Summit of the ACS is the most important meeting of the organization.

It is held periodically at the very highest level, facilitating the convergence of heads of state and/or government or their high- level representatives from the entire membership of the organisation, being member states, associate members, founding observer organisations, observer countries, observer organisations, as well as specially invited guests from other international and regional organisations.

The Association says that integral to its Summit’s proceedings is the discussion of regional and global affairs, more specifically as they relate to regional cooperation on the focal areas of the Association: sustainable tourism; trade development and external economic relations; air and maritime transport, and disaster risk reduction. [Office of the Prime Minister]

Saturday, June 4, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, June 5, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Monday, June 6, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Canadian group donates to St. Ann’s Orphanage

A CANADA-BASED Guyanese group calling itself the ‘GT 50 Group’ has donated 35 new beds to the St. Ann’s Orphanage in Thomas Street, Georgetown.

The donation, coming from more than 300 family members, friends, co-workers and neighbours of the group’s members in Canada, was made in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The girls and their caregivers were presented with this generous gift by five representatives of the GT Fifty Group. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, attended the presentation ceremony, and reinforced her commitment to inspiring the youths of Guyana.

The minister encouraged the children at the orphanage to work hard, since by working hard they can achieve great things despite their situation.

Sheryl Barry, a member of the ‘GT 50 Group, explained that aside from celebrating Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the Group made the trip to Guyana with the aim of promoting its philanthropic spirit in Guyana.

“We have spoken with Sister Claudiet Jones, the Director of St. Ann’s Orphanage, and with her blessings, we have developed a programme called #GuyCansponsorAGIRL, (through which) we will be asking our friends, families, co-workers and neighbours to sponsor a girl from the Orphanage.

In this programme, we will provide the necessities that a girl needs and any other items on her wish list,” she explained.

The Group has planned a series of events in Guyana, geared towards fostering a closer relationship between the Guyanese in Canada and those at home.

Wildlife conservation is a responsibility of all Guyanese –Trotman

Two students of Annai Secondary School recite a local poem which underscores the importance of wildlife to indigenous peoples

By Ravin Singh AS the world prepares to observe World Environment Day on June 5, under the theme “Fight against illegal trade in wildlife,” Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has said that local wildlife conservation is a responsibility of all

Guyanese.

The minister made this disclosure on Friday at a National Youth Environmental Forum, which was held in observance of World Environment Day. Highlighting that wildlife does not only translate to fauna, but includes fauna, Minister Trotman noted that there is a See page 20

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, shakes hands with representatives of the Canada- based ‘GT 50 Group’ during its presentation of beds to the St. Ann’s Orphanage

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 4, 2016

Jubilee: A big boost to tourism, other sectors FOLLOWING all the celebrations and the overflowing list of activities for Guyana’s Fiftieth Independence Anniversary, there is little doubt that the tourism and business sectors have seen tremendous benefits from the influx of visitors, specifically overseas-based Guyanese, some of whom had not visited their homeland in years.

Speaking on the effects of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Minister of Public Telecommunications, with responsibility for Tourism, Mrs. Catherine Hughes, said this occasion was seen as a fantastic opportunity for Guyanese far and wide to reconnect with their country by revisiting their history and indulging in food and other aspects of the Guyanese culture. The minister said the week of May 26 saw up to six plane-loads of mostly visitors coming into the country daily.

By extension, with an increase of visitors comes an anticipated boom in certain sections of the business sector. Minister Hughes said she has received positive reports regarding the economic benefits experienced by restaurants, fast food outlets, and

craft stores. She added that many of these establishments were reportedly teeming with patrons during this time of celebration.

“Economically, there was a huge influx of funds, and that augured well for all sectors,” the minister said.

Even after Independence, remnants of the tourists’ presence can still be seen. A walk down Robb Street, past the craft stores along the sidewalk of the Guyana Post Office Building, reveals a bustle of persons swirling in and out of each of the huts.

Mrs. Sondra David son-Low has operated her business, ‘Sonel’s Craft’, at that Robb Street location for about 18 years. She admitted that, in all that time, she has never sold so many of her pieces in one season.

“Right now I’m nursing swollen feet because I am not getting to sit down. Business was excellent. I can’t even count how many people visited our stall during this time,” she said.

She added that although there had been a lull in business over the past year, business increased tenfold for Independence.

Ms. Saudia Ali of ‘Crafty

Creations’ has attested to the same boom in business. She said that sales picked up particularly after May 26. Like Mrs. Davidson-Low, Ms. Ali has stated that in all her 13 years of operation, this is the most activity she has seen at her craft shop.

“After seeing all that has happened this year, I think more people will begin to come into the country,” she said.

Her business partner, Ms. Debbie George, added it is hoped that Guyana can have such activities more often going forward, so that on a continual basis small businesses can see the benefits that have been seen for the 50th Independence celebrations.

In regard to keeping up this momentum, Minister Hughes said emphasis must now be placed on the marketing strategies for major events, so that those would continue to draw visitors to Guyana, especially Guyanese living abroad.

“We want to create signature events that build on the spirit of our Jubilee. We want to expand activities like our [Rupununi] Rodeo. We want to make that a bigger event, and make activities like Mashramani and Easter bigger.

Mrs. Sondra Davidson-Low says this is the busiest period she has ever experienced in the 18 years she has been operating her business “We also want to create some other kind of cultural event like the Jubilee Festival, which caters to the interests of everyone,” Minister Hughes has said.

She noted that the variety offered by the Jubilee Festival was a great success, and this was seen by the large turnout of patrons to the concerts and fashion shows that were part of the Festival.

INDEPENDENCE HIGHLIGHTS With thousands of Guyanese back home, bringing with them high expectations and much-needed foreign exchange, along with resident Guyanese anxiously awaiting May 26, it was important that the grand event delivered.

The eve of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary saw over 30,000 Guyanese residents and visitors converging at the Durban Park to witness the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.

The medley of national songs, dances, and fusion of

drums attempted to showcase Guyana’s rich cultural mosaic.

While there are those who, in hindsight, may argue convincingly that it fell short, the spirits of those present at the event were not to be dampened.

Almost 1,000 young people, among which were over 600 dancers, danced to a medley of national songs with the aid of a joint steel pan group, the national choir and an array of drums. Head of the National School of Dance, Ms. Linda Griffith, said that working with such a large number of children involves detailed planning, coordination and time.

“That space is huge. It is the largest we ever worked on, so it took a little while for the children to get accustomed to working in that space. For most of them, it was the first time working on such a large space, so we had to pull everything together.

It (was) hard work, but I enjoyed doing it,” she said.

The pièce de résistance, though, was the hoisting of the

Golden Arrowhead. The 65 foot x 35 foot flag seemed to put on a show of her own as she slowly emerged and rose into view. As she unfurled, cheers were heard and later gasps when she seemed to descend ever slightly just after barely touching the pole’s peak. There was a hush as The Golden Arrowhead finally revealed her full beauty. And on that balmy morning, tears were shed. For those in attendance, witnessing the event was certainly a moment of deep expression of love of country.

Guyanese seemed proud to express a sense of nationalism, despite an imperfect programme.

Despite months of reported preparations for the evening’s activity, some aspects of the event fell short of the public expectation, bringing criticism on the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

However, the efforts of the Department have been acknowledged, having pulled off the largest national event in recent history.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

A band from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3) arrives at the Durban Park during the Independence Day Float Parade The planning and management of such a large-scale event proved to be a learning experience for all future national activities.

One major attraction which gained much praise from the crowd was the military parade, comprised of 500 members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Joint Services Band. Adjutant General of the GDF, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, stated that prior to May 26 the ranks took to the Durban Park ground in large numbers for the Republic Day Parade and the Medal Presentation Ceremony, which served as worthwhile preparation for the grand event.

“This was an opportunity for lots of people to be on a ceremonial parade. In my tenure in the army -- over 30 years -- this was the largest

ceremonial parade we have ever executed,” he said.

The Colonel also commented on the crucial moment during which the Golden Arrowhead slowly descended from the flagpole.

“We had a slight failure in the winch mechanism, and it came down slightly and we had to take it back up; but I was doing the timekeeping and saw it wasn’t quite midnight…so it went back up exactly at midnight. So it worked out well,” he said.

The Colonel noted that accomplishing the event gave the GDF a great level of satisfaction. He said the response of the crowd alone was enough to fill each rank with pride.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE The following day, the

Durban Park again came to life, this time to host the Independence Day Parade.

In addition to the thousands accommodated there, many more Guyanese lined the new route of the parade to witness as many as 39 floats tell the story of Guyana’s Independence. The new route entailed the revellers meeting at the Stabroek Market, travelling along Brickdam and into Durban Park.

The enthusiasm of the night before was still fresh in the hearts of Guyanese who came out to witness the parade.

For the Float Parade, the costumes and floats took to telling the story of Guyana’s Independence in all forms: from showcasing the wealth and potential of Guyana’s minerals to honouring the

Ms. Debbie George (left) and Ms. Saudia Ali, business partners at ‘Crafty Creations’, have enjoyed the increase in sales brought about by the large number of visitors

history that brought us to our 50th Independence Anniversary.

Ms. Volda Ramsammy, a lecturer at the Burrowes’ School of Art, played a significant role in costume design for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

She explained the theme behind the design of the Culture Department’s band.

The band showcased an array of national colours, and honoured several local legends, including Mr. Clive Lloyd, Mr. Dave Martins, Ms. Shirley Field-Ridley and

Mr. Dennis Williams.

She said that having observed the floats and costumes of the other bands on the day of the Parade, she found the quality of those floats impressive as well. She added that she is sure many of the designers would have passed through the Burrowes School of Art, which in turn makes the school proud.

While the main national events celebrating our Golden Jubilee are now behind us, the spirit of nationalism endures. Community clean-

up exercises are still in full swing, buildings are still draped in flag colour décor, and people are still humming national songs as they go about their business.

Moreover, the official calendar of events is far from over. Cultural sport and other youth-targeted activities are slated to be held throughout the year, and these promise to keep up the momentum that has been started by the activities that have so far kept Guyanese more than engaged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 4, 2016

Wildlife conservation is a responsibility of...

A student does a dramatic presentation at the National Youth Environmental Forum on Friday, highlighting the importance of sustaining wildlife ples, these resources often al agencies, including the the Guyana Wildlife ConFrom page 17 have spent too much time represent the foundation Wildlife Division of his servation and Management digging it up and cutting it upon which village econoglobal importance attached ministry and the EnvironCommission, which will down and far too little time mies are sustained. to Guyana’s wildlife. mental Protection Agency be charged with overseeing seeing its tremendous value.”

To support this, he refAnd with the tremen(EPA) which have striven the effective management Speaking authoritatively, dous economic value deerenced the fact that Guyto ensure the trade in wildof wildlife to ensure its given his portfolio as Natural rived from the trade of ana is one of the world’s life is done in a sustainable conservation and sustainResources Minister, Trotman wildlife, both flora and faumost important countries manner. able use. explained that aside from its na, he said that this makes for biodiversity conservaHe further added howHe reiterated howevinherent values, biodiversity these resources vulnerable tion, boasting the highest ever that this is not enough er that even with strong continues to be important to to over-exploitation. bio-capacity per capita in and with the government bodies of laws, Guyanese the survival and prosperity of the world. Additionally, it Given this situation, cognizant of the illegal trade must be a solution beyond many Guyanese and people which is prevalent around was highlighted that Guyin wildlife which presents the laws and regulations. worldwide. ana is home to over 3000 the globe, Trotman exa threat to its existence, he “It’s the human factor He outlined that Guy- plained that it is therefore wildlife species which are hinted at the Wildlife Conthat makes the difference ana’s wildlife resources are our responsibility to ensure shared with neighbouring servation and Management in any circumstance. As utilised in diverse ways, that there is responsible Venezuela, Suriname and Bill 2016 which was recentbeneficiaries of wildlife, including its use for building utilisation of Guyana’s reBrazil. ly tabled in the National we must also see ourhomes, making clothing, sources to ensure that future But according to TrotAssembly. selves as protectors of generating income and even generations can reap the man, while the country Minister Trotman exwildlife. It is up to us to assisting in healthcare. Ad- benefits in years to come. boasts these things internaplained that this piece of act, because the future of ditionally, he noted that for tionally, domestically, “we “The theme ‘The fight legislation seeks to clear the wildlife is in our hands,” Guyana’s indigenous peo- against illegal trade in way for the establishment of the minister said.

wildlife’ is instructive, since it places the protection and management of wildlife in the hands of all.

Thus, observing World Environment Day is a timely reminder of our role and responsibilities as key stakeholders,” the minister said.

He continued that all must accept the fact that plants and animals are part of the natural patrimony and it must be acknowledged that it is the patriotic duty and responsibility of every Guyanese to ensure the protection of wildlife, which will lead to a greener and more sustainable economy.

Not limited to the collective will of the people to fight against the illegal trade in wildlife, Minister Trotman pointed to sever-

Delivering remarks too at the forum, was Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Inderjit Ramdass, who examined several ways to counter the illegal trade in wildlife. He referenced several approaches which have been employed across the globe and has recorded success. Among these were introduction of legislation to ban sport-hunting, rigorous training for sniffer dogs to detect wildlife being traded, the introduction of new surveillance technology including drones and the establishment of special enforcement forces.

And apart from the direct involvement of citizens, Dr Ramdass underscored the importance of leaders of countries and agencies to the importance of combating the illegal wildlife trade. He referenced an episode recently in which the President of Gabon, in a visual message, destroyed guns and ivory tusks seized from poachers in a fiery display of zero tolerance.

“Further, religious leaders are coming on board with championing the cause to fight against the illegal trade in wildlife,” he said, adding that even actors, such as Leonardo De Caprio, have played a major role in championing an environmental cause.

Punctuating the ceremony were several environmentally themed dramatic performances, poetry and a visual presentation on turtles in Guyana.

This was complemented by several rounds of trivia which focused on environmental issues in Guyana and around the world.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, urges students and other invitees to ensure they play their part in combating the illegal trade in wildlife

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Narine, Pollard too hot ...

From back page African batsmen appeared to freeze at the wicket, never imposing themselves to any good degree.

Rossouw shared a third-wicket stand of 78 with AB de Villiers, and was the best stand of the innings after openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla put on 52 for the first wicket, which set South Africa up strongly before they fell away, losing seven wickets for 28 in 69 balls.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor spilled a return catch in the first over of the innings, allowing de Kock to open his account with a boundary.

The hosts were left to rue that costly miss as the Proteas’openers handled the West Indies pacers comfortably for the next eight overs on the flat track.

The pair was scoring runs

at an easy pace to put the Proteas on course for a big score, but the dismissal of the duo in the space of three deliveries seemed to rob the South Africans of their momentum.

The left-hander de Kock looked set for a big score until he was bowled off the inside edge by medium- pacer Carlos Brathwaite for a 34-ball 30, hitting six sweetly timed boundaries during his knock.

The visitors suffered a big blow soon after as Narine, who was introduced in the eighth over, trapped the experienced Amla leg before wicket for 20.

Although the hosts managed to restrict the scoring with some accurate bowling and excellent field- placing, the duo of de Villiers and Roussouw managed to keep the run rate within reasonable limits with South Africa crossing the 100-run mark in the 24th over.

The right-armer Taylor, who struggled to contain the South African batsmen in his first spell returned for his second, but straight away spilled another return catch offered by Roussouw, when the batsman was on 37.

However, in his second over of the new spell he clinched the crucial wicket of de Villiers, caught and bowled for a 49-ball 31.

The left-hander Roussouw soon after reached his 50 off 74 balls in the company of JP Duminy, but Narine was reintroduced in the 36th over and his magic further strengthened West Indies grip of the innings.

He took two wickets in three balls, which further helped put the brakes on the scoring, removing Roussouw and Farhaan Behardien without scoring.

Duminy (23) looked to dig his heels in, and was the Proteas’ biggest hope of a recovery, but he chopped a length delivery off Jason Holder onto his stumps for 23.

Narine then trapped Chris Morris leg before wicket for nine. The decision was reviewed but the umpire’s call

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on impact left South Africa at 181 for 7 after 45 overs.

Brathwaite bowled Kyle Abbott for five before Narine claimed the wickets of Aaron Phangiso and Imran Tahir.

Despite the slow start to their run chase, West Indies were in control, but the introduction of leg-spinner Tahir (2-41) and left-arm spinner Phangiso (3-40), throttled the West Indies batsmen and threw them into panic.

Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher added 37 in 11.4 overs before Tahir removed both Fletcher (11) and Charles (31), while Phangiso trapped Marlon Samuels plumb in front for one.

Darren Bravo and Denesh Ramdin then put together 23 runs in seven overs before Duminy removed the latter for 10.

Kieron Pollard joined Bravo, and his first three scoring shots were sixes.

Pollard, who made a return to the team after a knee injury he sustained last November during the Ram

Slam T20 Challenge in South Africa last November, began the assault, smashing Duminy for the innings first six.

The Trinidadian then took to Phangiso, hitting the spinner for consecutive boundaries which disappeared over the boundary rope.

Pollard continued his aggression, smashing Kagiso Rabada for his fourth six as the pair did not let the scoring rate dip as the pair kept chancing their arms at every opportunity to quickly narrow the deficit.

However, after an enterprising stand of 74 off 76 balls, Phangiso trapped Bravo leg before wicket for 30. Bravo challenged the decision but unfortunately umpire Richard Illingworth’s verdict remained.

Phangiso claimed the wicket of Brathwaite for eight, but Pollard, who smashed six sixes and two fours during his knock and Holder took the hosts comfortably home without further hiccups with 11 balls to spare.

SCOREBOARD South Africa innings Q de Kock† b Brathwaite 30 H Amla lbw b Narine 20 R Rossouw c Brathwaite b Narine 61 AB de Villiers* c & b Taylor 31 JP Duminy b Holder 23 F Behardien lbw b Narine 0 CH Morris lbw b Narine 9 K Abbott b Brathwaite 5 AM Phangiso c Holder b Narine 3 K Rabada not out 1 Imran Tahir lbw b Narine 0 Extras: (lb 1, w 4) 5 Total: (all out; 46.5 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-52, 3-130, 4-160, 5-160, 6-172, 7-181 8-181, 9-185, 10-188 Bowling: JE Taylor 7-0-36-1, JO Holder 10-1-37-1, CR Brathwaite 8-035-2, SP Narine 9.5-0-27-6, SJ Benn 10-0-41-0, KA Pollard 2-0-11-0

West Indies innings J Charles b Imran Tahir 31 A Fletcher b Imran Tahir 11 D Bravo lbw b Phangiso 30 M Samuels lbw b Phangiso 1 D Ramdin† c de Villiers b Duminy 10 K Pollard not out 67 CR Brathwaite c Behardien b Phangiso 8 JO Holder* not out 10 Extras: (lb 13, w 9, nb 1) 23 Total: (6 wickets; 48.1 overs) 191 Did not bat: JE Taylor, SP Narine, SJ Benn Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-52, 3-53, 4-76, 5-150, 6-174 Bowling: KAbbott 10-1-26-0, K Rabada 9-1-34-0, C .Morris 7-0-22-0, Imran Tahir 10-0-41-2, AM Phangiso 10-1-40-3, JP Duminy 1.1-0-12-1, F Behardien 1-0-3-0

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

FIFA officials including Blatter awarded themselves £55M

By Brian Homewood

ZURICH Switzerland (Reuters) - Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and two other leading officials were involved in a “coordinated attempt” to enrich themselves through annual salary increases and World Cup bonuses, world football’s governing body said yesterday.

FIFA said an internal investigation revealed that the three officials had received 79 million Swiss francs (£55.70 million) in compensation over five years, calling them “massive payouts”.

FIFA is attempting to recover from the worst graft scandal in its history in which 42 persons, including former FIFA executive committee members, and entities have been indicted in the United States. Gianni Infantino was elected as president in February and promised to lead the FIFA into calmer waters.

The ruling body said it had shared the information about salaries with the Swiss Attorney General’s office and the U.S. Department of Justice and would continue to

investigate.

Blatter, 80, did not wish to comment on the allegations, his spokesman said.

His U.S. lawyer, Richard Cullen, said in a statement: “We look forward to showing FIFA that Mr Blatter’s compensation payments were proper, fair and in line with the heads of major professional sports leagues around the world.”

A person close to Kattner said that “none of the information that was published is unknown to the compensation committee”.

Payments were in line with FIFA’s compensation policy and that they had been seen by KPMG which audit FIFA’s finances, he said.

Valcke could not immediately be reached for comment.

FIFA said the investigation, conducted by its lawyers Quinn Emanuel, had revealed “evidence of breaches of fiduciary duty”.

The findings were preliminary and warranted further investigation, it said.

“The evidence appears to reveal a coordinated effort by three former top officials of

FIFA to enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives,” said Bill Burck, a partner with Quinn Emanuel.

The sums received by the trio included 23 million Swiss francs in “special bonuses” for the 2010 World Cup in

Jerome Valcke and Sepp Blatter South Africa, while Blatter and Valcke got a total of 14 million francs in bonuses for the 2014 World Cup Brazil and 15.5 million francs for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the firm said.

FIFA said that before 2013 the people who signed the contracts were “in principle” also the ones who approved them.

Messi should be acquitted for tax evasion in Spain - prosecutor (REUTERS) - Football’s five-time World Playerof-the-Year Lionel Messi should be acquitted on tax evasion charges against him, Spain’s public prosecutors’ office said yesterday as the trial drew to a close.

Neither Messi nor his father Jorge Horacio Messi attended the hearing in a Barcelona court where closing arguments were given.

Both are accused by the Spanish tax office of defrauding the government of 4.2 million euros ($4.8 million) between 2007 and 2009 but have denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking on whether or not Lionel Messi was aware of the alleged fraud, state prosecutor Raquel Amado

said: “There is no evidence that anyone explained it to

LIONEL MESSI him ... the prosecutor sustain s that Lionel Andres

“They had the authority they needed, and they simply told payroll and HR (human resources), the department generally in charge for employment contracts at FIFA and which reported to Mr Kattner, how much should be paid out and to whom,” said the report.

Messi should be acquitted.”

The state attorney’s office, which represents the tax authorities, meanwhile, accuses the player of tax fraud and gives “zero credibility” to the defence that Messi had no knowledge of the case.

“They are unfamiliar with tax issues but they are able to understand what it is to pay taxes,” said state lawyer Mario Maza during his summation.

If found guilty, both Messi and his father could face jail terms of up to 22 months, although first-time offenders with a sentence of under two years do not normally serve time in jail in Spain.

No date has been given for a ruling.

There were also questions over the compensation sub-committee which oversaw officials’ compensation from 2013 onwards, the report said.

“At this stage, FIFA has not filed any formal complaint with the Office of the Attorney-General,” spokesman Andre Marty told Radio Television Suisse (RTS) yesterday evening.

“If it does, we will evaluate their behaviour (of the three men) to see if it was criminal or not.”

SENIOR STAFF The report added that Valcke and Kattner, as senior staff members, also secured clauses in their contracts which guaranteed severance payments and indemnities even if they were terminated for just cause.

Blatter was banned for eight years, later reduced to six, by FIFA’s ethics committee in December and Valcke has been banned for 12 years.

Kattner was fired by FIFA on May 23.

The report was released around one hour after the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) announced that it had searched FIFA’s headquarters on Thursday “with the aim of confirming existing findings and obtaining further information.”

The OAG, which seized documents and electronic data, said the investigation concerned people named in previous statements and unknown suspects in the corruption probe that has engulfed FIFA over the past year.

“The OAG received contracts of Mr Blatter, Valcke and Kattner,” a spokeswoman said yesterday by email.

Infantino was not under investigation, the OAG said.

A source close to FIFA

told Reuters that the OAG visit related to the sacking of Kattner and that FIFA officials had been cooperative in helping them to collect relevant documents.

German newspaper Die Welt had reported on Thursday that Infantino was facing investigation over possible ethics breaches.

Die Welt said it had seen emails suggesting that Infantino had ordered senior FIFA officials to delete recordings of a controversial meeting of the FIFA Council, formerly the executive committee, before last month’s Congress in Mexico City.

FIFA’s ethics committee said no formal proceedings had been started against Infantino.

FIFA was swept into new controversy when its Congress in Mexico passed a resolution giving the FIFA Council the power to appoint or dismiss members of its independent watchdog.

This effectively gave the Council, headed by Infantino, the right to fire ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, ethics investigator Cornel Borbely and the head of the audit and compliance committee, Domenico Scala.

Scala, who had overseen the FIFA reforms, resigned in protest the following day.

Warriors beat Cavaliers in opening game of NBA Finals DEFENDING champions Golden State Warriors beat Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89 in the NBA Finals opening game.

With Steph Curry and Klay Thompson off-form, bench players Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa helped seal victory in Oakland.

Livingston scored 20 points, Iguodala 12 and Barbosa 11, while Curry, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, and Thompson managed 20 between them.

SHAUN LIVINGSTON

The Warriors beat the Cavaliers in last year’s final.

“Even the best players in the world have bad nights,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “But it didn’t hurt us.”

The Cavaliers’ LeBron James, playing in his sixth straight finals, claimed 23 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

The second game of the best-of-seven series also takes place at Golden State’s Oracle Arena tomorrow. (BBC Sport)

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

Djokovic, Murray eye milestones in blockbuster Paris final

… Serena Williams gunning Grand Slam 22 today

By Pritha Sarkar PARIS, France (Reuters) - An 18-year rivalry will play out its next gripping chapter at Roland Garros as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic eye up a French Open final in which milestones galore will be on the line.

Will Murray become the first British man to lift the French Open trophy in more than eight decades? Or will Djokovic have enough energy left in the tank after playing four days in succession at the rain-ravaged claycourt grand slam to become the first man in almost 50 years to hold all four majors at once?

What is certain though, is that the Musketeers’ Cup will have a new name engraved on it come tomorrow - weather permitting - after Djokovic pulled rank on a player he described as “a leader of a new generation” to reach his fourth

Paris final in five years.

The world number one’s 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over Austrian tyro Dominic Thiem

SERENA WILLIAMS yesterday had to be staged on the secondary Court Suzanne Lenglen after a week of rain derailed the tournament’s usual schedule.

That left Murray and defending champion Wawrinka

to grab Centre Court billing and while the Swiss conjured some blazing backhands to whip the noisy crowd into frenzy, the winners were rare as he surrendered his Roland Garros crown with a 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 defeat by the British second seed.

“I knew today if I wanted to win I was going to have to play one of my best claycourt matches.

Stan was playing better every match,” an emotional Murray, who became the first British man to reach the Paris showpiece since Bunny Austin in 1937, told the crowd with a quivering voice.

“I am extremely proud. I never expected to reach the final here; I always struggled on the clay. I played one of my best claycourt matches today. I hope I can put on a good match on Sunday.”

GUNNING FOR HISTORIC WIN Before that final takes

Results of Youth Basketball matches played last weekend THE Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National Schools basketball festival, Georgetown & East Coast Regionals continued last weekend with five matches played in the U-14, U-16 and U-19 catego-

3 rebounds and was supported

by Nathan Hackett who added 4 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals for the Saints side.

In the U-16, St Joseph High pulled off a close win over Bladen Hall Multilateral in a game

Plaisance guard Terrence Daniels attacks rim. ries collectively.

In the first match of the day, Tutorial High fell to St Stanislaus 16-2 in the U-14 matchup.

Thalenn Moore had 6 points and

which finished 27-23. Denzil Ross had 9 points, and 4 steals Shaquawn Gill had 9 points and 4 rebounds for St Joseph. Darrell Hamer had 14 points and 10

rebounds for Bladen Hall.

Marian Academy had a blowout against Tutorial High winning 34-10. Jordan Alphonso had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals in an all-around performance, with Joshua Brazao adding 6 points, 4 rebounds for Marian Academy.

In the Under-19s, Plaisance Secondary trounced Queen’s College 44-27. Nigel Bowen scored 11 points and 5 rebounds, Terrence Daniels collected 9 points and 5 rebounds for Plaisance. Damani Thomas accumulated 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals for Queen’s.

Plaisance Academy also walloped St Stanislaus 60-27.

Nigel Bowen had 14 points, 12 rebounds while running mate Terrence Daniels put together 14 points and 11 rebounds with Jared Sears adding 10 points for Plaisance. Travis Belgrave had a lone performance of 17 points and 5 rebounds for Saints.

Another round of matches will be played today.

The tournament is sponsored by Digicel Guyana (Bigger Better Network), Edward B. Beharry (Champion) and Company Ltd and Banks DIH Ltd (Powerade).

place, Serena Williams will be gunning for grand slam title number 22 today when she takes on the last woman

ANDY MURRAY who beat her at Roland Garros - Spanish fourth seed Garbine Muguruza.

Day 13 of the championships is traditionally men’s semi-final day but after one of the wettest weeks on record in Paris, the women were forced to contest their last-four clashes a day later than expected.

Williams seemed listless, bored and completely out of sorts as she finally clipped the wings of flying Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 7-6(7), 6-4 to reach her 27th grand slam final.

No doubt feeling rather fed up at having to play a third match in as many days, the American appeared to move in super-slow motion between the points, surrendered her opening service games in both sets and sprayed 31 unforced errors long and wide.

None of that stopped her from winning though.

“I feel like you have to be still mentally alive, and obviously you need to be physically alive and ready for everything,” said the world number one, who will be looking to draw level with Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 majors.

Muguruza, who like Djokovic was demoted to Suzanne Lenglen Court for her semi, ended the run of 2010 runner-up Samantha

Stosur with a no-nonsense 6-2, 6-4 win in front of thousands of empty green chairs in the 10 000-seater arena.

The fans, including one dressed as a bizarre greenhorned dragon, could not be kept away once Murray and Wawrinka came out for their highly anticipated semi-final.

With Murray having failed to win a set off Wawrinka in any of their previous three battles dating back to 2013, many expected the Swiss third seed to knife Murray’s French Open dreams with his wondrous backhands -- just as he had done to Djokovic in the final 12 months ago.

But in front of an audience that included Rod Laver, the last man to hold all four titles at once when he completed the Grand Slam in 1969, Murray heeded his own war cries of “Let’s go” to give himself a chance to become the first British man to win the Paris title since Fred Perry in 1935.

Knight named England women’s captain HEATHER Knight has been appointed as England women’s captain after the retirement of Charlotte Edwards.

Knight, 25, vice-captain since August 2014, has played five Tests, 55 one-day internationals and 33 Twenty20s.

“I’m hugely proud and honoured to be named England captain and can’t wait to face the challenges ahead,” she said.

Head coach Mark Robinson praised Knight’s “superb work ethic, integrity and commitment, along with good instincts and cricket intelligence”.

Seamer Anya Shrubsole, 24, has been appointed vice-captain.

Edwards, captain since 2006, ended her 20-year England career in May after being told by Robinson her place in the side was no longer secure.

Edwards tweeted her congratulations to Knight, add-

Heather Knight at Lord’s after she was announced as England Women’s new captain in London, yesterday. ing: “It’s a wonderful honour and the best job in the world.

I wish you every success and enjoy every minute.”

Knight said it would be “no easy task to follow the remarkable success and impact” of Edwards, But she added: “It’s a fresh, exciting time for the

team and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can develop together.”

England play Pakistan in three ODIs and three T20s between June 20 and July 7, before heading to the West Indies for a fivematch ODI series in October. (BBC Sport).

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

AAG to put down long jump pits across Guyana THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will be undergoing a development programme that will see 60 long jump pits erected at various schools across Guyana, according to president Aubrey Hutson.

The body is armed with approximately $5 million of funding from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), and is further encouraged by the recent feats of world-ranked Guyanese triple jumper Troy Doris.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, the AAG head said, “We are yet to identify which schools, and that kind of stuff, (but) we would like everything to be up and running for the new school year, so we are hoping that during the August holiday we can get in there. We’re looking to have it all completed by the end of August.”

The Association is already in possession of 80% of the funding for the programme, Hutson said, with the remaining 20% to come as the programme proceeds and funds are consumed.

The overall programme would involve not only the installation of the pits but also the training of persons.

“It’s not just about digging a pit, filling it with sand and then just walking away.

It’s putting down the pits and

not just about the pits, there are other components. It’s also about running athletics camps and dietary pro-

World-ranked Guyanese jumper Troy Doris having the coaches go out there and train the teachers in the school system on how to train the children to jump, and all of those things have costs attached to them,.” Hutson explained The programme will also involve a camp, for the athletes.

The AAG boss said, “It’s

grammes for school athletes.

We are going to be running an August camp during the holidays, which has a training aspect, and a nutrition aspect. Nutrition is a key aspect of our athletes’ development.

“We continue to find that athletes are not able to sustain their training because their

bodies are too weak for the level of training that they need to become elite athletes. So when we have them in camp we’re able to give them the right food and get them into the right habit of what to eat and that kind of stuff,” he continued.

The pit comes in a timely manner, as it coincides with recent rise to fame of overseas-based Guyana triple-jumper Troy Doris, who most recently qualified for the Rio Olympic Games with a 17.18m jump.

The amazing jump left him ranking third in the world, in the current list of best jumps.

Hutson cheerfully dubbed the initiative the “Troy Doris Pits” adding that the initiative is one not only for the capital city.

“It’s not just a Georgetown thing; we plan to work in every region. We are looking at it on a population basis and we will not necessarily put it in all schools in Georgetown.

“Our premier jumper comes out of Linden so we have to ensure Linden, Kwakwani, even in Lethem, we want to work in Berbice, and in Essequibo, West

Olympic Games’ refugees team unveiled

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled its first team of refugees to compete at Rio 2016 under the Olympic banner.

The Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes has 10 members - five from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from DR Congo and one from Ethiopia.

The six men and four women will compete in swimming, judo and athletics.

“These refugee athletes

have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.

“The invention of this refugee team is to give them a home in the Olympic village together with all the athletes around the world.”

The team includes swimmer Yusra Mardini from Syria, who trains in Germany, South Sudanese middle-distance runner Rose Nathike Lokonyen, who is living in a refugee camp in Kenya, and DR Congo judoka Yolande

Bukasa Mabika, who trains in Brazil.

They will enter the opening ceremony as the penultimate team, before hosts Brazil.

Bach added: “It can send a symbol of hope for all refugees in the world and can send a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society.”

The Olympics run from August 5 to 21t. (BBC Sport)

Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini will compete at Rio 2016 as part of the first Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes.

Webb sentencing delayed until November THE sentencing of disgraced former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb has been delayed until November 18, following a request from his attorney.

Webb, also a former FIFA vice-president, was expected to be sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of racketeering wire fraud and money-laundering last

year. As part of a plea deal Webb, who was released on a US$10 million bond, agreed to return more than US$6.7M to aggrieved parties.

In a letter on Thursday, however, Webb’s attorney Edward O’Callaghan requested that his client’s sentencing hearing be adjourned to November.

Court documents show

that the judge Raymond Dearie granted the request. The former Cayman Islands Football Association president also received leniency from the court last month after conditions of his house arrest were relaxed.

Webb was allowed to travel 50 miles (80 kilometres) from his home in Loganville, Georgia, instead of

the previously stipulated 20 miles, to run errands and help care for his young son.

The former football official was one of 40 indicted by the United States justice system for receiving millions of dollars in bribes.

Another former CONCACAF president Jack Warner is also facing charges.

(Sportsmax.com)

Demerara, all those areas that we are seeing athletes with natural talent,” Hutson pledged The $5M represents just one-third of the overall expenditure according to Hutson, who also noted that the Guyana Olympics Association and government will be expected to plug in the other two-thirds.

“I feel comfortable at least

in that I will get commitment from the GOA, but I’m yet to have that sit-down with the Ministry of Education or any part of the government. Even if we don’t get from either party we have US$25 000 in our hands that we can at least start something. So we will probably just have to cut our programme to suit the funding we have,” he concluded.

JOA notified of Nesta Carter’s violation THE Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) is now confirming that they have been notified about the adverse finding returned by a Jamaican athlete at the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.

However, while a statement released by the JOA did not name the athlete it further validates media reports that named sprinter Nesta Carter is the athlete who returned the positive test.

The statement was released less than 24 hours after the athlete was named in media reports in Jamaica.

According to the statement: “The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has received from the InNESTA CARTER ternational Olympic Committee (IOC) notification that a Jamaican athlete has returned an adverse analytical result from the re-testing programme of samples from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The procedures outlined in the Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and also the results management protocols require the JOA to “maintain confidentiality of the result of all Doping Control and the identities involved in the proceedings until it has been determined in a hearing.”

Accordingly the JOA will not be in a position to provide any further details on the matter until a hearing has determined the outcome of the issue and we have been officially advised.” (Sportsmax.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday June 04, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Clive Lloyd & Ian Chappell (2) Alvin Kallicharran

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where and when did the WI and SA contest an ODI against each other for the first time?

(2) Who were the captains involved in the first WI/ SA ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 4, 2016

National Seniors Championships starts today THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) National Seniors Championships kicks off today at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora, where a number of athletes, still hopeful of making it to the Guyana team to the 2016 Rio Olympics will have a chance to qualify for the Olympics.

Today’s Championships is one of only two events which any Guyanese athlete who wishes to represent Guyana at the Rio Olym-

pics must attend. The other event is the upcoming Aliann Pompey Invitational, which is set for June 18.

Athletes set to participate include CARIFTA Games triple jump silver medallist Natricia Hooper, CARIFTA Games bronze medallist, Andrea Foster, and Olympics hopefuls Rupert Perry, and Akeem Stewart.

Registration for the meet closed off yesterday, and according to AAG president Aubrey Hutson, over 100

MCC urged to ‘strongly consider’ bat size limit THE ICC’s cricket committee has urged MCC to “strongly consider limiting the dimensions of cricket bats” amid concerns over the balance between bat and ball.

At the conclusion of a two-day meeting at Lord’s, the committee – chaired by former India spinner Anil Kumble – announced a series of recommendations that will be taken forward to the next ICC board meeting and chief executives’ committee in July.

Addressing the issue of bat size, amid spiralling run-rates, a statement read: “MCC sought the committee’s guidance on the desirability of making changes in order to redress the balance between bat and ball.

“The committee received a research paper from MCC citing a wealth of scientific and statistical evidence showing bats have become more powerful in recent years, primarily due to having larger ‘sweetspots’.

“The committee’s view was that MCC should strongly consider limiting the dimensions of cricket bats to help achieve a better balance between bat and ball.”

A number of issues relating to Test cricket, including day-night matches, were also high on the agenda at Lord’s.

The cricket committee’s statement continued: “There was unanimous agreement from committee members that the current structure of international cricket needed to change.

“The committee was very supportive of the efforts to widen the audience for Test cricket across all member countries and acknowledged the success of the inaugural day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide.

“It stressed, however, that day-night Test cricket needs to be delivered to a consistently high standard across all member countries if the concept is to be successful, noting that the combination of ball, pitch, lighting levels and environmental conditions needed to allow for an even contest between bat and ball at all proposed day-night Test venues.”(OmniSport.com)

RUPERT PERRY

ANDREA FOSTER

AUBREY HUTSON

athletes are set to participate at the event.

Hutson says that he is thrilled that for the first year the AAG can mandate that athletes come home to perform if they want to make it on any international team to represent Guyana.

“It’s heartening to know that we can have our athletes at home, because prior to not having a track there was always the complaint that they (overseas athletes) could not come off rubber to run on

grass, as their times will be slower.

So for that reason a lot of the guys who would have represented Guyana at the Olympics never came to compete in Guyana.

“So I am glad that the track is in place and we have the equipment to accurately test the performances. Now that we have the synthetic track, we have the wind gauge, we have all the equipment that is needed to electronically set the times to IAAF stan-

dards and acceptance.”

Hutson stated.

The mandate is really aimed at getting overseas-based Guyanese athletes to come home to perform so that Guyanese can have a chance to catch the athletes performing live. Though none of the overseas-based athletes is expected to be on show this weekend, several are confirmed to be here for the AP Invitational in two weeks.

Hutson’s hopes are still high that some athletes will make an Olympic qualifying standard on home ground.

“We have athletes who are pushing to make qualifying standards, they are on our Olympic long list, and we are getting there but some of the timings are not as fantastic.” He said.

The two-day Championships starts at 12:00hrs with today’s schedule including the heats and finals of the 100m and 400m sprints, the 1500m finals, as well as the long jump, javelin, women’s shot put and the 4x100m relays.

The event continues tomorrow, beginning at 09:00hrs, with two sessions set for the day one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning session will feature the triple jumps, the women’s high jump, men’s shot put, the discus events, 200m heats, and the 800m finals.

The event concludes in the afternoon session with the 200m finals, 3000m for women, 5000m for men, men’s high jump and 4x400m relays.

Ballr sponsors Tri-Nations ODI Series THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ITW-Techfront, the commercial rights holder for the series, announced today that Ballr is the title sponsor of the Tri-Nations Oneday International Series to be played between West Indies, Australia and South Africa.

The series will be known as the Ballr Cup Tri-Nations Series powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathies – and will be played in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados from June 3 to 26.

“The WICB is delighted to announce Ballr as the title sponsor of the 2016 Tri-Nations ODI Series,” said WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead.

“With the presence of

current 50-overs World Cup champions Australia and the ever-consistent South Africa,

WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead along with our own World Twenty20 champions West Indies, the Ballr Cup Series

is a high-profile affair and promises to be very exciting.

“We are always excited at the opportunity to host the best teams in the World and we are happy to have Ballr on board with us for this series.”

Sam Jones, founder and CEO of Ballr, a mobile fan engagement and gaming company, said it brought the company enormous pride in becoming the official title sponsor of the Tri-Nation Series.

“The Tri-Nations Series is a prestigious event, broadcast to millions of fans around the world,” he said. “We are excited to partner with the WICB, and this initiative will provide substantial global exposure for our brand and support our growth in new

markets.”

Krishna Satya, co-founder of ITW- Techfront, a Global Sport Commerce affiliate‎, said: “WICB and ITW are delighted to have Ballr ‎associate with the Tri-Nations ODI Series as the title sponsor.

“ITW has always held the belief that quality cricket generates great audience regardless of where it is played and we have advocated for brands to support such events.

“The Ballr Cup, features arguably three of the most exciting limited-overs teams in the world right now, and we are confident that the association will earn Ballr immense exposure in off-shore markets and a significant return on investment.”

National Seniors Championships starts today

See story on page 35

ODI Tri-Series…

Narine, Pollard too hot for Proteas ... off-spinner takes career-best six for 27

By Rajiv Bisnauth MYSTERY off-spinner Sunil Narine celebrated his comeback to international cricket with a career-best six for 27, as West Indies sealed a nervy run chase against South Africa by four wickets in the tri-series opener last evening at the Providence National Stadium.

West Indies owed their run chase of 189 to the blazing blade of Kieron Pollard, who made a comeback 67-ball 67.

It had looked somewhat difficult when West Indies were struggling at 76-4 in the 24th over, but the big- hitting Pollard with a superb unbeaten innings, and Darren Bravo put their chase back on track, with an enterprising stand of 74 off 76 balls for the fifth wicket.

The win has definitely boosted West Indies momentum heading into tomorrow’s second game against world champions Australia.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Man-of-theMatch Narine kept the South African batsmen on a tight leash.

The visitors planned to negotiate Narine’s overs without taking too many risks, but the Trinidadian, back in international cricket after a seven-month absence due to work on his action, ran through the middle and lower orders.

While the South Africans have often found one or the other of their star-studded batting line-up taking up the responsibility of pulling the score along to fighting proportions, it simply did not happen for them yesterday, with only Rilee Rossouw who managed a fighting 61 which eventually steadied the innings as the remaining South Turn to page 31

Sunil Narine and teammates celebrate the dismissal of South Africa’s Hashim Amla. (Adrian Narine photos)

Kyle Abbott is clean bowled by Carlos Brathwaite for 5.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Kieron Pollard on the attack during his unbeaten 67 SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016