Guuyana chronicle e paper 04 04 2018

WEDNESDAY 4th April, 2018

No.105234

ICJ ruling wil put end to Venezuela’s contention – Greenidge says

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Students of President's College and St. Stanislaus College recently visited Guyana's High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago. High Commissioner to the twin-island republic, Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop Maraj, discussed issues facing Guyana with the group of students. In photo Ambassador Ramsaroop Maraj (sitting front centre) with the students in the garden of Guyana's High Commission in Port of Spain

GuySuCo eyes profits in two years

Ex-husband 09 breaks silence PAGE

–– says murdered travel agent was trapped in abusive relationship

AA’s interest in Guyana 05 a good sign PAGE

–– ‘a vote of confidence’ in its ever-improving aviation image abroad

Schoolboy killed in 11 car crash PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

ICJ ruling will put end to Venezuela’s contention – Greenidge

THE decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will put to rest Venezuela’s “baseless contention” that the 1899 Arbitral Award is invalid, Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said on Tuesday.

Guyana has filed an application with the ICJ for settlement of the territorial controversy and is awaiting a response. Since 1962, Venezuela has been contending that the 1899 Ar-

bitral Award, with which it had originally agreed, is null and void in its quest to claim two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

Last Thursday, the Foreign Affairs Minister filed Guyana’s application with the ICJ, initiating legal proceedings with respect to Venezuela’s claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award is invalid.

“The application therefore asks the court to confirm in a final and binding judgment the full legal va-

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge lidity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that delimited our land boundary with Venezuela. Coming from the principal judicial organ of the UN, such a judgment will once and for all put to rest this baseless contention,” Minister Greenidge explained in a statement on Tuesday.

It was noted that since independence in 1966, Guyana has suffered from Venezuela’s contention of nullity.

“This assertion has undermined our ability to develop our sovereign territory and resources, including our natural wealth in the sea. By means of a judgment of the court, our objective is to put this controversy to a definitive end, so Guyana and Venezuela can live together as neighbours without the shadow of this conflict,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated.

He reminded that Guyana’s move to the ICJ is in keeping with the decision of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to choose the court as the means for resolving the controversy.

On January 30, 2018, the UN Secretary-General concluded that the Good Offices Process had failed to produce the desired results, and as such referred the matter to the ICJ for a final and binding decision.

“Now that the application is before the court, the process leading to this final judgment has commenced.

This is a great moment for the rule of law worldwide and for the peaceful resolution of conflict in our Caribbean Region. Above all, it is a great moment for the future prosperity and security of Guyana and for the betterment of our neighbourly relations with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters,” Minister Greenidge said.

With the application filed, Guyana now awaits a response from the ICJ. “Venezuela of course has the right to respond and disagree with Guyana’s position

on the validity of the 1899 Award. But either way, the process leading to a final judgment has now been set into motion,” he maintains.

According to Minister Greenidge, the judicial process will unfold in several stages and the Government of Guyana will periodically inform the public of its progress. “This is likely to be a lengthy process, but having waited more than 50 years, we are fully committed to seeing it through until the very end. The Government of Guyana looks forward to the continuing support of the Guyanese people as we move forward with this historic process in pursuit of justice,” he said.

Last month, renowned Guyanese diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal expressed high confidence in the legal team that will represent Guyana at the ICJ. According to him, “Guyana is in good hands.”

Government has retained the same team that had successfully represented Guyana in the Suriname border controversy case several years ago.

Guyana, Suriname exchange REDD+ knowledge A TEAM from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Project in Guyana recently participated in a three-day REDD+knowledge-sharing exchange with neighbouring Suriname.

The March 18-22 mission included formal/technical presentations, summary discussions and field visits organised by the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS).

Guyana’s delegation comprised officers from the FCPF Project Execution Unit (PEU) and REDD Secretariat, as well as an indigenous representative of the Project Steering Committee (PSC). A representative of the Guyana office of the Inter-American Development

Bank (IDB) also accompanied the team.

Part of the REDD+ Country Readiness Process, the exchange allowed Guyana and Suriname to share experiences on issues of climate change, its impact on their respective populations, environments and economies; and the ensuing relevance of a globally endorsed incentivised system to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).

Both being High Forest Cover, Low Deforestation (HFLD) countries is viewed as added opportunities for unified global advocacy on REDD+ issues. Suriname will host the second International HFLD Conference in July, and requested Guyana’s input to plan/prepare the agenda programme.

Though Suriname’s REDD+ Readiness is advanced to the country now finalising a Draft REDD+ Strategy and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), it is yet to establish a national Measurement Reporting and Verification System (MRVS).

Recognising Guyana’s strides with the MRVS since its first report was endorsed in 2012, Suriname remains focused on learning and replicating, where applicable.

During a REDD+consultation with Matta indigenous village, stakeholders questioned the Guyana delegation about what tangible REDD+ benefits exist for indigenous people and how REDD+ can address land rights issues.

While in Guyana indigenous people are granted ti-

tled ownership of communal lands, those in Suriname do not have such rights. Though REDD+ Readiness presents similar challenges for the two neighbours, there are different dynamics that may require unique approaches in each state.

The Guyana team visited too the Brokopondo District with stops at the Afobaka Dam that provides hydroelectric power and the Dennebos forest concession, where the team observed tree-felling activities and demonstration of an independent log-tracking system.

Guyana remains committed to information and knowledge sharing with other FCPF countries, as REDD+ efforts continue internationally in response to climate change.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

GuySuCo to return to profitability in two years

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… chairman says strategic plan will guide spending of $30B

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is projecting a turnaround in its fortunes by year two of its soon-to-be unveiled threeyear capital investment plan, which will guide the utilisation of the $30B syndicated bond, Chairman and Head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London has disclosed.

He also said that it was while crafting an earlier plan that the $30B was arrived at, putting to rest the concerns of the parliamentary opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that no feasibility study was conducted ahead of the securing of the bond.

“This figure was not plucked out of the air,” he posited, while emphasising that a study was conducted over a period of time.”

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at his La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate office on the East Coast of Demerara on Tuesday, Heath-London said GuySuCo is in the process of concretising the plan which is intended to revitalise the sugar industry. “We are working rapidly as a team to put forward our suggestions, which will be raised at the Ministry of Agriculture and the government level and Cabinet level, and basically we will ask for approval to move forward,” he told this newspaper.

As it formalises its plan, GuySuCo will meet shortly with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), one of the key stakeholders in the sugar industry, for its input.

“It is very important that all stakeholders in the industry form part of the strategic plan as we go forward, so that we can all basically put hands and hearts in what we want to do. Getting the stakeholders at the table creates a scenario where we have cross-fertilisation of ideas.

There may be things that we did not think about, the union may think about and other stakeholders may think about and then we could decide and finalise on how we go forward collectively,” Heath-London said.

Last week, GAWU’s President Komal Chand, while endorsing the move by the SPU to secure the $30B syndicated bond on behalf of GuySuCo, had underscored the importance of involving the union in the drafting of the plan for utilisation of the financial resources that will be pumped into the industry.

placed on co-generation at the three remaining estates – Blairmont, Albion and Uitvlugt. Albion and Uitvlugt Estates will be the first two to be equipped with co-generation facilities, Heath-London noted. The electricity produced will be sold to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to be supplied to the national grid.

While noting that the entire $30B will be pumped into GuySuCo, Heath-London posited that in the past, the corporation’s capital injections were made to the lat-

GuySuCo’s Chairman and Head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London (Photo by Adrian Narine) GuySuCo’s chairman noted that the strategic plan is being built on an earlier plan that was designed to recapitalise the industry with focus on plantation white sugar and cogeneration as by-products.

The intention of GuySuCo, he said, is to inject funds into sections of the ‘Cane Producing Industry’ that would generate either new income or make other income streams more sustainable. “When we talk about new income, we are talking about plantation white sugar, we are talking about co-generation, different value-added types of sugar and molasses, looking at sugar-related juices and animal feeds,” he explained.

However, Heath-London noted that the new plan would include a shortlist of by-products that would be given priority, based on their economic viability.

Plantation White Sugar and Co-generation are top of the list for the corporation.

GuySuCo is aiming to produce ‘Plantation White Sugar’ to sell in the local, CARICOM, and USA markets – a move that would see the corporation earning more and simultaneously displacing the importation of refined sugar regionally.

If Guyana, Jamaica and Belize – members of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean – could press the CARICOM Secretariat to impose the Common External Tariff, then extra-regional white sugar could attract a tariff of about 30-40 per cent. At the moment, brown sugar attracts a tariff of 40 per cent. Such a move would make Guyana’s Plantation White Sugar competitive Similarly, focus is being

ter end of its strategic plans; however, under his watch, it will be done in the reverse.

“We are saying for us to be viable, we need to frontload these developments earlier in the plan so in the third, fourth and fifth year you would see the company returning to profitable entity,” he posited.

He noted, however, its improvement would be gradual. “Turning GuySuCo around is not an overnight thing, it may take two years or even three years but by the end of the second year, we should see if we are trending

north or south.

On the issue of the bond, Heath-London said that the SPU is waiting on the commercial banks to disburse the funds, which will be done in a period of one year, starting within two weeks. It was confirmed that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL’s) balance sheet was used to secure the bond. The SPU forms a critical part of NICIL. “We used NICIL’s balance sheet to secure the bond, and to also work out

what rates we thought were competitive and to drive the rates down,” he said, while explaining that “with a syndicated bond, it means that there are several institutions involved in lending, so it spreads the risks across several institutions and based on whatever we are going to back the bond with, we can now negotiate a more competitive rate, because the risk has been spread wide across the financial range.”

The bond will be repaid within a period of five years.

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Prince Philip to undergo hip surgery THE Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital in central London for planned surgery on his hip, Buckingham Palace has said.

The surgery will take place on Wednesday at King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone.

Prince Philip, 96, retired from royal duties last August.

The duke did not attend the Easter service at Windsor Castle on Sunday, with his absence said to have been because of a hip problem.

He also missed two other events at Windsor in recent days, last Thursday’s Royal Maundy Service and a parade on 22 March to mark Prince Andrew’s appointment as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, for planned surgery on his hip which will take place tomorrow.

“Further updates will be issued when appropriate.” (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

Haiti rattled by 4.6 magnitude earthquake

Female suspect dead in YouTube HQ shooting A WOMAN on Tuesday shot and wounded three people at YouTube’s headquarters in Northern California before killing herself, police say.

A 36-year-old man left in a critical condition is believed to be the suspect’s boyfriend, CBS news reports. Two women, aged 32 and 27, were also shot.

San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said officers arrived at the scene at 12:48 (19:48 GMT) local time.

Officers found a “chaotic scene” with “numerous people fleeing”, he said.

One person with a bullet wound was found at the front of the company’s headquarters, Mr Barberini said.

Minutes later, officers found a woman who appeared to have shot herself, he said.

Two further victims were later discovered at a nearby business.

Police said the suspect was

armed with a handgun. Her identity has not yet been revealed.

An employee at a nearby fast-food restaurant told Fox station KTVU he had treated a young woman who suffered a bullet wound in the leg.

He said he had fashioned a makeshift tourniquet from a bungee cord as they waited for first responders.

Some 1,700 people work at the YouTube HQ. The company is owned by Google, and is the area’s biggest employer.

Images broadcast on local TV stations showed employees leaving with their hands raised.

Other footage appeared to show evacuees forming a queue before being individually frisked by police.

Video captured by a nearby helicopter showed a glass door shattered in its centre, with glass fragments strewn across the ground outside.

The three wounded were taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

Officials said the 32-yearold woman’s condition was serious, while the 27-year-old’s condition was fair.

A fourth person was also taken to hospital with an ankle injury sustained while trying to escape, Mr Barberini said.

YouTube spokesman, Chris Dale praised the police response to the incident.

“Today, it feels like the entire community of YouTube and all of the employees were victims of this crime. Our hearts go out to those who suffered in this particular attack,” he said.

Several YouTube employees tweeted about the attack as it was taking place.

Product manager, Todd Sherman said people fled the building in panic as the shooting unfolded. (BBC)

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 rocked Haiti on Monday but there were no immediate reports of injuries and damages on the French-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country recovering from a massive earthquake that killed thousands of people in 2010.

The Technical Unit of Seismology (UTS) of the Bureau of Mines and Energy (MBE)associates with the Ministry of the Environment (MDE) and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk and Disaster Management (SPGRD) said the quake was recorded at 9:46, and was located at sea about 108.4 km south of Belle Anse and 111.8 km southeast of Marigot.

It said the quake occurred less than 24 hours after another tremor was felt in at least 4 communes namely, Anse-à-Veau, Azile, Arnaud and Petit-Trou de Nippes, causing some panic.

UTS said no damage has been reported by local authorities for these two seismic events.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

AA’s interest in Guyana a good sign

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… ‘vote of confidence’ in its ever-improving aviation image abroad

By Zena Henry THE move by American Airlines (AA) to commence service here is being seen as a major vote of confidence in the country’s improving aviation safety and security capacity.

That’s according to Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Captain Egbert Field, who told the Guyana Chronicle that while AA has not yet formally applied to operate here, it has adequate time to do so, since it expects to start flights out of the country by year-end.

He said that a major airline like American Airlines said to the Authority it was confident in the safety and security operations that Guyana has here.

AA is expected to operate flights from Guyana to Miami, but Field has already indicated the Authority’s intention to entertain an application from the airline should the AA decide to ply the usually unstable but lucrative Georgetown to New York route.

Field expects that many more airlines like AA will want to operate in Guyana, especially with the emerging oil and gas industry, but not if the country’s aviation sector is chaotic and without proper standards.

He said that even the international aircraft manufacturers

like Boeing have given the country’s improving security and safety ambitions great reviews, and ranked Guyana third in the hemisphere for rising aviation countries.

Boeing is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, and satellites worldwide.

The company also provides leasing and product support services, and is among the largest global aircraft manufacturers.

BOEING APPROVAL Field said that Boeing came here earlier in the year to apprise the Authority of the country’s growing positive aviation image internationally. He said that Boeing’s regional director, who deals with product promotion, said he was happy with the direction Guyana is taking, and the advancements the Authority is making in the sector.

Boeing has also indicated to the Authority its intention to share its findings and all other information gathered on Guyana with airlines and other companies within the field.

Captain Field said that as a major player in international aviation, Boeing would have access to a lot of data from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) and like

agencies, as well as economic data and feasibility studies of a country as part of its marketing and promotional strategy for its products.

He said that as a credible force within the aviation sector, Boeing’s promotion of Guyana as a lucrative destination “would be a boost for Guyana, and put the country on the map”.

Another plus in Guyana’s favour is its being selected for the first time ever to host an ICAO air transport conference, which will be held in November.

According to Field, this conference will not only help boost Guyana’s image, but also promote its aviation sector, since the country will be entertaining all 192 member states in the organisation, and will have the opportunity of highlighting what is being offered locally.

Field said the ICAO recognition is all thanks to the GCAA’s hardworking staff, of whom he is immensely proud.

Back in 2017, Guyana was conferred with the Council President Certificate by ICAO, in recognition of the significant progress that was made in addressing safety oversight deficiencies, and the effective implementation of the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). Since assuming the leadership of

the GCAA, Captain Field has moved Guyana from its 44.24% ICAO rating to an impressive to 64.66%.

A PROUD MOMENT Reacting to the news last week of AA’s interest in Guyana, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said: “I am delighted that American Airlines will commence flying to Guyana in December. This will coincide with the launch of the newly expanded Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and demonstrates a confidence in Destination Guyana, not only as a desirable tourist destination but as an emerging oil economy as well.

“The government has been working at various levels to provide more options to travellers to and from Guyana; to North America with increased airlift, and American Airlines’ commitment to Destination

Guyana is recognition of government’s work since coming into office in 2015.”

Minister Patterson, back in January this year, had said that the new arrivals terminal building, generator building, pipe installation, pump station and water tank, boarding corridor and passenger boarding bridges would be completed by the first quarter of this year.

Work on the check-in and departure lounges and the first phase of the departure terminal, screening and VIP areas, and the south-west runway will be completed by the end of June. All other works will be completed by December 2018.

The terminal building area will increase from 13,431 to 13,737 square metres; checkin counters will be increased from 20 to 32; and the runway length increased from 10,066 to 10,090 metres.

Meanwhile, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, has noted, “This is good for tourism, good for business, and good for Guyana. “Only last week LIAT announced direct flights to POS from ECIA (Ogle), so this will give Guyanese and visitors to Guyana two additional travel options in this year alone.”

American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.

American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington D.C. American is a founding member of the one world alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

The advancement of women in Guyana THOUGH it is accepted that Guyana is a society divided along ethnic lines, and that such a factor colours its citizens’ political opinions and loyalty, this should not be a reason for anyone -- especially politicians/leaders -- to be making misleading statements.

Of course, this has been a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) opposition strategy of appealing to its constituent base, by resurrecting the fears of ethnicity, keeping hopes alive, and undoubtedly playing the race card. This kind of political tactic does not and cannot lend to enlightened political discourse; or raise the bar for solutions in a country that has its peculiar challenges of race.

As primary examples of this, reference is made to a letter via the Stabroek News of March 08, 2018, captioned, “Under the APNU+AFC government many women have lost their jobs, being discriminated against.”

Its entirety can only be described as a grave travesty of truth, in its orchestrated attempts to accuse the current A Partnership for National Unity+AFC (APNU) coalition government, of reducing the presence and role of women in the public and political spheres, one of its main themes.

There have been so many positive things done since the historic 2015 elections that point to the advancement of women, and their roles in public life, that we ask where is the discrimination, as these well-known signatories have alleged?

At the Executive level, the seat of government, never before have women occupied positions of power and influence, as they do at this time: there are 11 female ministers of government; eight female permanent secretaries; five female legal advisers, inclusive of a general counsel who are in critical areas of state authority; female head of the Department of

the Environment; female Head of Governance, Office of the Prime Minister; female consultant to the latter office; female editor-in-chief, Department of Public Information, and so is its head for the Department of Coordinator, Communications Strategy, and its editor for assignments and special projects.

The appointments to the nation’s judiciary, since 2015, illustrate a government that is genuine in its understanding of gender parity, and its acceptance of the role of women in the very important decision-making spheres of society.

Guyana now boasts of women at the helm of the nation’s two highest judicial offices, those of chief justice and chancellor; a female director of public prosecutions, whose tenure has continued into the current administration; a female solicitor-general and 12 female judges; this constitutes the highest number of women judges appointed to the local judiciary at any time of its history; a female registrar of the Supreme Court; a female chief magistrate, and several female magistrates of varying seniority.

Of significance, is the conferral of the dignity of senior counsel on the first female attorneys in the history of the nation’s legal system. There are now three distinguished ladies in this exalted category, inclusive of the chief justice.

Reference is also made to another missive, of March 08, 2018 published in the Stabroek News, captioned, “It is time for the administration to pay attention to poor working women in Guyana.”

What is interesting about this letter from a well-known spokesperson of the political opposition, is that it would have the nation believe that the problems outlined have all commenced from the time of May 2015. It is a bird that cannot fly.

In fact, the issues raised about low salaries with its particular

challenges for single parents, inclusive of shop assistants earning below the minimum wage, are among a plethora of problems that existed for all of the time of the PPP/C government; which as an existing administration it was fully cognizant of as a serious socio-economic issue, and which it had the means to remedy, but did not. And this includes the abysmal wages level and general working conditions of the Ministry of Education’s janitresses, which received lip services and promises.

There have since been several increases to the national minimum wages. When this government assumed office in 2015, the minimum wage was G$35, 000; it has since been increased to G$60, 000, to the benefit of female workers and the dignity of labour, with all the legal rights being finally given to this well deserving category in 2017 by the current administration.

Additionally, the surprise visits by former Labour Minister Simona Broomes made to many downtown businesses, which resulted in those exploited women mentioned in the Stabroek News letter, being promptly paid improved wages and other attended benefits, which they were not receiving.

The latter, of course, being an inheritance from the former PPP/C administration. These are just some of the facts about the advancements that are being made since 2015 for upliftment of the nation’s women. The list is endless; no amount of lies can obfuscate these facts.

The citizens of this country are not short of information Dear Editor, I REFER to the article, “Govt’s meeting with British experts was publicity stunt,” via Kaieteur News of March 23, 2018.

What does one expect from an opposition leader whose only contribution to national debate is virulent criticism?

Before responding to this constitutional office holder, who has become the consummate opposition brand that criticises for criticism sake, the following observation is apt. Editor, given the avalanche of criticisms, many of which bordered on personal attacks, one would have thought that these “learned local oil and gas experts” would have taken the opportunity to attend the government-sponsored, three-day discussions, led by a collective of some of the world’s renowned thinkers.

I had thought that these supposedly Guyanese “patriots”, for all of their decibel-high statements etcetera, would have used such a unique opportunity to engage with such a panel on the very issues for which they have been verbally belabouring the government.

Although one is entitled to an opinion, it is always best tested in the wider court of public discussion. And what better occasion for these very Guyanese to have had an open debate on the emerging oil and gas industry, which is all new to this country. After all, this is the seminal period of this country’s socio-economic development history, when an auspicious era is about to begin, as a democratic nation – all are welcome to air their concerns.

But such concerns should be of the type that will assist in finding solutions, rather than being very nasty and partisan in tone. Listen to these so–called knowledgeables, and one

cannot help but observe that they have all the answers, and hold the key, to the issues arising from the oil and gas contract.

I extend this view to the leader of the opposition with his usual grading of the coalition government. Always believing that he is the economist par excellence, he ought to have been present as a national leader at such a gathering. All the other activists, critics as well; but their fossilised reasoning, with its usual political partisanship, would have been exposed.

Any reasonable Guyanese would ask why Jagdeo particularly was not there, to match arguments with the visitors. They would have made intellectual minced meat of him.

Instead, he is now accusing the Granger administration of not educating “ourselves”.

I interpret this to mean the public. He, or any other of his ilk, is damned for such a lie.

Whatever this nation has learned about the oil

and gas industry, apart from the internet, are primarily due to the numerous public engagements on the part of the Ministry of Natural Resources, whether in the form of individual overseas experts, visiting groups, and even the recently held oil and gas expo. The citizens of this country are not short of informative data.

What Jagdeo fails to understand, and maybe, grudgingly accept is that the entire nation is following the unfolding of this emerging sector. They are anticipating the positives from which they will benefit.

Most important though, is that the public knows which government they prefer to be responsible for this nation’s affairs, prior to, and after 2020 first-oil. This much Jagdeo should know.

Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

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Parking meters should not be allowed to return Dear Editor THE doggedness and explicit bullyism being displayed by some members of the Georgetown City Council as they seek to shove down the throats of Guyanese the purported benefits with regard to the renegotiation of the scandalous parking meter deal, clearly means one of two things: it is either those who are championing the return of the parking meters have an interest in its operations and therefore are duty-bound to see it up and running, or it means

that they are just heartless, who could not care less of what the political, economic and legal consequences and fallout will be.

They are all aware that foisting what can only be described as a corrupt contract on the citizens of Georgetown is not only wrong, but is proscribed. Let me say from the very outset that most citizens recognise that space is precious in our capital city – and so is time for our drivers, so they do not oppose a modern, transparent and efficient parking system being implemented by the City Council; what they oppose is

having it done by Smart City Solutions.

They challenge the legality and transparency of the arrangement and the credibility of the company with which the city has entered into the contract. From the outset, it should be noted that the previous Council never approved the imposition of the draconian parking meter project as was erroneously stated repeatedly by the administration, and therefore everything else that followed, including the renegotiation, was null and void and premised on a falsehood.

Secondly and very im-

The death of this woman is disturbing

Dear Editor,

I AM deeply upset and saddened by the news that a Guyanese woman, a mother of six, lost her life tragically during a home delivery of her baby in the North West district of Yarakita.

I want to state publicly and unmistakably: such things should not happen anywhere in our country. In this day and age, we cannot allow our people to endure poor medical services, especially those who are financially challenged and live in remote areas.

It is hurtful to me personally that this mother delivered her baby and the placenta was left in her. It is basic medical practice to make sure the placenta is expelled from a mother’s womb after she delivers a baby. The most primitive tribes on earth know this and make sure

that it is done. This case is extremely painful for me. It brings back vivid memories of my own mother bawling and screaming in her bedroom when midwives were helping her to deliver her babies. Childbirth is extraordinarily painful and stressful; mother and child need the best care and attention at that time.

Many times when I was a kid, I had to run or ride seven miles to get a nurse or midwife for my mom, sometimes at two or three o’clock in the morning. I distinctly recall that there was always someone to manage the afterbirth, clean, wash up and deal with blood-stained clothing and bedding.

My heart bleeds to know that a North West mother had to suffer and die so needlessly. It is painful to realise that in 2018, in our supposedly modern society, too many

Guyanese women still do not have access to proper medical care before, during and after delivery of babies.

The safe delivery of children should be a top priority for our health care authorities. They have to do more extensive medical outreach programmes and put better systems in place across the length and breadth of Guyana to ensure that pregnant mothers and their offspring get basic medical services. The death of the mother in such harrowing circumstances is very depressing and painful. The Ministry of Health must tremble about this; the government must tremble and the whole of Guyana must shake. We need to fix this problem and do it now!

Regards Roshan Khan Sr,

Misleading article in KN Dear Editor ONE notes with a long eyeroll another sensational and deceptive front page headline in which Chris Ram claims, “ExxonMobil effectively bans fishing in huge swathe of Guyana’s waters.” For the record, Exxon’s total Stabroek

Block, of which the Liza fields are a minute part, is 26,806 sqkm. Guyana’s EEZ is 138,240 sqkm.

The article fails to indicate where in the PSA Exxon bans fishing, causing “hundreds of millions of dollars” in losses. Ram also claims with clairvoyant certainty that Exxon will “render bar-

ren the environment”. Surely, Exxon is the most concerned and has the most to lose by any oil spill. Just ask BP whose 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster has cost it, to date, in fines and lawsuits US$42B. Regards Earl Hamilton

Our mosquito repellents are floor strippers WHATEVER we rub on our skins enter the body, the bloodstream and eventually must have a discourse with our liver, so the biologists imply.

Because we are tropical, mosquitoes are our natural tormentors. I use time and time again mosquito sprays when working at the computer, etc., and it was

brought to my attention by my wife that the spray is lifting up the floor polish.

I’m not sure whether the contents of something that can work as a mild floor stripper is ideal to spray or rub on my skin. One brand is manufactured by Twins, the other by New GPC. I spoke to a drugstore owner and he said that one

brand got sprayed on his cellphone by mistake and it totalled the face of the phone. I’m not sure which authority can advise on this. I have discontinued both, but I am aware that other citizens are still using mosquito repellents. I do hope for a public response.

Regards Barrington Braithwaite

portantly, it must be noted that the parking meters fiasco has been mired in controversy from the inception. The tortuous journey began with the setting up of an opaque company going by the name National Parking Systems (NPS) sometime around 1995, which listed its address as 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, where the security and other officials in the building that NPS claimed as the address from which it rented office space, emphatically denied that National Parking Systems had an office there, leading to the first set of concerns by

citizens.

Then we had NPS partnering with a company called Smart City Solutions (SCS) to install the parking system and there was again another controversy, as there seemed to be two Smart City Solutions, one with just two directors and registered locally and one which is owned by a Mexican group.

Evidently, no due diligence was done by the Council on these companies, as one of the original principals behind the deal had been jailed for four months in New York in 2002 and placed on five years’

probation for grand larceny in the third degree; whilst the other was convicted and then released from a US federal prison in 2007.

The ‘Terrific Triumvirate’ which incorrectly believes installing parking meters is the legal right of the Council, and that they will be forcibly implemented, is in for a rude awakening, as until and unless the entire parking meter initiative is done over transparently and with reputable companies, it will go nowhere.

Regards Mark Roopan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Efforts to preserve Dakoura Creek bearing fruit

THE government’s efforts to preserve Dakoura Creek, which will eventually be the sole source of water for Linden residents through the Dakoura Creek Protection Strategy, have seen many successes.

This is according to Guyana Water Inc. consultant Samuel Wright who has been instrumental in preparing the management plan and has given a lot of energies and resources to the success of the plan.

The plan commenced in 2015 with support funding from the International Development Bank (IDB) and since then the project has seen the construction of a new treatment plant on the Dakoura Creek and the completion of supporting transmission and distribution systems.

The implementation of the plan includes investigations and analysis of the content, including water quality monitoring, gauging of the Dakoura Creek, and public awareness, outreach and education programmes.

Wright said he has exerted a lot of ener-

gies in educating and bringing awareness to residents of Linden on the importance of the protection of the watershed.

“The overriding consideration is that uninformed development.

The lack of awareness of the watershed processes and lack of regulatory oversight threaten and could undermine the integrity of the watershed, and impair the primary designated use,” an excerpt from the executive summary of the strategic plan noted.

THREATS REMAIN Wright is hopeful that funding will be made available for the implementation of the plan since several of the initial threats to the watershed still remain today.

Three of these are indiscriminate garbage dumping, unauthorised mining and residential squatting. Wright alleged that a private garbage collection company operating in Linden continues to dump at the watershed.

The government’s efforts to preserve Dakoura Creek have seen many successes A key aspect of the management strategy is to have the Dakoura Creek Watershed (DCW) awarded special protective status.

This would facilitate immediate protection of the resources while monitoring and characterisation programmes are developed and implemented.

Wright said he would not fully advocate for the removal of residents and farmers, but the focus should be on educating these on what activities can be harmful to the watershed.

Signs have been placed at strategic areas of the watershed in an effort to raise awareness of its preservation. Wright is calling for all supporting stakeholders to play their role

in protecting this very important water source in Linden.

When the implementation phase is completed, residents of Wismar will receive improved water supply and quality.

The Dakoura Creek Watershed is one of five watersheds in Linden, all sub-basins of the Demerara River Watershed. It is approximately 13 kilometres long and 7 kilometres wide.

Access through the DCW is by bauxite haul roads, abandoned logging trails, survey lines and unsurfaced roads within and from the housing developments.

Land use within the DCW includes bauxite and laterite mining and squatting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Ex-husband breaks silence –– says murdered travel agent was trapped in abusive relationship

RICHARD Beveny, the hitherto reticent ex-husband of murdered travel agent Reona Payne, on Tuesday went live on television, telling the reporter that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

He said to begin, the woman was constantly abused by Orwain Sandy, the interdicted GDF officer at whose hands she died.

The man said that so overwhelming was the abuse,that the woman on occasion reached out to her friends, who in turn reached out to him, telling him that all was not well with his exwife; that life with her former flame was a living hell.

The relationship between Reona and Sandy, according to Beveny, goes back to their high school days, but it so happened that things didn’t work out between them.

He said that rather than marry Sandy, she opted to take him as her husband. It’s a union, he said, that lasted some 12 years.

But from the inception, he said, she would always warned him that if ever he hurt her, she be returning to her first love. And true to her word, that’s exactly what she

did, Beveny said, though he did not indicate what caused the separation.

Asked whether he had loved his ex-wife, Beveny responded in the affirmative.

The next question which followed was, if he had loved the woman so deeply, why did he allow her to slip back into the hands of her first love.

And his tearful response was: “I believe that when you love something, you let it go. And if it comes back to you, it belongs to you.

“Before I got married to Reona,she said that if I hurt her, she would go back with Sandy. Before I remarried, I went to Reona first, and she said she was happy,and I allowed her to be.”

FRANTIC CALLS On the day that the woman was shot dead in the street by the army officer, several calls were placed to her mobile phone by persons close to her, and she also placed several calls to persons to whom she was close.

From all accounts, she and Sandy had gotten into a heated argument in the lat-

ter’s car while on their way to the city; an argument that pretty soon got physical.

And while the sequence of events is not clear, Sandy reportedly told the police when he turned himself in that it was Reona who was the aggressor; that she had even tried to cause an accident by grabbing the wheel of the car, and took his service weapon from where it was hidden in the vehicle and threw it out the window.

Beveny said that while his ex-wife spoke very little about her relationship with Sandy, he just knew that she was not happy. It was there in her eyes; in her body language.

He said that after living with someone for as long as the two of them did, there are certain little things you get to know about them.

He said that at one point he even attempted to reach out to Sandy to try to get him and Reona to mend their relationship, but his offer was rejected.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE But what got him really upset and scared, he said, was when Sandy cut off his

eldest daughter’s hair in a fit of rage.

And that, to him, was evidence enough that all was not well in paradise; that whatever the problem was, Sandy was taking his frustration out on his three children, who happened to be living permanently with the couple.

But even before that, Beveny said, the youngest of his three children would tell him from time to time about the abuse that her mother was suffering, but he didn’t take it seriously, as he thought that the child

might have been overreacting.

He also recalled being told by all three children that there were times when Sandy would lock their mother out of the house, and on other occasions take her into their bedroom and beat her.

What did not come out of the interview, was whether the constant communication between Beveny and his ex-wife had anything to do with the tragedy of Saturday last.

The man expressed shock and disappointment at the actions of the army officer, whom he said should have exercised restraint and better control of his emotions by virtue of his profes-

sion and the office he held.

Sandy was a Special Assistant to the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force.

Moments after the shooting, the organisation issued a statement to the press indicating that the officer had been interdicted from duty.

The statement further sought to distance the army from such actions, and clarified that the act was an isolated one, and does not reflect the values of the GDF or what it condones.

The army has also expressed its condolences to relatives of the deceased.

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Oil, Finland and education in Guyana

ON the cusp of an oil economy, the central focus in my humble estimation, for all policy-makers at this time should be: how can we construct an education system from pre-nursery to tertiary that equips our young people with the skills to make them competitive in an interconnected global economy.

If there is an education model from which we seek to draw inspiration, I say look to Finland. I will lead the effort to caution from the outset that the Finnish education circumstances are vastly different from the Guyanese education realities; but putting money in the right places for results is universally applicable.

In January 2017, Clifford Krauss of the

New York Times reported, ‘Guyana, the tiny English-speaking South American country, is poised to become the next big oil producer in the Western Hemisphere, attracting the attention and investment dollars of some of the biggest oil companies in the world’. On June 29th 2017, the Economist reported, ‘South America’s only English-Speaking [country] is one of the poorest. But perhaps not for longer: Guyana has struck black gold’.

Bloomberg documented that by the end of the decade, Guyana‘s oil well could potentially hold 700 million barrels, worth 40 billion at today’s international crude price. The worth of Guyana’s inchoate oil industry has varied, depending on the sources and complex cal-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

culations; but for all intents and purposes of this column, 40 billion will be the financial reference point to illustrate this case. This means the flow of revenues will make the present government the first in the post-independence period to have such budgetary largesse at its disposal without imperialistic loan arrangements. While there are vast areas of responsibilities that will deserve the government’s attention, I am of the view that education should get its due. Further, if there is a government that possesses the will and the financial rectitude to deliver a longterm education programme to fundamentally transform our reality, it is this coalition government. It is against this background that I opine hereunder with much confidence that my suggestions will be heeded.

If there is a gathering of young people with career aims in a room in Guyana and the question is asked: ‘Who wants to be a teacher?’ , it is reasonable to assume that few hands will be shown. If that question is posed to young people in Finland, about 70% of those present would raise their hands.

Therein lies our focus. The story behind the reason for such different reactions to the idea of becoming a teacher goes all the way back 40 years ago in Finland.

The Nordic country of Finland has repeatedly been at the top of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings over recent years. This has been possible because of several main reasons: less competition and more cooperation among schools in the public and private spheres.

Teaching is the most respected profession in Finland. Finland’s education system listens and is guided by research, college tuition is free, pre-school is high quality and universal.

This does not come easily. This is ungirded and moored by a robust budgetary and financial commitment to education by Finland. In 2014, Finland spent US $13, 865 per student in lower secondary school, as compared to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average of US $10,235. Coupled with this, Finland spent 5.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on education in 2017. The average OECD country spent 5.1% in the same year. The point which is pellucidly being made is that this magnitude of education achievement is not plucked from thin air; we will have to come way above GY $49.1 billion in any given fiscal year to mimic any semblance of this form of achievement.

Let me be clear: I am speaking of a longterm plan. The Guyana education system today is making strenuous efforts with massive programmes: the feeding programme, the training of numerous teachers ,the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage in the education system, the evidence-based approach to policy-making, the drive to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and unprecedented budgetary allocations for Math programmes and more. This is great, but there needs to be more long-term strategic, robust, state-led vision that coincides with the nascent oil industry. Our mission should be to use oil revenues to construct a knowledge-based modern education system that will produce a ‘Golden Generation’ after 20 years of implementation. From pre-nursery, pregnant mothers can be trained to read and educate kids in their infant years, before they enter nursery.

At the nursery level, the best and brightest teachers receiving special pay for their masters and doctoral qualifications with full decentralised classroom control just like Finland, not subject to the bureaucracy of Ministry control; primary education introduced with specialised Science and Math teachers; a new teacher training institution housed on the campus of the University of Guyana, with a possible name such as the ‘Guyana Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teacher Training Institute’. A secondary system that includes a focus on technical vocation education that can produce the technical minds for a knowledge-based economy. A competency-based system that is supported by the necessary equipment and machinery for maximum practice and physical experience. The Council for Technical and Vocational Education (CTVET) can come up with all the grand visions and policies, it comes down to the will to spend. Competency-based training requires heavy investment, this is our opportunity to do this. If we can create a workforce that can attract Fortune 500 tech companies, we can say that oil revenues have been wisely spent. The Minister of Education has the right mindset in this regard, she stated, ‘technical training [is] a key element in Guyana’s development’.

Let us try to emulate the best education system in the world as best as we can apply this to coincide with an economy blessed with oil revenues.

Lindener dies in mining pit collapse KEVIN Adams, 25, a miner of Linden, Region 10, died at Chinese Creek Backdam, Mazaruni River, after a pit caved in and buried him .

Police in ‘F’ Division said they are investigating the incident which occurred around 14:00hrs last Sunday.

Reports indicate that the walls of the pit began to cave in suddenly and several men were pinned, but they managed to escape, except Adams.

Adams was subsequently dug out and rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on ar-

rival. His body is at the Bartica Hospital Mortuary.

Back in 2015, 10 persons died in a mining pit at Konawaruk after it had collapsed. The incident saw 17 miners being buried under a pile of dirt and rubble, but seven of them made it out alive with various injuries.

The others remained trapped under the dirt where they eventually perished.

The deaths were blamed on heavy rains in the area, improper mining design and poor safety practices at the mining camp.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Ministry of Natural Resources responds to Nandlall accusations THE Ministry of Natural Resources said it has taken note of an article on page 10 of Tuesday’s edition of the Stabroek News and advises the Guyanese public that ExxonMobil, Ratio, CGX, ON Energy, NABI Oil & Gas Inc, Tullow & Eco Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic and Repsol , all have these provisions at Article 9 which specifically requires a seven-day notice period.

Further, the ministry wishes to advise the Guyanese public that all of the above-mentioned contracts

were signed by the former PPP regime. Pertinently, all, except the ExxonMobil contract was signed while Anil Nandlall was attorney general and minister of legal affairs. It was he, Anil Nandlall, who was the principal legal adviser to the PPP government during the time of signing of these contracts.

In view of these facts, it is indeed bizarre and hypocritical that Mr Nandlall would seek to comment.

Had he had an issue with these requirements, why did he not advise against their inclusion? Does Mr Nand-

Shot market vendor discharged from hospital THE 62-year-old market vendor who was shot on Monday during an armed robbery at the La Penitence Market, has been discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital and has given the police a statement.

The pensioner, Deodat Ganesh, was shot when he tried to defend his wife, Meena, who was being attacked by two men, one armed with a handgun and the other with a knife.

The bandits had pounced on the woman and demanded the cash she had in her apron when her husband rushed to her rescue. Ganesh was wounded when the armed bandit fired a shot in his direction and a bullet grazed his head and another hit him Injured: in the abdomen.

Deodat Ganesh The bandits after grabbing the apron with $150, 000 representing Easter Sunday and Monday sales, escaped on a bicycle.

Meena, who was back out selling on Tuesday, said she has been a vendor for the past 38 years and Monday’s incident was the first time such a brazen act was carried out at the market.

Schoolboy killed in car crash A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy was killed Tuesday after a car driven by a businessman crashed into him when he allegedly ran onto the Aurora Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

Dead is Jadesh Mohanlall of Aurora Essequibo Coast.

The 42-year-old businessman who is a boat owner was identified as Gobin Chandrika.

Reports allege that the motorcar was proceeding in a southerly direction on the eastern lane of the road at a fast rate of speed when the lad ran from a yard on the eastern side unto the road and into the path of the motor car.

The driver claimed he applied brakes to avoid a collision. However, the youth was struck down. The youngster was picked up in a semi-conscious condition by the driver and taken to Suddie Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The businessman was arrested and taken to the Suddie Police Station where he remains in custody.

The vehicle was also lodged.

lall have no memory of his advice and actions when in government?

Finally, the ministry calls on all media to engage in professional and thorough journalism and ensure that information provided is verified before rushing to print.

The ministry has made several petroleum contracts available for public scrutiny and they can be viewed at www.dpi.gov.gy/ contracts

Break and enter accused placed on bail

TWO men on a break and enter and larceny charge appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday afternoon and were released on bail.

The allegation is that Kristof Methland, and Leroy Savory, between March 30 and March 31, at Water Front, Port Kaituma, broke and entered the Ameer Ally hotel and stole $124,000 worth of items, the property of Richard Henry.

The Chief Magis-

trate released the men on $30,000 bail, each and transferred the matter

to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court for May 8.

Leroy Savory, left, and Kristof Methland, second from right

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

M&CC clears scrap metal from Norton Street

LARGE amounts of old scrap metal and a derelict vehicle were removed from Norton Street on Tuesday afternoon by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in keeping with its mandate to reclaim public spaces and parapets.

The removal was spear-

headed by Town Clerk Royston King, who said the action is necessary for the safety of residents and comes about after its owner, Morris Primo, was issued several notices.

King said Primo has brought the matter upon himself with his refusal to adhere

to the Municipal and District Council Act which prohibits trespass in alleyways, public and council roads, parapets and pavements.

“One individual has held the entire community hostage by storing all sorts of scrap metal and a whole host of other undesirable things,

creating an environment for mosquito breeding and harbouring all kinds of reptiles.

“We couldn’t allow a situation like this to continue to remain in the city and because of that, we’re moving to clear the entire parapet and even the yard in which these things are stored,” King said.

A number of trucks and two excavators were at work at the scene with the help of several workmen who could be seen clearing items such as old refrigerators, stoves, car parts, zinc sheets and other items.

“This particular individual was warned over and over again. He’s been given notices, both verbal and writ-

An excavator used to remove the bulk of scrap metal and other materials on Norton Street

There was also an accumulated buildup of materials beginning on the roadside opposite the scrap yard ten notices and he has failed to comply so we’re taking action against him,” the town clerk said.

However, speaking with reporters, Primo disagreed with King. He claimed that he did not receive a warning from the City Council, and only knew about the removal when the team of workmen showed up.

Primo who has been operating at the location for over 14 years, told reporters that had he been given extra time he would have removed the stored items.

He was very much against the removal of the truck parked on the parapet, stating that it would be damaged if removed by the excavators.

King, nonetheless, maintained his previous stance.

“These things have been stored on our parapets and on the reserve for ages and because we’ve not taken action against him, he continues to accumulate all sorts of objectionable things.

“Not caring about the way his neighbours feel and not caring about the property or property value of his neighbours. We couldn’t allow this to continue.”

The town clerk said the persons living adjacent to the

al dealer, King said a notice has been issued to a farmer who reportedly rears and slaughters pigs in the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

This act is said to have been occurring for some 15 years and the meat is sold at the Bourda Market.

The M&CC has described the situation as a dangerous health risk.

“We’ve served the notice and they have a few more days, by next week, to remove those pigs and piglets from the cemetery.

We couldn’t have a farmer

Owner of the scrap yard, Morris Primo, salvages what he can as the workmen clear the area scrap yard and others in the community have complained rearing pigs in the cemetery. to the City Council about the It is just not right, it is com‘eyesore’, which he said Pri- pletely unacceptable,” King said firmly. mo paid no mind to.

Apart from the Norton Speaking with two feStreet clean up, King made male residents living beside and behind the scrap yard, known the M&CC’s intenwho both wished to remain tion to revisit Sussex Street, unnamed, one woman said: in Charlestown, where a “It was a health hazard be- similar scrap metal operation cause of rats and all of those had been restarted by a man after the site was cleared just things, plenty mosquitoes.”

The other who has small a few weeks ago.

The scrap metal and children said, “You would get a lot of mosquitoes and other materials will be so on, it would be a facelift transported to a Princes Street location where they for the environment.”

Aside from the scrap met- will be buried.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Shuttle flights now conforming to aviation standards –– GCAA director-general

ALL flights providing shuttle services to interior locations are now in conformity with civil aviation standards and are said to be operating within a safer framework.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director-General Captain Egbert Field told the Guyana Chronicle that all the operators flying to hinterland and mining communities have received approval from the GCAA. In August of last year, the authority suspended all domestic shuttle operations until operators had provided their Standard Operational Manuals and other documents relating to their flight operations.

The order came in the wake of three aircraft accidents that left two pilots dead within a relatively short space of time.

Field told the Guyana Chronicle that operators had been coming in one by one with their manuals, but they all submitted their information and received approval to resume shuttle operations.

“They are all operating as per standards approved by the authority,” he said.

The temporary ban on shuttle services had affected residents of some hinterland communities, as well as miners who transport their goods and other items.

Despite the challenge, the GCAA had expressed the need to stop the service until safety was the main priority. As the matter of the shuttle services was brought to the fore, unsafe practices such as pilots flying overweight planes for extra cash and receiving inadequate rest were highlighted.

The GCAA had adopted the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s five-phase process for approval of operators’ manuals on shuttle operations.

The process entailed a pre-application phase, an application phase, document evaluation, demonstration and inspection phase, and then certification.

Captain Collin Martin, a retired Guyana Defence Force major, had died almost instantly when the Roraima Airways Britten-Norman Islander aircraft he was flying crashed at Eteringbang last July.

Captain Imran Khan, flying for Air Services Limited (ASL), also lost his life while flying his Cessna 206 aircraft from Chi-Chi to Mahdia in August of that same year.

Earlier in that month, Captain Dominique Waddell also crashed the Wings Aviation single-engine Cessna 206 he was flying while on his way to Ekereku from Eteringbang. Luckily, the pilot had sustained only minor injuries.

Jury empanelled for ‘Bucket of Water’ murder trial A 12-MEMBER jury was empanelled on Tuesday morning before Justice James Bovell-Drakes for the start of the Vindra Siriram “head in bucket of water” murder trial in the Georgetown High Court.

According to the state’s case, between June 9 and 10, 2014 the accused allegedly murdered his wife, Shelly Ann Persaud.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence for which he stands indicted. He is represented by defence attorney Damian Da Silva, while the state prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Seeta Bishundyal.

The state is expected to call about 10 witnesses.

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14

Sol introduces new motor oil

SOL GUYANA has joined an ongoing revolution in motor oil, launching its ground-breaking Shell motor oil formulation, the fully synthetic Helix Ultra-range of premium lubricants made from natural gas with patented Shell PurePlus technology.

According to a press statement from Sol, Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology is the company’s most technologically

advanced lubricant and the first motor oil designed from natural gas.

Sol Guyana, the official macro distributor for Shell lubricant, introduced the new product at a simple ceremony on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel.

The new Helix Ultra with PurePlus technology is expected to give motorists in Guyana access to Shell’s latest and most advanced motor oil, designed to deliver

a range of key benefits which meet the needs of modern engines.

“From our company’s inception we pledged the delivery of quality products and services, customised solutions, flexibility and excellent sales support to customers, building on the legacy of Shell lubricants in Guyana,” said General Manager (Guyana) Liz Wyatt.

The manager noted that Sol’s longstanding partner-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

ship with Shell continues to be of benefit to the customers, and they are proud of their continued association with the world’s leading suppliers of high quality motor oils.

It is in keeping with this tradition that Sol will continue to support their customers by ensuring that they can always make informed choices of the best lubricants available for their particular vehicle application.

The new Shell Helix Ultra-synthetic line of premium motor oils introduces an entirely new way of producing synthetic base oils from natural gas with the patented

Shell PurePlus technology, a cutting edge gas-to-liquid technology process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear base oil with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil.

Ayanna Watson, Commercial and Lubricants Manager said the innovative motor oil constituted a significant advancement in the composition of Shell Helix Ultra motor oils.

This launch marked the culmination of 40 years of research in gas-to-liquid technology at Shell lubricants technology centres worldwide. Shell PurePlus Technology is paving the

way for the next generation of motor oils by offering possibilities for new viscosity grades that can provide engine protection in more extreme conditions.

Shell PurePlus technology also works in combination with active cleansing technology to produce a premium lubricant which under tests demonstrated the highest attainable levels of cleansing and protection, keeping engines closer to factory clean than any of engine deposits and sludge.

According to Watson, it has also been shown to contribute positively to fuel saving.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Essequibo driver slapped with causing death charge THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Erza Junior Adams of Fear Not Village on the Essequibo Coast was on Tuesday slapped with three charges for causing the death of 73-year-old Percy Lashley of Coffee Grove on the Essequibo Coast.

Adams made his first appearance in the matter on Tuesday at the Anna Regina Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that on March 29 around 14:00hrs, he drove motor car PVV 8733 dangerously, thereby causing the death of Percy Lashley on the Coffee Grove Public Road. It is alleged also that on the same day, he failed to render assistance to the victim. The court also heard that he was under the influence at the time of the accident.

After the Administration of Justice ACT (AJA) was applied, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Adams’ attorney Dindyal Latchmi, told the court that his client is not a flight risk, he is a machine operator by profession and if granted bail, he would attend his trial. Bail was granted in the sum of $300,000 for causing death

The deceased Percy Lashley by dangerous driving and for the two other charges, he was released on his own recognisance. He is expected to return to court on April 24.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem conducted on Adams by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Mortuary revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries he suffered during the accident.

According to the police’s report, the motor car PVV 8733 was being driven south along the eastern side of

One plead guilty, two remanded after Sheriff St. bust THREE men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, jointly charged with the alleged possession of 2.250 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Thirty-three-year-old Mark Gomes, Ryan Fowler, 33, and 38-year-old Mohammed Kadir were all charged over last Thursday’s drug bust on Sherriff Street. Gomes and Kadir were remanded to prison, while Fowler was sentenced to four years in jail and fined $6M after he entered a guilty plea.

Prosecutor for the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Konyo Sandiford, told the court that on the day in question at about 19:45hrs, ranks observed two vehicles parked suspiciously in the vicinity of Sheriff Street.

The court heard that Kadir exited one of the vehicles with a yellow gas cylinder and went over to the other vehicle which was being driven by Gomes with Fowler as a passenger.

CANU ranks subsequently intercepted the vehicle with the men inside, a search was conducted which unearthed the drugs hidden inside the gas bottle.

After the prosecutor indicated that CANU would still move ahead with the case against Gomes and Kadir, they were both remanded to prison until April 18, 2018 Just two months ago Gomes’ father, Andre ‘Zipper’ Gomes, a popular businessman, was remanded to jail following another drug bust.

Last year too, the reputed wife of ‘Zipper’ was sentenced to four years in jail after she pleaded guilty to having a large quantity of cocaine at the Campbellville house where she lived.

Coffee Grove Public Road and while negotiating a left bend, the driver lost control and allegedly crashed into the rear wheel of the pedal cyclist who was proceeding in the same direction. The cyclist was then thrown onto the bonnet of the car, onto the front windscreen then onto the roadway, causing him to receive extensive injures about his body. He was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons, who immediately rushed him to the Suddie Public Hospital.

He was admitted and later succumbed to his injuries.

The motor car that was involved in the accident

GNNL long-service awards 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Photos by Adrian Narine

HE Guyana National Newspapers Limited at its 25th Annual General Meeting, honoured a number of long-standing employees for their outstanding performances and contributions over the years

Ivelaw Hall, 38 years of service, as he receives his award from GNNL Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Joseph Patterson, 37 years of service, as he is presented his award by Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Colin Alfred, 36 years of service, as he received his award from Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Aubrey Harricharran, 37 years of service, as he is gifted his award by Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Hazel Hall, 35 years of service, as she is gifted her award by Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Acting General Manager Moshamie Ramotar, 21 years of service, as she received her award from Director Troy Edmondson.

Clint Bastian, 30 years of service, receiving his award from Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Lynette Griffith, 30 years of service, being gifted her award by Chairperson Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Vanessa James, 10 year, as she received her award from Director Arron Fraser.

Vishwanauth Narine, 10 years, as he was gifted his award by Director Arron Fraser.

Michel Outridge, 14 years, as she is gifted her award

by Director Arron Fraser.

Ronette Morris-Hall, 14 years, receiving her award from Director Arron Fraser.

Calvin Marks, 19 years, as he received his tokens from Director Sherod Duncan.

Kim Halley, 28 years of service, as she was presented her award by Director Hilbert Foster.

Jermaine Butts, 22 years of service, receiving his gift from Director Troy Edmondson.

Kinsell Gibbons, 25 years of service, as he was gifted his award by Director Hilbert Foster.

Marcel Alli, 25 years of service, as she was presented her award by Director Hilbert Foster.

Christine Jackson, 25 years of service, as she was presented her award by Director Hilbert Foster.

Desiree Bannister, 26 years of service, as she was given her award by Director Hilbert Foster.

Samuel Bynoe, 34 years of service, as he got his award from Director Hilbert Foster.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

CARICOM opens seminar to boost anti-narcotics fight CARIBBEAN Community National Drug Observatories representatives will benefit from a regional seminar to be held on Wednesday and Thursday in Georgetown.

The CARICOM Secretariat has collaborated with the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) to strengthen the capacity of representatives to gather, analyse and report on drug-related information and to enable the development of evidence-based drug policies and programmes.

In a release, CARICOM said the seminar is part of

the response under the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) component of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Crime and Security Programme between the European Union and CARIFORUM. The DDR component seeks to strengthen institutional capacity of national and regional drug demand reduction entities and practitioners to effectively develop strategies and implement policies and programmes in CARIFORUM. The use of illicit drugs continues to rise in CARIFORUM countries and a lack of institutional capacity has been identified as

one of the challenges in the response against this issue.

The two-day event will, among other things, review the results of household drug-prevalence surveys, which were recently done in the Caribbean; discuss the policy changes related to marijuana and their implications for research; and promote the Standardised Indicators for National Drug Information Networks Manual, along with data-collection tools to pilot these indicators in selected countries across the Region. It will also receive updates on the progress of the EU’s Coop-

eration Programme among Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drug Policies (COPOLAD) working groups on early- warning systems, annual reports and problematic

drug-use scales. The status of the 2018 Report on Drug Use in the Americas being drafted by CICAD. The seminar will be held at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.

It begins at 0:900hrs with a brief opening ceremony in which the keynote address will be given by the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.

Teen jailed for stealing 300 pears SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Ricardo Kiven Singh, a labourer of Onderneeming Village on the Essequibo Coast, was on Tuesday sentenced to one-month imprisonment for stealing pears.

He made his first appearance before

Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of simple larceny.

The charge stated that on March 31 he stole 300 pears valued $60,000 from Devindra Indal of Onderneeming.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Judge’s mercy cuts sentence by 16 years VEERAM Dias was on Tuesday sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Georgetown High Court, after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the 2016 killing of Roger Manikam at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara.

In handing down his sentence, the judge told the court that having computed the sentence which carries the maximum of 30 years for manslaughter, he had deducted eight years for the accused’s guilty plea, five years for the attorney’s plea of mitigation, one year for the accused’s show of remorse and his acceptance of responsibility and two years for time served.

After all the deductions were made the accused would have to The deceased: Roger serve 14 years.

In her plea of miti- Manikam (Kaieteur News gation, defence attorney photo) Latchmie Rahamat told the court that the accused who pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter was only 23 years old and was in a relationship with one of the daughters of the deceased.

She added that before the incident he had an unblemished report and circumstances made him take drastic action which led to the loss of a life, but in the early stage he opted to plea and save the court’s time.

Rahamat explained that the accused had accepted what he did and had since expressed remorse for his action.

She also begged the court for leniency in sentencing, noting that the accused was a first time offender who had managed to stay out of trouble in jail and to temper mercy with justice.

Veeram Dias in his address to the court expressed remorse and said he was sorry for what he did and regretted his actions and asked the court for mercy.

In his opening address to the court, State Prosecutor Mandel Moore said that the accused on the day in question struck the deceased on his head with an axe.

After the deceased fell to the ground the accused continued to rain blows on his body which resulted in his death.

Moore told the court that at that point, the accused telephoned his friend, Devon Brown, who came to the scene at Lot 237 Section ‘B’ Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, the home of the deceased where they placed the body in Brown’s car and dumped it on the Coldingen Railway Embankment.

The prosecutor said the cause of death was given as cerebral haemorrhage as a result of a blunt trauma to the head.

Veeram Dias along with two others were charged for the April 2, 2016 murder of Roger Manikam while, Devon Brown, a taxi driver was charged for accessory after the fact to the same offence.

Brown was acquitted on Tuesday and walked out of the High Court a free man after Justice Sandil Kissoon told him he was free to go having spent two years in jail, noting that the penalty carried a two-year sentence.

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney Dexter Todd told the court that his client was only 24 years old with small children whose mother cannot be located.

He stated too that his client was never in trouble with the law before and that since his incarceration his mother passed away. He had also lost his eldest brother and father and was supporting his younger siblings.

Todd told the court that Brown who hails from Crane, West Bank Demerara, received a call from his See page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

GAM wants duty-free concessions for members

THE Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM) has made a call for the municipalities to be granted duty free allowance by the Ministry of Finance as is granted to Regional Democratic Councils.

The call came from GAM President Carwyn Holland, whose contention is that municipalities provide a service to the communities, and as such should be granted concession whenever the need arises to import items.

Holland used as a case in point a recent situation whereby the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) had to take a decision to pay the $400,000 duty on two compactor trucks that were bought overseas.

He said that in the municipality’s quest to be granted duty free concession, they wrote the Ministry of Finance requesting it. But although that request was denied by Finance Minister, Mr Winston Jordan, he did make some suggestions in his correspondence on the way forward for future allowances, Holland said.

“The construct of the letter would have informed us that there is nothing in the Act to permit or to give municipalities duty-free concessions,” Holland said, adding that the minister advised that they seek help from the Ministry of Communities.

Holland is now advocating for the legal procedures to be initiated earliest, for the benefit of the municipalities that import vehicles and machinery for service to the community.

“We are serving communities, we are serving teachers, we are serving students, we are serving the elderly, seniors, we are serving everyone and yet we cannot get duty free.

“I’ll be vocal; I’ll be pushing for these things, I’ll be putting these proposals to the government,” he said.

“We need a turnaround for the municipal organs; we need to be afforded duty free concessions just like anyone.”

While GAM would have already written letters requesting duty-free concession be given mayors, deputy mayors and councillors, he said the broader perspective is looking at municipalities as a whole.

Judge’s mercy cuts sentence ...

In this News Source photo Veeram Dias and Devon Brown when they were charged.

From page 19 friend, Veeram Dias, to assist him to start his car since he was having engine trouble.

As a result, Brown showed up and was told certain things

by Dias but was unaware of the murder and being ignorant of the law he did certain things to assist his friend. He was, though, not present when the incident took place, Todd said.

Todd, however, asked the court for mercy and a reduced sentence for his client who would like to return to society and his children.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 4, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

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WI whitewashed ...

go over the top with left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz but succeeding only in picking out Babar at cover.

Fletcher energised the innings in a 43-ball knock which included four fours and three sixes while Samuels hit a pair of fours and sixes – the latter two straight hits in the seventh over off Nawaz – in 25 balls at the crease.

The partnership was hardly speedy, requiring 56 deliveries and the Windies were only 64 for one at the half-way stage of the innings.

Samuels missed a Shadab Khan (2-27) googly in the 12th over and was bowled middle stump and the Windies were further set back when debutant Andre McCarthy skied Shadab to long off to depart for five in the 14th over.

Williams, Skeete, Phillips qualify for IAAF World U-20 Championships

DANIEL Williams, Deshana Skeete and Kenisha Phillips booked their place on team Guyana for the July 10-15 IAAF World U-20 Championships, set for the Ratina Stadium in Tampere, Finland.

Williams qualified for the 200 metres when he clocked 21.21 seconds, a personal best, in the Boys’ U-20 final at the just concluded CARIFTA Games.

The qualifying standard time set by the IAAF is 21.35 seconds.

For Skeete, her time of 54.15 secs which was good enough to see her win bronze in the Girls’ U-17 400 metres final was faster than the 55 secs asked by the world governing body for athletics.

Meanwhile, for Phillips, though she was unsuccessful in reaching the podium in the Girls’ U-20 200 metres final, her time, 24.14 seconds was enough to see her book a spot to travel to Finland.

In 2012, at the IAAF World U-20 Championships, held in Spain, Kadecia Baird, competing in the 400m, ran

51.04 secs to finish second behind Americas Ashley Spencer, but ahead of Erika Rucker (USA).

The American Spencer, since winning gold ahead of Guyana’s Baird, went on to grab gold in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships (2013), gold in the 4x400m relay at the 2013 World Championships, and bronze in the 400m hurdles at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

When Baird won silver in 2012, Shaunae Miller of The Bahamas came fourth in the same race. In 2013 at the CARIFTA Games, Baird was third to Miller in the 400m, and in 2014, the Guyanese won the 400m and was second in the 200m at the games in Martinique.

Today, Miller, 23, is the 400m Olympic champion, while Baird, 22, is still competing on the NCAA level after a transfer to Texas A & M from Nebraska over a year ago. Not since her last showing at the CARIFTA Games has Baird competed for Guyana on the international stage.

Jamaica top CARIFTA Games medal tally NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – Regional heavyweights Jamaica wrapped up their campaign at the 47th CARIFTA Games with a medal haul of 82, in yet another domination of the region’s premier track and field championship.

The Jamaicans landed 44 gold, 27 silver and 11 bronze medals to top the standings, emphatically setting themselves apart from their regional counterparts over the Easter weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Sixteen-year-old sprinter Briana Williams headlined her country’s dominance as she won three gold medals and accounted for two records, in landing the treasured Austin Sealy Award for the Most Outstanding Athlete.

The United States-based Williams broke a two-decade old 100 metres Girls’ Under-17 record and also helped reset the sprint relay record.

At the core of Jamaica’s medal haul was their clean sweep of the 1500m finals, the sprint hurdles and the sprint relays. They won three of four of the 100m finals and the 4x100m relay finals.

However, their overall tally was less than in previous years as they picked up 86 medals last year and in 2016.

Meanwhile, hosts The Bahamas ended with 35 medals – six gold, 14 silver and 15 bronze. Trinidad and Tobago claimed 17, comprising four gold, six silver and seven bronze.

The only other country to reach double figures were Barbados who clinched 13 - three gold, five silver and five bronze.

Next year’s CARIFTA Games will be staged in Cayman Islands for the third time.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

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71 Days to go …

30 facts to know ahead of the World Cup THE 2018 FIFA World in Russia is 71 days away from the official opening ceremony scheduled for The Luzhniki stadium on June 14, 2018.

Chronicle Sport attempts an overview of important facts; that includes key events, dates and figures of different scenarios you should know heading into football’s greatest fiesta in June.

1. Russia 2018 will be the next to the last World Cup that 32 nations will be vying for honours. From 2026 tournament, 48 teams will be on parade.

2. Nigeria’s group opponents, Iceland alongside Panama will be debuting in the World Cup at Russia 2018.

3. Brazil’s Seleção are the only nation to have played in every edition of the World Cup and have won the most titles (5). The South Americans will be gunning for their sixth title at Russia.

4. In Russia, Germany’s Die Mannschaft will be targeting to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles years since Brazil’s feat in 1958 and 1962 tournaments.

5. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be making a record appearance at Russia (6). Till date, no African country has reached that figure since the Clemens Westerhof-tutored Eagles’ squad made an entry at the world’s most glamorous football fiesta in 1994.

6. Germany’s Die Mannschaft with 18 goals in 2014, 16 in 2010 and 14 at in 2006 have accounted for the most goals at the last three edition of the World Cup. 7. Russia’s Oleg Salenko

13. The forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is expected to cost over half-a-billion more than budgeted as the European will spend close to $12B. However, the sum is still a couple billion fewer than former hosts Brazil spent four years ago.

14. Champions at Russia 2018 World Cup will pocket $38M while runners-up receive a princely sum of $28M as consolation. In addition, for making the group stage, countries will bank $8M. Russia 2018 World Cup received a 12 percent hike when compared to the last edition in 2014.

15. Russia 2018 will witness the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the first time after the use of the technology got approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

16. Argentina’s Lionel Messi (30) and Portugal’s

Cup could be the final time global fans bid farewell to the likes of Dani Alves (34), Rafa Marquez (39), Vincent Kompany (31), Luis Suarez (31), Andreas Iniesta (33), Luka Modric (32), Thiago Silva (33), Jakub Blaszczykowski (32), Keisuke Honda (31) and Falcao (32).

20. Nigeria’s Super Eagles alongside the trio of Argentina’s La Albiceleste, Iceland’s Strákarnir okkar and Croatia’s Vatreni in Group D have been ‘termed’ one of the most exciting groups during the forthcoming 2018 Fifa World Cup. 21. Brazil’s Seleção will parade the most expensive squad (€671.5M) at Russia 2018 while Panama will showcase the cheapest at €5.25M. 22. The last two defending champions of FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014 and South Africa 2010 (Spain and Italy respectively) did

footed.

25. Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the action during the summer World Cup will splash out from €85 ($105) to €892 for the final. However, Russian residents are offered cheaper tickets with prices from €19. Four years ago in Brazil, the cheapest group stage matches cost the fans €69 while the most expensive final tickets was €730.

26. There will be a whole host of new foods at Russia for visiting fans to try. Those visiting Sochi venue will get special lunch boxes with Black Sea cuisine.

27. During the FIFA World Cup tour, only Presidents, heads of state or World Cup winners are allowed to touch the real trophy.

28. Germany’s Thomas Müller, currently is on top of active players with the most goals (10) and assists (6) in the World Cup. 29. Russia is the world’s largest country in terms of

Germany’s Thomas Müller

currently sits on top for most goals scored in a World Cup game after hitting (5) against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in 1994.

8. South Korea with 10 World Cup appearances is the most from the Asian continent.

9. Iceland with about 334 000 inhabitants will be the smallest nation to play at the World Cup in Russia. They are expected to storm Russia with the Viking claps.

10. Legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who tasted action between the

sticks at the 1958 and 1970 World Cups remain the only shot stopper to win the Ballon d’Or going into Russia 2018 World Cup. 11. A special breed, St Petersburg museum-based deaf cat, Achilles, who predicted accurately, after getting all but one right at last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, will be in action again during June’s soccer fiesta in the eastern European nation.

12. Nine newly-built stadiums listed alongside 12 in 11 different cities; will host matches during Russia 2018.

Germany players to get €350 000 each for World Cup title

Iceland with about 334 000 inhabitants will be the smallest nation to play at the World Cup in Russia.

Cristiano Ronaldo (33) are expected to continue their rivalry maybe for the final time, when hostilities commence in June.

17. If Germany’s Die Mannschaft claims the top prize at Russia 2018, each squad member will smile to the bank with €350 000.

18. A total of 64 matches in 30 days will be played at Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup in the summer.

19. The 2018 FIFA World

not get to the knock out stage.

23. Russian 2018 opener will go into the records book as the first World Cup opener to be played by the two lowest-ranked teams in the competition (Russia 65th, Saudi Arabia 63rd).

24. Going into Russia 2018, India are the only country that qualified for the global football fiesta, but never tasted any action in 1950 World Cup after FIFA insisted they can’t play bare-

area, spanning across 11 time zones. Only four will be relevant for the World Cup though.

30. Legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary at 45 is set to become the oldest player ever at a World Cup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

Philander bowls Proteas to record 492-run win over Aussies

By Nick Said JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Vernon Philander grabbed six wickets in a devastating spell of seam bowling as South Africa crushed Australia by a record 492 runs to clinch the four-match series 3-1 yesterday, leaving the tourists with much soul-searching to do.

The scandal-hit tourists had promised to fight for a

draw on the final day to end a controversial tour on a positive note but their resistance lasted just 83 minutes as Philander ripped through the batting order to finish with career-best figures of 6-21.

Australia were bowled out for a paltry 119 in their second innings to succumb to their heaviest-ever loss to South Africa in terms of runs, their second biggest defeat against any opponent and the fourth biggest loss in

Test cricket.

By contrast, South Africa completed their biggest victory over the Australians in Tests by runs, and sealed their first home series win since 1970 over the demoralised visitors.

The Australian side have been rocked by a ball-tampering scandal in which former captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft

claimed a 118-run win in the opening Test in Durban and that the tourists had wilted under the pressure.

South Africa outplayed us purely on skill,” he said.

“But we have also got some guys here who have played international cricket for a very long time and they will have to step up again now that we have lost two of the best players in the world for the foreseeable future.”

Vernon Philander finishes with match figures of 9 for 51 as South Africa win by 492 runs to wrap up their first home series victory against Australia since 1970. (AFP)

MORKEL WICKETLESS Philander took six wickets for three runs in 32 balls to carve through the tourists and keep fellow seamer Morne Morkel (2-28) wicketless on his final morning of international cricket before his retirement.

Australia resumed on 88

right through a series. Credit to everyone who played his part, at various times a lot of guys put their hands up so we can say this was a collective team effort.

“We all know there were a lot of incidents in this series, but after each day I would sit in the dressing-room and sense that there was calmness to our emotions and we were really just focused on winning games of cricket.”

Tempers boiled over in the series on a number of occasions, but Paine said he was looking forward to sharing time with the South Africans.

“We have been invited in (for a beer), though it’s a bit early, it might be a coffee,” Paine said.

“We have got some young players in our team

South Africa’s Morne Morkel celebrates with the trophy and team mates after winning the series against Australia. (Photo AFP)

were sent home after the third Test before being slapped with hefty bans.

Since that incident in Cape Town, they scored 447 runs for the loss of 30 wickets as the “mental disintegration” they are so famous for inflicting on opponents proved to be their own downfall.

“I don’t think it was one day too many, it was probably a few … but there has been enough spoken about the week that we have had and we are disappointed with the way we handled it,” new captain Tim Paine told reporters.

“This group had a chance to show some fight and determination today and we weren’t able to because mentally we weren’t quite there.

“At the moment there is a fair bit of disappointment and borderline embarrassment in our change room.”

Paine conceded that South Africa had been the better side since Australia

for three, but lost the Marsh brothers in the opening over as Shaun (seven) got an inside edge on to his pad and was caught by Temba Bavuma, and Mitchell was snatched by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, both off Philander.

Peter Handscomb (24) was bowled after chopping on to his stumps and Paine (seven) edged to de Kock as the tourists struggled to cope with Philander’s seam movement.

Pat Cummins (one) left a delivery that cannoned into his off-stump and Chadd Sayers (zero) edged to Dean Elgar at gully as the Australian innings ended in a rush of failures.

The match ended when Nathan Lyon (nine) was run-out, a chaotic end to what has been a shambolic series for the Australians.

“This means a lot to us,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said. “And I believe this is the best we have been

who will learn a lot from going to have a beer with some of the experienced South African players. We are very happy to do that.”

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 488 AUISTRALIA 1st innings 221 SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 488 AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (o/n 88 for 3) Matthew Renshaw lbw Morkel 5 Joe Burns lbw Morkel 42 Usman Khawaja lbw Maharaj 7 Peter Handscomb b Philander 24 Shaun Marsh c Bavuma b Philander 7 Mitchell Marsh c de Kock b Philander 0 Tim Paine c de Kock b Philander 7 Pat Cummins b Philander 1 Nathan Lyon run-out Markram 9 Chadd Sayers c Elgar b Philander 0 Josh Hazlewood not out 9 Extras: (lb-1, nb-7) 8 Total: (all out, 46.4 overs) 119 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-34, 3-68, 4-88, 5-88, 6-95, 7-99, 8-100, 9-100.

Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 8-3-6-0 (nb-4), Vernon Philander 13-5-21-6 (nb-1), Keshav Maharaj 13- 2-47-1 (nb-1), Morne Morkel 10.4-5-28-2 (nb-1).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

29

Defiant New Zealand hold on for a draw to win England Test series SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 307, New Zealand 1st innings 278 ENGLAND 2nd innings 358 NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (o/n 42-0) Tom Latham c Vince b Leach 83 Jeet Raval c Stoneman b Broad 17 Kane Williamson c Bairstow b Broad 0 Ross Taylor c Cook b Leach 13 Henry Nicholls c Cook b s Anderson 13 BJ Watling c Anderson b Wood 19 Colin de Grandhomme c Leach b Wood 45 Ish Sodhi not out 56 Neil Wagner c James Vince b Joe Root 7 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1) 3 Total: (eight wkts, 124.4 overs) 256 Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-42, 3-66, 4-91, 5-135, 6-162, 7-219, 8-256.

Bowling: James Anderson 26-8-37-1 (nb-1), Stuart Broad 24-6-72-2, Mark Wood 22-10-45-2, Jack Leach 32-1561-2, Joe Root 12.4-5- 28-, Ben Stokes 4-3-2-0.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (Reuters) - Tailender Ish Sodhi hit a gutsy half-century as New Zealand fought a defiant rearguard action on a tense final day to hold on for a draw in the second Test yesterday and secure a first series win over England since 1999.

Winners of the first Test in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs, New Zealand were 256 for eight when the umpires offered Sodhi the light, still 126 runs in

Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner defied England’s attack and helped secure a series win for New Zealand in Christchurch.

arrears but with the all-important draw secure.

England made the perfect

ACA says suspensions handed to Smith, Warner too severe AUSTRALIAN Cricketers’ Association (ACA) president Greg Dyer believes the bans handed down to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft are too harsh as he called on Cricket Australia (CA) to consider downgrading the suspensions.

CA handed axed captain Smith and vice-captain Warner 12-month suspensions from international and domestic cricket for their role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban for using sandpaper to try to alter the condition of the ball in the third Test at Newlands.

Smith was banned for the fourth Test in Johannesburg by the ICC, while Bancroft was cleared to play but he copped three demerit points and docked 75 per cent of his match fee.

All three players are considering their options regarding an appeal to the CA sanction.

Fronting the media in Sydney yesterday, Dyer said the punishments are disproportionate to the crime.

“Cricket Australia’s motivation was correct, but justice which is rushed can sometimes be flawed,” Dyer told reporters.

Steve Smith

“Was proper process followed after the day’s play on March 24? The players should have been allowed time to consider the charges placed on them by the umpires or match referee and to seek proper advice.

“Instead, they were rushed to a press conference minutes after leaving the field to face the world’s media and make rushed statements and admissions. This was unfair to the players.”

“Of the dozen or so matters of this type, the most severe suspension to date has been a ban for two oneday internationals. The most expensive fine has been 100 per cent of a match fee,” he continued.

“The informed conclusion is that as right as the motivation is, the proposed penalties are disproportionate, relevant to precedent.”

Dyer added: “We ask that consideration be given to recalibrating the proposed sanctions: To consider options such as suspending or reducing part of the sanction, to consider for example, allowing the players to return to domestic cricket earlier as a part of their rehabilitation, an important part of their rehabilitation.”

“The ACA is working strongly with the players,” Dyer said. “Their decisions are imminent but I’m not able to share them with you this morning. “(It is) a deeply personal decision for the players.

We’re supporting them through that process but ultimately whether to appeal is for the three players to decide.

“We believe (the bans) are disproportionate. We’ve pointed out the fact that incidents of this similar type have occurred previously, the sanctions are vastly less than what’s been suggested here.

There’s a need to reconcile between the two, there’s a need to understand that disproportionality and to move forward.

“We’re in ongoing conversations with Cricket Australia through this process.”

10 heaviest Test defeats by runs (REUTERS) - List of 10 biggest defeats by runs suffered by a Test nation after South Africa beat Australia by 492 runs in the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg.

England beat Australia by 675 runs at Brisbane (Nov. 1928) Australia beat England by 562 runs at London (Aug. 1934) Australia beat South Africa by 530 runs at Melbourne (Feb.1911) South Africa beat Australia by 492 runs at Johannesburg (April 2018) Australia beat Pakistan by 491 runs at Perth (Dec. 2004)

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 465 runs at Chittagong (Jan. 2009) West Indies beat England by 425 runs at Manchester (July ,1976) Australia beat England by 409 runs at London (June 1948) West Indies beat Australia by 408 runs at Adelaide (Jan. 1980) Australia beat England by 405 runs at London (July 2015) (Compiled by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

start to the final day when

outings, were unable to dis-

out that mostly frustrated

Stuart Broad claimed wickets

miss the final few batsmen.

England, who scored 307 in

with the first two deliveries

Opener Tom Latham

their first innings and 352-9

but the tourists, looking for a

scored 83 but it was spin-

declared in the second after

first overseas Test win in 13

ner Sodhi’s 168-ball 56 not

New Zealand’s 278.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

Bacchus XI tame Jaguars to win T20 championship in Essequibo

By Elroy Stephney SUPERB half-centuries from former national youth batsmen Yogeshwar Lall and Parmesh Parsotam propelled Bacchus XI of Central Essequibo to an exciting 23-run victory against the battling Jaguars of South Essequibo, in the South and Central-sponsored T20 final played last Sunday at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance.

Winning the toss and batting in brilliant sunshine, Bacchus XI shone in convincing fashion with a vintage batting display. After losing an early wicket, the pair of Lall and Parsotam came together for an imposing 185-run partnership for the second wicket, as they both pounced on the Jaguars.

Parsotam eventually fell for 84 (10x4, 3x6) while Lall

remained unbeaten on 85 (14x4, 2x6) to take Bacchus XI to 212-2 from the allotted 20 overs.

The Jaguars’ reply was sturdily built around a brilliant knock of 91 (15x4, 3x6) by former national youth opener Norman Fredericks who displayed his stripes in all fashion. He was especially brutal against the spinners and executed some dazzling stroke-play to all parts of the picturesque ground.

His innings kept the Jaguars in the hunt and with support from Chandi Jairam who contributed 43 (5x4, 1x6) the game seemed evenly balanced at that moment.

However, their dismissal in quick succession after an 86-run partnership for the 4th wicket all but sealed their fate. The Jaguars eventually clawed their way to 1898 from 20 to concede the

Champions Bacchus XI celebrate their victory against Jaguars at Thierry home ground in Affiance.

championship title to hosts Bacchus XI. Captain Yogeshwar Lall capped off an excellent all-

Commonwealth Games

`Superman’ Lewis up against Ferrari tomorrow GUYANA will tomorrow commence its boxing medal hunt at the Commonwealth Games in Australia when light welterweight Colin `Superman’ Lewis clashes with St Lucian Nathan Ferrari in the fifth bout of the afternoon.

The scheduled three-rounder will mark the third time within five months that the two Caribbean pugilists are facing each other.

Lewis, the Caribbean champion, stopped Ferrari in the first round in the previous two. The winner of tomorrow’s contest meets Sinethemba Blom of South Africa.

A total of 22 light welterweights will do battle at the Games.

Meanwhile, Lewis’ compatriot flyweight `Lightning’ Keevin Allicock opens his quest

Colin `Superman’ Lewis

Keevin Allicock

against a tough opponent. The 19-year-old Albouystown resident is drawn to come against Scotland’s Reece McFadden.Three years Allicock’s senior, McFadden won a bronze medal at the last Commonwealth Games. Allicock will move into action on Monday and a victory will put him against the winner of a bout between Brian

Agina of Kenya and Muhammad Syed Asif of Pakistan. Lewis and Allicock are seeking to break the 28-year-old boxing medal drought at the Commonwealth Games.

Guyana’s last medal was a bronze won at the 1990 Auckland, New Zealand Games by bantamweight Wesley Christmas.

round performance by capturing 4-32 from 4 overs of left-arm spin. He was later adjudged man-of-the-match

Media rights ensure another big pay day for BCCI MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - The world’s richest cricket board is poised to get even wealthier after media rights to Indian cricket for the next five years brought spirited bidding yesterday.

The e-auction of television and digital rights, a first in cricket, was not concluded but the Indian board (BCCI) received a bid of 44.4 billion Indian rupees ($683 million) for consolidated global rights from an unidentified bidder.

“The online auction will now resume today ... from the same stage,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Star India paid 38.5 billion rupees for the rights to broadcast India’s home matches for the 2012-2018 cycle.

The BCCI had consolidated its position as the world’s richest cricket board in September with the game’s biggest TV deal when it sold Indian Premier League’s (IPL) global media rights to Star India for a staggering $2.52 billion.

Six companies, including Facebook and Google, initially entered the fray to bid for 102 matches in India from June, 2018 to March, 2023.

“Following scrutiny, Star India Private Ltd, Reliance Industries Limited, and Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited were found eligible to submit online financial bids,” the BCCI said. ($1 = 65 Indian rupees)

while he also uplifted the winners’ trophy and $50 000 during the presentation ceremony.

The Jaguars settled for the runner-up prize of a trophy and $20 000. Coordinator Ramnarine Ragoobar was on hand to deliver brief remarks and present the prizes.

Meanwhile he also indicated that the South Invitational T20 round-robin competition will commence on Sunday, April 8, with an estimated 20 teams billed to participate from North, South and Central Essequibo.

Representatives from the various clubs desirous of competing are required to be at the Imam Bacchus Library in Affiance on Thursday, April 5, at 17:00hrs for the launching of the competition, according to Raghubar who is also an executive member of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB). Contact him on 697-1363 or 612-3973 for further information.

Vickery climbs to 91 in WTA Rankings … through to Round-of-16 at Monterrey Open SACHIA Vickery climbed to 91 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, and she proved that her steady improvement in the sport is no fluke, when she disposed of Irina Falconi in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, to reach the Round-of-16 at the Abierto GNP Seguros tournament in Monterrey, Mexico.

According to reports out of Mexico, Vickery double-faulted seven times to Falconi’s two. However, she overcame that by winning 68 percent of her first serves and 39 percent of her first returns against the 161st-ranked Falconi.

Vickery has now won back-to-back main draw matches at multiple events in the same season for the first time in her career, having opened the 2018 campaign by reaching her first WTA semi-final at Auckland and posting her best win rankings-wise of her career with the defeat of No.28 Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals.

With four breaks from

Sachia Vickery training at the GBTI Tennis Courts during a visit to Guyana recently.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

six looks, Vickery completed her 13th career main draw win on hard-court.

She will meet wildcard Ana Sofia Sanchez or qualifier Usue Maitane Arconada who easily won their lone previous clash at Tampico at ITF level in 2017. (Rawle Toney)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday April 4, 2018

31

Guyana remain on course for Regional U-15 title after another superb display

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Guyana remained unbeaten and on course for the 2018 Regional Under-15 title while reigning champions Barbados continued their comeback, in the fourth round of matches here Monday.

Playing at Port Esquivel Sports Club in St Catherine, Guyana edged hosts Jamaica by four runs while at Ewarton Sports Complex in the same parish, Barbados crushed Leeward Islands by 140 runs.

In the other match played, Trinidad and Tobago defeated Windward Islands by 47 runs in Chedwin Park.

In the key game, Guyana posted a competitive 181 for six off their 50 overs with skipper Zeynul Ramsammy top-scoring with 72, Romel Datterdeen hitting an unbeaten 43 and Mavendra Dindyal chipping in with 33.

Guyana were slumping at seven for two before Ram-

sammy posted 57 for the third wicket with Dindyal, 41 for the fourth wicket with Jonathan Rampersaud (7) and a further 47 with Datterdeen for the fifth.

All told, Ramsammy faced 137 deliveries and struck five fours.

In reply, Jamaica looked on course for victory when Jordan Johnson made 56 and opening partner Adrian Weir, 48, in a partnership of 112.

But once the stand was broken, the hosts lost a clatter of wickets to end on 177 or eight, Jeremy Sandia being the best bowler with four for 29.

Meanwhile, Barbados used a strong batting performance to rattle off their third straight win after losing their opening match, amassing 252 for four off their 50 overs.

Opener Jaden Leacock top-scored with 86 while left-handed partner Jacob Bethell stroked 81, as the

The Guyana Under-15 cricketers have so far played unbeaten in the Regional tournament

pair posted 176 for the first wicket.

Leacock faced 139 balls and counted seven fours while Bethell also struck seven boundaries in a 124ball knock.

Off-spinner Tariq O’Neale then picked up four for 15 to send the Leewards crashing to 112 all out in the 44th over.

T&T also flaunted their impressive batting strength,

GFF appoints ‘Lady Jags’ head coach ahead of CONCACAF Qualifiers THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the appointment of Dr Ivan Joseph as head coach of the National Senior Women’s team with immediate effect and for a period of one year.

According to the GFF, Dr Joseph, a Guyanese living in Canada, currently serves as the Director of Athletics at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and has over 20 years of experience in high performance coaching and athletics administration.

When asked to comment on his appointment Dr Joseph said he is looking to build a competitive team and realise the potential of the female footballers, both on and off the field.

“I am honoured to serve Guyana, the country of my birth, by supporting the Senior Women’s National Team as they look to re-emerge on the world stage. It is my hope to assist the Federation in building the grassroots level of football across the country that will help empower young girls to achieve success on and off the pitch. I see a lot of potential with the Lady Jaguars programme,” Dr Joseph said.

The newly-installed coach said his first goal is “to assess our current talent and find out where our strengths are

Dr Ivan Joseph was recently named head coach of Guyana’s female national team.

as a programme then build a training programme that can serve our needs.

“We have many women, in and out of the country, who are capable of playing at a high level and have been waiting for the opportunity to compete at the world stage.

My mandate is to build a team that can compete and put ourselves in a position to inspire a nation.”

A release from the GFF stated that Dr Joseph is a six-time Coach-of-the-Year, having led Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa, USA) and Ryerson University Men’s and Women’s Teams to national rankings. He led his Graceland University team

to a National Championship.

He was also awarded National Coach-of-the-Year and the African Canadian Award of Excellence in Sport for his achievements.

Dr Joseph’s international experience includes serving as a high-performance consultant with Canada Basketball helping both their Senior Men’s Team and U-20 Team at World Qualifiers, as well as Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team at Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) - the world’s largest military games outside of the Olympics.

A sought-after speaker on High Performance Culture and Team Cohesion, Dr. Joseph has worked with many major organisations in the business world such as Digicel, Samsung, Sanofi Pasteur, Eli Lily, to improve organisational culture and leadership.

Dr Joseph’s qualifications include USSF ‘A’ Licence, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a PhD in Sport Psychology.

The newly-appointed coach is scheduled to visit Guyana from April 13 and will meet with the GFF president Wayne Forde and the executive committee, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and his technical department to identify areas for future collaboration.

gathering 236 for five off 50 overs with Andrew Rambaran getting 71 and Narad Kissoondath, 56, in an opening stand of 146.

The Windwards made a good fist of it in reply before falling short at 189 all out in the 48th over, with Divonie Joseph (55) and Yawani Joseph (54) hitting half-centuries.

SCORES:

At Port Esquivel Sports Club: Guyana won by four runs.

GUYANA 181 for six off 50 overs (Zeynul Ramsammy 72, Romel Datterdeen 43 not out, Mavendra Dindyal 33; Sherwayne Thomas 3-33, Javon Nembhard 2-15) JAMAICA 177 for eight off 50 overs (Jordan Johnson 56, Adrian Weir 48; Jeremey Sandia 4-29, Jonathan Rampersaud 2-35)

At Chedwin Park: T&T won by 47 runs.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 236 for five off 50 overs (Andrew Rambaran 71, Narad Kissoondath 56, Rajeev Ramnath 31, Ronillster Perreira 23 not out; Omari Venner 4-26) WINDWARD ISLANDS 189 all out off 47.4 overs (Divonie Joseph 55, Yawani Joseph 54, Sky La Feuille 30; Ronillster Perreira 2-15, Andrew Rambaran 2-40) At Ewarton Sports Complex: Barbados won by 140 runs.

BARBADOS 252 for four off 50 overs (Jaden Leacock 86, Jacob Bethell 81, Romario Roach 25, Johann Layne 25 not out; Akadianto Willett 2-49) LEEWARD ISLANDS 112 off 43.1 overs (Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 29; Tariq O’Neale 4-15, Johann Layne 2-19)

Ronaldo scores incredible overhead kick as Real thrash Juventus CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored one of the Champions League’s great goals as his incredible bicycle kick helped Real Madrid demolish Juventus 3-0 in the quarter-final first leg.

The Real forward made history with the first of his two goals, prodding home Isco’s cross to become the first player to score in 10 consecutive Champions League games.

The Italian side had chances to equalise in a decent first half, although Toni Kroos went close to doubling Real’s lead when he hit the crossbar with a 25-yard effort.

Then came one of the great Champions League moments - Dani Carvajal lifted a cross to the Portuguese, who soared in the air and sent a flying acrobatic kick past Gianluigi Buffon, who had no chance.

Such was the brilliance of the strike that Juventus fans stood up to applaud the goal that probably ended their hopes of going through.

It got even worse for the Turin side, who lost last year’s final to Real, as Paulo Dybala was shown a second yellow card for a high boot in the chest of Carvajal.

Marcelo effectively booked Real’s place in the last four when he played a

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in his past 13 games for club and country.

one-two with Ronaldo before scoring from close range.

At the age of 33, Ronaldo no longer has great pace or much impact minute-to-minute in a match.

But, reinvented as an orthodox striker, he is in one of the greatest goal-scoring streaks in football history - 19 goals in his last nine games for Real.

He has now scored 16 goals in his past 10 Champions League games - 14 goals this season and a double in last year’s final against Juventus.

It took him only two minutes and 47 seconds to open the scoring in Turin, when he poked home Isco’s low leftwing cross from six yards out.

He almost had a second when he smashed a ball across goal after good work from Karim Benzema.

His magic moment came in a move which he helped create himself. Giorgio Chiellini prodded a ball past his own keeper Buffon, which Ronaldo kept in play.

He found Lucas Vazquez, whose shot was saved by Buffon. Unfortunately for Juventus the ball ran to Carvajal, whose cross was dramatically converted by Ronaldo.

The Portuguese, who only touched the ball 49 times in 90 minutes, had two chances for a hat-trick, first when he forced a save from Buffon from 16 yards then when he shot over when totally unmarked 10 yards out from Vazquez’s cross.

He is not just a goalscorer though, and set up Marcelo’s goal - as well as lay the ball off to Mateo Kovacic, who hit the post.

(BBC Sport)

WI WHITEWASHED

KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) – West Indies suffered a humbling whitewash on the two-year anniversary of their Twenty20 World Cup triumph, when they slipped to an eight-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the final T20 International of the three-match series here yesterday.

Hoping to end an otherwise dismal series on a high, the Windies enjoyed no such luxury, gathering only 153 for six off their 20 overs on a batsman’s pitch at the National Stadium and watching helplessly as the hosts chased it down with 19 balls to spare.

The series defeat saw the reigning World champions slip from fifth to seventh in the ICC world rankings.

There was slight improvement over the first two matches which the tourists lost by comprehensive margins as Andre Fletcher stroked their first half-century with 52 while veteran Denesh Ramdin slammed a quick-fire unbeaten 42 and Marlon Samuels, 31.

But the result was never in doubt once man-of-the-series Babar Azam struck 51 in a 61-run opening stand, off 32 deliveries with manof-the-match Fakhar Zaman, who carved out 40.

When they departed, Hussain Talat 31 not out and Asif Ali 25 not out - both making their international debuts in the series - saw their side home to post an emphatic result in the first tour on Pakistani soil in nine years.

West Indies, who arrived late Saturday night, were crushed by 143 runs in Sunday’s opener and suffered an 82-run drubbing in the second match on Monday.

Playing on the same date on which they stunned England in the final of the 2016 World Cup in Kolkata, victory for West Indies would have been the ideal way to commemorate the achievement.

And hopes of a consolation win seemed on the cards when Fletcher struck his sixth T20I half-century in a promising 72-run, second-wicket stand with Samuels.

Opener Chadwick Walton had perished in the third over without scoring - with two runs on the board – as he attempted to Turn to page 26►

Pakistan fans hold placards thanking West Indies for coming. (AFP)

Jamaica top CARIFTA Williams, Skeete, Phillips qualify for Games medal tally 26 IAAF World U-20 Championships 26 PAGE

Jamaica’s successful Girls’ Under-17 sprint relay team

PAGE

From left, Deshana Skeete, Daniel Williams and Kenisha Phillips

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2018