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M O N DAY, M A R C H 1 9 , 2 0 1 8

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President in Brazil ( VAT I n c l u s i v e )

03 –– for World Water Conference PAGE

Exxon shore-base to be ready by August

Linden seniors robbed of 03 lands, homes PAGE

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Wismar 09 residents up in arms against squatters PAGE

Caroline Farinha is Guyana’s newest 05 centenarian PAGE

Some of the pipes being packed neatly into the racks when the Guyana Chronicle visited the shore-base at Muneshwer's Wharf, Houston, East Bank Demerara, on Saturday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

President in Brazil

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

–– for World Water Conference

By Svetlana Marshall

PRESIDENT David Granger is in Brazil attending the 8th World Water Forum which is being hosted in that country’s capital, Brasilia. The President departed Guyana Sunday on the invitation of the President of Brazil Michel Temer and will participate in the official opening ceremony set for today, March 19. The World Water Forum is the world’s biggest water-related event and is organised by the World Water Council. Its mission is “to promote awareness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical

water issues at all levels, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life”. President Granger is scheduled to return to Guyana on March 20. This is the President’s second state visit to Brazil in recent months. While in Brazil last December, he gave the assurance that relations between Guyana and Brazil could only get stronger. He had used the occasion to remind citizens on both sides of the border that Brazil has been a reliable

partner in the defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity. The country has always maintained its support for Guyana in the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy. Approximately two months after the countries engaged in high-level talks here to bolster defence cooperation, with Guyana emphasising the need for greater emphasis on surveillance and its involvement in the Amazon Surveillance System. Joined by several ministers of government and members of the Defence Board, President Granger met with Brazil’s Minister of Defence Raul Jung-

mann Pinto, along with a high-level delegation which included Brazil’s Minister of Justice Torquato Lorena Jardim. The bilateral engagement, which was hosted at State House, saw a commitment by both countries to review the September 2012 Joint Communiqué, which followed the official visit to Guyana by Ambassador Celso Amorim, then Minister of Defence of Brazil. The review is intended to update the agreements in that document and bring them in line with present-day realities, as well as to deepen defence cooperation.

Correia sues KN for $5M

President David Granger

Linden seniors robbed of lands, homes By Vanessa Braithwaite REPORTS of elderly persons of Linden being swindled out of their properties have become a cause of concern, said Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland. The mayor reportedly has received many complaints from elderly residents of either their children or grandchildren tricking them out of ownership of their homes that they had toiled for decades to either build or buy. “Over the past year, I have been receiving calls and meeting with elderly persons who are complaining very often that their properties [are] being pilfered, persons taking over their properties without their consent. I think this is wrong, and it is time I make a call for a

serious investigation and inquiry,” outgoing Mayor Holland told reporters. Many of the elderly residents have signed documents, thereby unknowingly giving up ownership of their properties, but they are however being tricked, according to reports. Holland related that last week an elderly Wismar resident visited his office and complained that his son asked him to use his house and land as collateral at the bank for a loan a few years ago, but now his son is adamant that his father willingly signed over the property to him. “I did not do that, the only thing I did was sign for him to get a loan at the bank, now he want to covet the property and I have other children, I want the property to be a family property, so that

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland everyone can come and enjoy, not for one person to come and take over, I have more children,” the elderly man explained to Mayor Holland. Upon investigation, it was discovered that some of these changes are documented at the Deeds Registry in Georgetown.

Further investigation shows that the changes to ownership are documented at the Linden Mayor and Town Council as well, but did not pass through the court system. “Something is definitely wrong…it’s a very sad situation. I believe that the older persons who worked very hard for their properties need to be allowed to enjoy their properties, or have a say in what happens to their property when they go to be with the Lord,” Holland said. He revealed that his own grandfather’s property is now in somebody’s name that is not even known to the family, and this is documented at the council. Holland is encouraging the senior citizens to be careful when signing documents or to ask a trusted individual to read the document

if their sight is failing them. A request is being made for an inquiry to be established to deal with the many cases coming to the fore. In addition to senior citizens, persons living overseas are also being swindled and are only aware when they return home to pay their rates and taxes. “I think it wrong that persons would just use the system and take away their properties,” Holland said. He is calling for agencies such as the Ministry of Legal Affairs to look into the matter urgently. Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhyden, said that the situation was brought to his attention, but most of the cases are deemed personal. He however noted that the police will intervene in any case when the need arises.

CHAIRMAN of Ogle Airport Inc, Michael Correia, has filed legal proceedings against publisher of the Kaieteur newspaper Glenn Lall and its editor Adam Harris, seeking in excess of G$5M in damages. “Correia has filed for damages in excess of G$5M, committed against him between the 2nd March, 2018 and 11th March, 2018, contained in a series of articles published in the Kaieteur News,” Public Communications Consultants Limited stated in a statement on Saturday. The libel proceedings were filed in the High Court by Attorneys at Law Fitzpatrick, De Caires & Karran. The Kaieteur newspaper alleged that the Correias have been controlling the management of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to the disadvantage of other aviation companies utilising the facility at Ogle. In an attempt to prove its case, the newspaper had pointed out that the Correias own three companies – Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services (CAMS), Correia Mining Company (CMC) and Trans Guyana Limited – that operate from Ogle with CAMS supplying fuel to aircraft at the facility. Additionally, the Kaieteur newspaper reported that former Government Minister Manzoor Nadir had taken note of the generosity of the state in leasing the lands to OAI and contributing to the development of the port.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Soesdyke Health Centre launches adolescent clinics

PREGNANT and adolescent mothers can now access enhanced health care at the Soesdyke Health Centre through establishment of the adolescent and antenatal clinic day. This is a result of the Regional Health Department, Region Four, taking a multi-sectoral approach, thus collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health Adolescent Unit and the Ministry of Education. The adolescent clinic will see pregnant women now being able to access similar health care and services, that previously required them going to the Grove Heath Centre. Further, two additional initiatives were launched, with the establishment of the Adolescent and Wellness Clinic, which provides an opportunity for adolescents, including boys and both inschool and out-of-school children being able to access this and the Community Parenting and Support Group, which provides an opportunity for persons accessing this clinic to walk along with someone who can lend moral and other support to them. Giving an insight into the initiatives, Dr Fazeeda Singh at the Soesdyke Health Centre disclosed that the clinic is fully equipped and ready to offer assistance to persons accessing them.

She urged the young mothers to make maximum use of the benefits and opportunities being made available. Dr Singh reiterated that the clinics are open to anyone, irrespective of their location. Appealing passionately to pregnant adolescents, Dr Singh urged them to encourage other adolescent girls who may be in a similar situation to come forward and access the many services which are being made available to them. Dr Singh reminded those that have not joined the clinic to do so immediately. “Please encourage them to join the clinic even if they are older than 19, as they would be able to access the care of this health centre,” Dr Singh stated. Representing the Regional Health Officer, Dr Quincy Jones, was Dr Mark Vyphius who told the young women that each of the clinics has a mental health officer based there. This, he said, is to address mental health issues. He noted that in further enhancing the services being offered, these persons can access the help of a social worker too. BE OPEN “Please when you guys come to clinic just feel free to say whatever problem is affecting you, because we are aware that some of you

The adolescent health services officer at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Travis Freeman, said that his ministry is providing the technical support, noting that it is a community initiative while lauding the Region Four health department. He reminded all that it is a community initiative and that all should play their part in ensuring that it grows successfully. Dr Freeman revealed that the adolescent population has been ignored for a very long time, thus it is now an ‘at-risk’ population. Dr Fazeeda Singh at the Soesdyke Health Centre with a young mother have a lot of problems and we are here to see in what way we can help. However, we want you to feel comfortable to tell us what is bothering you,” Dr Vyphius said. He added that persons visiting should be open and speak, as this would help the staff at the health centre in determining to where the person should be referred. Nurse Patricia Thomas from the Grove Health Centre told the mothers that the initiative was first birthed at her health centre some three years ago. She expressed excitement over the growth of the initiative, which she

said has the ability to address a number of issues faced by the adolescent mothers. “I have seen that before the establishment of this initiative, many young teen mothers didn’t know where to go, how to access critical information that they needed, as there was no one to tell them where and what to do, so I am happy that you mothers despite being teenagers can access help and assistance,” Nurse Thomas said. It was reported that persons attending the clinic will learn about effectively breastfeeding their babies, handling stress and proper care of the child.

INITIATIVES BEING CONCEPTUALISED Dr Freeman stressed that because of adolescents being at risk, a number of initiatives are being conceptualised to address the many issues facing them. “For too long adolescents have been the forgotten population, thus today we are seeing that they are the ones exhibiting more ‘at risk’ behaviours. While adolescent is defined as being up to 19 years old, for the programme’s purpose and the links to youth, we have extended it to 24 years old.” Meanwhile, Jeannel Sweatman of the Ministry of Education said her ministry has an established relationship with the Ministry of

Public Health. She however noted that they have boosted that partnership with the establishment of a care package. The care package, she said, is given to teenage mothers at all the adolescent clinics across Guyana. “Let me say that this care package is not to encourage teenagers to get pregnant early, but we realise that as young people they have a need. This is to help you to prepare the baby bag in preparation for the delivery of your child; so the bag contains things for yourself and baby,” Sweatman said. She disclosed that a significant amount of pampers and wipes are given along with towel, baby bottles, baby clothing among other items. She said this forms part of her ministry’s seeking to provide support to the mothers with a view to reintegrating them into the education system after delivery of the baby. The Soesdyke Health Centre is the 39th centre to launch the adolescent clinic, with more than half of them being situated within Region Four. The Adolescent Day will be held every Monday from 13:00hrs at the Soesdyke Health Centre. Already, there are 15 mothers who are part of the clinic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Caroline Farinha is Guyana’s newest centenarian

GUYANA’S latest centurion celebrated her 100th birth anniversary last Saturday in her adopted hometown of New York with some of her children, grands, great grands, greatgreat grands and relatives. Caroline Farinha is one of three surviving children from the union of Antonio Perreira Jardine and Christina Weatherspoon of Plantation Content, East Coast

Demerara. She is the sixth of 10 siblings and delivered 15 children, 13 of whom are alive. Her early and young motherhood days were all lived at Content where she attended High Dam Primary. Farinha who migrated to the USA over two decades ago, still has most of her faculties intact and is delighted to have reached 100 years old, a first in her family.

She attributes her longevity to ‘the powers of the most high’. Her eldest brother, Lionel, fell short of the century by seven months some five years ago, while her sister, Cecilia, who also resides in NY, turned 97 on March 11, last. A younger brother, Antonio Jr., will be celebrating his 91st birthday later this year. A family gathering was held in Brooklyn on Sun-

day where relatives from around the world joined in the celebration. Aunty “Carro”, as she is familiarly called, is the aunt of former Mayor for New Amsterdam Errol Alphonso, and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the late Dennis Gouveia, as well as, great aunt of Senior Sports Broadcaster/Journalist Allan La Rose.

Caroline Farinha at her birthday celebration

Region Two rice farmers Several injured in Mahaicony crash happy with payment this crop

A combine in a harvested field in Region Two

RICE FARMERS in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have expressed joy and satisfaction in the manner in which rice millers have treated them this crop. According to the farmers they received prompt payments, with cash being made available at the bank within a week. This for them is an improvement in the sector since they can re-invest in their crop, as well as do more around their home environs. Rice farmers during interviews related that for this crop, payments from the mills were prompt. “This is a better crop. I say this because we were given as much as $500 more on each bag and also prompt payments. When this happens the farmer is in a better position,” said one farmer. Another farmer from Affiance, Shane Jordhan, related that this crop a rice miller from Vilvoorden managed to purchase bulk paddy from farmers and that mill is also offering better prices. “We had to take our paddy far this time but we didn’t regret because that miller at Vilvoorden came in and rescued the rice farmers plus gave us better prices,” Jordhan further related. Other farmers, who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity, fearing victimisation from other millers, related that with early payments they are able to do more in terms of offsetting their overhead expenses, as well as to make

investment for themselves. “When early payments are made then we are able to see our money, we are able to pay out combine, tractor men and we are able to save for our family. This is what we want; we don’t want piece, piece money… when this happen more expenses bulk up hence the business becomes unprofitable,” farmer Richard De Younge said. Several millers this crop have offered better prices to Region Two farmers. Last crop rice farmers were offered $2000-$2500 per bag of paddy and this crop the prices have increased to $2800-$3000. Almost 90 percent of the harvesting has been completed within the agricultural region and some farmers are in the process of burning their fields in preparation for ploughing. Next crop, the region’s National Drainage and Irrigation Committee will be introducing a ‘water schedule’ for farmers, to allow for timely flow of water into their fields in time for sowing.

SEVERAL persons were injured Sunday evening after a route 50 minibus BWW4358 proceeding at a fast rate of speed crashed into a tractor trailer along the Fairfield Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. Reports indicate that the trailer was being driven out from a dam and the minibus driver who was speeding could not

have stopped in time to prevent the accident. Above are scenes from the aftermath of the crash.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

A broad look at the NGSA THE National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results will soon be out and all are hoping that the results are better when compared to the previous year, notably in the key areas of Mathematics and English Language. Last year, students performed creditably in these two areas, largely because education administrators moved to pointedly address the problems of failure in these two critical subject areas. The NGSA is unarguably the most strategic assessment designed to promote learning at the primary level, but poor implementation and forward planning on the part

of teachers and education officers in the past had stymied its success. The assessment is threefold. The first in Grade Two is designed to identify pupils’ weaknesses in literacy and numeracy; by Grade Four, these should be corrected; and by Grade Six, they should be able to master basic concepts in these two disciplines and pass their final examinations without much struggle. These assessments in other words are really diagnostic tools to identify pupils’ weaknesses and correct them before they leave primary school. Yet, while they have been in place for a long

time, only recently corrective action was taken to fully implement the system. The failure in the past to implement the system has been reflecting in students’ performance in Mathematics and English at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations. In 2010, the pass rate at CSEC, counting Grades One to Three was 59 per cent; in 2011 it moved to 60 per cent, but declined in 2012 to 37 per cent; it increased to 45 per cent in 2013, before increasing again -- but marginally -- to 46 per cent in 2014. While students’ performance in English at secondary school has not been im-

pressive, their performance in Mathematics is one to forget. Counting Grades One to Three, the pass rate in 2010 was 35 per cent; in 2011 it dipped to 30 per cent; in 2012 it declined further to 29 per cent; in 2013 it further declined to 28 per cent, before increasing to an encouraging 38 per cent in 2014. It is commendable that these statistics were not glossed over by education officials, but were used as a base for careful planning and crafting of strategies to meaningfully address the heavy failures in these two subjects. Since Mathematics and English are key subjects

Comedy of errors at City Hall Dear Editor,

THE tossing-out of the no-confidence motion against the Town Clerk of Georgetown by the mayor at last Monday’s statutory meeting of the Council has turned out to nothing more than a comedy of errors. First, I would like to know under what authority was the mayor acting when she disallowed the motion? Could she counsel the citizenry as to who or what gave her that authority? Second,it is clear that the mayor does not understand the difference between legal opinion and legal advice. It is wholly unacceptable for the mayor to adopt the guidance sought and obtained from an attorney-at-law who is the husband of a sitting Councillor, privately by the town clerk, and consequently

use it to disallow the no-confidence motion brought against him (town clerk), which was on the agenda for discussion. It must first be noted that this recent advice provided by the attorney was given privately to the town clerk, and was not requested by, nor provided to the Council. So how could the mayor take action on private advice given? This is not a court order or an official proclamation by a judge (or panel of judges), nor is it a legal opinion sought or obtained by the Council. How was this private advice even placed on the agenda or tabled before Council? Clearly now, a precedent has been set, so that every and any municipal employee against whom disciplinary action is being brought can run to their private attorney, get some legal advice in their favour, hand it to the mayor and then they

will tie the Council’s hands. Completely incongruous! Another serious concern I have about the Georgetown municipality is their tractability when it comes to adherence to the laws of our country and the conditions of employment of their workers. How is it that no-confidence motions were successfully effected against other town clerks, but can’t be used against this one? What happened at the last meeting amounts to collusion. It should be obvious to everyone watching that the ‘Terrible Trio’ have no intention of being separated, that protection is being provided to a small group, and that a fear exists within City Hall that if there is any infiltration or opening up of the clandestine assemblage there, that many dirty secrets will come to light. It is clear that in the

foreseeable future, there will be no accountability, transparency or democracy at City Hall. Suddenly, records that were missing for years have popped up after threats of prosecution were issued. The town clerk is so afraid of being away from his desk for even one day, that since becoming town clerk, he has not taken one day of the accrued vacation leave that is due to him, opting instead to be paid in lieu of leave. Even the current leave, on which he had agreed to proceed in the second quarter, he has now changed his mind and has decided to sit tight, using the impending audit as an excuse. Yours sincerely, Deodarie Putulall

in the school system at the primary level, it would be important for the Ministry of Education to re-examine the other subjects offered at the National Grade Six Assessment. These are Science and Social Studies. While these two subjects are important, in the scheme of things, they are secondary to Mathematics and English. But more importantly, they can be incorporated into Mathematics and English. If this is done, it would

lessen the stress on pupils having to focus on four subject areas at the primary level, and increase the attention given to English and Mathematics. As long as students can master the basics of literacy and numeracy, a solid foundation will have been set for them to excel in the other subject areas. And gradually, the high failure rates in English and Mathematics, both at the primary and secondary levels, will progressively diminish.

Get value for your dollar spent on higher education Dear Editor,

IN recent times, Guyana has experienced a proliferation of private educational institutions being set up to offer education at all levels. While the Ministry of Education delivers and regulates public education at the nursery, primary, and secondary levels, the National Accreditation Council was set up by Parliament through ACT #12 of 2004 to ensure that all post-secondary and tertiary education institutions in Guyana receive approval to operate and offer their services. Each parent, guardian, and student needs to ensure the following: 1. Before enrolling at any education institution above the secondary level, students should ensure that the institution is registered with the National Accreditation Council. The registration process is not one where the institution pays a sum and gets its name on a register. It

is a quality-assured process that requires the institution to meet 23 standards that deal with the legal status of the institution, governance and administration, the quality of staff, the physical resources, the teaching-learning process, the system in place to ensure that quality is maintained, and that there is continuous development of the institution. 2. The National Accreditation Council advertises on its website www.nac. gov.gy a list of all the institutions that are registered and have full approval to operate as post-secondary and tertiary education institutions. If the name of the institution in which you are interested is not on the list, it has not received approval to operate. 3. If a student attends a post-secondary or tertiary institution that is not registered with the National Accreditation Council, the certificates, diplomas, or degrees awarded will NOT be recognised Turn to page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Region Two has set bar for regional and national development Dear Editor,

AS a lecturer in Economics since 1989, I would often tell my students that there is no mystery in underdevelopment and no mystery either as to why nations are poor. One explanation of what contributes to our poverty and underdevelopment are some observations at the recent Public Accounts Committee hearings with the Pomeroon-Supenaam region, and how regions in Guyana are made to operate: Responsibility without authority. With the appointment of regional ministers, more than three decades ago, Guyana embraced the notion of Regionalism. So it is not unreasonable to expect that by now most conditions for regions to function effectively would have been put in place. How can a region grow and prosper without decentralisation of important functions? Laws and policies must be obeyed. But, why must there be a law, in the first place, that prevents a regional executive officer and his/ her management team from

deciding and implementing at the level of the region the construction of a bus shed for residents in the region, or that a health centre should be extended to allow for better delivery of health services to its residents, or have the authority to employ a clerk to advance development in the region? Why a broken landing, the only access to a school, should wait for approval from some official, centrally located, in the nation’s capital, burdened with his/her own tasks? Therein lies one explanation of our underdevelopment and poverty, as a nation. I recall when I accepted this position of regional executive officer, I was told: “Take ownership of your region. Don’t bring problems to us – bring solutions. I reminded one of my principals of those words, that served me as guiding principles, I must admit, until now. I am mortified by the waste of needed resources utilised to facilitate the Public Accounts Committee hearings - the ostentation and dramatisation, described in Guyana Times, March 13, 2018, with such words as

“face off”, “show down”,” berated” and “slammed”. The Public Accounts Committee should be aware that it is dealing with administrative heads of regions, who are worthy of respect, if only because of the responsibilities they shoulder and the fact that they must return to their regions following these hearings and be able to command respect as government functionaries, after they were “slammed and berated”. This kind of language, not only debases the respect for these officials, but also interferes with their effectiveness. This letter to the editor was precipitated, firstly, by an audit query, that funds from the Pomeroon-Supenaam region’s Current allocations were used to execute Capital projects. While we understand that the use of Current allocations to fund Capital projects is acceptable, but must first obtain the permission of the Minister of Finance, we would like to state that the six (6) projects, undertaken from the region’s 2017 savings of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000) were responses to emergencies.

Significantly, these savings were made possible through responsible spending and prudent management controls by the regional administration. This is a historic accomplishment that deserves commendation from all Guyana. For, even an experienced economist cannot accurately predict the level of development this country will realise if every government Budget Agency should replicate this performance. The real accomplishment of the savings from the budgetary allocations of Region Two should not only be seen in quantifiable terms, but also in terms of the potential development. Half a Billion Dollars ($500,000,000) in savings realised during the life of the current administration must therefore be seen in that broad economic sense. The performance of the region will ultimately lead to greater wealth and well-being for future generations. We are of the opinion that the Public Accounts Committee acted correctly in ordering the swift audit to ensure government money is well spent, if indeed it

felt something was amiss. But we are delighted that our actions brought relief to residents in the region and that the major infraction was Misallocation (not Misappropriation) of funds. Keep in mind though that when money is properly spent development takes place. But the reverse happens when money is not well spent. The challenge for the Public Accounts Committee and the Audit office, known only a few days ago for its unprecedented swiftness, is to revisit the previous years, particularly 2013 and 2014, when the region itself uncovered cases where hundreds of millions of dollars in payments were made to a few, with little evidence of development commensurate with such spending. I appreciate the public support and we are delighted that the region came to the aid of the children and teachers at Liberty, Pomeroon River, where head teacher Pansy Garraway Allen reported to the media that the “all-female staff had to stick their skirts in their tights during low tide and pull up the boats which was very

strenuous to us as females”. If applying sanctions on Region Two officials will set Guyana on course for real and serious development, well, let it be. I do not wish to prejudice the decision of the Public Accounts Committee. The Public Accounts Committee and the Audit Office must to do their work unhindered and “without fear or favour”. But I must now place before the Guyanese taxpayers, that as regional executive officer, my own research uncovered that many laws were broken in “prior years”, and so these august bodies, given their current positions, are now compelled to revisit their own work, with similar swiftness, to recover, what I will describe as the “loss of potential development” of our nation. Yours sincerely, Rupert Hopkinson Regional Executive Officer, Region Two BSc Management Science; BSc Economics; MS Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology

Rueben Kushial responds to the PPP Dear Editor,

I REFER to Nigel Dharamlall PPP’s press release about Mr Rueben Khushial and Mr Jeewan A Persaud dated March 9, 2018 on social media. Friends and fellow citizens, please be informed that Mr Dharamlall’s allegations of non-disclosure of financial statements, soliciting funds on behalf of the PPP, and campaigns to discredit the PPP leadership are false, frivolous, and malicious. Below is my response on each allegation: 1. In early 2017, the party sought to engage Mr Khushial … To the best of my knowl-

edge, such a meeting never occurred, nor was scheduled to occur. 2. Mr Khushial was not submitting financial statements … All financial statements were timely submitted to the PPP leadership. First, I e-mailed the statements to Mr Clement Rohee on November 29th, 2016, the then general-secretary of the PPP. He acknowledged receipt of such documents. Again, the financial statements were updated in October 2017 and tendered at the same time to Mr Anil Nandlall in New York, head of the Mirror Board in Guyana. The financial statements were comprehensive, covering the fiscal period Septem-

ber 2016-October 2017. And at no point in time were any of the statements queried. 3. Mr Khushial was soliciting donations in New York … No cash nor payments in kind was ever solicited on behalf of the party or for related activities. Mr Khushial and his fellow members are all about offering food and financial assistance to our poor farmers and sugar workers in Guyana. In fact, our members (of the Guyana Solidarity Movement-New York) recently distributed food hampers to over 300 poor sugar workers in Wales. The PPP leadership, upon learning about such activities, attempted to persuade us to divert

our funds to the PPP. But, we refused to do so, because the funds were earmarked for specific GSM activities. In fact, the PPP’s General-Secretary, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, in a meeting with at least a dozen of our members in August, 2017 in Queens, New York, discouraged us from providing financial assistance to the sugar workers. 4. Converted the activities of New York Mirror to a “one-man-affair” ... The activities were never about a “one-man-affair”. It is a fact that we printed and distributed the Mirror in New York free of charge. But, all decision-making about the printing and distribution of the Mirror was made by a

duly elected Board of Directors in New York. 5. Mr. Khushial incorporated the overseas Mirror in his name … The overseas paper was never incorporated in Mr Khushial’s name, other than a general partnership, for the purpose of printing and distribution of said paper; the party regularly e-mailed material for printing and distribution in New York. 6. To sow division and confusion … This statement is false and a misrepresentation of the facts. How can an ordinary hard- working person like Mr. Khushial “sow” division and confusion among the PPP leadership, when Mr Khusial

Get value for your ... by the National Accreditation Council. This means that if the student wants to use this certificate, diploma, or degree to obtain a job or for further study, he/she would not receive recognition for the programme that he/she has completed.

4. When Guyanese students migrate to other countries and try to use the certificates obtained in Guyana for further education, the administrators of the institutions that they seek to attend, normally make contact with the National

Accreditation Council to verify the authenticity of their qualifications. Specific questions are asked about the institutions and the value of their qualifications. If the administrators are not convinced that the institutions and their programmes

were quality-assured, they do not accept the qualifications. The National Accreditation Council implores the Guyanese public to be aware of persons who are setting up schools/ institutions without the

approval of the council and are charging exorbitant fees. Many persons have been caught in this trap! Exercise some caution! Seek the advice of the council. Check the website. Call us at any of the following numbers:

is not even an executive nor a member of the PPP leadership? Mr Khushial and his fellow members are life-long followers of Dr Jagan’s ideas, views and beliefs. Given the above clarifications, we request that the PPP leadership “cease and desist” from these divisive allegations in relation to Mr Khushial and the honest and hard-working GSM members. Furthermore, we demand that they withdraw this press release and offer a public apology to Mr Khushial and Mr. Persaud. Sincerely, Rueben Kushial Guyana Solidarity Movement – New York

Con’t from page 6 223-7935/2237901/2259526/225-7662. Ensure that you get value for your dollars! Deborah Jack (Mrs) Executive Director National Accreditation Council

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Bartica retains transformative mayor, deputy mayor By Svetlana Marshall

GIFFORD Marshall was re-elected Mayor of Bartica when the Town Council held its internal elections recently. His deputy, Nageswari Kamal Lochandprashad was also re-elected. On Sunday, the Town Clerk Phebe Wallerson told the Guyana Chronicle that when the internal elections were held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 for the po-

sitions of mayor and deputy mayor, Marshall and Lochandprashad were unopposed, paving the way for them to serve for a third term. In a separate interview on Sunday, Marshall said the elected councillors of the Bartica Mayor and Town Council have made tremendous progress in transforming the landscape of the town in keeping with the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (AP-

NU+AFC) government’s ‘Green’ Agenda. President Granger has identified Bartica to become the first ‘green’ town in the country. He said since taking office in 2016, the council has executed a number of projects to transform the landscape of the town and simultaneously address several of the issues that had faced residents. The rehabilitation of the Byderabo dumpsite, which

Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall was in a deplorable state,

project to make the facility environmentally friendly and remove the health threats it had posed. “This dumpsite being less that one mile away from central Bartica, would have negatively impacted our water basin. This undoubtedly was a health crisis in the making; thus the need for urgent attention,” the mayor posited. Additionally, the council within a period of two years constructed the town’s first ‘Green’ Park to the tune of $31M. “Today, while residents

while also making reference to major changes to the Bartica Market. The market, which was described by many vendors as unappealing and dark, was renovated to improve its appearance. “The Bartica Market remains one of the main sources of revenue for the municipality of Bartica. In addition, it houses more than 100 vendors. These small business/vendors are an important pillar to development of our economy. As a result, council invested

The newly renovated Bartica Municipal Market

The town’s first ‘Green’ Park was among projects that were tackled by the council, Marshall reported. It was noted that between 2016 and 2017, approximately $50M was injected into the

enjoy its beautiful ambience, this project stands as a significant model of how we can improve the aesthetics of our community by implementing ‘green’ initiatives,” he noted,

just under $15M to renovate the edifice and intends to spend another $8M in 2018. Worthy of mentioning is the huge signage to See page 9

The Bartica Boulevard while it was under construction

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Wismar residents up in arms against squatters … complaints taken to police for action By Vanessa Braithwaite

RESIDENTS of Cholmondley Hill, Wismar, Linden are calling on the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to intervene in the squatting activity taking place in their community, which has resulted in several is-

that the squatters are occupying is actually part of government reserves and should not be inhabited. “When rain fall, the water does be washing down on our area, and it is happening more so that they are building there, because that area is not to build on and now our legal land is being threatened,”

Part of the area that has been fenced off on the government reserve sues of concern. During a visit to the area by this publication, several residents noted that the situation is very distressing, as every day more squatters are joining the bandwagon and erecting houses, whether temporary or permanent structures. The residents explained that the area is prone to erosion, since it is very hilly. They said too that the area

one resident said. An illegal sandpit is also being used to construct the houses and this is also resulting in erosion in the area. The residents revealed that one squatter erected a shack and had no toilet facility and would defecate in bags and discard of it in the neighbourhood, causing much discomfort to the neighbours. When he was confronted about it, it turned out into a heated

argument, this newspaper was told. Apart from that argument, the squatters would themselves get involved in verbal and physical fights over the unregulated plots of land. As such, the residents are fearful for their security and are in dire need of intervention. “Some people are buying lands from people right in the community. One girl said she buy a plot of land for $80,000 and when you ask her for the receipt, she can’t produce it, then other people coming and say they buy the same plot of land and is causing fights in the area,” said one resident. The unregulated area that is now being occupied was previously used as a short cut to get to other parts of the community. Some of the main users of the short cut were elderly members of the AME church located just behind the squatting area; and now the members are forced to use a taxi to get to church. “That is very unfair to those old people that using the short cut for years now and now they fence off and block off the place and the people have to find taxi money from their little pension.” The residents revealed that a few weeks ago, someone was robbed at the fenced-off area, since petty thieves are using it as a hideout spot, knowing that there is limited visibility there. The youth in the community are also being inconvenienced, since they previously used the area to play outdoor sports; but now with it being occupied, the residents are worried that the youth will now gravitate to unconstructive activities. They are calling on the CH&PA and the regional authorities to look into the matter urgently before it gets further out of hand. “Maybe they can put up a sign on these lands to say ‘no trespassing’ or something to stop people from

Bartica retains transformative ... From page 8 the front of the market that promotes the small businesses within,” Mayor Marshall explained. Additionally, the council has been modifying the town hall, upgrading internal roads, and offering scholarships to residents of Bartica. “Bartica remains without a tertiary institution. As a result, a small percentage of our students pursue such in the city. Most opt for the interior instead. As a consequence, we have implemented a scholarship programme

that is intended to provide a life-changing experience for our youths, while at the same time motivating other youths academically,” he explained, while alluding to the scholarships being offered. The council has also spearheaded construction of the town’s first boulevard. According to Marshall, the situation in Bartica could only get better. He said there are a number of new initiatives planned for 2018, while pointing out that major emphasis will be placed on youth development. “In 2018, we will contin-

ue the transformation process, but one can expect to see us direct most of our resources to youth empowerment, construction of a disability centre to support the programmes of the local disability organisation, capacity-building for small businesses and awareness sessions on mental health, depression and domestic violence. We have seen the need to equally invest in our citizenry, as much as we invest in our physical infrastructure. The people are our best resource,” he told this newspaper.

occupying them, because is not only here it happening , is all over and just how other people have to wait for their land, everybody should wait until they get a piece of legal land,” another resident said. Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland, expressed his disagreement over illegal squatters, especially around the Danju Hill area which is also prone to erosion. “We have to discourage persons from squatting and so on. Some persons are squatting at areas that are very dangerous. Recently, council had to come down on some structures going up on Danju Hill…people are squatting…,” he said. Minister of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Yearwood, also expressed her disagreement several times over squatting and told this publication that the perpetrators will be prosecuted. Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhyden, told this publication last week that several cases of squatting have been reported to his office and the police are working along with the Ministry of Communities to get the issues resolved.

The illegal sandpit that the residents are using to construct their homes

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Common Entrance mayhem

THOUSANDS of children throughout Guyana (and indeed the Caribbean) will be taking the Common Entrance exam shortly and parents, some of you are more anxious than your children. Yes, children need to study and yes, we want them to do well, but it has become a culture to go into overkill and have children studying literally, day and night. There needs to be balance in a child’s life at every given juncture. So parents, you really need to work around what is comfortable for your child and give him/her some space to relax his/her mind. Cramming their brains full of information is no guarantee that they will remember it

at the given time. However, when children are taught relevant information in a timely and relaxed manner, the outcome can be far more beneficial. Children have different ways of learning; they don’t all follow one pattern. Do you know which way your child learns best? Have you ever asked your child or spoken to their teachers? It’s been said: If a child doesn’t learn the way you teach, then teach them the way they learn. This means ‘teachers’ should be flexible and adjustable enough to adapt to the learning capability and style of their students. Parents are the first teachers in a child’s life and all ‘teachers’ impart information to their

pupils. Some teachers have a more natural, easier way of teaching, just like some parents have more effective parenting skills. The best ‘teachers’ however, make a positive impact on their pupils for life. So let us be realistic about ‘how’ our children are learning for their Common Entrance examination: and let their learning be manageable and within their capability. They are simply taking an exam that will enable them to move on to a secondary education -- a secondary education that should be in line with their academic ability. It is not and never will be the’ be all’ and ‘end all’ of their lives. There will always be room for them

to aspire, either in their secondary school or from their secondary school to a school with a higher ‘band’. Parents and caregivers, you need to encourage children to do the best they can at Common Entrance and to reassure them that you love and support them regardless of their exam results. Banning television, the use of video games and Ipads during this period may seem necessary. From a parents’ point of view, these things are distracting. But monitored use once in a while can help to free your child’s mind from constant studying and help maintain a balance. Doing other things that are totally unrelated to Common Entrance can also help. Like

going for a walk in the ‘gardens’, playing a sport, or just relaxing and having a fun time playing cards or board games. Parents, threatening, blackmailing or bribing your child to do well at Common Entrance is a real ‘no-no’. Grown-ups who do this are not helping their children to succeed; they are just putting them under extra pressure. Instead of focusing on their exam with an ease of mind, their thoughts could stray elsewhere because of things you may have said. One last thing parents, if you can, please refrain from telling your child ‘Pick up yuh book’. Anyone can pick up a book and appear to be reading or learning (basically to stop you from nagging)

but real learning is natural and enjoyable. Very little is achieved when it is forced upon a child. (Although a nudge in the right direction or a thoughtful reminder is sometimes needed). So instead of saying ‘pick up yuh book’, why not sit with your child and go over their work with them. Build their confidence by sharing an interest in their work instead of dictating what they should do. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION, CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY

ICT revolutionising health services in Region Five ADMINISTRATORS of Region Five health services say the thrust to improve health care delivery in the region with the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which began last year, will gain momentum this year. Recently appointed Regional Health Officer Dr Andy DaSilva said that the computerisation of the management system at the Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital (FWCH) had started last year and has led to marked improvement and efficiency in the provision of services offered by the hospital. T h e h o s p i t a l i s now, among other ICT inputs, utilising a fully com-

puterised management system, which tracks the use of items in its stores and provides replenishment orders at established re-order points. The inventory management system for its stores follows acquisition by the hospital staff of state-of-theart, touch screen computers in 2016. Another innovation at the FWCH in using ICT in recent months is the establishment of biometrics, which is used as an employee time and attendance recording system. “The use of biometrics as a booking-in and booking-out system, using their fingerprints, discourages theft of time by employees

and is already in use and is presently ensuring maximum staff availability for patient care,” he said. Acknowledging the ICT progress and other innovations made last year by his predecessor, Dr Steven Cheefoon, Dr DaSilva said that the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, the second of the two hospitals in the region, is targeted for similar ICT installations this year. He said: “We have the computers; the software, all the equipment necessary for ICT applications at the Mahaicony Hospital. We are at the moment putting in the necessary infrastructure such as desks, AC units etc., and as soon as this is over the installations will be done, so

the patients can benefit from the utilisation of ICT there.” He also disclosed that two new “smart” health centres recently completed within the region will serve as pilot projects for the introduction of ICT at the level of primary health care. The two centres, one at Carlton Hall, Mahaicony and the other at Mon Choisi, West Coast Berbice, were completed late last year and are to be commissioned soon, pending the provision of electricity and water supply to both and the completion of other infrastructure such as signage, etc. Dr Da Silva said that the necessary ICT infrastructure such as internet, will be placed in these two centres

A staff member at the FWCH utilises a bar code scanner, part of the electronic store inventory management system introduced last year and the use of ICT will serve as a model for ICT utilisation at other health centres in the region.

The two new health centres which will serve as pilots for ICT at the level of primary health care this year

“The intention is to introduce ICT to all 17 health centres in the region over time,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Programmes needed to integrate blind into society –– Blind Society Project Coordinator By Lisa Hamilton

THE rehabilitation and integration of persons with blindness is a crucial process that is absent locally, Guyana Society for the Blind Project Coordinator, Ganesh Singh said. Singh was diagnosed with glaucoma in his early teens and before he was out of that age period he had lost his sight completely. The disease, which is irreversible, has inspired him to become an advocate for persons with disability. However, being fairly well-known in some circles, Singh now puts the spotlight on the absence of programmes and systems which enable blind individuals to be retrained to function in society and to do so much more quickly. “In Guyana, we do not presently have any system or programme for rehabilitation and reintegration of persons with vision disabilities into society,” Singh said. He added: “If someone acquires blindness we all know it’s a traumatic experience for that person and their families. That is where counsellors, rehabilitation specialists and assistants come in. [They should] sit with that individual, explain to them, share case studies of inspirational stories of how blind persons were able to restart their lives [and] say to the families what are some of the things that are going to be difficult at first.” As Singh pointed out, these flaws in the health sys-

tem make him remember the days when he had limited social interaction and was confined indoors as a result of a lack of these provisions, including awareness of opportunities available for the blind. “I’ve come from a positon where, after I got blind, I became someone with a disability and because of the lack of awareness of what existed for my rehabilitation and reintegration into society, I was home for five years as a shut in… as a result, it motivates me to help others not to be in a position like that,” he said. The coordinator recommends that blind individuals, upon losing their sight, be taught how to use the cane, to utilise the public transportation system and to do basic chores in their home. GET EYES TESTED REGULARLY However, he reminds the public that in order for the results surrounding glaucoma to improve, persons must realise the importance of getting their eyes tested regularly, something that not many Guyanese take seriously. “Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. It damages your peripheral vision so you don’t really notice any difference with the distance you see. “At the age of seven, I started wearing glasses, very thick ones [and] at that time I don’t know if I wasn’t told or I wasn’t smart enough to understand what really was going on. Until one of my

eyes started getting swollen [because] the pressure was so extremely high, I went to some overseas doctors that came here… and they diagnosed I had glaucoma,” he said. Singh told the story of how even as his sight gradually diminished, he like many others, was still afraid of dealing with the reality that there was truly something terribly wrong with his eyes. “I really didn’t tell my parents, I didn’t tell anybody the distance I was unable to see. There are many times that I probably could have gotten knocked down on the road but God was always with me. “I used to cross the road based on sound because I could have noticed cars up close. When I used to stand on the road to catch bus to come to school, because I was living on the East Coast, I would basically hear a vehicle coming and I could tell if it was a bus, a car or a truck,” Singh told. Singh was a frequent visitor to the ophthalmologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Complex [GPHC] which could not do much at the time to help glaucoma patients. SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT Answering to how much the service for persons with eye complications has improved at the GPHC over the years, he said: “Significantly… at GPHC they now do laser surgery. “This, when I was 13 was not available in Guyana, I had

Project Coordinator of the CXC programme at the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh, calls for the implementation of programmes which rehabilitate and reintegrate visually impaired persons into society (Photo by Samuel Maughn) to travel overseas to get that ety for the Blind faces several done. They do vision field challenges, one of which is testing and a number of other their reliance on volunteertests now. Things are more ism as there is no paid staff, modern and it’s available for Singh said there are many profree,” he said. grammes today which make Even as the Guyana Soci- the lives of visually-impaired

individuals easier. Reiterating the need for programmes which restore these persons into society, he said: “There are a number of apps that allow blind persons to be independent because that’s all persons with disabilities want -- to be independent. But the majority of blind persons who are out there are not aware of these things because we do not have a rehabilitation programme.” Nonetheless, the society continues to train its members to utilise the Jobs Access With Speech (JAWS) programme, which is installed on computers and helps to further their education through their CXC programme. Summarising his appeal for the final time, Singh said: “It’s all about letting people know what is there once they acquire blindness. Yes, your life is going to be changed significantly but, at the end of the day, you still can live a normal life.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Jagan ‘twisted the tail’ of the British lion –– in selfless effort to improve the lives of all Guyanese, remembrance forum hears By Telesha Ramnarine

FORMER President of Guyana Dr Cheddi Jagan who died 21 years ago was remembered as a man who always placed the interests of others above his own. The Indian Action Committee (IAC), in celebration of Jagan’s 100th birth anniversary, organised a public symposium at the National Library this past week. Moderator and IAC Executive Member Neaz Subhan, said the committee saw it fit to use the centenary birth anniversary of Jagan to reflect on his life and work. Several of the persons who spoke that evening mentioned Jagan’s selflessness that despite being educated at the best universities of the time, decided to return to Guyana to help liberate Guyanese from their colonial masters. “After attending the best universities and qualifying himself, why did he return to Guyana knowing fully well that there was no presidential or ministerial position waiting for him here.” People’s Progressive Par-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall ty (PPP) Member of Parliament Vickram Bharrat questioned. “Because he was never an opportunist,” Bharrat answered, noting that Jagan fought for the rights of others and sought to free them from British rule. Twenty one years after his death, Jagan’s ideals remain relevant, Bharrat observed. He recalled that Jagan ensured that every Guyanese got the right to

PPP MP Colin Croal vote and not just the elite who might have owned a house or whose financial income was at a certain level. Jagan’s son, Cheddi Jagan Jr, recalled that his dad went to the United States to pursue dentistry and studied at two of the best universities there. “He loved dentistry, because he said it combined art and science and he always joked that he loved dentistry because when he talked politics with the patients, they couldn’t talk back,” the son fondly recalled.

He is currently in the process of writing a book called, “Conversations with my dad, Insights into the mind of Dr Cheddi Jagan.” Another PPP Member of Parliament, Colin Croal, told the gathering, which included other party officials and relatives of Dr Jagan that from very early, the late leader recognised the importance of youth empowerment and the creation of jobs for them. Croal said this was evidenced by a rather youthful Cabinet which also featured those with years of experience. Social Commentator Ramon Gaskin remembers Dr Jagan as the man who popularised Socialism and Marxism; as a developmental man and one who struggled for the trade union movement. “The trade union movement is broken and needs to be fixed. We have to go back to socialism, back to Jagan,” he remarked. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, fascinated by Jagan’s ability to think, also spoke to the selflessness exhibited by the leader. Describing him as an

ployed 60 persons, 94 per cent of whom are Guyanese. When the facility is fully completed, they expect to have a staff complement of close to 300 persons. “There has been a lot of enthusiasm from Guyanese, because they know that the industry is a big thing, so lots of people want to be involved… we have trained a lot of them because not a lot of local workers know the industry well,” Lockwood explained, adding that a lot of young people in particular have signalled

their interest to be a part of the operations. The general manager further explained that the industry, especially the shore-base, will be growing and changing over the next 10 years. The area being developed by GYSBI is 28 acres, with a waterfront of 900ft by 1600ft. The company is aiming to build a wharf of 600ft. ExxonMobil – the company currently drilling for oil in Guyana along with joint venture partners HESS and CNOOC Nexen – had awarded the contract to

PPP MP Vickram Bharrat speaking at the event extraordinarily brilliant man, Nandlall said Jagan’s business meant nothing to him. It was his passion and burning desire to get up and do something about the plight of his fellow countrymen. If there were 10 dentists around in Jagan’s time that would have been a lot and Jagan could have therefore made a fortune. But his priorities were elsewhere, Nandlall noted.

He said Jagan was a man way ahead of his time and that all of the popular quotes available from him today were uttered when he was a young man, no older than 30 years. Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds recalled that his parents and grandparents were fascinated by Jagan, who seemed bent on twisting the tail of the British lion.

Exxon shore-base to be ready by August By Navendra Seoraj

CONSTRUCTION of the initial facilities at the ExxonMobil shore-base is expected to be completed by August, said General Manager of the Guyana Shore Base Inc, (GYSBI) Glenn Lockwood. The infrastructure of the base includes a large yard with pipe racks and staging places, where they intend to put tubular (pipes) prior to sending them to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).

“By this , the construction phase would have been completed, then we would be doing additional work,” said Lockwood during an exclusive tour of the facility on Saturday. Although the initial stages of work would be completed soon, different facilities will be built as years go by, said the general manager. Some of the facilities that are yet to be completed include a power station, a water-filtration system and generator systems. GYSBI has so far em-

Some of the pipes being packed neatly into the racks (Adrian Narine photo)

Guyana Shore Base Inc., (GYSBI) which is a Guyanese joint venture made up of Muneshwer’s Limited, Pacific Rim Constructors, TotalTec Oilfield Services and LED Offshore. ExxonMobil had initially planned to use a shore base in Trinidad and Tobago before turning its full attention to Guyana. The base will service the needs of the FPSO which will be offshore Guyana producing oil. Fuel, water, cement, mud, and other materials will be available at the base.

GYSBI General Manager Glenn Lockwood (Adrian Narine photo)

One of the facilities being constructed at the shore-base (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

$19.6M upgrade for Belladrum Secondary

THE Belladrum Secondary School in Region Five, which benefited from a long-overdue $18M upgrade in physical infrastructure last year, will get an additional $19.6 million for completion of its rehabilitation and refurbishment this year. The regional administration sought and received this sum from central government in its budgetary allocations for

the school this year, Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison recently disclosed. He said that the administration had felt it necessary to spend the sums because of the serious state into which the building had deteriorated, due to years of neglect. “The extent of neglect of the physical infrastructure of that school by the previous administration was beyond

belief,” Morrison said. Superintendent of Works for the regional administration, Mr Delton Benjamin, said that the sum of $10M will be used for extensive facelifts, including painting the interior of the school, as well as sections of the exterior; for electrical maintenance works; for the upgrading of sanitary facilities; for replacing rotting zinc sheets on the roof; tiling of the

The Belladrum Secondary School will get an additional $19.6 million for completion of its rehabilitation and refurbishment this year. floors and installing security grills to doors and stairways. The roof is to be extended to prevent rain water from leaking into the classrooms and disrupting classes during rainfall. Among other improvements, the sum of $9.6 million will be used to continue work in countering bat infestation at the school, by bat-proofing the ceiling of the school. The major activities of the school’s maintenance and facelift will take place during the August holiday. The work this year in addition to the work done under an $18M allocation last year, will bring the physical infrastructure of the school to an acceptable standard for an education institution. Other works will be conducted next year for further upgrades and ensuring that the standards achieved are maintained, Benjamin said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Youths reach out to street dwellers By Lisa Hamilton

TARGETING 100 homeless individuals living on the streets of Georgetown, two volunteer organisations merged their efforts utilising $100,000 in funds raised, to provide baths, haircuts, clothing, food and medical care to ‘society’s forgotten citizens’. The main organisations which pooled their resources Sunday were Potluck and the Raising and Extending Arms to Care and Help (REACH) Foundation, which showed up in their numbers and proved once again that the youth of Guyana need not be

underestimated. At the stations, set up opposite the Guyana Post office on Regent Street, were three double-shower units, six barbers, barrels of clothing for both male and females and a medical station manned by students of medicine and one medical practitioner. The men and women who happily lined up to receive the services were first given the opportunity to brush their teeth with toothbrushes and toothpaste that were provided. They were then given the privacy of the constructed showers to take a bath. Secretary of REACH Laushana Massiah told this

newspaper, that the bath drive which is an initiative of REACH, was formulated based on the observations of the group over time. “We usually cater for lunch but when we come out we realised the condition they’re in, most of them they’re in rugged clothes, they’re smelly, so we decided to have something different,” she said. Afterwards, the individuals were assisted in locating their right size of clothing and slippers, while the men many with over-grown hair were given neat trims by the volunteer barbers and the women were given braid-

A woman awaits the results of her blood pressure test (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Four homeless individuals are instructed by a volunteer on the process of the outreach as they stand in line waiting to have a bath. ups. Items donated to the individuals also included deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bras, underwear and sanitary napkins. When questioned on the provision of sanitary napkins which most times is a rarity to women living on

the streets, Messiah said: “I think it’s extremely hard for them because we know it’s something that we need and… that’s something that we need to consider. “You don’t want them to be using any and anything so that’s why we decided that we should give them the sanitary napkins as well.

It was extremely costly and that’s why we have to thank our sponsors because if it wasn’t for them we would not have been able to pull off this event.” Meanwhile, the Potluck organisation with its medical team took charge of See page 19

A homeless man converses with a volunteer on the size of trousers that would best fit him

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Youths reach out ...

From page 18

Volunteer barbers grooming the men on the sidewalk near the popular Bourda Market providing the individuals with blood sugar testing, blood pressure testing, HIV/AIDS counselling and testing and physical examinations. The homeless individuals were also taught how to properly use contraceptives

such as condoms, with the help of Dr. Gerald Forde from the Georgetown Public Hospital. “I saw the ad [of REACH] on Facebook and I saw they were doing a bath drive. We would want to help but we don’t have

the facilities available so we thought it would be best to team up with them. “We do medical out-reaches but we always do it at the shelter, we don’t get to reach this population so we’re really glad for the opportunity to just be here

to give them the services that we give to everybody else at the shelter,” Co-founder of Potluck, Dr. Navina Paul said. Telling of how she was able to raise $100,000 for the funding of the project while overseas, new REACH volunteer, Shuntel Grant told Guyana Chronicle that it was with the help of some generous individuals.

“It is my passion to give back so after I heard about the foundation and what they wanted to do I went about asking all my friends and family abroad to help in any way they can. Most of the persons, they contributed money and that’s what helped us to get all the things that are out here,” Grant explained. Representatives of the

organisations say that this is not the last the individuals will see or hear from them as there are other projects in the pipeline to tackle the issue of homelessness at its roots. Youths on Fire, students of the University of Guyana (UG) and the Breaking Barriers Group also contributed to the outreach.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Karthik heroics hand India tri-series title

(Reuters) - INDIA survived late drama in a pulsating final to clinch the Twenty20 tri-series after Dinesh Karthik smashed the final ball for a six to secure their thrilling four-wicket victory against a gallant Bangladesh side on Sunday. With India needing 34 runs off the last two overs, Karthik hammered 29 not out off just eight deliveries, his third six sealing India’s third, and the most hardearned, victory over Bangla-

desh in the tournament. Put into bat, Bangladesh made 166-8, a total they owe largely to number three batsman Sabbir Rahman who made 77 after their top order collapsed. Chasing 167 to win, India lost openers Shikhar Dhawan and number three Suresh Raina early but skipper Rohit Sharma batted comfortably to score 56 and keep India’s chase on track.

Dinesh Karthik smashed a four over cover

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh 1st innings

Tamim Iqbal c Shardul Thakur b Yuzvendra Chahal 15 Liton Das c Suresh Raina b Washington Sundar 11 Sabbir Rahman b Jaydev Unadkat 77 Soumya Sarkar c Shikhar Dhawan b Yuzvendra Chahal 1 Mushfiqur Rahim c Vijay Shankar b Yuzvendra Chahal 9 Mahmudullah Run Out Vijay Shankar 21 Shakib Al Hasan Run Out Lokesh Rahul 7 Mehedi Hasan Not Out 19 Rubel Hossain b Jaydev Unadkat 0 Mustafizur Rahman Not Out 0 Extras: 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 4w 6 Total: (20.0 overs) 166-8 Fall of Wickets: 1-27 Das, 2-27 Iqbal, 3-33 Sarkar, 4-68 Rahim, 5-104 Mahmudullah, 6-133 Al Hasan, 7-147 Rahman, 8-148 Hossain Did Not Bat : Islam Bowling: Jaydev Unadkat 4-0-33-2-8.25-2w, Washington Sundar 4-0-20-1-5.00, Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-18-3-4.50 Shardul Thakur 4-0-45-0-11.25-1w, Vijay Shankar 4-0-48-0-12.00-1w ..........................................................

India 1st innings

Shikhar Dhawan c (Sub) b Shakib Al Hasan 10 Rohit Sharma c Mahmudullah b Nazmul Islam 56 Suresh Raina c Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 0 Lokesh Rahul c Sabbir Rahman b Rubel Hossain 24 Manish Pandey c Sabbir Rahman b Mustafizur Rahman 28 Vijay Shankar c Mehedi Hasan b Soumya Sarkar 17 Dinesh Karthik Not Out 29 Extras: 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 2w 4 Total: (20.0 overs) 168-6 Fall of Wickets: 1-32 Dhawan, 2-32 Raina, 3-83 Rahul, 4-98 Sharma, 5-133 Pandey, 6-162 Shankar Did Not Bat : Sundar, Thakur, Chahal, Unadkat Bowling: Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-28-1-7.00, Mehedi Hasan 1-017-0-17.00, Rubel Hossain 4-0-35-2-8.75, Nazmul Islam 4-0-32-1 8.00-1w, Mustafizur Rahman 4-1-21-1-5.25, Soumya Sarkar 3-0 -33-1-11.00-1w

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday March 19, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jason Holder-7 wickets (2) Stefanie Taylor-3/54 (First ODI, Lincoln) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI had the highest individual score in the group stages of the ICC WC Qualifiers? (2) How many dismissals WI Merissa Aguilleira effected in the recent ODI series against NZ?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

87 days to go …

Morocco competes to host FIFA World Cup 2026

MOROCCO presented its bid book to FIFA on Friday and is the only rival in a joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, depending on an upcoming evaluation, there is the risk that Morocco can be disqualified before the vote in June. Here is how it works, and how Morocco plans to compete with its North American competitors.

Vote

For the first time, every football nation will be allowed to vote, and every vote will be made public. June: Up to 207 of the 211 member federations will vote on June 13 in Moscow, with the four bidding members excluded. In aiming for transparency, FIFA’s pledge to publish the choice of each member could affect the voting, as some officials could be exposed to potential intimidation. Previously, FIFA’s ruling executive had chosen the World Cup sites from 1986-2022. The 2026 World Cup will also be the first time in the World Cup in which 48 countries will play. Africa: Sepp Blatter was president when FIFA last voted on men’s World Cup hosts. While championing Morocco, Blatter questioned whether it can count on all 53 votes from Africa. “Africa is not always united,” Blatter said. But he believes the Americans are “afraid ... and give the impression that they are not any longer very sure that they will win”. US investigations into FIFA could deter voters from taking the World Cup to a country so determined to expose wrongdoing within football. Inflammatory comments by US President Donald Trump that have offended parts of the world could also work in Morocco’s favour.

Africa’s hope

Africa has hosted football’s biggest showpiece only once - in 2010, when South Africa held the event. CAF: The president of the Confederation of African Football, Ahmad Ahmad has given Morocco his full backing. “This is our hope and our dream because it is unfair that a great continent like Africa has only been allowed to organise one World Cup in a century,” said the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). “I think it is legitimate for us to want one of our countries to make this commitment, and I myself as a president am committed to join in this bid.” Change: While the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, Morocco has failed to secure a bid four times. “We are competing against stronger economies, but the voting system has changed, a lot of other things have changed,” Toufik Senhaji, a Moroccan football journalist, told Al Jazeera. “Morocco itself has changed during the last few years in terms of infrastructure. We have seen more development in Morocco,” he said.

Qualification process

Before the vote in June, a five-member task force will assess each bidding country, and could potentially disqualify it. A five-member task force, dominated by European officials, will make inspection visits,

then grade and score the bids. Score: The task force will assign a score from 0 to 5, where 0 is “no requirements met/very weak” and 5 is “requirements exceeded/excellent”. 70 per cent of the panel’s score goes for infrastructure, while 30 per cent is based on projected costs and revenues. Bidders must score at least 2 for the individual aspects of stadiums, teams and referee facilities, plus accommodation and transport links. “The scores have a bearing on whether or not a bid qualifies for the next stage of the bidding process, with bids shortlisted by the FIFA Council,” according to FIFA. Mimimum: Failure to score 2 (“minimum requirements met/sufficient”) from the task force means a bid “has been evaluated as ‘high risk’ and represents a material failure”, a FIFA bid regulations document states, whereupon “FIFA shall terminate this Bidding Registration.” FIFA’s Council must approve the verdict of the task force before the Congress votes.

Morocco’s bid

Stadiums: The largest venue, in Casablanca, has a capacity of 67,000, whereas FIFA will want a venue with at least 80,000 seats for the opening game and final. Only five other stadiums have a capacity in excess of 40,000. Timezone: The chief commercial officer at FIFA, Philippe Le Floc’h, highlighted how Morocco is in “the perfect time zone for Europe and Asia” television audiences. “There are other ways to generate revenues,” he said, “and the time zone in Morocco could help us.” African Nations: However, Morocco is building a good track-record by hosting the continent’s second-biggest tournament - the African Nations Championship 2018. It has also staged the bigger Africa Cup of Nations and the Francophone games, which featured 1,700 athletes. Russia’s World Cup 2018 will be the Moroccan team’s first World Cup for 20 years.

America’s bid

The United States-led bid, which includes Canada and Mexico as minority partners, hopes to be awarded the hosting rights to one of the biggest events in sports without facing a challenge. America’s stadiums: The US would host 60 games in venues requiring only minor construction work, including three stadiums with more than 87,000 seats. Canada and Mexico, which has the 87,523-capacity Azteca Stadium, will settle for 10 matches each up to the round of 16. TV revenues: FIFA, which is trying to return to profitability, would earn $300 million more from the North American broadcasters if the 2026 World Cup is played in the region. “It would have some commercial attraction,” Le Floc’h said. “It has got infrastructure. They have got massive stadiums because they are used for American Football. So on the pure hospitality point, potentially, we might have more revenues.” Chicago: FIFA has faced criticism from the home city of the US Soccer Federation. Chicago refused to sign up to the bid because it believed the tax waivers and legal provisions required pose a risk to the city and shareholders. Vancouver, which hosted the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, said its bid was rejected because it refused to comply with FIFA’s requirements that include putting agreements under Swiss law.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 26, 2018

PROFORMANCE PERIODIZATION Why mobility is just as important as strength With Neil Barry

Imagineisyourself onused the THERE an analogy track, in the pool, on the by Steven Covey, author of court, field or on your bike, The 7 Habits of Highly Efinches behind your closest fective People, in which he rival, ready to make the defining move of importance your race. Just describes the of as you start thatand big having bothmaking the clock effort, ‘pop!’ goes the musthe compass. cle behind your thigh, and The compass refers to suddenly every movement your direction--your long is painful as you struggle to the finish. These experiencand short-term goals, whates are unfortunately ever they may be. Themajor clock moments in time the careers refers to the you set of to many athletes, so this edition achieve those goals. the of ProFormance willWith explore compass you may eventually the typical reasons for these achieve withinjuriesyour andgoals, safe but ways to prevent them.it may take too out the clock, It must first be said that the long. feeling of ‘pulling up’ occurs In this volume of Prowith primarily muscular injuFormance we’ll look at the ries. Your muscles are designed importance of applying this to produce tension and force, controlled by what isathletic called concept to achieving the neuromuscular goals. Elite athletessystem--the commonbrain andthe spinal cord interactly have compass--many ing with your muscles. These short-term thatby lead to are typicallygoals injured either long-term and external or achievements, internal factors such as direct blows timeline or strains. that the clock--a helps them determine what toWHAT do andHAPPENS when theyWHEN should A MUSCLE ‘PULLS’ be doing it. Muscle strains occur WHAT IS are exwhen your muscles PERIODIZATION A great example that illustrates Periodization is track and field. Usain Bolt onlyBy runs sub-10 second racMichael DaSilva es a handful of times a year, TEAM Evolution’s Paul Deand 800M world record-holdNobrega was yesterday deer David Rudisha often clared winner of theisForbes seen as sluggish until the Burnham memorial 10th An‘big where he performs nualraces’ Three-Stage Cycle Road Race. incredible feats of speed and endurance that challenge the science of human performance limits. The take away there is that even the best athletes cannot sustain such levels of performance all year.

posedshining to excessperformance tensile force, The i.e. - shortening/lengthening is like a type of flower with tension. When you that are blooms once a year. It goes competing at high levels, you through cycles better of demay tryseveral to perform than you have before, but unvelopment before a spectacfortunately yourspecial body might ular bloom one night, not be ready for thesea forces. then it goes through period It is important NOT to develof preparation begins oprest the and belief that giving your all over again. best effort is always going

andThe early after returning to of are the like competitive the thick rubber band, physical adaptations season. sport, so how do you prepare and inactive muscles are like needed to achieve those The end of the season is usuyour muscles for the work you the string. Active muscles goalsstrength/power, speed/ ally the time when athletes need them to do? can produce more force and agility, endurance, and tech- want to produce their best “Champions not become nique changes; do keeping in performance, it may be the champions whenbethey win an final of a competition, or mind that it could a comevent, but in theall. hours, weeks,the final race of the season. bination of them and months, and years they The periods during which Keep in mind that for some spend preparing for it. The each component will be advictorious performance itself athletes, the time to produce

duce acute hamstring injutowards limiting the effects ries by 50% in footballers, of those injuries in your comand can be highly beneficial petitive season. Other great across sports. Early evaluation maysplit also exercises include the squat,out romanian deadlift and point what areas of trainthe single leg to hip-hinge, ing you need work on and the what’sFor more, they can all up be most. example, push done as pure bodyweight exand oneorrepwith maxsmall squatloads, tests ercises can letstill youbeing knowhighly how much while bento result in injury. Instead, eficial and loads of fun passive stretches that elite time you need to spend in bethe is merely a demonstration of think of these injuries as an causeeach of the challenge to do athletes will say help with gym week. their championship character” indication of aspects of your correctly. muscle recovery after intense them Finally, after your major – Michael Jordan, Six time NBA preparation that need to be The big take away here fatigue, and prevention of Champion. season, it iswhen very addressed. is that stretching, muscle strains during long competitive go through So why is the muscle combined to with adequatea seasons of competition. Pro- important of rest and length-tension relationship functional range of recovmovefessionals will tell you that period important? A good way to viment strengthening exerlargely used muscles in your ery--called an off-season. sualize your muscles working shouldday be athletes encouraged respective sport should be pri- cise,Modern often is to imagine pulling on a loose oritized for stretching--often in your preparation for off competition season to work string, versus pulling on thick highthe level to your hamstrings, hip flexors, use low the impact corrective rubber band. Loose string does prevent injuries before quadriceps and calves. What on to improve not resist being pulled apart they happen, and musalso many elite training systems exercises until you reach its full length, stopimbalances them from now encourage is full range cle thatreoccurdevelop but it also doesn’t develop ring ainseason your career. Ask of movement exercise train- over of stressing much tension. Alternatively, a qualified exercise proing that incorporates strength, the same movement patyou can feel increasing tension flexibility, and motor control fessional about stretchrepetitively.and Thefuncvalthe moment you start pulling ing techniques during both acceleration and terns Former National Schools Track and Field 400M record ue of off-seasons cannot be on the thick rubber band, but tional range of movement deceleration. holder, Carlwyn Collins performing a single leg swiss the maximum tension is not strength exercises stressed enough as theysuch also Ball Hamstring Curl- (Photo compliments- TopEnd at its full length, so beyond a FUNCTIONAL as the nordic hamstring Performance Training Systems) prevent your body from excertain length, it will become TRAINING curl to learnOver how Training to safely periencing weak, and start to burst. ReResearch has shown e.g. program them into your RATIONALE FOR are less susceptible to tearing which leaves search shows that many strains training regimen, just your like STRETCHING until overstretched, however that the nordic hamstring Syndrome, in a near constant state reoccur at the same location, the pros. Ideally, active muscles your muscles adapt to your curl has been shown to re- body of fatigue, and can be career ending. In closing, elite athletes use the Clock and the ComPeriodization, cyopen –category. Fifth to place The race was sponsored by for the event which got under- Anthony. the veterans’ category ahead pass After a long cricket season, Steven 18 Jacobs goes through exercise way in Berbice on February wentthrough to Cho-Wee-Nam, the Forbes Burnham Foundation For the second stage whichcorrectives of Junior Niles and jaikarran cle year after while year restore specific symmetry. first stage frommuscle Cor- function, Walter Grant-Stuart placed and coordinated by the Flying withtothe wheeled and off from Linden, Sukhai, respectively. until they reach the peak of riverton to New Amsterdam. Stars Cycle Club. Region 10 and concluded Berbice’s Andrew Hicks fourth, Jeumel Yearwood Periodization refers to dressed. their best may be early in the spiratory fitness respectively. their powers. By strategically Despite not winning that on Homestretch Avenue in placed sixth overall in the third and John second. Despite not winning any of planned with stage, Thehecompetition period. as in theDeNobrega case of some Additionally, it is advo- planning your seasons, you placed second and year, the threesports stages,training DeNobrega Georgetown, was CRICKET CORNERcan (Monday time to an address specific Andaimportantly, the rest/ our local competto start QUIZ your season too. February 26, 2018) bunch time like win- of clocked overall time ofperfive secured involved in athletes a bunch finish cated ner and teammate, Michael ing hours 23 minutes 48 seconds recovery and at received the bunch time, with some form of evaluaformance goals. Successful period. the Junior CARIFTA If there are specific topCOMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The placing among the top three tion, athletes and their coaches/ games. with a mediics you would like to see Citypreferably Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & finishers ELECTRICAL LTD-83 Garnett Street, trainers consider the followASPECTS OF Onceoverall. you’ve selected calCUMMINGS professional and a coach.COMPANY discussed here, or you have Going into the final stage Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ing: PERIODIZATION what can be called your Early evaluation helps idenquestions, you can email yesterday which began on The goals--what perIn planning for your sea- “Peak Season”, it’sproceeded import- tify your tolimitations, which proformance592@gmail. Answers yesterday’s quiz: Homestretch Avenue, (1) comeShane Shillingford-21 to Belfield, East Coast formance do we want to son, I encourage athletes to ant to consider how Demerara you will may in the form of wickets com(Windwards) or leave a message on (2) Khary Pierre-6/34 (Trinidad vs Hampshire) and returned or- injuries. achieve? plan backwards from the end prepare for to it, the andplace the oftime You can then work the Facebook page. movement habits that by shortenyou have before season. ing, so they can become overDuring that time athletes can stretched at shorter lengths. build the required levels of Therefore your muscles need fitness. to both be strong, and long. Good coaches can tellyour you In building towards aboutseason, active you isolated stretchpeak should have es, and of dynamic stretches periods time where you for warm ups, while physical focus on improving strength, therapists and other trained power, speed, can and help cardioreprofessionals with

Evolution’s DeNobrega wins Forbes Burnham Three-Stage

igin for the finish, DeNobrega

finished fifth, but received the OSCL/ Orlando II… bunch Cup time, making him the overall winner. REGAL Masters and Re- batting that also entertained the Hurricanes of South Florida in Florida glory, they will have The winner of the first gal All Stars were scheduled colourful Orlando crowd. their semi-final tie. Assassins in their way. stage was Anthony. StageThey two to contest the final of their Thomas made 35 not out Hurricanes were inserted beat Assassins at the prelimwas won by Trojan’s Romello respective category of the from 19 balls (6x4; 1x4) while but came under tremendous inary stage while of the Curtis tournament Crawford, Dey, second edition of the Orlan- Eon Abel slogged 33 form 13 pressure from the Regal bowl- and will fancy placed their chancalso of Berbice, second do Softball Cricket League balls (2x6; 3x4). ers and were reduced to 95 es onEastman the big placed stage. andagain Hamza (OSCL) Orlando Cup late Rajesh Parsnauth and Wally for 6 from their allotment of Assassins beat Guyana All third. yesterday evening. Bacchus took 2 wickets each 20 overs. Preevnath “Powtie” Stars wickets on their In by the 9 final stage, Crawford dominated by Both teams had convincing for the Canadians who rallied Motielall picked up 3 for 18 way to theagain, final winning after overalmost 600 metres fromfrom the victories in the semi-finals on to 140 for 6 to lose by 62 runs. from 4 tidy overs. Only M. coming a stiff challenge bunch, Boat which Saturday at Hogshed Ground. Ken Sanichar top scored Sooknandan with 17 runs Speed in included the groupDeNostage brega. they won by 1 wicket Regal Masters beat Ontario with 35 (1×6; 5x4) while Mahen- showed some fight. when junior category was Masters by 62 runs on a small dra Parasnauth made 21 not out. In reply, Fazal Rafiek and withThe 1 ball to spare. by stakes Adelie are Hodge ground after taking first strike David Harper had 2 for 19 and Richard Latif then knocked wonThe high who but clocked six hours, 10 minutes and posting 202 for 6 from 20 got support from Fazleem Mo- off the target with 7.1 overs winning another double is the 26 seconds. Second was Briton overs. hamed with 2 for 24. to spare. ultimate for third the wellJohn andprize finishing was Opener Mahesh Chunilall In Sunday’s final, Regal Rafiek scored 36 (2x6; oiled Regal teams. Ajay Gopilall. Part ofhis the in the stage who of the Forbes Burnham memorial 10th Annual continued fineaction form with an-final Masters won the Florida 4x4) and Latif 27 (2x6; The All Stars will batPaul Cho-Wee-Nam won (Stephan Sookram other half-centuryThree-Stage this weekend Cycle Cup Road in 2017Race. will take on anoth1x4) Photo) as the 2017 winners tle for the Orlando Cup and with 52 from 47 balls including er Guyanese side in Floodlights of the Florida Cup fin- US$4,000 while the Masters five fours and a six. Masters who defeated New ished on 96 for 4 from 12.5 will play for their Orlando However, it was Eric Thom- York Softball Cricket League overs to win by 6 wickets. Cup and US$2,500. as and Eon Abel who pushed the Masters. R. Persaud picked up 3 wickThe tournament attractmatch out of the reach of their In the Open Category, Re- ets for 34 runs. ed 26 teams over the three opponents with pugnacious gal All Stars made light work of In their quest for more days.

Regal closer to double

Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest team score in the preliminary round of the CWI Regional Super50 Tournament 2018? (2) How many centuries were scored in the preliminary round?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Trial by spin for Windies today (CMC) – FAVOURITES West Indies were bracing for a spin assault from hosts Zimbabwe, in Monday’s all important Super Sixes clash of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Much will be riding on the contest at Harare Sports Club as the winners will take a giant step towards the final and clinch one of the two remaining spots at next year’s World Cup in England. With spin having played a key role in Zimbabwe’s unbeaten run in the tournament, veteran seamer Kemar Roach said Sunday the Windies were already aware of what to expect. “Spin will definitely be a factor in the match. The wickets are under wear and tear now, so it’s going to be tough for us to put a big score on the board,” Roach explained. “But runs on the board is the name of the game and obviously as a bowling attack, we have to put pressure on the Zimbabwe batsmen and we’ll be fine.” In conditions which will favour the hosts, the Windies will have to deal with the likes of left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and Sean Williams,

leg-spinner Graeme Cremer and off-spinner Sikander Raza. The match took on even more significance after West Indies were upset by Af-

round unbeaten, it saw West Indies slip down the table to third and out of the qualifying positions. Zimbabwe lead the standings with five points,

derstood the importance of the encounter and were up for it. “It’s a big match for us obviously and I’m looking forward to it. I missed that last one due to injury but I’m

Rovman Powell (left) and Evin Lewis during a training session at the Harare Sports Club. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

ghanistan in their opening match of the Super Sixes last Thursday at Harare Sports Club. Though the defeat was their first of the tournament after finishing the preliminary

ahead of Scotland only on net run rate, with the Windies on four. Roach, who missed the Afghanistan defeat through injury but will return to face Zimbabwe, said the squad un-

feeling much better now. I put the work in at practice and I’m ready and raring to go,” he said. The match bowls off at 9:30 am (3:30 am Eastern Caribbean time).

Milerock wins UDFA/ Frank Watson U-15 Football Tournament

A Milerock player (number 14) watches as his teammate makes an attempt on goal against Hi Stars

B y J o e C h a p m a n held to a 1-1 draw in their final game against Hi Stars. MILEROCK is the winner Botofago also played to of the Upper Demerara a 1-1 stalemate with AmeFootball Association-or- lia’s Ward to grab the ganized Frank Watson second position while SilMemorial under-15 Foot- ver Shattas finished fourth ball League championship after gaining a walkover which ended last Saturday win against Topp XX to at the Wisburg Secondary conclude the champiSchool ground. onship last Saturday at Playing in game one of the Wisburg Secondary the final day’s scheduled tri- School ground ple-header, Milerock were The unbeaten Milerock

ended on 14 points from four wins and two draws as they nudged out Botofago with 13 points from four wins and one draw and one loss. Amelia’s Ward also finished on 13 points, and while their win/loss records were the same, the eventual runners-up had 12 for and four against while Amelia’s Ward had ten for and four conceded.

Next were Silver Shattas who had two wins, two losses and two draws for eight points to finish ahead of Hi Stars who also had two wins but three losses and one draw for seven points. Topp XX followed with one win and five losses for three points. In the cellar spot was Eagles United with five losses and a draw for one point.

Possibility for Day/night test on India tour (CMC) - WEST Indies will Quoting an email exvisit India for a bilateral series for the first time since the controversial abandoned tour four years ago, when they play two Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a one-off Twenty20 International later this year. News reports here said the series, which bowls off in October, will include India’s first-ever day/night Test, with the T20 involving the World champions carded for Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Cricket Association of Bengal president, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, confirmed the venue for the T20 International. “We will host the Caribbean team for the one-off T20 international at the Eden Gardens,” media reports quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, the day/ night Test, once approved by the BCCI’s Committee of Administrators, is expected to be played in Rajkot, the Indian Express reported. “If the approval comes, then Rajkot is likely to have the first day/night Test,” said a BCCI official who requested anonymity.

change between Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron and BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary, the Express said Cameron was also keen on the idea of a pink-ball Test. West Indies have already played two--the first against Pakistan in Dubai two years ago and the second during the summer tour of England last year. The ODIs, meanwhile, have been scheduled for Mumbai, Guwahati, Kochi, Indore and Pune in early November. West Indies’ last tour of India ended in shambles when the Caribbean players pulled out following the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, after failing to settle a pay dispute with CWI. The abandoned series resulted in the BCCI slapping CWI with a US$42 million claim in damages. However, the matter was eventually resolved with the two boards agreeing on a schedule of tours. Since then, India have toured the Caribbean twice – for a four-Test tour in 2016 and a limited overs series last year.

Milo U-18 Schools football tournament…

Morgan’s mugged! -Annandale progress 2-0 to semi final By Stephan Sookram YESTERDAY’S last quarter final game of the Milo School Football featured it all: tense play, power outage and upsets for big teams in the tournament. This time, it was last year’s finalists, Morgan’s learning Center that were dumped out of the competition via a 2-0 margin by Annandale. This makes it two days in a row that a tournament favourtie made an early exit; Chase Academic Foundation were put out on Saturday by Sir Leon Lesson. The game started tense for both sides, with much of the crowd cheering their respective units on and it was very much in favour of the Morgan’s side. They had two clear-cut chances in which the forward pulled out of the play, thinking that he was offside when the linesman had no intention of showing his flag. And then the unthinkable happened. Troni Semple rushed the keeper in the box and then made good a header for the first Annandale goal which sent the crowd wild. Play continued with the half ending in favour of the East Coast Side. The underdogs were now on top. As the second half resumed, Morgan played with vigor and Annandale responded to the pressure well, before a brief power outage halted the game. During that twenty minute lapse, many Annandale fans were tense, noting that their last game which had a power outage had to be replayed. However, speedy work meant that play was back in just under half-an-hour and Morgan sank deeper. A ferocious tackle by one of their players in the box gave Annandale a penalty, which Semple converted into the bottom right confidently. It was over. Try as they may, Morgan had no response. Meanwhile Pure Masters put out Lodge 2-0 in the earlier game, thanks to a brace form Orwin Garraway (26th and 77th).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

BVA one-day tournament…

Berbice and Demerara share spoils

Berbice team members pose after their win

By Colin Bynoe THE Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) on Saturday held a one-day Volleyball extravaganza at the Guysuco Apprentice Training Centre, Port Mourant. The Berbice vs. Demerara female clash saw an exciting best-

of-five match-up, ending in a three-sets to two win in favour of Demerara. The scores ended 19-25, 25-19,25-15,13-25,17-15. Berbice Males won three straight sets 25-23, 25-17, and 25-11. The second leg of the tournament will be held at the National Gymnasium on Saturday 25th, March, commencing at 10:00 hrs.

Archer, Phillips improve at ‘Super Champs” ahead of CARIFTA Games

KENISHA Phillips and Joanna Archer were among the crème de la crème of athletes on show at Saturday’s ‘Super Champs’. The CARIFTA Gamesbound athletes got in a final ‘dress rehearsal at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) ahead of the Easter weekend CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas. The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) hosted the event to give the athletes valuable track time and competition. Prospective medal hunters such as Deshanna Skeete, Chantoba Bright, Daniel Wil-

liams, Murphy Nash, Archer and Phillips were all on show on the synthetic surface. Eighteen (18) athletes were named last week by the AAG to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the 47th edition of the prestigious Games. 10 of the 18-member squad qualified locally using the AAG’s standard while three are all USA based. The remainder of the team; (Phillips, Archer, Kissanna Glen, Kezra Murray and Cordell Charles) came very close to the AAG’s qualifying standard two weeks ago but AAG’s president, Aubrey

Kenisha Phillips

Hutson had pointed out that the five athletes are of great potential and he expects them to improve even further as the time counts down to the CARIFTA Games. On Saturday, Archer was most impressive, shaving off almost three seconds off her 800m time recorded two weeks ago. She clocked a personal best of two minutes 13.70 seconds which should be a huge confidence-booster ahead of the Games. Meanwhile, Phillips is also peaking at the right time after running a personal best of 23.91s in the 200m event on Saturday.

THE CONTINGENT TO THE BAHAMAS IS AS FOLLOWS: Upper Demerara Schools POLICE Chantoba Bright (Long Jump Girls U-20) Joanna Archer (800m and 1500m Girls U-20) Daniel Williams (200m and 400m Boys U-20) Kezra Murray (800m U-20) Torique Boyce (High Jump Boys U-20) Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School Anthony Williams (Long and Triple-Jump Boys U-20) Jermaine Simmons (Shot Put U-20) Tremayne Brown (Long Jump U-20) Deshanna Skeete (200m and 400m Girls U-17) Super Up-coming Runners Shaquka Tyrell (1500m Girls U-17) Cordell Charles (1500m U-17 and 3000m Open) Murphy Nash (3000m Boys Open) De Challengers Kissanna Glen (800m and 1500m U-17) United States of America-based Onasha Rogers (100m Girls U-20) Avon Samuels (200m and 400m Girls U-20) Mayfield Taylor-Trim was named as Team Manager while Claudrice McKoy (1500m U-20 and 3000m Open) Moses Pantlitz and Niall Stanton were selected as the coaches. The Bahamas is set to host the 2018 CARIFTA Games Running Braves Athletic Club from March 31 to April 2 at the Thomas A. Robinson NaKenisha Phillips (100m and 200m Girls U-20) Princess Brown (Triple-Jump Girls U-17) tional Stadium.

Miracle optical sponsors Sports Tuner cup

THE Sports Tuner class for the upcoming first National Race of Champions has gotten a shot-in-the-arm, with the championship trophy to be renamed the Miracle Optical Trophy. The company chipped in with the sponsorship for the entire 2018 series over the weekend with representative, Christopher Singh, contending that he is upbeat about the venture. Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) through a release contended that they are always looking to secure new partnerships to help the sport grow. “We want to thank Miracle Optical for coming on board with us for the sports tuner cup 2018. We are grateful for their sponsorship and encourage persons to continue to support them.” “Their interest in the Sports tuner class, one of the growing classes of events on race day, is testimony to the work that has been done in developing the sport,” the statement continued. “We also acknowledge that there is still some distance to go but with partners like Miracle Optical, the road is getting easier.” Meanwhile, competitors are gearing up for a hectic program come next Sunday when the event rolls off at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri. The title sponsors are Mohamed’s Enterprise, STAG and Tropical Shipping.

Halley and Mattadin Dominate 9th Desmond Dorsett Road Race - Prime Minister’s Representative Gobin Harbajan participated By Colin Bynoe THE ninth Annual “Desmond H Dorsett Annual Road Race” attracted much excitement and support from residents and sport enthusiasts. The event was hosted by the Dorsett family of Leeds, Corentyne, Berbice with runners turning up to display their talent in the 5km race which started from No. 43 Village then proceeded to the No. 53 complex for the finish. Many seasoned long-distance runners--past and present-- registered their names for this event. Notably, Gobin Harbajan (Prime Minister Representative for Region 6) was the oldest participant. The race started briskly in the hot sunshine with some 30-odd runners. The under-15 runners started at No. 48 Village and proceeded to the No. 53 complex for the finish. Winning the under 15 age group was Deon Harris while Raymond Matheson placed second and Joshan Marshan third. In the female category, Ashley Mohamed outsprinted Denica Ross to take first position. The excitement was evident in the under-20 and open category. That excitement surrounded Demarcus Williams, a national

athlete from the Corentyne district who recently copped a bronze medal in the boys 5000m at the 57th national school’s championship. He ran a smart and well-calculated race, storming to the front before leading the group of runners through the course of the race. His only close rivals were Enock Rutherford and Thaddius Donald who eventually placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. Willaims was the under-20 boys winner. In the female category, Swarswattie Mattadin, another seasoned road race runner, added another trophy to her collection as she eased all doubts in winning the under-20 female category. Lisa Douglas came in second while Maria Welch placed 3rd. Laurence Halley won the male open category while Kofie Grey was 2nd and Donald Jackson came in 3rd. All of the winners received trophies for their efforts. The Prime Minister’s representative for Region Six, Gobin Harbajan, has participated in the Desmond Dorsett road race for the past three years. Mr. Harbajan, speaking to Chronicle Sports after his run, shared, “For me it’s an excitement to run, it sets the tone for the youths to participate”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 19, 2018

Corona/Namilco Futsal…

Big wins for Tiger Bay, West Front Road

TIGER Bay and West Front Road were big winners as the Corona Fustal Tournament continued at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. In the night’s opening game, Tiger Bay humbled Extreme Campbellville 8-1 in a lop-sided encounter. Deon Alfred was the chief destroyer with strikes in the 8th, 11th, 12th and 18th minutes while there were single strikes from Orin Moore (13th), Jermaine Smith (16th), Kerwin Heywood (16th) and James Meredith (18th). Campbellville had Carl Griffith on target in the 6th. Game two saw West Front Road also scoring eight goals, this time against Alexander Village who could only muster two in response. Jamal Pedro’s hat trick, (8th, 14th and 20th) coupled with Randolph Wagner’s brace (2nd and 5th) and lone strikes by Michael Pedro

(10th), Hubert Pedro (12th) and Colin Nelson (20th) balanced the books. Alexander Village had Leon Yaw (17th) and Shem Porter (16th) on target. Leopold Street was also a winner on the night, downing Show Stoppers 8-4 in game three. Eon Alleyne (1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 18th) accounted for most of the nails in the Show Stoppers coffin with Omalo Williams (14th and 19th) and Daren Benjamin (2nd) also nailing shots. The losers had Dexroy Adams (3rd and 5th) and Trayon Bob (8th and 11th) on target. Sparta Boss was the final winner of the evening, putting Albouystown out 5-1 thanks to Qunicy Adams, (13th), Gregory Richardson (12th), Courtney Britton (6th), Sheldon Shepherd (18th) and Keyon Richards (9th). Moses Gittens was on target for Albouystown. Matches continue next

‘Kitchen Cat’ strikes in second leg of Cheddi Jagan Memorial Road Race By Michelangelo Jacobus

UNITED We Stand cyclist Dheeraj “Kitchen Cat” Garbarran recorded an impressive win in the second leg of the 21st Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycling Road Race yesterday with a scintillating sprint to the finish line on the West Bank of Demerara. Kitchen Cat’s win meant that Jamual John still awaits his first win of the year while Alanzo Ambrose also had to settle for third. The victorious Garbarran won the 40-miler in a time of one hour 42 minutes and four seconds with Walter Grant-Stuart coming in second; Ambrose was third while John finished fourth with Junior Niles and Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey rounding out the top six spots. The race began from the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the West Bank of Demerara and the cyclists headed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo before heading back to the point of origin for the finish. Initial leader Jamual

John who was riding despite having the ‘flu’ led for the majority of the race but on the return trip he was joined by Garbarran. A series of attacks from the chasers were repelled but as the cyclists neared the finish line, Garbarran managed to out sprint John and the other cyclists for a good win. With last year’s junior winner, Dey now racing as a senior, Briton John emerged as the victorious Junior cyclist. He was followed to the finish line by Ajay Gopie (second) and Adealie Hodge (third). In the Veterans category, Junior Niles was his usual dominant self in winning that category. Raymond Newton settled for second while Alexis Nedd came in third. The only female cyclist was Sheneka Texeira while Montgomery Parris was the oldest cyclist to finish the race; Parris is 71 years of age. The prizes and trophies were presented to the various winners by Bibi Shadick.

Saturday with the quarter finals which pits Tiger Bay against Bent Street, West Front Road against Leopold Street, Alpha Warriors against California Square and Future Stars against Sparta Boss.

The final matches in the round of sixteen were completed on Saturday night (Delano Williams Photo)

Milo U-18 Schools football tournament…

Morgan’s mugged! -Annandale progress 2-0 to semi final

OUT YOU GO! Morgan Learning Center were booted from the 2018 Milo Schools Football tournament after a 2-0 thumping by Annandale (Samuel Maughn Photo)

See Page 25

‘Kitchen Cat’ strikes in second leg of Cheddi Jagan Memorial Road Race See Page 27

Miracle optical sponsors Sports Tuner cup See Page 26

The various category winners at the second leg of the 21st Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycling Road Race. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

Trial by spin for Windies today

See Page 27

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Desiree Lee, GMR&SC executive (left) collects the sponsorship for the Miracle Optical Sports Tuner cup from Christopher Singh. MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018