Inquiry 10 launched into ‘David G’ boat accident PAGE
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018
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Killing was justified No. 105219
(VAT Inclusive)
...Top cop says police acted lawfully against suspected bandits O5 PAGE
Major disaster 12 averted at GPL Kingston Power Plant PAGE
Take action…President to protect water resources tells Brasilia forum
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NDIA spends $581M on ECD drainage 08 PAGE
…as Agri. Ministry prepares for May/June rainy season
President David Granger, accompanied by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, is being escorted from the airport on his arrival in Brasilia for the World Water Forum on Monday
ICAO to host major confab here – to address sectoral challenges, future of aviation
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‘Quacks’, ‘bush doctors’ in for 09 heavy scrutiny PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
ICAO to host major confab here
– to address sectoral challenges, future of aviation By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA has been chosen to host the first ever International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Conference 2018, which will see heads of 192 member states meeting here to discuss challenges and future collaborations within the sector. The five-day event is billed for November 19 to 23, but was launched Monday evening at the Umana Yana in the presence of local and international members of the aviation community and government heads. At the launching, air transport was established as a major contributor to global-economic prosperity and crucial to the growth of business and tourism especially in developing countries. Setting the stage for the
evening with his opening remarks was GCAA Chairman, Lawrence London who said that the chosen theme, ‘Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development’ is an appropriate one. “This theme must have been chosen to awaken us to the challenges and opportunities of the immediate future in an economy that is on the verge of an unimaginable trajectory to prosperity and the role its air transport must play,” London said. “Air connectivity is pivotal to unlocking Guyana’s potential for economic growth because of its capacity to attract business, investments and the inflow of trade and qualified professionals,” he added. IDEALLY SUITED He said that with Guyana ideally placed geographically
At Monday’s launch of the proposed ICAO Air Transport Conference billed for Guyana November 19 -23. Standing from left are: GCAA Director of Air Transport, Saheed Sulaman; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; ICAO’s Peter Alawani; and GCAA Director General, Egbert Field (Photo by Adrian Narine)
to facilitate and make the distance shorter for inter-continental trade and investment to continents such as South America, Africa and North America, the government must continue to put its finances towards the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) which must be able to facilitate the influx of travellers. Said he: “Today, Guyana is buzzing about oil and gas. This industry, we feel, will do well for this country. However, I feel very strongly that we must not take off the prize. “Air transport and the numerous spin-off businesses must be sustained to keep our economy vibrant.” Speaking briefly was Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson who said that agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism and social services all rest on the back of air transport system. She said that because Guyana is mostly covered by dense forests with limited inter-connecting roadways, and
given its wide geographical spread, it must depend on air as a means of transport. As such, she welcomed the upcoming conference, expressing pride at knowing that the high-profile air transport conference would be hosted in Guyana. Later on during a panel discussion, Chief of Economic Regulatory Framework at the ICAO, Peter Alawani told the audience that the ICAO chose to support Guyana, based on its observation of Minister Ferguson’s support of the initiative, and the potentials which exist in the region. “Impressed by her participation and zeal, the President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Olumuyiwa Aliu felt there was need to support Guyana, and to place Guyana on the world map and to see how we can further support the development of transport in the Caribbean,” he explained. In 2017, Minister Ferguson accepted the President’s Council Certificate, which was awarded to Guyana at
the ICAO World Aviation Forum, for being one of the world’s most improved states for Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in aviation. PACKED AGENDA According to Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field, representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), FedEx as well as the World Trade Organisation and World Tourism Organisation will all deliver presentations at the conference. The five-day agenda will include topics on: National aviation issues; how Guyana can invest in aviation; harmonisation and the economic benefits; liberalisation of air cargo; stimulation of investment and the promotion of air links between Africa and the African Diaspora. He, too, attributed the interest shown in Guyana to the works of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in recent
years, and the country’s efforts to uphold international standards in aviation. “Guyana has moved very, very strongly upward in the ladder of compliance with ICAO,” Field said, adding: “ICAO is looking at Guyana as one of the model counties. This is what the Council and the President have seen, and they see the promise; they see that there are a number of aviation priorities that the government is placing emphasis on, hence the request for Guyana to host this coming conference.” Responding to a query from General Manager of Air Services Limited (ASL), Annette Arjoon-Martins as to whether there are plans in the pipeline to utilise air transport to develop Guyana’s agriculture sector towards becoming the breadbasket of the region, Alawani said: “Aviation is the most regulated industry. Even when you have the produce, you also need agreement among states for you to be able to transport those goods. REMOVING THE BARRIERS “And that’s why one of the things that will be addressed in this conference is how to remove all those regulatory impediments, to the extent that we can legalise air cargo and the free movement of goods and cargo, not just amongst the region but all over.” In closing, Alawani, whose purpose for being in Guyana is to assess the country’s ability to host the event, said that based on his observations and interaction with the local planning committee, he is very impressed by the country’s preparedness for the conference.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Take action to protect water resources …President tells Brasilia forum PRESIDENT David Granger told a World Water forum in Brazil on Monday that the management of transboundary watercourses must promote cooperation and collaboration rather than
part of the Guiana Shield – an area spread over 2.7 million km2 – making it bigger than Greenland. The ‘Shield’ is a zone which encompasses parts of Brazil, Colombia and all of French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname
President David Granger (standing second left in front row) was among top dignitaries, including President of Brazil, Michel Temer (centre, front row)at the World Water Forum
President David Granger addressing the World Water Forum
confrontation and conflict. With the theme “Sharing Water”, the eighth edition of the Forum opened on Monday in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. President Granger said rivers must be protected from pollution, including that caused by environmental degradation and the discharge of effluent from industry, mining and agriculture. River pollution impacts adversely on water quality, on health and the economic and social well-being of citizens. According to the Guyanese leader, the protection of the sources of the world’s freshwater is essential to ensuring citizens’ entitlement to water; communities’ access to safe and sanitary water; and countries’ and the continent’s water security. President Granger told the conference that the word Guyana – the name of his country – is derived from the Amerindian expression meaning ‘land of many waters’. “I feel proud to be here to speak to you from the land of waters. Guyana, a small state, is
and parts of Venezuela. The ‘Shield’, described as the “lungs of the Earth” and the “greenhouse of the world” is a global resource because of the environmental services it provides. The ‘Shield’ is vital to global water security because it contains 15% of the world’s freshwater resources. The rivers of the Guiana Shield discharge an average of 2,792 km3 (cubic kilometers) of water annually, with one of the highest specific discharge rates for a zone of that size. “ President Granger said the adverse effects of climate change – droughts, flooding, rising sea levels and extreme weather events – are exacerbating water quality and environmental security. He said the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has forecasted that climate change will result in reduced surface and ground water in most sub-tropical regions. “The protection of the world’s freshwater sources, therefore, is essential to global water security,” the President said, noting that the forum
is encouraged to continue to introduce initiatives to protect these resources, particularly the rivers of the Guiana Shield. The 8th World Water Forum coincides with World Water Day (22nd March 2018). President Granger said World Water Day reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the earth’s water resources and called on the forum to take action to protect and preserve the Guiana Shield as a vital source of the world’s freshwater reserves. “We recommend to this Forum, a three-point action agenda to enhance commitment to pay continuous attention and unceasing action, not only to occasional conferences; Collaboration among states, especially neighbours which share the waters of rivers, and conservation of water resources and the protection of the environment everywhere in order to maintain the integrity of the earth’s rivers and lakes. At stake is nothing less than humanity itself. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana wishes every success to the 8th World Water Forum.” WATER IS LIFE Meanwhile, President Granger stressed that water is life and without it there can be no life. “The world’s freshwater supplies, unfortunately, are under threat. Water stress is increasing
in many parts of the world. Aquifers are depleted faster than they are replenished. The growth of the world’s population will increase demand for water by 55% by the year 2050, placing even further strain on freshwater reserves.” He said rivers are the arteries of the earth. “Seen from above, the earth’s creeks, lakes, rivers and wetlands form natural networks which sustain nature. Rivers and lakes account for 90% of the world’s freshwater stocks. Rivers have been the cradles of human civilization from time immemorial. The earliest civilizations were nurtured along the banks of rivers – including the Euphrates, the Indus, the Nile and Yellow rivers. Rivers remain vital today. Rivers will be essential for all eternity. Rivers are indispensable to human well-being. The waters of rivers are used for cooking, drinking, fishing, recreation, transportation and washing. Rivers also provide water for irrigation for farming, mining, manufacturing and other economic activities,” the Guyanese leader said. EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES Meanwhile, also speaking at the opening was President of Brazil, Michel Temer, who emphasised the environment provided by the Forum for exchange of experiences and learn-
ing. “Water sustainability requires integrated actions within our countries and between our countries. The solutions we seek are collective, with dialogue and cooperation,” he stated. Additionally, Temer pointed out that ensuring access to water is a matter of dignity, and this is the purpose that unites all in Brasilia at this time. The effort towards the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was pointed out as essential by the governor of the Federal District, Rodrigo Rollemberg. According to him, this requires dialogue and the search for joint solutions.“We need to share water, and for this we share knowledge, cultures, opinions, ideas and experiences. We must cooperate, as governments and society, as proposed by one of the SDGs. We must listen to the voices from all corners of the world,” he said. For the president of the World Water Council, Benedito Braga, the eighth edition of the Forum should prove that sharing is an incentive to improve governance. “Water needs to be at the centre of the governments’ agenda, with the commitment of various sectors. We need investments to ensure water security, in addition to innovative thinking and adaptive management that can prevent incoming crises. This can
be done through shared water resources management, ”said Braga. The executive director of the National Water Agency (ANA) of Brazil, Ricardo Andrade, recalled the trajectory of the democratic construction of this eighth edition of the Forum and the extensive program of the event until the 23rd of march. “This week, Brasilia is not only the capital of Brazil, but is also the world capital of water,” said Andrade, who is also the executive director of the 8th World Water Forum. Paulo Salles, director-president of the Regulatory Agency for Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation of the Federal District (Adasa), also drew attention to the aspects related to the general subject of the Forum. “The sharing is also of responsibilities on water. This is what we want to leave as one of the most important legacies of the Forum--there is no sharing without dialogue,” he said. The programme of the opening ceremony also had a musical presentation by the Orchestra Brasilia Cello Academia and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Theatre. During the event, the post office released a special stamp of the 8th World Water Forum, in rounded shape, with the brand of the event.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
Trump wants death penalty for drug dealers US President Donald Trump has called for drug traffickers to face the death penalty as part of his plan to combat the US painkiller-addiction epidemic. He outlined the capital punishment plan during a speech in Manchester, New Hampshire, a state hard hit
by the opioid crisis. Mr Trump is also set to announce measures to tackle over-prescription and insufficient access to treatment. The epidemic claimed 63,600 Americans’ lives in 2016, say US health officials. Mr Trump was cheered on Monday as he told a
crowd: “If we don’t get tough on the drug dealers, we’re wasting our time, and that toughness includes the death penalty.” Some 2.4 million Americans are estimated to be addicted to opioids, a class of drugs that includes prescription painkillers and heroin.
Mr Trump previously suggested the “ultimate” punishment for traffickers at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. Doesn’t this get-tough approach work elsewhere? President Trump has previously praised Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte,
whose war against drug dealers has led to extra-judicial killings. Philippines police say they have killed 4,100 drug suspects as part of the campaign. But human rights groups say the real death toll is triple that number, and the Inter-
national Criminal Court is investigating. Advocates of capital punishment for drug dealers credit it to Singapore’s low drug use. But Iran also imposes the death penalty for drug use, yet it is plagued by opiate addiction. (BBC)
Putin ready for ‘constructive dialogue’ VLADIMIR Putin has said he is open to “constructive” dialogue with other states after being re-elected president of Russia with an increased majority. Saying there would be no “arms race”, he promised to cut defence spending. Congratulating him,
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for “sustainable solutions” to international challenges without specifying which ones. However, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the poisoning of an exspy in Britain with him. Mr Putin officially won
more than 76% of the vote in an election from which the main opposition leader was barred. Mr Putin was warmly congratulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, but his strained relations with Western states were clear in Mr Macron’s response.
In his phonecall, the French leader asked for the Russian authorities to “shed all possible light on who was responsible in relation to the Salisbury attacks”. The UK government has blamed Russia for the poisoning in Salisbury of former spy, Sergei Skripal and his
Vladimir Putin
daughter Yulia, an allegation Russia rejects. In his conversation with Mr Macron, Mr Putin described the nerve agent allegation as “unsubstantiated” and said Russia was willing to hold a joint investigation, the Kremlin said. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters on Air Force One that no congratulatory phonecall was scheduled with President Donald Trump, according to Reuters news agency. “We will work to cultivate the relationship with Russia, and we will impose costs when Russia threatens our interests, but we will also look for places to work together when it serves our interests,” the spokesman added. The head of Mr Putin’s campaign team, Andrei Kondrashov, has suggested that the “groundless” British accusations had encouraged voters to rally around the president.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - 5:00hrs
Advocating dialogue with foreign states, he added: “But of course that doesn’t depend on us alone. Just as in love, both sides must show an interest or there will be no love.” Speaking at a meeting with the defeated presidential candidates, Mr Putin said his top priority was economic growth. Saying that Russia had to further strengthen its defences, he added: “I would like to tell you straight away that noone intends to unleash some kind of arms race.” Mr Putin’s boasts about his nuclear arsenal earlier this month, including the presentation of a video animation appearing to show missiles raining down on the US, drew international concern. Fresh from his re-election, he said there were plans to cut the defence budget this year and next. (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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Killing was justified ...Top cop says police acted lawfully against suspected bandits By Rabindra Rooplall ACTING Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine said police ranks were justified in killing three suspected bandits on the Georgetown seawall road last week, insisting, “You’re dammed if you do, and dammed if you don’t.” Ramnarine also said one other suspect who reportedly escaped is known. “We have some information on him; we have a place, and if we don’t get to him from a law enforcement perspective quite early, I daresay here that the information suggests that there may be some form of retribution.” Kwame Assanah, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Dextroy ‘Dutty’ Cordis of Grove, East Bank Demerara; and 57-year-old Errol ‘Dynamite’ Adams were shot dead last Thursday by law enforcement. Another suspect who had escaped on motorcycle is being sought. Dismissing concerns that the trio was executed, Ramnarine told media operatives at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Monday, “No police officer sets out to execute a citizen, based on training and capacity-building in recent years.” Relatives of at least one of the men are up in arms against his killing, insisting that he was no criminal. Ramnarine, however, said specific details can be debated, but the evidence is there to prove that the men were part of a criminal enterprise. “So, whatever specific actions they may have played on the day in question, the thing is, you cannot escape the point that they were part and parcel of an arrangement to commit a criminal act with some serious consequences,” Ramnarine asserted. “My sources out there, a number of whom will have to remain unknown, indicated to us in a very definitive way that this criminal act would have occurred with the potential for deadly force to be used by the suspects,” Ramnarine said, adding: “They had intended to use deadly force in the furtherance of that criminal
Kwame Assanah
act.” HIGHLY TRAINED Further, Ramnarine said officers are highly trained, some more than others and on the day in question there were officers with superior firearms training who collaborated with CID headquarters to ensure that the suspects were caught. Adding that there were articles in the media that one of the suspects was a ‘churchgoer with a spotless record’, Ramnarine said, “but did we plant him with the other two who met their demise; did we put him there, no one has disputed he was there.” He said because of social media there are persons who are not careful of what language they use and give all manner of insinuations which add fuel to matters unnecessarily. “The policemen acted in keeping with the law. They were fired upon and as with law enforcement officers who are authorised to use deadly force, as long as deadly force is justified to defend themselves … were those policemen who found themselves in that situation expendable? Come one, let’s be real, we have to applaud what happened,” he said. Acknowledging that there may have been an error made in an initial police press release which stated that Kwame Assanah was charged before with a criminal offence, Ramnarine said based on information in police possession he was part of the criminal act that was perpetrated. “If the GPF had not taken that course of action a few days ago, a lot of collateral damage would have happened on Robb Street, based on the information we received and it is good that it ended up at the seawall in a more desolate location,”
Dextroy Cordis
he said. Adding that it is not the first occasion that persons upon leaving the bank ventured onto the seawalls and were robbed, the acting Top Cop said sting operations are increasingly needed as law enforcement officers seek to protect the public. He said that the curse of preventative policing is that you’re “dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t”. SURVEILLANCE The Acting Commissioner of Police said in the recent past there was a spate of car-jackings and based on law enforcement information, surveillance, intelligence gathering, public trust, public support, the Force managed to put a dent in a gang that was operating, creating havoc and mayhem in which people were shot and robbed of their vehicles. He said that the GPF was thankful for the information since it was timely and accurate to the extent that preparatory work was done where there was intensified surveillance and a lot of support from the public and persons who were affected. On Friday, Claire Assanah had vehemently denied that her husband had any previous criminal history, a claim which the police force, through Crime Chief Paul Williams, had corroborated in other sections of the media. The woman said she last spoke to her husband at around 11:47hrs on Thursday when the two discussed plans for him to pick up their children later in the day. She told the Guyana Chronicle that she never knew her husband to be involved in any criminal activity. She said that the Toyota motorcar he was using is reg-
istered in both their names, and that her husband would work taxi from time to time. She believes that this may have led to his demise, as she and relatives believe that the man may have inadvertently been at the wrong place when the shooting occurred. Assanah’s wife, who teaches at a city private school, noted that her husband was shot once in the right arm and again in the right rib cage. SEEKING ANSWERS She said that the family is seeking answers, as they find that the police’s story does not add up. The family plans to approach a lawyer in that regard. Assanah’s wife said her husband was once a pilot-in-training, but later made a family-related decision to switch careers. The family operates a chicken farm, and only recently, the man started out at a new job as a debt collector - ventures which the woman said provided for the family’s welfare. She said that seeing that her husband had to seek a Police Clearance for his new job the police would have been able to say if indeed he did have a criminal history in the process of obtaining the clearance. As regards the passports which were found in the man’s car, the woman said her husband always carried around important documents
Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine
with him as well as the passports of himself and the entire family. She could not say how the police managed to find an additional five passports in the couple’s car. “I know he would have pleaded for his life; he is not the type to confront,” the man’s wife noted, her voice breaking. According to the police, following the shooting, a 9 mm pistol, along with a magazine containing seven live rounds and four spent shells were found next to Cordis’ body. UNMARKED VEHICLE The police, in their report, had stated that around 10:30hrs on Thursday, based on information received from ‘operatives’ on duty in the vicinity of Scotiabank on Robb Street, ranks of an anti-crime patrol in an unmarked vehicle
began trailing a motorcar with two suspicious-looking characters in it, which was in the vicinity at the time. The suspects were reportedly seen following a customer who had exited Scotiabank and driven off in a motorcar. According to the police, the customer, upon arriving at the Kingston Seawall, parked his motorcar. No sooner had he done so, the police say, than he was pounced upon by the suspects. Cordis and Assanah, who were in the latter’s car, a Toyota IST bearing registration PTT 9034, were killed, the police say, following a confrontation with lawmen. Adams, who was on a motorcycle, which, the police claimed, arrived at the scene after the initial shooting, died during a subsequent exchange of gunfire with lawmen in an unmarked police vehicle.
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
Cultivating and practising good work ethics CONVERSATIONS about Guyana meeting the requirements to confront challenges that exist in the 21st century primarily focus on the lack of skills and, to a lesser extent, that of work ethics, though both are equally important in achieving the desired results. Every company, corporation or government will have programmes and deadlines supported by a level of quality control in determining outcomes at appropriate cost. As Guyana trains, and our skills migrate and are utilised in other countries, Guyanese are known to be commended for the way they perform and the benefits derived from their participation. Obviously, among our emigrants are those who have been demonstrating high levels of reliability, dedication, cooperation, and character that would bring about a high level of productivity. These are some of the key requirements that speak to a good employee. Guyana is at the threshold of again being opened to an influx of foreign investors in our natural resources sector, but what confronts the nation is the perception that our work ethics are lagging behind; and dare it be said, in all sectors of society. It matters not in which sector this is more pronounced, in that it is prevalent, it is deserving of being addressed on a national scale; and it matters not whether government or a non-governmental organisation takes the initiative, given that it has to be taken up. It is not unusual to hear a worker blame late attendance on transportation or having something to do at home before leaving, though the condition of employment stipulates the time to be at work. Time management is important in any
operation, yet it continues to be treated with scant regard. On the other hand, the prevailing management culture has contributed to the malaise or carefree attitude of workers to the business at the workplace. It is unrealistic to expect persons to work and live in an environment where conditions of employment -- regardless of one’s performance -- remain static, and wages/salaries are not improved until the law that sets the minimum standard changes; yet these are common practices. Notably in the private sector, many workers are paid the legal stipulated minimum wage regardless of their skills or capacities to perform. Cultivating and practising good work ethics within an organisation has two contributory factors: from the employer and from the employee, and if both are considered good then productivity will be high. The issue of reliability -- where an employee is always punctual and can be relied on to work through the hours assigned -- has to be supported with the reliability of the employer to pay wages/salaries on time, and favourably addressing other conditions of employment as stipulated by laws and, where possible, organisations’ benefits and incentives. As the two groups hold their side of the contract, there will emerge a level of cooperation, not only between the management and the managed, but among the workers in total. The development of any organisation requires educating workers and operatives of the task required, and providing them with the required tools and an environment conducive for them to effectively and efficiently perform. Correspondingly, workers should recognise they have a
responsibility to perform and deliver consistent with their assignment. The existing atmosphere wherein workers use the employer’s computer and paid time to post and converse on Facebook and other social media, or do their own work, are displays of poor work ethics. Though some would contend that their personal phones are being used to connect to social media, even this is wrong, because the time-off taken to use one’s personal phone is paid for by the employer to conduct the employer’s business. While the employer is expected to honour his obligations, so too is the worker. It is disappointing that persons would enter an organisation, public or private, to transact business and those paid to deliver the goods or services are treating the customer with little regard, or can be seen taking time out to be on their personal phones, delaying the time that customer would have programmed himself/herself to transact the business. This newspaper, as a microcosm of the society, is not absolved from the issues, responsibilities and concerns being addressed. And it is reasonable to assume that, like us, others feel this matter is deserving of being placed on the national agenda. It would help if a national conversation can begin, not with the intent of pointing fingers, but of addressing where the society, as a whole, has gone awry and what can be done to return good ethics in the workplace.
Use of excessive force has always been a difficult issue Dear Editor ON Thursday March 15, 2018, there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and suspected bandits at the Georgetown Seawall. Three persons, including two who were on the police radar, died. Since then there have been conflicting reports in the media and elsewhere as to what actually took place. Some relatives of the dead men are perturbed over the whole issue and are seeking justice outside of the police environment. The debate on the use of force, including deadly force, rages. I am not au fait with all the facts in relation to the shooting, therefore
I cannot say if the action of the police was justified or not. Let me be pellucid. I hold no brief for anyone. I have an abiding interest in law enforcement. Hence, my regular letters to the editor. As a retired senior police officer, I am aware that the work of the police is a dangerous one and can be unthankful at times. Sometimes the police are left in a quandary. Damned if they do and damned if they do not do. The International Association of Chiefs of Police sets the following guidelines for police officers, “A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will only use such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances.
Force should be used only with the greatest restraint and only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally unavoidable, every police officer will refrain from applying the necessary infliction of pain and suffering and will never engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment to any person.” The job of the police is not an easy one. Death lurks around the next corner. I can recall during 1996, I chaired the closing session for a course for police sergeants at Police Headquarters. Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis delivered the closing address. Among the things he mentioned was that when
a policeman leaves his home to go on duty, he does not know if he will return home alive. Six hours later bandits riddled [one of]his ranks, Constable 16418 Adrian Williams called ‘Big Six’ with bullets not far from the East La Penitence Police Outpost. He died on the spot. He was the only child for his mother who had passed child bearing age. I subsequently asked Commissioner Lewis not to utter those words again. During the last crime wave 2002-2008 which, is being described as ‘The Troubles’ a total of 26 policemen were killed. Top Cop Floyd Mc Donald had the sad task of constantly attending funerals and paying tributes to his fallen heroes rather than giving out
awards. The use of excessive force has always been a difficult issue. The use of force including deadly force is sometimes a necessary part of the job, but determining what is reasonable is highly subjective. In the landmark case in relation to the use of force, Graham vs Conner (1989) the Court held that the calculus of reasonableness must allow for the fact that the police are often forced to make split-second judgements --in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and are rapidly evolving--about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation. According to Turn to page 7
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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Three bandits killed...but how, and why? Dear Editor I HAVE protested in the street, participated in TV programmes and written dozens of letters against extra-judicial killings. Because of the questions that exist behind such actions, and the answers that emerge, but above all, because there must be a line that separates the criminal culture and that of an important arm of the Law, in this case the Police Force. In this case of the seawall fatal shooting, nothing adds to support the Police statement that justifies the execution of these three men, who to the point of their deaths were ‘suspects’ and not ‘bandits’. The laziness of my colleagues in the media can be a contributing factor to an escalation to the worst case scenario, and sections of the media did contribute to where we have been before in the 1990’s to the mid 2000’s. The Police force under this current APNU-AFC administration has made progressive leaps away from the criminalisation of the GPF that occurred under the disturbing darkness of the PPP administrations. This incident, however, seem senseless from the Police presen-
tation of facts, against what is logically evident. There are ugly precedents in the past that this incident can fit into, including ‘Bounty Hunting’ and financed grudge assassinations, among others, though there may be a more simple, but tragic reason. That these men were on the seawall under surveillance, which places them enveloped in the jurisdiction of the Police, there is always a standby corps available in a worst case development to any commander of the GPF. That development did not seem to have occurred. This is a questionable incident that indicates retrogression to the panic treatment of crime, or to some of the elements that led and was encouraged towards the criminalisation of sections of the Force, especially under Jagdeo; of horrible custom practices that has been listed, that should never be allowed to rise again. This incident requires an inquest to determine answers. Regards Barrington Braithwaite
Gov’t must invest in Rose Hall and Skeldon Dear Editor, ALONG the Atlantic coast of Berbice in what is known as the Corentyne, there are two major towns that anchor the development of the area—Rose Hall and Skeldon. It is quite substantial, given the size of Berbice. Over the years there has been significant investment in these two areas to ensure banking, government, and commercial facilities are modernised and all the amenities of a 21st Century town are available in these two areas which support the surrounding communities. The two sugar factories which carry the same name have been significant contributors to the stability and development of the Corentyne. With the ongoing focus on sustainable development, it is important that there continues to be investment opportunities in these areas, so as to ensure successful economic growth in this substantial part of Berbice. The University of Guyana campus in Tain and the technical development offered by Guysuco over the years have enhanced the skills of the workforce in these areas and have positioned them well for future growth in multiple industries. It is important that the government continues to nurture this development and quickly
invest in the continued economic growth of these areas so as to reduce potential longterm unemployment and economic slowing of this highly populated region. We as a nation must continue to do the responsible thing when it comes to our citizens and their long term well-being, while also keeping in mind the limited skilled human resources we have available in the country. If we are serious about Guyana being for Guyanese, we must give first priority to our citizens when it comes to employment opportunities. If the local talent is available and the infrastructure is in place for successful investments in key areas of the country, as in the case of Rose Hall and Skeldon, then the overall payback on the projects undertaken will be shorter, thus resulting in faster profitable growth for investors. Currently, the plan to offset the economic impact of the closure of parts of Guysuco is still unclear to the population of the affected areas. There is a communication gap that needs to be rectified if such a plan does exist. Best regards, Jamil Changlee
Sports as a means of addressing abuse and suicide
Dear Editor:
THE Caribbean Voice (TCV) applauds the initiative by Fruta Conquerors Football Club, in collaboration with the Titans Table Tennis Club, to organise a seminar on Child Care awareness for all coaches, team managers and parents. For a while now, the Caribbean Voice has been calling for sports to be a vehicle fostering suicide prevention and anti-abuse. In fact we recently had a
meeting with the West Berbice Cricket Board to this effect. So we suggest that this kind of initiative be followed by sports entities across Guyana and that future seminars also include suicide prevention and domestic violence. TCV is willing to meet with various sports authorities and/or to offer necessary help. Regards The Caribbean Voice
The use of excessive From ...page 6 Nowicki, “The standard according to this decision is the ‘reasonable objective officer.” The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centre (FLETC) Use of Force Model has five levels. Level One is the Compliant Level where no use of force is usually reasonable. Level Two is the Resistive (Passive) Level where the suspect does not follow the officers’ commands. Force options here include guiding or directing the subject through hands-on techniques. Level Three is the Resistive (Active ) Level, which occurs when a suspect actively resists arrest. Level
Three force options include manipulation or restraints, leverage techniques, pressure points or even OC ( pepper ) spray, with a warning given under proper circumstances. Level Four is the Assaultive (bodily harm) Level--a direct physical attack on an officer or others. Appropriate force options at this level include strikes with hands, fists, elbows or knees; baton strikes; and forcefully directing the subject to the ground. Level Five is Assaultive (serious bodily harm or death), a level where the appropriate response would be deadly force. Nowicki who is a use-offorce expert posits, “There
are three rules relating to the use of force by any officer. Rule number one is that you go home the same way [as] when you went to work: ALIVE. Rule number two is you don’t go to prison. Rule number three is you keep your job. If your use of force is reasonable, you protect yourself, your agency, the community and even your assailant. But when in doubt, always remember rule number one. “ Regards Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
NDIA spends $581M on ECD drainage … as Agri. Ministry prepares for May/June rainy season THE Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU), has heightened its flood prevention efforts in preparation for the upcoming May/June rainy season. These efforts are being achieved through the construction and installation of several drainage and irrigation structures in low-lying areas along Guyana’s coast. These areas are known to be prone to flooding but were neglected over the years, the Agriculture Ministry said in a release. According to the ministry, pump stations are being strategically constructed on the East Coast of Demerara at Lusignan, Friendship/ Vigilance, Buxton, Enmore and a sluice at Triumph is being reconstructed. The ASDU is responsible for facilitating the construction of the three pump stations located at Lusignan, Friendship/Vigilance and Enmore. This project is being funded by the World Bank at a cost of $1,407,345,410. It also includes the rehabilitation of 4 kilometres of the dam from the Hope intake structure to the Enmore intake
The NDIA has also expended $581,644,662 for the construction and rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation structures at Buxton and Triumph, ECD. CEO of NDIA, Frederick Flatts indicated that the old sluice at Triumph had shown signs of structural failure and that it was underutilised due to those defects. “The sluice at Triumph is part of a high level discharge basin and operates in tandem with the Triumph pump station. That pump
He further stated that the design of these new structures is expected to be more effective as it relates to the drainage and irrigation capacity. Once completed, both projects are expected to deliver much needed drainage and irrigation to both farming and residential communities along the East Coast of Demerara. Approximately over 114,000 households along the East Coast of Demerara are expected to benefit from better drainage and irrigation. Additionally, NDIA
Ongoing works at the Friendship-Vigilance pump station
structure. According to the release the drainage capacity of the pumps at Lusignan and Enmore is 3 m/s³ while the Friendship/Vigilance pump will have a drainage capacity of 2 m/s³. These pump stations are expected to be commissioned in April, 2018. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in an invited comment indicated that government is in the process of improving the country’s overall drainage capacity, especially in communities that have been without proper drainage and irriga-
tion for decades. “With the effects of climate change globally resulting in rising sea levels, more pumps are needed along Guyana’s coast to increase our drainage capacity. With this in mind, the ministry, through the ASDU and the NDIA, is in the process of constructing several structures that will significantly improve the lives of farmers and residents along the entire coast. Construction of these structures falls under the ministry’s flood-risk management efforts that involve a series of works of this
Minister Holder and engineers from Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services during a site visit to the sluice
nature being undertaken within the next two years.” Minister Holder said. During the site visit, Minister Holder urged the engineers to keep in mind the approaching rainy season and to ensure that works are on schedule.
station currently aids in providing drainage to approximately 300 hectares of land. The state of the basin resulted in a reduction of the storage and operating capacity of the drainage network.” Mr Flatts said.
is currently constructing additional pump stations and sluices at Three Friends along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two and Herstelling along the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four.
Ramnarine zeroes in on driver’s Mercury issue at Brickdam compound addressed – GGMC/GGB examinations processes THE GUYANA Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Gold Board on Saturday acknowledged that there was indeed an issue with mercury emissions within the Brickdam compound in which both entities are housed. However they have both confirmed that the issue has been addressed. According to a release issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the entities have denied that the situation was a crisis, as suggested by a recent media report. “Both the GGMC and the GGB believe that this matter is under control because of the many measures taken. The GGMC and the GGB have collaborated in the past several weeks to enhance mercury management activities at the Brickdam complex, so that there are no emissions of mercury during daily operations,” the
release said. The release said that this is in addition to measures that were already in place, and part of operational routines which had included regular testing of workers. “The following have also been conducted: Comprehensive inspection of the entire emissions control system; timely refurbishing of all areas and aspects of related systems; physical extension of emissions chimney; satisfactory testing of work and resulting emissions; arranging for written assurances (warranties) as to work performed; continuing with an aggressive maintenance schedule; recruiting external monitoring parties for safety certification purposes; and continuous monitoring to detect any suspicious levels,” the release said. There have been frank and timely communications with the GGMC staff, the release added. “Specifically,
the GGMC has communicated to those few staff members who have an elevated mercury level that all efforts will be made to have them evaluated and treated, in line with guidance shared by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS),” the release said. It noted that while there is indeed a situation where the typical treatments are presently unavailable, the GGMC has made other arrangements to address this shortfall. “The GGMC and the GGB wish to assure everyone that the matter of mercury emissions is of serious concern and engages the highest levels of attention from its senior administrators. The GGMC and the GGB, stand fully committed and involved through continuous monitoring to control the situation to meet all acceptable safety levels,” said the MNR release.
Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine, centre, is flanked by senior police officers and members of the Cops and Faith Community Network after the meeting
POLICE Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine, along with divisional commanders, recently met with members of the Cops and Faith Community Network and police ranks across the country, who are charged with the efficient administration of the Learner Driver Theoretical and Practical Examinations processes. Realising that there are issues, some seemingly burning, in respect to the Learner Driver Theoretical and Practical Examinations in certain areas of the entire process, Ramnarine noted that the much-needed meet-
ing was a result of in-depth discussions over the learner-driver theory and practical examinations arising from a presentation made by the Head of Audit and Inspection where some irregularities were unearthed and which directly impacted on the integrity of the processes. The meeting which was held in the Commissioner’s Conference Room was considered by all in attendance as timely and very much fruitful, since at its conclusion the Civil Body, whose work is voluntary, expressed their willingness to continue to serve and
assist the Police Force in order to ensure that persons who are allowed to drive vehicles on the country’s roads are knowledgeable of the Road Traffic Rules and Regulations and are deserving of the appropriate licences for the categories of vehicles they wish to drive. Also at the meeting were Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams; Head Officer of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Mr Heeralall Makhanlall, Special Senior Superintendent and Head of Audit and Inspection Rohan Singh.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
‘Quacks’, ‘bush doctors’ in for heavy scrutiny – as stakeholders meet to help bring errant pharmaceutical sector in line By Svetlana Marshall THE Public Health Ministry in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is meeting with key stakeholders with the view of strengthening the country’s Pharmaceuticals Acts and Regulations. The two-day consultative forum opened here on Monday at Parc Rayne Rahaman’s Park with the aim of reviewing, strengthening and making current the Food and Drug Act and Regulations, the Antibiotics Act and Regulations, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Regulations, the Pharmacy Practitioners Act and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who was among health officials that addressed the forum, said while there may not be a need for additional legislation with respect to pharmaceuticals, there is an obvious need for existing legislation and regulations to be strengthened. Enforcement in some cases remains a major problem, he told those present. Pointing out that the phar-
Stakeholders at Monday’s consultative forum
maceutical industry is rapidly growing, Dr. Persaud said at times it can become challenging for global organisations to put in place regulations that would monitor the production, distribution and sale of pharmaceuticals, and provide the necessary protection the global population needs from abuse or misuse of any medication or pharmaceuticals. However, these regulations are necessary, and when established should be followed rigidly. CRITICAL JUNCTURE Stating that the consultation is being held at a critical time, the CMO said there is increasing pressure about the use of non-traditional medicines. He said that every day, there are claims of herbal
and non-traditional medicines having the ability to cure persons of HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes, among other diseases, but warned that once therapeutic value is given to these “alternative medicines”, they must be composed, distributed and sold in compliance with the Food and Drug Act and Regulations. He noted that there is some move by the WHO to integrate alternate medicine into some medical practice. Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) Board Kesaundra Alves, in her presentation, said effective regulation of medicines promotes and protects public health by ensuring medicines are of the required quality, safety and efficacy. It also ensures that medicines are
appropriately manufactured, stored, distributed and dispensed among other things. On Friday, Director of Pharmacies at the Public Health Ministry Oneil Atkins had said that the purpose of the consultation was to help beef up the existing “weak” medicine and pharmaceutical policies. It is anticipated that although the archaic policies, laws, acts and regulations will be updated and be substantially more rigid, they will retain the element of “flexibility to ensure safety to ensure they provide maximum benefit from the medication” for patients Atkins assured. ANTIBIOTIC ABUSE He expressed concern
about the abuse of antibiotic medicines among practitioners and patients, and said the upgraded documents will force the former to be “more responsible and accountable”, and help keep counterfeit drugs off the local market. According to Atkins, the “widespread abuse” is especially acute in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Consequently, he is hoping that legislators will act “as fast as possible” to get the new laws and regulations enacted to help the Public Health Ministry deal with the “grave problem with antibiotics resistance in Guyana.” Improvements are also in urgent need to help the government weed out many who are dispensing medicines, but “never saw a pharmacy school”. The long-overdue overhauling of the pharmaceutical sector is to help “administer the quality of primary healthcare and health services to the citizens of our beloved country,” Minister Lawrence had pointed out last year when the issue became public. She’d said back then that when improved “…policy decisions must be evi-
CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
dence-based and tailored to meet the specific needs of our population and health services”. The Guyana Government, she said, remains strongly committed to ensuring healthy lives and the wellbeing for all, and promises to continue to look and assess the existing management systems, and strengthen them and make necessary changes to guarantee that the systems “can become efficient and effective and accessibility and adequacy of the supply of safe, essential, quality and scientifically sound drugs and medical products can be realised in all health facilities in all regions.”
Only the Board, licenced dealers can buy – Thompson tells miners’ outreach
Legal Officer of the Guyana Gold Board, Stacey Weever, speaking to miners during the outreach
GENERAL MANAGER of the Guyana Gold Board, Eondrene Thompson, on Saturday charged miners in the Bartica-Karrau area to sell their gold either to the Board or to licenced and authorised gold dealers, and to avoid selling to persons who “burn gold on
the landings.” Thompson was on Saturday addressing a number of small-scale gold miners at an outreach session hosted by the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), which saw support from the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Compliance Department, the mining syn-
dicates, the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). This is said to be the first of a series of planned outreaches that the Board will have during 2018. The objectives of the
outreaches are to share the mandate of the Guyana Gold Board; to outline the requirements for the selling of gold, the roles and responsibilities of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) with reference to the Anti-Money Laundering legislation and gold miners’ responsibilities, the benefits to gold miners for selling their gold to the Guyana Gold Board; and to register gold miners in the area in a newly created Guyana Gold Board database Thompson charged the miners to make the GGB a part of their business dealings. “Some of you have never even visited the Guyana Gold Board…when you are doing business, it is expected that you do business the legal way. “We have persons who are burning gold anywhere around the place. You sell to that person and you do not even have a receipt of what you sold. Perhaps you might say I just need the money or I just need the goods in exchange of my gold, but we are here to tell you that it goes way beyond that,” said Thompson. Legal and Compliance
Guyana Gold Board General Manager, Eondrene Thompson, speaking to the miners
Officer of the Guyana Gold Board, Stacey Weever, on Saturday warned miners in the Bartica-3 Miles-Karrau areas that they must share their information with the Board to allow the agency to properly carry out its mandate. Explaining the necessity of compliance, Weever said that her department is responsible for documenting information on persons who sell and buy gold. “We are supposed to track the
transaction from the time you enter to the time you leave, and have documents prepared that can identify you,” she said. “Today we will be capturing information such as your name, your dredge documentation issued by the GGMC, your claim name, what your camp looks like, whether there is a manager for the camp, your identification documents such as national ID or passport and we ask that you share this with us,” said Weever. In addition to the registration forms, the GGB distributed authorisation forms which can be issued by the claimholder if he or she cannot leave the mine site. The claim holder can then use that form to fill out authorising someone else to conduct business with the GGB on his or her behalf. During the session, miners were warned against being enticed by unusually high prices for their gold, as this could possibly be proceeds of crime being laundered and for which the seller could be held liable under Anti-Money Laundering legislation.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Inquiry launched into ‘David G’ boat accident MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon on Monday swore in Colonel (Ret’d) Windee Algernon as Chairman of the Board of Inquiry (BoI), which has been established to probe the circumstances surrounding the accident involving a ‘David G’ boat in the vicinity of River’s View, Cuyuni- Mazaruni (Region Seven) last Wednesday, in which four persons were injured. According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, Minister Harmon in his remarks noted that the President has mandated that an inquiry be done into the matter. “It is required that you will look into the systems that were in place and whether in fact there had been any breaches of those systems. [You would also] have to look at whether there is a need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the ‘David G’ vessels. I trust that you will utilise your best skills and ability to arise at the conclusion and to make recommendations on how to prevent a reoccurrence, and what needs to be done
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon hands over the Terms of Reference to Colonel (Ret’d) Windee Algernon as Chairman of the Board of Inquiry (BoI)
to ensure that we have a safe system of transportation,” he said. Colonel Algernon in her remarks said that she is heartened that she has been chosen for the task, even as she pledged to put her best foot forward. “I feel that these inquiries are necessary if only to prevent a reoccurrence, and I am grateful that
I have been chosen for this task and I will do my best to present my best report yet,” she said. According to the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the Board is required to investigate, examine, report and make recommendations on the causes, circumstances and conditions under which the accident took place, and
Hindus observe Navratri By Indrawattie Natram THOUSANDS of Hindus on the Essequibo Coast ushered in the Hindu New Year 2075 by fasting and observing the celebration of Navratri. The Hindu New Year
the Essequibo Coast in observance of the festival. Days before the festival, the homes of many Hindus, the temples and even businesses were cleaned. During the observance, Hindus abstain from impure activities and engage in chari-
physical and spiritual condition, success and sustained good fortune will prevail. The start of the New Year is fundamental in establishing a firm foundation from which one can build, develop and be elevated in achieving all noble aspirations.
Members of the Golden Fleece Mandir engaging in congregational prayers
began on March 18 and commenced the festival of Navratri (nine nights dedicated specially for the worship of the female goddesses, Durga, Lakshmi and Swarswattie). Over the past few nights, scores of Hindus flocked the various temples throughout
table work, especially to help the homeless and vulnerable children. In Hinduism, attention is placed on the commencement of every event and undertaking. It is believed that if one is to commence any deliberation with the right mental,
Navratri facilitates this process and through fasting and discipline, one is able to re-focus and clearly redefine one’s personal vision as well as seeking self-empowerment in every aspect of life. It enables devotees to reflect on the past, using the prayer and fasting period to redirect and recommit them-
to determine whether any systematic or regulatory arrangements contributed to the accident, and the extent to which, if at all, the captain and the crew are liable. The report is expected to be presented to Minister Harmon on March 27. Several students who attend school in Bartica were hospitalised following the boat accident. Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford had told the Guyana Chronicle that the regional boats will temporarily fill the gap as another boat is sourced to replace the “David G”. Bradford said that while the boat was damaged, its engine is intact. The boat captain, Akeem Williams, who was also hospitalized, told education officials that the operating cable for the boat “cut” and as such he was unable to stop the boat in a timely manner. Hence, he was forced to swerve from colliding into the stelling at Rivers View and as a result the boat ran aground on the river bank and all occupants were hurled from the vessel. Detective Corporal Kester
Cosbert who visited the patients during the time of the education team’s visit, took a statement from Williams. He said statements will be taken from the students in the presence of their parents. The students who usually utilise the service attend schools in Bartica, including the Bartica Secondary School and the Three Miles Secondary. On Thursday, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson visited the three students who are now patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), following the boat mishap. Those injured are Iola Thornhill, 14; Cleveloyd Edmonds, 15; and Sheniele Maschette, 16. Their conditions have been listed as stable. During the visit to offer moral support, the Minister and CEO were apprised by medical officials of the students’ diagnosis and prognosis in relation to their injuries. A team of senior officers from the Ministry of Education also visited the hospital to ascertain the
medical condition of the injured persons. That team was headed by the CEO who was accompanied by Owen Pollard, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary); Juneann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary); Glenna Vyphius, Chief Schools Welfare Officer; Onika Pearson, Senior Schools Welfare Officer and Brushell Blackman, Senior Public Relations Officer. The officers interacted with Dr. Khan who indicated that all the patients were in a stable condition and that the two female students may have been discharged from the hospital on Friday last, March 16. President David Granger also on Wednesday evening visited the four injured persons at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the GPHC. He instructed then, that an investigation be launched into the accident. Additionally, the Head-of-State has committed to providing the necessary assistance to aid the recovery process of the injured persons.
selves to the higher ideals of life. During the Navratri period, three concepts or manifestations of the Goddess Mother is worshipped and glorified. Various articles of devotion are used in the ritualistic offerings, the most common being “the offering of dhar”
or specially grounded herbs, poured at the rising of the sun from a brass cup or “Lotaa” with the chanting of mantras or sacred formulas. The three-fold concept of the Mother Goddess acts as a mirror that reflects the ideals and perfections of man. The three-fold concept
of the Mother Goddess are: “Mother Durga” the remover of fear, doubts and giver of personal strength; “Mother Lakshmi” personifies unlimited potential to self-elevation and “Mother Saraswati” is the embodiment of wisdom, the result of discipline and acquired knowledge.
Lowenfield heads CARICOM elections observer mission to Antigua THE CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) has mounted an Observation Mission for Antigua and Barbuda’s General Elections on Wednesday. The eight-member mission headed by Mr. Keith Lowenfield, Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and includes experienced representatives from The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, along with support staff from the CARICOM Secretariat. The team began arriving in Antigua and Barbuda on March 15. In a statement, the CARICOM secretariat said the mission has since its arrival, met with the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, the Commissioner of Police,
Mr Keith Lowenfield, Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission
and the leaders of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), and has paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Meetings have also been held with other key stake-
holders, including the acting Executive Director of Gender Affairs to gather information and discuss issues which have emerged in the electoral process. Over the remaining days, the mission plans to meet with other political parties and stakeholders and attend rallies to get a sense of the general atmosphere and the overall level of preparedness. On Election Day, the mission will monitor activities in most constituencies, including the opening of the polls through to the tabulation and announcement of the results. It will then issue a Preliminary Statement outlining its initial assessment of the electoral process, and thereafter prepare a Final Report for submission to the CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Stalemate continues over Linden TV …no meeting in one year by LTV board By Vanessa Braithwaite It has been a little over one year since the Board of Directors of the Linden Television Station has held its last meeting, which ended abruptly after four directors walked out. Since then, the board has been at a stalemate since no engagement whatsoever has been held among the board members. This has been described as worrying by some board members, who in an invited comment said that some members are holding the board hostage while the residents of Linden are suffering the consequences. Expressing his frustration on the matter was Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford, who said that he had planned to engage Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on the matter as soon as he returns to the country. “For me it is not fair to the people of Linden, the process must move forward, this is a matter of total power control and persons need to put the interest of the people ahead of their issues,” Rutherford said. The MP asserted that
MP, Audwin Rutherford
the board is divided by two factions while there are a few members in between the two factions, and this is what is stalling the process. He added that he is not even sure if the current board still has life or whether it has been expired. Pastor Morris McKinnon also expressed his disappointment over the way things have been handled, and even questioned whether he still has interest in pursuing being a director given the fact that it has been dormant for so long. “Everything is just laid back, everything is
just laid on the table, nothing has been going on, things just went into a stalemate,” McKinnon said. Board member Leslie Gonsalves who did not want to comment further without advice from incumbent secretary Sharma Solomon, said however, that the people of Linden are agitated about the lack of progress regarding the television station. Efforts to reach Solomon for a comment proved futile. Residents of Linden are calling on Prime Minister Nagamootoo who has responsibility for public communication and who mandated the extension of the board, to look into the way things are going since there may be need for necessary adjustments. Meanwhile, Lindeners continue to bemoan the limited channels received by the National Communications Network (NCN) which provides a weekly news broadcast. “It is about time now, this board story going on for so long that two people from the board done dead and nothing in happening, like this whole generation got to dead out before something happen, please, please, we
Police say stolen phone found on accused A 20-year-old man of Duncan Street, Kitty appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday on two charges of robbery with aggravation. It is alleged that on March 16 at Irving Street, Georgetown, in the company of others, Randy Bowen robbed Julian Delouse of one cellphone worth
$24,000. It is further alleged that again at Irving Street, in the company of others, Bowen robbed Royston Beveny of a cellphone worth $21,000 According to evidence given in court by the prosecutor, the virtual complaint was waiting on transportation when the suspect approached him and demanded
the cellphone. As a result, a report was made at the Kitty Police Station after which the suspect was spotted and arrested. A search was carried out on him and the said phone found. Bail was granted by Magistrate Judy Latchman in the sum of $200,000 and the matter adjourned to April 09.
Sharma Solomon
are pleading with the powers that be to do something for Linden, don’t let the next election come and we still waiting,” one pharmacist
commented. With the passing of the late Sandra Adams, the board now has 14 members. These include Mr. Phillip Bynoe; Mayor Carwyn Holland and his deputy, Ms. Waneka Arrindale; Regional MP’s Messrs. Jermaine Figueira, Audwin Rutherford, Leslie Gonsalves and Ms. Merna Adrian and Ms. Vanessa Kissoon. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had told residents of Linden that the the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) stands ready to issue the licence for the operationalisation of the Linden Television Station and that Channel 13 has already been secured for
Linden. At the last convened meeting of the board, in March of 2017, four members walked out after the majority voted in favour for the elections for secretary and chairman to be done by secret ballot. The application for a television station was made after residents complained about the limited and biassed content that they were subjected to from NCN under the PPP Government. The then administration had signed an agreement to grant the licence on August 21, 2012 after a deadly protest which resulted in the death of three Lindeners.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Major disaster averted at GPL Kingston Power Plant By Navendra Seoraj A MAJOR catastrophe was averted at the old Guyana Power and Light (GPL) power station on Monday, when a truck caught fire next to a fuel tank which contained close to one million gallons of fuel.
Firefighters and workers of the power company inspecting the area where the fire started on Monday
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle speaking to reporters at the scene (Adrian Narine photos)
“Robust and timely response from the workers of GPL and the Fire Service resulted in a major disaster being avoided,” said Fire Chief Marlon Gentle during an interview with reporters at the Kingston facility.
Although it was still unclear as to how the truck ignited, Gentle said the firefighters were able to contain the blaze using their resources and some equipment from GPL. Around 14:30hrs, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) received several reports of fire at the facility and a response drill was activated to deal with that type of situation. Gentle explained that five units were dispatched to the scene, including water support and foam tenders. “When the men arrived, they encountered a truck on fire and the
fire had already spread to a holding area that contained bunker `C’ fuel I believe,” he said. They were able to extinguish the fire with intense water and foam but the truck, pipes and other equipment connected to the power generator facility were destroyed. A full damage assessment has not been done but the fire chief reiterated that a major catastrophe was averted because the fire did not reach the fuel storage tank. He believes that although the situation did not get worse, it was
A GPL worker, extreme right, assisting firefighters to put out the blaze
still serious because there were fuel, generators and equipment that transmit power to the generator and other flammable items that could have caused more damage if they were ignited. The fire chief commended the GPL staff for raising a quick alert on the fire. “This was no rehearsal but it was a timely response and we are out of danger here, so all we are doing now is a cooling exercise and fire watch,” Gentle explained. The fire chief said this was not
the first time a fire broke out at the facility, adding that in the past there was fire at the building and even instances where the generators caught fire. A reliable source from GPL’s partner, Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) commended the in-house workers for their effort and also the fire service. The source said the damage would have been unimaginable if the fire had reached the tank of fuel but because of the good work, a lot was saved.
St. Joseph’s Hospital pushes healthy eating – as it celebrates 73rd anniversary By Lisa Hamilton IN CELEBRATION of the 73rd anniversary of the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, the institution hosted an open house and exhibition offering free medical services and health information to the general public on Monday. The event was hosted at the nursing school and saw a large participation of first, second and third-year students. They did blood pressure testing, provided nutrition advice and spoke to interested individuals about becoming enrolled in the institution. Director of the School of Nursing, Nurse Elsie Asabere, said the event was held to hear from members of the public. “We realised that a lot of persons come and they ask questions [and] because we are a private institution they sometimes don’t understand what we stand for. So we decided to do an open house so that anybody can come and ask any question… at the end of the day they would be well informed about the school and what it stands for,” she said. Asabere added that the medical services provided by the students served not only
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Deborrah Ramsay
to help test their practical skills, but would allow for the referral of patients with alarming results to visit the nearby hospital which just could save a life. One group, which was tasked with demonstrating the types of nutritional diets, especially for persons with compromised kidney functions, told the Guyana Chronicle of the dos and don’ts of healthy eating. “Guyanese tend to eat whatever they feel like eating but health is a major problem in Guyana, that they don’t really take as something serious until it gets worse,” said nursing student Gregory
Abrams. His group warned that the consumption of alcohol can contribute to obesity and cautioned against the over-consumption of Chinese food, a popular go-to meal for Guyanese, which usually has a high oil content. They instead encouraged the public to eat more fresh vegetables and fruit, replace soda beverages with water and maintain a low-carb diet which is especially important for diabetic patients. The hospital’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Deborrah Ramsay, said the event would help to prepare the nursing students for the practicality of the hospital wards and for emergencies in the real world. PRACTICAL WORK “Part of the work they’re learning here is about certain diets, about certain chronic diseases that a person might have and they’re well equipped to give to the patients or the general public coming to this open day, information on their diet. We know high blood pressure is a silent killer so they need to sit down and say to the patient ‘you need to eat certain things, you need to use less salt’. It’s preparing them [the students] for the real world,” she explained. As Guyana begins to move upwards on the eco-
The public was invited to receive free blood pressure testing at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, in celebration of its 73rd anniversary (Delano Williams photo)
nomic ladder due to its recent oil discovery, Ramsey said there will be an even greater need for nurses and for them to meet the needs of the population. “Nursing is not at any time going to stop because people will always need nursing and hospitals will always need nursing. Guyana is moving in a different direction now [as] the face of Guyana is being put on the map everyday due to oil and gas. “There’s a lot more that
has to be done in terms of getting our human resources together so that we can supply that industry, as well as maintain supply to others,” she highlighted. She said, too, that similar to many other institutions, the nursing institution has its list of challenges but she hopes to one day obtain additional equipment for practical assignments, a larger school building and to be able to offer degrees in nursing. In the meanwhile, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
School of Nursing maintains a good relationship with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, through which its students receive additional practical training which they then share with their colleagues when they return. Just last year, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing received a 100 per cent pass rate at the Nurses State Final Examination and has since expressed its intention to keep this bar high and steady.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Shady business owners at Puruni in trouble
– have until Friday to show cause why licences should not be revoked By Svetlana Marshall OWNERS of the nine business and residential buildings that were boarded when the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Mines Division moved in on a number of illegal businesses on the Puruni Landing have up to Friday to show cause why their business/residential permissions should not be revoked. Last Friday, a high-level team from GGMC’s Mines Division closed down a number of businesses on the Puruni Landing in the Middle Mazaruni Mining District #3 after it was found that they were in violation of the Mining Act. The doors to the buildings were boarded and letters served to the proprietors. In the letters issued, GGMC pointed out that business/residential permissions were granted to applicants in keeping with Regulation 70(1) of the Mining Act. However, the administrative conditions clearly state that “the permittee SHALL NOT sub-let nor sub-divide interest in the permission nor any part thereof nor TRANSFER the same without the consent in writing of the Commission-
minister said they create opportunities for persons to engage in money laundering, human trafficking and other illegal activities. It was on this note that the minister disclosed that
Minister Simona Broomes meeting with a team from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at her Kingston office (Adrian Narine photo)
er of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.” Additionally, licensees are not allowed to harbour any woman or man of immoral character on the land occupied. Based on the fact that those two regulations were breached, the GGMC informed the defaulters that they have seven days to show cause why their business and/ or residential permission should not be revoked. Failure to respond appropriately would result in the commission taking “necessary actions”. On Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes was briefed in detail on the exercise by a team of officials from GGMC. On the sideline
of that meeting, she told Guyana Chronicle that the Mining Act will be upheld and all must toe the line. Minister Broomes explained that the GGMC, after being lobbied by miners many years ago, had taken a decision to issue yearly business and residential licences to persons who would facilitate the sale of fuel, spare parts, food and clothing to miners who may be unable to journey to regularise communities and towns like Itaballi and Bartica for supplies. Residential permission is also offered to persons who provide temporary accommodation, but Minister Broomes made it clear that licences are offered with conditions attached.
Wanted bulletin out for house-lot scammer THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday afternoon issued a wanted bulletin for Floyd Andrew Primo for obtaining money by false pretence which occurred between 2017-11-01 and 2017-11-30 committed on Leslie Glen. Primo (34) is of mixed race and his last known address is Lot 80 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown. The GPF said anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of Primo is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers
Their passport numbers were collected in the days prior and the information will be handed over to the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Citizenship for appropriate actions to be taken. Responding to an al-
Wanted: Floyd Primo
226-2870, 229-2655, 2292289, 227-1149, 226-7065, or 911, or the nearest police
station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. The GPF back in April 2016, had issued wanted bulletins for four persons, including Primo, who were being sought for questioning in relation to a series of fraudulent activities. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the four individuals were allegedly involved in a series of house-lot scams whereby several persons were robbed of millions of dollars.
CANNOT SUBLET “One of the conditions is that the licence that would be issued to you, you cannot sublet it. Reason being is that the commission must be in a position to validate or verify information on licence that they are giving out,” she explained. It was noted that persons have developed a culture of exploiting the situation, occupying plots of land on the Puruni Landing without permission and in some other cases where permission was granted, licensees were found to have been renting buildings erected to more than one person at a time. Defaulters were repeatedly warned to desist but to no avail. As such, she made it clear that GGMC was acting within the realm of its responsibility to bring order to the mining community. When such breaches are allowed to continue, the
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes holding up a document detailing the conditions under which business and residential licences are granted (Adrian Narine photo)
two days before GGMC’s operation at Puruni Landing, mines officers visited each building on the landing and found that there were 17 women from Venezuela, Brazil and The Dominican Republic who had no work permit. “Seventeen of them, none had work permits, not one of them out of the 17,” Minister Broomes lamented. On the day of the exercise they were nowhere to be found; however, the building that housed them was among those boarded.
legation that GGMC had targeted Brazilians in Friday’s operation, Minister Broomes said the allegation is baseless. She noted that while the Commission has not taken extreme positions in cases where illegal operations are found--as done in countries like Brazil--it will not tolerate any violation of the Mining Act and supporting regulations. “Anybody come here got to toe the line. It doesn’t matter which country you are from, you have to toe the line,” she emphasised.
Jury empanelled for wounding with intent case A 12-MEMBER jury was on Monday morning empanelled for the George Dover trial before Justice Navindra Singh in the Georgetown High Court. Dover, who is on bail, pleaded not guilty to the charges for which he stands indicted and is being represented by Defence Attorney
George Thomas, in association with Gary Best and Nekeisha Persaud. The accused is indicted for the first count – attempt to commit murder; and the second count – wounding with intent (alternative counts), which state that on April 10, 2015 in the county of Demerara he attempted to
murder and wound with intent the virtual complainant, Kester Yamster. The State is being presented by Abigail Gibbs in association with Shawnette Austin and Tiffini Lyken and they will call five witnesses to take the stand today, (Tuesday) at 09:00hrs.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
38 ECD women receive training in business development THIRTY-EIGHT young women, hailing from Mahaica, Clonbrook, Victoria, Belfield, Golden Grove, Haslington and Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, on Monday morning, assembled at the Women’s Leadership Institute to participate in First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger’s 24th Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop. In her opening address, the First Lady told the participants that the workshop aims to empower them to create lucrative opportunities for themselves and to enhance their community and business management abilities. “This is what we aim to do with this workshop; it is to help you develop your skills, whether you are already operating a
business or you are thinking of operating a business, and increasing your choices so that you have…[it is] a solid base from which you can make informed decisions,” she said. Mrs Granger urged the participants to be punctual, to complete their assignments and to work hard since they would be issued with a recognised certificate at the end of the training. “This is a serious certificate. You have to come, you have to complete your assignments because this certificate that you will be awarded, is recognised by the Small Business [Bureau] of the Ministry of Business and microfinance organisations,” she said. Regional Chairman, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Ms. Genevieve Allen,
commended the participants for taking advantage of the opportunity to enhance their education. Ms. Allen also challenged them to use the knowledge that they gain from the workshop to create strategic plans and partnerships within their communities. “I’m looking forward for when we return here on Friday, to hear a business plan being put forward with regard to how you can collaborate with this institute,” she said. Meanwhile, Facilitator of Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Mr. Sanjay Yohann Pooran, who provided an overview of the workshop, said that the course would cover the primary principles of business, home management and community development. “We will learn something called
Seated from left: Facilitator at the Interweave Solutions Incorporated, Mr. Sanjay Pooran; First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger; Regional Chairman Ms. Genevieve Allen; Ms. Yvonne Smith of the Office of the First Lady; facilitator at the Interweave Solutions Incorporated, Ms. Crystal Baptiste and Assistant Director of Community Development, Mr. Ernest Elliot. They are surrounded by participants of the workshop
the Six ‘Ps’ of business… The Six ‘Ps’ of business are management tools, skills and abilities you will develop as part of the process of starting a small business. We want you to be equipped with record-keeping skills, management skills, and leadership skills. We want you to have the ability to know how to hire people, when to hire them, how to brand, how to package, how to label your product, how to
present your services to the wider public. Those are all things we will discuss with you,” he said. Assistant Director of Community Development, Mr. Ernest Elliot, who coordinated the workshops said, “We started to put together a programme to identify young women to be part of this programme… What I did in organising the young women, I made contact with the various community de-
velopment groups, social groups in the communities and the NDCs and we were able to come up with a number of persons,” he said. The workshop is organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated. This is the second Self-Reliance Workshop for the year. (Ministry of the Presidency)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
South Africa Racing Tips
Enough
Vaal
Race 4 Manyofmyvirtues
08:45 hrs Catedral County
Race 5 Strabane
09:20 hrs Cas Cruh 09:55 hrs End Game 10:35 hrs Oh My Darling 11:15 hrs Post Grad American Racing Tips
Race 7 Ronni’s Secret
13:25 hrs Bandon Bridge
Race 8 Love Your Humor
English Racing Tips
Irish Racing Tips Clonmel
Race1 Meterologist
10:40 hrs Awayinthewest 11:15 hrs Fruits Of Glory
12:45 hrs Instingtive 13:15 hrs Good Boy Bobby Newcastle
Race 6 Lil Pom Pom
10:10 hrs Poly Rock
Race 3 Often
12:20 hrs RockOn Barney 12:55 hrs Spare Brakes
Mahoning Valley
Race 2 Teatoe
11:50 hrs Force Of Forces
13:35 hrs American Gigolo 14:05 hrs Velvet Vision
Wetherby
14:40 hrs Prestbury Park 15:15 hrs Excequer
10:00 hrs Saucysioux 11:05 hrs Dark And Dangerous 11:40 hrs Tomgerry 12:10 hrs Bandon Roc
15:45 hrs Odds On Oli 16:15 hrs Elixsoft 16:45 hrs Athollblair Boy
Holder, Samuels take Windies closer ... From back page bite out of what is usually Zimbabwe’s strength - their spinners. Deliveries that might have shot through at the shins in Bulawayo stood up on this hard surface, and Samuels’ first three boundaries all came off long hops. Adjusting their lengths with the field spread, the spinners didn’t concede a single boundary between overs 26 and 35, but the floodgates soon opened. Hope got to a 71-ball fifty in the 34th over and, seemingly taking that as his cue, Samuels immediately shifted gears. Raza’s offspin was lifted over long-off for two enormous sixes, and Samuels then added two more sixes and a four to take 18 off an over from Cremer. The game turned then and there. But as they got closer, West Indies let it slip briefly. Samuels started to cramp up as his mobility at the crease suffered. He swiped two more brutal boundaries off Muzarabani, but then pushed flat-footed at one that left him off the pitch to be well caught by a tumbling Taylor behind the stumps. Then, Jason Holder fell. But with two overs to go, West Indies needing 11, Powell boldly stepped out to hit Sean Williams for six over long-on to close out the game. Earlier in the afternoon, Taylor had work to do when he first got to the crease this morning. After Cephas Zhuwao gloved to fine leg, Hamilton Masakadza was removed by a brutal lifter from Holder. When Solomon Mire was forced to retire because of blurred vision after a bouncer struck him on the right side of his helmet grille, Zimbabwe were effectively 30 for 3. Craig Ervine helped steady the innings with Taylor, while Sean Williams helped to hoist the mainsail with a bellicose 34 at better than a run-a-ball. Together they helped to keep Zimbabwe ticking at five an over, or thereabouts, but it wasn’t until Raza joined him at the crease that Taylor really be-
gan to let loose. Together they rattled along with a boundary an over, with Taylor fittingly reaching his hundred with a reverse sweep. Raza was given out in controversial circumstances when he was out, bowled, only for replays to suggest no part of Holder’s foot was behind the line. The third umpire, however, gave Holder the benefit of the doubt to shock a strong home crowd. It was a moment that may have well cost Zimbabwe the 20 extra runs they desperately needed at the end. (Cricinfo.com)
SCOREBOARD ZIMBABWE innings S. Mire b Holder
45
C. Zhuwao c Paul b Holder
0
H. Masakadza c wkp. Hope b Holder 7 B. Taylor c Nurse b Roach
138
C. Ervine b Roach
14
S. Williams c Nurse b Paul
34
S. Raza b Holder
22
G. Cremer c & b Roach
0
T. Chisoro c Nurse b Paul
18
K. Jarvis run-out
1
B. Muzarabani not out
0
Extras: (lb-3, w-7) Total: (all out, 50 overs)
10 289
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-28, 3-79, 4-155, 5-234, 6-246, 7-250, 8-284, 9-288. Bowling: Roach 10-0-55-3, Holder 100-35-4, Paul 10-0-55-2, Bishoo 10-073-0, Nurse 4-0-28-0, Powell 4-0-26-0, Gayle 2-0-14-0. WEST INDIES innings C. Gayle c Jarvis b Muzarabani
17
E. Lewis c & b Sikander Raza
64
S. Hope c Sikander Raza b Williams 76 M. Samuels c wkp. Taylor b Muzarabani
86
S. Hetmyer stp. Taylor b Cremer
13
J. Holder c Sikandar Raza b Cremer 6 R. Powell not out
15
A. Nurse not out
8
Extras: (lb-1, w-4)
5
Total: (6 wkts, 49 overs)
290
Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-110, 3-245, 4-249, 5-263, 6-265. Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-49-0, Sikandar Raza 7-0-58-1, Muzarabani 9-0-36-2, Cremer 10-0-63-2, Chisoro 7-0-38-0, Williams 7-0-45-1. Points: West Indies 2, Zimbabwe 0.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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86 Days to go …
Lionel Messi hints 2018 could be his last chance to win World Cup LIONEL Messi has suggested he won’t get another chance if Argentina fail to win the World Cup in Russia this summer. The Barcelona forward lost in three straight finals -- two Copa Americas and the 2014 World Cup -- in a three-year span and has not won a trophy with the senior team. Messi’s hat-trick at Ecuador in the Albiceleste’s 3-1 win in their final qualifier in October earned his country a spot in this summer’s World Cup and again underlined the player’s importance to his na-
tional side. Messi and his teammates have had a strained relationship with the Argentine media, feeling unfairly criticised, and he told La Cornisa TV: “It’s just the feeling that this group of players has. It seems that having reached three straight finals didn’t mean anything. Obviously, we depend on results and unfortunately, we reached three finals and we didn’t win them. “A lot was said about us. The criticisms hurt back then. But the demand is going to be there for this group to get it done. We think that if we don’t do it, we are
going to get a lot more (criticism) and we are not going to have another possibility.” The pressure led Messi to quit, albeit briefly, from international duty in 2016, after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final, his third straight with the national team. “I’ve cried many times for lost finals,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said. “I cried for not being able to fulfil the dream of our nation. My desire is the same as every Argentine, which is to lift the World Cup.” Messi said the 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany is still an open wound. “We know how challenging it is to win a World Cup,” the 30-year-old said. “To win a World Cup is very difficult and we came so close to achieving that dream. “Football is full of surprises, not always the best team wins. I’ve learned to accept that. I felt we deserved the 2014 World Cup. It was a tough blow. To have been so close, it was painful.” Messi is looking ahead to Russia with optimism, however. In their group, the Albiceleste will face Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria. “I dream of being in that final, lifting the cup,” Messi said. “It’s a dream I’ve always had. Every time a World Cup comes along, the feeling becomes stronger. “I hope it’s a great World Cup for us and that we are able to experience something similar to that of 2014, which was an unforgettable experience for the country, but this time lifting the cup. “To win a World Cup
is not easy. It doesn’t happen often. The last time we did things well but due to minor details we didn’t get it done. We are very enthusiastic and eager to lift the cup for our country. I hope God helps us and it happens.” Argentina have not won the World Cup since 1986. “Everywhere in the world they are waiting for Argentina to be champions and for that to happen to me,” Messi said. “Nowadays I try to leave to one side everything that is said and that surrounds football, but it’s complicated because it’s a World Cup and the focus is there. “There’s not long to go and everything happens quickly. I’m lucky to play for things that are very important at Barcelona that make me focus on that and not think too far ahead. But I’ve seen around the world just how much people want it to be a great World Cup for me and for Argentina. “Many people desire for me to be champion and that is incredible. I try to live day to day and not think about June, but it’s incredible how people all over the world want for Argentina to be champions and for me to get it.” Messi’s 35 goals in all competitions this season have helped Barcelona remain in contention for a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League Treble. But he admits he is his biggest critic. “I’m the first one who knows if I’ve played well or not,” he said. “It’s not just about goals, whether you play well or not. There have been games where I’ve scored goals and not played well. Now I try to help the team play more and be less the finisher,
in a way less selfish inside the area. I still run as I always did but a different way.” Back in November, the Rosario-born Messi signed a new contract with Barca -- the only club for which he’s played -- until June 2021, but he knows one day retirement is inevitable. “Everyone says it’s going to be very difficult and I don’t doubt that,” he said. “It’s difficult to think about not doing the routine that I have now, going to training, playing ... I really don’t know what I’m going to do. “I would like to do the things that I haven’t been able to do due to my profession but I don’t know if it will be here in Barcelona or in Rosario (Argentina).”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
‘Outrageous’ Ronaldo has Messi in his sights By Richard Martin MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - After an uncharacteristically slow start to the season which provoked questions about his longevity, Cristiano Ronaldo has roared back to life with a torrent of goals and now has La Liga’s top scorer award in his sights. On a weekend to savour for strikers around Europe, Ronaldo followed the lead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi by plundering four goals in his side’s thrilling 6-3 win over Girona on Sunday. His goal-fest against Girona lifted Ronaldo above Barcelona’s Luis Suarez as second top scorer in La Liga and he moved within three of Lionel Messi, his eternal rival for goal records and individual awards over the last decade. “Cristiano is three goals from Messi and I hope he can become the top scorer because
Ronaldo plunders four goals in his side’s thrilling 6-3 win over Girona on Sunday.
it’s very important to him,” Real coach Zinedine Zidane said. Ronaldo leads the way in Europe in
current form, blasting in 21 goals in his last 11 games in all competitions. With 18 goals this year, Ronaldo has scored more times in the league in 2018 than Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea and is only one shy of Serie A leaders Juventus. The 33-year-old Portuguese also moved up to ninth in the list of top scorers in Europe, trailing front-runner Salah by six goals. Ronaldo’s insatiable recent form is unrecognisable from his mediocre record in the first five months of the campaign. Banned for pushing a referee in the Spanish Super Cup in August, Ronaldo missed Real’s first four Liga games and struggled to get up to speed on his return, ending 2017 with only four league goals to his name for the season. “His form is outrageous,” Real defender Nacho said. “It’s true that at the start of the season, given the amount of games he missed, he
wasn’t very sharp. But that was strange. Right now he is helping the team a lot and we can all see the effect he is having on us.” Ronaldo’s resurgence mirrors how he hit his peak at the back end of last season when, with the help of sitting out the occasional away game, he fired Real to a double of La Liga and the Champions League. Their title hopes are long gone but they have every chance of winning a third consecutive European Cup. Real meet Juventus in the quarter-finals after dispatching Paris St Germain 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16 with three goals from Ronaldo. “He knows himself very well and knows when he has to take small breaks and when the final stretch of the season arrives he is in top shape,” added Zidane, who rested his forward for recent games at Espanyol and Leganes. “When Cristiano plays well the team play well.”
Scott’s hat-trick propels Henrietta FC to convincing win
10th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond memorial football
Wins for Christianburg /Wismar; Linden Foundation By Joe Chapman THERE were wins for Christianburg/Wismar ‘Multi’ Secondary and Linden Foundation, as the 10th Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond memorial Linden Secondary Schools Football tournament continued. Both teams secured 3-1 wins in the preliminary round of the Under-18 tournament. The reigning champions Christianburg/Wismar gained their 3-1 over Harmony Secondary, through a brace from Michael Adams which came in the 65th and 71st minutes of the game. Adams’ brace put the game out of reach after Andre Peters 20th minute opener was cancelled out by Bryan Culpepper in the 29th minute. In the other game, Linden Foundation Secondary turned back the challenge of Private Schools Combined 3-1, aided by a double from Shawn Jackson in the 23rd and 46th minutes. The advantage was increased to 3-0 through Jamal Peters in the 54th minute. However, the Private Schools Combined were able to reduce the scores with a strike from Javonte Lewis in the 65th minute.
THE Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon Football Association’s sponsored Under-15 football tournament continued last Saturday, with another double-header at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground. In the opening fixture, Dartmouth FC and Supenaam FC played to an exciting 2-2 draw. Both teams showed promising displays of ball control and had the fair-sized crowd in frenzy. Opening the account was Dartmouth’s Stephon Clarke in the 14th minute when he smartly tapped the ball into the net from close range. Not to be intimidated, Supenaam responded soon after when Ashton Chappelle took on two defenders and slipped the ball past the diving goalkeeper in the 22nd minute to level the score. It remained even until
halftime as both teams traded shots without further success. After the interval, Supenaam remained aggressive and continued to keep more of the ball possession. It paid off eventually when Kyle Bascom brilliantly scored in the 47th minute to send Supenaam ahead. They remained assured for another 15 minutes, dominating the proceedings. However, Dartmouth’s Marvin Garraway proved incisive as his accurate and powerful long range shot flew past the goalkeeper for him to score in the 64th minute to level the score again. The teams tried desperately to break the deadlock but were unable until referee Jamal Allicock called time in the 70-minute affair. In the second game at the same venue, Super XI of Charity claimed a 1-0
Hat-trick scorer Emmanuel Scott of Henrietta United
win against Queenstown FC to remain unbeaten in the competition after two rounds. The lone goal came off the boot of Super XI’s Deron Garraway who netted in the 65th minute to seal the match which was evenly contested. On Sunday, the lone fixture was between Henrietta FC and Devonshire Castle FC which attracted another large gathering, as the fans cheered and supported the junior footballers. When play began, as-
tonishingly a goal was scored in the first minute when Henrietta’s Allistaire Abrams ran through and found the back of the net. The home team were again jubilant when Arron Caesar scored in the 6th minute to give his team the early momentum. The game progressed nicely thereafter, as Devonshire Castle found their rhythm. It was then their turn and Marvin Persaud hammered one past the goalkeeper in the 12th minute to keep his team in the hunt. They continued to hunt for more goals and succeeded in the 35th minute off the boot of Jamar Jack to level the score at halftime. It was interestingly poised at that moment until Emmanuel Scott stole the spotlight to unleash his skill on his way to a hattrick to cease the initia-
tive and the game He was on the scoresheet in the 40th minute from an accurate long range shot. He then created a wonderful piece of play only to be fouled in the penalty box. He then successfully converted the penalty in the 49th minute for his second. At 4-2, Henrietta United were content on playing it safe by passing the ball around. In the dying stages, they found some life again when Emmanuel Scott netted in the 72nd minute for his third and Henrietta United going 5-2 up until referee Joseph Kistoo ended another entertaining encounter. More matches are scheduled for the weekend as the ECPFA continue to create and develop opportunities for the junior players from across the Region and Pomeroon.
Persaud, Ramdhani power Cotton Field into T20 playoffs By Elroy Stephney A COMBINATION of brilliance from Parmanand Persaud and Boomesh Ramdahin piloted Cotton Field SC from Central Essequibo into the semi-final playoffs in the South and Central Cricket Committees-sponsored T20 zoning competition in Essequibo. On Sunday at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground in Cotton Field, the hosts had to play and win consecutive matches in order to progress and they did so superbly. In the first game, they demolished Jaguar Over-40 from South Essequibo by nine wickets. Winning the toss and batting first, the ageing Tigers posted a challenging 163-8, from their allotted 20 overs with Shazad Alli
striking 46 (3x4, 2x6) and Tulsie Ram supporting with 41 (5x4, 1x6). Accurate medium fast bowling from Carlos Yhap enables him to claim impressive figures of 5-14 from 4 overs. In reply, the home team were in complete control and a 125-run partnership between Parmanand Persaud 73 (6x6, 6x4) and Boomesh Ramdahin who made 76 not out, laced with 7x4 and 4x6, saw Cotton Field S.C reach 164-1 in 14.3 overs, for a dominating performance in front of their home fans. The second game was reduced to a 15-overs affair due to time at the same venue. Cotton Field SC won the toss and batted against Crown XI also from South Essequibo. The consistent Parmanand Persaud was again the principal run-getter with another
delightful innings of 48, including 5x4 and 2x6, while he was admirably supported by an unbeaten 46 from Ian Dookie (3x6, 3x4) to bolster the score in the later stages. Cotton Field SC then reached 142-8 in their allotted 15 overs. Wickets were shared among Tamesh Deonarine who had 3-12 from 3 and Ramcharran Singh and Kowshal Singh with 2 wickets apiece. In reply, a rapid start from the openers who raced to 70 without loss in just 8 overs flayed the bowling and stunned the home crowd. The introduction of spin, however, stemmed the flow of runs and resulted in the fall of wickets regularly. Boomesh Ramdahin proved destructive as he made the initial breakthrough on his way to match-winning
figures of 4-14 from 3 overs. Openers Gewan Persaud, 45 (3x6, 4x4) and Ramlochan Nankishore 20 (2x4) were the only batsmen to offer resistance. Their departure saw a dramatic collapse as Crown XI crumbled and eventually reached 119-9 in their 15 overs to lose by 23 runs. The competition will now head into the semi-finals with Cotton Field SC awaiting the results from the other zones. Among the spectators was former Essequibo senior inter-county opening batsman Dinesh Joseph, who is recovering from an injury and is keen to rekindle his career with his local club. Joseph is one of only a few Essequibians to have scored a four-day inter-county century and he is arguably Essequibo’s finest batsman of any generation.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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Gise/Star Party Rentals first-division tournament
Jacobs propels MSC to 114-run win over GCC … Barnwell hits century in DCC victory, GNIC beat GYO
OFF-SPINNER Steven Jacobs completed a matchhaul of 10-66 as Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) completed a 114-run win over Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) when the latest round in the GCA’s Gise/ Star Party Rentals first-division tournament was completed on Sunday at Bourda. Jacobs took 5-25 in GCC’s second innings. When play began on day two, MSC were dismantled for 102. Renaldo Ali-Mohammed (4-27) and Devon Lord (4-52) did the damage. Carlos La Rose (24), Jacobs (16) and Stephan Browne (14) were the only
MSC batsmen to offer any resistance. With a first-innings lead of 78, GCC were set a relatively small target of 181, but Jacobs spun webs around the hosts’ batsmen for a second time in two days, as GCC were bowled out for 67. Winston Forrester (25) and Ali-Mohammed (13) were the only two batsmen to have reached double figures. Fellow off-spinner Vishaul Narayan took 2-20. Scores: MSC (199 & 102), GCC 121 & 67. Over a t the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, skipper Christopher Barnwell stroked an attacking unbeaten
2 with Barnwell hammering three fours and 12 sixes.
Steven Jacobs
103 to guide DCC to an easy eight-wicket win over Everest Cricket Club (ECC). Set 193 to win in 18 overs, the hosts reached 194-
Gajanan Suknanand
He shared in an unbroken 84-run third-wicket stand
BCB, ECB begin preparations for Inter-county U-19 tournament
Cricketers with National coach Julian Moore and manager Michael Newland recently at the Albion ground.
WITH the aim to win this year’s Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-county Under-19 tournament, both Berbice and Essequibo cricket boards have commenced their preparations. Thirty-nine players from Berbice were part of a training session, which was conducted
by National coach Julian Moore and manager Michael Newland recently at the Albion ground. Sessions are expected to be ongoing over the coming weeks and will attract more cricketers, depending on how creditably they perform in the youth tournaments, which will get underway shortly across Berbice.
Over on the Essequibo Coast, the ECB began its trial yesterday, and it will run until March 22. Thereafter, two limited-over matches will be followed by one two-day game, which will be played at the Imam Bacchus ground.
Gangoo, Karim lead Blairmont into WBCA U-19 final
OUTSTANDING individual performances from medium-pacer Keyon Gangoo and top order batsman Javid Karim propelled Blairmont Young Blazers to the final of the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) Under-19 tournament. Gangoo claimed 5-21, and was the chief destroyer in the semi-final game against Achievers last Saturday at Bush Lot. Batting first, Achievers were skittled out for just 99. Kevin Sinclair, 42, was the
Keyon Gangoo (left) and Javid Karim
with Joshua Persaud (37 not out) to seal the win. After conceding a 15-run lead, Everest were bowled out for 207 in their second innings with Gudakesh Motie
main contributor with the bat. Gangoo received support from Seon Glasgow and Nigel Deodat with two wickets apiece. In reply, Karim stroked a gusty unbeaten 47 and Glasgow made 16, as the winners ended on 105-5. Sinclair claimed 3-11 in a losing effort. Blairmont Young Blazers will meet D’Edward in the final. Meanwhile, president of the WBCA, David Black, told Chronicle Sport yesterday that a date and venue for the final will be decided shortly.
Christopher Barnwell
making an enterprising 85 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul 42. Scores: Everest (282 & 207), DCC (297 & 194-2). At MSC, GNIC recorded a comfortable seven-wicket win over GYO. Off-spinner Gajanan Suknanand claimed his second six-wicket haul to set up the win. GYO were bowled out for 131 in their second innings. T. Liverpool led the way with 53. Set 133 to win, GNIC reached 134-3 with Ovid Richardson hitting an unbeaten 56, while Ryan Shun made 60. Scores: GYO (141 & 131), GNIC (139 & 1343).
South Africa call up Olivier, Morris for final two Tests CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa have added seamer Duanne Olivier and bowling all-rounder Chris Morris to their squad for the final two Tests against Australia, but appear to have closed the door on a return for paceman Dale Steyn. Olivier, Morris, uncapped Wiaan Mulder and Morne Morkel will all be considered to replace suspended fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has been named, for the third Test starting at Newlands on Thursday. Rabada, the number one-ranked Test bowler, could still play if he succeeds in his appeal against an International Cricket Council (ICC) decision to award him three demerit points for his reaction to dismissing Steve Smith in the second Test. His brushing of the Australian captain’s shoulder took him past eight points, triggering an automatic twomatch suspension that would mean he missed the final two contests of a series currently level at 1-1. South Africa are likely to look at the Newlands pitch before deciding what type of bowler will be best suited, and have also left their options open for the fourth match in Johannesburg. Rabada’s appeal was heard yesterday, where he was represented by renowned advocate Dali Mpofu in the hope of having the demerit points from the Port Elizabeth win rescinded. Should he be successful, he will be free to feature in the final two games and add to the 15 wickets he has picked up in the series to date. Steyn had targeted a return in Johannesburg, but his recovery from a heel problem is not going smoothly, having already abandoned one comeback attempt in a domestic four-day game.
Duanne Olivier
“Circumstances have forced us to name a large squad at this stage so that we can cover all possible options,” Cricket South Africa’s national selection panel convener Linda Zondi, said in a media statement on Sunday. “We have retained the 15 players who produced an excellent performance to level the (second) Test in Port Elizabeth. “Olivier was the pick of our bowlers for South Africa A in their tour match against Australia while Morris has been in excellent form in domestic cricket, taking four wickets in an innings and making more than 150 runs, including a century, for the Titans, in the (domestic four-day) Sunfoil Series.” Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
CWI technical committee to rule on player contracts, NOC CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has established a new technical committee that will advise its selection panel what players are eligible for selection to the senior squad and will also determine which player will be granted No-Objection Certificate. The NOC grants players permission to participate in the T20 leagues across the globe. This newly established committee will also be reviewing the system used to determine Windies Men’s contract grades as well as establishing a grading sys-
tem for the award of retainer contracts for the Windies Women players. CWI vice-president Emmanuel Nathan will chair the six-member committee that will also be comprised of the Chairman of the Cricket Committee, Julian Charles; Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams; the Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne; Windies Men head coach Stuart Law, Windies Women head coach Henderson Springer, and a nominee of the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) which most likely will be its president and
CEO Wavell Hinds. “The committee will serve as an important resource to the CWI Cricket Committee on specific cricket matters,” said CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams. At the last CWI Board meeting two Saturdays ago in Barbados, CWI’s Board of Directors approved a new policy that any player withdrawing from selected squads on two consecutive occasions will now have to write to the Chairman of Selectors to confirm that they wish to be considered for future selection.
Guptill added to Black Caps squad for first Test
Martin Guptill has played in 47 Tests for New Zealand
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 20, 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)
Shimron Hetmyer-127 (vs UAE)
(2)
1 (1 stumping)
Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI had the best bowling figures in a single game during the group stages of the ICC WC Qualifiers? (2) How many T20 Internationals WI women and NZ women are set to contest in the current series? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
NEW Zealand have added Martin Guptill to their squad for the first Test against England, which starts in Auckland on Thursday. The 31-year-old will provide cover for Ross Taylor, who is recovering from a thigh injury. Guptill hit 73 against England in a tour game last week. “With Martin having played in the middle order recently, he can cover a number of positions for us,” said selector Gavin Larsen. The first Test in the twomatch series starts at Eden Park, Auckland, on Thursday at 01:00 GMT. NEW ZEALAND squad: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult. ENGLAND squad: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (capt), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Foakes (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris W o a k e s , C r a i g O v e rton, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Jack Leach.
CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams
“We have had a number of withdrawals in recent times and it has severely
impacted on the Selection Panel’s ability to choose a settled squad for inter-
national matches,” said Adams. “Going forward, this is one of the areas that the Technical Committee will have to adjudicate upon to bring more balance to the situation. “The Directors’ decision to form a Technical Committee will allow for a more robust and efficient process to decide on player eligibility, player contract grading and the awarding of NOCs.”
Sir Garfield Sobers to unveil Collie Smith statue at Boys’ Town
West Indies cricket legend Collie Smith will be honored next Wednesday with the unveiling of a statue of his likeness by his friend Sir Garfield Sobers.
WEST Indies cricket icon Sir Garfield Sobers is to unveil a statue of Jamaican and West Indies legend Collie Smith on the grounds of Boys’ Town at 6 Collie Smith Drive in Kingston, Jamaica next Wednesday, March 21. O’Neil Gordon ‘Collie’ Smith represented Boys’ Town, Kingston College, Jamaica, West Indies and Burnley Cricket Club in his short, but inspirational career. He died at age 26 in a car accident in England in 1959. The Government of Jamaica subsequently acknowledged Collie by naming the street (Central Road) where Boys’ Town is located in his honour. Kingston College also has a
memorial to Collie Smith in their chapel. Boys’ Town with support from the CHASE Fund commissioned noted sculptor Kay Sullivan to do the statue of Smith, which will be unveiled at the special event with the blessing of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General. Members of Smith’s family, representatives of the Boys’ Town and the Trench Town community will also be in attendance. The ceremony will commence at 11:00hrs and will also mark the 113th birthday of the institution’s Founding Director, the late ‘Father’ Hugh Sherlock. (Sportsmax)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 20, 2018
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GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League - EBFA
Timehri tighten grip at the top; Soesdyke needle Agricola, KK Warriors edge Mocha Champs 2-0
Kevin Scott (left) and John Fredericks Kuru Kururu Warriors
TIMEHRI Panthers have consolidated their hold on the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League when they hammered Samatta Point/ Kaneville in Sunday’s day15 action at the Timehri Red Ground. The home team posted their seventh consecutive win with another dismissive
performance, trouncing their opponents 8-0, led by Neron Barrow who blasted a hattrick. Agricola Red Triangle lost their second match in as many days, going down to Soesdyke Falcons by the lone goal which was scored by Tyrone Burnette in the 20th minute. Kuru Kururu (KK) Warriors also continued their good form with their sixth
Tyrone Burnette Soesdyke Falcons
win which has taken them to third place overall, behind Agricola in second, with the same points but better goal difference. The Warriors edged Mocha Champs 2-1 coming from behind while the other match saw Friendship All Stars take full points from Grove Hi Tech, who did not show up for their final match of the league. Mocha had taken the lead
Lethal force: Timehri Panthers marksmen are from right, Neron Barrow, Shaquan Caleb, Paul Roberts, Prince Forde, Yohance Reynolds and Ishmael Pulsarran.
on 16 minutes when Genesis Lewis found the back of the net. KK Warriors never panicked and drew level in the 25th minute through a John Fredericks goal. The winning strike came off the boot of the Warriors’ leading forward, Kevon Scott in the 45th minute, his eighth goal of the league. But it was the Timehri boys who continued their marvellous run of form with
GFF Elite League
Den Amstel stun Victoria Kings; Buxton United hold GDF to draw DEN Amstel football club picked up their fourth win of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League following their 2-1 result against Victoria Kings on Sunday evening while defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Buxton United. Along with Western Tigers, the GDF football team are the only side in the Elite League to not record an ‘L’ so far, but when Denver Dennis netted in the 32nd minute for Buxton United, the defending champions seemed poised to end their unbeaten run. However, as the game progressed, it took an Amos Ramsay strike in the 90th minute to earn the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship-bound GDF team a necessary draw. The result meant that the GDF will advance to
14 points (four wins, two (30th) and Delon Lanferman losses). draws) in six matches but (80th). The GFF Elite League would remain in third place Veteran Aubrey Gib- will continue on Friday, behind leaders Western son improved his tally to March 23 at the Tucville Tigers (16) and Fruta Con- six goals, the most in the ground, with Ann’s Grove querors (15) while Buxton Elite League so far, when he taking on league favourUnited improved to seven scored for Victoria Kings in ites Western Tigers from points (two wins, one draw, the 42nd minute. 17:30hrs, and the home side three losses). The win placed Den AmMeanwhile, Den Amstel stel in the fourth position on Fruta Conquerors lookmade a statement-win over 13 points from seven outings ing to take advantage of a East Coast of Demerara up- (four wins, two losses and hapless Cougars Football starts Victoria Kings, thanks a draw) and Victoria Kings Club, who are yet to pick to goals from their primary slipped to fifth position with up a point in six outings this marksmen Gideon Payne 12 points (four wins, three season. Latest points table in the GFF Elite League
another vintage performance. Their 8-0 triumph was crafted by the works of Neron Barrow who scored in the 57th, 64th and 68th minutes. Samatta Point put up a solid fight in the first half as they only let in one goal which came in the 29th minute off the boot of their captain, Prince Forde. But it was the second half that Samatta Point’s focus fell away and Timehri took total control of
proceedings. Their leading scorer Ishmael Pulsarran (11 goals) converted in the 34th minute. Paul Roberts (45th), Yohance Reynolds (58th) and Shaquon Caleb in the 63rd minute were the other contributors. Grove have completed their quota of 11 matches. Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue.
Ramdhani, Mangra set for camp in Guatemala TWO of Guyana’s top national badminton players, Priyanna Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra, will be attending a high-tech Badminton Training Camp ‘Road to Barranquilla’ in Ciudad de Guatemala from March 21 to April 22. The camp, organised by the Pan American Sports and Badminton Pan American Confederation and endorsed by the Guyana Olympic Association, will feature worldranked players from the Pan American region. The Guyanese were chosen because Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani are in the world rankings in the Badminton World Federation’s listing and because of that, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) was given two spots to attend this camp. Narayan is scheduled to be at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and therefore Guyana’s No.2
Jonathan Mangra (left) and Priyanna Ramdhani
ranked player, Jonathan Mangra was sent in his place. The camp is expected to benefit the Guyanese duo as it will give them more ranking points and a place in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, scheduled to take place in Colombia in July this year.
Timehri tighten grip at the top; Soesdyke needle Agricola, KK Warriors edge Mocha Champs 2-0 23 PAGE
Holder, Samuels take Windies closer to World Cup spot By Liam Brickhill in Harare CLINCHING close matches and playing out lastgasp finishes have become a habit for Zimbabwe in this tournament. For once, however, the result went against them, as West Indies won by four wickets to record their fifth-highest successful chase in ODI history. This meant they were well in control of their fate heading into their final group fixture against Scotland. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, faced a must-win in their final Super Sixes fixture against UAE. Brendan Taylor scored his 10th one-day international hundred to propel Zimbabwe to 289, a total that could have swelled further if not for a controversial no-ball call that resulted in Sikandar Raza’s wicket.
In response, West Indies lost Chris Gayle early, but a 135-run third-wicket stand between Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels tipped the chase in West Indies’ favour. Late wickets raised hopes of an unlikely comeback for Zim-
babwe, but Rovman Powell’s nerveless cameo helped avoid any last-minute hiccups as West Indies won with an over to spare. West Indies’ hopes hinged on a quick-fire start, but Zimbabwe may have en-
Brendan Taylor celebrates his century against West Indies.(©ICC/Getty Images)
ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Upcoming matches: Tuesday, 20 March UAE v Afghanistan (S6), Old Hararians Wednesday, 21 March Windies v Scotland (S6), Harare Sports Club · Thursday, 22 March UAE v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club · Friday, 23 March Ireland v Afghanistan (S6), Harare Sports Club) Sunday, 25 March Final; Harare Sports Club
tertained hopes of extending their unbeaten run in the tournament when Chris Gayle was out, slicing to third man off Blessing Muzarabani in the sixth over. But Hope and Lewis saw the shine off the ball and cashed in on any-
thing loose. Lewis did the bulk of the scoring in a partnership of 72 with Hope. But when he played too early, and with hard hands to give Sikandar Raza a simple caught-andbowled chance in the 22nd
West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels goes on the attack during his half-century against Zimbabwe.
over, Zimbabwe sensed an opportunity. This was, however, extinguished slowly as Samuels and Hope went berserk after digging in. The bounce in the track took the Turn to page 18 ►
Jason Holder sent back Cephas Zhuwao and Hamilton Masakadza early on. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)
Guyana Jaguars cricket team give help to Pike Street fire victim THE National senior cricket team Guyana Jaguars came together once again, this time in a charitable effort in assisting a victim from the terrible Pike Street, Kitty fire which engulfed at least four houses almost two weeks ago. The recipient of the collaborative donation was Angela Dominic, a widow and mother of three. Most of her house was razed by the early morning inferno. However, the garage of the building was not destroyed and without any options left pertaining to living accommodations, Dominic and her children are living in the garage under less than favourable conditions. The donation, which was pledged by the team as a group under captain Leon Johnson, was handed over yesterday morning in Pike Street. It was a cheque for a sum which the Jaguars wish would remain undisclosed. The pledge was made after Guyana Jaguars’ Steven Jacobs had organised for a donation drive on radio programme ‘Sports Vybz’ on NCN’s
Vybz 100.1 FM. Jacobs, who happens to be Dominic’s neighbour, told Chronicle Sport that he felt it was his civil duty as a citizen to help in any way that he could; so he used his network to come up with the donation drive. Meanwhile, Johnson said that the entire team felt the devastation that the victims would have gone through; “Steven, being their neighbour, asked members of the team to pitch in something. The response was great; not only from the franchise but from everyone who would have contributed thus far.” He reiterated that if there are persons out there who are willing to help in any way possible, they should step forward. So far Dominic has said that she has been getting contributions in various forms - cash, foodstuff, clothing and even materials to begin rebuilding her home - some- Captain of the Guyana Jaguars, Leon Johnson, hands over the thing for which she is very grateful. donation on behalf of his team to victim of the Pike Street fire, Angela Dominic. (Samuel Maughn photo) (Michelangelo Jacobus)
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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018