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Guyana-Venezuela border case in good hands –– Sir Shridath says PAGE
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‘Green’ tourism 03 poised to help sustain indigenous villages PAGE
Four more nabbed in carjacking probe 10 PAGE
Windsor Estates residents at odds with developer 08 PAGE
Local artiste, Blaze Anthonio and Sir Shridath Ramphal share a light moment as acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge looks on (Adrian Narine photo)
No coming back for India signals interest in Dynami c Ai r ways 05 local oil block, buying oil –– Civil Aviation head predicts PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Blaze Anthonio goes patriotic launches 'Guyana Our Own' single
LOCAL artiste Blaze Anthonio in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has re-
leased a new song aimed at bringing more awareness to Guyanese, particularly youths, on the
Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. The song was released at the National Communications Network (NCN) studios on Thursday. The artiste, speaking in the presence of acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and legal luminary Sir Shridath Ramphal,
said the song in a nutshell captures the spirit of all Guyanese. “Guyana is our own and we must be proud of it,” the young artiste said. The song was produced by New York-based Guyanese, Ridwaan Razaak, who is also making a name for himself on the international scene. The collaboration with the government was something new to Anthonio and
Dangerous driving accused on bail NARSINGH JAGASAR who was charged three weeks ago and remanded to prison for causing death by dangerous driving, was on Thursday released on bail when he made an appearance in the Vigilance Magistrate Court. Jagasar is alleged to have driven his minibus BKK 6714 and struck and killed Lydia Rodrigues, an 87-year-old woman, as was heading to church at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara on March 4, 2018. According to a police statement, the minibus was proceeding west while Rodrigues was standing on the northern side of the road. As the minibus approached, Rodrigues reportedly tried to cross the road and was struck by the vehicle. She sustained head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). A breathalyser test conducted on Jagasar showed no trace of alcohol in his system. Jagasar who was represented by attorney Bernard DaSilva was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 and the matter was adjourned to April 5, 2018.
he told reporters that he is grateful for the opportunity. “It is a song for all of you,” said Minister Greenidge, who noted that he was impressed by the lyrics and the time it took to produce the track. He also called for a concerted effort to be made to raise awareness of the song, similar to what was done in the 1970s with Dave Martin’s “Not a blade of grass”. Sir Shridath said “Guy-
ana our own” bridges generations as it brings home the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy matter to the young generation of Guyanese. “It is an honour, not just a pleasure to be a part of this new rendition,” Sir Shridath said. The song can be heard on NCN radio as well as community stations across Guyana. A video of the single is being planned.
Major road closure for roundabout works THE Guyana Police Force has informed the public that the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic for continuous road works at Kitty Roundabout on 2018-0323 from 08:00hrs until further notice. Camp & Carifesta Avenue - No entry East Kitty Public Road and Vlissengen – No entry West David Street & JB Singh Road – No entry North Ø Vehicles proceeding west on Kitty Public Road are advised to turn south into Vlissengen Road Ø Vehicles proceeding north on Camp Street are advised to turn east into Thomas Lands. Ø Vehicles proceeding north on JB Singh Road are advised to turn east into David Street Ø Vehicles proceeding east on Young Street are advised to turn north on Camp Street then east into Seawall Road. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Guyana-Venezuela border case in good hands
–– Sir Shridath Ramphal LEGAL luminary, Sir Shridath Ramphal has expressed high confidence in the legal team that will represent Guyana in the border controversy case involving Venezuela at the International Court of Justice, saying Guyana is in good hands. Sir Shridath expressed these sentiments during a live interaction with reporters in the National Communication Network (NCN) studios, Homestretch Avenue, George-
town on Thursday. The team successfully represented Guyana in the Suriname border controversy case several years ago. “Guyana our own,” a song released by local artiste Blaze Anthonio, aptly captures the spirit of Guyanese, said Sir Shridath, who is Guyana’s chief legal adviser in the Guyana-Venezuela controversy. The border controversy stemmed from a quarrel between Britain and Ven-
ezuela and Sir Shridath affirmed that “now we are going to put an end to it”. Minister Greenidge, in providing an update on the matter, said the next step is for the case to be formally put to the ICJ which will be done shortly. Late January this year, Guyana welcomed the decision by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres to refer the border controversy to the ICJ and President David Granger said he looks forward to the re-confirmation of the 1899 Arbitral Award regarding Guyana’s western border.
In a special address to the nation, President Granger said Guyana remains confident in the correctness of its case. The controversy arose out of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award was null and void. “Guyana will pursue the path ahead in furtherance of the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity with quiet confidence and with the assurance in ever-improving relations with its neighbours--Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela,” the President said.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge addresses the media as Sir Shridath Ramphal looks on (Adrian Narine photo)
'Green' tourism poised to help sustain indigenous villages EVEN as tourism heavyweights met in the capital city for discussion on the topic of sustainable tourism, ministers of the government and other heads took the delegations on a visual trip to the interior region of Guyana, demonstrating its potential for ‘green’ tourism. Speaking on ‘Community Tourism as a Source for Sustainable Livelihood’, Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock addressed those gathered for the 24th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-level Authorities of Tourism, yesterday. Allicock told the tourism heads hailing from the Organization of American States (OAS) that there are 215 indigenous villages throughout Guyana which, through sustainable economic activities, can experience rapid development. He said that the communities deep in the heart of Guyana are in need of
enterprises which provide jobs and economic options as well as the confidence to take charge of their own future. However, he cautioned that in the exploitation of the country’s natural resources, harm should not come to the living environment of the indigenous people. “[This will] help the indigenous people to continue not only to benefit by earning, but also to help the natural environment to be intact as a sustainable area for continued livelihood,” he said, adding: “If communities are empowered to decide what and how they share with the outside world and directly benefit from doing so, the tourism product will be both authentic and sustainable.” Meanwhile, Director of Resource Management and Training at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Raquel Thomas-Caesar spoke on the matter of ‘Tourism and Protected Areas.’
Thomas-Caesar recommended that portions of the gains received from the oil and gas sector be injected into the sectors of eco-tourism and renewable energy which need to be pushed ahead. She established that there are many opportunities for Guyana to take its position in the eco-tourism arena, highlighting Iwokrama as one of such which she says is well positioned to benefit from several prospects such as community tourism. The 1 million acres of intact tropical rainforest is located in the centre of Guyana; just north of the Rupununi Savannah and is one of five protected areas in Guyana managed by its own protected areas legislation. However, positioning Guyana to becoming an eco-friendly destination would require investment in the country’s protected areas by means of management, maintenance, infrastructure development, security, public education and affordable
airfares, Thomas-Caesar explained. Finally, speaking on the ‘Role of Policy in the Development in a ‘Green’ Tourism Destination’ was Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin who said that Guyana is in the process of formulating a national policy which will change its approach to ‘green’ tourism. He said that as Guyana is about to embark on a Green State Development Strategy as a part of its 2030 vision of an inclusive green and prosperous state, these actions will change the way in which the country defines its tourism product. “Nature has blessed Guyana with the perfect ingredients for becoming a green tourism destination and human activity; ungoverned, unfettered and unchecked can only result in the degradation of this high-value asset… “… human activity that is targeted, planned and regulated can realize the value of the green state for the benefit
of our people, not just current but for generations to come,” Gaskin said. He continued by stating that this is where the rule of policy interjects and that if the country wishes to become a green state, then its policies must be designed to achieve outcomes of green tourism destination. The business minister referred to green tourism as a “niche” which experiences stiff competition among other established tourism destinations and in order for Guyana to stand out, it must carve an authentic identity for itself. This means that Guyana’s green tourism destination would need to be validated by the visitors rather than simply by the country alone. He noted that the Green State Development Strategy will enable the government to formulate a national tourism policy which will serve to guide decision-making and actions with the public sector on issues affecting the growth of tourism. It will
also increase the confidence of the private sector through specific commitments made to the sector by the government. Finally, the minister said that it is not the coast where most of Guyana’s attractions lie but rather in the vast remote hinterland of the country. “This is the part of our country that we want to showcase to our visitors. This is where we have our forests, savannahs, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, mountains and our rich diversity of flora and fauna. “These are the sparsely populated areas with hundreds of communities and these are areas that are hard to reach…tourism can be a game-changer for these communities,” he stated. Guyana’s national tourism policy is expected to be completed within the next few months; government hopes it will become a toolkit for the development and growth of the nation’s tourism sector.
ExxonMobil to host oil spill response presentation in Region Two ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) in partnership with the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be hosting an Oil Spill
Response presentation on Monday, March 26 in the Council’s boardroom in Anna Regina. According to a release from the Regional Chairman’s Office, a senior inter-
national oil spill response expert will be making the presentation commencing from 9:30 hrs. Major stakeholders, including members of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce, residents and
officials from both the private and public sector, will be in attendance. This will be one out of many presentations held by EEPGL within Region Two to educate persons about
what is happening in the oil and gas sector and the possible effects it may have on them. At the last stakeholder scoping meeting for Liza Phase 2 held in Region
Two at the Cotton Field Secondary School, many persons raised concerns over oil spills and how well equipped is Guyana as a country to deal with such eventualities.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Lindo Creek COI...
‘Crime scene was compromised; removal of bodies poorly managed’- Dr. Nehaul Singh STATE Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh has said the charred remains of the Lindo Creek Massacre victims should have been separated to allow for
eight separate Post- Mortem Examinations (PMEs) to be conducted with support from a Forensic Anthropologist. On Thursday, he testified before the Donald Trotman-led Commission, which was appointed by President David Granger to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of eight miners – Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong – whose charred remains were discovered at Lindo Creek in the Upper Berbice River on June 21, 2008. The state pathologist was initially identified to conduct the post-mortems but was subsequently replaced by a Jamaican team contracted by the Government at the time. Fielding questions put to him by the Commission’s Legal Counsel Patrice Henry, Dr. Singh, from an expert’s perspective, said that the remains should have been managed effectively to avert any disaster. “…you got to be careful how you are removing these
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things (the remains). The problem is you need to get it separated as much as possible, you just can’t go and scoop them up and put them in a bag, and bring them. You are not selling mangoes,” he told the packed chamber at the Department of Public Service. Dr. Singh said had it been him, he would have had eight sets of remains ahead of the post-mortems. “You must see an outline, there would be an outline unless they were totally burnt like if you had a cremation but I saw bones…so you put them separately, so it’s easier to examine, and that would have been the best way to do it…,” he told the Commission. To complement his work, the state pathologist said he requested the assistance of a forensic anthropologist. A proposal was put to the Commissioner of Police Henry Greene to bring in a forensic anthropologist from the U.S, who was interested in
Carl Jacobs, who had previously told the Commission that a Coroner’s Order was prepared to be submitted to the assigned pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. According to Dr. Singh, on Sunday June 22, 2008, he was contacted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Superintendent Edgar Thomas, informing him that eight miners had been murdered at Lindo Creek, and his service was required. The pathologist managed to pull a team together including two mortuary attendants and a notetaker. At around, o9:30hrs that day, he recalled being picked up at home, and then travelling to Ogle, and then to Timehri where they departed via plane to Kwakwani in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice). They were then transported via helicopter to the UNAMCO trail. At the time, Dr. Singh’s team was accompanied by senior ranks of the GPF and the Guyana
State Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh
he agreed with me and said doc you nah gun make it. So the older folks stayed back,” the pathologist recalled. Though Dr. Singh did not go to the crime scene, he sent one of the mortuary assistants to accompany the members of the Joint Services. Close to two hours after, they came back with photos of the remains, Dr. Singh said, noting that he was informed that the remains would have been brought out from the
A packed chamber during the public hearing on Thursday
the case, but according to Dr. Singh, he did not get a feedback. Asked whether it would be wise to exhume the remains at this point, Dr. Singh responded in the negative. “I doubt it. After 10 years those bones might have already disintegrated, you wouldn’t find anything. It would be very difficult,” he posited. Meanwhile, in the initial part of his testimony, the state forensic pathologist told the Commission that he was originally earmarked to conduct the autopsies – corroborating the testimony of retired detective
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Defence Force (GDF) along with Courtney Wong, a relative of one of the deceased who was familiar with the camp site at Lindo Creek. Through the rain and heavily vegetated and rough terrain, the pathologist recalled going off trail for more than one hour before arriving at the first camp. “When we arrived at the camp, Mr. Wong said ‘oh, oh, they moved camp.’ So I said move camp to where? He said ‘doc, it is up a hill and you got to cross two creeks…I said bro, I really can’t make that one, and
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interior location on another day. According to him, after returning to Kwakwani from Lindo Creek he had discussions with a Major from the army regarding arrangements for them to return to the crime scene by helicopter on Tuesday June 24, 2008 to allow for the post-mortem examinations to be done. Dr. Singh told the Commission that he had informed the then Prime Minister and Acting President, Samuel Hinds of the arrangements during a late night high-level meeting at his official
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residence on June 22, 2008. To his surprise, the pathologist said he learnt via the news that the remains had been brought out. “On Monday I was at home looking at the news and I heard that they had brought all the bones out and I said ‘good for them, less work for me,’” he recalled. On Thursday June 26, 2008, Dr. Singh said he was informed by the Commissioner of Police that a team from Jamaica would be conducting the PMEs. “Then on Thursday, I got a call from the then Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and he said to me, Dr. Singh the Government is going to fly in a team from Jamaica with pathologists and crime scene people. I said to him that I am not going to be observing anybody. I have work to do, let them do their job,” he said. Offering clarity to Commission’s Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) Donald Trotman, the state forensic pathologist made it clear that he was not prepared to observe anyone, and opted not to be a part of the investigation at that stage. “I don’t have a problem with people coming, let them come and let us work together, I mean two heads are better than one, and I am willing to work with anybody but I am not going to be subservient to anybody,” he stated. He said the following Tuesday, he was visited by the Jamaican team led by an Indian national. It was the Indian national whose name was inserted above Dr. Nehaul Singh’s scratched out name on the Coroner’s Order. According to him, upon being visited by the team, they had a discussion and he showed them to the morgue and introduced them to his staff before taking his leave. Dr. Singh, a medical practitioner since 1988, is the Head of the Department of Pathology at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). With degrees in Medicine and Pathology, he also lectures at the School of Medicine at the University of Guyana, and serves as a Professor of Pathology at the Greenheart University and the Texila Medical University. To date, he has conducted approximately 25,000 post-mortem examinations.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Caribbean still to tap full tourism potential -CTO head By Lisa Hamilton THE Caribbean region is yet to tap into the full reserves of its tourism potential, thus proving itself as a front-runner among other world-wide competitors, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Hugh Riley has said. Coming out of the 24th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-level Authorities of Tourism which began on Wednesday at the Marriott hotel, Riley spoke to the media on the matter of building resilience in the tourism-dependent Caribbean. The CTO Secretary-General established that the business of tourism is a highly competitive one and as more persons begin travelling internationally, it is the responsibility of the region to position itself to benefit and grow from these conditions. Tourism, he said, is the economic driver of the Caribbean, employing nearly 2.5 million persons in the region while contributing between 50 and 60 billion dollars to the regional coffers yearly. “To the extent that we can do a better job of bringing more people and bringing more profits into the Caribbean, it’s helpful to increas-
GCAA Director, Captain Egbert Field ing the standard of living that we have and relieving poverty,” he said. However, Riley pointed out that tourism in the Caribbean cannot thrive on its own, but requires connectivity through intra-Caribbean tourism through means of twin destinations and multi-destination tourism, which he said is yet to be properly explored and implemented. “We have to fix the connectivity. We have to reduce and remove some of the barriers to entry that we have. Hassle-free travel around the Caribbean is one of the goals of which all of us are
involved in [sic] tourism planning and promotion,” he outlined. The Secretary-General said that it is the sixth consecutive year of increases in numbers to the Caribbean with 2017 seeing just over 30 million visitors to the region, a larger number than ever before in its history. However, compared to the rest of the world, Riley says these numbers are not increasing as fast as they ought to in a region with the advantage of a wide diversity of tourism which is why togetherness remains key. “We’re never going to reach the full potential though if we try as individual countries to make our voice heard. We have a responsibility to do that as individual countries…but if we ever pooled our resources…we would then have the opportunity to make a louder noise, to really go out into the market with the impact that we absolutely need,” he stressed. A conflict, however, exists with the CTO which wishes to increase the amount of air-travel through means such as reduced airfares while the aviation community aims to benefit from the said increase in travel. Riley said that almost all of the airlines of the Caribbean are members of the CTO
CTO Secretary-General Hugh Riley which enables the body to regularly interact with these carriers for discussions on barriers which may pose divisions to the two sectors. “We discovered that what’s preventing us from growing the intra-Caribbean travel to its full potential fall into the categories of legal and regulatory; safety and security issues; the economics of travel…and the passenger experience,” the CTO Secretary-General explained. Fortunately, deliberating on these issues and more will be representatives from 192 member states worldwide during the International
No coming back for Dynamic Airways –– GCAA head predicts in light of poor local customer service
HEAD of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Captain Egbert Field does not fancy Dynamic Airways’ chances of ever making a comeback on the local market. He gave as his reason for making such a dire prediction the relatively poor service the company provided its local customers, and its not having enough money to reimburse those passengers who would have been affected by its pull out of the country. Captain Field made the foregoing observation recently, given that mere weeks after exiting its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection status, the American carrier is already thinking about rebranding and adding to its existing fleet out in the US. Field told the Guyana Chronicle that since Dynamic stopped operating here, the government has been saddled with picking up the tab of reimbursing those passengers it would have inconvenienced. But with the $40M bond the company lodged as surety being woefully inadequate
to service that debt, the government is now left to source the additional funding needed to pay off those passengers in full. Dynamic made its final flight out of Guyana last October, and left it to the travel agents to inform those passengers it would have left behind that they needed to officially write the company asking for a refund. But according to Captain Field, in spite of doing as advised, those passengers are yet to receive a dime, because the government is busy trying to source the additional money needed to avoid having to pay them in parts. “If we wait on Dynamic, the passengers may never get back their money, or it may take months before that happens,” Field said, adding that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is currently dealing with the matter. He said that in addition to having to find the extra money to make the payout, the government is also worried as to how it will reclaim its money from Dynamic after settling
its debt. As to the future of the airline where Guyana is concerned, Field said: “We definitely will not be entertaining them…unless they come really good.” He said that after all the issues the country had with Dynamic, he doubts whether any application of theirs will ever be taken seriously. Dynamic recently announced that as of March 8, it was out of bankruptcy protection, and would be developing its ACMI charter business under its Eastern Air Lines brand. According to CH-Aviation, the Swiss-based civil aviation news site, Dynamic, in its reorganisation plan, said it would continue to provide charter flights to rebuild its finances, since it sees “substantial unmet public/market need for carriers with wide-body convertible aircraft.” The company has reportedly already begun seeking permission from the American Department of Transportation to increase its fleet beyond the current limit of five “large aircraft” to ten.
Dynamic was also quoted as saying they have the infrastructure and ability to operate 10 aircraft. Sources say that the Guyanese market remains an extremely lucrative one, and that with an upcoming oil and gas sector and an international airport being constructed to accommodate larger widebody planes, Guyana’s strategic location between the Caribbean, South, Central and North America, the country may very well remain an ideal operating destination. Several airlines and charter companies, some out of the US, have been among the numerous operators that have sought to tap into the lucrative Guyanese route. Charter companies in particular have, however, failed miserably at providing reliable, consistent service to the Guyanese public, particularly on the Georgetown-New York route. Guyanese have been subjected to bad service, and paying exorbitant prices when air transport is limited.
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport Conference which will be held in Guyana in November. Speaking on the sidelines with Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field, he related to this newspaper that tourism and aviation go hand-in-hand and that the CTO would be invited to the year-end conference for further discussions on the said issues faced. “We’ll be inviting them because both tourism and air-travel; they are linked together like Siamese twins. One cannot go forward without the aid of the other…one will benefit the other. Increased tourism will benefit increased travel,” he stated. Speaking on the matter of air-travel becoming more economical, Field said that the possibility existed but would be determined by
several other factors. “Any time you have increased uplift which means increased airlines or increased movement of aircraft available to individuals, then there is competition and that should help to bring the price down,” Field explained, adding: “It would not go below the operating cost of the airline but there should be some amount of margin that can be moved to a lower level, thus encouraging people to fly more.” Based on the covered and upcoming agenda of the 24th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-level Authorities of Tourism being hosted in Guyana, the GCAA Director says that the upcoming Air Transport Conference will surely benefit the discussions.
Editorial
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Child rights protection
To Guyana’s credit much work has been done on child rights. Among the first things done by the Government of Guyana was that of a laser beam attention to education. Guyana stood out among her counterparts, in the Caribbean and further afield, in early childhood education which was initially at 3 years-nine months. More schools were built allowing for greater accommodation of children. At the post primarily level the then common entrance school examination was used to place students in schools based on their evaluated intellectual ability and interest. In recognition of secondary education the programme was expanded and augmented beyond the known schools, inclusive
of the so-called elite, that only carried specific curriculum to include the multilateral and community high schools. The multilateral secondary curriculum allowed for expression and pursuing of academia based on interest and ability, whereas the community high was geared toward the more technically inclined, with opportunity presented at the 4th form to sit an examination to enter into the secondary school. With the nationalisation of schools, in addition to it allowing all to benefit from a national education programme designed by the Government, it also aided in eliminating any child being discriminated against in attending a school based on religious ideology. Prior to public education some schools were managed by religious denomination.
There were instances where having access could not be done based on the child’s religion or the family or child having to ‘convert’ in order to gain admittance. Where newly independent Guyana embraced religious freedom and pursued universal education as important to nation-building, continuing the practice of acceptance or rejection to an educational institution based on religion would have been a double-standard.In the area of economics some expenses were offset by the State through various measures. The State assumed responsibility for programmes such as free uniform, textbooks, meals, transportation, and tuition free education from nursery to university. A young post-colonial society, which at independence was met with high
unemployment and limited economic opportunities, taking some financial responsibility of the family and placing it at the State had two fold benefits. In the sphere of the family it eliminated economic stressors and served as motivation to ensure the child pursue an education. In regard to the State it ensured creating an educated society equipped with skills and talents need for development. The tier-ship or rather discrimination in the legal system and ‘shame’ in the society that children were subjected to because they were not born in ‘wedlock’ was removed through repealing of the law that referred to such child as ‘bastard’ and not entitled to inheritance from the father. This labelling would have been applicable to children whose parents
Ramnarine’s address on the seawall killings Dear Editor,
THE acting Commissioner of Police has made an address to the public but has failed to address the contentions that surround the incident in question. The Police Force has standard procedures on the engagement of ‘suspects’ and as far as I am aware, justified entrapment even of a criminal operation and execution by snipers is not one of them, and that is what transpired. The acting Commissioner alluded to the melodramatic ‘warns of possible retribution unless escaped accomplice captured’ so, this is Rambo? The fictional movie character because it cannot be the ‘Fine Man’ gang, they’re in jail or dead. If this escaped accomplice exists, place a wanted bulletin in the media as procedure dictates, or is this a projection towards another execution? The question here is not the guilt or innocence of the three dead men. The
ignorant machismo Facebook display by any suspect grants the creation of a profile, not the impetus for an extra-judicial killing, or a level that permits a military application of certified shooters [snipers]. There is an old police way of analysing as captured in the letter by Ret. ASP Clinton Conway who referred to police deaths during the years 2002-2008 but there is a dossier of unexplained police executions preceeding that period, called extra-judicial killings. Recognized by organisation like Amnesty International, led by the Quick Reaction Group followed by the Target Squad, and the Drug Cartel phantom groups that the then GPF accommodated, and even before them when the media carried the ‘stock explanation’; “He attacked the police with a cutlass.” ‘We’ in the media and the GPF owe this country a sane way forward, not stagnant counter-productive method
that will be tested in this or a different age. The potential for losing control lies with the compromising of standard procedures, especially when human lives are concerned. Errors will be exposed like the lie about Assanah’s criminal record, one lie leads to another, it is not with arrogance that Mr. Ramnarine must proceed, but with confident professionalism. I want to conclude by referring to a conversation I recently had with a senior officer when I outlined my concern based on evidence of the effects of questionable killings by ranks. I will refer to a late friend, Sgt Brian Cummings who was part of one such squad. I spoke to him in the months before he died--he had become an alcoholic--he confessed that he couldn’t sleep; events and faces kept recurring, he was not the only one. The last time we spoke was on the Veeran Veerapen killing. Pen was a
media colleague, which was staged to look like a suicide, Brian told me “tell me what you’ve found out, you’ll be protected” there was a witness, and what she relayed to me involved a member of the Target squad. When I explained to him, the most we did was look at each other and remained silent. This current matter and its unexplained elements will not go away, if this is what the acting Commissioner brings to the table, then he is found wanting, it is not citizens alone you are accountable to, but the minds and mental welfare of policemen and above all, the Laws of Guyana. There are precedents, scenarios and information, vetted and known also by the media that we want to remain in the past. This time of 2018 must continue towards a better day. Regards Barrington Braithwaite
did not have a registered marriage, which meant it included all across the ethnic divide. This holistic approach to education, as examination shows in its multi-prong approach, aimed to leave no child behind. With the child's psycho-social and economic wellbeing taken care of, education became one of the nation’s greatest equaliser. More importantly in the area childhood development that sense of equality and assurance that irrespective
of a child or the family socio-economic status their God-given talent will be allowed to bloom and grow, and he or she can be whatever he or she wants to be. In that some of these economic and supplemental benefits as stated above are no longer available, some of which were aborted during the period of economic downturn, do not prevent examination of new ways to ensure children are not denied an education in keeping with their ability.
GRDB 10 is a Guyana Rice Variety developed by GRDB THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has noted an article appearing in the Thursday March 22nd, 2018 edition of the Guyana Times newspapers, captioned “Bumper crop for Black Bush farmers…” The article stated, inter alia, that, “…the hybrid strain referred to as GRDB 10 is a hybrid from Brazil”. GRDB states that GRDB 10 was developed in Guyana and released for commercial cultivation in 2009 by the Guyana Rice Development Board. Since its release, GRDB 10 has gained the acceptance of farmers and is now being cultivated in over 50% of fields per crop across rice producing areas. This variety matures between 106112 days after sowing and has been producing a grain yield of 40-45 bags per acre or 6.8-7 tonnes per hectare consistently in farmers’ field since it was released. Prior to its release, famers were
harvesting between 32 to 38 bags per acre of 5-6 tonnes per hectare. It is resistant to rice blast disease (Pyricularia grisea) and has excellent milling and cooking qualities. Guyana Rice Development Board has an ongoing research and development programme for improving rice varieties and, since the release of GRDB 10, has released four other varieties viz., GRDB 11, GRDB 12. GRDB 13 (Aromatic) and GRDB 14 for cultivation. The GRDB team and farmers are currently in the final stages of releasing a new and improved line of rice for commercial cultivation following successful on-farm trials across the rice producing areas. This new and improved variety is expected to be released in time for the second crop 2018 cultivation. Regards, Guyana Rice Development Board
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Too many Guyanese are unaware Wake up and smell the coffee Town Clerk of the condition of depression Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
THE Caribbean Voice (TCV) agrees with Ms Bonita Harris that Ms. Alecia Patterson displayed ‘courage in speaking frankly and publicly on the depression she suffered’, especially given that Guyanese are very reluctant to speak out about their experiences with mental health issues on the whole. Many of our members have or are currently dealing with depression but the sad reality is that too many Guyanese are unaware of the condition, even when they personally face it. As someone who has lived with depression all my life, I can say with certainty that depression is like a parasite...it is difficult to dislodge, even when life conditions seem to indicate that there are no grounds for it. It stays hidden, always emerging to the fore when circumstances feed it. Until TCV became involved in our current anti-violence campaign, I was woefully unaware of exactly what I was facing. Now, however, there is self-awareness and thus an
understanding that enables me to wrestle control. But each second, each minute, each hour and each day is a struggle not to give in; a struggle to stay engaged even in life’s fundamental needs such as maintaining basic health and hygiene, staying focused on errands and goals, remaining socially and creatively engaged, and a struggle to not let the darkness become overpowering and order transformed into a frightening, endless maze. However, as strong as a person can be, there is always this niggling fear that at any instant the will can become weakened enough to plunge one into a bottomless pit from where there is no upward surge, and finality steps in. It is in this pit that even those with literally everything--fame, power, wealth, celebrity status et al-engage in that last fatal act. Since the launch of our anti-violence campaign, TCV has been placing tremendous emphasis on depression, which is not only one of the two states (the other being anxiety) that directly lead to suicide, but which is also a growing prob-
lem worldwide. Only recently it was revealed that depression has been on the increase even in developed nations like the US. And we all know that it certainly is an increasing problem in Guyana and other developing nations. Consequently, while awareness building is critical, NGOs like TCV can only do so much. Thus, in addition to the need for more work in this respect by the government, the media also has an important role to play. More articles like the one about Ms. Alecia Patterson are needed and more people are urged to come forward and share their experiences, either with the media or with NGOs like The Caribbean Voice. Confidentiality is always guaranteed. The Caribbean Voice can be reached at caribvoice@aol. com or via phone at 718-5424454 (North America) and 664 1152/646-4649 (Guyana). Please contact us so we can help you [to] help yourself or your loved ones. Regards Annan Boodram The Caribbean Voice
Give the coins Dear Editor, I HAVE observed from time to time whenever I receive money from a particular renowned money transfer agency, its agents would not give the coins if
the transaction so warrants it. On several occasions on checking after receiving my money and realising the coins not given, I have to go back to the agent. Agents of these agencies should
not decide persons do not want the coins due them from their transactions. To do so is open to all kinds of interpretation and speculation. Regards Shamshun Mohamed
EACH time the Town Clerk of Georgetown dispatches a long-winded vacuous epistle to the letters column of the local dailies, it serves no other purpose but to aggravate further an already irate citizenry. One wonders if it is deliberate, to let them know that he can and will do whatever he pleases and they can ‘Like it or Lump it.’ The Town Clerk knows that the most recent purported ‘election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor’ would better be referred to as the ‘selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor’ which is done by a caucus of select Councillors prior. And therefore to say that the Deputy Mayor was not returned by virtue of a democratic process is simply egregious. In fact, the denial of the ‘No Confidence motion against the Town Clerk’ which allows him to continue in his seat is the epitome of autocracy instead of democracy. Undoubtedly, the AFC
has been kicked to the curb at City Hall, and every intelligent person knows that. But the biggest and sickest joke so far must be his statement that It is public knowledge that within recent times some members of the council have been using their voices to disseminate inaccurate information and even fake news to adversely affect the image and reputation of the council, to erode public confidence and trust in its work, and to undermine its authority, while others have been making efforts not only to improve the work of council but also the quality of life in the local communities. If this gentleman truly believes that persons are not aware of the graft, corruption, venality, nepotism and financial mismanagement that is ongoing at City Hall, then he is disconnected, lost and out of touch with reality. He then goes on to say that three years ago the city was left to rot. Does he not see that from the City Hall building, Georgetown, and everything else the Council has control over,
continues to rot and rot even more now? And was he not working right there at City Hall for the last thirty years when the city was purportedly left to rot? He further says that they turned around the fortunes of the city. This guy has quite a sense of humor. It was only a few contractors, a few officials of the Council and their relatives whose fortunes were turned around, not the city. Then he talks about ‘new and improved condition of Georgetown.’ What is he talking about? The Stabroek Market wharf that has collapsed, or the market clocks that are not working? The old and unhygienic Abattoir? The City Police Training School that is in rack and ruins, the unfinished Kitty Market, the bad roads and poor street lighting, and the robberies around the dirty and leaking municipal markets? Wake up and smell the coffee Town Clerk. Regards Melissa Chiu
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Windsor Estates residents at odds with developer … Several persons locked out over payment dispute
By Zena Henry HOMEOWNERS of the upscale residential community of Windsor Estates are contemplating legal action against the developer for what they deem as a gross breach of contract and on Thursday they staged a protest at the main entrance of the gated community after they were locked out for refusing to pay their monthly maintenance fee. David and Marva Parker, retirees, who were among those protesting, said they were among the first set of persons to move into Windsor Estates in 2014, at the time when it was still under construction. They said the Windsor contract which was shown to the Guyana Chron-
icle, required them to pay a $10,000 maintenance fee per month after all amenities, which included swimming pool, basketball court, street lights, adequate security among other benefits, were installed. This fee was to be paid for two years with room for an increase after such time. They said despite many of the amenities, such as the pool, and “proper” security not being in place, they decided to pay the $10,000 in “good faith”. It was only six months after that, that the couple said the Estates’ administration demanded an over 30 percent increase in the maintenance fee, while informing residents of an impending increase of five percent per annum over a five-year period. The admin-
istration had also demanded that these new increases be paid at a US rate of G$216 to every dollar. Disagreeing with the new order of the Estates, Mrs Parker said she, in October of last year, calculated the increased maintenance sum at the going US rate which was G$202 at the time and paid the fee. She said her cheque was refused. The woman said when her family tried to access her home through the main gate Wednesday, the electronic card was deactivated, and advice was given to use the unpaved, mud road aback the facility. Another resident, Olive Sinclair, said while she paid the arbitrary increase her electronic card was deactivated because she helped
Some of the homeowners locked outside the compound with their vehicles one of the locked-out neighbours to get into the compound. “I couldn’t stand there and do nothing, seeing policemen and three of them from the (admin) office preventing this woman from entering to go to her home.” Another resident told this newspaper that three arbitrary increases have been demanded from the residents which moved from over $14,000, to almost $16,000 then a compounded increase over five years. He said that while residents must pay these increases, the conditions under the contract have not been met. The man said apart from other issues in his home he expended almost $350,000 to fix two faulty toilets in his home and was given no indication of reimbursement. Mrs Parker took reporters to her home and showed
them a number of faults including leaks through walls and roof, poor tile work, cracking walls and the use of inferior material that has caused deterioration and had to be replaced. Mrs Sinclair said after paying over $20M for her property the problems with the house are endless. Apart from that, the Parkers explained that the “top notch” security the Estates boasted of failed to protect her home or provide any useful information that could have assisted in finding the person(s) who broke into her home, stealing money and jewellery belonging to her family on Mashramani Day. In November of last year, residents said nine vehicles were broken into and the “state-of-the-art security system” had no clear footage of the perpetrators. Windsor Estates developer Danny Sawh told the
Guyana Chronicle that all fees to be paid were disclosed to homeowners via their association. He said as it relates to maintenance the company is subsidising some 30 to 35 percent of the cost. The maintenance cost, he said, covers 24 hours armed security, landscaping, street lights among other things. “There are many other small things we pay for that’s really not our responsibility. As a developer, we build and we turn it over to homeowners.” As it relates to the US rate demand, Sawh said Windsor is a US company and all supplies come from abroad. “All our supplies come from the US so we usually use the US rate. US dollars have to be bought every few weeks to purchase materials from the US,” he said.
Accused of ‘touching’ a minor
A 27-YEAR-OLD MAN appeared in a Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a sexual offence charge involving a minor. It is alleged that Michael Sampson, a physical trainer (address withheld) on February19, 2018 inappropriately
touched the minor while she was at his home. He was granted bail by acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the sum of $75,000 and the matter was adjourned to March 28, 2018.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
India signals interest in local oil block, buying oil INDIA has joined a number of countries which have an active interest in obtaining an oil block in Guyana, said High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam. “India is interested in having an oil block for exploration; there has been correspondence between both Governments, but the process will take its own time,” said the High Commissioner during a press conference at the Indian High Commission on Thursday. India’s interest in having an oil block was shared with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge during their visit to India in January. The High Commissioner said officials of the Ministry of Oil and Gas of India met with the ministers to discuss several areas within the oil and gas industry. Although he was not sure if a formal proposal was
made to the Government of Guyana (GoG) to have an oil block here, Mahalingam said such a proposal is quite possible because their ministries often make direct contact with the relevant local ministries. “It is quite possible that they would have written but we are not aware,” said the High Commissioner, adding that there is definitely an active interest from the Government of India to have an oil block. Since ExxonMobil and its exploration partners, CNOOC Nexen and Hess discovered oil offshore Guyana, companies such as French oil giant Total and others have signaled their interest in exploring for oil. ExxonMobil had in late February announced its seventh oil discovery offshore Guyana, following drilling at the Pacora-1 exploration well. According to reports, ExxonMobil encountered approximately 65 feet (20
High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam (Adrian Narine photo) meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to a depth of 18,363 feet (5,597 meters) in 6,781 feet (2,067 meters) of water. Drilling commenced on Jan. 29, 2018. “This latest discovery further increases our confidence in developing this
Gov’t to beef up child protection programme –– in bid to arrest prevalence of child abuse in Region 10
WITH Region 10 rated as the region with the highest incidence of child abuse for 2017, Director of Child Services Ann Greene told this publication that the government is already putting systems in place to address this development. Greene told the Guyana Chronicle that what is even more disturbing is that of the entire region Linden has proven to have the most recorded cases of child abuse, with neglect being the most prevalent, followed by sexual abuse. Greene said that the findings have come in very useful, as they will help pave the way for instituting measures to tackle this social ill. “It helps us in our programme planning,” she said, adding: “We will be looking at Linden and how we can better things.” One of the factors that were deemed most responsible for the abuse, she said, was poverty. And given that Linden is indeed not doing well economically, and plagued by high unemployment, this might very well be the case. “We got to look at the low-income groups,” Greene said, adding that there may very well be situations where single-mothers seeking employment have no alternative but to leave their children with caregivers whose character may be questionable. There is also the issue of irresponsible parenting, Greene said, particularly among those parents who lack the intellectual
capacity to parent responsibly. Over the years, statistics have shown that Region 10 is the one with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy, a development which prompted the Linden Hospital Complex to initiate a teenage pregnancy clinic to give specialised care to these young mothers. Parental substance abuse and domestic abuse were also listed as other factors contributing to child abuse in Linden. Greene said that one aspect of the work set out in Linden is to continue raising the level of child abuse awareness so that more reports of abuse will be made. She said that because awareness was given priority in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people coming forward to report instances of abuse, but unfortunately, that is not enough. “The reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg,” she said, adding: “Child abuse is done behind closed doors, and when you raise the level of awareness, you will have more reports.” For 2017, the CPA recorded a total of 4,179 cases of child abuse. Of the lot, Region 10 reflected a 22.1 per cent per every 1,000 children. “In every thousand children, 15 are being abused. If you look at last year’s stats data, it also means that every two hours, a child is abused; every day, 11 children are abused,” Greene explained.
key area of the Stabroek Block,” said Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company. “Pacora will be developed in conjunction with the giant Payara field, and along with other phases, will help bring Guyana production to more than 500,000 barrels per day.” Initially, ExxonMobil had projected daily output from 2020 at 120,000 barrels per day. Guyana is entitled to 2 percent royalty and 12.5 percent of the overall production, which amounts to half of the oil profits. The Pacora-1 well is located approximately four miles west of the Payara-1 well, and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block at Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot and Ranger. “Guyana is a new
member of the oil club and the last time when the foreign affairs minister visited India, the officials said they can help in areas of oil and gas but the Government of Guyana has to come and say which area they would like to have cooperation,” said Mahalingam. The High Commissioner pointed out that India’s commitment was also conveyed to President David Granger during his recent visit to India where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top Government officials of India. India had also signaled its interest in buying oil from Guyana when production starts in 2020. The country purchases oil from Latin America and South America. Prime Minister Modi will also be visiting Guyana this
year to conduct more discussions pertaining to bilateral relations with the GoG. “2018 has been a wonderful year so far for India-Guyana relations; India’s Prime Minister will visit sometime in November and December; so it will be a historical year between the two countries,” said Mahalingam. Prime Minister Modi had told President Granger that India is willing to do whatever it can to support Guyana’s development and pointed out that there are many areas for cooperation, particularly in the sugar and oil sectors. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the scale of Guyana-India relations and agreed to continue discussions when Prime Minister Modi visits Guyana later this year.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Four more nabbed in carjacking probe
AS part of a continuing investigation into recent carjackings, police on Wednesday during an intelligence-led operation intercepted two vehicles and detained four persons in ‘A’ Division. The vehicles chassis numbers appeared to have been tampered with and the drivers alleged that they were given the vehicles to operate by a close relative of a suspect who is currently being sought and who is the suspected mastermind of the “carjacking ring”, and another who is on remand having been charged with five counts of receiving stolen property and three counts of imitation of identification mark. Late February, two welders, Ricky Chung,23, and Nigel Chung,42, both welders of Lot 5 Coverden, East Bank Demerara, were jointly charged for alleged carjacking activities. Police had alleged
One of the two cars retrieved by police that the two men between December 17, 2017 and February 10, 2018 fraudulently used a chassis plate (number provided) on a Toyota Spacio which was originally owned by Samuel Munroe, 59, of Lot 2369 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara. And between December 9, 2017 and February 10, 2018 the men also fraudulently used the chassis plate of a Toyota Allion originally owned by Trechel Powers, a cook of Lot 198 Eve’s View, Annandale, ECD. The original chassis numbers of both vehicles were provided to the court. The two men had appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Crime Chief Paul Williams had in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the matter said the breakthrough was as a result of diligent detective work and the launch of timely raids that resulted in the smashing of at least three carjacking rings across the country. He had said too that the police would be targeting some of the vehicles that are working as taxis to see if they are legitimate in terms of their engine and chassis numbers, adding that a number of the vehicles have been linked to other crimes across the country.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Gov’t opens ICT hub in Albouystown –– in bid to help residents become computer-literate By Telesha Ramnarine
THE government on Wednesday officially declared open an Information Communications Technology (ICT) Hub in Albouystown, thereby making 14 Internet-ready computers available to residents there free of cost. The Government of Guyana has indicated that it is not content with simply providing Guyanese with devices to help them access government services via the Internet, but wants to simultaneously
is to establish a total of 426 community hubs countrywide over a period of five years, and the authorities are currently in the process of connecting 120. In its bid to bridge the digital divide between the hinterland region and the coastland, the government proposes to establish 212 of those facilities in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), while the other 214 will be created along
ernment records (birth certificates, land records, etc.) is currently taking place and it is being ensured that all government agencies have websites, Walcott disclosed. Within the next five years, he said, some 200 paper-based government services will become Online services with a view to improving efficiency in the Public Service. Walcott pointed out that it is not enough to just provide a device, but it is equally important that residents be equipped with the knowledge
Schoolchildren getting the hang on things soon after the official opening provide the connectivity and training that are necessary. That’s according to Director of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Mr. Phillip Walcott, who made the observation during the opening of the facility. The community hub, which is located in the compound of the Heavenly Light Church on Cooper Street, will be open to the public from 16:00hrs to 21:00hrs daily. A total of four such community hubs were promised to Constituency 10, with Albouystown awaiting one more, and the other two going to the Charlestown community. Walcott said the hub is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision for all Guyanese, even those in poor and remote communities, to become computer literate. The vision of the NDMA, an agency which falls under the Ministry of Public Telecommunications’ E-Government Department,
the coast. MATTER OF AFFORDABILITY While for some the problem has to do with affordability, there is the issue of connectivity for others, in that while many might be able to afford a laptop or other devices, they may not have Internet connection or be able to obtain a phone signal in the area in which they live. “The President has made it very clear that all Guyanese must be given the opportunity to connect to the digital highway,” Walcott pointed out, revealing that a US$31M project is to be launched later this year, in a bid to extend the reach of the ‘Net’. While the IT providers say it is not economically viable to make huge investments in certain parts of the country, Walcott observed that the government cannot adopt such a viewpoint but ought to provide for people wherever they live. The digitisation of gov-
of how to access the services. “It is amazing how many Guyanese are not equipped with such knowledge,” he said. And he believes that the absence of connectivity and training was what really resulted in the failure of the ‘One Laptop Per Family’ (OLPF) initiative, launched under the previous administration. “The devices are now being used to prop up windows and beds,” Walcott said, as what was needed to make those devices functional was connectivity, which is what many people could not afford. CONNECTIVITY AND TRAINING “We decided on the concept of the ICT hub, because we realised that we could not simply keep distributing devices,” Walcott said, adding that the ICT hub provides both connectivity and training at the same time. He said the mission
Constituency 10 Councillor Malcolm Ferreira (left) with Councillors Carolyn Caesar-Murray and Heston Bostwick
Schoolgirl, Euphoria Caesar cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially declare the facility open. Cheering her on from left are: Pastor Elsworth Williams of the Heavenly Light Church; NDMA Director, Mr Phillip Walcott and Councillor Carolyn Caesar-Murray is to find everyone in Albouystown who is not computer-literate and provide them with free computer training. The same is being done in other poor and remote communities so as to ensure that every resident has access to government services, he said. Meanwhile, Constituency Councillor Malcolm Ferreira called upon stakeholders to support the facility and wasted no time in noting that it
already needs a photocopier, printer and scanner all-in-one machine. The church, headed by Mr. Elsworth Williams, provided the space that was needed for the facility, and Ferreira noted that space is the hardest thing to acquire in the city. He said residents and students will be able to access services that are necessary for good grades. Councillor Carolyn Cae-
sar-Murray, in brief remarks, offered that the new Centre is a demonstration of government’s commitment to ensuring that all students have access to education, with emphasis on information technology. The facility, she noted, will help equip them with skills that will make them more marketable, the councillor pointed out, as she implored the residents to care for the facility.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Tourism confab concludes with Georgetown Declaration By Lisa Hamilton
THE 24th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-level Authorities of Tourism came to a close on Thursday with the adoption of the Declaration of Georgetown, paving the way for tourism advancements in the Americas. During the two-day conference held at the Marriott Hotel, Organisation of American States (OAS) tourism representatives met to discuss matters under the theme “Connecting the Americas through Sustainable Tour-
ism”. The Declaration of Georgetown seeks to connect the Americas through sustainable tourism development in the region. Speaking at the close, Director General of Tourism and National Coordinator of the Congress, Donald Sinclair, thanked the delegates for the passion they poured into the declaration. “It is the first time that Georgetown has been associated with such an important tourism document so we are going to disseminate the Declaration of Georgetown to
ensure that the stakeholders understand the content so that we can begin to execute the aspects of it,” he said. He said too that the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business feels a great sense of accomplishment that the conference was devoid of major glitches. “When we heard that we were hosting it, it sounded like an enormous challenge, In fact, it has been an enormous challenge but we put together an excellent team … there are a lot of unseen persons who did a lot of work to make this happen (and)
we’re grateful to all of them,” Sinclair said. Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, thanked the delegations for their support to Guyana. “Guyana has taken a lot away from this particular congress. We are a very young tourism destination and we have a young tourism industry and a lot of what you said in the presentations has been extremely useful for us. “The experiences of other countries you may take for granted because you’ve done this before. You’ve heard
it before but for us to listen to the experience of more mature destinations is extremely important and very inspiring,” he said. During the afternoon session of the conference, the plenary elected Mexico as the new chair of the 25th Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR) while Jamaica and Panama were elected as vice-chairs. The Mexican delegation reaffirmed their country’s commitment to working towards the development of tourism in the region while both Jamaica and Panama expressed similar sentiments. Paraguay was elected to host the 25th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-level Authorities of Tourism in 2021. The Paraguayan delega-
tion said although Guyana has raised the bar very high, their country will seek to exceed expectations on the advancement of tourism. Paraguay’s decision to host the conference was met with resounding support from counties such as Colombia, Ecuador, Dominica Republic and Nicaragua. OAS Executive Secretary Kim Osborne expressed gratitude to the President and Government of Guyana for successfully hosting the conference. Osborne also presented Minister Gaskin with an ornamental representation of the flags of the various OAS member states and called for a renewed demonstration of shared responsibility to improve tourism in the hemisphere.
Yarakita woman dies in childbirth By Alva Solomon THE efforts of relatives of a heavily pregnant Yarakita, North West District mother to seek medical attention for her were in vain on Wednesday, as the woman died shortly after giving birth to a baby boy. At the same time, relatives of 35-year-old Sherene Abrahams, who gave birth to her sixth child on Monday are upset at the attitude of the com-
own,” a resident told this newspaper Wednesday evening. Reports are that Abrahams’ condition began to deteriorate around midday on Wednesday and her relatives managed to contact the Mabaruma hospital. Doctors at the hospital hurried into the remote area, located on the fringes of the Guyana border with Venezuela. However, when the team arrived around 14:00hrs, the woman had died but the baby was saved. Reports are that an old lady
Yarakita Hill, North West District munity health worker (CHW) in the area who they noted refused to visit the woman even after she was told of her condition. According to reports from the border community outside Mabaruma, Abrahams was experiencing labour pains on Wednesday morning and around 05:00hrs, her relatives contacted the health worker who lives in the area. Reports are that the woman’s relatives visited the health worker a second time around 10:00hrs and reported that the woman was in desperate need of assistance. “They went back to her but she say she had clinic in process and they should get the patient to hospital on their
from the village overlooked the delivery of the baby while relatives assisted. A medical practitioner in the area noted however that Abrahams was told on several occasions that since she had prior complications, her delivery would have to be done in Georgetown. “She refused to travel a few weeks ago,” the medical practitioner noted. She added that Abrahams missed several of her clinic appointments and according to her; this may have led to the community health worker’s refusal to attend to her on Wednesday. The baby boy is being cared for by nurses at the Mabaruma hospital.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
World Customs SG visits Guyana
INTENSIVE interactions between the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in recent months reached a high point in March when the Organisation’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Kunio Mikuriya, paid a two-day visit here. Mr. Mikuriya, who has been serving as the WCO Secretary General since 2009, was in the company of Ms. Sharon Davies, Technical Attaché, Capacity Building Directorate, when he met with Commissioner-General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia, and senior officials in the Customs Excise and Trade Operations on March 19th and 20th. In a release, the GRA said the two sides discussed national and regional support to implement the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agree-
ment which Guyana ratified in November 2015, and Mr. Mikuriya was briefed on the Trade Facilitation status by the GRA. At present the GRA has representation on Guyana’s National Committee on Trade Facilitation. Day two of the visit saw the Secretary-General being guided on a tour of key areas in Customs Operations such as the Entry Processing Unit, wharves and the Scanner operation site. He used the opportunity to interact with Customs Officers stationed at these points, giving them guidance on best practices. Mr. Mikuriya also met participants in the ongoing Customs Officer III Training Programme where he delivered remarks and highlighted the importance of the Harmonised System (HS) training which was ongoing at the time. The HS was developed by the WCO to standardise
tariff codes in accordance with the international best practices. Mr. Mikuriya indicated that HS combined with valuation best practices, rules of origin, trade facilitation and enforcement, constitute some of the core requirements for customs officers in any jurisdiction to effectively carry out their functions. According to the release, the GRA was commended for some of the various customs moderinsation measures already implemented, as the secretary general pledged WCO’s continued technical support and future capacity building assistance to the GRA. In February this year, the WCO completed a Mercator Programme Scoping Mission to Guyana that identified key areas of customs operations where GRA could benefit from WCO’s assistance.
World Customs Organisation (WCO) Secretary-General, second from left, Ambassador Kunio Mikuriya, and other officials
WCO Secretary-General, Ambassador Kunio Mikuriya, second from right, with GRA’s Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia, right, and other officials
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Kwakwani gets improved electricity supply
RESIDENTS of Kwakwani are now benefitting from improved electricity supply, thanks to the commissioning of two new engines by the Kwakwani Utilities Inc (KUI). According to a release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), the
two new 260 kilowatts engines were commissioned at the power station recently and will meet the demands of the community. KUI’s General Manager Fitzhubert McPherson said the new sets will allow for much improvement within Kwakwani.
“When I took over, there were a lot of complaints and people were dissatisfied with the power they were having, cause it was on and off… and the thing is you weren’t notified about the power outage. With that, I sat with the technical guy and I said we have to get this thing right
Persons at the commissioning of the generator sets and we started doing checks and tests,” McPherson said. He foresees the new sets allowing residents to enjoy 24-hours of electricity, a marked difference from the irregular access they previously had. The old engine, he added, was in dire need of overhauling. “We had two CAT sets before; one engine was costing us a lot of money due to a leak it had that was throwing away most of the oil,” McPherson explained. He further said that the decision to purchase the new engines was taken following
a July 2017 study by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. McPherson emphasised that KUI is serious about ensuring the longevity of the new sets and as a result, staff members have already been exposed to training in the operation of the new engines. “We had a transition to get people knowledgeable of the new sets because we don’t want any mishaps. The representatives from Doosan [the engines’ reseller] are here doing on-the-job training, getting the guys them sensitised on how to put the engines on and off. There’s a special way
to do it and deviating from that would cause a lot of problems,” McPherson explained. He expressed hope that at least two members of staff will be exposed to additional training. McPherson anticipates a massive expansion project, thanks to the new engines. While KUI currently serves approximately 1,200 households, the number is expected to grow as the company turns its sights to providing the electricity service to other areas such as West Bank Kwakwani, Jonestown, New Scheme, and Staff Hill.
GRA corrects KN misleading story … says managerial changes in keeping with succession planning THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says recent changes within its management structure are in keeping with succession planning and not targeting persons with “unexplained” wealth as was reported by the Kaieteur News on Thursday. In a blazing headline the newspaper exclaimed “ Customs officials unexplained wealth cited in major GRA reshuffling…” However, in a statement, the GRA clarified that over the last two years it has been constantly rotating staff at all levels. According to the GRA, staff rotation allows for knowledge transfer, encourages employee development, identifies positions the employee may be best suited for and allows for good succession planning.
In keeping with this thrust, four Heads were rotated at the Customs and Excise, Legal, General Services and the Integrated Regional Tax Offices divisions. “It must be noted that the GRA constantly monitors reports of collusion, and bribery and corruption at all levels of the Authority, and not only at the Customs and Excise Division. These reports are investigated by its Special Investigation Unit and thereafter any necessary disciplinary action taken. The Authority would therefore appreciate any information that may be available to this newspaper that may aid in any such investigations.” The GRA also advises that going forward, clarification should be sought on matters relative to the Agency to avoid sensational reporting.
Boy, 16, killed in drinking spree A 16-year-old boy died while seeking medical attention at the Mabaruma hospital after he was stabbed by a man during a drinking spree on Thursday. Reports are that Lawrence Leon and another resident of Koriabo, Barima River, Mabaruma sub-region, were imbibing around 02:00hrs when the two became embroiled in an argument. The man reportedly picked up a sharp object and stabbed the teen to his
back, critically injuring him. Reports are that relatives of the young man attempted to take him to the Mabaruma hospital following the incident. However, the boat’s engine broke down. The young man was subsequently taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after midday on Thursday. Police have arrested the 24-yearold suspect as investigations into the incident continues
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LIAT introduces daily flights –– between Guyana, Trinidad
REGIONAL airline LIAT will from July 1 this year introduce daily flights between Guyana and Trinidad at a cost of US$200. The airline made the announcement on Thursday evening at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. According to the company, the travelling public has the option of flying as far as Antigua and returning to Guyana in the evening as part of the special offer. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin welcomed the move by LIAT and said the special arrangement gives travellers another option in terms of airline choice as well as airport options, choosing between the Eugene F Correia International and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Minister Gaskin said the lack of airlift to and from Guyana has always been an issue, especially in the competitive tourism industry environment. He said if the country is not easily accessible, it becomes a lesser option of choice of travel.
“We recognise that we have to learn and we recognise that we have a lot to do,” he said as he welcomed the new travel arrangement introduced by LIAT. On Thursday, the Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism concluded at the Guyana Marriott. The two-day congress was held under the theme “Connecting the Americas through Sustainable Tourism”. Gaskin said during the forum he heard LIAT’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Egbert Riley mention that the airline “has big plans for Guyana,” including options for connecting these shores with the rest of the Caribbean with easier access to multi-destination travel within the region. He welcomed the ideas of the LIAT official as he noted that Guyana has something to offer in the tourism sector. “We do have an attractive tourism product, it doesn’t need a lot of developing,” Minister Gaskin said, noting that it is one that is natural and pristine.
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin shakes hand with LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Julie Reifer-Jones while Egbert Riley, Head of Sales and Marketing, looks on (Adrian Narine photo)
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Things looking up for Yarrowkabra … residents praise gov’t for boost in infrastructures
By Svetlana Marshall AFTER years of neglect, Yarrowkabra – a community located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway – is experiencing major transformation as government takes steps to boost its infrastructures. Thirty-nine years ago when Edward Benjamin moved to Yarrowkabra, the heavily vegetated community was without basic infrastructure. “There was no road, no school, nothing,” the retired policeman said while pointing out that it was former President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, who had established the community. “We came here on a self-help basis through our leader, Forbes Burnham. He took us out of the office and brought us here to build our own homes, and when
Edward Benjamin approximately 5000 persons-got its first set of asphalted roads, a primary school and an expanded water and electrification programme. “Last year was a bumper year for Yarrowkabra. 2017, that’s when we actually got all of these facilities, roads,
Yarrowkabra CDC Chairman, Corrine Wilson plus for the community. “We have a nursery school but this (primary) school really brought out a lot of children. Before, the children had to walk to school to Dora or Kuru Kururu, or Kuru Kuru College, but now we have about 160 children attending
Ayudele Olutunde Development Bank (CDB). It was built to accommodate 300 children, and comprises sanitary facilities, a canteen, and a staff room for teachers. Additionally, in 2017, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) initiated expansion programmes in the community. The CDC Chairperson explained that while some residents had access to water and electricity, the majority was without. The electrification project is ongoing, and it is expected that within a few months, more of the residents will be supplied with electricity. Though thankful for the projects executed in recent times, Wilson believes that
has outgrown the health post, noting that while the doctor and two nurses do their best, it is only so much they can do. In the absence of a hospital, the Ministry of Health would facilitate medical outreaches to attend to the health needs of the community. However, Wilson believes that it is time the community gets its own hospital. Last week, a medical outreach was conducted in the community by a team of 20 local and international physicians and according to the CDC Chairman, approximately 136 persons turned up for medical attention. Police protection The community is also without a police station or police outpost. “We need a police station or a police outpost in Yarrowkabra because that station (Highway Police Outpost) was really a traffic outpost…They said they make it into an all-purpose station, but when people go there to make reports for things like domestic abuse, they still send them to Soesdyke and Timehri and some of the cases drop because people don’t have money to go so far, so they drop it,” she explained. Yarrowkabra once had an active Community Policing Group (CPG) but its lone vehicle was sent to another lo-
benefit from the establishment of an ICT hub but even though a building was identified, the project has not kicked off. “The building is there; it had power, but the power was taken away from the building last year because of non-compliance, payment,” Wilson further explained. To date, the problem has not been rectified. “A lot of children have school assignments, SBAs and they would have to do those things till in Soesdyke or put a plan on their phones just to get the internet,” Wilson said while explaining the situation faced by the secondary school students and even those attending primary school. Ayudele Olutunde, another community leader, said it is his desire to see the ICT hub established and fully functional. “The ICT hub… it is being held back because the building has no electricity. The first thing I would like to see is electricity put to that building…,” Olutunde told this newspaper. Like Wilson, Olutunde said the ICT hub would be a facility that school-aged children and even adults will be able to utilise for educational purposes. As a leader of the community, he has written to several ministers of government and authorities to have
The Yarrowkabra Primary School (Photos by Samuel Maughn) the houses were finished, he said give the people water and light; we were the first to get water and light here… about 14 or 15 of us,” he recalled. Though several of his colleagues have migrated, Benjamin, who will celebrate his 90th birthday next month, told the Guyana Chronicle that after many years of neglect, he is pleased to see that Yarrowkabra is finally being developed. Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC), Corrine Wilson explained that it was in 2017 that Yarrowkabra--a community with a population of
schools, water, and electricity,” she posited. In October, 2016, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government allocated $90.8 million for the construction of asphalted roads in the community. The main roads leading in and out of Yarrowkabra are now paved. Prior to the completion of the road project, the main roads in the community were of sand. Wilson, who has been living in Yarrowkabra for the past 20 years, said the multi-million dollar primary school, which was completed in 2017, is also a major
the Yarrowkabra Primary School,” she explained. Yarrowkabra is located four miles away from Kuru Kuru, and in the case of Dora, the community is six miles away. It was noted that prior to the construction of the primary school, there were times when parents opted to keep their children at home because they were unable to send them to school. Wilson said more children are attending school now because it is in close proximity to their homes. The Yarrowkabra Primary School was constructed at a cost of $12M through a loan from the Caribbean
The newly paved roads in Yarrowkabra there is much more work to be done. “We have accomplished a lot of things…but we are not fully there,” she told this newspaper. This year, she said residents will be lobbying the government for a hospital and a police station to be constructed in Yarrowkabra. According to Wilson, the population of the community
cation, stalling its operation. But while the construction of a hospital and a police station in the community may be long term projects, the CDC Chairman said she would like to see an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub established in Yarrowkabra as promised. It was explained that last year, government announced that the community would
the issues affecting residents addressed. On Sunday, the residents of Yarrowkabra would meet to discuss the future development of the community. It is Olutunde’s hope that a recreational facility be established in addition to a demonstration farm where the different methods of farming can be explored.
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‘Pageantry is hard work, not a fairy-tale’ Sage advice from former Miss World Guyana delegate, Ariell Ghanie By Michel Outridge IN 2017 the spritely Ariell Ghanie copped Second Runner-up for the Miss World Guyana Pageant. Now, reflecting on her journey, she told The Buzz that her participation in pageantry has made her into a bolder, career driven individual who is set on achieving her goals. Ariell is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Guyana and upon completion, she will return to her hometown of Bartica where she will serve the community. She said her experience as a former delegate was life-changing, so much so it is not just about wearing a sash and smiling a lot but it helps to build confidence and she has learned along the way to cope with competition. The 20-year-old was a model since the age of 14, so walking the stage was relatively easy since she overcame stage-fright since she was younger. But she stated that pageantry was a whole new experience for her. Ariell represented Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in the 2017 Pageant and is an ambassador for the Miss World Guyana 2018 Pageant scheduled for later this year. As such, she is sharing her experience with others in an effort to enlighten young ladies who wish to participate. “Wearing a sash is easy but you have to be able to relate to people. You have to be convincing and set goals and work towards it and be able to manage it all at the same time,” she said. Ghanie’s “Beauty with a Purpose” project was child hunger in underprivileged hinterland areas; a project which is ongoing. The project entails visiting remote communities to ensure they are self-sustained through farming mostly through kitchen gardens. She has since provided residents of the hinterland areas with seeds to replenish their lost crops which were wiped out by flash flooding and encouraged them to establish their own kitchen gardens. This beauty was encouraged to have a fiveyear-plan and work towards it and even after
the pageant she is still at it where she has partnered with the Ministry of Presidency and Civil Defence Commission in the “Feed the Future Guyana Project”. Ariell told The Buzz that pageantry is about beauty, brains and body and when a contestant has these qualities it is a start for them to emerge a winner and she has managed to reach out to other girls to try to encourage them. Back home, Ariell said she was able to impart knowledge to her friends about her experience in pageantry and would often go out and meet people. She was part of a team of ambassadors who went out to St. Roses High School on Monday where they had a talk with students of Form Six. Ariell told The Buzz that pageantry has made her into a more grounded person who is able to manage her time and today, it is safe to say she has become the best version of herself. The lovely Ariell Ghanie
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018 Trevaun won third place on E-Networks’ Spotlight Talent Show
By Telesha Ramnarine TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Trevaun Shenar Selman, a vocalist and guitarist with the MAXX Band, did not really know what career path he wanted to pursue, but he always felt that music was within him. Born to parents Michael and Jacqueline Selman, Trevaun would often hear his mom singing and practising in preparation for church. His siblings, too, Treavin and Zoe Trevaun Shenar Selman
Trevaun taught himself to play the guitar and eventually excelled at it
play the piano and steel pan as a hobby. Born and raised on Oronoque Street, in Georgetown, Trevaun attended St. Gabriel’s Primary and spent his high school years between St. John’s College and Tutorial High. He is now a machine operator at Demerara Distillers
Self-taught Trevaun Selman plays the guitar upside-down Limited (DDL), ensuring the machines work properly during production, thanks to the training he secured in mechanical engineering at the Government Technical Institute. In addition to working with the Maxx Band, Trevaun performs solo at bars, weddings, and other events. He took piano lessons Trevaun (centre) with other contestants on the talent show when he was just about 11 years old and taught performed it on the show and eventually won third place. himself how to play the guitar using some books he had. “I love music; it’s part of who I am. I want this to be “The most interesting thing about me…I play the guitar a full-time career but Guyana is obviously not the place upside-down. I play like a left-hander but the guitar is for that. But I am making the best of whatever is available stringed for a right-hander,” Trevaun expressed in an to me at present,” he said. interview with the Buzz. Trevaun especially likes working with the Maxx He wrote his first song called “Home” when he was on Band as he said he appreciates the differences that the the Spotlight Talent Show that was hosted by E-Networks various artistes bring to it. It is also a good platform in late 2016. Trevaun wrote this song the night before he for him to be able to show off his talent, he said.
Woman in Law Pt 2 for NCC this weekend HAVING dominated Antigua and Guyana over a year with Part One of the highly explosive comedy ‘Woman in Law’, Producer and Writer, Darren McAlmont and cast will return to the stage this weekend with ‘Woman in Law Pt.2 - Trapped in the closet’. The explosive comedy runs from tonight until Sunday where patrons are guaranteed to witness all their favourite actors and comedians like never before. They’ll see the likes of The cast of ‘Woman in Law’ Sonia Yarde, Nathaya Whaul, Two continues the story of the highly raved Clemencio Goddette, Odessa Primus, Sir about production from last year where two Mars, Michael Ignatius and Abigail Brower women are pitted against each other in eager who will provide three nights of bellyful, pursuit of one man’s heart and money while jaw-dropping and feet-stomping laughter at living under the same roof. The storyline is the National Cultural Centre. one that keeps on giving; with lots of plot According to the press release from twists and jaw-dropping elements as the lead Beans Entertainment, Woman-In-Law Part performer keeps stirring the pot to bring the
play to its climax and a resolution that will leave the audience in a temporary state shock. The production is directed by the Mariatha Causeway (Jennifer Thomas) who has
been working hard to pull the best performance possible out of the cast. The show is billed to start precisely at 20:00hrs. Ticket prices for the show are $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 and are available at National Cultural Centre Box Office, Giftland Office Max, Andrews Supermarket, Nigel’s Supermarket, Gizmos & Gadgets and Sir Kirwyn Mars. T h e production comes with the kind compliments of the Giftland Mall.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Talent persists against all odds – The unfinished story of Rudolf Prescod
I KNEW his father before I knew Rudy. His father was the janitor and in charge of sanitation supervision at the Guyana Rice Board where I was employed for some years. We called him ‘Nature Boy’, he had a permanent bad temper and I understood it completely. Between plant, wharf and the bonds, GRB housed some 300 factory staff around, at times, a 24hour shift. We were an unruly crowd, pure waterfront, rough, physical and hardworking- not an easy lot for a sanitation officer to manage to his standard. But ‘Nature Boy’ had the means to do it. I don’t know who the chemist is that created formalin. I later understood that its purpose is to preserve organic specimens in labs, specifically human corpses. ‘Nature Boy’ would saturate the facilities with formalin and we didn’t have to be told it was bad stuff; you entered the squeaky clean toilet facility and ran out immediately. Everyone headed for T&HD, so from time to time, we took complaints against him to our sleepy union representative, Mr Clarke. Rudolph Prescod worked in the welding shop, was polite and cool and always busy, but the first time we took serious stock of Rudy was when the Store Manager showed me a Chronicle Newspaper from a few years earlier (the GRB era was in the mid-1970s) which featured Rudy’s work. He had made some models of military hardware (tanks etc.) that worked. Some years later, Dennis Nichols had done an article that went further, explaining how Rudy had made mechanical toys and sold to Guyana Stores. He had also entered an exhibition in 1972; it was there that his battle tank model received commendations. That was what the store manager took out of his drawer. At GRB we all understood then that he had special talents. I had engaged him back then. We were all young men a few years out of school and I was astonished at the ideas that were flowing through this colleague. His inner world was crafted by innovative ideas about engineering develop-
ments, practical alternatives to more expensive machinery used in the industry across Guyana. The only problem then and now is that Guyana had no systematic initiative that could be referred to for engagement in the context of a mind like Rudolf’s that incorporated any legal system of protection to secure his interests should he collaborate with a would-be investor or the individuals that were running the Institute of Applied Science and Technology [IAST]. The national science facility was run by intellectuals and as far as I was made to understand then from an employee, there was no legal framework to even secure what was done there within a national pool. Some has changed but much still has to be done. After the GRB factory was politically burnt down in 1977, we all drifted into other directions. I recently saw Rudy and we spoke about something he had mentioned to me some years ago and which Dennis Nichols had also mentioned in his article. It was the invention of an ‘Air Engine’ a motor that will generate its energy from air rather than from fossil fuel, this would fit entirely into the innovative ‘Green Guyana’ future that the President is directing Guyana towards, and a landmark local invention. I went to the Campbellville Housing Scheme residence of Rudy to witness a trial of his machine, which he is still perfecting. He showed me the drawings of the prototype, not to say that I easily understood them, but I thought it relevant to tell him not to leave his drawings where his workshop was located. I also told him not to show or leave with any other human being his engineering drawings, which are his life’s work. We discussed the real world of dishonesty and deception when it came to creative work like his. I am still to find out how to go about patenting his material locally, if that is possible, and how he can do that for himself, rather than through a third party. There are other projects that Rudy and his brother are working on. From what he has pioneered in the past represents, if expanded, the launch of a local industry. His
expertise has also produced other Industrial machinery such as a table model circle saw, a drill press, a tap for threading bolts and nuts, and he has produced parts for machinery that include original bolts and nuts. Like most creative minds the business aspect of his operation is not formulated even as a concept to confront the real world of commerce and marketing, but I
shared what I understood is needed with him; that his inventions would have to be tested and vetted to attract the necessary investment that can launch his products into the marketplace as ‘Prescod-Machinery and Spares’ and before that is done his inventions have to be patented and a legal framework must exist to facilitate any collaborations.
LIVING WITH INTENTION Motivational Tour goes to Suriname LIVING WITH INTENTION Motivational Tour has crossed borders to our neighbour Suriname. The first stop was the AlphaMax Academy private school where Noel did the grand tour and had a very interactive session with students and teachers. AlphaMax Academy is a values-based institution of education with an international curriculum that is delivered in English. Well-known reporter Tasha Aveloo was tasked with the introduction of the Philanthropist who has used the fashion platform to inspire lives. Both were very engaging with dozens of
interesting questions from the audience and the last question was from a young man who wanted to know when the world will have the privilege to see the life of Sonia Noel in the form of a movie. That may just be sooner than later. “Dr Noel’s visit to this institution is special and we at AphaMax Academy are very appreciative she intentionally decided to share her story with us. Not only were the students motivated but also the teachers,” said Principal Sean Taylor who is also Guyanese. The Embassy of Guyana in Suriname also hosted a recep-
tion last Friday evening for specially invited guests including members of the Diplomatic Corps. Noel shared with the guests why she decided to write not her books ‘Living with Intention’ and ‘Women Across Borders’ which are both anthologies. Persons were excited to purchase their autographed copy of this inspirational book. The Guyanese Ambassador to Suriname Keith George Turn to page 21 ►►►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page 20
It’s coming down to the Easter Season and there are a lot of parties around town that will boost you up! So don’t be cooped up at home, get your buzz on and get out there! TODAY night.
Club 704 presents “Small Friday” where you get a special price on Corona beers all
Jamaican after work lime is still on at the Tower Suites Pool& Bar! Enjoy bucket specials on Red Stripe beer and Dragon Stout and great deals on Jamaican cuisine. For an after-work hang with friends, you can head down to Cheto’s Hot Spot &Pool Bar where you get to enjoy five Banks beers for $1,000. Enjoy games such as pool, dominoes and darts and also enjoy a wide variety of cutters, fish, chicken and wild meat and DJ mixes all night. TOMORROW Looking for an exciting day of technology fun? Then visit the GTT Innov8 Summit at the Marriott Hotel tomorrow and Sunday from 10:00hrs-20:00hrs A Diverse Display of Technology, Innovation and Gadgets; Hands-on Robotics, Online Gaming and Gaming Tournaments, an Innov8 Award and Cosplay. You don’t want to miss it! DJ Akeelo will be celebrating his birth night in one of the most popular nightclubs: Palm Court. It’s going to epic and it doesn’t get better than live performance by Reggae Singer Mark Batson. Lola Doll presents “Red Bottom Affairs”. Music by Slingerz Family, DJ Cleon Mayjah, Vybz Sound out of Brooklyn NewYork. Live performance by Shelly G. Makeup and cash prize giveaways. It’s all going down at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre Ground. Wine Art and Music: Rewind is the fourth installment of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central’s Wine and Art Event. This year’s event features the best of our Local Visual & Performing artists and Musicians, Cork and Canvas Live Painting Class and a Haitian Cultural Show. It’s happening at the Umana Yana General admission $2,500. Admission and Cork and Canvas Live Painting Class $6,000 Come out on Saturday, March 24th at 13:00hrs at the Pegasus Hotel for the Open Auditions to become the next Miss World Guyana 2018. Who will be next? Majesty International is on the road again to discover the next Miss World Guyana. Are you ready to take the journey? Then come join talented and elite women with love for people and their country. Showcase & promote your beauty, talent, fitness, personal brand and purpose to Guyana and the world. Register now to have your chance at becoming the next Miss World GUYANA!!! You also get to meet the reigning Miss World Guyana Vena Mookram and hear about her journey. Do not miss this opportunity! You must be 17 to 25, natural born female, unmarried, single and full of purpose. Miss World Guyana 2018 will represent Guyana at the 2018 Miss World Competition. Brought to you by Majesty International in collaboration with Guyana Carnival. If you cannot make it to any of the venues - sign up online at www.missworldguyana. gy - deadline March 28 SUNDAY It’s the last day of the GTT Innov8 Summit at the Marriott Hotel from 10:00hrs-20:00hrs A Diverse Display of Technology, Innovation and Gadgets; Hands-on Robotics, Online Gaming and Gaming Tournaments, an Innov8 Award and Cosplay. You don’t want to miss it! For all the makeup lovers it’s the Makeup Show Sip and Shop exclusive event. It’s going down at the Sports Hall Tarmac. Music by Selector Huston and DJ Anesah. Get free makeovers. There will also be lots of prizes and giveaways. Tickets $2,000 and free cocktail on entry.
praised Noel for her love of country and deep interest in inspiring people to meet their full potential. Jomax Restaurant then hosted a book signing and fashion showcase last Saturday evening. The main objective of the tour is to assist people if finding their purpose and to give the world the best version of themselves “This tour has energised me from the feedback received. We intend the take this motivational tour through all ten regions of Guyana, several Caribbean countries and the US. How far we go is heavily dependent on the resources,” Noel said. Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts in collaboration with Lusignan Golf Club will be hosting a fundraising Tea Party and fashion at Lusignan Golf course on Sunday and all proceeds will go to the tour. Other partners are party Castle Rentals and supplies, Starr Party Rentals, Pizza Hut, Beacon Snackette, Delights treats and Country Style. Designers outfits from Sonia Noel, Lorane Sears, Vanda Allicock, Veronica Glenn and hats by Melba La Gadoue.Tickets are available at Makin’ Style Boutique,
Courtyard mall or check out the foundation FB page for details how to support this tour. The New Amsterdam Prison and Linden are next on the Agenda for the tour. Marriott Courtyard Suriname and Integrated Security were two of the partners for the Suriname tour.
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King ready for challenges ahead GROUP Four local and 2017 Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) champion Andrew King is set and ready for this weekend’s National Race of Champions. Piloting his Mazda Rx7, sponsored by Toucan and GTT, King spoke to Chronicle Sport on Wednesday, saying that he was up and running. “It’s the opening event for the year so I ‘kinda’ dusted off the cobwebs and will do some more practice before the event,” he said. “From what I understand a few of the top drivers may not be participating but whatever it is, I’ll be there to take part. I always take my racing seriously so once we get up to line, we should have a good day of racing,” the defending champion added. He noted that winning
the 2017 championship presents no pressure as the year begins, especially knowing that he is the man to beat. “I don’t consider myself being the benchmark at this point in time. There are a lot of people who are faster than I am. I just want to be competing in each and every event.” The King, as he is known among many said, “This (racing) is what I like doing. It’s not going to change and I’ll be competing at whatever events are available and will be taking part in the Caribbean series as well.” Meanwhile, the club has confirmed a 21-race programme for Sunday which is expected to begin at 09:00hrs. It will feature action in both cars and bikes. The event is sponsored by Tropical Shipping, STAG and Mohamed’s Enterprise.
Colts, Guardians sweep 1st and U-23 divisions COLTS Basketball Club and Plaisance Guardians U-23 team were crowned champions of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Knockout tournament after winning their respective ‘best-of-three’ series. Colts followed up their 68-59 win against Nets in the first division on Monday with an 86-62 win on Wednesday evening to
clinch yet another Division One basketball title. The Colts’ backcourt was once again pivotal in their success with point guard Shelroy Thomas scoring a game-high 20 points while Stanton Rose netted 15 and Hodayah Stewart 15 in the Nets’ lopsided defeat. Meanwhile, in the U-23 contest, the Guardians picked up from their 73-59 victory in the first game, to win 65-51 on Wednesday to complete their series whitewash against Pacesetters. Terrence Daniels presented another sensational display and the club’s ‘big man’ Akeem Crandon also turned some heads with his ball-handling skills. The GABA knockout tournament wrapped up last evening with the second division championship.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
83 days to go …
World Cup 2018 power rankings: The Top-10 teams expected to shine in Russia THE World Cup gets underway in Moscow on June 14 with international football’s best and brightest converging on Russia for the finals. After a qualifying campaign which featured 209 member associations and took, for some, three years to complete, that number has been whittled down to 32 - including the hosts - for the first tournament held in Europe since Germany 2006. Of those who have made it, 20 were present at the 2014 finals in Brazil, including the holders, Germany, while two, Panama and Iceland, will be making their World Cup debuts - the latter becoming the smallest country to reach the finals. Perennial powerhouse Italy are absent - the four-time champions who failed to qualify for the first time since 1958 - as are back-to-back Copa America winners Chile and United States. Still, that leaves a whole heap of talent, including 2010 winners Spain, Euro 2016 winners Portugal, five-time champs Brazil, Belgium, England, Uruguay, Argentina and, for the first time, four Arabic nations: Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
1 – GERMANY
The reigning world champions, Die Mannschaft have, quite simply, only become stronger since their success four years ago. No-one can match the depth that Jogi Low has at his disposal; witness how a second-string squad finished as Confederations Cup winners last summer (in Russia), while the Under-21s won the European Championships too. Timo Werner’s emergence as a clinical striker and Leroy Sane’s progression adds real electric pace - something Spain lack - to the guile of Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil; Joshua Kimmich continues to emerge as one of the world’s best full-backs also. The only question mark is over Manuel Neuer’s fitness, although Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a more than capable deputy.
2 – SPAIN
Captain Sergio Ramos leads a core of winners from 2010 - Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, David Silva - that remain integral under coach Julen Lopetegui, alongside a number of younger stars with whom he had great success at youth levels. Dreadful in Brazil four years ago, the likes of Marco Asensio, Isco and David de Gea have helped to revitalise a side that had stagnated under Vicente del Bosque and they qualified at a canter, unbeaten, and thrashed Italy in Madrid on their way. Lopetegui is playing hardball with Alvaro Morata, as he looks to get the Chelsea striker firing and focused. The £67 million striker’s finals place is in jeopardy. Diego Costa is an alternative, and it is at centre-forward where the biggest question lies. An opening clash with Portugal means there’s no room for a slow start, they are plenty good enough to be winners. But they aren’t our No.1.
3 – BRAZIL
Having languished sixth in South American qualifying when Tite arrived, they went on to win 10 of 12 - drawing the other two - scoring 30 times, conceding just three and rampaging to the top spot. Playing 4-3-3 with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho as the preferred front trio, they were mightily impressive. The five-time winners’ squad is likely to be very different from four years ago, and Tite will remain loyal to those who have been pivotal in getting them to Russia - such as unheralded midfielder Renato Augusto. One of the most interesting aspects is in goal, where Roma’s Allison continues to fend off Manchester City’s Ederson. Alas, there is no question that Neymar is crucial to their hopes; without him, they simply don’t have the same threat. Hopefully, he’ll be back to full fitness.
4 – ARGENTINA
World Cup finalists in 2014, only to lose to Germany in extra-time; they were subsequently beaten in the final of both the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario on penalties. Under Jorge Sampaoli they’ll hope to smother and dominate their group stage opponents, playing on the front foot from the off. They still have a star-studded attack, they
still have familiar deficiencies in defence that will need papering over...and crucially, they still have Messi. That, if nothing else, ensures they are contenders.
5 - FRANCE
Didier Deschamps’ side looked well placed to win the European Championships two years ago, but, were either: a) not intelligent enough to break down Portugal in the final, or b) the width of a post away from success. Whichever way you look at it, Les Bleus were good enough to win, but fell at the final hurdle. Heading to Russia, they’ve been given a big helping hand with their group, as they should be far too good for Australia, Peru and, while Denmark will offer a test, they should see them off also. The emergence of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele gives Deschamps tremendous options in attack to supplement Antoine Griezmann, and they have depth in all areas.
6 – PORTUGAL
The reigning European champions, the Seleccao, shocked a continent with their victory in France - particularly on the back of an early exit in 2014 and after a drawing all three of their group matches in France. But, by hook or by crook, Cristiano Ronaldo and co. navigated their way to glory (winning just one match in 90 minutes) and experienced coach Fernando Santos has supplemented his experienced core with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva who has a remarkable international record.
7 – URUGUAY
Oscar Tabarez is into his 12th year as Uruguay coach and there is much to be said for not only his being there still, but the consistency of his selections. That has played a key role in their continued success under the 71-year-old, with a side that knows one another in depth now set for one final hurrah on the international stage. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are a fearsome partnership up front still, while the Atletico Madrid centre-half pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez is rock solid. La Celeste have been handed a kind draw, paired with by far the weakest of the top seeds - hosts Russia - and are a good bet to win Group A. Semi-finalists in 2010 and Copa America winners the following year, many of those players are still around; a solid outside bet for the last four.
8 – BELGIUM
Belgium’s Golden Generation will hope to make it third time lucky in Russia. Under Marc Wilmots the Red Devils succumbed to Argentina in the 2014 quarter-finals and then were dumped on their backsides by Wales at Euro 2016. With Wilmots gone and Roberto Martinez now at the helm, more emphasis has been placed on their key attacking players, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, while the ex-Everton boss has shown willingness to flit between a back three and back four, largely depending on the form and fitness of Vincent Kompany.
9 – ENGLAND
As is always the case, England had few worries on the road to Russia, easing through qualification with a relative degree of, well, ease, even after Sam Allardyce’s exit after just one game. Gareth Southgate has troubles in goal, and lacks a Rio Ferdinand/John Terry figure to pin his hopes on in defence, while the central midfield options are limited. The Three Lions will be reliant on Harry Kane for goals, but boast the talents of Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling in support.
10 – COLOMBIA
Arguably the most entertaining side in 2014, a Colombia side led by tournament top-scorer James Rodriguez reached the quarter-finals before falling 2-1 against Brazil. James experienced a couple of down-years post-Brazil, but has rediscovered his mojo on loan at Bayern Munich this term. Jose Pekerman continues to preach an attractive, attacking style and his side’s bid will also be aided by the rise of two outstanding young defenders: Spurs’ Davinson Sanchez and Barcelona’s Yerry Mina.
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Trent Boult claimed career-best figures of 6 for 32. (Getty Images)
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Williamson caps Kiwis’ perfect day after England skittled out for record low 58
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was in sight of his 18th Test century as the ball dominated the bat on the opening day of the two-match series with England dismissed for a record low score of 58 at Eden Park yesterday. Williamson was 91 not out with Henry Nicholls on 24 as New Zealand advanced to 175 for three at stumps, a lead of 117 after England had been bowled out in the first 90 minutes of play following a Trent Boult and Tim Southee seam onslaught. Boult and Southee struck early and often, after Williamson had won the toss and opted to bowl with the pink ball in the first day-night Test in New Zealand. Boult finished with a career-best six for 32 after he had ripped the top off England’s batting with 4-9 from his first six overs. Southee finished with 4-25. While England’s fans buried their heads in their hands and voiced their frustration over social media, it could have been much worse had bowler Craig Overton not produced a counter-attacking 33 not out. After slumping to 23-8, Overton hit a boundary to push his side past the lowest score in Test history - the 26 scored by New Zealand against England at Eden Park in 1955. Overton then ensured they surpassed their own lowest score - the 45 they limped to against Australia in Sydney in 1887. Prior to his innings, England’s batsmen had looked totally lost. While Boult and Southee bowled between a good and full length, the ball was not swinging wildly or
seaming markedly. Too many of their batsmen, starting with former captain Alastair Cook, failed to move their feet and were crease-bound, with four wickets falling to catches behind the wicket.
Broad’s celebrations were muted as he raised the ball to the applauding crowd when they were informed of the milestone. An aggressively-minded Ross Taylor was the only other wicket to fall under the lights when he misread an Anderson bouncer and was caught by Woakes at mid-wicket for 20. “We know that it can be difficult against the new ball and we knew that even if we’re not going anywhere, if we spend some time out there we can get the rewards later on,” Hesson added of his team’s cautious batting approach.
ANGRY BOWLERS England captain Joe Root (nought), Ben Stokes (nought) and Chris Woakes (five) were all also bowled by Boult, while Moeen Ali failed to clamp down on a Southee yorker. “We always hoped there would be something in the wicket,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said. “It didn’t do a lot but it did enough. ENGLAND 1st innings Sometimes when it does a bit more, 5 they play and miss but once they found Alastair Cook c Tom Latham b Trent Boult 11 their length in about the fourth over they Mark Stoneman c BJ Watling b Tim Southee Root b Trent Boult 0 were exceptional and Trent certainly de- Joe Dawid Malan c BJ Watling b Trent Boult 2 served the plaudits he got and Tim did a Ben Stokes b Trent Boult 0 great job as well.” Jonny Bairstow c & b Tim Southee 0 England’s bowlers appeared angry at Moeen Ali b Tim Southee 0 5 their sensational collapse - their lowest Chris Woakes b Trent Boult 33 score against New Zealand and sixth worst Craig Overton not out 0 overall - and strangled the hosts’ batsmen Stuart Broad c Kane Williamson b Tim Southee Anderson c Henry Nicholls b Trent Boult 1 for long periods of the remaining two James Extras: (lb-1) 1 sessions. Total: (all out, 20.4 overs) 58 Tom Latham and Williamson, however, Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-6, 3-16, 4-18, 5-18, 6-18, 7-23, 8-23, 9-27. stoically wore the bowlers down and took Bowling: T. Boult 10.4-3 -32-6, T. Southee 10-3-25-4. their side to a 30-run lead entering the final NEW ZEALAND 1st innings session under lights. 3 The 31-year-old Stuart Broad, how- Jeet Raval c Jonny Bairstow b James Anderson 26 ever, broke through in the first over of the Tom Latham c Chris Woakes b Stuart Broad Williamson not out 91 evening session, with Latham clipping a Kane Ross Taylor c Chris Woakes b James Anderson 20 full delivery to Woakes at mid-wicket on Henry Nicholls not out 24 26 to give him his 400th Test victim. Extras: (lb-6, w-5) 11 Despite becoming just the second En- Total: (for three wkts, 69.0 overs) 175 gland bowler to reach the milestone – new- Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-92, 3-123. ball partner Jimmy Anderson has 525 Bowling: J. Anderson 13 -4 -32- 2, S. Broad 15-4-24-1, C. Overton 15-4-43-0, C. Woakes 15-5-36-0, (w-1), M. Ali 11-1-34 -0. wickets –
SCOREBOARD
Elgar hits unbeaten 121 but Cummins makes it Australia’s day By Nick Said
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Dean Elgar scored an unbeaten century but an excellent spell of bowling from Australia seamer Pat Cummins restricted
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South Africa to 266 for eight at the close of play on the opening day of the third Test at Newlands yesterday. South Africa had been cruising to a big first-innings total at 220 for two as Elgar and AB de Villiers 14:00 hrs Clebourne 14:30 hrs Silk Cravat 15:00 hrs Zihba 15:30 hrs Lady Rosebud 16:00 hrs California Lad 16:30 hrs Chateau La Fleur 17:00 hrs Specific Gravity English Racing Tips Lingfield 09:35 hrs Violet’s Lad 10:10 hrs Madrinho 10:40 hrs It Must Be Faith 11:15 hrs Equally Fast 11:50 hrs Golden Birthday 12:20 hrs African Jazz 12:55 hrs Harmonica Sedgefield 09:45 hrs Roxyfet 10:20 hrs Raised On Grazeon 10:50 hrs Frankie Ballou 11;25 hrs Dieg Man 12:00 hrs Lord Napier 12:30 hrs Kings Eclipse 13:05 hrs Houndscourt Newbury 10:00 hrs Euxton Lane 10:30 hrs Halo Moon 11;05 hrs Champagne Chaser 11:40 hrs Somewhere To Be 12:10 hrs Moabit 12:45 hrs Jimmy The Jetplane
put on 128 for the third wicket. B u t t h e re t u r n o f Cummins (4-64) to the attack saw the seamer take 4-12 in eight overs, starting with the wicket of de Villiers (64), to rip through the home side’s middle order. South Africa lost six wickets for 37 runs as fortunes swung in favour of the visitors in the final session. Elgar (121 not out) will resume his innings with Kagiso Rabada (6) today, seeking to push South Africa past 300 in their first innings, which should be a minimum on a slow wicket that has bounced but not much in the way of lateral Dean Elgar celebrates his 11th Test century on the first day in Cape Town. (Getty Images)
movement. The home side won the toss and elected to bat, losing opener Aiden Markram early for a duck as he edged Josh Hazlewood (2-37) to a diving Steve Smith at second slip with the score on six. Elgar and Hashim Amla ( 3 1 ) added a patient 86 for the second wicket before the latter
attempted a hook off Hazlewood, but top-edged the stroke to Cummins at fine leg. Elgar and de Villiers turned the tide in South Africa’s favour with some excellent strokeplay, but when d e Vi l l i e r s mistimed a drive to David Warner at mid-off, it set off a collapse that has put Aus-
tralia in pole position. Home captain Faf du Plessis (5) and the recalled Temba Bavuma (1) were both caught by Smith off Cummins, before Quinton de Kock (3) got an under-edge to the Australian paceman and was caught by wicketkeeper Tim Paine. Mitchell Marsh (1-26) accounted for Vernon Philander (8), also caught by Paine, while Keshav Maharaj (3) lofted a drive to Cameron Bancroft off the bowling of Mitchell Starc (1-81).
SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Dean Elgar not out 121 Aiden Markram c Steven Smith b Josh Hazlewood 0 Hashim Amla c Pat Cummins b Josh Hazlewood 31 AB de Villiers c David Warner b Pat Cummins 64 Faf du Plessis c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 5 Temba Bavuma c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 1 Quinton de Kock c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins 3 Vernon Philander c Tim Paine b Mitchell Marsh 8 Keshav Maharaj c Cameron Bancroft b Mitchell Starc 3 Kagiso Rabada not out 6 Extras: (b-8, lb-11, nb-3, w-2) 24 Total: (8 wkts, 87.0 overs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-92, 3-220, 4-234, 5-236, 6-242, 7-254, 8-257. Bowling: M. Starc 21-3-81-1, (nb-2), J. Hazlewood 18-4-37-2, N. Lyon 19-6-39-0, P. Cummins 21-4-64-4 (w-1), Mitchell Marsh 7- 2-26-1 (w-1, nb-1) S. Smith 1-1-0-0.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
BCCI ratifies use of DRS in IPL 2018 RAJEEV Shukla, the chairman of the IPL, confirmed last Wednesday that the Decision Review System (DRS) will, for the first time, be used in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision makes the IPL, the second T20 league in the world, after Pakistan Super League, to incorporate technology to reduce umpiring howlers. It’s a significant step for BCCI, which has been reluctant in its adoption of technology. It was only in 2016 that the board agreed to use DRS in a home series for the first time, when England toured for a five-match Test series. The decision to use the system in IPL 2018 reportedly came after the board held a meeting in Visakhapatnam last December, where the top ten umpires from the domestic fold were briefed about the technology by Denis Burns, the ICC umpires’ coach and former Australia pacer-turned-umpire
In the past, BCCI had been reluctant to use the Decision Review System. (Getty Images)
Paul Reiffel. The decision is particularly noteworthy given the questionable standards of decision-making by the onfield umpires in the tenth season, leading to several dubious calls.
BCCI’s stance on the DRS has been widely debated with the board arguing that unless the system in place was 100 percent foolproof, they would not favour it. The board’s major mistrust lay in the ball-tracking technology wherein the path
of the ball could be misleading. However, in the later months with the HawkEye creating UltraEdge and increasing the frame rates per second, the Indian cricket board is said to have warmed up to the use of technology. (CricBuzz)
Parika Masters defeat Everest Masters by one wicket in friendly match VETERAN Guyana and We s t I n d i e s b a t s m a n Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the main attraction when Parika Masters hosted Everest Masters in a friendly cricket match at the Parika-Salem ground. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat in the 25-overs per side contest but the main attraction was sent back early after being bowled for three. However, the nice gathering of spectators stayed with the action and saw Everest Masters post 169 for 7 with Sahadeo Hardaiow
batting deep for 60 while Saheed Mohamed made 24. The hosts’ main destroyer with the ball was A. Fredericks who picked up five of the seven wickets to fall. In reply, Parika were pegged back when Chanderpaul and Hardaiow picked up two wickets each early to set the cat among the pigeons. However, B. Singh stood firm for the top score of 60 runs and almost saw his team home. The game was very close with Parika needing four
runs from four balls with the last pair at the crease. Everest then sent down a wide that went past the wicketkeeper and into the boundary to hand Parika the exciting match by one wicket as they ended on 171 for 9. Rakesh Gangaram and Ronald Jaisingh also picked up two wickets each for the visitors. The day’s event was organised and sponsored by Everest player Imtiaz Sadik who also presented the Guyanese batting legend, Chanderpaul, with a plaque for keeping his promise of
Guyana and West Indies cricket legend is surrounded by jubilant fans at the Parika Salem ground last Sunday.
playing in the match. After the presentation ceremony, the crowd stayed on and took the opportunity to get photos with their hero who was more than happy to comply.
BCB Elizabeth Styles U-21 tournament bowls off tomorrow
THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Inter-club cricket season will bowl off tomorrow with the hosting of the first round of the Elizabeth Styles Under-21 tournament at venues across the Ancient County. The tournament will involve 19 teams and will be the second Under-21 tournament, organised by the BCB in its 79-year history. The first Under-21 tournament was held in 2012 with the Blairmont Cricket Club emerging as champions. This tournament is being sponsored by Elizabeth Styles, a United States of America-based Cosmetics Company. The Elizabeth Styles Under-21 tournament is open to players born on or after September 1, 1997 and will be a 50-over per side affair, starting at 09:30hrs. President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, stated that the Under-21 tournament would serve as a bridge between the Under-19 and First Division level, while it would encourage under-19 players to prolong their playing careers as some normally quit after completing the junior level. Foster is also urging clubs to avoid bringing players from across the country as the BCB is organising tournaments to develop cricketing skills in Berbice. Teams are also reminded that their players must be attired in white clothing, while walkover will be granted if any team (visiting or home) fails to turn up half-hour after the scheduled start. THE FIXTURES FOR THE OPENING ROUND TOMORROW ARE: ¤ Blairmont vs Young Achievers at Blairmont ¤ Bush Lot Rising Star vs D’Edward at D’Edward ¤ Bush Lot United vs Paradise at Paradise ¤ Tucber Park vs Kendall’s Union at Kendall’s Union ¤ Rose Hall Canje vs Young Warriors at Rose Hall Canje ¤ Albion Cricket Club vs Port Mourant at Albion ¤ Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets vs Whim at Whim ¤ Kildonan Cricket Club vs Tamarind Root at Hampshire ¤ Ramnarine Memorial vs Big Star at Bush Lot ¤ The lads from Upper Corentyne have drawn the bye ` this round. The second round of matches will be played on April 1 and among the players expected to play are Javed Karim, Alex Algoo, Steve Deonarine, Garfield Benjamin, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Adrian Sukhwa, Samuel Kistasammy, Brandon Prashad and Kevin Umroa.
Hairoun Beer supports Faye Joseph Int’l dominoes competition … Teams expected from Barbados, USA. Canada Colombia TOP Brandz Distributors under its Hairoun Beer confirmed its commitment to the Faye Joseph International Dominoes Competition during a formal ceremony that was conducted yesterday, at the company’s head office on Broad Street. Highlighting the entity’s binder was Marketing Manager Marvin Wray, who pledged an undisclosed sum to the organisers at the launch. In his remarks, Wray spoke of the meteoric rise in popularity of the sport which, according to him, just a few years ago was considered a pastime activity, but has grown to take on international and regional dimensions. He said,: “I usually traverse Georgetown on a daily basis and what I saw was really encouraging and perhaps that view provided the impetus that I needed to confirm our commitment. What I saw was that the sport enjoys a large following, while the support for whatever brand that decides to add its name to the competition is generally tremendous.” He reminded the gathering that included the hierarchy of the
Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) of the company’s philosophy which is primarily centres on the support and uplift of communities through sports and responsible social activities. President of the GDA and the Guyana National Dominoes Federation (GNDF) Faye Joseph, whose brainchild it was to organise the annual tournament some five years ago, in her presentation first thanked the company for its generosity, adding that she envisages the relationship will be long-lasting and promised to do everything possible to ensure that the union stays strong. “I’ve said on many occasions to my executive that whatever I put my hands on, just like Midas, it will turn to gold and dominoes is one such example that benefits from my touch,” Joseph boasted. Under her tenure the game has become more organised, recognised and undoubtedly more lucrative, with teams travelling from many regions just to participate in the competitions. Also sharing the occasion were secretary Barbara Marshall, tournament coordinator Rodwell Phillips, GDA treasurer Earl Mars and senior organiser Mark ‘Jumb-
ie’ Wiltshire. Over $1M in cash prizes and trophies will be up for grabs and the tournament is expected to commence on Friday, March 30, at the president’s residence at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt. An appeal was made for all interested teams, including those from the corporate community, private and public sectors, and individuals to participate in the competition. The winning team will receive $500 000 plus trophy and medals, while second- and third-place finishers will take away $300 000 and $200 000 respectively along with trophies and medals. The Most Valuable Player in the final will win $10 000 and a trophy. A small fee of $2 000 will be charged for the Pull-A-Rama or Individual Competition. Registration has already begun. Registration fee for teams is $20 000 and each team will be entitled to a free case of Hairoun Beer upon completion of registration. The competition runs from March 30 to April 7 and interested teams or individuals can contact Wiltshire on 665-5855.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
Gayle thrilled to be playing in next year’s World Cup, will focus on fitness
HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Talismanic We s t I n d i e s o p e n e r Chris Gayle says he is thrilled to be playing in next year’s World Cup in England, and will be focusing on his fitness in the interim as he prepares for what will be his final global 50-overs tournament. The left-hander was part of the Caribbean side who defeated Scotland on Wednesday in their final Super Six match of the ongoing ICC World Cup qualifiers, to clinch one of the two available World Cup spots. Defending a paltry 198, West Indies had reduced the Scots to 125 for five in the 36th over when a thunderstorm forced the abandonment of the contest. Scotland
were five runs short of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score. “I am so happy to have qualified for another World Cup. I just have to stay fit now and we have a young team, but it will be my last World Cup that is for sure, so I am looking forward to it,” an elated Gayle said afterwards. He added: “I need a couple (of) months to get properly fit and especially I love playing in England and Wales. Lots of the Windies fans over the world were sad that we were in the position, where we had to play the qualifiers. “But, cricket is like life, you have ups and downs, and nothing is guaranteed in life.” Gayle is the leading
one-day player in an otherwise inexperienced Windies side, with 9 575 runs from 280 One-Day Internationals. His 123 against United Arab Emirates was the 23rd hundred of an illustrious career, now in its twilight years. The 38-year-old Gayle has played in four World Cups but has been missing from ODIs in recent years. In fact, he played just six of the Windies 23 ODIs last year, returning for the tour of England following a 2-1/2 year break. Gayle said the World Cup provided him with an opportunity to appease the appetite of committed fans. “The fans drive you, people always say, ‘Chris we want to see you back in Windies colours, want to see you play Test cricket in the whites again’, and I say, ‘one
England batsmen were ‘rabbits in the headlights’, says Bayliss
West Indies opener Chris Gayle
more time I will do it for you guys’,” the Jamaican said. “I will take on the journey and next year will play for them again and I look forward to it.” Gayle has had mixed success in the qualifiers, with his century against UAE being the high point. Against Scotland, he was dismissed off the first ball of the match, caught at the wicket off a beauty from speedster Safyaan Sharif. Nevertheless, the former captain said he has enjoyed the tournament, especially with the Windies having qualified. “It has been a great tournament, the support here in Zimbabwe is always fantastic,” he said. “It has been quite a while since I have been here, the people have been fantastic. We have come and accomplished what we came for.”
England head coach Trevor Bayliss (REUTERS) - England head coach Trevor Bayliss has said his players were like “rabbits in the headlights” as they were dismissed for 58 in a dismal batting performance in the first Test against New Zealand yesterday.
England, looking to improve after their recent 4-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, got off to a poor start on the opening day of the Auckland test as they struggled against seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The duo picked up all 10 England wickets in the first 90 minutes of play before New Zealand captain Kane Williamson guided the hosts to 175-3 for a lead of 117 runs at stumps. “We certainly did not bat very well this morning. They bowled extremely well but we batted extremely poorly,” Bayliss said. “I think it must have been a mental thing, our feet looked like they had lead in them. We didn’t make too many right decisions with our footwork. “We got caught behind the crease to fairly full balls, which allows the ball to swing and then we were nowhere. It looked a little bit like we were rabbits in the headlights.” Williamson had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl with the pink ball in the first day-night test in New Zealand, but Bayliss said the conditions had little to do with the visitors’ capitulation. “There were good conditions this morning. A bit of green grass on the wicket but nothing out of the ordinary that you would not expect for the first day of a test,” Bayliss added. “Today we were off it - not just a little bit, but a long way and we were not good enough.”
GBBFF looking to expand Novices Championships this year By Michelangelo Jacobus
THE Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), under the leadership of Coel Marks and his trustworthy executives, has slowly but surely put the sport into the spotlight amid a growing fan base and increasing interest
from athletes. The sport is no longer viewed as just for “muscle obsessed” persons, but those who are into fitness are now paying keen attention. In a recent interview, GBBFF Marks indicated that the “physique’ category has seen an influx of athletes who wish to compete
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday March 23, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Afghanistan, Zimbabwe & Scotland (2) Afghanistan Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for the WI in the recent ICC World Cup Qualifiers Super Sixes? (2) Who took most wickets for the WI in the Super Sixes? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
Last year’s GBBFF Novices Championship winner Nolan Smith is congratulated by GBBFF president Coel Marks.
on the stage. However, he noted that this is what the Novices Championship is all about, bringing persons into the sport, as the GBBFF seeks to expand countrywide and help to further develop athletes. The Novices Championship is scheduled for April 8 at the National Cultural Centre where Marks and company are hoping to attract at least 500 patrons, a major step up from the 300 who witnessed the event last year at the Theatre Guild in Kingston. The event, which is known generally as the place where “stars are born”, will kick off at 19:00hrs. Patrons can pick up tickets for just $1 500 from several locations including Buddy’s Gym, Fitness 53, Space Gym
and the National Cultural Centre. This year ’s Novices Championship will see an array of entertainment from dancing troupes to local singers and performers, along with the customary competitions in the various weight classes. In addition, last year’s w i n n e r o f t h e N o v i ces Championship, Nolan Smith, will be a guest-poser. He will kick things off and fans will have a chance to see how he has progressed since winning last year’s edition. In a move to pay homage to Guyana’s athletes, the GBBFF will try to have the guest-posers exclusively from Guyana, as it seeks to move away from bringing in too many foreign athletes.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
FireSide N Grill supports GRFU’s Hairoun Beer 7s Rugby tourney
…Harvard Rugby Club arrives today for engagement HARVARD Rugby Club will arrive in Guyana today ahead of tomorrow’s showdown at the National Park, in the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)/ Hairoun Beer Sevens tournament. Claudius Butts, the lone Guyanese on the team, stated that they have been preparing for their trip to Guyana since last year, and as such, will be taking the tournament seriously, but at the same time they are coming to have fun. Butts, a long-standing member of Guyana’s Sevens and 15s National rugby teams, is one of the most recognisable figures in the sport and he highlighted his excitement of playing against his ‘Green Machine’ teammates. The winger named Wayne Kelly, Shaquille Dyte, Keston Earl and Nigel Barrington; all national players of Trinidad and
Tobago, who will be making the journey with Harvard Rugby Club to compete against Pepsi Hornets, Yamaha Caribs, Guyana Police Falcons, Panthers and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). With $200 000 set as the winners’ purse, this will be the most lucrative rugby tournament ever held in Guyana, and Butts believes the attractive prize money will no doubt bring out the best in the players. “This is a touring team and the guys have been putting in some work to come to Guyana and put on a good show. They will be taking this very seriously and are coming here to win, but at the same time, we want to have fun, so it will be good for people to really come out and see some good rugby on Saturday,” Butts said. Meanwhile, yesterday, the GRFU benefited from more
corporate support for the event, when ‘FireSide Grill N Chill’ handed over an undisclosed sum. The entity, located on Garnett Street, Georgetown, known for its tantalising and tasty grill food, noted that when approached, the managers were more than willing to help what they regard as one of the country’s most successful disciplines. This is their first time sponsoring rugby and pointed out that it will not be their last. R a w l e To n e y, G R F U vice-president, upon receiving the sponsorship, thanked ‘FireSide Grill N Chill’ for its support, calling it a timely one. The tournament will ‘scrum off’ at 11:00hrs and the team finishing second will receive $100 000 and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will pocket $20 000.
West Indies celebration is unwarranted Windies captain Jason Holder
FLIPPING through social media Wednesday morning, I notice that there are a lot of cheers and congratulations going around for the West Indies team that qualified for the World Cup 2019 set for England and Wales. But why are people celebrating? We haven’t won the cup. As a matter of fact, they played basically non-member and affiliate teams to seal their spot there (with the exception of Ireland, Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe of course). Yes, they went through. But they basically had to tussle with the Scotlands and Hong Kongs of this world to see another world cup tournament and their fans, some of us, are celebrating. Woo Hoo! We took advantage of teams that haven’t a third of our cricketing heritage to secure a spot that in my view we aren’t deserved of. Still, the latter may be harsh by some terms but it’s time to stop sugar-coating the side that have left much to be desired. Maybe it’s time to call out those spades and dub the failures, failures. Wednesday’s match for
m - Says Stephan Sookra
instance. The rains saved us. Rain!! We had top flight players and it took luck and a bit of bad officiating to hand us a spot. And we celebrate! And then the captain Jason Holder has the gall to say it was a collective effort. Effort of what? Inconsistency and all-round doggedness as a unit? Whatever this collectiveness that Holder speaks of must be a state secret. The silver lining is that Keemo Paul got his call-up to the senior team and had it not been for the band of misfiring maroons before that caused the Windies to play the qualifier he may have had to wait a little longer. The world may never know. And if that’s what you’re celebrating, (his call-up) then by every means, go ahead. I won’t fault you on that. It’s worth it, even though he was the replacement for an injured player. But don’t turn around to tell me that you’re celebrating beating Scotland on Duckworth Lewis by 5 runs after a bad call by an official. Five runs separated you from absence from a major tournament. Let that sink in - a boundary and a single
separated a full member association being eliminated from a major ICC tournament. Don’t tell me you are celebrating qualifying for a tournament that you should have been an automatic candidate. And don’t duck and hide, Cricket West Indies. This blame falls on you as well. Your railroading of several senior players has not gone unnoticed. We’ve seen your rank politics firsthand affect several players in the past and there is no promise that moving forward, it won’t continually occur to those outspoken players. Still, I expect a letter of commendation from the top brass stating that they are satisfied by a job well done and congrats and all the flowery language that goes with it, but who are you fooling Surely not those who have regional cricket at heart. However, I really hope that the Regional side has perfected its rain dance to a tee because they’ll need a monsoon to overcome what awaits them in England against full member teams, who are hungry for a win - teams that take their cricket seriously with fans who do the same.
Rawle Toney, GRFU vice-president (right) receives FireSide Grill N Chill’s sponsorship from Ms Deodat, at the entity’s Garnett Street location. (Delano Williams photo)
Scotland skipper Coetzer slams ICC for not using DRS in WC qualifiers
HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer has slammed cricket’s governing body, the ICC, for their decision not to utilise DRS in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, arguing it had cost his side a place at the showpiece in England next year.
and when the rains arrived four overs later, the Scots were short of the required par score of 130. “The lbw decision is not sitting very well with us. It has cost us, and it’s cost us a lot of money as well,” a crestfallen Coetzer said afterwards.
Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer walks off after being dismissed against West Indies in the Super Six match of the World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)
Victory over West Indies on Wednesday would have seen the Scots qualify for the World Cup but they lost instead by five runs under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, after a thunderstorm forced the game to be abandoned. Chasing 199 at Harare Sports Club, Scotland seemed well poised on 105 for four in the 32nd over when top-scorer Richie Berrington (32) was shockingly adjudged lbw to one from off-spinner Ashley Nurse which was clearly missing leg stump. With no option to review, the wicket swung the DLS calculation in the Windies favour
“They (West Indies) won the game fair and square in the end, but a competition like this … DRS? You’re playing with people’s livelihoods and there’s a lot of money at stake and it proved costly today. “In a competition like this it comes down to a big game like that. We are feeling pretty rough right now. There’s a lot of emotion going round.” The victory put West Indies in the World Cup and ensured that Scotland – and no other ICC associate nation for that matter – would qualify for the tournament. Ireland and Afghanistan will clash today for the final
available World Cup spot after United Arab Emirates stunned hosts Zimbabwe yesterday. Coetzer said Scotland had gotten overwhelming support throughout the tournament and the defeat was hard to take, especially in the circumstances. “There is a clear reason why everyone was behind us: because they wanted a point to be proved,” Coetzer pointed out. “We wanted to make a scene and get to the World Cup. That was for what we feel was for the good of the game and we were within five runs. “We have guys in the top wicket-takers and top run-scorers which just shows we are mixing with ‘full member nations’, as they’re called. “Five runs and something pretty important could have happened there.” Fourteen nations contested the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but the ICC slashed the complement to 10 for the 2019 edition, allowing automatic places only for hosts England and the remaining top-seven ranked sides. This forced West Indies and Zimbabwe into the qualifying series, immediately damaging the associate nations’ chances of reaching the World Cup. The move was not one favoured by Coetzer. “It wasn’t to be and it’s hard to comprehend that there’s only going to be a 10-team World Cup,” he lamented.
UAE give Afghanistan, Ireland World Cup life
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… Heartbreak for hosts in Harare
THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) broke around 20 million hearts and made nearly 50 million friends when they eliminated Zimbabwe from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 race to give Afghanistan and Ireland a lifeline, by turning their last Super Six match as a shootout for the last remaining spot in the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over event, which will be staged in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14. The UAE, who were out of World Cup contention last week after losing to Scotland, did a huge favour to Afghanistan and Ireland, when against all odds and expectations they defeated Zimbabwe by three runs in the penultimate match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in front of a packed-to-capacity Harare Sports Stadium. Yesterday’s result means the winner of today’s match will become the second qualifiers after the Windies, to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and will also feature in Sunday’s final. Apart from the significance of this match, it will be Niall O’Brien’s 100th ODI while Rashid Khan will be looking to claim four wickets to become the quickest bowl-
er to 100 wickets. The only way Zimbabwe can qualify for the World Cup is in the scenario of a tie (in which each side bats for, at least, 25 overs). In this situation, Ireland’s net run-rate will drop behind Zimbabwe. A vibrant, lively and cheering crowd of around 12 000 spectators could not dampen the spirits of the UAE players who saved their best performance of the tournament for Zimbabwe’s most crucial match to knock them out of contention for a place in the World Cup. The UAE also got a stroke of luck when rain came down in force with their score at 235 for seven in 47.5 overs. However, when play resumed after a loss of 119 minutes (including 30 minutes of lunch break), Zimbabwe’s target was revised to 230 in 40 overs.The UAE then turned the heat on the Zimbabwe batsmen when they reduced them to 45 for three that included the prized scalp of the tournament’s leading run-getter Brendan Taylor. Sean Williams and Peter Moor, playing his first match of the tournament, lifted them to 124 before the climbing required run-rate resulted in the demise of Moor (39).
Colts, Guardians sweep 1st and U-23 divisions
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 23, 2018
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UAE’s Mohammad Naveed was named Man-of-the-Match for his three for 40. (Willow TV)
When the last eight-over Power Play started, Zimbabwe needed 70 to win but despite Sikandar Raza 34 (26b, 2x4, 1x6) and Williams’ 80 (80b, 5x4, 1x6) they finished at 226 for seven. It was the third time in this tournament that an Associate member defeated a Full member. Earlier, Scotland had beaten Afghanistan, while Hong Kong also beat Afghanistan. Earlier, the UAE, put in to bat, were 235 for seven in 47.5 overs when heavy downpour ended their innings.
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CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Colts first division team after winning yet another title
Rameez Shahzad, w h o scored 1 1 2 against the Wi n d i e s but then missed matches due to illness, returned to finish as his s i d e ’s t o p scorer with a 61-ball
59, which included four fours and two sixes. Ghulam Shabbir (40), Shaiman Anwar (33) and Rohan Mustafa (31) were the other contributors, while Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza was the most successful bowler with three for 41. He is now his side’s leading wicket-taker with 12. Scores in brief UAE beat Zimbabwe by three runs (DLS method), Harare Sports Club UAE 235-7, 47.5 overs (Rameez Shahzad 59, Ghulam Shabbir 40, Shaiman Anwar 33, Rohan Mustafa 31; Sikandar Raza 3-41, Tendai Chatara 2-49) Zimbabwe 226-7, 40 overs (Sean Williams 80, Peter Moor 39, Sikandar Raza 34, Craig Ervine 22 not out; Mohammad Naveed 3-40, Rohan Mustafa 2-56). (ICC)
r o f y d a e r g n i d K a e h a s e g n e l chal
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Andrew King is locked and loaded for this weekend’s first National Race of Champions. (GTRidez photo)
Gayle thrilled to be playing in next year’s World Cup, will focus on fitness Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208
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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2018