Guyana chronicle e paper 04 27 2018

FRIDAY 27th April, 2018

No.105257

Juvenile Justice Bill passed … sets criminally liable age at 14 03 … abolishes as offences wandering, truancy, vagrancy PAGE

Slowe among nominees for Police Service 17 Commission PAGE

LEN now lending for agri 04 projects PAGE

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan piloting the landmark Juvenile Justice Bill in the National Assembly on Thursday (Adrian Narine photo)

Four new aircraft for GDF … as gov't seeks $4.5B in supplementary funds 02 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Four new aircraft for GDF … as govt seeks $4.5B in supplementary funds

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested $788, 049, 000 from the Ministry of Finance to meet the estimated costs associated with lawyers representing Guyana at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the Guyana-Venezuela b order controversy case.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Thursday tabled financial paper No. 2 of 2018 which totals $4, 526, 563, 240 representing supplementary estimates for current and capital expenditure.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had received some $300,000,000 as part of its voted provisions. On Thursday, subject Minister Carl Greenidge told Guyana Chronicle that the requested sums will cover the cost of retaining lawyers to do whatever needs to be done during the course of this year.

“We don’t know exactly how much it will cost

because we don’t know the court process will unfold. It depends in part on what the court requires. They may look at it and decide to do a number of things…we may have to get someone else to supplement the information.

So it is a little difficult to say what will be required that’s why it is an estimate.”

He said it is possible that the amount requested is less or more than is required. “It is very much dependent on what the court does and how the case unfolds,” Greenidge explained. Guyana has thus far recruited three firms to assist in its ICJ case. It is possible that other firms will be recruited in the future. Some US$15M of the US$18M of signing bonus received from US oil giant ExxonMobil in 2016 will be used to pay for services relative to Guyana-Venezuela controversy which has been placed before the ICJ. Government has said that the signing bonus would at

some point be transferred to the Consolidated Fund after which government would have to make applications to the National Assembly for its approval of the identified sums to pay persons for their services.

The Finance Minister recently announced that the US$18M signing bonus remains in the Bank of Guyana but has been invested in the U.S. treasury bills and Canadian bonds where it is accumulating interest.

Jordan told reporters that while the money has not been used, it has already accumulated US$ 36,169 in interest. “I have the latest statement from the Bank of Guyana and it says that the account has a balance of US$18,036,169,” he stated at his Ministry’s boardroom.

“All US$18 million is

still in the account plus the interest of course. During 2018, since we did not know when the United Nations Secretary-General would make his decision, we did not put any amounts in the budget. So now, what we will have to do is go for supplementary.

This supplementary will be based on Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ indication as to how much they think we will have to pay the lawyers and others who provide services related to the ICJ matter,” explained Jordan.

FOUR AIRCRAFT Additionally, the Guyana Defence Force has requested a total of $484, 239, 000 for the acquisition of four aircraft.

Under the Agency Head of Defence and Security Support, it is explained that the GDF has already identified financing to the tune of

$213, 885,000 from within its 2018 capital programme to meet the initial payments for the acquisition of the four aircraft. The additional sums are now requested to facilitate the final payment for the aircraft.

Some $600,000,000 in supplementary funds are also being requested for the Ministry of Agriculture to offset increased expenditure for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) arising from the transfer of drainage and irrigation responsibilities previously undertaken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO). Under Capital Estimates, the said ministry has requested $226, 161, 235 to obtain additional resources to facilitate the procurement of six long boom excavators and four mini excavators along with spare parts emanating from the legal matter between Guyana Tractor and Equip-

ment and NDIA. Some $1, 402, 098, 000 was the voted provision for the department.

Further, $346,500,000 is being sought by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for additional resources to facilitate the purchase and installation of two additional boarding bridges for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project. Some $5, 000,000,000 was voted for that project previously.

The Ministry of Social Protection has requested $81, 614, 005 for the construction of a concrete fence of perimeter 4,338 feet at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) to address security breaches.

The total current estimates sought stands at $1,388, 049,000 while the capital estimates stand at $138, 514, 240. It is unclear when the supplementary financial paper will be discussed in the House.

PM hails Guyana’s climb in press freedom ranking PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday lauded Guyana’s upward movement on the World Press Freedom Index.

In a brief comment before entering the National Assembly, he said that it was evident that the press in Guyana is “free, open, plural and kicking”.

Prime Minister also has Cabinet responsibility for public information.

Guyana’s ranking now stands at 55 as compared to 60 last year. The World Press Freedom Index analyses the media environment in 180 countries each year. This

administration has moved to expand press freedom in other areas of community broadcasting, notably in the hinterland regions. President David Granger and the ministers of Government have over time reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensuring freedom of the press.

On Wednesday, the Guyana Press Association also hailed the elevation of this country on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index by 5 places.

“We welcome this improved ranking with some reservations. This may seem

somewhat of an achievement, but in reality there are still significant hurdles to be crossed before Guyanese can feel that an improved ranking really matters,” the GPA said.

Meanwhile, according to the report, ranked second (but more than 10 points worse than Europe), the Americas contain a wide range of situations. Violence and impunity continue to feed fear and self-censorship in Central America.

Mexico (147th) became the world’s second deadliest country for journalists in 2017, with 11 killed.

Thanks to President Maduro’s increasingly authoritarian excesses, Venezuela (143rd) dropped six places, the region’s biggest fall.

On the other hand, Ecuador (92nd) jumped 13 places, the hemisphere’s greatest rise, because tension between

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo the authorities and privately-owned media abated.

In North America, Donald Trump’s USA slipped another two places while Justin Trudeau’s Canada rose four and entered the top 20 at 18th place, a level where the situation is classified as “fairly good”.

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Juvenile Justice Bill passed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

… sets criminally liable age at 14

… abolishes as offences wandering, truancy, vagrancy

By Ariana Gordon THE National Assembly on Thursday evening passed a landmark bill which when it comes into force will revolutionalise juvenile justice here- decriminalising a number of offences such as wandering, truancy and vagrancy and setting a new age of criminal liability at 14.

The passage of the bill repealed the archaic 1931 Juvenile Offenders Act and will now allow Guyana to conform to the several international Conventions to which it is a signatory.

Despite repeated requests by the Opposition, People’ s Progressive Party (PPP) to have the bill referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee for further consultations, government insisted that its passage was long overdue, having been in the incubator since 2004.

When it was time to vote the opposition abstained.

GET ON WITH IT Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in piloting the bill, described the document as comprehensive while noting that with the passage of the legislation, status offences such as wandering, vagrancy and truancy would no longer be criminal offences.

Ramjattan made it clear that the legislation has been in the making for 14 years under successive administrations.

“Why shouldn’t we get on with the business?” he asked rhetorically. He noted that the legislation was the subject of extensive consultations and that it was inherited from the PPP government. “We have indicated that it will not be going to any select committee. This government will set its legislative agenda, not the opposition,” declared a feisty Ramjattan.

Meanwhile, he told the House that the Bill has “basically abolished status offences”. Status offences are those offences which criminalise behaviour patterns of children who wander or committed vagrancy, truancy or are runaways. Ramjattan posited that acts of truancy and wandering are often times a result of psychological or socio-economic problems facing girls and street children. The Bill, he said, is geared at effectively tackling the “significant” issues relating to juvenile justice while stressing that Guyana will not make a jailhouse of its young people.

Guyana’s Juvenile Of-

fender’s Act was enacted in 1931 but in order for it to reflect international juvenile justice standards in accordance with the Beijing rules and the Riyadh Guidelines, extensive recommendations were made.

He spoke to recommendations in relation to the age of criminal responsibility in children, free legal services for the accused, as well as the recommendation for government to establish separate remand homes for boys and girls under the age of 18 who would have had run-ins with the law, as well as improving training programmes for professionals involved in rehabilitating the youth.

The minister who thanked all stakeholders, made it clear that there was a hiatus in moving forward the legislation but noted that the process was advanced through collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “This government of Guyana wants to see an Act which reflects modern philosophy of juvenile justice which strengthens the justice system for juveniles and makes it responsive to them and their situation,” the Public Security Minister said in reference to the adoption of a policy framework from England.

Additionally, the Minister said the Act is aimed at providing a framework where professionals are in the forefront, supporting juveniles rather than the police and prison wardens. “We don’t want to make a jailhouse nation of our young people,” Ramjattan stressed, while noting that it is his government’s intention to minimise the harsh punishment meted to young offenders. Those punishments, he added, stigmatise the youth for life. “We want to maximise their education, rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” the Minister stated, while noting that jails and secure confinement is not the place where a substantial amount of the country’s young people should be.

He stressed the need for juveniles to be with “humane incarceration”. “This Bill I am proud to say makes provision for this alternative—it is referred to as diversion…diverting the juvenile away from the formal court procedures to informal procedures, that include restorative measures to deal with a juvenile alleged to have committed an offence.”

The Bill speaks of several alternatives sanctions that could be imposed on youths who have been deemed culpable. Those range from the

accused issuing an apology, to being sent to specified vocational or educational centres, as well as being sentenced to community service. They can also be ordered to compensation for the victim in an amount which the juvenile’s family can afford.

Moreover, before the commencement of proceedings the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) or the police officer can consider warnings and referrals.

Other alternative sanctions can come from the newly created office of juvenile justice, but it up to the creativity of that office to come up with innovative diversions to ensure the young offenders are dealt with in a manner appropriate to his or her well-being and proportionate to the circumstances of the offence.

CRIMINAL LIABILITY Meanwhile, of particular interest was determining the age of criminal liability. Consideration has been given to whether the age of responsibility should remain at 10 or increased to 12 or 16 years. The Bill states that the age of criminal liability stands at 14.

Ramjattan said experts from other Caribbean countries were contacted to see what the standard was across the Region.

Additionally, the minister said the legislation aims too at removing the levels of discrimination against the youth as opposed to adults as it relates to status offences. “These are acts not considered criminal when committed by adults but when young children commit them they are convicted, sometimes for secure confinement…and they are wandered, committed vagrancy or are regarded as truants. There is an inherent injustice here and discrimination on grounds of age,” declared Ramjattan.

The minister said a number of children have been sentenced at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) for wandering.

He said in 2015, based on statistics, some 30 children were sent to the institution for status offences. “These offences must be abolished,” he declared, noting that there must be an enhancement of humaneness and equity by reducing the use of confinement as a penalty.

“Mr Speaker, we must not betray young people by continuing the imposition of custodial sentences. This must only be an exercise of last resort where nothing else

is left to protect the public.”

Ramjattan acknowledged that the revolution which the Bill creates will require a number of changes and huge amounts of resources. He stressed that the changes must include mind set changes. Ramjattan said support will be provided by the government to ensure these changes take place. He noted that resources must be found to establish placement facilities which will support the new juvenile justice regime.

“Retraining of policemen, prosecutors, magistrates and judges will also see expenditures rise but for our young people involved… most of whom are products of dysfunctional families, we must invest today in realistic, rational, sensitive and supportive interventions to reap the dividends of more secure families, safer communities and ultimately a stable nation tomorrow.”

He stressed that an ideal legislation is a myth but noted that efforts can be made to improve that which exists over time.

COMPREHENSIVE BILL Opposition Member, Dr Frank Anthony agreed that the Bill is a comprehensive one which has a progressive approach which speaks to rehabilitation rather than punishment of juveniles who encountered problems with the law.

Outlining the history relative to the reform of the legislation, Dr Anthony, a former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport said, in 2004 Guyana was told its 1931 law did not conform to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While some aspects of the legislation found favour with him, he objected to the proposed increase in the age limit from 10 years to 14 years at which time a child cannot be charged for criminal acts. He like many of his colleagues suggested that Guyana’s age of criminal responsibility be 12.

“That is something we have to look at because that is not expressed in the Bill before us,” he said.

He said even as the Bill suggests that the age be taken up to 14, it makes no provision for a young person under the age of 14 who commits a serious crime. He questioned how such a child would be dealt with. “Mr Speaker, we feel that there are some very small grey areas that we can quickly sort out and if he would con-

sider that we take this Bill to the select committee so we can iron out these small areas so that we can have unanimity,” he concluded.

Dr Anthony’s call for the Bill to be sent to a Special Select Committee was echoed by Dr Vindhya Persaud and Priya Manickchand. While they commended the government in bringing the Bill to the House, they stressed the need for more consultations with civil society. “There are many deep seated reasons for the phenomenon of youth crime that we cannot ignore in the country in which we live. Violence and crime perpetrated by young people are caused by many factors that work simultaneously to create situations of social instability,” said Dr Persaud.

She stressed that the Bill requires tangible efforts from all stakeholders that can make a tangible impact in what is to be achieved and called for a special juvenile court, specialised lawyers, and the provision of community-based services for rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as right to privacy through media coverage. Similarly, Manickchand said she is pleased that truancy and wandering will no longer be considered offences, citing that as a progressive move and fits squarely into what the country’s vision is for children but contended that there are areas that require more deliberation and clarity.

“I see no harm in it going to the Special Select Committee to be addressed so that we can get the best out of it,” she told the House.

Manickchand posited that the Bill at this point cannot be brought into force as Guyana currently does not have the resources to meet some of the provisions outlined in the Bill. She said too, that it would be improper for persons who have concerns about the age of criminality to be dismissed. “This is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country, this is a piece of legislation that I would have great difficulty not supporting so this is a piece of legislation that can be perfected. What is wrong with going to the Select Committee and fine-tuning this piece of legislation?”

However, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally made it clear that the Bill was the subject of many consultations, while noting that it aims to protect children from harm.

“This reformed Bill will hold young offenders accountable for their actions…and in-

crease their chance of having a better life,” she said, while pointing to Article 38 (b) of the Constitution which stated that the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration in all judicial proceedings.

“No longer will our youth be placed before the court for status offences such as wandering and truancy—these crimes will finally be abolished and decriminalised--this will be a major achievement in Guyana’s juvenile justice system,” the Social Protection Minister stated.

Ally noted that over 70 per cent of the country’s youth housed at the NOC are there for charges relating to wandering or truancy, as well as other minor offences. She noted that wandering is a principal reason for the loss of a child’s liberty.

“Many of these children are a product of their environment…they come into conflict with the law for many reasons- poverty, family break up, unemployment, migration, substance abuse, pressure exhorted by peers or adults, violence, abuse and exploitation to name a few,” she said, while calling on all Members of Parliament to change the situation.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, SC. described the bill as timely, relevant and long overdue. He stressed that in all matters concerning children, the best interest of the child should be paramount.

Williams said the modern legislation seeks to ensure that the interest of all juveniles is of utmost importance. He said the main aim of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation and not punishment. He stressed that the ultimate goal is giving the juvenile another chance to take up a responsible place in society. “Let us not fail our most vulnerable but let us offer them an opportunity to be rehabilitated so they can make a tangible contribution to building a beautiful society.”

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira argued that the government should not be opposed to sending the legislation to the Select Committee. “I can’t understand the government’s reluctance on sending the Bill to the Select Committee---what is your problem?

You are in the chair, not us,” declared Teixeira. Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Opposition MP Jillian Burton also spoke on the Bill.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

LEN now lending for agri projects

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) has shifted its focus to agricultural empowerment in Region 10, cognisant of the region’s high level of dependability on agricultural production.

LEN is a financial government institution indigenous to the mining town of Linden, which provides needed financial support for business ventures.

Chief Executive Officer (ag) of LEN, Tanniza Gasper, said aside from providing financial loans, greater technical and tangible assistance will be given to persons in the agricultural sector. These include farmers, seedling and poultry producers and apiculturists.

The hallmark of the agricultural project was the distribution of 800 seedlings to farmers. Most of the seedlings were hot and sweet peppers, given the upsurge in pepper processing in Linden. In a bid to meet the demands for these agro processors, farmers were encouraged to plant pepper.

LEN would have also assisted two youths with establishing bee hives, given the demand for honey locally.

“That is one of the areas we want to promote because there is a demand for honey and most times we have to import honey in the country… we are hoping to create an awareness and a likeness, spinning off from that we want to be able to train youths, from now to about September; our goal is to have about 40 bee hives,” Gasper said.

A partner of LEN would have given the institution access to over 20 acres of land to pursue apiculture, an area that is expected to bring favourable returns. Youths who will be involved in the apiculture training project will also be recommended for grants from the Small Business Bureau to set up their businesses.

The Guyana School of Agriculture was also engaged to provide training and support in the area of fruit-agro processing.

“In the season when different fruits are in, there is a lot

would be the place; if you have a business idea and you just want to develop, LEN is the place.”

LEN CEO (ag) Tanniza Gasper

of wastage. We want to have the youths understand that they could create employment for themselves in that area,” Gasper explained.

TRADE FAIR LEN will be using the Linden Trade Fair and Exposition which is slated for this weekend, to create awareness in these areas and also to have

first-hand demonstration on how these various forms of agro processing as well as apiculture is done.

“What we want to do is create awareness and by creating awareness, we want to show models, so persons can see the prototype,” the CEO (ag) said.

In addition to agriculture, LEN is also embarking on a lo-

cal interlocking block making project with the use of bauxite laterite and overburden.

Support to boost the local bread production industry in Linden is also a project on the 2018-2019 agenda. It is not only about lending money but about giving whatever support is needed to see entrepreneurs flourish and the Linden economy ripen.

Gasper said, “We see LEN as an area where you can have all your business taken care of under one umbrella. If you need financial assistance, LEN would give it to you; if you need technical assistance, LEN

STRINGENT MEASURES One of the institution’s major challenge was providing funding to clients and the funds were not used to establish or expand businesses.

LEN has now implemented stringent measures to ensure that funds are not misappropriated. In addition to a client having to submit more documentation, the client is also required to provide valid quotations for their business ventures and the purchase is made directly to the supplier

by LEN. While cash is still needed in a lot of cases, the client is expected to provide a proposal showing how the cash will be spent.

In 2017, two of LEN’s senior officials were relieved of their duties by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordon. CEO Gasper as well as chairman of the board, Orin Gordon are putting stringent measures in place to ensure that LEN’s funds are used for its purpose and that is to finance small businesses in Linden. To date, some 412 clients have accessed funding from LEN.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Sophia man nabbed with illegal gun

The illegal weapon found on the suspect A 34-year-old labourer of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, is in police custody after he was nabbed with a .38 Starr pistol by the Police Anti-Crime Unit patrol on Thursday morning.

The man was on Leopold and Hadfield Street,

Georgetown, around 02:00h when the arrest was made. The police said in a statement that the suspect was in a Toyota Premio motorcar, when he was intercepted.

An investigation is ongoing.

Republic Financial Holdings records US$97.3M half year profits REPUBLIC Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has recorded a profit attributable to shareholders of US$97.3 million for the half-year ended March 31, 2018.

This represents an increase of US$2.9 million or 3.2 per cent over the US$94.4 million reported in the corresponding period of the last financial year, Republic Bank said in a release on Thursday. Total assets increased by 0.3 per cent over total assets as at March 2017, to stand at US$10.3 billion at March 31, 2018.

The Group’s Chairman, Ronald F. deC. Harford, in announcing the Group’s results said, “As was the case in the first quarter, the improvement in profitability was driven mainly by better performance in our overseas subsidiaries.” He added that the profitability of the Trinidad and Tobago operations remains flat due to an increase in the tax rate.

The Board of Directors has declared a half-year dividend of US$0.19 (2017: US$0.19) per share, payable on June 1, 2018. Mr. Harford said that this level of performance is expected to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year.

He also expressed his ongoing appreciation for the continued support of management, staff and clients of RFHL.

National Payments System Bill tabled THE National Payments System Bill 2018 was on Thursday read for the first time in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

The bill, No. 4 of 2018 seeks to introduce legislation for the establishment, regulation and oversight of a National Payments System (NPS). PART 11 of the bill provides for the establishment of a National Payments System Council and sets out the general powers and duties of the said Council. Additionally, the bill outlines the operational role of the bank in relation to the NPS. The third part of the bill speaks to the licensing of payment service providers and systems operators.

The bank is also given the power to impose individual conditions for the operation of systems and the provision of services, ask for information, and agree with the individual operator or payments service provider on limitations in the activity or specific protective measures or impose sanctions and withdraw the relevant licence.

Meanwhile, PART IV provides for the ongoing oversight by the bank. These powers are defined as broad and general to permit the Bank of Guyana to diversify the levels of control according to each specific sector of the National Payments System.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the power to audit, have access to all records and information, examine and inspect where necessary for the oversight of systems and payment service providers are all provided for.

Clause 17 provides that the

bank has the power to adopt measures of a general or individual nature.

PART V provides for the establishment of rules of a system. It notes that once a system is authorised or its operator licensed by the bank it is consequently overseen by it.

The National Payment System makes its operational rules enforceable against third parties.

Consumer protection is also taken into consideration by the legislation with Clause 29 including provisions for the transparency of fees charged by a payment service provider.

On the other hand, Clause 30 provides that payment service providers should disclose the terms and conditions of a payment service in a manner clearly understood by the consumer, at the time the consumer contracts for the payment service.

Additionally, the bill outlines guidelines regarding the outsourcing and use of agents.

It is a requirement that the bank wants payment service providers or operators to seek approval from the bank before outsourcing any operational function.

It states that an operator or payment service provider shall not outsource an aspect of the operation of its system or the provision of its payment service without prior written authorisation of the bank. It also states that a payment service provider seeking to provide payment services to a consumer through the use of agents shall submit to the bank an application for approval. Operators and payment service providers remain fully liable for any acts of their agents or entities to which activities are

outsourced.

SETTLEMENT, NETTING AND FINALITY OF PAYMENT Part VIII of the bill relates to settlement, netting and finality of payment and also applies to collateral used for providing liquidity in the system. Clause 37 provides that transfer orders and their netting shall be legally enforceable within the jurisdiction of Guyana and binding on third parties.

This part is intended to protect against systemic risk and reflect international best practices for ensuring completion of daily operation.

PART IX provides for the winding up and administration of a system operator or participant. This part regulates the effects of bankruptcy over licensed systems. This part is intended to ensure that the daily operations of a system duly overseen by the bank are protected from any liquidation or winding up procedure.

PART X lays out the provisions affecting cheques and makes provisions to the processing of cheques by electronic means and on the use of cheque images and their enforceability under any circumstance.

Meanwhile, PART XI provides for the legal recognition of electronic records and electronic signatures.

Clause 48 provides that electronic funds transfers and

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records of electronic funds transfers are enforceable and may be used as evidence while Clause 49 outlines additional conditions with which a payment service provider should comply to obtain a licence for the issuance of electronic money.

PART XII lays out infringements, administrative measures and penalties while noting that the bank has the power to withdraw licences or suspend activities of payment service providers or operators.

PART XIII sets out the provisions for the settlement of disputes by arbitration along with transitional provisions for existing entities providing a payment service or operating a system or any participant or its officers conducting such business.

Clause 53 provides for immunity from lawsuit for supervisory staff. Clause 55 also provides that the bank may make such regulations, orders, notices or guidelines as may be required from time to time for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act, including on specific issues on payment orders and fund transfers executed by electronic means.

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Editorial Troubled men

THERE is no amount of language that can be found to condemn rape and the deep, destructive psychological scars that it inflicts on its victim.

Its brutal trauma would have left such horrible memories within the mental psyche that the abused are often made to relive its crushing ordeal, either intermittently, or through panic episodes, or flashbacks ever so often.

For this category of victims, in most cases, life is never the same again, and for so many reasons which are known and painful. But what about the younger victims—the children-who have now become the daily targets for these perverts?

Surely, the trauma would be equally devastating, given the earth-shattering, and unexplained violence that would have unexpectedly intruded their innocent young world. This type of daily hell, visited on so many of our young, can only create many a disturbed youth with serious challenges for our social system, both physical and mental health .

It can only be a type of human--a male--who definitely cannot be within the pale of normal behaviour, since the particular beastly attribute that causes him to commit such a despicable act as rape, comes from a perverted mind. For such a deviant, he has affixed a prey tag on women, whom he categorizes as game. And this includes the very young whom he considers ready to suffocate as a result of their unsuspecting and trusting minds.

It is never ever going to be a case of thinking twice, or re-considering his debauched actions. Such a mental selfcheck forms no part in such specie of predatory instinct. And this observation is gleaned from many of the cases disposed of so far in the Sexual Offences Court, where sex convicts, although found guilty because of incontrovertible evidence, offers no remorse, apart from even denying the accusation.

But this is a particular brand of convicted felon who has an innate disrespect for females. In his distorted purview, women are objects to be treated as such, in the most disdainful and animalistic manner. The recent case of the jailed-for- life, former would-be trade union leader, underlines the dilemma that such a convicted sexual abuser would have in a rehabilitation programme.

From a purely layman’s understanding, it is understood that rehabilitation for any convicted person begins with an admission of guilt, and a corresponding acceptance of responsibility for personal deed. The other components that follow would be sure to include the psychological and other trauma that would affect the victim, in addition to society’s disdain for such crimes, and reaction against the offender. This, we believe, may be applicable to any renewal initiative for sex felons.

Despite the denials and absence of remorse shown, the very lengthy sentences given should have a retributive

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

effect, thereby bringing about the realisation that such an offence is abnormal, totally unacceptable to society, unlawful in every sense, and will be met with the maximum force of judicial sanction.

It is troubling in a nation that has a significantly young population that sexual abuse has become so commonplace and being committed by grown men who are fathers, step-fathers, and other type of family relations. Such men are definitely distorted in their view of themselves as family members. It is commendable that family members of the former trade unionist found the courage to denounce his attempts at leadership of a public social organization, against the background of his pending trial. Such actions need to be replicated in every community where our young children are suffering sexual abuse.

Why are we keeping a law that criminalises suicide?

Dear Editor,

THE current primitive, outdated and repressive suicide law is wasting space in the law books of Guyana and we need to get rid of it once and for all.

According to Chapter 8:01 96 of the Laws of Guyana, “Everyone who attempts to commit suicide shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and liable to imprisonment for two years”. This law was drafted over 100 years ago when mental health experts did not know as much about the psychological disorders that drive people to commit suicide as they do today.

The whole world, including Guyana, now knows about a whole range of mental health issues that nobody knew about when the law was passed. Suicide attempts are triggered by a whole

list of mental health issues like schizophrenia, clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum depression, premenstrual syndrome and others.

The struggle to meet daily commitments as well as the inconsistencies among our politicians within the main political parties also contribute to high stress levels and high tension situations among our impressionable young people.

We have all heard stories of domestic violence and escalating frustrations leading to women taking their own lives. People who have suffered paralyzing injuries or feel they cannot live with the shame of having contracted certain diseases such as HIV/ AIDS, also decide that they are better off dead.

Whether it is mental health issues, a physical ail-

ment or a traumatic event, it is obvious that people who are experiencing any of these difficulties and are not equipped to handle them, ought to always have someone to call on, whether it is a friend or relative, a religious leader or trained personnel manning a hotline. My point is: whatever their issues might be, most persons who attempt suicide are not criminals and do not deserve to be treated as such. But as long as this antiquated law is in effect, these persons will be criminalized unnecessarily.

This makes no sense; we know better so we must do better and get rid of it.

I did not for one minute forget that violent, depraved criminals commit savage murders and rapes on old people, women and children, then try to kill themselves to escape capture and punish-

ment. The suicide law should inflict the maximum penalty on this type of criminal alone, not victims of mental disorders like stress and depression. Suicide is a big social problem in Guyana. A 2014 World Health Organisation report stated that the suicide rate in Guyana is five times higher than the world average with 44.2 per 100,000 people and this does not even record suicide attempts reported, and unreported.

Official estimates state that 1,500 to 2,000 persons attempt suicide each year in Guyana, which works out to about one attempt every five hours. As a nation, we have a lot of work to do to bring down this rate; this is serious business.

Let’s face it, if we keep an outdated, ineffective suicide law on the books, its presence there tells the world

that we are not serious about dealing with our suicide problem. Since it would be absurd to prosecute all the persons who attempt suicide, the law simply cannot be enforced.

As a patriot, I am always against anything that puts my country in a bad light.

The WHO report exposed Guyana’s exceptionally high suicide rate and the eyes of the world are on us. Why are we keeping a prehistoric suicide law? Can’t we change it to suit modern times? Are we uninformed? Are we lazy?

It is unwise to keep an antiquated law that is being enforced and brings great hardships on the persons who attempt suicide and the families who have to find money for lawyers which they may ill afford. I call on Guyana’s capable lawmakers to amend the suicide law to decriminal-

ise suicide attempts, except when vile and vicious criminals try to kill themselves before prosecution.

Furthermore, I call on Government, NGOs and medical professionals who deal with mental health issues to increase public awareness of suicide-triggers like acute emotional distress and depression, along with the familiar monsters of alcohol and drug use and dysfunctional families. Of course, alongside the suicide law there are many out-of-date, useless laws clogging up our law books that make it look like Guyana is lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to lawmaking. But that’s another story for another time.

Regards Roshan Khan Snr

Extension to tax filing deadline date

Dear Editor,

TAXPAYERS are required to file their Tax Returns by the statutory date of 30 April. This year the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has given an amnesty period with conditions applicable to defaulting tax-

payers which is a great concession.

There will be taxpayers who may not be in a position to meet this deadline but have all intentions to file. Also, tax preparers who are hard-pressed at this point of time to meet this deadline may prefer a few more days. In the circumstances,

a suggestion is being made to the Commissioner General of GRA and to officials of the Ministry of Finance, to extend the closing date to 4 May, 2018, as a tax filing concession.

Further, taxpayers need assistance from GRA on the preparation of their Tax Returns. GRA may be providing

this service with limited staff but it is not adequately publicized. Hence, for the remaining working days to the tax deadline date, such a service should be provided with adequate staff and if possible, have extended hours beyond 16:30 hours in order to cater for the working public.

Perhaps a deadline extension may result in increased revenue for the Government, and also a cordial working relationship amongst all stakeholders.

Regards John Seeram

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

7

Airport tour was arranged at the behest of MPs on both sides of the House Dear Editor, IT was with utter disappointment I read a letter published in the April 26, 2018 editions of the daily newspapers, penned by Member of Parliament, Mr. Juan Edghill, in regards to today’s (April 27) planned parliamentary tour of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

To read that the Parliamentary Opposition declined the offer to visit the project is startling; the tour, after all, was arranged at the behest of the Members of Parliament of both sides of the house. The Parliamentary Opposition, in fact, had raised vehement protest following a visit to the project in January by members of Cabinet and had emphasised that other elected members who would have

voted on the project should also be privy to seeing it.

Therefore, this about-face is surprising, though not completely unexpected when one reflects on the Opposition’s typical approach to matters of national development.

In particular, Mr. Edghill has continued to show that he is oftentimes economical with the truth.

As the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Shadow Min-

Education Ministry finds no fault in Golden Grove Primary HM Dear Editor,

THIS letter is a response to a letter published in the Kaieteur News on April 24th, 2018 titled “Major concern about the Grade Six pupils at Golden Grove Primary School.”

The headteacher of the Golden Grove Primary School has been teaching Grade Six level classes for over 20 years. The headteacher began acting in the position as of January 2017.

From that date to present, assistant mistresses (AMs) have been teaching the grade six class. However, because they are new to the class, the headteacher with her wealth of experience, would occasionally step into the classrooms to offer guidance to the teachers.

The headteacher is not permanently placed in the Grade Six classroom. Further, as it relates to allegations that the headteacher is not performing proper administrative duties, based on investigation, it was proven to be quite the opposite. Further, as it relates to the content for Grade Five students not being taught completely, it must be noted that when students enter Grade Six, teachers take into consideration what topics were not

taught in Grade 5 and ensure that those topics are covered before they begin teaching the Grade Six content.

Regards Ministry of Education Public Relations Department

ister, Mr. Edghill has been invited to other tours of the CJIA project and would have attended at least one of them. Additionally, he and the entire house would have been provided on numerous occasions with all relevant information relating to the project. In fact, Mr. Edghill put forward several queries – most of them deliberately obtuse – all of which were painstakingly responded to. Nonetheless, he today claims that the Government of Guyana is non-trans-

parent and unaccountable; his claims of underhanded behaviour, non-consultation, and non-provision of information by me, and by extension the Government of Guyana, ring hollow.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Opposition’s refusal to visit the project is a strange one, since the new arrival terminal will be completed in June. This means that members of the travelling public will be able to use the new terminal. Therefore, whenever a member of the opposition

travels internationally beyond June, he or she will receive an unguided tour of the new facility anyway.

It is important that the Parliamentary Opposition recognises the role they play in moving our country forward. Trivial back and forth achieves nothing; it is time to put Guyana at the forefront.

Regards David Patterson, M.P. Minister of Public Infrastructure

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Spotlight on prudent financial management … as 2nd municipal action roundtable opens

By Svetlana Marshall

EVEN as government takes critical steps to strengthen the revenue base of Local Government Organs to address the vexing issue of inadequate finance, it is expected that Town Councils display prudent financial management, and according to the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan his ministry will provide no

shelter for municipalities that act outside of the law.

Minister Bulkan issued the warning during the opening ceremony of the 2nd Annual Action Roundtable for Municipal Financial Management at Tower Suites on Thursday, in the presence of Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Mortimer Mingo; Accountant General of the Finance Ministry, Jennifer

Chapman; and President of the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM), Carwyn Holland, town clerks, and other municipal officers from across the country.

From the outset, Minister Bulkan noted that the government is fully aware of the financial standing of councils and the difficulties they face in fulfilling their responsibilities, such as the provision of important ser-

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan delivering remarks during the opening of the 2nd Annual Action Roundtable forum at Tower Suites (Delano Williams photos)

and financial sustainability.

MPAC/Axilogic will provide technical support to the Valuation Division in this regard,” Minister Bulkan explained.

For decades, municipalities across the country have been advocating for the outdated land values to be addressed, pointing out that some home-owners are paying as little as $1,000 on their properties.

Now that the issue is being addressed, it is expected that municipalities display greater financial management.

As he turned his attention to the statutory office-holders – the town clerks as the chief administrative officers and the treasurers as the chief financial officers, Minister Bulkan underscored the importance of transparency and accountability.

GOOD GOVERNANCE “With this (financial) autonomy comes greater responsibility not only on the council as a unit but on the incumbent office-holders. It is your duty to ensure that the principles of good governance – account-

and District Councils Act. “The ministry will provide no shelter nor will we condone this or any act that is contrary to the law. We must get it right,” Minister Bulkan clearly stated.

The Finance Ministry’s general accountant said long-term, financial and asset management planning is paramount, but she, like Minister Bulkan, took note of the challenges plaguing municipalities. Chapman said despite the challenges, good financial management remains important.

“Notwithstanding that, without good financial management practices there is an increased risk of fiscal imbalances, weak accountability and deterioration in the quality of public services,” she pointed out, noting too that financial accountability in local government administration is not just about providing financial information statements.

IMPERATIVE Chapman told the municipal officers present that knowledge of financial responsibility is very important; noting that lack there-

the theme: “Improving Municipal Financial Management System for Sustainable Development of Capital Towns,” will steer municipal officers in a direction that will allow them to be more accountable in the execution of their functions.

Mingo noted that while the Municipal and District Councils Act speaks “broadly” about the functions of municipal officers such as the town clerk and treasurer, the time has come now for uniformity across the municipalities with relation to the conduct of their financial affairs. He said it is important for regulations to be put in place to ensure there is uniformity.

Meanwhile, the GAM president in delivering brief remarks, noted the roundtable forum is a timely one and will aid in addressing some of the challenges affecting municipalities.

“There have been too much cries from municipal organs of financial shortcomings and if one is to closely examine the reasons, you may find that prioritising personal interests over community needs often takes precedence. Or in some cas-

A section of the municipal officers at the roundtable forum vices and even the payment of salaries.

To remedy the situation, the government is moving to strengthen the revenue base of the nine town councils.

Cabinet, the minister of communities reported, has approved engagement with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)/ Axilogic of Canada for the modernisation of Guyana’s property assessment system.

“This initiative is designed to ensure that Guyana achieves a complete national property inventory and effects a national mass appraisal within 18 months, thus making good on the promise to assist in the strengthening of LDOs revenue base

ability and transparency – prevail which is crucial to the realisation of the capital town vision.”

While there is a misconception that financial management refers only to expenditure and procurement of goods and services, Minister Bulkan explained that it includes elements of planning and budgeting, assets management, reporting – preparation and submission of annual financial statements as mandated by Section 177 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, and oversight.

He emphasised that the council’s accounts with all other records ought to be in good order in keeping with Section 178 of the Municipal

of can act as a barrier in the quest for transparency and accountability in Local Government Financial Administration.

“Not until local government authorities, especially the elected representatives of the local residents show interest in knowing who is doing what in the financial chain, the fight for transparency and accountability in Local Government Administration would be a lost battle,” the accountant general said.

The Local Government Commission Chairman echoed similar sentiments.

Mingo said the two-day Action Roundtable forum, which is being held under

es, defaulting vendors, staff or contractors are given a pass or the blind eye even when their shortcomings or in some cases malpractices are as clear as day,” Holland posited.

While government is mending the broken local government system, Holland believes that some “municipal administrative actors” remain bent in old custom and practice, thereby hindering positive changes. All must get in line, he said.

The roundtable discussion continues today.

Public Procurement Commission Chairman Carol Corbin is among presenters in the lineup.

Inmate found hanging in Mahdia Police Station lock-ups

THE Police Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating purported breaches of the Standard Operating Procedures regarding custody of prisoners with one of them found hanging in a cell at the Mahdia Police Station on Wednes-

day.

Dead is Shameer Khan, 53, of 111 Miles, Mahdia. He was found hanging in a cell at the Mahdia Police Station about 15:40hrs. Enquiries disclosed that Khan was arrested and charged with simple larceny and

fined $40,000 or an alternative of eighteen months imprisonment.

He was unable to pay the fine and was placed in custody. The body is presently at the Mahdia Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

High time girls exposed to ICT at early age –– First Lady urges at Girls in ICT Day event

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger said Thursday that there’s need here for girls to be exposed to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at an earlier age in order to spark their interest in the field.

The First Lady made the observation at the launch of a Girls in ICT Day 2018 event, which is a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and event host, GeoTech Vision Guyana Incorporated. The launch was held at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston.

In her opening remarks, the First Lady pointed out that women and girls could be left behind if their access and exposure to technology is not prioritised.

“I know that our participants must be aware of the vital importance of developing and continually building on Information and Communication Technology skills, given that over two-thirds of the jobs will require this knowledge, and the projection is that 60 per cent of our jobs will soon be done by robots,” Mrs Granger said,

to reach the pinnacle of the tech game.”

Urging that Guyana should aggressively invest in educating girls, given the multiplier effect they have on community and national development, Mrs Granger said: “Women and girls spend as much as 90 per cent of their earned income on their families; ensuring that they develop and hone skills needed to secure jobs in the modern economy will not only benefit their health and well-being, but will certainly have an impact on the economic and social development of their families and communities.”

The First Lady also shared with her audience of young women the success of their young colleagues involved in the STEM Guyana programme, and the strides they’ve made in their robotics and app development ventures.

‘GUYANESE GIRLS ROCK’ She then charged the girls to continue honing their skills in ICT, and

their skills, so that they can contribute to the economic advancement of the nation.

“You young people are indeed the chosen generation. You will keep Guyana relevant with your knowledge of ICT, and you will be able to respond to every global change,” the Minister said.

She also urged those girls present to join tech clubs and STEM groups, and to take advantage of any opportunity for training that would enable them to develop skills within the field.

“I want you to get more involved, because ICT is all about putting your creative geniuses to work, and using the Internet to develop newer and better versions of apps that you use every day today on your cell phones and computers,” the minister said, adding: “I know that you young people know to use the technology inside and out.

You have the ability to use what you are naturally good at to make an industry; make a career; get further training and, most importantly, to form

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger being accorded a warm welcome on her arrival at the Roraima Duke Lodge for the opening of the International Day of Girls in ICT Tech-lab (Photos courtesy Ministry of the Presidency) the ICT industry, as he believes that they offer new perspectives that would benefit the development of the sector.

He told the young women not to be shy; to hone their skills and take the lead, since their input can address more diverse ICT solutions.

“As we enter into the new phase of our economic development,” Minister Gaskin said, “I believe it’s important for us to address the issue of national compet-

At the launch on Thursday of the Girls in ICT Day event at the Roraima Duke Lodge. Seated from left are: Co-Founder of She Leads It, Ms. Nicole Pitter Patterson; First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger; Minister of Public Telecommunication, Mrs. Catherine Hughes; and Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin.

Standing around them are the students participating in the International Day of Girls in ICT Tech-lab and their teachers adding: “UN Women estimates that 90 per cent of jobs will soon require ICT skills.

To be part of this new job environment, women and girls have to develop their skills, and pursue jobs in STEM-related fields, aiming

show the world that “Guyanese girls rock”.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms. Catherine Hughes told the audience that the future of Guyana relies heavily on investments in youth and their commitment to develop

your own businesses and to make money in these same fields.”

NEW PERSPECTIVES Meanwhile, Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin emphasised the need for more women in

itiveness. And when it comes to national competitiveness, I believe the ICT sector has a major role to play.

“I urge you not to be intimidated or shy to get involved in this sector; it is a viable career option, and I’m certain that women can bring

a fresh approach.”

International Girls in ICT Day is intended to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of ICT, enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.

This year, Guyana’s Girls in ICT Tech-Lab is being held simultaneously with the

one-day Caribbean Regional Hackathon in Trinidad, Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines under the theme, “Expand horizons, change attitudes”.

Co-Founder of “She Leads It”, Ms. Nicole Pitter Patterson, and students and teachers drawn from schools including The Bishops’ High, Saint Rose’s and Saint Stanislaus College also attended the event.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Paddy sale pegged at $30.2 B in 2017 … as GRDB releases new variety

THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on Thursday released a new and improved paddy variety called “GRDB 15” and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder noted that farmer’s receipts for paddy sold to millers in 2017 stood at G$30.2 Billion, an increase of $4.4Billion from 2016.

The minister was at the time speaking at the Pegasus Hotel where he gave the feature address during the officially release of the paddy to farmers in attendance.

Also present were General Manager of

GRDB Nizam Hassan and his Deputy Allison Peters; Chief Scientist Dr. Mahendra Persaud; President of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) Leekha Rambrich, amongst other heads of departments at the Agriculture Ministry.

He said that Guyana’s rice industry is a dynamic force in the nation’s economy and has been able to create a rapid and positive change in the fortunes of the nation’s farming community and Guyana’s economy as a whole.

Minister Holder said that the release of

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (centre), flanked by General Manager of GRDB Nizam Hassan and Chief Scientist Dr. Mahendra Persaud inspecting paddy from the new variety that was released. (Samuel Maughn photos) this new high yielding variety, builds on the results of continuing research at the Rice Research Station at Burma.

The GRDB, he said, is constantly searching for and incorporating, new varieties and technology to improve the productivity of rice farming in Guyana. From 1997 to 2015, the researchers have released varieties, including one aromatic variety.

He noted that the release of these varieties has resulted in significant increases in productivity over the last decade: From 3.8 tonnes/hectare (24 bags/acre) in 2000, to 5.5 tonnes/hectare (35 bags/acre) in 2017.

“It is my understanding, that with the release of this latest variety, Guyana’s rice farmers will have the potential of realising yields of up to eight tonnes per hectare;

The GRDB 15 on display provided that the recommended agronomic practices are incorporated, from land preparation all the way through to harvest,” Minister Holder said.

He said proper pest and disease management through an integrated approach will guarantee a positive result everytime, not only with this new variety but with all varieties being cultivated.

“The rice sector is an important industry in Guyana. Rice is the largest user of agricultural lands, over 87,000 hectares being currently double cropped and absorbs and influences a major section of the agriculture working population…as it contributes 20 per cent to agriculture GDP, 3.25 per cent to the national GDP, and accounts for more than US $200M in export earnings,” he said.

Adding that over the last decade, rice production has been growing in leaps and bounds, moving from 298,125mt ( metric tonnes) in 2007 to 630,104mt in 2017, Minister Holder said this represents a 111 per cent increase in production.

He noted that the first crop harvest this year currently stands at 394,116 mt (as at April 23, 2018) representing 75 per cent of total acreage to be harvested. It is expected that this first crop figure will top out at 530,000mt, approximately 35,000mt more than the targeted production.

What this means, he said, is that farmers are applying fertilisers and instituting pest

and disease control measures as recommended in the right quantity per acre, at the right time.

“They have been using quality seed paddy at the recommended rate, they have also incorporated efficient monitoring for pests and diseases. This has contributed to a yield of 6.01 tonnes harvested so far for this first crop,” Holder said.

Underscoring that Guyana is a net exporter of rice, the minister said currently the country export to 34 countries/markets.

Some of these markets include: Mexico, Portugal, Jamaica, Italy, Panama, Holland, Trinidad, etc.

In the last year, Mexico, Panama and Cuba have become important players in the nation’s foreign earnings. He explained that the GRDB 15 is a high-yielding variety, which provides more bags per acre, which translates into increased income for farmers. “As you are aware, lodging is the bending over of the stems near the ground in grain crops which makes them very difficult to harvest and can dramatically reduce yield. Lodging affects rice and reducing it is a major goal of rice research. The variety also has a strong tolerance to lodging, better milling recovery and a five per cent more yield when compared with other varieties, meaning millers too will increase their incomes,” the Agriculture Minister told farmers.

He added that the ultimate goal of nearly all the ministry does is aimed at reducing the poverty, while increasing incomes. “With this new variety on board we expect the national production to increase considerably.

At $3,000 per bag, moving from 37 bags per acre to 47 bags per acre minimum, that’s an additional $30,000 per acre, which is equivalent to a 27 per cent increase,” he said.

Asserting that it is anticipated that with the launch of this new variety Guyana’s rice farmers will be producing significantly more paddy per acre, Minister Holder said his ministry has been looking at interventions in areas along the Corentyne Coast and the Canje basin that would result in some 150,000 acres of lands being opened up.

Meanwhile, Chief Scientist/ Plant Breeder Dr. Mahendra Persaud said the GRDB 15 has an early duration of 105-110 days, and the semi-dwarf paddy possesses excellent early vigor with good tilling ability and canopies very early.

He said that the strong and thick stem coupled with slow leaf senescence contribute positively to its ability to tolerate lodging.

Persaud noted that the variety produces an excellent long slender grain with higher milling yields, compared to other varieties in the industry which makes it desirable for international trade.

He explained that it is foreseen that this variety will be a good economic choice for farmers as there will be rapid expansion of acreage across the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

US-based philanthropist pumps $80M into research centre at UG

THE name Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Studies and Research Centre will soon be emblazoned on a state-of-the-art facility at the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus.

Jay Sobhraj, a Guyanese-born United States-based philanthropist, has provided a significant grant of $80,000,000 to establish the state-of-the-art behavioural study, research and multi-purpose centre in place of the old canteen building.

The facility will house a bookstore, food court, model counselling centre, students’ gym and prayer rooms. It will also have an extended medex station and will cater to

various programmes including psychology, social work, criminology and psychiatry.

The funding is being provided through the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation.

Jay Sobhraj, one of the founders of the charitable organisation said his education was made possible through grants and he is grateful that he is now in a position to give back to his homeland.

“We have to take care of our motherland,” Sobhraj declared. An enthusiastic and deeply grateful Vice Chancellor Prof.

Ivelaw Griffith said that discussions had been ongoing for a year.

“This is not only a signally important

The University of Guyana’s Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith and Jay Sobhraj, ink the US$400,000 Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre

The University of Guyana’s Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, flanked

by Nardeo Singh and Jay Sobhraj (left to right), with other executives

The DPP is independent ––Minister Harmon rejects spurious allegations that MOTP issued instructions

MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon has rejected and dismissed as spurious and outrageous, allegations that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms. Shalimar Ali-Hack, was instructed by a top official from the Ministry of the Presidency to dismiss the private criminal charges filed against Minister of Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, who is Minister Lawrence’s predecessor.

This allegation was carried by an online news outfit, Citizens Report on April 24 with the headline “DPP was “instructed” by MOTP to drop misconduct charges against Ministers Lawrence and Norton – source”.

“That is a malicious report, nobody can instruct the DPP. The DPP is an independent office and the DPP exercises her responsibilities without interference from anyone. I can say categorically, that nobody, no senior personnel from the Ministry of the Presidency instructed the DPP, so that is a malicious report,” the Minister said. The charges, which

were filed last week by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are seen by the Government as an attempt by the Opposition to detract the attention from the charges that have been filed against PPP/C officials, former Minister of Finance, Mr. Ashni Singh and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), Mr. Winston Brassington.

“This is all part of the PPP’s scheme…

The DPP has exercised her right under the law and now they are finding ways and means of trying to vilify her by saying that she acted under the influence of a direction from the Ministry of the Presidency, when in fact this is not so. It is totally wrong, this is false and ridiculous,” Minister Harmon said.

A statement issued by the Minister last week regarding this same matter stated that “the Guyanese public will not be swayed by the legal shenanigans of the PPP, which in effect make a mockery of the legal system.”(Ministry of the Presidency)

milestone along rebranding and rebuilding, but it testifies to our recognition of the essential purpose of our being to enhance the ability of our students to come in and get experience,” Prof. Griffith, said.

“Philanthropy requires cultivation and time,” the VC pointed out, as he expressed gratitude to the foundation for making such a significant contribution to UG developing and expanding its curriculum. The Centre will provide a location for the new psychology programme which the University will start

in March 2018 and which is being funded by United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The new research facility will complement the mental health department which was established by the Ministry of Public Health.

The department is currently training mental health practitioners to work with mentally-challenged persons. Over 100 such practitioners have been trained to date. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Secondary school maths teachers undergoing major training

Consultant, Dr Yee Han Peter Joong engaging participants at the workshop

THIRTY-five secondary school mathematics teachers drawn from the eleven the educational districts are currently undergoing training in content, methodology and delivery, the Ministry of Education said in a release.

The ten-day workshop, which commenced on Monday at the National Centre for Resource Development (NCERD), is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the World Bank.

The 35 teachers, called ‘Master Trainers’, are expected to go back to their respective regions and train the remaining maths teachers there, ultimately ensuring all maths teachers countrywide, from Grades 7 to 11, are exposed to the same training.

ematics teachers, followed by verbal feedback, and coaching for teachers and Heads of the Mathematics Department.

Additionally, all secondary schools countrywide will receive kits containing mathematics teaching aids to enable and promote the application of desired instructional practices in specific content areas.

Added to that, mathematics teachers are expected to join and participate in an Online “community of practice” to complement these central, regional and school-based teacher professional development workshops.

This community of practice will be facilitated weekly by the mathematics technical group, which is composed of mathematics specialists from the MoE Secondary Secretariat, CPCE, NCERD,

Some of the participating teachers at the workshop The workshop is being conducted by veteran maths teacher, Dr Yee Han Peter Joong, and consists of ten modules developed by the consultant himself and addresses areas such as geometry, matrices and vectors, senior mathematics topics among other topics to come under the spotlight at the training exercise.

The training was decided upon after a recent diagnostic assessment of a sample of mathematics teachers (approximately 200) was conducted. The rationale is to identify the most common topical knowledge gaps (for example algebra, geometry, trigonometry), and to inform current instructional practices that need upgrading.

This assessment was conducted by a five- member team, led by Mr Ameer Ali, Senior Education Officer (Mathematics) MoE; Mr Kevaun Sears, Mathematics Head of Department (HoD) at the Cyril Potter College of Education; Ms Leslin Elliot, Mathematics Specialist, NCERD; Mr Saddam Hussain, Mathematics HoD at Stewartville Secondary; and Mr Vishnu Panday, Mathematics Specialist, MoE. Following the training, mathematics instructional specialists will conduct periodic school visits and formal observation of teachers’ mathematics teaching will be done.

Each school will be visited no less than three times per academic year over a four-year period. Visits will include classroom observations of all math-

and the University of Guyana, each of which rotate responsibilities for sending out mathematics instructional tips, answering teachers’ questions, posting new on-line mathematics resources, etc.

Using the computer laboratories and Internet connections available at secondary schools, teachers will receive weekly tips, lesson plans, examples of effective teaching practices, and stories of other Guyanese mathematics teachers successfully applying the training.

A discussion space will also be put in place for teachers to post their own questions, share their experiences and even their lesson plans, and will be monitored by the Mathematics Technical Group.

Over time, this Online space will enable teachers to learn from each other virtually, and pursue their professional development on a continuous basis. The MoE and the World Bank have agreed to support a Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP), with a strong focus on improving instruction and student achievement in mathematics.

The project, which was started in 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2019, has three components: Strengthening the capacity of secondary school mathematics teachers nationwide (to the tune of US$1.8 M); the expansion of general secondary school facilities (US$7.15 M); and strengthening institutional capacity and project management (US$1.05 M).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Guyana to host major CFATF confab for judges, prosecutors

JUDGES and prosecutors from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) member states will converge in Guyana next week to participate in an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) workshop organised by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, CFATF and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The two-day workshop is set to open on Thursday May 3, 2018 at the Pegasus Hotel. President David Granger; Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland; CFATF Chairman and Attorney General, Basil Williams; and CFATF Executive Director, Dawne Spicer are expected to address the officials present.

During a press conference at his Carmichael Street Office, the Attorney General disclosed that one judge and one prosecutor are expected from each of the 25 CFATF member countries. These countries include: Aruba, Barbados, Belize, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Venezuela, Dominica, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Guyana will be represented

by Justice Navendra Singh,

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Alli-Hack.

An estimated number of 70 officials, including teams from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the CFATF Secretariat are expected to attend the forum here.

Minister Williams noted that in addition to the issues of money laundering and the financing of terrorism, the violent extremism will also take centre stage as the judges and prosecutors discuss counter measures and their roles in this integral process. The workshop is also being held at a time when Guyana is preparing for the 4th round of Mutual Evaluation in which major emphasis is placed on ‘Technical Compliance’ and ‘Effectiveness’ in the AML/CFT regime.

“With a better understanding on the part of judges and the prosecution who would have to push any charges in relation to money laundering, we believe that this understanding could result in a more effective approach to one, doing investigations into money laundering, proffering charges for money laundering and successful prosecution of those charges, before a judge who also would be very informed about a particular regime Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism,”

Minister Williams said as he explained the importance of the workshop to Guyana.

CFATF is the last of nine FATF Style Reporting Bodies (FSRB) to be hosting the workshop with judges and prosecutors. On the evening of May 3, 2018, a reception will be held at State House for the officers, and on May 4, 2018, a cultural ceremony would be held at the Umana Yana.

The AML/CFT workshop for judges and prosecutors is coming approximately four months after the country hosted a CFATF assessors training session. That seminar equipped participants with the tools and competencies needed to undertake an assessment of the technical compliance with the revised FATF recommendations, and for reviewing the level of effectiveness of a country’s Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

Participants were also introduced to the use of the FATF Methodology which is used to assess a country’s technical compliance with the FATF recommendations, and for reviewing the level of effectiveness of a country’s AML/CFT system under the Fourth Round Mutual Evaluations process.

Police help colleague hit by fire

Commander of ‘C’ Division, Edmond Cooper (third from left) hands over the cash and other supplies to Corporal Adele Frank-Angoy in the presence of other ranks COMMANDER of ‘C’ Division, Edmond Cooper, and other ranks on Wednesday assisted Corporal Adele Frank-Angoy and her husband, Devon Angoy, who were victims of a fire that gutted their Section ‘C’ Enterprise, East Coast Demer-

ara home on Monday.

They donated a number of items, including cash, groceries and toiletry supplies at a simple handing-over ceremony at the Cove and John Police Station.

They couple’s two-storey concrete house was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin.

Nothing was saved as no one was at home at the time of the fire.

“Losing your home and personal belongings to a fire is already a devastating experience; we saw a need to assist our colleague and we did that,” the commander said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Vendors evading meat inspection

By Telesha Ramnarine

THE amount of ‘unstamped’ meat entering the various municipal markets is becoming worrisome to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). The Council is now calling on vendors to ensure that each and every animal is taken to the abattoir for inspection before it is sold.

Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Onica Alleyne-Blackman, told reporters on Thursday that more and more persons are opting to take their meats straight to the market without having them approved by the authorities.

“In actuality, that is in direct contraven-

tion of the market by-laws because the bylaws provide for any person bringing meats to town for sale must ensure that the animals are certified by the meat and food inspector and are so marked and stamped by the medical officer of health,” Alleyne-Blackman noted.

When persons continue to evade this system, she said, it means the meats in the markets are not inspected or might have been examined in the outlying regions. “But the problem with that is that they have to be transported to town and during that time, the meat can become contaminated, so it needs to be re-examined when it gets into George-

town to ensure it still has the safety qualities before it gets into the market,” she explained.

Alleyne-Blackman said the M&CC is appealing to persons to desist from taking unstamped meats to the market and urged customers to look for evidence that the meat was inspected and stamped, usually with blue ink.

“Seeing that blue stamp is your evidence that the meat was inspected and approved as wholesome.”

According to her, the purpose of inspecting the animals at the abattoir is to ensure that meats are wholesome for consumption.

“When we do inspections, we are not just cutting because we want to cut but we are looking for certain conditions. It is called a post-mortem examination. We are looking for any diseases, broken bones, abscesses, or any other conditions where the meat must be partially condemned.”

If the animals are slaughtered directly at the abattoir, the fee is $1200 per animal and it needs to be re-inspected, the cost is $800.

“But this is a minimal fee in comparison to what they get after selling the entire animal,” Public Relations Officer at M&CC Debra Lewis remarked.

Meanwhile, this June, the municipal abattoir in Georgetown will be 85 years old and with hardly any maintenance being done to the building, work is being impeded.

Alleyne-Blackman told Guyana Chronicle last week that some external funding to do the corrections would be welcomed, especially as the M&CC is financially-strapped.

The system at the abattoir is very manual at the moment, and Alleyne-Blackman is hoping that it can be upgraded to have better facilities such as better water supply and a pig dehairer machine.

Chief Meat and Food Inspector Onica Alleyne-Blackman “We would like to see something being done about the current structure. It would be nice if we can get some outside funding because City Council might not be able to stand the expenses of what is required now,” she pointed out.

Slaughtering and meat inspection exercises are done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to ensure wholesome meats are distributed to the various markets for consumption. About 30 to 40 animals are slaughtered at the facility every day.

Two stun guns are also now in use after having been unavailable at the facility for quite some time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Lindener gets 25 years for raping girl

THIRTY-year-old Trevon Giles, the unemployed man charged with raping an underaged girl, was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment

by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Sexual Offences Court of the Georgetown High Court.

The sentence was handed down following the hearing of a probation report, an impact statement from the victim, and a plea of mitigation from defence counsel.

Justice Barlow told the court that having listened to all the evidence, she particularly took into consideration the victim’s impact statement, which disclosed that the 15-year-old was tricked by the accused into thinking that he was a doctor, and accepted his invitation to visit his home, where he committed the act.

Justice Barlow said the convict not only violated the trust the teen placed in him, but also gave her medication, knowing fully well he was not a doctor.

She said, too, that though he had had a proper upbringing, Giles deliberately turned his back on it and took advantage of the girl, and as such, court action must be taken to send a strong message to sexual

offenders.

As probation officer, Ms Pamela Atwell observed in her report, the accused is claiming he was framed for both the current and another matter he has pending in the High Court.

But at his last place of employ, where he was fired for the alleged theft of diesel, she said, he was described by his colleagues as pompous, and a trickster, who likes to borrow money and not repay it.

Atwell also told the court that the victim related to her that she is deeply affected by the incident, and that it has taken a toll on her both emotionally and academically, to the extent that she’s often thought of committing suicide.

In summary, Ms Atwell told the court that even though the accused claims he is innocent, what’s been done to the victim is unacceptable and cannot be condoned. She said, too, that not only is the victim still being counselled, but she’s still trying to find her way back in society, and as such, justice must prevail.

Meanwhile, in his plea of mitigation, defence attorney, Clyde Forde told the court that his client’s medical condition ought to be taken into account, and asked for leni-

ency in his sentencing, so he could serve his time and be able to be reunited with his family and daughter.

Giles was found guilty on one of two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16 when a 12-member jury deliberated for more than two hours on April 11 in the Sexual Offences Court of the Georgetown High Court/ On the first count, that he engaged in sexual penetration on January 14, 2016, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, while on the second, that he engaged in sexual penetration on January 17, 2016, they arrived at a unanimous not guilty verdict.

The state was represented by Ms Abigail Gibbs, Ms Narissa Leander and Ms Tiffini Lyken.

Convicted for rape: Trevon Giles (Photo courtesy Kaieteur News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Man charged with murder of missing Prospect woman

A 34-YEAR-OLD man was on Thursday charged with the murder of Shawnette Savory who has been missing since August 2016.

It is alleged that on August 30, 2017 at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, Devindra Ramdiah known as ‘Duck Man’ murdered Savory.

The man who resides at Prospect was not required to plead to the charge. The

police prosecutor told the court that the file was still incomplete. Ramdiah was remanded by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter was adjourned to May 24, 2018.

In 2017, police had reopened the case after new information surfaced that Savory was killed by Ramdiah, her ex-lover.

On August 29, 2016, Savory went missing from her Last Street, Prospect

residence.

She was the mother of a 20-year-old who resides in the U.S. Earlier this week this newspaper reported that police investigators have been frequenting the former residence of Savory at Lot 222 Last Street Prospect, East Bank Demerara in recent days.

Last Wednesday and Friday, investigators visited that residence as they searched for clues and on

Monday ranks, in the company of Ramdiah, visited his Lot 186 Fourth Street Prospect, EDB residence.

During that visit, at least six holes where dug, reportedly in search of the mother of one.

On Tuesday, ranks revisited the residence of Savory’s former boyfriend. The boyfriend lives with his mother and sister.

However, the two relocated after police visited the

premises.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the former boyfriend’s residence, it was clear that no one was at home in the building which seemed to be newly constructed or rehabilitated.

In the yard, six deep holes were visible, three at the back of the house, two on one side and another on the opposite site.

Devindra Ramdiah

Drug trafficking accused on $150,000 bail A NURSE and a sales representative appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Thursday, charged with trafficking the drug called ‘Ecstasy’.

It was alleged that on April 23, 2018 at Regent Street, Bourda, Lonsdale Hope and Shellyann Gilgeous had 66 grammes of ‘Ecstasy’ in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Hope, 34, a sales representative and Gilgeous, who is a 27-year-old nurse, pleaded not guilty to the joint charge.

The couple’s attorney, Dexter Todd, asked for bail to be granted to his clients since the drug was not found in their possesLonsdale Hope sion and he also added that the police had no oral statements from either of his clients.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted due to the serious nature of the offence.

According to the facts given in court, acting on information received, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch stopped motorcar PSS 2037 in which the couple were travelling.

In the back seat they reportedly found a woman’s handbag with the suspected drugs inShellyann Gilgeous side.

The prosecutor said that Gilgeous told the police ranks that Hope gave her the drugs to keep.

Bail was granted by the chief magistrate in the sum of $150,000 each and the matter was adjourned until May 28, 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Slowe among nominees for Police Service Commission

RETIRED Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, is among the nominees recommended for appointment to the Police Service Commission (PSC).

In the 11th Report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the appointment of members to the PSC laid in the National Assembly on Thursday, recommendations were also made for other retired Assistant Commissioners of Police, Clinton Conway, Vesta Adams and Claire Jarvis. The nominations were put forward by the Committee on Appointments chaired by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton.

According to the report, discussions on the subject began on December 15, 2017.

On January 31, 2018, the Committee which comprises Ministers Amna Ally,

David Patterson, Catherine Hughes, and Annette Ferguson of the APNU+AFC coalition government, along with Gail Teixeira, Juan Edghill, Ganga Persaud and Bhagmattie Veerasammy of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) agreed that in an effort to expedite the process, Dr Norton would enquire from subject Minister Khemraj Ramjattan whether the Police Association, the Association of former members of the Guyana Police Force, the National Commission on Law and Order and the National Community Policing Executive exist.

An initial deadline of February 13, 2018 was set for the entities to be written to requesting nominations.

However, there were some challenges relating to communicating with Minister

Ramjattan on the functionality of the four bodies. As a result, a letter was penned to the Public Security Minister and on March 7, 2018, Dr Norton informed the Committee that of the four entities, only one--the National Commission of Law and Order--was non-functional.

At the said meeting, the Committee indicated that the three functioning bodies were required to submit one nominee and agreed to include the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers in keeping with Article 210 (1) (c) of the Constitution which states “four members appointed by the President upon nomination by the National Assembly after it has consulted such bodies as appear to it to represent the majority of the members of the police Force and any such

body it deems fit.”

The four bodies were formally invited to make nominations and submit the bio data information of each nominee. Letters were dispatched on March 8, 2018 for that purpose. On March 14, 2018, the Association of Former Members of the GPF submitted Paul Slowe and Vesta Adams as its nominees while on March 22, 2018, the Guyana Police Association submitted Slowe, Clinton Conway, Adams and Claire Jarvis as its nominees.

At its 30th meeting held on March 28, 2018, the Committee on Appointments noted that correspondence were received only from two of the four bodies invited to submit nominees. “After exhausting the process of notification, the Committee agreed to proceed with the appointment of

members for the commission”.

Thereafter, the members present unanimously agreed that the four nominated persons would be nominated for appointment to the PSC. At the 31st meeting of the committee on April 11, 2018, members of the Committee on Appointments adopted the 11th report on the appointment of members of the PSC unanimously. “The committee recommends that Mr Paul Esmond Slowe, D.S.M, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; Mr Clinton Andrew Conway, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; Ms Vesta Geneva Adams, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police; and Ms Claire Alexis Jarvis, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police be signified as the National Assembly’s choice to the President for appointment as members in the Police Service

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe Commission,” the report stated.

Government had urged the Committee on Appointments to speed up the process for the selection of nominees for the PSC. The tenure of the previous appointees expired last August.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

MovieTowne investing US$45M … reeling in Hard Rock Café

IT HAS not been completed yet and MovieTowne Guyana is already sending a clear message that it is all about bringing world class entertainment to the land of many waters.

The construction of this “Mecca for movie-lovers” has been attracting the attention of a whole host of internationally-recognised entertainment franchises.

Recently added to the Cineplex’s already impressive list of tenants is the world famous, Hard Rock Café.

The Hard Rock Café franchise has under its belt, 191 locations that spread across every continent, in 75 tourism-driven countries.

The Café, which has even been featured in high-ranking films, is now eagerly gearing up to be part of the immensely magical MovieTowne experience.

In the coming months, this massive Cineplex is expected to take Guyana by storm, satisfying every craving for clean, classy, family-oriented entertainment.

Since its 2002 establishment in Trinidad and Tobago, MovieTowne has become a well-loved phenomenon, with thousands of dedicated patrons.

In addition to captivating the senses of entertainment-loving Guyanese, the Cineplex is also predicted to be a massive boost to Guyana’s economy.

Guyana-born Chairman of Multicinemas Incorporated, Derek Chin, said that in addition to creating hundreds of jobs, MovieTowne is guaranteed to have tre-

mendous impacts on the country’s tourism industry, just as it has managed to transform that of Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are already seeing evidence of this. The Hard Rock Café is just one of the many international brands anticipating exposure to the Guyana market, and we are at the forefront of ensuring that this happens in the most flattering way possible,” Chin said.

The internationally-recognised business tycoon noted too that even in its unfinished state, MovieTowne Guyana has already become

a massive attraction with large numbers of persons visiting the location to take pictures and enquiring about its opening date.

While the multibillion-dollar initiative was unveiled about seven years ago, it took the company some time to finalise all the details attached to embarking on such a mammoth project.

Initially pegged at US$30M, the state-ofthe-art Cineplex has now approached a massive US$45M. According to Chin, a series of expansions were added to the project’s original designs. The invest-

ment is seen as the largest private sector undertaking in recent years.

“Whatever the cost, Guyana is worth the investment,” Chin maintained.

This ultra-modern complex is ideally positioned on 10 acres of prime land, with a 200,000-plus square foot building, standing fascinatingly along the East Coast Demerara corridor.

MovieTowne Guyana will be outfitted with eight state-of-the-art screens, equipped with the technology needed for patrons to lose themselves in the magic of every film.

The incredibly luxurious seating would add a distinct flair of comfort that can only be experienced at a MovieTowne cinema.

A number of immensely popular local, regional and international restaurant franchises just like the Hard Rock Café have already signed on to “set up shop” within the complex.

These incredibly diverse eateries would be sure to bait any appetite, tantalise every taste bud and leave every patron longing for more.

Among the attractions, also, would be a 60,000 sq. ft Massy Stores Super Cen-

tre, one of the largest in the Caribbean.

Overall, MovieTowne Guyana would boast a vibrant and competitively-priced shopping mall that would allow shoppers to be lavish without breaking the bank.

Even more exciting are the plans to install exhilarating amusement rides, enchanting for all age groups.

MovieTowne Guyana is expected to add a spectacular facelift to Guyana’s ever-evolving entertainment industry – satisfying the nation’s appetite for sheer brilliance.

Linden woman doused with pot of boiling rice A RESIDENT of Silver Town, Wismar, Linden is now fighting for her life at the Linden Hospital Complex after she was on Thursday morning doused with hot water, allegedly by her reputed husband, Leslie Woolford.

Thirty-eight-year-old Onika Kingston, a mother of three, is nursing first

and second degree burns on 25% of her upper body including her arms, back and chest. Information reaching this newspaper revealed that her reputed husband, who is a cook, emptied a pot of boiling rice on her after an argument ensued between them. It was unclear what started the argument. The incident occurred some-

time around 11:30 hrs.

The man then walked into the Wismar Police Station while Kingston was rushed to the LHC. Sources indicate that upon making the report, Woolford started to pant for breath and had to be seated after claiming that his blood sugar was low. He did not cooperate much with the police but was

heard saying, “yal don’t know what I does go through.” Investigations are ongoing.

This case of domestic violence occurred a day after a woman was strangled by her reputed husband at Wales, West Bank Demerara. Social media became abuzz with the upsurge in domestic violence cases against

women and are calling for the relevant authorities to look into the matter. Calls are also made to women to end abusive relationships since they most times end with them being maimed or dead.

Only Saturday, women in Linden held a ‘Speak Up Speak Out’ march against abuse on women and children.

Onika Kingston

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

Health is everyone’s business –– Dr Cummings tells Business Coalition meeting

By Lisa Hamilton

JUNIOR Minister of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings has called on the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness (GBCHA) to be ambassadors of health awareness and literacy in the country She made this call on Thursday at the GBCHA’s breakfast meeting themed “Our Health, Our Business” held at the Cara Lodge.

Meeting to discuss Guyana’s health as a nation were representatives from the business sector, government agencies, international partners, community-based organisations and all members of the GBCHA. Together, the organisations work towards the improvement of health literacy in Guyana, a priority which Dr Cummings highlighted is shared by the Public Health Ministry.

In her keynote address to the gathering, she said the government depends on stakeholder involvement for the promotion of health in the country.

Dr Cummings stated that the success of the implementation of any strategy, such as the National Public Health Programme, depends on the level of partnership and involvement of key stakeholders.

“While the Ministry of Public Health engages in numerous health promotional activities… we cannot do it alone… multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional, inter-sectoral approaches must be strategically employed. It is intrinsic that GBCHA continues to engage stakeholders and have them lend whatever assistance and support they can to advance meaningful and effective health promotion,” she said.

Through the Health Ministry, much

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings importance is being given to the practice of preventative medicine and the empowerment of communities and individuals to take charge of their own health.

Added to this, the health sector is being guided by a number of goals such as Health Vision 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Apart from these efforts, Dr Cummings highlighted non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as an area which requires sustainable health promotion activities to bring about change.

She stated that NDCs consume a large

portion of the annual public health budget and minimising its risk factor can result in a reduction of premature morbidity and mortality to the diseases.

Without the right attention, these diseases can contribute to significantly reduced productivity in the population, thus reducing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the country.

However, with stakeholder cooperation at all levels, the minister believes that these consequences can be avoided.

“We need all hands on deck. I want to challenge you today to be ambassadors of health awareness…. I urge each of you to do your part to raise the profile of health promotion in your respective organisations, constituencies and communities,” she encouraged.

Making brief remarks, GBCHA executive member, Jannis London, spoke of the need for balancing economic growth with the health and well-being of employees.

She encouraged the representatives to use the meeting to engage on how each company can better promote health awareness and literacy in their work places.

Speaking too was Chief of Party of Advancing Partners and Communities (APC), Lisa Thompson, who told the gathering that through the GBCHA, APC is able to provide HIV testing and counselling to persons countrywide.

However, Thompson indicated that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community is still the most stigmatised population which must receive equal attention when it comes to health.

She explained that addressing the health concerns within these groups can help to

Advancing Partners and Communities (APC), Chief of Party Lisa Thompson reduce the overall rate of HIV in the country but added that due to high levels of discrimination, many are afraid to visit treatment sites.

“When you have a disease that is disproportionately represented amongst the members of those populations, it would be foolhardy to not seek to work with those populations and help to bring down the prevalence rate for the disease,” she said.

The GBCHA has 25 registered organisation members and sustains its projects through annual member subscriptions, fundraising events and donor funding for special projects.

Children asking help finding missing father

YESTERDAY made one week since Saeed Hamid, called ‘Saho’ or ‘Butcher’, boarded an unknown vehicle headed to Rosignol to conduct business, but has not been seen nor heard from since.

The 56-year-old Skeldon Market food vendor left his Queenston, Corriverton home around 09:00h on Thursday last, but when he did not show up that night, the family started to worry

about his whereabouts.

According to Afraz Hamid, the older of the missing man’s two children, he received a call sometime after 21:00h last Thursday from his brother, with whom his father has been living for the past two years, saying he was worried as the old man had not returned home.

“Aslam called me and was very worried; he said dad had told him on Wednesday evening he was

planning to go Rosignol on Thursday to purchase some items for his food business, but did not yet return home, which is quite unlike him, since he always return before it gets dark,” Afraz said.

He said they tried numerous times to make contact with him via his cell-phone but were unsuccessful. They even asked people at the market if they had seen him since, or know who he may

Damages to a section of the sawmill

have gone to do business with in Rosignal, West Coast Berbice but no-one did, or seemed to know.

The brothers subsequently filed a missing person’s report with the Springlands Police Station on Saturday, and have since placed advertisements on television and in the newspapers, hoping that someone may have some information about his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, residents of Crabwood Creek and surrounding communities have expressed shock that Hamid, a former butcher before getting into the food business, has gone missing.

He was described by many as a very religious person, and a person who was very friendly and helpful.

His children are perturbed, since, as far as they know, their father does not have any issues with anyone, nor has he any reason to run away from home. They are hoping, however, that wherever their father is, he is safe and will return home soon.

They are asking that persons with any information surrounding his whereabouts make contact with the family on: 6116598 or the nearest police station.

Damaged lumber

The Missing 56 Year old Food Vendor Saeed Hamid

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

Feeling the ‘Vibez’

The fresh, new voice of Soca

By Tamara Tucker

BUDDING artiste Trevon ‘Vibez’ fell in love with the upbeat, exciting sound of soca music at a very young age, and now he is working to ensure that the love that runs in his veins for the genre is adequately demonstrated as he works to enhance his talents within the local music industry.

Trevon migrated to Barbados with his family when he was an infant and while his childhood memories were made on the island, Trevon always had a love for Guyana and a deep desire to move back to his homeland.

Trevon started performing at age 12, at the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School where he was a part of the school’s choir and band. At age 16, he composed and recorded six singles; this is where he realised he was talented in writing songs.

After graduating school, Trevon continued pushing toward his goals of becoming an artiste.

He started working with different local artistes in Barbados, enhancing his skills in not only soca but dancehall music. He also performed at various “hot spots” spreading his talent.

In 2016, Trevon decided to return to Guyana, for a six-month stay-cation and it was during this time of reacquaintance with his homeland that he really fell in love. He decided to start singing at different karaoke spots, where he was encouraged to record music. He started gaining popularity locally through local radio and television shows such as Carma and Live Wire in Linden. Trevon recorded his first single in Guyana “Born and Grow” with DP Records, where he would later come to record many more songs including his hit singles ‘Guyanese Girls, Jammin’, ‘Twerk it’ and ‘Drinkah’.

With his hits quickly gaining momentum, Trevon performed with major artistes including, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and many Guyanese artistes.

Through his stint in the Cadet Corps in Barbados, Trevon learned the value of speaking

Rems Music Talent Search

H

OUSE of Relatives Entertainment, come this month-end, will embark on a musical talent search which is designed to bring out hidden talent among locals.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Michael Fraser told the Buzz that the talent search is entitled “Rems Music Talent Search” which will start tomorrow and end on June 23, 2018.

Fraser added that audition will take place every two weeks, beginning tomorrow at the Pelican Inn on Hadfield Street Wortmanville, Georgetown.

On May 12, 2018 audition will take place at LNL Nightclub in Linden, on May 27, 2018 in Bartica and June 9, 2018 in Berbice after which the finals will take place in Georgetown on June

23, 2018.

Fraser said the auditions will start at midday and end at 17:00hrs and they do not have a limit as it relates to attendance.

He told the Buzz that the Music Talent Search will be based on originality as they aim to highlight Guyana by putting the spotlight on underground talent. raser said in total a $100, 000 will be up for grabs and the First prize winner will get $50,000 in cash and an opportunity to record one song and one Music Video while the Second prize winner will receive $30,000 in cash and two recorded songs; and the Third prize winner will be given $20,000 in cash and two recorded songs.

F

up about things he believed in and incorporates this practice into his music.

Trevon told The Buzz that music was not a career for him at first, it was just something he used to express himself, calm his mind and get away from problems but after, he realised that whatever he wrote and sang people loved it and it was then he took it seriously.

“Now I hope that with all I am learning I can not only be an artiste but reach on international stages and streams around the world, to have a much wider learning experience because music is life and life is about learning,” he said.

Trevon says that he sees himself as not just an ambassador for Guyana with his music, but as the voice for the younger people; someone who people can look up to as a role model.

Trevon intends to promote his music through social media and other platforms. “We have the world wide web- we have Facebook and YouTube. It’s not as hard as it was in the past. It’s simple to invest in you. These sites have promotional sections where you can get your voice out to the world,” he said. “I have been taking advantage of that while also making sure the music I have is quality and it can be played on every radio station in Guyana or Barbados. I believe

Trevon ‘Vibez’ once you have quality, and the love for the product you are releasing, promoting it will work out just fine.”

The inspiring artiste stated he doesn’t have a role model, though he admitted that as a child he did look up to many artistes and wanted to be just like them but then he realised that he can only be him. As he grew, he decided, instead to be a good public figure and example for the younger ones that one day they will do the same.

Trevon, a father of one, added that he already sees that he has a positive impact on his son’s life.

Trevon told The Buzz that he has been record-

ing new music and storing them for upcoming events such as the Guyana Carnival,Summer and Mashramani 2019. He is keeping busy with many gigs that he has already booked, while still also preparing to shoot music videos for new songs he has not released.

In the near future, Trevon intends to record an album but added that in the meantime he doesn’t mind doing collaborations with other artistes. He hopes to become more recognised and build his music career before moving further.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

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AWAKENING TO THE NEW LANDSCAPE

Pro-activity rather than procrastination

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VEN without a bulging economy, there are opposing political voices that have done nothing inspiring, but seek out the minuteness to expand into a lamentation, in the effort to transfer their own darkness into another’s guilt. The landscape of national survival must be recognised in the context that all possibilities rest on the talents of the people with what we have. Human potential must be moulded to wrestle with the future of now for a sustaining blessing,

Then, like the loss of the Sugar Industry, and industries before, the indelible impact of global modernisation have parachuted upon our lowly incomes. Today our children in school must have computers at home, with peripherals, UPS, externals, flash drives, printers, ink, paper, internet bill, in some cases smartphones with incessant credit bills. All these things, like a seductive thief in the night, have intruded and have complicated our lives permanently.

These intrusions would not seem

serving serious consideration. Why? This is unexplained, it is bizarre and though precedents exist all around us and envelop us from neighbouring nations, the important potential as assets to GDP has escaped our national dialogue as the politicised laying off of sugar workers has, thus it was easy for small business potential to be eliminated rather than be encouraged. And when Guyana became the dumping bin of cheap merchandise as a vehicle of money laundering, that elimination fell in place

sensitive to our pedestrian political and other concerns; it is commerce and the rights of commerce, and it is unforgiving.

Recently I was in the process of launching an art based research-oriented project. The manager called in a young person who he felt should see their involvement as a PR inclusion as progressive and a self-improving opportunity. He enquired their opinion, the person’s objections were surprising, not objective, and evasive and we quickly recognised ‘fear’. This person

which will endure into the tomorrow.

What is evident is that the collective mental approach even evident from letters sent to the media from supposed known personalities who may be expected to have a better understanding of the subjects they write about; based on their disposable income, that would enable them to have a more extensive library of resource literature to support their intellectual interests, do show disappointing gaps in the authority base and dismal clarity in understanding concepts one would think obvious.

These and other realisations have led me to suppose that our nation can no longer boast of being the top literary state in the Caribbean. One Philistine political generation that unleashed a race of teacher and technical migrations that resulted in a vacuum of expertise that semi-literate political devotees could not fill with content, has created a parallel culture cult of conspicuous consumption at all costs, to be achieved with the right mundane blessings, thus, all were allowed, all was permitted and now so much is found wanting.

that intense had the economy expanded at the grassroots and small business level, it never did. I doubt if there is an actual national record that accounts for the types and percentages of itemised sections of businesses outside of the proverbial cash crop farmers and vendors.

Ask for a report of how many books were published (including magazines) by Guyanese from 2012-17. Where are the catalogues of textile designs produced?

What new furniture and home accessory designs are recorded? The same for Jewellery (cosmetic included), T-Shirt designs and list of new music and artistes, new plays written, short films produced, new clothing created from our clothing designers and additions to our cuisine emerging from special recipes. Dissect our craft producers and be aware of duplications, limitations and the potential if guided. None of this has ever been done.

One fact resonates, that ideas are if managed well, a result in favourable paydays.

The problem is that the above and other areas not mentioned do not register as de-

with swift temerity.

Though everything that I’ve previously mentioned exists in remote archival mental sloths, the obvious failure came because the expertise thrown into economic management by our political parties over the past 33 years was inadequate and unable to envision spheres that they have never quite understood, and outside of their career training and are not inclined to indulge, engage and be instructed to understand.

The problem I’ve experienced over the past months is even more frightening and returns to the first paragraph of this article- that of ‘fear’ of challenges that are the consequence of social change.’.

The world quietly and swiftly enveloping Guyana is rooted in the knowledge base, thus, what we Guyanese understand will determine especially for our creative people across merchandise manufacturing, sound and image development lines, in terms of whether we prosper or sink into retrogression from the fledging levels we are at present. This world is in-

did not want to challenge what was obviously the favourable unknown.

There are people like this, we meet them continuously, created by a lengthy period of innovative and creative policy absence, but now, we are at the point where the space, the throwback, bluff and simple occupy has to be regulated, the emotional arguments will not hold.

That they need to work and it’s assumed they will jump at the opportunity.

I now understand that section of the ‘New York State Department of Labor Guide to Starting Your Own Business’ on hiring employees, Step 1 paragraph 8“Warning: Do not hire family members and friends simply because they need jobs. Make sure you need an additional worker and that the person you are considering has the skills and experience you want.” The methods applied to reverse this phenomenon cannot be forced, it must be marketed skilfully, to inspire through the very proven methods of creative positive indoctrination, reward and elimination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

Male makeup artist making waves in Berbice

Samuel Mootoo, the only male makeup artist in Berbice

By Tracey Khan

S

AMUEL Mootoo is the only professionally trained makeup artist in Berbice and is making waves with his skills in the makeup and cosmetology field.

This 33-year-old makeup artist and nail technician is the owner of ‘Luminous Perfection 592’ located in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Despite the stigma that comes with being a male in this line of work, ‘Sammy’, as he is popularly known, is defying the odds and has been enhancing the beauty of many women in Berbice giving them that extra sparkle which

Sammy is a trained makeup artist and nail technician

boosts their confidence.

Sammy started as a nail technician at the age of 16, a skill he learnt from his aunt

who is a trained cosmetologist.

At that time, he was residing in Kitty, Georgetown with his family where he was born. Soon after he realised that this profession would not only fulfill his passion but pay his bills.

He would later move to Berbice with his family in search of a quieter life and continue his trade. He started offering home service as a nail technician and was able to build a strong clientele and recognition because of his impeccable work and professional attitude. This helped him to open his own business with his mother, Karen Loo, who is a trained hairstylist.

This partnership made them a powerful duo in the field of beauty in Berbice.

“It is something I love, I love artistry in general so I was looking for ways to express my talent and realised that I can do so by adding makeup artistry,” Sammy told the Buzz. “I love it when the customers are happy and satisfied with the work I provide to them.”

He is proud of his skills and said it’s worth the stigma when his clients look into the mirror, admire his work and leave with more confidence than when they arrived.

“I like seeing women look nice so it’s something I love to do, but there are also challenges with the stigmatisation and the comments being made but I can’t listen to that when I have my customers who are always amazed by my work,” Sammy said.

His makeup products are from supermodel Iman’s line and he believes it was made for people of colour and praised the products because of its health benefits.

“I was looking for something that would give flawless coverage and I used several other brands but nothing would stay in any

One of Sammy’s clients

weather. [The makeup I use] gives you this matte finish and a dry look- nothing oily,” he said.

So far, the year has been a challenging one for him business-wise because of the low spending power in Berbice but he is optimistic that this will change soon.

Sammy is hoping to advance his knowledge in cosmetology and work with international talents in this field, then return home and share his knowledge and enhance this growing market and service that is creating jobs for numerous young people.

“I am teaching makeup and nail classes to show women how to keep themselves up to date,” he explained.

Sammy can be reached at telephone number 627-5107.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

I

t’s the weekend and we all want to have some fun after a long week of work! So here are some events that you can start off the weekend with rather than be cooped up at home. Get out and get your buzz on!

Today

Milani Presents Eye Magic With Vincent Shelto at Shoe Heaven, Robb & Wellington Streets. Come and learn useful tips on how to get the best look for any occasion. Event starts at 13:00hrs – 16:00hrs.

City Vibes presents “Trophy Friday”. Get Dragon Stout for $1000 The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Latin Night” Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1,000 Jamaican after work lime is still on at the Tower Suites Pool and 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 and Pool Bar where you get to enjoy five Banks Beers for $1,000.

Tomorrow

The Giftland Mall presents “The Inception of Art Exhibition”. The exhibition will be free of cost and open to anyone who wishes to view or purchase art pieces done by our local artists. Be sure to bring out the entire family and be blown away with the unmatched talent our young artists have to offer!

Road to Mecca V Club Championships Basketball Tournament. Teams will battle really hard to secure their spot in the semifinals and finals of the tournament. Action starts at the Cliff Anderson sports Hall at 18:00hrs.

The fundraising committee of Women across Differences is proud to present their annual “Brunch & Fashion Show” which will feature some of Guyana’s best designers. The Brunch & Fashion Show will begin with an interlude of Steel Pan music by the Guyana Police Force Steel Band while you enjoy your brunch. The Fashion Show will begin at 14:00hrs and there will be a surprise guest artiste.

It’s the party called “Major STOP” going down at the National Park.

Entertainment is going to be at its best! Tickets $3,000.

It’s happening at the Rain Arena Night Club & Hookah Lounge. It’s the Chutney Soca Glow Party. Come enjoy the best mixes of soca and chutney.

Heineken specials all night long!

Sunday

University of Guyana presents the Second Go-Kart Tournament at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC). Admission is free.

Event will run from 10:00hrs – 18:00hrs.

Looking to eat some great food and do some shopping? Then visit the Uncapped Marketplace and Food Festival at the National Stadium, Providence, from 10:00hrs- 20:00hrs. Bring out the entire family and enjoy a grand celebration of Guyanese flavours - UncappeD Marketplace. Agro-processors, food court, games, music and lots of giveaways.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 27, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

RACING TIPS

Punchestown

American Racing Tips

10:40 hrs Das Mooser

Belmont

11:20 hrs Kemboy

Race 1 Blame Us All

11:55 hrs Synopsis

Race 2 Just Bling It

12:30 hrs Melon

Race 3 My Girl Annie

13:05 hrs Pallasator

Race 4 CarlisleBelle

13:40 hrs Balnaslow

Race 5 Caledonian

14:10 hrs Deal D’Estruval

Race 6 Saratoga Treasure

14:45 hrs First Approach

Race 7 Mizzen Max

English Racing Tips

Race 8 Cunco

Perth

Race 9 Dream Passage

08:30 hrs Birch Vale

South Africa Racing Tips

09:05 hrs Dubai Angel

Fairview

09:40 hrs Rons Dream

08:30 hrs Street Gaze

10:15 hrs Our Lucas

09:05 hrs Plano

10:45 hrs Ballymalin

09:40 hrs Alfeo

11:15 hrs Mill Force

10:15 hrs Zevenastic

12:15 hrs Jarveys Plate

10:50 hrs Barbarella Nights

Doncaster

Irish Racing Tips

08:40 hrs Cracker factory 09:15 hrs Kirkham 09:50 hrs Nibras Again 10:25 hrs Azeitia 10:55 hrs Kyllachy Dragon 11:25 hrs Major Pusey 12:00 hrs Montanna 12:35 hrs Riverside Walk Sandown 08:50 hrs Kings Shield 09:25 hrs Fabricate 10:00 hrs Sevenna Star 10:35 hrs Addeybb 11:05 hrs Haddaf 11:35 hrs Must Be Magic 12:05 hrs Glencadam Master

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

31

IAAF testosterone ruling like apartheid era, says ANC ATHLETICS chiefs have been compared to apartheid-era South African rulers after announcing new rules governing testosterone levels in female athletes.

The changes mean some female runners with naturally high testosterone levels will have to race against men or take medication if they wish to compete.

South Africa’s Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya could be affected.

And her country’s ruling party, the African National Congress, says the rules are “blatantly racist”.

It wants the South African government to challenge the rule change - which comes into effect in November - at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Athletics’ governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), says the changes will stop women with high testosterone levels gaining an advantage.

“The rule is neither racist nor sexist,” a spokesperson said.

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation imposed by a minority white ruling group in South Africa from 1948 to 1991.

“The regulations are a painful reminder of our past where an unjust government specifically legislated laws for certain activists in society to stifle their fight against an unjust system,” the ANC said.

“The IAAF uses the same tactic to exclude those who have defined the past decade

South Africa’s Caster Semenya is the current Olympic, world and Commonwealth 800m champion.

as champions and treasures of their home countries.”

The IAAF said: “The sport has a lot of athletes with DSD (hyperandrogenism).

“It is not just the one or two females you hear about in the media. In elite female athletics, the number of intersex athletes is 140 times more than you might find in the normal female population.

“As world governing body, we need to ensure a level playing field for all athletes. The research and evidence clearly shows there is a performance advantage in female athletes with DSD over the track distances covered by this rule.”

The rule for athletes who have ‘differences of sexual development’ apply to athletes who compete at distances from 400m to one mile.

The ANC said the IAAF rules were “another attempt

by sport bodies to discriminate against” Semenya.

The 27-year-old has previously been asked to undertake gender testing by athletics chiefs but no results have ever officially been made public.

Similar rules brought in by the IAAF were suspended following a legal challenge by the Indian sprinter Dutee Chand in 2015.

Female athletes affected must take medication for six months before they can compete, and then maintain a lower testosterone level.

“We call on government to challenge this grossly unfair, unjust and blatant racist attempt by the IAAF to Cas and have these regulations set aside,” an ANC statement said.

“The racial undertones of this cannot go unnoticed.

“We call on all sports-loving people to stand and de-

fend athletes against these anti-sport regulations that will not only prevent athletes from participating in sporting events but will also infringe on their human rights.”

Following the announcement, Semenya tweeted a picture which said: “I am 97% sure you don’t like me but 100% sure I don’t care.”

Speaking after winning the 800m and 1500m title at the Commonwealth Games earlier in April, the double Olympic 800m champion and three-time world champion said she could move up to longer-distance events.

“When I do my long runs I feel like I can feed into distance running,” she said. (BBC Sport

BCB names 18 female cricketers for trial

THE Selection Committee of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the chairmanship of Albert Smith recently selected eighteen female cricketers for the GCB female Inter-county tournament.

The players are asked to report to the Rose Hall Canje ground today at 09:00hrs with their gear.

The selectors will choose the final squad of fourteen after a look at all the players. Shemaine Campbelle and Shabaki Gajnabi are not available due to West Indies duties.

The players are: T. Smartt, E. Giddings, P. Millington, M. Henry, S. Grimmond, Sherica Campbelle,

K. Mentore, D. Prahalad, N. Budhoo, M. Samaroo, D. Frank, L. Gilgeous, K.Thomas, K Munroe, R. Lynch, U. Matadin, N. Ramnauth and S. Munroe.

Munroe is asked to contact Smith on 610-3371 before noon today to state her availability.

CFU Women’s Challenge series

Lady Jags, Grenada play to goalless draw

… T&T women complete 7-0 rout of Suriname GUYANA’S senior national women’s football team, the Lady Jags, played to a goalless draw against Grenada on Wednesday afternoon at the Ato Boldon Stadium, as they began their campaign in the CFU Women’s Challenge Series.

According to reports out of the twin-island republic, the Guyanese had a fair number of chances, having connected to the crossbar on several occasions.

In his first match in charge of the team, head coach Dr Ivan Joseph was upbeat about the outcome.

“I thought it was a good day today. When I went into the change room I could see that we had a young team.

There were nine players in there making their first-ever international appearance and I needed to remind them that this was a special moment, but they had to enjoy it. Moments like these aren’t supposed to cause stress, they’re supposed to build lifetime memories,” Dr Joseph said.

The head coach labelled the Lady Jags as “easily the most dangerous offensive

team”, hitting the crossbar on at least four occasions.

“We were in and we were able to break down their back line several times, but we just didn’t quite have the composure to finish those chances.

When you keep a game like that and don’t put away your chances usually they come back to bite you in the bud; luckily they didn’t,” Dr Joseph added.

In the other fixture on Wednesday it looked more like a cakewalk for the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team as they strolled to a 7-0 rout of a hapless Suriname team at the same venue.

It was the Women Soca Warriors’ first win in two years and follows a draw and a loss apiece in friendly affairs against Venezuela last year and Panama last month.

But Suriname were poor sparring partners.

The Lady Jags will play Suriname today at 16:00hrs and hosts, Trinidad and Tobago, on Sunday at 17:30hrs. All matches are being played at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Three Guyanese in CWI fast-bowling camp GUYANESE Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Keon Joseph have been selected to participate in a Cricket West Indies (CWI) fast-bowling camp in Antigua, starting April 30.

The trio joined Dominic Drakes, Chemar Holder, Shermon Lewis, Jeremiah Louis, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith and Oshane Thomas for the camp which concludes on June 30 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua, the home of West Indies Cricket.

The camp will focus on a high-performance programme, which will hasten the bowlers’ development and aimed at getting them ready for international cricket, while preparing them to be available for selection to the Windies Senior and ‘A’ teams.

The selection panel of CWI believes these players

are the “core of the bunch” of young fast bowlers in the West Indies.

CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, is excited for this camp, indicating it could be the first of many, as, “the long-term goal is that this programme could be annual, including, but not limited to, this group.

After an assessment of this camp, the team will determine when the next one will be held. We will keep identifying our core group of emerging talent and the broader view is that we can eventually run the programme not just for fast bowlers but in the key areas of cricket.”

The high-performance team of Richard Pybus and Graeme West will also include Roddy Estwick, Curtly Ambrose and support staff.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

48 Days to go …

Russia predicts World Cup will have $31 billion economic impact THE World Cup could have a total impact on the Russian economy of nearly $31 billion, organisers predicted on Wednesday.

A new report on the economic impact of the tournament said the boost for the country’s GDP could amount to between $26 billion and $30.8 billion over the 10 years from 2013 through to 2023.

That’s attributed to growing tourism plus large-scale spending on construction, plus later knock-on effects from those government investments. It even suggests the World Cup will encourage Russians to exercise more, so they take fewer sick days.

CEO of Russia 2018 World Cup, right, and Deputy The World Cup “has a Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich smile during a news considerable economic effect,” Deputy Prime Minister conference on the environmental and economic impact of the FIFA World Cup. Arkady Dvorkovich says in the report. “The tournament has already boosted the economic development of the host regions and will continue to have a positive long-term economic impact.”

The report says the total spend on the tournament will be $11 billion, though that doesn’t include some costly new infrastructure and stadiums which organisers say would have been built regardless. Around 220 000 jobs have

been created, the report says.

Economic impact figures for earlier tournaments have been hotly disputed, given the difficulty of separating the World Cup from other economic factors.

Russia also spent big to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, with as much as $50 billion spent according to one government estimate. The Olympics were seen as key to national prestige much as the World Cup is today - and became the costliest Winter Games in history.

That lavish spending helped to turn the host city of Sochi into a major year-round tourism hub for Russians, though opposition activists accused the government of allowing waste and large-scale corruption.

The government later claimed the true cost of the Sochi Olympics was much lower and insisted it would have built major rail and road upgrades even if the games had not been in town.

Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi thinks Argentina World Cup call-up is unlikely INTER Milan’s Mauro Icardi has told Ole that he does not believe that he will get called up by Argentina for the World Cup this summer.

Icardi, the Inter captain, has scored 26 goals in 30 Serie A appearances this season, including four in his side’s 5-0 victory at Sampdoria on March 18.

And although he was called up for four World Cup qualifiers at the end of last year, he does not seem to be part of coach Jorge Sampaoli’s plans for Russia.

“It is nothing strange,” Icardi said. “I think that it was only because I lacked more time (on the pitch).”

Icardi appeared in three of the four games for Argentina, playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw against Uruguay on August 31 and coming off after 74 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Sepember 5.

But he was an unused substitute in a goalless draw against Peru on October 5 and only came on in the 76th minute of the 3-1 victory against Ecuador five days later that sent Argentina to the World Cup - and he also was not called up for friendlies against Italy and Spain in March.

“I do not know if I joined the national team at the right time because of the pressure that we faced,” Icardi said. “But I did

what I was asked by the coaching staff, and the

said that Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain are Argentina’s two best centre-forwards, he does not know how Aguero’s injury could affect his chances of being called up.

“The only thing that I hope is that he recovers soon, because everyone wants him to succeed and he knows the responsibility and pride that comes with wearing that shirt.”

The 35-man provisional squad lists for the World Cup must be Mauro Icardi confirmed by May 14, and FIFA has ruled that the 23-man teams must be truth is I am very happy to have finalised by June 4. played a role in qualifying.”

But Icardi said that regardless Sampaoli said in March of whether he is called up by Samwhen Argentina confirmed their paoli, he trusts that the coach will squad for the friendlies, “about select the right players.

80 percent” of the World Cup “I know them, I value them squad has been finalised, but that and I recognise them as footMauro Icardi in action it does not mean other players ballers and as friends,” Icardi for Argentina will not be considered. said. “They deserve to be “I am 25 years old, have been there. If they are selected, the captain of Inter for three years and I am part we should support them and trust of club history with my goals,” Icardi said. “And I them in the World Cup. dream of playing in the World Cup, now or later.

“Sampaoli knows that it is I have that goal. If it is not now, it will be later.” a great responsibility and that What may open the door for Icardi to travel our role in the team has been to Russia could be the injury sustained by Sergio deserved. He also knows that I Aguero earlier this month. am ready. On or off the team, The Manchester City forward underwent sur- I will still feel that I am with my gery on his left knee last week, and while Icardi teammates.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

33

England’s FA in negotiations to sell Wembley Stadium to U.S. billionaire

Shahid Khan bought NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.

LONDON, England (Reuters) - England’s Football Association is in negotiations to sell Wembley Stadium, the home of the national soccer team, to U.S. billionaire Shahid

matches, including England internationals and the FA Cup Final, but the national soccer team could play elsewhere in October and November, due to clashes with the U.S. National Football League (NFL) season.

In a statement Khan said his bid was not a precursor to moving the Jaguars, who have played one home NFL game per season at Wembley since 2013, to London permanently.

“For the Jaguars, it would deliver another - and very significant - asset and local revenue source that would further strengthen our investment in London,” Khan who is also the owner of English second tier soc-

lion) according to Forbes, is ready to pay more than £500 million.

He would also allow the FA to keep the Club Wembley debenture and hospitality business that is valued at a further £300 million.

The 90,000-seater stadium was rebuilt at a cost of £757 million on the site of the original ground where England won the World Cup in 1966.

The new stadium opened in 2007 and the FA said last January it would repay its debt, which was reported by the Evening Standard to be £142 million, by 2024.

The money from the sale of Wembley would allow the governing body

The new Wembley stadium opened in 2007.

Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A spokesman for the FA confirmed yesterday it had received an offer to buy the stadium and British media said the deal could be worth up to one billion pounds.

Under the plan, the FA would keep Wembley as the main venue for major

cer team Fulham, said.

“Today’s news changes none of what we envision for the long-term promise for the Jaguars here in Jax, and it changes nothing as to the goals we have for your downtown.”

British media reported that Khan, who is worth $7.2 billion (£5.15 bil-

to reinvest in the English game’s grassroots, particularly pitches, and stage more England games way from the capital, a plan to which it is already committed.

Alfie Crow, Jaguars fan and editor of Big Cat Country, a blog covering the Jaguars, downplayed sug-

Tapeball action this Saturday at Jubilee Park A NUMBER of top tapeball teams from West Demerara, Georgetown, East Coast and West Bank Demerara will be in action this Saturday in a sixa-side schoolboys tapeball knock-out tournament billed for the Jubilee Park from 09:00hrs.

Organised by the Royal Tapeball

Cricket Academy committee, a number of trophies and medals are up for grabs.

The tournament is still open to teams who have an interest to participate. Interested teams can make contact with Mohan Ali on 672-6179. The tournament is sponsored by Goodwood Racing Service.

gestions that the deal could herald a permanent move to London for the NFL team.

“I think the signals of the Jaguars relocating to London are premature and very assumptive at this

point,” he told Reuters.

“Khan has invested a lot in the areas around the NFL stadium in Jacksonville with plans to develop even more around it, so it would be millions of dol-

lars down the drain if the ultimate plan was simply to rip the team away as all of that comes to fruition. For now, I view it as just a value investment with a lot of potential return for Khan.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

England begin 2019 cricket World Cup quest against South Africa

By Amlan Chakraborty (REUTERS) - Hosts England will begin their quest for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title against perennial under-achievers South Africa on May 30 next year with Lord’s staging the final on July 14, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday.

One-day cricket’s most coveted trophy has eluded three-time finalists England who staged the first three World Cups between 1975 and 1983 and also in 1999.

England could not advance beyond the group stage of the 2015 edition but have since grown into a formidable ODI outfit,

rekindling hopes of breaking their World Cup duck on home soil.

They begin against a South Africa side who have never been beyond the semi-finals.

Ashes rivals Australia, currently recovering from a ball-tampering scandal, will begin their title defence against plucky qualifiers Afghanistan on June 1 at Bristol.

Cricket Australia is searching for a new oneday captain after slapping 12-month bans on former skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner following last month’s fiasco in South Africa.

While both will be free to play in the tournament,

Dave Richardson, chief executive of International Cricket Council (ICC), speaks during a news conference in Kolkata, India, April 26, 2018. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Smith has also been barred from captaincy for two years, while Warner will not be considered for any leadership role again.

Old Trafford will host the 10-team tournament’s most-anticipated match on June 16 between Asian arch-rivals India and Paki-

Grand Coastal golf tournament set for tomorrow THE Grand Coastal Hotel will host a highly-anticipated golf tournament tomorrow at 12:30hrs at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).

Just a week ago when Mr Kevin Daby, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Coastal Hotel, gave the sponsorship cheque to the LGC, he indicated Grand Coastal’s pleasure to continue its now twelve years of sponsorship, which his father began in support of

Golf returns to the Lusignan Golf Course tomorrow.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday April 27, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Suresh Raina

(2)

2010 (MI)

Today’s Quiz: (1)

Who top-scored in last season’s IPL final?

(2) Who had the best bowling figures in last season’s IPL final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

golfing in Guyana.

Grand Coastal Hotel, the willing and ready sole partner to DIGICEL in the 2016 sponsorship of the annual Guyana Open international Golf tournament, has this year begun partnering with the LGC by formally inviting its guests to consider playing at the golf club - for which coaching lessons are free to them - as part of their itinerary while at the Hotel and Conference Centre.

Up for grabs in this weekend’s tournament are prizes for 1st to 4th Best Net scores, the Best Gross score, a Longest Drive (off a designated tee-box), and the Nearest to a designated Pin. (The flagpole placed in the hole on the green is called a pin.)

Once again, the public is invited to freely spectate at this tournament and enjoy the ambience of the improved Lusignan Golf Course. Tournaments usually last about four hours, after which there is a brief prize distribution ceremony.

stan.

The collapse of bilateral cricket between the bitter South Asian neighbours means their fans can only watch them in ICC events.

“Because of the UK’s diverse population, every competing team will also be guaranteed a ‘home crowd’ every time they play at some of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world,” the tournament’s managing director Steve Elworthy said in a statement.

“The Cricket World Cup is the third most watched global event and has huge interest and appeal among cricket fans. Our ambition is to grow the game and deliver the greatest ever cricket celebration ...,” he added.

The 46-day tournament will be played across 11 venues in England and Wales with Manchester’s Old Trafford venue hosting six matches.

The tournament will follow its 1992 format with all 10 teams playing each other in the round-robin league to determine the four teams who will advance to the semi-finals at Old Trafford and Edgbaston.

Lord’s will host a World Cup final for the fifth time.

“We know from previous ICC events that every country will be proudly supported at each of the venues creating an exceptional atmosphere and a real celebration of the game,” ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 - full fixtures All 10 teams play each other in a round-robin format, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals.

MAY 30 England v South Africa, The Oval 31 West Indies v Pakistan, Trent Bridge JUNE 1 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Cardiff 1 Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (d/n) 2 South Africa v Bangladesh, The Oval 3 England v Pakistan, Trent Bridge 4 Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Cardiff 5 South Africa v India, Southampton 5 Bangladesh v New Zealand, The Oval (d/n) 6 Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge 7 Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Bristol 8 England v Bangladesh, Cardiff 8 Afghanistan v New Zealand, Taunton (d/n) 9 India v Australia, The Oval 10 South Africa v West Indies, Southampton 11 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Bristol 12 Australia v Pakistan, Taunton 13 India v New Zealand, Trent Bridge 14 England v West Indies, Southampton 15 Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval 15 South Africa v Afghanistan, Cardiff (d/n) 16 India v Pakistan, Old Trafford 17 West Indies v Bangladesh, Taunton 18 England v Afghanistan, Old Trafford 19 New Zealand v South Africa,

Edgbaston 20 Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge 21 England v Sri Lanka, Headingley 22 India v Afghanistan, Southampton 22 West Indies v New Zealand, Old Trafford (d/n) 23 Pakistan v South Africa, Lord’s 24 Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Southampton 25 England v Australia, Lord’s 26 New Zealand v Pakistan, Edgbaston 27 West Indies v India, Old Trafford 28 Sri Lanka v South Africa, Chester-le-Street 29 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Headingley 29 New Zealand v Australia, Lord’s (d/n) 30 England v India, Edgbaston JULY 1 Sri Lanka v West Indies, Chesterle-Street 2 Bangladesh v India, Edgbaston 3 England v New Zealand, Chesterle-Street 4 Afghanistan v West Indies, Headingley 5 Pakistan v Bangladesh, Lord’s (d/n) 6 Sri Lanka v India, Headingley 6 Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (d/n) 9 *First semi-final: 1st v 4th, Old Trafford 11 *Second semi-final: 2nd v 3rd, Edgbaston 14 *Final, Lord’s *Semi-finals and final have a reserve day

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday April 27, 2018

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Kings XI crumble as Rashid spins Sunrisers to victory RASHID Khan bamboozled Kings XI Punjab, who collapsed in a chase of 133 to hand Sunrisers Hyderabad victory by 13 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.

Kings XI came into this clash on the back of four straight wins and they were made to rue a number of missed chances in the field as Sunrisers were able to scrap their way to 132-6.

That score was underpinned by Manish Pandey, who was dropped on four, nine and 46 as he made 54 from 51 balls after Ankit Rajpoot (5-14) had run through the top order.

Kings XI began their chase with the intimidating and inform pair of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul opening up and although they put on 50 for the first wicket, the innings unravelled dramatically thereafter.

Rashid was the tormentor-in-chief, claiming 3-19, and he was superbly backed

up by Basil Thampi (2-14), Sandeep Sharma (2-17) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-18) as Kings XI tumbled from 55-0 to 119 all out.

Few would have foreseen such celebrations for the hosts, who found themselves up against it at 27-3 in the powerplay as Rajpoot claimed a wicket in each of his first three overs.

Kane Williamson, scorer of three fifties in his last four outings, perished for a duck courtesy of a top-edged pull to mid-off, before Shikhar Dhawan nicked to slip and Wriddhiman Saha holed out to Andrew Tye at midwicket.

Rajpoot ought to have finished his initial three-over burst with 4-9, but from the next ball Tye put down a chance in the same position and Pandey breathed a sigh of relief.

Pandey had already been dropped by Ravichandran Ashwin in the previous over and those misses set the tone

for a poor display from the visitors.

Following Tye’s drop of Pandey, Shakib was taken on the third-man boundary in the last over of the powerplay, only for replays to show Barinder Sran had overstepped.

Shakib (28) and Pandey combined for a stand of 72, the latter enjoying his third life as Mayank Agarwal barely got a finger on a simple chance.

To make matters worse, Yusuf Pathan was dropped over the boundary for six, by Manoj Tiwary and it was left to Rajpoot to restore some form of order in the final over, cleaning up Pandey and dismissing Mohammad Nabi to finish up with five.

Gayle had walloped 11 sixes in a 63-ball 104 when these two sides met a week ago, but he could offer only a pedestrian 23 off 22 this time around, while Rahul struck four fours and a maximum in

BCCDA/Trojan PSL CC to host May 5 cycling road race in Berbice THE Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) will partner with the Trojan PSL Cycling Club of New Amsterdam to hold a cycling road race on May 5. The race is open to cyclists across the country and all the top riders in Guyana are expected to attend.

This race is being held to mark the national holiday of Arrival Day in Guyana and it is the aim of the chamber and the club to make it an annual event.

The race will commence at 14:30hrs and the riders will race around New Amsterdam for laps to cover 60 miles.

It will comprise four categories; the Senior Open, Junior Open, Veterans and Juveniles. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.

The first six finishers in the Open category and the first three in the other categories will be rewarded.

Cycling action returns to the roadways of Berbice on May 5.

The organisers of this event are expecting the Indian High Commissioner or a representative from the Indian High Commission, the Regional Chairman of Region 6, the Mayor of New Amsterdam and the Director of the University of Guyana – Berbice Campus to be in attendance at the presentation ceremony.

The BCCDA and Trojan PSL Cycling Club are encouraging the general public

to come out and witness this race which promises to feature riders from across the country.

According to the newly-elected president of the BCCDA, Ryan Alexander, the activity is being held to commemorate the day and is the BCCDA’s effort to give back to the community. He said that it is the desire of the newly-elected executives to be a part of a number of such events.

Rashid Khan struck in his first over to bowl Rahul with a googly.

his 32 from 26.

However, they proved to be the only contributions of note as no other batsman passed 13, Rashid prompting the demise by deceiving Rahul

with an absolute jaffa.

The Afghanistan leg-spinner also trapped Karun Nair lbw before Williamson held a steepler to remove Ashwin. Kings XI were

101-9 at that point, having lost nine wickets for 46, and it was left to Thampi to clean up Rajpoot in the final over to complete a sensational team bowling display.

Gower: ECB’s new 100-ball idea is 12 years too late FORMER England batting stylist David Gower has suggested the England and Wales Cricket Board’s proposed 100-ball competition could already be competing with the Indian Premier League (IPL) had it been launched 12 years ago.

The 61-year-old former captain, who scored 8 231 Test runs for his country before moving into television work, welcomes the 100-ball format, but reckons the ECB may have missed a trick by not introducing it sooner.

“In many ways you could say that this new competition is going to be 12 years out of date before it starts,” said Gower, speaking at the launch of a new Lord’s property investment project.

The ECB had the opportunity to be at the forefront of Twenty20. This new competition could have started and been competing with the IPL from the outset.

“But for various reasons, which you have to respect, it’s taken this long to get under way.”

The proposal has experienced mixed reviews, with

David Gower scored 8 231 Test runs for England.

another former England skipper, Alastair Cook, saying Test cricket needs to be protected.

But Gower believes there is room for both long and short formats, and suggested simply adding another T20 tournament to the schedule would have been the wrong move.

“I agree with Alastair that Test cricket is important, and there are people like him who have made their reputations almost entirely in Test match cricket,” Gower said.

“But the game has

changed dramatically in the last 20 years, even more in the last 10 years. T20 has gained traction and the IPL is one of the biggest sporting events in the world currently.

“The idea of making this (competition) different has validity, because another T20 competition added to the world’s crowded schedule, and the English summer’s crowded schedule, would have been just that.

“The shorter the game, the likelihood is you’ll have close games, so it will be interesting.” (PA Sport)

CFU Women’s Challenge series

Lady Jags, Grenada play to goalless draw … T&T women complete 7-0 rout of Suriname

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Starting lineup against Grenada

Three Guyanese in CWI fastbowling camp

Page 31

Romario Shepherd

Keemo Paul

Keon Joseph

England’s FA in negotiations to sell Wembley Stadium to U.S. billionaire

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FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2018

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