Guyana chronicle e paper 04 29 2018

29th April, 2018

No.105259

New look for hinterland – millions awarded in contracts for construction of roads, bridges

PAGE

O3

Another US airline likely to operate here 12 PAGE

37 trained in oil spill response 13 Female security 03 guard raped on job PAGE

PAGE

These young ladies came out with their umbrellas as they braved earlier morning showers on Saturday to participate in a march from Church Street and Avenue of the Republic to D’Urban Park to conclude Occupational Health and Safety Month (Adrian Narine photo)

Dreams becoming reality – allottees cannot wait to occupy their Perseverance homes

PAGE

09

2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Man allegedly stabs sibling in drunken brawl DESMOND Daniels, 42, a farmer and resident of Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two, is in police custody after he allegedly stabbed his brother in a drunken brawl on Saturday.

His brother Mark Lyne Daniels, 55, who suffered a stab wound to the back, is a patient at the Charity Oscar Joseph District Hospital.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, around 14:30hrs on Saturday, the two were imbibing at Friendship Canal when

The area at Friendship Canal where the incident occurred

a heated argument started between them, during which Desmond stabbed Mark.

It is unclear what may have started the argument.

Persons who were around

assisted the injured Daniels to the hospital. The police are continuing their investigation.

Only recently Naresh Ramdass, 36, lost his life at the hands of his uncle.

Ramdass was stabbed to the chest during an argument with his uncle on April 22. The uncle remains in custody pending charges.

3

New look for hinterland SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

– millions awarded in contracts for construction of roads, bridges

By Svetlana Marshall THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government continues to invest heavily in the development of the hinterland regions. When its Cabinet met last Tuesday, it took note of the millions of dollars being pumped into the region for the construction of roads and bridges that are critical for the connecting of communities.

In Region One (Barima-Waini), a number of urban roads will be rehabilitated and or constructed. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during the recently held Post-Cabinet Media Briefing, disclosed that Mo-

hamed Ramzanalli Khan Construction was awarded $90.5M for the construction of compound roads in Mabaruma. It was explained that this forms part of Phase II of the ongoing project in Mabaruma.

Additionally, $59.9M was awarded to International Imports and Supplies for the rehabilitation of the Barabina Swamp Road, also in Region One. The stretch of road from Wanaina to Yarakita Landing will also be rehabilitated, using some $46.3M. That contract, Minister Harmon noted, was also awarded to International Imports and Supplies.

Meanwhile, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), $75.8M was awarded to R&B

Investment Incorporated for the rehabilitation of the Bartica/Potaro Roads. However, Mekdeci Machinery Construction Incorporated was awarded $52.2M for the rehabilitation of the Bartica/ Potaro Road in the vicinity of the St. Mary’s Quarry.

Mekdeci was also awarded another contract to the tune of $126.080M for the rehabilitation and construction of the Issano Road (Phase II) from White Hill to Issano Landing.

Over in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors were awarded a contract to the tune of $76.6M for the rehabilitation of Lethem’s road network, particularly within

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

the confines of the town.

This year, a number of projects will be executed within the hinterland regions

(Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine) aimed at enhancing the way residents live and simultaneously creating opportunities for economic development.

Among the projects in the lineup is the flagship initiative--a Hinterland Green Enterprise Development Centre-which will be constructed at a cost of $200M at Bina Hill Institute in Region Nine.

In the 2018 National and Regional Budget, $70M was allocated to commence construction of the facility which will pave the way for more jobs to be created in the hinterland communities through training.

The establishment of a Lapidary centre is also on the table which is geared at cre-

Guardwoman weighing her options A FIFTY-eight-year-old woman attached to a Linden security firm is having second thoughts about her job after being raped while on night duty last week.

The woman, who was still visibly shaken while speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, said that her assailant looked to be between 20 to 30 years old.

“I was on duty; I did my last check at approximately 02:30hrs the morning,” she said.

“Then, about 02:35hrs, this man came and was banging at the door, asking me to open it... “I did not open the

door, so he break open four louvre panes on the hut and came in, held on to me from behind and sexually assaulted me...

“He then took away my phone and went away with it.”

She said that in all her 24 years as a security guard, this was the first time something of this nature has ever happened to her, and she is now thinking whether she should continue to work as a security or not.

After the incident, the woman said, a report was made to the Mackenzie Police Station and she was

taken by the police to the Linden Hospital Complex where she was examined by a doctor.

The examination proved that she was indeed sexually assaulted. She said she never got a good look at her assailant, as he’d used a broken bottle and demanded that she not look at him, as he was not wearing a mask. “When I turn around to look at him, he chuck me in my face and told me not to look,” the elderly woman said.

MORE THAN SICK LEAVE After the incident, she

said, the doctor gave her seven days sick leave, and her employer opted to grant her leave with pay. She, however, had to be given more sick leave and is saying that more needs to be done to compensate her, since she was attacked and raped on duty.

“I was a bit nervous still, and so because of what happened, I had to take seven more days on my own,” she related.

And even though she was told that she would not be placed back at that location, and will work strictly day shifts, the woman is still too traumatised to return to

ating employment for youths in Monkey Mountain and nearby villages of Tuseneng, Kurukabaru and Kato.

A ground coffee farming, processing and packaging facility in Santa Rosa, Region One, will also be established to create employment opportunities for approximately 20 farmers and five agro-processors as a sustainable income generating project. The 2018 National Budget also makes provision for ICT programmes for the hinterland which will be used as vehicles through which inequality will be reduced, and will see more than two hundred million dollars allocated for additional initiative.

– after being raped while on the job

work.

“I want to know if that is all the compensation I’ll be getting for an incident like that on the job,” she said.

She is calling for security managers at her place of employ to listen to staff and to

put things in place for them to be better protected.

She’s also calling for two persons, one of whom should be male, to be posted at secluded locations in the evenings and for them to be armed with batons.

4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Terminally ill Baby Alfie succumbs --after prolonged legal battle to save him

ALFIE Evans, the 23-month-old toddler at the centre of a High Court legal battle, has died, nearly a week after his life support was withdrawn.

The boy from Merseyside, who had a degenerative brain condition, died at 02:30 BST, his father Tom Evans said.

On Facebook he wrote: “My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings...

absolutely heartbroken.”

The Pope, who took a personal interest in the case, tweeted: “I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie.”

He added: “Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.”

Hundreds of supporters of Alfie’s parents, known as Alfie’s Army, released balloons at a park in a tribute to the toddler.

His aunt, Sarah Evans, thanked the crowd, saying: “Our hearts are broken. We are absolutely shattered as a family.”

Alfie’s parents lost all legal challenges to a court ruling allowing the hospital to withdraw ventilation.

The boy had his life support withdrawn on Monday after being in a semi-vegetative state for more than a year.

The legal campaign, launched by Mr Evans and Alfie’s mother, Kate James, attracted widespread attention, and saw them clash with doctors over the child’s treatment.

The case drew international support, including from Pope Francis, who asked that “their desire to seek new forms of treatment may be granted.”

Earlier in April, Mr Evans pleaded with him to “save our son” during a meeting in Rome.

A statement from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where Alfie was treated, said staff expressed their “heartfelt sympathy”.

“All of us feel deeply for Alfie, Kate, Tom and his whole family, and our thoughts are with them.

This has been a devastating journey for them,” it said.

It asked those wishing to leave tributes to Alfie to place them at the nearby Springfield Park.

Alfie, who was born in May 2016, was first admitted to the hospital the following

December after suffering seizures, and had been a patient ever since.

His parents, who live in Bootle, wanted to fly the toddler to an Italian hospital, but this was rejected by doctors who said continuing treatment was “not in Alfie’s best interests”.

Alder Hey Hospital said scans showed “catastrophic degradation of his brain tissue” and that further treatment was not only “futile” but also “unkind and inhumane”. (BBC)

North Korean media hail ‘historic’ meeting FRIDAY’S summit between the leaders of North and South Korea was a “historic meeting” paving the way for the start of a new era, North Korea’s media say.

The North’s Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in of South Korea agreed to work to rid the peninsula of nuclear weapons.

In a rare move, state-run TV and the official KCNA news agency hailed the talks and the

leaders’ commitment to seek “complete denuclearisation”.

The summit came just months after warlike rhetoric from the North.

It saw Mr Kim become the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The two men warmly shook hands and then stepped symbolically over the military demarcation line to the North Korean

side.

For years, Pyongyang has insisted that it would never give up its nuclear arsenal, which it claims it needs to defend itself against aggression from the US. Seeing even a small mention of denuclearisation in a public newspaper will be perceived as a breakthrough by South Korean officials, says the BBC’s Laura Bicker in Seoul.

The two leaders said they would pursue talks with the

US and China to formally end the Korean War, which ended in 1953 with a truce, not total peace.

The commitment to denuclearisation does not explicitly refer to North Korea halting its nuclear activities but rather to the aim of “a nuclear-free Korean peninsula”.

The statement talks about this taking place in a phased manner, but does not include further details.

Many analysts remain sceptical about the North’s apparent enthusiasm for engagement.

Previous inter-Korean agreements have been abandoned after the North resorted to nuclear and missile tests and the South elected more conservative presidents.

Mr Kim said the two leaders had agreed to work to prevent a repeat of the region’s “unfortunate history” in which progress had “fizzled out”.

Other points the leaders agreed on in a joint statement were: * An end to “hostile activities” between the two nations

* Changing the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that divides the country into a “peace zone” by ceasing propaganda broadcasts * An arms reduction in the region pending the easing of military tension * To push for four-way talks involving the US and China * Organising a reunion of families left divided by the war * Connecting and modernising railways and roads across the border * Further joint participation in sporting events, including this year’s Asian Games (BBC)

Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 14:30 & 4:30hrs

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 28/4/2018

H 5 14 7 18 10 19 18 22 26 26 02 4 12 N 11

28/4/2018 26/11/2016 28/4/2018

06 2

13 3

14 8

21 10

24 22

28/4/2018 26/11/2016

04 6

07 9

03 2

26/11/2016 28/4/2018

05 9

04 7

01 8

26/11/2016 1 6 8 11 15 16 20 02 09 10 11 13 14 18

5

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

‘Send my son back home’

THE father of kidnap victim Darrell Cuffy yesterday pleaded to kidnappers to release his son unharmed.

Farrell Cuffy said he has not eaten or slept since his son was snatched on Wednesday night.

His hope of being reunited with his eldest son grows dimmer by the moment because he has not had any contact with the kidnappers.

Farrell told Newsday his world came crashing down Wednesday night when he heard his son was kidnapped.

“What is worrying me deeply is I do not know why my son was snatched because I have no enemies, I do not owe anyone anything, I was never threatened and I live a peaceful life, run my business and mind my own affairs.”

He said if he knew why Darrell was kidnapped he would be in a better position

–– Businessman begs kidnappers

to understand what has befallen his family, but because he is in the dark every minute that passes with no call from the kidnappers, is a living nightmare. Yesterday, Farrell was at his Duke Street, Port of Spain home hoping to hear from kidnappers. By midday, there had been no phone call.

Farrell and his wife Elisabeth Payne along with his 11-year-old son continued praying and hoping Darrell would walk through the door and greet them as he is accustomed doing. Farrell, who has an office at the Port Authority named Farrell Fishing Wholesale, was born in Guayaguayare but moved to Port of Spain over 20 years ago. He said his son had recently graduated from Trinity College

and took a year off to decide on his career. “Darrell has been working with me and he was very excited about the job. I do not know him to be in any gang. He is a good boy with a bright future ahead of him and I simply want him to be returned to me so that we could chart our life together as a family.”

He said his son is vegetarian and yesterday wondered if he was being fed. “That’s why I have not eaten, because I do not know if my son is hungry, if he is being beaten or whatever his condition is. Only when he returns home, then I will be able to have a proper meal. But in the meantime my only comfort is my family and while they too are hurting we have to be there for each other

in this time of distress”.

He said police told him yesterday they got footage from Collens Road, Fairways, Maraval, and the kidnapperswere in a dark RAV4 with flashing blue lights, as if to suggest they were police officers. Farrell said he is placing all his trust and confidence on the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by Head of the Port of Spain CID acting Snr Supt Ajith Persad to make a breakthrough so his son could be reunited with him.

On Wednesday at around 9.51 pm Darrell Cuffy was driving his father’s black BMW along Collens Road when he was snatched by two men who bundled him into the SUV. (TrinidadNewsday)

Oil giant, ExxonMobil posts profit rise OIL giant Exxon posted first-quarter earnings of $4.7bn (£3.4bn) on Friday.

Profit at Exxon jumped 16% from the same period last year but still missed analyst expectations, despite rapidly rising crude prices.

Revenue at the Esso-owner rose 16.3% to $68.2bn, which beat analyst expectations of $66.1bn.

Oil prices are rising after years in the doldrums, which has weighed on Exxon, the largest listed oil

producer in the world.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude on Friday was trading at $74.80 a barrel and this month has hit highs above $75, a price last seen in late 2014.

The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $68.16 a barrel.

ExxonMobil, one of the world’s biggest companies by market capitalisation, said weakness in its chemical and refining operations

offset the boost from higher oil prices.

Chief executive Darren Woods said the oil price recovery helped the company’s bottom line.

“Increased commodity prices, coupled with a focus on operating efficiently and strengthening our portfolio, resulted in higher earnings and the highest quarterly cash flow from operations and asset sales since 2014,” he said. (BBC)

Sainsbury’s, ASDA in merger talks MERGER talks between British supermarket chains, Sainsbury’s and ASDA are at an “advanced” stage, Sainsbury’s has confirmed.

The two brands are expected to be retained should a merger go ahead.

Sainsbury’s and ASDA, the UK arm of Walmart, are the second and third largest supermarkets in the UK. The combined group would comprise 2,800 stores and would represent 31.4% of the UK grocery market, slightly more than that of market leader Tesco.

‘GAME CHANGER’ “Sainsbury’s confirms that it and Walmart Inc. are in advanced discussions regarding a combination of the Sainsbury’s and ASDA businesses,” a statement from its holding company, J Sainsbury plc, said.

The deal would be worth £10bn and a further announcement is expected on Monday morning.

Richard Lim, from economics research consultancy Retail Economics, said

the merger would be a “game changer in the UK grocery market of epic proportions”.

“The potential tie-up would see the combined business take Tesco head-on,” he added.

But Richard Perks, director of retail research at Mintel, thought it was a bad deal.

“Even if you retain both brands, as soon as you try to bring them together and get some sort of cost savings, you will end up undermining both sides,” he told the BBC. ll the main supermarket chains have been looking to find new sources of growth because there’s not much of it around their own aisles.

ASDA had been the poorest performer of the big four. The industry has been wondering what its big strategic move might be. Now we know.

If this merger goes through, it will be the biggest shake up in UK grocery retailing since Morrisons took over Safeway in 2004.

TT murder accused set free AFTER spending almost a decade in jail on the charge of murdering his neighbour, Derrick Cudjoe, also called “Puss” was set free Friday.

A jury of 12 found Cudjoe not guilty of murdering Steve Roopchand on April 19, 2009.

The trial, which began two weeks ago, was heard before Justice Maria Wilson in the Third Criminal Assizes in the San Fernando High Court. Defence attorney Ernest Koylass, SC, represented Cudjoe.

The state’s case, brought by prosecutor Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal, was that around 19:30h on April 19, Roopchand, 39, was walking towards his home near Friendship Village Recreation Ground.

His mother and wife were walking with him, while his father and sister were watching them from

a distance.

A man dressed in black ran up to Roopchand and shot him several times.

Roopchand allegedly told relatives, “Puss shoot meh; take care of my children,” before he died. The state called 13 witnesses in total.

Cudjoe did not take the stand, but called his nephew to testify on his behalf.

His defence was that he was at home when Roopchand was killed.

After the not-guilty verdict was handed down, Cudjoe said he was very happy that his innocence had been proven. (TrinidadNewsday)

6

Editorial

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

NTC and government working together ONE of the responsibilities of citizens in any democracy is differentiating between genuine advocacy and abuse of power under the cloak of good intentions. Otherwise, how are we to allow for freedom of speech while safeguarding our most critical institutions? It seems that this is what Guyanese are now asked to do in the recent dispute between some members of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Thankfully, the two parties have vowed to work together.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, told the media at the press conference on April 17 that while the ministry and the NTC may have their differences, both parties are working for a common cause. “Teeth and tongue must bite, they can’t do without each other,” he said.

He said that while the two parties “might have had a little bit of serious discussions and in some cases , challenges in these discussions “, they have been able to accomplish a number of feats which may not have been fully utilised in the promotion of their respective mandates. Allicock said that for the indigenous peoples of Guyana, there is a plan forward.

“Old pathways with new directions,” he said of the approach, as he noted that the achievements of the two bodies did not happen overnight.

For its part, the NTC Vice-Chairman Lenox Shuman, told the media that the relationship which the ministry and the indigenous body has built over the past three years is strong.

He said that it would take much to destroy the relations, noting that “some pope may have wanted to see this relation [ship]

broken completely.”

The council, which represents tens of thousands of people from the indigenous community, is a vital democratic institution. To that end, the ministry has made every effort to respect it and those who speak on behalf of it. As an example, when objections were made about the President’s commission to inquire into land-titling for that and other Guyanese communities, the administration opened itself up to suggestions from the NTC, withdrawing the commission’s mandate with respect to indigenous land issues, until those recommendations were received. None was received, and as a result the commission’s work in that regard has stalled and is not likely to at all recommence, given that its extended life is almost at an end.

Given this approach, when concerns were subsequently raised about the land- titling project by vice-chairman of the NTC, the ministry would against this background be expected to exercise similar restraint. But if those concerns are raised in a way that looks less like advocacy and more like an abuse of power, it is the ministry’s duty, just as it is every Guyanese’s duty, to make it clear that something is going awry.

Much of the original tension stems from multiple reports from villagers of alleged abuse of power by some toshaos.

This has raised concerns about these toshaos’ approach to leadership, and understanding of their true responsibilities.

It is important that Guyanese recognise the legitimate right to advocate for change, but we cannot allow an inaccurate picture of the administration to be painted to suit narrow self-interests. The President has stressed rural development,

with Guyana’s first peoples the primary benefactor of many of the initiatives that have followed. Does anyone seriously believe that the administration is ignoring the needs of indigenous communities when there have been continued efforts to bolster healthcare and access to education in our far- flung villages and communities of Guyana’s vast hinterland? Isn’t that what the 5 Bs programme is all about?

Finally, there remains the question of the yearly financial reports for the NTC, which are not being submitted. The ministry seems to be intent on continuing its support for the day-to-day functions of the council, but these are the types of errors which would understandably stretch its tolerance. The NTC, at its core, belongs to Guyana’s first peoples; to that end, it needs to be run in an efficient and consistent manner, best allowing it to exercise its mandate in a manner consistent with their legitimate expectations.

That this is being hindered by the actions of particular individuals is the true point of contention between the ministry and NTC. Advocacy is not the same as antagonism, nor is truth the same as talk. Guyanese can decide for themselves whether the weight of consistent effort to improve the lives of our hinterland and frontier- based citizens, outweighs the noise clamouring for national attention.

Banning single-use plastics is a positive move Dear Editor,

THE proposal by the Department of the Environment (DoE) to ban single-use plastics is a brilliant idea to promote a ‘clean and green’ Guyana and to a large extent, a better world.

Single-use plastic cannot be recycled; when it is discarded as waste, it does not break down and remains as a permanent pollutant in the environment. For example, a candy wrapper will take at least 100 years to decompose. In fact, it is felt that every bit of plastic ever made is still in existence.

It is therefore clear that such material has no place in Guyana where, despite the emergence of environmentally damaging practices, our God-given gift of a fresh, beautiful and harmonious natural environment is still largely intact.

I was encouraged by Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s speech at State House to mark Earth Day 2018 because, in no uncertain

terms, he reiterated government’s commitment to protecting Guyana’s environment. Now it is time for government to turn these words into action by enacting strong laws to protect the environment, such as a ban on single-use plastic.

A lot of harmful things were invented and came into popular use and were even considered blessings. People were completely unaware that they were dangerous to the environment and did not know the severity of their impact.

Take DDT for example, which can still be found in our water system and earth and causes the death of many babies, including my mother’s first daughter at the Skeldon Hospital. People gravitated to these things because of convenience and cheapness, but these qualities are minuscule compared with the costs of the extreme harm they cause to the environment and to human lives.

We now know the serious threat they present, but having knowledge without acting on that knowledge is

futile. That is why it is important to support any progressive moves by the government of the day to protect the environment. It is also necessary to put pressure on them to ensure that they transform their verbal commitments into positive action.

Furthermore, if Guyana is to succeed in becoming an environmentally friendly nation, the people have to do their part by limiting or ceasing the use of products—such as plastic bags-- that destroy the environment. Years ago, everything we package in plastic bags today used to be packaged in material that did not destroy the environment, such as paper bags.

There was a time when almost every household item used to be bought or sold in bio-degradable cardboard boxes and paper bags.

Cardboard, paper and even wood are still readily available; why can’t we go back to using them instead of harmful plastics and other modern materials? Can’t we go back to using more glass bottles which the

beverage companies can sterilise and reuse?

Plastic that finds its way into the ocean do great harm to our marine life and to our birds that feed on fish. Every year, a number of fish and aquatic animals such as seals, whales and turtles die from becoming entangled with plastic and from ingesting plastic, which chokes them or causes other internal injuries. Even birds that feed on fish are affected when they ingest tiny bits of plastic.

While in the ocean, plastics also absorb dangerous chemicals and also release toxic chemicals, which in turn enter the food chain when fish mistake the pieces of plastic for food.

It is shameful and hurtful to me personally to see the vast amounts of smelly, unsightly plastic waste that is being carelessly disposed of all over the country.

After careful consideration, it seems the campaign for hemp growth in Guyana and for hemp

products is truly an excellent idea under the circumstances of the destruction of our country and our plight. Hemp is ready for harvesting after just 120 days. The seeds are used to make paint, varnish, ink, detergent and fuel and even bio-degradable plastic.

Plastic garbage is accumulating dangerously in all our waterways, drains, canals and even at the seawall. It is high time to take firm action to stop this. It is also an eyesore.

There is none so blind as he who will not see. There will be some persons among us who cannot see or will not see the good sense of using environmentally safe items, instead of poisonous or dangerous ones. Others who know quite well that these things are harmful, will use them anyway for selfish reasons To keep such persons in check, we need to ban harmful items or tax them heavily. As such, people who do not give a Turn to page 7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

7

Workers’ solidarity must be first and foremost Dear Editor,

I WRITE to respond to a letter by GAWU General-Secretary Seepaul Narine (SN “Government has contrasting approach to BCGI workers from sugar workers- 28th April 2018).

“What’s good for the goose is also good for the gander!” and this statement is not only relevant in 2018, it was also relevant between the era of 1992-2015, but more specifically from 1999-2015.

A fundamental principle of the trade union movement is to see all workers treated equally, regardless of administration/government. The last, but not the only time, this claim can be made in the traditional productive sectori.e. bauxite and sugar -- was during the Desmond Hoyte administration. A Structural

Adjustment Programme, put in place by the Hoyte administration, did not address the issue of bauxite workers only, but sought to address in equal measure that of sugar workers through the establishment of new management systems.

This measure of equality was torpedoed with the advent of the PPP/C government. A new programme was introduced that resulted in prolonged discriminatory practices against bauxite workers. The sordid history we all know—the loss of thousands of jobs, dislocation of families, the breaking up of the workers’ pension plan worth in excess of $2.5 billion and refusal to engage the representative unions on a way forward. These developments caused me to accuse the PPP/C government of economic genocide

against bauxite workers and their communities.

The pains and suffering of the bauxite workers, their children and communities are still evident.

During the period of the PPP/C government’s marginalisation and discrimination against bauxite workers, our sisters and brothers in the sugar sector remained oblivious to the plight of their brothers and sisters in the bauxite communities, preferring political loyalty above trade union solidarity.

There has always been support in the struggle for equal treatment of workers across all governments, with the resulting consequence of accusation from all sides of serving one or the other’s purpose. This is a time when the lessons for all unions should be solidarity

to the workers, irrespective of which political power is in office or in the opposition.

The last thing any worker should experience is the need to ignore the plight of any worker, because history has shown that tables turn.

Workers’ interests must be first and foremost for a threat to workers anywhere, is a threat to workers everywhere.

Notwithstanding the above, one recognises that GAWU’s appeal for equal treatment should be a factor this government must place under review, to evaluate its merit and any necessary course of intervention.

Lincoln Lewis, General-Secretary Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union

Banning single-use plastics ... damn about the environment and wish to continue using pollutants and hazardous materials will have to consider the serious penalties they would incur-- financially and otherwise -- if they want to pollute the land and endanger people’s health.

Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, has spoken about government’s goal to reduce or eliminate plastic waste by 2020. Therefore, I expect government to put appropriate incentives in place to reward ‘green’ businesses and also offer concessions such as soft loans or tax breaks to bring new ‘green’ businesses on stream.

This would go a long way to show investors the business community and the public at large that government is sincere about creating a ‘clean and green’ Guyana.

There are persons with the means and know-how to move the nation forward in this area, if government gives positive support, especially

by providing suitable incentives.

For example, I am the founder of RK’s Eco-star Motors that offers the public affordable, reliable and sturdy three-wheel vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than any comparable vehicle on the market, because they can be used without burning an ocean of fossil-fuel (100 miles per gallon). We also have electric three-wheelers for cargo and passengers, but the market is not moving with the vision of the undersigned.

Imagine how much government can reduce Guyana’s ‘carbon footprint’ by promoting the use of these fuel-efficient vehicles in vital sectors of the economy. Imagine how much added value businesspersons and patriots like me can give to the ‘greening’ of Guyana if government would facilitate and support more green business projects.

I believe that government is truly committed to protecting the environment and

I look forward to the passage of a Bill in Parliament banning the one-use plastics and even going further by implementing duties and taxes to discourage the importation, manufacture and consumption of environmentally harmful materials.

I also call on the government to give more support and guidance to businesses

that promote environmental protection. I am ready, willing and able to accept such support from government and do my bit to protect the environment of my beloved Guyana.

Apart from taking bold steps to save the environment, I have also noted government’s efforts to enhance and showcase Guyana by

Filing of property tax returns not a requirement for mortgage interest relief approval Dear Editor THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) wishes to advise the general public that the filing of Property Tax Returns is no longer a prerequisite when applying for Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR).

The aforementioned exclusion, however, does not preclude property owners (residential or business) from filing and paying property tax at the appropriate rates in accordance with the Property Tax Act. Lastly, the GRA has been in receipt of information that in some instances, the charges

imposed by financial institutions when issuing the statement of annual interest paid on mortgage (Form 4) to eligible taxpayers in many instances exceed the mortgage interest relief granted. The Authority wishes to advise that in accordance with the Income Tax (Mortgage Interest Relief) Regulations 7, the provision of the statement to a taxpayer benefitting from MIR is a statutory requirement from the mortgage.

Regards, Guyana Revenue Authority

From page 6 selecting symbols of nationhood. I am referring to the Carifesta carriageway, the Kitty roundabout, erecting arches and more.

These are excellent ini-

tiatives and I hope to see more.

Regards Roshan Khan (Snr)

THE THIRD MAY 8

THE National Assembly will next convene on Friday, May 11. Does this date ring a bell?

Yes. It does. It will mark the third May 11 since national and regional elections were held in Guyana. Those elections were won by the APNU+AFC coalition, a six-party, multi-ethnic “rainbow” combination. The coalition was led by David Arthur Granger who, a few days after those elections, was sworn in as Executive President.

SILENT REVOLUTION The former PPP/C government was democratically removed from office in what was a silent revolution. It held office for an unbroken 23 years, during which it was re-elected four times.

At the last of those elections, the PPP/C lost its majority in Parliament, and became a minority government. It later succumbed to total defeat at the May 11, 2015 elections.

As a competitive party, the PPP/C was paralysed from disbelief over its electoral defeat and demise as government. It protested and picketed against the results on the pretext that they were rigged. It even petitioned the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

court to reverse the results.

BASK IN SATISFACTION May 11 will also be the 88th sitting of the 11th Parliament, even though the coalition is just midway in its first term in office. This will bring sittings under the coalition on par with the number of sittings under the PPP/C for the entire duration of the 10th Parliament.

While the National Assembly needs to meet more often in order to maintain its robust legislative agenda, there is no reason why the coalition cannot bask in satisfaction that it has not done as badly as some critics have tried to make out on the issue of frequency of sittings of the House.

The opposition cannot make any credible criticisms on this issue, as it has earned itself a place on the shamebench of parliamentary malpractice, for scuttling the 10th Parliament. It was the most unprecedented assault on parliamentary democracy since the British invasion in 1953, and the suspension of the colony’s constitution.

PRESIDENTIAL DICTATORSHIP In 2014, the PPP/C gov-

ernment aborted sittings of the duly elected National Assembly for a full year. It then prorogued the House ouseHouin a cowardly response to an opposition no-confidence motion. On May 11, 2015, the Guyanese voters passed judgment against what had become a presidential dictatorship!

The loss of its electoral majority and then, government office, by what was once a popular nationalist party, didn’t happen suddenly. It was preceded by an unrelenting, vulgar campaign in the post-Jagan period by an ambitious clique to seize control of the party and to hijack the presidency. Internal democratic procedures and practices were railroaded, and internal processes to elect the presidential candidate were crudely rigged.

Decent and dignified leaders who were cheated of a fair chance for selection are still around, and could have shared juicy insights about our local “king of discord and disunion” to the American bestselling author, Michael Wolff, before he had penned his controversial book, “Fire and Fury”.

But there would be other victims and more oppor-

tunities to share the stories about the sad saga of recycled rigging inside the PPP/C, hopefully before the 2020 polls. Some loyalists, still stunned by and baffled over how Jagan’s party has been hijacked, see only a repeat of the sordid past. But they would surrender in silent resignation.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT While the sabotage of the internal process resulted in its reduction to minority government status in 2011, its stubborn refusal to establish the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) was one of the main reasons for the motion of no-confidence that resulted in the 2015 defeat.

Provisions for the establishment and composition of the PPC were made in the Guyana Constitution, and the Procurement Act provides for regulation of the procurement of goods, services and for the execution of public works.

While provisions are made for sole-sourcing, it was not intended that this could be done at the expense of competition, procedural fairness or transparency.

But the PPP/C did not want the commission and was determined to hold on to Cabinet’s role in approving state contracts through a deceptive mechanism of offering “no-objection”. Tens of billions of dollars in such contracts were handed out

this way to their political cronies, mostly through single or sole-sourcing, in acts of nepotism that compromised standards and sidelined competition.

It is amusing therefore that the very PPP/C, now in opposition, is championing a new, dubious cause that Cabinet should not approve contracts or be required to indicate no objection!

The fact of the matter is that the APNU+AFC coalition Cabinet plays no such role in the award of contracts!

It does not approve contracts or exercise no-objections.

However, as guardian of the people’s purse, the Cabinet has a vested interest and, like all procuring entities, it has to be satisfied that procedural fairness is observed in the award of government contracts. Private contractors also enjoy the right to reviews and they could appeal against an award to a Bid Protest Committee, or to the PPC. BETTER PLACE The Third May is worthy of observance, as it has found our country in a better place than she was on the eve of May 11, 2015.

Through hard and dedicated work, for which President Granger and Vice-President Greenidge deserve commendation, we have placed our national sovereignty concerns before the International Court of Justice and regained our respect as a democratic nation in the world. We have strengthened the national security architecture to combat piracy, drug trafficking and smuggling, and to make our

people safe. We have moved upwards in freedom of the press ratings, and earned a cleaner image on the corruption perception ladder.

Since May 2015, the conversation about Guyana has changed and for the first time we are talking about and disagreeing over the size and pace of development projects, such as the modern international airport or the classy Roundabout; a Sovereign Wealth Fund and the earnings from oil and gas for the future; borrowing ceilings and the servicing of our national debt, and the place Guyana holds in the exciting world of technology and the information and telecommunication revolution.

The conversation has changed so much so that we could continue the debate on the proposed Cyber Security Law beyond the scrutiny of a special select committee of the National Assembly.

Guyanese must insist on protecting the content of our freedom from state encroachment or infringement.

This is their right.

It is apparent that the proposed law didn’t get everything right, which was the reason the attorney general did not move its second reading in the House last Thursday. So, we must keep talking and criticising and suggesting, in an honest effort to get what we are doing right.

The Third May has found us in a changed, free and expanded political space, and our people ought to be proud that they are eventually the vanguard of this revolution for change and inclusion.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Dreams becoming reality – allottees cannot wait to occupy their Perseverance homes

By Svetlana Marshall EXCITEMENT filled the air as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) gave more that 10 allottees a tour of their soon-to-be homes at the Perseverance Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Over 100 houses and duplexes are under construction at the Perseverance Housing Scheme as the CH&PA’s Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Programme makes waves in the housing sector; and on Thursday, more than 10 allottees were given an opportunity to inspect their soon-to-be homes.

Akeem Glasgow, a Guyana Police Force (GPF) officer, was among the lot.

“It is actually a nice feeling because living in a rent house is tough,” Glasgow said during an interview on the tour. As a young police officer, Glasgow expressed optimism about being one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a home owner.

Kester Mars and his wife, from all indications were

bubbling with excitement.

In the past, the couple was offered a plot of land by the CH&PA at a cost of $2M; however, it was out of their budget. Mars said when the housing authority launched its Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Programme, he and his wife saw it as an excellent opportunity to achieve their goal of owning their home.

“We were awarded a $2M house lot, so when we got

that can acquire homes, some of us living in rented house,” McRae opined.

For his son, McRae said it is a blessing and expressed gratitude to the CH&PA for providing this opportunity for young professionals like his son, who in his early 20s.

BUBBLING INSIDE Another allottee, who requested anonymity, said she was “bubbling inside”.

“I am so happy. I applied

Allottees viewing the houses that are under construction

this opportunity from the government we were pleased and now very, very excited…. I know everybody is very excited that this has materialised after a very long time,” Mars said.

Lawrence McRae, who toured the housing units on behalf of his son, said he is a proud father, knowing that soon, and at a very early age in his life, his son would be a home-owner.

“When children can inherit this kind of land and house, parents must be proud and happy for them, because not many of us have children

eight years for a house lot, going and coming, just hoping that one day that it will happen, and I am thankful that today it is happening,” she said.

Another applicant said: “If we could move in tomorrow, we would do it.” She and her husband had applied since 2014 for a house lot.

CH&PA Project Engineer Omar Narine, in giving an overview of the ongoing works at the Perseverance Housing Scheme, explained that from a total of 33 duplexes, more than 20 have been completed thus far. Current-

Alert driver saves MoPH from going up in flames RAMDEO Kuarpaul, a driver attached to the Ministry of Public Health, is being hailed a hero by his colleagues for saving the ministry from going up in flames early Saturday morning.

Public Relations Officer, Terrence Esseboom, said the fire broke out at around 06:00hrs in an external washroom at the ministry’s compound on Brickdam.

“What I understand is that they left on an extractor

fan and it overheated,” Esseboom told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.

The fire was contained because of the swift response of Kuarpal, who was at the time uplifting the key to one of the ministry’s vehicles when he saw smoke emanating from the building.

According to reports, Kuarpal alerted a security guard and together they rushed to find the source of

the fire, which turned out to be a fan above the washroom door.

The men acted quickly, and managed to extinguish the fire before the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) could have arrived on the scene.

The GFS has since launched an investigation into the matter.

This was not the first time that a fire broke out at the ministry. In 2009, almost the entire building was destroyed by a fire.

Firemen inspecting the area where the fire broke out on Saturday (NCN photo)

ly, the CH&PA is working with the contractors to have those houses handed over to the authority before the keys are given to the allottees.

According to the project engineer, the remaining 13 duplexes are slated to be completed by the end of April.

“Simultaneously, we have started another seven duplexes. Most of the foundation for those seven are currently ongoing, and within another two months, those seven duplexes will be completed. So we will have over 40 duplexes for the year 2018,” Narine explained.

Also, 60 elevated units are under construction, and according to the project engineer, 50 of them are scheduled to be completed by the end of May. “In addition to that, we have 20 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom [units] currently ongoing and about 10 of the three-bedroom units will be completed for April month-end, while the remaining 30 will be completed for May month-end,” he reported.

The only hindrance now is the weather, Narine said. However, he made it clear that the CH&PA will not push ahead with works during the rainy season and jeopardise the quality of the houses.

Based on the successes of the ongoing works, the project engineer said CH&PA is in the process of awarding contracts for the construction of 11 more housing units. If CH&PA’s board gives the green light, by August the units can be completed.

One of the elevated housing units at Perseverance Housing Scheme that are under construction

“So for Perseverance, we will have 40 duplexes, 60 elevated units, and we will have 31 three-bedroom units at Perseverance. In addition to that, we will have the 18 bungalow designs; those buildings are 85 per cent completed,” the project engineer further explained.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS In the other areas, the housing authority is also making significant progress.

According to Narine, at Onderneeming in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, 10 elevated housing units are being constructed, and based on a recent report from the evaluation team, five of them are ready to be handed over to CH&PA by the contractor.

The remainders will be completed in another two weeks.

Based on demand, the housing authority is also expected to commence construction for nine three-bedroom houses at Onderneeming.

Meanwhile, at Exper-

iment Housing Scheme in Berbice, contractors there are doing “impressive work” as they construct 10 elevated, five two-bedroom, and five three-bedroom units, Narine said. CH&PA’s Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond Programme, particularly the construction aspect, is being overseen by six engineers, who conduct frequent visits to construction sites.

Using US$20M, the housing authority intends to develop infrastructure in several housing schemes, while investing another US$10M for the construction of 250 core houses.

The 250 core houses will be constructed in housing schemes that span Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara to Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and La Partfaite Harmonie in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

By Elson Low

Our Old Ways SWEDISH DJ Avicii mysteriously passed away last week and I think his death in a strange way provides a good analogy to the change in the national attitude to corruption. Only 28 at his death, Avicii’s work pioneered modern party music and he himself was a notorious party addict, with songs even being written about the very experience of hanging out with him. Avicii gave up his hard-partying ways in 2016, however, after severe pancreatic illness, which he blamed on excessive drinking.

Now the world waits for the details of his death, the question lingering of whether a return to his wild ways led to his demise. In a way, the corruption previously rife in Guyanese society was like a country-wide party. Rules are few in such an environment, and rewards are easy. But parties are always

only temporary, and they must all come to some final conclusion. Our challenge is to avoid an end like Avicii’s, to avoid becoming so engulfed in chaos that despite our best efforts at recovery we sink back to our old ways.

The building out of anti-corruption institutions and the broader attitude against corruption so hotly debated in the past few weeks should not be seen as a witch- hunt, because that misunderstands the true task. Guyana is trying to recover from the international perception of corruption brought on by a lack of compliance with international conventions and standards.

I don’t want to linger on what was not done, because enough blame has been articulated at length.

But I want instead to remind that the urgency of change remains constant. Avicii seems to have turned back too late,

and we must not follow that path. Without institutions to fight corruption, matched by enforcement of our existing laws, it is easy to imagine how quickly oil resources would be, shall we say “distributed” into the hands of a lucky few. And for all our wealth we would be poor, another opportunity to turn our country around squandered.

On the other side of the coin, what Guyana’s alleged history of corruption (especially at senior levels of government) says to me is that there must be some disconnect in the way individuals or companies look to influence an administration.

There is a significant difference between businesspeople giving a political party funding to advocate for a greater number of construction projects in the budget, and them donating money so that they can secure contracts exclusively.

The first is legitimate, as they are fighting for policies they think will both benefit themselves and the country as a whole, whereas the second is a classic example of corruption. I think, because our politics is only now becoming truly issue-based, Guyanese assume that the second situation is always the case, and as a result are suspicious of any businessperson who makes political contributions of any kind. Needless to say, this approach should change in step with our politics, as businesspeople should not be victimised because of inaccurate perceptions.

This leads us perhaps to ask about campaign finance reform, as making finance transparent and rule-based is critical to maintaining the integrity of our democracy. After all, as much as we have a domestic question being asked around corruption, how much greater must our worry be when huge amounts of international funding are involved? Shifting towards issue-based campaigning and issue-based, transparent campaign contributions will mitigate much of both actual corruption and the public perception of it, as civil society organisations have often advocated.

I’ll leave you with a quote from that famous Roman emperor Augustus, who established the first police force, that seems to best describe the current struggle against corruption: “What is done well is done quickly enough.”

All of the anti-corruption efforts now being undertaken serve not to target individuals or groups, but to build a broad institutional foundation Guyana cannot realistically live without. And while it may come a bit slowly, the goal continues to be that it be done well.

CARICOM concerned about UK AML Bill

By Svetlana Marshall

JUDGES and prosecutors from the 25 member countries of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) are gearing up for a high-level forum here on Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) on May 3rd

and 4th.

But as the regional judges and prosecutors prepare to meet, CARICOM is expressing serious concern over possible sanctions its associate members could face, if the UK Parliament passes the Sanction and Anti-Money Laundering Bill.

On Tuesday, the UK Parliament is expected to debate

the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill which, if passed, according to CARICOM, can have troubling effects on the financial services of the Overseas Countries and Territories.

On Saturday, CARICOM said it is cognisant that global security and financial crimes are increasingly intertwined, and therefore supports the

work of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRB) in developing international AML/CFT standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

However, CARICOM said it is concerned about the possible impositions the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill can have on

its associate members. Those members include Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands.

“We are deeply concerned about the potential impact on their economies by any impositions that would go against the spirit of democracy and diminish their standards of living,” CARICOM said in a statement.

It noted that within the community, member states and associate members have utilised a significant amount of resources to achieve compliance with AML/CFT standards. Countries in the Region, CARICOM added, have also supported global initiatives led by the OECD Global Forum and have entered the necessary international agreements to facilitate the sharing of information on beneficial ownership.

“CARICOM associate members are an integral part of the Caribbean Community family whose circumstances, self-governance and democratic rights should not be disregarded,” the secretariat said, while further pointing out that “a number of… (its) associate members have for some time run successful financial centres that meet the high standards of reg-

ulation set by international standard-setting bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and OECD Global Forum.”

CARICOM said instead of unilateral measures, members of the FATF and OECD Global Forum should work together to establish new international regulatory standards in areas such as beneficial ownership and tax information exchange.

“Such co-operation would be in the best interest of all in the pursuit of a more economically prosperous future, underpinned by international institutions, and where all societies, their internal institutions and peoples are respected,” it stated.

The call comes just days away from the hosting of the high-level forum for judges and prosecutors, a forum organised by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, CFATF and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). 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 Turn to page 11 ►

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Lewis hoping for breakthrough – calls on gov’t to address this Labour Day workers’ concerns at rally VETERAN Trade Unionist and General-Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, is calling on the government to address the concerns of workers and unions at the upcoming May 1 Labour Day rally at the National Park on Tuesday.

“May will be three years for the government, and I am expecting that a representative will come to address some of our concerns,” Lewis said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Some of the immediate concerns are good working conditions and better wages and salaries. And in an effort to ensure that those concerns are not overlooked, the organisers of the event have identified a straightforward theme, which is, “Advancing solidarity; promoting employment and decent work.”

Said Lewis, “This is not

GTUC General-Secretary Lincoln Lewis (Adrian Narine photos)

a show for a party; this is serious business, and we would be expecting that each speaker would also send a clear message to foreign investors who believe that Guyana is a destination for low wages and an opportunity to violate labour laws.”

The trade unionist said

the unions will “spare no bone” in ensuring that employers and the government are made aware of concerns expressed by workers.

Workers will also be there to hear for themselves, the solutions and answers to some of their questions and concerns.

GTUC Organising Secretary Leslie Gonsalves speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Friday

Union Organising Secretary Leslie Gonsalves, said they are looking forward to a turnout of about 4000-5000 people.

JOINT RALLY The massive turnout is expected, because the GTUC was able to meet with the

Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and agree to a joint rally.

In 2016, the unions had agreed to have a joint rally for the first time in over 25 years. They have not looked back since, and have decided to have more cooperation

within the trade union movement.

According to reports, the unions have come to realise that the issues being faced would be best addressed in a unified manner.

But while that unity has resulted in improvement in certain areas, Gonsalves said, there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed at the upcoming May Day Rally.

This year, as per normal, there will be a church service and wreath-laying ceremony today to commence Labour Week activities.

According to Gonsalves, the plans also remain the same for the “big day” on Tuesday, whereby persons will gather at the Parade Ground on lower Middle Street opposite the Promenade Gardens for 07:00hrs, after which they will march around the streets of Georgetown before heading to the National Park for the rally.

RISE to stand against domestic violence – with march, rally today from Brickdam LOCAL Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), RISE, is concerned about the wanton loss of life due to intimate partner violence, and is about to do something about it.

The NGO intends to register its concern officially and have its voice heard today during a march and rally that will commence at 14:00hrs on Brickdam next to DEMICO House.

RISE is calling on persons to join them in their fight against domestic violence, since the issue is complex.

“We recognise that domestic violence is a complex one, and would need a raft of approaches to reduce and eliminate its occurrence,” said RISE in a press state-

ment on Saturday.

Although a lot is being done to combat the problem, they said recent events have highlighted the need to review the current approach towards improving the fight against the social ill.

Since the year started, there have been over five reported cases of domestic violence and violence against women. In some instances, the women were killed or badly beaten by their spouses.

Back in January, a man from Baramita, in Region One (Barima-Waini), allegedly beat his wife so badly, that she died. A few months later, a minibus driver was held for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, and in one of the most recent cases, a special assistant to the

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) lost it and gunned down his reputed wife on a street.

Last year, First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger had said that the incidence of domestic violence by an intimate or previous intimate partner had increased from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for upward of 80 per cent of the victims.

RISE believes that the root cause of domestic violence has strong cultural links, and the inability of some to cope with emotional challenges, economic disenfranchisement and perceived peer pressure.

“Unless we confront these issues, we will continue to have this conversation

every time we experience a spike of killings due to domestic disputes,” the NGO says.

They feel that men need to have real and honest conversations about their responses to emotional challenges, and that this must be facilitated by the community, churches, workplaces, sports organisations and the government.

“As a country, we must do all that is necessary to ensure that the wanton killing of our women ends. To this end, RISE would like to call on the relevant ministries and the police to bring their considerable resources to bear in addressing the root causes of this issue,” RISE said.

Ministries in particular have taken up the mantle to address the issue. One such initiative was the provision of a temporary assistance

programme for the survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Manager of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit at the Ministry of Social Protection, Akilah Dorris, had explained that the programme goes beyond providing psycho-so-

cial support and shelter services for survivors and their dependants.

Dorris noted that the programme was designed to provide financial assistance and temporary accommodation to families affected by sexual and domestic violence.

From page 10

CARICOM concerned... opening ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel.

Since exiting the Third Round, Guyana is increasing its efforts to bring money launderers to justice as it prepares for the Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation. Starting from 2015, the country was able to make significant progress, resulting in it being removed from FATF’s watch list in October 2016.

Currently, Guyana has an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act in place, along with other

related legislation governing supervisory bodies, financial institutions, law enforcement, and foreign affairs.

Now, it is taking steps to ensure that the legislation in place is effective. The Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation is conducted by FATF for its members based on its 2012 Recommendations and the Methodology for Assessing Compliance with the FATF Recommendations and the Effectiveness of AML/CFT Systems (2013), which is periodically amended.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Another US airline likely to operate here

The new-look terminal building at the CJIA

AS expansion works at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) head towards its year-end completion, the interest shown by another American-based airline to operate here is expected to materialise.

This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, who noted at the conclusion of a parliamentary tour of the CJIA on Friday that the executives of a “particular airline” had approached government officials in Miami, US, and

indicated an interest in operating in Guyana.

While he did not name the airline, media reports in September of 2015 indicated that Greenidge met with executives of US carrier, JetBlue, on the sidelines of a conference in Florida that month.

On Friday, Greenidge said the interested airline’s team indicated that they will be looking at the traffic and facilities and will make the decision after acquiring additional aircraft. The company, he said, has indicated

that while it had enough aircraft, it was examining other factors such as safety and fuel issues.

With the CJIA expansion nearing completion, that interest is expected to materialise.

Greenidge spoke of the concept of supply and demand at Friday’s event, noting that supply creates its own demand.

“That is if you have good enough facilities and prices are reasonable, you will attract demands,” he said, as he brought rele-

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge ascends the escalator at a section of the airport on Friday during the tour

vance to the issue of airlines’ interest in operating here.

He said if an airport has decent and attractive facilities, it will attract airlines.

He noted too that such plans at the moment by any interested party will hinge on the prospect of more passengers travelling to these shores.

“It is going to be an attraction for airlines,” he said, noting that interest is also brought about as a result of activities in the extractives sector such as the petroleum industry and

mining industry.

Greenidge cautioned that there are issues pertaining to security which affect the profitability or airline and he noted that airlines are fined and have to pay “heavy burdens”.

Over the years, start-up airlines as well as established airlines felt the brunt of the narco-trade in which they have been fined heavily in cases where illicit substances were found on passengers who used their service to travel to the US. Major US carrier, Amer-

ican Airlines, is currently setting up ground work for operations here by year-end.

The CJIA expansion project also has a December 2018 deadline. However, in the months prior to the benchmark, various aspects of the project are expected to be completed.

Operations are expected to commence from the new modernised facilities such as the new departure terminal from where regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines, is expected to launch its operations soon.

Manganese mining to boost development in Region One MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has assured residents of Matthew’s Ridge that they will see a boost in infrastructural and other developments with the return of mining in the community.

“The road is going to be improved, we’re going to have to refurbish the hospital, we’re going to have to do work on other facilities.

This entire sub-region is going to be lifted up,” Minister

Trotman said during a public meeting in the community today.

The return of manganese mining is expected to see some 600 persons in the community and wider region benefiting from employment when production begins in the second quarter of 2019.

Regional authorities and the General Manager of Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) were also present at the meeting.

Kenneth Jones, resident of Matthew’s Ridge, said the return of mining to the community provides much-needed employment opportunity.

“There are a lot of young people here who need employment and it would be a good opportunity for them to grasp it,” he said.

Clarice Mendonza, also a resident, said she would like to see the company assist in the development of the community’s health,

education and agriculture sectors.

Manganese mining began in the regional sub-district some 50 years ago under Reunion Manganese Inc. The community of Matthew’s Ridge thrived and was earmarked, by former President Forbes Burnham, to be another capital city.

However, under the previous administration, Matthew’s Ridge was neglected. “…it is time, I believe,

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman addressing residents of Matthew’s Ridge

Residents of Matthew’s Ridge turned out in their numbers during a public meeting hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources

that we revive it. We’re not just talking about how much money we could get from this Region. We would want to see this region become the first or second capital of Guyana,” Minister Trotman said.

General Manager of GMI, Xiaohua Xhang, through a translator, noted the construction phase is slated for the middle of 2018. Some 1500 jobs

are expected to be created during this phase that will see the necessary infrastructure being built for the production of manganese.

GMI is investing US$100M to build the manganese project. Some half a million tonne of manganese concentrate is expected to be produced over the next 13 years of the mine’s life, Zhang said.

(DPI)

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

37 trained in oil-spill response MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon on Saturday assured Guyanese that there are strong measures in place to protect the shoreline in the unlikely event of an oil spill.

He was at the time speaking at the closing ceremony of the Oil-Spill Response Training Course, which was held at the Splashmins Resort. This training course marks the culmination of the Incident Command System (ICS) Workshop for Oil-related Disaster Preparedness, which commenced on Monday.

“I believe that it is important for all of Guyana to understand and recognise that as we are moving for first oil, we are preparing ourselves for the eventuality of an oil spill. A lot has been said about our preparation and capacity and I am very happy that ExxonMobil has been part of this exercise; making available to us the human resource to do this training… We have to put in place measures which are more proactive rather than reactive and the companies that are operating offshore Guyana will have to satisfy us of those measures,” the minister said.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon with the participants who completed the Incident Command System (ICS) workshop for Oil-related Disaster Preparedness, which concluded on Saturday

Minister Harmon explained that while an oil spill is unlikely to occur, this exercise is a necessary part of ensuring that the country is prepared for all eventualities as the oil and gas sector is developed. It brought together important stakeholders such as the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Ministries of Natural Resources, Legal Affairs, Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Health and Foreign Affairs, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Marine Conservation Society, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Guyana

Civil Aviation Authority, along with ExxonMobil.

“I trust that we will never have to get to this point [the point of an oil spill], but the fact that we are preparing for it, we are prepositioning equipment, we are training people and we are putting them in various parts of the country, speaks to our ability to plan for these events,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who was also present at the event, explained that his ministry holds special responsibilities with regard to assuring the international investment community and the rest of the

world of Guyana’s commitment to developing its petroleum industry in a sustainable way and in accordance with best practices.

“Petroleum and gas exploration is one of the most important things to have come Guyana’s way in centuries and, therefore, it become especially important for us to be able to show that we recognise that in an important industry like this, there are responsibilities and requirements that go with having that industry resident here, such as safety issues, issues of awareness on the part of the population, capacity building and the like… This is part of the foundation of

Minister Broomes comforts burnt woman

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Linden mother of five, Onika Kingston, whose reputed husband allegedly doused her with a pot of boiling rice, was paid a visit

by Minister Simona Broomes and team at the Linden Hospital Complex Intensive Care Unit, where she is currently hospitalised.

Broomes took a gift for the woman and encouraged her to gain strength. The woman revealed that her main priority is her children and she needs a job so as to become independent.

“You got to fight it for your children, don’t feel sorry for yourself, think what you will do to help the doctors to get strong to come out of here,” Minister Broomes encouraged.

She said women must gather strength to leave abusive relationships.

“We have to change the cycle, that as women we are so vulnerable. You won’t risk throwing hot water on him; you won’t risk it because you studying what he will do to you. We gotta demonstrate that strength too, that he won’t risk throwing that hot water on me,” Broomes said.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes embracing Onika Kingston on her hospital bed

Kingston related to Broomes that she and her partner, Leslie Woolford, with whom she shares a visiting relationship, started to argue and he then threw the pot of rice that was on the stove on her. She managed to turn her back and run into the bedroom.

Hence her face was saved, but the upper part of her body was badly burnt, especially her arms. Woolford, who is a cook,

is expected to be charged in the new week.

The incident occurred on Thursday at Kingston’s Silver Town residence, in the presence of her eldest son. “Women in abusive relationships never change; most time the end to abusive relationship is death …. Find independence and walk away…. We can break the cycle, we cannot hand this down as a legacy as

Guyanese women…. I wanna encourage women, you have to be strong, to withstand, we need to put our bars and keep it higher.”

Speaking on domestic violence in Linden, Broomes said a lot of work has to be done to bring awareness to women, especially young girls who have been reaching out to her.

The minister has started a girl power movement in Linden to tackle the issue and for women and girls to be their sisters’ keeper.

“I want to move motions, I want to see us as women in Guyana raising the bar and not only pitching our voices, but ensuring that we put a stop to it…. I am calling upon all in society to let us join together, leaders, every sector, every area, we can make a difference,” Broomes said.

During the past week, two Lindeners were sentenced for raping young girls.

The minister revealed that a women forum is in the pipeline to encourage women to speak out against physical and sexual abuse. “With the churches, with the NGOs, I think we can start to make a difference for Guyana right here in Linden.”

the industry, whenever and however emergencies may arise,” he said.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and ExxonMobil, which provided the instructors.

A total of 37 persons participated in the workshop and they were awarded with certificates after they gave a practical demonstration of the skills and training they received over the past few days.

Devon Reece, who represented the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, described the

workshop as extremely useful, as he now has first-hand knowledge of the types of equipment that will have to be used in the event of an oil spill.

He added that the networking aspect that the training provided has allowed for participants to know and understand their individual and collective responsibilities.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Romeo Defreitas, who said that the training was very beneficial but he hopes the need for the oil-spill response team never arises. He represented the Guyana Marine Conservation Society. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Armed bandits rob Tiwari’s Drugstore TWO armed bandits robbed Tiwari’s Drugstore at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD) of over $1million in cash Friday night after locking the pharmacist inside a room.

Residents said the robbery occurred during a road block at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The previous night a Chinese Supermarket in Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD was also robbed reportedly by the same bandits.

When contacted, police confirmed that the robbery occurred at 19:45hrs Friday night and they are hunting two suspects.

Reports indicate that the pharmacist was confronted by the two suspects when they entered his store and began pointing a gun at him through the grill, demanding cash and cell phone cards.

One of the bandits demanded that the pharmacist open the grill behind the counter and when he complied, an accomplice also armed with a handgun, entered the business place and pushed the lone pharmacist into a room, bolting him inside.

The men then escaped with the cash and phone cards. No shots were fired. This is the second time the store has been robbed. It was first robbed in 2004.

14

City Hall observes Vaccination Week

THE Maternal and Child Welfare Section of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Friday conducted an open-door activity to mark the observance of Vaccination Week 2018 and well over 50 persons were seen and vaccinated.

Vaccination Week commenced last Monday, April 23, under the theme, “Strengthen your Defence Vaccines work.”

The week of activities is consistent with the World Health Organisation’s Vaccination Week and the main aim was to encourage people of all ages to use vaccines as a means of protecting and promoting health.

Acting Chief Health Visitor, Marlyn Gordon, told Guyana Chronicle that the one-day outreach by M&CC was held

at the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre on South Road where HIV testing was done along with VIA testing, blood sugar and pressure testing, and general medical checkups.

Gordon said the services were taken to various schools and communities throughout the week.

The Maternal and Child Welfare Department is responsible for managing three health centres in the City of Georgetown: Dorothy Bailey, Albouystown/ Charlestown, and Festival City.

Monthly, approximately 1500 children benefit from the services of this department.

These services include vaccination, treatment of minor illnesses and referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green gets a test done at the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

Vaccination and other services were taken to various schools during ‘Vaccination Week’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

15

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

17

18

Construction of Indian Immigration Monument to recommence

CONSTRUCTION of the Indian Immigration Monument located at Palmyra, Corentyne, East Berbice, is expected to be completed in the “shortest time possible”.

This follows an inspection of the site by a ministerial team and representatives

from the High Commission of India in Guyana.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who made the announcement at a post-Cabinet press conference Friday, said it was agreed at Cabinet that work should recommence immediately.

A cooperation agreement

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

was signed between the Governments of Guyana and India for reconstruction of the historic monument.

The design of the monument, which collapsed in April 2017 while under construction, was inherited by the coalition government from the former PPP administration.

Minister Trotman during the site visit last Sunday, said the mistake was to assume that the design inherThe high-level ministerial team during a visit to the site of the Indian Immigration Monument ited from the former PPP administration would have worked.

Government is hopeful that construction will be concluded before an official visit

by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the latter part of the year.

The high-level team comprised Minister of

Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, along with three officials from the Indian High Commission.

New government compound for Mahdia REGION Eight Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Gavin Gunga, said a plot of land has been identified along the Brian Sucre Junction in Mahdia to house several government offices, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

This new compound will complement the two others in Mahdia which houses the regional administration and the fire station, which is currently being constructed.

The compound will also facilitate the building of a town hall and a magistrates’ court, along with new apartments.

According to the REO, the Guyana Water Incorporated had already indicated its need for a space in the compound to build its office.

“Other agencies are expected to come on board, so we can have all the services provided in the town for the

Deputy REO Gavin Gunga people of Mahdia and other parts of Region Eight,” Gunga added.

It is expected that with the new government compound coming on stream, 180 house lots in the vicinity of the compound will finally be occupied.

The bolstering of government services is part of upgrading of the Region Eight community to township status.

The almost completed fire station

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Ethics debate as pig brains kept alive without a body

19

Aries Acknowledging your needs may be a challenge to your independent spirit today, but the personal and professional rewards of deeper alliances are well worth the price. The shrewd Scorpio Full Moon illuminates your 8th House of Shared Resources, creating opportunities to explore new sources of financial and emotional support. Fortunately, the Sun forms a flowing trine to constructive Saturn, clearing a path to major accomplishments. Helen Keller wrote, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Taurus You feel extremely grounded today, enabling you to process the strong feelings overflowing into your life. Although the Scorpio Full Moon rattles your 7th House of Relationships, you appear to take the emotional turmoil in stride. Thanks to steady Saturn’s support, the intensity may cool off, but your stability is not threatened if someone rains on your parade. You could be drawing people into your life who demand a lot from you.

Normally, you might retreat but now you have the goods and can deliver them with a smile. Determination is the key to your success.

Gemini Your enthusiasm may diminish today, but your most outstanding ideas will flourish. The practical Taurus Sun's presence in your 12th House of Dreams provides resources to ensure that the sparks of your inspiration are transformed from fantasy into reality. Nevertheless, the mysterious Scorpio Full Moon settles into your 6th House of Efficiency, where you are reminded that less is more when it comes to your daily routine. Quieting your mind may reveal as-of-yet unexplored abilities that can ultimately make you more productive on the job. Golfer Jack Nicklaus said, “Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety.”

Cancer Ironically, spontaneity works best for you today if you put it on your schedule. You must create a structure to contain the energy of the powerful Scorpio Full Moon in your 5th House of Creativity. Luna forms a supportive sextile to constructive Saturn that challenges you to balance your desires with your current need for measurable results.

Prioritize your goals before creating your plan, so you won’t fritter away the unexplored potential in front of you. But once you set up the parameters, don’t try to hold back the floodgates of your imagination. Colour the world with your dreams.

The Yale University researchers recognise that their work raises potential ethical concerns

Researchers at Yale University have restored circulation to the brains of decapitated pigs, and kept the organs alive for several hours.

Their aim is to develop a way of studying intact human brains in the lab for medical research.

Although there is no evidence that the animals were aware, there is concern that some degree of consciousness might have remained.

Details of the study were presented at a brain science ethics meeting held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda in Maryland on 28 March.

The research has also been reported on this week in the MIT Technology Review.

The work, by Prof Nenad Sestan of Yale University, was discussed as part of an NIH investigation of ethical issues arising from neuroscience research in the US. Prof Sestan explained that he and his team experimented on more than 100 pig brains.

They discovered that he could restore their circulation using a system of pumps, heaters, and bags of artificial blood.

As a result the researchers were reportedly able to keep the cells in the brain alive and capable of normal activity for as long as 36 hours.

Prof Sestan is said to have described the result as “mind-boggling”. If this could be repeated with hu-

man brains, researchers would be able to use them to test out new treatments for neurological disorders.

But Prof Sestan is among the first to raise potential ethical concerns.

These include whether such brains have any consciousness and if so deserve special protection, or whether their technique could or should be used by individuals to extend their lifespans - by transplanting their brains when their bodies wear out.

In a commentary published in the Journal Nature this week, Prof Sestan and 15 other leading US neuroscientists called for clear regulation to guide them in their work.

“If researchers could create brain tissue in the laboratory that might appear to have conscious experiences or subjective phenomenal states, would that tissue deserve any of the protections routinely given to human or animal research subjects?”, the researchers ask in the commentary.

“This question might seem outlandish. Certainly, today’s experimental models are far from having such capabilities. But various models are now being developed to better understand the human brain, including miniaturised, simplified versions of brain tissue grown in a dish from stem cells. And advances keep being made.”

The researchers say that ways of measuring consciousness need to be devel-

oped and strict limits set for them to be able to continue their work with the public’s support.

Prof Colin Blakemore, of the School of Advance Study at the University of London, backs the research team’s call for a public debate on the issue.

“The techniques, even to a researcher, sound pretty ghoulish - so it is very, very important that there should be a public discussion about this, and not least because the researchers who have some investment can tell the public why it would be so important to develop such techniques,” he told BBC News.

“There is a paradox here, and that is - the better such methods are at maintaining a whole brain, fully functional but without connection to a body, the more useful that would be for research purposes. But the more likely it would also be for the brain to have some sentience and consciousness, which would be deeply worrying”.

Prof Blakemore said that he was “very uneasy about the quest for immortality” by those considering preserving their brains until surgery advances, in order to place them in a new body.

“Our planet is already overpopulated. You need space for young people and new ideas, and the notion of desperately clinging on to any mechanism possible for human beings living forever, I find very unsavoury.” (BBC News)

Leo Restraining your excitement helps you circumvent a situation where you disappoint others. You can earn the respect you seek, but the greatest gains come when both of your feet are planted solidly on the ground. However, the Scorpio Full Moon floods your 4th House of Domestic Conditions, possibly triggering an emotional crisis at home.

The plethora of demands from friends and family might arouse your resistance today, which may seem unreasonable to others. Nevertheless, reconnecting with your roots refuels your personal and professional transformation. Lao Tzu wrote, “The heart that gives, gathers.”

Virgo It’s apparent that there are no simple truths anymore. But rather than waiting for someone else to define your reality, seek the facts on your own, even if the most practical answers are just out of reach. You are being tested as your logical mind is in direct conflict with your intuitive nature. You may long for simpler days now that the complex Scorpio Full Moon over stimulates your 3rd House of Communication. But it’s a mistake to go quiet when you have so much to share. The Dalai Lama teaches, “Dialogue is the most effective way of resolving conflict.”

Libra Re-examining your own needs, and the needs of those you love, can start you on a process of deep transformation. But give yourself plenty of time to assimilate your changing feelings about intimacy prior to making any radical moves. The emotionally charged Scorpio Full Moon heats up your 2nd House of Self-Esteem, bringing issues of self-worth to a boil. Unrealistic dreams, faulty calculations and careless decisions might require a complete re-evaluation of your current position in life and where you are heading. Author Arnold Glasgow wrote, “Make your life a mission, not an intermission.”

Scorpio Power is a double-edged sword that could create damage if wielded inappropriately. The Scorpio Full Moon activates your 1st House of Self, either confirming you are already on the right path or revealing the fact that you’ve wandered off track. Fortunately, a dose of common sense allows you to capture the importance of your current analysis. A cohesive plan can solidify a tenuous commitment and instil you with confidence. You are standing at a crossroad and your current decisions will have significant consequences during the weeks ahead. Galileo wrote, “Passion is the genesis of genius.”

Sagittarius You are revisiting overlooked corners of your life and addressing uncomfortable issues you prefer to ignore. The Scorpio Full Moon stirs deep waters in your 12th House of Secrets and Spirituality, activating your dreams and awakening your psychic powers.

However, you may also experience a sense of isolation or even betrayal. Look beyond the negativity into the farthest reaches of your soul to recognize what you desire most and what you need to let go of in order to attain it. A new sense of power derives from reconnecting with the power of your intentions. Transformation starts within.

Capricorn A period of intense introspection is just what you need before you take the next steps on your path to success. The resolute Scorpio Full Moon spotlights your 11th House of Long-Term Goals, turning up the volume on your emotions while prompting you to push harder to advance your interests. However, practicing patience is advised now since it’s unwise to pick fruit before it’s ripe. Consciously limiting your commitments prevents your responsibilities from becoming an unbearable burden. Travel inward for answers to questions you never knew to ask.

Aquarius You must pay close attention as responsibilities reassert themselves. Unfortunately, the demands of living in the world will never go away. Nevertheless, taking breaks to soothe your body and soul ensures your long-term productivity. The complicated Scorpio Full Moon spills its waters into your 10th House of Public Status, marking a turning point in your on-going struggle to balance your professional goals with your personal affairs.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer; everyone’s mileage differs. Ultimately, the best way to find happiness is not to search for it, but to create it.

Pisces Applying the brakes now allows you to clarify your thinking and simplify your communication. But the passionate Scorpio Full Moons presence in your 9th House of Faraway Places increases your hunger for something more in life. Although it’s not healthy to ignore your feelings, behaving in an objective manner increases your credibility today.

It’s time to recognize your illusions for what they are and set new goals that are more practical than your previous ones. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”

20

Henry urges no complacency in fight against AIDS

EDUCATION Minister Nicolette Henry said more still needs to be done in order to sustain the response and gains made in the region in the fight against AIDS. Henry, who is chairperson of the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) Regional Coordinating Mechanism, made the call at the recently held twoday Joint Regional Dialogue forum in Trinidad and Tobago.

ers, civil society leaders, national AIDS programme managers and youth leaders work together to end AIDS”.

Minister Henry said the dialogue has brought together personnel highlighted in the theme and it is an embodiment of collaboration and commitment to achieve the internationally agreed target for ending AIDS at national and regional levels.

During the two-day forum, the participants used the occasion to col-

in the region. Notably, of all people living with HIV in the Caribbean, 36 per cent were unaware of their status in 2016; and of course, late diagnosis is still a challenge, particularly for men,” Minister Henry noted.

Addressing the objectives of the forum, Minister Henry said she believes all those in attendance have worked in some way to develop partnership within and among their various constituencies.

Minister Henry congratulated all participants on their efforts for being champions of human rights and for advocating and taking a stance against stigma, discrimination and intolerance.

“Congratulations colleague parliamentarians, friends and colleagues for keeping up the fight, and most of all, congratulations for your persistence towards ending AIDS by 2030.”

Also representing Guyana at the forum were Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and Opposition Parliamentarian, Dr. Frank Anthony.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

Education Minister Nicolette Henry making her presentation at the forum

Seated: Minister Nicolette Henry [sixth from left] and Minister Karen Cummings [seventh from left] with participants of the Joint Regional Dialogue The minister in her address said that to ensure sustainability of efforts for the regional response for ending AIDS, many countries in the region have to do much more to make AIDS and Health a financial priority.

Further, she said sustainability is not just about resources, but about ensuring that resources are the most effective based on science, epidemiology and targeting those most in need.

The theme for the forum was ““How can parliamentarians, faith lead-

lectively examine many challenges being faced.

Among these challenges, Minister Henry said, is the annual number of new infections among adults across the Caribbean which has remained static for the last six years at an estimated 17,000 as reported in 2016.

“Also, 1/3 or 33 per cent or there about of our Caribbean people who are living with HIV on treatment, were not virally suppressed as of 2016.

Also, retaining people on treatment has proven challenging for most countries

Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Frank Anthony seated with participants during the forum

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

to

21

22

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

23

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

25

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

Lady Jags, Suriname play to 2-2 draw in CFU Women’s Challenge Series GUYANA’S Lady Jags, Guyana’s National senior women’s team – held their own and had a 2-2 draw in their second match against Suriname as competition in Group E of the CFU Women’s Challenge Series heats up at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago.

The spirited match, played in front of a small but supportive crowd, and captained by Alison Heydorn, saw the Guyanese team create multiple scoring opportunities even amidst injuries sustained by some players.

The Lady Jags had an early start in the match when one of the team’s debutantes, midfielder Tiandi Smith, scored in the 21st minute.

However, Suriname made a comeback on the

brink of halftime with a goal in the 45th minute. During the second half, Brittany Persaud gave Guyana the lead in the 56th minute but Suriname quickly capitalised on their chance to score and equalised with a goal in the 65th minute.

In an invited comment following the match, head coach of the Lady Jags, Dr Ivan Joseph, said the team was able to experiment with some players to aid evaluation.

“We started a couple of different players in a few positions and we were able to evaluate and assess and learn more about them. I thought Tiandi did a nice job; she was involved in the first goal and put up a couple of opportunities.

Lakeshia Pearson continues to be a dangerous threat down the wing and Siacy (Horicia) Adams came in the last 15 minutes of the game and really held her own and I thought she was

a bright spot,” said Dr Joseph.

In summarising the match, Dr Joseph said focusing on the process not the outcome is important, adding, “Several players have displayed their ability to play at this level.

“We’ve been able to blend and gel as a unit and finally, and most importantly, we are able to see the level of competition, and develop a game plan that will enable us to ensure our success during

our qualifiers in May. I’m pleased at where we are at this stage of our training camp.”

As Guyana prepare for their final match of the tournament against Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow, Dr Joseph said a different match approach will be taken with the ‘Soca Princesses’ to that employed with Grenada and Suriname. However, the focus remains the same that is: assessing players towards

building a stronger unit.

Guyana’s starting line-up was as follows: Aneesa O' Brien - 1 - (goalkeeper), Nikkita Persaud (3), Rylee Traicpff (28), Jade Vyfhuis (6), Alison Heydorn (8) - captain, Brittany Persaud (9), Mariam El-Masri (10), Tiandi Smith (16), Lakeisha Pearson (13), Annalisa Vincent (14) and Jessica Meyers (17).

The final match of Group E will be played at 18:00hrs at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Andrew Lewis Novices Championship set for May 4-6 … GBA to send fighters to South American Games, Continental Championship

By Rawle Toney

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will host its Andrew Lewis National Novices Championship from May 4 to 6 at the National Gymnasium, after shifting the event from April 26 to 29.

According to Steve Ninvalle, president of the GBA, the competition will see the return of the Republican Gym which was destroyed by fire during the infamous

‘Camp Street prison fire’ last year, and will feature newcomers Savannah Gym from Lethem and a gym from Mabaruma.

Ninvalle said that Suriname was also invited but the association indicated that boxers will not be able to make our Novices, instead requested that they come for our (GBA) National Intermediate later down this year,.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is the defending

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

13:00 hrs Hadley

SALISBURY

IRISH RACING TIPS

09:00 hrs Kadiz

Gowan Park

09:30 hrs Loving Your Work

08:50 hrs Shekiba 09:20 hrs Jaega

10:40 hrs Almoghared

09:55 hrs Curly

11:15 hrs Stanley

10:30 hrs Jewel Maker

11:45 hrs Foxtrot Lady 12:20 hrs Harlequin Striker

11:05 hrs Marmalade N Toast 11:35 hrs Maysonette

WETHERBY

SOUTH AFRIC

09:10 hrs Regulator

A RACING TIPS

09:40 hrs Sailing Home

Greyville

10:15 hrs Revived

08:30 hrs Hack Green

10:50 hrs Sauchiehall Street 11:25 hrs Hajjam

09:05 hrs Val-La-Ree 09:40 hrs Cue The Misic

11:55 hrs Foxy Lady

10:15 hrs The Secret Is Out

12:30 hrs Dapper Man

10:50 hrs Call Me Winter

champion of the GBA Novices Championship and action will punch off 19:00hrs nightly.

Tickets cost $1 000 for ringside, $500 for stands.

Tickets purchased for the April dates are still valid.

Meanwhile, the GBA boss said Keevin Allicock and Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis, fresh from their excellent showing at the Commonwealth Games, will now head off to the May 28-June 8 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

While Lewis advanced to the second round in the Com-

monwealth Games, his fate was similar to Allicock’s, the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist, who lost by split decision. Both fighters were victims of dubious judging at the games in the Gold Coast, but will now look to rebound against their South American counterparts.

Ninvalle highlighted that the South American Games will be used are part of the duo’s preparations for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be held in Colombia from July 20 to August 3.

Also, it was stated that lightweight Christopher Moore and flyweight Isiah Moore are earmarked to participate in this year’s American (AMBC) Youth American Confederation Boxing Championships, scheduled for Colorado Springs, USA, May 1927.

Clifton Moore will serve as the coach, but the GBA president told Chronicle Sport that the team’s participation at the event will be subjected to the amount of funds garnered through sponsorship by the Association.

Gajnabi keen ...

From back page beginning to pay off, so I just want to grab this with both hands, so my childhood dreams of playing for the West Indies can become a reality.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the RHTYSC, Hilbert Foster, has hailed Gajnabi's selection as a testimony to the work of the club.

Foster, who is also the president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), indicated that the club’s investment into female cricket has been significant.

He noted that Gajnabi is the third female cricketer from the club to have been a part of the West Indies female set-up.

Erva Giddings and Shemaine Campbelle are the other two players from the club to have represented the West Indies.

Foster also praised Metro Office & Computer Supplies, who is the official sponsor of Guyana’s only female cricket team, for their continued support.

In the meantime, Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, said the camp was an important phase of the team’s preparation as it allowed them to access key resources.

“CWI is cognizant of the difficulties and challenges faced by the Women cricketers in getting the best training facilities and world class support in their individual territories,” said Adams.

“Therefore, this is a move

by CWI to address that issue, and to get them the relevant support staff to best prepare them for international cricket.”

Batters Kyshona Knight and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher will take no part in the camp because of injury while se-

Hilbert Foster nior all-rounder Deandra Dottin is unavailable due to personal reasons.

West Indies will play hosts to the ICC T20 World Cup from November 9 to 24.

SQUAD - Stafanie Taylor, Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shabika Gajnabi, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Reniece Boyce, Felicia Walters, Akeira Peters, Shekera Selman.

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

46 Days to go …

Neymar backed to lead Brazil’s World Cup bid

by Selecao doctor, encouraged by recovery NEYMAR’S attempts to reach full fitness in time for the 2018 World Cup are on track, according to Brazil’s team doctor.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward had his season curtailed when he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Marseille, undergoing surgery on March 3.

Last week Neymar identified May 17 as a target date to return to training, with Brazil’s Russia 2018 opener against Switzerland coming exactly a month later in Rostov.

And Rodrigo Lasmar is happy with the progress being made by the Selecao’s prized asset.

“Neymar is working

hard and we expect him to be well prepared so that he can make an excellent preparation for the World Cup,” the medic told Globo Esporte.

“He is recovering in the best possible way, as part of the established programme (for rehabilitation). We need to improve the physical con-

dition (of a player coming back from injury) because it is probably low. Players returning from an injury must undergo an individual assessment in order to design the best strategy for them.”

Brazil have been drawn in Group E alongside Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.

Firmino or Gabriel Jesus?

Man City star braced for Brazil battle with Liverpool frontman MANCHESTER City striker Gabriel Jesus is bracing himself for a battle with Liverpool rival Roberto Firmino when the pair link up for World Cup 2018 duty with Brazil.

Two men currently starring in the Premier League will put their domestic differences to one side this summer when they head to Russia in search of global

glory.

Gabriel Jesus has endured another injury-hit campaign with champions City, but has rediscovered his touch of late to find the target in his last three appearances.

He now has 15 goals for the season, which represents a healthy haul, but fellow countryman Firmino has recorded 27 efforts for

Liverpool.

The Reds star is now a serious contender to lead the line for Brazil, but Gabriel Jesus claims to be welcoming the competition, telling ESPN: “In fact, this is good for me, for Firmino and for the national team.

Then there’s no way to cheer against a teammate.

“Of course I’m going to cheer against his team, but

never against him. I’m happy with his season, with everything he’s been doing. It makes me happy and gives me more strength to keep working and improving.

I pray for him and I hope he realises all his dreams.

I hope that he arrives very well, very strong to compete in the World Cup. This will help him, me and the national team.”

With Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar also set to come back into the mix for starting berths on a World Cup stage, following an unfortunate injury of his own, places in Tite’s side will be hard to come by.

It is likely that only one of either Firmino or Gabriel Jesus will get the nod, with the latter conceding that two hard-working frontmen

bring similar qualities to the fold.

Quizzed on whether they could play together, the 21-year-old said: “This is with the manager, Tite.

“I think that it’s kind of complicated in the starting line-up. Who knows? A test can be made at a certain time in the game but I think this is more with the coach.”

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 29, 2018

GCB/DMLAS/NSC/NSSCL cricket

North Georgetown, Parika Salem win Zone finals

Michael Pooran

Shivanad Gossain

Wazim Mohamed

Travis Christian

NORTH Georgetown and Parika Salem Secondary Schools won their respective Zone final when play in the 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board/Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National Sport Commission/National Secondary Schools Cricket League (GCB/DMLAS/ NSC/NSSCL) continued last Friday.

North Georgetown completed an eight-wicket win over Mae’s at Everest ground while Parika Salem whipped

Vergenoegen by 169 runs in the East Bank Essequibo Zone final.

North Georgetown’s decision to bowl first paid off, as they restricted Mae’s for just 74 in 23.3 overs.

Michael Pooran was the most destructive bowler for North Georgetown, grabbing 4-12 from 5.3 overs, while Trevor Rovan and Marvin Permaul picked up 2-9 and 2-6 respectively.

Ushandra Balgobin topscored with 35 and was the only batsman to get into

double figures. In reply, North Georgetown raced to 75-2 from 10.5 overs. Shivanad Gossain top-scored with 41. Balgobin picked up the two wickets for 24 runs.

Asked to bat, Parika Salem made good use of the apparent favourable batting track, by amassing 229-8 off their allotted 30 overs.

All-rounder Travis Christian stroked an unbeaten 89, while all-rounder Wazim Mohamed contributed a composed 61.

Bowling for Vergenoegen, Avinash Persaud took 3-42.

In reply, Vergenoegen were bowled out for a meagre 60 off 13.3 overs. Amos Baird made 18. Off-spinner Wazim Mohamed grabbed 7-16 including a helmet-trick.

Fast bowler Travis Christian took 2-22.

Meanwhile, Parika Salem will meet Leguan Secondary at the Tuschen ground and Chase Academy will challenge Christ Church at the GNIC ground, to determine the North Georgetown Zone champions tomorrow.

AB de Villiers looks back on finest hour

SOUTH AFRICAN superstar AB de Villiers has rated last month's series-defining hundred against Australia in Port Elizabeth as "one of my best ever".

With the Proteas 0-1 down and facing the prospect of a first-innings deficit in the second Test, de Villiers seized control of the contest with a breathtaking counter-attacking knock, hammering an unbeaten 126 from just 146 deliveries to turn the tide and put South Africa in a position of dominance that they did not relinquish.

It was vintage de Villiers, the sort of performance many doubted the 34-year-old was still capable of, given he hadn't scored a Test hundred in the three years prior.

Ex-Proteas skipper Graeme Smith later told cricket.com.au the century was "one of the best hundreds I've seen live – just the situation of the game, the way that he played – he made it look like a different game out there … his ability to play at the tempo he did, really changed the face of the game".

Reflecting from India during his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, de Villiers echoed Smith's sentiments.

"Sometimes you don't quite realise what you have achieved until you look back," he told The Guardian.

"We were about to collapse like we

had in Durban and it was 'here we go again'. So to get through that and score a special hundred that helped the team to victory was unbelievable. It was one of my best ever.

"It's not often you get into that kind of zone batting either. I just felt so calm at the wicket. It's so strange; your head just goes quiet sometimes. Days like that don't come around very often, so you have to enjoy it."

The right-hander has produced some spectacular innings in his career to date, including the fastest century and fastest 150 in ODI history, and has reached three figures 47 times in international cricket (22 in Tests, 25 in ODIs).

But the significance of his Port Elizabeth effort – given South Africa had not beaten Australia in a home Test series in the post-Apartheid era – has propelled it to the top handful of de Villiers' efforts.

"I'm honestly always fired up when I play against Australia," he said at the time, having scored his sixth Test ton against Australia, the most by any South African.

"I've said it before – growing up it's always the team we wanted to beat as South Africans.

"So from a very young age, five or six, it was always South Africa-Australia, that's the main game.

Provisional programme released for Kennard Memorial Pre-Independence horse race meet ORGANISERS of the Kennard Memorial Pre-Independence horse race meet have released a provisional seven-race programme.

The one-day race meet, which is billed for May 20 will be held at the club’s track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne.

According to the provisional programme, the feature event is for animals classified H and Lower.

The race is over a distance of seven furlongs for a winning take of $240 000 and a trophy.

The J1 and Lower event will also be galloping over seven furlongs for a reward of $160 000 and a trophy.

There is also an event for animals classified L-Non-Earners of $50 000 from January 2017 over five furlongs for a first prize of $100 000 and a trophy.

The K and Lower animals will take the track over five furlongs for a $140 000 reward and a trophy.

The two-year-olds trial will be galloping over two furlongs for a reward of $100 000 and a trophy.

The L class Non-winners will have an opportunity to run, as they compete for a pole position taking of $120 000 while the L-Open event has a top price of $ 130 000.

According to the provisional programme, the organising committee serves the right to cancel or reframe any race mentioned above.

In the event that there are less than five horses entered for any event the organising committee reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize-money after notifying the horse owners.

All races are run under the Rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

For entries, horse owners can make contact with Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316, Justice Kennard on 6237909, 2254818, Fazal Habibulla 657-7010, Dennis Deroop on 640-6396 or Campton Sancho on 602-5670.

Entries close on May 13, and according to the organising committee no late entries will be accepted.

Second leg of Triple Crown postponed … New date to be announced shortly

AB de Villiers scored a brilliant century on day three in Port Elizabeth.

"I'm always very motivated playing against these guys."

Most Test hundreds v Australia 12: JB Hobbs (Eng) 11: SR Tendulkar (Ind) 9: DI Gower (Eng), WR Hammond (Eng), BC Lara (WI), RB Richardson (WI) 8: SM Gavaskar (Ind), H Sutcliffe (Eng) 7: G. Boycott (Eng), JH Edrich (Eng), M Leyland (Eng) 6: AB de Villiers (SA), HA Gomes (WI), Ijaz Ahmed (Pak), Javed Miandad (Pak), V Kohli (Ind), VVS Laxman (Ind), CH Lloyd (WI). (Cricket Network)

PERSISTENT rain has left the Rising Sun Turf Club waterlogged and impossible for today’s highly-anticipated second leg of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) Triple Crown horse race meeting.

This left organisers with no option but to push back the second leg, which will be made public sometime this week, according to chief coordinator Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr. According to Mohamed Jr, the organisers will decide on the new dates for both remaining legs. The third and final leg is originally billed for May 27.

Whenever the weather allows there will be heated action in the two days with a hefty sum of over $20M at stake.

Lucky patrons will get the chance to be involved in a raffle which offers very attractive prizes with the winner of the main prize driving away with a 2011 Nissan Tida sedan car.

The other prizes on offer are a 125 motorcycle, Samsung 40″ Smart TV, 2 Samsung cell phones, a stove, microwave and a refrigerator.

Any information on the events can be sourced by contacting: Chandu Ramkissoon 624-9063/6089063/232-0633; Alan Podmore 232-9115/ 619-1909 and Nikita Ross 662-4668.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

RDC Four to host Inter-Secondary School cricket competition … Sixteen teams to compete THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Four has joined forces with a number of persons within the private sector to launch an Inter-Secondary School cricket competition.

The competition, dubbed the RDC/Lloyd W.P. Britton REO competition, is expected to bowl off on May 14 with the grand final fixed for May 24.

The partnership, which was originally forged between the RDC through its REO Pauline Lucas and businessman Lloyd W.P. Britton, seeks at providing an avenue

for the youths within the region.

Britton said that the competition was a long-time dream for him. “I must say that I was very excited by the REO’s readiness and willingness to have the competition played among the secondary schools within the region.

This is certainly a testimony of an REO who is genuinely interested in holistic development of her region,” Britton said.

He said that while he cannot sponsor the entire competition he is very pleased to have learnt that a number

of other businessmen have pledged to assist.

“The idea is to create a number of opportunities so that our young people can be meaningfully engaged, thus channelling their energies through a medium that can help them. So cricket, athletics, football, table tennis and a number of other sports career for both male and female would be executed over time,” the businessman said.

Lucas was in high praise for Mr Britton’s support and the partnership noting that it has played a pivotal role in making the 40-over-a-side

Lloyd W.P. Britton hands over some of the gear to REO Ms Pauline Lucas.

cricket competition a reality.

She pointed out that the department of Education

Ogle Street, Backdam play to exciting 2-2 deadlock OGLE Street and Backdam played to an exciting 2-2 stalemate when the BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement annual village anniversary celebrations continued recently.

In what was a highly competitive match, both sides tussled fiercely to bring some sort of respectability to their teams, with exciting young prospect Shamar Kingston of Ogle Street scoring the first goal of the

finish with a right kick to the far left of the net.

With the BV Community Centre ground already filled with an enthusiastic crowd, the two early goals, created an electrifying atmosphere for the rest of the evening, with both teams going at each other in a very passionate manner in their attempts to establish their supremacy.

With the scores 1-1 at halftime, much was antic-

Kenaz De Cambra (left) and Shamar Kingston

Natoinel Williams (left) and Ian Dooker

match, just 16 minutes after its commencement.

However, it took the talented Ian Dooker just three minutes to produce the equaliser, with a dribble past two of Ogle Street defenders, to

ipated from the two rival teams, and it was not long before Ogle Street’s forward Kenaz De Cambra produced an amazing play from the left wing to send a powerful kick inches away from the

left of the goalkeeper, who was favouring the right side of his goal.

The goal gave Ogle Street a glimpse of victory, but with 23 minutes to go, the termination whistle seemed like an eternity away.

Backdam, now under immense pressure, found the equaliser in the 81st minute from Natoinel Williams.

Scored from near the centre of the box, Williams’ commanding and precise kick beat the goalkeeper to hit the upper left corner of the net.

The two teams were

evenly matched in talent, ability and performance. The remaining nine minutes of the match quickly dwindled, to leave the well-satisfied crowd with much to boast and brag about, as both sides walked away as winners despite the result.

The Inter-block soccer will continue at the BV Community Centre ground tonight. Sideline will oppose Central in the first match of the evening commencing at 18:00hrs while Sideline Seniors will kick it out with Central Seniors in the other game.

has already given the green light for the staging of the competition.

She stated that the safety and well-being of all players is critically important. The REO has also sought the assistance and support of the health department in playing an important role in the execution of the competition.

The competition which will be run on a knock-out basis will see 16 teams start.

It was disclosed that the Guyana Cricket Board has given its support to the staging of the competition.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones has committed towards providing some of the gear.

The official launching is expected shortly.

Madrid labour to win over Leganes without Ronaldo, Ramos MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid beat Leganes 2-1 in La Liga yesterday after coach Zinedine Zidane heavily rotated his side in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, including leaving out top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wales forward Gareth Bale produced an acrobatic finish from close range on the volley to put Madrid ahead against their neighbours in the eighth minute of the game, narrowly beating the offside trap despite protests from the visiting players.

Borja Mayoral doubled their lead right at the end of the first half by stabbing in from a metre out. Again Leganes appealed for offside but the goal was eventually allowed to stand after the referee consulted with his assistant.

Leganes were unfortunate to go two goals down at the interval after coming so close to scoring on three occasions, including Watford loanee Nordin Amrabat striking the crossbar.

They eventually pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Darko Brasanac knocked a cutback from Amrabat into an empty net.

Leganes forward Gabriel

Wales forward Gareth Bale

was sent off after the final whistle, for reacting furiously to the referee for ending the game just as he was shaping to shoot at goal from outside the area.

Real are third in the league on 71 points, 12 behind runaway leaders Barcelona and one behind second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Atletico visit Alaves today while Barca play at Deportivo La Coruna, where a point will see the Catalans become Liga champions for a 25th time.

Zidane excluded Ronaldo, captain Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane from the squad and left Luka Modric, goalkeeper Keylor Navas and influential left back Marcelo on the bench.

He later brought on midfielder Toni Kroos and winger Marco Asensio, who scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory at Bayern in Wednesday’s first leg.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

29

Jazz eliminate Westbrook’s Thunder, LeBron and Cavs forced to game seven RUSSELL Westbrook tried everything he could to drag the Thunder to a deciding game seven, but lack of production from his teammates and a late nocall on Jazz centre Rudy Gobert sealed a 96-91 victory for Utah and eliminated Oklahoma City from the NBA playoffs.

Reigning MVP Westbrook finished the night with a game-high 46 points on 18-of-43 shooting, but none of the other guards and forwards on the roster made more than three field goals on Friday.

Westbrook simply had no help and the Jazz were able to hold on for a 4-2 victory in their Western Conference first-round matchup, with the Houston Rockets next up.

Reigning MVP Russell Westbrook

It also helped that Gobert was not called for a shooting foul on Paul George who had a chance at a game-tying three-pointer with less than 15 seconds remaining.

Down just three points at

the time, George would have had an opportunity to tie the game at the line had a foul been called. But there was no whistle, the Jazz collected the rebound and eventually hit two free throws via Donovan

Mitchell to ice the game.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were routed 121-87 by the Indiana Pacers in game six earlier on Friday.

Cleveland trailed by 10 at halftime, but were outscored by 15 in the third quarter which sealed their fate in Indiana.

Victor Oladipo had a triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, while James was the only Cavs starter in double-figures with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

The two teams will face off in the first game-seven fixture James has ever played in the first round.

“Win or go home. It’s just that simple,” James told reporters after the game.

The Toronto Raptors broke the Washington Wizards eight-game home playoff win streak with a 102-92 victory to advance to the next round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Bradley Beal and John Wall combined to score 55 points on 19-of-44 shooting, but the rest of Washington’s starting line-up combined to score 17 points in 95 minutes of play.

SIMMONS, ARE YOU WATCHING? Jazz rookie Mitchell – a contender with Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons for the Rookie-of-the-Year award – scored 38 points on 14-of-26 shooting. He also had four rebounds and two assists.

GEORGE FAILS TO SUPPORT WESTBROOK Paul George played 45 minutes but scored just five points on two-of-16 shooting.

LOWRY AND DEROZAN WITH THE COMBO! Kyle Lowry and DeMar

DeRozan hooked up for the alley-oop from long range here in the third quarter.

The two All-Stars combined to score 40 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS Indiana Pacers 12187 Cleveland Cavaliers.

Utah Jazz 96-91 Oklahoma City Thunder.

Toronto Raptors 102-92 Washington Wizards.

BUCKS (3-3) AT CELTICS (3-3) The first game seven of the playoffs takes place in Boston as the Celtics hope to maintain the theme of the series with the home team holding serve against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Every home team won in the first six games of the series and the Celtics have one of the best home-court advantages in the league.

Winners move on. Losers go home.

Canal 6 win 12th annual Sash Sawh Memorial dominoes tournament

CANAL 6 emerged winners of the 12th annual Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh Memorial dominoes tournament, played last Sunday at Ernest Shop, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara.

The tournament, organised and sponsored by Sash Secretariat, saw the eventual champions mark 71 games to win easily from MixedUp with 64 and the hosts, who trailed on 61.

The victory also marked the second consecutive year for Canal 6 who defeated International 6 and Sash Secretariat at the same venue in 2017.

Canal 6 made their intentions clear from the outset, marking 14 games with Sash Secretariat behind on 10,

while Mixed-Up started with a mere four games. The eventual winners were never challenged thereafter and romped to an easy win.

Skipper Shivdat Sukhai led from the front with 17 games while Buddy Prittipaul and Basdeo Persaud supported with 17 and 12 respectively for Canal 6.

O. Ajoda led the way for Mixed-Up with the maximum 18 games while Ramanah made 12. Doodnauth (14 games) and Vishnu Persaud (13) were the outstanding players for Sash Secretariat but saw two of their teammates, B. Dwarka and G. Dwarka, go down lovers’ lane.

The winners’ and first runners-up trophies plus priz-

es for the three top players in each team were sponsored by Sash Secretariat while the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy was added, compliments of Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.

The three top players were Shivdat Sukhai of Canal 6, O. Ajoda of Mixed-Up and Doodnauth of Sash Secretariat.

Sawh, a former Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, died under tragic circumstances on April 22, 2006. A minute’s silence was observed, prior to the commencement of the tournament.

Among those responsible for the staging of the tournament are United States-based Guyanese Mark Dookhan,

Indra Jagmohan (right) hands over the winners’ trophy to Shivdat Sukhai of Canal 6, in the presence of other team members.

who served as driver to the late minister, Sahadeo Mahabali, Vishnu Persaud and Indra Jagmohan.

The organisers also take the opportunity to express sincere thanks to the proprietor of Ernest Shop for

allowing the venue to be used to host the tournaments over the years.

Liverpool frustrated; Southampton, Palace boost survival chances (REUTERS) - Liverpool’s hopes of virtually securing a top-four Premier League spot were frustrated by a battling Stoke City side, who restricted the usually free-scoring Reds to a goalless draw at Anfield yesterday.

But Stoke’s hard-won point may not be enough to secure the visitors’ survival after Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace all won. With Swansea City due to play Chelsea later yesterday, the fight for positions at both ends of the table will go to the final day.

Liverpool, who still have to face Chelsea at Stamford

Stoke City’s Ramadan Sobhi in action with Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)

Bridge, lead the Blues by nine points with two games in hand, although superior goal

difference may prove decisive for Juergen Klopp’s side.

Domestic finishing posi-

tion would, of course, prove academic if Liverpool win the Champions League. They certainly looked like a side with their semi-final second leg in Rome on their mind as they failed to make the most of 72 per cent possession against visitors who had never won a league game at Anfield.

Even 43-goal Mohamed Salah had an off-day, marking the first time since Boxing Day that the Egyptian had failed to score after starting at home.

Liverpool, who made five changes from their semi-final first leg in midweek, felt they deserved a late penalty after Erik Piet-

ers handled in an incident similar to the one that led to James Milner conceding a spot-kick against AS Roma.

“We had to make changes, that is always a bit of a rhythm breaker, in the final third everything is instinct between the regulars, and we missed a bit of that,” said Klopp, who added Liverpool had not sustained any further injuries.

LATE HEROICS Elsewhere, Chelsea kept alive their hopes of finishing in the top four after an early goal from Cesc Fabregas helped them secure a 1-0 win over a Swansea

team who are just one point above the bottom three and face a major battle to retain their top flight status.

Southampton gave themselves a shot at safety by beating south coast rivals Bournemouth 2-1 with two goals from Dusan Tadic.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy proved the real hero with a late save from Ryan Fraser, whose fierce shot looked destined for the net.

Bottom side West Brom continue to defy relegation after Matt Phillips’ firsthalf shot gave them a 1-0 win at Newcastle United, their eighth point from four games under caretaker manager Darren Moore.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

Rohit stars as Mumbai Indians upset Super Kings DEFENDING champions Mumbai Indians climbed off the foot of the Indian Premier League table as they recorded a surprise eight-wicket win over leaders Chennai Super Kings.

Captain Rohit Sharma made an unbeaten 56 as Mumbai - who had recorded just one win in their previous six outings prior to yesterday - caused an upset in Pune.

They managed to restrict the Super Kings to 169-5 from their 20 overs despite Suresh Raina smashing 75 not out from 47 deliveries.

Chennai lost their way in the second half of their innings in the face of some tight bowling, setting the Indians a target they eventually reached with two balls to spare.

Raina combined with Ambati Rayudu (46) to put on 71 for the second wicket after the early loss of Shane Watson, who was the first of two victims for left-arm spinner

Krunal Pandya.

But, having scored 91 from the opening 10 overs, the Super Kings struggled to maintain the momentum built by the pair.

Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed the dangerous duo of Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) and Dwayne Bravo - out without troubling the scorers - in the same over, as the left-arm paceman recorded impressive figures of 2-26 from his four overs.

Raina hit four sixes and six fours - including back-to-back boundaries in the 17th over off the otherwise impressive Jasprit Bumrah - to record his 33rd half-century in the competition, yet even he went through quiet periods during his knock.

Suryakumar Yadav continued his rich vein of form with 44 at the top of Mumbai’s order, the right-hander dominating an opening partnership worth 69.

Rohit Sharma makes an unbeaten 56 as Mumbai Indians earn their second win of the IPL season. (BCCI)

Unlike his team-mate, Evin Lewis struggled to get going before lifting his strike-rate with two maximums off leg-spinner Imran Tahir. He perished just shy of a personal landmark, out for 47 having faced 43 deliveries.

Rohit, however, had no troubles with the tempo of his knock. Having promoted himself up to three in the batting order, the franchise’s skipper showed his undoubted class by judging the pursuit to perfection.

He hit four boundaries in the penultimate over, bowled by Shardul Thakur, to leave his team needing just five off the last, a task they duly achieved to leapfrog both Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the standings.

(Yahoo Sport)

SLC elections postponed after sports ministry criticism

By Madushka Balasuriya WITH Sri Lanka’s sports ministry saying Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) did not follow procedure in calling for its elections, the board’s Executive Committee will remain in charge on an interim basis even after its term ends on May 31.

ESPNcricinfo understands the SLC elections, originally meant for May 19, will now be held in late June or July.

In a letter sent to SLC, acting sports minister Faiszer Mustapha pointed out that sports law states an election committee can only be appointed and sanctioned at an Extraordinary General

(Sunday April 29, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

3/22 from 4 overs (RR vs MI, April 22)

(2)

Mitchell McClenaghan (CSK); Rohit Sharma (MI)

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times Chennai Super Kings have played in IPL finals to date?

(2) How many times Mumbai Indians have contested IPL finals to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Rain forces abandonment of One-day final … Game shifted to Lusignan today

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Cricket

Sri Lanka cricketers

Meeting (EGM) with the approval of SLC members.

As SLC had appointed the election committee at an executive committee meeting, the ministry views it as invalid and has asked SLC to halt the receipt of nominations.

In response, SLC confirmed that it is looking to call an EGM at the earliest time. As per the SLC constitution, members need to be given at least 14 days’ notice ahead of an EGM, and then a further 40 days

must lapse before an AGM and an election can be held.

With the present Executive Committee’s term ending on May 31, they have been re-appointed as an Interim Committee and will remain in charge until fresh elections are held.

SLC also claims that it had received permission to conduct the election from previous sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera.

“Since we didn’t have time to appoint an election committee at the last EGM,

we sought permission from the previous Sports Minister for the Executive Committee to appoint an election committee,” an SLC official told ESPNcricnfo.

“I don’t know, however, if the present minister knew about the permission that we had received from the previous minister.”

The previous Minister Jayasekara had resigned from his position on April 11. (ESPN Cricinfo)

HEAVY rain in the capital city yesterday washed out the final of the GCB/Hand-inHand Inter-county Under-19 game between Berbice and the Select Under-17 team which was scheduled for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

The game will now be played today at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, but given the weather forecast it could rain heavily for a few more days. So there is a threat of inclement weather affecting the game as well.

Once play is possible, Berbice, arguably the best team in both tournaments, will definitely start as favourites.

They won the three-day format in convincing fashion and are now with a prime opportunity to close in on a double.

On the other hand, the Under-17s have played some excellent cricket, so an intense battle is expected.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, April 29, 2018

31

‘Skip to my Lou’ Jump Rope competition draws hundreds of spectators THE highly-anticipated ‘Skip to my Lou’ Jump Rope competition took place last Tuesday in the mining town of Linden.

The competition, which has been a part of the Linden Town Week calendar for the last five years, drew hundreds of people at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

The event saw primary and secondary schools from across the mining town compete in Individual Freestyle, Pair Freestyle, Last Man Standing and the Double Dutch Freestyle.

In addition, for the first time an Invitational Fusion segment with schools of Regions Two, Four and Six was

added to the competition.

Gaining 117 points, Christianburg won the Double Dutch Freestyle (Primary) segment, followed by Regma 69 points and Mackenzie 60.

For the Paired Freestyle (Primary), Regma copped the winning spot with 119 points, while second went to Christianburg, 111 points and Royal Halls School of Learning placed third with 102.

In Individual Freestyle (Primary), Royal Halls School of Learning took the first position, Amelia’s Ward second and Christianburg third.

The Pair Freestyle (Secondary) saw Mackenzie High in first place, Linden Founda-

Chanderpaul half-century for Lancashire

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

MANCHESTER, England (CMC) – Veteran former Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul ended a run of low scores with a half-century, as Lancashire flourished on the second day of their rain-hit County Championship match against Surrey yesterday.

The 43-year-old struck 65, an innings that helped the hosts up to 352 for eight in their first innings at Old Trafford.

With Friday’s opening day washed out, Lancashire made the most of good conditions, as Jordan Clark topscored with 78, Steven Croft got 62 while captain Liam Livingstone chipped in with 48.

Lancashire were slumping at 23 for three when Chanderpaul arrived at the crease to helped revive the

innings in an 88-run with Livingstone for the fourth wicket.

The left-hander, with previous scores of 8, 1, 11 and 0, carved out a handsome innings which included six fours and a six and spanned just over 3-1/2 hours and 149 balls.

When Lancashire lost two quick wickets to slump to 128 for five, Chanderpaul combined with Croft in a 78run sixth-wicket partnership which further bolstered the innings.

He was eventually sixth out with the score on 206 but Croft and Clark frustrated Surrey’s bowlers late in the day.

Chanderpaul played 164 Tests scoring 11 867 runs, to be second behind Brian Lara on the West Indies list of all-time run-getters.

tion second and New Silvercity third.

In Double Dutch (Secondary) segment, Mackenzie High were first, Linden Foundation second with Christianburg Wismar in third position.

With 126 points, New Amsterdam Secondary School took first place in the Invitational Fusion segment, followed by Wakapoa Secondary who gained 99 points and Richard Ishmael, 85.

Setting his new personal best of 21.47 was Orin Fraser of the New Silvercity Secondary who won the Last Man Standing (Secondary).

Fraser was also the winner of this segment back

Winners of Pair Freestyle (Secondary), Mackenzie High participants receiving prizes

Gonsalves elected TPSC president … promises to ensure youths are taken care of sports-wise

FORMER player-turned-administrator Adrian Gonsalves was last Sunday elected president of the Timehri Panthers Sports Club (TPSC), formerly, Timehri Panthers Football Club.

The elections took place after members of the club, adopted a new constitution at the Timehri Community Centre. This new body had been put in place one day after their Under-15 team was officially crowned champions of the East Bank Football Association leg of the Guyana Football Federation/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League.

Gonsalves, in a brief acceptance speech, thanked the members for the level of confidence they have placed in his executive and promised to serve with distinction for the next 12-months.

The new president noted that while football is their main sport at the moment, the club will also focus on other sports including volleyball, basketball, cricket and tennis.

With this in mind, a number of the executive members would be taking on responsibilities to forge ahead with coordinating other sport disciplines.

A number of the per-

in 2016. Mackenzie High School came in second while Linden Foundation copped third place.

Winners were awarded trophies, medals, bikes, cellular phones, Blutooth speakers, smart watches, hampers, water bottles and haversacks.

The competition was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Coca Cola, Department of Education Region 10, The National Sports Commission, BOSAI Minerals, Republic Bank, COURTS and Corporate Linden.

Beaumont’s kit and England caps recovered after theft

Tammy Beaumont TPSC Executive 2018-2019 - President Adrian Gonsalves (seated 2nd left) is joined by, from right (seated), Tenesha Trotman, Denise July, Iyodele Hamilton, and Clayton Lambert. Standing from right are Marvin Datson, Franklin Mohamed, Colin David, Ernest McLean, Rawle July and Abioza Daniels.

sons elected had also served as members of an Interim Committee which was put in in February of this year, to ensure a structured body was set up with assistance for the EBFA. President of the association, Franklin Wilson, who oversaw the elections, also congratulated the new executive and encouraged members to keep working towards further uplifting the club whose members have also shown admirable commitment.

The new TPSC executive reads: Adrian Gonsalves (president), Clayton Lambert (vice-president), Iyodele Hamilton (secretary), Denise July (treasurer), Tenesha

Trotman (Assistant secretary/ treasurer), Ernest McLean (Equipment director), Franklin Mohamed (Technical director), Rawle July (Sports Organiser).

The three committee members are Abioza Daniels, Marvin Datson and Colin David. The executive committee will appoint a Public Relations Officer at the earliest opportunity.

Many of the members expressed delight at the fact that a new body was now in place to oversee the day-to-day operations of a club that has held its own on the East Bank for many years and is now back with a bang.

TAMMY Beaumont, the England batsman who was named Player-of-the-Tournament at the 2017 World Cup, has had her cricket kit and England caps recovered after they were stolen from her car.

Appealing for help after the break-in, Beaumont tweeted that while the theft of her kit could leave her struggling at practice on Tuesday it was the loss of her caps to mark 50th appearances in ODIs and T20Is that was “most upsetting”.

A short while later she posted again to say that Leicestershire Police had found the kit dumped in a nearby field with all her possessions still inside. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Lady Jags, Suriname play to 2-2 draw in CFU Women’s Challenge Series

See story on page 25

Guyana’s starting line-up prior to kick off against Suriname in the CFU Women’s Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago.

Gajnabi keen to make her mark

… after included in WI training squad

By Rajiv Bisnauth

SHABIKA Gajnabi's dream is to play cricket for the West Indies, and for the 17-year-old batsman, the reality is just one step away in wearing the maroon colours.

The Albion resident, who has represented Guyana at both the junior and senior levels, is the lone new face in the West Indies 14-member training squad which was announced recently by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The 14 players, headed by captain Stafanie Taylor, will be put through their paces at the April 30 to May 30 camp by head coach Hendy Springer and his assistant Stuart Williams, as they intensify preparations for the defence of their Twenty20

Andrew Lewis Novices Championship set for May 4-6 See story on page 25

… GBA to send fighters to South American Games, Continental Championship Shabika Gajnabi

World Cup title.

The former Port Mourant Secondary School student, who plies her trade with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club (RHTYSC), is keen to make her mark, and at the same time, plans to use the opportunity to possibly make the transition in the West Indies line-up.

“It’ feels good. I just want to make use of this opportunity and set a big impact and achieve my goals,” Gajnabi, who has led the Guyana Under-19 side for the last two years, said yesterday during an exclusive interview.

Daughter of a factory worker at Albion sugar estate, a beaming Gajnabi added, “The hard work over the years has now See page 25

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle (centre) poses with Keevin Allicock (right) and Colin Lewis.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018