Guyana chronicle e paper 06 01 2018

FRIDAY 1st JUNE, 2018

No.105292

‘Sweeten the pot’ for bigger oil $$ … Norwegian expert says PAGE

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Calypso icon ‘Mighty Rebel’ dies PAGE

Geofrey Phillips better known as ‘Mighty Rebel’

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Bus operators bully colleagues to join strike 17 PAGE

$200M all-weather road for 16 Berbice River 12 green businesses to receive funding 11 PAGE

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CFATF banks on 11th EDF

… to assist small states overcome challenges of fourth round evaluations 05 PAGE

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Countrywide collaboration needed to tackle crime

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Prison Fellowship Caribbean Forum has recommended communitywide collaboration among all stakeholders to tackle crime and its effects, at the conclusion of a three-day discussion

… Prison Fellowship Caribbean Forum leaders from other local denominations.

Graham said while there are several areas to be improved within the force and the prison services, the real change in crime and criminal justice reform must begin at the community level.

He challenged those who travelled to deliberate at the forum to re-examine their tactics and strategies to ensure the Prison Fellowship extends beyond the

aged for us, but we must understand exactly what’s happening in our particular communities and do something to reduce crime and help those people who need it,” he said.

In his address, Samuels said the prison fellowships have many times helped to quell challenging climates within the prisons.

He added that as prisons in Guyana move towards correction and rehabilitation

Watts who called for more positive role models in the country; for ministers to invest more into fighting crime and for education of vulnerable groups and societies.

“We are picking up young people all over this country and we have established systems in the Guyana Police Force where … we get them involved in life skills. We think if they have skills they will be able

Chairman of the Prison Fellowship Guyana, Alex Graham (Delano Williams photos) here.

The forum coordinated

by Prison Fellowship Guyana (PFG) took place at the Restoration and Life Ministries Church, South Ruimveldt Gardens on Tuesday evening.

At the opening ceremony remarks were made by Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels; Senior Superintendent of Police Errol Watts and PFG Chairman Alex Graham.

Present, too, were representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname as well as religious

Representatives from Prison Fellowships in the Caribbean prison cells.

“I’m beginning to think in a much broader way about prison ministry. I’m beginning to think that prison ministry must not start behind the walls of the prison. Effective ministry to prisons and prisoners must be something that intercepts people before they get into the system.

“There must be things that we can do and it is time for us to sit down and not just regurgitate programmes that have been pre-pack-

systems, it is important that the environment contributes to positive change.

“This is not an easy task, but it is through organisations like Prison Fellowship International that redemptive hope is either built or restored for those persons who have lost faith. After a life of crime and having being exposed to the consequences of a life of crime, there is need for hope,” he said Meanwhile, several recommendations came from

to make wiser choices.

“We are not doing this with any budget in the Police Force, we are doing this with the corporate citizens of this country, approaching them, and we believe that by doing this we will be able to address the issues that young people face,” he said.

Prison Fellowship Caribbean Forum 2018 will last from May 29 to 31 and is being held under the theme: “Going Forward in Faith: Bridging the Gap in the Caribbean”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

President to attend environment conference in Vietnam GUYANA will be participating in several regional and international forums, among them the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Caribbean Constituency Meeting and the 6th GEF Assembly Meeting to be hosted in Vietnam from June 20 to 30.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, announced recently that President David Granger has been invited to make a presentation at the event. Kemraj Parsram, Executive Director (ag), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Dianna Fernandes of the Department of Environment will attend the regular meetings. The Assembly meeting will bring together 183 member-countries to review past experiences and launch its replenishment cycle.

Guyana is also participating in the Caribbean Cyber Security and Cyber Drill Training Programme to be hosted in La Plata, Argentina from June 4 to 18.

The programme is being convened by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and will facilitate discussions and training towards regional cybersecurity perspectives and the sixth cybersecurity applied learning for emergency teams.

Ronald Duke and Justino Da Silva, assistant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) engineers from the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) will attend.

The country will be represented at the Second Iwokrama Science Committee Meeting from June 7 to 8, in New York, USA. It is being convened by the Iwokrama Rainforest International Centre. It aims to continue discussions on a five-year Science and Research Programme, with the funding from ExxonMobil.

Executive Director (ag), EPA, Kemraj Parsram, will attend the meeting.

EPA’s participation will ensure that the Iwokrama Science Committee’s work will be guided by the EPA Act and meet the EPA’s Strategic Environmental Management Agenda including support to the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

Approval was also granted for participation at the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Access to Finance Workshop, to be held in Barbados, May 31June 1. The agency is responsible for WE-Xport, an initiative under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) which supports Caribbean women in business to start exporting or to increase their exports of products and services. This workshop is planned for participants who have succeeded at the initial screening.

Global Seafood Distributors, headed by Allison Butters-Grant, was selected for the WE-Xport assistance.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Natalia Seepersaud will attend. In addition, approval was granted for attendance at the UNESCO Science School International Workshop in Havana, Cuba, May 29-June 1.

The workshop seeks to strengthen the corroboration and contribution on public and decision-making policies in relation to climate change adaptation in the Caribbean.

The Civil Defence Commission’s Planning and Training Officer, Alana Walters, is attending.

‘Sweeten the pot’ for bigger oil $$

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

… Norwegian expert says

THE Norwegian oil and gas research firm Rystad Energy is predicting that Guyana’s oil sector could generate annual revenue of US$15 billion and that the government would pocket most of the profit generated from the explorations.

“ExxonMobil’s discovery of the Liza field in 2015 truly put Guyana on the global energy map,” said Espen Erlingsen, head of upstream research at Rystad Energy. “We predict Guyana’s total oil production to surpass

600,000 barrels per day by the end of the next decade. These volumes could generate total annual revenue of US$15 billion from the oil and gas industry. After all costs are paid, around US$10 billion of profit could thus be split between the companies and the government,” Erlingsen said.

Under the current fiscal regime, the government would collect its share through a two per cent royalty and a 50 per cent levy on oil profits. Rystad Energy estimates that this will

give Guyana 60 per cent of the profit from the various projects, while the remaining 40 per cent will go to international explorations and production (E&P) companies.

The firm’s analysis of other frontier countries that only recently opened up for E&P - such as the Falkland Islands, Israel, Mozambique and Mauritania- is that the government take has been in the range of 50 to 65 per cent.

“In order to attract investments from international E&P companies

to kick-start their offshore ambitions, frontier countries often need to sweeten the pot with favourable fiscal terms.

Guyana has followed this pattern,” said Erlingsen.

“In retrospect, one can argue that the government has succeeded in generating the activity they were hoping for,” he said.

Referencing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that the deal granted to ExxonMobil to develop the giant Liza field was overly “favourable”, Erlingsen suggested that the Guyanese government consider rewriting its tax law. “The question going forward will be whether the Guyanese

government emboldened by its stunning exploration success over the past three years - will elect to alter its fiscal regime when future licences are awarded.”

Back in March this year, Professor Sir Paul Collier had warned against tearing up the ExxonMobil contract, saying that such a move would spell disaster for the country’s burgeoning oil-and-gas industry. Collier, an economist, said that even though the contract might have issues, it is still a reasonable contract. “As far as I could see, you got a reasonable deal,” said Collier, who made it clear that he does

not have all of the information possible for him to make a qualified judgment on the merits of the contract. “This is the first licence…there will be other licences,” he said.

Collier noted that now is the time to get other operators in and said that subsequent contracts will be better.

“I think that as far as I could see you got a reasonable deal,” he said. “The next deal you get will be better than the first, the third deal will be better than the second. I suggest you use this as an opportunity to do some more licences. I think that should be the game plan,” he said.

Woman hospitalised after car accident SHONTEL Haynes is a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after the car in which she was travelling crashed into the Eversham Bridge, a stone’s throw away from her home on Thursday morning.

The woman, who lives two houses after the bridge, was returning home from Georgetown when the driver, her husband, allegedly swerved from a pothole on the bridge and crashed into the metal rails. Haynes was pinned for over an hour before she was removed from their Toyota Fielder Wagon.

According to boat owner Balta Jaundoo, he

The car that was involved in the accident

was supervising some work on his boat when he saw the car heading in his direction.

“It was raining when the car coming through swerved from the pot hole at the entrance of the bridge and slammed into the rail on the left hand side, a metal from the rail pass through the car and run through the lady leg,” he related.

Another eyewitness Derwin Grant, 21, who lives a close distance and is also a relative of Haynes, said after he went to the scene, he noticed his cousin was stuck with the pipe through her foot.

Many watched helplessly as he quickly went

into action and got a hacksaw and began cutting the metal pipe, with assistance from a fisherman.

Following the successfully removal of the metal, the woman was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she remains a patient.

Meanwhile, residents in the area are calling on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Regional Administration to fix the deplorable state of the road at the earliest.

They are contending that for the past weeks, the pothole has led to several fender-benders and if not fixed there may be more serious accidents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

Protest grows against Mae’s …indigenous leaders reject explanation by school

By Svetlana Marshall THE explanation offered by the administration of Mae’s Schools regarding the issue of discrimination against a child of Indigenous Heritage was shot down by the child’s mother, Karen Small, and members of the indigenous community who said the explanation was nothing but “fluff.”

On Thursday, they picketed in front of the school for a second time, as they renewed calls for Mae’s to issue a public apology. On Tuesday, hours after the first picketing exercise, Mae’s broke its silence on the issue, saying that clear guidelines were issued for its May 25, 2018 Cultural Day event. According to the school, ahead of the event the children were told that plain t-shirts and tights/shorts should be worn under clothes that would otherwise expose them. But a notice sent to parents, had no such information. In fact, the letter advised parents that children would be allowed to wear an ethnic outfit of their choice but when nine-yearold Joshua Chacon turned up at the school in a traditional indigenous outfit, he was reportedly told that it was unacceptable.

Small, while standing on the picketing line, expressed disappointment in the school’s reaction to the concerns she raised, saying that instead of issuing a public apology Mae’s is attempting to discredit her reports.

“I am very disappointed, although I knew that they would not want to come and

accept they are wrong. Who wants to accept that they are

on the picketing line for a second day, said the admin-

the statement issued by the school on Tuesday should

Well known broadcaster Merrano Isaacs; anchor and television producer Natasha Smith; and Public Relations Officer Erika Daniels

wrong? But at the same time as an institution, you would expect better,” Small said.

Well-known broadcaster, Merrano Isaacs, described the explanation offered by the school as “fluff”. “In my long years of training I have always been told to follow the paper trail and what is in black and white, and that is what we are seeing in black and white…The explanation is riddled with fluff or the statement or whatever they have issued, its filled with fluff and I don’t buy it, and I think they should have just apologised,” Isaacs told this newspaper. He emphasised that to issue an apology would be the proper thing to do.

Erika Daniels, who stood

istration of Mae’s Schools seems not to get the point.

“Apart from the apology we want them to change their whole position on what is culturally acceptable and what is not,” she said.

Daniels said the indigenous community will not be silent on the issue and will continue to protest until their voices are heard. Aside from the school, she said picketers are also aiming to get the attention of the Ministry of Social Cohesion. “The ministry was formed to ensure that there isn’t racial divide and cultural divide but this is clear cultural divide and racial divide. What is the ministry doing?”

Anchor and Television Producer, Natasha Smith said

have been issued a long time ago. Nonetheless, she, like other picketers, contended that the school was dishonest in the statement issued, on the basis that it largely contradicted the letter which was issued to parents in May, ahead of the Culture Day event.

“We also feel that the mood of the letter is not very apologetic. I don’t think they realise that what they did was wrong and that they hurt that little boy and the race of indigenous people in Guyana and unless they realise what they did, I don’t think they will be willing to apologise but we need an apology,” Smith said. She added that if the school fails to offer an apology, they will “keep up”

APA representative, Michael McGarrell and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Joel Fredericks, flanking a little indigenous boy, are calling on the administration of Mae’s Schools to own up to their actions and issue an apology. (Photos by Adrian Narine)

the protest.

Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) official Michael McGarrell said, he is somewhat disappointed in the way the matter is being handled at the level of the government.

“I am not satisfied by the approach. I think what should have happened immediately was a taskforce should have been set up with all the ministries that are directly involved with it – Ministry of Education, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Ministry of Social Cohesion – because what I think is happening is that everybody is passing the buck to somebody else, and that will lead us nowhere,”

McGarrell opined.

He further suggested that the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry should have been more forceful on the issue. “Additionally, I would have love to see more involvement from the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission in really ascertaining what has happened here, and even more so the Ethnic Relations Commission.”

The APA official said the next step might very well be the filing of a formal complaint against Mae’s to the ERC.

‘Gang of five’ robs Eccles businessman FIVE bandits robbed a 56-yearold businessman and his family in their ‘AA’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

The men, three of whom were armed with handguns, entered the

man’s house through an ungrilled window by the bathroom.

Reports indicate that when the businessman woke up to use the washroom, he was confronted by the perpetrators who had just entered the house. The bandits held

onto him and later awoke his 58year-old wife, a businesswoman.

The robbers then kicked open a room where two pensioners were sleeping, dragged them out their beds and along with the couple, they tied their hands and feet with

The businessman after freeing himself and the others contacted the police who subsequently visited the scene. A search was launched but no one was found.

Investigations are continuing.

tape and clothing.

The gang then demanded cash and valuables and started to ransack the entire house, eventually escaping with cash, cellphones, credit cards, jewellery and other valuables.

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 30/05/2018 26/11/2016 31/05/2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

CFATF banks on 11th EDF

…to assist small states overcome challenges of fourth round evaluations

ATTORNEY General and Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Basil Williams, said the fourth round of Mutual Evaluations continue to present a number of challenges for small member states.

Williams, who is also the Minister of Legal Affairs in Guyana, took stock of the

the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks, establish measures to deal with Proliferation Financing (PF) and implement the AML/ CFT laws and processes to a level that can be considered as ‘high’ or ‘substantial’ levels of effectiveness,” he said.

Given the challenges faced, Williams said he looks forward to the start of the 11th

AML/CFT/CVE training programme for judges and prosecutors was conducted in Georgetown, Guyana. The CFATF Chairman used the opportunity to express thanks to Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the Right Honourable Baroness Patricia Scotland for supporting the initiative with funding from the Caribbean Development

Attorney General and Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Basil Williams, speaking during the opening ceremony of CFATF Plenary Meeting XLVII in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and members of the Guyana delegation at the CFATF conference

situation when he delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of CFATF Plenary Meeting XLVII in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Small member states are presently dealing with economies affected by low levels of financial growth, recovery from hurricanes and de-risking, the CFATF Chairman explained.

“Resources are being stretched as we all use our best efforts to legislatively strengthen our Anti-Money Laundering and Countering

European Development Fund (EDF), which will assist some members with their fourth round of Mutual Evaluation implementation requirements.

The 11th EDF aside, the CFATF Chairman said he is confident that member states will continue to improve their levels of compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Standards, and thereby increase their levels of effectiveness with respect to implementation.

Under his chairmanship, Williams has been pushing training. Last month, an

Bank (CDB) and the Government of Guyana. CFATF’s Secretariat and the facilitators who were drawn from the United Kingdom, Jamaica and the Regional Security System (RSS) Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) were also recognised for their inputs in making the seminar a success.

“While the workshop was not a joint undertaking with the FATF due to the scheduled dates of the event, I am pleased to state that we were able to provide the FATF with a report on the outcomes of our workshop, which could

be used as part of the overall report on the experiences, challenges and good practices regarding Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) investigations, prosecutions and confiscations,” Williams noted.

CFATF Secretariat, he further posited, has received positive feedbacks from participants who benefitted significantly from the technical training pertaining to ML, TF and criminal and civil confiscation.

“The workshop is also likely to have been the only one in the global network that presented the issue of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and its relationship to terrorism and terrorism financing,” he posited.

In January, also in Georgetown, Guyana, an as-

sessors training programme was conducted. Come July, in Trinidad, a joint assessors training for members will be held with the FATF. Williams said under his tenure, once funding permits, he will ensure that there are other opportunities for training that will enable member states as a region to increase application of the laws to allow for better results during process of mutual evaluation.

“In executing our primary mandate, our mutual evaluation programme, which includes the mutual evaluation, follow-up and for our members thus far, the FATF ICRG process, it is necessary that we collaborate with the Secretariat and each other.

Our workload is becoming more grueling in the face of limited resources,” the

CFATF Chair said as he urged member states to be confident, creative and active participants in the work of CFATF. The Attorney General and a 15 member delegation represented Guyana at the CFATF XLVII Working Groups and Plenary Meetings in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from May 27-31, 2018.

The Guyanese delegation is made up of officials from agencies including the Attorney General Chambers, Bank of Guyana (BOG), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); DPP Chambers, Gaming Authority; Guyana Gold Board (GGB); Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) and Chief Cooperatives Development Officer (CCDO).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

World No Tobacco Day ON Thursday, Guyana and some other countries observed ‘World No Tobacco Day’ and to coincide with the occasion, the World Health Organisation released the findings of its latest report on tobacco use which, while acknowledging a marked decline since 2000, both globally and in the Region of the Americas, show the gains are insufficient to meet global targets aimed at protecting people from death and suffering from cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The WHO report also revealed that currently, over a third of countries in the Americas are not implementing a single tobacco control measure. Guyana last year passed its Tobacco Control Bill and is currently putting in place the necessary mechanisms to enforce the full law. Also, it was

fitting that our country was recognised by the WHO for its efforts with the conferment of the World No Tobacco Day Award.

There is a saying that ‘A healthy nation is a wealthy nation’ and Guyana must be commended for taking a healthy step by passing the Tobacco Control Bill, which essentially seeks to put a bigger dent in the tobacco industry. The tobacco epidemic remains one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century, claiming the lives of seven million people annually.

Six million of those deaths are a direct result of tobacco consumption, while about 900,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

President David Granger was correct when he encouraged those gathered at the opening of the Health Expo 2018, Wednesday evening at the Sophia Complex to

desist from excessive alcohol, smoking and addiction to fast foods. He reiterated that these were contributing to the rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure.

Despite this, it was not without opposition when Government passed the Tobacco Control Bill. There were claims that the government’s decision will cause it to lose billions in taxes to the Treasury, in addition to putting the livelihoods of small retailers in jeopardy.

On the surface, these arguments appear to be very alluring but, the truth be told, Guyana spends 10 per cent of her health budget tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases which amounts to about $4 billion. These are monies used to fix these problems, some of which are caused by tobacco smoke.

So in essence, the loss of money to the Treasury as claimed is not an actual loss; in fact, it could be considered a long-term gain for Guyana if it succeeds in limiting tobacco use among the citizenry. This naturally would redound to less tobacco-related illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, heart diseases and cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death in Guyana.

To address these and other tobacco-related problems, early action is needed without delay, and from interpretation of available data, the Tobacco Control Bill could not be a better step in the right direction.

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey-based on a survey done here in 2015 in which 1000 students aged 13 to 15 responded--some 14 per cent used tobacco products, 11 per cent smoked tobacco and nine per cent are currently

Reckless discussion of court cases in public Dear Editor I FIND it astonishing that several articles concerning matters pending before the court are freely published in the Guyana press without any apparent inhibition; with no thought given to any repercussions that may flow from breaches of the Contempt of Court Act. An attorney defending someone charged with serious criminal offences is seemingly free to criticize the prosecution’s right to charge and state the detail of his client’s case in the press.

Is this uniquely Guyanese practice explained away by the fact that the litigant who alleges contempt, and likewise the Attorney-General were he to do so, must prove contempt to the higher criminal standard rather than on a balance of probabilities?

The Collins English Dictionary defines contempt of court as “the wilful disregard

of or disrespect for the authority of a court of law or legislative body”.

It was firmly established at common law that the publication of material calculated to prejudice the fair trial of a pending case was an absolute offence. That intent may be inferred, however, without the need for overt proof or a desire to interfere with the course of justice – so long as the act of publication creates a real risk of prejudice to the administration of justice. Criminal trials on indictment are heard by juries comprising randomly-selected citizens of Guyana, many of whom will inevitably be readers, and thus influenced by the content of the national daily and weekly newspapers.

Part III of Chapter 5:05 of the Laws of Guyana provides that certain publications that would otherwise be a contempt of Court are not so. Thus, for example, if at the time of publication the

publisher neither knew nor had any reasonable grounds for suspecting that proceedings were pending before the court, he would have a defence. Another example would be where at the time of distribution of the publication, a person neither knew nor suspected that the publication contained, or was likely to contain, material that amounts to a contempt of court. It would be implausible to think that a defendant’s attorney could claim such unawareness – certainly not an attorney with the legal brilliance of one Anil Nandlall.

The practice is not limited to criminal matters, such as in respect of the misconduct charges brought against former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and former CEO of NICIL, Winston Brassington. The learned former Attorney-General has also commented in the press that both the Director and Deputy Director of

the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) are holding their posts unlawfully – presumably knowing fully well that legal proceedings challenging the constitutionality of some provisions of the SARA legislation are pending in the High Court.

Mr. Editor, one is left to wonder whether Mr. Nandlall is merely campaigning politically, testing the Attorney-General’s tolerance or just holding up a middle finger to the legal system of Guyana. He is no doubt confident that he would not be jailed for up to 3 months – and clearly knows he can afford the maximum GYD 250,000.00 fine that the court may impose were he to be found guilty of Contempt of Court. Whatever the real reason(s) may be, disregarding the authority of the court is unbecoming of persons who know better.

Regards Name Provided

using electronic cigarettes.

It also found that seven in 10 smokers tried to quit smoking in the past 12 months and a similar ratio wanted to quit smoking with immediate effect. The survey went on to state that among current cigarette smokers who bought cigarettes, 48 per cent were not prevented from buying them despite their age, and 56 per cent favoured a ban on smoking inside public spaces.

This important survey

points to the disturbing level of young smokers and the struggle of some to quit smoking. The health of the nation must not be compromised by the amount of money a company pays in taxes; and to better understand this, the matter has to be examined on a broad perspective.

Yes, tobacco companies pay hefty sums in taxes but it is more important for Guyana to look pass a short-term loss and focus on a long-term gain.

It is important we allow the legal system to run its course Dear Editor A LETTER published in the Guyana Times claims that the charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are evidence of a witch-hunt. The author seems to think presenting evidence about supposed PNC sales of government property at undervalued prices in the early 1990’s is evidence to support this highly dubious claim. Obviously, the author is not acquainted with reality, as these sales were in no way similar.

After the debt crisis, both in Guyana and across Latin America during that period, and with the passing of Forbes Burnham, Guyana’s government would have been looking to quickly change our economic model.

This is because the consensus was that the government owned far too much property and controlled far too much

of the economy, leading to all manner of economic ills.

Sales were thus the necessary result of a difficult economic period and rush to reform.

Anyone who wants to compare those circumstances with the undervalued sales put forward in the allegations in question is so far from understanding the issues, they must live on the moon. Without a serious economic crisis and massive need to reduce government influence, there isn’t much reason to sell government property at a greatly undervalued price. These deals just make it look like they were paid the difference in the property’s value as a bribe. It is important we allow the legal system to run its course and all these possibly corrupt deals come to light.

Regards Malcolm Marshall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Foreign experts support viewpoints expressed by patriots Dear Editor, I WONDER if Guyana will wake up and smell the coffee now that two prominent international experts on political risks have joined me and other patriots in warning that Guyana’s oil bonanza could cause corruption in high places to skyrocket and uproot democracy, independence and all the principles and values we hold dear.

This week, news broke that Thiago de Aragao, Director of the Latin American Political Risk Analysis, is urging the Government of Guyana to strengthen systems governing the electoral process, taxation and regulation because, if they are not up to standard, Guyana’s democracy can end up being “choked by oil and gas money”.

Referring to petroleum investors’ intentions, Aragao warned: “The business plan is to burn it all”; and to do so, investors will seek to exert influence in every place they can. This echoed my warning early this year that we must guard against this very same thing.

In my letter to the media published in February 2018, I wrote: “ExxonMobil . . . puts their interests first. It is simply good business sense for them to use all their bargaining power to ensure

that the interests of their shareholders and directors come first and their opportunities for expansion and investment are protected”.

Aragao also warned that “there must be a clear set of rules for taxation in the oil and gas industry as well as environmental regulation.

Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for abuse and for oil money to rule and lead the way”, he said. I recall that I also warned about ‘hungry-belly’ officials being sucked into corruption by investors.

I read in a separate news report that another expert, Executive Director of Agency for Security, Energy and the Environment (ASEA) of Mexico, Carlos De Regules called for a strong, independent regulatory body to monitor the activities of investors and guarantee environmental protection of Guyana. He noted that such an environmental body cannot do its job effectively unless it is independent and free from any instance of political interference, and he also commented: “They should also be financially independent so they can plan for the long term and have the resources to do so”.

This calls to mind a warning in my letter in March about the Sovereign Wealth Fund that: “We have to put powerful transparency and accountability mecha-

Saying nothing has changed is so far from the facts Dear Editor A KAIETEUR News editorial titled “It’s the same sad story,” in its one-sidedness, denies that there have been any major changes under the coalition, especially the types of long-term structural changes that can lead to a prosperous future. The editorial emphasizes that corruption is one of the ills that has long plagued our country and this makes it seem that the author thinks nothing has been done to change this.

This opinion can hardly be taken seriously, especially as it relates to corruption.

The author must have lived abroad for the last few years, as the differences are stark.

Did the coalition not raise the salaries of high level officials in order to keep them from engaging in corruption?

Did they not foster SOCU and establish SARA? These organizations work tirelessly to bring corrupt officials to justice, as demonstrated in the recent cases against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington.

What cannot be ignored is that building our institutions and taking these kinds of bold, obvious steps reflect a strong attitude against corruption and a lasting framework to keep this effort going through the years. Saying that nothing has changed is so far from the facts that it calls the author’s whole perspective on national development into question. One must ask what, if anything at all, would then constitute development to him?

Regards Troy Douglas

nisms in place to protect the Sovereign Wealth Fund (to manage oil revenue) from being subject to wrongdoing and poor investments”.

Like De Regules, I recognise that political interference will stifle national development. That is why I wrote to the media in March urging citizens to join me in calling on Government to depoliticize all negotiations involving Guyana’s oil monies and put this in the hands of an independent, bipartisan body approved by the citizens. I do not point out these similarities to push myself forward for praise and glory because I seek praise from God, not man. Instead, I want to show that Guyanese can sit down right here at home and make rational assessments of national development issues that are on par with the views of international experts.

Let me make it clear also that when I call for checks and balances to be put in place to restrain investors, it does not mean I am against foreign investment. As a committed patriot, I am all for investment and progress, but I realise that Guyana is outgunned by big companies in key areas, so we have to be cautious. The fact is that developing countries like Guyana simply do not have the background or experience in international

financial dealings to negotiate on a level platform with big multi-national corporations. Furthermore, the experienced multi-national corporations realise that our Government and people are desperate for progress and industrialization and they will play this desperation against us. That is why we have to go over these investments with a ‘fine-tooth comb’ and see how best we can protect our interests.

I maintain that sensitive matters with far-reaching consequences for the Guyanese people cannot be left in the hands of a single political party that forms the government of the day and must not fall into the hands of powerful individuals in any government. There must be a multi- stakeholder approach. Governments of the day must realise that they do not own Guyana and their time as governments is always temporary. One day, they all lose power. Therefore, the interests of Guyana must come first.

In making this point, I want to reiterate that I am not against foreign investors and I am not against ExxonMobil, which I think has made important contributions to humanity, both economically and in humanitarian terms. In fact, I believe the company should make Guyana its flagship project to promote its image

worldwide.

I recall writing a letter to the media in February pointing out Guyana is like virgin territory for ExxonMobil, presenting a gem of an opportunity to show the peoples of the world how the company can make a nation shine on many fronts and erase the negative image plastered upon them by critics in many nations.

It is not my nature to criticize without offering solutions. For the record, let me once again draw attention to some points that I made in previous letters, which seem to be even more relevant in light of media reports about the recent statements by the two experts referenced above.

In a nutshell: Guyana’s oil revenue must be put under the supervision and scrutiny of a multi- stakeholder Board that comprises independent professionals drawn from civil society. It can include accomplished professionals, religious bodies, the Private Sector Commission, the Chamber of Commerce and officials from CARICOM or elsewhere, provided they are competent and free from political interference. A board such as this will more effectively serve as a watchdog against corruption by those in power.

This board must be professionally-managed

according to transparent policies and the roles and responsibilities of the board must be clearly defined and made public. There must be clear rules governing the acquisition and use of oil revenues and the board must apply these scrupulously and fairly. There must also be clear and harsh penalties for wrongdoing, and a suitable time frame for prosecution. I advocate life imprisonment or death for pilfering our oil money, although I know the bleeding hearts among us will disagree.

Finally, I have written before and I write again that such a board or any group of persons who are the people’s caretakers of Guyana’s oil revenue must be fully accountable to Parliament, auditors and the media, and the details of this accountability must be clearly defined and made public. Guyana has a lot of foreign-minded people, so maybe more persons will heed these warnings because they come from foreign experts who have basically used elegant, technical terms to make exactly the same points that I and other local observers have been making for a long time now.

Regards Roshan Khan Snr.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

A business, not a charity

… aviation operators defend Goldfields’ purchase of plane

By Zena Henry SEVERAL personalities in the aviation sector have expressed mixed feelings on local content availability in light of Guyana Goldfields’ decision to purchase an aircraft to shuttle workers to its Aurora mine in Cuyuni, Region Seven.

Four local operators, TransGuyana Airways, Roraima Airways, Air Services Limited (ASL) and Wings Aviation, have benefitted from over $1B in local air transport services provided to the company since 2015.

Operations Manager of

ASL, Zahir Yusuf, told Guyana Chronicle that the company has lost some service since the mining company bought its own plane, but said he could not fault them for making “economically sensible decisions”.

Yusuf said initially ASL operated two to three flights per day for the mining company, but now there is a sporadic involvement.

“I understand the justification for the decision (to purchase the aircraft) so to say, they must stay with us, I don’t think that is fair.”

The operations manager indicated that if there should

be more for locals provided by foreign companies, there should be a clearly defined line on what foreign investors must do.

Another operator who provides service to Goldfields was not so keen on the company pulling its service.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle on the condition of anonymity, the operator insisted that foreign companies must leave a legacy, noting that even when they stop operating in Guyana, the benefits of their operations here could be seen.

The operator said, too, that flights to the hinterland

have slowed down, contending that the company should have maintained local connection as part of its local content contributions.

Instead, he noted, some 90 per cent of air transport cost will now be going back to the company, “depriving Guyanese companies and not leaving a legacy”.

On social media, the Goldfields conversation continued where regular contributors to the group ‘Guyanese pilots’ supported the decision of the foreign company.

“Any legitimate company, including the owner of Kaieteur News, the business persons in the Private Sector Commission and the Chambers of Commerce anywhere in the world, if they were faced with incredible transportation costs that impact

their profitability and flexibility would have made that sound business decision and purchased their own transportation.”

Dominic Mendes commented that it would be imprudent for the company to continue with local operators while strangling itself financially.

“It’s always more economical to have and operate your own equipment! If you owned and managed your own company, you would be stupid not to do the same!” the former TransGuyana Captain wrote.

He described the idea of the mining company abandoning locals as a “total crock”.

He pointed to the efficiency of the plane purchased by the mining company in comparison to those operated

in Guyana and the fact that the one plane purchased by the company is still inadequate for servicing the mine.

Goldfields had stated in a full page advertisement that the purchase of the plane was purely for economic reasons.

The company said the plane was better equipped to transport its workers while local operators would still be used to move cargo.

Goldfields said it was leasing aircraft most weeks with over 20 flights paid for since the first gold was poured in 2015 to move their employees to the worksite.

“Those costs amounted to over G$1B. It is unfair to hold this company to different business standards to what is practised in the global marketplace,” Goldfields said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

Calypso icon ‘Mighty Rebel’ dies

Geofrey Phillips better known as ‘Mighty Rebel’

WELL-KNOWN calypsonian Geofrey Phillips better known as ‘Mighty Rebel’ succumbed on Thursday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was a patient over the past two weeks.

His health took a turn for the worse while he was at his Good Intent, West Bank Demerara home, prompting his family to take him to the GPHC for attention.

There, medical professionals diagnosed his condition as critical.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on behalf of the family, Raelene Phillips said her father passed away at about 05:45hrs on Thursday.

She related that in 2015, he suffered a mild stroke and having regained strength, he

mother, Juliette Statia-Phillips requested that he be admitted having learnt that he was suffering from kidney failure.

On Thursday, he died while receiving medical attention.

Phillips said her father was a very principled man and a true role model when it comes

The many trophies of the Mighty Rebel

to his family which includes

The Good Intent, West Bank Demerara home of Geofrey Phillips – ‘Mighty Rebel’

walked a bit on his own then on April 5, 2018 he experienced intense bleeding.

At that time, the father of 10 was hospitalised for about two weeks and was later discharged but he never regained the use of his legs and was bed-ridden.

Phillips said her family cared for him at home but realised his health was deteriorating rapidly because of his diabetic and hypertensive conditions.

She said last week Thursday, he was scheduled for his clinic day at GPHC and her

this newspaper visited.

Phillips entertained Guyanese and others further afield for decades with his innovative, tantalising and thought-provoking calypsoes. His stage name ‘Mighty Rebel’ became a household name.

When he was on stage he was not only an entertainer but an artiste who took pride in his costumes and the way he looked, often leaving the audience thirsty for his songs and performance.

In his career, he was considered the king of calypso and the only calypsoian who won the crown six times.

Rebel’s winning songs include his 1988 hit ‘Second hand’; 1993 ‘Desi You Wrong’; 1997 ‘Political Lie’; 2001 ‘Ask de President’; 2007 ‘Is We Put You Deh’; and 2010 ‘All Awee Know De Man’.

As news of the passing of

three daughters and seven sons.

She said her dad was very passionate about his music and the calypso art form. He enjoyed song writing, speaking to schoolchildren and was a true entertainer who loved competing in calypso competitions.

In Phillips’ home, the walls were decorated with many trophies, his photos and other prizes he won during his competing days.

His red motorcar, PGG 1375 was still parked in front of his house on Thursday when

Mighty Rebel spread throughout Guyana, many took to their Facebook page, expressing great sorrow, reflecting on his career and music and offering condolences to his family on Thursday.

‘Sincere condolences to family, friends, and the music fraternity, on the passing of Geofrey Phillips aka ‘Mighty Rebel’. Lots of memories to reflect on having toured with him as part of the Cassbo group.

Sleep on my friend, and may God grant you eternal rest,” fellow entertainer Compton Coody Hodges said.

Desiree Edghill, theatre personality and AIDS awareness advocate, said, “The ‘Mighty Rebel’ is no longer with us. He will be singing in heaven. The ‘Second Hand’ Man. Rest in Peace, dear son of the soil.”

Kester Deane stated, “You (Rebel) made your contribution....Thanks for your service.

My condolences to his daughter and the rest of his family members and friends.

Rest in peace General.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

White Water annex is now an official primary school

THE good news was broken on Wednesday to pupils of White Water Primary School that their school is no longer an annex to Wauna Primary School, but rather it is now an official primary school.

Following a visit from a high-level team from the Ministry of Education in April to assess the delivery of education in the White Water Village, a border community in Region One, several pledges and commitments were made not only to the school but also

to the community at large.

To date, this visit has borne fruit since many of the commitments made have already been fulfilled.

The latest commitment was the gazetting of the school. District Education Officer, Mr Marti De Souza, who represented the Regional Education Officer at a simple ceremony, related to the students and teachers that their school was the latest to join the number of ‘independent’ primary schools in the country; they are now officially White Water Pri-

mary School, effective May 1, 2018.

He also stated that the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education, Region One is making good on their commitments made to the school. So far, the school has received adequate textbooks; the solar electrification system has been fixed to ensure that technology is used, especially the Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) programme, which is now fully functional; pieces of furniture have been acquired and water filter tanks have

Head of the Learning Resource Development Unit, Ms Myra Pierre-Moore (left) and District Education Officer, Mr. Marti De Souza, engaging the students of White Water Primary School been provided with the help of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) among others.

Bringing more good tidings to the school was Ms Myra Pierre-Moore, Head of the Learning Resource Development Unit. Following through on a request made by the community for a library with relevant

materials, Ms Pierre-Moore delivered a number of books and other teaching/learning materials to the school.

She encouraged the teachers and students to make maximum use of the reading and other learning materials, while caring and taking ownership of them.

Also visiting the school

was Ms Annis Blair-Craig, a professional librarian who will, in the upcoming days, train not only the librarian/teacher of White Water Primary but also those of other schools in the sub-region in the setting up, organising and collection development of school libraries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

12 green businesses to receive funding The fund was introduced

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his 2018 budget presentation.

In addition, construction has also started on the business incubators at Belvedere Industrial Estate, Region Six and Lethem Industrial Estate, Region Nine. The Belvedere facilities are expected to be completed by May 2018 while the one at Lethem is expected to be ready by May 2019.

Small Business Bureau CEO Lovell Porter

By Lisa Hamilton AT the end of next week, 12 persons will be recipients of G$1M each for financing of their “green” business ideas, made possible through the Small Business Bureau’s (SBB) Green Business Technology Fund.

At a press briefing Thursday, the SBB provided an update on current projects and plans for future projects and assessed the benefit of its activities over the last quarter of the year.

SBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lovell Porter, revealed that from the 24 submissions received, 13 individuals have been shortlisted and they now await final confirmation.

“This is very important because we feel it is part of the Green State Development Strategy to actually help our country to start thinking ‘green’ and to support small businesses with their idea of ‘greening’ the economy,” he said.

Small Business Council Chairperson Valerie Grant

At the same time, the SBB is working to compile a report on the recently completed In-School Entrepreneurship programme, which the organisation hails as “extremely successful” and will work to restart it by the end of June.

Added to this, the SBB recently wrapped up specialised training for applicants in sustainable mining, forestry and cosmetology while, in a few weeks, soap manufacturing training sessions for clients in Regions Three, Four, Nine and 10 will begin.

Porter said the SBB is working assiduously to achieve its mandate through awareness campaigns and by assessing and improving on past endeavours.

Under the Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) Project, one such improvement is the increase of the collateral guarantee offered to clients seeking loans, from 40 to 70 per cent.

“That (the previous percentage) I felt was unfair when you look at what’s happening in Jamaica and Barbados, so we wrote them asking for a change and so from now we can offer a guarantee up to 70 per cent which is more in line with what’s happening in the rest of the Caribbean,” he said.

In addition, grants once limited to G$300,000 can now be increased up to G$1M through a new system which the CEO says will make it easier for small businesses to be developed in Guyana.

The MSED Project, launched in 2013, is funded under the Guyana-Norway partnership, under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) and will end in October 2018.

Meanwhile, the $100M revolving fund set to benefit the MSED project has been approved. Porter said that there are still some final touches to be made before it can be utilised.

Unemployed break-and-enter accused granted bail A 21-year-old man appeared Thursday before a city magistrate on a breakand-enter charge.

It is alleged that on May 22, 2018 at Independence Boulevard, Guy Edmonson broke and entered the dwelling house of Natasha Himchand and stole US$2,500, G$500,000, two bottles whisky valued $80,000, one bottle perfume worth

$20,000, among other items.

The unemployed man, who resides at Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, denied the charge that was read to him in court.

Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objection to bail Bail was granted by Magistrate Leron Daly in sum of $80,000. The matter was adjourned until June 14, 2018.

The $350M project will cater for large business, young entrepreneurs and small enterprises looking for a start-up location for their businesses.

“It’s not that we’re just constructing buildings, we’re making sure that the incubators fit the needs of the Guyanese people, so one of the things that we’re actively doing now is that we’re trying to engage an international

or local consultant, who has the requisite skills to make sure that the incubators accomplish the mandates that we intend for them to accomplish,” Small Business Council Chairperson Valerie Grant said.

On July 12-13, the SBB will host an inaugural conference and award ceremony where outstanding clients and staff members will be acknowledged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Court still awaiting second psychiatric evaluation of Sandy

THE matter against former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, who is charged with the murder of his reputed wife, was adjourned until June 11 for report.

When the matter was recalled before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday, defence attorney James Bond told the court they had managed to send the psychiatrist report by Dr. Bhiro Harry to their own independent psychiatric spe-

cialist for evaluation overseas but due to flight arrangement, the psychiatrist could not make it to court.

However, on May 2, Dr. Harry had deemed Sandy mentally fit to stand trial in court for the offence. The attorney requested that statements be filed for the matter to proceed in court since he will be saving their own psychiatrist to testify as a witness during Sandy’s defence.

Magistrate Latchman granted the police prosecutor

until June 11 to file statements, thereafter the preliminary inquiry will commence.

Sandy, who served as Special Assistant to the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force, is currently on remand for the murder of Reona Payne on March 31 at First Street, Alexander Village.

According to reports, Sandy, after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station on Saturday, March 31. A post-mortem report revealed

that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body–13 to her chest and one to the head. The police have confirmed that Sandy used his service firearm during the

shooting.

Police sources also related that the soldier had on one occasion lodged his firearm at the police station during a domestic dispute.

‘Bruk-up’ to stand High Court trial Former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy

THIRTY-year-old Shawn Harris was on Thursday committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of a man who was stabbed in the vicinity of the Blue Martini Night Club in Kitty.

Harris, called ‘Bruck-up’ of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was on trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the capital offence which alleged that on February 5, 2017 at Owen Street, Kitty, he murdered Sunil Singh called ‘Grey’.

He was represented by attorney-at-law, Paul Fung-a-Fat, during the preliminary inquiry into the matter. According to reports, patrol ranks went to the Blue Martini and closed the club about 2:45hrs on February 5, Shawn Harris called 2017 after which they left.

‘Bruck-up’ However, shortly after, it is alleged by Charles Valenzuela, an employee of the nightspot, that three men arrived and wanted to enter the club.

At that point in time, the young man informed them that the club was closed and this resulted in an argument, during which one of the men stabbed Valenzuela to his left arm. Singh, who was present at the time, intervened and was trying to make peace when the suspect dealt Singh a lash to his head. Singh then reportedly ran north into Railway Street, Kitty, and was pursued by his attacker, who caught up with him and stabbed him several times.

Both Singh and Valenzuela were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival and Valenzuela was treated and sent away.

Harris was released from prison in 2016 after serving a sentence on a drug charge; he was also charged in connection with the Bank of Baroda robbery committed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara on January 22, 2016.

In July 2017, Harris was among the 13 prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan Prison. All the prisoners were later re-arrested and charged for escaping.

Harris was sentenced to one year’s jail for the charge.

Taxi driver, 77, to know fate today A 77-year-old taxi driver, who is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, will today (June 1) know his fate as Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman is set to make her ruling.

John Haynes of Second Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, is on trial for driving his motorcar, HC 184, in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Morris Jeffrey on February 10, 2018 at Brickdam, Georgetown.

He denied the charge and was out on $200,000 bail.

He is represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thomas and the matter is being prosecuted by Police Corporal Shawn Gonsalves.

According to reports, on the day in question, Hayne struck down Jeffery who was crossing the Brickdam Public Road in the vicinity of St. Stanislaus College.

Haynes reportedly came out of his vehicle and picked up the licence plate which had broken off during the accident. He then drove away.

Based upon police investigations, the elderly man was later arrested and charged.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Decline in tobacco use … but WHO says more needed to protect people from heart diseases

TOBACCO use has declined markedly since 2000, both globally and in the Region of the Americas, but the reduction is insufficient to meet global targets aimed at protecting people from death and suffering from cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The body also said that worldwide, about 7%, or just over 24 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes (17 million boys and 7 million girls). About 4% of children aged 13–15 years (13 million) use smokeless tobacco products. In the Region of the Americas, about 10% or 4.6 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes (2.4 million boys and 2.2 million girls). About 2% of children aged 13–15 years (1.2 million) use smokeless tobacco products.

Currently, over a third of countries in the Americas are not implementing a single tobacco control measure. Thursday was observed as World No Tobacco Day 2018 and WHO joined with the World Heart Federation and many other allies to raise awareness on the link between tobacco smoking and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the world’s leading causes of death.

In a release, WHO said CVD are responsible for 44% of all NCD deaths, or 17.9 million deaths annually in the world, including 2 million deaths in the Americas.

According to the body, tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure are the major causes of CVD, including heart attacks and stroke, contributing to approximately 3 million deaths per year globally. But evidence shows there is an alarming lack of knowledge and awareness that tobacco is a major risk for conditions like stroke and heart attack.

“Political leaders must do more to raise awareness and protect people from the harms of tobacco,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I urge them to join the global movement to promote health and protect people from avoidable suffering and deaths, especially from tobacco use.”

In order to reduce premature deaths caused by tobacco, Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), says governments must urgently implement the measures outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on

Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). “Higher tobacco taxes, bans on tobacco advertising and promotion, smoke free environments in all public and work places, and large and graphic health warnings on tobacco packages can all help improve health.”

In its Global Report on Prevalence of Tobacco Use (2000-2025), WHO said tobacco kills over 7 million people each year, despite the steady reduction in tobacco use globally.

The report shows the pace of action in reducing tobacco demand and related death and disease is too slow and not keeping up with global and national commitments to control tobacco use. The report also shows that the target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025 among people aged 15 and older is not on track to being met at the global level, with the current pace of decline indicating only a 22% reduction by that time.

The Region of the Americas is the only exception; the current projections indicate that the target will be reached by 2025.

HEART DISEASES In the region of the Americas, tobacco is responsible for 900,000 deaths per year, including 72,000 premature deaths caused by second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke, and associated with 11% of the deaths caused by CVD. The WHO FCTC, which came into force in 2005, calls on its parties to take several measures to reduce demand and supply for tobacco products. These interventions include protecting people from exposure to tobacco smoke; banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; banning sales to minors; requiring health warnings on tobacco packaging; promoting tobacco cessation, and increasing tobacco taxes. “There is compelling evidence from countries that have implemented tobacco reduction measures that results can be seen quickly,” says Dr. Adriana Blanco, Unit Chief of Risk Factors and Nutrition for the Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO. “You do not have to wait 10 years to see the impact on a population’s health, especially in relation to cardiovascular diseases. This is why it is so important that countries accelerate the implementation of the FCTC.”

Man freed of causing death charge A 47-year-old National Insurance Scheme employee was on Thursday freed of the charge of causing the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist, Ronaldo Jaundoo, who died during an accident at Barr and James Streets, Albouystown last November.

Dwayne Gonsalves was freed by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court due to insufficient evidence. He was out on $600,000 bail during the trial.

Gonsalves was on trial for the offence which read that on November 3, 2017, he drove motor pickup GVV 8249 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Jaundoo, called “Beetle.”

According to reports, on

Freed: Dwayne Gonsalves the day in question, the motor pick-up, driven by Gonsalves, was proceeding north on Barr Street, while motorcycle CH 9086, ridden by Jaundoo, was proceeding east on the northern side of James Street when they collided.

Ronaldo Jaundoo called Beetle Jaundoo was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyser test was administered on the driver but no trace of alcohol was found.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Enmore man to face murder charge today –– after eighteen years on the run

DEONARINE Bhikari will today appear in court to answer to the capital offence committed against Daniel Singh back in

May 2000.

The chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Thursday recommended

that the police charge the man with murder committed on Singh at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The advice of the DPP has pleased relatives of the deceased, especially his children who were all young at the time he was murdered. For them, justice has been served although they still feel the pain of living without a father who, prior to his death, was responsible for sending them to school, cooking their meals and washing their clothes. Deonarine Bhikari was arrested on Sunday by police after they received intelligence that he was at the home of his sister. This was after the man was said to be in hiding over in neighbouring Venezuela for the duration of his

run from justice.

Persons in the community have contended that he returned home due to the harsh economic conditions in Venezuela and with the hope that the matter had been forgotten. To date though, the man has not confessed to the crime for which he is being accused, although the children of the deceased who witnessed him chopping their father, provided statements to that effect. There were also other persons from the community who provided statements which corroborated the children’s accounts.

Deonarine Bhikari is expected to appear before Magistrate Peter Hugh.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Fire destroys Windsor Castle house

15

–– millions of dollars’ worth in fertilizer, household items burnt NINE persons are homeless following a fire that destroyed the home of a rice farmer from Windsor Castle Village on the Essequibo Coast Thursday morning.

The fire, suspected to be of electrical origin, started in the family bedroom in the upper flat around 09:15hrs. The two-storey home is owned by rice farmer Harryanand Parmanand.

He was not at home at the time of the fire. The house is

here, we living here; two families with my father-inlaw; one family live downstairs and one upstairs” she further related.

Nadira related that they tried to call the Anna Regina Fire Station several times but did not get through and by the time they did, the entire upper flat was engulfed in flames. She said that persons from around the community also tried and after 15 minutes, then someone got

A firefighter trying to put out the flames at the Windsor Castle home at the back of the land while in front has some huge sheds which house tractors and combines.

The man’s daughterin-law, Nadira Parmanand, told the media that she was downstairs when her son, Vishwa Parmanand, shouted for her. “My son shouted, ‘mommy, mommy, come see there is fire in the bedroom where the electrical switch is’.” By that time we could not save anything but our lives; we started to run,” the woman related.

She said that the house was occupied by several families for years now.

“Since I marry and come

through to the Fire Station.

Firefighters then arrived 45 minutes later, but by then all the household items were burnt.

Assessing their losses the daughter-in- law said that millions went up in flames, singling out that hundreds of bags of fertilizers were soaked in the process.

She said they had cash as well as jewellery also in the house. The house was well furnished and had basic amenities. Her husband cultivates rice lands on a large scale and had pressure wash, pumps and other farming equipment which were all burnt.

Man who fell off Bartica Stelling feared dead POLICE and soldiers are searching for a man from Apaika Landing, Middle Mazaruni, who is missing after he fell off the Bartica Stelling on Wednesday.

The name of the man was given as Mikey Allen. Reports indicate that 14 passengers from Apaika Landing, Mazaruni, arrived at the Bartica Stelling for a normal check-in when Allen fell overboard.

Eyewitnesses said attempts were made to rescue him but the tide was high and the current was strong.

However, a search team comprised of police and soldiers was dispatched to locate him but have been unable to do so thus far.

Holding back tears, the woman said that she could not imagine that a day would come when she would watch her house in flames. She was consoled by neighbours. When asked where they would seek refuge, the woman said that she was clueless but most likely by a relative. A neighbour, Lucknauth Bachhanoon, said he smelt smoke and upon looking, he saw the Parmanands home on fire. Bacha-

noon said when he looked outside he saw his gutter was scorched. Meanwhile, at the scene, a senior Fire Officer, Shannon Crawford, said that the Anna Regina Fire station responded immediately after the call was received.

Crawford said that while an investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, it is suspected to be electrical in origin.

Nadira Parmanand and her husband, who were both occupants of the home, relating their story

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

West Berbice play school gets tour of State House, PM residence

STUDENTS, parents and teachers of the Little Angels Play School located at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, were on Thursday treated to a tour of State House as well as the residence/office of the Prime Minister.

At State House, First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger conducted the tour. She welcomed the excited group, taking them to various sections of the building and giving them historical facts. The children were also treated to snacks and given tokens before their departure from State House.

Meanwhile, across at the Prime Minister’s residence, Mrs Sita Naga-

$200M all-weather road for Berbice River

Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs Sita Nagamootoo with teachers, parents and students of the Little Angels Play Group

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger giving historical facts about State House to parents, students and teachers

mootoo, wife of the Prime Minister, told the students, teachers and parents that the 150-year-old heritage building holds tremendous historical significance hence it was fit and proper that students got the opportunity to visit and learn its history.

Mrs Nagamootoo, a former teacher, treated the visitors to a video presentation and handed over educational pamphlets and other memorabilia.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also took some time off to talk with the group. Headmistress Emella Crandon thanked Mrs Nagamootoo for accepting and hosting the school tour.

AS efforts continue to mitigate the effects of climate change on the local agricultural sector, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has undertaken the construction of an approximate 12-mile-long all-weather road from the Berbice River to the Ebini Ranch, Region 10, Upper Demerara-Berbice.

Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Frederick Flatts, in a recent interview, told the Department of Public Information (DPI), “On the coast, we are constructing several pump stations and we are likely to continue to do so. What is happening is that we are spending more and more funds to have good drainage on the coast. That’s how we are dealing with mitigating the effects of climate change.”

However, Flatts opined that ultimately, the Intermediate Savannahs will provide the answer to mitigating the issues of flooding faced by citizens on the coastland. “We have areas in the intermediate savannahs that would not be affected by flooding. So, we have to consider the likelihood of moving to the intermediate savannahs,” he noted.

Further, Flatts added, the road’s construction is in keeping with government’s plans to move agricultural production inland. “If you speak to farmers about going to the intermediate savannahs to plant, they will tell you that there has to be a proper road. Therefore, we are doing exactly that with the hope of attracting farmers, when there is easy access. I believe the future of Guyana’s agriculture will be linked to farming in the intermediate savannahs”, Flatts explained.

According to the NDIA CEO, the road is being constructed with materials available in the local district and should be completed in October. “The road has to be completed by the beginning of October and NDIA is spending over $200Million on its construction.

It’s an all-weather road, using materials which are available in the area: white sand, loam, laterite,” Flatts explained.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday June 1 2018

Bus operators bully colleagues to join strike action

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…threaten to shred tyres, force commuters from minibuses

A NUMBER of minibus drivers on the East Coast of Demerara went on strike Thursday morning in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices, but they also appeared to have taken their protest a bit too far when they threatened to shred the tyres of non-striking minibuses, leaving numerous commuters stranded and, in some cases, creating build-up of traffic.

They also blocked the road, demanding all passing buses be emptied in solidarity with the protest. The bus operators and owners noted that if Government does not intervene and immediately reduce fuel prices, consumers will face the consequences.

Guyoil prices remain low As of Thursday morning, the state-owned Guyana Oil Company Limited (GuyOil) outlet on Regent Street was retailing gasoline at $230 per litre. This compares to advertised prices of $239 at Shell and $235 at Rubis locations.

Guyoil is also retailing diesel at $214 as compared to $233 at Shell and $227 at Rubis.

Traditionally, Guyoil has always maintained lower

prices than the independent retailers so as to keep the market competitive. At the Plaisance minibus park, one driver who gave his name as “Andrew”, said gas prices is not the only issue, since minibus drivers are paying $7,000

received an increase of pay, so we can’t kill the people to pay an increase in fare,” he said.

An East Coast Demerara bus driver, who declined to give his name, said everything else is going up in the

and when you fall into a hole in the road, the tyre bend up; $16,000 for a new tyre and the Chinese brands are the worst; even grease price raise. It is not easy out here, they are sitting in an office and taxpayers are footing the

Protesting minibus operators at the Lusignan Market Square on Thursday (Samuel Maughn photo)

for a set of brake pads when previously it was only$4,500.

“The government needs to waive the taxes on the gas so the prices can come down.

Right now passengers pay $60 to Kingston and $100 to Plaisance; people have not

country except minibus fares.

Minibus fares were increased by $20 four years ago.

“As long as gas price goes up, everything else falls apart. Imagine, they want us to buy new tyres

bill,” another driver said.

He explained that a new tyre does not last six months on a minibus because the roads are not in the best of conditions.

According to the minibus operators at the Plaisance

Minibus Park, they use on average $7,000 in gasoline daily to conduct their service.

“The fuel prices eating into whatever we are making, and if placed under these strains, many would break,” one driver said.

At the Stabroek Market Minibus Park, drivers collectively noted that many persons would park their cars and use the minibus as transport because of the current situation with the gas prices.

Another driver named “Peters”, who has been a bus driver for 13 years, said bus drivers throughout the country are feeling the squeeze, noting that the prices for vehicle parts have increased and gas prices have only made things worst.

“These spare parts dealers are taking advantage on people and now we have to face this; all we looking for is a raise of $20,” he said.

On the East Coast of Demerara, route ‘44’ operators protested at the Lusignan Market Square and they echoed the sentiment that the majority of the commuters are hardworking and not wealthy.

They said they do not want to pass the burden of a price increase onto them, and are calling on the government to cushion the increase in gas prices.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on Wednesday said that it recognised that there were similar increases in the prices of kerosene and cooking gas.

The union said it recalled in the past that oil prices, in some instances, exceeded the current international prices, but policies were embraced which sought to cushion the local impact.

“We refer to the reduction of the excise tax which, in effect, helped to soften, and in some cases, nullified the increased prices due to increases at the global level and which was a welcome effort that gave our people room to breathe. The federation, at this time, must express its strong dismay that as far as we are aware, no attempt has been made to embrace such a policy,” the union stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Gavin Mendonca launches ‘How to Build a Tree House’ - Short film shot at Kaieteur Falls ‘HOW to Build a Tree House’, a new music video which was produced short film-style by local musician Gavin Aaron Mendonca, was launched on the opening night of the Timehri Film Festival last Wednesday.

The video, shot at Kaieteur Falls over a day and night spent there, is about 10 minutes long and seeks to increase awareness of the issues facing people in that area especially as regards mining; to highlight the beauty of the falls and the interior of Guyana.

Gavin, who has often times talked about the practice of Guyanese spending their money travelling outside of Guyana instead of exploring their homeland, is also hoping his video will promote domestic tourism.

He collaborated with Derrick ‘Ziggy’ Denheart from Infinity Productions to film and produce the video, done by Kross Kolor Records.

In an interview with the Buzz, Gavin said the idea of shooting a video like this, which incidentally is his first

The video includes Patamuna translations to English which were done by Michael McGarrell.

production of this magnitude, came to him last year when he made a trip to the Falls with relatives.

“I really gained the opportunity to experience Guyana for what it is. I was always in love with nature so the overland trek gave me the opportunity to rediscover my home. The concept of the music video came to mind,

and that was a journey to the top of the world- being Kaieteur Falls, literally in a sense, and metaphorically the top of the world being the point of accomplishing your dreams.”

Explaining the synopsis, he said: “A coast lander strumming his guitar on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and he starts to hear a voice

The new music video, done short film style, was shot at the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

in Patamona (Amerindian dialect). As I close my eyes, I continue to hear the voice but when I open them, I no longer hear the ocean; I hear some other source of water and I’m in the jungle of Guyana. So I begin this journey to the top of the world aided by the voice; the voice of Kai.” The video includes the

use of Patamuna folklore, Kaieteur Falls and its environs, the Chenapow Village and the Potaro River. “In my effort to contribute to the preservation of Guyanese culture, I incorporated the legend of Kai into the story. The voice of Kai and Patamona translations were done by Michael McGarrell of the Amerindian People’s

Association.”

Gavin said he went through the right channels to get permission from various agencies to film at Kaieteur Falls and that the golden frog, flora and fauna were also captured.

The Department of Culture, Ministry of Social Cohesion; Department of Tourism, Ministry of Business; Eco Atlantic International Investment Inc.; Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Limited; and Rain Forest Tours all contributed to making the video possible, and not forgetting the people Chenapow Village.

Gavin said Kojo McPherson and Max Arthur out of Australia inspired him to do the video. Its next screening will be on Saturday at the Dutch Bottle Café from 14:00hrs.

The song is available for free download at creolerock. com. The video will be released online sometime later.

Meanwhile, the annual Timehri Film Festival, which highlights films from Guyana and the diaspora, is continuing to June 3.

Local musician Gavin Aaron Mendonca.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

The Guyana Prize for Literature and writers in Guyana THE frenzy bickering of party politics has got to be alleviated before the important issues of developing the consciousness of the people can be seriously addressed. Having said this does not mean that I don’t understand what this task entails. We humans started to develop

on food stock habitats, designed by the nomadic Amerindians in their journey across the borderless lands of the Americas, before the age of colonialism.

When President Hoyte conceptualised the ‘Guyana Prize’ in 1987 as the foremost and only local literary competition, its purpose was

story writing accompanied by artwork they supplied), journals and non-fiction material, to be able to develop a constant reading habit of homegrown literature and general reading matter for students and adults about Guyana. But that energy never materialised in that anticipated context. The

must-haves are discussed.

I remember at the funeral of my friend’s father, the pastor lamented that at an open house service he drew attention in as polite a way as possible to the owners of the home that he did recognise the huge flat screen TVs, state of the art music system, desktop and laptop

Mae’s should resonate with our educators. The children who tormented that child on being authentic in his portrayal of Amerindian dress, are the children geared for high passes at University and top jobs. Their parents can afford them this school, nothing is wrong with that. But obviously,

lack initiative and the broad reservoir of references that innovation requires. Former President Hoyte no doubt intended to circumvent the continuation of ignorance that held sway in the pre-independence era, where the self-loathing spectre that demanded a limited worldview and the preoccupa-

civilisation when there was enough to eat, the walls were high enough and well guarded, then our ancestors sculpted the Gods, cultivated symbolic language and wrote on papyrus, clay slabs and goat skins. Civilisation has a process and there was always the need to quell the rage of the barbarian within and without.

Books have been a companion of Guyanese from our inception as a colony and before then with the instructive language of the Petroglyph that our own Archaeologist the late Dr. Dennis Williams (Artist, Novelist, Scientist) concluded was a written language that gave account

to invite participation from accomplished Guyanese writers overseas to enter and upon winning, participate in workshops and meets with their local brethren to inspire participation and development, thus a resuscitation of such talents locally. I am not sure that any workshops were held, but I stand to be corrected.

However local talent did participate and won. There was talk then of a general assessment of published and self-published items that included magazines, comic books (the term graphic novel was not used then) anthologies and to encourage short story competitions and publications, (the Chronicle did encourage short

divisive politics overshadowed the space to construct any progressive movement like a national dialogue on the importance of books and local publishing, with a cadre from one side and no response from the other.

Today the global environment has become competitive in every area, culture impacts on fashion, science, education and the imagery our children absorb- not that it wasn’t always this way, but as economies change beyond the ability of governments, thus, swift awakenings are inevitable. The value of reading has eroded for many reasons. Modern preferential commodities hardly include books when home

computers, but the ominous absence of even a vaguely stocked magazine rack, to substitute the absence of a bookshelf.

We have not done a real survey among our school age children to find out the percentages who have a favourite author, possibly because the downside of such a survey can cause any educator loss of sleep.

These are the reasons why the Guyana Prize must experience a metamorphosis, and not remain an isolated creature. Today, people are not ashamed to say “I don’t read”. Some tell you that with an almost confidence that what they’re saying, is en vogue across the planet.

The current incident at

there is an absence of a rounded enlightenment that leaves a void, filled with the pretentions that stem from ignorance, due to a desolate cultural awareness from an anthropological helm, which is necessary to chart the course with knowledge rather than assumptions.

This is perceived as a top school, but can the school alone be blamed for the absence of a broader sense of cultural awareness?

This is a national issue and responsibility. The alternative is to produce a legion of carriers of certificates with a delusional sense of entitlement without the faculties for much deeper analytical perception, is to be creating functional cogs that

tion and contentment with conspicuous consumption rather than the substance of self-worth entangled our minds.

In the end this symbol of literature, whether an effigy in the true sense, it is nevertheless a foundation with tremendous potential that can be transformed into much more than the facade of a competition, the current terms of practice does not serve what is demanded in this day. The evolution of the ‘Guyana Prize for Literature’ must be, whatever it must then be called, it must become with state corporation the platform of local publishing from these shores to where ever people read.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

The Lady Wendy Show

Charged up for Second Season

By Lisa Hamilton WITH a promise of even more exciting and thought-provoking discussions to come, the Lady Wendy Show successfully wraps up its talk show’s first season aired weekly on NCN Channel 11.

For the last few months, persons countrywide have tuned into the programme to listen to topics such as betrayal and forgiveness; foreign investments and how to benefit from it; domestic violence and much more.

These societal issues are targeted to individuals between the ages of 16-30 such as youths, married couples and single individuals whom the show’s host, ‘Lady Wendy’, wants to see begin to live a “purpose-driven life”.

‘Lady Wendy’, is a born

Guyanese hailing from the village of Kuru –Kururu and is married with two children.

In the late 70s, she migrated to Canada where she sat on Not-For-Profit Boards, founded the Georgetown Pavilion in the festival Caravan and has even worked in the Mining, Oil and Gas Exploration sector.

With her wealth of experience, she considers herself a “woman of business” and hopes to convey, through the talk show, feelings of hopefulness, positivity and the outlook that: “There is nothing in life that cannot be changed.”

Through the show, she interviews resilient individuals; experts such as therapists and psychiatrists as well as other outstanding persons who can encourage her audience to self-reflect and transform

their lives.

For the upcoming season scheduled for September

phone addiction, inter-racial dating and substance abuse to take the forefront.

2018 to April 2019, Guyanese can expect topics such as teenage pregnancy, cell

Speaking on the mission of the show, Lady Wendy says: “It is really to have

dialogue going, helping Guyanese, by talking and communicating, to live that purposeful, fulfilled life. With each show, there is always a hidden message that… helps them to restructure their thinking.”

In addition, the Lady Wendy Show has begun to increase its social media presence to reach younger generations while a GoFundMe page has been set up for the acquiring of funds to create an in-depth research documentary on domestic violence in Guyana.

According to Lady Wendy, this is an important matter which ought to be ardently pursued in the country.

“We want to understand what’s going on. Why is it that so many people are being abused? What’s causing it?

Women have certainly had

their share of brutality and we are hoping, through the documentary, to also understand the abuser …we want to look at it in a holistic manner as to what’s causing it so that perhaps we can work on reducing domestic violence,” she explained.

The show’s host hopes that with the support of the public, media and other influencers, Guyanese can begin to reposition their lives for success through increased dialogue and understanding.

Beginning again in September, the Lady Wendy Show will be aired on NCN Channel 11 on Wednesdays at 19:30hrs and on Monday as a re-broadcast at 16:30hrs.

Meanwhile, tickets to be in the pre-recording of the show are free and can be booked online at www. ladywendyshow.com.

Eleventh edition of ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ kicks off tonight -

‘NOTHING to Laugh About 11,’ on at the National Cultural Centre as usual from tonight to Monday, June 4 promises to be bigger and better this time around; like nothing that’s been done over the years so far!

The organisers of the 11th edition of the show are promising that the show will

Promises to be the best show ever!

be “provocative, hilarious and scandalous as always.”

It is being produced by Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones and Maria Benschop.

“But this year, the franchise will take things to a whole new level. This show is dubbed as the best of the 11 that has been done thus far. From politics to religion to trending topics, ‘Nothing

to Laugh About’ has it all!

No one will be spared from the caricature,” the team has told the Buzz.

One of the well-loved and highly anticipated characters, Michael ‘Credit’ Ignatius, told the Buzz in an interview that this year’s show features original material and skits with an energy level that could not previ-

ously be surpassed.

He described it as the biggest comedy show in Guyana at the moment

which holds a certain reputation. To upkeep such a reputation, he said the participants are working hard

The cast of ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ to be staged June 1-4.

Kijana Lewis and Mark Luke in a scene.

Clemencio Goddette and Mark “Chinee Man” Kazim.

to do their best and put on a great show.

One of the reasons people pay their money to see the show, Ignatius observed, is to be entertained. “That’s why I will be putting in 200 per cent; to ensure people get their money’s worth and enjoy a great show.”

This year’s show will feature more ‘Credit and Radhika’ (Leza Singh) scenes, which have been well received over the years.

Another participant, Mark Luke Edwards, told the Buzz he will be playing a number of different characters which is fun, but at the same time, a lot of work.

The rehearsals are going great thus far and Edwards is promising a show that is going to be very funny and one not to be missed.

He said recent events, some which are funny, were able to be included in the show. The show, according to him, will feature a lot of notable current events.

The show starts at 20:00hrs and tickets for $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000 can be picked up at the National Cultural Centre, Gizmos and Gadgets, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Payless Variety Store (V/ hoop & G/Town), KFC (Regent St), Sir Mars, Survival Supermarket, Igloo outlet (Providence) and the Giftland mall.

The highly anticipated show will feature other local stars such as Kirwyn Mars, Clemencio Goddette, Brian Goodman, Chris Gopaul, Simone Persaud, Mark “Chinee Man” Kazim, Zoya Moore, Ashley Alfred, Kijana Lewis, Ann-Marie Singh, and Jermaine Grimmond.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Father’s Day treat set for the Mariott Hotel - Tanti Merle will be onstage for the first time

TWO of the Caribbean’s best storytellers, Paul Keens Douglas from Trinidad and his brother Richardo Keens Douglas from Grenada will be performing at the Marriott Hotel for a special Father’s Day event to give Guyanese families good wholesome entertainment, courtesy of GEMS Theatre Productions.

The shows will be held on Father’s Day, June 17 at 17:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

GEMS Theatre Productions has been the host for Paul Keens Douglas and his Talk Tent team from 2003 to 2009 and in 2005 staged ‘Laugh Tent’ with Richardo Keens Douglas.

Paul and Richardo Keens Douglas (brothers) will be teaming for the first time, in Guyana, in ‘Two of a Kind’ with Farida Chapman and Avion Crooks from his ‘Talk Tent’ fame which has been staged annually for the past 40 years in Trinidad.

Paul Keens-Douglas was born in Trinidad and grew up in Grenada. He has been writing and performing since 1974. He found his niche in storytelling when Louise Bennett gave workshops around the Caribbean and encouraged everyone to not only write poems in standard English but to write in their dialect. Paul took up the challenge and has delighted audiences over the years with his poems and short stories —Tanti at de Oval, Tanti and de Renovations, Tim Tim, Lal Shop, Choir Practice, to name a few. He uses current and local events as the basis of his stories so one can identify with the characters.

He is well learned as he holds diplomas in Commercial Broadcasting and Radio and Television Production, an Honours Degree in Sociology, and has done two years’ post-graduate work at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. Paul Keens-Douglas was active in Drama from an early age and has a wide and varied background in Theatre and the Creative Arts.

Through his colourful characters: Tanti Merle, Vibert, Tim Tim, Slim and Tall Boy among others, Paul has used his personal experiences and keen eye to chronicle life in the West Indies.

When he transferred his degree to Trinidad, Paul found a job at Rediffusion, finding time in studio to write short stories, among them the popular Tanti at D Oval. When Rediffusion closed down, Paul moved to Radio Trinidad where he found a platform for his

stories. Forced to continue writing when appeals to the public to send in theirs didn’t pan out, he eventually collected so much work that he decided to publish them in a book called When Moon Shine and stage a show called Tim Tim (patois for Once Upon A Time) at the Little Carib Theatre to read the stories.

“I formed a group called Creola. We had writers, a choir and actors. We did the first show and I taped it and I decided to make an LP just as a project and eventually it came back and that had Tanti at D Oval and that really started my career. It got a lot of airplay,” he recalled.

Leza Singh

Richardo Keens-Douglas

RICHARDO KEENS-DOUGLAS Richardo who was born and has since returned to live on the island of Grenada in 1953, has worked as a performer in various capacities—as an actor, a radio personality, and as a storyteller. His popularity with both children and adult audiences has made him a welcome performer not only in Canada, where he made his home until 2003, but in other parts of the world as well. His hosting role on the Canada-wide broadcast of Cloud 9 was a first for a performer of colour in that country. He has also served as host of CBCTV’s Sunday Arts Entertainment, a variety programme that earned him a Gemini Award nomination. In addition to being an author and performer, he also conducts a seminar titled “Creative Thinking through Storytelling and Self-Esteem” at workshops in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, and is an oft-requested inspirational speaker.

His books for children echo the beliefs he express-

es through his storytelling performances: self-acceptance and learning to feel pride in being who you are.

By relating tales of life in the Caribbean and Canada, he teaches children about the importance of cultural heritage, encourages creative thinking, and broadens young imaginations. Much of his energy and positivism Keens-Douglas credits to his parents. “They taught me to believe in myself and be who I want to be,” he explained. “It is because of the strength I got as a child that I can express myself in so many ways.”

Work included anthologies, including Take Five, Blizzard Press, and Fiery Spirits, HarperCollins (New York, NY). Author of plays Once upon an Island and Tell a Tale, produced on CBC-Radio (Canada). Author’s performance of The Nutmeg Princess was recorded on audio cassette.

Several of Keens-Douglas’s books for children have been translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.

Amongst his most wellknown books are The Nutmeg Princess, La Diablesse and the Baby, and Mama God, Papa God. FARIDA CHAPMAN is a veteran of Talk Tent and was outstanding in her recent performance at the post Carnival event in March 2018, as she placed a humorous twist to the sensitive topic of Menopause.

AVION CROOKS is a new comer to Talk Tent and performs the role of the character who we all hear about but never see ‘Tanti Merle’ LEZA SINGH is no stranger to the Guya-

nese audience and is well known as a stand-up comedienne and actress.

Tanti Merle and Tim Tim

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Tabatinga crowned...

Their strategy was rewarded in the 49th minute when they earned a corner kick.

A poor clearance by the Paiwomak Warriors defence sent the ball wide and back to the feet of a Tabatinga player, who returned it into the penalty box. The cross found the head of Zaulo Bronze, who headed it past the keeper to the great delight of the

FROM BACK PAGE

Tabatinga FC fans, as they erupted in rapturous celebration.

On the female side of the competition, Gladiators ran away with the final by netting four goals against the Paiwomak Warriors, who had disposed of last year’s winners, Guyana Rush Saints, in the semifinals. The Paiwomak Warriors could manage only one consolation goal before the final whistle was blown.

The result means that Gladiators FC are the new female RFA champions, and

will be joining Tabatinga FC in representing the Rupununi at the upcoming Indigenous Heritage Games.

Female Awards: Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player went to Vanessa Adolph and Vandette Henry respectively, both of Gladiators FC. Best Goalkeeper award went to Dexter Mentore (Tabatinga FC), and Most Valuable Player was Zaulo Bronze (Tabatinga FC).

Powell, Campbell hit...

He put on 72 for the seventh wicket with Akila Dananjaya who made 30 from 54 deliveries with six fours. However, once the pair were separated, the last four wickets went down for 38 runs.

Campbell and Powell then punished the Sri Lankan bowlers in an attractive stand, which put the hosts in control of the contest.

Campbell’s knock was a typically breezy one, requiring only 52 balls and including 11 fours while skipper Powell faced 81 and struck seven

FROM PAGE 31

fours.

The partnership was ended when Campbell missed a slog sweep at off-spinner Dilruwan Perera and perished lbw before tea.

Powell added a further 48 for the second wicket with Shamarh Brooks who made a patient 29 from 71 balls in nearly 1-1/2 hours at the crease.

On 123 for one at tea, the hosts lost Powell first in the final session via run-out before Brooks perished, caught at slip prodding forward to offspinner Akila Dananjaya.

French Open: Top seed Rafael Nadal cruises into round three World number one Rafael Nadal eased into the French Open third round with a straight-set win over Guido Pella.

Ten-time champion Nadal saw off the Argentine 6-2 6-1 6-1 in two hours and three minutes at Roland Garros.

The 31-year-old Spaniard will now face France’s Richard Gasquet, who beat Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-0.

“We have known each since 11 or 12 years old and grown up together, so it is going to be a great pleasure to play against him,” said Nadal.

“I played such a good match today, I am very happy with the way I played.”

Croatian third seed Marin Cilic overcame Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-2 6-2 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 to set up a meeting with American Steve Johnson.

Fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro also came through unscathed, powering to a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory over 36-yearold home hopeful Julien Benneteau, who was playing in

his last French Open.

“When I was 10 years old I sat in this stadium and had a dream to play right here, and I will never forget all of you for fulfilling my dream,” said the Frenchman.

Argentine Del Potro added: “It wasn’t easy for me to play a guy like Julien in Paris. He has made a fantastic career and is still playing great tennis.”

Meanwhile, Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov saw his French Open debut cut short after a 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-4 defeat by Germany’s Maximilian Marterer.

“Not every week is going to be the same,” said the 19-year-old 24th seed. “You run into guys that are playing well, playing hot.”

South African sixth seed Kevin Anderson beat Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 and will play Germany’s Mischa Zverev next, while Austria’s seventh seed Dominic Thiem saw off Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 2-6 6-4 6-4 to progress.

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Days to go …

Saudi Arabia impress, South Korea need tougher tests, Japan struggling in defence FOUR of Asia’s five representatives started the final phase of preparations for the 2018 World Cup this week with friendlies against a variety of opponents.

Let’s take a look the big lessons that emerged from the respective games.

Saudi Arabia may not need a striker

On the face of it, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament (67) have a mountain to climb at their first World Cup since 2006 and Group A games against hosts Russia, Uruguay and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia can, however, take plenty of positives from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Italy on Monday.

One was that the much-lamented lack of a goalscorer may not be a huge problem. In the first half, Mohannad Aseri was up front and the long balls that initially came from deep in the direction of the Al-Ahli target man were no problem for the Italian defence.

Matters improved after the break with the introduction of wide-men Salem Al-Dawsari and Fahad Al-Muwallad. It meant that the Saudi frontline had no recognised striker but it suddenly had mobility, fluency, pace and, most vitally, the ability to trouble the Italy defence. Saudi Arabia pulled a goal back and could also have levelled.

The Riyadh media was impressed. Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi may not have had much time in charge but the team has certainly shown some improvements since the Argentine arrived in November. Scouts working for Uruguay, Egypt and Russia will have left the Swiss stadium with plenty to think about.

Three-man defence leaves Japan struggling

Akira Nishino’s first game as Japan coach since being appointed in April did not go well with a 2-0 loss to Ghana

on a wet night in Yokohama -- the reaction of the fans at the final whistle demonstrated that.

His decision to play with three at the back is not unheard of in the J. League, even if it has been rare with the national team in recent years. A lack of defensive cohesion played a part in both goals and it was no surprise that the switch was made back to the more familiar four-man backline during the second half.

It would have been less of an issue had things been different going forward. The big names - Keisuke Honda, Shinji

elled across the halfway line in Daegu. As a result, the game didn’t give coach Shin Tae-yong much of an idea of how his side will fare at the World Cup, where they will face Sweden, Mexico and Germany.

Most of the players looked pretty good because they were allowed to. Lee Seung-woo impressed on his debut, working hard and aggressively behind the strikers, while Moon Seon-min netted 16 minutes after coming on. The much-maligned defence looked solid but then wasn’t really tested.

It is to be hoped that Bosnia and Herzegovina ask a few more questions of the Taegeuk Warriors today, otherwise coach Shin is going to be none the wiser when he considers his final squad of 23 this weekend.

Iran missed the wise head of Jalal Hosseini

South Korea Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki all made an appearance but were unable to cause many problems - and Japan slipped into a predictable pattern of pretty passing but with little penetration and no end product.

It all ended in a fourth successive defeat for the Samurai Blue with time running out before the opening game of Group H against Colombia.

South Korea need tougher tests

South Korea defeated Honduras 2-0 in Daegu and it was as comfortable a 2-0 victory as you will ever see. The Central Americans almost made it to the World Cup but rarely trav-

Iran fans will be having panic attacks after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Turkey, as they have not had to deal with many setbacks in recent years. In Istanbul the defence looked nothing like the machine that powered Team Melli through qualification in the smoothest of fashion.

Losing friendlies in the run-up to the World Cup is nothing to get too excited about -- with the focus very much on preparing for Group B and Morocco, Portugal and Spain -- but while Iran had plenty of possession against Turkey, they were caught by a couple of sucker punches.

Coach Carlos Queiroz surprised everyone in Iran by leaving veteran centre-back Seyed Jalal Hosseini on the standby list for the plane to Russia. Against Turkey, replacement Rouzbeh Cheshmi struggled, though he did not get as much protection from midfield as he would have liked.

The experience and calming presence that the 36 yearold has on the rest of the team may just well come in handy in Russia.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Zidane stuns Real Madrid by stepping down as coach

By Joseph Cassinelli

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane made the surprise announcement yesterday that he was leaving the European champions after winning an unprecedented third straight Champions League title.

“I think it’s the moment, both for me, the team and the club (to step down). It’s a strange moment to do so, I know, but an important one too. I had to do this for everyone,” he said.

The Frenchman clearly feels that after such a successful period at the Bernabeu the only way forward for the club to continue its success is via a change at the top.

“This side should carry

on winning and needs a change for this. After three years it needs another voice, another method of work, for this I took this decision,” said Zidane.

“The players need a change. I want to thank them because it’s they who fight on the pitch.

“This club’s history is huge, we always ask a lot of players, but there comes a moment when you think ‘What more can I ask of them, after what they’ve done for me?’ For this I think they need another discourse.”

Zidane became the first coach to win a third straight European Cup when Real beat Liverpool 3-1 on Saturday, capping a remarkable period in his first job in senior club management.

“I love this club a lot, the president, who gave me everything – to play first at this great club. I’ll always be thankful. Today I need to change, for me, for everyone, for this I’ve taken the decision,” Zidane added.

“After three years, it’s my decision and perhaps I can get it wrong, but I think that after such time it is the moment.

“If I don’t see that I think we’re going to carry on winning, if I don’t see things as I want them to be, a moment arrives where you say it’s better to change.”

The Frenchman took over a divided dressing room after the sacking of Rafael Benitez in January, 2016 and immediately set about uniting the squad.

He claimed the first of his hat-trick of European

Zinedine Zidane became the first coach to win the Champions League in three consecutive seasons. (BBC Sport)

triumphs two years ago when Real defeated local rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in the final. A year later he led Real to their first European Cup and La Liga double in 59 years.

Real finished three points ahead of Barcelona as they won their first league title since 2012 before crushing Juventus 4-1 in the

Champions League final to become the first side to win the competition in its current format in back-toback seasons.

Zidane won nine major honours as Real coach and the 45-year-old’s crowning glory came last Saturday as he joined an elite group of managers including Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti

by lifting the European Cup for the third time as coach.

The club have not named a successor, however local media reports suggest Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio Pochettino, who signed a new five-year contract with the London club last week, is their first choice to replace the Frenchman.

Torginol Paints golf tournament takes place tomorrow

Torginol Paints and Lusignan Golf Club officials at the tournament launch in February

DESPITE the current inclement weather, Continental Group of Companies, through its Torginol Paints, will stage its annual Invitational golf tournament tomorrow from 12:30hrs at the Lusignan Golf Course (LGC), East Coast Demerara.

According to a release, all golfers can take advantage of the freshly manicured greens and fairways to compete for top honours.

Prizes will be awarded for the top four Best Net scores, the Best Gross score, the Longest Drive and the Nearest to a designated Pin,” the Lusignan Golf Club said.

The release added, “The tournament is open to all golfers in Guyana (members and non-members) who feel that they can take on the challenge of the ‘Green Anaconda’, as the Lusignan Golf Club is proposed to be branded.”

Tomorrow’s winner will

join Colin Ming (2009), Fazil Haniff (2011), Clifford Reis (2012), Mark Lashley (2013) and Shanella Webster (2014) as players who have won the Torginol Paints tournament over the years.

“Non-members – who are welcome to participate – are required to pay a nominal tournament fee, which covers the green fee, lunch and a caddie for the 18-hole tournament. Non-members, please contact the Club at 220-5660 or 668-7419 to receive information on how to register to play in this tournament,” the Club further stated.

Through Company Secretary, Mohamed S. Ally, Torginol Paints officially launched the tournament in February, pledging its support for the vision of president Aleem Hussain and the efforts of the Club as it seeks to upgrade its facilities and to widen its outreach to

include first-time golfers and children.

To that end, Production Manager, Fenton Persaud, commented, “We have been associated with the Lusignan Golf Club for over 15 years and have been a proud sponsor of tournaments. We see ourselves as assisting in the promotion of golf in the country as well as the development of the facility to make it better so that it can be top notch not only for Guyanese but for foreigners.

We will continue to support the Lusignan Golf Club.”

“All staff and clients of the company as well as members of the public are invited to witness this grand tournament that kicks off the second half of our season.

There is no charge for entry and persons desirous of learning the game may have free introductory lessons this weekend,” the Lusignan Golf Club statement concluded.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Cavs’ LeBron James opens up about midseason doubts

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (right) shoots the basketball next to guard JR Smith (left) during NBA Finals media day at Oracle Arena. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

(REUTERS) - When the Cleveland Cavaliers hit their low point this season, even their superstar began to wonder about their chances of recovering.

Now, with the Cavaliers set to open play in the NBA Finals yesterday, LeBron James opened up about his midseason doubts.

Referencing a stretch in December and January during which Cleveland went 3-9, James told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols on Wednesday, “It was at points where, ‘OK, will the Cavs even make the playoffs?’

And I was like, ‘OK, I am not

settling for that conversation - now that is just ridiculous.

Now I have got to get into the postseason.”

James said he had to improve his own attitude because his outlook was affecting the team.

“I was like, ‘OK, I am not quite sure what we are going to do with this ballclub; we are not playing good basketball,’ but you can’t sell yourself short,” James told Nichols. “You have so many people looking up to you, you have so many kids to inspire and you, yourself, you have always talked about be as great as you can be

every day, so I kind of hit that switch before the trade deadline.”

The Cavaliers subsequently made a number of moves at the trade deadline, unloading Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Iman Shumpert and Dwyane Wade while bringing in George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr and Jordan Clarkson.

The newcomers haven’t provided major production, yet the Cavaliers still are back in the NBA Finals. For the fourth year in a row, they will meet the Golden State Warriors, looking to even the championship-round rivalry at two titles apiece.

James is the biggest reason for the team’s ongoing success. He is averaging 34.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the postseason after posting regular-season averages of 27.5, 8.6 and 9.1, respectively.

“I’ve tried to put this franchise at a level that is always seen in a positive light,” James said. “From a basketball standpoint, from a social standpoint, from a brand standpoint. I get a lot of the light and the headlines, but I’m one, as long as I’m here playing for this franchise, when you see the Cavaliers, I want you to think of prestige and a great

Crawford to conduct umpiring classes in Essequibo FIRST Class Umpire Shannon Crawford will be conducting classes for prospective umpires in Essequibo, commencing next Tuesday and continuing every other Tuesday.

The sessions will be held at the Essequibo Cricket Board Hostel from 16:00hrs and will cover the laws of the game as well as oral and written presentations.

When contacted, Umpire Shannon Crawford Crawford indicated that it is his wish to make a difference in the county.

Crawford, who is a contribution towards facilitating the emergence member of the Guyana of more qualified Fire Service, is currently umpires in Essequibo. stationed in Essequibo. He He added that persons has since made a public seem reluctant to join appeal for persons of all the profession but he is ages to attend the classes determined to make a even if they do not wish

to become fully qualified umpires.

He added that the sessions will be stimulating and persons will get the opportunity to become knowledgeable with the new laws and will participate in group discussions on match scenarios. He further disclosed that the exercise will form the basis for preparing participants to sit the preliminary umpires’ examination which is scheduled to be held later in the year.

The classes are free of cost and the public is invited to attend.

Crawford can be contacted at the Anna Regina Fire Station for further details. (Elroy Stephney)

organisation.”

James on Wednesday denied that he prompted the Cavaliers to trade away Kyrie Irving last summer. Irving went to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Thomas, Crowder, Ante Zizic and a first-round pick that will be No.8 in next month’s draft.

“Even if you start back to the summertime where I felt like it was just bad for our franchise just to be able to trade away our superstar point guard,” James told Nichols. “A guy that I had

been in so many battles with over the last three years and obviously I wasn’t a part of the communications and know exactly what went on between the two sides. But I just felt like it was bad timing for our team.

“So I felt like the odds were against us from the summer. And then you know we come into the season and our All-Star point guard that we got from Boston (Thomas) wasn’t able to play until January. We just had so many things going with our

team.

“We shuffled in different lineups, we shuffled in different players, we made a trade at the deadline, and I can’t sit here right now and say that the Finals was a part of my thinking.”

Looking ahead to his potential free agency this summer and whether his sometimes shaky relationship with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert might affect whether he remains in Cleveland, James said, “We’re going to see.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Foster eager for return of First ECCB to conduct umpiring classes Class cricket to Berbice PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster is urging Cricket West Indies (CWI) to look at the possibility of First Class cricket returning to the Ancient County.

The outspoken BCB president, who is spearheading a major restoration of Berbice’s cricket, noted that it is sad that Berbicians have been denied the opportunity to witness their heroes representing Guyana.

The last First Class match played in Berbice was in 2007 when Guyana played Barbados from January 28 while the last limited over game was in 2009 when Narsingh Deonarine scored a century versus Barbados.

Berbice, Foster lamented, is being treated as a stepchild, and is being punished for reasons only known to the powers of Guyana’s cricket.

Foster noted that Berbice

has legendary status in West Indies cricket, having produced 19 Test players and numerous other players for Guyana.

The county continues to produce outstanding players with Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Gajanand Singh, Romario Shepherd, Clinton Pestano, Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin and Eon Hooper represented Guyana and West Indies at different levels.

Most of these players have never had an opportunity to play at home in front of their fans, friends and family.

Foster further indicated that the Albion Cricket Club ground is one of the best cricketing facilities in Guyana and has legendary status in the history of West Indies cricket.

The venue hosted the first-ever one-day international match to be played in the Caribbean, on

Hilbert Foster

March 16, 1977, Unlike venues in Demerara, matches involving Guyana attract large crowds and the BCB is well known for its organising skills. To this end, Foster stated that Berbice is ready and prepared to host First Class matches.

He urged officials of CWI to visit the Albion ground to look at what needs to be done in order to bring back First Class matches.

The Albion main

pavilion, along with the two dressing rooms, was recently renovated, by the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce. Work was also recently done on the two sight screens and commentary booth.

Foster has committed the BCB to spearhead any restoration work required

by CWI so that First Class cricket can return to Albion.

Hosting of matches at the Albion ground, he stated, would inspire the next generation of players and keep the spirit of the game alive.

He noted that Berbicians are hungry for First Class cricket and also to witness their heroes in action.

Foster also urged officials of the GCB to host Intercounty matches in Berbice With the GCB’s excuses being lack of finance, Foster expressed a willingness to raise funds for matches to be played in Berbice.

Pepsi on board with ExxonMobil U-14 football tournament

ASPIRING Cricket Umpires along the East Coast corridor will have the opportunity to be a part of the East Coast Cricket Board’s (ECCB) Umpiring classes, scheduled to commence shortly.

The classes will serve as a refreshment course for July examination.

Interested persons can make contact with Ms Baker on 616-0749 or 681-3496 or Mr Anandjit on 617-8502, as early as possible.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday June 01, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1. Kane Williamson-735 runs (SH) 2. Andrew Tye-24 wickets (Kings) Today’s Quiz: 1. What was the highest individual score in IPL 2018?

2. What were the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2018?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

By Stephan Sookram

DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) yesterday joined forces with the Petra Organisation in their ExxonMobil U-14 girls and boys football tournament set to begin this weekend.

At a press briefing yesterday, Pepsi Brand Manager Larry Wills stated that the company has had its eye for a long time on youth football.

According to Wills, when the company was approached by the Petra organisation, they quickly jumped on board. “What is most interesting is that this tournament encompasses the female aspect of football in Guyana and this is something we have always been interested in,” Wills said.

He added, “Giving back to youths is important to us. We know that the development of football in Guyana is really based on the development of youths in Guyana.“ Petra co-director Troy Mendonca contended that the female aspect of the

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From left, DDL Brand Manager Larry Wills hands over the company’s sponsorship to Petra executive Mark Alleyne in the presence of co-director Troy Mendonca.

tournament will benefit from coaching expertise through the GFF for the first two weeks while the males will get right into action.

“What is going to happen is while the Boys tournament starts this weekend, Saturday, they gonna have a one-hour programme with all the (female) teams and their representatives, going through drills from the GFF technical committee,” he added.

He continued, “Their competition will start in the third week because obviously it’s fewer teams and they are going to go for four weeks and the Boys seven weeks.”

Tomorrow’s opening round of matches will pit Tutorial High against Buxton Youth Development, Marian Academy against Uitvlugt, Dolphin Secondary against Ann’s Grove, Bishops’ High versus Annandale, Carmel versus Vergenoegen and

New Campbellville against Brickdam Secondary.

In the second half of the day, Tucville will play Queenstown Secondary, Chase will play St John’s, North Ruimveldt Multi take on School of the Nations, East Ruimveldt face St George’s and Kingston tackle South Ruimveldt Play will begin after the march past at 10:00hrs at the Ministry of Education Ground.

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31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

Lewis leads the way as Windies wallop ICC World XI LONDON, England (CMC) – Explosive opener Evin Lewis stroked his third Twenty20 International half-century to headline a feisty batting effort as West Indies brushed aside the ICC World XI by 72 runs in the high-profile Hurricane Relief fundraiser here yesterday.

Sent in at historic Lord’s, the Caribbean side piled up 199 for four from their 20 overs, with the left-handed Lewis top-scoring with 58 from 26 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin stroked an unbeaten 44, Marlon Samuels an up-tempo 32 while all-rounder Andre Russell lashed 21 not out.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan proved expensive but was the leading wicket-taker with two for 48.

In reply, leg-spinner Samuel Badree (2-24) and seamer Russell (2-25) wrecked the top order as the World XI slumped to eight runs for four wickets in the fourth over.

And even though Sri Lankan Thisara Perera belted 61 from 37 balls, the damage had already been done and the World XI ended on 127, with 20 balls remaining in the innings.

Fast-medium Kesrick Williams provided the firepower late on to dent any attempted revival, taking three for 41 from 3.4 overs.

The contest, watched by a number of legendary former West Indies players including Sir Vivian Richards, featured an array of world stars but was played in a spirit of goodwill.

Lewis gave West Indies

Evin Lewis raced to his half-century off 23 balls.

a rapid start, lashing five fours and sixes as he put on 75 off 47 balls for the first wicket with Chris Gayle (18).

He raced to his halfcentury off 23 balls, reaching the landmark by depositing a full toss from pacer Perera over the ropes at long on.

But he departed in the eighth over, pinned back on his stumps by Rashid Khan

CAS rejects Carter appeal, Bolt won’t get back 9th gold medal

Nesta Carter (left) positive doping test means that Usain Bolt won’t get his ninth gold medal back. (Getty Images) NESTA Carter has lost his appeal against the decision to strip him and a Jamaica team including Usain Bolt of Olympic gold after a positive drugs test.

A sample taken from Carter at the 2008 Games in Beijing was found last January to have contained a banned stimulant.

That meant the Jamaican 4x100m team had to forfeit gold.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled: “Reanalysis confirmed the presence of methylhexaneamine.”

The Jamaican team featured Carter, Bolt, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell.

A judgement said: “We (do) not accept any of the arguments raised by Nesta Carter contending that the test results should be ignored or that the decision should otherwise be overturned for certain alleged failures.

“Accordingly, the CAS panel dismissed the appeal and the decision is confirmed.”

Carter appealed against the decision last February and a

hearing was held in Switzerland in November.

The now-retired Bolt completed an unprecedented ‘triple triple’ of gold medals in Rio in 2016, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruling to punish the Jamaica team left him with eight Olympic titles.

Speaking in January, 31-year-old Bolt - who also won 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 - said it was “rough” to have to give back one of his medals but that it hadn’t changed “what I have done throughout my career”.

Carter’s was one of 454 selected doping samples retested by the IOC in 2016 and his was found to contain the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine.

That has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list since 2004, and was reclassified in 2011 as a “specified substance” - meaning one that is more susceptible to a “credible, non-doping explanation”.

Carter was also part of the 4x100m team in London five years ago and helped Jamaica win at the World Championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015. (BBC Sport)

and falling lbw.

The left-handed Gayle, subdued for the most part, perished 14 balls later after facing 28 balls and striking a single four, playing back to one from part-time offspinner Shoaib Malik and losing his off-stump.

Andre Fletcher fell cheaply for nine in the 12th over with the Windies on 100 for three but Samuels

and Ramdin then added fuel to the innings with two exciting stands.

First, Samuels stroked a pair of fours and four sixes in a 23-ball knock, as he put on 52 for the fourth wicket with Ramdin, who counted three fours and sixes in a 25-ball stay.

When Samuels holed out to long on in the 17th over off Rashid Khan, Ramdin and Russell thrilled in a 47-run, unbroken fifth-wicket stand off a mere 19 deliveries.

Requiring 10 runs per over for victory, the World XI suffered early setbacks to lose their way.

Lewis hauled in a brilliant leaping catch at cover point to send Tamim Iqbal on his way for two as he slashed Russell square, and Luke Ronchi missed a pull at Badree in the next

over and was lbw without scoring.

In the same over, Dinesh Karthik (0) made a hash of a pull and was caught by Lewis on the off-side and the slide continued when Sam Billings miscued one from Russell and was caught at mid-on by captain Carlos Brathwaite for four in the fourth over.

Amidst the carnage, Perera played with gay abandon, striking seven fours and three sixes, putting on 37 for the fifth wicket with Shoaib (12) and a further 48 for the sixth wicket with captain Shahid Afridi (11).

Afridi’s demise in the 13th over, caught at deep mid-wicket off speedster Keemo Paul, signalled the end of the resistance as the last five wickets tumbled for 44 runs, with the injured Tymal Mills unable to bat.

Powell, Campbell hit half-centuries but President’s XI slide to 223-7 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Test opener Kieran Powell found form with a half-century while opening partner John Campbell also notched one of his own, but CWI President’s XI lost a cluster of wickets to surrender the advantage on the second day of their three-day match against Sri Lanka.

The left-handed Powell, in the 13-man squad for next week’s first Test at Queen’s Park Oval, struck 60 in a 98run opening stand with fellow left-hander Campbell who top-scored with 62.

Replying to the tourists’ imposing first innings of 428, the President’s XI were cantering on 146 for one at one stage but lost six wickets for 77 runs to end on 223 for seven.

They trail by 205 runs heading into today’s final day at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican finished with four for 81 and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, three for 24, as Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed on the stroke of lunch.

Resuming yesterday’s second day on 318 for six,

they were lifted by Niroshan 2-3/4 hours at the crease Dickwella who converted with eight fours. his overnight 26 into 74, made off 117 balls in nearly CONTINUE ON PAGE 26

SCORE BOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings (overnight 318 for six) K. Mendis b Cummins 0 K. Perera c Powell b Cornwall 65 D. Chandimal c Brooks b Reifer 108 A. Mathews lbw b Cornwall 41 R. Silva c Cornwall b Warrican 28 N. Dickwella c Campbell b Warrican 74 D. Perera lbw b Warrican 17 A. Dananjaya b Cornwall 30 L/ Gamage st Hamilton b Warrican 22 K/ Rajitha lbw b Reifer 2 L/ Kumara not out 5 Extras: (b-12, lb-5, nb-19) 36 Total: (all out, 119.4 overs) 428 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-130, 3-244, 4-263, 5-288, 6-318, 7-390, 8-404, 9-409.

Bowling: Cummins 20-5-70-1, Reifer 19-2-75-2, Joseph 16-1-61-0, Warrican 29.4-81-4, Cornwall 35-7-124-3.

PRESIDENT’X XI 1st innings J. Campbell lbw b Perera 62 K. Powell run-out 60 S. Brooks c Mathews b Dananjaya 29 S. Ambris b Kumara 14 V. Singh c Kumara b Dananjaya 12 J. Hamilton b Dananjaya 4 R. Reifer lbw b Kumara 0 R. Cornwall not out 23 J. Warrican not out 8 Extras: (b-2, lb-7, nb-2) 11 Total: (7 wkts, 60 overs) 223 Fall of wickets: 1-98, 2-146, 3-164, 4-183, 5-184, 6-188, 7-192.

Bowling: Gamage 9-1-48-0, Rajitha 4-0-22-0, Perera 17-2-48-1, Kumara 9-3-37-2, Dananjaya 17-2-43-3, Mendis 4-0-16-0.

32

WI BEAT THE ‘WORLD’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 1, 2018

PAGE

31 Evin Lewis of West Indies bats as wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi of the ICC World XI looks on during the Hurricane Relief T20 match between the ICC World XI and West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground on May 31, 2018 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Tabatinga crowned RFA champions … Gladiators cop female title

FOLLOWING an enthralling encounter with the Paiwomak Warriors Football Club at the Wada’apna Sports Complex in Lethem last Saturday night, Tabatinga Football Club (Tabatinga FC) emerged as champions of the Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA) Championships.

They triumphed over their North Rupununi rivals by a single goal which was scored at the beginning of the second half. The win will see

Tabatinga represent Rupununi at the upcoming Indigenous Heritage Games scheduled for September.

Although competitive, no team found the back of the net in the first half of the game. Tabatinga were more attacking, but failed to capitalise on opportunities to take the lead before the end of the first half.

The second half began with Tabatinga FC redoubling their efforts and pressing Paiwomak Warrriors aggressively.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 26

CAS rejects Carter appeal, Bolt won’t get back 31 9th gold medal PAGE

The victorious Gladiators pose with their trophy.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018