Guyana chronicle e paper 06 15 2018

FRIDAY 15th JUNE, 2018

No.105306

UK remains a strategic partner to Guyana

– President Granger says at reception in honour of Queen’s 92nd birthday 03 PAGE

Expired goods 12 seized at Stabroek Market PAGE

President David Granger helps British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, cut the traditional cake in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 92nd Birthday as Minister of State Joseph Harmon and other dignitaries look on Thursday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Over 200 to be employed on Bonasika project 09 Trio in shootout with customs 17 agents secure bail PAGE

PAGE

Stephon Motielal

Rovindra Ramdeo

Trevor Motielal

Vishnu obtained masters from 14 training centre PAGE

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Hard Rock Café to be here by year-end INTERNATIONAL casino, cafes and hotels chain Hard Rock has expressed an interest in the Guyana market and will be setting up shop here by the end of the year.

The company, which

has outlets in many regions of the world, will be setting up its first establishment in the Caribbean come November month-end or early December. The franchise will be opening the Hard Rock Café at the Movie Towne complex.

Procurement and Purchasing Manager of the company, Hershael Ramesar, formally met with executives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other players in the manufacturing industry to “break the ice” as it seeks to enter the Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018 market.

At a press conference at the PSC, Ramesar said while he is only here as the first link between the company and the potential service providers, the CEO of the company would be arriving in Guyana shortly as a follow up.

He gave the assurance that while competition is good, when Hard Rock Café opens its doors in Guyana, it is to complement the existing brands and franchises already in Guyana.

Ramesar told the gathering that the company decided on Guyana as its first Caribbean destination because of the potential that the company has to offer.

It was noted that in the operation of the franchise here, the company will seek to utilise a vast amount of local and value-added products. In essence, much of what the menu would entail will reflect what is

produced in Guyana.

On the issue of investment cost and the number of jobs to be provided, Ramesar said he wished not to comment on that at this stage, as the company is not into the business of grandstanding or making promises that may not reflect the reality once they arrive on the ground.

The PSC through its chairman Eddy Boyer, assured the company’s representative that the commission will be working closely with it to ensure the necessary systems are in place to support the investment and allow speedy rolling out of the services within the company’s budget.

The Hard Rock Café was founded in 1971 in London. Hard Rock was sold in 2007 and by December 2015, the company had locations in 75 countries, including 181 cafés and 25 hotels.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

UK remains a strategic partner to Guyana – President Granger says at reception in honour of Queen’s 92nd birthday

PRESIDENT David Granger has reaffirmed that the United Kingdom (UK) remains a strategic partner of Guyana and expressed his Government’s appreciation for its support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, debt relief and for the anticipated benefits under the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund.

The President made these remarks Thursday evening at a reception held in celebration of the 92nd birth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, which she celebrated on April 21. The event was held at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Guyana in Bel Air. “We are confident that the strong ties which exist between our two states will be strengthened in the years ahead…. The UK, through the Department of International Development [DFID], has provided assistance to Guyana in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, disaster-relief, education, economic competitiveness, governance, law enforcement, trade facilitation, wa-

Guests whiling away the evening on Thursday after the formalities (Ministry of the Presidency photo) ter supply, judicial service reform, public sector reform and security sector reform,” the head of state said.

The President said the Queen is held in high esteem by the Commonwealth of which Guyana is a member state. This, he said, was reiterated by Commonwealth Heads at its most recent meeting in April.

Speaking of Guyana’s commitment to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, the President said that Guyana

has been pleased to dedicate the Kanashen Protected Area, located in the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to this laudable initiative, which is Her Majesty’s environmental legacy. The Kanashen Protected Area spans an area of almost 7,000 square kilometers, a little larger than Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, in his remarks said that quite apart from

the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Project, Britain has assisted Guyana with maritime and aviation reviews and provided training to financial investigators from the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Planning Unit and the Guyana Prison Service.

He said much more will be done this year and informed that British Security Expert, Colonel Russell Combe will be in Guyana till March 2019 to transition the reform process to one that is

Guyanese-led.

“The work that is being done under SSR is only part of a broader relationship that we have on combating organised crime… significant UK funds are being committed to the security area and also to broader development areas. This include over £2M of UK assistance last year in areas such as Chevening scholarships, surveying the approaches of the Georgetown port… there is also over £61M of DFID expenditure

committed to Guyana over the next five years,” the high commissioner said.

In addition, the UK Government, in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be working to build the road from Linden to Mabura Hills and a bridge at Kurupukari. “Since I arrived in Guyana in 2015, over £67M of UK grant-assistance has been committed to or spent in this country and we continue to work hard to bring British business and expertise across a range of topics to Guyana,” he said.

Britain’s ties to Guyana were initiated in the Convention of London by which the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands formally ceded the three colonies, Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice, to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1814 in the reign of King George III. The colonial ties were severed 52 years later when Guyana became independent under Queen Elisabeth in 1966 but cordial relations continued. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Pursue careers in STEM, other non-traditional fields –– First Lady tells Beterverwagting Secondary School students

GUYANA’S First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger has urged students of the Beterverwagting Secondary School to think outside of the box and pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and other non-traditional fields.

She made the appeal during a career talk hosted by B and J Civil Works on Wednesday.

“The world is making it much easier for women to advance in any stream that they want to, and where their desires might lead them.... This is the age of technology and you are living in what is called the fourth

industrial revolution and, therefore, you are required to have knowledge in STEM... I want to encourage you, boys and girls, to get interested in STEM because that is where the jobs will be,” she said.

The First Lady also took the opportunity to reassure the students that while the support of family and friends is essential, they need to understand that they themselves are personally responsible for their futures.

“You have to know what you want; you are the ones who will ultimately decide on your future.... You have to know where you come from and where you want to go… you are your future and the bonds you form in

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger distributing gifts to students of the Beterverwagting Secondary School

Fourth Form students of the Beterverwagting Secondary School at the B & J Civil Works Career Talk

school and your work environment are the ones that will help you, but at the same time you have to keep learning and learning,” she said.

She thanked B and J Civil Works for honouring their corporate social responsibility by giving back to the students of the school, and noted that the donation highlights the importance of education and how it can transform students’ lives, both socially and financially.

The career talk was hosted in celebration of B

and J Civil Works’ 25th anniversary.

Managing Director of B and J Civil Works Beverly Tapp told the students that their choices are limitless. There was an interactive session during which students participated in trivia on Guyana’s history and geography.

The event was held at the Beterverwagting Secondary School, where the company also distributed a quantity of scientific calculators to students.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15 , 2018

Vigils, prayers mark Grenfell anniversary LONDON (Reuters) - Survivors of London’s Grenfell Tower fire, and friends and relatives of the 71 people it killed, held vigils and prayed together as they marked the first anniversary of a disaster that still haunts Britain.

Grenfell Tower, a social housing block that was home to a close-knit, ethnically diverse community, was engulfed by flames in the middle of the night of June 14, 2017, in the country’s deadliest domestic fire since World War Two. The disaster, which occurred in one of London’s richest boroughs, raised profound questions over social inequalities, poor quality public housing and neglect of immigrant communities.

Queen Elizabeth and her new granddaughter-in-law Meghan, out together on an

The gathering in vigil at the base of the tower

official visit to Chester in northwest England, were among those who observed a national silence in honor of the victims at mid-day. (1100 GMT).

The silence was also observed by survivors and bereaved people at a gathering near Grenfell Tower, as well as in the Houses of Parlia-

ment and in government buildings.

It lasted 72 seconds, one for each of the people who died on the night of the fire, and one for a woman who died in hospital months after she was rescued from the burning building.

Earlier, the England soccer team, which is in Russia

for the World Cup finals, observed a minute’s silence before starting their training session.

The charred ruin of the block, covered in white sheeting, was lit up overnight in green, a color adopted by the community of survivors and bereaved people as a symbol of the tragedy.

Nearby tower blocks were also lit up in green, as was Number 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Prime Minister Theresa May, a few miles away. A floral tribute from May was placed at a church close to the tower, with a handwritten note saying the victims would never be forgotten.

There were emotional scenes close to the base of the tower, where community members walked silently to a vigil, holding up pictures of those who died.

Migrant row threatens Merkel’s coalition A MAJOR rift has opened up between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her interior minister over migrant policy, threatening her coalition government.

The minister, Horst Seehofer of the Christian Social Union (CSU), wants police to have the power to turn away undocumented migrants at the border.

Mrs Merkel has held emergency talks with her Christian Democrat (CDU) MPs. She wants a new deal at EU level over migrants. She was widely criticised for letting in about one million in 2015.

Mr Seehofer has been a long-standing critic of that open-door policy, which was summed up at the time by

Mrs Merkel’s phrase “We can manage.”

He says German border police should turn back all asylum seekers who lack ID, and those already registered in another EU country.

Mrs Merkel sees that as a “go-it-alone” policy which would further hurt Italy and Greece, countries whose capacity to house migrants is stretched to breaking point.

Among them are many refugees from the Syria war and other conflict zones.

For decades the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of the CDU, has been in alliance with Mrs Merkel’s conservatives. The CSU held its own emergency talks on the migrant issue on Thursday.

(BBC)

Spain vows to remove anti-migrant razor wire SPAIN’S new interior minister has vowed to do “everything possible” to remove the “anti-migrant” razor-wire fences which separate Morocco from the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla.

The tiny enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast have become magnets for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe.

Injuries are common when “jumpers” try to scale the six-metre (20 ft) fences.

They are often topped with barbed wire or even coils of razor blades.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska, a judge who became Spain’s interior minister earlier this month, has commissioned a report into finding the “least bloody possible means” of preserving border security.

“I’m going to do everything possible to see that these razor-wire fences at Ceuta and Melilla are removed,”

he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Thursday.

“It’s one of my main priorities.”

Mr Grande-Marlaska said the goal should be to deter would-be migrants before they reach the perimeter.

“We can act before, at the point of origin, but we cannot let it get to that point,” he said. “It is not reasonable or acceptable to see people jumping over the fence.”

The Spanish Red Cross says 25 migrants have been treated for barbed wire cuts already this year, with 10 needing hospital treatment.

Other methods deployed by migrants to enter Ceuta and Melilla include swimming along the coast, or hiding in vehicles.

However, most migrants are intercepted and returned to Morocco, and those who do make it over the fences are eventually repatriated or released.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

Police raid, destroy ‘ganja’ farm at Coomacka

POLICE on Thursday destroyed a large marijuana farm about an acre in size on the Upper Demerara River.

The lawmen said in a statement that around 11:30hrs, a party of ranks went to Coomacka Mines on the Upper Demerara River, where they conducted a drug eradication operation.

On the farmstead, they found about 1,500 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, from around two to six feet tall and with an estimated weight of 300 kgs; a nursery with about 300 seedlings; a make-shift camp with three hammocks, kitchen

utensils, clothing, groceries and 15 kgs of dried cannabis, all of which were torched.

No arrests have yet been made.

Meanwhile, in another operation on Wednesday at around 11:30hrs, ranks of the Bartica Station went to the Bartica Stelling just a stone’s throw away where they searched a passenger boat and found a black plastic bag with three scotch-taped parcels of cannabis weighing in excess of 1235 grams.

A 23-year-old hairdresser of Middle Road, La Penitence, who was a passenger on the boat, was taken into custody.

Natural gas eruption at Diamond

–bust hairdresser with ‘weed’ on Bartica boat

A close-up of one of the ‘ganja’ plants

One of the many bonfires it took to burn all the ‘weed’

Some of the ‘ganja’ plants before the police set them on fire

The secluded make-shift camp from where the men who tended the farm operated

Friday, June 15, 2018 - 05:00hrs - 06:30hrs A scene from the eruption Thursday evening (DPI photo)

THERE has been a small natural gas eruption in a yard at 4th Street, Diamond New Scheme, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has confirmed.

Civil Defence Commission Director General Lt. Col. Kester Craig, police, fire service as well as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials have visited the scene.

According to the DPI, the eruption of slushy type

mud and what appears to be fumes started at around 18:00 hrs. It was still active up to press time.

All residents are safe, the yard has been cordoned off and is being monitored by the authorities, the DPI has reported.

Some years ago, a similar eruption occurred in the same area at Diamond. It is not clear if it is the same yard this latest eruption has taken place.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15 , 2018

Peaceful co-existence and equal opportunity for development RACE will continue to live with us, and rightly the Guyana constitution, in its preamble, gives each citizen the right to belong and celebrate their diversity.

Given allegations and evidence over the years, efforts must now be made in a sustained manner, to investigate and address charges of discrimination and exclusion.

Where the constitution makes provision for the Ethnic Relations Commission and Human Rights Commission, both institutions ought to go to work. When properly put to work, they can facilitate conversations in an open, frank and honest manner, supported by evidence that will shape national policies and guide law-making.

It would not be unfair to say that the legislature did not move with the needed urgency to address racial healing and the promotion of equality over a number of years. While the People’s Progressive Party had the greater opportunity within the last two decades to deliver this leadership, they

failed the people. That is why the claims by the party of an ethnic imbalance in GECOM ought to be examined. It is also instructive to note that GECOM, as presently staffed, is an inheritance from the PPP, which lends to the suggestion that the present outburst is more characteristic of extremists plying their trade.

This nation would be doing itself a disservice by traversing a path determined by the bigots in our midst.

The time is now to move to embrace and accept race as a given and put structures in place to facilitate equality, dignity and respect for every group equally, as structures must be put in place to deal condignly with those who profit off racism, racial mischief and divisions. In a land of six peoples, where some were brought against their will, the fact that we are all occupying this land called Guyana demands that systems be deepened and strengthened to ensure peaceful co-existence and equal opportunity for development.

This country must no longer allow any group to be systematically denied employment, as happened in the public service, particularly the Foreign Service, where a policy was personally executed by Clement Rohee as Minister of Foreign Affairs that targeted the removal of African-Guyanese career diplomats. It is time for Equal Opportunity laws, inclusive of tabulation for evidence and scientific reference of the opportunities, given the various demographics.

It would be marking time to on one hand acknowledge and complain about division, and on the other hand fail to do something in structured and legitimate manner to address defects. For instance, it is divisive to call for ethnic balance in the public sector and ignore the private sector as a requirement to ensuring equality across the board.

Tempting as it may be for the private sector to argue that they reserve the right to determine who they employ, in a racially charged society

as ours, such is a disservice to the ethos of promoting and ensuring equality for which the private sector too shoulders corporate and social responsibilities.

In political participation, voting along the lines of race is protected in one’s right to freedom of association (Article 147). And this is why, giving true meaning to inclusionary democracy, which allows for all groups to be involved in the management and decision-making processes of the state on matters that impact their well-being (Article 13), is relevant and important.

Race also has significance in social and health issues.

For instance, African-Guyanese are more predisposed to diabetes and sickle cell disease. This means that national planning, while it aims to address these illnesses universally, also needs to pay greater attention to directing resources in managing same to the group most affected.

The same goes for suicide that is prevalent among In-

dian-Guyanese, and so forth.

Gathering statistics on race allows analysis of the strengths and weaknesses that exist in each community. The data can be fed into the national development programme, which allows for tackling issues in a scientific manner and removing the one-sizefits-all approach that has been applied over the years and also, at times, deliberately used to deny others.

This nation must work for racial equality as constitutionally required. Equality means all must be given the same opportunity and treatment. This cannot be achieved in the absence of

programmes that target the disadvantaged. Where groups were historically disadvantaged, there must be special provisions/programmes put in place to bring them up to the level of the historically privileged as a starting point. While it is by the collective that historically a nation’s development is measured, its GDP, given that the world has taken a shift where poverty, rights and sustainable development are new measurements in economic performance, identification and targeting of race/ ethnic groups become more necessary.

Fasting purifies the soul and heals the world Dear Editor, EID Mubarak greetings to Guyana and the world; Eid Ul Fitr is the marvellous day of peace, love, goodwill, charity, and harmony. It is the day of celebration in purification and without fanfare, but a celebration that is worthy for the ‘faster’.

The ‘faster’ is now the embodiment of perfection, for, as the prophets of religions did in ancient times, he fasted for an entire month.

He, like the prophets, is embedded with a spiritual dynamo as those of yore. Prophet Abraham fasted and got enlightenment and closeness (Taqwa) with Allah (God Almighty), as did Moses, who did marvellous miracles with the permission of God; Jesus Christ imbibed the power of healing after fasting on the Mount and denying Satan.

Muhammad derived his spiritual powers to travel to God and speak to him directly, received healing powers and

the Al-Quran (Revelations from the Creator). Peace and blessings of God be upon them all. The fasting Muslims are like those in the power of goodness, closeness with God, and if they ask Allah for permission, they can also imbibe the power of healing humanity of soul and physical troubles. Even the earth and universe can receive divine healing from the fasting Muslims after the Ramadan, for they drank of the cup of righteousness.

The Holy Quran proclaims: Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may achieve Taqwa (Oneness with God, Liberation from ignorance, wisdom and understanding of the mysteries of the majestic universe). While fasting is a Fard (necessity), one of the Pillars of Islam, it does not say compulsion. Instead, it says: ‘Prescription!’

Being the Master Doctor of humanity and the Universe, the Chief Healer, the Creator,

He, Allah (God Almighty), as the Chief Doctor, prescribes fasting because it is good for the body. It helps to regulate the blood flow and cleans the blood of platelets and fats which are killers to man. It helps the heart by controlling pressure on it and the stomach by eating less and small amounts. It eliminates the build up of carcinogens in the lungs and body. It eliminates the build up of waste in colon and intestines which accumulated over the year.

The urinary tract is cleansed along with the bladder of sedimentation. The kidneys are in better health. But also the Muslim faster could not quarrel, say vexatious and obnoxious things; could not raise his voice except in proclamation of God’s wisdom.

He is to continue life with these positives in his heart.

The prescription brings with it the giving of the compulsory tax, Zakaat, for development of the Islamic community and education

with propagation. But voluntary charity is the mark of refinement for the Muslim soul as well. He is encouraged to give to the non-Muslims, and those who just ask, or whom one notices is in need.

This is Khairaat (voluntary charity), which is the mark of distinction, of peace and goodwill; the hallmark of universal brotherhood and love. Muslims are to protect and care for all humanity and the entire world, according to the Teaching of the Quran and our Holy Prophet.

But more so, we are encouraged to give food and nourishment to those in need in Islam, even the Eid Sadakat, so the poor Muslims could have a pleasant meal, and to share with the non-Muslims for universal love and goodwill. Our Quran, and our Holy Prophet teach us not only for the Ramadan but for all times; a Muslim cannot go to bed knowing his neighbour is hungry. This is the explicit

instruction for love of humanity; it does not say a fellow Muslim, but his neighbour, anyone in his community. It means, even an animal could be a neighbour, a bird, dog; once it can breathe, it is a neighbour.

It is no easy task to have to conduct ones daily duties in occupation and business in western society (in Arabia, commerce switches to night), and then fulfil the five daily prayers and more, with the late-night prayers called taraweeh (late evening prayers after the fast is broken), and then early morning, day and night recital of the Quran and the voluntary morning prayers between 2-5am, and again the morning prayers at the breaking of dawn. This is worship in motion, in physical exercises of the body and mind, with little or no food, and little sleep.

In the end, when the time comes for the ending of Ramadan, the Muslims cry, feel pain as the great spiritual

journey to God and Spiritual Enlightenment, has ended.

But with the great feelings of uplift as he is now closer to God, a content and humble being worshipping the Lord God, and respecting more the hungry and those in poverty for he volunteered hunger; to taste it, he becomes more spiritually awakened, but he empathises with the needy, those who are hungry, and becomes one who continues to worship, serve, being more charitable.

Enjoy this day fellow Muslims, you followed the Prescription of Allah to the letter, and you are now one in God’s closeness (Taqwa), a healer of mankind and the earth. Happy Eid Mubarak to our entire Guyana! Let us continue to spread the love, peace, goodwill and harmony amongst the peoples of our great country, and continue to live in dignity and love.

Regards Roshan Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

Sterling, CCWU ink labour agreement

By Navendra Seoraj

STERLING Products Limited and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) have signed a renewed two-year collective labour agreement that will govern the working conditions at the company.

Although the company could not accept some of the union’s proposed conditions, the negotiations went well, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling, Ramsay Ali, subsequent to the signing of the agreement at the Ministry of Social Protection on Thursday.

“Negotiation with the union or any union is not easy but what is important is

that over the years, while we had negotiations that can be deemed acrimonious, at the end of the day professionalism steps out and we come to an agreement,” Ali said.

There were times when the union did not appreciate what the company went with but the CEO hopes that as the years go by “the slices will get bigger”.

President of the CCWU, Sherwood Clarke, agreed that there were times when the negotiation was better but he was satisfied that the company and the union came to a ‘principled’ compromise.

According to the agreement, there was an increase in everything including fringe benefits and the annual bur-

CLO Charles Ogle hands the agreement to CEO of Sterling Products Limited, Ramsay Ali in the presence of CCWU President, Sherwood Clarke (Adrian Narine photo)

sary. Clarke hopes that by the next round of negotiations in 2020, the conditions will improve.

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle encouraged other companies to adopt some of the principles that were outlined by the company and union.

Ogle said some companies continue to utilise labour agreements that are old and outdated, so Sterling has set a good example by renewing their contract with the union every two years.

He even believes that some of the conditions in the agreement are better than those that are identified in the laws of Guyana.

Ramadan teaches dedication PPP has long history and self-discipline – PPP of unaccountability THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend to the Muslim community, both at home and overseas, Eid Mubarak on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

This auspicious occasion marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, during which tremendous sacrifices were made for spiritual advancement by Muslims.

All of our religious observances have universal lessons for all mankind. As is customary on these occasions, our party urges reflec-

tion on the pertinent messages this occasion brings and which have positive influences for humanity.

The dedication and self-discipline demonstrated, especially during the month of Ramadan are exemplary, teaching humility, contentment, restraint and love for mankind. The Zakat or charity associated with Eid-ul-Fitr is another example of Muslims here in Guyana and across the world contributing to the upliftment of all and for the

removal of societal barriers.

The PPP would like to take this opportunity to commend all those who have made the sacrifices as prescribed during the month of Ramadan, to draw from the rich virtues of this occasion and to reiterate that sacrifices bring success and that hope is alive and must never be lost.

Once again, the party extends greetings to all, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters on this occasion.

Dear Editor THE President must surely feel vindicated now that the chief justice has ruled in his favour regarding the appointment of the GECOM chair. While I am sure the government is happy that civil society is paying attention to the need for public accountability nationally, it is a relief that a baseless case is finally resolved.

Can the PPP/C party members behind the application really claim foul after a

full examination by the chief justice? Obviously, the appointment is perfectly valid if it has stood up to this most thorough of tests. Really, this decision just points at the PPP/C’s long history of a lack of accountability themselves. Were there local government elections under their regime? Was there a public procurement commission?

No, these vital institutions were sadly missing. Now they are here for all to see.

And what is definitely here for all to see is that this

ruling has confirmed that the rule of law is alive and well. No extra-judicial killings, now politicians on trial for corruption and even a ruling that defends Guyana’s election commission?

How in the world are the PPP/C going to continue to portray the administration as unaccountable? Heaven knows, but no doubt they will come up with something.

Regards Malcom Marshall

We can clearly see how the senior GAWU stresses perseverance, leadership of the PPP/C thinks Dear editor ANIL Nandlall recently wrote that “It is a fundamental prerequisite that staff at GECOM reflect the face of the Guyanese constituency.” On a general level this is quite right, as it would for instance be quite strange if only Amerindians worked there, but when you take this argument too far it lapses into the ludicrous and certainly tells us a great deal about how the PPP/C sees elections locally.

Issues of national importance? Long-term national development? No, this is not how the PPP/C thinks about elections in Guyana.

For them, it’s all about race -- the good lawyer even had the audacity to say openly that anyone who doesn’t

think voting is based on race in Guyana should be ignored.

So, if you think voting in Guyana has anything to do with the country’s communist and socialist past, or with its colonial history, you must be mad. If Mr. Nandlall is to be believed, then you are born a racist and will die a racist, since no one has had any genuine ideological belief throughout our history. He must surely think the split between Burnham and Jagan was purely racial, and that no external forces were involved.

Obviously Mr. Nandlall is not acquainted with Guyana’s history, or at least chooses to ignore it for his own reasons. What is important is that we can clearly see that race is the way the senior leadership of the PPP/C thinks. It is no wonder, if this

is the case, that allegations about race-based discrimination were rife during their time in office. This even lends credence to allegations of race-based statements made by the leader of the opposition while on the campaign trail.

The long and short of this is that Afro-Guyanese make up 46% of GECOM staff, according to its senior leadership, an easily verifiable statistic. Shouting at the top of their lungs, as PPP/C representatives have been doing on this issue just points Guyanese to the race-based way the PPP/C really thinks about the nation; and it is this revelation which is, frankly, the real headline here.

Regards Earl Hamilton

kindness, forgiveness in Eid-ul-Fitr message

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to extend warm greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed all Guyanese as we once again celebrate Eid-ulFitr. Eid ul Fitr signifies the ending of the period of Ramadan, a period dedicated to fasting. But we are aware that Eid-ul-Fitr is not only about fasting, but it’s a time for love, perseverance, kindness, forgiveness and tolerance.

These qualities are the essence of Islam. While the period of Ramadan is a time of worship, reflec-

tion and meditation, Eid is a time of celebration to mark the conclusion of the holy month and it is also a time to rejuvenate bonds of kinship, friendship, peace and demonstrate tolerance and love.

Those values that come to the fore in such times remind us in a timely way of our humanity and what are necessary in our continuing quest for social justice, apart from underlining the variety of religions that make up our nation and which add to our cultural richness. So let this celebratory occasion provide us all with an opportunity

to stretch our hands out to each other as we pursue enduring harmony in our relationships. Let us transcend our differences and disagreements and reach out to one another with a new spirit of peace, and tolerance.

May the spirit of Eid inspire us all to renew our determination to support and promote the cause of peace, worldwide. May Allah shower his blessings on mankind and guide peoples globally onto a path that would lead to a world where tolerance, empathy, and general betterment will prevail.

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Greenidge, Felix commit to full report

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

–– on status of Guyanese returning from Venezuela

By Ariana Gordon

THE bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Citizenship, Carl Greenidge and Winston Felix to state among other things the number of Guyanese returning from Venezuela, and what programmes have been put in place to help them reintegrate.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member on the committee, Zulfikar Mustapha, said as a committee with responsibility for foreign affairs and related matters, it is important that it is briefed thoroughly about the said situation.

It is estimated that approximately 300 Guyanese and Venezuelans with Guyanese parentage have returned to Guyana as a result of that country’s economic turmoil.

While it unsure if those persons returned through legal ports, statistics provided by the Ministry of Citizenship show that between 2013 and 2018, approximately 15, 500 Venezuelans entered Guyana with 15, 062 departing.

“How many Guyanese have remigrated to Guyana? How many Guyanese parents have brought their children to Guyana and the number of Guyanese coming back?” asked Mustapha, who also questioned whether the Language Institute of Guyana charges those remigrants to have their documents translated.

In a correspondence received sometime in April, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix had informed the committee that the Language Institute is assisting with the translation of documents for those who have returned.

“Does the Language Institute charge these people to translate their documents when they come back to

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT Felix noted, too, that children born to Guyanese parents in Venezuela can be registered here, based on their parents’ citizenship.

But despite correspon-

any sort of social support?” asked Teixeira, who pointed to a Guyana Chronicle article published on Tuesday headlined, “IOM to do head-count”.

In that article, the IOM indicated that it will soon begin conducting a threeround Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM).

She questioned whether

too, that her reference is not to those Venezuelans who are entering Guyana legally, but those who come through the country’s porous borders and are undocumented.

NO ALARMING INCREASE Meanwhile, when asked whether there has

These people need legitimate help,” said Dharamlall, who accepted that Guyana has porous borders.

“The Venezuelan crisis didn’t happen last week. I call on the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Citizenship to have these issues resolved as soon as possible,” he said, to which Hemraj Rajkumar, who represents the

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

Committee Member, Hemraj Rajkumar

Opposition Member, Nigel Dharamlall

Opposition Member, Zulfikar Mustapha

have been spotted in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). “We have to be able to track the number of Guyanese coming,” he declared.

Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, both ministers had communicated to the committee what course of action they plan taking. Greenidge had told the committee that the relevant agencies, among them the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Security and Citizenship, are looking into the matter.

He also said a document is being prepared to effectively address the issue of Guyanese-Venezuelans returning to Guyana and their reintegration, as well as Venezuelans seeking refuge here.

Felix in his missive told the committee that those Guyanese who have returned have reunited with their families, and there has been no indication thus far that they need

dence issued by the two ministers, Mustapha said there is a need for them to “make a comprehensive report to capture all questions asked.”

He argued that the missive from Felix contradicts Greenidge’s, a point which Minister of Education Nicolette Henry objected to.

“My view is the response

by Ministers Greenidge and Felix is not contradictory; Minister Greenidge’s response is a broader response and not specific to Guyanese, while Minister Felix’s letter is specific to Guyanese returning to Guyana from Venezuela,” said Henry, who noted that the committee could request additional information from the ministers.

However, chairman of the committee and Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira said there are different aspects to the issue which is a sensitive one.

“These are sensitive issues which must be dealt with. It is also humanitarian… Is the government or any agency providing

the government had made a request to the IOM to do the head count. Her question, which was posed to Minister Henry, remained unanswered.

The committee’s chair stressed the need to help those Venezuelans who are here on humanitarian grounds, noting that they need food, water and clothing, along with other basic items.

As the opposition members of the committee emphasised the need for the ministers to appear before the committee, Minister Henry reminded them that the Foreign Affairs Minister is committed to sharing a comprehensive document on the government’s response.

“I don’t mind waiting, but these people need help,” said Teixeira in response, noting that a request for information was made since February, while approximately 300 persons have entered the country due to the trying situation in Venezuela.

The chairman said,

been evidence of the foreign nationals attempting to register their children for school here, Henry said, “From time to time remigrants come, but… we have not seen an undue increase to alarm us.

But even so, the system is robust enough to cater to an increase”.

Opposition Member Nigel Dharamlall questioned the mechanism government has in place to ensure returning Guyanese are registered.

“Those who are now applying for citizenship, what mechanisms are in place for them to get onto the national database -- those 14 years and over?” he asked. He like the opposition members pointed to reports of Venezuelans with Guyanese heritage occupying land in the Ekereku area, Region Seven.

“The whole handling of this situation is very confusing. For us to wait on a policy document for two months now… it is not prudent for this government to continue pussyfooting on this matter.

coalition government on the committee, warned that there is need for stakeholders “to recognise the challenges faced by the porous borders”.

“We can’t say the government is not making an effort,” said Rajkumar.

But Teixeira chimed in and reminded that there are destitute groups who are in dire need of help.

“The government doesn’t need a policy to say people need food, shelter etcetera before they go down there,” the chairman stated.

In response, Minister Henry made it clear that it is not as easy as the opposition members may claim. “It is a process which requires a lot of work,” while adding that there is some level of response being given by the government.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Citizenship will be called before the committee soon.

The next meeting of the bi-partisan committee on foreign affairs is slated for July 4, 2018.

Guyana?” Mustapha asked, noting that he was told that persons seeking such services at the Institute are required to pay $3500 to translate one document.

“We have to find how many are coming and how many need help,” the PPP parliamentarian stated, while noting that Guyanese who resided in Venezuela

assistance with reintegration.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Over 200 to be employed on Bonasika Project

FIRST Bauxite Corporation (FBX) has commenced construction of the Bonasika Bauxite Project under its subsidiary--Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc --the Department of Public Information (DPI) said Thursday.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and junior Minister Simona Broomes, along with President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

of the First Bauxite Corporation, Alan Roughead, announced the project’s start Thursday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston.

Roughead disclosed that construction has started at the project’s site in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region.

“It will involve the expenditure of US$40-50M and upon completion, we will employ 250 people of which 95 per cent will be Guyanese national,” he said. The construction is

A sample of the bauxite from the Bonasika mines (DPI)

expected to last some 18 months.

Meanwhile, Minister Trotman said the company’s investment in the country is appreciated.

“We wish you well, the government of Guyana truly congratulates all of you for your vision and for your stick-to-it-iveness … to this project,” Minister Trotman said.

Touting the mineral’s high quality, Minister Broomes said “the bauxite that will be mined at Bonasika is one of the best in the world and it is here in Guyana. Research has proven… I was advised yesterday, that this mineral found here is nowhere else in the world.”

FBX started feasibility work on the Bonasika Project in 2008.

It also conducted two major production trials in 2015. Production at Bonasika is scheduled to begin at the end of 2019.

(DPI)

9

President and CEO of FBX, Alan Roughead; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; and junior Minister Simona Broomes (DPI)

Ministers of Natural Resources meeting with the board of directors of FBX. (DPI)

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Dr Bulkan to serve on UN Human Rights Committee GUYANESE, Dr. Christopher Arif Bulkan on Thursday was elected to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Committee for a term

of four years from 2019 – 2022.

Dr. Bulkan, nominated by the Government of Guyana, was elected along with the candidates of Tu-

nisia, France, Slovenia, Greece, Japan, Uganda, Albania and Chile in the elections held during the 36th session of the meeting of State parties to the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Dr. Bulkan’s election

represents the first time that a national of Guyana will serve on the Human Rights Committee.

The Human Rights Committee is a body of 18 independent experts of high moral character and recognised competence in the field of human rights that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties. The committee examines the reports submitted by all state parties and issues recommendations to address concerns in the reports of the state party.

Dr. Bulkan has been elected in his personal capacity, and is well-suited to discharge the responsibilities of the Human Rights Committee, given his academic background and strong record of work and achievements in relation to the promotion of human rights within Guyana, the Caribbean and beyond.

He holds a Master’s of Law from University College London and a Bachelor’s of Law from the University of the West Indies. He obtained a PhD in Law from the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, in Toronto,

Dr. Christopher Arif Bulkan Canada in May 2008.

Dr. Bulkan co-founded the University of West Indies Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP), in 2009.

U-RAP promotes Human Rights and Social Justice in the Caribbean by undertaking and participating in strategic litigation, socio-legal research and legal education.

Dr. Bulkan is positive that his election is a meaningful portent of the global community’s commitment to engaging the Caribbean in the work of the Human Rights Committee through the promotion of universal human rights norms and standards. He also aspires to use his tenure on the committee to engender greater investment by countries of the region in the aims and values of the Covenant.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends congratulations to Dr. Bulkan on his election and best wishes for a successful tenure as a member of the Human Rights Committee.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

AG attends women lawyers confab in Canada

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, S.C. (fourth left at the back) on Wednesday attended the 99th Women’s Law Association of Ontario (WLAO) Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony.

Williams is photographed here with members of the Ontario Bar and the WLAO Presidential Award winner. Also in picture is Guyanese –Canadian attorney Selwyn Pieters (sec-

ond right at the back). The WLAO Award recognises women who have made substantial contributions to the legal community as academics, adjudicators, litigators, solicitors, authors, or related professions. Those recipients must demonstrate a commitment to the promotion of women in the law and be recognised as leaders.

The Award may also be presented to a firm or organisation.(Selwyn Pieters FB page)

State closes case in… ‘law books’ trial former Attorney General Nandlall says he’s not paying

SPECIAL Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Patrice Henry, on Thursday closed his case against former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who is on trial for the alleged larceny of over $2 million worth of law books from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The prosecution on Thursday closed its case before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore and defence counsel for Nandlall requested an adjournment to make a no- case submission. Nandlall is being represented by attorneys-at-law Neil Boston, S.C, Glen Hanoman and Devindra Kissoon.

The matter was adjourned until July 10.

The former AG is on trial for the alleged theft of the Lexis Nexis Law Reports of the Commonwealth that cost some

$2M. The law reports are the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the charge contends.

Over the past few years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, the law books were purchased for him by the State with approval by former President Ramotar. Nandlall had explained that the law books were in his possession and he has no intention of returning them to the State. He subsequently secured an order in the High Court which bars the police from seizing the books.

Nandlall had stated that the books were acquired during his term in office as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. He previously stated that he commenced subscribing to Lexis Nexis (U.K.), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports

Former Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall sometime in 2003, and the arrangement was that the reports be shipped to him along with an invoice.

He noted that before his appointment as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he requested that as a condition of his service, the State stand this expense and this was agreed. The items were taken with him when his party demitted office in May 2015.

This, he said, was communicated to the relevant authorities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Expired goods seized at Stabroek Market

PILES of expired food items were on Thursday afternoon seized from vendors at the Stabroek Market Bazaar by the Meat/ Food and Hygiene Department of the Mayor and City Council during a special exercise targeting the sale of expired goods.

The exercise commenced about 14:00 hrs and saw food inspectors moving from stall-to-stall, checking and confiscating mostly confectionary and beverages from the vendors.

Assistant meat and food inspector, Abiola Baker

The vendors complied with the food inspectors while others were left counting their losses, since most of their stalls were left almost empty.

Assistant meat and food inspector, Abiola Baker, noted that a large number of products were seized.

“It’s an exercise to rid the bazaar of expired products and to ensure what is being sold in the bazaar is healthy and is wholesome for consumers to purchase,” Baker added.

She deemed the condition as “bad” as concerns were raised on how the products were being stored, since some of the items had rodent bites.

“We’re only seizing products which are expired… we seize and destroy. Every food business within the City of Geoegetown we visit and carry out this exercise,” the assistant meat and food inspector said.

The inspector seized food products which were expired since 2017 and last month.

A pile of the expired goods seized

A vendor assisting a food inspector as he investigates her stall

The police raiding one of the stalls in the market where they found a large quantity of expired goods which were stored by some of the vendors Some had rat bites, mould and even roaches crawling on the packages.

One of the vendor complained, “It is just a date... wham with y’all,” as she sat watching the inspectors raid her stall.

Shoppers and passers-by welcomed the actions of the Mayor and City Council as they explained that what was being sold on the market was not healthy for consumers and vendors are just looking to make a dollar.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Raping took the place of counselling

– state says

BISHOP Joseph Persaud was on Thursday committed to stand trial at the High Court for allegedly raping one of his female church members at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara, home.

Persaud, 32, who is currently out on $350,000 bail was on trial before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at

the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Persaud was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, while evidence was led by police prosecutor Richard Harris.

According to reports, the 22-year-old victim had once shared a relationship with Persaud, but ended it after his wife found out. It is alleged that even after the relationship was halted, Persaud who is the Bishop of a church in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demer-

ara, kept calling the woman’s phone and stalking her.

It is further reported that Persaud during the month of October, 2017, invited the woman to his home for ‘counselling’ and he allegedly raped her.

Reports say that while Persaud was arrested and placed in custody at the Diamond Police Station, he called the victim’s phone to persuade her to drop the charge.

The telephone recording was released by HGPTV Nightly News and the Bishop could be heard telling the victim: “Would you come to the station and drop this matter?

I will let go of you… There is no more me and you any more. You can go your way

for free. I’ll make a paper with the JP today; I will no longer call you or look in your direction…not even a text or a message to you.”

He pleaded with the victim to drop the charge, since it was damaging his reputation.

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Bishop Joseph Persaud

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Vishnu obtained masters from training centre

VISHNU PERSAUD’s Masters in Elections Management is actually a combination of elections related training courses which he obtained from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) and not an accredited university, well placed sources at the Guyana Elections Commission have revealed.

“Well, to be honest, he did present to us a letter signed by an organisation that does training in elections affairs saying that all

the courses he attended are equivalent to a masters degree…but you know for many that is not a university, so there is that issue of recognition…” the source explained. In addition, Persaud holds a Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and a Level 5 Certificate in Elections Management from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). “You see, all these certificates and diplomas and masters are coming from

some organisation, but these are not accredited universities…” the source said.

The ICPS says on its website that it promotes effective policymaking and good governance through enhanced interaction between Parliaments, governments and other stakeholders in society. “The Centre’s primary focus is the empowerment of human capital through capacity building. To this end, the Centre organises a range of training programmes, conferences and policy dis-

cussions to address current public policy issues on the international stage, within Europe and in the UK. These provide a forum for policy discussion, debate, networking and consolidation of international best practice,” ICPS said.

Persaud, the former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, was not rehired for the post, which has since been filled

by Roxanne Myers. Persaud was rejected for rehiring on the grounds of his past performance, his alleged history of misrepresenting his qualifications to the commission and the fact that Roxanne Myers has “better qualifications” than him, commissioner Vincent Alexander told this newspaper on Wednesday. On Tuesday, GECOM’s Chairman, Justice (ret’d) James Patterson used his casting vote to appoint Myers to the post of DCEO following a split of votes across the commission.

“He [Justice Patterson] objected to Vishnu based on past performance, based on the other candidate having better qualifications and based on the history of misrepresentation of qualifications to the commission,” longstanding commissioner, Vincent Alexander, told Guyana Chronicle.

Alexander explained that the matter relative to the appointment of a DCEO did not start on Tuesday. He told this publication that the matter was dealt with about two weeks prior. He said the opposition by government

nominated commissioners to the appointment of Persaud was made known two weeks ago. Alexander said that the decision of Justice Patterson arose because three commissioners supported the appointment of Persaud and the other three supported the appointment of Myers.

“It was left up to the Chairman to cast his vote and he cast his vote in favour of Myers,” Alexander told Guyana Chronicle. He accepted that Persaud did have the highest average score among the interviewees, but sought to explain the interviewing process.

The interviewers were Opposition commissioners Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn while Alexander and Desmond Trotman represented the government. “Having interviewed those persons, we put scores down. Vishnu emerged with the highest average because the PPP scored him very high; we scored him average and therefore he emerged with the highest score,” Alexander said.

A recommendation was not made on who to appoint to the post, given that there was a split in votes. Initially, on the sub-committee, there was a two-two split and when the matter was placed before the commission, there was a three-three split, therefore leaving it up to the chairman to cast his vote.

Alexander acknowledged the fact that both candidates, Persaud and Myers, are the holders of masters degrees.

On Tuesday, after walking

Vishnu Persaud out of the statutory meeting, the PPP commissioners, at a press conference, told the media that there appeared to be an assassination of Persaud’s character by some members of the commission.

Alexander, in his own view, does not agree with that contention, noting that the questioning of one’s past performance could not amount to a character assassination. He said in the case of Persaud, his Master’s Degree average stands at D while Myers’ stands at B+. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). According to Alexander who has served on the commission for about 11 years, while Persaud secured the highest average score, it must be taken into account that Myers obtained better grades than Persaud.

“The scores… though he averaged higher, it was evidence that they (PPP-nominated commissioners) corrupted the system at that point.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Sunday is International Yoga Day

YOGA is essentially a mental and physical discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body.

It is an art and science for healthy living.

The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ meaning “to join”, “to yoke” or “to unite”.

According to yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the union of an individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a manifestation of the same quantum firmament. One who experiences this oneness of existence is said to be “in Yoga” and is termed as a yogi who has attained a state of freedom, referred to as mukti, nirv?na, kaivalya or mok?a.

The Indian High Commission in a release said yoga is a system of holistic living, having the roots in Indian tradition and culture.

Evolved thousands of years back by the Rishis, it said yoga techniques are being widely used in modern days for meeting the

changing health care needs of mankind.

Yoga has transcended the barrier of race, religion and culture and has become a global movement. Great Yoga gurus and practitioners now come from all parts of the world spreading the message for development of a healthy mind and body.

On Sunday, June 17, the High Commission of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (formerly called the Indian Cultural Centre) will be celebrating the 4th International Day of Yoga in collaboration with multi-religious and cultural groups, NGOs and prominent individuals such as the Brahma Kumaris, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Guyana Islamic Forum, the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, the Indian Commemoration Trust, the Inter-Religious Organisations, ISKCON, Radha Krishna Foundation, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Viraat Sabhaa (Guyana), and Pandit Krishn Sharma at the Everest Cricket Club, Camp Road and Thomas Lands, Georgetown, at 10:00 hrs.

Again on June 24, the High Commission of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural

Centre will be celebrating the 4th International Day of Yoga at Saraswati Vidya Niketan, West Coast Demerara, at 10:00hrs.

On both days on June 17 and June 24, 2018, the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga will see yoga demonstrations followed by Yoga practitioners performing yoga and prominent personalities delivering

brief remarks about yoga as a practice for both preventive and curative mental and physical health care and as a universal language of well-being.

All members of the public are welcome to attend at both places. Entry is free.

Those who want to do yoga may come with yoga attire and mats.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Wednesday was a lucky day for Kevin “Consider today your lucky day.”

THESE were the words of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after she had reprimanded and discharged a teen who was

caught with three grams of marijuana in his possession.

Kevin Relly, 17, of Albouystown appeared in the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on June 13, 2018, at

Georgetown, Relly had in his possession three grams of marijuana.

Relly in his explanation to the court stated that he was suffering from asthma and he was just trying to see if the marijuana would help cure it. He added that he would normally boil the marijuana and drink it.

However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question about 13:45hrs, the police were on patrol when they observed the defendant acting in a suspicious manner. The police stopped the defendant, a search was carried out and they

discovered a small zip lock bag containing leaves and stems. As a result, he was told of the offence to which he admitted.

The magistrate after listening to the prosecutor told the defendant that he should consider how lucky he was. She discharged the matter.

Eid-Ul Fitr to be celebrate today THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) wishes to inform all Muslims that the crescent for Shawwal has been sighted; therefore EID UL FITR

will be celebrated on Friday 15th June 2018.

CIOG extends EID MUBARAK GREETINGS TO THE ENTIRE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Trio in shootout with customs agents secure bail

THREE men were on Thursday placed on bail when they appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges on a number of offences deemed to be in contravention of the Customs Act. They are 37-year-old Rovindra Ramdeo, a minibus driver of Section ‘D’ Non pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and 25-yearold Stephon Motielal and 19-year-old Trevor Motielal, both fisherman of the same Beehive, East Coast Demerara address.

One other person was expected to appear in court but was not there, as the police have, since the incident, been unable to lay their hands on him.

The men were arrested for allegedly engaging customs officers in a shootout on June 7, 2018 when the latter visited a Beehive address to conduct a search and remove suspected smuggled items.

But when the men appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh on Thursday, it was not to answer to that charge, as that aspect of the investigations is still ongoing.

Instead, the Motielals were each slapped with two charges, these being obstructing customs officials from carrying out their duties and aiding and abetting, to which they both pleaded not guilty.

Ramdeo, on the other hand, was charged with knowingly dealing with unaccustomed goods. He, too, pleaded not guilty to that offence.

Attorney-at-law Jason Moore, who represented the interests of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), objected to the Motielals, and not Ramdeo, being granted bail due to the seriousness of the offence.

Stephon Motielal

Rovindra Ramdeo

He told the court that seeing that the file on the matter has not yet been completed, he would prefer that the Motielals be remanded until the next court date, as the consequences of their actions also involved the lives of the customs officers.

The magistrate, however, asked how long it would take him to put the file in order and he tentatively set a date for next week, but the court gave him another week and fixed the date for June 27 instead for the return of the matter.

The Motielals’ lawyer, Stanley Moore argued that his clients should be granted bail as they were initially kept beyond the legal 72-hour detention period, and it was only after the police realised their mistake that they sought and secured permission to continue holding the men for an extended period.

Trevor Motielal

After listening to arguments from both sides, Magistrate Hugh granted each of the Motielals bail in the sum of $200,000 on each of the two charges.

Ramdeo, too, managed to secure bail in the sum of $200,000. The men were ordered to lodge their passports with the police, and to check in with them periodically at times stipulated by the investigating ranks.

It is expected that as early as next week, the trio, and possibly the fourth man who has not yet been located, will again appear in court to answer to the offence of shooting at the customs officers.

Sources close to the investigations have suggested that the men may be slapped with the charge of attempted murder, once the file is returned from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

ExxonMobil appoints new Senior Director … Deebra Moe to replace Kimberly Brassington in a few weeks

U.S OIL giant ExxonMobil has announced the appointment of a new Senior Director for its Public and Government Affairs operations here in Guyana in the person of Deebra J.P. Moe. Moe will effectively replace Kimberly Brassington in a matter of weeks.

The incoming Senior Director – Public and Government Affairs (ExxonMobil) - was introduced to the local media fraternity during a ‘press mixer’, hosted by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited – a subsidiary of ExxonMobil – on Wednesday evening at the Pegasus Hotel.

Prior to her appointment, Moe, a native of Montana, was the public and government affairs manager for ExxonMobil’s Baytown area refining and chemical operations. She graduated from the Carroll College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies and Public Rela-

Incoming Senior Director (ExxonMobil), Deebra Moe, standing with the Outgoing Senior Director (ExxonMobil) Kimberly Brassington (Adrian Narine photo) tions with an emphasis in business. Additionally she holds a concentration in Spanish.

Moe joined ExxonMobil in 2002, providing public affairs and human resourc-

es support at the Billings, Montana Refinery. Since then, she has held numerous advisory and managerial positions in Texas and Louisiana. Over the past 16 years, her responsibilities included

community relations, contributions, employee and external communications, employee volunteer programmes, media relations, strategic planning, issues management and emergency

response.

During the ‘press mixer’, Moe, like Carlton James – Director of Government Relations (ExxonMobil Guyana - thanked Brassington for the incredible job done here in Guyana, and for building relations with key stakeholders, including the media and Government.

Moe said she was excited to continue the work started by Brassington.

“I have had the honour of working with ExxonMobil for 16 years, but I probably have never been more excited to take a role than the role I’m taking here.

It’s an amazing opportunity to make a truly lasting and positive impact,” she told media operatives.

Moe arrived in Guyana for the first time last Monday and is expected to commence duty on July 1.

Within days of being here, Moe said she has already grown to love Guyanese food and culture.

The outgoing Senior Director, Public and Gov-

ernment Affairs, said it was a remarkable experience working in Guyana, and was honoured to be part of the significant milestone of the country’s history. “When I first came here almost three years ago, I was not sure what to expect, and I still don’t know what tomorrow or the next week will bring, if we are honest.

“I have truly fallen in love with this beautiful country, and so many of the people here … so that’s what will make it so hard to leave but as I come to the end of my time here, I feel very proud with the relationships I have built and the progress made,” she said.

She said the life-long experience gained working in Guyana could never be duplicated, and she would forever remember and appreciate the country’s rich culture and foods.

Media Analyst, Macaela Cameron, also expressed gratitude to Brassington for her stellar performance here.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

CARICOM mulls regional biodiversity strategy THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is seeking to implement a regional strategy that would address biodiversity across

ed in part by the European Union. Charge? d?Affaires of EU in Guyana Layla El Khadraoui, said Caribbean countries have been increas-

Charge? d?Affaires of the EU in Guyana, Ms. Layla El Khadraoui the Region.

Thirty (30) delegates from Caribbean territories gathered on Thursday at the CARICOM Secretariat for the opening of a twoday regional workshop for development of the CARICOM Biodiversity Strategy.

The event will serve as the framework for support to CARICOM member states, Cuba and The Dominican Republic to implement the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan 2011-2020.

CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Dr. Douglas Slater, said CARICOM member states are currently implementing national-scale action to achieve global biodiversity targets. Today, however, the global results are below target. According to Dr. Slater, biodiversity is deeply connected to the Caribbean and its existence.

“Natural ecosystems provide the people of the Caribbean community with the essential goods and services, such as food and nutrition, medicines, cosmetics, recreation, fuel-storm protection and climate resilience for services such as these, it is critical that we pause and take stock,” The workshop is fund-

ing their participation in efforts on climate change and mitigation. She said the workshop “would be helpful in formulating a regional strategy.”

“The Caribbean countries have many common features and they suffer similar problems. The Caribbean Region is particularly sensitive to natural disasters like hurricanes, as we have seen last year.” She said various Caribbean countries also have mangroves and coral leaves that form an interrelated ecosystem.

These are not only important to the economic and social well-being of the territories, but are key elements for adapting to the increasing vulnerability to natural disasters.

The CBS is an output under the Caribbean Hub sub-component of Phase II of the Programme for Capacity-Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The programme is supported by the European Union (EU) and UN Environment Programme.

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) is facilitating development of the CBS for the CARICOM Secretariat.

Regional delegates at the biodiversity workshop at the CARICOM Secretariat on Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

‘Men of Purpose’ poetry show for Sunday night – ‘Jazz & Poetry on a Stool’ aspiring to NGO status

HAVING gone through quite a few rough patches in life, Jaime Mayers says poetry is what kept him going and what gave him his sanity. With the aim of registering his Poetry group ‘Jazz and Poetry on a Stool (JAPOS), as a non-governmental organisation, Jaime thought of raising awareness and funds, with the hosting of ‘Men of Purpose’ this Sunday.

Jaime ‘SuRu’ Mayers

Jaime, 31, wants to be able to share his poetry and to receive feedback from the audience. “I want to bring awareness to men and to teach them what it means to really be a man,” he told this publication during an interview.

“It’s a family event, so bring out everyone. Come out prepared to share because even though we are going to perform, I like to hear from the audience,” he said.

Having written in excess of 400 poems, Jaime now considers himself a ‘spoken word’ poet, volunteer and mentor.

The show, mainly honouring fathers, will showcase the creative works of JAPOS and will feature other local entertainers like Abel Stokes, Matthew Joseph, Trevaun Selman and other JAPOS artists.

The proceeds from the event (admission is $1,000), which will run from 19:30-hrs to 21:30hrs, will go towards the development of the JAPOS NGO, Jaime disclosed. It is his intention to get it registered before the end of this month.

Through the organisation, Jaime is hoping to be able to help others like himself by means of his poetry, which is mainly inspired by his life experiences. “Poetry is the thing that keeps me; that gives me sanity; the thing that helps me to reflect and gives me an image of myself. Poetry is everything to me. So I just wanted to give someone else a chance,” he expressed.

He recalled that some years back, he thought that if he would just take some time to record his thoughts, he can be able to re-

flect on them and see how he has grown over time. “Doing this has helped me a great lot and I just want to help someone else.”

Going by the stage name ‘SuRu’ (acronym for Straight Up, Right Up), Jaime said he takes his negative experiences and puts a positive spin to them in his poetry. “My poems are like therapy to me. My first poem was called ‘Confidence’ and I wasn’t very confident at the time I wrote it.”

Jaime grew up in a single parent home with his mom, Paula and elder sister and would always be kept inside to avoid association with the negative influences in the neighbourhood. As a result, he developed a fondness for reading, which helps with

With his mom, Paula Mayers

Jaime and friends at an awareness event in Berbice

Jaime performing with other local entertainer Gavin Mendonca

his poetry. “Because of that, I also became a very deep thinker. And that’s where my poetry really came from.”

Jaime said he started to share his poetry the minute he found an opportunity and then eventually decided to form the NGO. “It’s not about the stage and commanding the lights, it’s about commanding your life,” he said.

He performed a lot back in the days at the Upscale Restaurant in Georgetown, but after its closure, he had nowhere to share his poetry.

Eventually, opportunities came along to work with other young people in Trinidad, Barbados, St. Kitts and a few other Caribbean countries. He also did some work for the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Ministry of Public Health.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

H&T Theatre Arts Group to put on

‘Dedication to Daddy’ THE H&T Theatre Arts Group wants to honour fathers who have stood up to their responsibilities, even during turbulent family situations, with a show called “Dedication to Daddy” on Sunday.

One of the ‘H&T Directors, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, told the Buzz during an interview, that local singing sensation Delisha Wright is gearing up to woo the audience when she performs at the event which is being held under the theme, “Picture Perfect.”

The former ‘Miss Emancipation Queen’ has captured attention with her melodious voice in recent appearances the producer of the ‘Father’s Day’ event, Cadogan-Taylor said.

She said she is optimistic that the event, to be held at 20:00hrs at the National Cultural Centre, will see Wright putting on an extraordinary and memorable show.

Cadogan-Taylor said H&T Theatre Arts Group, a production company that has been around since the year 2012, is currently in the midst of preparation for a “successful presentation of the song, dance and drama.”

The director said the show will provide treats for all dads who will be attending. “Five fathers will be honoured on that evening who, in the opinion of the director, have been exem-

plary in their conduct as fathers.”

This will be an element of surprise as only family members of these fathers have been informed. “They themselves are in the dark,” Cadogan-Taylor said.

For instance, she said one father who has successfully been raising three children on his own after his wife left him and went away, is sure to receive a prize. Other fathers who have simply been there for their family year after year, in a constant

H&T Director Sheron Cadogan-Taylor

Delisha Wright

The former ‘Miss Emancipation Queen’ has captured attention with her melodious voice

and enduring fashion, will also be honoured.

According to Cadogan-Taylor, other vocal renditions will be performed by singers Colin Ambrose, Cleveland Hutson, Barbara Lee, Simone Dowding, Pheona Da Silva and Keon Heywood.

The show also promises to feature dance performances, including a ballroom rendition.

Dramatic performers are Sonia Yarde, Max Massiah, Nelan Benjamin, Simone Dowding, Paul Budnah, and Leslyn Johnson.

Appearing on the programme also is Miss Safisha Castello and little Felicity Granger.

“This dynamic cast is working assiduously with the aim of celebrating our fathers while encouraging others to ‘stand up.’ The production is family oriented,” Cadogan-Taylor said.

Tickets cost $1,500 and are available at the National Cultural Centre or any member of the cast.

The first ‘Dedication to Daddy’ in 2017 saw performances by award-winning dramatists Mark Luke-Edwards, Nathaya Whaul, Sean Thompson, Simone Dowding, Sonia Yarde, and Paul Budnah.

And serenading the audience with their melodious voices were Colin Ambrose, Barbara Lee, Keon Heywood, and Cleveland Hutson, while Makini Harry-Thompson lent her voice in poetry.

Living with Intention Motivational Mission and Book Tour commences in the US ON June 1, Consul General, Hon. Barbara Atherly hosted an Evening of Inspiration and Book Signing at her office in New York. This event launched Sonia Noel’s Living with Intention Motivational Mission and Book Tour through many cities in the United States.

Ms. Lorna Welshman Neblette who is a close friend of Noel was the MC for the significant event and shared her experience with Noel who she called a visionary and change agent.

Dr. Desiree DeFlorimonte who is one of the co-authors of WOMEN ACROSS BORDERS commenced the proceedings with a prayer. Hon. Barbara Atherly delivered opening remarks during which she said,”Dr Sonia Noel is a talented daughter of the soil and we

are all proud. I have known her for years as a designer who always had a giving heart. She now has four books that will touch the lives of many around the world. That’s my girl!”

Noel, during her remarks, explained why she decided it was necessary to share her story

with the world. Senator Roxanne Persaud made a Citation available for Consul General to present to Dr. Sonia Noel.

Honorary Consul to Georgia, Ms. Marva Jacobs, International Journalist Walter Greene, Dr. Rose October, Singer, Courtney Noel, Ms. Patricia Langford, Quincy Mc David, Stan Harmon, Romanee Kallicharran, Jamain Victor, Orrin Applewaite and Alize Utteryn (co-author of WOMEN ACROSS BORDERS) were among the attendees. The room was filled to capacity and the support was great and by the end of the evening all the books were gone, Noel reported.

The Living with Intention Motivational Mission and Book Tour’s main objective is to inspire people to want to do more, because in the doing they become. It aims at motivating

them to give the world the best version of themselves and to also encourage people to join the mission for that positive change.

“This is truly a leap of faith to think this is possible. I knew my ‘why’ but not my ‘how’ for the Living with Intention Motivational Mission and Book Tour. Believing God has a special plan for my life allowed me to jump and grow my wings even if my wings are broken. I believe I can fly. Apart from New York, the tour is scheduled to New Jersey, Boston, Cambridge, Atlanta, Connecticut, Miami, Tennessee, Mississippi, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Later in the year, some other cities will be added,” Noel said.

The designer and author extended gratitude to Hon. Minister Carl Greenidge, Hon.Barbara Atherley, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Robert Clarke, Winston Rodney, Laksmie Singh, Royal Wines, Banks DIH and everyone who contributed to the tour.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

The force of change Merging the best of the past to fuse with the now

CHANGE in our Guyana has had consequences on the unconscious with its suddenness, for traditional habits are hard to break. We witness that with political parties that want the right to make decisions on the rights and livelihood of citizens but are rooted in its own repetitive drama. The issue with GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn is a classic example of the resistance to change from a dangerous group creed that has lost its impact of subliminal racist rabble-rousing to an evolving mass, that the ‘creed’ still views as grounded in its provincial mode, which will be unable to resist making judgments outside of loud fabrications. But ‘usual suspect’ political parties are not the only culprits. So are businesses that cry for change but do not really want change if they are to be held in legal and financial partnership to change.

Gone are the days when a phone call to family and friends overseas could generate a ‘raise’, or a visit to a friend from ‘foreign’ could enable a payday. To recognise the omens that herald change requires that we understand the dire consequences of change that went before. In literature, the classic book by Cervantes tells about the Spanish Knight Don Quixote whose refusal to accept the passing of the age of medieval chivalry led to his insane fabricated heroic pursuits,

realised for what they were, only by his down to earth real world squire Sancho. History also records its lessons. The cavalry for some 3,000 years was the elite of armies in Africa, Asia and Europe, and though hardly recognised, horses played a significant transportation role in both World Wars I and II. When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, the Polish deployed their cavalry against the Germans with some success but were forced back by the invading tanks (that included Russian) and machine guns, this conflict brought an end to the glorious age of Cavalry on the battlefield.

Guyana entered independence in 1966 with our traditional forms of employment intact, apart from opposition sabotage and the concocted border dispute with Venezuela, which included that country’s lobbying against any investment in Guyana up to 2013, that did cost Guyana billions of needed cash and severe economic and social setbacks.

This was coupled with the oil hike of the 70s that initiated the drastic changes of national indebtedness that led to the blackouts, shortages and inability to expand from the traditional economic mould, though some efforts were tried, but the heightened oil prices diminished those efforts and wiped out a significant portion of local manufacturing.

Survival forced us in the late 70s to smug-

gling; entire districts in Berbice and on the Coast were transformed by this illegal, but necessary trade, as were city folk who embarked on the ‘Suitcase Trading’ to and fro journeys to the Caribbean and Panama, and to the North West, engaging the Venezuelans and Brazil. We became, then and afterwards, schooled in illegality with a passion for adventure and quick gain. After 9/11, the world of ‘Backtrack’, ‘drug trafficking’ and ‘money laundering’ were now linked to the financing of terrorism. The Banking laws changed and International law enforcement swerved full zoom in our direction. But before the 90s, by 1989 a map in the January edition of National Geographic placed Guyana as a confirmed gateway of the drug route to the USA and Europe, titled ‘The cocaine empire’.

I knew then, that our people at all levels, the genuine business people who were supplementing their operations with drug money and the hopeless grassroots seeking liberation from ‘crab barrel’ poverty were ill-equipped for the changes to come. We had to develop a legitimate economy, based on Laws, innovation and vision, to move from political street clever dealings that have caused the loss of endless lives and propping up constituency mock businesses to demonstrate national progress in a quickly changing world that we had no control over.

This is the tremendous task of Government from 2015 onwards, to construct models that harness the proven evident potential and to labour with new channels to expand every talent and potential at its struggling state in our population, these will require collaborations beyond our border, but efforts will have to be proven to demonstrate to our runnings-prone masses, that there’s a different way.

We have long forgotten the skill and talent-based cottage industries of our fathers and mothers, which must be resuscitated to fit into the new systems of expression to harness the semi-literate and unskilled mass of parents and young adults needing a platform to earn. While we prepare through training and edutainment, the mindset for the new frontiers, where science and technology command the economic shape of that landscapeevery talent and skill currently- must be reviewed for its product potential, which will employ Guyanese and find its way to a niche market somewhere on this planet.

The challenge lies with the harnessing of the expertise; the creative knowledge base to identify, understand and present to a critical world, marketable home-grown IPRs. This is the now and the future, whether we understand it or not.

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‘Morning Drive Show’ targeting young listeners

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 15, 2018

Host for the Morning Drive Show, Paul Bonar aka DJ Stress

IT’S the weekend and we all want to have some fun after a long week of work, plus it’s Father’s Day! So here are some events that you can start off the weekend with rather than be cooped up at home. Get out and get your buzz on!

TOMORROW Park Square Fun City presents ‘Chutney Guyana Fete’. Bring out the family and have a great time with chutney singer Hitman live!

It’s the barbeque and lime at Craig Bus Stop and after party called ‘Ball Out’. Get your tickets and come out and enjoy finger-licking food.

Extra beer presents a pool party at First Street, Diamond. Ladies, come out in your numbers and bathing suits and have a great time.

SUNDAY The Aracari Resort will come alive with great festivity on Sunday, when Eyeball Style Promotions presents the exciting ‘Bawl Out Father’s Night Pool Party’.

Admission to the event is set at $1,000 and music will be provided by Royalty Vibes and DJ Ice. The stage is also set for the introduction of the Miss African Roots 2018 Pageant contestants as well as contestants of the Miss West Bank 2018 Pageant. Promoters are giving away a prize for the Best Dressed Father and the Aracari Resort will be giving away a Luxury Deluxe Room for two with meals, free access to the pool and gym, with free Wi-Fi. Pegasus Hotel Guyana presents a Father’s Day Buffet Brunch They designed the perfect Buffet Brunch Menu for all the super Dads out there. Brunch will be served from 11:30hrs-15:00hrs.

The Buffet Brunch costs GY$8,000 per person. Kids under four years old eat for free, Kids four to eight years, half price.

For a thrilling and enjoyable night, you can head down to City Vibes Night Club, they have the dance called “Father’s Night”. Calling all dads to head out and party if you want to get your dance on!

THE recently launched DJ Stress ‘The Morning Drive Show’, a new-hit radio aired on RGI 89.5 FM, is set out to target young listeners especially, those suffering from relationship problems. Paul Adrian Bonar, Junior, popularly known as ‘DJ Stress’ said the radio show is filled with advice for young people who are having trouble dealing with some difficult issues.

During an interview with this publication, DJ Stress said that the “EDU-TAINMENT” programme is composed of food tips, personal health and academic directions. “Because it’s the first thing people would be hearing in the morning while driving to work or anywhere, I try to make it very educational. I try to instill positive values especially to the young listeners,” DJ Stress said.

Since the launch, he said he is overwhelmed with the positive support he has received from his listeners and the business community. Today, he said, the Morning Drive is popular across Guyana .The show is also packed with amazing giveaways such as Mighty Foam hampers and free passes to events. He explained that what makes the show interesting is the music: the not-often-heard dance remixes, rock n roll, Bollywood and chutney hits, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s dance tunes, South Korean chartbusters,

Father’s Day Dinner and Oldies to be hosted in Region Two

By Indrawattie Natram

FATHERS residing in Region Two are in for a treat this Father’s Day as Wendell Walcott aka Mighty Hunter of Queenstown Village is hosting a Dinner and Oldies on Father’s Day night. The dinner is a way of giving back to the fathers.

Walcott said that fathers are equally important and as such

should be treated special. With that in mind he has organised a special dinner and oldies night which will commence from 7:00 pm. He said that the dinner will give persons the opportunity to treat their father and to make him feel special. The oldies session will commence from 21:30hrs and will be free which will give persons the chance to dance and be merry.

During the programme, live

songs will be performed by Mr. Walcott himself, taking the fathers back to the yester years.

The music for the night will be provided by Virgo-DJ Biway/ one-man band. Tickets cost $2,000 for singles and $4,000 for couples. Walcott is urging persons to grab their tickets early since he promises the night to be unforgettable. Persons interested can contact him on 622- 4147.

pop and more, while eliminating all vulgarity and beeps that cover indecent words!

DJ Stress is very invested in the show. His day begins from five in the morning when he sits at his computer compiling the playlist for the day before heading off to the radio station.

Monday morning triggers the working week for many, and he says that mellow music with great meaningful and memorable lyrics is best way of starting the week off.

This is his tactic since most people do not want to hear the pounding basslines and energetic beats on this day since they are trying to get back to the grind and transition into the working phase.

Tuesday is mix music day but on the energetic side. Wednesday, he said, belongs to love; whether it be great songs for the heart, tough heart-breaking memories or broken relationships. DJ Stress says everybody is in love with love. Thursday is where the time travel occurs with music hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

On Friday heading into weekend preparations, his playlist is backed with chutney and Bollywood hits.

As his radio show grows, DJ Stress is encouraging persons to stay updated with events and topics by adding him on Whatsapp at 609-5100``.

Wendell Walcott singing at a recent Mother’s Day dinner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

Charged with three gun crimes the same day

A 22-year-old man was Wednesday slapped with three charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charges allege that on June 10, 2018 at Lom-

bard Street, Jermaine Jessire discharged a loaded firearm at Leroy Robinson with intent to disfigure or cause actual bodily harm.

It is also alleged that while being in the company

of others and armed with a gun, Jessire robbed Leroy Robinson of $27,000 and a cellphone valued $19,000.

A further charge alleges that on June 10, 2018 at Charlestown, Jessire had

in his possession a .32 revolver without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The 22-year -old man who resides at 127 Eccles Housing Scheme denied the charges that were read out

to him in court.

The police prosecutor stated that the file was incomplete.

Jessire was remanded to prison by the magistrate until July 06, 2018.

Jermaine Jessire

Remanded on gun-related charges A 17-year-old teen was remanded to prison Thursday

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on two gun-related charges.

It is alleged that on June 13, 2018, at Howes Street, Charlestown, Collin Denny had an unlicensed .32 pistol in his possession along with one live round of ammunition.

Denny of Charles and Howes Street denied the charges of possession of a gun and ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder His lawyer, Keisha Chase, in her bail applica-

Collin Denny tion informed the court that Denny had no knowledge and control of the firearm

and that her client should be granted a reasonable sum of bail.

According to the facts as presented by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, the police were on patrol duty when they observed the defendant among other persons. They approached the defendant and conducted a search on him. As a result, they found the weapon in his crotch and ammunition in the left pocket of his pants.

Bail was refused and he was remanded to prison until July 4.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 15, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Nothing justifies Lopetegui sacking (BBC) - REAL Madrid president Florentino Perez says “nothing justifies” Spain sacking manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup in response to the La Liga club naming him as their new boss.

Lopetegui insisted he acted in a “professional and honest” manner in accepting the Real job on Tuesday, only to be dismissed the following day.

He said he was initially congratulated by federation president Luis Rubiales.

Perez said Rubiales’ reaction was “one of pride” and he “disrespected” Real.

The Spanish football federation said it dismissed Lopetegui two days before Spain’s opening game against Portugal, because the negotiation occurred “without any information” being shared with the or-

ganisation.

Perez said the agreement was announced before the World Cup to “make it transparent and avoid speculation and rumours”.

He cited Chelsea signing then Italy boss Antonio Conte before Euro 2016 and Manchester United confirming Dutch manager Louis van Gaal’s appointment before the 2014 World Cup. “We had legitimate freedom to make this agree-

ment,” said Perez. “That agreement has somehow been interpreted as disloyal.

“The president’s response was unprecedented.

Nothing justifies Lopetegui not being on the bench for tomorrow’s game.”

Lopetegui said it would have been “bad” to hide his appointment from the Spain squad, adding “the players took it well”.

“When they found out, we had one of best training sessions of whole week,”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

he said.

Asked if he regretted the decision, he replied: “We’re completely convinced what we have done is honest and clear. I would change the reaction from Rubiales.

“He congratulated me, was cordial and the after that, I don’t know. I would have liked Rubiales to have done things in a different way.”

The former goalkeeper has signed a three-year deal to succeed Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.

(Friday June 15, 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)

(1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: SL vs ENG, Colombo, 1982 WI vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: When did SL win a Test for the first time?

When did the WI win a Test for the first time?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Rare Gem Race 2 Whispering Speaker Race 3 Classic Daniel Race 4 Katie Baby Race 5 Sportscaster Race 6 Royal Laser Race 7 Gold Lace Race 8 Sniper Race 9 Ocean Court American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Michael Wonderrful Race 2 Ripe Race 3 Loose Race 4 Cyclical Race 5 Jo Jo’s Candy Race 6 Take Charge Aubrey Santa Anita Race 1 Starting Bloc

Race 2 Jill Madden Race 3 Over Par Race 4 Captivate Race 5 Bold Papa South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 10:55 hrs Pot Luck 11:30 hrs Colour Your Dreams 12:05 hrs Marshall That 12:40 hrs Kinsky’s Crusade 13:15 hrs First Mate 13:50 hrs Bulleting Home 14:20 hrs Legislate 14:50 hrs Malinga 15:20 hrs Laat Lammetjie Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 12:40 hrs My Lureate 13:10 hrs Loving A Boom 13:40 hrs Iceni 14:15 hrs Most Gifted 14:45 hrs Fit For Function 15:20 hrs Smiling Eliza 15:50 hrs Schoolboy Error

English Racing Tips York 08:50 hrs Chapelli 09:20 hrs Across Dubai 09:55 hrs Mr Buttons 10:30 hrs The Great Wall 11:05 hrs Arod 11:40 hrs Carlton Frankie 12:15 hrs Zeelander Sandown 09:00 hrs Dark Shadow 09:35 hrs Eagle Hunter 10:10 hrs Brigand 10:45 hrs Aclimatise 11:20 hrs Preening 11:50 hrs Beringer 12;25 hrs Dagueneau Goodwood 13:05 hrs Pour La Victoire 13:35 hrs Jungle Juice 14:40 hrs Gather 15;15 hrs Sing Out Loud 15:45 hrs Saroog

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Russia slaughter Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener (BBC) - THE 2018 World Cup opened in spectacular fashion as Russia defied their recent poor form to smash five past Saudi Arabia and record the biggest win by the host nation in the opening game of a World Cup since 1934.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s team had not won in their past seven matches and had been criticised from all sides, including a series of barbed comments from Russian president Vladimir Putin.

But in front of a largely partisan crowd of 78 011 at the Luzhniki Stadium they never looked in danger against a naïve Green Falcons’ side that seemed only too willing to gift possession to their opponents.

A completely unmarked Yuri Gazinsky headed his first goal for Russia before substi-

Artem Dzyuba of Russia celebrates after scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium yesterday, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)

Putin welcomes the world (REUTERS) - Russia welcomed the world to the soccer World Cup yesterday as fans streamed in, the hosts savoured a 5-0 victory on the pitch and President Vladimir Putin’s government derided Western efforts to isolate him.

The Kremlin leader, greeted by a huge cheer ahead of the hosts’ opening game against Saudi Arabia, spoke of showing the world a hospitable Russia and of sport overcoming differences.

Russia is grappling with Western sanctions imposed after its seizure of Crimea from Ukraine four years ago, but a crushing win in the first of 64 matches of a month-long festival was all many Russians were thinking about.

Talking of a love of soccer uniting the planet “as one

team”, Putin said: “In this unity, over which no powers reign, in which there are no differences of language, of ideology or of faith, lies the great power of football, and of all sport.”

Western powers chose not to send senior representatives to the opening ceremony but, despite some muttering this year as relations soured further, there are no sporting boycotts like the one that marred the 1980 Moscow Olympics, or doping bans of the kind that excluded many Russians from the last two Olympics.

“Attempts at a boycott were doomed from the start,” Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, a close Putin ally and long-time sports minister - himself banned from the Olympics - told Izvestiya newspaper. “It shows how for-

eign politicians are sometimes cut off from real life.”

The president, newly re-elected after 18 years in power, heard British singer Robbie Williams dominate a colourful half-hour opening ceremony at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium with what the Kremlin listed as an array of 15 foreign leaders - though that included eight from ex-Soviet neighbours as well as two from Russian-backed breakaway regions of Georgia.

Putin watched the game with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stretching across FIFA president Gianni Infantino to offer a consoling handshake to his Saudi guest as Yury Gazinsky put Russia a goal up after 12 minutes.

The comfortable win raised hopes that the low-ranked hosts might progress into the tournament’s later stages.

“Russia in Centre Field,” headlined the state-run newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

“The main victory is already

Artiste performs during the opening ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium yesterday, in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

tute Denis Cheryshev evaded several weak challenges and smashed home at the near post close to halftime.

The tempo slowed and the atmosphere flattened after the restart, giving the whole thing the feel of a friendly match.

But substitute Artem Dzyuba illuminated a match of often dubious quality with a precise header to extend his team’s lead just minutes after replacing Fedor Smolov.

And as the match moved into injury time the impressive Cheryshev smashed home with a crisp strike into the top corner before the superb Aleksandr Golovin curled a free-kick around the wall.

It put the seal on a sensational and unexpected start to the World Cup for the hosts - and gives them a real chance of qualifying.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin makes a speech at the opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium. Alexei Druzhinin/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS (Photo by Alexei Druzhinin\TASS via Getty Images)

won,” it said, praising an organisational effort in which a dozen stadiums have been built or rebuilt and a huge security operation rolled out.

NO BOYCOTT The biggest event Russia has hosted since Soviet times, when the United States and others boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics over the invasion of Afghanistan, puts a spotlight on how Russia has, since the chaotic collapse of Communism, resurrected its economy and a tight social order under former KGB agent Putin.

Western leaders are staying away, though some are likely to attend later matches if their teams progress, and protests and criticism - of conflict with Ukraine or human rights abuses in Russia - have been largely confined to foreign soil.

British campaigner Peter Tatchell was briefly detained by police for staging a oneman gay rights protest on Red

Square.

Governments have warned their citizens to beware of violent Russian soccer hooligans as well of a risk of racial and homophobic harassment in the streets.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, dismissed concerns raised when a leading lawmaker urged Russian women to avoid sex with visitors, especially those from different races.

“All countries accuse each other of racism, homophobia.

This has nothing to do with the World Cup,” he told reporters.

“As for the women of Russia, they can handle anything themselves.”

With some 200 000 visiting fans on hand to follow the 32 teams, Putin has urged Russians to put on a show and get behind the home team whose poor recent form had made them the tournament’s weakest side by FIFA world ranking.

There was good-natured sharing at the ground before

the match among fans from around the world in sombreros, fur hats, national strips or national flags, with little of the heavily armed security and troops seen at similar events in western Europe since Islamic State attacks.

Vyacheslav Golikov, a 32-year-old teacher, had come over 4 000 km (2 500 miles) from Siberia.

“We’re feeling amazing emotions,” he said. “There’s a sea of people ... We think foreigners’ impressions will be great.”

Vitaly Mokhov, 36, came from Vologda in southern Russia with his father to celebrate his 70th birthday.

“It’s a festival,” he said.

“We’ve never seen anything like it in the history of Russia, and we’ll never see it again in the rest of our lives.”

(Additional reporting by Maxim Rodionov, Christian Lowe and Thomas Balmforth; Writing by Alastair Macdonald, editing by Ed Osmond)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Afghanistan show fight on opening day (REUTERS) - AFGHANISTAN displayed their stomach for a fight in their maiden Test by claiming five wickets in the final session to leave India on 347 for six after the opening day of the one-off contest yesterday.

India’s Shikhar Dhawan and fellow centurion Murali Vijay raised 168 runs for the opening stand to vindicate the decision to bat, as the hosts cruised to 280 for one after thoroughly dominating the first two sessions.

Afghanistan, who became the 12th Test-playing nation, clawed their way

back in the final session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with some lion-hearted efforts by the bowlers against their top-ranked hosts.

Hardik Pandya was batting on 10 with Ravichandran Ashwin on seven at the other end when stumps were drawn.

Earlier, Dhawan became the first Indian to smash a century in the first session of a Test as he and Vijay capitalised on Afghanistan’s limited bowling resources built around their spinners.

Left-handed Dhawan batted in the limited-overs mode

to smash 107 off 96 balls, studding his blistering knock with 19 fours and three sixes.

S e a m e r Ya m i n A h madzai claimed Afghanistan’s first wicket in Test cricket after the lunch break when Dhawan edged him to Rahmat Shah, who parried it towards the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi at first slip.

Vijay then took charge and punished Afghanistan’s three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi on both sides of the wicket.

However, the tourists

struck back in the final session.

Vijay fell leg-before after offering no shot to a Wafadar delivery to depart for 105.

The right-hander’s 12th Test century included 15 boundaries and a six.

Two balls later, Lokesh Rahul, promoted to number three ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara, chopped an innocuous Ahmadzai delivery onto his stumps to depart after a fluent 54.

Leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury, Rah-

ane made 10 before becoming Rashid’s maiden Test victim.

Pujara scored 35, while stumper Dinesh Karthik,

playing his first Test in eight years, made four before being run-out in the frantic third session.

SCORECARD

INDIA 1st innings Murali Vijay lbw Wafadar

105 Shikhar Dhawan c Mohammad Nabi b Yamin Ahmadzai 107 Lokesh Rahul b Yamin Ahmadzai

54 Cheteshwar Pujara c Mohammad Nabi b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 35 Ajinkya Rahane lbw Rashid Khan

10 Dinesh Karthik run-out (sub)

4 Hardik Pandya not out

10 Ravichandran Ashwin not out

7 Extras: (b-1, lb-11, nb-1, w-2)

15 Total: (six wkts, 78.0 overs)

347-6 Fall of wickets: 1-168, 2-280, 3-284, 4-318, 5-328, 6-334.

Bowling: Yamin Ahmadzai 13-6-32-2 (w-1), Wafadar 15-4-53-1 (w-1, nb-1), Mohammad Nabi 8-0-45-0, Rashid Khan 26-2120-1, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 14-1-69-1, Asghar Stanikzai 2-0-16-0.

Gabriel, Roach wrap up Sri Lanka on day one (CMC) – Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel defied captain Dinesh Chandimal’s 11th Test hundred to hurt Sri Lanka with his third five-wicket haul in Tests, as West Indies dominated the opening day of the second Test here, yesterday.

Chandimal struck a polished, unbeaten 119 as Sri Lanka, opting to bat first at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, folded late in the day for 253 in their first innings.

First-Test century-maker Kusal Mendis hit 45 and opener Kusal Perera, 32, but the visitors lost their last five wickets for 96 runs in the final session to slump from 157 for five at the tea

break.

Gabriel was outstanding with five for 59 to lead the Windies attack while newball partner Kemar Roach finished with four for 49, in the process going past 150 Test wickets in his 100th first class match.

In the two overs available before the close, Windies reached two without loss.

Sri Lanka’s batsmen never came to grips with a purposeful Windies attack, and struggled throughout each session to construct meaningful partnerships.

Following a delayed start because of rain, Sri Lanka quickly found them-

selves tottering on 15 for two inside the first halfhour, with Gabriel knocking over debutant Mahela Udawatte and Dhananjaya de Silva cheaply.

Left-hander Udawatte perished without scoring when he edged to captain Jason Holder at second slip in the second over of the morning.

Four overs later, de Silva played on to a quick one from the Trinidadian paceman for 12, leaving Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.

Perera and Mendis came together in a 44-run third wicket stand which consolidated the innings and saw Sri Lanka through the remainder

of the first hour.

The left-handed Perera faced 55 balls and struck five fours while Mendis counted eight sweetly-timed fours in an 83-ball knock.

However, Roach struck a key blow in the final hour before lunch when he squared up Perera and had him caught chest-high by Holder at third slip.

Mendis then combined with Chandimal in the most productive stand of the innings, adding 67 for the fourth wicket to see Sri Lanka flourish from their lunchtime position of 79 for three.

Unbeaten on 26 at lunch, the right-handed Mendis

appeared set for another half-century before falling just short of the hour mark, when he top-edged a pull and was caught by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich running around to mid-wicket.

Roshen Silva failed again, lasting only 23 balls for his six, before edging Gabriel to third slip where Holder took his third catch of the match.

Left to rebuild yet again, at tea, Sri Lanka found solace in the resolute Chandimal who faced 186 balls and struck 10 fours and a six.

Resuming from the final break on 53, the righthander took responsibility for the innings especially after losing wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella (16) in the seventh over after the resumption, well caught at gully by a diving Shai Hope off the

inspired Gabriel.

The partnership of 31 was one of two small ones anchored by Chandimal, as he also added 31 for the ninth wicket with Kasun Rajitha (4), to eke runs out from the tail.

Chandimal moved into the 80s with a pulled boundary off Roach before entering the 90s in style with a reverse sweep for four off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

He brought up his hundred – his second in the Caribbean and third as skipper – deep in the session with an edged four off pacer Miguel Cummins.

Gabriel grabbed his fifth wicket when he trapped Suranga Lakmal lbw for 10, missing a flick while Roach picked up three of the last five wickets to tumble.

SCORECARD

SRI LANKA 1st Innings K Perera c Holder b Roach 32 M Udawatte c Holder b Gabriel 0 D de Silva b Gabriel 12 K Mendis c wkp Dowrich b Holder 45 *D Chandimal not out 119 R Silva c Holder b Gabriel 6 +N Dickwella c Hope b Gabriel 16 A Dananjaya c wkp Dowrich b Roach 2 S Lakmal lbw b Gabriel 10 K Rajitha c wkp Dowrich b Roach 4 L Kumara c Hope b Roach 0 Extras: (b1, lb2, w2, nb2) 7 TOTAL: (all out, 79 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-15, 3-59, 4-126, 5-148, 6-179, 7-190, 8-206, 9-237, 10-253.

Bowling: Roach 18-8-49-4, Gabriel 16-4-59-5, Cummins 19-569-0, Holder 14-2-56-1, Bishoo 11-3-15-0, Chase 1-0-2-0.

Miguel Cummins attempts a run out on the first day of the second Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

WEST INDIES 1st Innings K Brathwaite not out D Smith not out TOTAL: (without loss, 2 overs) Bowling: Lakmal 1-0-2-0, Dananjaya

2 0 2

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Kirani James to compete at Aliann Pompey Invitational … Troy Doris confirms his first showing in Guyana

THE third edition of Guyana’s premier track and field meet, the Aliann Pompey Invitational, will be graced with the presence of Kirani James, the Grenadian 400 metres Olympic and World champion.

The 25-year-old confirmed his participation recently.

Set for the Leonora Track and Field Centre on June 30, the Aliann Pompey Invitational will also see Guyana’s Commonwealth Games triple-jump gold medallist Troy Doris, compete for the first time at home.

“This is all round a great thing. To have an Olympic and World champion competing at the event while he’s still in his prime is a testament to where we want to take this competition,” said Pompey.

According to the Commonwealth Games 400m gold medallist, James’ opening run after a year off is in the top 10 times in the world, while stating, “I am a huge Kirani fan and I

know that Guyana will be an amazing audience for the ‘Jaguar’.

“I know he’s interested in seeing some of Guyana so I’m hoping our Ministry of Tourism can show him a few of the many reasons Guyana should be a destination.”

James, at the JN Racers Grand Prix on June 9 in Jamaica, clocked an impressive 44.35 seconds to win the 400m in his first race in over a year after recovering from Graves’ disease (an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones).

The Grenadian’s time of 44.35 seconds is the eighthbest time in the world this year. James’ personal best in the 400m is 43.74 seconds, set in 2014.

James had always been regarded as the Caribbean’s best talent over the 400 metres, though he has competed over the 200 metres with considerable amount of success, racing to a personal best of 20.41 seconds in 2011.

Also known as the ‘Jaguar’, James had won gold in the 400m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – Grenada’s first and only medal at the Olympics.

However, four years later in Brazil, James (43.76 secs) was beaten to second place by South African Wayde van Niekerk who won 400m gold and also set a new world record in the distance, a time of 43.03 secs and erasing American Michael Johnson’s 43.18 secs which he clocked in 1999.

Meanwhile, Doris, although visiting Guyana before, the Aliann Pompey Invitation will see him compete for the first time in the country he has been representing since 2015.

Cuban Jordan Diaz, who is touted by many in his country, as the next World triple jump champion, will also be competing at the Aliann Pompey Invitational.

Quite a technician, Diaz is the World U-18 champion and World record holder at

17.32 metres.

Joining Diaz will be last year’s champion from Suriname Miguel Van Assen who holds his country’s national record in the event, as well as the CARIFTA and South American title.

Van Assen’s personal best is 16.94 metres. The Surinamese is also the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion.

The triple jump at this year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational, could steal the show, since The Bahamas’ Leevan Sands has also confirmed his participation.

Sands won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as at the World Championship and Commonwealth Games. He’s a Pan Am Games silver medallist and multiple-time gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games.

The Aliann Pompey Invitational, the only event of its kind in Guyana where athletes from across the Caribbean, Central and North America, converge on Leonora for the best showing of track and field.

Narine triumphant at Pre-Father’s Day cycling meet BERBICIAN Balram Narine was on song on home turf, copping the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) Pre-Father’s Day 40-miles cycle road race, held last Sunday along the New Amsterdam/Canje/East Coast Berbice and Corentyne Highways.

At 10:30hrs, the cyclists pedalled off from the junction of Main and Alexander Streets in New Amsterdam; proceeded along the Corentyne Coast to Adventure Police Station before returning to finish at the point of origin.

Narine clocked one hour 45 minutes to beat a field of 16 riders.

Meanwhile Clement Doris settled for second with Steven Fernandes coming in third ahead

of Donovan Fraser and Odrel Ross.

En route to victory, Narine rode away with five sprint prizes, while Ross copped one.

Veteran riders (Over60) Daniel Rigby and Calvin Persaud were given special prizes for their efforts while one young cyclist was presented with a special prize by the owners of Rockefeller Sound System for his outstanding ride.

Among the donors were the Fix It Electronics, Gadget World and Rental, J Supermarket, North West Trading and John Lewis among others.

FACC coach Randolph Roberts was instrumental in organising the event.

McKinnon extends dominance in El Dorado Trading Cup RYAN McKinnon reigned supreme at last weekend’s prestigious El Dorado Trading Cup/Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation’s (GSSF) anniversary shoot.

At the end of the day when the dust settled, McKinnon scooped the Limited Division class with a time of 70.32, ahead of Rajiv Latchana (76.86) and John Phang (80.90).

In the Production Division, Michael Blake: 107.49 finished ahead of Aleemul Ali (116.90) and Bhageshwar Murli (169.80).

The three-stage match consisted of sanctioned S.C.S.A. stages, namely Outer Limits, Pendulum and Speed Option. With safety and efficiency in mind, the match administrators placed the shooters into two squads, thereby shooting two separate stages simultaneously.

The first stage named ‘Outer Limits’ was shot for

the first time in Guyana and involved the shooters moving from one box to another.

The remaining stages were all shot from a stationary position. The second stage named ‘Pendulum’ saw targets set at closer distances

but in a somewhat tricky arrangement, which caused shooters to engage them in random orders as they thought best.

The third stage named ‘Speed Option’ caused both the shooter’s trigger finger

action and their heart-beat to accelerate as they engaged the various targets set in a challenging layout.

The Challenge Trophy which has been on the prize table at an Annual match since 2015 sees the winner’s

name together with the year inscribed on a plaque attached.

El Dorado Trading Inc., the licensed gold dealers of Lot 136 Young Street, Kingston, Georgetown, continued to give its unfaltering

Ryan McKinnon (centre) raises the coveted Cup, flanked from left by John Phang, Rajiv Latchana and on the right by Michael Blake and Aleemul Ali.

support to the G.S.S.F. Present at the range were captain of the handgun section of the GuyanaNRA, Dale Hing, and other GuyanaNRA participants. President of the Foundation Ryan McKinnon acknowledged the attendance of the GuyanaNRA participants and indicated he looks forward to continued increased participation and collaboration.

Match Director Mrs Persaud-McKinnon conveyed thanks to El Dorado Trading for the continuous sponsorship of this Annual Steel Challenge Match.

In a release to the media, the GSSF extended its sincerest gratitude to the GPF, Asst Commissioner Ramnarine, the OC TSU and the ranks of the GPF Armoury and TSU. Additional thanks were extended to Brigadier Patrick West and the GDF for the use of its range facility at Timehri.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

LABA/YBG/Powerade Regional Under-19 C/ship

LTI remain unbeaten as Gilkes stars again

Jamal Gilkes

By Joe Chapman JAMAL Gilkes netted a game-high 39 points, leading the unbeaten Linden Technical Institute (LTI) to another win in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s Youth Basketball Guyana/Powerade Regional U-19 Basketball Championship LTI’s 107-24 win came against Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School on Wednesday, as Mackenzie High and Wisburg Secondary also registered wins at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Gilkes has amassed 102

points in three games for an average of 34 points per game while teammate Daniel Lee scored 25 points and Dillon Pellew added 12 points.

Ezra Thomas was the best player for the Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary with 12 points.

In the other game, Mackenzie High notched up their second win by beating New Silvercity Secondary 56-30 after leading 31-7 at halftime.

Leon Benjamin was their best player with 25 points. He has 73 points in the tournament and averages 24 with team-

Yannick Tappin

mate Yannick Tappin also in good form, scoring 19 points for a total 58 points so far, at an average of 19 per game.

Kobe Tappin scored 17 points for New Silvercity.

The third game on Wednesday resulted in a 4029 for Wisburg over Harmony Secondary after leading at the break 23-13. Jonathan Copeland was again the main scorer for Wisburg with 21 points while for Harmony the best player was Omar Greene with nine points.

On Tuesday, LTI defeated Mackenzie High School 6751, as Gilkes had a game-high

21 points, Daniel Lee had 17, Raynaldo Patoir 16 and Dillon Pellew got 11.

Leon Benjamin scored 21 to match the top score in the game as Yannick Tappin contributed 17.

Also on that day, New Silvercity Secondary beat Harmony 43-24, as Kobe Tappin got a game-high 18 points while for Harmony Secondary’s Delroy Belle netted 14.

In the third Wisburg Secondary scored a 55-37 victory against Christianburg/Wismar Secondary. Jonathan Copeland led them with 18 points, and Keyon Davidson scored 17.

Everest to host Central All-Stars in Pre-Father’s Day showdown A FULL day of activities is planned for Saturday when Everest Masters host Central All-Stars in a friendly 30-over cricket match. Both teams boast stars of yesteryear and will be gunning hard for supremacy in what is expected to be a highly competitive match.

In addition to the riveting cricket match host Everest Cricket Club (ECC) has planned a special barbecue lunch for visitors and promises musical entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere on the eve of Father’s Day. The team from Trinidad and Tobago will be led by Karrel Bissoon and includes Kieron Chattergoon, Shannon Pollard and Joedee Gabriel while ECC Masters will depend heavily on the in-form Saheed Mohamed, Imtiaz Sadik, Ramesh Narine and Basil Persaud to push for another victory in what has been an outstanding season so far.

The first ball is bowled at 12:30hrs and all trophies for the match have been donated by Ramesh Sunich of The Trophy Stall in Bourda Market.

Teams: Everest Masters: Rajesh Singh (captain), Sahadeo Hardaiow, Saheed Mohamed, Hemraj Garbarran, Basil Persaud, Ramesh Narine, Rabindranauth Seeram, Rohan Sarjoo, Surendra Hiralall, Imtiaz Sadik, Rakesh Gangaram, Ronald Jaisingh, Rahaman Khan, Ron Morris and Satyendra Khemraj.

Central All-Stars: Karrel Bissoon (captain), Riaz Ali, Deepak Chanoo, Kieron Chattergoon, Govin Doorgha, Dillan Sital, Rickie Ramkissoon, Shannon Pollard, Ravi Mahase, Ryan Jaipaul, Joedee Gabriel, Peter Francis and Marvin Edwards.

Basil Persaud

Daniel Lee

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary’s Tremaine Browne top-scored with 11 points.

This afternoon, LTI face

New Silvercity Secondary at 14:00hrs and Harmony Secondary meet Mackenzie High at 16:00hrs.

Gabriel cites discipline on slow pitch CMC – SHANNON Gabriel said he managed to exploit what bounce there was in a slow pitch, en route to his third five-wicket haul in Tests, on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka here Thursday.

The Trinidadian speedster ended with five for 59 as Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, were dismissed for 253 in their first innings, deep in the final session at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground.

“I went out there this morning and concentrated on putting the ball in the right area … thankfully things went my way today,” he said afterwards.

“I think [the pitch] was a bit slow but you were still getting that bounce, and it was important you hit the right areas and the right lengths and most of the guys did that today. I think Roach and [the others] bowled well this morning but didn’t get the success they deserved.”

Gabriel struck the first two blows of the morning, removing debutant left-hander Mahela Udawatte without scoring and Dhananjaya de Silva for 12, to leave the Sri Lankans on 15 for two.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal struck an unbeaten 119, Kusal Mendis, 45 and opener Kusal Perera, 32, but Gabriel combined with new-ball partner Kemar Roach (4-49) to keep the pressure on Sri Lanka.

While pleased with the performance, Gabriel said it would take on a greater meaning if West Indies went on to beat Sri Lanka and win the series.

“It would be even greater if we could pull off a victory and it (performance) can contribute to winning the series,” he noted.

West Indies finished the day on two without loss and head into Friday’s second day looking to erase their deficit and continue their excellent batting from last week’s opening Test in Port of Spain.

And Gabriel backed the batting unit to continue to put pressure on Sri Lanka but said application would be necessary.

“Once we get good weather and the sun comes out, [the pitch] may dry out a bit and once your batsmen apply themselves and bat long, we’re capable of putting up a good score in the first innings.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Seaboard Marine CMRC 2018 Round two

Team Guyana load for Trinidad Sharima Khan is part of Team Guyana for CMRC round 2.

TEAM Guyana, set to contest the second round of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships in Trinidad, loaded their cars and bikes yesterday.

The team will be led by 2017 defending group four 4WD champion Andrew King and his Mazda Rx7.

In addition to King, Mark Vieira will fly the Guyana Flag high, both aboard his Mazda Rx8 in Group four and his SR3 Radical in an invitational series.

Group three will see a

lone-wolf appearance by Rameez Mohamed in his Toyota Starlet which went directly from Jamaica to Trinidad.

Group two Rameez will compete as well, in a Honda Civic along with Haniff Mohamed, who shipped his Honda Civic yesterday.

Sharima Khan is also on the trip with her Honda Del Sol. For the Superstock bikes, Matthew Vieira (Yamaha R6) and the Team Mohamed’s Enterprise rider Matt Truelove

will make the voyage.

After round one, once back-to-back champions Guyana now sit at the bottom of the table in seventh with 12 points and second in the Superstock standings.

Ahead of them in the following order are Cayman Islands (32), Barbados (54), USA/CAMS (80), Trinidad (144), Antigua (205) and Jamaica (506).

On the Superstock end, Jamaica have 167 points while Guyana have 66 and Trinidad & Tobago 45.

Russian Embassy holds viewing for World Cup opener

Matthew Vieira is on board for CMRC Round 2.

Mark Vieira’s Radical is being loaded into the container for Trinidad. (GTRidez photos)

Minister of Sport, George Norton (left), ambassador of the Russian Federation to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz (centre) and Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the viewing party at the Russian Embassy in Georgetown. (Samuel Maughn photo)

GUYANESE joined the estimated one billion viewers worldwide for the opening game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia but the Russian Embassy here was abuzz for its own reasons.

The Embassy hosted a viewing party for government ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps yesterday where, diplomatic relations between Guyana and Russia further strengthened.

Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz, who hosted the event at the Russian Embassy commented, “(This world cup) is really a joy, not only for the Russian Federation but for all football fans all over the world.”

He also expressed his pleasure that Guyanese joined the estimated one billion people tuning into the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador, however, reminded that sports serve to bring people together, not divide them and stressed, “It is very, very

important that sports and politics are separated.”

A Guyana Football Federation (GFF) delegation that travelled to Russia for the FIFA Congress was also in Moscow at the time of the first game, watching the match live. Kurmaz also related that the delegation may also be there for the final match on July 15. To this end, he noted that the two countries have enjoyed good relations and these will continue for the foreseeable future.

Addressing Guyana’s prospects of participating in one of the next few world cups, Director of Sport Christopher Jones also related that he is very pleased with the “athlete development path” that the GFF is currently traversing.

“The prospects are good but of course nurturing those talents, having adequate funding and of course giving those talents the exposure leading up to world cup is important,” Jones advanced.

Commenting on the Guyanese delegation in

Russia also, Jones said, “I hope that the exposure garnered from that experience would enrich them so that they return home to prepare themselves to represent Guyana at other international and regional activities.”

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton also related that he was delighted that the Russian Embassy invited him to the viewing party because it serves as a reminder of how Guyana can benefit from Russia in the area of Sport.

“The Russian federation has always been a friend of the Guyanese government and people,” Norton said and added, “Being here only fosters that relationship and I’m looking forward to a greater sporting relationship.”

To this end, he affirmed that the federation would have no qualms in having their coaches train local athletes and discussions can be held for the donation of sporting equipment.

Putin welcomes the world See page 31

MATCH SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 15 MATCHES

TIME

Egypt vs. Uruguay 8 a.m. ET

STADIUM

Yekaterinburg

Morocco vs. Iran 11 a.m. ET Saint Petersburg Portugal vs. Spain 2 p.m. ET

Zabivaka the World Cup 2018 Mascot plays with a football during the opening ceremony prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on June 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

(Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Sochi

Gabriel, Roach wrap up Sri Lanka on day one See Page 32

Kirani James to compete at Aliann Pompey Invitational … Troy Doris confirms his first showing in Guyana See Page 33

BUTTERFINGERS! Dinesh Chandimal is dropped by slip fielder Devon Smith watch by Jason Holder and Kraigg Brathwaite on the first day of the second Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018