Guyana chronicle e paper 06 18 2018

MONDAY 18th JUNE, 2018

Floodwaters receding at Wakenaam No.105309

–– breached sea 03 defence being repaired PAGE

–– as CDC, other agencies activate emergency response

Remedial work being done to fix the breached sea defence that caused flooding at San Souci and Melville, Wakenaam Island, Region Three (DPI photo)

MovieTowne breached – GRA investment agreement boss

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Floodwaters receding at Wakenaam –– breached sea defence being repaired

–– as CDC, other agencies activate emergency response

RESIDENTS of San Souci and Melville, Wakenaam Island, Region Three, are counting their losses after high tides, exacerbated by a breach in the sea defence resulted in their homes being inundated on Sunday.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is on the ground assessing the situation and remedial works have already started.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the breach occurred on Friday and was sealed, but weaknesses were evident on Sunday.

After being hit with floodwaters, residents contended that the work done by the contractor to seal the breach was poorly done, pointing out that mud and sand was used instead of stones.

According to one resident, Irfaan Ali, over $2

A resident busy trying to get the water out of his house on Sunday (Indrawattie Natram photo)

Inside one of the flooded homes (Indrawattie Natram photo)

The sea defence breach caused flooding in the villages of San Souci and Melville on Sunday (Indrawattie Natram photo) million worth in household and because of negligence dents as well as support the items was damaged in his this has happened,” another regional administration in house as a result of the resident said. Residents say its efforts. floods. These, he said, in- they managed to contact the Thus far, there have been cluded a washing machine, contractor but he was rude no reports of illnesses and the refrigerator, microwave, to them. health centre is proving resicabinets, blenders and fans.

Hours after the villages dents with assistance. It is the Ali, who was not at home were hit by the floods, Di- first time the CDC has been at the time of the flooding, rector General (ag), Civil able to respond and provide said when he revisited his Defence Commission (CDC) supplies on the same day. home he could not believe Lt. Col. Kester Craig and The CDC acting director what he saw. other officials visited the said the region’s response is “The entire lower flat affected areas to assess the testimony to the efficiency of was flooded, all the sofa, situation. the Regional Disaster Risk cabinets, tv sets; everything Regional Executive Offi- Management Plan implewere under water. Who is cer Denis Jaikaran, said the mented two years ago. He ingoing to repay for this? The region responded swiftly and formed that the Public Health entire place is flooded with is providing support to the 12 Ministry will be on standby muddy water,” he lamented. severely affected residents. in the event of any outbreak On Sunday, persons were Thirty-seven residents suf- of vector-borne diseases. busy helping Ali to get the fered minor losses.

On Sunday evening, enwater out of the bottom flat Like the residents, Jai- gineers from the Ministry of of his home and to move karan believes the contractor Public Infrastructure were on items to higher ground. Oth- should stand the full cost the ground conducting remeer residents were doing the of compensation for doing dial works ahead of another same. substandard work. expected high tide.

“It’s devastating, imagLt. Col. Craig said the The situation is being ine you work so hard, so CDC will be providing monitored and supplies are long to buy yours things cleaning supplies to resi- en route to the island.

Several new toshaos in Region Two TWO toshaos retained their positions and seven new toshaos were elected when Village Councils in Region Two held their elections recently.

In the village of Akawini, David Wilson secured 190 votes to secure another term in office. Rudolph Wilson secured 90 votes, while James Charles got only 15 votes.

Over in Wakapoa, Howard

Corneilius raked in 190 votes, successfully replacing Errol Williams who received 165 votes.

In St. Monica/Karawab, Thomas Charles secured 137 votes to replace James Miguel.

Miguel did not contest in the recent elections, however, Thomas Charles did, but he managed to rake in only 38 votes.

Sherman Ltye will now become the new toshao of Kabak-

aburi after securing 93 votes.

He replaces Cleveland Simon, who this time around did not contest in the elections. The other candidates Orin Thomas, Adam Calistro and Nureen Thomas did not secure more than 43 votes.

Over at St. Deny’s Tapakuma, Aubrey Fredricks won the elections with 95 votes to become the toshao. Notably, Winsley Pearson and Carmelita

Singh secured 17 and 24 votes respectively. Fredricks is replacing James Schadde.

At Mainstay/Whyaka, it was a stiff competition between Yvonne Pearson and Milton Fredericks, but Fredericks emerged on top with 158 votes to replace Joel Fredericks.

Pearson raked in 139 votes.

The village of Capoey will now be headed by Ralph Hendricks, who secured 113 votes

in the recent elections to defeat Melrose Henry who secured 89 votes.

Bethany’s new toshao is Philbert Gudge, who secured 47 votes over Banes Thomas (36 votes) and Harold Marslowe (34 votes).

Gudge will replace Marslowe.

At Mashabo, Sylvin Raphael will return for another term after securing 51 votes. He

defeated Henry Hendricks with 25 votes, Ulric Williams with 26 votes and Gidel Abrams who got 33 votes.

The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two in a statement extended congratulations and best wishes to the elected toshaos and their councils, as they chart a course of efficient management and development of their respective communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Democrats, activists rally against Trump’s family separation policy ELIZABETH, N.J. (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers joined hundreds of protesters outside an immigration detention facility in New Jersey on Sunday for a Father’s Day demonstration against the Trump administration’s practice of separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“This must not be who we are as a nation,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler, one of seven members of Congress from New York and New Jersey who met

with five detainees inside the facility, including three who said they had young relatives removed from their care after seeking asylum at the border.

The event in the city of Elizabeth came as news stories highlighting the family separations intensified political pressure on the White House, even from some of President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans.

U.S. officials said on Friday that nearly 2,000 children were separated from adults at the border between mid-April and the

end of May. In May, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a “zero tolerance” policy in which all those apprehended entering the United States illegally, including those seeking asylum, would be criminally charged, which generally leads to children being separated from their parents.

Administration officials have defended the tactic as necessary to secure the border and suggested it would act as a deterrent to illegal immigration.

But the policy has drawn

condemnation from medical professionals, religious leaders and immigration activists, who warn that some children could suffer lasting psychological trauma. The children are held in government facilities, released to adult sponsors or placed in temporary foster care.

In South Texas on Sunday, several Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Jeff Merkley, visited a Border Patrol Processing Centre in McAllen to call attention to the policy, while Representative Beto O’Rourke, who is running for the

U.S. Senate in Texas, led a protest march to a temporary detention facility for immigrant children set up near El Paso.

Some moderate Republicans have also called on Trump to stop the separations. Senators Susan Collins and Jeff Flake wrote to White House officials on Saturday seeking more information on the policy.

“It is inconsistent with our American values to separate these children from their parents,” Collins said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

‘STOP LYING’ Trump has sought to blame Democrats, saying their support for passage of a broader immigration bill would end the separations.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday: “As a mother, as a Catholic, as somebody who has got a conscience. ... I will tell you that nobody likes this policy.”

“You saw the president (say) on camera that he wants this to end,” she added.

Second fire shrinks storage capacity amid fighting at Libyan oil ports BENGHAZI, Libya/TUNIS (Reuters) - Libya’s National Oil Corporation

(NOC) said storage capacity at Ras Lanuf port had been cut by 400,000

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barrels after a second crude oil tank was set on fire amid fighting be-

tween rival factions for control of two key export terminals.

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The NOC warned that the blaze that broke out at storage tank No. 2 early on Sunday could spread to three further tanks, which would “stop exports from Ras Lanuf port completely”.

Such an outcome would be a major blow for Libya’s oil industry, which despite continuing political turmoil had staged a partial recovery over the past two years, raising national production to just over one million barrels per day (bpd).

Fighting over Ras Lanuf and the neighbouring oil port of Es Sider

began on Thursday, when an armed force opposed to Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) stormed the terminals.

The attack led the NOC to shut the ports and evacuate its workers, declaring force majeure on exports.

Both terminals had been badly damaged in previous fighting, but had resumed operations after the LNA took control of them in September 2016.

Before the latest clashes there were five functioning crude oil storage tanks at Ras Lanuf, the NOC said in a statement.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Spending the day out in Bogotá --atop the famous Mount Monserrate

By Rabindra Rooplall FEELING on top of the world, while it’s just an expression, can also be a reality from the peaks of Mount Monserrate which overlooks the Bogotá skyline in downtown Colombia.

At more than 10,000 feet or 3,152 metres above sea level, just east of the country’s capital, Bogotá, Mount Monserrate is one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

That Mount Monserrate dominates the city is no exaggeration, as it can be seen for miles around. And from that vantage point, one can also take in the enormity of Bogotá, a city that is home to some 10 million inhabitants.

While today Monserrate is a tourist attraction, it is also still predominantly a religious and sacred place, with many people visiting the cathedral to pay homage to El Señor Caído (the Fallen Lord).

Collectively, tourists, pilgrims and nature lovers today climb the mountain to seek peace or to offer sacrifices.

Many prefer to make the climb up the mountain on Sunday mornings, and they do so either on their knees, barefeet or blindfolded, to proclaim their faith and pray for the healing of loved ones.

And when they’re done, they leave little messages of gratitude on the rock at the top of the mountain.

But Mount Monserrate can also be accessed by cable car, or by a train system that takes its many visitors from Bogotá’s La Candelaria neighbourhood high into the

mountains.

The cable car was built in 1953, and consists of two cars, each of which has a seating capacity for 40 persons. The cable-car ride takes about four minutes.

The train service was introduced a bit earlier than the cable car; back in 1928 to be precise.

With a speed of 3.2 metres per second, it takes about five minutes to reach the mountain top, affording one to take in the breathtaking scenery

through its glass roof.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS And with large windows on all sides, the train also offers equally breathtaking views of the hill that contrasts with the beautiful panoramic views of the city.

While passing slowly on the crown of the tall and dense trees vegetation, one gets a feeling of direct contact between the earth and the sky.

For the intrepid who relishes a challenge, there’s al-

ways the option of walking up the mountain. With an estimated 1034 steps, it is one of the most physically demanding trails in Bogotá, because of the altitude and the tilt.

But as the old saying goes, there’s always some light at the ende of the tunnel, as at the top of the mountain, there are restaurants, a cafetería or two, shops, a marketplace and even tourist facilities.

Walking up Mount Monserrate allows one to take in the beautiful Andean scenery,

which, replete with the soothing sounds of the birdlife, helps give visitors a sense of calm and direct interaction with the surrounding nature.

Facilities at the mountain top are open from dawn to dusk, while the mountain itself serves as one of the greatest places from which to watch the sun rise or set over the city.

If you’re in Bogotá, you cannot very well ignore it; Monserrate is an important symbol of the city, not from an ecological standpoint, but

A young couple caught taking a selfie of the panoramic view on the walls of Mount Monserrate

One of the many religious figurines along the path to the cathedral (Photos by Leon Gonsalves)

One of the many religious symbols at the top of Mount Monserrate

more from a religious one.

LA VIRGEN MORENA Mr. Juan de Borja, former governor of Colombia, in 1640 gave the order to build a church on the mountain, in honour of Montserrate’s La Virgen Morena or the Dark Virgin whose shrine was originally located in Barcelona, Spain.

A monastery was also built atop the mountain in 1657, and inside is a painting of El Señor Caído (The Fallen Lord).

The painting is the work of local artists Pedro de Lugo and Albarracín.

If you’re interested in going to the mass, the following is the schedule: Mondays at 13:00hrs; Tuesday to Friday at 10:00hrs and 13:00hrs; Saturdays at 08:00hrs, 10:00hrs, 12:00hrs and 14:00hrs; and Sundays at 06:00hrs, 07:30hrs, 09:00hrs, 10:30hrs, 12:00hrs, 14:00hrs and 15:30hrs.

And yes! There is a vibrant tourist market and a few stores atop Mount Monserrate, where you will be able to buy yourselves some souvenirs and mouth-watering Colombian food.

It’s worth the while taking a walk all the way through the market and the food area, because at the end of it all, you will have another awesome view of the other side of the mountain.

For the beautiful landscapes, delicious dishes, the tranquility and the contact with nature are reasons, you must not miss a visit to Mount Monserrate once you’re in Colombia.

A view of the cathedral atop the mountain

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Rebuilding Guyana’s musical culture

UP to the post-World War II era, the musical culture of Guyana was vibrant and creative. Such vibrancy was manifested in both the popular and classical strands and in both of the two main musical traditions which were most prominent in Guyana -- the Western and the Indian.

The Western strand was much more prominent than the Indian, since it was supported by the colonial authorities, was taught in the schools and was largely the music of the capital city, Georgetown. Indian music was mostly prevalent in the countryside and occurred at the mandirs (temples) and mosques and at social functions such as weddings and festivals such as Phagwah and Diwali.

The classical as well as the popular trends of both traditions were fairly strong.

Most of the Indian songs and music which were heard at social occasions such as weddings and at festivals, were semi-classical and were special to those occasions; today, Bollywood-type music predominates. In the mandirs, however, the music was always religious and there were also many musi-

cians who were acquainted with the various Ragas of Indian classical music.

The Western popular music was largely imported from North America and Europe, except for the small creole element, and was sung and played on radio and at social and official functions There were a large number of bands that played at dances and other social functions and for the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons, bands had to be booked months before. These bands had percussion, stringed and wind instruments and two of the most popular were Washboards and Sonny Thomas and his orchestra. Sonny Thomas was a very fine pianist and band leader, though he was blind.

Classical songs were sung in the schools and some recorded classical music was played, especially at the beginning of the school day.

There were a large number of able and competent music teachers who taught mainly the violin and piano and many children and young people sat the Royal College of Music examinations.

One of the spinoffs of these examinations was that one of the able teachers from the

Royal College would visit Guyana every year and hold classes and often gave public concerts. At least once per year a music festival was held where young people were able to perform. Musicians and teachers like Miss Lynette Dolphin and Billy Pilgrim were live wires in organising these music festivals. There were also regular classical concerts held in Georgetown presented by famous visiting classical performers and able local musicians as well. Regular weekend concerts were held at the Town Hall and included performers like Lynette Dolphin, Rosemary Ramdeholl and Lynette Katchay.

Many members of the public got their first introduction to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and other classical composers from these concerts.

The Militia and Police Bands gave regular public concerts and their repertoire was mostly classical.

It should be noted that violins, pianos and wind instruments were available at the local shops, as well as piano tuners and persons who could string violins and guitars and repair musical instruments.

For a musical culture to flourish, it requires a stable society and a fairly prosperous economy and Guyana from the late 1950s, was caught in a political imbroglio which led to massive emigration, economic contraction and decline and an unstable society. The vibrant musical culture of the society was destroyed and the cheapest and most ephemeral American music and Bollywood Indian film music took over Guyana.

The youth became musically illiterate, competent music teachers have almost all disappeared and musical instruments are no longer sold in the shops. Famous and great international artistes no longer have Guyana on their itinerary when touring South America.

A vibrant and creative musical culture could again be resuscitated in a short time and this is not an insuperable challenge: qualified music teachers should be assigned to the Teachers Training College and to all the major primary and secondary schools and music should be accepted by government as one of the subjects recognised for employment as English is.

A historic meeting Dear Editor,

egation led by Regional Executive Officer Mr J U N E 1 5 t h , Rupert Hopkinson and 2018, marked an im- included Deputy Reportant date in the gional Executive Offirelationship between cer Mr Roop Kumar Regions One and Two. Persaud, Assistant ReRegion One, led by gional Executive Offitheir Regional Chair- cer Ms Yvette Hastings, man Brentnol Ashley Administrative Officer and accompanied by Mr Maurice Walcott, R e g i o n a l E x e c u t i v e Regional Health Officer Officer (ag) Tikaram Ms Afarah Khan and Bisessar, Regional Ed- Hospital Administraucation Officer Mr Ni- tor Ms S. Ambrose to gel Richards, Regional discuss issues of muHealth Officer Mr Cer- tual interest to the two del McWatt, Regional regions, and examine Councillors Leandra areas of cooperation Singh, Lucky Wilson and collaboration. and Eleini La Rose, The community of among others, met Manawarin, a commuwith a Region Two del- nity that is located in

both regions, came under focus.

After discussions on matters of security, health, education and s o c i a l i l l s a ff e c t i n g the community, it was agreed that a joint team of officers from the various sectors will pay a visit to the community during next month and the health department of the two regions have been mandated to organise a joint health outreach.

The sides have agreed to work together to improve health services to their citizens, especially in the areas of “cold cases” dealing

with infants and maternal mothers and transfers of emergency cases.

Consideration is being given for collaboration on teacher training, improving education delivery and tackling the variety of social ills affecting Manawarin.

It was noted that a significant number of children are not in school.

Both teams have committed to continue working to achieve the matters agreed to, and at the least, meetings of this level to be held annually.

Regards Mark McLean

The Royal College of Music examinations should be revived on a wider scale and National Music Festivals should again be held at least annually and the outstanding performers be featured on the radio and television.

The Indian Cultural Centre should be co-opted in our national effort and this would mean they would have to strengthen their staff and have more musical instruments, some of which they may donate to the teaching institutions which require them. Local Indian cultural societies which would wish to join in this resuscitation effort should also be co-opted.

The National School of Music in Brickdam should be made to play a greater

role in this effort and the Ministry of Education and its cultural arm should encourage and even subsidise the importation of musical instruments. Training programmes should be mounted to assist those who may wish to acquire skills in repairing musical instruments.

The Department of Culture should be on the lookout to attract world-famous artistes to divert their itineraries to include Guyana. The Militia and Police Bands should be persuaded to give regular public concerts, using their classical repertoire.

And lastly, the computer and to a lesser extent, the television, should be employed to help revolutionise music education in Guyana.

No! Never again, Jagdeo!

Dear Editor SO, Bharrat Jagdeo is talking about seeking political support from Afro-Guyanese. Editor, if only the observance of journalistic norms were not in the way of giving full expression, of what would have been a natural response to such a disrespectful statement, I would have used every expletive to denounce Jagdeo.

But I must reproach myself for wanting to do such, even though I would have been right in doing so. I should not want to bring myself to Jagdeo’s level.

I should begin by asking, why should Jagdeo want the support of Afro-Guyanese? Is he seeking to tap into what he may believe to be perceived disaffection among the African segment of government supporters? Of course, there is impatience, since the perceived benefits seem slow in coming.

But that is another letter for another date.

There is this traditional view that Africans have suffered so much from the brutal experiences of slavery, that even their detractors have accepted that such should continue to be their lot, even to his day. It is a fallacy, since there are so many countless accounts of post-slavery resistance -- violent too -- of objections to such a stereotype. And though it is true that Africans are known to be a friendly people -- even for-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

The dog whistle that Africans cannot be trusted with ensuring free and fair elections is counterproductive Dear Editor, THIS issue of race that some seek to trivialise while others use as a wedge in this society must make us all intolerant of such behavior, because what such sets out to do is to keep us divided and underdeveloped as a few rape and reap this nation’s bounties. The issue of race and the discrimination against any individual or group because of identity are not issues treated lightly by me. It is not about who makes the allegation, but who allegedly is inflicting it and the necessity of putting structures in place to prevent and correct claims of being discriminated against.

Statements made by David Williams (Mr. Lewis has failed to meet the standards. ‘..KN June 14, 2018) in response to my call for Robeson Benn, PPP/C Commissioner of GECOM, to provide evidence of his charge of racial discrimination in employment practices at GECOM, seeks to trivialise a serious issue that continues to haunt the society. Diverting attention

to the extant issue on claim that my allegation of the PPP/C government engaging in racial discrimination was not buttressed by evidence ( a lie which can be refuted in accessing my writings through a Google search), the numbers and identity of those killed extra-judicially during the PPP/C’s stewardship questionable, and the statistics revealed by GECOM Chair as to racial identity of those in its employ found wanting, with the message that Benn is not required to present his evidence, represents a hazard to intelligently confronting and dealing with our racial problems.

Bring the evidence from all sides, including that provided by Chairman Justice James Patterson. PPP/C Commissioner Benn must provide his evidence for it is he who has accused and the evidence of his allegation is pivotal to addressing the seriousness of the charge. On the allegation of the number of persons murdered during the PPP/C stewardship, that information is public knowledge and was compiled in a dossier and taken before the CARICOM Heads of Gov-

ernment Meeting in Antigua.

I was at that session when the opposition made the presentation.

It is not too late to address this matter, which can be taken up by this administration. It has been my consistent position that Chapter 144 of the Laws of Guyana, referred to as the Coroner’s Act, is yet to be activated in dealing with those deaths that occurred under unnatural circumstances. While the Coroner’s Act will activate the process to enquire into cause of death, outside of that where it is felt those persons were targeted because of their racial identity or the charge is without merit, our laws allow for a commission of inquiry into such issues.

When this is held, all sides can have an opportunity to make their case and closure brought to this issue.

The issue before us today is GECOM, where allegation is being made of racial employment practices.

If there is seriousness in addressing it, then it can only be addressed, having made an allegation, by providing the evidence to move the process towards investigation, which will lead to findings

and recommendations. This is what Benn, who holds senior public office and is being paid by the citizens, is being called on to ensure.

He has made the charge and foremost has the responsibility to provide the evidence in order to influence the process of investigation. A charge as serious as this must not only be that of making statements, but must be buttressed by evidence and he must be held accountable to such basic standard.

This issue is not about PPP/C or APNU+AFC, but that of ensuring every racial group in this society is treated with deserving respect, including inclusion and protection from being made a scapegoat to advance any partisan political agenda, on any side. While Benn is on record making the charge of racial preference, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo is also on record, saying this issue is not that of race but competence. So what really is the employment practice at GECOM or the preferred employment practice, and this society must address for GECOM is a state institution and accountable to the people.

My position on employment practices to bring about parity in the society is that of equal employment opportunities and such requires a studied approach that would see legislation being put in place with supporting mechanism and structures. Blaring headlines and screaming allegations without seeking measures for redress will exacerbate, not help the situation. It is being reiterated, the failure of the PPP/C administration to even make efforts to bring legislation to correct what it today charges and too was accused of while in office remain a hindrance to improving race relations and assuring opportunities for all.

The dog whistle that Africans cannot be trusted with ensuring free and fair elections is counterproductive. For as this sound is being echoed and emblazoned around the society, it is prudent to remind all that the 1997 Elections were vitiated by the High Court; in the 2006 Elections, the Region 10 seat won by the AFC was confiscated by the PPP/C and occupied by Sam Hinds in the National Assembly; and in 2011, were it not for

No! Never again ... giving – no one should ever make the error of mistaking such for shallow memories.

The over two decades rule of the PPP/C government, has been instructive in the perpetuation of brutal and systematic racism against a segment of the nation’s six races. A deliberate policy of marginalisation, where blacks as individuals were denied access to entrepreneurial finances even when many of them had qualified; the wholesale exclusion of African contractors bidding for public work projects; black communities being denied social amenities because of their race and known political party affiliation, with Linden be-

ing a prime example of this discrimination; the assault against the people of Linden when they rose up against the removal of the electricity subsidy. The state turned its guns against them, resulting in the deaths of three of the township’s people.

There were also scores of young blacks, murdered by the notorious Black Clothes squad in what was clearly a politically directed policy of killing young blacks caught in any criminal enterprise, no matter how minor, even when they surrendered; an all-out military crush them-at- all- cost campaign against the people of Buxton; a decided policy of granting post-graduate scholarships

to mostly Indo-Guyanese, especially within the medical sciences; the transferal through criminal means of the country’s economic assets to one section of the nation’s peoples.

Editor, could you imagine a regime deciding, because it was the government of the day, that it had the right to situate the 1823 African Monument at a place of its choice, without deference to the black community of this country? I labelled that particular act as one of bullyism and gross eye-pass against all African Guyanese, in deciding what should be their history; even Samuel Hinds, the former prime minister, it was report-

ed, whenever he had to perform duties of the presidency had to contend with some Indo-Guyanese photographers refusing to cover his official tours, wherever.

I shall always recall the period of PPP/C governance as one whereby black Guyanese had lost every bit of confidence in themselves as citizens of this country, since all they discerned was a plateau of hopelessness, and with no idea of how they were ever going to remove the oppressive yoke of PPP/C domination.

Some time ago, Jagdeo did allude to African-Guyanese being able to purchase cars and secure homes, because of improved economic

conditions. Even though some have been able to acquire these two amenities, this is not what can be considered as enabling black empowerment. In fact, as an aside, the squatters at Sophia are a perfect example of a housing policy that did not target some of the neediest.

The facilitation of real black empowerment was never on the cards during the PPP/C government, since such had never been its intention.

So, let Jagdeo understand that he is attempting to play a sick game that insults the person of black people, and all those whom his security squads murdered. His appeal is unforgivably offen-

GECOM PNC/R Commissioner Vincent Alexander, the nation could have seen a repeat of 2006. In all three of these elections, the leadership of GECOM, including the chairman, was primarily East Indians.

We do not only want free and fair elections, we also want elections free from fear, and this starts from the process of registration, the names appearing on the List, being allowed to cast a vote, the counting of the ballot to the declaration of the results, which must accurately represent the expressed will of the people. All of our elections have given rise to concerns that all of these factors were not ensured, and where the facts exist they must be confronted and corrected. In the last two elections (2011 and 2015) the observing international community -- notably the OAS and Carter Centre -- was bold enough to make known its concerns that elections were conducted not free from allegations, fear and intimidation.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

Continued from page 6 sive, not only to the blood and sacrifice of our forebears who dug the canals of this country with their bare hands, and to the many who died in 1763, and 1823; but also to their current descendants, who have been brutally demonised and discriminated against by the Indo-Guyanese–led PPP/C government. How did we let this happen to ourselves, is a matter which must cause deep reflection, thought, and analyses? But it must never happen again. Never!

How could you be so disrespectful, Bharrat Jagdeo?

Regards, Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Tough penalties for piracy

THE current law provides stiff penalties for acts of piracy or hijacking of fishing boats off Guyana’s sea-coasts and in its rivers, including life in jail and execution by hanging.

This was pointed out by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in his weekly newspaper column, “My Turn” under the caption, “Piracy: Participation and Punishment,” published in Guyana Sunday Chronicle.

The prime minister, a former journalist and attorney-at-law, reminded all fisherfolk and their hired hands that offences at sea carry serious penalties.

These include life imprisonment for hijacking, that is, taking away or attempting to

take away another boat; life imprisonment for piracy, that is, illegally detaining a boat in a river or on the sea; or participating in the operation of a pirate

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

vessel; 10 years imprisonment for covering up a piracy attack, where death resulted; and death by hanging, for murder on board a vessel during an armed robbery, hijacking or piracy.

He cautioned that fishing crew who sign on to work on a “pirate boat”, whether in Guyana, Suriname or elsewhere, cannot claim that they do not know the law; or plead that “is dem, not me!”

Nagamootoo was at the time commenting on the multiple counts of murder with which three Guyanese fishermen have been charged, arising from the piracy-related massacre of mostly Guyanese fishermen off the coast of Suriname.

He noted that the alleged mastermind and his co-accused, as well as a third murder accused,

are all from Upper Corentyne.

The alleged mastermind, 43-year-old Primnauth Persaud, called “Sinbad” of Cromarty Village, and his co-accused Nakool Manohar, popularly known as “Fyah” of Number 43 Village, were last week charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing fishermen Mahesh Sarjoo and Tillacknauth Mohabir during a piracy attack in Suriname last month.

The men appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrates’ Court, where they were not required to plead to the indictable charge. The charge stated that between April 26 and May 3 at sea, they allegedly murdered Tillacknauth and Sarjoo during the course or furtherance of a

-- PM Nagamootoo warns fishermen against hijacking

robbery.

A week before the duo appeared in court, 19-year-old Alexander DenHart, called “Shame Face,” appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and was not required to answer to the charge. Particulars of the charge allege that between April 26 and May 3, 2018 while in Guyana’s territorial waters, DenHart murdered Tillacknauth Mahabir, called “Caiman”, who was on a vessel that was robbed.

Nagamootoo said upon conviction, they face the penalty of death by hanging.

Meanwhile, 13 other persons remain in police custody in Suriname, and could also face piracy and murder charges in that jurisdiction.

The question that has been raised, he wrote, is whether the three murder accused should be charged in Guyana for offences committed in Suriname.

The answer is found in provisions of the Hijacking and Piracy Act (2008), for offences, though committed in another country, to be treated as if they were done within Guyana or its territorial waters. In other words, as advised, Guyana has jurisdiction.

During April-May this year, two separate attacks took place against five Suriname-registered fishing vessels, both with some 25 crew members,mostly Guyanese.

Nine fishermen survived the grisly, gruesome blood-bath; 12 are still missing, and are presumably dead.

Regional Integrity Commissions discuss the ‘real cost’ of corruption THE Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies (CCAICACB) held its 4th Annual Conference from June 4th to 8th, 2018 in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), according to a statement from the Integrity Commission.

The theme of the conference was ‘Counting the real cost of corruption: Everyone Engaging in the Fight’. According to the statement, this conference and Annual General Meeting of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies of eleven (11) countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean, was attended by the Chairman, Mr. Kumar Doraisami and Mrs. Rosemary Benjamin- Noble, Commissioner of the Integrity Commission of Guyana. Among the countries present along with Guyana were: TCI, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica, Belize, Cayman Islands and Antigua.

The conference was chaired, co-hosted and co-sponsored by the Integrity Commission of the TCI with the Commonwealth Secretariat co-sponsoring also. Acting Governor of TCI, Her Excellenc Mrs. Anya Williams represented the Government of TCI and officially opened the conference.

The feature address at this ceremony was delivered by distinguished Professor Trevor Munroe, Executive Director of the National Integrity Action, Jamaica. Professor Munroe shared experiences, made recommendations and provided food for thought for the conference participants as they move forward in execution of their responsibilities.

The statement said that representatives of each member country gave a presentation to provide updates on the work achieved during the previous year or from time of appointment. It noted that there was also discussion on the content of the Integrity Commission legislation and effectiveness of

its application. “Several panel discussions on variations of the conference’s theme, such as ‘Exploring the link between Corruption and Poverty’, provided significant insight into issues which are alive, existing challenges and recommended approaches by Integrity Commissions in their work, in order to be transparent and effective,” said the statement.

It noted that part of the mission of the CCAICACB is to promote good governance in accordance with best practice and the development, sharing and promotion of strategies for fighting corruption. “This early opportunity to liaise with colleagues of like responsibilities as members of Integrity Commissions and anti-corruption bodies, and their supporting functionaries, has provided added impetus to the Integrity Commission in Guyana in execution of its mandate,” said the local Integrity Commission.

Sergeant, family members hospitalised -- after cops crash into taxi while chasing motorcyclist

The police vehicle that was involved in the accident on Sunday

TWO police constables and another officer are in trouble after several procedures were breached while chasing two persons on a motorcycle on Sunday.

During the chase of the motorcyclist and his pillion rider who was a child, the cops’ vehicle crashed into a taxi which at the time had a driver and three passengers.

All four occupants of the car were rushed to hospital.

The car that was hit by the police vehicle during the high-speed chase

The occupants of the car included a sergeant attached to the Special Constabulary headquarters, her daughter and granddaughter.

Reports indicate that the police constables had dropped off a subordinate officer to get food and went after the motorcyclist. Both the motorcyclist and the child were without helmets, reports say.

The taxi was badly damaged in the crash, while the police vehicle ended up in a nearby trench at Princes Street and Lousia Row. Divisional Commander Leslie James, said from all indications standard operating procedures were breached during the chase and an investigation is under way.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Linden to Lethem road construction on target –– businesses investing in mining town

AS Linden prepares for the imminent construction of the Linden to Lethem road, development has been noted in the mining town, especially in the area of hospitality.

In early June, a first-class restaurant opened its doors. Kingdom Styles Entertainment Restaurant and Movie Theatre, located at the Toucan’s Mall in Amelia’s Ward, has added a touch of class to Linden. Owner Kellon Nedd promises quality in both service and food.

Kingdom Styles Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, which include threecourse meals. The cuisine is a mixture of local and international dishes. Persons can also order take out. Reservations can be made and the restaurant also hosts events such as birthdays and weddings, since it can accommodate 180 persons. The movie theatre, which is equipped with a fully stocked confectionery

bar, shows premier movies Nedd, who also owns two fast-food chicken outlets, is optimistic about Linden’s economy and the success of his investment.

With his businesses, Nedd has employed 19 Lindeners and he plans on hiring more.

Just a few months prior, Tropical Reflections, another restaurant and bar, was opened in Mackenzie and while the atmosphere is less formal, it was especially welcomed by Lindeners. Tropical Reflections, which is strategically located at Linden’s Five-Corner, caters for drivers and commuters travelling to hinterland locations. Hot and cold meals are available 24 hours, as well as facilities to freshen up.

Veteran businessman Hilton Lyle, owner of Tropical Reflections, has also taken the gamble of establishing a motorcycle store in Linden. This is a move he has not regretted One of many supermarkets in the mining town of Linden and has encouraged other investors to come to the mining town to do the same.

The newly established first-class restaurant, Kingdom Styles

RIPPLE EFFECT Residents and regional authorities have noted that the influx of new businesses in the town has contributed to lowering the unemployment rate and has also created a positive ripple effect in the economy.

In addition to these two restaurants, in less than a year, an influx of businesses has been welcomed in Linden. Over seven supermarkets have opened their doors, a gas station, an insurance company, several sports bars, a tourism touring company, several guest houses and one Bed and Breakfast facility.

Executive Member and former President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Deyoung, believes that with the Linden to Lethem road, the mining town will no longer be only dubbed the gateway to the interior,

but also the gateway to Brazil and by extension, South America. It is anticipated that this thoroughfare will open up avenues for development in an array of sectors, including the tourism, agricultural, business, manufacturing and the construction sector. “We see this road as a rebranding of Linden,” Deyoung said.

He also highlighted several factors that can encourage more investment in Linden.

These include the town’s strategic location, since it is accessible to six other regions and is the entryway to the interior; a skilled, qualified and a capable workforce that are eagerly awaiting employment; available land located in all parts of the town waiting to be developed and Linden is the only town with subsidised electricity, which will cut costs for energy.

Linden is currently preparing for the highly expected people-traffic that the new road will bring. (DPI)

AG talks up Guyana’s development during Canada visit ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams recently gave officials of the Toronto City Hall a progress report on Guyana’s development.

At the Toronto City Hall on Thursday, Williams was received by Jim Karygiannis, Councillor of Ward 39, Scarborough-Agincourt.

During their brief discussion, the attorney general updated the councillor on Guyana’s budding oil and gas sector and its Green State Development

Strategy.

In welcoming the attorney general to the Toronto City Hall, Karygiannis took note of Guyanese contributions to the city of Toronto and the skills that they have brought with them. After the brief discussions, the attorney general signed the Toronto City Hall’s Guest Book and was given a guided tour of City Hall.

The visit to Toronto City Hall was organised by the Guyanese community in Toronto, which was also represented at the meeting.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams signing the Toronto City Hall’s Guest Book in the presence of Councillor Jim Karygiannis

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If you are a father, read on…

SO yesterday was Father’s Day and in Guyana many children and families did their best to show how much they care for the special ‘Father’ in their lives.

If you are a father, were you bothered about what gift you were given on Father’s Day? Or whether your family made a big enough fuss about you? Because the real over-arching question is, can any gift or tribute, truly reflect the worth of a good father?

THE WORTH OF A GOOD FATHER (do you make the grade)

A good father is a ‘Dad’ who is approachable, fair and a provider for his family. He understands the importance of his role in the family unit. He is able to communicate with his wife and his children on an open and consistent level. He knows how to control his temper and his negative emotions because he realises that if he loses control the entire fabric of the family unit can fall apart. Children need their fathers to be positive role models, whether they are girls or boys, they need to see and feel the strength and security of a man

they can trust, look up to and confide in.

A good ‘Dad’ cannot be bought or sold, he is priceless because the stability and love that he shows his family is reflected in all that the family members achieve. He is their rock, their place of refuge when things get tough: he is humble and honest, upright and thoughtful. He can be fun, jovial and playful, but is a disciplinarian who realises there is a time and place for everything. Men who strive to be good ‘Dads’ are serious in their approach and do not waiver, they understand their responsibility towards the lives and well-being of the children that they have brought into the World.

For many men the role of ‘Father’ is just a parody of what they witnessed of their ‘Fathers’ as a child. For instance, some would have grown up in households where their fathers were strict and didn’t talk much but tended to ‘share plenty licks’. Therefore they believe that fathers should always be serious and over-powering. These types of ‘Fathers’ never get the opportunity to learn about, or make a true connection with, their child, or his/her inner thoughts and feelings: because the child is never given the space or opening to express his/her self fully (this can only be done in private).

Many fathers have nothing at all to do with their children, through one reason or another. These children are disadvantaged because even if they have a stepfather who is a wonderful ‘Dad’ they will always be curious about their biological father: And in some cases, they’d want to know why he did not

‘move mountains’ on a never-ending quest to play a role in their lives. As children get older they tend to analyse their childhood more and more. As young adults many of them recognise some of the positive or negative traits that may have affected their social/ emotional development: And their relationship with their father (or lack of) can be a key factor.

Fathers, who are ineffective but present throughout their children’s childhood, can be poor examples to their children and negatively affect, rather than enhance their development: especially if they drink alcohol excessively, or partake in recreational drugs.

The savvy and know-how required to be a good ‘Dad’ is hampered by their dysfunctional lifestyles. Though children strive and grow whatever the circumstances surrounding their upbringing, a positive and genuine ‘Father figure’ is one that has a long-lasting positive effect on his children and therefore on generations to come. Such fathers’ should never be taken for granted or denied access to their children.

So, now that you’ve read these examples, how do you measure up as a ‘Father’?

If you fall short, you can start working to improve your ‘Dad’ strategies today.

Remember there is always time and room for improvement.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Second batch of trainees begins TOTALTEC oilfield operator programme ...45 percent of the 25 recruits hail from the sugar and bauxite industries THE second batch of young people commenced an eight-week oilfield operator course at the TOTALTEC Academy in Houston, Georgetown, hot on the heels of the graduation of the first batch which saw 22 successfully completing the course a few

Mangal noted that of the 25 new recruits in the second batch, about 45% come with backgrounds from the recently impacted sugar and bauxite mining sectors.

“The opportunity for former workers coming from the sugar and bauxite sectors has proven to be highly successful in transforming career prospects for the individuals involved. On the first programme run by TOTALTEC, over 30% of the successful

The new batch of trainees as they embark on the eight-week programme.

(TOTALTEC) weeks ago.

The training equips the candidates with the foundational safety and operational skills necessary to work in the oilfield service industry. The training includes safe and proper techniques for slinging, lifting, handling, crane operations, fork lift driving, working at height and in confined and hazardous areas, among others.

According to President and CEO of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, Mr Lars Mangal, the graduates of the first cohort are now in various positions for companies active in Guyana’s rapidly developing, emerging oil and gas sector.

graduates came from the sugar sector,” said Mangal.

He noted that TOTALTEC’s focus is on building the workforce of the future today.

He said the various companies to which graduates were sent to work are giving lots of positive feedback.

“Demand is high. The flexibility we offer through scholarships, sponsorships and internships is being well received by Guyanese and international companies who understand that a skilled, safety conscious workforce is critical to their success,” said Mangal.

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More Guyanese embracing yoga

GOOD health and mental stability are goals that Guyanese intend to achieve through consistent practice of the ancient art, yoga.

Yoga is defined as a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation.

In some cases, persons prefer to sit quietly in a corner and practise the popular form of physical exercise which is based on asanas (physical poses) which promote improved control of the mind and body.

Guyana joined the rest of the world in the celebration of World Yoga Day 2018 at the Everest Cricket Club on Sunday.

The event, which was organised by the High Com-

portunity to clean the mind and soul.

She believes that yoga allows persons to be a light in the world of darkness. In order to do that, persons were urged to take at least an hour out of their daily schedule to do yoga.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Ven-

katachalam Mahalingam, echoed Minister Hughes’s sentiments, noting that yoga is good for brining harmony between the mind and body.

He too believes that it is a powerful tool which has been established as a universal language.

World Yoga Day has been a tool which helps to

spread the art across the world. The event was celebrated in Guyana for the third year in a row at the same location.

Many local organisations have supported the initiative and the high commissioner expects that more will continue to give support.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, addresses the gathering on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo) mission of India, attracted scores of persons, who visibly enjoyed the sessions.

Among those persons who attended the event were

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, diplomats, prominent businessmen and other distinguished guests.

During a rain shower, Minister Hughes, in drawing an analogy, said rain is a cleansing of the physical being, while yoga is an op-

Peace of mind was the aim on Sunday when scores gathered at Everest to be part of the World Yoga Day activity (Samuel Maughn photo)

Caribbean ICT roadshow for Guyana THE Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) in collaboration with government will be re-launching the Caribbean Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Roadshow in Guyana this July.

The event is being hosted by the Ministry of Telecommunications and will be held on July 9-13, 2018.

The roadshow is aimed at building awareness on the use of ICT in every aspect of Caribbean life and encourages greater regional collaboration in the development of ICT policies and solutions, among other objectives.

Since its initiation in 2009, the ICT Roadshow has been held 23 times in 18 Caribbean territories, including Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize.

While in Guyana, it will seek, primarily, to educate and raise awareness on the principles of a 21st Century Government which is able to make effective use of ICT to deliver services

to its citizens and other stakeholders.

The 2018 Roadshow boasts an updated edition and will see Guyanese in Georgetown, Berbice and Lethem participating in a list of activities and workshops across several sectors.

The activities for July 9 will begin with a 21st Century Government

workshop, and on the same date, an ICT workshop targetting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and their involvement in the field.

From July 9-11, there will be a workshop geared towards persons in the agriculture sector who will join in

the dialogue on e-agriculture and how ICT can help to accelerate development in the field.

Then on July 10, two events will be hosted including a Digital Financial Services and an ICT4All programme followed by an Innovator’s Forum and a Justice Sector and ICT engagement on July 11.

These will be trailed by a Future Casting Forum from July 11-12; a Cyber Security workshop on July 12; and a Youth Fair and Forum from July 11-13.

The CTU invites the private sector, civil society, policy makers, technocrats, operators, regulators and academia to be a part of the events.

At the same time, the government, through the Ministry of Telecommunication, has over the years reiterated its commitment to transforming Guyana through ICT for the long-term benefits of its citizens.

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City Hall supports ban on single-use plastics

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown is in full support of the ban on single-use plastics and has begun efforts to spread awareness of its adverse effects.

Speaking at a children’s concert held at the Stabroek Square on Saturday, M&CC Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, told Guyana Chronicle that the Council will be engaging in awareness sessions to disseminate information on the effects of plastics on the environment.

The concert was organised to educate children and the wider public in this regard.

“The children are here to showcase their talents in the arts, but the focus is to disseminate the environmental message of eliminating single-use plastics from the environment.”

For the Council, it is equally important to involve children in the discourse on good environmental practices, and as such, chil-

dren from across several primary schools in Georgetown participated in the forum. They were allowed to share their own messages through poems, songs and dances.

World Environment Day was observed recently under the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution: If you can’t reuse it, refuse it”.

The occasion sought to raise awareness on the detrimental effects the versatile material has on the biosphere. Single-use plastics are those common everyday plastic beverage bottles, bags, straws and alike that are disposed of after only being used once.

Earlier this year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon posited that steps had been initiated to address the scourge of plastic pollution impacting the environment.

“We want to encourage all Guyanese to support the ban on single-use plastics because it’s harming the environment and if we support this initiative, the environment and [its people] will be better off,” Harmon said.

Students of Stella Maris Primary showcase recycling and proper disposal practices through their dance (Delano Williams photo)

MovieTowne breached investment agreement –– GRA boss says revenue body not to be blamed for delayed opening

GUYANA Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia has dismissed claims made in a Kaietuer News article headlined “MovieTowne owner decries red tape in US$40M Turkeyen investment,” published last Wednesday.

The article cited major contributing factors which prolonged the postponement of the opening of MovieTowne, including that equipment and seating were at the wharves for weeks, awaiting “simple” signatures.

Statia in a statement said by deduction, this implies that the revenue body may have been responsible for tardiness in clearing such equipment.

He noted that while the GRA is legally guided by the rules of confidentiality, it will set the record straight in this instance.

The commissioner-general noted that construction of MovieTowne commenced in 2011 and in mid-2017, the principal of MovieTowne first met with the GRA to discuss the issue of

concessions, and at that meeting, requested that concessions be backdated to the commencement of construction.

The GRA, he said, advised that concessions cannot be backdated and should have been applied prior to the commencement of construction.

The entity also advised the principal that equipment currently being utilised in the construction of MovieTowne, was in breach of the terms of another Investment Development Agreement (IDA), since, based on the said IDA, equipment earmarked for use on another major project was being utilised in the construction of MovieTowne.

“Rather than terminating the IDA, and notwithstanding the breach, the GRA agreed to allow both projects to continue, with the understanding that the available remedies under the said IDA will be enforced, subsequent to the completion of both projects.

“MovieTowne submitted an IDA application to Go-Invest, which was

copied to the GRA and was advised in September 2017 by the GRA that only concessions similar to those granted to competitors in the industry will be allowed, and further that additional information was needed, inclusive of source of financing before a recommendation can be made to the Honourable Minister of Finance for approval,” Statia said.

He said MovieTowne’s container arrived at the wharf on October 21, 2017, and without the approval of the IDA, the GRA facilitated MovieTowne to clear its goods with a Prior to Processing (PTP) arrangement on November 19, 2017.

The goods were uplifted on November 28, 2017, demonstrating that there were no delays on GRA’s part.

Statia said on December 29, 2017, MovieTowne was granted an IDA consistent with those granted to competitors in the industry, which allows for the waiver of duty and VAT on certain equipment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

IOM to help gov’t manage migration in light of oil industry -Guyanese in the diaspora expected to return, new migrants likely

WITH the introduction of the oil and gas industry, Guyanese living abroad are expected to return and new migrants might seek opportunities in the country.

As such, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will be looking for ways to help the government manage migration.

“People are coming and there will be returning Guyanese who are looking for opportunities and taking advantage of an improved economic situation, so we would like to continue to work with the Government

of Guyana to look at how we can manage migration and integrate incoming persons, assist returning Guyanese and facilitate their return,” said IOM’s Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean, Robert Natiello, during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

When oil production starts in 2020, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase, because of the increase in economic activities.

This he believes can cause an influx of people who are looking for opportunities.

Guyana has already been cited as a transit and destination country, Natiello said, noting that the IOM has recorded cases of persons arriving from Cuba then undertaking an “irregular migration” route from Guyana to Chile and then north up to the United States of America (USA).

“I think we have seen and everyone is also cognisant of the issue of Haitians who are arriving, presumably [with] the intention of travelling to French Guiana where they may have family members and language affinity,” he

IOM’s Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean, Robert Natiello (Samuel Maughn photo)

said, adding that Suriname addressed a similar incident by implementing a visa requirement on Haitian citizens.

Suriname was the usual access point to French Guiana, but since the visa requirement was passed, there has been an influx of Haitians to Guyana.

In some cases, the IOM has provided translation support for Haitians who come here.

Although the organisation assists, it recognises the rights of a state and its sovereignty to determine who

enters, how they enter and how long they stay. Basically, he said the IOM does not get involved in those decisions.

Despite being under scrutiny most times, migrants have rights -- the right of the free movement of people which was established in the universal declaration of human rights. But states have the right of determining who enters the country and how long they stay.

Over the years, the IOM has been providing technical support to the Government of Guyana in the area of border management.

Healthcare professionals benefit from diabetic retinopathy training

Dr. Celeste Hinds lecturing participants at WDRH on Sunday June 10

GENERAL practitioners and nurses of Region Three were the beneficiaries of a one-day workshop on diabetic retinopathy, which was organised by the Ophthalmology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The one-day exercise which was hosted at the West Demerara Regional Hospital

(WDRH) was the third of its kind.

According to GPHC’s Ophthalmology Department, the programme aimed to increase awareness about diabetic complications of the eye, which are known as diabetic retinopathy.

The Ophthalmology Department is the coordinating stakeholder of the Guyana Diabetic Retinopathy Pro-

gramme of the Ministry of Public Health’s Guyana Diabetes Care Project.

The Guyana programme aims to introduce screening and treatment of diabetic eye disease in the public system.

“This programme is funded by the World Diabetes Foundation and has multiple stakeholders assisting in the execution of the project such

Dr. Jenell Sarju conducts a practical demonstration with doctors on ophthalmoscopy, during the Diabetes and Eye Workshop at WDRH on Sunday, June 10

as the University of Toronto and Orbis International,” said the department.

Fifty two health care professionals, including 27 doctors and 25 nurses were trained in sessions about diabetes; nutritional aspects of diabetes care; counselling of persons with diabetes; diabetes and how it affects the eye; screening for diabetic retinopathy and they were also taught how to examine the eye during practical sessions.

At the end of the workshop, participants gave positive reviews about the workshop and indicated that they were able to develop a better understanding of how diabetes affects the eye.

The training team comprised eight professionals from the GPHC and the curriculum/ agenda of the workshop was developed by the Ophthalmology Department.

Similar workshops were held last year at the Suddie Regional Hospital, Essequibo, in Region Two and at Project Dawn on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Baramita runway showing signs of substandard work Visible skid marks that lifted the layer of the runway (Learie Constantine Barclay photo)

A wider view of the deteriorated area (Learie Constantine Barclay photo)

A RUNWAY and parking area which were constructed recently at Baramita, Region One, have already started to show signs of deterioration.

“It is in a deplorable condition due to substandard work… the bitumen layer is less than a ¼ inch thick,” said pilot Learie Constantine Barclay in a post on his

Facebook page.

Barclay said the area was rehabilitated less than six months ago, but has already started to deteriorate.

“I must blame the contractor who knew he was shafting the taxpayers by doing this egregious wrong! This would not have stopped up to a car, much less a 10,000

pound aircraft exerting landing forces on it,” the pilot lamented.

In a response to the Facebook post, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said the matter will be investigated and reported, once the contract was done under his ministry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Epic Savannah Drive billed for July 1 EPIC Savannah Drive, whose aim is to push the frontiers of local adventure tourism by providing an atmosphere where adventure meets adrenaline, returns on July 1 According to the event’s founder and coordinator, Shane D’Andrade, the drive will be passing through four communities this year, namely Yarrowkabra, Laluni, Swan and Pakuri (formerly known as St. Cuthbert’s Mission).

This year marks the fifth annual Epic Savannah Drive and second year of collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

“My objective from over the years is to help communities to see and realise the potential they have,” D’Andrade said.

Mud drag racing, an obstacle course and archery are some of the organised side attractions but the commu-

nities themselves have an opportunity to showcase their craft products and cuisine.

According to GTA representative, Ronald Smith, the

authority is pleased to join in the event because it also promotes community-based tourism.

“I also want to emphasise

Founder and coordinator of the Savannah Drive, Shane D’Andrade (Delano Williams photo)

Several new toshaos in Region Two TWO toshaos retained their positions and seven new toshaos were elected when Village Councils in Region Two held their elections recently.

In the village of Akawini, David Wilson secured 190 votes to secure another term in office. Rudolph Wilson secured 90 votes, while James Charles got only 15 votes.

Over in Wakapoa, Howard Corneilius raked in 190 votes, successfully replacing Errol Williams who received 165 votes.

In St. Monica/Karawab, Thomas Charles secured 137 votes to replace James Miguel. Miguel did not contest in the recent elections, however, Thomas Charles did, but he managed to rake in only 38 votes.

Sherman Ltye will now become the new toshao of

Kabakaburi after securing 93 votes. He replaces Cleveland Simon, who this time around did not contest in the elections. The other candidates Orin Thomas, Adam Calistro and Nureen Thomas did not secure more than 43 votes.

Over at St. Deny’s Tapakuma, Aubrey Fredricks won the elections with 95 votes to become the toshao. Notably, Winsley Pearson and Carmelita Singh secured 17 and 24 votes respectively. Fredricks is replacing James Schadde.

At Mainstay/Whyaka, it was a stiff competition between Yvonne Pearson and Milton Fredericks, but Fredericks emerged on top with 158 votes to replace Joel Fredericks. Pearson raked in 139 votes.

The village of Capoey will now be headed by Ralph Hendricks, who secured 113

votes in the recent elections to defeat Melrose Henry who secured 89 votes.

Bethany’s new toshao is Philbert Gudge, who secured 47 votes over Banes Thomas (36 votes) and Harold Marslowe (34 votes).

Gudge will replace Marslowe.

At Mashabo, Sylvin Raphael will return for another term after securing 51 votes.

He defeated Henry Hendricks with 25 votes, Ulric Williams with 26 votes and Gidel Abrams who got 33 votes.

The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two in a statement extended congratulations and best wishes to the elected toshaos and their councils, as they chart a course of efficient management and development of their respective communities.

that persons pay attention to the local cuisine and art and craft,” he said.

The founder highlighted also that 40 per cent of the money garnered from registration will be divided among the four communities for sport development.

This is yet another initiative being fostered through the drive to promote community development.

Furthermore, on June 30, the day before the rugged, off road adventure, there will be a Miss Yarrowkabra pageant.

Pre-registration costs are $10,000 for vehicles and $3000 for motorbikes, and are open currently at Rent-ATent, Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Public Road and at the Key Shop, on Carmichael Street.

Patrons can also enjoy a guided bus tour for $5000.

D’Andrade noted that this tour is one which the Savannah Drive is working along with the GTA to integrate into their list of the yearround activities.

Though the drive will be

one for the adventurers at heart to let their adrenaline run free, D’Andrade assured that the organising team will be taking all necessary precautions. There will be tour guides, mechanics, security and medical personnel accompanying the group.

In the coming months, the Savannah drive crew will also be organising more trips to out-of-town and indigenous communities, particularly in September in observance of Indigenous People’s Heritage Month.

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Toyota completes Le Mans Victory

Alonso’s (second left with trophy) victory, alongside his Toyota teammates, completes the second part of the Spaniard’s motorsport ‘triple crown’

(BBC) - FERNANDO Alonso won Le Mans 24 Hours at the first attempt as he and teammates Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima finally

ended Toyota’s long drought.

Toyota had never won the sportscar race despite years of trying, but finally delivered in an event in which

they were effectively without opposition.

Alonso’s victory completes the second part of motorsport’s ‘triple crown’ for the two-time Formula 1

Ireland tie Scotland in thriller (BBC) PAUL Stirling made the most of a let-off on the second ball of the Ireland chase to break his own Ireland record for his side’s highest score in T20 internationals in a dramatic tie with Scotland at Deventer.

It’s just the 10th tied result ever in the format, including tournamentmatches decided later by a super over, and first since

England tied Pakistan at Sharjah in November 2015.

Interestingly, it was also the first game in T20I cricket that was left as a tie, and not decided by a super-over or bowl out.

Ireland needed seven off the final over with five wickets in hand and Kevin O’Brien well-set on 28, but Safyaan Sharif denied an Irish win against the odds by dismissing O’Brien off

SCORE BOARD

Scotland 1st innings George Munsey c Peter Chase b George Dockrell Kyle Coetzer c Stuart Thompson b Simi Singh Calum MacLeod Not Out Michael Leask Run Out James Shannon Matthew Cross c Gary Wilson b Barry McCarthy Richard Berrington (Not Out) Extras: 4b 3lb 2nb 0pen 4w Total (20.0 overs) 185-4 Fall of Wickets : 1-93 Munsey, 2-123 Coetzer, 3-133 Leask, 4-172 Cross Did Not Bat : Budge, Sole, Whittingham, Tahir, Sharif Bowling Simi Singh Peter Chase George Dockrell Barry McCarthy Stuart Thompson Paul Stirling

Ov 4 2 4 4 3 3

Md 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rn Wk Econ 34 1 8.50 19 0 9.50 36 1 9.00 51 1 12.75 16 0 5.33 22 0 7.33

46 54 46 4 18 4 13

Ex 1w 2w 2nb 1w

.............................................................

Ireland 1st innings Paul Stirling c Safyaan Sharif b Hamza Tahir James Shannon b Safyaan Sharif Andrew Balbirnie c Hamza Tahir b Stu Whittingham Simi Singh c Matthew Cross b Richard Berrington Gary Wilson c Matthew Cross b Stu Whittingham Kevin O’Brien c Dylan Budge b Safyaan Sharif Stuart Thompson (Not Out) Stuart Poynter (Not Out) Extras:1b 6lb 0nb 0pen 5w Total (20.0 overs) 185-6 Fall of Wickets : 1-28 Shannon, 2-40 Balbirnie, 3-108 Singh, 4-126 Stirling, 5-165 Wilson, 6-179 O’Brien Did Not Bat : Dockrell, McCarthy, Chase Bowling Ov Md Rn Wk Econ Ex Safyaan Sharif 4 0 31 2 7.75 Chris Sole 4 0 43 0 10.75 3w Hamza Tahir 4 0 43 1 10.75 Stu Whittingham 4 0 33 2 8.25 2w Michael Leask 2 0 18 0 9.00 Richard Berrington 2 0 10 1 5.00

81 6 3 26 20 28 7 2 12

the first ball. Just four runs came off the next four balls to leave Ireland three to win off the final ball, but Stuart Thompson was able to scamper a two to long-on to level the scores.

Stirling had yet to score in Ireland’s pursuit of Scotland’s 185 when he was spilled over the rope at deep square leg for six off the bowling of Sharif but went on to make a 27ball half-century, his eighth in T20Is. The second life was reminiscent of his bruising half-century against Scotland in last year’s semi-final at the Desert T20 Challenge when Stirling was dropped in the first over of the match off Mark Watt.

Just like in Dubai, Stirling punished Scotland for the error, bashing 81 off 41 balls. In the process, Stirling eclipsed the previous best for Ireland made by himself in the final of the 2012 World T20 Qualifier when he cracked 79 off 38 balls in a championship winning performance over Afghanistan. His innings ended 19 short of what would have been Ireland’s first T20I ton when he slashed left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir to short third man for Tahir’s maiden T20I wicket.

By that stage, Ireland needed 60 off the final 6.2 overs with six wickets in hand.

O’Brien replaced Stirling and kept the required run rate in check with three sixes in his knock to steer Ireland into the final over before falling with victory in sight.

world champion.

Twice a Monaco Grand Prix winner, he now wants to win the Indianapolis 500.

Only Englishman Graham Hill has won all three classic races in the entire history of motorsport.

Alonso joined Toyota’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) programme this season with the aim of winning Le Mans, and is dovetailing it with his programme with McLaren in Formula 1.

Toyota are the only team competing with a hybrid car in the top LMP1 class, and the privateer-run nonhybrids are not fast enough to challenge them.

The presence of a sporting icon at Le Mans guaranteed the race, Toyota

and the WEC far greater international attention than had it been six lesser-known drivers competing in what was effectively a private Toyota battle.

Nakajima - who, like Buemi, is a former F1 driver - put Alonso’s number eight car on pole position and the lead see-sawed between it and the number seven machine shared by Briton Mike Conway, Japanese Kamui Kobayashi and Argentine Jose Maria Lopez for much of the first half of the race.

The advantage seemed to have swung to the number seven car when Buemi was penalised with a 60-second stop-and-go penalty for speeding in a caution zone shortly after night fell on Saturday.

Federer beats Raonic to win Mercedes Cup

Roger Federer will return to world number one in the latest rankings on Monday

(BBC) - ROGER Federer beat Milos Raonic to win the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, his first event for two and a half months.

The Swiss had not played since the Miami Open in March, after choosing to miss the clay-court season, but the win in Germany gives him a 98th Tour title.

Federer, 36, beat Canadian Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the final.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion had already secured his return to number one in the world rankings with victory over Nick Kyrgios in the semi-final.

The only break of serve came in the third game of the match with Federer clinching it with a backhand winner.

The second set was again tight as both players’ serve dominated on the grass court but Federer edged it on a tiebreak.

“I played very well throughout the tournament; it is a great comeback for me.

I am so happy to have won,” said Federer.

“I was hoping to play a

couple matches here but I have played four and won them all. The last few have been very good.

“I hope I keep it up at Halle and Wimbledon. It will give me a boost as well being back at world number one.”

Federer also sat out the clay-court season in 2017 but last year lost on his return in Stuttgart before going on to win the Gerry Weber Open in Halle and claim an eighth Wimbledon title.

He will again compete at Halle next week, aiming for a record 10th title, before Wimbledon which begins on 2 July.

Elsewhere, Richard Gasquet earned his first title of the year and the 15th of his career after beating fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy to win the Libema Open at s’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

The 31-year-old, who had not won a grass court title since the first two tournament wins of his career in Nottingham in 2005 and 2006, beat Chardy 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Swiss hold Brazil to draw (REUTERS) - BRAZIL joined the host of big guns who have failed to fire in their opening World Cup game as lax defending from a corner allowed Switzerland to cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s spectacular curling strike and grab a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The five-time world champions took a deserved lead midway through the first half in the Group E game when Coutinho’s irresistible long-distance shot cannoned in off the far post, but Tite’s side, who had looked so impressive in the tournament build-up, failed to build on their advantage.

The highly-organised Swiss hit back early in the second period from one of their few chances as Brazil’s Casemiro and

Miranda switched off and the unmarked Steven Zuber barely had to leave his feet to nod in Xherdan Shaqiri’s whipped corner.

Brazil went all out in pursuit of a winner and came agonisingly close to finding it but had to settle for a point and joined fellow tournament favourites Germany, Spain and Argentina in failing to win their first game.

Neymar’s flamboyant blond ‘spaghetti’ haircut certainly caught the eye although he only gave glimpses of the spectacular dribbles and plays he is renowned for and which led Paris St Germain to shell out 222 million euros for him.

Instead, Brazil’s second most expensive player, Coutinho, pulled Tite’s side’s strings, constantly finding right winger Willian

and drifting striker Gabriel Jesus with sweeping passes, although Switzerland managed to deal with the threat.

They foolishly offered him the chance to demonstrate his most spectacular quality.

However, a cross from Marcelo was cleared into the path of the Barcelona midfielder who wrapped his right foot around the ball and delivered an irresistible finish to break the deadlock in the 20th minute.

The whirlwind finish delighted the Rostov Arena, where yellow-shirted Brazil fans vastly outnumbered the red of the Swiss, although Tite’s side failed to build further momentum, as Neymar was frequently stopped in his tracks by tactical fouls from Vladimir Petkovic’s side.

The Brazil players form a team-huddle on the pitch prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at Rostov Arena on June 17, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) The PSG forward, who was making only his second start since a metatarsal injury ended his season in February, did not look as if he had fully recovered, as his coach had warned on the eve of the game by admitting his side’s talisman was “not 100

percent”.

Still, Brazil always looked in control until they ceded a corner and Zuber took full advantage of their collective lapse of concentration.

They made a far bigger effort than the Swiss to find

a second goal and were not far from finding it.

Coutinho and Miranda each lashed wide from inside the area while Neymar and substitute Roberto Firmino were denied by Swiss goalkeeper, Yann Sommer.

Kolarov stuns Costa Rica 1-0 Mexican wall impregnable ‒Beat Germany 1-0

Costa Rica goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, is beaten by a free-kick from Aleksandar Kolarov for the winning goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Costa Rica and Serbia at Samara Arena on June 17, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) ALEKSANDAR Kolarov produced a moment of captain’s inspiration, curling home a superb free-kick as Serbia got their World Cup Group E campaign up and running with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Sunday.

With the Central Americans proving a tough nut to crack, Kolarov stepped up to bury a 25-metre effort from wide on the right, lighting up an otherwise tight game in the southern Russian city of Samara.

Serbia had dominated against a Costa Rica side who rarely threatened after a bright start, but chances were thin on the ground until Kolarov made the breakthrough in the 56th

minute.

With Brazil, who are heavy favourites to win the group which also features Switzerland, the victory delivered a potentially vital three points for Serbia and lifted a weight from coach Mladen Krstajic, in what was his first competitive game.

“Frankly speaking, there was a great deal of pressure on the team, and on me, over the past seven months,” said the Serbia coach, who took the job in October.

Krstajic’s relief was matched in equal measure by the disappointment of Costa Rica boss, Oscar Ramirez, whose side are in a precarious position.

“Maybe we have lost a certain margin for qualifying,” he said. “It’s

going to be difficult, but our intention remains the same. I told the lads in the changing room ‘This isn’t over’.”

If Costa Rica are going to recover, however, they will need to rediscover the defensive organisation and clinical counter-attacks that propelled them to the quarter-finals four years ago.

While a number of their players remain the same from Brazil, they lacked the energy of that side.

Serbia found it hard to break them down, but they rarely looked troubled at the back and barring a late half chance for substitute Joel Campbell, they coasted through the game.

It had not looked like that in the opening minutes.

(REUTERS) DEFENDING champions Germany crashed to defeat in their first game at the World Cup on Sunday as an enterprising Mexico refused to be intimidated by history and ran out 1-0 winners in a thrilling Group F opener.

A shaky warm-up campaign had called into question the dominant form the Germans showed in qualifying, but experience and records were on their side, having won every opening game at major tournaments since Joachim Loew took over as coach in 2006.

Juan Carlos Osorio’s side had other ideas, however, holding their own against the favourites’ fearsome but slowing midfield and finding space at the back and seeking to end 33 years without a win against Germany. After wasting a handful of firsthalf chances while living dangerously in their own half, Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute strike on the break proved just reward.

When centre back Mats Hummels lost possession deep in the Mexican half, Javier Hernandez was released through the middle. He outpaced

Jerome Boateng and with a less than perfect pass found Lozano, who controlled the ball, cut inside Mesut Ozil, held off a charging Toni Kroos and slotted past Manuel Neuer.

At the other end, Guillermo Ochoa tipped a blistering Kroos free kick on to the bar minutes later, in what was to prove the Germans’ closest effort of a match in Moscow in which they had more than 60 percent possession but could not make it count.

“Our motto was play with the love of winning and not the fear of losing,” said a delighted Osorio.

For Loew, “we played badly”, gave the Mexicans too much space, lost too many balls and rushed chances under pressure.

“It’s an unfamiliar situation,” he said, while insisting the team “has enough experience to not go under with one defeat”.

“But the next game is now more important,” he added of Saturday’s clash with Sweden. “We have to win.”

Finishing second in the group could well mean facing Brazil rather than Switzerland or Serbia in the next round.

“Mexico deserved the win,” Hummels conceded.

Nottingham 12:50 hrs Stay Classy 13:20 hrs Seamster 13:50 hrs Puds 14:20 hrs Perfect Quest 14:50 hrs Isle Of Man 15:20 hrs Mrs Angel 15:50 hrs Bailarico Irish Racing Tips Naas 12:40 hrs Lethal Promise 13:10 hrs Aurora Eclipse 13:40 hrs Dali 14:10 hrs Lily’s Prince 14:40 hrs Captain Vancouver 15:10 hrs Magwadiri 15:40 hres Queen Rabad English Racing Tips Ayr 09:00 hrs Society 09:30 hrs Home Before Dusk 10:05 hrs Celerity 10:35 hrs My Name Is Rio 11:10 hrs Florencio 11:45 hrs Ingleby Hollow 12:15 hrs Munthany South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs Bayeto 09:05 hrs Rosslyn Chapel 09:40 hrs Thermocline 10:15 hrs Zaida 10:45 hrs Varbration Carlisle 09:15 hrs Swiss Peak 09:45 hrs Power To Exceed 10:20 hrs Venturs Secret 10:50 hrs Natajack 11:25 hrs Dalawyna 12:00 hrs Ad Libitum 12:30 hrs Savannah Moon American Racing Tips Parx Racing Race 1 Marnesia Big Girl Race 2 Grand Blue Harbour Race 3 Your Secret’s Safe Race 4 Beach Diva Race 5 Nikki’s Bad Race 6 Rockaroundthedock Race 7 Chanteline Race 8 Every Step Race 9 Zipped Code

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18 , 2018

Malteenoes National Men’s Hockey team Cricket Academy crashes 2-0 to Trinidad starts July 23 Registration starts today at MSC

THE Guyana Men’s Hockey team started off their three-match friendly series against Trinidad & Tobago with a 0-2 defeat.

After getting into Trinidad four and a half hours behind schedule due to flight delay and several additional delays, the Guyanese were forced to cancel their planned practice session and go straight into the first match.

The team started

tentatively and conceded several turnovers in the midfield which led to penetrative Trinidadian counter attacks.

On one such counter attack, outstanding Trinidadian midfielder, Shaquille Daniel, sent a powerful reverse hit into the scoring area which was deflected in by Akim Toussaint in the 8th minute.

Immediately after the restart, Trinidad countered

off of another unforced error by the Guyanese midfield and was awarded a penalty corner.

Guyana’s goalkeeper saved the initial dragflick. However, Trinidad’s Michael O’Connor converted the rebound.

By the start of the second quarter, the Guyanese began to grow in confidence and created several goalscoring opportunities of their own but were never

able to get past the Trinidad goalkeeper.

The two countries play two more matches as part of their preparations for the CAC Games next month in Colombia.

Trinidad, who are the top ranked team in the tournament, will oppose Cuba, Barbados and Colombia in pool A, while Guyana are in pool B with Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

LABA/YBG/Powerade Regional U-19 Schools Basketball...

Former West Indies and Guyana skipper, Ramnaresh Sarwan

REGISTRATION forms for the two-week Malteenoes Cricket Academy camp, which starts on July 23, will be available from 15:00hrs today at the club’s pavilion on Thomas Road, Thomas Lands.

Registration fee is $4,000 and the Academy runs from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs, Monday to Friday. Lunch and snacks will be provided for the students. Only the first 70 participants will be accepted.

The Malteenoes Cricket Academy was launched in July 1993 in recognition of the Club’s motto “Our Youth, Our Future”.

MSC’s principal intention is to add to the National grid young, proud,

Double-header planned for today Narsingh Deonarine

By Joe Chapman

and confident individuals.

The Academy caters for boys and girls between the ages of 6-13 and 14-18.

It will include class room and field work which will provide the training to become cricketers, umpires, scorers, journalists and broadcasters.

Qualified coaches will conduct technical and physical sessions while facilitators will talk on education, social skills, health and hygiene, etiquette, child protection, laws and history of cricket, umpiring and scoring.

The Academy has produced Test players such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ryan Ramdass, Narsingh Deonarine and West Indies female Test player, Indomattie Goordial.

TWO interesting matches will be played today on the penultimate day of the preliminary round in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association-organised LABA/Youth Basketball Guyana/Powerade Linden Regional Under-19 basketball Championship.

The Linden Technical Institute (LTI) side is the only unbeaten team in the tournament thus far and will play their final game against Wisburg Secondary while the winless schools, Harmony Secondary and Christianburg Wismar Secondary, clash at 16.00hrs.

In the latest round of play last Friday, LTI outplayed the challenges of New Silvercity Secondary 78-36 after establishing a commanding lead at half time-- 43-11.

They were once led by

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 18, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Somachandra De Silva-5/59 (vs PAK, Faisalabad, 1982) (2) Herman Griffith-6/103 (vs ENG, The Oval, 1928) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which Sri Lankan has scored the most Test runs against the WI in SL to date?

(2) Which West Indian has scored the most Test runs against SL in SL to date?

Daniel Lee

Jamal Gilkes

the duo of Daniel Lee and Jamal Gilkes as Lee netted 24 points and Gilkes 16.

Support also came from Shamar Chapman and Randy Patioir who both netted 12 points.

In the other scheduled game, Harmony failed to show up against Mackenzie High.

On Saturday, New Silvercity Secondary rebounded to

beat Christianburg-Wismar Secondary 34-14 as Kobe Tappin had a top-score of 21 for the winners while Odinnie Reece played well to score six for the losers.

The other game could not be played due to rain and that final game between Wisburg and Mackenzie High is to be played tomorrow with

the semi-finals set for Wednesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Currently, Linden Technical Institute are ahead with eight points, winning all of their four games played while in second position is New Silvercity Secondary who have completed their five games and have eight points from three wins and two losses.

Mackenzie High School is third with seven points from three wins and one loss; fourth is ChristianburgWismar Secondary with four points from three games played which they lost and at the bottom is Harmony Secondary School with no wins from four games.

After Wednesday’s semifinals, the final is set for Friday at the tournament venue--the MSC hard court.

Chandimal pleads not guilty to ball tampering CMC – Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal will face charges of changing the condition of the ball at the end of the ongoing Test against West Indies but plans to contest the allegations after pleading not guilty.

The International Cricket Council announced Sunday that Chandimal had been charged at the close of the third day on Saturday under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, relating to “changing the condition of

the ball in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and T20I Playing Conditions” by “unfair” means.

“The officials laid the charge after television footage from the final session’s play on Friday appeared to show the Sri Lanka captain taking sweets out from his left pocket and putting these in his mouth, before applying the artificial substance to the ball which the umpires viewed as an attempt to change its condition,” the ICC statement said.

“Video evidence will be used in the hearing, which will also be attended by the match officials as well as members of the Sri Lanka team management.

If Chandimal is found guilty, he faces a fine of between 50 per cent to his entire match fee, or two suspension points or three to four demerit points.

The controversy unfolded early on the third day when umpires informed Sri Lanka the ball would be changed and West Indies would be

awarded five penalty points, due to the altered condition of the ball.

Sri Lanka took issue with the assertion and refused to take the field, leading to play eventually starting at 11:30 am, half-hour before scheduled lunch interval.

A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket late Saturday said it would “take all necessary steps to defend any player, in the event any unwarranted allegation is brought against a member of the team.”

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18, 2018

Gabriel six-wicket haul pegs Sri Lanka back

A close call for Dinesh Chandimal, as he edges wide of keeper Shane Dowrich and slip fielder Devon Smith on the fourth day of the second Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground. © CWI Media/ Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

CMC – SPEEDSTER Shannon Gabriel snatched a career-best six-wicket haul to take 10 wickets in a Test for the first time but Sri Lanka resisted stubbornly to set up an intriguing final day of the second Test on Monday.

Floundering on 48 for four after resuming Sunday’s penultimate day on 34 for one in their second innings, Sri Lanka rallied to end on 334 for eight – a handy lead of already 287 runs.

They owed their revival to the classy Kusal Mendis who stroked a delightful 87 while wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella carved out 62 and Roshen Silva, 48.

Captain Dinesh

Chandimal, controversially charged late Saturday by the ICC with altering the condition of the ball, contributed 39 to follow up his unbeaten hundred in the first innings.

However, it was Gabriel who stole the headlines with a spell of six for 57 which gave him 11 wickets so far in the contest and has left him just two shy of 100 wickets in his Test career.

With Sri Lanka in command at 298 for six with Dickwella and Silva involved in a productive 99-run stand for the seventh wicket, it was the outstanding Gabriel who returned to remove both in the space of 12 deliveries, to tilt the encounter the Windies

SCORE BOARD SRI LANKA 1st Innings 253 WEST INDIES 1st Innings 300 SRI LANKA 2nd Innings (overnight 34 for one) K Perera c wkp Dowrich b Gabriel 20 M Udawatte c Bishoo b Roach 19 K Rajitha lbw b Gabriel 0 D de Silva c Smith b Gabriel 3 K Mendis b Gabriel 87 *D Chandimal c wkp Dowrich b Roach 39 R Silva c wkp Dowrich b Gabriel 48 +N Dickwella c Powell b Gabriel 62 A Dananjaya not out 16 S Lakmal not out 7 Extras (b12, lb8, w3, nb10) 33 TOTAL (8 wkts, 89 overs) 334 Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-34, 3-44, 4-48, 5-165, 6-199, 7-298, 8-307.

Bowling: Roach 20-3-75-2, Gabriel 19-5-57-6, Holder 15-5-38-0, Cummins 13-1-44-0, Bishoo 11-058-0, Chase 10–1-38-0, Brathwaite 1-0-4-0.

way yet again.

Crucially though, tailenders Akila Dananjaya (16 not out) and Suranga Lakmal (seven not out) then frustrated the hosts, so far adding 27 for the ninth wicket in a stand which has already taken halfhour out of the game.

Resuming the day still 13 runs in deficit, Sri Lanka endured a nightmare first hour when they lost a further three wickets to teeter on the brink of collapse.

Gabriel struck with the fourth delivery of the day, when he trapped nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha plumb lbw for a duck, and three overs later, had Dhananjaya De Silva caught at first slip for three by Devon Smith.

Seamer Kemar Roach, who ended with two for 75, claimed his first scalp of the day when left-handed opener Mahela Udawatte (19) drove tamely to mid-off where Devendra Bishoo held a simple catch.

Mendis and Chandimal, both with hundreds under their belts in the series, then came together in a key fourth wicket stand of 117 for the fifth wicket, which saw the visitors safely to lunch on 136 for four.

Both batsmen, though, were gifted lives through the Windies indiscipline with no-balls. Captain Jason Holder was the first to offer charity to the visitors, when Mendis, on 14, was caught behind down the leg-side, only for umpire Aleem Dar to nullify the dismissal with a call of no-ball.

Gabriel then followed up with a similar indiscretion, when he drew Chandimal into an ill-advised cut and had him caught at gully, only for the dismissal to be overturned following a TV replay of the delivery.

Mendis played superbly to be unbeaten on 53 at the break, reaching his landmark from 67 balls just before the interval, when he turned a delivery from part-time off-spinner Roston Chase to backward square for two runs.

Chandimal, meanwhile, on 27 not out at the interval, failed to add anything of significance before falling in the seventh over following the resumption – once a short rain delay had ended

– feathering a cut at Roach behind to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.

He faced 112 balls in nearly 2-1/4 hours and hit one four.

Mendis put on a further 34 for the sixth wicket with Silva, and when rain forced an early tea break, Sri Lanka were rebuilding at 194 for five.

Unbeaten on 85 then, Mendis was a good bet for his second hundred of the series when he perished in the second over following the break, bowled by Gabriel playing on.

All told, he struck eight fours and two sixes in a knock lasting 117 balls and 3-1/4 hours.

If West Indies were

scenting a quick end to the innings they were disappointed as Dickwella and Silva came together to marshal the innings.

Left-hander Dickwella hammered seven fours in a breezy 70-ball knock while Silva opted for the sheet anchor role, counting just two fours in an innings spanning 115 deliveries and 2-3/4 hours.

By the time Gabriel had Silva brilliantly caught one-handed down the leg-side by Dowrich and claimed Dickwella to a catch at cover by Kieran Powell, the close was already beckoning and Dananjaya and Lakmal held firm to extend the Windies frustration.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 18 , 2018

CONCACAF chief hails ...

Gabriel six-wicket haul pegs 23 Sri Lanka back PAGE

FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 Match Fixtures Sweden vs. South Korea 8 a.m.

Shannon Gabriel celebrates the dismissal of Kusal Mendis on the fourth day of the second Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

Nizhny Novgorod

Belgium vs. Panama

11 a.m. Sochi

Tunisia vs. England

2 p.m.

Volgograd

Mexican wall impregnable Beat Germany 1-0

PAGE

21 Germany’s midfielder Toni Kroos (L) shoots a free kick during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (Photo by Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) 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 MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2018